Full Day Offshore Adventure with Captain Bud Bishop
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesAccommodates up to three guests aboard specialized Skeeter boatCaptain Bud provides local knowledge and tidebased strategies
Captain Bud Bishop knows the waters around Manteo like the back of his hand, and his full-day fishing adventures prove it every single time. You'll spend eight solid hours aboard his Skeeter Bay Boat, a shallow-draft machine built for comfort and access to those honey holes where other boats can't reach. This isn't your typical inshore trip – Captain Bud runs what locals call "offshore-leaning inshore," meaning you'll hit structure and feeding zones that produce consistent action throughout the day. With space for just three anglers, you get personalized attention and the kind of local knowledge that turns good fishing days into great ones.
Your day starts early with Captain Bud laying out the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. The Skeeter Bay Boat handles chop like a champ while getting you into skinny water where bigger boats fear to tread. You'll work structure fishing techniques, timing your moves with tidal changes that trigger feeding activity. Captain Bud's approach focuses on reading conditions as they develop – if the fish are stacked up on one particular structure, you'll work it hard. If they're scattered and moving, you'll cover water until you find the bite. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is having time to adapt and chase whatever's hot that day.
Structure fishing is the name of the game here, and Captain Bud's got it dialed in. You'll be working around pilings, bridge supports, oyster bars, and artificial reefs where predator fish ambush bait schools. The approach varies by target species – live bait presentations for redfish and black drum, cut bait for the big stripers, and artificials when bluefish are busting the surface. The Skeeter's shallow draft lets you get tight to structure without spooking fish, while the comfortable layout gives everyone room to fight fish properly. Captain Bud provides all tackle and knows exactly what each species wants based on seasonal patterns and water conditions.
Redfish are the bread and butter around Manteo, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized juveniles to bull reds pushing 40+ inches. These copper-colored fighters love structure and moving water, especially during tide changes when they pin baitfish against pilings and oyster bars. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but summer brings the big bulls into shallow water. What makes redfish special is their fight – they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to pull drag like a freight train.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with mature fish commonly exceeding 30 pounds around Manteo's deeper structures. These bottom-huggers have incredible pulling power and will test your tackle to the limit. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, when they gather around bridge pilings and channel edges to feed on crabs and shellfish. The thrill comes from that initial hookup – black drum hit hard and immediately head for the bottom, making you work for every inch of line recovered.
Striped Bass migrate through these waters seasonally, bringing world-class fishing opportunities from fall through spring. Schools of keeper-sized fish mix with trophy specimens exceeding 30 inches, creating action that keeps everyone on their toes. These silver bullets are aggressive feeders that respond well to both live bait and lures, especially around moving water and bait concentrations. When stripers are in the area, you'll know it – they'll crash bait on the surface and bend rods in half.
Bluefish bring non-stop action when they show up in numbers, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These voracious predators travel in schools and attack anything that moves, making them perfect for beginning anglers or anyone who loves constant hookups. Blues range from snapper-sized juveniles to chopper blues exceeding five pounds, and they'll hit artificials, live bait, or cut bait with equal enthusiasm. Their razor-sharp teeth and aggressive nature make every hookup an adventure.
Sheepshead are the structure specialists, hanging tight to pilings and rocky areas where they feed on barnacles and shellfish. These convict-striped fighters are notorious bait thieves with excellent eyesight and lightning-fast reflexes. Spring spawning season brings the biggest fish into shallow water, with quality specimens ranging from two to eight pounds. What makes sheepshead fishing addictive is the challenge – they require precise presentations and quick hooksets, but once hooked, they fight with surprising strength for their size.
Captain Bud runs a tight operation with limited availability, so calling ahead is essential before making any plans. Weather and tidal conditions drive the schedule, meaning flexibility gets rewarded with better fishing conditions. This full-day adventure delivers serious value for serious anglers – eight hours of fishing with a captain who knows exactly where to find fish when others come up empty. Whether you're after your first redfish or chasing a personal best black drum, Captain Bud's local expertise and commitment to putting you on fish makes this trip a top-rated choice for Manteo fishing. Don't wait until the season's in full swing to secure your dates – the best fishing days book up fast with repeat customers who know what Captain Bud delivers on the water.
Captain Bud's Skeeter Bay Boat is built for serious anglers who want to chase fish in North Carolina's productive waters around Manteo. This shallow-draft motorboat gets you into those skinny water spots where the big reds and drum like to hang out, while still being tough enough for offshore-style runs when conditions allow. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful day – an ice box to keep your catch fresh, GPS to mark productive spots, and a fish finder to locate structure and baitfish. The wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly through shallow areas without spooking fish. Perfect for up to 3 anglers, this setup gives you access to the best of both worlds – inshore flats for sight fishing and deeper structure for stripers and drum. Captain Bud knows these waters inside and out, timing trips with the tides to put you on fish whether they're feeding on flats or holding near bridges and drop-offs.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world, commonly running 10-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50-plus. These bottom-huggers love oyster beds, muddy flats, and around any structure in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. They're famous for that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear through the hull. What guests love is the stubborn, head-shaking fight they put up. Fresh crab or cut bait fished right on the bottom works best. Here's my local trick: use circle hooks and be patient - they'll mouth the bait before committing, so let them take it and start moving before setting the hook.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive fighters that show up in our waters from spring through fall, typically running 3-15 pounds with some larger ones mixed in. These silvery-blue predators love to hunt in schools, often creating feeding frenzies near the surface that you can spot from a distance. They'll hit just about anything - cut bait, live menhaden, or metal jigs work great. What makes them special is their hard pull and that distinctive run when hooked. The meat is excellent eating when bled immediately, though the bigger ones can be a bit strong. My tip: when you find one bluefish, there's usually a whole school nearby, so keep your lines in the water and work the area thoroughly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that cruise our shallow flats and marsh edges. Most run 18-30 inches, but the bull reds offshore can push 40-plus pounds. They love 1-4 feet of water around oyster beds, grass flats, and creek mouths. Fall brings excellent fishing as they school up, but they bite year-round here. What guests love is watching them cruise in skinny water and that powerful run when hooked. The smaller "slot" fish are fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. My local tip: look for nervous water and tailing fish on the flats during moving tides. A gold spoon or live shrimp bounced near structure works magic.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish with their black and white stripes, and they're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth built for crushing barnacles and crabs. Most run 2-8 pounds, though 15-pounders lurk around the best structure. You'll find them tight to docks, bridge pilings, and reefs where they pick off crabs and barnacles. They bite year-round but spring is prime time. What makes them fun is the challenge - they're masters at stealing bait without getting hooked. The white, flaky meat rivals any fish in taste. My trick: use small hooks with fresh fiddler crab, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, with those distinctive black stripes running down their silver sides. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, but 50-pounders show up regularly. They love structure - bridges, wrecks, drop-offs - anywhere from 15-60 feet deep. Fall and spring migrations bring the best fishing when they're feeding heavily on baitfish. Guests love the strong, steady pull and how they fight all the way to the boat. The white, flaky meat is top-shelf table fare too. My go-to tip: watch for diving birds and bait activity on the surface - stripers will push schools of menhaden up, creating easy targets. Live eels at night around structure are deadly.
322 Fernando St, Manteo, NC