Island Guides
Island Guides
Captain Cole is a USCG-licensed captain and lifelong outdoorsman who spends countless hours on the water chasing everything from Red Drum and Speckled Trout to Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, Atlantic Bonito, False Albacore, Sea Bass, Grouper, and a variety of nearshore and offshore species.
Trips are run aboard a 24-foot Islamorada Boatworks Morada, a comfortable and capable fishing platform built for the shallow waters, inlets, beaches, and nearshore waters of the North Carolina Coast.
Island Guides welcomes anglers of all experience levels. Serious fishermen can expect a focused day on the water, while families, kids, and first-time anglers can expect a relaxed atmosphere with generous instruction and patience. Captain Cole is happy to teach through the experience and wants every guest to leave the boat a better angler than when they stepped aboard.
Depending on the season, conditions, and length of your trip, we may target Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, Mahi Mahi, Grouper, and other species found throughout our coastal waters.
Capt. Cole will provide rods and reels for you, along with lures and live bait.
More than anything, Island Guides is about sharing the fishing and coastal lifestyle that makes this part of North Carolina so special.
The charter boat covers your fishing license, so all you have to do is show up ready for a good time! Keep in mind that some fish may have harvest limits or closed seasons. Your captain will help you follow regulations while you fish.
Some essentials to bring are a hat, sunglasses, snacks/drinks, and sunblock (no spray, please). Alcohol is allowed in moderation; please avoid glass bottles.
Come ready to fish, have fun, and enjoy the best of North Carolina’s coastal waters!
Captain Cole is a USCG-licensed captain and lifelong outdoorsman who spends countless hours on the water chasing everything from Red Drum and Speckled Trout to Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, Atlantic Bonito, False Albacore, Sea Bass, Grouper, and a variety of nearshore and offshore species.
Trips are run aboard a 24-foot Islamorada Boatworks Morada, a comfortable and capable fishing platform built for the shallow waters, inlets, beaches, and nearshore waters of the North Carolina Coast.
Island Guides welcomes anglers of all experience levels. Serious fishermen can expect a focused day on the water, while families, kids, and first-time anglers can expect a relaxed atmosphere with generous instruction and patience. Captain Cole is happy to teach through the experience and wants every guest to leave the boat a better angler than when they stepped aboard.
Depending on the season, conditions, and length of your trip, we may target Red Drum, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, Mahi Mahi, Grouper, and other species found throughout our coastal waters.
Capt. Cole will provide rods and reels for you, along with lures and live bait.
More than anything, Island Guides is about sharing the fishing and coastal lifestyle that makes this part of North Carolina so special.
The charter boat covers your fishing license, so all you have to do is show up ready for a good time! Keep in mind that some fish may have harvest limits or closed seasons. Your captain will help you follow regulations while you fish.
Some essentials to bring are a hat, sunglasses, snacks/drinks, and sunblock (no spray, please). Alcohol is allowed in moderation; please avoid glass bottles.
Come ready to fish, have fun, and enjoy the best of North Carolina’s coastal waters!
Select date to see availability
Trip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating
Anglers' gallery (10)
Reviews (5)
Mike Phelps•
North Carolina, USMember since 20205.0VerifiedNewGreat experience!
4 Hour – Half-Day Inshore Trip - 7:00 AM on September 5, 2026 • 4 adultsCole was a great captain and our fishing day couldnt have been better. Cole already had fresh bait ready and we were off the dock and catching the biggest red drum of our lives within 40 minutes. We also dipped out into the ocean and caught quite a few spanish mackeral. Highly recommend.
John Bolin•North Carolina, USMember since 20265.0VerifiedNewAwesome Fishing today. Inland Guides
4 Hour – Half-Day Inshore Trip - 7:00 AM on September 28, 2026 • 2 adultsMy girlfriend and I had an awesome time saltwater fishing with Captain Cole! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience a lot of fun. We caught some great fish and had an amazing time out on the water. Captain Cole knew exactly where to go and made sure we had a memorable trip from start to finish. We’ll definitely be booking another trip with him in the future. Highly recommend Captain Cole to anyone looking for a great fishing experience! Check out Inland Guides. Wrightsville Beach NC
Jackson HoyleRepeat angler•North Carolina, US•Member since 20252 trips5.0VerifiedNewSeptember fishing trip
4 Hour – Half-Day Inshore Trip - 7:00 AM on September 12, 2026 • 3 adultsim a local born and raised, came out for my 21st and caught more than i ever have in one sitting, 25+ bull reds constantly for 3-4 hours and our smallest was 26 inches
Dylan Hill•North Carolina, USMember since 20265.0VerifiedFishing with Cole
4 Hour – Half-Day Inshore Trip - 2:00 PM on August 9, 2026 • 4 adults • 1 child
Steve Hlavach•Wisconsin, USMember since 20264.7VerifiedAugust fishing trip
8 Hour – Full-Day Inshore Trip - 10:00 AM on August 16, 2026 • 3 adults
Rating
Anglers' gallery (10)
All reviews (5)
My girlfriend and I had an awesome time saltwater fishing with Captain Cole! He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience a lot of fun. We caught some great fish and had an amazing time out on the water. Captain Cole knew exactly where to go and made sure we had a memorable trip from start to finish. We’ll definitely be booking another trip with him in the future. Highly recommend Captain Cole to anyone looking for a great fishing experience! Check out Inland Guides. Wrightsville Beach NC
Cole was a great captain and our fishing day couldnt have been better. Cole already had fresh bait ready and we were off the dock and catching the biggest red drum of our lives within 40 minutes. We also dipped out into the ocean and caught quite a few spanish mackeral. Highly recommend.
Mike, thanks for the awesome review. I really enjoyed having y'all. Landing those big drum right out of the gate - then adding some light tackle Spanish action - made one heck of a day. I hope we can do it again soon!
im a local born and raised, came out for my 21st and caught more than i ever have in one sitting, 25+ bull reds constantly for 3-4 hours and our smallest was 26 inches
Thank you so much for the kind review! I had an absolute blast fishing with your family and couldn’t have asked for a better crew. Carter definitely kept me on my toes — I’m pretty sure she’s already a better fisherman than most adults I take out! 😂🎣 Hope to have the whole crew back aboard again soon!
Steve - It was a pleasure having you and the boys! Tight lines!
FAQs about Island Guides
- US $450 per group - 4 Hour – Half-Day Inshore Trip (4 hours)
- US $450 per group - 4 Hour – Half-Day Inshore Trip - 2:00 PM (4 hours)
- US $450 per group - 4 Hour – Half-Day Inshore Trip - 3:00 PM (4 hours)
- US $450 per group - 4 Hour – Half-Day Inshore Trip - 7:00 AM (4 hours)
- US $450 per group - 4 Hour – Half-Day Inshore Trip - 8:00 AM (4 hours)
- US $450 per group - 4 Hour – Seasonal Spring Bonito (4 hours)
- US $450 per group - 4 Hour – Seasonal Spring Bonito - 7:00 AM (4 hours)
- US $450 per group - 4 Hour – Seasonal Spring Bonito - 8:00 AM (4 hours)
- US $800 per group - 8 Hour – Full-Day Inshore Trip (8 hours)
- US $800 per group - 8 Hour – Full-Day Inshore Trip - 10:00 AM (8 hours)
- US $800 per group - 8 Hour – Full-Day Inshore Trip - 7:00 AM (8 hours)
- US $800 per group - 8 Hour – Full-Day Inshore Trip - 8:00 AM (8 hours)
- US $800 per group - 8 Hour – Full-Day Inshore Trip - 9:00 AM (8 hours)
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Live bait well
- Wireless trolling motor
- Ice box
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live bait (Live Bait Provided)
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting (Cleaning/filleting included)
- Drinks (Waters Provided)
- Fishing license (Fishing License Included. You do not need to purchase your own.)
- River fishing (Cape Fear River)
- Inshore fishing
- Nearshore fishing (Wrightsville Beach)
- Offshore fishing (Up to 35 miles )
- Light tackle
- Heavy tackle
- Bottom fishing
- Trolling
- Bonito
- Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
- Flounder
- Grouper (Gag)
- Little Tunny (False Albacore)
- Redfish
- Seabass (Black)
- Spanish Mackerel
- Speckled Trout
Your captain
Wilmington, North Carolina, United States
I grew up in Greensboro, North Carolina, where my passion for fishing started at an early age, competing in local bass tournaments. I later took that passion to the University of South Carolina, where I fished competitively at the collegiate level and guided for Broad River Smallmouth. After moving to Wilmington in 2018, I quickly fell in love with the area and the incredible variety of fishing opportunities the North Carolina coast has to offer. From chasing Redfish, Trout, and Flounder in the marshes to fishing the nearshore waters off our coast, Wilmington has become home and a place I’m proud to share with others on the water. Outside of fishing, I’ve spent more than a decade working professionally in healthcare. When I’m not on the water, I enjoy cooking, training my chocolate lab Scarlett, and duck hunting across North America.
Real catches by this captain
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Which fishing techniques you can try
Which amenities are available onboard
How cancellations work
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.
What the listing policies are
Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
How you can pay
Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.
No additional fees.
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
PayPal
Checks
Bank transfer
What’s biting in Wilmington right now
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Flounder
Little Tunny (False Albacore)
Redfish
Spanish Mackerel
Speckled TroutCompare similar fishing charters
5.0(1)23 ftGroup size 1 - 41 - 4
+24 hour trip • 4 personsUS $500
