Swansboro, NC 2/3 Offshore Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target Gag Grouper, Snapper, and Amberjack up to 30 miles offshoreAccommodates 4 guests with daily 7am departures from Dudleys MarinaProfessional offshore fishing experience with Gunny B Outdoors team
Ready to get serious about offshore fishing? This 2/3 offshore adventure with Gunny B Outdoors takes you up to 30 miles out from Swansboro's crystal-clear waters, where the real action happens. We're talking about targeting some of North Carolina's most prized bottom fish and pelagics in waters that consistently produce trophy catches. You'll launch from Dudleys Marina at 7 AM sharp, giving you the full day to work the productive offshore structure that makes this area a top-rated fishing destination. The trip accommodates up to 4 anglers comfortably, with additional spots available for $100 per person if your crew runs larger.
This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're heading to the deep water structure where the big fish live. Once we clear the inlet and start our run offshore, you'll understand why Swansboro has earned its reputation as one of the Carolina coast's premier fishing ports. The 30-mile range puts us right in the sweet spot where ledges, wrecks, and natural bottom structure hold massive schools of grouper, snapper, and other bottom dwellers. The morning departure gives us prime fishing time when these species are most active and feeding aggressively. Expect to spend your day working vertical jigs, dropping cut bait to the bottom, and feeling that unmistakable thump of a quality fish picking up your offering. The boat stays positioned over productive structure, so you're always fishing where the fish are – not wasting time searching empty water.
Offshore bottom fishing is all about precision and patience. We'll be anchored up or drifting over structure in 60 to 120 feet of water, using heavy conventional tackle that can handle the big fish and strong currents you'll encounter out there. The standard approach involves dropping cut bait – usually squid, cigar minnows, or chunks of bonito – straight to the bottom on heavy sinkers. You'll feel the weight hit bottom, then reel up a few cranks to keep your bait just off the structure where grouper and snapper cruise looking for an easy meal. When the fish are really fired up, vertical jigs work magic – especially on the amberjack and larger pelagics that move through these waters. The key is keeping constant contact with the bottom and being ready for that sudden weight and head shake that signals you've connected with something substantial. Circle hooks are the standard here, both for their fish-friendly design and their ability to find the corner of a fish's mouth even when they inhale the bait.
The offshore waters around Swansboro produce some seriously impressive fish, and each species brings its own fight and personality to the table. Gag grouper are the heavyweight champions of the bottom structure, often weighing 15 to 25 pounds with the occasional 30-plus pounder that'll test every bit of your drag system. These fish live in caves and ledges, and when you hook one, they immediately try to get back to cover – making for a tug-of-war that gets your heart pumping. Red snapper are another customer favorite, typically running 3 to 8 pounds but making up for their size with incredible table fare and surprising fighting ability for their weight. Black sea bass might be smaller, but they're abundant and aggressive, often providing non-stop action when you find a school over good structure. Grey triggerfish are the wild cards – they're notoriously picky eaters, but when they're feeding, they provide some of the best light tackle action you'll find offshore. These fish have incredible strength for their size and an attitude that'll surprise you. Sea bass round out the mix, and while they might not be the biggest fish in the cooler, they're consistent biters that keep the action going between the larger catches.
If you're looking for world-class offshore fishing without the crowds and long runs of more famous ports, this Swansboro trip delivers exactly what serious anglers want. The combination of productive waters, experienced guidance, and reasonable group size means you'll spend your day actually fishing instead of fighting for rail space or watching other people catch fish. The 7 AM departure gets you to the grounds while the fish are still feeding actively, and the 30-mile range puts you in water that sees less pressure than the closer inshore spots. Whether you're after a cooler full of dinner or just want to feel the pull of a quality offshore fish, this trip consistently delivers the goods. Book your spot now and get ready to experience why the offshore waters around Swansboro have earned their reputation as some of the Carolina coast's most productive fishing grounds.
Hit the deep waters off Swansboro aboard our well-equipped motorboat, rigged with GPS and fish finder to put you right on the fish. We'll run up to 30 miles offshore targeting Gag Grouper, Snapper, Sea Bass, Amberjack, and whatever's biting in the blue water. The boat handles four anglers comfortably with room to work the rails when the action heats up. Departing Dudley's Marina at 7 AM sharp, we'll spend the day working structure and drop-offs where the big ones hang out. Extra spots available for $100 per person beyond the base four. Come ready to fish hard and fill the cooler with quality bottom fish and pelagics that make these Carolina waters famous.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are scrappy little fighters typically running 12-18 inches and 2-4 pounds, with occasional fish hitting 25 inches. They stack up around wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 30-120 feet during warmer months. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore - the big males turn brilliant blue with a pronounced hump on their heads. They're crowd-pleasers because they bite aggressively and taste fantastic with sweet, firm meat. These fish are part of the grouper family and put up a solid fight until they break the surface. They travel in schools, so where you catch one, there's usually more. Best tip: they're mostly bottom feeders, so bounce squid strips or bucktails right on the structure. Use circle hooks and medium tackle - they'll fight hard but don't have the power to bust heavy gear.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are bruisers averaging 20 inches, but they can reach 50+ inches and 80 pounds. They love rocky structure, reefs, and wrecks in 40-180 feet of water. Spring and fall provide the hottest action when they're feeding heavily before and after spawning. These fish are bulldogs - once hooked, they'll try everything to get back to their hole in the rocks. Guests love the challenge and the excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Interestingly, they all start as females and change to males as they mature. Live pinfish and mullet work best, but cut squid and crab produce too. Here's the key: once you hook one, lock that drag down and keep your rod low. Don't let them get their head down or they'll dive straight into structure and break you off. It's a tug-of-war, but that's what makes them so rewarding.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are tough fighters averaging 12-17 inches, though some reach 24 inches and 13 pounds. They hang around hard bottom structure, reefs, and ledges from 30-180 feet deep. These fish have razor-sharp teeth and thick, leathery skin - they'll lock themselves into crevices when threatened using their dorsal spines. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding on crabs, urchins, and smaller fish. Guests love them because they're scrappy fighters and make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They'll steal bait right from other fish, so here's a tip: drop your squid chunk near some grouper or snapper, and when the triggers see the competition, they'll charge in to grab it first. Use heavy sinkers and keep tight line tension - they're notorious bait thieves.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of offshore fishing, averaging 15-25 inches with some monsters hitting 35+ pounds. They stick to deep structure from 60-200 feet - wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom. Summer months bring the best bite when they're spawning and feeding heavily. These fish are absolute warriors once hooked, making powerful runs straight for cover to cut your line on structure. The meat is why they're so prized - mild, nutty flavor that's perfect for any cooking method. They're smart and spooky, so fresh bait is key. Cigar minnows and live pinfish work best, but here's what separates the pros: get your bait down fast and fish it right on bottom. The second you feel that thump, lock down and horse them up quickly - give them time to think and they'll wrap you around every piece of structure down there.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are solid fighters running 12 inches and 2-4 pounds on average, with some reaching 25 inches. They love hard bottom areas around wrecks, jetties, and rocky structure in 30-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn - that's when the big males turn bright blue and develop a hump on their head. Anglers enjoy their aggressive strikes and they're outstanding eating with sweet, flaky meat. These fish travel in schools and will hit just about anything. During spawning season, all the bigger females can change into males if the dominant male gets removed from the group. My go-to technique is bouncing bucktails or squid strips right on bottom - they're aggressive feeders but don't give them slack once hooked or they'll wrap you up in structure.
Swansboro, NC