BlackBird Guide Services

Capt. Cameron Pappas runs BlackBird Guide Services out of Wilmington, NC, with a 60-mile guiding range that covers some of the most productive saltwater fishing on the Carolina coast. His service area stretches from Southport and Bald Head Island up through Carolina Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Topsail Island, and Oak Island—each with distinct seasonal opportunities.

The charter targets a rotating cast of species depending on season and conditions:

• •Red Drum (Redfish) — Sight-fishing on fly in shallow water, often with fish "cruising the shallows with their backs out of the water"
• •Black Drum — More tolerant of wind and weather; reliable when conditions are tough
• •Sharks — Blacktip, Lemon, Sandbar, Spinner, and occasionally Bull Sharks in nearshore waters
• •Speckled Trout — Aggressive feeders available late spring through summer and again in fall
• •Flounder — Multiple species (Southern, Summer, Gulf) year-round; Bald Head Island is noted as "some of the best in the greater Wilmington region"
• •Sheepshead — Structure-focused fishing around pilings and docks
• •Spanish Mackerel & Cobia — Warmer-month cruisers in nearshore waters
• •Bull Redfish & Tarpon — Migratory summer targets, rarely publicized but available

"Whether you're chasing tailing reds on fly, battling sharks in open water, or dropping a live crab for a hard-hitting Sheepshead, Bald Head Island offers a variety of fishing opportunities that few places can match."

Bald Head Island sits at the mouth of the Cape Fear River where freshwater meets the Atlantic. The brackish outflow brings baitfish schools that attract predators—exactly the kind of water Pappas specializes in. He publishes regular fishing reports covering seasonal conditions and what's biting across his range.

Capt. Pappas maintains an active blog with detailed guides on tackle selection (braid vs. fluorocarbon), fly patterns for redfish, target colors, seasonal forecasts, and technique-specific posts. He shares what gear works on his charters—actionable intel from someone running this water year-round.

Beyond fishing, BlackBird also offers rail hunts—hunting Marsh Hens on the North Carolina coast. This is specialized territory that most charters don't touch.

Contact: - Phone: (910) 547-9353 - Email: [email protected] - Location: Wilmington, NC