What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Wanchese, North Carolina for the first time?

We actually went fishing in Kitty Hawk Bay due to the weather/wind the days preceding our trip. Fishing was not good in Wanchese and the Captain's friends/other guides told him the fish were biting at Kitty Hawk Bay. You don't need to bring anything but what you'd like to drink, sunscreen, maybe a hand towel and if it is really windy a hoodie or poncho to keep the spray from wetting you. You may also want to bring binoculars as we saw a lot of wildlife, like: egrets, pelicans, an eagle and dolphins. It was a beautiful trip AND we brought home fish!

If you are staying in Duck or Corolla plan on at least 55-75 minutes commute in the morning as it is a long way to Wanchese and speed limits are typically 35-45mph. The marina in Wanchese is pretty small but has a restaurant that is open early for coffee or breakfast sandwiches before you go - also has a full menu and beer when you return (or you can buy beer to bring on the boat if you have an afternoon trip). The same building has a public restroom in it. The first mate won't clean the fish for you like in other places I have been but there is a little shop on the grounds that does it for you when you return. For inshore trips cost was $0.50 of caught weight (ie. total weight of the fish, not just the fillets), this drops to $0.45 per pound for offshore trips. Everyone is super friendly and helpful.

Capt Mike was awesome and very patient with me. Been to many years to remember since I fished and he was very sweet and patient. I recommend people of all ages and fishing levels. He will do his best to get on the fish

The marina in Wanchese has a large selection for fishing guides. The marina has an excellent restaurant that is actually quite reasonable in price for the quality of food served. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the local community and was very instructive in the techniques used to fish artificial baits.

Booked out of Wanchese because we were staying in the area, and wanted a marina that was close to the inlet. The marina is right along the main road, parking right at the boat, and when we got back the fish cleaning service picked up our catch and took care of it for us. Pretty easy overall.

These Captains really try to get you out and on fish. We had great luck and did well. Had never heard or seen ribbon fish before, but I will say they taste good. 6 hours, 34 fish. Money well spent.

I would say to take a charter called the sea hag to get a familiarization of the water and sarounding areas. Because on the way to a great fishing experience with them you get to see a lot of the area to get a better feel for what is around this area.

Spanish Mackerel and a few other species are plentiful near Wanchese and provide fun fishing. As bites from these slow down ribbon fish provide a willing and fun species to target. Overall, an excellent place to fish.

Great location to travel to if you are staying in the OBX area. Also a great little restaurant at the location to grab a bit before or after the fishing trip. Not sure the name of it but right there at the Wanchese marina.

It is a good trip, be adaptive in the species you target and let the captain know what you are looking for, but trust that they will get you on fish. The weather is a big factor and can be hot so be prepared.

Wanchese is a great place to charter out of. Oregon Inlet gets most of the looks because it has a big fleet and they do a great job, but Wanchese and the Captains there are every bit as good if not better.

Contact the Captain you are booked with and get as much info as you can from him. Capt. Vinny knew what was coming with a late weather forecast change, and let us know the night before our trip what we were to expect. So we made a change of plans and set out on schedule to a different destination. May weather in North Carolina is somewhat unpredictable and changes fast. So keep in touch up to departure and they will put you on the fish!

We had some younger children with us and weren't sure how they would handle being on a boat for the first time so we decided on a near-shore, 4-hour trip. If it was just my buddy and I without kids we could have went out further for something a little bigger. The only species in-shore hitting were these ribbon fish which are slow trolled for. The kids caught fish and had a blast so our goal was accomplished. Maybe next year we can go out further for some tuna or mahi mahi, etc. But the boat, the captain and the mate were top notch and very friendly. Great 4-hour trip!

It was good in the early morning but as the day get to noon time it will get hot and there is no relief while fishing. The earlier you can get out the better it will be heat wise. The inshore fishing is for Mackeral and King fish. I thought the fish might taste strong but it cooked up great with some seasoning and EVOO. The King fish was given a big thumbs up from Grandma as this was our first time eating it.

Determine the type of fish you would like to fish for and plan accordingly. We went inshore or near shore fishing when we should have been deep sea fishing because our intended target fish was for mahi-mahi and Cobia but since we went inshore fishing we ended up catching Spanish mackerel and bluefish. Communicate with your captain through this website and you won't run into the same problems we did. It was last-minute excitement that had us booking without doing research. The Captain Crew in boat where everything we expected, the trip itself was great!!

We were hoping to catch a bit more fish, but the weather was maybe a bit too perfect with no current whatsoever. Still able to bring in speckled trout, gray trout, flounder, red drum and had a couple of blues get away.

Make sure you tell the captain what it is exactly you want to catch and they will get you there. No sense in wasting time angling for something you aren't set out for. They know where all of the hot spots are.

It would be a mistake to overlook this experience. The pricing is better than expected, and The experience of a lifetime could be passed up. This Captain covers all angles and very prepared for the unforeseen.

Research what you want to fish for, and try to talk to the Boat Captain before going out. Captain Byrd of Hitman Sportfishing took time to listen to the kids, and after finding out my son dreamed of catching a shark, Hitman Sportfishing made it happen.

If you're fishing OBX in Late summer, go for at LEAST a 6 hour charter... 4 hour charters troll for ribbon fish, which aren't all that exciting. A trip to the gulf stream for Mahi, Sails, or Marlin is WAY more fun.

Sun block. Plenty of food and drinks. A good attitude. Also understand that sometimes the conditions are not good for the fish you are after, and listen/consider the Captain's recommendations. Sometimes it works out better.

The fishing is good in May, the day before my trip the charter boats caught plenty of tuna, a lot can change in 24hrs so my trip produced very few fish, it was just one of those days with little action.

It sounds like the odds are better in the early (spring/summer) season for most species. I think the chamber of commerce may slightly exaggerate fall fishing opportunities.

I can't answer that it was my first time fishing this time of year and in the outer banks

Have realistic expectations. Somedays the fishing is amazing and others you’re lucky to get a bite. I highly suggest having and experienced local as your guide.

Fish on! The fish like every where tend to move but the locals communicate to let everyone know where the fish are at.

Unfortunately we were here a week after the hurricane which had the fish out of sorts but based on what we have been told by others, the fishing is normally quite good

Inshore would be Red Drum. Out a little Amberjack, Almaco Jack, Spanish Mackeral and King Mackeral.

These guys were fantastic. Explained in depth, every detail. We wish we booked the full day experience with them. Next time for sure.

If you are not already in the OBX I would recommend getting a room the night before as the whole day starts at 0400. But it’s worth ot as you’ll be on the fish in under 2 hours.