6-Hour Inshore Fishing with Captain Bud
Looking for a solid day of inshore fishing in Manteo? Captain Bud Bishop knows these North Carolina waters like the back of his hand, and his 6-hour trips aboard a custom Skeeter Bay Boat are perfect for anyone wanting to get into some real fish. Whether you're bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler looking to dial in on redfish and sea trout, this top-rated charter accommodates up to 3 guests with plenty of personal attention. Fair warning though – Captain Bud requires a direct phone call to confirm your booking since he keeps a tight schedule and limited availability.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Bud's Skeeter Bay Boat is built for exactly this kind of fishing – shallow water access where the big reds like to cruise and comfort for a full 6-hour day. You'll launch from Manteo and head into the productive inshore waters that make this area a customer favorite among Carolina anglers. The boat's shallow draft design lets you get into those skinny water spots where other boats can't reach, giving you access to prime feeding areas along grass beds, oyster bars, and creek mouths. Captain Bud reads the tides and conditions daily, adjusting the game plan to put you on the most active fish. Some days that means working the deeper channel edges, other days you'll be sight-casting in 2 feet of water watching redfish tails pop up in the distance. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is having time to try multiple spots and techniques without feeling rushed.
Techniques & Tackle
Inshore fishing around Manteo means adapting your approach based on what the fish are telling you. Captain Bud comes prepared with both live and artificial baits, switching between cut bait on Carolina rigs for bottom feeders like sheepshead, live shrimp under popping corks for sea trout, and soft plastics on jig heads for actively feeding redfish. When conditions are right, you might get into some sight-fishing action using topwater plugs or paddle-tail swimbaits. The Skeeter's layout gives everyone room to work without getting tangled up, and the shallow water platform lets you stand and get a better angle on your casts. Captain Bud provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need, though experienced anglers are welcome to bring their favorite setups. He's particularly good at coaching newer anglers on proper casting technique and teaching kids how to feel the difference between a bite and bottom structure.
Target Species You'll Want to Hook
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Manteo inshore fishing, with fish ranging from 14-inch schoolies up to 4-pound gator trout that'll give you a real fight on light tackle. These speckled beauties love grass beds and drop-offs, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with cooler months pushing the bigger fish into deeper creek channels. What makes sea trout special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials – you might catch one on a live shrimp one cast and nail another on a soft plastic jig the next.
Redfish are the prize catch that keeps anglers coming back to these waters year after year. These copper-colored bulldogs range from slot-sized fish around 20-27 inches up to oversized bull reds that can stretch past 40 inches and weigh 30+ pounds. Reds are year-round residents but really turn on during fall months when they school up for their spawning runs. They're ambush predators that cruise shallow flats looking for crabs and baitfish, making them perfect targets for sight-fishing when conditions allow. The fight they put up is legendary – once hooked, a red will make multiple runs and use every bit of structure it can find to try breaking off.
Bluefish add some serious excitement to any inshore trip, especially when they're feeding in schools and competing for every bait that hits the water. These aggressive predators hit hard and fight dirty, using their razor-sharp teeth and powerful runs to test your drag system. Blues typically show up in good numbers during their spring and fall migrations, often mixing with Spanish mackerel to create some of the most fast-paced fishing you'll find. While they might not be the prettiest fish in the cooler, they're excellent tablefare when bled and iced properly, and their willingness to hit just about any moving bait makes them perfect for keeping kids engaged throughout the trip.
Time to Book Your Spot
Captain Bud's 6-hour inshore trips offer the perfect balance of fishing time and personal attention that's made MottRidge Charters a renowned choice among Manteo fishing guides. With space for only 3 guests, you're guaranteed individual coaching and prime fishing spots without the crowds. The Skeeter Bay Boat gives you access to both the shallow water action and deeper structure fishing that makes this area so productive. Remember, you'll need to call Captain Bud directly to confirm your booking – he doesn't accept automated reservations due to the personalized nature of each trip and weather-dependent scheduling. Don't wait too long to secure your dates, especially during peak season when his calendar fills up fast with repeat customers who know good fishing when they find it.