Half Day Pro-Level Fishing Trip in Wanchese
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Prolevel 4hour morning trip targeting redfish and sea troutCaptain Mike uses local expertise for strategic inshore positioningDesigned for experienced anglers seeking quality catches
When you're ready to fish with purpose and precision, Captain Mike Midgett's 4-hour pro-level morning trip delivers exactly what seasoned anglers are looking for. Starting at 7:30 AM from Wanchese Marina, this isn't your typical tourist outing – it's designed for anglers who know their way around a rod and want to maximize their time on the water. The Outer Banks inshore waters around Wanchese hold some of the most consistent fishing on the East Coast, and Mike's local knowledge puts you right where the fish are feeding. You'll target redfish, sea trout, black drum, bluefish, and sheepshead using proven techniques that work in these waters. With space for just 4 anglers, everyone gets plenty of room to work and direct access to the captain's expertise.
This top-rated morning trip cuts straight to the action. Captain Mike doesn't waste time on scenic tours – he's focused on putting fish in the boat using strategic positioning and reading the water conditions like a book. The 4-hour window gives you enough time to work multiple spots without feeling rushed, and Mike adjusts tactics based on tide, wind, and what the fish are doing that day. You'll fish the productive grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths that make Wanchese famous among serious inshore anglers. The boat stays comfortable for 4 people, so you're not bumping elbows when the bite gets hot. Mike brings his own tackle setups, but if you've got gear preferences or want to throw your favorite lures, he's all for it. Just make sure you've got your North Carolina fishing license – it's required and strictly enforced in these waters.
Mike runs a mix of live bait and artificial presentations depending on conditions and target species. For redfish, you'll work the shallow grass flats with spoons, soft plastics, and topwater plugs when the water's calm. Sea trout respond well to suspending jerkbaits and shrimp under popping corks, especially around structure. The black drum fishing involves more finesse – dropping cut bait or crab near oyster beds and feeling for those subtle taps. Bluefish are aggressive and hit almost anything when they're schooled up, while sheepshead require patience and precise bait presentation around pilings and structure. Mike provides quality spinning gear matched to the technique, but he's happy to let you use your own setup if you prefer. Circle hooks are standard for most live bait work, and he keeps a good selection of weights and terminal tackle to match changing conditions. The key is staying adaptable – what worked yesterday might not work today, so Mike reads the water and adjusts accordingly.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Outer Banks inshore fishing, and Wanchese waters hold some real quality fish. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches in the slot, with plenty of oversize fish that'll test your drag. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some monster reds in deeper water. They're ambush predators that cruise the grass flats looking for crabs and baitfish, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. The fight is bulldogging strong with long runs that make your reel sing. Anglers love reds because they're beautiful fish, fight hard, and make excellent table fare when kept in the slot limit.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around here. They range from schoolie keepers at 12 inches up to gator trout pushing 20+ inches and 3-4 pounds. Peak season runs from April through October, with summer evenings producing some of the best action. These fish are structure-oriented, hanging around grass beds, creek mouths, and drop-offs where they can ambush prey. They hit artificials aggressively and put up a scrappy fight with jumps and head shakes. Trout are prized for their flaky white meat and are considered one of the best eating fish in coastal waters.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from 2-pound puppy drum up to 40+ pound bulls that'll straighten hooks if you're not prepared. They're bottom feeders with powerful pharyngeal teeth for crushing oysters and crabs, so you'll fish for them around hard structure. Spring spawning runs bring the big fish into shallow water, while smaller drum are available year-round. The fight is pure power – no jumps or fancy moves, just steady pressure that tests your tackle and technique. Many anglers target drum specifically for the challenge of landing a trophy-size fish in shallow water.
Bluefish show up in massive schools during their spring and fall migrations, creating some of the most fast-paced action you'll find. These voracious predators hit hard and fight dirty, with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through leaders and fingers if you're not careful. They range from snapper blues at 6-8 inches up to chopper blues over 15 pounds. When you find a feeding school, it's common to hook multiple fish on the same cast. Bluefish are oily and strong-tasting, but smaller ones are excellent when prepared fresh.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of inshore fishing, requiring precise bait presentation and lightning-fast hook sets. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. They're notorious bait stealers that can clean a hook without moving the rod tip. Most sheepshead run 1-3 pounds, but occasional fish over 5 pounds show up around deeper structure. Spring spawning season offers the most consistent action, and they're considered excellent table fare with firm, white meat similar to snapper.
Hit the productive waters around Wanchese aboard this well-equipped 20-foot Maycraft center console that knows how to handle the Outer Banks inshore fishery. The 150 HP Suzuki 4-stroke gets you to the fishing grounds quickly and quietly, while the GPS and fishfinder help locate those redfish holding spots and sea trout haunts that Captain Mike targets. With space for up to four anglers, there's plenty of room to work different techniques without crowding each other. The onboard livewell keeps your bait lively, and the icebox handles your drinks and any keeper fish you boat. Built for serious fishing, this Maycraft handles the shallow flats and deeper channels where the drum and sheepshead like to feed, giving you a solid platform for casting and fighting fish in Wanchese's prime inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 90+ pounds. They love shallow flats, oyster beds, and brackish waters around here, using those powerful jaws to crush shellfish and crabs. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - much easier to target than when they scatter afterward. These fish are absolute bulldogs once hooked, making long runs and testing your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat, but the big ones get tough and aren't worth keeping. My go-to tip: use fresh crab bait and make sure it stays on the bottom. They're notorious for picking at bait, so when you feel that telltale nibble, set the hook hard and hang on.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the crown jewel of our inshore waters with their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. They range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to massive bull reds over 40 inches that'll test your tackle. You'll find them in everything from ankle-deep flats where their backs show above water to deeper channels and around oyster bars. Fall and spring offer prime fishing when they're most active and aggressive. What makes redfish special is their power - even smaller ones fight like freight trains, and they'll eat almost anything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. The smaller "slot" fish are excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. Here's an Outer Banks tip: look for nervous water and tailing fish on the flats during incoming tides, and don't be afraid to throw big lures at them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinctive black spots. They typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, preferring grass flats and shallow waters throughout our estuaries. Night fishing often produces the best results, especially during warmer months when they move into the shallows to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. These fish are popular because they're scrappy fighters that readily take lures, and their delicate white meat is outstanding table fare - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Speckled trout school up in deeper channels during winter, making them easier to locate. My local trick: work topwater plugs or soft plastics over grass beds at first light or dusk. When you find one speck, slow down and work the area thoroughly - they usually travel in groups.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their black and gray stripes, but what really sets them apart are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles off pilings. Most range 1-8 pounds, though 20-pounders do show up around docks, bridges, and any structure with barnacles. Spring brings the best action during their spawning runs from February through April. Anglers enjoy the challenge because these fish are notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble your hook clean before you know it. The meat is sweet and mild, making them excellent eating despite being tough to clean. Here's my tip: use fiddler crabs and keep your bait tight to the structure. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, don't wait - set the hook immediately and aggressively, or they'll steal your bait every time.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their chameleon-like color changes. Most run 15-20 inches, but the females can hit 26 pounds and live up to 20 years. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at them when they're actively feeding before moving offshore. Guests love the challenge since flounder require finesse and patience, plus they're fantastic table fare with sweet, white meat. The key trick here is using a slow retrieve with live minnows or sea worms on a circle hook. Let your bait hit bottom, then work it slowly in foot-long lifts - flounder often grab it on the drop.
Outer Banks