Swansboro 10+ Hour Deep Sea Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10+ hour offshore fishing adventure up to 50 miles outTarget grouper, snapper, amberjack, and other premium speciesAll gear, bait, ice, and water included with early departure
When you're ready to leave the inshore waters behind and chase the big boys that call the deep Atlantic home, Captain Gunny B has the trip that'll put you on fish. This isn't your typical half-day run – we're talking about a serious 10+ hour commitment that takes you up to 50 miles offshore into waters where the real action happens. Departing from Dudley's Marina in Swansboro at 6 AM sharp, you'll be targeting some of North Carolina's most prized bottom dwellers and pelagic species in waters that consistently produce quality fish.
This is a no-nonsense fishing trip designed for anglers who want to maximize their time on productive water. With only 4 spots available, you're getting personalized attention and plenty of elbow room at the rail. The long run gives us access to structure and ledges that day boats simply can't reach, putting you over wrecks and reefs where grouper, snapper, and other bottom species stack up thick. Captain Gunny B knows these waters inside and out, and he's not afraid to burn the fuel to find where the fish are biting. Your fishing license, all tackle, bait, ice, and water are included – just bring your cooler, snacks, and the determination to put some serious meat in the box.
We're primarily bottom fishing on this trip, using both conventional and spinning tackle depending on conditions and target species. Heavy sinkers and circle hooks are the norm when we're working structure for grouper and snapper, while lighter tackle comes into play for sea bass and porgies. Live bait is king out here – nothing beats a frisky sardine or cigar minnow when you're trying to coax a big gag grouper out of his hole. We'll also run cut bait for the snappers and mix in some artificials when the amberjack start showing up mid-water. The key is staying flexible and reading what the fish want on any given day. When we find good structure holding fish, we'll anchor up and work it hard before moving to the next spot.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of offshore bottom fishing, and these Carolina waters hold some absolute tanks. These fish are smart, structure-oriented, and incredibly strong fighters that'll test your drag system. They typically hold in 60-120 feet of water around hard bottom and wrecks, with the bigger fish often suspended just off the structure. The best action usually comes during slack tide when they're actively feeding, and a fresh sardine dropped right to the bottom is hard to beat. What makes red snapper special is their combination of fight, beauty, and table fare – they're arguably the best eating fish in the ocean.
Gag Grouper are the bruisers of the bottom fishing world, with fish over 20 pounds common in these waters during peak season. These ambush predators live in holes and caves along hard bottom structure, and when one grabs your bait, you'll know it immediately. The fight is all about the first few seconds – if you can turn their head and get them away from structure, you've got a chance. Gags are notorious for their ability to cut you off on the reef, so heavy tackle and quick reflexes are essential. They're most active during cooler months and provide some of the finest eating you'll find.
Black Sea Bass might be smaller than their grouper cousins, but they make up for it in numbers and attitude. These feisty fish are year-round residents on Carolina reefs and wrecks, with fish in the 2-5 pound range being common catches. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit both live and cut bait, and when you find a good school, the action can be non-stop. Sea bass are perfect for filling out your cooler and are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat.
Grey Triggerfish are some of the most challenging and rewarding fish you'll encounter on these offshore trips. They're incredibly smart, with teeth designed for crushing shellfish, which means they can steal bait like masters. The key is using smaller hooks and being ready to set the hook at the slightest tap. When you do connect with a good trigger, you're in for a surprisingly strong fight from a fish that uses its tall profile to leverage against you. They're excellent eating and provide a fun change of pace from straight bottom fishing.
Barracuda are the opportunistic predators that keep things interesting throughout the day. These silver bullets can show up anywhere from the surface to mid-depth, often following hooked fish up from the bottom. They're lightning-fast strikes followed by spectacular jumps and sizzling runs that'll have your reel screaming. While they're not the best eating due to potential ciguatera in larger fish, the smaller ones are good on the table, and they're always a blast to catch on lighter tackle.
This 10+ hour offshore adventure with Gunny B Outdoors represents serious value for dedicated anglers who want to fish where the big ones live. With only 4 spots available and everything included except your lunch, you're getting a premium deep-water experience without the premium price tag. The early 6 AM departure means you'll be fishing prime morning hours on offshore structure, and the extended trip length ensures you'll have time to hit multiple spots and adjust tactics based on what's biting. Don't let this opportunity to fish North Carolina's best offshore waters slip away – book your spot today and get ready for a day of fishing that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
Your fishing machine for this deep-water adventure is a well-equipped motorboat built to handle the open Atlantic waters off Swansboro. This 4-angler vessel comes loaded with GPS navigation to mark those productive bottom structures and a quality fish finder to locate schools and identify the rocky ledges where grouper and snapper love to hang out. The boat's designed for those long runs up to 50 miles offshore where the real action happens - we're talking serious bottom fishing for grouper, snapper, sea bass, and amberjack, plus whatever pelagic species decide to crash the party. Captain Gunny knows these waters and the boat's got the range and stability to get you out to the prime fishing grounds and back safely. With room for 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rods without getting tangled up when multiple fish hit at once. This ride will get you to the deep water where the big ones live.
SphyraenidaeBarracuda are pure adrenaline on the end of your line. These torpedo-shaped predators can stretch 3-6 feet and are built for speed - they'll hit 35 mph when chasing prey. We find them around structure and open water from 20-100 feet, often suspended mid-water or cruising near the surface. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What guests love is the explosive strike and blistering runs - they'll take drag and jump like a tarpon. They're sight feeders, so anything shiny or flashy gets their attention fast. The meat is good if prepared right, though many folks release these magnificent fish. Here's what I've learned over the years: use a wire leader because those razor teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. And when you see one following your lure, don't speed up - actually slow down or even stop. That change of pace often triggers the strike.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are the workhorses of our bottom fishing here off North Carolina. These chunky, dark fish typically run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds, perfect for filling the cooler. You'll find them around any structure in 40-120 feet - wrecks, reefs, even old crab pots. Late spring through summer is when they move inshore and stack up thick around our local spots. What makes them fun is they're scrappy fighters for their size and extremely reliable - when other fish aren't biting, you can usually count on sea bass. Plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. During spawning season, the big males turn bright blue with a pronounced hump on their heads - quite a sight. Here's a tip: use smaller hooks than you think you need. Their mouths are small, and a 2/0 circle hook with fresh squid strips will outfish bigger baits every time.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the bruisers of our offshore trips. These gray, marbled fish average around 20 inches but can push 3-4 feet and 30+ pounds on the bigger wrecks and ledges. You'll find them hugging bottom structure in 80-150 feet - they love shipwrecks, rocky outcrops, and ledge systems where they can ambush prey. Spring through early fall is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy. What guests love about gags is the initial strike - it's like hooking a freight train that immediately tries to drag you back to the rocks. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that's hard to beat. One tip I always share: the second you feel that thump, lock your drag and keep that rod tip low. Don't give them an inch or they'll dive straight into the nearest hole and cut you off on the rocks.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are some of the smartest and most frustrating fish we target out here. These silver-gray, laterally compressed fish average 12-17 inches but can reach over 20 inches and several pounds. They hang around hard bottom, ledges, and reef structure in 60-180 feet, often mixed in with snapper and grouper. Summer months are best when they're most active and feeding. What makes triggers special is they're incredibly wary - they'll study your bait, nibble it, and test your patience before committing. But once hooked, they fight with surprising strength for their size. They're also excellent eating despite their tough, leathery skin. Here's the secret to triggers: use small pieces of fresh squid on a small hook, and when you feel those initial taps, don't set the hook. Let them play with it, and when your rod tip starts bouncing steadily, that's when you reel fast and hard.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the gold standard of bottom fishing out here. These beautiful pink-to-red fish average 1-2 feet and under 10 pounds, but we've seen monsters over 20 pounds come up from our deeper wrecks. They live around structure in 60-200 feet - rocky bottoms, artificial reefs, and old shipwrecks are prime spots. Late spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit that sweet 60-70 degree range. What makes them special? They fight hard all the way to the boat and taste as good as they look - mild, sweet, and perfect on the grill. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them take it and run a few seconds. Snapper are notorious bait stealers, but if you give them time to really grab it, you'll boat more fish.
Swansboro, NC