5.0(3 Reviews)Wanchese NC Red Drum & Bottom Fishing Half Day
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon charter targeting red drum and bottom fishBeginnerfriendly trip with all gear and tackle providedPrivate groups up to six guests fish nearshore waters
If you're looking for solid fishing action without burning a full day, this afternoon charter out of Wanchese hits the sweet spot. Captain Ryan knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's built a reputation for putting guests on fish consistently. This isn't some cattle-boat operation – you'll have the Sea Jay all to yourselves with up to 6 anglers max. The 4-hour window starting at 11:30 AM gives you prime afternoon bite time when the fish are active and feeding. Whether you're bringing the family for their first real fishing experience or you're a seasoned angler wanting to try new waters, this trip delivers the kind of steady action that keeps people coming back.
Your afternoon starts right in Wanchese Harbor, where Captain Ryan will get you situated on the Sea Jay before heading out to the productive nearshore waters and sounds around the Outer Banks. The game plan focuses heavily on red drum and bottom fish, but Ryan reads conditions like a book – if the wind and tide line up right, you might find yourselves trolling for Spanish mackerel and blues too. The beauty of this trip is the variety. One minute you're working bottom structure for croaker and sea mullet, the next you could be battling a hefty red drum in the shallows. Ryan keeps things moving and adjusts tactics based on what's biting, which is exactly what you want in a guide. The boat comes loaded with everything you need – quality rods, reels, fresh bait, and tackle that's proven to work in these waters. Just bring your drinks, some snacks, and non-spray sunscreen, and you're set.
This trip runs the full spectrum of inshore fishing techniques, which makes it perfect for learning or just enjoying variety on the water. You'll spend time bottom fishing over structure where the croaker, sea mullet, and sheepshead like to hang out. Ryan uses circle hooks and fresh bait to maximize your hookup ratio – these fish aren't huge, but they're plentiful and great for keeping the action steady. When targeting red drum, the approach shifts to working the shallows and drop-offs where these copper-colored fighters cruise looking for baitfish. The gear steps up accordingly, with heavier tackle to handle their notorious runs. If conditions allow for some trolling action, you'll pull small spoons and jigs behind the boat to pick up Spanish mackerel and bluefish. The Sea Jay is set up perfectly for this kind of versatile fishing, with plenty of rod holders, a solid fish box, and all the gear organized so you can switch tactics quickly when the bite changes.
"Having gone on numerous fishing trips in the past, I can say that Sea Jay Fishing Charters, led by Captain Ryan, is in a league of its own. The entire outing was exceptional from the moment we arrived until we headed home. Captain Ryan is a true expert. He navigated us to the most productive areas and ensured there was never a dull moment. We began by catching our own bait, which served as a great interactive introduction to the day. From there, we focused on speckled trout and successfully brought in 14 impressive fish—all of which tasted fantastic. Beyond his skills, Ryan is professional, well-informed, and excellent company. If you want a productive day on the water with a guide who understands exactly where the fish are biting, I highly recommend Sea Jay Charters. It's an investment that truly pays off." - Jason
"Our group of family and friends truly enjoyed our time on the water with Captain Ryan. As the saying goes, it's called fishing, not catching—though we did manage to bring in a stingray, which was a unique and interesting experience for everyone." - Keith
"Working with Captain Ryan was a pleasure, as his deep expertise was evident from the start. He navigated us to a location where we landed significantly larger fish compared to our past outings on other vessels. The Sea Jay is a well-equipped boat, providing everything needed for a successful day. We found the experience both educational and enjoyable, and we will certainly be returning for future trips. For anyone seeking a productive and insightful fishing trip, we highly recommend booking with Sea Jay Charters." - Eric
Red drum are the crown jewel of this fishery, and for good reason. These bronze-backed bruisers can range from schoolie-sized 18-inchers up to real trophies pushing 40+ inches. They're most active during moving tides when they cruise the shallows hunting bait, and they'll absolutely smoke your drag when hooked. The Outer Banks is famous for its red drum population, and late spring through fall offers the most consistent action. What makes them so special is the fight – they're bulldogs that use their broad sides to leverage against you, making even smaller fish feel much bigger than they are.
Sea trout, particularly speckled trout, are another customer favorite that shows up regularly on these trips. These beauties typically run 12-20 inches in these waters and have some of the prettiest markings you'll see on any inshore species. They're ambush predators that love structure and grass flats, hitting soft plastics and live bait with surprising aggression. Spring and fall are prime time for specks, when they school up in good numbers and feed heavily before seasonal movements.
Spanish mackerel bring the speed and excitement when they show up in the warmer months. These silvery torpedoes rarely exceed 2-3 pounds, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure energy. They'll hit trolled spoons like lightning and immediately start jumping and running. They're also excellent table fare when prepared fresh, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening.
The bottom fishing portion consistently produces sea mullet, croaker, and the occasional sheepshead. While these might not be the glamour
Get ready to fish the productive waters around Wanchese aboard our fully restored 24' Privateer center console. This stable fishing platform was completely rebuilt in 2020 and runs on a reliable 150HP Yamaha that cruises at 24 knots, getting you to the fish quickly. The boat comfortably handles up to 6 anglers and comes equipped with everything you need for a successful day targeting red drum and bottom fish - GPS keeps us on the numbers, fish finder shows what's below, and the icebox keeps your drinks cold between hookups. Whether we're working the nearshore structure for drum or hitting the sounds for sea mullet, croaker, and speckled trout, this boat delivers the stability and fishability that makes for high catch rates. Perfect for families and beginners looking to put some fish in the cooler during this afternoon half-day charter.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive predators that typically run 2-10 pounds in our waters, with powerful jaws full of sharp teeth and a reputation for non-stop action. We encounter them in schools near the surface, often blitzing bait in 10-50 feet around structure or temperature breaks. Summer and early fall bring the best fishing when they're actively feeding and moving through our area. Anglers enjoy blues because they hit hard, fight strong, and provide fast-paced fishing when schools are located. The smaller "snapper" blues make great eating, while the bigger ones are better released. Key tip: when you find feeding birds diving on bait, get there fast but approach from downwind. Use wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon because those teeth will cut regular line in seconds.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are impressive fish that can reach 40-60 pounds, with their dark brown coloring often getting them mistaken for sharks at first glance. We typically find them around wrecks, buoys, and nearshore structure in 20-80 feet of water during their spring migration through our area. May through September is peak season when they're cruising near the surface looking for crabs and smaller fish. Guests get fired up about cobia because they're powerful fighters that make long runs, plus the meat is outstanding - firm and white like a premium fish dinner. My advice: when sight-fishing for cobia, cast well ahead of where the fish is heading and let your jig sink naturally. They're curious but spook easily, so patience pays off when one shows up near the boat.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our nearshore waters, running anywhere from slot-sized 18-27 inchers up to massive bull reds pushing 40+ pounds. These copper-colored bruisers love shallow flats, oyster bars, and structure in 2-6 feet of water, though bigger fish cruise deeper channels. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active, but summer fishing around dawn and dusk can be outstanding. What guests love about reds is their powerful runs and that distinctive black spot near the tail - plus they're fantastic eating when kept within slot limits. Here's a local trick: when you see nervous water or bait getting pushed around the flats, approach quietly and cast past the disturbance, then work your bait back through the action slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout around Wanchese typically run 14-24 inches and weigh 1-5 pounds, with their silvery bodies covered in distinctive black spots. You'll find them in shallow grass flats and around oyster bars, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, but they really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. What makes specks so popular is their willingness to bite and that sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when fishing grass flats, work your lure slowly and listen for that telltale popping sound they make when feeding on top - that's your cue to cast right into the commotion.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast-moving schooling fish that average 1-2 feet long and 2-4 pounds, with silver sides marked by yellow spots. We find them near the surface around structure, bait schools, and temperature breaks, usually in 15-40 feet of water. They show up strong from late spring through early fall when water temps warm up, and they're one of the most reliable species for consistent action. Guests love them because they hit hard, fight fast, and make excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. When trolling for Spanish, keep your speed up around 6-8 knots and use small, flashy spoons or feathers. If you mark a school, circle back and cast small jigs or live bait - they'll often stay fired up for multiple passes.
5.0 out of 5.0Having gone on numerous fishing trips in the past, I can say that Sea Jay Fishing Charters, led by Captain Ryan, is in a league of...
Our group of family and friends truly enjoyed our time on the water with Captain Ryan. As the saying goes, it’s called fishing, no...
Working with Captain Ryan was a pleasure, as his deep expertise was evident from the start. He navigated us to a location where we...
Wanchese, NC