Federal Fisheries Permit for Flying Fish Charters

What This Permit Means

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the U.S. Department of Commerce, issued Flying Fish Charters a federal fisheries permit that governs commercial fishing operations in U.S. waters. The permit was issued pursuant to federal regulations under 16 U.S.C. 971-971H and 1801 et seq., which cover marine fisheries management nationwide. This permit is specific to the vessel Flying Fish III, a 23-foot Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman registered as NC7238NC, and operates out of Harkers Island.

For you as a customer, this permit means Captain Andrew operates under federal oversight and management standards set by NOAA. The permit holds a capacity of two fish and designates the fishing grounds and regulations that apply to each trip.

About Flying Fish III and Your Charter

The boat listed on the permit, Flying Fish III, is a 23-foot vessel built for the specific conditions of North Carolina's inshore and nearshore waters around Harkers Island and Cape Lookout. The half tower design gives you a huge advantage when sight-fishing for species like redfish, cobia, and False Albacore—you can spot tailing fish and work them with precision. The boat is rigged for fly fishing and light tackle, so whether you're learning or you've been throwing a fly for years, the setup matches your technique.

Captain Andrew has over 20 years of guiding experience, with a decade spent specifically working these waters and running charters out of Harkers Island. He knows the seasonal patterns, the structure, and where the fish move as water temperatures shift through the year.

What to Expect on Your Trip

Flying Fish Charters offers several trip formats, and each one takes advantage of these protected waters and the permit structure. Half-day fishing charters accommodate up to three people and focus on species available at that time of year. Full-day trips let you spend more time on the water and target fish like Bull Drum, Cobia, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, False Albacore, Amberjack, and Mahi Mahi, depending on the season.

Spring and early summer bring Cobia and Shark migrations starting in May—Spinner Sharks, Blacktip Sharks, and Cobia that are hard-fighting and often acrobatic on the line. Fall is when False Albacore arrive as they move up the coast, creating what's called the Albacore Run. These speedsters are a bucket-list species for light tackle anglers and take both fly and jig. If you've never targeted them before, the fall run is worth planning a trip around.

The Quick Fly Fishing Lesson in Harkers Island teaches you essential techniques from the boat in real conditions—surface and deep-water presentations, managing wind and drift, working waves in the nearshore ocean. If you want to see more of what the Crystal Coast offers beyond fishing, the Private Boat Tour takes you by Shackleford Banks to see wild horses and shorebirds, then cruises toward Cape Lookout where dolphins often show up near the lighthouse.

Getting Ready for Your Charter

Flying Fish Charters provides all necessary fishing gear, licenses, water, ice, and trip photography to capture the highlights of your day. You don't need to bring your own equipment or worry about licensing paperwork—that's handled as part of the charter service. What you should bring is appropriate clothing for being on the water: sun protection, a hat, polarized sunglasses if you have them, and layers for wind and spray, even in warm months.

Before your trip, Captain Andrew will connect with you to discuss current fishing conditions and what's biting. This conversation helps tailor your day to what you want to accomplish and what's realistic on the water right now. If you're targeting a specific species or learning a particular technique, let him know ahead of time.

The Waters You'll Fish

Harkers Island sits at the heart of North Carolina's Crystal Coast, with access to some of the most productive inshore and nearshore fishing grounds on the East Coast. The waters around Cape Lookout are teeming with opportunities depending on the season. Bull Drum, False Albacore, Amberjack, Cobia, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Mahi Mahi are all possibilities, along with sharks during their seasonal runs. The structure—reefs, wrecks, deeper channels, and shallow flats—holds fish year-round, and sight-fishing from the half tower lets you work them actively rather than just waiting.