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Premium Wanchese Inshore Fishing | Sounds Good
Outer BanksWhat you will be catching:
Black Drum
Bluefish
Redfish
Sea Trout
Sheepshead
Trip Pricing and Availabilities :
No trip pricing information available at this time.
Half Day Morning Fishing Trip in Wanchese
There's something special about starting your day on the water in Wanchese, and Captain Mike Midgett knows these inshore waters like the back of his hand. This top-rated 4-hour morning trip kicks off at 7:30 AM from Wanchese Marina, giving you the perfect window to target some of the Outer Banks' most sought-after inshore species. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this customer favorite trip is designed to put you on fish while keeping things relaxed and enjoyable. With a maximum of 4 guests, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to fish comfortably. Just bring your North Carolina fishing license and any snacks or drinks you want – Captain Mike handles the rest.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Mike runs a well-paced trip that maximizes your time on productive water without feeling rushed. You'll launch from the convenient Wanchese Marina and head out into the sound systems and nearshore waters that make this area famous among inshore enthusiasts. The morning bite is typically when these fish are most active, and you'll be positioning on structure, grass beds, and channels where redfish, sea trout, and other species like to hang out. This isn't a cattle boat operation – with just 4 anglers max, everyone gets quality fishing time and Captain Mike can adjust tactics based on what's working best that day. The trip wraps up around 11:30 AM, giving you plenty of time to grab lunch in town or head back to your accommodations to clean up before afternoon activities.
Techniques & Tackle
You'll be fishing with light tackle that's perfect for the inshore game – think spinning reels with 15-20 pound braided line that gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites while having enough backbone to handle bigger fish. Captain Mike uses a mix of live bait and artificials depending on conditions and what the fish are showing interest in. Expect to throw soft plastics around structure, drift live or cut bait over grass flats, and maybe work some topwater plugs if the fish are aggressive. The boat is equipped with quality rods and reels, but feel free to bring your own gear if you have favorites you like to fish with. You'll be working depths anywhere from 2 to 15 feet, so it's classic inshore fishing where you can see the bottom and sometimes even spot the fish you're targeting.
Top Catches This Season
Redfish are the bread and butter of Outer Banks inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18 to 28 inches in these waters, with slot-size fish being perfect table fare and the oversized bulls providing heart-stopping fights in shallow water. They're most active during moving tides and can be found year-round, though spring through fall offers the most consistent action. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat – they'll crush cut bait, inhale soft plastics, and absolutely demolish topwater plugs when they're feeding aggressively.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are another world-class target that keeps anglers coming back. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots and sharp teeth typically range from 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional "gator trout" pushing 24 inches or more. They're most active in cooler months from fall through early spring, and they love grass flats and drop-offs where they can ambush baitfish. The light tackle fight is fantastic, and they're excellent eating when prepared fresh.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the water, but they're absolute bulldogs that will test your drag system. These bottom-dwellers can range from 2 to 20 pounds in the inshore waters around Wanchese, and they're suckers for fresh shrimp and crab baits fished on the bottom. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring, and catching one feels like you've hooked into a submarine that doesn't want to come up.
Bluefish are the aggressive predators that can make a trip memorable in a hurry. These toothy speedsters travel in schools and when you find them feeding, the action can be non-stop. They typically run 2 to 8 pounds in the inshore waters, and they'll hit just about anything that moves – spoons, plugs, cut bait, you name it. Spring and fall migrations offer the best shots at consistent bluefish action, and they're fantastic when grilled fresh or smoked.
Sheepshead are the sneaky thieves of the inshore world, known for stealing bait with their human-like teeth and incredible ability to pick a hook clean. These black-and-white striped fish are structure lovers, hanging around docks, pilings, and oyster bars where they feed on crustaceans and mollusks. They're most active during cooler months and are considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Landing a quality sheepshead requires patience and quick reflexes, but the reward is worth the effort.
Time to Book Your Spot
This renowned half-day morning trip offers everything you want from an Outer Banks fishing experience – quality fish, expert guidance, and a relaxed pace that lets you actually enjoy being on the water. Captain Mike's local knowledge and commitment to putting his guests on fish has made this a best trip choice for visitors and locals alike. The 7:30 AM start time means you'll be fishing during prime morning hours when the fish are most active, and the 4-hour duration gives you a solid taste of what Wanchese inshore fishing is all about without taking up your entire day. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fish on the dinner table or just want to experience some of the best inshore fishing the East Coast has to offer, this trip delivers on all fronts. Book your spot with Sounds Good Charters and get ready to see why anglers keep coming back to these productive Outer Banks waters season after season.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some real bruisers pushing 50-plus. These bottom-feeders love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll have your best shot at multiple hookups. They're famous for their drumming sounds underwater, which you can actually hear through the boat hull. The fight is more bulldogging than jumping, but they'll test your drag. Smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with flaky white meat. Here's my tip: fresh crab bait on the bottom near oyster bars is deadly, and don't set the hook too early - let them really take it.
Bluefish
Bluefish are aggressive feeders that put up a solid fight once hooked. These silver-blue predators typically run 2-10 pounds in our waters, though bigger ones show up. They're voracious hunters with razor-sharp teeth, so watch your fingers. You'll find them around baitfish schools in open water and near structure. They hit hard and fight dirty - great for anglers who like action. Spring through fall are prime seasons here, especially when water temps warm up. They make decent table fare if bled immediately and kept cold, but the smaller ones taste better than the big bruisers. Pro tip: use a wire leader - those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. When you see birds diving, that's usually bluefish tearing into bait underneath.
Redfish
Redfish are the gold standard of our inshore waters and what most folks come here hoping to catch. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 18-30 inches and will give you a serious workout with long, powerful runs. They love super shallow water - often so shallow their backs are showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. The signature black spot near their tail makes them easy to identify. Year-round fishing is good, but spring and fall are peak times. They're not picky eaters and will smash everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. The smaller slot fish are fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. My secret: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during moving tides, and make your first cast count - spook them and they're gone.
Sea Trout
Spotted sea trout are one of our most popular targets, and for good reason. These beauties typically run 14-20 inches and put up a great scrap with jumps and runs. You'll find them over grass flats, around oyster bars, and in deeper holes during cooler months. They love live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs early and late in the day. Spring through fall fishing is solid, but winter can be productive too when they school up in deeper water. The meat is tender and flaky - perfect for the dinner table if you don't overcook it. They're pretty cooperative fish, making them great for families and newer anglers. Here's what works: work your lure slow and steady over the grass beds, and don't horse them to the boat - that soft mouth will tear out easily.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're crafty. Running 1-8 pounds typically, they hang tight to any structure with barnacles: docks, pilings, bridges, and jetties. Those human-like teeth are perfect for crushing shellfish, making them notorious bait thieves. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they gather in big numbers. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat that's worth the effort to clean around those tough scales. The fight isn't spectacular, but landing one takes skill - they're picky eaters. My go-to trick: get your bait right against the structure and keep it pinned on the hook tight. Fresh fiddler crab or shrimp work best, and set that hook hard when you feel them pecking.
