Vicarious Charters 

4.8
(197 reviews)
 North Carolina Highway 12 58646, Hatteras, NC 27943, United States–

Vicarious Charters 

Hatteras, NC, United States
–
26 ft
6
4.8
(197 reviews)

Explore the beautiful waters off the coast of North Carolina with Vicarious Charters, and have the time of your life! Captain Dave enjoys fishing, diving, and surfing.  Hes been running charters for the past 10 years, but they've been fishing for many more, so you can be sure of their ability to take you where the fish are.

You'll head out on their 26' Glacier Bay catamaran. It's powered by twin 200HP Suzuki engines, making it a force to be reckoned with in these waters. The boat has all the navigational electronics you'll need, as well as a T-top to protect you from the sun, and a basic onboard toilet. There are also large fish boxes and dry storage for anything you want to bring along.

With Dave, you'll get a variety of experiences to choose from. Depending on the conditions, you'll be targeting species like Amberjack, Bluefish, Cobia, Mahi Mahi, Flounder, Redfish, Seabass, Sheepshead, Spadefish, Mackerel, Trout, and Triggerfish. That's a wide range of fish, so you definitely won't go home empty-handed!

All of the fishing equipment will be ready for you on board, as well as a range of lures. Shorter trips are a great introduction to fishing, if you want to bring your kids along for the fun. The longer ones allow for wreck fishing in the deeper waters. If you're feeling adventurous, snorkeling and spearfishing are possible with some planning in advance.

Just make sure to bring some food and drinks to keep you energized, especially on the longer trips. Pack sunscreen but make sure it's lotion and not spray, as spray sunscreen stains the deck and is not allowed on board. As the charter name suggests, the captain has fun when you're having fun, so get ready!

Join Vicarious Charters, and have an adventure of a lifetime in the abundant waters of North Carolina!

Explore the beautiful waters off the coast of North Carolina with Vicarious Charters, and have the time of your life! Captain Dave enjoys fishing, diving, and surfing.  Hes been running charters for the past 10 years, but they've been fishing for many more, so you can be sure of their ability to take you where the fish are.

You'll head out on their 26' Glacier Bay catamaran. It's powered by twin 200HP Suzuki engines, making it a force to be reckoned with in these waters. The boat has all the navigational electronics you'll need, as well as a T-top to protect you from the sun, and a basic onboard toilet. There are also large fish boxes and dry storage for anything you want to bring along.

With Dave, you'll get a variety of experiences to choose from. Depending on the conditions, you'll be targeting species like Amberjack, Bluefish, Cobia, Mahi Mahi, Flounder, Redfish, Seabass, Sheepshead, Spadefish, Mackerel, Trout, and Triggerfish. That's a wide range of fish, so you definitely won't go home empty-handed!

All of the fishing equipment will be ready for you on board, as well as a range of lures. Shorter trips are a great introduction to fishing, if you want to bring your kids along for the fun. The longer ones allow for wreck fishing in the deeper waters. If you're feeling adventurous, snorkeling and spearfishing are possible with some planning in advance.

Just make sure to bring some food and drinks to keep you energized, especially on the longer trips. Pack sunscreen but make sure it's lotion and not spray, as spray sunscreen stains the deck and is not allowed on board. As the charter name suggests, the captain has fun when you're having fun, so get ready!

Join Vicarious Charters, and have an adventure of a lifetime in the abundant waters of North Carolina!

Vicarious Charters
Charter Operator
Vicarious Charters
11 years of experience
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Family Sound Exploration
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
2 hour trip starts at 5:00 PM
US $300
Entire boat: up to 6 people
4 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Bluefish (Tailor)
Redfish
Sheepshead
Speckled Trout
US $550
Entire boat: up to 4 people
4 Hour Trip (Noon)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 12:00 PM
Bluefish (Tailor)
Redfish
Spanish Mackerel
Sheepshead
+1
US $550
Entire boat: up to 4 people
4 Hour Trip (PM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 1:30 PM
US $550
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip – Spearfishing
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Amberjack
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Bluefish (Tailor)
+2
US $825
Entire boat: up to 4 people
6 Hour Trip (AM)
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
6 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Amberjack
Cobia
Seabass (Black)
Bluefish (Tailor)
+5
US $825
Entire boat: up to 4 people
Full Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
US $1,100
Entire boat: up to 4 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

4.8
197 reviews
4.7
Boat & equipment
4.9
Captain & crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (290)

What anglers say

93%
Great experience
97%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
98%
Good boat
97%
Recommended
81%
Caught fish

Reviews (197)

  • Todd Lindley
    Todd Lindley
    us
    North Carolina, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Fishing Trip!!!

    6 Hour Trip (AM) on June 15, 2026 • 4 adults • 2 children

    We had an excellent experience on our 6-hour fishing charter. The weather conditions weren’t ideal, but that was completely out of the captain’s control. What truly stood out was his knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to making sure everyone had a great time. He was incredibly patient with my children, taking the time to teach them about fishing techniques, equipment, and the local fish species. He made them feel involved and excited throughout the trip, and they learned so much. His attentiveness, encouragement, and willingness to answer all of their questions made the experience memorable for our whole family. Even with challenging weather, the captain worked hard to put us on fish and made the day enjoyable from start to finish. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, family-friendly captain who genuinely cares about his guests having a great experience, I highly recommend booking a trip with him.

  • Matthew Whalen
    Matthew Whalen
    Repeat angler
    us
    New Jersey, US
    Member since 2020
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Trip!

    4 Hour Trip (AM) on June 16, 2026 • 4 adults

    Dave was awesome. He explained everything to us before we got on the boat and took us out into the ocean instead of the bay. We caught a bunch of fish but the big ones weren’t biting. Had a great time anyway and would recommend him to anyone in the future!

  • Jamie  Hopkins
    Jamie Hopkins
    us
    South Carolina, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    10/10 would Recommend

    4 Hour Trip (AM) on April 7, 2026 • 3 adults

    Overall great charter and fairly priced. The fish made him work for it, but in the end, he put us on some fish. Captain planned the trip around our requests, was on time, and the boat/equipment was in good working order and well prepared for the trip. Would definitely use Vicarious Charters again if staying near Cape Hatteras.

  • Sandy Roberson
    Sandy Roberson
    us
    North Carolina, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Captain Dave was Awesome

    4 Hour Trip (AM) on April 3, 2026 • 3 adults • 1 child

    put us on fish and was awesome with the guests. he was very attentive to the younger anglers on the boat teaching them fishing technique.

  • Kendra Johnson
    Kendra Johnson
    Repeat angler
    us
    Texas, US
    Member since 2021
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Family Fun!

    6 Hour Trip (AM) on May 26, 2024 • 5 adults • 1 child

    We booked this trip for a family ranging in ages 9-35 and David made sure we all enjoyed ourselves. He stopped and let our daughter enjoy a pod of dolphins we came upon while heading out (she loved that) we each caught fish throughout the day. He was extremely attentive to our 9 year old daughter allowing dad and I to enjoy our fishing trip to its fullest as well. All in all we had the best day out in the ocean. We will definitely reconnect to fish again when we come back to the OBX. Thank you again for such a great day Captain David!

  • Matt West
    Matt West
    us
    North Carolina, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Huge catch!

    4 Hour Trip (PM) on April 17, 2025 • 4 adults • 2 children

    We caught seven huge drop m on a four hour trip! Captain Dave and Jessica were fantastic. They were great with our kids and made sure to find big schools of fish. My boys have been looking forward to ocean fishing for several years now and they both said it was even better than they thought it would be.

  • Stephanie Luckadoo
    Stephanie Luckadoo
    us
    North Carolina, US
    Member since 2023
    5.0
    Verified

    The 4 hour tour with Captain Dave

    4 Hour Trip (PM) on September 25, 2023 • 2 adults

    So, this was my wife's first trip into the open ocean on a fishing boat. Also, we are not anglers / fishermen. We were honestly there for the boat ride. We got to the dock, met Captain Dave and he was great right off the bat. We stowed our personal belongings and as we left the harbor, Captain Dave asked what kind of fish we were after. We confessed that we really just wanted to ride and to go out into the open ocean. Turns out, that our Captain was extremely well versed in OuterBanks history, geology and not just a little lore. He has tons of experience that includes working on research vessels as far south as Antarctica and teaching at one of the local colleges in Eastern NC. He is also a full time fireman on the outerbanks (thank you for your service!) and runs the tours on his off days. Our first stop was an old ship that sank just off shore way back in 1862. He shared his knowledge of the wreck with us which was amazing and educational. Then, we had a sea turtle that kinda hung around with us for a good bit. Zoom on the pic that is just a speck to see her sticking her head out of the water to look at us. And then... we fished....everyone knows, that fishing is a game of chance like most everything in life and for people that don't fish....well....we were very surprised!!! but as you can see in the pics...we actually caught fish!!! with the Captain's expert tutelage of course! He was extremely patient with us both, used different types of rods, baits and techniques. He is very knowledgeable and is a very adept angler for sure. Overall, if we could rate higher than five stars, this gentleman would get 10! at the very least!! First, my wife had a great time and is ready to go back next year. Second, the Captain was indeed a gentleman where my wife was concerned with no foul language or lewd behavior at all. Third, we felt safe the entire trip. Finally, Captain Dave, just checks all of the boxes, period. If you want good clean fun, great experience, good fishing (even for novices) with a bit of history, geology, lore and a good helping of southern hospitality and manners. Captain Dave of Vicarious Tours is the man!

  • Corey Forrester
    Corey Forrester
    Repeat angler
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2023
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing trip in June

    4 Hour Trip (PM) on June 28, 2023 • 4 adults • 1 child
  • Natalie Smith
    Natalie Smith
    Repeat angler
    us
    Maryland, US
    Member since 2022
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Big Trigger Fish!

    4 Hour Trip (AM) on September 20, 2025 • 2 adults

    What a fun and beautiful morning in the Atlantic! Great boat, smooth ride on the Center Catamaran. We were excited to catch large Trigger Fish to bring home. Capt was timely, well prepared, helpful, and enjoyed conversation.

  • Abigail Neuweg
    Abigail Neuweg
    us
    Missouri, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    So much fun and great for kids!

    4 Hour Trip (Noon) on June 10, 2025 • 6 adults • 1 child

    We did a four hour fishing charter with a 6 year old and we all had the best time! Captain Dave was super patient with my 6 year old and helped him reel in some of the fish we caught. We would definitely book again on our next trip to North Carolina!

FAQs about Vicarious Charters

Vicarious Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $300 per group - Family Sound Exploration (2 hours)
  • US $550 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $550 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip (Noon) (4 hours)
  • US $550 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 4 Hour Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $825 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 6 Hour Trip – Spearfishing (6 hours)
  • US $825 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 6 Hour Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
When you book a trip with Vicarious Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Very basic camp toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Snorkeling equipment Possible with rental equipment on 6 or 8 hour trip
  • Live bait well Large live well
  • Spearfishing equipment Spearfishing trips are possible but require rental
  • Ice box
Trips booked with Vicarious Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (If required for the type of fishing )
  • Lures
  • Drinks (Water)
  • Fishing license (All licenses and permits are included )
Vicarious Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore fishing
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing (Within 25 miles of the inlet )
  • Reef fishing
  • Wreck fishing
Vicarious Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Fly fishing
  • Bowfishing
  • Spearfishing
Top targeted fish species with Vicarious Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Bluefish (Tailor)
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Flounder
  • Redfish
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Sheepshead
  • Spadefish
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Speckled Trout
  • Triggerfish (Gray)

Your operator

Vicarious Charters
Vicarious Charters
Hatteras, North Carolina, United States
6 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
197 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since May 2020
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
I really enjoy being on the water and as a marine educator I am passionate about experiencing what is in our aquatic environments. I am happy to pass that excitement on to clients. Our other captain is also a local waterman who understand the biology of the area and loves to share his stoke for the Outer Banks.
Vicarious Charters
Vicarious Charters
Fully verified
Angler's Choice
6
reports
197
reviews
2020
member since
~1h
response
I really enjoy being on the water and as a marine educator I am passionate about experiencing what is in our aquatic environments. I am happy to pass that excitement on to clients. Our other captain is also a local waterman who understand the biology of the area and loves to share his stoke for the Outer Banks.

The fish you can target

Amberjack
Amberjack
Bluefish (Tailor)
Bluefish (Tailor)
Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Flounder
Flounder
Redfish
Redfish
Black Seabass
Black Seabass
Sheepshead
Sheepshead
Spadefish
Spadefish
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout
Gray Triggerfish
Gray Triggerfish
Amberjack
Amberjack
Bluefish (Tailor)
Bluefish (Tailor)
Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Flounder
Flounder

Real catches by this captain

  • Angler proudly displaying a large Amberjack while fishing offshore, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Brenna B.
    Brenna B.
    we had a great time with captain dave! we caught a lot of fish: sea bass, croaker, pig fish, a big amberjack and even a barracuda! got a good lunch out of our trip. Captain dave was very helpful and knew the good spots. highly recommend!
  • Mottled bottom-dwelling fish displayed on the cushioned gunwale of a fishing boat, with an angler handling the rig beside open coastal water.
    Matthew W.
    Matthew W.
    Dave was awesome. He explained everything to us before we got on the boat and took us out into the ocean instead of the bay. We caught a bunch of fish but the big ones weren’t biting. Had a great time anyway and would recommend him to anyone in the future!
  • Two young anglers proudly displaying their catches, a Spanish Mackerel and a Yellowtail, while enjoying a family fishing trip on a boat.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Spanish Mackerel
    Todd L.
    Todd L.
    We had an excellent experience on our 6-hour fishing charter. The weather conditions weren’t ideal, but that was completely out of the captain’s control. What truly stood out was his knowledge, professionalism, and dedication to making sure everyone had a great time. He was incredibly patient with my children, taking the time to teach them about fishing techniques, equipment, and the local fish species. He made them feel involved and excited throughout the trip, and they learned so much. His attentiveness, encouragement, and willingness to answer all of their questions made the experience memorable for our whole family. Even with challenging weather, the captain worked hard to put us on fish and made the day enjoyable from start to finish. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, family-friendly captain who genuinely cares about his guests having a great experience, I highly recommend booking a trip with him.
  • Angler proudly displaying a Black Sea Bass while fishing on a boat in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Black Seabass
    Jamie  H.
    Jamie H.
    Overall great charter and fairly priced. The fish made him work for it, but in the end, he put us on some fish. Captain planned the trip around our requests, was on time, and the boat/equipment was in good working order and well prepared for the trip. Would definitely use Vicarious Charters again if staying near Cape Hatteras.
  • A young angler and an adult proudly display a large Redfish while fishing on a boat in clear blue waters.
    Fish 1
    Redfish
    Sandy R.
    Sandy R.
    put us on fish and was awesome with the guests. he was very attentive to the younger anglers on the boat teaching them fishing technique.
  • A smiling angler proudly displaying a caught fish while enjoying a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Gray Triggerfish
    Natalie S.
    Natalie S.
    What a fun and beautiful morning in the Atlantic! Great boat, smooth ride on the Center Catamaran. We were excited to catch large Trigger Fish to bring home. Capt was timely, well prepared, helpful, and enjoyed conversation.
  • A young angler proudly displaying a caught fish while enjoying a day out on the water.
    William Z.
    William Z.
    Captain Dave was a gracious host on his boat and extremely helpful to the young children in catching fish
  • A young angler proudly displaying a Speckled Trout while fishing on a boat, showcasing a successful day on the water.
    Sarah P.
    Sarah P.
  • A group of young anglers proudly displaying their catch of speckled trout while enjoying a fun day on the water.
    Christopher J.
    Christopher J.
    Captain Dave is great! He was very patient with four tweens and two inexperienced dads. We caught a bunch of blues and Spanish.
  • Young angler proudly holding a small fish while wearing a life jacket on a fishing boat.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Spanish Mackerel
    Abigail N.
    Abigail N.
    We did a four hour fishing charter with a 6 year old and we all had the best time! Captain Dave was super patient with my 6 year old and helped him reel in some of the fish we caught. We would definitely book again on our next trip to North Carolina!

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Center console boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
26 ft
Year built
2001
Restored in
2026
Boat manufacturer
Glacier Bay
Boat type
Center console
Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
2 x 200HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Fly Fishing
Bowfishing
Spearfishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
Very basic camp toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Snorkeling equipment
Possible with rental equipment on 6 or 8 hour trip
Live bait well
Large live well
Spearfishing equipment
Spearfishing trips are possible but require rental
Ice box
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
If required for the type of fishing
Lures
Drinks
Water
Fishing license
All licenses and permits are included

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child friendly
We enjoy having kids on board and teaching them to fish and about the unique environment on the Outer Banks.
No smoking
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% deposit to guarantee your reservation.
The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:
 Cash
 Visa
 Mastercard
 American Express
 PayPal
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Hatteras right now

AmberjackAmberjack
Bluefish (Tailor)Bluefish (Tailor)
CobiaCobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
FlounderFlounder
RedfishRedfish
Seabass (Black)Seabass (Black)
SheepsheadSheepshead
Spanish MackerelSpanish Mackerel
Speckled TroutSpeckled Trout

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Vicarious Charters
Vicarious Charters
4.8
(197)
26 ft
Group size 1 - 6
1 - 6
Fish 1
Fish 2
+10
4 hour trip • 6 persons
US $550