5.0(1 Reviews)Private Inshore Fishing Charter Wanchese
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Twohour familyfriendly inshore fishing trip in calm sound watersTarget redfish, speckled trout, and flounder with included equipmentPerfect introduction for beginners and children with experienced guides
Looking for the perfect way to introduce your family to inshore fishing? This 2-hour private charter in Wanchese hits the sweet spot for beginners and kids who want to experience the joy of catching their first redfish or sea trout. Captain Randy knows these sound waters like the back of his hand, and he's built this trip specifically with families in mind. The calm, protected waters around Wanchese provide the ideal setting for a relaxed afternoon on the water, where you can focus on learning the ropes without fighting heavy seas or long boat rides.
This isn't your typical marathon fishing trip – it's designed smart. Two hours gives you plenty of time to get comfortable, learn some basics, and hopefully put some fish in the cooler without wearing out the little ones. The sound waters around Wanchese stay relatively calm throughout the day, making it perfect for kids who might get seasick on rougher offshore trips. Captain Randy provides all the tackle and bait you'll need, so you can leave the gear shopping for another day. The boat comfortably handles up to 5 anglers, which means your family won't feel crowded while everyone's trying to cast. Late afternoon timing works great here – the fish are often more active as the day cools down, and you'll avoid the midday heat that can make fishing less enjoyable for younger crew members.
Depending on what the fish are doing that day, you might find yourself casting toward structure, drifting over grass flats, or jigging around deeper holes. Captain Randy reads the conditions and adjusts the approach accordingly. If the trout are schooled up and feeding actively, you'll likely be casting soft plastics or live bait toward the action. When targeting redfish, expect to work shallow water where these copper-colored fighters like to cruise and feed. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're bouncing a jig off the bottom for flounder, the next you're watching your line scream as a red drum makes its first run. All the rods are pre-rigged and ready to go, and the captain handles re-baiting and untangling lines so parents can focus on helping their kids instead of fussing with tackle.
"We had a wonderful trip. I booked the 2 hour trip with Captain Randy since it was the first time my daughter and wife had been fishing in the bay/ocean. We each caught fish, the captain was knowledgeable, friendly, down to earth, helped bait all fishing poles, and given the wait time to have our fish cleaned he did it for us. We of course gave him a nice tip. Highly recommend this trip if you have children who have never been fishing in the bay/ocean. We will be booking a longer trip with captain Randy the next time." - Matthew
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are one of the most rewarding fish for beginners to target in these waters. They typically run 12-18 inches around Wanchese, with occasional keeper-sized fish pushing 20 inches or better. These spotted beauties are most active during spring through fall, with late afternoon often producing some of the best action as they move into shallow water to feed. What makes them perfect for kids is their willingness to bite – they're not particularly line-shy, and they put up a fun fight without being overwhelming for smaller anglers. The strike is usually pretty obvious, and they don't have the raw power that might pull a rod out of young hands. Plus, they're excellent table fare, so kids get the satisfaction of catching dinner.
Redfish are the real prize in these waters, and they're what keep families coming back for more trips. These copper-colored drums typically range from 18-27 inches in the sound, which puts them right in that sweet spot for exciting fights without being dangerous for beginners. Red drum are incredibly strong for their size – they'll make several powerful runs that get everyone on the boat excited, but they're predictable enough that Captain Randy can coach kids through the fight successfully. They're year-round residents in the Wanchese area, though they tend to be more cooperative during the warmer months. What really sets them apart is their attitude – when a redfish decides to eat, it usually commits fully, giving you that solid hook-up that eliminates the guesswork about whether you've got a fish on. The sight of that copper flash coming up to the boat gets everyone's adrenaline pumping, and they make for great photos before release.
Flounder add another dimension to the trip, and they're often caught as a bonus while targeting the other species. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sandy bottom waiting for bait to swim by. They typically bite differently than trout or redfish – instead of the sharp strike you might expect, flounder often just feel like you've snagged the bottom until you start reeling and feel the head-shaking. Summer months are prime time for flounder around Wanchese, and catching one always generates excitement because they look so different from other fish. Kids love the way they swim sideways, and flounder are some of the best eating fish in these waters. Even smaller flounder put up a surprising fight, using their flat body like a sail to pull against the current.
This trip fills up regularly because word gets around quickly when families find a captain who really knows how to work with kids and beginners. The 2-hour format is perfect for testing the waters before committing to longer trips, and the late afternoon timing means you can make it part of a full day of vacation activities. With all tackle included and fish cleaning available, you're looking at a hassle-free introduction to inshore fishing that could spark a lifelong passion. Captain Randy's reputation for patience and teaching speaks for itself, and the protected waters around Wanchese provide the perfect classroom for learning the basics. Book now
Hit the productive waters around Wanchese aboard this reliable 25-foot Mako center console, perfectly rigged for your redfish and sea trout adventure. Powered by a smooth 300HP Suzuki outboard, she'll cruise at 30 knots to get you on the fish quickly while staying comfortable in the sound's protected waters. The center console layout gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish, while the flybridge offers a great vantage point for spotting feeding activity and navigating shallow flats where the big reds like to cruise. Modern fish finder technology helps locate schools of trout and marks structure where flounder hang out. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in icebox, along with snacks and cold drinks for the crew. With space for up to 5 anglers, this boat handles everything from light tackle casting to bottom fishing, making it ideal for families and mixed-skill groups targeting Wanchese's famous inshore species.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the prize of our inshore waters here in Wanchese, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots near the tail typically range from 18-35 inches in our sound waters. Reds love shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when they school up heavily. What guests love most is their powerful runs - even smaller reds will test your drag and give you a real workout. The firm, mild meat makes excellent table fare too. My go-to trick is watching for their tails or backs breaking the surface in super shallow water. When you spot a "tailing" red, a quiet approach with a live shrimp or soft plastic pitched just ahead of them usually seals the deal.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable catches in the Pamlico Sound waters around Wanchese. These silvery fish with their distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and put up a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow areas, especially during warmer months when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes specks special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - soft plastics work great here. The meat is white, flaky, and delicate - perfect for a fish dinner. Pro tip: when the water's calm like on our evening trips, look for subtle surface disturbances or baitfish activity. Specks often feed just under the surface, and a slow-retrieved jig through these areas usually produces strikes.
5.0 out of 5.0We had a wonderful trip. I booked the 2 hour trip with Captain Randy since it was the first time my daughter and wife had been fis...
Wanchese, NC