Fishing Coastal North Carolina for 45 years
Headboat Fishing Charters
Approximately 5 hours: 7AM-12PM or 1PM-6PM.
- $120 for adults
- $60 for children 12 & under
Private Fishing Charters
Private Half Day
- Approximately 5 hours: 7AM-12PM or 1PM to 6PM
- $1200 for up to 10 people & $75 for each additional person (maximum 16)
Private Regular Day
- Approximately 8 hours: 7AM-3PM
- $1800 for up to 10 people & $100 for each additional person (maximum 16)
We have shirts and hats for sale!
Call or email to book your fishing trip today!
About Captain Lee
Captain Lee Manning, who began his fishing career alongside his father at the age of three and has spent most of his life fishing the ponds, creeks, rivers, sounds, and ocean of coastal North Carolina. Early on in life, Lee was exposed to the lure of charter boat fishing by his uncle who ran his own charter boat business on Ocracoke Island. Born and raised in coastal North Carolina, Lee has lived and fished in Contentnea, Arapahoe, Swansboro, Cape Carteret, Emerald Isle, and Stella. He knows the state’s coastal waters well.
After graduating with a B.S. degree in Industrial Technology from East Carolina University, Lee Manning began teaching junior high school Industrial Arts while running his own charter boat fishing business on weekends and during summers. By 1980, he had earned his Masters License and had owned and operated three charter boats, all named after his lovely wife, Nancy Lee. The Nancy Lee III, designed and built by Lee himself, was launched in 1980, a 45-ft. vessel, licensed for 23 passengers. By 1985, after acquiring the Nancy Lee IV, licensed for 27 passengers, Lee retired from teaching after 21 years of service as a teacher and educational leader. He, along with Nancy, operated their two large charter boats for both headboat and private trips. In 1996, the custom-built Nancy Lee V, a 50-ft. vessel, was added to the fleet. Lee and Nancy were so busy with charters on three large fishing vessels, with three captains and five mates, that, in 1997, they acquired a 10-slip marina and store right on the Intracoastal Waterway in Swansboro, NC.
Both Lee and Nancy have a passion for fishing and for meeting and working with their charter boat passengers. Lee is a member of the Onslow Bay Saltwater Fishing Club and has been called on to be a guest speaker at several of their monthly meetings. He has much expertise and many fascinating “fish stories” to share. After chartering the waters of coastal North Carolina for 45 years, Lee knows where the fish are! The high-tech equipment, combined with Lee’s boating and fishing know-how make him a premier charter boat captain! His experiences on the water could fill a book!
A day on the water with Lee and his crew always proves to be one of the most enjoyable days anyone could spend on the water anywhere! Contact Lee Manning at the Nancy Lee Fishing Center to learn more about booking a trip!
Professional Qualifications and Certifications:
- 100-Ton Masters License
- All Federal and State Fishing Licenses
- Radio Licenses
- First-Aid Certification
Professional Accolades:
- Member of the First Governor’s Cup Billfish Tournament Foundation: appointed by the Governor
- 1st Place (309 lb.) Critter Gitter Shark Tournament
- 1st Place (134 lb.) Shark Division, Swansboro Rotary Tournament
- 1st Place (39 lb.) King Mackerel Tournament, Camp Lejeune Tournament
- 3rd Place (24 lb.) King Mackerel Tournament, Island Harbor Tournament
- “The Swansboro Boys” (Capt. Tommy Parkins, Capt. John Dudley, Capt. Lee Manning) Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament with Steve Stroud aboard the Andrea Grace 3-Years Winning 2nd Place (444 lb.), 3rd Place (422 lb.), and 5th Place (375 lb.)
About the Boat
- 45 foot custom built sport fisher
- Coast Guard inspected and certified for 18 passengers
- Outfitted with Emergency Positioning and Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
- Equipped with all safety equipment (including Life Preservers and Life Rafts)
- GPS, LORAN, and fish finder
- Restroom facilities aboard
Call or email to book your fishing trip today!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: You only need to bring your eats and drinks. Everything else is furnished. I provide rods, reels, bait, tackle, and fishing license.
Q: Do I need a fishing license?
A: No! My license covers everyone on the boat.
Q: Do you have a bathroom on the boat?
A: Yes!
Q: Do you have a place to sit down in the shade or to sit down inside?
A: Yes, there is an indoor cabin.
Q: What kind of fish do you catch?
A: Black sea bass, porgies, grunts, flounder, sharks, and occasional group for headboat charters. For private charters we could troll for Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, albacore, dolphin, barracuda, and amber jack.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Bring a hat, sun glasses, and some non-skid footwear. Leave your flip-flops at home, and make sure to bring suntan lotion.
Q: What happens if it’s rough or if the weather is bad?
A: If the forecast looks bad, I will call you ahead of time and cancel or reschedule your trip. If the weather changes suddenly, I might have to cancel the trip.
Q: If my trip is cancelled, do you refund my money?
A: If your trip is cancelled because of weather, there is no cost to you. If you cancel your trip at the last minute, I charge half price unless another charter can be booked.
Q: Do you take credit cards?
A: Yes! Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. All major cards are accepted.
Q: Can I do anything to prevent getting sea sick?
A: The best prevention for sea sickness comes from your doctor. I recommend a prescription ear patch your doctor can provide for you. I’ve also found that non-drowsy dramamine helps.
Q: Ever see any sharks?
A: Yes, all the time! Check out this video from 2017. A hammerhead shark swam right in front of the fishing center!
Q: Do you clean my catch?
A: Yes, we will filet anything you catch at no charge, but the mate always appreciates a tip at the end of the day.
Q: Any fishing videos to show me?
A: The Hurley Clan went fishing with us and had a super fun time. They posted a video on Youtube. Check it out!