Outer Banks Fishing Charter with Grandpa Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Family-friendly charter targeting multiple inshore speciesCaptain Holly guides beginners through Pamlico Sound watersSix-person capacity accommodates small group fishing trips
Looking for a fishing adventure that'll get the whole family hooked? Captain and Mrs. Holly at Grandpa Charters have been putting folks on fish in the Outer Banks for years, and they know exactly where to find the action. Whether you're brand new to fishing or just want a relaxed day on the water, this inshore charter delivers the perfect mix of excitement and family fun. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy some of the best fishing the North Carolina coast has to offer.
Your day starts with a choice that makes all the difference. Captain Holly will talk through your options based on your group's experience level and what's biting. If you've got beginners or younger anglers in your crew, the Pamlico Sound is your sweet spot. This massive shallow water system stays protected from ocean swells, making it perfect for kids and first-timers to get comfortable with their sea legs while still catching plenty of fish. The water here is typically calmer, so you can focus on learning how to read your rod tip and feel those subtle bites that make inshore fishing so addictive. For groups ready to step it up a notch, the nearshore waters offer bigger fish and more variety. You'll still stay within sight of land, but you'll be targeting species that pack more punch and give you stories worth telling. Captain Holly reads the conditions daily and knows which spots are producing, so you're always fishing where the fish are feeding, not just hoping they show up.
Grandpa Charters comes loaded with everything you need to put fish in the cooler. You'll be working with medium-action spinning rods that are forgiving for beginners but sensitive enough to detect those light-biting species like croaker and spot. The tackle box includes a variety of rigs depending on what you're targeting - bottom rigs with circle hooks for flounder and sea trout, sabiki rigs when the Spanish mackerel are running in schools, and specialized setups for those lucky days when cobia cruise through. In the Sound, you'll mostly be working shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures around grass beds and drop-offs where baitfish congregate. The nearshore game shifts to trolling spoons and bucktails, plus live bait when conditions are right. Captain Holly will teach you to read your fish finder, spot working birds, and recognize the subtle signs that separate successful anglers from those who just cast and hope. The boat's electronics include GPS and sonar that reveal underwater structure where fish stack up, turning what looks like empty water into productive fishing spots.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Outer Banks inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties typically run 12-18 inches, with keeper-sized fish hitting 14 inches or better. Spring and fall offer the best action when they move into shallow grass flats to feed. What makes sea trout special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're aggressive enough to give beginners confidence but smart enough to challenge experienced anglers. The way they fight with quick runs and head shakes keeps everyone engaged, plus they taste fantastic on the dinner table.
Cobia are the crown jewel of nearshore fishing, though their season runs short and sweet from late spring through early summer. These brown sharks (as locals sometimes call them) can stretch 30-40 inches and fight like freight trains. What gets anglers excited about cobia is their curiosity - they'll often follow the boat and investigate baits, giving you a front-row seat to the action. When one hits, everyone on board knows it. They make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to leverage against your drag. Catching a cobia is a team effort that gets the whole family involved.
Spanish mackerel bring non-stop action when schools move through the area, typically from late spring through early fall. These streamlined speedsters rarely exceed 2-3 pounds, but they make up for size with pure aggression. When you find a school, it's game on - they'll hit small spoons, bucktails, and live bait with reckless abandon. Kids especially love Spanish mackerel because they bite frequently and fight hard for their size. The trick is finding the schools, which often reveal themselves by diving birds and surface activity.
Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat in sandy pockets waiting for unsuspecting prey. These flatfish can surprise you with their size, especially the fall "doormat" run when big females move toward inlets. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique - you need to feel the subtle pickup, count to three, then set the hook. There's something deeply satisfying about fooling a flounder with the right presentation. They're also among the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat.
Bluefish are the aggressive opportunists of the inshore world, showing up in schools that can turn a slow day into chaos in minutes. They range from small "snapper" blues perfect for kids to larger "chopper" blues that can stretch 15-20 inches. When blues are feeding, they'll hit almost anything you throw at them - metal lures, cut bait, even bare hooks if the feeding frenzy is intense enough. They fight with determination and make excellent cut bait for other species. The key with bluefish is being ready when they show up, because the bite can turn on and off like a light switch.
Grandpa Charters has built their reputation on putting families on fish while creating memories that last long after the trip ends. Captain and Mrs. Holly understand that not every angler comes aboard with the same skill level, and they adjust their approach to make sure everyone has a great time on the water. With the flexibility to fish the protected waters of Pamlico Sound or venture to the
The "Grandpa" has been working these Outer Banks waters since 1998, and this reliable 40-foot Northshore knows where the fish are hiding. Captain and Mrs. Holly will get you set up whether you're after flounder in the shallow grass beds or chasing Spanish mackerel in deeper water. The boat's equipped with everything you need - GPS to find the hot spots, radar for when the fog rolls in, and fish finders to locate schools below. Outriggers and a fighting chair mean you're ready for whatever takes the bait. Perfect for families wanting to try their luck in the calm Pamlico Sound targeting sea trout and croaker, or head toward inshore waters where ribbonfish and bluefish are waiting. Keep your eyes peeled for cobia during their brief season - they're worth the wait. Accommodates up to 6 anglers comfortably.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are pure aggression with fins - these blue-green fighters show up in feeding frenzies that'll bend your rod double. Running anywhere from "snapper" size (6-12 inches) to 15-pound chopper blues, they travel in schools and attack baitfish like a pack of wolves. Summer through early fall is prime time in our waters. What makes them exciting? They hit hard, fight harder, and when you find a school, it's non-stop action. Smaller ones are great eating, with flaky white meat. Pro tip: when blues are blitzing on the surface, any shiny spoon or popper will work, but bring a wire leader - those razor teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Handle with care when boating them.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the ghosts of our inshore waters - solitary, powerful fish that average 30-50 pounds but can hit 100+. These dark brown beauties cruise around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers, usually in 30-70 feet of water. Late spring through early summer is prime time when they're spawning and more aggressive. What makes them special? They're sight fishing at its finest - you'll actually see these fish swimming just under the surface. Plus, they're outstanding eating with firm, white meat. Here's the key: when you spot one, get a bucktail jig in front of it and work it slow. Cobia are curious but spook easy, so one good cast is often all you get.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are a staple in Pamlico Sound, running 14-24 inches and usually weighing 1-5 pounds. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action, but winter can be productive when they school up in deeper channels. They're scrappy fighters that make great table fare - mild, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. One tip: fish the grass beds with live shrimp under a popping cork. The sound draws them in, and that subtle pop-and-pause retrieve triggers strikes from trout that might otherwise ignore your bait.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches. They love shallow bays, creek mouths, and around structure where they can blend in perfectly. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore. What's fun about flounder? Kids love the "door mat" shape, and they're fantastic eating - sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Best tip: drift live bull minnows or mud minnows on a jig head along the bottom. Feel for that subtle "tick" - that's usually a flounder picking up your bait, not a snag.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll give you an arm workout. These silver rockets with yellow spots typically run 1-2 feet long, weighing 2-8 pounds. They travel in large schools near the surface, hitting our nearshore waters hard from late spring through fall. You'll find them around structure, jetties, and anywhere baitfish are schooling. What guests love? They hit hard, fight fast, and make excellent table fare - mild flavor that grills, smokes, or fries beautifully. The trick is speed - troll shiny spoons or cast small jigs and retrieve them quickly. When you hook into a school, work fast because they won't stick around long. Wire leader helps too - their teeth are razor sharp.
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