5.0(1 Reviews)Extended Half Day Bottom Fishing - Wrightsville Beach
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target grouper, snapper, and black seabass offshoreAccommodates up to 6 guests with expert crewCaptain Jason provides equipment and local expertise
Captain Jason and the Let's Hook Up Charters crew know exactly where the fish bite along the North Carolina coast. This extended half-day trip puts you right on top of productive bottom structure where grouper, snapper, and sea bass call home. You'll be fishing the nearshore reefs and ledges that make Wrightsville Beach one of the top-rated bottom fishing destinations on the East Coast. With space for up to six anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between having enough time to get into the fish without burning a whole day on the water.
Captain Jason runs a tight ship and knows these waters like the back of his hand. Once you're loaded up and heading out, it's usually a 20-30 minute ride to the first fishing spot depending on conditions and where the fish are holding. The crew will have you rigged up with circle hooks, sinkers, and fresh bait before you even reach the fishing grounds. This is classic bottom fishing - you'll be dropping baited rigs down to structure in 40-80 feet of water, feeling for that tell-tale tap of a fish picking up your offering. The extended format gives you plenty of time to work multiple spots if the first one isn't producing, and Captain Jason won't hesitate to move if the bite slows down. Expect to be hands-on with the fishing while the crew handles navigation, rigging, and keeping you on the fish.
This is all about presenting the right bait at the right depth over productive structure. The crew runs quality conventional reels spooled with heavy mono or braid to handle the bigger grouper that call these reefs home. You'll be fishing with typical bottom rigs - either fish finder rigs or Carolina rigs depending on conditions and target species. Bait selection is key, and Captain Jason keeps a variety of options including cut bait, squid, and live bait when available. The technique is straightforward but effective: drop your rig to the bottom, reel up a few cranks to stay just off the structure, and keep tension on your line to feel those subtle bites. The crew will coach you through detecting bites, setting the hook properly, and fighting fish around the structure without getting broken off.
"Great time with Jason and his crew bottom fishing in less than desirable conditions. We brought back a cooler full. Great for children who want to fight big fish and have a good time." - Marty
Red Grouper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing along the North Carolina coast. These thick-bodied fighters typically range from 15-25 pounds in these waters, though larger specimens over 30 pounds show up regularly. Red grouper are ambush predators that hold tight to structure, and when you hook one, you'll know it immediately. They make a powerful initial run toward the bottom, trying to get back into the rocks or wreckage where they feel safe. The fight is all about keeping steady pressure and not letting them get their head down. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, with summer being prime time when they're most active and aggressive.
White Grunt might not win any beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters that keep the action steady between the bigger bites. These guys typically run 1-3 pounds and are excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. They're aggressive feeders that will hit just about any bait you put down, making them perfect for keeping kids and novice anglers engaged. White grunt get their name from the grunting sound they make when brought to the surface, and they're available year-round in these waters. Don't overlook these fish - they're some of the best eating you'll find on the reef.
Red Snapper represent the holy grail for many bottom fishermen, and when the season is open, Captain Jason knows exactly where to find them. These brilliant red fish are incredibly smart and can be finicky biters, but when you connect with a good one, the fight is spectacular. Red snapper in these waters typically range from 5-15 pounds, with their distinctive red coloration and sharp teeth making them unmistakable. They're structure-oriented fish that require precise bait presentation and quick reflexes to detect their often subtle bite. The meat is considered among the finest eating fish in the ocean, with a firm texture and mild flavor that's prized by chefs worldwide.
Black Grouper are the bruisers of the bottom fishing world, and hooking a big one will test both your tackle and technique. These fish can exceed 40 pounds in local waters and fight like they're twice that size. Black grouper are incredibly strong and will make multiple runs toward the structure, requiring steady pressure and a good drag system to land successfully. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are plentiful around the reefs. The reward for landing a black grouper is some of the finest eating fish you'll ever taste, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Black Sea Bass are the workhorses of bottom fishing trips, providing consistent action throughout the season. These fish typically range from 1-4 pounds and are excellent table fare with sweet, delicate meat. Sea bass are curious fish that will often investigate anything that hits the bottom near their territory. They're particularly active during spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate. While they might not provide the drag-screaming runs of larger grouper, black sea bass make up for it with their willingness to bite and their excellent eating quality. They're also one of the most sustainable fisheries along the coast, with healthy populations and well-managed seasons.
Captain Jason's extended half-day trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather is cooperative. This trip offers the perfect introduction to bottom fishing for newcomers while still providing the action that seasoned anglers crave. The
The Seahunt is your ticket to some serious bottom fishing action off Wrightsville Beach. This 26-foot center console from 2006 cuts through the waves with twin 150HP Yamaha engines, hitting speeds up to 45 knots to get you to those productive fishing grounds fast. Captain Jason knows exactly where the Grouper, Snapper, and Black Seabass like to hang out, and this boat's built to get you there in comfort. The spacious layout handles up to 6 anglers without feeling cramped, so everyone gets their shot at landing dinner. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold, while the fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools. GPS and radar ensure smooth navigation even when conditions get sketchy. Whether you're new to bottom fishing or you've been working these waters for years, this setup gives you everything needed for a productive day chasing those tasty reef fish that make Wrightsville Beach waters famous.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack Grouper are the powerhouses of the reef - these bruisers average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+. They're ambush predators that hang around wrecks and ledges in 80-200 feet, sucking down anything that swims by. Their olive-gray bodies with dark blotches make them blend right into the bottom structure. What sets them apart is the incredible fight they put up - pure power that'll test your tackle and technique. The payoff is some of the finest eating fish in the ocean with mild, firm meat. Winter months are best when they move shallower to spawn. These fish don't nibble - when they hit, it's like getting slammed by a truck. Here's the key: use heavy tackle with at least 80lb braid, and the second you feel that bite, start pumping hard to keep them off the bottom.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are reliable crowd-pleasers that average 1-3 pounds with some reaching 5+ pounds. These chunky members of the grouper family love structure - wrecks, rocks, and hard bottom in 40-120 feet. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active and feeding heavy. Males turn bright blue during spawning season and develop a distinctive hump on their heads. They're scrappy fighters for their size and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. What's unique is they're all born female and change to males as they grow - nature's pretty wild. They'll hit squid strips, cut bait, and small jigs readily. Pro tip: use a two-hook bottom rig and keep your bait moving slightly off the bottom. They bite aggressively but have small mouths, so don't set the hook too hard.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are chunky fighters that average 5-10 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. Their rusty red color with white spots makes them easy to identify. These fish hang around rocky bottoms and wrecks in 30-100 feet of water, making them perfect targets for our bottom fishing trips. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit shrimp, crab, or cut bait without hesitation. What makes them special is the combination of a serious fight and some of the best eating you'll find - firm, flaky white meat with a mild flavor. When you hook one, be ready for a battle because they'll try to get back to the rocks and break you off. My tip: once you feel that bite, start cranking immediately and don't give them an inch of slack.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the prize of our bottom fishing trips - these pink-to-red beauties can reach 20+ pounds, though most run 3-8 pounds. They live around structure in 60-200 feet, especially wrecks and hard bottom where they ambush baitfish. Summer and fall are prime time when they move into our area. What makes them special is the combination of a strong fight and premium table quality - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. They're smart fish that require good presentation, but when they bite, they bite hard. These fish will make runs toward structure, so be ready to turn them. My advice: use circle hooks with fresh bait like cigar minnows or squid, and fish right on the bottom. When you feel that thump, let the circle hook do its work.
Haemulon PlumieriiWhite Grunts are steady producers that make great table fare and keep the action going all day. They typically run 6-12 inches and travel in schools around reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom in 20-80 feet of water. You'll know when you've got one - they make that distinctive grunting sound when you bring them up. These fish are opportunistic feeders that'll take most any bait, from shrimp to cut squid. They're perfect for anglers wanting consistent action since they bite year-round, though spring through fall tends to be most productive. The meat is flaky and mild, making them a favorite for the dinner table. Here's what works: use light tackle with small hooks and keep your bait right on the bottom. When you find one grunt, there are usually plenty more nearby.
5.0 out of 5.0Great time with Jason and his crew bottom fishing in less than desirable conditions. We brought back a cooler full. Great for chil...
Wrightsville Beach, NC