Guided Wahoo & Dolphinfish Trip - Morehead City
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
11hour offshore fishing adventure targeting wahoo, tuna, and billfishExpert guides provide toptier equipment and professional instructionSmall group experience with maximum 5 guests per charter
Get ready for some serious offshore action with Big Eye Sportfishing's 11-hour deep-sea adventure off Morehead City. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking about a full commitment to chasing down the fastest, most aggressive pelagics swimming in the Atlantic. You'll be targeting wahoo, dolphinfish (mahi-mahi), tuna, and even billfish in some of the most productive waters on the East Coast. With room for just 5 anglers, you'll get personalized attention and prime positioning at the rail when the action heats up.
Your day starts early at the docks in Morehead City, one of North Carolina's premier fishing ports. We'll head out on a state-of-the-art sportfisher built for offshore work – think outriggers, downriggers, and all the electronics you need to find fish in blue water. The run out to the fishing grounds takes about an hour, giving you time to get rigged up and talk strategy with the crew. We're heading to structure like wrecks, ledges, and temperature breaks where these pelagic species love to hunt. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, so you'll be fishing productive spots that consistently hold fish rather than wasting time searching blind water.
This is primarily a trolling operation, which is the most effective way to cover water and trigger strikes from fast-moving predators like wahoo and mahi. We'll run a spread of high-speed lures, ballyhoo rigs, and maybe some cedar plugs or Jet Heads depending on conditions. The boat's rigged with quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with heavy mono and wire leaders – wahoo teeth will cut through regular line like butter. When we mark fish or hit productive water, we might switch to live bait or vertical jigging, especially if we find a weed line or floating debris holding mahi. The crew handles all the rigging and will coach you through fighting techniques, but be ready for some arm-burning battles when you hook up.
The wahoo fishing off Morehead City has been absolutely on fire, with fish in the 30-50 pound range showing up consistently from late spring through fall. These speed demons hit trolled baits like freight trains, often taking 100+ yards of line on their initial run. Mahi-mahi have been showing in good numbers too, especially around floating debris and weed lines. While smaller "chicken" mahi in the 5-10 pound range are common, don't be surprised if you hook into a bull dolphin pushing 30+ pounds. The beauty of this fishery is the variety – one minute you're fighting a wahoo, the next you've got a yellowfin tuna screaming drag, and there's always the chance of raising a marlin or sailfish.
Wahoo are the ultimate adrenaline rush for offshore anglers. These torpedo-shaped predators can hit 60+ mph and are known for their blistering initial runs and acrobatic jumps. Peak season runs from May through October, with the best action typically in 100-300 feet of water around structure and temperature breaks. What makes wahoo so exciting isn't just their speed – it's their unpredictability. They'll hit anything from a slow-trolled ballyhoo to a high-speed lure, and their razor-sharp teeth can slice through a leader in an instant. Fighting one is like being connected to a rocket, and the meat is some of the best eating you'll find in the ocean.
Mahi-mahi, or dolphinfish, are the complete package for sport fishing. These beautifully colored fish are aggressive feeders, acrobatic fighters, and table fare that's hard to beat. They're typically found around floating structure like sargassum weed, logs, or debris, often in schools that can provide non-stop action. Bulls (males) develop the distinctive blunt forehead and can reach 50+ pounds, while cows (females) stay smaller but are just as feisty. The best part about mahi fishing is the visual aspect – these fish often feed on the surface, and you'll see their brilliant gold and green colors flashing as they attack your baits. They're active year-round in these waters, with peak numbers from late spring through early fall.
This 11-hour offshore adventure with Big Eye Sportfishing represents some of the best bang for your buck in Morehead City's charter fleet. With expert local knowledge, top-notch equipment, and access to prime fishing grounds, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that becomes a fish story you'll tell for years. The small group size means you won't be fighting for rod time, and the crew's commitment to putting you on fish shows in their track record. Whether you're looking to check wahoo off your bucket list, load the cooler with mahi fillets, or just experience what world-class offshore fishing is all about, this trip delivers. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak season when these fish are most active.
The 54' Carolina sportfisher by Craig Blackwell cuts through Atlantic waters with serious authority. Built for the demanding waters off Morehead City, this fishing machine packs a 1350 hp Caterpillar engine that'll get your crew of 5 to the blue water where wahoo and mahi patrol. The spacious cockpit gives you room to work when the action heats up, while the stable hull design keeps you steady when battling those trophy fish. Whether you're trolling the ledges for wahoo or searching structure for dolphinfish, this vessel delivers the performance and comfort needed for long offshore runs. The boat's Carolina craftsmanship shows in every detail, from the fighting chair to the fish boxes. When you hook into that screaming wahoo or acrobatic mahi, you'll appreciate having a platform built specifically for serious offshore angling in these productive North Carolina waters.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are some of the most stunning fish you'll encounter offshore. Mahi typically run 15-29 pounds around Morehead City, though we've seen bigger. They're surface feeders that love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in 100-400 feet of water. Peak season here runs May through September when water temps hit the 70s. What makes them special? That electric color show when they're fighting - brilliant blues and greens that fade to gold once boated. They're also fantastic table fare with firm, white meat that's mild and sweet. Plus, they fight hard with lots of jumps and runs. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep working the area - mahi travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. Look for birds diving on baitfish.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep - hitting 60 mph and built like torpedoes. These silver rockets average 3-5 feet but can stretch to 8 feet and over 100 pounds. They cruise open waters from 60-300 feet, often around structure or temperature breaks. Best fishing here is fall through early spring when they move through following bait schools. What draws anglers? Pure adrenaline - they'll rip line off your reel faster than anything else out there. Plus, they're premium eating with delicate, flaky white meat. The challenge is their razor-sharp teeth that'll cut right through your leader. Local secret: high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders and bright lures works best. Once hooked, keep steady pressure - they'll throw the hook if you give them slack during those blistering runs.
Morehead City