Cast'n Carolina's Deep Sea Mahi and Sailfish Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore charter targeting Mahi, Wahoo, and Sailfish10hour trip aboard 27' Contender accommodating up to 4 anglersAll tackle included with trolling and bottom fishing stops
When you're looking for world-class offshore fishing along North Carolina's Crystal Coast, this Beaufort charter delivers everything serious anglers dream about. Cast'n Carolina takes you 20+ miles out into the Gulf Stream aboard their 27' Contender, where the deep blue water holds some of the Atlantic's most prized gamefish. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking a full 10-hour adventure that starts before sunrise and doesn't quit until your arms are sore and your cooler's full.
Your day starts at 5:00 AM sharp – yeah, it's early, but that's when the fish are hungry and the bite is hot. The 27' Contender is built for offshore work, cutting through the swells smooth enough to keep you comfortable while covering serious ground to the fishing zones. With space for just 4 anglers, you're not fighting crowds or waiting your turn when a fish hits. The boat comes rigged with quality rods, reels, and a spread of proven lures that have been putting fish in the boat all season. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, reading the temperature breaks, weed lines, and bird activity that signal where the action's happening. The trip runs seasonally from May through mid-November when the Gulf Stream is alive with migrating pelagics. On the way back in, expect a few bottom drops over structure for some variety – maybe some grouper or snapper to round out the day.
This charter's bread and butter is trolling the offshore waters where the Continental Shelf drops into serious depth. You'll be running a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving lures behind the boat, covering water at 6-8 knots to trigger strikes from fast-moving pelagics. The Gulf Stream's edge is where the magic happens – that's where warm blue water meets the cooler inshore flow, creating the temperature breaks and current edges that concentrate baitfish and the predators that follow them. When something hits, you'll know it immediately. Wahoo strikes feel like getting hit by lightning, while mahi often come in doubles or triples once you find a school. Sailfish require finesse – they're notorious for short strikes and dropped baits, but when you get one hooked and jumping, there's nothing quite like it. The captain will coach you through the fight, knowing when to pump and wind versus when to let the fish run. Bottom fishing on the return trip switches gears completely – you're dropping heavy rigs down 80-120 feet of water over rocky bottom and artificial reefs.
Mahi Mahi are the bread and butter of this fishery, and for good reason. These bulls and cows show up in May and stick around through October, with peak action during the summer months. They're aggressive feeders that often travel in schools, meaning when you find one, there are usually more around. Mahi average 10-25 pounds out here, with bigger bulls pushing 40+ pounds when conditions are right. They're spectacular fighters, jumping and tail-walking when hooked, and they make some of the best table fare you'll find in the ocean.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting 60+ mph when they strike your bait. They show up year-round but peak from fall into early winter. Most wahoo caught here run 20-40 pounds, though 50+ pounders aren't uncommon. Their razor-sharp teeth and blistering runs make them a challenge to land, but their white, flaky meat is considered a delicacy by those in the know.
Atlantic Sailfish are the glamour species of these waters. Peak season runs from April through July, when they're migrating north along the coast. These fish are pure athletes – all about the fight and the jump show they put on. Most sails here run 6-8 feet and 40-60 pounds. While many anglers release them, landing one is a badge of honor that never gets old.
Blackfin Tuna, often called "little tunny" locally, are year-round residents that provide consistent action when the bigger fish aren't cooperating. They school up and feed aggressively, often creating surface commotion that's visible from a distance. These 5-15 pound speedsters are perfect for light tackle and make excellent sashimi when handled properly.
Black Rockfish are your bottom fishing targets on the way home. These grouper relatives hang around structure in 80-120 feet of water and provide a nice change of pace from the trolling action. They're strong fighters that try to get back to their rocky homes, and they're excellent eating when you can pull them away from the bottom.
This top-rated Beaufort offshore charter fills up fast during peak season, especially on weekends and holidays. The combination of an experienced captain, proven fishing grounds, and a boat that can handle the offshore conditions safely makes this a customer favorite among serious anglers. Remember to bring your valid North Carolina fishing license, plenty of sunscreen, food and drinks for the long day, and polarized sunglasses to cut the glare. The boat provides some beverages, but pack extra water and snacks – 10 hours on the water works up an appetite. Whether you're chasing your first sailfish or looking to load up on mahi for the dinner table, this charter puts you on the fish in some of the Atlantic's most productive offshore waters.
This restored 1993 Contender Center Console was built for serious offshore fishing out of Beaufort. The 27-footer cuts through Carolina waters with twin 200HP Suzuki engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds at 40 knots, leaving more time with lines in the water. Fully updated in 2016, she's equipped with GPS navigation, radar for those early morning runs, and fish finder technology to locate schools of mahi, wahoo, and sailfish. The center console layout gives all four anglers room to fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're trolling the Gulf Stream edge or working structure for bottom fish, this boat handles the offshore conditions while keeping you comfortable during those long 10-hour days chasing pelagics.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing - these 6-8 foot billfish with that massive dorsal sail are pure spectacle when hooked. They average 40-60 pounds and cruise the blue water from 30-200 feet deep along current edges and temperature breaks. Our best sailfish action runs May through early November when warm Gulf Stream water moves closer to shore. What makes them special is that amazing aerial display - they'll jump, tail-walk, and greyhound across the surface in ways that'll leave you breathless. While mostly catch-and-release, the fight alone is worth the trip. Here's the key: when a sail comes up on your spread, don't get too excited and yank the bait away. Let them eat it, then slowly increase drag pressure as they make their first run.
Sebastes MelanopsBlack rockfish aren't actually found off Beaufort, NC - they're a Pacific coast species living around rocky reefs and kelp beds from Alaska to California. These dark gray to black fish typically run 2-8 pounds and inhabit depths from shallow nearshore waters down to 1,200 feet. They're bottom dwellers with venomous spines that pack around rocky structure, jetties, and reefs. Peak fishing happens year-round on the West Coast with spring and summer being most productive. Anglers target them for their aggressive feeding and good table fare - firm white meat that's excellent fried or grilled. Since we're fishing Atlantic waters off North Carolina, you won't encounter black rockfish on our charters, but we do target similar bottom species like black sea bass and grouper on our reef stops.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle tunny, also called false albacore or bonito, are scrappy 8-15 pound fighters that travel in schools and put up battles way above their weight class. These dark blue fish with distinctive black spots on their sides love nearshore waters from 30-100 feet around inlets, jetties, and temperature breaks. We see good numbers from late summer through fall when they're chasing baitfish. What guests love about tunny fishing is the non-stop action - when you find a school, it's game on with multiple hookups common. They're also great for light tackle and fly fishing. The meat is darker red like tuna but tastes excellent when prepared fresh. Listen for surface feeding activity - these fish get loud and splashy when they're busting bait, which makes finding them much easier.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the prettiest fish you'll see out there - golden sides with electric blue and green backs that light up like a rainbow when they're hooked. They average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ on a good day. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-400 feet of water. May through October is prime time off Beaufort when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. What makes mahi special is their aggressive strikes and aerial show - they'll jump and tail-walk once hooked. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a tip: when you hook one, keep your lines in the water. Mahi travel in schools, and where there's one, there's usually more nearby.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of offshore fishing - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and will test your drag system hard. They typically run 20-40 pounds with that distinctive blue-striped silver body and razor-sharp teeth. We target them in 200-800 feet over structure and along current edges. Peak season here runs July through November when water temps stay above 75 degrees. What draws anglers to wahoo is that explosive strike and blistering initial run - they're pure adrenaline. The meat is white, flaky, and mild - perfect for the grill or fish tacos. Pro tip: use wire leaders and troll fast around 12-15 knots. Wahoo often hit lures moving faster than most fish can handle, so don't be afraid to open up the throttles when targeting them.
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