5.0(1 Reviews)Private Inshore Fishing Charter Wanchese
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Two-hour family-friendly inshore fishing charter in calm sound watersTarget redfish, speckled trout, and flounder with all equipment providedPerfect introduction for beginners and children with scenic peaceful setting
Looking for the perfect introduction to inshore fishing? This 2-hour late afternoon charter in Wanchese's protected sound waters is exactly what families with young anglers need. Captain Randy and the Riptide Charters crew have designed this trip specifically for smaller children and beginners who want to experience the joy of pulling fish over the rail without dealing with rough seas or marathon fishing sessions. The calm waters around Wanchese provide the ideal setting for kids to learn proper casting techniques, feel their first fish bite, and build confidence on the water. With all fishing gear included and a captain who knows exactly where the fish are biting, you'll focus on what matters most – creating those special moments when the rod bends and the excitement begins.
This charter takes place in the scenic sound waters surrounding Wanchese, where the fishing is consistently good and the conditions stay manageable for younger crew members. You'll launch from one of the area's top-rated marinas and head to productive fishing spots that Captain Randy has been working for years. The 2-hour timeframe is perfect for maintaining kids' attention spans while giving everyone plenty of opportunities to hook up. Depending on what the fish are doing that day, you might find yourself casting soft plastics near grass beds, drifting live bait over structure, or working jigs along drop-offs. The beauty of inshore fishing in Wanchese is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in shallow water, the next you're feeling the head shakes of a nice speckled trout. Captain Randy handles all the technical stuff like rigging, baiting hooks, and netting fish, so parents can focus on helping their kids and enjoying the experience.
All fishing equipment comes included, from rods and reels sized appropriately for younger anglers to a full selection of baits and lures that produce results in these waters. The crew sets up light to medium action spinning rods that are easy for kids to handle but still have enough backbone to fight quality fish. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you'll use everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic paddle tails on jig heads. When the bite is hot, simple Carolina rigs with cut bait work wonders for flounder and other bottom species. Captain Randy reads the water conditions and adjusts tactics throughout the trip – if the wind picks up, you might switch to drifting techniques, while calm conditions are perfect for sight fishing and precise casting. The boat is equipped with all the essentials including a good fish box, plenty of ice, and quality nets that make landing fish easier for beginners. Safety equipment and life jackets are provided, ensuring everyone stays comfortable and secure while focusing on the fishing action.
"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, locally called speckled trout, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around Wanchese. These beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots along their backs typically range from 12 to 20 inches, with occasional "gator trout" pushing over 24 inches. They love structure like oyster bars, grass beds, and channel edges where they ambush smaller baitfish. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though summer evenings can produce excellent results when the water temperature cools down. What makes specks so appealing for young anglers is their aggressive strike and the way they pull drag on light tackle. They're also excellent table fare, with white, flaky meat that even picky eaters enjoy. The key to consistent trout fishing is finding the right depth – they might be in 2 feet of water one day and 8 feet the next, depending on weather conditions and bait movements.
Redfish, also known as red drum, are the ultimate inshore game fish for building young anglers' confidence. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18 to 27 inches in the slot, with their characteristic black spots near the tail making them easy to identify. Reds are renowned for their powerful runs and bulldogging fights that test even experienced anglers. Around Wanchese, you'll find them cruising shallow flats, tailing in skinny water, or holding near structure in slightly deeper areas. They're opportunistic feeders that will hit everything from live shrimp to cut mullet, making them perfect targets for various fishing techniques. What really gets kids excited is watching a redfish's back and tail break the surface as it feeds in shallow water – it's pure visual fishing at its finest. These fish are also incredibly hardy, meaning they handle the catch and release process well, allowing young anglers to get great photos before releasing their catch to fight another day.
This customer favorite charter fills up quickly, especially during peak family vacation times when parents are looking for kid-friendly fishing adventures. The 2-hour format gives you maximum fishing action without wearing out young crew members, while the late afternoon timing often coincides with some of the best bite windows in inshore waters. Captain Randy's patient teaching style and willingness to clean your catch makes this a world-class value for families new to saltwater fishing. Whether you're introducing a child to fishing for the first time or looking for a relaxed trip that focuses on fun rather than endurance, this Wanchese inshore charter delivers exactly what you're looking for. The protected sound waters provide consistent action year-round, though spring and fall typically offer the most
Our 25' Mako center console is the perfect fishing platform for your Wanchese adventure. Powered by a reliable 300HP Suzuki engine, this boat cuts through the sound waters smoothly while you hunt for redfish and sea trout. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish, with space for up to 5 anglers. You'll have everything needed for a successful trip - the fish finder helps locate those productive spots where the trout are feeding, while GPS keeps us on the best fishing grounds. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh. From the elevated flybridge, your captain can spot fish movement and bird activity that signals feeding fish below. Whether you're jigging for flounder, casting to redfish in the shallows, or drifting for speckled trout, this boat handles beautifully in the protected waters around Wanchese. The stable platform makes it easy for kids and beginners to learn, while experienced anglers will appreciate the quick access to prime fishing spots.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our inshore fishery. These copper-colored fighters with the distinctive black spots near their tail typically range from 18-30 inches in our waters, though we occasionally see much larger fish. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass beds, and mud flats where they root around for crabs and shrimp. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows and that powerful run when hooked. They're also excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. Spring through fall are prime times when they're most active in the skinny water. Best tip I can give: look for nervous water or tailing fish, then make a quiet cast well ahead of where they're heading and let them find your bait.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of our most reliable inshore targets here in the sound. These silvery fish with dark spots typically run 14-24 inches and love our grass flats and shallow waters. They're not picky eaters - shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish are all on the menu. What makes them special is their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels, but spring through fall you'll find them cruising the flats. They put up a decent fight for their size and are perfect for kids since they bite readily on both live bait and artificials. Pro tip: when you see them "specking" (feeding on the surface), cast just beyond the disturbance and work your lure back through it slowly.
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