Offshore Fishing Trips North Carolina
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
6hour offshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesJourney 1020 miles offshore for pelagic and bottom fishSmall group experience with maximum 3 guests aboard
Picture this: it's 7 AM, the sun's just breaking the horizon, and you're heading out into the deep blue waters off North Carolina's coast with Fintasia Charters. This isn't your typical nearshore trip – we're talking about a serious 6-hour offshore adventure that'll take you 10-20 miles out where the big fish live. With space for up to 3 anglers, this is your chance to get into some world-class fishing without fighting crowds on a packed party boat.
Once we clear the inlet and hit open water, you'll understand why North Carolina's offshore scene is legendary among serious anglers. The Gulf Stream brings warm, nutrient-rich water close to our coast, creating perfect conditions for both pelagic species and structure fish. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – from the temperature breaks where mahi stack up to the rocky bottom where monster grouper hide. You've got two main game plans here: chase the pelagics that cruise the blue water, or anchor up on productive bottom structure for some serious bend-the-rod action. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is there's time to do both if conditions are right.
For the pelagic bite, we'll be pulling a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving lures behind the boat at 6-8 knots. The key is covering water and finding those temperature breaks, weed lines, or debris piles where mahi and kings hang out. When we mark fish on the sounder or spot birds working, that's when things get exciting fast. For bottom fishing, we'll anchor up over structure and drop down bottom rigs loaded with cut bait or live offerings. Think heavy tackle here – 50-80 pound class gear because you never know when a big amberjack or grouper is going to test your drag system. Your guide will handle all the rigging and bait prep, so you can focus on what matters: fighting fish.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of North Carolina offshore fishing, and for good reason. These silver rockets can stretch 20-40 pounds and make blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. Best action typically runs from late spring through early fall, with the bigger "smoker" kings showing up when the water temps hit that sweet spot in the mid-70s. Kings love to cruise along temperature breaks and will absolutely crush a properly presented ballyhoo or live bait. What makes them so addictive is their speed – one minute you're trolling peacefully, the next you've got a fish peeling line at 30 mph.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphin fish as the locals call them, are pure gold when you find them. These colorful fighters travel in schools, so where there's one, there's usually more. They're attracted to any floating structure – sargassum weed, debris, even our boat once we stop. Mahi are acrobatic fighters that'll jump, dive, and put on a show that never gets old. Plus, they're absolutely delicious on the dinner table. Peak season runs May through September, but don't be surprised if we luck into a school during the cooler months when they're following bait.
Sea Bass might not have the glamour of pelagics, but these bottom dwellers are customer favorites for a reason. They're aggressive biters, excellent eating, and you can usually count on steady action when we find good structure. North Carolina's sea bass run from 1-3 pounds typically, though the occasional 5-pounder will surprise you. They're year-round residents, making them reliable when weather keeps us from ranging too far offshore. Drop a piece of cut squid or strip bait down to 60-100 feet, and you're in business.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing when they're in season. These crimson beauties are smart, strong, and absolutely phenomenal table fare. In North Carolina waters, red snapper typically run 5-15 pounds, though 20+ pounders are definitely in the mix around the right structure. They're notorious for testing light drag settings and diving straight back to the rocks when hooked. The snapper bite has been steadily improving in recent years, making this one of the most sought-after species for serious bottom fishermen.
This top-rated 6-hour offshore adventure with Fintasia Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for: access to productive offshore waters, expert local knowledge, and the chance to tangle with some of North Carolina's best fish. Whether you're after the speed and power of pelagic species or the steady action of bottom fishing, this trip covers all the bases. The 3-angler limit means you're getting personalized attention and won't be fighting for rail space when the bite turns on. North Carolina's offshore fishing scene is world-class, and this is your chance to experience it with a captain who knows where the fish are and how to put you on them. Don't let another season slip by – book your offshore adventure today and get ready to see why anglers travel from across the country to fish these waters.
Ready to hit the Carolina waters? Our 23' Pathfinder center console is built for serious offshore action. Powered by a reliable 250HP Yamaha outboard, she'll cruise you and two fishing buddies 10-20 miles out where the big fish live. The boat's equipped with everything you need – GPS to find the hot spots, radar for those early morning fog banks, and a quality fish finder to locate schools of Mahi, King Mackerel, and Amberjack. When you want to switch it up and drop for bottom species like Grouper, Snapper, and Triggerfish, we've got you covered. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the 6-hour adventure. This compact but capable fishing machine handles North Carolina's offshore waters with ease, getting you to the fish fast so you can maximize your time with lines in the water. Perfect for small groups who want personalized attention and plenty of elbow room while fighting fish.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are some of the fastest fish in these waters, averaging 20-30 pounds but capable of reaching 50+ pounds. We find them in 40-150 feet, often around temperature breaks and structure. They're voracious feeders that'll hit live bait, spoons, and trolled baits hard. What makes them special is their blistering runs - they'll strip line like nothing else out here. The meat is excellent when fresh, with a rich flavor that grills beautifully. Best fishing is May through October when water temps hit 70-80 degrees. Here's a local trick: use a dual-hook rig with wire leader since they love to bite the back half of baitfish. First hook goes in the nose, second dangles near the tail. These fish have razor teeth, so that wire leader isn't optional.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the show-stoppers of offshore fishing - brilliant gold and green that flash like neon underwater. They average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+. We target them 10-20 miles out around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in blue water. They're surface feeders that love to travel in schools, so where you find one, there's usually more. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps climb above 75 degrees. What guests love most is their acrobatic fight - these fish jump, tail-walk, and put on a real show. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, firm white meat. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep a few baits ready. The commotion often fires up the whole school, and you can have multiple fish on at once.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize of deep-water fishing, with their bright red color and impressive size - typically 3-8 pounds, but 15+ pounders show up regularly. We target them in 60-200+ feet around hard bottom, ledges, and offshore structure. These are true bottom dwellers that require heavy tackle and strong arms. What draws people to snapper fishing is the solid fight they put up and their reputation as one of the best eating fish in the ocean - mild, nutty flavor that's restaurant quality. Summer months offer the best action during their spawning season. The trick with red snapper is getting your bait to the bottom quickly and keeping it there. Use enough weight to beat the current, and when you feel that thump, reel fast - they'll head straight for cover to cut your line.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are one of our most reliable bottom fish, typically running 1-3 pounds with some reaching 5+ pounds. They hang around hard structure - wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottoms in 30-100 feet of water. These dark, chunky fish are aggressive feeders that'll hit squid, clams, and soft plastics readily. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. They're active year-round, but spring and fall produce the best numbers when they're feeding heavily. Since they school up on structure, once you find them, you can usually fill the cooler. Here's the key: use braided line so you can feel that light tap when they pick up the bait, then set the hook quickly before they drop it.
Greenville