Half Day Family Fishing Trip in Wanchese
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Family-friendly 4-hour morning inshore fishing adventure in Wanchese watersTarget redfish, sea trout, black drum, bluefish with experienced Captain MikeRelaxed atmosphere perfect for mixed experience levels and children
Looking for a fishing trip that works for everyone in the family? Captain Mike Midgett's half-day inshore adventure in Wanchese hits the sweet spot for families wanting to get kids on fish without the commitment of a full day on the water. This 4-hour morning trip launches right at 7:30 AM from Wanchese Marina, giving you prime fishing time when the bite is hot and getting you back to shore before the little ones get restless. The calm inshore waters around the Outer Banks make this a perfect introduction to saltwater fishing for kids while still offering enough action to keep experienced anglers engaged.
Captain Mike keeps things relaxed and family-focused, which means no pressure to be the perfect angler and plenty of help getting everyone dialed in. The boat accommodates up to 4 guests comfortably, so you're not crowded or competing for space at the rail. You'll be fishing the protected waters around Wanchese, where the current isn't too strong and the boat stays stable – a huge plus when you've got kids learning to cast or fighting their first fish. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will move around to find where the fish are biting that morning. Expect a mix of bottom fishing and maybe some light tackle action depending on what's showing up on the fish finder.
Captain Mike provides all the fishing gear you'll need, from rods and reels sized right for different ages to tackle boxes stocked with the baits and lures that work best in these waters. You'll likely be using a combination of live bait like shrimp or mud minnows and cut bait depending on what species you're targeting. The techniques stay simple and effective – mostly bottom fishing with circle hooks that are safer for kids and easier for beginners to manage. When the bite is on, you might switch to some light jigging or even throw some soft plastics if the captain spots schools of fish moving through. Don't worry if you've never done this before – Mike takes time to show everyone proper hook sets, how to feel the bite, and safe fish handling techniques.
Redfish are the crown jewel of these inshore waters, and they're what most families get fired up about catching. These copper-colored beauties typically run 18-30 inches in the shallows around Wanchese, and they put up a solid fight that gets kids pumping with adrenaline without being so strong they can't handle the rod. Redfish are year-round residents here, but they're particularly active in the spring and fall when they school up in the marshes and grass flats. What makes them special is their willingness to eat just about anything – shrimp, cut bait, or artificials – and they're gorgeous fish that photograph well for those family memories.
Sea trout are another family favorite because they bite readily and taste fantastic on the dinner table. These spotted beauties range from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to trophy gator trout pushing 5-6 pounds. They love the grass beds and drop-offs around Wanchese, especially during the warmer months from late spring through early fall. Sea trout have a soft mouth, so they're perfect for teaching kids about gentle pressure and proper drag settings. Plus, they're one of the best eating fish you'll find in these waters.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're perfect for family trips because they're cooperative eaters and strong fighters. These bottom-dwellers can range from smaller 2-3 pound fish perfect for kids up to bull drum that'll test everyone's skills. They're most active in the spring and fall, and they love crab and shrimp baits fished right on the bottom. Black drum teach patience since they often mouth the bait before committing, giving kids time to feel what's happening down there.
Summer flounder add some variety to the trip, especially during their peak season from May through September. These flatfish are masters of camouflage and provide a different fishing experience since you're often drifting and bouncing baits along the bottom. Kids love the challenge of trying to spot them in the boat before the captain points them out. Flounder are excellent table fare and provide good action when they're schooled up on the inshore structure.
Sheepshead round out the mix with their distinctive black stripes and challenging bite. These bait thieves keep everyone on their toes since they're notorious for stealing baits without getting hooked. When you do connect with a sheepshead, they're surprisingly strong fighters for their size. They're most active around structure during the warmer months and provide a fun challenge for kids who want to test their skills against a crafty opponent.
This half-day family trip strikes the perfect balance between serious fishing and keeping everyone comfortable and engaged. Captain Mike's experience with families shows in how he structures the morning – enough action to keep it exciting without overwhelming beginners, and plenty of hands-on instruction without making it feel like school. The 4-hour timeframe works great for attention spans while giving you legitimate shots at multiple species. Remember to bring your fishing licenses, some snacks and drinks, and get ready for what might become your family's new favorite tradition. These morning slots fill up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait too long to secure your date on the water.
Captain Mike's 20-foot Maycraft center console is built for family fishing adventures in Wanchese waters. This reliable boat handles four anglers comfortably while the 150 HP Suzuki 4-stroke gets you to the fishing spots quickly and quietly. The onboard fishfinder helps locate redfish and sea trout hiding in the shallows, while GPS keeps you on course through the Outer Banks backwaters. An icebox keeps drinks cold during those hot morning hours, and the livewell ensures your catch stays fresh. With radio communication for safety and plenty of deck space for casting, this boat makes inshore fishing accessible for kids and adults alike. The center console design gives everyone room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are powerful bottom-feeders that can range from 5-30 pounds, though we sometimes see giants pushing 50+ pounds. They love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats in our brackish waters, using those crushing jaws to munch on crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. These fish put up a solid fight and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. My tip: use fresh crab bait and keep it right on the bottom - they won't chase anything more than a foot off the sand. You'll feel them nibbling before they commit, so be patient and set the hook hard when you feel their weight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore waters - copper-colored bruisers with that distinctive black spot near the tail. School fish run 18-27 inches, but we target the bigger slot fish and over-slot bulls that can push 40+ inches and 30 pounds. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds where they'll cruise with their backs out of the water. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding heavily. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll peel drag and test your gear. Plus, slot-sized fish are fantastic eating with firm, mild meat. Here's my tip: watch for tailing fish in shallow water and cast ahead of their path with a gold spoon or soft plastic. Keep it quiet and let the lure sink naturally.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, or speckled trout, are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in dark spots. Most range from 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, perfect for family fishing. They love grass flats and shallow water, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. The cooler months bring some of our best action as they school up in deeper holes. What guests enjoy most is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their acrobatic jumps when hooked. The meat is tender and mild - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. My go-to technique is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The cork draws them in, and that subtle action below seals the deal. Look for nervous water and feeding birds.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. They typically run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we see some bruisers over 8 pounds around the docks and bridge pilings. These fish are structure-huggers, feeding on barnacles and crabs around any hard bottom. Spring is prime time when they're spawning and more aggressive. Families love the steady action, and the white, flaky meat rivals any fish in taste. They're notorious bait thieves though - they'll nibble and pick at your offering. My trick is to use small hooks with fresh fiddler crab, get as close to structure as possible, and set the hook at the first solid thump. Don't wait around with these guys.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of camouflage - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms where they ambush prey. Most run 15-20 inches, but we catch some real doormat-sized fish pushing 5+ pounds. They're active from late spring through fall, with September and October being peak season when they're feeding heavily before their offshore winter migration. What makes them special is that sideways bite and their ability to change colors like chameleons. The meat is pure white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll find. Here's the key: use a slow drift with live minnows or strip baits, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. They grab bait sideways and need time to turn it around.
Outer Banks