Damn Good Hatteras Fishing Charters

Hatteras fishing charters are renowned for their experienced crews and the abundance of large fish. The local captains have spent their lives exploring the various fisheries, from the shallow grass beds of Pamlico Sound to the warm currents of the Gulf Stream. As a result, they have developed a range of trips to cater to every type of angler.

Inshore charters are perfect for families and beginners, as even half-day trips can yield a significant catch of Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and other species. Sight casters and fly fishers can extend their trips to target the monster Drum in spring and fall.

Nearshore charters are ideal for groups of all skill levels, with kids and beginners enjoying the thrill of reeling in smaller fish like Sheepshead and Seabass. Serious anglers can test their skills against local specialties like ""Smoker Kings"" in fall or Cobia in spring.

For the ultimate fishing experience, deep sea trips are the way to go. These trips take you 20+ miles out to the Gulf Stream, where you can spend the entire day battling Blue and White Marlin, Bluefin, Bigeye, and Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and more. These trips are designed for experienced anglers and offer a real bucket list fishing experience.

Most local charters depart from Hatteras Harbor and other nearby marinas. If you're visiting in June, you can participate in the Hatteras Marlin Club Release Tournament, which has been running for over 60 years. It's important to note that fishing licenses are included on charters in North Carolina, but certain species like Flounder, Cobia, and Seabass have seasonal closures that may change annually. Therefore, it's essential to ask your captain about important limits and closed seasons.

The inshore fishing on the Out Banks is top tier with abundant habitat, rich waters, and a variety of species to target. The inshore geography is made up of beaches, inlets, bays, rivers, and interconnected inshore sounds that are protected from the open ocean. With so many types of habitat, the bite will move from spot to spot but it’s always on fire.

The most popular inshore species on the Outer Banks are redfish, speckled trout, tripletail, flounder, and rockfish (also known as striper.) These fish are the most prominent but only make up a fraction of the potential species you can catch. While fishing the Outer Banks surf, sounds, bridges, and piers anglers can also catch bluefish, black drum, pompano, Spanish mackerel, sheepshead, sea mullet, spot, croaker, tarpon, and cobia.

The seasonality of these fish can be hard to pin down but in general cobia peaks in the spring with trout, redfish, black drum, and bluefish. During the summer months, Spanish Mackerel and tarpon move into the area with flounder also beginning to heat up. Heading into fall, trout, redfish, black drum, and bluefish are hot again but rockfish are the main attraction. For anglers that love catching rockfish the winter months are the best time to hit the Outer Banks. These fish are firing on all cylinders once the water drops below 60 degrees and stay hot until the water drops below 45.

With such a wide variety of inshore species visiting the Outer Banks throughout the year, there are endless methods and techniques used to catch fish. Depending on the type of trip you’re looking for, you can choose from trolling, drifting, bottom fishing, and even fly fishing. If you’re looking for a high-caliber inshore trip the Outer Banks have you covered.

Deep sea fishing is the first thing that comes to mind for most anglers when they think of the Outer Banks. With easy access to the Gulf Stream, some of the best offshore fishing in the world is only a short boat ride away. The Gulf Stream is the primary hunting grounds and migration corridor for some of the biggest, fastest, and most powerful fish. Offshore from the Outer Banks, you can catch monster fish like blue marlin, white marlin, yellowfin tuna, and bluefin tuna.

The giant fish aren’t the only ones that pack a punch with sailfish, wahoo, mahi mahi, and kingfish also dominating these waters at different times. These fish may be smaller but their speed and agility will make your reel smoke. Cobia are also caught in the Outer Banks but they can range from nearly inshore waters out to the open waters depending on the season. These delicious fish can be seen swimming near the surface either in schools or by themselves but if you hook into one prepare for a formidable fight.

While trolling and drifting are the most popular ways to target offshore fish, bottom fishing the reefs and shipwrecks is also a great way to spend a day on the water. Amberjack, snapper, and grouper hunt and take shelter around structure in deep water. With hundreds of shipwrecks, great fishing spots are everywhere.

View All Hatteras Deep Sea Fishing Charters

Hatteras fishing charters offer a variety of options for anglers of all levels. The most common types of fishing charters in Hatteras are inshore, offshore, and Gulf Stream fishing.

Inshore fishing charters are perfect for those who want to stay close to shore and catch fish like flounder, trout, and red drum. Offshore fishing charters take you further out to sea to catch bigger fish like tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo. Gulf Stream fishing charters are for the most adventurous anglers who want to catch marlin, sailfish, and swordfish.

Some of the most common fish to catch in Hatteras include bluefish, Spanish mackerel, and cobia. Other popular catches include blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, and blue marlin.

When booking a Hatteras fishing charter, be sure to ask about landmarks like the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and the Diamond Shoals, as these are popular spots for fishing charters to visit.

Hatteras, North Carolina is a prime destination for fishing enthusiasts. With its abundance of fish species and beautiful scenery, it's no wonder why. Here are some of the best places to fish in Hatteras, North Carolina, whether you're going on a fishing charter or casting from the shore:

1. Cape Point: Known for its excellent surf fishing, Cape Point is a popular spot for catching red drum, bluefish, and more.

2. Hatteras Inlet: This inlet is a great place to fish for flounder, speckled trout, and striped bass. Fishing charters often frequent this area.

3. Avon Pier: The Avon Pier is a great spot for both novice and experienced anglers. It's known for its catches of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and more.

4. Oregon Inlet: This inlet is a popular spot for offshore fishing charters, as it's home to a variety of fish species including tuna, marlin, and mahi-mahi.

5. Rodanthe Pier: The Rodanthe Pier is a great spot for catching cobia, red drum, and more. It's also a popular spot for fishing charters.

6. Frisco Pier: The Frisco Pier is a great spot for catching king mackerel, bluefish, and more. It's also a popular spot for fishing charters.

7. Pamlico Sound: The Pamlico Sound is a great spot for both inshore and offshore fishing. It's home to a variety of fish species including flounder, red drum, and more. Fishing charters often frequent this area.

While Hatteras fishing charters are a popular attraction, there are plenty of other things to do in this North Carolina city. Take a scenic drive down the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, visit the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, or explore the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are opportunities for kayaking, surfing, and kiteboarding. Hatteras is also home to some of the best beaches on the East Coast, including the pristine Cape Hatteras National Seashore. Don't forget to indulge in some fresh seafood at one of the many local restaurants.