Half Day Dogfish And Striped Bass Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing targeting striped bass and dogfishChoose between sound trolling or ocean bottom fishingMaximum six guests with experienced local charter crew
Looking for some solid fishing action without burning your whole day? Captain Shine Eye Girl and crew know exactly where to put you on fish in these productive Wanchese waters. This 4-hour trip gives you two killer options - either we're trolling the sound for hungry stripers or dropping lines to the bottom for feisty seabass and dogfish. The Outer Banks fishing scene is legendary for good reason, and this half-day adventure lets you tap into that without the commitment of a full charter. Perfect for families, couples, or anyone who wants to get their line wet and actually catch fish.
Your morning starts at the Wanchese docks, where you'll meet your crew and get the lowdown on conditions. Depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding, we'll either head into the sound for some trolling action or make a short run to productive bottom fishing spots. The sound trolling is pure excitement - lines out, lures working, waiting for that rod to slam over when a striper crushes your bait. Bottom fishing brings a different kind of satisfaction - feeling that thump on the rod tip, setting the hook, and fighting fish up from the depths. Either way, you're in for some real fishing. This is a 6-person max trip, so there's plenty of room to fish comfortably without bumping elbows. Fall and spring can get downright cold out here, so layer up and bring a jacket even if it looks nice at the dock.
When we're targeting stripers in the sound, we're trolling with proven setups - umbrella rigs, bucktails, and soft plastics that these fish can't resist. The boat does the work while you watch the rods and wait for that telltale bend that means game on. For bottom fishing, we're using heavier tackle to get down to where the seabass and dogfish hang out. Circle hooks with fresh cut bait usually do the trick, though sometimes these fish want something with a little more action. The crew provides all the gear you need, but if you've got favorite rods or reels, feel free to bring them along. Just remember that 20% tip for the mate isn't included in your trip cost - these guys work hard to put you on fish and handle all the messy stuff so you can focus on fishing.
Striped Bass are the crown jewel of East Coast fishing, and the waters around Wanchese hold some beautiful fish. These guys are built for speed and power - when a good striper hits your trolling lure, you'll know it immediately. They typically run anywhere from keeper size up to real bragging-rights fish, with fall and spring being prime time when they're moving through our area. Stripers are smart, moody fish that keep you guessing, but when they're feeding, few things in fishing beat the steady pull of a nice rockfish.
Spiny Dogfish might not win beauty contests, but they're scrappy little sharks that fight way above their weight class. These guys are abundant in our waters and absolutely hammer baits on the bottom. Don't let their size fool you - a dogfish will give you a surprisingly good fight on medium tackle. They're part of the shark family, complete with that distinctive pointed snout and sharp spines you'll want to avoid when handling them. Most run between 2-4 feet, and they school up heavily during certain times of year, making for fast-paced action when you find them.
This half-day trip strikes the perfect balance between serious fishing and fitting into your vacation schedule. Whether you're staying in Nags Head, Manteo, or anywhere on the Outer Banks, Wanchese puts you right in the heart of some of North Carolina's best inshore fishing. The seasonal nature of this trip means we're targeting fish when they're most active and feeding heavily. Captain Shine Eye Girl OBX Charters has built a solid reputation putting anglers on fish, and this 4-hour window gives you a real taste of what makes Outer Banks fishing special. Weather can change fast out here, so trips are subject to conditions - but that's just smart seamanship that keeps everyone safe and fishing productively. Book your spot and get ready to bend some rods in waters that have been producing quality fish for generations of anglers.
Meet your fishing platform for the waters around Wanchese - a classic 40-foot sportfisher built by Warren O'Neal back in 1960 and given new life with a complete restoration in 2015. This boat carries up to 6 anglers and runs on a single 450HP Cummins that'll push you through the sound or out to the ocean at a steady 18 knots. The flybridge gives you elevated views for spotting feeding birds and structure, while the fish finder helps locate those dogfish and stripers hiding below. When the fog rolls in off the Atlantic, the radar keeps you on course. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during the 4-hour trip. The head means no rushing back to dock, and the GPS ensures you hit the productive spots whether you're trolling for striped bass in the sound or dropping lines for seabass and dog sharks in deeper ocean waters. Built tough for these Carolina waters.
Squalus AcanthiasDon't let the name fool you - these small sharks pack a punch and provide steady action when conditions are right. Most run 2-4 feet long, perfect for lighter tackle that lets you feel every head shake and run. They're bottom dwellers that we target in 50-200 feet of water over sandy flats. October through early winter is when they really turn on, often traveling in schools. What makes them fun is they'll hit almost any bait and fight harder than fish twice their size. Fair warning though - they've got sharp spines behind their dorsal fins that can give you a nasty poke. My advice: use a 15-20 pound setup and keep some cut bait ready - sardines or herring work great, and once you find a school, the action stays hot.
Morone SaxatilisThese iconic fish with their distinctive dark stripes are what many anglers dream about. Stripers typically run 20-40 pounds in our waters, though we see some real giants pushing 50+ pounds during peak season. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag and give you a workout. We find them around structure - drop-offs, sand bars, and near the shorelines where they hunt baitfish. Spring and fall are prime time when they're migrating through our area, feeding heavily. The meat is sweet and flaky, making them excellent table fare. Here's a tip from years on the water: when you see birds working the surface, get your lines in fast - stripers are usually right underneath those baitfish schools.
Wanchese