8-Hour Southern Shores Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8-hour offshore charter targets Cobia, Drum, King Mackerel, and MahiAll gear, bait, and fishing licenses included with charterSmall group experience accommodates up to 4 guests maximum
When you're serious about getting offshore and putting some real fish in the boat, this 8-hour charter with Flying Fish Charters OBX is exactly what you need. We're talking about a full day on the water where you'll have enough time to work different spots, change up techniques, and target some of the best gamefish that swim off the North Carolina coast. With gear, bait, and licenses all taken care of, you just need to bring your appetite for fishing and maybe some snacks to keep you going through the day.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushing to get lines wet and back to the dock. Eight hours gives us the luxury of time – time to run to the productive spots, time to work structure thoroughly, and time to adapt when the fish tell us what they want. We'll be targeting the offshore waters around Southern Shores, where the continental shelf creates the perfect conditions for pelagic species to hunt and feed. The boat accommodates up to 4 anglers, which means everyone gets plenty of room to fight fish without bumping elbows. You'll start early to beat the crowds and make the most of prime feeding times, and we'll stay out long enough to hit both the morning and afternoon bites that can make or break a fishing trip.
Most of our time will be spent trolling the blue water, pulling a spread of lures and baits designed to trigger strikes from everything in the area. We'll run ballyhoo on the outriggers, maybe some cedar plugs or spoons in the spread, and keep live bait ready for when we mark fish on the sounder. The key to offshore success here is covering water efficiently while reading the conditions – water temperature breaks, current edges, and bait concentrations all tell us where to focus our efforts. When we hook up, we'll often circle back and work the area more thoroughly since these fish tend to travel in schools. Live bait fishing comes into play big time when we find structure or see fish on the electronics, and that's when things can get really exciting with multiple hookups.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of offshore fishing here, and for good reason. These silver rockets can stretch the tape anywhere from 15 to 40+ pounds, with the bigger fish showing up more consistently as the season progresses into fall. They're aggressive predators that hit trolled baits hard and make screaming runs that'll test your drag system. The best part about kings is their willingness to bite throughout the day, though early morning and late afternoon tend to produce the biggest fish. Spanish Mackerel might be smaller, but they make up for size with sheer numbers and acrobatic fights that keep things lively when the bigger fish are being picky.
Cobia are the wild cards that can completely change your day. These brown sharks, as some folks call them, can push 50+ pounds and have a habit of showing up when you least expect them. They're curious fish that will often follow hooked fish to the boat, giving you a shot at sight-fishing with live bait or jigs. Mahi Mahi bring the color and excitement – these golden beauties are pure dynamite on light tackle and provide some of the best table fare you'll find offshore. They tend to travel in schools around floating debris or weed lines, so when you find one, there's usually more in the area.
Amberjack live on the bottom structure and provide the kind of fights that'll make your arms burn. These reef bullies can weigh 40, 50, even 60+ pounds, and they know every rock and ledge down there. Getting them up from 80+ feet of water while they're trying to cut you off is what offshore fishing is all about. Bluefish round out the mix as the cleanup hitters – they're always hungry, always aggressive, and always willing to bend a rod when other species are playing hard to get.
Here's the bottom line: an 8-hour offshore charter gives you the best shot at experiencing everything these waters have to offer. You're not rushed, you're not limited to one technique or one area, and you've got time to let the day develop naturally. The crew knows these waters inside and out, the gear is top-rated, and with everything included except your food and drinks, you can focus entirely on fishing. Southern Shores sits in prime position to access some of the most productive offshore waters on the East Coast, and this charter puts you right in the middle of it all. Whether you're looking to check some bucket list species off your list or just want to spend a full day doing what you love most, this trip delivers the goods.
Your fishing machine for this 8-hour offshore adventure is a well-equipped 23-foot Sea Hunt center console powered by a reliable 225HP Yamaha engine. This boat cuts through the waters off Southern Shores with ease, getting you to the prime fishing spots where Cobia, Drum, King Mackerel, and Mahi are waiting. The center console design gives everyone on board plenty of room to move around and fight fish without getting tangled up. GPS navigation keeps you on target, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where the big ones hide. When nature calls, there's an onboard toilet so you don't miss a minute of fishing time. With space for up to 4 anglers, this Sea Hunt handles both the calm inshore waters and the choppier offshore conditions where the real action happens. All your gear, bait, and licenses are included – just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks, and get ready for some serious saltwater fishing along the Carolina coast.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - they cruise just under the surface with that single dorsal fin showing, fooling plenty of folks. These brown bruisers average 30-50 pounds but can push 100+. Look for them around buoys, wrecks, and structure in 30-70 feet during spring migration and spawning season. They're loners most of the year, so spotting one is sight fishing at its best. Guests love cobia because they're powerful fighters that make long, determined runs, plus the meat is absolutely top-shelf - firm, white, and sweet. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. My go-to trick is using a bucktail jig in any color - doesn't matter much. Cast past a cruising fish and work it back slowly. They're curious and will often follow before striking.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive feeders that'll hit just about anything you throw at them. These toothy predators typically run 2-10 pounds, with the bigger "choppers" putting up serious fights. They roam beaches, inlets, and offshore waters from spring through fall, following bait schools. What makes blues popular is their willingness to bite and that hard-pulling fight - they don't give up easy. The smaller ones are great eating when fresh, though the big ones can be a bit strong. Summer brings the best action when they're chasing baitfish in the surf and around structure. Watch for birds diving and water churning - that's a bluefish blitz in action. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy mono - those razor-sharp teeth will cut through regular line in a heartbeat. Cut bait works great, but they'll smash lures too.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are speed demons that'll test your tackle and skills. These silver bullets typically run 15-30 pounds around here, though we've hooked monsters pushing 50+. You'll find them in 40-150 feet of water, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall are prime time when they're actively feeding on our abundant baitfish. What makes kings special is that blistering first run - they'll scream line off your reel faster than almost any fish in these waters. The meat's excellent too, firm and flaky when cooked right. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig with two hooks - one in the nose of your live bait, another trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail section first, and that stinger hook will save you from a lot of heartbreak.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed merchants that travel in schools and hit like lightning. These silver bullets with yellow spots typically run 1-3 pounds, perfect for light tackle fun. You'll find them in 15-40 feet around structure, but they also cruise open water chasing baitfish. Spring through fall brings consistent action, especially when water temps warm up. Guests love them because they're scrappy fighters that jump and make blistering runs, plus they're excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that's great fried or smoked. They're perfect for kids and beginners since they bite readily and fight hard for their size. The key is speed - use small, fast-moving lures like spoons or jigs. When you see birds working or schools busting the surface, get there quick and keep your lures moving. Stop retrieving and they'll lose interest fast.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are pure excitement - brilliant gold and green colors that put on a light show when they come to the boat. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we see some hefty bulls pushing 50+ during peak season. These surface dwellers love floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in deeper blue water. Late spring through early fall brings the best action when water temps climb. What guests love about mahi is the acrobatic fight - they'll jump, dive, and change colors right before your eyes. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, sweet meat that's perfect on the grill. Here's the trick: when you hook one, don't boat it immediately. Keep it in the water and work the school - mahi are curious and loyal, so that hooked fish will often bring others right to the boat for multiple hookups.
Seriola LalandiAmberjack are the bullies of the reef - strong, stubborn fish that'll test your arms and your tackle. Most run 15-25 pounds, but the big boys can hit 40+ and make you question your life choices. These yellow-tailed fighters live around hard bottom, wrecks, and offshore structure in 60-200 feet. Fall and winter bring the best fishing when they stack up on our deeper reefs. What makes amberjack special is that bulldogging fight - they'll pull straight down and try to cut you off in the rocks. The meat's decent eating when bled and iced properly. Fair warning: these fish are known for putting anglers in the chiropractor's office. Here's what works: use heavy tackle, at least 50-pound class, and don't try to horse them up too fast. Let them tire themselves out first, then apply steady pressure.
Manteo, NC, United States