Manteo Fishing Charters & Guides

Manteo Fishing Charters

Families visiting the Outer Banks, North Carolina often find themselves enjoying the small town of Manteo on Roanoke Island. You can walk the quaint downtown and visit locally owned shops and restaurants, stroll along the harbor and take in the amazing views, or fish the nearby waters. Or, plan to stay a while and do all of the above. On the shores of Shallowbag Bay, Manteo is a small town that welcomes visitors throughout the year. Vacationers either stay in Manteo, or in nearby Outer Banks cities such as Nags Head. Manteo has a small town feel, and there are plenty of bed & breakfasts and motels available that offer day, week, or even month stays. Enjoy the many outdoor adventures available here, or visit nearby North Carolina Aquarium and learn more about the local wildlife. Those looking to go fishing while visiting Manteo are in luck. There’s no shortage of opportunity to get the lines wet. Whether you stay near Roanoke Island to fish the sounds, or head out to the Atlantic Ocean, you’re sure to have a great day on the water.

Manteo Inshore Fishing

The barrier islands of the Outer Banks protect the calm waters of the sound. Visitors to Manteo looking for an inshore charter need to look no farther than the nearby Roanoke and Croatan Sounds. While Shallowbag Bay is probably where you’ll launch from, this area is more for boaters than anglers. Head out into the sound to cast your lines away from the busy port and you’ll find your catch. Roanoke Sound is known for a healthy redfish and trout population. Near the Causeway that connects the islands is the spot to fish for sheepshead. Sheepshead is a striped black and white fish with a mouth full of teeth. These teeth are used to chomp on crustaceans. Sheepshead are known for staying near oyster beds and finding a delicious dinner. For first time or young anglers, this is a great species to ignite your love of fishing. Speaking of crustaceans, crabbing on a Manteo charter is a favorite activity among local and visiting families alike. Your captain will have the crab pots (or cages) and you’ll help set them, then check back later for your reward. Taking home buckets of crabs is a fun day on the water, and an even better dinner back at the house. You can have yourself a good ol’ fashion crabfest with some tasty sides and ice cold beverages. In the fall season, head over to Croatan Sound to fish for striped bass, known locally as rockfish. They are easy to catch with the right gear. We recommend medium tackle, either spinning or baitcasting, with 10- to 15-test line. If you’re using live or freshly cut bait, try mullet, menhaden, eel, or small crab. For artificial lures, use bucktail jigs, lead-head jigs, or minnow-type lures. Sometimes a popping cork can be added to the line; this acts as a dinner bell calling the trout to you. Fish near underwater structures or close to Mann’s Harbor Bridge, and keep an eye on the current (trout are more active in these areas). Also, early or late in the day is the best time to start your adventure.

Manteo Offshore Fishing

Offshore excursions are just a short boat ride from the shores of Manteo. Your captain will pilot you to the Oregon Inlet, and then out into the Atlantic. Depending on what you’re looking to catch, you could go 20 miles or over 90 miles out. For the monster-size fish, you’ll head towards the Gulf Stream. The Gulf Stream is a current of water in the Atlantic that flows from the Florida Keys north towards Iceland. Thousands of fish, large and small, travel the Gulf Stream. For tuna, marlin, wahoo, or mahi mahi, this is the place to start. Tuna is by far one of the most highly sought-after fish in the Outer Banks. Your Manteo charter captain will have the experience to get you one. Plan for earlier in the year (January to March) for the best time to go; and you’ll want to schedule a minimum of six hours, though longer charters are better for these offshore excursions. If you’re visiting in the summer, you could catch mahi mahi or marlin. Trolling for these fast fish is the most commonly used technique. You don’t need any experience for this technique; your captain will drive the boat with several lines in the water. You just need to yell “Fish On!” when there’s a bite (the unmistakable sound of the drag screaming will be your cue). It’s an adrenaline rush like no other, and at the end of the day you’re bringing home a cooler of fish; it simply doesn’t get any better than that!

Book A Manteo Fishing Charter

Get away from it all with a vacation to Manteo, North Carolina. You can enjoy walks along the harbor, a delicious meal with unbelievable views, and time together with the ones you love most. Add a fishing trip to the itinerary, and you’ve got yourself the vacation of a lifetime. Find a local Manteo fishing charter to take care of all your fishing needs and start the adventure today, it’s just a click away!