First Light Charters
First Light Charters
Welcome to First Light Charters! Come get on the water with us and see what fishing on the Outer Banks is all about! Sure to be a highlight of your vacation! Captain Chris grew up on the Outer Banks and knows the waters and different techniques needed to catch a variety of fish in any season or condition. We will focus on whats been biting and may target Speckled Trout, Red Drum, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Blue Fish, Spanish Mackerel and more! Conditions change quickly along our coast and you can be sure we have the gear on board to adapt to any fishing condition from casting, bottom fishing and dropping on wrecks to trolling. We prioritize fun and filling the cooler and can work with any skill level to get you on the fish!
The First Light is a 2022 24' KenCraft Bay Rider that was custom built specifically for charter fishing and comfort. Come enjoy the ride and take advantage of one of the most spacious and stable inshore fishing boats around.
Once aboard, you are covered by an NC blanket fishing license. We outfit the boat with quality new Penn and Daiwa fishing rods and reels yearly. All tackle and bait are also included. Capt. Chris makes sure all you have to do is cast and reel them in!
Come get on the water with First Light Charters!
Welcome to First Light Charters! Come get on the water with us and see what fishing on the Outer Banks is all about! Sure to be a highlight of your vacation! Captain Chris grew up on the Outer Banks and knows the waters and different techniques needed to catch a variety of fish in any season or condition. We will focus on whats been biting and may target Speckled Trout, Red Drum, Sheepshead, Black Drum, Blue Fish, Spanish Mackerel and more! Conditions change quickly along our coast and you can be sure we have the gear on board to adapt to any fishing condition from casting, bottom fishing and dropping on wrecks to trolling. We prioritize fun and filling the cooler and can work with any skill level to get you on the fish!
The First Light is a 2022 24' KenCraft Bay Rider that was custom built specifically for charter fishing and comfort. Come enjoy the ride and take advantage of one of the most spacious and stable inshore fishing boats around.
Once aboard, you are covered by an NC blanket fishing license. We outfit the boat with quality new Penn and Daiwa fishing rods and reels yearly. All tackle and bait are also included. Capt. Chris makes sure all you have to do is cast and reel them in!
Come get on the water with First Light Charters!
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (83)
What anglers say
Reviews (91)
Bonnie Lane5.0VerifiedNewGreat day on the water!
3 Hour Summer Special on September 8, 2026 • 3 adults • 1 childWe had a great day with Captain Chris! He took us to some great spots and was patient with the amateur fishers on the boat. We caught some fish and while some weren't big enough to keep, some were, and it was overall a great and exciting trip!
Julie Krasa5.0VerifiedAwesome experience per the usual.
3/4 Day Trip (AM) on July 30, 2026 • 2 adultsEverytime we visit the OBX I book a trip with Captain Chris of First Light Charters for my husband and son. Were from PA where its all fresh water fishing and they truly enjoy the salt life with Chris aboard the boat. He works his tail off to put you on fish and makes it an all around enjoyable experience. Hes also top notch when it comes to fish cooking advice FYI!
Andrew Mathys5.0VerifiedCatching citations
3/4 Day Trip (AM) on June 24, 2026 • 4 adults • 1 childMy father in law and I went out with Chris and had a great time! We caught 6 sheepshead and my father in law caught one that got him a citation! The captain said it was the biggest ever caught on his boat. Chris is extremely knowledgeable and the day was perfect out on the water catching fish to bring home for dinner. Thanks Captain Chris!
Logan Balch5.0VerifiedAwesome fishing trip!
3 Hour Summer Special on August 10, 2026 • 4 adultsCaptain Chris was fantastic and I highly recommend going on his fishing charters! We were able to catch some fish during our 3 hour trip, and the whole experience was perfect for our group.
Kelli Bennett5.0VerifiedGreat trip
Half Day Trip (AM) on August 2, 2026 • 4 adults • 2 childrenCapt Chris was awesome. Very informative and patient with the kids. I would highly recommend Chris for a great day on the water.
- Jeff PetroRepeat angler5.0Verified
Great trip
Half Day Trip (PM) on August 15, 2025 • 2 adults • 1 childLocal captain, worked hard to make sure my 5 year old got on the fish, overall great experience, happy to support local business from the area, would highly recommend and will be fishing with them again
Andrew Lepp5.0VerifiedWe will book again!
Half Day Trip (PM) on October 3, 2025 • 4 adults • 2 childrenCaptain Chris was great! Worked with us to reschedule due to bad weather and was great with my son who continues to ask if we can fish with him again next year!
- Anthony MignanoRepeat angler5.0Verified
Half day Trip
Half Day Trip (AM) on August 3, 2022 • 4 adultsChris greeted the three of us on the docks before our trip began. He made sure we boarded a freshly washed boat ready to set out for the trip. Chris gave us a brief rundown of what to expect and then took us out to his first spot. Chris was very friendly and made great conversation while helping us to fish effectively. He was very knowledgeable of the Sound and would answer any questions we had. All in all, it was a great experience to be on a boat with just our party and a captain that helped make the experience exactly what we were looking for. We will definitely look to charter with First Light next time we are in the Outer Banks.
- Ashley GariepyRepeat angler5.0Verified
Two Hour Trip- Perfect for Lil Fisher
2 Hour Trip – Family Fun on July 6, 2022 • 3 adults • 1 childOur family had a blast!! Chris is amazing, patient, and attentive to kids. My son is just getting into fishing an by the 1.5 hour mark he was ready for snacks/drinks and caught tons of fish. Had we booked a 1/2 day trip I think with the sun an waiting between fish bites he may have came out not enjoying fishing anymore (as he gets older his attention span will increase, but for now I’ld love to keep him interested). Chris brought us to catch some “big” fish and then to a spot every cast yielded a small fish! My son loved to hold them an watch them wiggle back into the ocean. Chris took the time to show him the parts of the fish that could scratch/hurt him if he touched them. Plus, when Chris got a bite, he gave the pole to my son to wheel in! Bonus catches he called it. I am not a fisher, and more enjoyed the boat ride, soaking up some sun, an taking 100 videos/pics of my guys. Overall, it was great to get off shore an still gave us plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the day at the beach! Def recommend an well worth the price.
Samantha BaskinRepeat angler5.0VerifiedFantastic experience
Special 2 hour trip for Samantha Baskin on October 15, 2024 • 2 adultsChris was so sweet and perfect as a captain. If we weren’t catching fishing in one spot we were moving to another. He even let us fish a little extra so we could catch more fish. 10 out of 10 recommend
Rating
Anglers' gallery (83)
What anglers say
All reviews (91)
We had a great day with Captain Chris! He took us to some great spots and was patient with the amateur fishers on the boat. We caught some fish and while some weren't big enough to keep, some were, and it was overall a great and exciting trip!
Thanks for fishing with me and leaving a review!
Everytime we visit the OBX I book a trip with Captain Chris of First Light Charters for my husband and son. Were from PA where its all fresh water fishing and they truly enjoy the salt life with Chris aboard the boat. He works his tail off to put you on fish and makes it an all around enjoyable experience. Hes also top notch when it comes to fish cooking advice FYI!
Thanks Julie! Always a good time with the boys! Glad the fish was good!
My father in law and I went out with Chris and had a great time! We caught 6 sheepshead and my father in law caught one that got him a citation! The captain said it was the biggest ever caught on his boat. Chris is extremely knowledgeable and the day was perfect out on the water catching fish to bring home for dinner. Thanks Captain Chris!
Thanks guys! always a pleasure!
Captain Chris wa fantastic! He was patient with three young fishermen. He picked good places to fish and used different methods for the best chance for success. We caught some fish that we had cleaned there and took them to the marina restaurant where the cooked them for lunch. It was a great day.
Thanks very much for taking the time to write a review. Enjoyed fishing and chatting with yall!
Didn’t catch anything and it’s what i was told to expect so not surprised. Capt was very nice and tried his best. Saw Dolphin Fish Eagles caught a sting ray. Good time despite the lack of fish
Thanks for fishing with me! Next time we’ll try to do more catching!
