Outer Banks Fishing Resources

Outer Banks Charter Fishing

Offshore Charter Fishing

Outer Banks offshore charter fishing is the big-time fishing this area is known for. Offshore fishing means heading out to sea to the Gulf Stream, where giant species of fish like billfish, tuna and dolphin lurk. Outer Banks offshore charter boats are big business, and they command at least $1,200 to $1,500 a day plus a tip for the mate. However, the boats can take up to six anglers per trip, so if you divide the cost among six people it doesn’t seem so outrageous. Because the journey to the Gulf Stream is an hour or more, offshore charters last a full day, starting at around 5 a.m. All you need to bring is food, drinks, sunscreen and seasickness remedies; the captain and mate supply everything else and offer any instruction you need. You can book an offshore charter through one of the local marinas (see the list below). Charter fishing boats are located close to the inlets for easy access to the ocean; since there are no inlets on the northern Outer Banks there are no charter fishing boats there either. Fish-cleaning services are offered at each marina.

Inshore Guides

If you really want to increase your odds of catching a fish, it pays to hire a guide. These are people who are out on the water every day, and they know where the fish are and how to catch them. Inshore guides typically fish in the sounds, inlets or near-shore waters and offer light-tackle or fly fishing trips. They’ll take you out for a half-day or a full day. You can find an inshore guide through a tackle shop or a marina. If you’re new to fishing, tell that to the booking agent and they’ll recommend a guide who is skilled at instructing new anglers.

Headboat Fishing

This is a great way to fish if you’re new to fishing, if you don’t have all the tackle you need or if you just want an easy day on the water. Head boats are large boats that take out a lot of people at once, and they provide all the bait and tackle, plus a helpful mate. Head boats take passengers on bottom-fishing trips either in the sound or in the near-shore ocean waters and wrecks. Head boats are great for kids because there are restrooms and snacks onboard, and they offer half-day trips. Look for the head boats in the list of boats below.

Pirates Cove Marina

2000 Sailfish Dr, Manteo
(252) 473-3906, (800) 367-4728

A-Salt Weapon

Docked at Pirates Cove Marina

Captain Dennis Endee offers offshore fishing trips on the Outer Banks for most of the year and travels to Isla Mujeres, Mexico, for sailfishing during the winter. Captain Endee has more than 20 years of fishing experience since he started as a mate on a headboat at the age of 11. He’s been fishing the Outer Banks waters for the last 15 years. Endee captains a 54-foot Paul Mann custom boat that offers a great ride, lots of room for up to six anglers, AC and heat, a TV and DVD player and many more comforts that were added in the boat’s recent quarter-million-dollar upgrade. Endee has been featured in Gulf Stream fishing shows on ESPN and OLN (now Versus).

Obsession Sportfishing Charters

Docked at Pirates Cove Marina
Captain: (252) 480-0094

Captain Jeff Ross operates the 55-foot Obsession and has been fishing the Gulf Stream and North Carolina’s Outer Banks since 1982. The Obsession is based at Pirate’s Cove Marina in Manteo from April through December but during the winter travels to Mexico for light-tackle sailfishing trips from Isla Mujeres near Cancun, Mexico. The boat can take up to six passengers. Capt. Jeff prefers using light tackle when conditions permit and dependent on the angler’s desires and skill. The Obsession crew encourages angler participation, and there’s plenty of coaching and encouragement.

Broad Creek Marina

708 Harbor Road, Wanchese
(252) 473-5344

Doghouse Sport Fishing

Docked at Broad Creek Marina
(252) 475-8079
(252) 475-1723

Licensed to carry up to 12 passengers, the 61-foot Doghouse has ample room and comfortable amenities to carry twice the number of passengers as a traditional charter boat, making it a popular choice for wedding parties, large family fishing trips and corporate parties. Captain Britton Shackelford offers trips year round, including inshore, offshore and bottom-fishing trips and evening cruises. Shackelford says his mate, who is also a licensed master, is the best in the business and that they offer the best tackle money can buy. Shackelford prides himself on effective communication with his customers, allowing him to offer unrivaled customized fishing experiences.

Phideaux Sportfishing

Docked at Broad Creek Marina
(252) 473-2901

The Phideaux is a 52-foot custom Carolina, Scarborough-built fishing vessel that’s family owned and operated year round. Captain Jamie Reibel and his brother and mate Jeff Reibel have more than 35 years of experience fishing out of Oregon Inlet. The Reibel brothers fish full-time for a living; they don’t do this job on the side for a couple of months a year and then go back to something else — they do it for a livelihood and for the love of the sport. They understand how to offer their customers an enjoyable day on the water, and their boat is fast, has air-conditioning and the amenities required for a comfortable day of fishing. Most of the year they’re based out of Broad Creek Marina, but they occasionally head south to Hatteras in the winter and spring for bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna and striped bass. The boat can accommodate up to six passengers. They offer offshore, inshore, full and half-day trips, commercial excursions and evening cruises.

Waste Knot II

Docked at Broad Creek Marina
(252) 305-7999

Captain Trey Lewis operates the 48-foot Waste Knot II year-round out of Broad Creek Fishing Center in Wanchese. Lewis grew up fishing the Outer Banks and Gulf Stream waters and he has proven experience and tournament winnings as a charter captain. The boat has recently been remodeled for a new look and a modernized interior. When not fishing, anglers enjoy the heated or air-conditioned salon with satellite TV, a Bose entertainment system, Sirius radio and Sirius weather, a refrigerator and microwave and two full heads. The crew welcomes families and children on the boat.

Oregon Inlet Fishing Center

98 N.C. Highway 12, Bodie Island, Nags Head
(252) 441-6301

Outrigger Sport Fishing

Docked at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
Captain: (252) 216-9121

For an action-packed day of offshore fishing, Outrigger can fill the bill. This 51-foot charter boat, built in 1993 by Outer Banks builder Bobby Sullivan, is powered by twin 500 hp engines and has a cruising speed of 25 knots to get you to the fishing grounds quickly. Capt. Aaron Wright, an Outer Banks native, has been fishing since he was a child and working on charter boats for 23 years. His wealth of experience and enthusiasm for sport fishing make for a great day of fishing, whether you’re catching tuna, dolphin, wahoo or billfish. The Outrigger’s “greenstick” guarantees good catches of tuna in the summer months. The boat is outfitted with AC and heat in the cabin, TV and VCR, stereo and CD player, microwave, generator and a full navigation/communications/fish finder package.

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Risky Business Sportfishing Charters

Docked at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
Captain: (252) 473-0396

Docked at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, Risky Business offers inshore sportfishing or deepwater bottom fishing in the ocean and sound near Oregon Inlet. They run full-day or half-day trips and catches might include striped bass, cobia, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, tilefish, sea bass, grouper or amberjack. The 45-boat offers the fleet’s largest fishing platform—a 27-foot-long, 15.5.-foot-wide fishing area that accommodates six chairs. The boat has a restroom and tables and benches in the cabin. Captain Jamie Wescott’s philosophy is to blend “putting some fish in the box” and having fun on the water with conservation and respect for the fish species.

Seaducer Sport Fishing Charters

Docked at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
Captain: (252) 216-8658

Seaducer Sport Fishing Charters specializes in offshore Gulf Stream fishing off the North Carolina coast. Their goal each day on the blue water is to make your fishing dreams come true. They take the time to get to know their customers so they can tailor the day to your desires, such as a family fun trip, meat fishing, marlin trip, light tackle, etc. Any given day on the Seaducer may bring abundant catches of tuna, dolphin, wahoo, marlin or sailfish. The captain and mate are experienced in all offshore fishing techniques: trolling, chunking, kite fishing, green stick, bottom fishing and more. Based out of Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, Seaducer fishes the Billfish Capital of the World, where the blue water of the Gulf Stream current meets the green water of the Labrador Current, producing the best sport fishing on the East Coast.

Sinbad Sport Fishing

Docked at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center
Captain: (252) 423-0039

Captains Will and Viv McPherson offer full-day and half-day trips (through the marina and home) as well as custom trips, flex trips and trips for two to four people (offered through the captain). Board their classic, custom-built Warren O’Neal sportfisher and enjoy Carolina fishing as it was meant to be. Operating during all four seasons for various species both along the coast and offshore, the Sinbad can take up to six passengers for your outing. With 38 and 26 years of experience respectively, Will and Viv offer an excellent fishing experience to businesses, families, young and old alike — are all welcome!

The Hooker

Docked at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center

A 50-foot custom Billy Holton Carolina boat based at Oregon Inlet Fishing Center, The Hooker offers full-day offshore trips for marlin, tuna, dolphin, wahoo and sailfish along with full or half-day trips for stripers in the winter months. The remodeled salon provides the comforts of air-conditioning and heat, a microwave and a stereo, while the recently installed 1150 hp Caterpillar gets you to Gulf Stream fast and dependably. Captain Tom Krauss has been fishing out of Oregon Inlet for more than 30 years and is recognized as one of the best in the business.