Ocracoke Boat Rentals

Restless Native Boat Rentals
Anchorage Marina, 180 Irvin Garrish Hwy.
(252) 928-1421 or 921-0011
Restless Native rents flat-bottom Carolina Skiffs and Privateers with outboard motors. The owner can give you a brief course in small boat handling and tips about navigating the sound. Boats range in length from 18 to 24 feet. Daily, multiple-day and weekly packages are available.

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Ocracoke Island Boat Tours

Egret
Call to arrange where to meet
(252) 921-0010
Fishing trips are big with Egret (see Charter Boats), but customized sightseeing, clamming, swimming and water-based adventures are also available with easy-going and professional Capt. Mary Baumgaertel at the helm, aboard a 21' Sea Ox.

Island Boat Tours
Community Square Docks, Irvin Garrish Highway
(252) 928-4361
Knowledgeable Islander Rudy Austin runs a 60- to 90-minute boat tour of the surrounding islands, during which passengers stay on the boat. This tour includes views of Pelican Island and other islands, the lighthouse, the site of Fort Ocracoke and, oftentimes, dolphins. The price is $20 per person with a minimum of four passengers. Regular trips run in spring, summer and fall. Winter trips are on demand. Reservations are recommended.

Miss Ocracoke
Gun Barrel Point, junction of Irvin Garrish Highway and Silver Lake Drive
(252) 928-6060
The Miss Ocracoke is a head boat captained by a native islander who offers a variety of fun and affordable options to enjoy fishing and sightseeing in Ocracoke waters. Bait and tackle are supplied for half-day trips, either inshore drift fishing or off-shore wreck fishing. Two-hour sunset dolphin tours are also popular. Tickets are on sale in advance at the kiosk on the corner or by calling the above number.

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Ocracoke Tackle Shops

Tradewinds Bait & Tackle 1094 Irvin Garrish Highway (252) 928-5491 There's no question that Ocracoke is an angler's paradise. When you're ready to sink a line, head here for bait, tackle, rod and reel rentals, gear repairs, fishing reports and advice. It's also a great spot to measure, photograph and brag about your catch and pick up citations. They're open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the summer.

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Charter Boats
A number of charter boats operate from Ocracoke. All are run by U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captains and most can carry a maximum of six passengers. Some of the boats are ideal for navigating the shallow, inshore waters of Pamlico Sound where bluefish, mackerel, flounder, trout and drum are abundant. Other captains are equipped to head offshore and to the Gulf Stream after big game fish like marlin, shark and sailfish. Large catches of yellow fin tuna, wahoo and dolphin are frequently unloaded on the docks by happy anglers.

Reservations should be made in advance. Most of the charter boats can be booked through the Anchorage Marina or the kiosks at the Jolly Roger Marina or Gun Barrel Point. Individuals and groups fewer than six can almost always be accommodated by combining parties. A range of options is available, and the booking agent will find a trip to suit your needs, whether that is an educational trip for families, a short afternoon jaunt with the goal of putting dinner on the table, night or wreck fishing, or a full day offshore trolling for that prize catch. Captains can also be contacted individually at the numbers listed below. Many are willing to customize trips.

Bait and tackle are typically provided; fish cleaning is sometimes included in the cost or is available at the dock for an additional fee. Rates vary, depending on the trip. They can be around $200 for a party of six or more than $1,000 for a full day offshore. On smaller inshore boats the captain provides the technical training and advice. On larger vessels the mate will set you up with tackle, bait, instruction and support. Mates work for tips (15% to 20% is appropriate). Pack food, water, ice, sun block and (for offshore trips) motion sickness drugs, wear shoes that grip and dress in layers. It’s a good idea to drop by the dock before your charter, check out that day’s catch, meet your captain and mate and know what time you’re expected.

Several local restaurants will prepare your fresh, filleted catch for you.

Anchorage Marina
180 Irvin Garrish Hwy.
(252) 928-6661
To charter a boat to take you fishing offshore in the Gulf Stream, look to Anchorage Marina. Four charter boats operate from here — the Devereux II, Drum Stick, Gecko and Restless — charging about $500 for a half-day of fishing and around $1,000 for a full day. Some inshore chartering is available here as well. Note that transient boaters are welcomed here with showers, a pool, electric and pump-out accommodations.

Devereux II
Anchorage Marina, 180 Irvin Garrish Hwy.
(252) 921-0120 or (252) 928-5331
Captain Reid Robinson has lots of happy returning customers. Contact him for an unforgettable day at the Gulf Stream or wreck fishing for tasty bottom fish like snapper, amberjack and triggerfish. The Devereux II also offers inshore trips and can be booked for tournaments.

Drum Stick
Anchorage Marina, 180 Irvin Garrish Hwy.
(800) 825-5351, (252) 928-5351, or (252) 473-0106
Action and satisfaction are the buzz words for Capt. Dave Nagel and the Drum Stick, which is fully equipped for both inshore and offshore fishing. A variety of trips are offered, including the thrill of shark fishing and the wintertime option of landing a giant blue fin tuna.

Egret
Call to arrange where to meet
(252) 921-0010
Egret's Capt. Marty Baumgaertel offers half-day, evening and custom trips. Sightseeing excursions are also available.

Fish Tale
Jolly Roger Marina, Irvin Garrish Hwy.
(252) 921-0224 or 928-3403
Captain John Ferrara has more than 13 years experience specializing in light tackle, educational inshore trips for families with children. Groups spend two, four or eight hours on the waters of Pamlico Sound catching flounder, red drum, trout, bluefish and Spanish mackerel. Tackle, bait and ice are included as is fish cleaning.

Gecko and Drum Runner
Anchorage Marina, 180 Irvin Garrish Hwy.
(252) 928-5561
You can drop your line in the sloughs of Pamlico Sound or the Gulf Stream with Captain Ernest Doshier. Head offshore after the big ones aboard the Gecko, a comfortable 46-foot custom Carolina boat for a full or half day. The Drum Runner offers light tackle, fly fishing, tarpon trips (in season) and night drum fishing in Pamlico Sound. Families are welcome, and both boats run year-round.

Miss Kathleen
Community Square Docks, Irvin Garrish Hwy.
(252) 928-4841 or (800) 305-1472
The Miss Kathleen is a modern vessel with the appeal of a traditional work boat. Native islander Captain Ronnie O'Neal has spent much of his life in the waters around Ocracoke. Those baiting their first-ever hook and seasoned sports fishermen will all benefit from Capt. O'Neal's 35+ years of experience. The Miss Kathleen can be chartered for half- or full-day trips, inshore or off, and provided are all tackle and bait, freezer service and fish cleaning.

Miss Teresa
(252) 928-7835 or (252) 588-0601
Get schooled by Albert O'Neal, the Captain of the Miss Teresa and an island native from a family of fishermen. His wealth of local knowledge and gentle manner will benefit inshore fishermen and fisher-families in search of red drum, Spanish mackerel, cobia, flounder and other tasty delights. Full- or half-day charters, include ice, bait, tackle, fish-cleaning, anecdotes and tips.

Rascal
Ocracoke Harbor Inn, 144 Silver Lake Road
(252) 928-6111 or (252) 921-0180
Both inshore (half- or full-day) and offshore (full-day) trips are available through Captain Norman Miller, who will equip and educate visitors about wreck, bottom or fly fishing. The Rascal boasts impressive catches of red drum, but local Captain Miller also knows where and how to find other inshore fish. Head offshore for a full day and hook grouper, snapper, amberjack, dolphin (mahi-mahi), barracuda, triggerfish or king mackerel. Lodging and fishing packages are available through the Ocracoke Harbor Inn.

Restless
Anchorage Marina, 180 Irvin Garrish Hwy.
(252) 928-7645
All the latest tackle and equipment will accompany you as you head offshore aboard the Restless. Capt. James Winch habitually returns to the dock with marlin flags flying. Shorter Gulf Stream trips (starting at the relatively late hour of 6:30 a.m.), half-day wreck fishing and a sunset trip trolling along the beach are also options.

Tarheel
Community Square Docks, Irvin Garrish Hwy.
(252) 928-9966 or (252) 996-0568
Captain Ryan O'Neal is one of the newest generation of charter boat captains, and he already has his share of citation fish to brag about. He offers full- or half-day inshore charters geared toward families. Tackle, live bait and fish cleaning are included in the fee.

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Fishing Guides

Nor'Easter Charters (201) 401-8610 The Outer Banks is known for its world-class surf fishing, but getting out there and catching a fish on your own is not as easy as it seems. Wouldn't it be great to have an expert show you the ropes? Capt. Scott Hampton and his team of local guides are the experts you need. They'll take you to the best surf fishing locations in their 4WD vehicles with all the gear, bait and rods that you need. The guides work mainly on Ocracoke Island, but they'll work on Hatteras as well. Trips are usually about four hours long and cost $75 per person (minimum two people, maximum six). All you need to bring is your own food, drinks and personal items - they provide everything else and promise that you'll have a great time.

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OTHER OUTER BANKS GUIDES:  Corolla l Duck l Hatteras l Nags Head I Ocracoke l Roanoke Island