Riptide Charters

If you are looking for a trip of a lifetime, RipTide Charters is for you! They are a top-notch family-friendly charter service that puts you in the action located in Wanchese, NC. Captain Randy has over 12 years of professional experience offshore, nearshore, and inshore and is extremely knowledgeable about the area. He grew up on the outer banks and has countless tricks up his sleeve to make sure you will have a catch to take home with you.

You will be in good hands whether you are a beginner or a pro. They are not your ordinary charter boat. They go the extra mile to include you in every aspect of the trip.

Wanchese is a fisherman’s paradise. It is surrounded by flats, marshes, and all kinds of fish habitats. The Pamlico sound is nearby and the Atlantic Ocean is right around the corner. So that provides you with more fishing time and less riding time.

The Mako 25’ center console with a 300 HP Evinrude engine will have no problem taking up to 5 guests, wherever your trip might lead. From the ocean to the flats,  this boat is well equipped and fully maintained. It has 2 depth finders, a flybridge, live well, standard safety equipment, and ice boxes. There’s all the gear you will need to land that fish of a lifetime.

Depending on the season and fish biting, you’ll encounter the likes of Speckled Trout, Redfish, Flounder, Sheepshead, Cobia, Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, and Striped Bass.

When you step aboard, you will be greeted by Captain Randy and his first mate. You will be provided rods, bait, tackle, and drinks.. No need to worry about your fishing license, it’s been taking care of. The boat will be sanitized before every trip.

Join Riptide Charters and let the adventure begin!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    2 Hour Trip (Evening)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 4:30 PM
    Seasonal trip (Tue, Thu)
    US $325
    This trip is a late afternoon trip in the sound. It's a great trip for smaller children that wants to go fishing to catch Trout, Red Drum, Flounder, and bottom fish. You could be casting, drifting, jigging on this trip. All fishing equipment is included in the price.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $425
    Start your day with some fishing action and explore the sound and the inlet on the flats and reefs. Searching for Trout, Redfish, Sheepshead, Flounder, and whatever you may come across. Morning trips can be the best time to fish. You could be jigging, drifting, and live baiting on this trip.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 3 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    US $425
    This trip is also a 4 hr trip for those who aren't early birds. It is the same as the morning trip, searching for Trout, Flounder, Redfish, Sheepshead, and other bottom species. On the flats, reefs, backwater, inlet, and around the bridges. You could be jigging, drifting, live baiting, casting on this trip.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Nearshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $525
    Explore the nearshore spots in the area and target species such as Redfish, Spanish mackerel, Triggerfish, Bluefish, Cobia, and Ribbon fish. You can switch between different techniques and see which one feels best to you.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Nearshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    US $525
    This trip gets you out in the ocean chasing Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, big Red Drum, Bluefish, and Ribbon fish. You could be casting trolling, drifting, and jigging and this trip. All fishing equipment is included in the price.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $575
    On this trip, we will stay inside the inlet and target many different species of fish. Anything from trout and drum to sheepshead and sea mullet.
    Targeted fish
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
    Speckled Trout
    Speckled Trout
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $575
    On this trip, we will stay inside the inlet and target many different species of fish. Anything from trout and drum to sheepshead and sea mullet.
    Targeted fish
    Redfish
    Redfish
    Spotted Seatrout
    Spotted Seatrout
    Sheepshead
    Sheepshead
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Nearshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $700
    This morning trip gives you lots of time to experiment with different types of fishing. There's lots of spots to cover and you can go after species such as Amberjack, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, Sheepshead, Redfish, Trout, Flounder, and many more.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip – Nearshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $700
    This is a 6 hr trip that gives us plenty of time to do a wide assortment of fishing. From the ocean to the sound we have time to cover a lot of water and target a lot of different species of fish, like Cobia, Spanish Mackerel, Amberjack, Redfish, Trout, Sheepshead, and bottom fish. You could be casting, drifting, jigging, and live baiting on this trip.
  • Private trip
    7 hr cobia trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    Seasonal trip May 5 - Jun 1 (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $800
    This trip we will be in the ocean sight casting for cobia they are big brown fish that get up to 120 pounds very fun to catch.
    Targeted fish
    Cobia
    Cobia
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $900
    This is an 8 hr trip that will give you plenty of time to do a lot of different kinds of fishing and fill the cooler up from Spanish, Amberjacks, Cobia, Trout, bottom fish just to name a few. Trolling, sight casting, live baiting, jigging is some of the things you will be doing on this trip.
There are 15 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Riptide Charters

Riptide Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $325 per group - 2 Hour Trip (Evening) (2 hours)
  • US $425 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $425 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $525 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Nearshore (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $525 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Nearshore (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $575 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Inshore (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $575 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $700 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Nearshore (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $700 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Nearshore (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $800 per group - 7 hr cobia trip (7 hours)
  • US $900 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Riptide Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Riptide Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (Live bait is included in price )
  • Lures
  • Drinks (I have water for you free of charge )
  • First Mate (I do not have a mate I take care of all of your needs)
  • Fishing License (Fishing license is covered for everyone on the boat.)

Riptide Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing
  • Flats Fishing

Riptide Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Riptide Charters include:
  • Black Drum
  • Bluefish
  • Cobia
  • Flounder
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Redfish
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Sheepshead
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Spotted Seatrout
  • Triggerfish (Gray)
  • Weakfish

Meet the Captain

Randy Thornton
Wanchese, North Carolina, United States
11 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
282 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since March 2021
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.
After growing up on the Outer Banks, my passion for fishing started young. I spent my young years chasing fish up and down the beaches, sounds, and backwaters with my dad creating memories that have lasted a lifetime. I knew I wanted to give others the same opportunity so I got my Captain license. I captained Offshore, charters for over 10 years however that didn’t stop me from fishing Nearshore and Inshore as often as I could. Now I enjoy taking my 2 kids and my clients and their families to create memories of their own to last a lifetime.

About this listing

Targeted species

Black Drum Black Drum
Bluefish Bluefish
Cobia Cobia
Flounder Flounder

Boat specs

Mako (Center console) originally built in 2000. Powered by a 300HP Evenrude E Tec engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 30 knots.

Length
25 ft
Capacity
5 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing
Flats Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well
Outriggers
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Live bait is included in price
Lures
Drinks
I have water for you free of charge
First Mate
I do not have a mate I take care of all of your needs
Fishing License
Fishing license is covered for everyone on the boat.

Cancellation policy

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.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
We love taking kids fishing our minimum age limit is 5.
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 4% charge will apply.

Wanchese Fishing Calendar

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Recent fishing reports

Trout bite
Trout bite
March 5, 2024
The weather is warming up and so is the fishing. Dont wait to long to book your trip slots are filling up.
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 282 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (262)
Afternoon trip with Captain Randy.
Afternoon trip with Captain Randy.
6hr with Captain Randy
+259
Angler rating
264
16
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
91%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 282 reviews
Krystle S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip for new angles as well as experienced!!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Nearshore (AM) on September 18, 2023
We had a great morning out fishing with Riptide Charters. Weather was a little questionable leading up to our trip but captain...
Krystle S. recommends Riptide Charters
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  Randy Thornton Captain replied

PATRICIA N.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in September

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip – Nearshore (AM) on September 12, 2023
PATRICIA N. recommends Riptide Charters
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PATRICIA N. recommends Riptide Charters
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Jacob D.
Garfield, NJ
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Captain Randy makes it happen, period.

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Nearshore (AM) on May 3, 2023
Let me start off by saying Randy is a great guy and super knowledgeable. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this charter for...
Jacob D. recommends Riptide Charters
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  Randy Thornton Captain replied

Christopher H.
North Wilkesboro, NC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day (PM) with Captain Randy

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) on April 13, 2023
Our family recently went on a fishing trip with Riptide Charters and it was an incredible experience! We were able to catch...
Christopher H. recommends Riptide Charters
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  Randy Thornton Captain replied

Paul K.
Cinnaminson, NJ
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Red Drum Trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Inshore (PM) on May 16, 2023
A great day of fishing.  Easy to find the marina and boat.  Captain Randy was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and tolerant...
Paul K. recommends Riptide Charters
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  Randy Thornton Captain replied