Your Private Wanchese Offshore Charter Awaits
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 4hour offshore charter targets premium fish speciesExpert guides provide personalized light and heavy tackle fishingMaximum 6 guests ensures intimate Outer Banks fishing experience
Looking for a serious fishing trip that puts you on the good fish? Roankoe Sportfishing's 4-hour private offshore charters out of Wanchese give you exactly what you're after. We're talking about real Outer Banks fishing here – the kind where you leave the harbor at first light and come back with stories worth telling. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with room for up to 6 anglers, you get the whole boat to yourselves. No sharing with strangers, no waiting your turn – just you, your crew, and some of the best fishing grounds on the East Coast.
Your morning starts at Wanchese Harbor, where the working boats dock and the serious fishing happens. We'll get you rigged up and headed out to the productive waters where the fish are biting. This isn't some cookie-cutter trip – every charter gets tailored to what's running and what you want to target. Some days we're pulling lines through schools of spanish mackerel, other days we're working structure for cobia and redfish. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from light tackle for the smaller stuff to heavy gear when the big boys show up. Four hours gives us plenty of time to hit multiple spots and adjust our game plan based on what we're seeing out there.
We fish these waters the way they should be fished – with the right gear for the right fish. Trolling is our bread and butter when we're covering water looking for pelagics like little tunny and bluefish. We'll pull a spread of lures at different depths, watching the fish finder and keeping an eye on the water for signs of feeding fish. When we find structure or see bait on the surface, we switch to casting and jigging. Light tackle gets the nod for spanish mackerel and smaller fish – more fun on the rod and better eating too. Heavy tackle comes out when we're targeting cobia around structure or when the blues are running thick. The captain reads the conditions and adjusts throughout the trip, so you're always fishing the most effective method for what's happening that day.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Outer Banks fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers know how to fight. They love structure and shallow water, especially around jetties and wrecks. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at hooking up, with fish ranging from slot-sized keepers to oversized bulls that'll test your drag. What makes reds special is their tenacity – they don't give up easy, and that first run when you hook one will remind you why you love fishing.
Cobia are the mystery fish that show up when you least expect them. These brown sharks (as locals call them) cruise around structure, often following rays and other fish. They're curious by nature, which makes sight fishing for them a blast when conditions are right. Peak season runs from May through September, with fish averaging 20-40 pounds. Land one of these and you've got table fare that rivals any fish in the ocean – firm, white meat that grills up perfect.
Little tunny, or false albacore as some folks call them, are pure adrenaline on a fishing rod. These mini tunas school up in large numbers and feed aggressively on bait schools. Fall is prime time, especially when the water starts cooling down. They hit lures hard and fight way above their weight class – a 5-pound tunny will make you think you hooked something twice that size. They're catch-and-release fish, but the action is so good you won't mind turning them loose.
Spanish mackerel are the perfect blend of action and eating quality. These silver speedsters school up thick during their peak season from late spring through early fall. They'll hit anything that moves – spoons, jigs, live bait – and once you find a school, the action can be non-stop. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean when they're fresh. Pro tip: they've got razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are a must.
Bluefish are the wolves of the ocean, and when they're feeding, it's a sight to see. These aggressive predators travel in schools and absolutely demolish bait schools. Spring and fall migrations bring the best fishing, with fish ranging from snapper blues perfect for the dinner table to chopper blues that'll straighten hooks. They hit hard, fight dirty, and when you find a feeding school, every rod on the boat can be bent at once.
This is what real Outer Banks fishing looks like – no crowds, no compromises, just good fishing with a captain who knows where to find them. Whether you're looking to put some quality fish on ice or just want to spend a morning doing what you love, this 4-hour private charter delivers. The fish are out there waiting, and the boat's ready to go. Don't let another fishing season slip by wondering what you missed – book your trip with Roankoe Sportfishing and find out why anglers keep coming back to Wanchese for their offshore fix.
Step aboard the "Roanoke," a custom 50-foot sportfisher built by legendary local captain and boat builder Sheldon Midgette. This isn't your typical charter boat – she's designed specifically for serious offshore fishing in North Carolina waters. With three fighting chairs positioned perfectly for battling big fish, you'll have everything needed to land trophy Cobia, Little Tunny, and Bluefish cruising the Gulf Stream. The boat's flybridge gives your captain excellent visibility to spot fish and birds working the water, while the onboard fish finder helps locate schools below. Air conditioning keeps you comfortable between fights, and the spacious cockpit provides plenty of room for up to 6 anglers to work their lines. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold, while the multimedia system lets you capture those hero shots with your prize fish. Whether you're trolling for Spanish Mackerel or working heavy tackle for larger species, the "Roanoke" handles offshore conditions with ease. VHF radio keeps you connected, GPS ensures safe navigation, and the onboard facilities mean you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat during your 4-hour adventure off the Outer Banks.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that'll hit just about anything you throw at them, making them perfect for action-packed trips. These blue-green fighters with razor-sharp teeth typically range from 2-10 pounds around here and travel in hungry schools. Summer through early fall brings the best fishing when they're feeding heavily in our bays, around jetties, and over nearshore waters. What guests love is the constant action - when you find a school, everyone on board usually gets hooked up. They're also great eating when handled properly and cooked fresh. Just remember to bring wire leaders or heavy mono since those teeth will cut through regular line like butter. Watch your fingers when unhooking them too - they bite anything that moves.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bruisers of our local waters - think 30-50 pounds of pure muscle that'll test your tackle and technique. These dark brown, shark-looking fish cruise alone around wrecks, buoys, and channel markers in 30-70 feet during spring migration from May through July. We often sight-fish them right on the surface, which makes for some exciting visual fishing. Guests love them because they fight like freight trains and make excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling. The key to landing cobia is using heavy bucktail jigs in the 4-8 ounce range and being ready for that initial run when they see the boat - they're curious but spook easily once hooked.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle Tunny, or False Albacore as most folks call them, are speed demons that'll give you an arm-burning fight on light tackle. These torpedo-shaped fish with dark wavy lines and black spots typically weigh 8-15 pounds but punch way above their weight class. They school up near the surface around jetties, inlets, and over nearshore structures from late summer through fall. What makes them fun is their aggressive feeding - when you find a school blitzing baitfish, the action can be non-stop. While the red meat isn't for everyone, properly prepared they're quite tasty. The trick is trolling small feathers or casting metals into the feeding frenzy, but keep your drag loose - their first run will surprise you every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of our most popular targets here in Wanchese waters. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black eyespots near the tail typically run 20-35 inches and fight hard in the shallows. You'll find them cruising flats, around oyster bars, and near structure in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding aggressively before and after their spawning runs. What makes them special? They'll eat just about anything - live shrimp, cut bait, or topwater plugs - and they taste great on the table with that mild, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where it's heading and let your bait settle to the bottom.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, flashy fighters that show up in good numbers during our warmer months from May through October. These silvery speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and travel in large schools near the surface. You'll find them around structure, over reefs, and along the beach when water temps climb above 70 degrees. Guests enjoy them because they're aggressive biters that hit everything from small spoons to live shrimp, and they make excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat. The secret to consistent success is using light tackle with shiny lures and keeping your boat moving - drift or troll through the schools rather than anchoring, since they spook easily but bite aggressively when actively feeding.
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