Charter Fishing Wrightsville Beach NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting Bluefish and Spanish MackerelAll fishing gear and licenses included for groups up to fourFast boat ensures maximum fishing time at prime locations
Four hours of pure fishing action awaits you on Wrightsville Beach's premier inshore waters. Circle Bak Charters has built a reputation as one of the top-rated fishing operations along North Carolina's coast, and this afternoon trip showcases exactly why anglers keep coming back season after season. You'll climb aboard a fast, well-maintained boat that cuts through the water like butter, getting you to the honey holes while other charters are still putting around the marina. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with only four anglers max per trip, you get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic one.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat experience. With a maximum of four guests, you'll have plenty of elbow room and direct access to the captain's local knowledge. The afternoon timing hits the sweet spot when fish are actively feeding, especially during those magic hours when the sun starts its descent. Your captain will read the conditions – wind, current, water temperature, and bait activity – to put you on fish consistently throughout the four-hour window. The boat's speed means you're not wasting precious fishing time getting to the spots. Within 15 minutes of leaving the dock, lines are in the water and the action begins. Expect to move between multiple productive areas, following the fish and the bite rather than anchoring in one spot all day.
Circle Bak Charters provides all your fishing gear, so you can leave the tackle box at home. The boat comes rigged with quality rods and reels spooled with fresh line, plus a selection of proven lures and baits that produce results in these waters. Depending on conditions and target species, you'll likely be trolling with spoons, casting jigs, or working live bait around structure. The captain carries an arsenal of techniques – from high-speed trolling for Spanish mackerel to slow-trolling live menhaden for king mackerel. GPS and fish finder technology help locate schools and structure, but it's the captain's experience reading the water that consistently puts fish in the box. All fishing licenses are included, taking one more thing off your pre-trip checklist. Just bring sunscreen, snacks, and drinks, and you're set for a world-class fishing experience.
King mackerel are the crown jewel of Wrightsville Beach fishing, and these torpedo-shaped predators provide some of the most exciting fights you'll experience inshore. Kings typically run 15-30 pounds in these waters, with larger fish possible during peak season from May through October. They hit trolled baits with bone-jarring strikes and make blistering runs that test your drag system. The key is finding the right water temperature and bait schools, which your captain monitors constantly. What makes king mackerel special is their unpredictability – you never know when a 40-pounder might grab your line.
Spanish mackerel offer non-stop action and are perfect for anglers who love consistent bites. These smaller cousins of the king mackerel rarely exceed five pounds, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and acrobatic fights. Spanish mackerel are most active during warmer months and respond well to small spoons and jigs trolled at moderate speeds. They school heavily, so when you find one, expect multiple hookups. Kids especially love Spanish mackerel fishing because the action is fast and the fights are manageable.
Mahi mahi, also called common dolphinfish, are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter off Wrightsville Beach. These golden-green beauties prefer warmer water and are most common from late spring through early fall. Mahi typically range from 10-25 pounds in local waters and are known for their spectacular jumps and strong runs. They often travel in schools around floating debris or weed lines, making them exciting to locate and target. The meat is considered some of the best eating in the ocean, making mahi a customer favorite for both sport and table fare.
Cobia are the wild cards of the inshore fishing scene. These chocolate-colored bruisers can exceed 40 pounds and provide arm-burning fights in shallow water. Cobia are curious fish that often approach the boat, giving you sight-fishing opportunities that get your heart racing. They're most active during spring and fall migrations, when they cruise the beaches in surprising numbers. What makes cobia special is their intelligence and wariness – they'll inspect your bait carefully before committing to a bite.
Bluefish round out the target species list with their aggressive nature and willingness to bite almost anything. These toothy predators travel in schools and create feeding frenzies that attract other species. Blues range from small "snappers" to hefty 10-pound "choppers" and provide excellent action when other fish are finicky. They're particularly active during cooler months and respond well to both live and artificial baits. While not the strongest fighters, bluefish make up for it with their aggressive strikes and excellent eating when properly prepared.
Wrightsville Beach's inshore fishing scene is renowned throughout the Southeast, and Circle Bak Charters has earned its place among the best operations on the water. This four-hour afternoon trip delivers everything serious anglers want – quality equipment, expert guidance, productive fishing grounds, and the personal attention you can't get on larger boats. The combination of the captain's local knowledge, fast boat, and prime fishing times creates conditions for memorable catches and stories you'll tell for years. Don't let another season pass without experiencing what makes Wrightsville Beach a trending destination for inshore fishing enthusiasts. Book your charter today and discover why this customer favorite keeps anglers coming back trip after trip.
The 26' C-Hawk center console is your ticket to prime inshore fishing around Wrightsville Beach. This reliable 1994 boat packs a powerful 300HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the hot spots fast, cruising at 24 knots so you spend more time with lines in the water instead of traveling. Built for up to 4 anglers, she's equipped with everything serious fishermen need - a fish finder to locate schools of Bluefish and Spanish Mackerel, GPS navigation to hit productive reefs and structure, plus radar for those hazy coastal mornings. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long fights with big fish. With a multimedia system for entertainment between bites and plenty of deck space to work your rod, this center console handles the choppy waters off the Carolina coast while giving you the stability needed to land whatever's biting out there.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. These blue-green fighters typically run 2-10 pounds and travel in schools that can turn the water into a washing machine when they're feeding. We find them in surf, around structure, and over open water from late spring through fall. What makes blues special is their feeding frenzies - when you find a school, it's fast action with multiple hookups. They're excellent eating when handled properly, with firm, flavorful meat that's great grilled or smoked. Just remember they're oily fish, so ice them down immediately. The smaller "snappers" are perfect for kids to cut their teeth on. Here's the deal with bluefish: use a wire leader because those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. Cut bait like chunks of mullet works great, but almost any shiny lure will trigger strikes when they're feeding.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are brown, shark-looking fighters that'll give you a workout on heavy tackle. These bruisers average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds around here. Look for them cruising shallow reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet during spring and early summer. They're often solitary, making each encounter special. What makes cobia exciting is their curious nature - they'll follow the boat and investigate lures, giving you multiple chances. Their powerful runs and stubborn fights test your gear and patience. The firm, white meat rivals any table fare - think of it as the ribeye of the sea. Here's what works: when you spot a cobia near the surface, drop a heavy bucktail jig right in front of its nose. Don't worry about color - they're not picky. Just make sure your drag is tight because they're heading straight for the bottom.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest, hardest-fighting fish you'll encounter off Wrightsville Beach. These silver speedsters typically run 15-30 pounds, though we see plenty bigger. They cruise 40-150 feet deep around structure and current breaks, feeding on everything from blue runners to menhaden. Spring through fall brings the best action when they're actively feeding near the surface. What makes kings special is their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - they'll test your drag and your nerves. The meat is excellent grilled or blackened, though larger fish can be stronger tasting. Here's a local tip: when trolling, use a wire leader and two hooks on your live bait - kings love to hit the tail end of a struggling fish, so that stinger hook back there will save you from a lot of missed strikes.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the most colorful fighters you'll find offshore, flashing gold and green as they jump and run. These beautiful fish average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds. We typically find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100+ feet of water. Summer brings the best action when water temperatures climb above 75 degrees. What guests love about mahi is their aggressive strikes, aerial displays, and how they change colors when brought to the boat - it's like watching a light show. The white, flaky meat is fantastic grilled or pan-seared with a mild, sweet flavor. Local tip: when you hook one mahi, keep your other lines in the water. They often travel in schools, and the commotion of fighting the first fish will fire up the rest of the school for multiple hookups.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are silvery speed demons that provide fast action and great eating. These schooling fish typically run 1-3 pounds with distinctive yellow spots along their sides. We find them near structure, piers, and over open water from spring through fall. They love warm water and often feed right at the surface, especially early morning and late afternoon. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite almost anything shiny and their mild, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're also great for kids and beginners since they're aggressive and not too big to handle. The key to spanish mackerel is speed - they hit fast-moving lures and won't give you time to think. My go-to tip: use light tackle with small silver spoons or jigs, and retrieve them as fast as you can reel. When you see birds working the surface, get there quick.
Wrightsville Beach, NC