Oak Island NC Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
1214 hour Gulf Stream expedition targets premium offshore speciesVenture 65+ miles offshore for sailfish, tuna, and wahooSmall group charter accommodates maximum 6 guests per trip
When you're looking for a serious offshore fishing adventure, Ava Lynn Fishing Charters delivers the real deal. We're talking about a 12 to 14-hour Gulf Stream expedition that takes you over 65 miles offshore into some of the most productive waters along the North Carolina coast. This isn't your typical half-day trip – it's a full-blown deep-sea fishing marathon where you'll have multiple shots at trophy fish that most anglers only dream about. Oak Island serves as our launching point, but once we clear the inlet and start making our run east, you'll understand why this stretch of the Atlantic has earned its reputation among serious saltwater anglers.
Your day starts early – and I mean early. We're talking about a pre-dawn departure to maximize our time in the Gulf Stream. The ride out takes about two hours, giving you time to rig baits, check tackle, and watch the sunrise paint the horizon. Once we hit the blue water, everything changes. The temperature breaks, current lines, and color changes tell the story of where the fish are holding. Our captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, reading the conditions and positioning the boat where the action is hottest. You'll spend the bulk of your day working different techniques – from high-speed trolling for pelagics to bottom fishing structure for grouper and triggerfish. With up to 6 anglers on board, there's plenty of room to spread out and everyone gets their shot at the fish of a lifetime.
Gulf Stream fishing is all about versatility. We run a spread of trolling lures at different speeds and depths to cover the water column effectively. Ballyhoo rigged on circle hooks, cedar plugs, and diving plugs make up the core of our trolling arsenal. When we mark fish on the bottom machine or hit productive structure, we switch gears to vertical jigging and bottom fishing with cut baits. The boat carries quality Penn and Shimano gear, but serious anglers often bring their own rods and reels. We're talking 30 to 50-pound class tackle for the trolling spread, with heavier gear available when targeting bigger fish. Live bait fishing with bonito and small dolphin can be absolutely deadly when conditions are right. The key is staying flexible and reading what the fish want on any given day.
Yellow Sea Chub might not be the glamour species, but they're scrappy fighters that provide steady action when the bigger fish are being finicky. These silver bullets typically run in schools and respond well to small jigs and cut baits. They're most active during the warmer months and make excellent bait for larger predators. Don't overlook them – a cooler full of sea chub makes for fantastic table fare and they fight harder than their size suggests.
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing game. These bruisers live around rocky ledges and artificial reefs, ambushing anything that gets too close. Gags can push 20 to 30 pounds out here, and they'll test every ounce of your drag system. Spring and fall are prime time for gag grouper, when they're feeding heavily before and after their spawning season. The fight is all about the first few seconds – if you can turn their head and get them up off the bottom, you've got a good chance. Let them get back in the rocks and it's game over.
Blackfin Tuna are speed demons that provide some of the most exciting fishing in the Gulf Stream. These fish travel in schools and when you find them, you can often load the boat. Blackfins average 10 to 20 pounds and are available year-round, but fall months tend to be most productive. They respond well to small trolling lures, cedar plugs, and live bait presentations. The meat is outstanding – think sashimi-grade tuna that rivals anything you'll find in a high-end restaurant.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing along this coast. These acrobatic fighters put on a show like nothing else in the ocean, with their towering dorsal fin and spectacular jumps. Sailfish are primarily a summer and fall species here, following the warm water north. Most fish run 6 to 8 feet long, and the fight can last 20 to 30 minutes on appropriate tackle. We practice catch and release for these magnificent fish, ensuring future generations of anglers can experience this world-class fishery.
Grey Triggerfish are the surprise stars of many Gulf Stream trips. These fish have personality – they're curious, aggressive, and surprisingly strong for their size. Triggers average 3 to 8 pounds and are notorious bait stealers, but once hooked, they fight like fish twice their size. They're most abundant during summer and early fall around bottom structure. The meat is firm and white, making them one of the best eating fish in the ocean. Fair warning though – they have sharp teeth and attitude to match, so handle with care.
This 12 to 14-hour Gulf Stream adventure represents serious offshore fishing at its finest. You're not just buying a fishing trip – you're investing in the kind of day that reminds you why you fell in love with saltwater angling in the first place. The combination of distance, time on the water, and target species makes this trip a standout choice for anglers who want to experience what the Gulf Stream has to offer. Whether you're chasing your first sailfish, looking to load up on quality eating fish, or simply want to spend a full day surrounded by blue water and endless possibilities, Ava Lynn Fishing Charters has the experience and local knowledge to make it happen. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what many consider the best offshore fishing the Carolina coast has to offer. Book your spot today and get ready for the kind of fishing day that becomes the story you tell for years to come
Get ready to chase trophy fish aboard this beautifully restored 35' Kevlcat sportfish catamaran! Built for serious offshore adventures, this twin-engine powerhouse cruises at 28 knots with reliable 370HP Yanmar diesels, getting you to the Gulf Stream's best fishing grounds fast. The spacious catamaran design keeps you stable in open water while you battle sailfish, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo over 65 miles offshore. Stay comfortable during those marathon 12-14 hour trips with A/C, a fully equipped galley with fridge and icebox, plus a cabin with bed and head for when you need a break between fish. The flybridge gives your captain the perfect vantage point to spot feeding birds and baitfish, while the fish finder helps locate those deep-water honey holes. With room for up to 6 anglers, this cat delivers the perfect blend of fishing performance and comfort for your Oak Island deep-sea adventure.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of our Gulf Stream trips - these magnificent billfish average 7-8 feet long and around 50 pounds, with that iconic sail-like dorsal fin. They cruise the blue water between 30-200 feet deep, hunting schools of ballyhoo and sardines. Winter through spring is peak season when they migrate through our waters. What sets sailfish apart is their aerial show - they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a display you'll never forget. The fight combines speed with acrobatics that can last 20-30 minutes. Most folks release these beauties for the photo and bragging rights. We target them by trolling live baits or pulling teasers to raise them up. Here's the money tip: when a sail comes up behind the teaser, don't get too excited. Let it eat the bait, count to three, then come tight. Rush it and you'll pull the hook right out of their bony mouth.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the smallest of the tunas but pack serious punch for their size, typically running 15-25 pounds with some pushing close to 40. These speed demons cruise the Gulf Stream edges and warm blue water, usually in the top 100 feet. They school up and move fast, so when you find them, the action can be hot and heavy. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps hit that sweet spot above 70 degrees. What makes blackfins special is their fight - pure speed and endurance that'll test your drag system. Plus the meat is top-notch, perfect for sashimi or the grill. We target them by trolling small lures or chunking with live pilchards. Key tip: scale down your tackle - use 30-pound fluorocarbon leaders and smaller 5/0 circle hooks. They've got sharp eyes and will spook from heavy gear.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are solid fighters that average around 20 inches, but we've seen them push 50+ inches and 80 pounds on our offshore runs. These guys love hanging around structure - shipwrecks, reefs, and rocky ledges where they can ambush prey. You'll find them in deeper water as adults, usually 60-200 feet down. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them. What makes gags special is their bulldogging fight - once hooked, they'll try to drag your bait straight back to the bottom and wrap you up in structure. The meat is excellent, firm and white. Live bait like pinfish and mullet work best, but cut squid and crab get bites too. Here's the key: soon as you hook one, lock that drag down tight and keep your rod tip low. Don't give them an inch or they'll dive straight into a hole and you'll never get them out.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are scrappy bottom dwellers that average 12-17 inches but can reach 24 inches and 13 pounds. These tough customers live around hard bottom, ledges, and offshore reefs from 60-180 feet deep. Their leather-like skin and sharp teeth make them built for crunching crabs, sea urchins, and shellfish. Summer and fall are best when they're most active on the bottom. Triggers are fun because they fight hard for their size and the meat is excellent - firm, white, and sweet. They'll hit almost any bait, but squid chunks work great since they stay on the hook better. Here's a local trick: when you drop your bait down, triggers love to steal food from other fish. So if you see snappers or groupers on the bottom, drop right in the middle of them. The triggers will charge in to steal the bait before the other fish can grab it.
Kyphosus IncisorYellow Sea Chubs are small, colorful fish that run 15-18 inches and sport distinctive blue and yellow stripes along their sides. You'll find them around rocky bottoms and coral reefs, especially where there's floating sargassum weed. They're not trophy fish, but they're fun to catch on light tackle and make decent action when other species are slow. These omnivorous feeders will hit small pieces of cut bait, shrimp, or crab on tiny hooks. While the meat is edible, it's pretty bland and mushy, so most folks catch and release them. Best bet is to drift over structure in shallow to moderate depths. Pro tip: toss out some bread crumbs as chum - it works better than you'd think for drawing them in close to your boat where you can pick them off one by one.
Wilmington