Meet Captain Zach Bland

Captain Zach Bland brings years of experience and deep-rooted knowledge of Eastern North Carolina’s waters to every fishing trip. Growing up surrounded by the creeks, sounds, and rivers of the region, he developed a natural connection to the sport from a young age. What began as a childhood pastime evolved into a lifelong pursuit, one that Zach now shares with anglers of all backgrounds. His focus is on providing a steady, informative experience, whether you're brand new to fishing or looking to refine your skills.

For Captain Zach, guiding is more than just putting clients on fish—it’s about passing along the passion he’s cultivated over decades. He enjoys helping guests understand the environment, spot patterns in the water, and recognize the subtle details that often lead to the best catches. His calm and approachable manner makes learning easy and enjoyable, and he takes pride in building each trip around the skill level and goals of his guests.

A strong advocate for artificial lures, Zach uses a wide range of techniques to target inshore species like speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. He adapts to conditions with confidence, using tactics such as shallow water twitchbaits, topwaters, and jigging strategies to match the day's fishing potential. His well-rounded approach gives anglers the chance to learn versatile skills they can use long after their time with UFO Charters.

Trips with Captain Zach take place aboard a 22’ Blue Wave Bay boat, built in 2019 and powered by a reliable 200HP Yamaha engine. The boat is well-suited for both comfort and function, accommodating up to four guests with room to move and fish comfortably. Its clean layout and performance features allow for smooth travel across the water, whether you're navigating marshes or heading to productive fishing zones. With quality gear onboard and a well-maintained vessel, guests can focus on fishing while Captain Zach takes care of the rest.