5.0(2 Reviews)12 Hour Gulfstream Trip with Atlantic Blue Charters
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour Gulf Stream fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesExpert Captain Drew Jackson guides groups up to 6 guestsTarget wahoo, mahi mahi, tuna, billfish and bottom fish
Get ready to experience North Carolina's best offshore fishing grounds with Captain Drew Jackson and Atlantic Blue Charters. This 12-hour Gulf Stream adventure puts you right where the big fish live, hunting everything from screaming wahoo to acrobatic mahi mahi. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the lines and battle trophy fish in some of the most productive waters off the Carolina coast. Captain Drew knows these waters like his own backyard, and he's dedicated to putting you on fish that'll have you talking for years to come.
Your Gulf Stream fishing adventure starts early, but trust me – it's worth every minute of lost sleep. We're talking about a full day targeting the apex predators that call the deep blue home. Captain Drew's new boat cuts through the water smooth as butter, getting you to the fishing grounds fast so you can maximize your time with lines in the water. The Gulf Stream's warm, nutrient-rich waters create the perfect hunting grounds for pelagic species, and you'll be working everything from the surface down to the depths where the big tilefish and grouper hang out. Expect a mix of high-speed trolling for the speed demons like wahoo and tuna, plus some bottom fishing when we hit structure that holds snapper and grouper. The southern hospitality comes standard with Captain Drew, who'll work his tail off to make sure you're hooked up and having a blast.
We'll be running a spread of lures and baits designed to trigger strikes from multiple species. The trolling spread typically includes high-speed lures for wahoo – those cedar plugs and jet heads that drive them crazy when pulled at 15+ knots. For mahi mahi, we'll work ballyhoo rigs and colorful skirted lures around any floating debris or weed lines we find. The tuna bite often comes on the darker lures and skip baits, especially when we locate birds working baitfish on the surface. When targeting billfish, we'll deploy a mix of lures and rigged ballyhoo at different positions in the spread. Captain Drew's got all the tackle dialed in – heavy spinning gear for when the mahi are thick, stand-up tackle for the tuna battles, and wire leaders ready for those wahoo with razor-sharp teeth. Bottom fishing requires a different approach entirely, with electric reels and heavy sinkers to get your bait down to where the big snapper and grouper live along the continental shelf.
"Overall just a fantastic trip. Captain Anderew and his mate were awesome. We caught the species we were most interested in which was Wahoo and Mahi. The weather was perfect and his new boat was amazing. Don't hesitate to book with Captain Andrew you will love the southern personality and his dedication to make it a trip to remember. Thank you Captain for an awesome adventure." - Dwight
Blue marlin are the ultimate prize in these waters, and North Carolina's Gulf Stream sees some genuine giants. These apex predators can exceed 400 pounds and put on a show that'll leave you speechless. Summer months from June through September offer the best shot at hooking into one of these beasts. Blue marlin are notorious for their aerial displays, often launching completely out of the water multiple times during the fight. They're ambush predators that cruise the edges of the Gulf Stream, following baitfish concentrations. Landing one is a career highlight for most anglers, and the adrenaline rush of seeing that electric blue fish come up behind your lure never gets old.
Mahi mahi bring non-stop action and incredible beauty to your cooler. These fish are pure energy, known for their brilliant golden colors and acrobatic fights. They love structure – any floating debris, weed lines, or even other hooked fish will attract schools of mahi. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with fish ranging from small schoolies to bull dolphins pushing 40+ pounds. What makes mahi special is their aggressive nature and willingness to eat almost anything you throw at them. Once you hook one, keep your lines in because where there's one mahi, there's usually more lurking nearby.
Wahoo earn their reputation as the speed demons of the deep, capable of hitting 60+ mph and stripping line like you wouldn't believe. North Carolina waters produce some hefty wahoo, especially during the cooler months from November through March. These torpedo-shaped predators have teeth like razors and a bite that'll cut through regular mono in a heartbeat. What makes wahoo fishing so addictive is the violence of the strike – one second your lure is swimming along, the next second your reel is screaming and line is disappearing. They're also fantastic table fare, making them a favorite target for serious offshore anglers.
Bigeye tuna are the heavyweight champions of the tuna family, with thick shoulders and incredible stamina that'll test your endurance. These fish prefer deeper, cooler waters and are often found along temperature breaks in the Gulf Stream. Night fishing can be particularly productive for bigeyes, as they move up in the water column to feed. A big bigeye will take you to school on what a real fight feels like – they're incredibly strong and fight deep, making long runs that seem to go on forever. The meat quality is outstanding, prized by sashimi lovers worldwide.
Yellowfin tuna combine speed, power, and incredible table quality into one amazing package. North Carolina's Gulf Stream sees yellowfin throughout the warmer months, with fish ranging from school-sized 20-pounders to giants exceeding 100 pounds. They're often found feeding around floating debris or under birds working baitfish. Yellowfin have this unique fighting style where they make blistering runs followed by deep, bulldogging fights. The long pectoral fins that give them their nickname "longfin" are unmist
Get ready to fish the Gulf Stream aboard this awesome 34-foot Caymas – the only boat in the Sneads Ferry/Topsail area equipped with a Seakeeper 2 gyro stabilizer! This game-changing tech keeps you steady even when the seas get rough, so you can focus on landing those big pelagics instead of fighting seasickness. The boat's built tough for serious offshore action, with top-shelf electronics including GPS, radar, fish finder, and VHF radio to keep you safe and on the fish. Captain Drew knows exactly where to find wahoo, mahi, tuna, and billfish in these North Carolina waters. Plus, you've got all the comforts – onboard head and shower, multimedia system, icebox for your catch and cold drinks, and even a wireless trolling motor for those finesse moments. With room for 6 anglers, this is your ticket to some epic Gulf Stream fishing without the brutal boat ride that usually comes with it.
Thunnus ObesusThese are the deep-water warriors. Bigeye can push 400 pounds and 8 feet, with those distinctive huge eyes that help them hunt in deeper, darker water. They're built to handle the cold depths and low oxygen zones that other tuna can't reach. We find them year-round, but dawn and dusk fishing is prime time when they move up to feed. What makes them special? The fight is relentless, and the meat quality is restaurant-grade - fatty, rich, and perfect for sushi. They're actually more valuable than most other tuna now. Best technique is trolling just before dark or at first light with short, stocky lures in dark colors. Try moving out an hour before sunset - that's when they really turn on and start feeding aggressively.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the golden beauties of the Gulf Stream. Most run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen 50+ pounders. They love floating debris, sargassum lines, and current breaks in that blue water. Spring through fall gives you the best shots when they're thick out there. What guests love most? Those wild colors - gold, green, and blue that flash like neon when they jump. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white meat with a mild taste. School fish too, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Pro tip: once you hook your first mahi, keep one in the water while you work the school. The others will stick around, curious about their buddy. Quick action can fill the cooler fast.
Acanthocybium SolandriPure speed demon. Wahoo can hit 60 mph, making them one of the ocean's fastest fish. Most run 3-5 feet and 30-80 pounds, though we've seen them over 100. They cruise the Gulf Stream edges and drop-offs, usually in the top 100 feet. Best fishing is fall through early spring when water cools down a bit. Guests love the blistering runs and that first screaming peel when they hit. The meat's top-shelf too - white, flaky, and mild. Called "ono" in Hawaii, which means delicious. Here's the key: high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders. Their razor teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Dark-colored lures work best, and don't be surprised when they hit - it's like getting struck by lightning.
Thunnus AlbacaresThe workhorses of the tuna family. Yellowfin average 60 pounds but can hit 400+, with that classic torpedo shape and bright yellow fins. They cruise the top 300 feet of blue water, often in schools. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when bait is thick. Why guests love them? They're absolute freight trains once hooked, plus the meat is second only to bluefin for sushi quality. They're spawning and eating machines, constantly on the move. Multiple techniques work - trolling, jigging, chunking. Here's a guide secret: when you mark fish deep but nothing's hitting the spread, switch to vertical jigging. Sometimes they're locked onto bait down deep and won't come up to trolled baits. Work that jig hard and hold on tight.
Makaira NigricansThe ultimate trophy fish. Blue Marlin are massive - females can hit 1,000+ pounds while males top out around 350. We find them in the Gulf Stream's warm waters, usually in the top 300 feet. They're migratory, so timing matters - best action here is May through October when water temps climb above 75°F. What makes them special? Pure power and those legendary jumps that'll have you holding on tight. The meat's good eating too, though most folks release these beauties. Here's a local tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse it. Let the fish tire itself out with those acrobatic runs, then work it in slowly. Heavy tackle is a must - 50-80 pound class minimum.
5.0 out of 5.0Overall just a fantastic trip. Captain Anderew and his mate were awesome. We caught the species we were most interested in which w...
North Carolina