5.0(2 Reviews)Full Day Outer Banks Inshore Fishing Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure for novice to moderate anglersAccommodates up to four guests with experienced local guidesExtended time allows exploration of multiple fishing locations
Six solid hours on the water around the Outer Banks – that's what you get with this full-day inshore charter. Captain Andy knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish while making sure everyone has a blast doing it. This isn't just about catching dinner (though you might), it's about getting away from everything and spending real time learning how to read water, work different techniques, and maybe surprise yourself with what you can pull up from these productive flats and channels.
We're talking about a legitimate full day here – six hours gives us time to hit multiple spots without feeling rushed. The Outer Banks inshore waters are loaded with structure, from grass beds to oyster bars, and each spot fishes differently depending on the tide and time of year. You'll start early when the fish are most active, and Captain Andy will adjust the game plan based on what's happening that day. Some days we're sight fishing for tailing reds in skinny water, other times we're working deeper channels for flounder or setting up on structure for sheepshead. The boat holds up to four anglers comfortably, so you're not bumping elbows or fighting for space. Bring your own lunch and drinks – we'll be out there through the middle of the day, and staying fueled keeps everyone sharp when the bite picks up.
This is hands-on fishing where technique actually matters. We'll be using light tackle most of the time – spinning gear that lets you feel every bump and gives the fish a fair fight. Depending on what we're targeting, you might be bouncing jigs along the bottom for flounder, working topwater plugs for bluefish, or live-lining bait around structure for redfish. Captain Andy provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle, but he'll also teach you why we're using specific presentations in different situations. The Outer Banks inshore fishery is all about reading conditions – wind direction, tide movement, water clarity – and adjusting accordingly. You'll learn to work with the current instead of fighting it, and how to keep your bait in the strike zone longer. If you've got your own gear and want to bring it, that's fine too, but most folks appreciate having everything set up and ready to go.
"This was our (my wife , 16 and 18 yr old sons)second year in a row with Captain Andy. He is a fantastic. We all caught fish, learned a lot, and laughed the whole time. Definitely our families favorite fishing trip." - mark
"Even though the fish weren't biting much today we really had a great time and Captain Andy pulled out all the stops to make this a great experience! We will be back for another charter soon." - Sara
Redfish are the bread and butter of Outer Banks inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 18 to 27 inches in our waters and will test your drag when they make their first run. Reds feed aggressively in shallow water, especially around oyster bars and grass edges during moving tides. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at sight fishing for them, watching their backs and tails break the surface as they root around for crabs. What makes redfish special is how they fight – strong, steady pulls that can surprise anglers used to smaller fish. Plus, they're excellent table fare when kept within slot limits.
Summer flounder, or fluke, are the ultimate inshore challenge fish. These flat, brown ambush predators can stretch over 20 inches and provide some of the best eating you'll find. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – they're lying on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting for bait to drift by, so your presentation has to look natural. The best action typically happens during moving water when baitfish are being pushed around. What gets anglers hooked on flounder fishing is the subtlety of the bite – often just a gentle tap or weight that feels different – followed by a surprisingly strong fight as they try to get back to the bottom.
Bluefish might be the most aggressive species we target, and when they're feeding, the action can be non-stop. These toothy predators travel in schools and attack baitfish with a feeding frenzy that's something to see. Bluefish hit hard, fight dirty, and will take topwater plugs, spoons, or live bait with equal enthusiasm. They're most active during cooler months in our area, and a school of feeding blues will show themselves with birds diving and bait spraying on the surface. Handle them carefully – those teeth are sharp – but they'll give you an arm-burning fight and smoke when prepared properly.
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are the technical fish of the bunch. These silvery, spotted predators require finesse and often reward anglers who can work soft plastics or live shrimp with subtle action. Trout hang around grass beds and drop-offs, feeding most actively during low-light periods. They average 12 to 16 inches but can reach over 20, and larger specimens are both challenging to catch and prized for their delicate flavor. What makes trout fishing addictive is learning to read their subtle strikes and understanding how water temperature and clarity affects their behavior patterns.
Sheepshead are the structure specialists – black and white striped fish with human-like teeth that love hanging around pilings, docks, and oyster bars. These fish are notorious bait thieves, requiring sharp hooks, light line, and quick reflexes to hook consistently. Sheepshead average 2 to 4 pounds in our waters but can exceed 8 pounds, and they're considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean. What frustrates and fascinates anglers about sheepshead is their ability to steal bait without getting hooked – it becomes a chess match between an
The Mary Kathryn is your ticket to productive Outer Banks inshore waters. This roomy 20' 2" boat gives you and up to 3 fellow anglers plenty of space to work without bumping elbows while fighting fish. Her 175 hp engine and transom bracket setup will get you to the honey holes fast, cruising at speeds up to 35 knots when conditions call for covering water quickly. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, while GPS navigation keeps you on productive spots and gets you back to the dock safely. VHF radio ensures clear communication with other boats and the marina. Whether you're targeting speckled trout in the grass beds or chasing redfish around the shallows, this boat handles Outer Banks conditions with confidence. Perfect for groups wanting serious fishing time without the cramped quarters.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive fighters that run 3-15 pounds around here, with their razor-sharp teeth and powerful jaws making every hookup exciting. You'll find them in schools along the surf, around structure, and chasing baitfish in 10-40 feet of water. They show up strong from late spring through fall when water temps climb. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight - plus they're great eating when bled and iced properly. The smaller "snappers" are perfect for kids to catch. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your fingers clear of those teeth. When you see diving birds working the surface, get your lures in there fast - bluefish blitzes don't last long but the action is non-stop while they're feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are powerful copper-colored fish with distinctive black spots near their tails, running from slot-sized 18-27 inchers up to bruising 40+ pound bulls. They cruise super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet of water where you can sight-fish them. Year-round fishing here, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What guests love is watching these fish cruise the shallows and that drag-screaming run when hooked. They're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. These fish will eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or artificials. They're not picky but can be spooky in skinny water. Here's my go-to method: cast past a cruising red and work your bait back in front of them. When they tip down to feed, that's your shot - set the hook and hold on.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are beautiful spotted fish that typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though bigger ones lurk in deeper holes. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow areas with moving water where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Best fishing happens from spring through fall, with early morning and evening producing the most strikes. What makes them special is their delicate bite and acrobatic jumps when hooked. The meat is tender and flaky - just don't overcook it. They're perfect for light tackle fishing and respond well to both live bait and artificial lures. During winter, they school up in deeper channels. Local trick: work your lure slowly through the grass beds and listen for that distinctive "pop" when they hit topwater plugs at dawn and dusk.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of inshore waters with their black and white stripes, but what really gets people talking are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, perfect for the dinner table with sweet, firm white meat. You'll find them around any hard structure - docks, pilings, jetties, and wrecks where they feed on crustaceans. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when water temps are steady. They're famous bait thieves with light bites, so stay focused. The fight is solid but short, making them great for newer anglers. My tip: use small hooks with fiddler crabs or shrimp, and when you feel that gentle tap-tap, set the hook hard and fast. Get them away from structure quick or they'll cut you off.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the ultimate ambush predators - these flatfish use perfect camouflage to hide on sandy and muddy bottoms in 15-60 feet of water. Most run 15-20 inches, but doormat-sized fish over 5 pounds make your day. They're most active from May through October when they move inshore to feed. What guests love is the challenge of finding them and that solid thump when they grab your bait. The meat is outstanding - flaky white fillets that are hard to beat on the dinner table. They hang around structure, drop-offs, and current edges where baitfish get swept along. Here's the key: use a slow drift with your bait right on bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around in their mouth.
5.0 out of 5.0This was our (my wife , 16 and 18 yr old sons)second year in a row with Captain Andy. He is a fantastic. We all caught fish, learn...
Even though the fish weren't biting much today we really had a great time and Captain Andy pulled out all the stops to make this a...
Outer Banks