10 Hour Offshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour offshore charter accommodates up to 6 guestsTarget species include kingfish, cobia, grouper, and mahiAll gear and licenses provided by Atlantic Blue Charters
When you want to get serious about offshore fishing, this 10-hour charter with Atlantic Blue Charters is where the magic happens. We're talking about pushing way out beyond the usual fishing grounds, where the water runs deep blue and the fish boxes fill up fast. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we've got the time to really work the water, whether that means trolling the blue water for pelagics or dropping down to the bottom for some heavyweight grouper and snapper action. With up to 6 anglers on board, you'll have plenty of room to work without feeling crowded, and our experienced captain knows exactly where to find the fish that'll make your day memorable.
This top-rated offshore experience gives us the luxury of time that shorter trips just can't offer. We'll head out early and make the most of every hour, starting with a run to the productive offshore waters where the real action happens. Depending on what's biting and what you're after, we might spend time trolling for kings, cobia, and mahi, then switch gears to bottom fishing for grouper, snapper, and triggerfish. The beauty of a 10-hour trip is flexibility – if the trolling bite is hot, we can stay on it. If the bottom fish are cooperating, we can work that angle hard. You'll need to pack your own lunch and drinks since meals aren't included, but we've got all the fishing gear and licenses covered. The boat's equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle suited for both trolling and bottom fishing, so all you need to bring is your appetite for catching fish.
We run a combination approach that maximizes your chances no matter what the conditions throw at us. For trolling, we'll pull a spread of lures and baits at varying depths to target kings, cobia, mahi, and the occasional sailfish that might crash the party. The captain will set up the lines with proven producers – think ballyhoo, spoons, and diving plugs that trigger strikes from fast-moving pelagics. When we switch to bottom fishing, we're talking about heavy tackle and serious weight to get down to where the grouper and snapper live. Circle hooks baited with cut fish, squid, or live bait work magic on the bottom dwellers. The crew knows how to read the electronics to find structure, and they'll put you on fish-holding spots that produce year after year. During summer months, we often encounter schools of bonito and find floating debris or weed lines that hold mahi – that's when things get really exciting with multiple hookups.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing, and these crimson beauties average 3-8 pounds with occasional monsters pushing 15+ pounds. They're most active during summer and early fall, hanging around structure in 80-200 feet of water. What makes them special is their fight – they'll make strong runs toward the bottom, testing your drag and technique. The meat is world-class, making them a customer favorite for the dinner table.
Gag Grouper are the heavyweights of the bottom, with fish ranging from 5-20 pounds and occasional giants over 30. These fish are ambush predators that live around rocks, wrecks, and ledges. They're known for their powerful runs straight back to structure, so you need to turn them quick. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, and their white, flaky meat makes them highly prized by anglers.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the trolling spread, averaging 10-30 pounds with fish over 40 pounds caught regularly. They're most active from late spring through early winter, and they'll absolutely scream line off your reel on the initial run. Kings are notorious for their acrobatic jumps and blazing speed, making them a blast to fight on medium tackle.
Grey Triggerfish might be the scrappiest pound-for-pound fighters you'll encounter. These 2-5 pound fish have attitude that far exceeds their size, making strong runs and using their flat bodies to leverage against the current. They're excellent table fare and provide consistent action when they're in season around structure and hard bottom.
Mahi Mahi are the most colorful and acrobatic fish you'll likely encounter, with their brilliant yellows and greens flashing as they jump clear of the water. Summer months bring the best mahi fishing, with fish ranging from schoolie size around 3-8 pounds up to bull mahi over 20 pounds. They often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around floating debris or weed lines.
This 10-hour offshore charter represents serious value for anglers who want maximum fishing time and variety. You're getting access to both blue water trolling and bottom fishing in a single trip, with enough time to really work the productive areas. The combination of target species means you'll likely head home with a cooler full of different fish, from hard-fighting pelagics to primo table fare from the bottom. Atlantic Blue Charters has built a reputation on putting clients on fish, and the extended time on the water gives us every advantage to make it happen. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add to your count or newer to offshore fishing and want the full experience, this trip delivers the goods. Pack that lunch, bring your favorite beverages, and get ready for a day of serious fishing action that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
This 34' Caymas is the ultimate offshore fishing machine for your 10-hour adventure on the water. What sets this boat apart is the Seakeeper 2 stabilizer system - the only one in the Sneads Ferry/Topsail area - that keeps you steady even when the seas get rough. You'll fish in comfort while targeting kings, cobia, amber jacks, and mahi during summer months, plus bottom species like grouper and snapper. The boat sleeps up to 6 anglers and comes loaded with everything you need: fish finder to locate the action, GPS and radar for navigation, VHF radio for safety, plus an onboard shower and head for those long days. There's an icebox to keep your lunch and drinks cold, wireless trolling motor for quiet approaches, and even a multimedia system for downtime between bites. All gear and licenses included - just bring your food and drinks and get ready to fill those fish boxes!
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are real bruisers that average 20 inches but can grow over 4 feet and 50+ pounds. These guys love structure - rocky reefs, ledges, and wrecks where they can ambush prey. You'll typically find them in 60-200 feet of water around hard bottom. The smaller ones stay closer to shore while the big bulls cruise the deeper offshore spots. What guests love is the initial surprise - they hit hard and immediately try to drag you back to their cave. The meat is excellent, firm white flesh that's perfect on the grill. Here's the key: once you hook one, lock that drag down and don't let them run. They want to get back in their hole and break you off on the rocks. Keep your rod tip low and muscle them up fast - no mercy with these fish or they'll win every time.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish might not win beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters that guests love targeting. These tough little guys average 12-17 inches and can hit 13 pounds, with thick leather-like skin and powerful jaws. You'll find them around reefs, ledges, and wrecks in 60-180 feet, often mixed in with snapper and grouper. They're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering before committing. What makes them fun is their personality - they're curious and aggressive once they decide they want something. The meat is surprisingly good, firm and mild when prepared right. My trick for triggers: use small chunks of squid and be ready for light pecking bites. When you feel them messing with your bait, drop your rod tip for a second to give them slack, then set hard when they take it. They're sneaky but worth the effort.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the showstoppers of summer fishing - absolutely gorgeous fish that put on a real aerial display when hooked. These surface cruisers average 15-30 pounds and grow fast, living only about 4 years. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in blue water, usually May through September. What guests love most is watching them change colors as they fight - brilliant gold, green, and blue that shifts like a light show. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, firm white meat. The key to finding mahi is looking for birds working over floating stuff - logs, weeds, or any debris. Once you find a school, they'll usually stick around if you keep one hooked in the water. The others will follow their buddy right to the boat, and you can often catch several before they wise up.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are some of the most prized fish we target on these offshore trips. These bottom dwellers typically run 1-2 feet long and 5-10 pounds, though we've seen monsters pushing 30+ pounds. You'll find them hanging around structure in 30-200 feet - reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom where they can ambush prey. They're pinkish when young, turning that classic deep red as adults. What makes them special is the fight they put up once hooked - they'll try everything to get back to their hole, making powerful runs toward structure. The meat is absolutely top-notch too, sweet and flaky. Pro tip: when you feel that initial tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run a bit first - they like to mouth the bait before committing, and patience pays off with better hooksets.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll give you one of the best fights offshore. These sleek predators average 20-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds, with the females getting much larger than males. We find them in 40-150 feet of water, often cruising temperature breaks and current edges where baitfish gather. Summer through fall are prime months when they're most active and aggressive. What makes them special is that blistering first run - they'll peel line like nothing else and make multiple jumps. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for smoking or grilling. Here's a guide secret: rig your live bait with a stinger hook about 6 inches back from the nose hook. Kings love to hit the tail section of baitfish, and that second hook will save you from a lot of short strikes and cut-offs.
North Carolina