Full Day Outer Banks Inshore Fishing Charter
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.
What to Expect on the Water
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.
Techniques and Tackle
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.
Customer Stories
"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
Target Species Breakdown
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