Deep Water Bottom Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Deep sea bottom fishing 30 miles offshore targeting multiple speciesFish depths up to 350 feet using dead bait, live bait, and jiggingTarget Tilefish, Seabass, Kingfish, and Amberjack on wreck sites
Picture this: you're 30 miles offshore, surrounded by nothing but deep blue water, with 350 feet of ocean beneath your boat. This isn't your typical nearshore fishing trip – this is where the big boys live. Captain Abel runs one of the most renowned bottom fishing charters in the area, and he's got the spots dialed in. With room for just four anglers, you'll get the personal attention and prime fishing real estate that bigger boats can't offer. Whether you're dropping dead bait into the depths, working live offerings near structure, or vertical jigging over productive bottom, this trip puts you on fish that most weekend warriors never see.
Your day starts early – that's just how offshore fishing works when you're traveling 30 miles to reach the honey holes. The ride out gives you time to rig up, talk strategy with Captain Abel, and watch the coastline disappear behind you. Once you hit the fishing grounds, you'll be working depths that range from 200 to 350 feet, depending on where the fish are holding. The bottom structure out here is what makes this trip special – rocky outcroppings, ledges, and wrecks that attract baitfish, which in turn pull in the predators you're after. Captain Abel knows these spots like the back of his hand, and he's always willing to adjust the game plan based on what's biting and what you want to target. The intimate four-person capacity means you're not fighting for rod space or waiting in line to get your bait back down.
Bottom fishing at these depths requires the right approach and gear that can handle serious fish in serious water. You'll be working with heavy conventional reels spooled with braided line – the lack of stretch is crucial when you're setting hooks 300 feet down. Dead bait fishing involves dropping whole squid, cut bait, or fresh chunks to the bottom and letting the scent work its magic. Live bait fishing means keeping offerings like sardines or mackerel swimming just off the bottom where amberjack and big seabass like to cruise. Vertical jigging is where things get exciting – working metal jigs in a rhythmic up-and-down motion that drives aggressive fish crazy. Captain Abel will have you switching between techniques based on what's working, and he's always happy to show you the finer points of reading your rod tip and feeling the bite at depth. The boat's fishfinder and GPS are constantly running, marking productive spots and tracking bait schools.
The Greater Amberjack are the kings of these offshore grounds, and for good reason. These bruisers can push 40 to 60 pounds and will test every ounce of your tackle and technique. They're most active during the warmer months when they're feeding heavily on the abundant baitfish around structure. What makes them so exciting to catch is their initial run – when a big AJ gets hooked, it screams toward the bottom with power that'll make your arms burn. They're curious fish too, often following hooked fish toward the surface, giving you shots at multiple hookups. The Giant Seabass are the true prizes of deep water bottom fishing. These fish can live for decades and reach massive sizes, with 20 to 30-pound fish being common and much larger specimens always possible. They're structure-oriented and tend to hold tight to the bottom, making them perfect targets for dead bait fishing. Their fight is more of a steady, bulldogging battle that'll wear you down over time. Lesser Amberjack might be smaller than their greater cousins, but they make up for it with sheer numbers and aggressive feeding. They school up around structure and compete for food, meaning fast action when you find them. Yellowtail Amberjack are the speedsters of the bunch – smaller but incredibly fast and acrobatic. They'll often hit jigs on the fall and provide non-stop action when they're feeding.
This isn't the kind of fishing you can do from shore or in shallow water – it takes a skilled captain, proper boat, and knowledge of where to find fish in hundreds of feet of water. Captain Abel's experience shows in everything from boat positioning to bait selection, and his willingness to adapt based on conditions and your preferences makes each trip unique. The four-person limit ensures you'll never feel crowded, and you'll have plenty of opportunities to learn techniques that'll make you a better angler. Whether you're looking to check amberjack off your bucket list, target trophy seabass, or just experience what real offshore bottom fishing is all about, this trip delivers the goods. The combination of deep water, diverse techniques, and quality guidance makes this a customer favorite among serious anglers. Don't wait for perfect conditions – Captain Abel fishes when it's fishable, and the best trips often happen when you least expect them.
This 4-person motorboat is built for serious bottom fishing 30 miles offshore where the water drops to 350 feet. Captain Abel's rig comes loaded with a fish finder to mark those productive wrecks where Tilefish, Seabass, Kingfish, and Amberjack hang out. The boat features everything you need for a full day on the water - ice box and refrigerator to keep your catch fresh, air conditioning for those hot summer runs, GPS navigation, VHF radio, and a head onboard. You'll have the chance to work dead bait, live bait, and jigging techniques depending on what's biting. The captain knows these offshore wrecks well and can target different species based on the season and your preferences.
Stereolepis GigasGiant Seabass are true monsters that can reach 200+ pounds, though most we see run 50-100 pounds. These bronze-colored giants with dark spots are actually wreckfish, not bass, and they're built like underwater bulldozers. They love rocky bottom and structure in 100-300 foot depths, especially during cooler months when they move deeper. Each fish has unique white spot patterns like fingerprints. What makes them special is their rarity and sheer power - hooking one is a once-in-a-lifetime deal. They're curious fish that'll investigate your boat, sometimes following divers around. The fight is more about pure strength than speed. Captain's tip: use heavy tackle with 80+ pound test and big baits like whole mackerel. When you hook one, pump and wind - don't just crank.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjacks are serious fighters that'll test your gear at our 200-350 foot depths. These silvery-blue bruisers average 25-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds, and they know how to use every ounce. You'll spot them by that distinctive amber stripe down their sides. They hang around structure and wrecks where they hunt squid and smaller fish. Spring through fall gives you the best shots when they're most active. Guests love the hard pulls and long runs these fish make - they're not giving up easy. The meat's excellent eating too, though bigger ones can carry ciguatera. My tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them up. Let them run and tire themselves out, or they'll straighten your hooks or snap you off on structure below.
Seriola FasciataLesser Amberjacks are the smaller cousins in the amberjack family, usually running 5-15 pounds and maxing around 25 pounds. These olive-green to pinkish fish have that golden stripe from eye to tail and prefer deeper water than their bigger relatives - we find them in 180-400+ feet. They're year-round residents but bite best in warmer months. What's cool about them is they're pretty rare catches, so landing one always gets people excited. They fight well for their size and make good eating. These guys stick close to bottom structure where they hunt small fish, squid, and crabs. You can tell them from banded rudderfish by counting dorsal rays - lessers have 30-32. Best technique is dropping live bait or cut fish right to the bottom and waiting. They're not picky eaters once you get down to their level.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail Amberjacks are fast, powerful fish that average 15-25 pounds but can hit 40+ pounds on good days. Those bright yellow fins make them easy to identify, along with their blue-green backs and silver bellies. They're strong swimmers that live near bottom structure but will chase bait to mid-water. Summer and fall are prime time when warmer water brings them up from deeper haunts. People love targeting them because they fight hard with long runs and are fantastic eating - the Japanese prize this fish for sushi. They hang around kelp beds, rocky reefs, and drop-offs where they hunt squid and small fish. Live bait works best, but they'll hit jigs too. Pro tip: when you hook one, don't rush the fight or they'll break you off on structure. Let them run, keep steady pressure, and wear gloves - that braided line will cut your hands up.
Manteo, NC