Deep Sea Fishing Adventure Off Sneads Ferry
When you're ready to get serious about offshore fishing, Badfish Fishing Charters delivers the kind of deep water action that keeps anglers talking all season long. This full-day charter takes you 30-40 miles out into the Atlantic's most productive waters, where the continental shelf drops off and big fish patrol the depths. Captain Daniel Powell and his crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they've built a reputation for putting clients on fish when others come back empty-handed. With eight solid hours on the water, you'll have plenty of time to work different spots, adjust tactics, and fill the cooler with quality catches.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early at Sneads Ferry, where you'll meet the crew and load up for the run offshore. The boat is rigged with top-shelf gear and all the tackle you'll need, though you're welcome to bring your own rods if you've got favorites. The ride out gives you time to grab some coffee, get your sea legs, and talk strategy with the captain. Once you hit the fishing grounds, expect to work hard – this isn't a lazy drift trip. You'll be targeting everything from King Mackerel and Mahi Mahi to Red Snapper, Grouper, and a mix of bottom species that call these deep waters home. The crew keeps things moving, whether you're trolling for pelagics or dropping bottom rigs on productive structure. With a maximum of six anglers, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention from the crew.
Trolling and Bottom Tactics
Badfish runs a combination approach that maximizes your chances across different species. When conditions are right, you'll start with high-speed trolling for Kings and Spanish Mackerel, pulling a spread of spoons, diving plugs, and live bait. The crew watches the fish finder and water temperature, adjusting speed and depth to stay in the strike zone. When Mahi are around, they'll switch up the spread with ballyhoo rigs and colorful lures that drive these acrobatic fighters crazy. The bottom fishing game is where Captain Powell really shines – he's got GPS marks on productive ledges, wrecks, and hard bottom that consistently hold Snapper, Grouper, Black Seabass, and other bottom dwellers. The crew rigs up with circle hooks, knocker rigs, and chicken rigs depending on what's biting, and they're not shy about moving spots if the action slows down.
Customer Stories
"Absolutely wonderful. Went out for Tuna but they hadn't come super close in yet so we took advantage of the bottom fishing. There is no one better in the industry than Daniel Powell at bottom fishing. Absolutely recommend and look forward to rebooking with him. My wife is a disabled veteran and he made her feel very accommodated." - Joshua
"Most fish I have ever caught on a trip in my life! We had so many bonito, blue fish and mackerel, we had to ask Dan to go chase bigger fish. Boy did he deliver on a great day! His 1st mate, Austin, was fantastic. Book it!" - Robb Finger
Species You'll Want to Hook
King Mackerel are the crown jewel of North Carolina's offshore scene, and these torpedo-shaped speedsters put up fights that'll test your drag system. Most Kings here run 15-40 pounds, with occasional monsters pushing 50-plus. They're most active from late spring through early fall, patrolling the edges of the Gulf Stream where bait concentrations draw them in. What makes Kings so special is their initial run – when one hits, it'll scream line off your reel faster than almost any other species. The crew targets them with live bait, trolled spoons, and diving plugs, often around temperature breaks and structure.
Mahi Mahi bring the acrobatics to your offshore day, jumping clear of the water multiple times during the fight. These bright gold and green beauties average 10-25 pounds in these waters, though bull Mahi can push 40-plus. They show up best during summer months, often around floating debris, sargassum lines, or anywhere small bait fish gather. Mahi are aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from ballyhoo to artificials, and they often travel in schools – catch one and there's usually more below the boat. Their white, flaky meat is considered some of the best eating in the ocean.
Red Snapper are the ultimate bottom fish prize, with their bright red coloration and aggressive feeding making them a favorite target. These chunky fighters average 3-8 pounds but can reach 15-plus on the right day. They live around hard bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs in 60-200 feet of water, where they feed on crabs, small fish, and squid. Red Snapper have excellent eyesight and can be finicky, requiring fresh bait and light leaders to get consistent bites. When the season's open, they're absolutely worth targeting for their fighting ability and exceptional table fare.
Spanish Mackerel might be smaller than their King cousins, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and willingness to bite. These 1-3 pound speedsters are perfect for light tackle action and are excellent for newer anglers looking to get their confidence up. They school heavily around structure and bait concentrations, often creating feeding frenzies when conditions align. Spanish Mackerel hit small spoons, jigs, and live bait, and they're active from spring through fall in North Carolina waters.
Black Sea Bass are the bread and butter of offshore bottom fishing, with their aggressive nature and excellent eating quality making them highly sought after. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically run 1-4 pounds, with occasional larger specimens. They live around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom structure where they feed on crabs, worms, and small fish
5.0(2 Reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sneads Ferry, NC, United States
Full day offshore charters targeting multiple deep
