Private 6-Hour Tower Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour private charter targeting trophy fish offshoreProfessional guides provide equipment for all skill levelsTower boat accommodates up to six guests comfortably
Picture this: you and five of your best fishing buddies heading out on a private charter boat with a tower, scanning the waters off the Outer Banks for that perfect spot where the fish are biting. This isn't your typical crowded party boat situation – it's just your crew, an experienced captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand, and six solid hours to put some serious fish in the boat. The Outer Banks has been drawing anglers from all over for decades, and once you experience the fishing out here, you'll understand why folks keep coming back season after season.
When you step aboard with Roankoe Sportfishing, you're getting the full private charter treatment. The tower gives your captain that bird's-eye view to spot fish, diving birds, and structure that holds the good stuff. You'll be targeting both inshore and nearshore species, which means variety is the name of the game. One minute you might be working the shallows for redfish, the next you're out a bit deeper chasing cobia or mahi. The beauty of a six-hour trip is having time to move around and hit different spots based on what's biting that day. Your captain will adjust tactics on the fly – maybe start with some light tackle casting, then switch to trolling if the conditions call for it. The boat comes equipped with quality gear, but if you've got your favorite rod and reel combo, bring it along. Most folks find the six-hour window hits that sweet spot where you're not rushed but you're not sitting around waiting for the action to pick up either.
The fishing approach out here depends on what you're after and where the fish are holding. For the inshore action, you'll likely be using lighter tackle – think spinning reels with 15-20 pound test, perfect for working around structure without spooking fish. When you're chasing cobia or mahi, the captain might break out the heavier gear and start trolling with larger baits or lures. Live bait fishing is huge out here, especially when the baitfish are thick and the predators are following them. You might find yourself dropping live menhaden or spot down to black sea bass around structure, or sight-fishing to cobia cruising near the surface. The tower really shines when you're looking for visual cues – birds working over a school of baitfish, cobia swimming near rays, or color changes in the water that indicate current breaks where fish like to hang out. Don't worry if you're not familiar with these techniques – your captain will walk you through everything and put you on fish.
Grey triggerfish are one of those fish that'll test your patience and reward your persistence. These guys are notoriously finicky eaters, often nibbling at your bait without getting hooked. But when you do connect with a decent trigger, you're in for a fight – they'll use their flat body shape to turn sideways in the current and really pull. You'll typically find them around structure and wrecks, usually in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through fall are your best bet, with summer being prime time. What makes triggerfish so satisfying to catch isn't just the fight, it's outsmarting them. They're smart fish, and when you finally figure out the right bait presentation or find the spot where they're feeding aggressively, it feels like a real victory.
Mahi mahi are absolute crowd-pleasers and one of the most beautiful fish you'll ever see come over the rail. These fish are pure energy – bright gold and green colors that seem to glow, and they fight like their tail's on fire. Mahi are typically found around floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks, and they're most active from late spring through early fall in these waters. What's really cool about mahi fishing is they're often in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. They'll hit trolled baits, live bait, and even artificial lures with equal enthusiasm. The smaller ones make great table fare, while the bigger bulls (males) put on an aerial show that'll have everyone on the boat whooping and hollering.
Cobia are like the golden retriever of the fishing world – curious, approachable, and always ready to eat. These bronze-colored fish are sight fishing at its finest. You'll often spot them swimming near rays, around structure, or just cruising near the surface. Cobia season typically runs from spring through fall, with May through September being the hot months. What makes cobia fishing so addictive is the visual aspect – you can literally see the fish, cast to it, and watch it decide whether to eat your bait or not. They're also great fighters that don't give up easy, and they make excellent table fare. A good-sized cobia will test your drag and your arms.
Little tunny, also called false albacore, are speed demons that'll remind you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place. These smaller members of the tuna family are built for speed and they fish like it – fast runs, quick direction changes, and non-stop action. You'll typically find them chasing baitfish in schools, often with birds diving overhead marking the spot. They're most active from late summer through fall around here. Light tackle is the way to go with these guys – they're not huge fish, usually running 5-15 pounds, but on appropriate gear they're an absolute blast. They'll hit small jigs, spoons, and live bait with equal enthusiasm.
Black sea bass might not be the flashiest fish in the ocean, but they're reliable producers and excellent eating. These bottom dwellers hang around structure – rocks, reefs, wrecks, anywhere they can ambush a meal. You'll typically be dropping baits right to the bottom and working them just off the structure. Black sea bass fishing is often fast-paced once you find them, with multiple hookups common. They're open year-round but really shine in the spring and fall months. While
Step aboard the "Roanoke," a custom 50-foot sportfishing boat built by legendary local craftsman and captain Sheldon Midgette. This serious fishing machine comes loaded with three fighting chairs, perfect for battling those hard-fighting Cobia and Amberjack that cruise these waters. Cool off between bites with full air conditioning, while the fish finder helps locate schools of Mahi Mahi and Spanish Mackerel. The spacious flybridge gives you great visibility for spotting feeding birds and surface action. Keep your catch fresh in the large icebox, grab cold drinks when you need them, and stay connected with VHF radio and GPS navigation. Whether you're working light tackle on Redfish or going heavy for big Barramundi, this boat handles it all. The onboard head and multimedia system add comfort to your 6-hour adventure targeting everything from Bluefish to Triggerfish along the Outer Banks coastline.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are our bread-and-butter bottom fish, perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great table fare. Most run 1-4 pounds, though we catch some nice 6-8 pounders around deeper structure. They love rocky bottoms, wrecks, and artificial reefs from 20-120 feet deep. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn - that's when you'll find the bigger males showing off their bright blue colors and pronounced head humps. They're scrappy fighters until they break the surface, then come up pretty easy. The best part is the eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They're not picky about bait - squid strips, clams, or small jigs all work well. Pro tip: use a two-hook bottom rig and keep moving until you find them. Once you locate a school, you can usually load the cooler pretty quick.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are sight fishing at its best - these dark brown, shark-looking fish cruise just under the surface around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet during spring migration. They're big fish, averaging 30-50 pounds with some reaching 100-plus. Late spring through early summer is prime time when they move through our waters to spawn. What makes them special is the visual hunting - spotting that brown shadow gliding by gets everyone's heart pumping. They're also fantastic eating with firm, white meat that rivals any high-end fish. These are strong, aggressive predators that'll give you a serious fight. My go-to technique is a bucktail jig in the 4-8 ounce range - color doesn't matter much. When you spot one, cast ahead of where it's swimming and work the jig with steady pumps. They're curious fish and will often come investigate.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are one of our most reliable bottom dwellers, usually running 12-17 inches and averaging 2-4 pounds. You'll find them around hard bottom structure, reefs, and wrecks in 30-180 feet of water. They're not picky eaters - squid chunks work great since they stick to the hook better when these fish start their trademark nibbling. What makes them fun is they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Best fishing is late spring through early fall when they're most active. Here's a local trick: drop your bait near feeding snapper or grouper, then reel up fast to keep tension. Triggerfish get competitive and will charge in to steal the bait from other fish. Once you feel that subtle bite, reel quickly - they're notorious for stealing bait if you hesitate.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle Tunny, or False Albacore, are speed demons that'll test your tackle and technique. They typically run 10-15 pounds but can hit 20-plus. These torpedo-shaped fish travel in schools through nearshore waters, especially around jetties, inlets, and current breaks from late summer into fall. You'll often hear them before you see them - they're noisy feeders that create surface commotion when hitting baitfish. What makes them exciting is their raw power and stamina - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. They're great on light tackle and perfect for fly fishing when conditions are right. The meat is darker and stronger-tasting than regular tuna, but fresh it's quite good. When you find a school feeding, work the edges with small jigs or live bait. Quick tip: listen for the splashing and look for diving birds - that's your dinner bell for tunny action.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are absolutely stunning fish that put on a light show when they hit the boat - golden sides with electric blues and greens that fade quickly once out of water. They average 15-29 pounds but can reach much bigger. We find them around floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in blue water, usually within the first 100 feet of the surface. Spring through early fall offers the best action when water temps warm up. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make long runs that test your arms. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with firm, mild white meat. Pro tip: when you spot one, get multiple lines out fast. Mahi often travel in small schools, and once you hook up, the others get excited by the commotion and become easier targets.
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