North Carolina Full Day Offshore Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore charter targets Tuna, Mahi, Wahoo, and BillfishCaptain Buddy provides experienced crew and comfortable AC/heated cabinMaximum 6 guests with gear preparation and setup included
When you're ready to hit the blue water and chase some serious gamefish, Captain Buddy and his crew at CAPT BC Sportfishing know exactly where to find them. This full-day offshore charter takes you beyond the continental shelf where the Gulf Stream brings warm water, baitfish, and some of the best fishing on the East Coast. You'll start before sunrise and spend the day working the deep water structure where trophy fish cruise the blue. With room for up to six anglers, this trip gives everyone plenty of space to fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat's got AC and heat in the salon, so you can take a break from the sun or stay warm on those early spring trips when the fishing is hot but the air is still cool.
Your day starts early – and I mean early. Most offshore trips push off in the dark to get you on the fishing grounds right as the sun comes up. That's when the bite is usually best, and you'll want to maximize your time in the strike zone. Captain Buddy runs a tight ship, and his mate will have all the gear rigged and ready while you're still nursing that first cup of coffee in the heated cabin. The run out to the fishing grounds takes about an hour depending on where the fish are showing up, but that gives you time to wake up and get your game face on. Once you hit the fishing zone, the real work begins. This isn't a lazy day on the lake – offshore fishing means staying alert, watching the rods, and being ready when that reel starts screaming. The mate handles most of the technical stuff like setting the spread and calling out when fish are coming up behind the boat, but you'll need to be ready to grab a rod and start cranking when it's your turn.
North Carolina's offshore fishing revolves around trolling, and Captain Buddy's got it down to a science. The boat runs a spread of five to eight lines at different depths and distances, covering water from the surface down to about 50 feet. You'll see a mix of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, diving plugs, and sometimes live bait depending on what's working that day. The key spots are along the continental shelf where the bottom drops from 100 feet to over 1,000 feet in just a few miles. That's where the Gulf Stream pushes warm water full of flying fish, squid, and other baitfish that attract the big pelagics. The mate watches the fish finder and temperature gauge constantly, looking for that magic combination of bait, temperature breaks, and structure. When everything lines up right, you might hook three or four fish in the same area. The gear is all heavy tackle – 30 to 50-pound class rods with reels that can handle long runs and serious pressure. Most of the fish you'll hook will test your back and shoulders, especially if you tie into a big bluefin or marlin.
The Atlantic Sailfish might be the most fun fish you'll ever hook on a rod and reel. These acrobatic speedsters show up in good numbers from late fall through early spring, with peak season running December through March. They'll hit trolled baits hard and immediately go airborne, tail-walking across the surface and throwing the hook if you're not careful. Sailfish average 30 to 50 pounds, but their long runs and aerial displays make them fight like much bigger fish. The key is keeping steady pressure without over-doing it – let the fish tire itself out jumping while you work it back to the boat. Most sailfish get released, and watching one swim away healthy after a good fight never gets old. Blue Marlin are the holy grail of offshore fishing, and North Carolina's waters produce some legitimate giants. These fish can show up any time from late spring through fall, but July and August see the biggest concentration. Blues are ambush predators that cruise the temperature breaks looking for schools of tuna and mahi. When a big marlin eats your bait, you'll know it – they hit like a freight train and can strip 200 yards of line on the first run. Even a small blue marlin in the 200-pound class will give you a workout you won't forget.
Mahi Mahi bring consistent action and great table fare to the mix. These colorful fish school up around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature changes throughout the warmer months. Spring and fall see the best mahi fishing, with schools of 20 to 30-pound bulls showing up regularly. Mahi are aggressive feeders that will hit just about anything swimming past, and they fight with surprising strength for their size. The bonus is that mahi are some of the best eating fish in the ocean – firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or blackening. White Marlin are smaller cousins to the blues, but they make up for size with attitude. These 40 to 80-pound fish are more common than blues and just as willing to put on an aerial show. Whites show up consistently from June through September, often mixed in with schools of tuna or mahi. They're perfect for anglers who want the billfish experience without the marathon fight of a giant blue marlin.
Bluefin Tuna are the muscle cars of offshore fishing. North Carolina sees two distinct runs of bluefin – smaller school fish in the 30 to 60-pound range during winter and spring, plus giant bluefin over 200 pounds that show up sporadically throughout the year. The school fish provide steady action and excellent sashimi, while the giants offer once-in-a-lifetime fights that can last over an hour. Bluefin are incredibly strong and smart, using their speed and endurance to test every knot and connection on your tackle. The current regulations are pretty strict on bluefin retention, so make sure you understand the rules before you go. Many of the larger fish are catch-and-release only, but the experience of fighting a giant bluefin is worth it regardless of whether you can keep it.
Captain Buddy's 60-foot sportfishing boat delivers serious offshore performance with its powerful 1000HP Caterpillar engine, cruising at 29 knots to get you to the best fishing grounds fast. This well-equipped vessel handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, featuring air conditioning, a full galley, and onboard toilet for all-day comfort. The flybridge gives you great visibility while fighting fish, and the advanced electronics package includes GPS, radar, and fish finder to locate those trophy Tuna, Mahi, Wahoo, and Billfish. Built in 1999, this proven fishing machine has an icebox and refrigerator to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold during long battles with big game fish in North Carolina's productive offshore waters.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are one of the fastest fish in the ocean, hitting speeds up to 68 mph. These beautiful blue-gray billfish average around 7.5 feet and 50 pounds, with that iconic sail-like dorsal fin they're named for. They hunt in 30-65 feet of water, often working together to herd baitfish like mackerel and sardines. Here off North Carolina, we see them most during warmer months when water temps hit 70-80°F. What makes them special is their fight - they'll leap clear out of the water multiple times, putting on a real show. The color changes they display when excited are amazing to watch. Pro tip: when you see one come up on the teaser, get ready fast. They inspect baits closely, so keep that line tight and be patient for the bite.
Makaira NigricansBlue Marlin are the giants of the billfish world - females can reach over 1,000 pounds while males typically max out around 350. These cobalt-blue beauties prefer deep blue water along temperature breaks and current edges. We typically find them in 100-600 foot depths during summer months when warm water pushes up from the south. What sets them apart is their raw power and aerial displays when hooked. They're the ultimate trophy fish, known for long, blistering runs and spectacular jumps. The meat is excellent too, though many anglers prefer catch and release for these magnificent fish. Here's a local trick: watch for frigate birds working bait schools - that's often where the big girls are feeding. When one hits, clear the cockpit and hold on tight.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin Tuna are the heavyweights of the tuna family, averaging 200-400 pounds with giants reaching over 1,000. These torpedo-shaped fish prefer cooler waters and can dive to incredible depths chasing bait. Winter months bring the best fishing when they move through our waters following herring and mackerel schools. What draws anglers is their incredible strength and endurance - they'll make long, powerful runs that test your gear and stamina. The meat quality is unmatched, prized by sushi chefs worldwide. They're heavily regulated, so know the rules before you go. My advice: use circle hooks and heavy tackle - these fish don't give up easy. When chunking, establish a good slick and be patient. Once they're feeding, the action can be non-stop.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most colorful fish you'll encounter, flashing brilliant gold, green, and blue as they swim. These surface dwellers average 15-30 pounds and love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges. Peak season here runs May through September when water temps climb above 70°F. What guests love about mahi is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll tail-walk across the surface putting on quite a show. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, firm white meat. Often you'll find them in small schools, so when you hook one, keep the lines out. My favorite tip: if you see flying fish jumping, slow down and start trolling - mahi are usually close behind chasing them.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite Marlin are the smaller cousins of blue marlin, typically running 60-180 pounds with a more slender build. These apex predators cruise deep offshore waters around underwater canyons and temperature breaks, constantly moving to breathe. Summer brings the best action when they follow baitfish up from deeper waters. What makes them special is their intelligence and wariness - they'll inspect baits carefully before striking. The fight is pure athleticism with high jumps and powerful runs. Many consider them pound-for-pound the strongest billfish. Here's something I've learned over the years: when trolling for whites, don't horse them when they first hit. Let them take line and get the bait down good before setting the hook. They're notorious for throwing hooks if you're too aggressive early on.
Raleigh