Captain
Chris Mcdonald

Member since March 2021 Wanchese, United States
Background
I grew up on the Outer Banks fishing, surfing, and hunting. Taking advantage of what the ocean or the sound has to offer is a daily endeavor living here! Running a full time fishing charter has always been a dream of mine and I will give 110% to make sure everyone has a great time!
Techniques
I love drift fishing in productive shallow water with light tackle for red drum and speckled trout. It allows you to cover a big space and increase your chances of finding fish. I have many methods that suit new and experienced anglers alike for success and most importantly a good time!

Hey, I'm Captain Chris Mcdonald

Wanchese, United States
Background
I grew up on the Outer Banks fishing, surfing, and hunting. Taking advantage of what the ocean or the sound has to offer is a daily endeavor living here! Running a full time fishing charter has always been a dream of mine and I will give 110% to make sure everyone has a great time!
Techniques
I love drift fishing in productive shallow water with light tackle for red drum and speckled trout. It allows you to cover a big space and increase your chances of finding fish. I have many methods that suit new and experienced anglers alike for success and most importantly a good time!
69
Reviews
5
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

First Light Charters

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(69 reviews)
Wanchese
 Last booking: 6 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $350

Fishing Reports

Best trout fishing in years!
Best trout fishing in years!
May 27, 2024 Wanchese
Recap from a stellar past week of fishing. Success was high and the fun factor was through the roof! Still some of the best trout fishing Ive ever experienced! Beginners and avid anglers alike shared in the great light tackle action on tap right now! Biggest fish of the week was a citation 26โ€ speckled trout! The fish are hungry and waiting on you! Come book a trip! Lets go get em!
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Action packed fishing!
Action packed fishing!
May 26, 2024 Wanchese
Fishing is incredible right now! We caught trout, bluefish and spanish mackerel on both trips yesterday! Action from the first stop to the last! Come get in on some epic fishing!
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As good as it gets trout fishing!
As good as it gets trout fishing!
May 12, 2024 Wanchese
Our speckled trout population is as healthy as its ever been. Both morning and afternoon trips were action packed with impressive fishing! Every size trout from 14โ€ to 26โ€. Both groups kept what they wanted to eat and we had a great haul. Morning and afternoon trips both landed a citation trout. Excellent time to come and catch some speckled trout, red drum or bluefish! Book a trip!
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Epic fishing last week!
Epic fishing last week!
May 5, 2024 Wanchese
We started off the day casting topwater poppers to big bluefish. After we had our fill and the sun popped out we went and found some hungry schools of red drum. Casting spoons into multiple schools of over 100 fish. The great variety continues and we are having good success for speckled trout, bluefish and red drum regulary. It should only get better from here! May is one of the best months of the year to fish in the Outer Banks!
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April-May trout fishing is on fire!
April-May trout fishing is on fire!
May 2, 2024 Wanchese
Trout fishing has been exceptional since April this year! Some of the best trout fishing Iโ€™ve ever seen in the sound. The population is extremely healthy! Has been common to catch trout over 18-20โ€ any given day. Come catch some and enjoy some fresh fish tacos!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 69 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (74)
Great trip
Fantastic experience
Fantastic experience
+71
Angler rating
65
2
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
98%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
84%
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Showing:
5 of 69 reviews
Dolly S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

July fishing trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (AM) on July 24, 2025
Captain Chris was awesome & my family had a great experience celebrating my sonโ€™s 10th birthday!ย  He was patient with my...
Dolly S. recommends First Light Charters
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Jeff P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (PM) on August 15, 2025
Local captain, worked hard to make sure my 5 year old got on the fish, overall great experience, happy to support local business...
Jeff P. recommends First Light Charters
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Jeff P. recommends First Light Charters
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Ryan S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Kids First Saltwater Fishing Experience

VERIFIED   2 Hour Trip โ€“ Family Fun (Late PM) on June 21, 2025
Captain Chris worked really hard to put us on fish and keep my 10 and 6 year old boys busy. He was great with the kids and...
Ryan S. recommends First Light Charters
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Samantha B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fantastic experience

VERIFIED   Special 2 hour trip for Samantha Baskin on October 15, 2024
Chris was so sweet and perfect as a captain. If we werenโ€™t catching fishing in one spot we were moving to another. He even...
Samantha B. recommends First Light Charters
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Samantha B. recommends First Light Charters
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Ryan B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip with the family!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 19, 2024
We had a great trip with Captain Chris on a 4 hour trip in the sound! He kept working until he put us on the fish. My wife...
Ryan B. recommends First Light Charters
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