Full Day Bottom Fishing with Let's Hook Up
Captain Jason and his crew at Let's Hook Up Charters know how to put you on fish. This full-day charter takes you 8 hours deep into Wrightsville Beach's most productive bottom fishing grounds, where grouper, snapper, and black seabass are waiting. You'll be fishing proven spots that Captain Jason has worked for years, using tackle and techniques that consistently produce results. Whether you're a weekend warrior or someone just getting into saltwater fishing, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season. Pack your cooler with ice and get ready to fill it up.
What to Expect on the Water
Your day starts early at the dock in Wrightsville Beach, where Captain Jason will brief you on the plan and get everyone settled on the boat. The ride out to the fishing grounds gives you time to rig up and get your head in the game while watching the coastline fade behind you. Once you hit the first spot, it's all about putting bait on the bottom and staying ready. Captain Jason runs a clean operation with quality gear, but he expects you to stay engaged and follow his lead when fish are biting. The crew will help with everything from baiting hooks to gaffing fish, but this isn't a hand-holding experience – you're here to fish, and they'll make sure you do it right. With 6 anglers max, everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention when the action heats up.
Bottom Fishing Tactics & Gear
Bottom fishing off Wrightsville Beach is all about reading structure and putting the right bait in the right place. Captain Jason uses heavy conventional tackle with circle hooks and sinkers sized for the current and depth. You'll be fishing natural baits like squid, cut bait, and live pinfish over hard bottom, ledges, and artificial reefs where grouper and snapper like to hold. The key is keeping your bait tight to the structure without getting hung up – something Captain Jason has mastered after years of working these waters. When you hook up, it's about getting fish off the bottom fast before they can wrap you around a rock or cut you off. The crew provides all tackle, but if you've got your own bottom rig you like to throw, bring it along. Electric reels aren't necessary, but they sure make cranking from 100+ feet a lot easier on a long day.
Top Catches This Season
Red Grouper are the bread and butter of this fishery, running anywhere from keeper size up to real doormat fish in the 15-20 pound range. They're aggressive feeders that hit cut bait hard, and once you hook one, you know it immediately. These fish pull straight down and don't give up easy, making every hookup a real fight. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the biggest fish often caught in deeper water during summer months. What makes red grouper so popular is they're excellent eating and provide that classic bottom fishing experience every angler wants.
Black Sea Bass might be smaller than grouper, but they make up for it in numbers and attitude. These scrappy fish school up over structure and will hit anything you drop down to them. Most fish run 1-3 pounds, but the bigger males can push 5+ pounds and have those distinctive humped heads that make them easy to identify. They're open year-round with generous bag limits, so when you find a school, you can really load up. Black seabass are also some of the best eating fish in the ocean – sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table.
Red Snapper are the prize catch that every angler hopes to hook. These bright red fighters are beautiful fish that taste even better than they look. When snapper are biting, they'll slam your bait and make long runs that'll test your drag and your arms. Most fish caught here run 3-8 pounds, but double-digit snapper show up regularly for those who put in their time. Red snapper are highly regulated, so Captain Jason stays current on all size and bag limits to ensure everything is legal and by the book.
White Grunt and Black Grouper round out the mix, with grunt providing steady action when the bigger fish are being finicky, and black grouper offering the chance at a real trophy. Black grouper grow larger than their red cousins and fight even harder, making them the ultimate target for serious bottom fishermen. White grunt might not win any beauty contests, but they bite consistently and are surprisingly good eating when prepared right.
Time to Book Your Spot
Captain Jason's full-day bottom fishing trips book up fast, especially during peak season when the bite is hot. This is a top-rated charter operation that delivers consistent results, and word gets around quickly among the local fishing community. You're getting 8 full hours on the water with an experienced captain who knows where the fish live and how to catch them. Bring your fishing license, sunscreen, and plenty of water – everything else is provided. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so make sure your dates work before you commit. When you're ready to experience some of the best bottom fishing the Carolina coast has to offer, Let's Hook Up Charters is your ticket to a day you'll be talking about for years.