Deep Sea Fishing North Carolina
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Morning offshore fishing adventure targeting multiple prized speciesSmall group capacity ensures personalized attention and better fishingProfessional crew guides guests to productive reef systems
There's nothing quite like hitting the deep blue waters off Wrightsville Beach for some serious offshore action. When you book with MaTunaHoo Sportfishing, you're signing up for a morning that'll have you fighting fish in some of North Carolina's most productive waters. This isn't your typical pier fishing – we're talking about heading out to the reefs where the big boys hang out, and trust me, they're hungry.
Your morning kicks off early as we head out from Wrightsville Beach toward the offshore reefs that make this area legendary among serious anglers. With just 4 spots available, you'll get plenty of room to work and won't be fighting crowds for deck space. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and we'll be targeting structure and temperature breaks where the pelagics love to cruise. Expect to spend your time working multiple techniques as we chase whatever's biting – could be trolling for wahoo in the morning, then switching to bottom fishing when we find good structure. The scenery out here is something else too, with crystal clear Gulf Stream water that'll make you forget you're still off the Carolina coast.
We run a mix of trolling and bottom fishing depending on what's showing up on the fish finder. The boat's rigged with quality Penn and Shimano reels that can handle anything from a screaming wahoo to a stubborn grouper trying to get back to the rocks. For trolling, we'll have ballyhoo and cedar plugs in the spread, working the edges where the blue water meets the structure. When we're bottom fishing, expect to drop down with heavy jigs and live bait to pull up some serious grouper and amberjack. The key out here is staying flexible – the fish tell us what they want, and we adjust accordingly. All tackle and bait are provided, so you just need to bring yourself and maybe some snacks since meals aren't included on this trip.
Spanish Mackerel are one of those fish that just make you smile when they hit. These silver bullets typically run 2-4 pounds and are absolute dynamite on light tackle. They're most active during the warmer months from late spring through fall, and they love small spoons and jigs worked fast through the water column. What makes them so fun is their aggressive nature – when you find one, there's usually a whole school nearby ready to party.
King Mackerel are the big brothers in the mackerel family, and landing one is something you'll brag about for months. These torpedo-shaped predators can push 40+ pounds and are known for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They're most active from late spring through early fall when the water temps are right. Kings love trolled baits, especially slow-trolled live bait or fast-trolled spoons. The fight is what keeps people coming back – they'll test your drag and your patience in equal measure.
Atlantic Bonito might be smaller than their tuna cousins, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the hardest fighting fish in these waters. Running 3-8 pounds on average, they're built for speed and endurance. Peak season runs from fall into early winter when they're chasing bait schools along the coast. They're suckers for small jigs and spoons, and once hooked, they'll pull drag like a fish twice their size. Plus, they're excellent table fare if you know how to handle them right.
Mahi Mahi are probably the most exciting fish you can hook out here. These colorful fighters average 10-25 pounds and put on an absolute show when hooked, jumping clear out of the water and changing colors like a neon sign. They're most common from late spring through early fall when the Gulf Stream pushes close to shore. Mahi love structure – floating debris, weed lines, anything that concentrates bait. They're aggressive feeders and will hit everything from ballyhoo to jigs to live bait.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the deep, capable of hitting 60+ mph and stripping line like you wouldn't believe. These sleek predators typically run 15-50 pounds in our waters and are most active during the cooler months when they move closer to shore. They're notorious for cutting lines with their razor-sharp teeth, so we use wire leaders when targeting them. The initial run on a wahoo is something every angler should experience at least once – it's like hooking a freight train with fins.
This top-rated charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is red hot. With only 4 spots available, you're getting a personalized experience that the bigger boats just can't match. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to add some new species to your list or someone who wants to experience what real offshore fishing is all about, this trip delivers. The combination of skilled captains, quality gear, and some of the best fishing waters on the East Coast makes this a customer favorite for good reason. Don't wait too long to secure your spot – the fish are out there, and they're not going to catch themselves.
Hit the deep waters off Wrightsville Beach aboard our 2017 Sportsman Open 282, a serious fishing machine built for chasing trophy species. This 28-footer cuts through Carolina swells with ease, getting you to productive offshore reefs where amberjack, mahi mahi, and wahoo roam. The boat's loaded with everything you need for a successful day - GPS and radar to find the hotspots, fish finder to locate schools, and VHF radio for safety. Whether you're targeting tuna on the drop-offs or working structure for grouper, this sportfisher handles it all. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to fight fish without getting tangled up. The open layout gives everyone access to the action, and when nature calls, the onboard head keeps you comfortable during long runs to distant fishing grounds. Perfect for serious anglers ready to tackle North Carolina's best offshore fishing opportunities.
Sarda SardaBonito are often called "false albacore" and look like small tuna with dark stripes along their silver sides. They typically run 8-12 pounds and travel in large schools that feed aggressively on the surface. You'll spot them by the diving birds and their dorsal fins cutting the water like mini sharks. We find them in mid-water depths, not on the bottom, usually during warmer months when water temps are in the 60s or better. Guests enjoy bonito because once you locate a feeding school, the action is non-stop - they'll hit almost any lure you throw. They're incredibly fast swimmers, hitting 40 mph, so the fight is solid. While they're not great table fare here in the States, they make excellent bait for bigger game. When you see birds working the surface, get there quick and throw fast-moving lures or metal jigs. The schools move constantly, so mobility is key.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the bruisers of the mackerel family, averaging 30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These olive-backed predators with razor-sharp teeth patrol depths from 40-150 feet, often around our offshore reefs and structure. Summer through fall is prime time when water temps hit that sweet spot of 68-84°F. What guests love about kings is the raw power - they'll scream line off your reel like few other fish. Plus, they're fantastic eating when prepared fresh. Their speed rivals wahoo, making every hookup a real battle. We typically troll with heavy tackle and wire leaders since their teeth will slice through anything else. Here's the key: rig your live bait with two hooks - one in the nose and a stinger hook trailing behind. Kings almost always hit the tail end of the bait first, so that back hook is what gets them.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are among the most beautiful fish in the ocean with their golden sides and electric blue-green backs. They average 15-29 pounds but can push 80+ pounds. Look for them around floating debris, weedlines, and current edges where they hunt flying fish and other baitfish. Best fishing is typically late spring through early fall when warm water pushes closer to shore. What makes mahi special is their stunning color changes when hooked - they light up like a neon sign. They're also phenomenal table fare with mild, firm white meat that's perfect for grilling. The fight is impressive too, with lots of jumps and strong runs. They mature fast and spawn year-round, keeping populations healthy. My go-to technique is trolling skirted ballyhoo or lures around any floating structure. Make your baits skip on the surface - mahi can't resist that flying fish action.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silvery fish with distinctive yellow spots that usually run 1-2 feet and weigh 8-11 pounds. They're speed demons, hitting 40+ mph when chasing baitfish like sardines and anchovies. You'll find schools of them from spring through fall in our nearshore waters, often just a few miles out around structure and drop-offs. They migrate south for winter, so late spring through early fall gives you the best action here. What makes them popular is their aggressive strikes on trolled spoons and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. They put up a good scrap for their size too. Pro tip: when you hook into a school, work fast. Keep multiple light rigs ready because once you find them feeding, they'll hit just about anything you throw at them, but the window doesn't last long.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are built for speed - these torpedo-shaped fish with zebra stripes can hit 60 mph, making them one of the ocean's fastest predators. They typically run 3-5 feet long and are found in open water, often around floating debris in depths up to 66 feet. Summer months bring the best wahoo fishing here, especially July through November. What anglers love is the blistering initial run when you hook one - nothing quite compares to that screaming reel. They're also premium table fare with delicate, flaky white meat that's mild and sweet. Their razor-sharp teeth mean you need wire leaders, no exceptions. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with diving lures or rigged ballyhoo works best. They're usually solitary or in small groups, so when you get one, immediately put out fresh baits in the same area. Wahoo often travel together, and you might pick up a second or third fish quickly.
Wilmington