Charter Fishing Outer Banks
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Early morning inshore fishing from April through OctoberTarget Trout, Flounder, Redfish, Spanish Mackerel, and BluefishFour-hour guided trips accommodate up to four guests
When the sun starts creeping over the horizon at 7:00 AM, you'll already be heading out with Nancy Cay Fishing Charters for some of the best inshore action the Outer Banks has to offer. This isn't your typical tourist trap fishing trip – we're talking about a serious 4-hour morning charter that puts you right where the fish are biting. From April 15 through October 15, the OBX inshore waters come alive with hungry gamefish, and our guides know exactly where to find them. You'll be targeting speckled trout, redfish, flounder, Spanish mackerel, and bluefish in the protected sounds and nearshore waters that make this stretch of North Carolina coast legendary among anglers.
Your morning starts early, but trust me, it's worth every minute of lost sleep. We keep groups small – just 4 anglers max – so you get personal attention and plenty of elbow room on deck. The early departure isn't just about beating the crowds; it's about hitting prime feeding times when fish are most active. Our captains have been working these waters for years, reading tides, wind, and seasonal patterns to put you on productive structure. You'll fish a mix of grass flats, oyster bars, channel edges, and nearshore reefs depending on conditions and what's biting. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might bring up a keeper flounder while the next could have you battling a bull red. We provide all the tackle and bait, from live shrimp and finger mullet to soft plastics and topwater plugs that drive these fish crazy.
We run a variety of techniques depending on what we're targeting and where we're fishing. Light tackle spinning gear is the bread and butter for most of our inshore work – think 2500-3000 series reels spooled with 15-20 lb braid and fluorocarbon leaders. For the grass flats and shallow water, we'll have you throwing soft plastics on jig heads, working them slow and steady through the strike zone. When the trout are schooled up, nothing beats a good popping cork with live shrimp suspended underneath. For redfish, we might switch to gold spoons or topwater plugs that create enough commotion to pull them up from the bottom. The Spanish mackerel and bluefish action usually happens on the nearshore reefs where we'll troll small spoons and jigs, or cast to breaking fish when they're busting bait on the surface. Our guides will coach you through each technique, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time.
Speckled trout are the bread and butter of OBX inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties run anywhere from 12 inches up to trophy-class gator trout pushing 6-7 pounds. Spring and fall are prime time when they school up in the grass beds and around structure. What makes them so fun to catch is their aggressive strike and the way they'll absolutely hammer a well-presented bait. Plus, they're excellent table fare with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Red drum, or redfish as most folks call them, are the bullies of the flats. These copper-colored bruisers will test your drag and your patience. Slot-size reds (18-27 inches) are keeper fish, but we regularly hook into oversized bulls that can stretch past 40 inches and weigh 20+ pounds. Summer months bring the best action when they cruise the shallow flats looking for crabs and baitfish. The thrill of watching a red drum crush a topwater plug in 2 feet of water never gets old.
Spanish mackerel show up when the water warms in late spring and stick around through early fall. These speed demons are all about fast-paced action – they hit hard, run fast, and fight way above their weight class. Most run 1-3 pounds, but they make up for size with pure attitude. When you find a school of Spanish, it's game on with non-stop action that'll keep your rod bent and your adrenaline pumping.
Southern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish require patience and technique – you need to keep your bait moving slowly along the bottom and be ready for their subtle bite. Keeper flounder start at 15 inches, and a good day might see fish up to 4-5 pounds. They're highly prized for their sweet, white meat and the satisfaction of outsmarting one of the sound's craftiest predators.
Bluefish bring the chaos when they're around. These toothy predators travel in schools and feed aggressively, often creating spectacular surface action when they trap baitfish against the shore. Blues range from smaller "snapper" size up to chopper blues pushing 10+ pounds. They're not the prettiest fish, but they fight hard and provide non-stop action when you find them in feeding mode.
The OBX fishing season from April through October offers some of the most consistent inshore action on the East Coast, and Nancy Cay Fishing Charters puts you right in the thick of it. With small groups, experienced guides, and proven techniques, this 4-hour morning trip delivers the kind of fishing memories that keep anglers coming back year after year. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table or just want to feel that rod bend with a good fish, we've got the local knowledge and dedication to make it happen. The early morning bite is typically the best bite, and these prime time slots fill up fast during peak season. Don't wait until the last minute – book your charter now and get ready to experience what makes Outer Banks inshore fishing legendary among serious anglers
This restored 25-foot custom flats skiff is your ticket to prime Outer Banks inshore fishing. Built in '99 and given new life in 2022, she's powered by a reliable 200HP Honda that'll get you to the fish at a smooth 25 knots. The raised bow and stern casting platforms give you and up to three fishing buddies plenty of room to work the shallows for speckled trout, flounder, and those feisty redfish that make OBX waters famous. When Spanish mackerel and blues are running, you'll appreciate the extra space to land multiple hookups. The GPS keeps you on the productive spots while the fish finder shows you what's swimming below. Pack your drinks in the icebox and get ready for some serious action in the sound's back bays and grass flats where the big ones hide.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive fighters that arrive here in summer and stay through October, giving us some of our most action-packed fishing. These blue-green predators typically run 2-10 pounds and are known for their razor-sharp teeth and feeding frenzies called "bluefish blitzes." They roam open water in schools, often pushing baitfish to the surface where you'll see birds diving. During our morning trips, they're most active on moving water and overcast days. Guests love the hard strikes and strong fights, plus the smaller "cocktail blues" make good eating when bled and iced properly. They'll hit anything that moves - spoons, poppers, cut bait. Watch for bird activity and surface disturbances, then get your lure in fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed Drum are the signature fish of our shallow water fishing here on the Banks. These copper-colored bruisers typically range from 18-28 inches in our inshore waters, with that distinctive black spot near their tail. They love super shallow flats where their backs almost break the surface, plus oyster bars and grass beds. During our April-October season, they're most active on moving tides, especially early morning. What makes reds special is their strong, steady fight - no jumping, just pure power. The smaller "slot" fish make excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. Look for them tailing in inches of water on calm days. Here's the key: approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are one of our most reliable inshore catches here in OBX waters. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. You'll find them in shallow grass flats and around structure during our morning trips, especially when the water's moving. They hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastics, making them great for beginners and kids. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the dinner table. During our season, they're most active in that first hour after sunrise when the water's still cool. Pro tip: when you feel that first tap, count to three before setting the hook. Trout have soft mouths and you want them to really take it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are the masters of camouflage on our sandy and muddy bottoms. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and are perfectly designed ambush predators with both eyes on their left side. They bury themselves in sand near structure, drop-offs, and channel edges waiting to grab prey. Best fishing is during moving tides when baitfish are active, especially early morning and late afternoon during our season. Guests enjoy the challenge of finding them and the excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They hit live mud minnows, shrimp, and soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom. The secret is patience and feel - flounder pick up bait gently, so when you feel weight, reel down and set the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll give you some of the fastest action on our trips. These sleek, spotted fish average 1-2 feet and can hit 5.5 meters per second when they take off. They travel in large schools near the surface, often giving themselves away by creating surface commotion while feeding. During our season, they're most active in warmer water from late spring through fall. What guests love is the lightning-fast strikes and acrobatic fights - plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat perfect for grilling or smoking. They hit small spoons, jigs, and live bait like crazy. Local trick: when you see birds diving, get there fast but drift into the school quietly. Trolling small lures at idle speed works great too.
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