6-Hour Carolina Beach Fishing Charter Experience
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour live bait fishing charter targeting multiple coastal speciesExpert crew provides guidance and all necessary fishing equipment includedAccommodates up to six guests with professional local knowledge
Carolina Beach delivers some of North Carolina's hottest inshore and nearshore fishing action, and our 6-hour charter puts you right in the thick of it. You'll be fishing productive waters where Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bluefish, and Bonito are regularly pulling drag and keeping rods bent. Our experienced crew knows these waters like the back of their hand and will get you dialed in on live bait techniques that consistently produce fish. With all tackle and gear provided, you just need to show up ready to fish – and maybe pack some snacks and drinks for the day.
This top-rated 6-hour trip targets the sweet spots where Carolina Beach's most sought-after species hang out. We're talking about waters where the action can go from steady picking to wide-open fishing in a heartbeat. Your captain will read the conditions – water temperature, bait schools, and structure – to put you on fish throughout the day. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for families, buddy trips, or corporate outings. Our crew will have you rigged up with live bait and walk you through the techniques that work best in these waters. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, we'll make sure you're in the game and ready when the fish start biting.
Live bait fishing is the name of the game out here, and there's nothing quite like watching a King Mackerel crush a live menhaden or seeing your rod double over when a Bonito hits a frisky sardine. We'll rig you up with circle hooks and the right leader material to handle whatever comes up from the depths. The boat comes fully equipped with Penn and Shimano reels, medium to heavy action rods, and all the terminal tackle you'll need. We'll show you how to work live baits at different depths, from free-lining near the surface for Spanish Mackerel to dropping baits deeper for Amberjack around structure. The crew will handle bait prep and rigging, so you can focus on fishing. We'll also mix in some light trolling when conditions are right, covering water to locate active schools.
King Mackerel are the crown jewel of Carolina Beach fishing, and these silver bullets can show up any time from late spring through fall. Kings typically run 10-30 pounds in these waters, with the occasional smoker pushing 40-plus. They're aggressive predators that hunt bait schools, and when you hook into one, get ready for screaming runs and acrobatic jumps. The best action usually happens from May through October when water temperatures are in the sweet spot. What makes Kings so exciting is their speed and power – they'll test your drag system and your arms.
Atlantic Bonito are pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter on this trip. These 3-8 pound speedsters are built like torpedoes and fight like fish twice their size. Bonito move through in schools during cooler months, typically from October through March, and they absolutely demolish live baits and small lures. They're also fantastic table fare with their light, tuna-like meat. When a school fires up, you can hook multiple fish in quick succession – it's fast-paced fishing that keeps everyone on their toes.
Greater Amberjack are the muscle of the reef, and Carolina Beach's nearshore structure holds some quality fish. These bruisers typically range from 15-50 pounds and will test every ounce of your fishing skills. AJ's are year-round residents but peak during cooler months when they move shallower to feed. They're notorious for their initial bulldogging runs straight for the bottom, trying to wrap your line around structure. Landing a good Amberjack is a real accomplishment and provides excellent eating.
Atlantic Mackerel (Boston Mackerel) show up in cooler water periods and provide steady action on lighter tackle. These 1-3 pound fish might be smaller than their King Mackerel cousins, but they make up for size with numbers. When you find a school, it's often non-stop action with multiple hookups. They're perfect for kids and beginners, plus they make excellent bait for larger species. The silver sides and distinctive markings make them a beautiful catch.
Great Barracuda are the opportunistic predators of Carolina Beach waters, and they'll surprise you with explosive strikes. These toothy critters can range from small 5-pounders to impressive fish over 20 pounds. Barracuda are ambush predators that strike with lightning speed, often launching themselves clear out of the water. They're year-round residents but most active during warmer months. The key with Barracuda is wire leader – their razor-sharp teeth will slice through monofilament in a heartbeat.
Carolina Beach fishing doesn't get much better than this 6-hour charter experience. With experienced crew, top-quality gear, and access to productive fishing grounds, you're set up for a memorable day on the water. The variety of species keeps things exciting – you never know if the next bite will be a screaming King Mackerel or a hard-fighting Amberjack. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and plan accordingly. These renowned Carolina Beach waters are waiting, and the fish are biting. Grab your crew of up to 6 anglers and get ready for some world-class fishing action that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Step aboard our 42-foot Carolina Custom sportfishing boat and get ready to chase some serious fish in the waters off Carolina Beach. This restored beauty runs on a powerful 700HP Detroit Diesel that'll get you to the hot spots at a smooth 21 knots. With room for up to 6 anglers, she's equipped with everything you need for a productive day on the water - GPS to navigate to the best fishing grounds, fish finder to locate your targets, icebox to keep your drinks cold, and even a flybridge for better visibility when the action heats up. The boat comes fully rigged with all the gear, so just bring your appetite for Spanish Mackerel, Kings, Bluefish, and whatever else is biting. Our crew knows these waters and will show you the live bait techniques that really produce results. With 6 hours of fishing time, you'll have plenty of chances to fill the cooler.
Sarda SardaBonito are like small torpedoes, usually running 2-8 pounds and hitting 40 mph when they're feeding. You'll find massive schools cruising the mid-water column in 60-plus feet, and they're not picky about bottom structure. Late spring through early fall is prime time when they chase bait to the surface. Watch for diving birds - that's your dinner bell. What guests love is the non-stop action once you find a school. These fish will hit anything you throw at them. They're oily and not great eating here, but they make fantastic bait for bigger game. Pro tip: when you see them schooling on top, cast fast-moving lures right into the chaos - they'll compete to hit first.
Scomber ScombrusAtlantic mackerel are perfect for kids and light tackle fans, running about a foot long and rarely over 2 pounds. They school in huge numbers in the mid-water column, usually 20-60 feet deep over sandy bottom. Spring and summer are your best bets when they move closer to shore. These fish are fantastic eating - rich, flaky meat packed with healthy oils. The real fun is the constant action - where there's one, there's a hundred. They're aggressive and will hit small jigs, spoons, or even tiny pieces of cut bait. Quick tip: use a multi-hook rig with small shiny lures. Drop it mid-depth and jig steadily - you'll often bring up two or three at once.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the ambush predators of our waters, typically 2-4 feet long with razor teeth and attitude to match. They patrol shallow reefs, grass flats, and drop-offs in 10-50 feet, often hanging solo near structure. Summer months bring the most consistent action when they're hunting actively. While the meat can be tricky due to toxins in larger fish, the fight is what hooks people - explosive strikes and acrobatic jumps. They're curious fish that'll follow lures before deciding to hit. My best advice: use a wire leader always, and when one follows your lure without striking, stop reeling and let it sink. That change often triggers the bite you're waiting for.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjacks are the bulldozers of the reef, averaging 20-40 pounds and putting up fights that'll test your shoulders. They hang around wrecks and hard bottom in 80-200 feet of water. Best fishing runs from late spring through early fall when they're most active. These bruisers make solid table fare - firm, white meat that grills beautifully. What really gets people fired up is that initial dive they make straight for the bottom when hooked. It's a pure power struggle. My go-to advice: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. They'll tire themselves out trying to reach structure. Heavy tackle helps, but once they commit to coming up, they usually stay up.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the prize catch around Carolina Beach, averaging 20-30 pounds with some pushing 50-plus. These silver bullets cruise in 40-150 feet of water, usually near temperature breaks and structure. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially when baitfish are thick. What makes them special is that explosive first run - they'll peel line like nothing else out there. Kings also make excellent table fare with their firm, white meat. The key trick I always share: use a dual-hook rig on your live bait. Thread one hook through the nose and let a treble dangle near the tail - kings love to hit bait from behind, and this setup hooks them solid every time.
Carolina Beach NC