Unwind and relax with UnWind Charters. Captain John is ready to get you out on the water – the serious fisherman, families, and everyone in between. Join him in Hatteras, NC and spend a lovely day on the area’s inshore and nearshore waters.

The boat you’ll use is a 25’ Parker pilothouse with enough room to fit up to 6 guests. The boat is powered by a 300 HP Suzuki engine and features modern navigation electronics, a flybridge, and outriggers.

It’s hard to unwind when you’re out on a boat and the weather is bad. Captain John understands that and will cancel, delay, or reschedule trips due to inclement weather. The fish is already wet but you want to have fun catching it. Nevertheless, if you’re a serious fisherman, you can still go fishing.

Captain John does it all from sight casting for big Red Drum, Cobia, and Puppy Drum to trolling for Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish to clamming, shelling, and swimming, as well as casting for Trout, bottom fishing, sunset cruises, and exploring the Pamlico Sound.

The ‘Family and Friends Fun Trip’ provides something for everyone – fishing for the serious anglers, clamming, lunch, and pulling up to a sandbar island to hunt for shells and swim.

All morning and afternoon trips can be customized to your liking. Let the captain know what you’re interested in doing and he’ll make it happen.
All fishing licenses, rods, tackle, and bait are provided. If you want, you can have your catch cleaned in the area for an additional fee. Before you come aboard, bring your snacks and drinks and prepare for lots of fun.

Captain John will customize all his trips for you to have a relaxing time and he looks forward to sharing his passion for being on the water with you.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    2 Hour Trip – Sunset Cruise & Fish
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    2 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 PM
    US $300
    Enjoy a Hatteras Sunset while going on a Creek Ride to see the working waterfront and look for dolphins. You can get your favorite dinner to go and enjoy it on the water. The trip includes some fishing as well.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    US $550
    Fishing, clamming, shelling, swimming, and exploring the waters of the Pamlico Sound, Hatteras Inlet, and nearshore. Trips can be customized to meet your needs and make your day memorable. The trip leaves at 8:00 a.m. and lasts for 4 hours.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:30 PM
    US $550
    Fish, chase Clam and shells, take a swim, and have a memorable time exploring the Pamlico Sound, Hatteras Inlet, as well as nearshore grounds. Captain John will tailor the trip to your wishes. The departure time is 12:30 p.m. and the trip lasts for 4 hours.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day – Family and Friends Fun
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 9:00 AM
    US $825
    A 6-hour trip where you do it all. Something for everyone. You can fish, clam, swim, shell, and explore the waters looking for marine life, stingrays, sea turtles, and dolphins. Bring lunch to enjoy a picnic on the boat, sandbar island, or clamming flats. The captain will provide a grill if you want to cook or he'll cook for you. The time you depart is up to you, meaning you can leave as early or late as you want to.
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

FAQs about UnWind Charters

UnWind Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $300 per group - 2 Hour Trip – Sunset Cruise & Fish (2 hours)
  • US $550 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $550 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $825 per group, additional US $50 per person after 4 guests - 3/4 Day – Family and Friends Fun (6 hours)

When you book a trip with UnWind Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Outriggers

Trips booked with UnWind Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Fishing License

UnWind Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing

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

Top targeted fish species with UnWind Charters include:
  • Bluefish
  • Clam
  • Cobia
  • Flounder
  • Redfish
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Speckled Trout

Meet the Captain

John Fairbanks
Hatteras, North Carolina, United States
67 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since June 2022
Captain John loves the water and being on it. He retired from the Coast Guard in 2016 after 20 years of service and being stationed in Washington State, Maine, Michigan, Virginia, and North Carolina. He feels he was blessed to serve 12 of his 20 years on Hatteras Island. Captain John looks forward to sharing his knowledge and experience with you. There is nothing more "UnWinding" whether you’re fishing, exploring, swimming, or drifting the sloughs. From hardcore fishing to just getting out on the water to relax, his goal is to make your trip something to remember. Trips can be tailored to your desires. All ages and experience levels are welcome. Call to discuss availability and flexible times. Recommended items to bring with you include sunblock, polarized sunglasses, towels, drinks, and snacks. You’re welcome to bring a small cooler or use one provided. Unwind Charters has a pilothouse boat with plenty of dry storage space for your belongings and seating space if you want to get out of the sun.

About this listing

Targeted species

Bluefish Bluefish
Clam Clam
Cobia Cobia
Flounder Flounder

Boat specs

Parker (Pilothouse) originally built in 2004. Powered by a 300HP Suzuki engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 32 knots.

Length
25 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Drift Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Outriggers

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 day prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 1 day 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
All ages are welcome
You Keep Catch
Fish cleaners are available for additional cost
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% 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

Hatteras Fishing Calendar

Loading Fish Calendar!
Please Wait...

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 67 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (72)
Exceptional time!!
September fishing trip
Sunset cruise & fishing
+69
Angler rating
66
0
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
99%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
90%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 67 reviews
Susan O.
Shawnee Hills, OH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

2 hour sunset cruise trip & fish

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip – Sunset Cruise & Fish on July 14, 2023
What memories are made of! John, you are an amazing captain! The entire experience was phenomenal from the moment I booked...
Susan O. recommends UnWind Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  John Fairbanks Captain replied

Charles T.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing trip in July

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 7, 2023
Charles T. recommends UnWind Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Charles T. recommends UnWind Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Guy H.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with John

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on May 11, 2023
Guy H. recommends UnWind Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Guy H. recommends UnWind Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

Annette B.
Henrico, VA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

3/4 day trip with Captain John

VERIFIED   3/4 Day – Family and Friends Fun on July 5, 2023
We had the best time out on the water Captain John! He took us fishing, clamming, swimming, and shelling. 5 out of 6 of us...
Annette B. recommends UnWind Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Fairbanks Captain replied

Greg R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

October fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on October 11, 2023
We had a great trip. Captain John knew where the fish were and we were catching fish shortly after the boat stopped. We caught...
Greg R. recommends UnWind Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  John Fairbanks Captain replied