Hayden Express Charters 

5.0
(261 reviews)
 4457 Mill Landing Road, Wanchese, NC 27981, United States–

Hayden Express Charters 

Wanchese, NC, United States
–
48 ft
6
5.0
(261 reviews)

Hayden Express Charters runs angling trips out of Wanchese and offers to show you what the local fishery is all about.

Capt. Ralph will do his best to make sure you have a fun day full of fishing. He specializes in light tackle, heavy tackle, bottom fishing, trolling, jigging, and kite fishing, all to get you on that bite. This involves 4 to 11-hour trips, mainly fishing for Cobia, Mahi Mahi, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Tuna, and Redfish, depending on the season and conditions of the day.

Your adventure begins on board a 48' Craddock Boatworks boat that can fit a maximum of 6 anglers. The boat has a toilet, ice box, and fighting chair. All rods, reels, and terminal tackle are included in the price so you can focus on what really matters, fishing. Your trip will include all the necessary fishing licenses for the day.

Capt. Ralph runs trips together with his first mate, who's there to help you with whatever you may need. Tips are always appreciated for a job well done. Children are welcome aboard, so you're good to get the young ones started early. You'll be able to keep any legal species caught during the trip.

Book your trip now and hit the water with Hayden Express Charters.

Hayden Express Charters runs angling trips out of Wanchese and offers to show you what the local fishery is all about.

Capt. Ralph will do his best to make sure you have a fun day full of fishing. He specializes in light tackle, heavy tackle, bottom fishing, trolling, jigging, and kite fishing, all to get you on that bite. This involves 4 to 11-hour trips, mainly fishing for Cobia, Mahi Mahi, Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Tuna, and Redfish, depending on the season and conditions of the day.

Your adventure begins on board a 48' Craddock Boatworks boat that can fit a maximum of 6 anglers. The boat has a toilet, ice box, and fighting chair. All rods, reels, and terminal tackle are included in the price so you can focus on what really matters, fishing. Your trip will include all the necessary fishing licenses for the day.

Capt. Ralph runs trips together with his first mate, who's there to help you with whatever you may need. Tips are always appreciated for a job well done. Children are welcome aboard, so you're good to get the young ones started early. You'll be able to keep any legal species caught during the trip.

Book your trip now and hit the water with Hayden Express Charters.

Ralph Craddock
Captain
Ralph Craddock
27 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
Half Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
4 hour trip multiple starting times (6:00 AM, 10:30 AM)
Seasonal trip
May 15 - Oct 31
Cobia
Little Tunny (False Albacore)
Bluefish (Tailor)
Redfish
+1
US $700
Entire boat: up to 6 people
4hr trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
4 hour trip starts at 12:30 PM
Seasonal trip
May 15 - Oct 31
Bluefish (Tailor)
Spanish Mackerel
US $700
Entire boat: up to 6 people
3/4 Day Trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
6 hour trip multiple starting times (6:00 AM, 12:30 PM)
Seasonal trip
May 15 - Oct 31
Cobia
Little Tunny (False Albacore)
Bluefish (Tailor)
Redfish
+1
US $950
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Full Day Trip – Nearshore
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 7:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 15 - Oct 31
Amberjack
Cobia
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Little Tunny (False Albacore)
+2
US $1,450
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Extended Full Day Trip (6 AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
10 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 15 - Oct 31
Amberjack
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Marlin (White)
+3
US $2,200
Entire boat: up to 6 people
Extended Full Day – Offshore (5 AM)
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
11 hour trip starts at 5:00 AM
Seasonal trip
May 15 - Oct 31
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Blue)
Marlin (White)
Sailfish
+1
US $2,600
Entire boat: up to 6 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
261 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (408)

What anglers say

99%
Great experience
98%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
100%
Recommended
96%
Caught fish

Reviews (261)

  • Jessica Brannan
    Jessica Brannan
    us
    New Jersey, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Ten out of ten!

    3/4 Day Trip on August 31, 2026 • 6 adults • 2 children

    If you’re considering booking with Hayden Express, DO IT! We had a mix of experienced anglers and complete first timers, and Captain Ralph and Mate Mason made the entire experience incredible from start to finish. The fishing was unbelievable. Both kids had already put over 20 fish in the bucket before 8 a.m.! Watching them reel in fish after fish and seeing how excited they were is something we’ll never forget. Mason deserves a special shoutout. He was knowledgeable, patient, incredibly helpful, and genuinely went above and beyond with the kids. You could tell he wanted them to have the best experience possible, and he absolutely made that happen. Captain Ralph was just as fantastic. His years of experience and knowledge of the area really show. He knew exactly where to take us and made the whole day feel easy, fun, and memorable. There are plenty of charters to choose from, but I am SO glad we chose Hayden Express. We would book with Captain Ralph and Mason again in a heartbeat. This wasn’t just a great day of fishing. It was one of those experiences our kids will be talking about for years. Truly a memory of a lifetime for our family!

  • Michael Rowen
    Michael Rowen
    us
    Maryland, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Third Time's the Charm—Hayden Express Delivered the Fishing Trip We'd Been Waiting For

    Half Day Trip on July 29, 2026 • 6 adults

    After two straight years of disappointing fishing trips and even having another charter cancel on us because of the weather, booking with Hayden Express completely turned things around. Captain Ralph and Mason were absolutely amazing from start to finish. We headed out, and at first I started getting a little worried because we weren't catching anything. That didn't last long! Captain Ralph quickly found the fish, and before we knew it, we were reeling them in nonstop. Several times we had all four lines hooked up at once, with a couple of double-ups! Mason worked tirelessly, running from one rod to the next, helping bring fish in, resetting the lines, and then turning right back around because someone was yelling, "Fish on!" again. His energy and hard work kept the action going all day. Captain Ralph and Mason made the trip unforgettable for our group of three adults and three teens. They also made six other people very happy when we got home with plenty of fresh fish to share! The Hayden Express is an incredible boat, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. If you're looking for a first class fishing charter, I highly recommend Captain Ralph and Mason. We'll definitely be booking another trip with Hayden Express the next time we come back down!

  • John Taylor
    John Taylor
    Repeat angler
    us
    Tennessee, US
    Member since 2022
    4 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    last minute… turned into a great experience

    3/4 Day Trip - 12:30 PM on May 27, 2026 • 2 adults

    We booked our time with Capt. Ralph the night before because our plans changed last minute. we arrived on time and the crew was ready to go. Within minutes they had us on spanish mackerel and blue fish. We fished for 6 hours and while it wasnt all screaming reels, my son and I had a good time. We’ve used the same charter for years but I’d be happy to fish with Hayden Express Charters any time! very professional and personable with both my 15 year old son and myself. We had a great time!

  • Steven Muth
    Steven Muth
    us
    New York, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip - family of 5

    Half Day Trip - 10:30 AM on September 6, 2026 • 5 adults • 3 children

    Captain Ralph was great, and First Mate Mason was knowledgeable, helpful, and wonderful with the kids. They encouraged us to get involved and showed us exactly what to do. We had an amazing four-hour fishing trip and caught 32 Spanish mackerel, two albacore, and 22 flounder—although none of the flounder were large enough to keep. The boat was clean and comfortable, and we enjoyed motoring out beneath the Marc Basnight Bridge. It was a fantastic experience for the entire family!

  • John Landers
    John Landers
    us
    Kentucky, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Phenomenal Experience!

    3/4 Day Trip - 12:30 PM on June 24, 2026 • 6 adults

    Captain Ralph and 1st Mate Mason delivered! We booked a 6 hr afternoon trip that was spectacular! We caught white dot sharks (Atlantic sharks) and Spanish Mackerel! My wife loved the air condition cabin that allowed for plenty of seating and respite between catches. As a man with prostate issues, I really appreciated the onboard toilet! Ralph took us where the fish were and Mason taught us how to catch ‘em! Highly recommend this charter!

  • Christopher Nugent
    Christopher Nugent
    us
    North Carolina, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    New

    Great family experience!!!

    Half Day Trip - 10:30 AM on October 15, 2026 • 6 adults • 2 children

     captain Ralph and Mason made it awesome. Mason is the best!!!! We had no idea it would be so fun. Mason is also very good with kids and makes it enjoyable for everyone. From storytelling to catching fish, it was awesome!

  • Jennifer Cao
    Jennifer Cao
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Had a Great Time!

    Half Day Trip on July 1, 2026 • 5 adults

    It was my familys first time being out at sea, mason and ralph were so accommodating and helpful! we caught so many fishes! Mason was extremely informative and accommodating when Me and some of my family member got sea sick. after getting over that hurdle, we continue to reel in fish. They treat you like family in here :)

  • Jeff Agnew
    Jeff Agnew
    us
    Delaware, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Epic Trip!

    3/4 Day Trip - 12:30 PM on July 15, 2026 • 4 adults • 1 child

    We had a great time on the Hayden’s Express. We caught almost 40 fish, including sharks! The captain was very knowledgeable and the mate was extremely helpful and reall knew what he was doing. I would highly recommend this boat to anyone looking for a great fishing experience.

  • Steve Mulich
    Steve Mulich
    Repeat angler
    us
    Wisconsin, US
    Member since 2024
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    2nd Time Just as Good!

    3/4 Day Trip - 12:30 PM on June 18, 2026 • 4 adults • 2 children

    This was the second time we fished on the Hayden Express with Captian Ralph and crew Mason. This time two of our young kids came along. We all had a blast! Caught fish and made memories! Whenever we are in the area we’ll be booking with Hayden Express!

  • Ken Murin
    Ken Murin
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great fishing trip, Captain and crew

    Half Day Trip - 10:30 AM on June 10, 2026 • 6 adults

    Great time with Capt Ralph and his crew member Mason. Both Capt Ralph and Mason were very friendly, knowledgeable and made sure our trip a memorable one. Good time for all. Caught a decent amount of fish considering what other charters were catching. Highly recommend.

FAQs about Hayden Express Charters

Hayden Express Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $700 per group - 4hr trip (4 hours)
  • US $700 per group - Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • US $700 per group - Half Day Trip - 10:30 AM (4 hours)
  • US $950 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $950 per group - 3/4 Day Trip - 12:30 PM (6 hours)
  • US $1,450 per group - Full Day Trip – Nearshore (8 hours)
  • US $2,200 per group - Extended Full Day Trip (6 AM) (10 hours)
  • US $2,600 per group - Extended Full Day – Offshore (5 AM) (11 hours)
When you book a trip with Hayden Express Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Electric in bathroom
  • Air conditioning
  • Fighting chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live bait well
  • Outriggers
  • Ice box For your catch
  • Radar
Trips booked with Hayden Express Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (If and when we use live bait it will be part of the trip with no extra cost and most the time you will be catching it)
  • Lures
  • First mate (Very good with all age groups and knowledge on area and fishing always willing to help and answer any questions you may have )
  • Fishing license (While fishing with us on the boat all licenses are covered at no extra cost )
Hayden Express Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing (On average 36 to 40 miles most days to reach gulf stream )
Hayden Express Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Heavy tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
  • Kite fishing
Top targeted fish species with Hayden Express Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Bluefish (Tailor)
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (White)
  • Redfish
  • Sailfish
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Tilefish
  • Tuna (Yellowfin)

Your captain

Ralph Craddock
Ralph Craddock
Wanchese, North Carolina, United States
47 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
261 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since July 2022
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.
Capt. Ralph and his crew are native to the Outer Banks. Along with his mate, Igg, he's been fishing the waters in and around Wanchese his entire life and they have been charter fishing together for 15 years. They promise to do their best to put you on the fish all the while making sure you enjoy your trip.
Ralph Craddock
Ralph Craddock
Fully verified
Angler's Choice
47
reports
261
reviews
2022
member since
~1h
response
Capt. Ralph and his crew are native to the Outer Banks. Along with his mate, Igg, he's been fishing the waters in and around Wanchese his entire life and they have been charter fishing together for 15 years. They promise to do their best to put you on the fish all the while making sure you enjoy your trip.

The fish you can target

Amberjack
Amberjack
Bluefish (Tailor)
Bluefish (Tailor)
Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Blue Marlin
Blue Marlin
White Marlin
White Marlin
Redfish
Redfish
Sailfish
Sailfish
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel
Tilefish
Tilefish
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin Tuna
Amberjack
Amberjack
Bluefish (Tailor)
Bluefish (Tailor)
Cobia
Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)

Real catches by this captain

  • Young angler displays a freshly caught fish aboard a recreational fishing boat with an adult companion offshore.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Bluefish (Tailor)
    Christopher N.
    Christopher N.
     captain Ralph and Mason made it awesome. Mason is the best!!!! We had no idea it would be so fun. Mason is also very good with kids and makes it enjoyable for everyone. From storytelling to catching fish, it was awesome!
  • Family group posing behind multiple freshly caught fish arranged on a marina dock, with charter boats visible in the background.
    Fish 1
    Bluefish (Tailor)
    Lindsey S.
    Lindsey S.
    We caught blue fish and spanish mackerel! Had our fish cleaned and then cooked for lunch!
  • A variety of fish, including Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish, neatly laid out on a wooden dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Spanish Mackerel
    Jacqueline M.
    Jacqueline M.
    Captain Ralph and Mate Mason were amazing! Even though we dropped some fish back in the ocean for next time 😂
  • A variety of fish displayed on a dock, showcasing a successful fishing trip with a group of anglers.
    Fish 1
    Spanish Mackerel
    Branden D.
    Branden D.
    We have used them twice both years were excellent. The captain and mate go above and beyond.
  • A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of multiple fish on a dock, showcasing a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Spanish Mackerel
    Dawson S.
    Dawson S.
    Spent 6 hrs out on the water with Ralph and Mason. Both of them were very friendly and knowledgeable and were able to put us onto mackerel non-stop. Highly recommend this fishing charter!!
  • A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of multiple Spanish Mackerel on a dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Spanish Mackerel
    Fall Spanish mackerel fishing at it's finest
  • A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of fish on a dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Great fishing
  • A family poses proudly on the dock with their catch of the day, featuring a variety of fish displayed neatly on the wooden board after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Jack Crevalle
    Steven M.
    Steven M.
    Captain Ralph was great, and First Mate Mason was knowledgeable, helpful, and wonderful with the kids. They encouraged us to get involved and showed us exactly what to do. We had an amazing four-hour fishing trip and caught 32 Spanish mackerel, two albacore, and 22 flounder—although none of the flounder were large enough to keep. The boat was clean and comfortable, and we enjoyed motoring out beneath the Marc Basnight Bridge. It was a fantastic experience for the entire family!
  • A young angler proudly displaying a caught fish while fishing on a boat, enjoying a sunny day on the water.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Spanish Mackerel
    Jessica B.
    Jessica B.
    If you’re considering booking with Hayden Express, DO IT! We had a mix of experienced anglers and complete first timers, and Captain Ralph and Mate Mason made the entire experience incredible from start to finish. The fishing was unbelievable. Both kids had already put over 20 fish in the bucket before 8 a.m.! Watching them reel in fish after fish and seeing how excited they were is something we’ll never forget. Mason deserves a special shoutout. He was knowledgeable, patient, incredibly helpful, and genuinely went above and beyond with the kids. You could tell he wanted them to have the best experience possible, and he absolutely made that happen. Captain Ralph was just as fantastic. His years of experience and knowledge of the area really show. He knew exactly where to take us and made the whole day feel easy, fun, and memorable. There are plenty of charters to choose from, but I am SO glad we chose Hayden Express. We would book with Captain Ralph and Mason again in a heartbeat. This wasn’t just a great day of fishing. It was one of those experiences our kids will be talking about for years. Truly a memory of a lifetime for our family!
  • A family poses proudly on the dock with a large catch of fish, neatly arranged on a wooden board after a successful fishing trip.
    Bout as good as it gets if action what u like better book a trip

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
48 ft
Year built
2006
Boat manufacturer
Craddock Boatworks
Boat type
Sportfishing
Engine model
Caterpillar
Powered by
2 x 705HP
Max cruising speed
25 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Jigging
Kite Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
Electric in bathroom
Air conditioning
Fighting chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live bait well
Outriggers
Ice box
For your catch
Radar
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
If and when we use live bait it will be part of the trip with no extra cost and most the time you will be catching it
Lures
First mate
Very good with all age groups and knowledge on area and fishing always willing to help and answer any questions you may have
Fishing license
While fishing with us on the boat all licenses are covered at no extra cost

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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 of all ages some cases it's tough on ages 3 and under on allday trips especially when offshore but that's up to y'all
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed
Disabled accessible

How you can pay

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
 Visa
 Mastercard
 American Express
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Wanchese right now

AmberjackAmberjack
Bluefish (Tailor)Bluefish (Tailor)
CobiaCobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Marlin (Blue)Marlin (Blue)
Marlin (White)Marlin (White)
RedfishRedfish
SailfishSailfish
Spanish MackerelSpanish Mackerel
TilefishTilefish
Tuna (Yellowfin)Tuna (Yellowfin)

Compare similar fishing charters

Current
Hayden Express Charters
Hayden Express Charters
5.0
(261)
48 ft
Group size 1 - 6
1 - 6
Fish 1
Fish 2
+10
4 hour trip • 6 persons
US $700