5.0(1 Reviews)Full-Day Nearshore Fishing Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sixhour nearshore charter targeting multiple species including Cobia and RedfishVariety of fishing techniques from casting to live baiting availableAccommodates up to five guests with Riptide Charters
Six hours on the water with Riptide Charters means serious fishing time. This isn't your typical half-day rush job where you barely get your lines wet before heading back. Captain Randy and his crew know these waters inside and out, and they'll put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure. From the open ocean reefs to the protected sound waters, you'll cover ground and target everything from hard-fighting cobia to tasty bottom fish.
Your day starts early with a 6 AM departure, giving you the best shot at productive fishing before the afternoon heat kicks in. The crew decides where to fish based on current conditions – some days that means a 45-50 minute run to offshore reefs, other days you might work the nearshore structure or sound flats. With a maximum of 5 anglers, everyone gets plenty of room to fish without tangling lines or fighting for rod space. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got favorites. No meals are included, so pack snacks and plenty of water – six hours goes by fast when the fish are biting, but you'll want fuel to keep your energy up.
Variety keeps things interesting on these trips. You'll switch between casting artificials for active predators, drifting with live bait when the fish are finicky, jigging vertical structure for amberjack, and dropping bottom rigs for sea bass and sheepshead. Captain Randy teaches proper reef fishing techniques – how to feel the bite, set the hook, and fight fish around structure without getting broken off. Live baiting requires patience but often produces the biggest fish, while casting lets you cover water quickly when schools are moving. The crew handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you focus on fishing instead of fumbling with tackle.
"We met up with Capt Randy at 6am on a (really) hot day in late June 2025 for a 6 hour fishing trip. Based on the days conditions, Capt Randy recommended a run out to a reef for bottom fishing. We road about 45-50 mins out to the reef on a very calm ocean day. On our out to the reef, we spotted a sea turtle and got a cobia on a lucky cast. Capt Randy trained us on the reef fishing techniques and we caught many fish! Black Seabass, Triggerfish, and Sea Robin Fish. Many fish we had to toss back, but we did keep a handful. Wonderful day for a family of 4 (14yo, 16yo) on a six hour trip." - Andrew
"This was our first ever fishing trip and man was it one for the books! Captain Randy and Drake are A+. All 5 of us caught more fish than we ever have and raved about it all evening to our crew who didn't go. Definitely choose Riptide Charter for your next fishing adventure" - Courtney
King Mackerel are the speed demons of nearshore fishing, and when they're running, few fish can match their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. These silver bullets typically show up in spring and fall when baitfish are thick, with fish ranging from school-sized 10-pounders to trophy kings pushing 30-40 pounds. They'll hit fast-trolled spoons, live bait, and even vertical jigs when you find them feeding deep. Kings fight dirty with razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast runs that'll test your drag and your reflexes.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef, built like linebackers and twice as stubborn. These bronze-colored bruisers hang around wrecks and hard bottom in 60-120 feet of water, ambushing anything that looks like an easy meal. A good amberjack will take you straight to the bottom on the initial run, then wage a tug-of-war that'll leave your arms burning. They respond well to vertical jigs worked aggressively near structure, and live bait dropped down to the reef edge. Most fish run 15-35 pounds, with occasional monsters topping 50.
Cobia are the prize catch that gets everyone's attention – these brown sharks (as some folks call them) are curious fish that'll often approach the boat for a closer look. Spring and fall are prime time when cobia migrate along the coast, following rays and sharks in shallow water. They're excellent table fare and put up a respectable fight, combining power with surprising speed. Sight-casting to cruising cobia is pure adrenaline, but they also hit live bait and jigs worked around structure.
Bluefish might not win beauty contests, but they make up for looks with pure aggression and excellent eating when handled right. These voracious predators travel in schools and attack baitfish with reckless abandon, creating feeding frenzies that'll bend every rod on the boat. Blues hit just about anything you throw at them – spoons, jigs, cut bait, or live offerings. They're perfect for kids and beginners since they bite readily and fight hard for their size, typically running 2-8 pounds in nearshore waters.
Black Sea Bass are the reef's resident homebodies, rarely straying far from their rocky lairs but always ready to grab an easy meal. These pot-bellied bottom dwellers are excellent eating and perfect for building confidence – they bite consistently and don't require perfect technique to catch. Most run 1-3 pounds, but occasionally you'll hook into a doormat that surprises everyone. They're year-round residents that respond to cut bait, small jigs, and live offerings worked near the bottom around structure.
This full-day charter gives you real fishing time to learn techniques,
This 25' Mako center console runs on a powerful 300HP Suzuki engine, cutting through nearshore waters at speeds up to 30 knots. Built for serious fishing, she's equipped with GPS navigation and a fish finder to locate the best spots whether you're working the open ocean or calmer sound waters. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting fish activity, while the onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long fishing days. With room for up to 5 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast, drift, jig, and work live bait without crowding each other. This boat handles everything from chasing Cobia and Spanish Mackerel in open water to targeting Redfish and Trout in shallower areas. The center console design gives everyone easy access to rod holders and gear while maintaining stability for bottom fishing Amberjack and Sheepshead.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are reliable bottom dwellers that make great table fare. Most run 1-3 pounds, though we catch some nice 5+ pounders around deeper structure. They love wrecks, rocky bottom, jetties, and pilings in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they move inshore to spawn. What guests appreciate is they're fairly easy to catch and taste fantastic - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for dinner. During spawning, males turn bright blue with a pronounced hump on their head, which is pretty cool to see. We target them with squid, clams, or small jigs on two-hook rigs. Pro tip: once you find one, work the area thoroughly - where there's one bass, there's usually more nearby.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are scrappy fighters with razor-sharp teeth that'll give you a memorable battle. Most run 2-10 pounds, but we see some push 15+ pounds. They travel in schools, feeding aggressively in shallow bays, around structure, and along beaches. Summer months are prime time when they're actively chasing baitfish. What makes them exciting is their feeding frenzies - when they're on, the action is nonstop. Fresh bluefish is excellent eating when prepared right, mild and flaky. They'll hit spoons, plugs, cut bait, and live baitfish. One tip: always use a wire leader or heavy mono - those teeth will cut through light line instantly. Watch for diving birds, that's usually where you'll find feeding schools below.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are unique fish that often get mistaken for sharks with their dark brown color and single dorsal fin. These bruisers average 20-50 pounds and can push 100+ pounds. They're loners, not schooling fish, usually found around structure, buoys, or cruising shallow flats in 30 feet or less. Spring migration and summer months are best when they're spawning and feeding aggressively. What guests love is the sight fishing - you can often spot them just under the surface. The meat is outstanding, firm and mild like a cross between shark and grouper. Bucktail jigs work great, but don't get hung up on color. The key is getting your bait in front of them quick when you see one - they spook easily but strike hard when interested.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are serious bottom bruisers that'll test your tackle. These bluish-grey fighters average 20-40 pounds but can hit 60+ pounds on a good day. Look for them around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 60-200 feet of water. Spring spawning season (April-May) is peak time when they're most aggressive. What makes them special is the pure power - they'll head straight for the bottom and make your drag scream. The meat's excellent eating too, firm and white. We target them with heavy jigs, live bait, or big plugs. My go-to trick is dropping a bucktail jig to the bottom, then working it slowly up through the water column. These fish aren't picky eaters, but patience pays off when you hook into a big one.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are fast, aggressive predators that'll give you a serious fight. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we've seen some push 50+ pounds out here. They cruise the 40-150 foot depths, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps hit 68-84°F. These fish are lightning quick - only wahoo can match their speed. The meat's rich and flaky, though larger fish can be strong-flavored. Kings hit trolled spoons, live bait, and jigs hard. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig two hooks on live bait - one in the nose, one trailing behind. They love to attack the tail end of baitfish, so that second hook saves a lot of missed strikes.
5.0 out of 5.0We met up with Capt Randy at 6am on a (really) hot day in late June 2025 for a 6 hour fishing trip. Based on the days conditions, ...
This was our first ever fishing trip and man was it one for the books! Captain Randy and Drake are A+. All 5 of us caught more fis...
Wanchese, NC