Wanchese NC Bottom and Trolling Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Guided fishing trips target seabass, cobia, flounder and triggerfishChoose from 4hour, 6hour or full 8hour charter optionsAll bait, tackle and gear provided for groups up to 5
When you're looking for some of the most consistent fishing on North Carolina's Outer Banks, Wanchese is where the action happens. Located on Roanoke Island, this working fishing village gives you direct access to both inshore flats and deeper offshore waters - all within a short boat ride. In Debt Charters runs these combination bottom fishing and trolling trips that put you right where the fish are biting, whether that's structure-holding seabass or cruising cobia looking for an easy meal.
These trips are built around flexibility and fish-finding. Your captain will read the conditions, check the bite reports, and adjust the plan to put you on active fish. With 4-hour, 6-hour, and 8-hour options, you can choose how deep you want to dive into the experience. The shorter trips usually focus on closer inshore spots where flounder and smaller seabass hold, while the longer hauls give you time to run out to deeper structure for bigger fish and more variety. All your bait, tackle, and gear comes with the trip, so you just need to show up ready to fish. The boat handles up to 5 anglers comfortably, making it perfect for small groups who want personalized attention from the crew.
The beauty of these combination trips is switching up techniques based on what's working. Bottom fishing around Wanchese means dropping rigs to structure - wrecks, ledges, and hard bottom where seabass, triggerfish, and tilefish stack up. You'll be using circle hooks with squid, cut bait, or live bottom fish, feeling for that telltale thump when something grabs your offering. When it's time to troll, the crew will set out a spread of lures or rigged baits, covering water to find roaming pelagics like cobia, king mackerel, or mahi. The trolling game here is about reading water temperature, current breaks, and bait schools - your captain knows these waters and will put the spread where it needs to be.
King mackerel are the speed demons of this fishery, and when they're running, you'll know it. These fish show up in good numbers from late spring through fall, hitting trolled spoons, live bait, and rigged dead baits with aggressive strikes that'll test your drag system. Kings around Wanchese typically run 15-30 pounds, with some bigger fish mixed in during peak season. They're pure adrenaline - long runs, jumping, and putting serious pressure on your tackle.
Mahi mahi are the wild cards that make any trip special. These common dolphinfish are opportunistic feeders that show up around floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks. When you hook one mahi, there's usually more nearby, so the crew will work fast to keep multiple lines in the water. They're beautiful fish with that distinctive flat head and electric colors, plus they're fantastic table fare. Mahi season peaks in summer but you can find them spring through fall in the right conditions.
Cobia are the bruisers that'll surprise you with their power. These brown sharks of the inshore world cruise shallow waters, especially around structure or following rays and sharks. Cobia fishing is visual when conditions allow - you'll actually see these fish swimming near the surface and make targeted casts. They're curious fish that respond well to live bait or big soft plastics, and once hooked, they make strong runs and fight all the way to the boat. A good cobia will go 30-50 pounds and provides some of the best eating you'll find.
Southern flounder are the ambush predators hiding in plain sight on sandy bottoms and around structure. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand waiting for baitfish to swim by. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique - you're bouncing baits along the bottom, feeling for subtle bites and hooksets. They're seasonal fish that bite best in fall when they're staging for their offshore spawning run. A keeper flounder is always a prize catch and makes for outstanding table fare.
Black sea bass are the reliable workhorses of the bottom fishing game around Wanchese. These fish stack up on wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom structure, making them perfect targets for vertical jigging and bottom rigs. Seabass are aggressive biters that'll hit squid, cut bait, or small jigs, and when you find a school, you can usually catch several before they wise up. They're excellent eating fish with firm white meat, and during good bites, you'll fill the cooler quickly.
Wanchese fishing delivers year-round action with seasonal peaks that keep things interesting. The combination of bottom fishing structure and trolling opportunities means you're always in the game, regardless of conditions. In Debt Charters knows these waters and will put you on fish using proven techniques and local knowledge. Whether you're a seasoned angler or getting your feet wet, these trips offer the perfect mix of education and action. Book your charter and experience why Wanchese remains one of North Carolina's top fishing destinations - the fish are there, the techniques work, and the memories will keep you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Step aboard the 39' Topaz, a proven 1984 convertible that's been working these North Carolina waters for decades. Her twin 250HP Volvo engines push you to the fishing grounds at a steady 23 knots, while the spacious flybridge gives you the perfect vantage point to spot working birds and baitfish. This classic fishing machine comes loaded with everything serious anglers need - radar and GPS to navigate safely, plus a quality fish finder to locate those bottom-hugging seabass and cruising cobia. The full galley and refrigerator keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during long days on the water. With room for up to 5 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rails whether you're trolling for cobia or dropping bottom rigs for tilefish and triggerfish. The onboard head means comfort during extended trips, and the boat's proven design handles Outer Banks conditions with confidence.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are reliable bottom dwellers that make every trip productive. These chunky fighters typically run 1-4 pounds, though we catch some over 8 pounds around deeper wrecks and structure. They love rocky bottoms, jetties, and artificial reefs in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. What guests appreciate is their willingness to bite and their sweet, firm white meat that rivals grouper. They'll hit squid, clams, and small jigs with equal enthusiasm. The males turn bright blue during spawning season, which is pretty cool to see. Here's a tip: use a simple two-hook bottom rig with squid strips, but don't set the hook too hard - their mouths are surprisingly soft and you'll pull the hook right out.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the tanks of our local waters - big, brown, and powerful fish that average 30-60 pounds and can hit 100+. They're loners, so don't expect schools, but that makes each hookup special. We find them around structure like wrecks, buoys, and reefs in 20-80 feet of water, especially during spring migration from May through July. What makes cobia fishing exciting is sight fishing - we'll spot them cruising just under the surface and cast right to them. They fight hard with long runs and make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's the key: use a heavy bucktail jig in any color and work it slow near bottom structure. When you see one following, don't stop reeling - keep that jig moving or they'll lose interest.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish we target here, averaging 20-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. These aggressive predators cruise the 40-150 foot depths along our coast, especially around structure and current breaks. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're feeding heavily on blue runners, menhaden, and flying fish. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll strip line faster than almost anything else out there. The meat's excellent too, though high in oils. Here's a local trick: use a two-hook wire leader setup with the second treble hook free-swinging behind your live bait. Kings hit from behind, and that trailing hook will nail them when they come back for a better grip on your bait.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll find offshore, flashing gold and electric blue when hooked. These 15-30 pound beauties live fast and short, rarely exceeding four years. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in warmer months when water temps hit the upper 60s and beyond. What guests love most is watching them change colors during the fight and their aerial displays. The meat is firm, white, and mild - perfect for the dinner table. They're aggressive feeders, hitting everything from ballyhoo to jigs. Pro tip: when you hook one mahi, don't boat it right away. Keep it in the water and cast to the school - where there's one mahi, there's usually several more nearby.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches and 3-5 pounds, but we catch some pushing 20+ pounds in deeper water. They're found in shallow bays, inlets, and around structure where they can hide and feed on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore for winter. What anglers enjoy is the challenge of finding them and their excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The trick with flounder is patience and slow presentation. Use live bull minnows or shrimp on a light jig head, and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that tap, count to three before setting the hook - they grab prey sideways first.
North Carolina