Charter Fishing Hatteras | 4 to 6 Hours
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
46 hour inshore fishing trips targeting redfish, cobia, and flounderAll fishing equipment provided by experienced crew membersAccommodates up to 4 guests of all skill levels
If you're looking for some of the best inshore fishing on the Outer Banks, you've found the right crew. Got-em Inshore Charters runs top-rated half-day trips out of Hatteras, where the fishing is as good as it gets. We're talking 4 to 6 hours of pure fishing action in some of North Carolina's most productive inshore waters. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone who's never held a rod, our trips are designed to put fish in the boat and smiles on faces. The best part? We handle all the tackle and know-how – you just bring your appetite for adventure and maybe some cold drinks.
Your day starts early at Hatteras Harbor, where you'll meet Captain and crew who've been working these waters for years. We keep our groups small – just 4 anglers max – so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention. The boat is rigged and ready with everything from light tackle for trout to heavier gear for those bruiser drum and cobia. We'll cruise out to the day's hot spots, which could be anything from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges, depending on what's biting and what the conditions look like. The Pamlico Sound and its tributaries offer endless fishing opportunities, and we know exactly where to find the fish based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. Expect to move around a bit – that's how we stay on the bite and keep your lines tight all day long.
We fish smart here in Hatteras waters, using proven techniques that match what the fish want to eat. Light tackle spinning setups loaded with braided line are our go-to for most situations – sensitive enough to feel that subtle trout bite but strong enough to muscle a big red away from structure. We run everything from live bait rigs with fresh shrimp and mud minnows to artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs when the action calls for it. Depending on the target species and conditions, we might be sight fishing the shallows, working structure with jigs, or slow-trolling along channel edges. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the day, switching between techniques to keep you connected to fish. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are included, plus we'll re-rig and net your catches so you can focus on fighting fish instead of retying hooks.
Sheepshead are some of the craftiest fish swimming in Hatteras waters, and hooking one is like winning a chess match. These black-and-white striped convicts hang around pilings, docks, and oyster bars, using their human-like teeth to crush crabs and barnacles. They're notorious bait stealers, so when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, you better set the hook fast. Fall and winter are prime time for sheepshead fishing, when they school up in deeper channels before heading offshore to spawn. Most run 2 to 5 pounds, but we see plenty of 8-pounders that'll test your drag. What makes them special? They're some of the best eating fish in the sound, with sweet, flaky white meat that tastes like a cross between snapper and grouper.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Hatteras inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their spotted sides and canine teeth are aggressive predators that love to ambush baitfish in shallow grass beds and along drop-offs. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during moving tides when the specks are actively feeding. They hit everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic jigs worked along the bottom. Most keeper trout run 14 to 18 inches, but we regularly see gator trout pushing 6 to 8 pounds that'll make your reel sing. The fight is spectacular – they jump, run, and shake their heads like miniature tarpon. Plus, they're fantastic on the dinner table with firm, mild flesh that's perfect for the grill.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Hatteras inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots are pure muscle and attitude. We find them year-round in our waters, but fall brings the best action when schools of bull reds migrate through our inlets. Sight fishing for reds in skinny water is as exciting as it gets – watching a 30-inch fish cruise the shallows with its back out of water, then witnessing the explosion when it crushes your lure. They're incredibly strong fighters that use their broad tails to make blistering runs toward structure. Most of our reds range from slot-size fish around 18 to 27 inches up to oversized bulls that can top 40 inches and 30 pounds. The bigger fish are catch-and-release only, but those slot reds make some of the best blackened fish you'll ever taste.
Cobia are the wildcards of our inshore trips – when they show up, everything else takes a backseat. These brown sharks with attitude are curious fish that often swim right up to the boat, giving anglers heart-stopping opportunities at sight casting. Spring and fall migrations bring the best cobia action, when fish from 20 to 50 pounds cruise our nearshore waters. They're incredibly strong fighters that make long, powerful runs and aren't shy about diving under the boat or wrapping your line around anything they can find. Cobia hit big baits and lures hard – live eels, large jigs, and even topwater plugs can trigger explosive strikes. What makes them special is their incredible table fare – firm, white meat that's often compared to shark or mahi-mahi. Landing a big cobia is a team effort that'll have everyone on the boat cheering.
This 2005 25' Parker Center Console is your ticket to productive inshore fishing in Hatteras waters. Powered by a reliable 250HP Suzuki outboard, she cruises comfortably at 25 knots to get you to the fishing grounds quickly. The center console design gives everyone room to move around while fighting fish, and with space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of elbow room at the rail. She's equipped with GPS and fish finder electronics to locate schools of redfish, cobia, and flounder in the shallows. The icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long summer days on the water. Whether you're casting to drum in the surf or working structure for trout, this Parker handles Hatteras' inshore waters with ease. The flybridge gives your captain a clear view to spot feeding fish and navigate the shallow flats where the big reds like to cruise.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the prize fish of our spring runs here in Hatteras, and landing one is always a highlight. These brown torpedoes average 30-50 pounds and 4-5 feet long, with some monsters pushing 6 feet and 80+ pounds. They're mostly solitary fish that cruise around wrecks, buoys, and structure in 20-60 feet of water. May through July is prime time when they migrate through our area. What makes them special is their incredible strength - they'll test your drag and make long, powerful runs. Plus, the white, firm meat rivals any fish in the ocean for eating quality. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, making for exciting sight fishing opportunities. Here's my tip: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or live eel well ahead of where it's swimming - they spook easily but once committed, they hit like a freight train.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our Hatteras inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 20-30 inches and 5-15 pounds, easily spotted by that distinctive black spot near their tail. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, oyster bars, and marsh creeks in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. They're active year-round here, but spring and fall migrations bring the best action. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water and feeling that bulldogging fight when one takes off. The firm, mild meat makes great eating too. My go-to tip: look for nervous water or muddy areas where they're rooting around feeding. A well-placed topwater lure or live shrimp near that disturbance usually gets crushed.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a staple around Hatteras and perfect for anglers wanting consistent action. Most fish we catch run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with their silvery bodies covered in distinctive black spots. They prefer shallow grass flats, marsh edges, and deeper channels during cooler months. Spring through fall offer the best fishing, especially early morning and evening when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Guests love them because they hit artificial lures aggressively and make solid runs when hooked. The mild, white meat is excellent table fare - just don't overcook it since it's more delicate than other species. Here's a local trick: work your lure slowly through the grass beds and listen for their distinctive "drumming" sound when they're feeding nearby. That noise will lead you right to the school.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are one of the most distinctive fish you'll encounter around Hatteras - those human-like teeth and black vertical stripes earn them the nickname "convict fish." Most run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we occasionally land 8-10 pounders that'll surprise you. They love hanging around any structure - bridge pilings, docks, jetties, and wrecks where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Spring through fall are prime months when they're most active in our waters. What makes them fun is they're notorious bait thieves with light nibbles before committing, then they fight hard once hooked. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find. My tip: get your bait tight to the structure and set the hook hard when you feel that telltale nibble - they've got crusher mouths that can spit your hook in a heartbeat.
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