6 Hour OBX Fishing Charter
Private Trip
6hour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and sea troutExpert local captain provides light tackle and proven techniquesAccommodates up to 4 guests in Manteo Sound waters
When you want to experience the best inshore fishing the Outer Banks has to offer, this full-day charter puts you right in the heart of it all. Based out of Manteo, you'll have access to some of the most productive waters on the North Carolina coast, where redfish cruise the shallows and speckled trout stack up in the deeper cuts. Our local captain knows these waters like the back of his hand – every grass bed, every drop-off, and every structure that holds fish. With light tackle gear and proven techniques, you'll spend six solid hours targeting the species that make OBX fishing legendary. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to land your personal best or bringing the family for their first taste of saltwater fishing, this trip delivers consistent action in some of the most beautiful water you'll ever fish.
Your day starts at the Manteo waterfront, where you'll meet your captain and get a quick rundown of the game plan. The beauty of fishing these inshore waters is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in three feet of water, the next you're drifting live bait over structure for black sea bass. The boat is set up specifically for light tackle fishing, with plenty of rod holders, a quality fishfinder, and all the terminal tackle you'll need. Your captain will adjust the approach based on conditions, tides, and what's been biting lately. Some days that means working the grass flats for trout, other days it's hitting the nearshore structure for sheepshead and sea bass. The Roanoke Sound system offers endless options, so you're never locked into one spot or one technique. Expect to cover water, learn new techniques, and see parts of the Outer Banks that most visitors never experience.
Light tackle is the name of the game here, and for good reason – it makes every fish feel like a monster and lets you really feel what's happening on the other end. You'll be using spinning reels spooled with 10-20 pound test, paired with rods that have enough backbone to handle bigger fish but still show off the fight in a scrappy trout or flounder. Live bait is often the ticket – mud minnows, shrimp, and finger mullet are local favorites that these fish can't resist. When conditions are right, you might throw artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, or topwater plugs. The captain will teach you how to work different baits and read the water for signs of feeding fish. Structure fishing means dropping baits around bridge pilings, rock piles, and artificial reefs where black sea bass and sheepshead hang out. Flats fishing is all about stealth and presentation, especially when you're targeting redfish in skinny water. The variety keeps things interesting and gives you a complete education in Outer Banks fishing techniques.
The redfish here are absolute bruisers, with most fish running between 20-35 inches and putting up fights that'll test your drag system. These copper-colored beauties are year-round residents, but they really turn on during the fall months when they school up in huge numbers. Spring and summer find them cruising the grass flats and marsh edges, often in water so shallow you can see their backs. What makes redfish special is their attitude – they eat aggressively, fight hard, and never give up until they're in the boat. Speckled sea trout are the bread and butter of Outer Banks fishing, with good numbers of 14-18 inch fish and enough bigger "gator" trout to keep things exciting. They're most active during moving tides and low-light conditions, making dawn and dusk prime time. These spotted fighters love structure and current breaks, and they'll hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic jigs.
Black sea bass are the perfect species when you want consistent action – they're aggressive, plentiful around structure, and excellent table fare. Most fish run 1-3 pounds, but don't be surprised when a 5-pounder grabs your bait and heads straight for the rocks. They're available year-round but peak during the cooler months. Sheepshead are the technical challenge of the group, with mouths full of human-like teeth and a reputation for stealing bait. But when you hook one, you'll understand why they're called "convict fish" – those black stripes are unmistakable, and their stubborn fight will surprise you. Bluefish round out the mix with their aggressive strikes and blistering runs. When a school of blues moves through, you'll know it – they'll hit anything you throw at them and provide non-stop action that's perfect for kids or anyone who just wants to bend a rod.
This six-hour charter gives you the perfect balance of time on the water without wearing yourself out. You'll hit multiple spots, try different techniques, and have real shots at all five target species. The 4-person capacity keeps things comfortable and gives everyone plenty of room to fish without getting in each other's way. Your captain's local knowledge is worth the price of admission alone – these guys live and breathe OBX fishing and know exactly where to find the fish based on season, weather, and tides. Whether you're looking to fill the cooler, learn new techniques, or just spend a day on some of the prettiest water on the East Coast, this trip delivers. The Outer Banks fishing scene is world-class, and there's no better way to experience it than with a guide who knows where the fish live and how to catch them consistently.
Captain John Speener's 2017 motorboat cuts through OBX waters with authority, powered by a reliable 250HP Yamaha that gets you to the fish fast. Built for serious anglers, this precision-crafted vessel cruises at 50 knots, covering more fishing grounds in less time. The onboard GPS navigation keeps you on course while the fish finder pinpoints where the redfish and speckled trout are hiding in Manteo Sound's productive waters. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this boat combines speed and fishing functionality for productive days chasing North Carolina's premier inshore species. Every detail was designed with performance and safety in mind, so you can focus on landing that trophy catch.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting fish that typically run 1-4 pounds around here, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They hang around any structure - wrecks, reefs, jetties, and rocky bottom in 20-120 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they move inshore to feed. These fish are scrappy fighters that'll surprise you for their size, and they're some of the best eating you'll find - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They're curious fish that'll often follow your bait up before striking. My advice: once you hook up, keep steady pressure and reel fast to get them away from structure before they wrap you up. Fresh squid or cut bait works great on a simple bottom rig.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in our waters from late spring through fall, typically ranging 2-10 pounds with some reaching 15+ pounds. These blue-gray fighters have razor-sharp teeth and hunt in schools, creating feeding frenzies that make for fast action. You'll find them around baitfish schools in open water, near structures, and along the surf. They hit hard and fight all the way to the boat - great for anglers who want consistent action. The meat is excellent when fresh, with a rich flavor that's perfect grilled. Pro tip: use a wire leader since their teeth will cut through regular line in seconds. When you see birds diving and water churning, get your lure in there fast.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails, ranging from schoolie-size around 20 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches. They cruise super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall brings the best action when big schools move through, but we catch them year-round. These fish pull like freight trains and will test your drag system. They're great eating at keeper size with mild, sweet meat. The key is staying quiet and watching for their wakes or tails in skinny water. A gold spoon or soft plastic worked slowly through their feeding zone is deadly. When you spot one, cast past it and work your lure into their path - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled sea trout are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in dark spots, typically running 12-20 inches and 1-3 pounds in our waters. They love grass flats, shallow bays, and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring offer the best action, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding. These fish have soft mouths and make blistering runs when hooked - pure fun on light tackle. The white, flaky meat is delicate and delicious, but don't overcook it. They're sight feeders, so clear water helps your chances. Try working a soft plastic or topwater lure over grass beds during moving water. Keep your drag light since their mouths tear easily, and look for nervous water or baitfish activity to find feeding schools.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're famous for those human-like teeth that can crack barnacles with ease. Most run 2-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure - docks, pilings, jetties where they feed on barnacles and crabs. Spring months are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. These fish are notorious bait thieves and will test your patience, but that's what makes catching one so rewarding. The white, flaky meat is outstanding table fare. Here's the key: use small hooks, keep your bait tight to structure, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately. Fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp work best, and don't be surprised if they steal your bait a few times before you hook up.
Manteo, NC