Wrightsville Beach Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Sixhour offshore fishing adventure targeting premium speciesVenture up to 20 miles offshore for King Mackerel and MahiAll gear and fishing licenses provided for four guests
Looking for a serious fishing adventure that'll get your heart pumping? Circle Bak Charters' 6-hour offshore trip from Wrightsville Beach is exactly what you need. We're talking about heading up to 20 miles out into the deep blue, where the big boys swim and every cast could be the one that changes everything. This isn't your typical pier fishing – we're going where the water's deep, the fish are hungry, and the stories write themselves.
When you step aboard with Circle Bak Charters, you're getting the full offshore experience. Six hours gives us plenty of time to find the fish and put you on them. We'll cruise out beyond the continental shelf where the water turns that perfect blue-green and you know you're in fish country. The boat's equipped with everything you need – top-notch rods, reels, tackle, and your fishing license is covered. Just bring yourself, some snacks, and get ready to work those arms. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on the productive spots where kings, mahi, sailfish, and cobia like to hang out. With only 4 anglers max, you're not fighting for rod time or elbow room – everyone gets their shot at glory.
Out here in the deep water off Wrightsville Beach, we're primarily trolling to cover ground and find the action. The captain will set up a spread of baits – ballyhoo, cigar minnows, and lures that mimic the baitfish these predators can't resist. You'll learn how to watch the rods, feel the difference between a bite and just rough water, and most importantly, how to fight a fish that doesn't want to come to the boat. The Gulf Stream's influence creates temperature breaks and current edges that concentrate baitfish, and where there's bait, there's going to be gamefish. We'll also work structure when we find it – drop-offs, ledges, and artificial reefs that hold cobia and other bottom-oriented species. The gear is heavy enough to handle whatever we hook but still gives you the fight you're looking for.
Atlantic Sailfish are the crown jewel of these waters, and summer through fall brings them in close enough for day trips. These fish are pure energy – they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that'll have you talking for years. Most sails we catch run 6-8 feet and 40-60 pounds, and they fight every inch of the way to the boat. The best part? We practice catch and release with these beauties, so you get the fight and the photos without impacting the fishery.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of our offshore fishing here. These toothy speedsters love the temperature breaks and current edges we find 10-20 miles out. Kings typically run 15-40 pounds in our area, though bigger fish show up during their fall migration. They're fast, they're strong, and they make excellent table fare. Spring through fall is prime time, with the bigger fish showing up as the water cools.
Mahi Mahi, or dorado as some call them, are probably the most fun fish in the ocean pound for pound. They're gorgeous – all gold and green – and they fight like crazy. Plus, they're fantastic eating. Mahi love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature changes. When we find a school, it's game on because they usually travel together. Summer's your best bet for mahi, especially when the water's warm and clear.
Atlantic Bonito might not be the biggest fish we catch, but don't underestimate these little rockets. They school up in big numbers and hit lures like freight trains. Great light-tackle action and they make excellent strip baits for bigger fish. Fall migration brings the biggest schools through our waters.
Cobia are the wildcards of our trips. These brown sharks (they're not actually sharks) cruise near the surface and are curious enough to come check out the boat. When you see one, it's sight-fishing time – drop a jig or live bait right in front of them. Cobia fight hard and taste even better. Spring and fall are peak times, especially around the artificial reefs.
This is what offshore fishing is all about – getting away from the crowds, feeling that ocean swell under the boat, and never knowing what's going to hit next. Six hours gives us time to do it right, to move around and find the fish, and to make sure everyone gets their chances. Circle Bak Charters has built their reputation on putting anglers on fish and making sure you have the kind of day you'll be talking about at the dock. The boat's ready, the captain knows where to go, and the fish are out there waiting. All that's missing is you with a rod in your hands. Book your trip today and find out why serious anglers keep coming back to Wrightsville Beach's offshore waters.
Ready to chase some serious fish? This 26' C-Hawk center console is your ticket to prime offshore waters around Wrightsville Beach. Built in 1994 but powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha, she'll cruise at 24 knots to get you out to the fishing grounds fast. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the lines without bumping elbows. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for a productive day - fish finder to locate the action, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The onboard multimedia system keeps things entertaining during the ride out. We'll venture up to 20 miles offshore where King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, and Sailfish are waiting. All gear and licenses included, so just bring your appetite for adventure and get ready to fill the coolers!
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are like small torpedoes - silver bodies with dark stripes that can hit 40 mph when chasing baitfish. They typically run 5-12 pounds and school up in big numbers, often with their dorsal fins showing like tiny sharks. You'll find them in mid-water, usually 10-50 feet down, following baitfish near the surface. Best fishing is late summer through fall when water temps drop into the 60s. While they're not great eating here, guests love the non-stop action when you find a school - they'll hit almost anything you throw at them. My go-to tip is to watch for diving birds, which signal feeding schools below. Once you find them, small metal jigs or spoons work great. Cast ahead of the school and retrieve fast to match their aggressive feeding style.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic Sailfish are the speed demons of our waters, hitting up to 40 mph with that massive dorsal sail raised. These beautiful blue-gray fish average 7-8 feet and around 50 pounds, though we've seen bigger. They hunt in the top 30-65 feet, often near the surface where you'll spot that distinctive sail fin cutting through the water. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit 70-80°F. What makes guests love targeting sailfish is the incredible fight - they'll leap clear out of the water multiple times, putting on a real show. The key trick I share is to keep your drag light when they first hit. Let them run and jump; trying to muscle them early will just pull the hook. Once they settle down, then you can apply pressure and work them to the boat.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are big brown sharks that aren't sharks - they're actually fantastic eating fish that can reach 50-100 pounds. These loners cruise near the surface around structure like wrecks, reefs, and buoys, usually in 30-70 feet of water. Late spring through early summer is prime time during their spawning migration. What guests love is sight fishing for these giants - you'll actually see them swimming just under the surface, and they're surprisingly curious about boats. They fight hard and the meat is absolutely top-shelf, firm and mild. The key with cobia is being ready when you spot one. Keep a bucktail jig rigged and ready to cast. When you see one, cast ahead of where it's swimming and work that jig slowly along the bottom. They'll usually eat it on the drop.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are some of the fastest fish we target, and they average 20-30 pounds with plenty reaching 40-50 pounds. These silver speedsters cruise in 40-150 feet of water, usually around structure or temperature breaks. Late spring through fall is prime time when water temps hit the 70s and 80s. What guests love most is the blistering initial run - kings will scream line off your reel like nothing else. They're also fantastic eating with firm, flaky meat. The trick with kings is using a wire leader and rigging live bait with two hooks - one in the nose, one trailing behind. Kings often grab bait from the back, so that trailing hook is your insurance policy. We'll troll around structure and ledges where they ambush schools of baitfish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi Mahi are absolutely stunning fish that change colors like a light show when hooked - brilliant gold, blue, and green. They average 15-30 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds. These surface dwellers love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in blue water. Late spring through early fall is peak season when Gulf Stream waters warm up. Guests love mahi for their acrobatic jumps and the fact they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean - firm, white, and sweet. Plus, where you find one, you usually find more. My best tip is to always keep one hooked fish in the water while others cast around it. Mahi are curious and will often stay near their hooked buddy, giving everyone a shot at the school before you boat the first fish.
Wrightsville Beach, NC