Expert Guided Nearshore Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sail 20 miles offshore targeting Amberjack, Blackfin Tuna, and MahiLive baiting and jigging combined with highspeed trolling techniquesActionpacked fishing for up to 4 guests with experienced crew
Picture this: you're 20 miles offshore, the inlet waters are alive with baitfish, and your reel is screaming as something powerful takes off with your line. That's what you get with C-Legs Sportfishing's nearshore trips - world-class fishing that puts you right in the action zone where the big fish hunt. This isn't your typical bay fishing or deep-sea marathon. We're talking about that sweet spot where structure meets open water, and the fishing gets serious fast.
When you step aboard with C-Legs, you're joining a top-rated charter that knows exactly where to find fish. We'll run 20 miles out to hit those productive inlet waters where amberjack patrol the towers, blackfin tuna school up in feeding frenzies, and mahi cruise the current breaks. This is a customer favorite trip for good reason - you'll be fishing non-stop from the moment we reach the grounds. We keep our groups small at just 4 anglers max, so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention from the crew. Don't expect a lazy day of sitting around - this is an action-packed adventure that'll test your arms and leave you with some serious bragging rights. The crew will have you switching between live baiting the structure, jigging vertically on the towers, and trolling for the speed demons that cruise these waters.
We run a mixed bag of proven techniques that cover all the bases in these nearshore waters. Live baiting is huge out here - we'll hook up fresh sardines, pilchards, or whatever bait is running thick that day and drop them down to the amberjack hanging around the towers and structure. The jigging game is where things get physical. You'll be working heavy jigs vertically through the water column, and when those big AJs grab on, it's a straight-up arm wrestling match. For the pelagic species like mahi and blackfin tuna, we'll pull trolling spreads with ballyhoo, small lures, and teasers to trigger strikes from fish cruising the blue water edges. The beauty of nearshore fishing is the variety - one minute you're grinding on a 40-pound amberjack trying to pull you into the rocks, the next you've got a screaming mahi doing aerial acrobatics behind the boat. We provide all the heavy tackle you'll need, from stout conventional reels spooled with 50-pound test to lighter spinning gear for the smaller species.
Blackfin Tuna are the speed merchants of these waters, and they'll test your reflexes when they show up. These fish typically run 10 to 25 pounds and are absolute rockets when hooked. They school up heavily during the warmer months and feed aggressively on small baitfish around the inlet mouths. What makes blackfin so exciting is their unpredictability - they can show up as a massive feeding school that turns the water into chaos, or you might pick them off one at a time trolling the edges. They're also fantastic table fare, making them a favorite target for anglers who want both sport and dinner.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef and tower structure, and they'll give you a workout like no other fish. These bruisers commonly hit 30 to 60 pounds in these waters, with some real monsters pushing even bigger. They're year-round residents that stack up on any vertical structure, and they fight dirty - diving straight down and trying to cut your line on the rocks. The bigger jacks are notorious for long, grinding fights that can last 20 minutes or more. Anglers love them because they're reliable biters when you find the structure, and landing a big one is a real accomplishment that separates the weekend warriors from the serious fishermen.
Mahi Mahi bring the acrobatics and color to nearshore fishing, making them a crowd favorite for good reason. Also called dolphinfish or dorado, these fish are pure excitement when hooked. They'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that'll have everyone on the boat reaching for their cameras. Mahi typically show up during the warmer months when they follow the current lines and floating debris. They're also fast growers, so you'll encounter everything from school-sized fish around 5 pounds up to bull mahi that can push 40 pounds or more. Their brilliant gold and green colors make them gorgeous fish, and they're excellent eating too.
Lesser Amberjack are the smaller cousins of the greater amberjack, but don't let their size fool you - they're scrappy fighters that make up for what they lack in bulk with pure attitude. These fish typically run 10 to 20 pounds and are often more abundant than their bigger relatives. They're great for warming up your arms and getting into the groove before the bigger fish show up. Lesser AJs are also more willing to bite lighter tackle, making them perfect for anglers who want to feel every head shake and run on spinning gear.
Cobia are the wildcards of nearshore fishing - when they show up, things get interesting fast. These fish are curious by nature and will often follow the boat or investigate anything unusual in the water. They're excellent table fare and put up a strong, stubborn fight that's different from the other species. Cobia can show up any time of year but are most common during their spring and fall migrations when they cruise the nearshore waters in good numbers. Landing a nice cobia is always special because they're not guaranteed - you have to be ready when opportunity knocks.
C-Legs Sportfishing has built their reputation on putting anglers on fish in these productive nearshore waters. This isn't just another fishing trip - it's your chance to experience some of the best action these waters have to offer without the long run to the deep water. You'll be fishing proven grounds where
This well-equipped motorboat is your ticket to serious offshore action, designed to handle the 20-mile run to productive inlet waters where the big fish live. With a 4-angler capacity, there's plenty of room to work the rails when Amberjack and Blackfin Tuna start pulling drag. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish, while GPS navigation keeps you on the productive spots. Air conditioning provides relief between battles, and the refrigerator keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during long fights. VHF radio ensures safe communication, and the ice box handles your daily haul. A head keeps everyone comfortable during extended trips targeting Mahi and other pelagic species. Built for live baiting, jigging towers, and trolling runs, this boat handles the hard pulling that comes with serious offshore fishing.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin Tuna are the smallest in the tuna family, typically running 15-30 pounds with that classic tuna build and striking golden side stripe. These fish are serious fighters despite their size - they'll test your drag and stamina on medium tackle. We find them in schools around 20 miles out, especially during spring and fall when water temps hit that sweet spot above 68°F. They love following current breaks and feeding on small baitfish near the surface. What makes them special is the meat quality - firm, red flesh that's perfect for sashimi or grilling. Pro tip: scale down your leader to 30-pound fluoro and use smaller circle hooks. Their eyesight is sharp, so finesse beats heavy tackle every time.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the bruisers that look like sharks until you get them close - dark brown, torpedo-shaped fish that average 30-50 pounds but can easily hit 80+ pounds. These loners cruise reefs, wrecks, and towers in 30-100 feet, often spotted just under the surface. Spring and early summer are prime time when they're spawning and more aggressive. Guests love them for the powerful runs and bulldogging fights, plus the meat is absolutely top-shelf - firm, white fillets that rival any fish in the ocean. They're curious fish that will often follow the boat, giving you multiple shot opportunities. My favorite technique is sight fishing with bucktail jigs in the 4-8 ounce range. Color doesn't matter much - it's all about the presentation.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are the acrobats of offshore fishing - brilliant gold and green fish that put on a show when hooked, jumping and tail-walking across the surface. They average 10-25 pounds but can push 50+ pounds. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges where they hunt flying fish and small baitfish. Spring through fall gives you the best action when water temps are warm. What makes them so popular is the combination of spectacular fights, stunning colors that shift like a light show, and some of the best eating fish in the ocean - mild, flaky white meat. Best trick is to make your bait skip on the surface when trolling. They can't resist something that looks like a flying fish.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef - averaging 20-40 pounds but capable of hitting 80+ pounds on our deeper structures. These bluish-grey bruisers with that distinctive amber stripe will absolutely smoke your drag when hooked. We target them around wrecks, towers, and rocky bottom in 60-200 feet, especially during spring and early summer when they're most active. What guests love is the raw power - it's a proper arm-burning fight from start to finish. The meat is excellent table fare too, firm white fillets that grill beautifully. My go-to trick is dropping live bait right to the bottom then working it up slowly in the water column. They'll usually hit on the drop or as you start lifting.
Seriola FasciataLesser Amberjack are the rare catch that gets experienced anglers excited - smaller cousins to the Greater, typically 5-15 pounds with that same olive-green back and distinctive gold stripe. These fish live deeper than their bigger relatives, usually 180-400 feet down on rocky bottom and structure. Open season year-round, but cooler months often produce better fishing when they move up in the water column. What's special about them is the rarity factor - most anglers never see one, so landing one is genuinely noteworthy. They fight well for their size and make decent table fare. The key is getting your bait down to the bottom where they cruise. Vertical jigs work best, and don't be surprised if you hook one while targeting other deep water species.
Manteo, NC