Premium Offshore Tilefish and Mahi Charter from Wanchese
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eighthour offshore charter targeting tilefish, mahi, and wahooCombines bottom fishing and trolling techniques twenty miles offshoreAll skill levels welcome with gear and guidance included
When you're looking for a fishing trip that gives you the best of both worlds, this 8-hour offshore charter out of Wanchese delivers exactly that. You'll spend your day switching between bottom fishing for delicious tilefish and trolling for some of the ocean's fastest predators. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with only 5 anglers max on board, you're guaranteed plenty of rod time and personal attention. We're talking about a legitimate offshore adventure that takes you 20 miles out into the Atlantic, where the real action happens.
Your day starts early – and I mean early – because the best fishing happens when most folks are still hitting the snooze button. The run out to the fishing grounds takes about an hour, giving you time to get your sea legs and watch the sun come up over the horizon. Once we hit productive water, the game plan shifts based on what's biting and what the conditions look like. Some days we'll start with bottom fishing to load up on tilefish before the current gets too strong, other days we'll troll first to capitalize on early morning mahi activity. The beauty of this trip is the flexibility – your captain reads the water and adjusts tactics to put you on fish. You're not locked into one style of fishing, which means more shots at different species and a better chance of filling the cooler.
Bottom fishing for tilefish means dropping heavy weights and circle hooks down to depths between 240-400 feet, depending on where we mark fish on the sonar. We're talking serious tackle here – rods with backbone and reels that can handle the cranking. The tilefish live in burrows along the muddy bottom, and once you hook into one, it's a steady pump-and-wind battle back to the surface. For the pelagic action, we'll have four to six trolling lines out, running a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and maybe some skirted baits. The key is covering water and presenting baits at different depths to see what's cruising through. When something hits a trolling rod, it's game on – these fish hit hard and run fast, so you better be ready to grab the rod and hang on.
King Mackerel are the bread and butter of offshore trolling around here, and for good reason. These fish are pure muscle and attitude, often hitting baits with enough force to nearly yank the rod out of your hands. They'll typically run anywhere from 15-40 pounds, with bigger fish showing up in late summer and fall. What makes kings so addictive is their initial run – they'll scream drag and jump, putting on a show that gets everyone on the boat fired up. The meat is excellent when handled properly, and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of landing a smoker king after a hard fight.
Mahi Mahi are hands down one of the most exciting fish to catch in these waters. They're absolutely gorgeous with their electric green, blue, and gold colors, and they fight like they're twice their size. Most mahi we see range from 10-25 pounds, though bigger bulls do show up. These fish are curious and often travel in schools, so when you hook one, there's a good chance more are nearby. They'll jump, run, and change directions constantly during the fight. The bonus? Mahi are fantastic eating, with firm white meat that's perfect for the grill.
Atlantic Goldeneye Tilefish might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute gold when it comes to table fare. These deep-water dwellers typically run 5-15 pounds and live in burrows along the muddy bottom. They're not the fastest fish in the ocean, but hauling them up from 300+ feet of water is a real workout. Tilefish have a sweet, lobster-like taste that makes them a favorite among serious foodies. The cool thing about tilefish is their consistency – when we find them, we usually find them in numbers.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting 50+ mph when they want to. These torpedo-shaped predators have razor-sharp teeth and a nasty habit of cutting through leaders, but when you land one, you've earned it. Most wahoo in our area run 20-50 pounds, and they're absolutely phenomenal eating. The fight is typically a series of long, blistering runs that will test your drag and your arm strength. They don't jump much, but they make up for it with pure speed and power.
Great Barracuda add an element of excitement with their aggressive strikes and impressive size. These ambush predators can reach 4-6 feet in length and are known for their lightning-fast attacks on trolled baits. While they're not typically kept for eating due to potential ciguatera concerns, they provide fantastic sport and great photo opportunities. Barracuda fight with a combination of runs and jumps, and their prehistoric appearance makes for memorable encounters that anglers talk about for years.
This isn't your typical half-day fishing trip – it's a legitimate offshore adventure that combines multiple fishing techniques and targets some of the Atlantic's best gamefish and table fare. With all bait, tackle, and gear included, plus an experienced captain who knows how to find fish and put you on them, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The 5-angler limit means you're not fighting for rod time or space at the rail. Whether you're a seasoned offshore angler or someone looking to step up from inshore fishing, this trip delivers variety, action, and the chance to bring home some seriously good eating fish. Book now and get ready for a day of fishing that covers all the bases.
The 39-foot Topaz delivers serious fishing power for your Wanchese offshore adventure. This classic 1984 convertible runs twin 250HP Volvo engines that cruise at 23 knots, getting your crew of up to 5 anglers to the productive waters 20 miles out where tilefish hold tight to the bottom and mahi, wahoo, and barracuda patrol the blue water. The flybridge gives your captain excellent visibility for spotting birds and working the trolling spread, while the fish finder pinpoints bottom structure where tile concentrate. Modern GPS and radar keep you on the fish even when conditions turn. The galley keeps drinks cold and lets you fuel up between bites, and the head means comfort during those long 8-hour battles. Built for both bottom fishing and high-speed trolling, this boat switches seamlessly from anchored tile fishing to chasing pelagics on the troll.
Caulolatilus ChrysopsAtlantic goldeneye tilefish are the steady producers of our bottom fishing program. These chunky fish typically run 5-15 pounds and live in 250-800 feet of water over sandy bottom and shell. They're not picky eaters - squid, cut bait, or whole small fish all work well. Spring through fall gives us the most consistent action, especially when we find the right temp breaks in deeper water. What makes tilefish special is their reliability - when conditions line up, you can usually count on steady action. They fight harder than most people expect for a bottom fish, and the meat is excellent with a firm, white texture that's perfect for the grill. One thing I always tell folks: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook immediately. Let them chew on it for a few seconds, then lift steady. They're not shy about biting, but rushing the hookset will cost you fish.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are the silver bullets of our offshore waters, reaching 4-6 feet and swimming up to 35 mph in short bursts. We find them from the surface down to about 100 feet, often around structure, current edges, and anywhere baitfish are schooling. They're active year-round here, but spring and fall typically offer the hottest action. What makes barracuda fishing exciting is their aggressive nature and the visual aspect - you'll often see them following your lures before they strike. When they hit, it's explosive, and the fight is all about raw power and speed. While they're not the best table fare due to potential ciguatera, they're pure adrenaline on the end of your line. Here's something that works well: use shiny spoons or tube lures and vary your retrieve speed. Barracuda are curious and will often follow before committing, so don't be afraid to speed up or slow down to trigger that strike.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are fast-swimming predators that average 15-30 pounds, though we've seen them push 50+ pounds out here. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water, often following bait schools along temperature breaks and current edges. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps hit that 68-75°F sweet spot. What makes kings so popular is their blistering speed - they'll rip line off your reel like few other fish can. The fight is pure adrenaline with long runs and occasional jumps. They're solid table fare too, though we always recommend proper handling on ice. Here's a local trick: when trolling for kings, use a two-hook rig on wire leader since they love to bite the back half of your bait. Position one hook in the nose and let the second dangle near the tail of your ballyhoo or cigar minnow.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the rainbow warriors of offshore fishing - their electric blues and golds are something you have to see to believe. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we hook into 40+ pounders regularly. They love floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks in blue water. When conditions are right from late spring through early fall, schools will light up our spread like Christmas. What guests love most is their aerial show - mahi jump, tail-walk, and put on a display that'll have you scrambling for the camera. Plus, they're hands-down some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that sweet, flaky white meat. Here's something I've learned over the years: when you hook one mahi, don't boat it right away. Keep it in the water and have everyone else cast to the school - where there's one, there's usually more, and they'll stick around to check on their buddy.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our trolling spread, capable of hitting 60 mph when they want to. These torpedo-shaped fish average 20-40 pounds but can push 80+ on a good day. We find them in blue water from late spring through fall, often around current breaks and temperature changes. What makes wahoo fishing addictive is that moment when one crushes your lure at 15 knots - the reel just explodes. Their initial run is absolutely mind-blowing, though they don't have the stamina of other pelagics. The meat is top-shelf too - white, flaky, and mild with a texture that's perfect for grilling or blackening. They're called "ono" in Hawaii, which means delicious, and that says it all. Here's the key to landing wahoo: make sure you're using wire leader because their razor-sharp teeth will slice through anything else. Also, troll fast - 12-15 knots minimum. Slow trolling rarely produces wahoo.
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