Southern Shores 8-Hour Offshore Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour offshore charter targeting Cobia, King Mackerel, and MahiAll fishing gear, bait, and licenses included with charterSmall group experience limited to four guests maximum
When you're serious about fishing the Outer Banks, you need time to work the water properly. This 8-hour charter with Flying Fish Charters OBX gives you exactly that – a full day to hunt down some of the best gamefish swimming off Southern Shores. We're talking about real offshore action here, not some quick nearshore hop. You'll have the chance to tangle with Cobia, Drum, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Mahi, and Amberjack. All your tackle, bait, and licenses are handled, so just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks, and get ready for some serious fishing.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. Eight hours means we can run to the productive offshore waters where the big fish live, spend quality time working different spots, and adjust our game plan based on what's biting. The Southern Shores area puts us in perfect position to hit the Gulf Stream edges, structure, and temperature breaks where these species hang out. You'll fish with a maximum of 4 anglers, which means plenty of room to move around and everyone gets their shots at the action. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on fish while teaching you the techniques that work best out here. Whether the bite is hot on top or we need to drop baits deep, they'll have you covered with the right approach.
Offshore fishing off the Outer Banks requires different strategies depending on what's running and where we find them. For the pelagics like Mahi and King Mackerel, we'll be trolling spreads with ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and spoons at varying depths to cover the water column. When we mark Cobia or Amberjack around structure, it's time to switch gears and drop live baits or jigs down to where they're holding. The Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish often show up in feeding frenzies on the surface, and that's when the light tackle comes out for some fast-paced casting action. All the rods, reels, and terminal tackle are provided and maintained by the crew. They'll have everything from heavy trolling gear to lighter spinning setups ready to go. The boat carries a good selection of live and cut baits, plus the lures that have been producing. You don't need to worry about rigging – just focus on fighting fish and having a good time.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of offshore fishing here, and for good reason. These torpedo-shaped predators can hit 40+ pounds and will test your arms and your drag system. They're most active during the warmer months from late spring through early fall, often found along temperature breaks and near baitfish schools. What makes Kings so exciting is their initial run – they'll strip line off your reel like there's no tomorrow, then come up jumping and tail-walking across the surface. The fight doesn't end until they're in the boat.
Mahi Mahi are every angler's favorite because they're beautiful, acrobatic, and excellent eating. These colorful gamefish love floating debris and weed lines, often traveling in schools. When you find one, there are usually more around. Mahi are incredibly aerial fighters, launching themselves completely out of the water multiple times during the fight. They're most common here from late spring through early fall when the Gulf Stream moves closer to shore. A good-sized bull Mahi can easily hit 30-40 pounds and will give you a workout you won't forget.
Cobia are one of the most underrated fighters in these waters. These brown sharks (as some locals call them) can grow huge – we're talking 50+ pounds for the big females. They're curious fish that will often follow the boat or investigate structure, giving you multiple shot opportunities. Cobia fight deep and dirty, using their broad bodies to maximum advantage. They're most active from late spring through early fall and are phenomenal on the dinner table. Sight-fishing for Cobia when they're cruising near the surface is about as exciting as it gets.
Yellowtail Amberjack are the bulldogs of the deep. These fish live around wrecks and hard bottom, and they'll test every bit of your tackle and technique. A decent Amberjack will head straight for the structure when hooked, so it's a constant battle to turn them and work them up from the bottom. They can easily reach 40-60 pounds and are available year-round, though they're most active in the cooler months. The fight is all about endurance – yours and theirs.
Spanish Mackerel might be smaller than their King cousins, but they make up for it in numbers and action. These fish travel in large schools and when you find them feeding on the surface, it's game on. They hit small jigs, spoons, and live baits with aggressive strikes. Spanish are perfect for lighter tackle and are great for anglers who want constant action. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean when prepared fresh.
Bluefish are the cleanup crew of the ocean, and when they're in a feeding mood, the action can be non-stop. These toothy predators will hit just about anything you throw at them and fight hard for their size. They often mix in with Spanish Mackerel schools or show up wherever there's baitfish activity. Blues are available most of the year and provide excellent action when the other species are being finicky.
This 8-hour offshore charter gives you the real deal – enough time to find the fish, work them properly, and come home with a cooler full of great eating and even better memories. Flying Fish Charters OBX has built their reputation on putting anglers on
Get ready to chase some serious fish aboard this well-equipped 23-foot Sea Hunt center console! Powered by a reliable 225HP Yamaha outboard, this boat cuts through the Carolina waters with ease, getting you to the offshore hotspots where Cobia, King Mackerel, and Mahi are waiting. The onboard fish finder helps pinpoint schools and structure, while GPS navigation keeps you on track to the best fishing grounds. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rails without bumping elbows. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, perfect for fighting those hard-running kings and amberjack. Plus, the onboard head means you can stay focused on fishing all day long. Your captain knows these Southern Shores waters like the back of their hand, so you'll spend more time with lines wet and less time searching. All your tackle, bait, and licenses are handled – just bring your appetite for some Carolina coast fishing action!
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of the offshore world - big, brown fish that cruise solo and can easily hit 40-60 pounds. We spot them around structure like wrecks and buoys in 30-100 feet, especially during their spring and fall migrations. They're curious fish that'll often come right up to the boat for a look. What guests love most is the sight-fishing aspect - watching these submarine-sized fish cruise just under the surface. The meat is outstanding too, firm and sweet like a cross between grouper and shark. They fight with pure power, making long runs and testing your drag. Best tip I can give: when you see one, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose and work it slowly. They can't resist, but if you spook them, they're gone for good.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in our waters from late spring through fall, typically weighing 3-15 pounds. We find them in schools around bait fish near the surface, often creating feeding frenzies that churn the water white. They're not picky eaters and will hit everything from chunks of cut bait to metal spoons. What makes them popular is the nonstop action when you find a school - they bite hard and fight well for their size. The smaller "snappers" under 5 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Bigger ones can be strong-flavored but still good when prepared fresh. Word of caution: watch those razor-sharp teeth when handling them. My tip is to look for diving birds - they'll lead you right to the feeding schools every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll encounter off our coast, typically running 15-30 pounds with the occasional monster pushing 50+. We find them most reliably from late spring through fall in 40-150 feet of water around structure and drop-offs. These speed demons love to hit trolled baits and put up serious fights with their blistering runs. The meat is excellent when prepared fresh - firm white flesh that grills beautifully. Guests love the challenge since kings can strip line faster than almost anything else out there. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig your bait with two hooks - one through the nose and a stinger hook toward the tail, because they often attack from behind and you don't want to miss that bite of a lifetime.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed merchants that run in schools and average 2-4 pounds, perfect for light tackle action. We find them near the surface around structure, bait schools, and along beach drop-offs from spring through early fall. They're one of our most reliable species when conditions are right. What guests enjoy is the constant action - when you find a school, you can catch them back-to-back on small spoons and jigs. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect on the grill. The key is their aggressive nature - they'll hit just about any small, shiny lure you throw at them. Local secret: when you hook one, don't stop fishing that spot because they school up tight, and the rest of the group is usually still there waiting for the next cast.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fish we target, flashing brilliant gold and green before fading after the catch. Most run 15-30 pounds, though we see some pushing 60+ on good days. They love floating debris and weed lines in blue water, usually 30+ miles offshore. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps climb above 70 degrees. What makes mahi special is their incredible table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. They also put on quite a show with their aerial acrobatics and bulldogging runs. The fight stays strong right to the boat. Here's a local trick: once you hook one, keep the boat positioned near the debris because mahi travel in schools, and where there's one, there's usually more waiting underneath.
Seriola LalandiAmberjack are the bulldogs of the deep - thick-bodied fish that average 20-40 pounds but can push 80+ on the right day. We target them around offshore structure in 80-200 feet where they hang near the bottom feeding on whatever swims by. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, especially when water temps are stable. These fish are pure muscle and will test every piece of gear you've got with their power runs straight back to the wreck. The fight is what hooks most anglers - they just don't quit. The meat is decent eating when prepared right, though it's really about the battle. Pro tip: use heavy tackle and get them away from structure fast, because once they get their head down and run for the wreck, they'll break you off every time.
Manteo, NC, United States