Charter Fishing Hatteras | 4 to 6 Hours
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.
What to Expect on the Water
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.
Techniques & Tackle Setup
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.
Species You'll Want to Hook
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.