Private 3/4 Day Nearshore & Offshore Fishing
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 6-hour offshore fishing charter accommodates up to 6 anglersTarget King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Amberjack, Cobia, and Tuna speciesAll fishing licenses and equipment provided with expert guidance
Ready to hit the waters off Sneads Ferry for some serious fishing action? This 6-hour private charter takes you and up to 5 buddies into the prime fishing grounds where the big ones are biting. Captain and crew from Drifter Sportfishing know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're going to put you on fish that'll have you talking for years. We're talking King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Amberjack, Cobia, and if you're lucky, some hard-fighting Tuna. Bottom fishing for Grouper and other reef dwellers keeps the action steady when the trolling slows down. At $1,000 for your whole group, it breaks down to less than $170 per angler for world-class fishing with all gear and licenses included.
Your day starts early at the Sneads Ferry docks where you'll meet your captain and get the lowdown on the game plan. The boat's loaded with top-shelf tackle, fresh bait, and all the safety gear you need. We'll cruise out through New River Inlet and depending on conditions and what's biting, we might stay in the nearshore waters working the artificial reefs and ledges, or push further offshore to the blue water where the pelagics roam. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility – your captain reads the water and fish movement daily, so you're always fishing where the action is hottest. Expect a mix of high-energy trolling runs and relaxed bottom fishing sessions. The crew handles all the rigging, bait prep, and net work, so you can focus purely on fighting fish and enjoying the day with your crew.
This charter runs a combination approach that maximizes your shots at different species. Trolling is the bread and butter for covering water and finding aggressive fish. We'll pull a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving plugs at varying depths to target Kings, Mahi, and Cobia cruising the surface and mid-water column. When we mark fish on the bottom machine or hit a productive reef, it's time to break out the bottom rigs. Heavy tackle with circle hooks and fresh cut bait gets down to the Grouper, Amberjack, and whatever else is hanging around the structure. The boat carries everything from light spinning gear for smaller fish to heavy conventional reels that can handle the big Amberjack trying to drag you back to the rocks. Your captain will match the tackle to the target species and teach you the techniques that work best in these waters.
Yellowcheek Wrasse might not be the biggest fish in these waters, but they're scrappy little fighters that love hanging around the nearshore reefs and artificial structures. These colorful fish average 1-2 pounds and hit small baits and jigs with surprising aggression. They're year-round residents, making them a reliable target when other species are finicky. What makes them special is their willingness to bite when conditions get tough – they've saved more than one slow fishing day. Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing here. These electric-colored speedsters show up in spring and stick around through fall, with peak action in summer months. Bulls can push 30+ pounds while the smaller females still put up an aerial show that'll get your heart pumping. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Cobia are the gentle giants that cruise the nearshore waters, especially around buoys, rays, and floating debris. Spring and fall are prime time when these brown sharks (as locals call them) migrate through. They'll eat anything from live eels to cut bait, and a 40-pound Cobia will test your endurance with long, powerful runs. Yellowfin Tuna are the ultimate prize when they're in town. These torpedoes can show up year-round but are most common in fall and winter. Even a smaller schoolie will scream drag and test your tackle, while the larger fish are pure muscle that'll have you wondering if you bit off more than you can chew.
This top-rated private charter books up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red hot. At $1,000 for your whole group, you're getting professional captain and crew, all tackle and bait, fishing licenses, and 6 hours of guided fishing in some of the best waters on the North Carolina coast. The free cancellation policy with 7 days notice takes the worry out of weather concerns. Whether you're planning a bachelor party, family reunion, or just want to get your fishing buddies together for an epic day, this trip delivers the goods. Sneads Ferry's location puts you close to both nearshore reefs and offshore fishing grounds, maximizing your fishing time instead of burning hours in transit. Book now and get ready for a day of fishing that'll have you planning your return trip before you even hit the dock.
Meet the Drifter, a rock-solid Southport 30 center console that's built to handle whatever the waters off Sneads Ferry throw at you. Twin 300hp Yamaha outboards give her serious muscle to get you to the fish fast, whether you're chasing Kings in the nearshore waters or running out to the blue water for Mahi and Tuna. This boat rides smooth and stays dry even when the seas pick up, with plenty of room for your crew of 6 to spread out and fish comfortably. She's loaded with tournament-grade electronics including GPS, radar, and a top-notch fish finder to put you right on the bite. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the action, and there's a head on board for those longer runs. From trolling the drop-offs for Cobia to dropping bottom rigs on the structure for Grouper and Amberjack, the Drifter's got the stability and fishability to make it happen.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of our favorite targets because they're big, strong, and make excellent table fare. These brown torpedo-shaped fish average 30-50 pounds and can reach 6 feet long. They're often solo hunters cruising near the surface around structures like reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June is prime time when they move north to spawn. What guests love most is sight fishing - watching these powerful fish cruise just under the surface before making your cast. They fight hard with long runs and stubborn head shakes. The meat is firm and flaky, perfect for grilling. Here's the key: use a bucktail jig in any color and work it near structure. Don't be afraid to make multiple casts to the same fish - they can be curious.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most exciting fish we target offshore. These brilliant golden-green fighters average 15-29 pounds but can hit 50+ on a good day. They love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks where they hunt flying fish. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially when water temps hit the 70s. What makes them special is the explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump clear out of the water multiple times. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, mild white meat that grills perfectly. Pro tip: when you hook one, leave it in the water briefly because mahi travel in small schools. That first fish will often bring friends to the boat, giving everyone a chance at the action.
Halichoeres CyanocephalusThese small, colorful fish max out around 11 inches and are perfect for beginners or anyone wanting steady action. You'll find them around sandy bottoms and rocky areas in 65-300 feet of water. The juveniles are actually cleaners - they'll set up shop and pick parasites off bigger fish. Adults have bright blue-green bodies with yellow markings that really pop. While they're not trophy fish, they're great for keeping kids busy and teaching proper techniques. They bite best on fresh mussels or marine worms - skip the shrimp since they'll just nibble it to pieces. Best part is they're around year-round, so there's always a chance to hook one while bottom fishing.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are the ultimate offshore challenge - fast, powerful, and built like torpedoes. Most fish we catch run 40-80 pounds, but 100+ pounders show up regularly. These warm-blooded speedsters cruise the upper 300 feet of blue water and can hit 50 mph when hooked. Summer through early fall brings the best action when they follow bait schools closer to shore. What makes them special is the blistering runs and stamina - they'll test your tackle and endurance. The sashimi-grade meat is worth every minute of the fight. We troll spreads with ballyhoo and lures, but when marking fish deep, vertical jigging often saves the day. Key tip: when one hits, keep other lines in because they school up and multiple hookups are common.
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