Wild Card Sportfishing
At only $2200 for a 10.5 hour full day fishing offshore & only $675 for a 4 hour half day near shore trip, Capt. Frank Smith offers the very best rates at Oregon Inlet for affordable family friendly sport fishing out of Safe Harbor Outer Banks Marina in Wanchese. Our 35' twin diesel Bertram Sportfisher is fast and comfortable. We aren't a luxury sports fishing yacht but our long standing reputation for bringing in the outstanding catches day in and day out will make choosing Wild Card a very wise decision!
Why Fish Oregon Inlet
The Outer Banks has probably the best offshore fishing on the entire East Coast for bluefin, yellowfin and blackfin tuna as well as wahoo, mahi and white marlin. Each morning, if the weather allows, a virtual navy of Oregon Inlet charter boats runs 30 miles SE towards an offshore fishing mecca the local fleet calls The Point. This area has two distinct fish attracting features. The continental shelf drops sharply in the shape of a point plus the northern flowing Gulf Stream and the southern flowing Labrador Current collide and mix in this area creating eddies and pockets of cold and warm water in ranges that many pelagic species prefer.
Sportfishing anglers from all over the world travel to the Outer Banks of North Carolina just to a get a shot at the amazing fishing here. An entire commercial industry and fleet of professional charter yachts call Oregon Inlet their home port which has grown into an amazing tourism location for us all!
Captain Frank Smith
Highly respected Wild Card Sportfishing owner/operator charter Captain Frank Smith is a Veteran of the US Coast Guard and he has held a US Coast Guard 100 Ton Master's License with Unlimited Radar and Towing endorsements for many years. Frank has always had a love for fishing, the Gulf Stream and the secrets of the Atlantic Ocean that he has learned over the last 45 years. Over his career he has owned several commercial fishing operations, a marine diesel service and he has personally delivered many private boats up and down the East Coast and Great Lakes.
Please feel free to check out our many customer reviews on our Google Maps Profile for Wild Card Charters. I much prefer to have folks contact me directly via phone (252-402-5800) to discuss any unanswered questions or concerns and guarantee that each charter experience is what my customers expected. Yes the “Old Fashioned Way”. I return all calls just as soon as I can, no one is forgotten about!
Our Charter Rates
Wild Card offers anglers a fast safe comfortable ride with plenty of deck space for fish catching and storage of your deep sea catch. Oregon Inlet and its feisty reputation is no place for inadequate boats! Families should choose a boat with all the comforts of home rather than an open skiff that doesn't offer shade or even a sheltered head! We employ a full compliment of state-of-the-art modern marine electronics that include: multiple chartplotters, 24 mile radar, color fish scope, GPS, auto-pilot, sea water temperature recorder, marine vhf radios. All the required US Coast Guard safety gear is carefully stowed and always up to date.
The best way to describe every trip on Wild Card is that we are strongly committed to our policy of being respectful, entertaining and most importantly ........ family friendly!
Full Day Offshore Deep Sea Gulf Stream (10.5 hours)
Full Day Offshore Variety Trip Bottom/Trolling (10.5) hours
Full Day InShore (8 hours)
3/4 Day Near Shore Inshore (6 hours)
Half Day Near Shore Inshore (4 hours)
Offshore Makeup Charters 10.5 hours
Charter Info
- Private charters are allowed up to six passengers and they are billed at one price for the entire boat. Makeup charters are priced individually per angler for up to six passengers but smaller groups may be accepted for a makeup charter if all anglers agree to divide the payment for the missing angler(s).
- Our private and makeup charter price includes fishing licenses, fishing gear, fuel and bait for all anglers on board. Non-fishing passengers are still considered as anglers and count as one of the party.
- If the weather is bad on your scheduled day it is extremely important that your entire group plans to be at the dock at the pre-arranged departure time. The weather can be different offshore then it is at the marina so all trips are considered "captain's choice." This means the captain makes the call right before departure and you must be present to get your refund if it is called off.
- All fish caught within the fishing regulations become the property of the charter. However to protect the species we release billfish and certain regulated species. Most all fish that can be kept will have legal size and/or number limits. The captain is responsible for watching that customers stay within regulations.
- If you plan to take fish home the marina has a cleaning service for customers that do not wish to clean the catch themselves. If you want to preserve your catch for the trip home we suggest that after you pick up your filets at the marina and then drop them off at Fresh Catch Seafood in Wanchese so they can portion, vacuum pack and freeze your catch. It will be fresh and tasty when you arrive home. If you plan to take fish home you should bring a large cooler but please leave it in your vehicle.
- Please bring your own food, drinks (no glass containers), sunglasses, hat, sunscreen, camera, soft soled shoes, etc. Please keep the number of carry aboard coolers down to one. We encourage you to bring your camera to preserve the memories. However, if you bring along electronics like phones or cameras please be aware that a boat can be a harsh environment for these items so keep them stored while not in use. We are not responsible for loss or damage to personal items. Check the weather and dress layered according. Remember that it is easier to remove items if you wear too much than borrow from someone else if you get wet or cold.
- Please feel free to call Capt. Frank for some common sense advice concerning potential seasickness and recommendations learned from many years at sea experience. The Captain's personal recommendation for over-the-counter medication is Bonine. Anything with good ginger helps too as it’s a natural anti-nausea remedy.
- Your mate is normally the hardest worker on every charter. It is customary in NC to tip the mate 20% for a good job.
- There is to be no hard liquor onboard. If you choose to drink a cold beer or two please be responsible. Drunkeness will cause termination of the trip at the captain's discretion.
Sea Ranch Resort
If you"re planning a visit the Outer Banks Sea Ranch Resort in Kill Devil Hills (on the beach) offers guest rooms as well as condos to our Wild Card charter customers with special charter/lodging packages. Just mention Wild Card while making your reservation and ask about the specials.
- Amenities:
- Enclosed heated pool
- Fitness Center
- Convenient beach access
- Oceanfront Restaurant
- YMCA’s Y Amenities
- Limited number of pet-friendly rooms
