Charter Fishing Wrightsville Beach NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore fishing charter accommodates four guests maximumTargets Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel at prime fishing locationsAll fishing licenses and equipment provided by Circle Bak Charters
Picture this: you're out on the water off Wrightsville Beach, lines in the water, feeling that familiar tug that gets your heart racing. That's exactly what you'll get with Circle Bak Charters' four-hour afternoon fishing trip. We've been running these waters for years, and we know where the fish are biting. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting your feet wet in the fishing world, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps you coming back for more. The boat's fast, the crew knows their stuff, and the fish? Well, let's just say they're hungry.
This isn't your typical lazy day on the water – it's pure fishing action from start to finish. We kick things off around noon, which is perfect timing because the afternoon bite can be absolutely killer around here. Our boat gets you to the hotspots quickly, so you're not burning daylight just getting there. The crew handles all the heavy lifting – from rigging your lines to finding the fish. You just need to show up ready to fish. We keep it simple with a four-person max, so there's plenty of room to move around and fight your fish without bumping elbows. The best part? Everything's included – licenses, gear, the works. You literally just need to bring yourself and maybe a cooler for your catch.
We run a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where we find them. Trolling is our bread and butter for the bigger pelagics like king mackerel and mahi. We'll have multiple lines out, covering water until we find the schools. When we're targeting spanish mackerel and blues closer to structure, we switch it up with lighter tackle and live bait or small jigs. The boat's rigged with quality gear – nothing fancy, just solid rods and reels that can handle whatever we hook into. Circle hooks are the standard here, both for conservation and because they hook fish better in the corner of the mouth. If you've got your own gear and prefer to use it, bring it along. Otherwise, we've got you covered with everything from light spinning tackle to heavier trolling setups.
King mackerel are the crown jewel of our inshore trips here at Wrightsville. These fish are pure muscle and attitude, running anywhere from 10 to 30-plus pounds. They show up consistently from late spring through fall, and when you hook one, you know it immediately. Kings make blistering runs that'll test your drag and your patience. We typically find them around structure or temperature breaks, and they're suckers for a well-presented live bait or a flashy spoon behind a planer board.
Mahi mahi, or dolphinfish as the old-timers call them, are probably the most fun fish in the ocean pound for pound. They're acrobats – jumping, tail-walking, and putting on a show that'll have you grinning ear to ear. Most of the mahi we see run 3 to 8 pounds, perfect eating size. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Look for them around floating debris, weed lines, or anywhere there's structure in the water column.
Cobia are the bulldogs of the bunch – strong, stubborn, and surprisingly smart. These brown torpedoes can grow massive, and even the smaller ones in the 20 to 40-pound range will give you a workout. Spring and early summer are prime time for cobia around here. They're curious fish that'll often come right up to the boat to investigate, giving you shots at sight-fishing with live bait or jigs.
Spanish mackerel are the perfect fish for lighter tackle and non-stop action. They're smaller than their king cousins, usually running 1 to 3 pounds, but they make up for it in numbers and aggression. Spanish macks will hit just about anything that moves – small spoons, jigs, live bait, you name it. They're also excellent on the table, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Bluefish are the ultimate predators in these waters – aggressive, hungry, and always ready to bite. They travel in massive schools, and when you find them, it's game on. Blues range from "snapper" size around a pound up to "chopper" blues pushing 10 pounds or more. They'll hit hard and fight dirty, often jumping and thrashing at the boat. Fair warning: watch those teeth when you're handling them.
Here's the deal – Wrightsville Beach fishing doesn't get much better than this. Four hours of solid fishing, all the gear you need, and a crew that knows these waters like the back of their hand. We're talking about the kind of trip that reminds you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place. The afternoon timing means you can sleep in, grab lunch, and still get out there for the prime bite. Plus, with only four spots available, you're not fighting crowds or waiting in line to fish. Circle Bak Charters has been putting people on fish for years, and we're not stopping anytime soon. The water's calling, the fish are biting, and your spot's waiting. Don't let this one slip away – book your charter today and get ready for some serious fishing action off one of North Carolina's best fishing destinations.
Get ready to fish the productive inshore waters around Wrightsville Beach aboard our reliable 26' C-Hawk center console. This 1994 classic runs strong with a powerful 300HP Yamaha that cruises at 24 knots, getting you to the hot spots fast so you can spend more time with lines in the water. Built for serious fishing, she's equipped with everything you need including fish finder technology to locate schools of Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel, plus GPS and radar for safe navigation. The spacious cockpit comfortably handles up to 4 anglers with plenty of room to fight fish, while the onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold. Whether you're casting to structure or trolling the channels, this boat delivers the stability and speed to make the most of your four-hour charter adventure.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive fighters that'll give you a real workout on light tackle. These toothy predators typically run 2-10 pounds around here and are famous for their feeding frenzies - we call it a "bluefish blitz" when they corner baitfish in shallow water. You'll find them in the surf, around jetties, and in deeper water from summer through fall. They're not picky eaters, which makes them great for beginners, and smaller blues are excellent table fare when handled properly. Just watch those razor-sharp teeth! Best tip I can give you: use a wire leader and cut bait like mullet or menhaden. When they're feeding, almost anything shiny will work, but fresh, oily bait really gets them fired up.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of the ocean - brown, stocky, and built for power. These fish average 20-50 pounds and are often mistaken for sharks when cruising near the surface. We target them around structure like wrecks and buoys in 30-70 feet of water, especially during their spring migration from April through June. They're mostly loners, so sight fishing is key. What makes them special is that stubborn, head-shaking fight and their incredible table fare - firm, white meat that tastes amazing grilled or blackened. Here's what works: when you spot one, cast a bucktail jig or live bait well ahead of where they're swimming. Cobia spook easily, so don't drop it right on their head.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are some of the most exciting fish you'll hook off Wrightsville Beach. These silver rockets typically run 15-30 pounds, though we see plenty bigger. They cruise depths from 40-150 feet, often hanging around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're migrating up and down the coast. What makes them special is that blistering first run - they'll strip line faster than almost anything out here. The meat's excellent too, with firm white flesh that grills perfectly. Here's a local trick: use a wire leader with two hooks when live-baiting. Kings love to hit the tail end of a bait, so that stinger hook back there will save you from a lot of cutoffs.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure gold when you hook into them - literally. These colorful fighters average 15-30 pounds and put on quite a show with their brilliant yellows and greens. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in warm water, usually near the surface. Summer and early fall are prime time here off Wrightsville when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. What guests love most is watching them jump and change colors during the fight, plus they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - mild, firm, and perfect for the grill. Pro tip: when you boat one mahi, don't leave the area right away. They often travel in small groups, so keep a few baits in the water while cleaning your first fish.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are the perfect action fish for our four-hour trips. These silver speedsters with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds and travel in schools, so when you find one, you'll usually find plenty more. They love nearshore waters around structure, jetties, and beach drop-offs from spring through fall. What makes them so popular is the steady action they provide - fast strikes, good fights on light tackle, and they're actually tasty when prepared fresh. The meat's mild and flaky, great for smoking or frying. My go-to technique is trolling small spoons or casting jigs around bait schools. Keep your retrieves quick - these fish are built for speed and won't chase a slow-moving lure.
Wrightsville Beach, NC