5.0(3 Reviews)6 Hour Offshore Trip - Snead's Ferry
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sixhour offshore fishing trip targeting multiple tuna speciesLive bait trolling and bottom jigging on wrecks and reefsCaptain Drew guides up to six guests from Snead's Ferry
Looking for a serious offshore fishing adventure? Captain Drew's 6-hour offshore trip from Snead's Ferry is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical inshore run – we're talking blue water fishing where the big boys live. Just a quick drive from Surf City, you'll be loading up for a full 3/4 day on the water targeting some of the most sought-after species along the North Carolina coast. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of time to work different techniques and cover serious ground in the offshore waters.
Captain Drew knows these offshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's not afraid to switch up tactics to put fish in the boat. Some days you'll be trolling spreads with both live and dead baits, covering miles of blue water hunting for pelagic species like sailfish, mahi mahi, and various tunas. Other trips might find you anchored up over structure – think local hard bottom, shipwrecks, and natural reefs where the bottom fish stack up. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is having enough time to work multiple spots and techniques. If the trolling bite is slow, Drew can pivot to jigging over structure, or vice versa. You're not locked into one game plan, which is exactly how successful offshore fishing works. The trip launches from Snead's Ferry, giving you quick access to the productive offshore grounds without burning half your day just getting there.
This offshore adventure covers the full spectrum of blue water fishing techniques. When trolling, you'll be running a proper spread with different lures and baits at varying distances – ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs are all in the arsenal. Captain Drew switches between live and dead baits depending on what the fish are showing him that day. For bottom fishing, you'll be dropping jigs and heavy tackle down to the structure where grouper, sea bass, and other bottom dwellers hang out. The boat carries all the gear you need, from heavy trolling rods capable of handling big tunas to lighter tackle for working jigs over the reefs. Six hours gives you real time to master these techniques, especially if you're newer to offshore fishing. You'll learn how to work a jig properly, how to fight fish from a chair, and how to read the water for signs of life.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of offshore fishing around Snead's Ferry. These torpedo-shaped predators can grow over 40 pounds and are known for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. Kings typically show up in good numbers from late spring through fall, and they're suckers for both live bait and trolled dead baits. What makes them so popular with anglers is their aggressive nature – when a king hits your bait, you'll know it immediately. They're also excellent table fare when handled properly, making them a favorite target for both sport and the dinner table.
Mahi Mahi, also called common dolphinfish, are the crown jewel of offshore fishing. These gorgeous fish with their electric blue-green colors and distinctive blunt heads are pure excitement on the line. Mahi typically show up around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks during the warmer months. They're known for their acrobatic fights, often jumping repeatedly when hooked. What really gets anglers fired up about mahi is that where you find one, you usually find more. A good mahi bite can result in multiple fish for the boat, and their firm white meat makes them one of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Sea Bass might not be the most glamorous fish, but they're absolute workhorses for bottom fishing. These chunky, hard-fighting fish stack up on reefs and wrecks, often in good numbers. Black sea bass are particularly common in the 1-3 pound range, though larger specimens push 5-6 pounds. They hit jigs aggressively and put up a surprisingly good fight for their size. Sea bass are also some of the best eating fish you'll find, with sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for just about any preparation.
Gag Grouper are the prize of bottom fishing around here. These powerful fish can grow well over 20 pounds and are known for their ability to dive straight back to structure when hooked. Gags have a distinctive olive-brown coloration and are ambush predators that lurk around reefs and wrecks. The challenge with grouper fishing is getting them up off the bottom before they cut you off on the structure. When you do boat a nice gag, you've got some of the finest table fare the ocean offers. Their season and size limits are strictly regulated, so Captain Drew stays on top of all the current regulations to ensure legal harvests.
A 6-hour offshore trip with Captain Drew gives you the real deal – enough time to fish properly without feeling rushed, multiple techniques to keep things interesting, and access to some of the best fishing grounds off the North Carolina coast. Whether you're after the fighting power of king mackerel, the beauty and taste of mahi mahi, or the solid action of bottom fishing for sea bass and grouper, this trip covers all the bases. The offshore waters around Snead's Ferry consistently produce quality fishing, and Captain Drew's local knowledge puts you on the fish. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what true offshore fishing is all about. Book your spot now and get ready to see why anglers keep coming back to these productive waters.
The 34-foot Caymas is your ticket to serious offshore fishing out of Snead's Ferry. This boat stands apart from everything else in the Topsail area with its Seakeeper 2 system - when the seas get rough, you'll still feel like you're riding on glass. Captain Drew knows these waters inside and out, taking you after Spanish bonita, sailfish, mahi mahi, and various tuna species. Some days you'll be trolling with live and dead baits, other trips have you jigging over wrecks and reefs for bottom fish. The boat's loaded with everything you need - fish finder to locate your targets, GPS and radar for navigation, plus an icebox for drinks and your catch. With a shower and head onboard, you can clean up after battling fish all day. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need stealth, while the multimedia system and VHF radio keep you connected. Up to 6 anglers can fish comfortably on this premium setup that delivers an unmatched ride quality even when Mother Nature isn't cooperating.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are ambush predators that lurk around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet of water. They average 20 inches but can reach 4+ feet and 80 pounds. These mottled gray fish are powerful fighters that immediately try to drag your bait back to their rocky hideouts once hooked. What makes them special is the challenge - it's a tug-of-war from the moment they bite. The payoff is some of the best eating you'll find, with sweet, firm white meat. They prefer live bait like pinfish and mullet, but cut squid and crab work too. Here's the secret: once you hook one, lock your reel down tight and keep steady pressure. Don't let them freewheel back to structure or you'll lose them in the rocks every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll encounter off Snead's Ferry, averaging 30 pounds with some pushing 90. These silver speedsters hang in 40-150 feet of water around structure and temperature breaks, especially during warmer months when water temps hit 68-84°F. What makes them special is their blistering runs - they'll strip line faster than almost anything out there. The meat's rich and flaky, perfect for grilling. People love the fight these fish put up, but here's the thing - use a dual hook rig with wire leader because kings love to hit bait from behind with those razor-sharp teeth. First hook goes in the bait's nose, second one trails behind. They'll cut you off every time if you don't rig properly.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish you'll catch out here, flashing gold, blue, and green underwater before putting on a light show when boated. They average 15-29 pounds but can hit 80+. Look for them under floating debris, weed lines, and around structure in warm offshore waters. Spring through fall are prime, especially when water temps climb. What guests love most is watching them change colors and their acrobatic jumps once hooked. Plus, they're outstanding table fare - firm, white meat with a mild, sweet taste. Here's a local trick: when you find floating sargassum or debris, work it thoroughly. Mahi travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. Keep a few baits in the water after landing the first fish.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy bottom dwellers that pack a lot of fight in their 1-2 pound frame, though some reach 9 pounds. They hang around hard bottom, wrecks, and reefs where they school up and feed aggressively on crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish. These dark, stocky fish spawn from January through July, making spring and early summer prime time. What makes them popular is their excellent eating quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's served in high-end restaurants. They're also aggressive biters, so action stays steady. The key with sea bass is feeling bottom structure with your jig or bait. Use squid, clams, or soft plastics and work them right on the hard bottom. When you find one, mark the spot - they travel in schools and you'll often find more in the same area.
5.0 out of 5.0
North Carolina