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 offshoreCaptain Jason provides expert guidance and quality equipmentBottom fishing adventure accommodates up to 6 guests
Captain Jason and the crew at Let's Hook Up Charters know exactly where the fish are biting off Wrightsville Beach. This extended half-day bottom fishing adventure puts you right on top of productive structure where grouper, snapper, and sea bass call home. You'll spend quality time working the bottom with heavy tackle, feeling those telltale thumps that get every angler's heart racing. Perfect for families, first-timers, or seasoned saltwater fishermen looking to load the cooler with table fare.
Your day starts with Captain Jason briefing the group on safety and fishing techniques before heading offshore to his proven honey holes. These aren't random spots - we're talking about structure that consistently holds fish year-round. The boat carries top-shelf bottom rigs, circle hooks, and plenty of bait to keep lines in the water. You'll be fishing in depths ranging from 60 to 120 feet, depending on conditions and what's biting best that day. The extended half-day format gives you real time to work different areas and put together a solid catch. Captain Jason runs the operation hands-on, moving spots when needed and making sure everyone aboard gets their shot at some quality fish. The crew handles all the dirty work - baiting hooks, gaffing fish, and keeping the deck clear so you can focus on fishing.
Bottom fishing here means dropping heavy sinkers and multiple-hook rigs down to where the good eating fish live. We're using 6-8 ounce weights to punch through the current and get your bait right on the structure. The boat carries both conventional and spinning reels spooled with 30-50 pound test - heavy enough to muscle fish up from the depths but balanced enough that you'll feel every bite. Circle hooks are the standard for most rigs since they hook fish in the corner of the mouth and reduce gut hooking. Squid, cut bait, and live bait when available keep the rods bent. The key is keeping your rig tight to the bottom while feeling for that distinctive grouper thump or the quick taps of snapper picking at your bait. Captain Jason and crew coach you through reading your rod tip and setting the hook properly. When you connect with a good fish 80+ feet down, you'll understand why bottom fishing creates such devoted followers.
"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 off Wrightsville Beach. These chunky, hard-fighting fish average 3-8 pounds but can push well into double digits. They love rocky bottom and artificial reefs, sitting tight to structure until something tasty drifts by. Red grouper hit hard and dive straight back to their holes, making for arm-burning fights on medium-heavy tackle. Their flaky white meat makes them a favorite at the dinner table. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but you can connect with them year-round in deeper water. What makes them special is that aggressive strike - when a red grouper eats your bait, you'll know it instantly.
Black Sea Bass might be smaller than grouper, but they make up for it in numbers and attitude. These feisty fish school up around structure and compete aggressively for baits. You'll often catch them in quick succession once you locate a good school. They typically run 1-3 pounds off Wrightsville Beach, with the occasional bigger fish pushing 4-5 pounds. Black sea bass are year-round residents, but spring and fall produce the most consistent action. Their sweet, firm meat rivals any bottom fish, and their willingness to bite makes them perfect for keeping kids engaged. When the sea bass are fired up, it's not uncommon to have doubles and triples on the boat.
Red Snapper represent the holy grail for many bottom fishermen. These beautiful red fish are strong fighters that test your tackle and technique. They typically range from 3-10 pounds in our waters, with their distinctive pink-red coloration making them unmistakable in the fish box. Red snapper are structure-oriented fish that require precise boat positioning and good bait presentation. Summer months offer the best opportunities, particularly around artificial reefs and natural hard bottom. Their excellent table quality and sporting fight make them a top target for serious anglers. When you hook into a quality red snapper 100 feet down, the steady pull and head-shaking runs create an addictive fishing experience.
White Grunt are the workhorses of bottom fishing - reliable biters that help fill the cooler while you wait for the bigger fish. These silver-sided fish school heavily and provide steady action throughout the trip. They typically run 1-2 pounds and offer light tackle fun on bottom rigs. White grunt are excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat that's perfect for fish tacos or frying. They bite year-round but are most abundant during warmer months. What makes them valuable is their consistency - when other species are finicky, white grunt usually save the day. Their distinctive grunting sound when brought to the surface always entertains first-time bottom fishermen.
Black Grouper are the bruisers of the grouper family, capable of reaching impressive sizes and putting serious hurt on tackle. These fish prefer deeper water and more complex structure than their red cousins. When you hook a black grouper, expect a powerful initial run followed by a dogged fight back to their rocky hideout. They can easily reach 10-20 pounds or more, making them a legitimate trophy catch. Black grouper are more seasonal, with better fishing typically occurring during summer and early fall. Their aggressive nature and impressive size make them a bucket-list fish for many anglers. The combination of power and excellent eating quality makes black grouper one of the most prized catches in our
The Seahunt is your ticket to prime fishing grounds off Wrightsville Beach. This reliable 26-foot center console from 2006 runs on twin 150HP Yamaha engines that'll get you out to the best bottom fishing spots at a solid 45 knots. Captain Jason knows exactly where the grouper, snapper, and black seabass are biting, and this boat's built to get you there comfortably. The spacious deck gives all 6 anglers plenty of room to work their lines without getting tangled up. You'll appreciate the fish finder for locating schools, GPS to mark productive spots, and radar when the weather gets sketchy. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those longer battles with stubborn grouper. Whether you're dropping cut bait for snapper or working jigs for seabass, this center console handles the coastal waters with ease, letting you focus on what matters most - getting fish in the boat.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack Grouper are the heavyweights of our bottom fishing arsenal. These olive-gray bruisers with dark blotches can reach massive sizes - we're talking 20-50 pounds or more. They patrol deeper reefs, wrecks, and ledges in 100-300 feet of water, moving shallower in winter months. Peak season runs November through May when they're spawning and more aggressive. What draws anglers to black grouper is the epic battle - they're incredibly strong and will test every ounce of your tackle. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with mild, firm meat that's loaded with nutrients. These fish don't mess around - they inhale baits whole, so when you feel that bite, start cranking immediately. Heavy tackle is a must because they'll head straight for the rocks to break you off. Live pinfish or fresh squid work great.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are reliable fighters that keep things interesting on our bottom trips. These stocky, dark-colored fish typically weigh 1-4 pounds, with bigger males showing off bright blue colors and a distinctive hump during spawning season. They love hanging around structure - wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What's cool about sea bass is they put up a scrappy fight relative to their size, and they're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. They'll hit just about anything - squid strips, clams, or small jigs work great. Here's something most folks don't know: the bigger fish are always males since they start as females and change sex as they grow. Target the deeper structure for those trophy-sized males.
Epinephelus MorioRed Grouper are some of the most sought-after bottom fish off our coast. These rusty-red beauties with distinctive white spots average 5-10 pounds, though we occasionally see monsters pushing 20+ pounds. They hang around rocky ledges, reefs, and wrecks in 30-200 feet of water, with the bigger fish typically found deeper. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at hooking one. What makes them special? They're absolute bulldogs - once hooked, they'll try to drag you straight back to the rocks. The meat is outstanding too, firm and sweet with that shellfish flavor from their crab and shrimp diet. Pro tip: when you feel that thump, don't hesitate - crank hard immediately to keep them off the bottom structure or they'll cut your line every time.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed Snapper are the crown jewel of our bottom fishing trips. These bright red fighters typically run 2-8 pounds around here, though we've pulled up some real trophies over the years. They live around structure - wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom in 60-300 feet of water. Best fishing happens May through October when they're most active and feeding heavy. What makes snapper special is the combination of a serious fight and world-class eating. They'll make powerful runs toward cover when hooked, testing your drag and your skills. The meat is legendary - mild, sweet, and perfect however you cook it. Fresh squid and cigar minnows are tough to beat for bait, but here's the key: get your bait right to the bottom where they live, and be ready to muscle them up quick before they wrap you around structure.
Haemulon PlumieriiWhite Grunt might not be the biggest fish we target, but they're steady producers that make great table fare. These silver-blue fish with yellow stripes typically run 6-12 inches and are perfect for filling the cooler when other species are finicky. You'll find them around docks, reefs, and hard bottom areas from shallow water out to about 100 feet deep. They're active year-round but really turn on during warmer months. What's fun about grunts is they're aggressive biters - they'll hit just about any bait you drop down, from shrimp to cut squid. Plus, they actually grunt when you pull them up, hence the name. The white, flaky meat is mild and excellent fried up fresh. Here's a tip: if you find one grunt, there's usually a whole school nearby, so keep your bait in that same spot.
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