Carolina Beach Offshore Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour offshore fishing expedition targeting Amberjack speciesLive bait fishing techniques for ocean's strongest fightersMaximum 6 guests with Fillet and Release Fishing Charters
Picture yourself fighting a hard-pulling amberjack 20 miles off Carolina Beach while the Atlantic stretches endlessly around you. That's exactly what you'll get with Fillet and Release Fishing Charters' top-rated 6-hour offshore adventure. We're talking about real deep-water fishing here – the kind where you'll feel every headshake and run from some of the ocean's strongest fighters. With Captain and crew handling up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work your fish without getting tangled up with other lines. No meals are provided, so pack your lunch and drinks for the day, but trust me, once the action starts heating up, you'll forget all about being hungry.
We'll push off from Carolina Beach and make the run out to the productive waters where the big fish live. Depending on conditions and what's biting, we might head to structure like wrecks and artificial reefs, or run out to the blue water where the pelagics cruise. The boat's rigged with quality tackle and the crew knows these waters like the back of their hand. You'll be fishing with both live bait and artificials – live bait gets presented on the bottom for amberjack and grouper, while we'll troll for kings, mahi, and cobia. The captain's constantly watching the fish finder and adjusting our spots based on what we're marking. Six hours gives us enough time to hit multiple areas and really dial in on what's working best that day.
We run a mixed bag of techniques depending on what we're targeting. For bottom fishing, we'll drop live baits and cut baits on heavy tackle – think 50-80 pound class gear that can handle the pull of a big amberjack or the bulldogging fight of a cobia. The crew rigs everything from knocker rigs to fish finder rigs based on the structure we're fishing. When we're trolling, we'll pull a spread of ballyhoo, spoons, and diving plugs at different depths to cover the water column. Live bait fishing is where things get really exciting – when a big fish eats a live bait, there's no mistaking it. The crew handles all the rigging and re-baiting, so you can focus on the fight. They'll also help with gaffing and netting when you get your fish to the boat.
Bluefish are aggressive predators that travel in schools and provide fast action when you find them. These silver bullets typically run 3-10 pounds around Carolina Beach and are most active during spring and fall migrations. They'll absolutely destroy a trolled spoon or cut bait, and their razor-sharp teeth make for exciting close-quarters battles. What anglers love about blues is their willingness to bite – when you find a school, every rod on the boat can be bent at once.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of our offshore waters, capable of blistering runs that'll test your drag system. These fish typically range from 15-40 pounds in our area, with peak season running from late spring through early fall. Kings love trolled baits, especially slow-trolled live bait or pulled ballyhoo. The initial strike is explosive, followed by long runs that can strip 200 yards of line in seconds. Anglers get hooked on kings because every hookup feels like you might get spooled.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and acrobatics that make offshore fishing special. These golden beauties average 10-25 pounds around Carolina Beach and show up best during the warmer months when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. They're suckers for trolled baits and often travel in small schools around floating debris or weedlines. What makes mahi so exciting is their aerial displays – they'll jump repeatedly when hooked, putting on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldogs of the reef, using their broad sides and powerful tails to wage war in the rocks. These bruisers commonly reach 30-60 pounds in our waters and are available year-round, though they're most active in cooler months. They're typically caught on live bait fished near bottom structure, and their fights are characterized by powerful runs straight back to the rocks. Amberjack fishing gets addictive because it's a true test of angler versus fish – you need to turn their heads quickly or they'll cut you off in the structure.
Cobia are the curious giants that often show up when you least expect them. These brown sharks-lookalikes can exceed 40 pounds and are most common from late spring through summer around Carolina Beach. They're often caught sight-fishing with live baits or jigs when they cruise near the surface around structures. What makes cobia special is their intelligence – they'll follow the boat and inspect baits carefully before deciding to eat. Their fights combine power with endurance, making every cobia a trophy-class battle.
This 6-hour offshore adventure with Fillet and Release Fishing Charters gives you the perfect taste of what Carolina Beach's deep waters have to offer. You'll experience world-class fishing techniques, battle multiple species, and create the kind of fishing memories that keep you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock. The crew's local knowledge and quality equipment stack the odds in your favor, while the variety of target species means there's always something willing to bite. Whether you're a seasoned offshore angler or ready to step up from inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. Don't wait – the fish are biting and your spot on the boat is just a phone call away.
Meet your fishing platform for the day – a 36-foot Phoenix sport fisher that's been completely refurbished and ready to take you after Carolina Beach's best offshore action. Twin 370HP Cummins engines push this beauty at a solid 25 knots, getting you to the fishing grounds fast so you can spend more time with lines in the water instead of burning fuel. This boat handles six anglers comfortably with room to move around when you're fighting fish. The flybridge gives you excellent visibility for spotting bait schools and working birds, while the fish finder and GPS keep you on top of structure and drop-offs where the big ones hang out. When you hook into an amberjack or other bottom dweller, you'll have plenty of deck space to work the fish without getting tangled up with your buddies. Between fishing spots, duck into the air-conditioned cabin to cool off or grab something cold from the refrigerator. There's an icebox for your catch, a full galley for prepping bait or snacks, and even a head and bunk if anyone needs a break from the Carolina sun. The radar comes in handy when weather moves in, keeping you safe while extending your fishing time. This Phoenix is built for serious offshore fishing – reliable, comfortable, and equipped with everything you need for a productive day chasing whatever's biting off the Carolina coast.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that put up a solid fight, making them popular with anglers here off Carolina Beach. These silver-blue fish typically run 2-10 pounds, though we catch some pushing 15-20 pounds during peak season. They're voracious predators with razor-sharp teeth, so handle with care. You'll find them in surf zones, around inlets, and over sandy bottoms from late spring through fall when water temps warm up. They school up and feed aggressively on baitfish like menhaden and anchovies. What guests love is the non-stop action - when you find one school, you'll usually catch several. The meat's excellent when iced immediately and cooked fresh. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your fingers clear of those teeth when unhooking.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are unique fish that cruise solo and often get mistaken for sharks at first glance. These dark brown fighters average 20-50 pounds, with fish over 60 pounds not uncommon. We sight fish for them in shallow water around buoys, wrecks, and structure during their spring migration, then target deeper reefs and offshore rigs through summer. Spring and early summer are best when they're moving through our area. What makes them special is they're curious - they'll come check out the boat and eat almost anything you throw. The fight is strong and steady, and the meat rivals cobia's excellent table quality. Here's the key: when you spot one, don't spook it. Drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them and be ready - they usually eat fast or not at all.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjacks are the bullies of the reef - powerful, stubborn fish that'll test your tackle and your patience. These bronze-sided bruisers typically run 20-40 pounds, with trophy fish hitting 60-80 pounds or more. We find them around wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom in 60-200 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they're most aggressive. What guests love is the raw power - amberjacks fight straight down and won't give up easily. They're excellent eating when prepared right, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. The battle is what brings people back - it's pure strength against strength. Local tip: use heavy tackle with 50+ pound line and be ready to put serious pressure on them. Let them run initially, then clamp down and muscle them up before they reach structure.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are speed demons that'll test your drag system and your arms. These sleek silver fish typically range 10-30 pounds, with bigger ones pushing 40-50 pounds. We target them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, temperature breaks, and bait schools. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're most active in our area. What makes them special is their blistering runs - they're built for speed and will strip line fast. The fight is intense but worth it for the excellent table fare. Kings have lean, white meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Here's a local trick: rig two hooks on a wire leader when using live bait - one through the nose, one trailing. Kings often hit the tail end of baitfish, so that back hook saves the day.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most beautiful fish we catch, with brilliant gold and green colors that flash like neon underwater. These fast-growing fish average 15-30 pounds, though we've boated some pushing 50. They're surface dwellers that love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in warm blue water. Late spring through fall brings them closest to our waters. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight - they jump, dive, and put on a real show. The meat is firm, mild, and perfect for the dinner table. They're curious fish that often travel in small groups, so when you hook one, keep lines ready for more. Here's what works: make your bait skip on the surface like a flying fish - mahi can't resist that action.
Wilmington