8 Hr. Offshore Trip with A.B.Offshore
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore fishing adventure up to 20 miles outTarget King Mackerel, Amberjacks, Snapper, and Triggerfish speciesSmall group experience with maximum 5 guests aboard
Picture this: you're 20 miles out on open blue water, lines in the water, waiting for that telltale scream of the reel as something big decides your bait looks like breakfast. That's what you get with A.B.Offshore's full-day adventure – eight solid hours of chasing some of the ocean's most sought-after gamefish. This isn't your typical half-day run where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. We're talking about a real offshore experience where you can settle in, find the fish, and put some serious time on the water. With room for up to five anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work your technique without bumping into your fishing buddy every time you cast.
When you step aboard for this top-rated offshore adventure, you're signing up for the real deal. We'll be running anywhere from 10 to 20 miles offshore, depending on where the fish are biting and what Mother Nature's serving up that day. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's not shy about burning some fuel to find the honey holes where the big boys hang out. You'll start early – most offshore trips kick off at first light because that's when the fish are most active, plus it gives you the whole day to work different spots and techniques. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from quality rods and reels to a variety of baits and lures that have proven themselves in these waters. Pack your cooler with drinks and snacks because once we're out there, it's all about fishing until the sun starts getting low on the horizon.
This offshore adventure is all about versatility – we're not married to just one technique out here. Depending on what's biting, you might find yourself trolling for kings and mahi, dropping bottom rigs for snapper and triggers, or even sight-casting to schools of tunas when they're busting bait on the surface. The boat's rigged with downriggers and outriggers for serious trolling action, plus we've got plenty of conventional reels spooled with heavy line for when you need to muscle fish up from the depths. Bottom fishing is huge out here, especially around structure and wrecks where the snappers and amberjacks like to hang out. You'll be dropping heavy sinkers and circle hooks loaded with cut bait or live bait when we can get it. The key is staying flexible – offshore fishing changes by the hour, and the best captains know when to switch gears and try something different when the bite slows down.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of offshore fishing in these waters, and for good reason. These silver bullets can hit 40+ pounds and will test every ounce of your drag system when they make their blistering runs. Kings are most active during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall, and they love trolling presentations with live bait or flashy spoons. When a king hammers your bait, you'll know it immediately – they don't nibble, they crush. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back, with multiple long runs that'll have your arms burning and your heart pumping.
Greater Amberjack are the bruisers of the deep, often called "reef donkeys" for good reason. These powerful fish can exceed 50 pounds and will head straight for structure the second they feel the hook. Amberjacks are year-round residents, but they're most aggressive during the cooler months when they're feeding heavily. They love live bait presentations near wrecks and hard bottom, and once hooked, they'll test your tackle to its limits. The key is keeping steady pressure and not letting them get back to their rocky hideouts.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing, prized for both their fight and their table fare. These crimson beauties typically range from 5 to 15 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 20+. Snappers are structure-oriented fish that live around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet of water. They're most active during their season, which varies by regulations, but when they're biting, it's some of the most consistent action you'll find offshore. They're notorious bait stealers, so sharp hooks and quick reflexes are essential.
Blackfin Tuna bring the speed and endurance that tuna species are famous for. These 10-30 pound torpedoes are incredibly strong for their size and will make multiple screaming runs that'll test your backing. Blackfins are year-round residents but peak during the cooler months. They're often found around bait schools and temperature breaks, and they respond well to both trolling and live bait fishing. The meat is outstanding – sashimi-grade when handled properly.
Grey Triggerfish might not win any beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters with attitudes bigger than their bodies. These 2-5 pound fish have powerful jaws designed for crushing shellfish, so they can easily bite through light leaders. Triggers are most active during warmer months and love structure fishing. They're notorious for stealing bait, but when you hook one, they'll surprise you with their strength and determination.
Mahi Mahi are the acrobats of the offshore world, known for their brilliant colors and spectacular jumps when hooked. These 10-30 pound gamefish are warm-water visitors, most common during spring and summer months. Mahi are often found around floating debris, weed lines, or current breaks, and they respond well to both trolling and live bait fishing. Their aerial displays are legendary, and their white, flaky meat is considered among the best eating in the ocean.
This world-class offshore adventure delivers everything serious anglers are looking for – variety
Get ready to chase King Mackerel, Amberjacks, and Vermillion Snapper aboard A.B. Offshore's 27-foot Sailfish! This 2006 beauty packs twin 225HP Yamaha engines that'll cruise you out to the fishing grounds at 50 knots, getting you to prime waters up to 20 miles offshore fast. Perfect for groups of up to 5 anglers, she's loaded with everything serious fishermen need - GPS navigation, radar for those foggy mornings, fish finder to locate the action, and a wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox while you target Albacore, Little Tunny, and Triggerfish during this full-day adventure. With a toilet on board, you can focus on what matters most - putting fish in the boat. Whether you're after that trophy King or filling the cooler with snapper, this offshore fishing machine has the speed, space, and gear to make it happen.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna might be the smallest of the tuna family, but they pack a serious punch. These speedsters average 15-25 pounds and rarely exceed 40 inches, but what they lack in size they make up for in fight. You'll find them in warm offshore waters over 68 degrees, usually around the continental shelf. Fall, winter, and spring are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. Guests love targeting blackfin because they're absolute warriors on the line - fast runs and stubborn fights that'll test your gear. Plus, the meat is top-notch sashimi quality. They've got keen eyesight, so here's the key: scale down your tackle. Use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and 5/0-6/0 circle hooks. When you find a school, try vertical jigging or chunking with live pilchards to get them fired up.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the bruisers of the reef, and they'll give you a workout you won't forget. These powerhouse fish average 20-40 pounds but can reach 6 feet and really test your tackle. They patrol wrecks, reefs, and structure in 60-200+ feet of water where they ambush smaller fish. Spring spawning season (April-May) brings some of the best fishing, but they bite year-round. What makes amberjack special is their raw power - they'll make long, bulldogging runs straight back to structure trying to break you off. The meat's excellent too, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. My advice: bring heavy tackle, at least 50-pound test, because these fish don't give up easy. Live bait works best, but they'll hit big jigs too. When you hook one, tighten that drag and get them up quick before they can reach cover.
Balistes CapriscusGrey triggerfish are scrappy fighters that'll keep you busy all day long. These tough customers average 12-17 inches and can push 10+ pounds when you find a good one. They hang around hard bottom, ledges, and reefs in 60-180 feet of water where they use their sharp teeth to crunch crabs, urchins, and shellfish. Year-round fishing is solid, but spring and summer bring the best action. What guests really enjoy about triggers is their attitude - they're aggressive feeders with serious pulling power for their size. The meat's firm and tasty too, great on the grill. Here's a trick that works: when triggers are being picky and just nipping your bait, drop a chunk of squid near some snapper or grouper. Triggers are greedy and competitive - they'll charge in to steal the bait from the other fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the golden beauties of the offshore world, and one of the most exciting fish to catch. These fast-growing fish average 15-29 pounds and put on quite a color show when hooked - brilliant golds, blues, and greens that flash underwater. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, or current breaks in warm surface waters. Spring through fall brings the best action, especially when water temps climb above 70 degrees. Guests love mahi because they're strong swimmers that jump and make long runs, plus the white, flaky meat is restaurant quality. They're also aggressive feeders that aren't too picky about baits. Best tip: when trolling, make your ballyhoo or lures skip on the surface like flying fish. Mahi can't resist that action, and where you catch one, there's usually more nearby.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are one of the most sought-after bottom fish we target, and for good reason. These beautiful red fish average 1-2 feet and 5-8 pounds, but can grow much larger - we've seen some real monsters over 20 pounds. They live around structure in 30-200 feet of water, so we'll fish wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps are in that 50-70 degree range. What makes snapper special is they're tough fighters that'll try to cut your line on structure, plus they're absolutely delicious eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Pro tip: when you feel that tap-tap bite, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a bit first, then set firm and reel fast to keep them off the bottom.
Morehead City, NC, United States