5.0(1 Reviews)Outer Banks Fishing Charters
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Trout, Flounder, Redfish on 4-8 hour inshore tripsProfessional charters accommodate up to 4 guests comfortablyPrime Outer Banks fishing spots for all skill levels
The Outer Banks isn't just another fishing destination – it's where serious anglers and weekend warriors alike come to get their lines wet in some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast. Nancy Cay Fishing Charters knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they're ready to put you on fish whether you've got four hours or want to make it a full eight-hour adventure. With trips designed for up to four anglers, you'll get that personal touch that makes all the difference between a good day and a day you'll be talking about for years.
Picture this: you're cruising through the shallow flats and deeper channels that make the OBX such a hotspot for inshore fishing. The boat cuts through calm morning water as your captain scans for signs – birds working, bait schools flipping, maybe even some tails in the skinny water. That's the beauty of fishing these waters – every trip is different, and the fish are always moving. Your captain will read the conditions, check the tides, and put you where the action is happening that day. Some days that means working the grass beds for speckled trout, other days it's hitting structure for flounder or chasing schools of spanish mackerel in open water. The flexibility to adapt is what separates a top-rated charter from the rest, and that's exactly what you get here. Don't worry about bringing tackle – everything you need is provided, from rods and reels to terminal tackle and bait. Just bring your fishing license, some snacks and drinks, and get ready to put some fish in the boat.
Inshore fishing around the Outer Banks is all about versatility. Your captain will have you working everything from live bait under popping corks to casting artificial lures along shorelines and structure. When the trout are biting, you might find yourself drifting over grass flats with soft plastics on jig heads, feeling for that telltale thump. Redfish love to cruise the shallows, so sight fishing with topwater plugs or gold spoons can get your heart pumping when you see that wake coming toward your lure. The flounder game is different – it's about working the edges, bouncing bucktails or live minnows along drop-offs and around pilings. Spanish mackerel and bluefish are speed demons, so when they're around, it's time to break out the casting spoons and small jigs for fast-paced action. The boat will take you to proven spots – maybe some unmarked structure, productive grass beds, or areas where the current sets up just right. These aren't the spots you'll find in magazines; they're the honey holes that local captains have dialed in over years of fishing these waters.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of OBX inshore fishing. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots love grass beds and sandy bottoms, especially during moving tides. Spring and fall are prime time, when cooler water temps get them feeding aggressively. A good speck will pull that rod tip down and make some runs, and they're fantastic eating if you decide to keep a few within the slot. What makes them special here is the numbers – on a good day, you might boat twenty or more, with fish ranging from keeper-sized specs to citation-worthy specimens pushing four pounds or more.
Redfish are the bruisers of the flats, and the OBX has some world-class red drum fishing. These copper-colored fighters are ambush predators that love structure, oyster bars, and shallow water where they can trap baitfish. Summer and fall bring the best action, with fish ranging from slot-sized reds perfect for dinner to oversized drum that'll test your drag system. What gets anglers excited about reds is their attitude – they hit hard, fight dirty, and don't give up easy. Plus, seeing a big red's back out of the water as it crushes a topwater bait is something that never gets old.
Spanish Mackerel bring speed and excitement to every trip. These chrome rockets show up in spring and stick around through fall, often traveling in schools that can provide non-stop action. They're not big fish – most run one to three pounds – but they make up for size with pure energy. When you hook into a school of spanish, it's game on until your arms get tired. They hit small jigs, spoons, and live bait with reckless abandon, and they're perfect for anglers who want to stay busy. Kids especially love spanish mackerel because they bite readily and fight hard for their size.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish are prized for their excellent table fare and their sneaky fighting style. Fall is prime time for flounder around the OBX, when they're fattening up before their offshore migration. A nice flounder might not jump or make long runs, but they'll use that flat body to their advantage, turning sideways and using water resistance to put up a surprising fight. Trophy flounder – fish over five pounds – are caught here regularly, making every cast potentially memorable.
Bluefish are the aggressive predators that show up in schools and create chaos on the water. When blues are around, you'll often see birds diving and bait scattering on the surface. These toothy customers hit hard and fight with raw power, making screaming runs that test your equipment. They're present most of the year but really turn on during their spring and fall migrations. Blues range from small "snapper blues" perfect for light tackle fun to chunky five-pounders that'll surprise you with their strength. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from metal lures to live bait with equal enthusiasm.
The Outer Banks delivers world-class in
This beautifully restored 25-foot custom flats skiff is your ticket to exploring OBX's productive inshore waters. Originally built in 1999 and completely refreshed in 2022, she runs smooth with a reliable 200HP Honda that'll get you to the fishing grounds at a comfortable 25 knots. The raised casting platforms on both bow and stern give you and up to three buddies plenty of room to work your lines, whether you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in shallow water or targeting speckled trout along the grass beds. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, while GPS keeps you on the productive spots. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those longer 6-8 hour trips. Perfect for targeting everything from flounder in the sounds to Spanish mackerel when they're running hot near the inlets.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in feeding frenzies, churning the water like washing machines. They range from snapper blues at 6-8 inches to big choppers pushing 10+ pounds with razor-sharp teeth. Look for them around bait schools, surf zones, and inlet mouths, especially during summer and fall runs. What gets people fired up is the explosive topwater action when they're feeding - it's pure chaos and adrenaline. Smaller ones are good eating, but the big ones can be strong-flavored. Always bring a wire leader because those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When you see diving birds and surface commotion, get there fast - the blitz won't last long.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the stars of our shallow water fishing, running 14-30+ inches with that signature black spot near the tail. They love cruising our 1-4 foot flats, oyster bars, and marsh creeks where you'll sometimes see their backs out of water. Fall and spring are prime time when they're most active, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is watching these copper-colored fish cruise in skinny water, then explode on topwater lures. They're strong fighters that make long runs, and the smaller "puppy drum" are great table fare. Pro tip: when sight-fishing reds, cast your bait well ahead of where they're heading, not right at them. Let the fish come to your lure.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout run 14-24 inches around the OBX, with most weighing 1-5 pounds. These spotted beauties love our shallow grass flats and marsh edges, especially at night when they move up to feed. Spring through fall are prime time, but cooler months can be great too when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is that sweet, flaky meat - they're some of the best eating fish we have. Plus, they put up a solid fight on light tackle. They're spooky fish, so here's a local trick: when you find working birds or bait splashing, cut your engine and drift into casting range rather than motoring right up. Keep it quiet and you'll hook up more often.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 25+ inches that'll surprise you with their power. They hang around structure, channel edges, and inlet mouths year-round, though fall migration fishing can be hot. What's cool about flounder is watching them perfectly camouflaged until they bolt off the bottom. They're also top-tier table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. The key is patience and feeling for that subtle tap when they pick up your bait. Use a slow drift with live finger mullet or bull minnows, and when you feel weight, give them a few seconds before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes - they average 1-2 feet and 2-4 pounds of pure energy. You'll find schools of them around structure, bait pods, and nearshore waters during spring through fall when water temps climb. What makes them exciting is their aggressive strikes and blazing runs once hooked. They're also fantastic on the table with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. These silver bullets with yellow spots travel in big schools, so when you find one, you'll usually find more. Here's the trick: when trolling or casting spoons, keep your retrieve fast and erratic. Spanish macs are built for speed, so slow presentations usually get ignored.
5.0 out of 5.0
Washington