Beaufort Charter Fishing | 10 Hour Offshore
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10hour offshore fishing adventure with Captain Paul in Beaufort watersTarget Redfish, Kingfish, Wahoo, Blackfin Tuna, and Mahi Mahi speciesSmall group experience accommodating up to 4 guests maximum
Captain Paul's 10-hour offshore charter out of Beaufort, NC delivers the kind of fishing day that keeps anglers coming back year after year. With room for just four guests, you'll get personalized attention and prime positioning at the best spots along the Crystal Coast. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a serious fishing adventure that gives you time to hit multiple structures, adjust tactics, and really dial in on what's biting. Whether you want to stay closer to shore for some hard-fighting kings or push out to the blue water for wahoo and blackfin tuna, Captain Paul knows exactly where to put you on fish.
Your day starts early at the Beaufort docks, where Captain Paul will brief you on the game plan based on current conditions and what's been biting. The boat's rigged and ready with quality tackle, outriggers, and everything needed for a productive day. We'll cruise out past the inlet, and depending on the bite, might start working nearshore structure for kings and Spanish mackerel before pushing further offshore. The 10-hour window gives us flexibility – if the inshore bite is hot, we can work it hard, or if the offshore action is calling, we've got time to make the run and really capitalize on it. Captain Paul reads the water like a book, watching for birds, bait, and temperature breaks that signal fish. You'll learn to spot these signs too, making you a better angler for future trips.
Most of the day revolves around trolling with a spread of lures and baits designed to trigger strikes from pelagic species. We'll run a combination of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs at different depths to cover the water column. The outriggers let us run a wide spread, increasing our chances of hooking up. When we mark fish on the finder or see birds working, we might switch to live bait or jigging to capitalize on the feeding activity. All tackle is provided, but if you've got favorite rods or reels, feel free to bring them along. Captain Paul will match the gear to the target species – lighter tackle for fun fights with smaller tuna and mahi, heavier gear when we're hunting trophy kings or wahoo that can smoke a reel in seconds.
The wahoo fishing has been absolutely stellar this year, with fish ranging from 20 to 50 pounds showing up consistently around the temperature breaks and drop-offs. These speed demons are what offshore fishing dreams are made of – they'll hit a trolled bait like a freight train and peel line off your reel faster than you can imagine. Northern kingfish have been thick around the nearshore reefs and wrecks, with plenty of eating-size fish in the 15 to 25-pound range and some real bruisers pushing 40 pounds. The blackfin tuna bite has been steady too, especially when we find the schools feeding on the surface. These fish are pure muscle and will test your endurance on lighter tackle.
Wahoo are the crown jewel of offshore fishing around Beaufort, and for good reason. These fish are built for speed, capable of hitting 60 mph when they want to. They're most active during the cooler months from November through March, though we see them year-round. What makes wahoo so exciting isn't just their initial run – it's their unpredictability. They'll make sudden direction changes, jump, and generally do everything they can to throw the hook. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat that's perfect on the grill.
Northern kingfish are the backbone of our offshore fishery and a customer favorite for good reason. These fish are aggressive predators that will absolutely hammer a trolled bait or live menhaden. Kings are most active from April through October, though we catch them year-round. What anglers love about kings is their combination of size and fight – a 30-pound king will make multiple runs, often jumping repeatedly to try and shake the hook. They're also excellent table fare, especially when prepared as steaks or smoked.
Blackfin tuna might be smaller than their yellowfin cousins, but they make up for it with pure attitude. These fish are most abundant from late spring through fall, often feeding in schools that create a feeding frenzy on the surface. When you hook into a blackfin on appropriate tackle, you're in for a fight that will test your technique and endurance. They're incredibly strong for their size, typically ranging from 10 to 25 pounds, and their dark red meat is prized by sushi lovers and makes excellent steaks when grilled properly.
Captain Paul's 10-hour offshore charters book up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its best. With only four spots available per trip, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up with other anglers. This is serious fishing time that lets you experience everything the Crystal Coast has to offer, from nearshore kings to offshore pelagics. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to target specific species or someone wanting to experience world-class offshore fishing, this charter delivers the goods. Don't wait – the best fishing days fill up quickly, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip of a lifetime.
Your 10-hour offshore adventure starts aboard a trusted 32-foot Wellcraft center console that's been putting anglers on fish since 2004. Twin 250HP Yamahas push this rig to 34 knots, getting you to those productive offshore waters where the big ones bite. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to fight that Wahoo or land some hefty Mahi without bumping elbows. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need stealth, while the fish finder does the heavy lifting to locate those underwater hotspots. GPS and radar keep you safe and on course, whether you're chasing Kingfish closer to shore or running out deep for Blackfin Tuna. Captain Paul knows these Crystal Coast waters like the back of his hand, and this reliable boat gets you there and back with a head onboard for comfort during those long fishing days.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin tuna are the perfect starter tuna - smaller than their cousins but every bit as fierce. These beautiful fish run 20-30 pounds on average with that classic tuna build and distinctive gold stripe that fades when they hit the deck. We find them schooling in the blue water along drop-offs and current breaks, usually mixed with skipjacks. Fall through spring is our sweet spot when water temps hit that 68-degree mark they love. What makes blackfins special is they fight like fish twice their size and the meat is outstanding - dark red and perfect for searing. Guests get hooked on the non-stop action when we find a school. Pro tip: scale down your tackle with 30-pound fluoro leaders and 5/0 circle hooks. They've got sharp eyes, so keep everything light and use live pilchards for chum.
Menticirrhus SaxatilisNorthern kingfish are scrappy little fighters that'll surprise you with their attitude. These bottom-dwellers typically run 10-14 inches and maybe a pound, but they punch way above their weight class. You'll find them in the sandy shallows and around the surf zone, using that chin barbel to root around for crabs, worms, and small baitfish. Late summer into fall is prime time when they school up near shore. What guests love about kingfish is how they bend the rod and make that reel sing despite their size. Plus, the white meat is sweet and flaky - perfect for the dinner table. Here's the trick: use light tackle with small hooks and fresh bloodworms or clam strips. Keep your bait on the bottom and don't set the hook too hard - let them take it and run first.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the rockets of our offshore waters, hitting speeds up to 60 mph with that distinctive blue-striped torpedo body. These fish typically run 3-5 feet and put up one hell of a fight when hooked. You'll find them in the blue water beyond the continental shelf, usually in the top 60 feet. Summer through fall gives us the best action when they're chasing baitfish near the surface. What makes wahoo special is that blazing speed and those razor-sharp teeth - they'll cut right through regular line, so we always run wire leaders. The meat is white, flaky, and absolutely delicious - some of the best eating fish out there. My tip: troll fast at 12-15 knots with diving plugs or ballyhoo rigs. When one hits, it's like getting struck by lightning.
Beaufort, NC