5.0(3 Reviews)Wanchese NC Red Drum & Bottom Fishing Trip
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour afternoon charter targeting red drum and bottom fishBeginner-friendly trip with all gear and tackle provided onboardPrivate group accommodates up to six guests maximum
Captain Ryan knows the Outer Banks waters like the back of his hand, and this afternoon half-day charter puts you right in the sweet spot for consistent action. Starting at 11:30 AM from Wanchese Harbor, you'll spend four solid hours targeting red drum and a variety of bottom species that call these productive nearshore waters home. The Roanoke Sound and surrounding areas are absolutely loaded with fish, and this trip is designed to keep your rods bent and coolers full. Perfect for families and first-timers, but experienced anglers will appreciate the high catch rates and multi-species opportunities that make every cast exciting.
This charter is all about putting fish in the boat while keeping things relaxed and educational. You'll launch from Wanchese, one of the most historic fishing villages on the Outer Banks, and head into the sound system where red drum patrol the shallows and bottom fish stack up on structure. Captain Ryan reads the conditions like a pro—when the tide and wind are right, he'll mix in some trolling for bluefish and Spanish mackerel to add variety to your fish box. The afternoon timing works perfectly as fish start feeding heavily before evening, giving you prime bite windows. Your private group of up to six gets the full attention of an experienced guide who knows exactly where to find consistent action, whether that's working grass beds for speckled trout or dropping baits near pilings for sheepshead.
Everything you need comes with the trip—quality rods, reels, terminal tackle, and fresh bait are all provided. Captain Ryan often starts trips by catching live bait, which gets everyone involved and excited while providing the freshest offerings for finicky fish. Bottom fishing with circle hooks keeps things simple for beginners while being deadly effective on croaker, sea mullet, and gray trout. When targeting red drum, expect to use cut bait or live offerings worked along grass edges and shallow flats where these bronze bruisers cruise looking for an easy meal. The trolling setup uses light tackle and small spoons or jigs that Spanish mackerel and bluefish can't resist. All techniques are explained clearly, making this trip perfect for learning while actually catching fish consistently.
"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
Sea trout, particularly speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Outer Banks fishing and absolutely delicious on the table. These spotted beauties love grass beds and drop-offs, often feeding in schools that can provide non-stop action once you locate them. Spring through fall offers the best opportunities, with fish ranging from keeper-size 14-inchers up to hefty 20+ inch gator trout that'll test your drag. They're aggressive strikers and put up a great fight on light tackle, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Redfish are the crown jewel of North Carolina inshore fishing, and the Outer Banks holds some of the best populations on the East Coast. These copper-colored bulldogs can range from slot-size fish around 20 inches up to massive bull reds over 40 inches that'll absolutely smoke your drag. They're year-round residents but really turn on during fall months when they school up for spawning. The sight of a red drum's bronze back and distinctive black spot makes every angler's heart race, and their powerful runs make them one of the most sought-after species in these waters.
Cobia are the wild cards that can show up any time from spring through fall, often following rays or cruising shallow flats. These brown sharks of the inshore world can reach impressive sizes, with fish over 30 pounds not uncommon in these waters. They're curious fish that often approach the boat, giving anglers shots at sight-casting to individual fish. Their firm white meat is considered some of the best eating in the ocean, making them a prized catch for the dinner table.
Spanish mackerel provide fast-paced action when they're running, typically from late spring through early fall. These silver bullets hit trolled baits with authority and make screaming runs that'll wake up anyone dozing in their chair. They school heavily during peak season, and when you find them, it's often game on with multiple hookups and non-stop action. They're also excellent table fare when prepared fresh, with firm, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or f
Hit the waters around Wanchese aboard our fully restored 24' Privateer center console – your floating base camp for chasing red drum and bottom fish in the Outer Banks. This reliable workhorse cuts through the sounds at 24 knots thanks to its 150HP Yamaha, getting your crew of up to 6 anglers to the fish fast. The wide center console layout gives everyone room to work while staying stable when you're fighting that keeper red or pulling up croaker and sea mullet from the bottom. GPS keeps us on the productive spots while the fish finder shows what's swimming below. Pack your snacks and drinks in the onboard icebox and get ready for steady action targeting speckled trout, sheepshead, and whatever else is biting in these productive nearshore waters. Perfect for families and beginners looking to bend some rods without the rough ride of offshore fishing.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive feeders that run 2-20 pounds and travel in schools, famous for their feeding frenzies that can turn the water into a washing machine. We find them throughout the water column from shallow surf to 100+ feet offshore, often following baitfish schools. Summer through fall brings the best action, especially when menhaden and sardines are thick. Anglers love blues because they hit anything that moves and fight hard with powerful runs. They're also decent eating when fresh, though the bigger ones can be a bit strong. Watch your fingers - those razor-sharp teeth mean business. My best tip: when you find feeding birds diving on bait, get there fast. Blues will be underneath tearing up the same school the birds are hitting from above.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of the nearshore waters - big, brown fish that cruise alone and can reach 50-100 pounds. We typically find them around structure like wrecks, buoys, and channel markers in 30-70 feet during spring migration. They're sight fishers' dreams since you can often spot them just under the surface. Spring through early summer is peak season when they move through our waters heading north. People love targeting cobia because they're strong fighters and absolutely delicious - firm white meat that's perfect for grilling. Plus, there's something special about sight-casting to a 40-pound fish. My go-to advice: when you see one, don't get excited and cast right on top of it. Lead them by 10 feet with a bucktail jig and work it slow along the bottom.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are one of our most reliable targets, running anywhere from slot-size around 18-27 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Fall brings the best action as they school up for their spawning run, but we catch them year-round. What makes reds special is their powerful fight and that distinctive black spot near the tail. They're also fantastic eating when prepared fresh. The key trick here is watching for nervous water and tailing fish in the shallows. When you spot one, cast past it and work your bait back slowly - reds spook easily but once hooked, they'll give you a memorable fight.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout around here typically run 14-24 inches and weigh 1-5 pounds, with their distinctive black spots making them easy to identify. You'll find them in shallow grass flats and around oyster bars, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall offers the best action, with dawn and dusk being prime time. These fish are popular because they fight well for their size and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They're also great for beginners since they're pretty cooperative once you find them. One tip I always share: when you're working grass flats, keep your lure just above the vegetation and work it slow - trout like to ambush from below rather than chase down fast-moving bait.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that average 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds, traveling in large schools near the surface. We pick them up trolling in 20-60 feet of water, especially around temperature breaks and current lines. They show up strong from late spring through fall when water temps climb. These fish are popular because they hit hard, fight fast, and make great table fare with mild, flaky meat that's perfect smoked or grilled. They're also excellent for kids since the action stays consistent once you find a school. The secret is keeping your trolling speed up around 6-8 knots with small spoons or jigs. When you hook one, keep the boat moving - where there's one Spanish, there's usually a whole school ready to bite.
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