Offshore Fishing Trip - Brunswick County
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eight-hour offshore trip targeting Mahi, Wahoo, and King MackerelBottom fishing and trolling at wrecks with heavy tackle includedAccommodates up to 4 anglers with gear and licenses provided
Picture this: you're cruising out to some of the most productive fishing waters off the North Carolina coast, rod in hand, ready to battle some serious gamefish. That's exactly what you'll get with Little Secret Charters' 8-hour offshore adventure departing at 9 AM from Brunswick County. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking about heading to the deep blue where the big fish live, hunting wrecks and reefs that hold some of the Atlantic's most sought-after species. With room for up to 6 guests but only 4 rods working at a time, you'll have plenty of space to move around and enjoy the action without feeling crowded. The best part? Everything's included – tackle, licenses, bait – so you can focus on what matters most: landing fish.
Once we clear the inlet, it's about a 20-30 minute run to reach our fishing grounds where the real fun begins. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, targeting specific wrecks and live bottom areas where fish congregate. The plan is simple but effective: we'll start with some bottom fishing around structure, then transition to trolling spreads as we work different areas throughout the day. You'll be fishing in 60-120 feet of water most of the time, though we might push deeper if the bite calls for it. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so we're not just randomly dropping lines – every spot has been proven to produce. Weather plays a big role out here, and trips are seas permitting, meaning safety always comes first. If Mother Nature's not cooperating, you'll get full notice and the chance to reschedule without penalty.
We run a mix of heavy conventional gear for bottom fishing and lighter spinning setups when the situation calls for finesse. Bottom rigs typically feature 6-8 ounce sinkers with circle hooks, perfect for holding near structure where grouper, snapper, and other reef fish hang out. For trolling, we'll deploy a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and diving lures behind the boat at various depths and distances. The crew handles all the rigging and bait prep, but they're more than happy to show you the ropes if you're interested in learning. When a fish hits on the troll, engines go into neutral and it's game on – these pelagic species like mahi and wahoo are known for their speed and aerial displays. Circle hooks are the norm for most applications, which means better hookup ratios and easier releases when needed. Don't worry if you're new to offshore fishing; the crew will coach you through fighting techniques and help you land whatever grabs your bait.
Spanish Mackerel are often the first species you'll encounter, especially during the warmer months from late spring through early fall. These smaller members of the mackerel family are aggressive feeders that hit small spoons, jigs, and cut bait with enthusiasm. They typically run 1-3 pounds and are fantastic table fare when iced properly. What makes them exciting is their willingness to bite and their acrobatic fights – perfect for getting everyone warmed up for the day. King Mackerel step up the game significantly, with fish ranging from 15-40 pounds being common in these waters. Kings are speed demons that make blistering runs and often jump when hooked. They're typically caught trolling with live bait or pulling diving plugs along drop-offs and structure. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, with the larger "smoker" kings showing up when water temperatures hit their sweet spot. Redfish might seem out of place on an offshore trip, but larger bull reds often cruise the nearshore wrecks and can provide some of the strongest fights of the day. These copper-colored bruisers can exceed 30 pounds and will test your drag system to its limits. Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish are the crown jewel of offshore fishing in this area. These colorful gamefish travel in schools and provide both spectacular fights and excellent eating. They're most common during summer months when water temperatures climb, often found around floating debris, weed lines, or working birds. A good mahi bite can result in multiple fish, as they tend to stay with hooked members of their school. Wahoo Fish represent the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of reaching speeds over 60 mph. These torpedo-shaped predators have razor-sharp teeth and make lightning-fast runs that can strip line off your reel in seconds. They're less predictable than other species but when you connect with a wahoo, you'll never forget the experience. Peak wahoo fishing typically occurs during cooler months when they move closer to shore.
Brunswick County's offshore fishing scene is world-class, and Little Secret Charters puts you right in the heart of the action. With an 8-hour window and expert local knowledge, you're getting maximum fishing time in proven waters. The three-day cancellation policy gives you flexibility if weather doesn't cooperate, while the all-inclusive approach means no hidden costs or forgotten gear. Whether you're a seasoned offshore angler or ready to graduate from inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. The combination of bottom fishing and trolling maximizes your chances of boxing a variety of species, and with only 4 rods working at a time, everyone gets quality fishing opportunities. Don't wait too long to secure your spot – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak season. Contact Little Secret Charters today and get ready to experience why Brunswick County offshore fishing keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Our 22' Grady White Tournament is built for serious offshore fishing in Brunswick County waters. This dependable center console handles the trip out to the wrecks and reefs with ease, giving you a stable platform for battling big fish like Mahi, Wahoo, and King Mackerel. The boat comfortably holds up to 6 people, with room for 4 anglers to fish without getting tangled up. We've got her rigged with a fish finder to locate the best spots, GPS to navigate safely, and an icebox to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh. Plenty of storage space means room for all the tackle we'll need for bottom fishing and trolling. Whether we're running heavy tackle for the big ones or switching to light tackle for sport, this Grady White delivers a smooth ride that gets you to the fish and back to the dock safely.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the big brothers of the mackerel family, typically running 20-40 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These silver torpedoes with razor-sharp teeth cruise our offshore waters from 40-150 feet, especially around wrecks and drop-offs. They're most active during warmer months when baitfish are thick. What makes them special is their blistering speed - they'll peel line off your reel like few other fish can. The fight is pure adrenaline, with long runs and acrobatic jumps. Their meat is excellent eating when fresh, though larger fish can have higher mercury levels. Here's a local trick: rig two hooks on a wire leader when using live bait - kings often grab the tail first, and that back hook will nail them every time.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the most beautiful fish in the ocean, with brilliant golds and electric blues that put on a light show when they're brought aboard. They average 15-29 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds. These surface dwellers love floating debris, weed lines, and structure in 100-300 feet of water. Peak season here runs spring through fall when water temps are warmest. What makes them special is their aggressive nature and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, run, and never give up. The meat is firm, white, and mild - some of the best eating fish out there. School fish often travel together, so when you find one, work the area hard. My go-to trick is keeping ballyhoo skipping on the surface near any floating structure or color changes in the water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are bronze-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails, typically running 28-33 inches inshore. While we're heading offshore, we sometimes find the big "bull" reds around deeper structures and wrecks in 30-60 feet of water. These bruisers can hit 40+ pounds and give you a completely different fight than their shallow-water cousins. They're year-round residents but feed most aggressively during cooler months. What guests love about reds is their bulldogging power - they'll pull straight down and make you work for every inch. The meat is sweet and flaky, perfect for the grill. When targeting bigger reds offshore, use heavy jigs or large cut bait near the bottom - they're opportunistic feeders and won't pass up an easy meal.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average 1-2 feet and 8-11 pounds around here. You'll spot them by their silver bodies with yellowish spots and that distinctive streamlined look. They travel in huge schools near the surface, often stretching for miles. We find them trolling around wrecks and reefs in 40-150 feet of water during warmer months when water temps hit 68-84°F. They're some of the fastest swimmers out there, hitting 18 mph easily. Guests love them because they fight hard for their size and make excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. Pro tip: when you hook into a school, keep your lines in the water. Where there's one Spanish mackerel, there's usually a hundred more.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the deep, capable of hitting 60 mph and averaging 3-5 feet long. These sleek predators with zebra-like stripes patrol open water from 60-200 feet, often around drop-offs and temperature breaks. They're most active during cooler months when they move closer to shore following baitfish. What guests love about wahoo is the initial run - nothing hits a trolled lure harder or faster. The meat is premium table fare, white and flaky with a delicate flavor that commands top dollar at restaurants. These fish have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are mandatory. For the best hookup ratio, troll at 12-15 knots with high-speed lures. The faster you go, the more likely you'll trigger that explosive wahoo strike that'll test your drag system.
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