Half Day Afternoon Fishing in Wanchese Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour afternoon inshore fishing trip departing at 12:30 PMTarget redfish, sea trout, black drum, and summer flounderCaptain Mike provides local expertise and handson guidance
When you're looking for solid fishing action without burning a whole day, Captain Mike Midgett's afternoon trips from Wanchese Marina hit the sweet spot. This 4-hour inshore adventure kicks off at 12:30 PM, giving you time to sleep in or handle morning business before getting on the water. You'll be targeting some of the Outer Banks' most reliable species - redfish, sea trout, black drum, sheepshead, and summer flounder - in the productive waters around Wanchese. Captain Mike knows these sounds like the back of his hand, and he's got the patience to work with everyone from first-timers to seasoned weekend warriors. With room for up to four anglers, it's perfect for family outings or a small crew looking to get bent rods and put some fish in the cooler.
Captain Mike runs a no-nonsense operation focused on putting you on fish while keeping things relaxed and educational. The afternoon timing works great because you're fishing during some prime feeding windows, especially as the day starts cooling off and baitfish become more active. The Sounds Good Charters boat is set up for comfort and efficiency - plenty of room to move around, quality gear that's maintained properly, and all the tackle you'll need for the variety of species you'll encounter. You'll spend most of your time in the protected waters around Roanoke Sound and the adjacent marsh systems, where structure and grass beds hold good numbers of fish year-round. Captain Mike's approach is hands-on - he'll show you proper techniques, help with hooksets, and make sure everyone gets their shots at fish. The pace is steady but never rushed, giving you time to actually enjoy being on the water instead of just racing from spot to spot.
This inshore fishing style revolves around light tackle and versatile presentations that can handle multiple species in the same areas. Captain Mike typically runs medium-light spinning rods spooled with 15-20 pound braided line, which gives you the sensitivity to feel subtle bites but enough backbone to handle bigger drum and redfish. The go-to techniques include bouncing jigs tipped with cut bait or soft plastics around structure, drifting live or cut shrimp near grass beds, and working topwater plugs when conditions are right. You'll be fishing depths ranging from 2-8 feet mostly, targeting drop-offs, oyster bars, creek mouths, and submerged grass lines where predators ambush baitfish. The beauty of this fishery is its versatility - you might catch a speckled trout on a popping cork rig, then switch to bottom fishing for black drum, then work the same area with artificials for redfish. Captain Mike carries a full selection of baits including live shrimp, cut mullet, and various soft plastic lures, adjusting tactics based on what the fish are showing interest in that particular day.
Redfish are the bread and butter of this fishery, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized 18-inchers up to bull reds pushing 30+ pounds. These copper-colored fighters love the shallow flats and grass beds around Wanchese, especially during incoming tides when they're actively feeding. Speckled sea trout provide consistent action throughout the warmer months, with fish averaging 14-18 inches and the occasional gator trout over 20 inches showing up to make your day. Black drum are abundant here, particularly the smaller "puppy drum" that make excellent table fare, though you'll occasionally tie into a heavyweight that'll test your drag and your patience. Sheepshead fishing really shines around the marina pilings and bridge structures, where these convict-striped bait thieves require finesse and quick reflexes to hook consistently. Summer flounder round out the slam potential, with these flatfish holding along channel edges and sandy patches where they can ambush passing prey.
Redfish are what most anglers get fired up about, and for good reason. These bronze-backed bruisers are available year-round in Wanchese waters, but really turn on during spring and fall when they school up in shallow water. They're aggressive feeders that'll crush everything from cut bait to topwater plugs, and once hooked, they make blistering runs that'll have your drag screaming. The sight-fishing opportunities are outstanding when conditions allow, watching tailing reds work the grass flats in knee-deep water.
Speckled sea trout are the perfect species for building confidence and learning proper technique. They're abundant from April through November, with peak action during summer months when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. These spotted beauties average 1-3 pounds but fight hard for their size, with a soft mouth that requires a steady hand during the fight. They're also excellent eating, making them a favorite target for families looking to put dinner on the table.
Black drum don't get the glamour treatment, but they're honest fighters that provide steady action when other species are finicky. The smaller "puppy drum" in the 1-5 pound range are common year-round and make fantastic table fare. Larger fish show up periodically and provide surprising power, with their bulldogging runs and stubborn fights that keep you connected to the bottom end of the food chain. They're suckers for fresh shrimp and cut bait worked slowly along the bottom.
Sheepshead are the ultimate technical challenge - these black-and-white striped convicts have small mouths, sharp vision, and lightning-fast reflexes that make them notorious bait stealers. They're most active around structure during warmer months, requiring small hooks, fresh bait, and lightning-quick hooksets. Landing a quality sheepshead feels like a major victory because you've outsmarted one of the craftiest fish in the sound. Plus, they're absolutely delicious when prepared properly.
Captain Mike's 20-foot Maycraft center console is the perfect platform for chasing redfish and sea trout in Wanchese's productive inshore waters. This reliable fishing machine runs on a smooth 150 HP Suzuki 4-stroke that gets you to the hot spots quickly and quietly. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful afternoon on the water - GPS to navigate the sounds, a quality fishfinder to locate those holding areas, and a livewell to keep your catch fresh. There's also an icebox onboard to keep your drinks cold during those warm Carolina afternoons. The center console layout gives everyone plenty of room to fish comfortably, whether you're working the grass flats for reds or drifting structure for trout. With space for up to four anglers, it's sized just right for serious fishing without feeling crowded when the action heats up.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90 pounds. These dark, chunky fish hang around oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and creek mouths where they use their powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. They're known for their distinctive drumming sounds and strong, bulldogging fights that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab for bait and fish it right on the bottom near structure - they can't resist it, and crabs stay on the hook better than softer baits in our waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, with their copper-red backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most run 20-35 inches and put up one heck of a fight, making long runs and using their broad tails to bulldoze through the water. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths year-round, though fall brings the best action. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything and their explosive strikes on topwater lures. The meat is sweet and firm, perfect for blackening or grilling. Here's my go-to trick: look for tailing fish in skinny water at sunrise and cast a gold spoon just past them, then work it back slowly. They can't resist it.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout, are beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots that make them easy to identify. Most run 14-24 inches and put up a spirited fight with great jumping ability. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk when they come up to feed. Fall and spring offer the best action, though they bite year-round in our temperate waters. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures and the sweet, tender white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They school up in winter, making for fast action in deeper holes. Local tip: work your lure slowly and be ready for that explosive strike. A popping cork with live shrimp underneath is deadly effective, especially when working the grass line edges where they ambush baitfish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the inshore world with their distinctive black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're excellent eating and fun to catch. These 1-8 pound fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around docks, bridges, and oyster bars. Spring months from February through April are prime when they gather near structures to spawn. They're notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites, but once hooked they put up a solid scrap. The white, flaky meat rivals any fish on the table. Here's the key: get your bait tight against the pilings where they feed, use a sharp hook, and set it hard the moment you feel weight. Fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp work best, and don't be afraid to scrape some barnacles off to create a chum slick.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These "doormat" flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can reach over 25 pounds. Fall months from September through November offer the best action as they feed heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is their unique sideways bite and the way they change color to match the bottom. They're prized for their sweet, white meat - some of the best eating fish in these waters. You'll find them around drop-offs, channel edges, and anywhere the current brings baitfish. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder pick up the bait and swim off before turning it to swallow, so patience pays off.
Outer Banks