Wanchese NC Private 8-Hour Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday nearshore charter targeting King Mackerel and AmberjackTrolling opportunities for Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and RibbonfishWreck fishing for Black Seabass and seasonal Cobia
When you're ready to get serious about fishing the waters off North Carolina's Outer Banks, Miss Banx Fishing Charters delivers the kind of full-day adventure that separates the weekend warriors from the dedicated anglers. Our 8-hour private charter out of Wanchese puts you right in the heart of some of the East Coast's most productive fishing grounds, where the sound meets the Atlantic and the fish are always biting. With room for up to 6 anglers, this isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a proper day on the water where you'll have time to work multiple spots and really dial in on what's feeding.
This charter runs the gamut from nearshore action to deeper water opportunities, giving you the best of both worlds in one solid day of fishing. We start by heading toward the tower structure where King Mackerel patrol and Amberjack hold deep. These aren't the kind of fish that come easy – they fight hard and test your drag system. On the way out, we'll be trolling for Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and the occasional Ribbonfish, keeping the lines tight and the action steady. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is flexibility – if the Kings aren't cooperating at the tower, we can shift gears and work the wrecks for Black Seabass and Tilefish. Depending on what time of year you're fishing with us, we might stumble across some Cobia cruising the surface or find Redfish working the shallower structure. Every trip writes its own story, and with this much time on the water, you're bound to have multiple chapters.
We run a combination of trolling spreads and bottom fishing setups depending on what we're targeting at any given moment. For the Kings and Spanish, we'll have multiple lines out at varying depths using a mix of spoons, diving plugs, and live bait when conditions call for it. The trolling game is all about covering water efficiently while keeping your baits in the strike zone. When we transition to bottom fishing at the wrecks, we switch to circle hooks and heavier sinkers to get down to where the Seabass and Tilefish live. These fish don't come up to play – you've got to go to them. The wreck fishing requires a different mindset entirely, focusing on feel and finesse rather than the visual excitement of surface strikes. We provide all the tackle and know-how, but bring your own cooler if you want to take your catch home. The boat's equipped with quality rods and reels that can handle everything from 2-pound Spanish to 30-pound Kings without breaking a sweat.
Mahi Mahi, also called Common Dolphinfish, are the crown jewel of offshore fishing, and while they're not guaranteed on every trip, when we find them, it's game on. These fish are pure athletes – they'll jump, run, and put on a show that'll have you grinning from ear to ear. Mahi typically show up in our waters from late spring through early fall, often around floating debris or weed lines. They're schooling fish, so where you catch one, there's usually more. The males, called bulls, can push 20-30 pounds and have that distinctive blunt forehead. What makes them so special isn't just the fight – they're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Little Tunny might not win any beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters that'll bend your rod and test your endurance. These guys are year-round residents in our waters, though they're most active during the warmer months. They're part of the tuna family and fight like it, making long runs and keeping steady pressure on your drag. Most Little Tunny we see run 5-15 pounds, perfect size for lighter tackle that really lets you feel their power. They're excellent bait fish for bigger predators, and many anglers specifically target them for that purpose.
Spanish Mackerel are the bread and butter of nearshore fishing here, especially during their spring and fall runs. These fish are speed demons with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They'll hit fast and fight dirty, often jumping and throwing the hook if you're not paying attention. Spanish typically run 2-5 pounds in our waters, though the occasional bigger fish shows up to surprise you. They're phenomenal table fare when prepared right, and their seasonal abundance makes them a reliable target when other species are being finicky.
Bluefish are the bulldogs of the Atlantic – aggressive, opportunistic, and always ready to eat. These fish travel in schools and when you find them feeding, it's pure chaos in the best possible way. Blues can show up any time of year but are most active during spring and fall migrations. They range from small snappers up to chopper blues pushing 10+ pounds. What makes them exciting is their willingness to hit just about anything you throw at them, making them perfect for anglers who want consistent action.
Black Sea Bass are the kings of structure fishing, and our local wrecks hold some quality fish. These bottom dwellers are homebodies that rarely stray far from their chosen piece of structure. They're not the fastest fish in the ocean, but they're smart and use the wreck to their advantage, trying to cut you off or wrap you around obstacles. Most Black Sea Bass run 1-3 pounds, but the bigger ones can push 5-7 pounds and provide surprisingly strong fights for their size. They're also excellent eating, with firm white meat that's hard to beat.
An 8-hour charter gives you the time to really experience what Wanchese fishing is all about. You're not rushed, you're not watching the clock, and you can adapt to whatever the day throws at you. Whether you're a seasone
Get ready to fish the productive waters off Wanchese aboard our fully restored 32-foot Topaz sportfisher. This well-maintained 1995 vessel was completely rebuilt in 2021 and packs serious power with twin 375HP CAT engines that cruise comfortably at 27 knots, getting you to the fishing grounds fast and efficiently. Perfect for up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need for a successful day targeting kings, amberjack, and bottom fish. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting working birds and bait schools, while our fish finder helps locate structure and mark fish below. GPS and radar keep us on target and safe in any conditions. Stay comfortable all day with the onboard toilet and icebox to keep your drinks cold and catch fresh. We'll cruise out to the towers for king mackerel and amberjack, work the wrecks for black seabass and tilefish, and troll the nearshore waters for spanish mackerel, bluefish, and ribbonfish. Depending on season, we might even hook into some cobia or redfish. This boat handles the offshore conditions with ease while giving you the stability you need to fight those hard-pulling fish.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting bottom dwellers that love hanging around wrecks, rocks, and structure. Most weigh 1-4 pounds with dark, mottled coloring and a distinctive high dorsal fin. During spawning season, big males turn bright blue and develop a prominent hump on their heads. You'll find them in 30-120 feet of water around any kind of hard bottom or artificial reef from late spring through summer. They put up a solid scrap on the way up and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. These fish are curious and will often follow your bait up from the bottom. My go-to setup is a two-hook rig with squid or clam strips fished right on the bottom. Keep your drag tight - they'll duck back into the structure if you give them slack.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators with razor-sharp teeth and attitudes to match. They typically run 2-10 pounds around here, with that classic blue-green back fading to silver sides. You'll find them in feeding schools that churn the water like washing machines, especially during summer months in bays, near beaches, and around structure. They're famous for their "blitz" feeding where they attack baitfish in shallow water - pure chaos and great fishing. These fish fight hard and taste great when fresh, though the bigger ones have stronger flavor. Always bring wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon - their teeth will slice through regular line instantly. Watch for diving birds to locate the schools, and have multiple rods ready since the action can be fast and furious.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, also called false albacore or bonita, are scrappy fighters that'll test your drag system. They average 10-15 pounds but can hit 20+. These torpedo-shaped fish have dark blue backs with wavy lines and distinctive black spots that look like fingerprints. You'll find schools of them in nearshore waters, especially around jetties, inlets, and temperature breaks during fall and spring migrations. They're incredibly fast swimmers and put up battles way above their weight class. The meat is darker and stronger-flavored than regular tuna, but fresh it's quite good. Listen for the commotion - these fish are noisy feeders and you can often hear them before you see them. Troll bright feathers or cast small jigs into the feeding frenzy.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are absolutely gorgeous fish with brilliant gold sides and electric blue-green backs that put on a real color show when you bring them to the boat. Most run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen some push closer to 40. They love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in the blue water. Late spring through early fall is prime time when water temps climb above 70 degrees. These fish are fast, strong fighters that'll make multiple runs and jumps - always a crowd pleaser. The meat is fantastic too - firm, white, and mild tasting. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and look for more fish nearby. Mahi typically travel in small schools, so where there's one, there's usually others.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speedy little fighters that'll keep your rod bent all day long. Most run 1-3 pounds with silver sides covered in yellow spots. They school up in huge numbers during summer and early fall, working baitfish near the surface around structures and drop-offs. These fish are lightning fast - some of the quickest in the ocean - and they hit lures hard then make blistering runs. The meat is excellent eating with a mild flavor that grills, fries, or smokes beautifully. They're perfect for kids and beginners since the action stays steady when you find a school. Best tip I can give you: use light tackle with small, shiny spoons or jigs. Don't drift right over them - stay on the edges of the school to avoid spooking the whole bunch.
Washington