Extended Gulf Stream Fishing from Wrightsville Beach
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Deepsea fishing up to 60 miles offshore in Gulf Stream watersTarget tuna, mahi, wahoo, and sailfish with expert guidance providedAccommodates up to 6 guests with topquality fishing gear included
Get ready to venture 60 miles offshore into the legendary Gulf Stream waters, where some of North Carolina's most prized game fish call home. This extended full-day charter with Ocean Stinger Charters takes you far beyond the continental shelf to where the warm blue water holds trophy Mahi, lightning-fast Wahoo, and hard-fighting Tuna species that'll test your skills and your tackle. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip is perfect for serious fishermen who want to experience what the Gulf Stream is famous for – explosive action and fish that fight like their lives depend on it.
Your day starts early with a long run offshore, but trust me – the ride out is worth every minute once you see that cobalt blue Gulf Stream water. The temperature break where the green inshore water meets the deep blue is where the magic happens. You'll be trolling through some of the most productive offshore waters on the East Coast, where the warm current creates a highway for pelagic species moving up and down the coast. The crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, reading water color, temperature breaks, and bird activity to put you on fish. Expect to cover serious ground as we follow the bite, switching between high-speed trolling for Wahoo and slower presentations for Mahi and Sailfish. The Gulf Stream can be unpredictable, but that's what makes it so productive – you never know when you'll hook into the fish of a lifetime.
This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking serious offshore trolling with a spread of baits designed to trigger strikes from multiple species. The boat runs a mix of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and lures at different depths and speeds to cover the water column effectively. For Wahoo, we'll pull high-speed lures and wire leaders since these fish have teeth like razors and can hit at 40+ mph. Mahi setups include colorful skirts and natural baits that mimic the flying fish and squid they feed on around floating sargassum. When we mark schools of Blackfin or Yellowfin Tuna, we might switch to live bait or chunk baits to get them fired up. The tackle is all top-shelf stuff – think 30-50 pound class rods with quality reels that can handle long runs and sustained pressure. Don't worry about bringing your own gear; everything's provided and rigged by pros who know exactly what works in these waters.
Mahi Mahi are the crowd-pleasers of the Gulf Stream, and for good reason. These fish are pure energy wrapped in electric colors – brilliant gold, green, and blue that'll take your breath away when they come boat-side. Mahi love structure, so we target them around floating debris, sargassum mats, and temperature breaks. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Best action typically runs from late spring through early fall, with peak season hitting during summer months. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight – they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that'll have everyone on the boat cheering.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the deep, capable of stripping line faster than almost any fish in the ocean. These torpedo-shaped predators cruise the Gulf Stream looking for an easy meal, and when they find your lure, the reel starts screaming. They're most active during cooler months, typically fall through early spring, making them a prime target during the extended season. Wahoo have razor-sharp teeth and hit with such violence that they'll often hook themselves. The challenge is keeping them pinned during their initial run – they're known for making blistering 200+ yard sprints that'll test your drag system and your nerves.
Yellowfin Tuna are the ultimate test of an angler's endurance and skill. These fish are built like freight trains and fight with the same intensity. They're most abundant during warmer months when baitfish are thick in the Gulf Stream. What makes Yellowfin special is their stamina – they'll pull drag for 20-30 minutes straight, making long, powerful runs toward the bottom. Landing a quality Yellowfin is a badge of honor among offshore anglers, and the meat quality is second to none for the dinner table.
Blackfin Tuna might be smaller than their Yellowfin cousins, but they make up for size with attitude and numbers. These fish school up and feed aggressively, often creating feeding frenzies that'll keep rods bent for hours. They're available year-round in the Gulf Stream but peak during fall and winter months. Blackfin are perfect for anglers who want constant action – they hit hard, fight tough, and taste fantastic on the grill.
Atlantic Sailfish are the holy grail of the Gulf Stream, and seeing one lit up behind a bait is something you'll never forget. These fish are pure spectacle – they'll light up in brilliant purple and silver, raise that massive dorsal fin, and dance across the surface like no other fish in the ocean. Sailfish are most common during cooler months, typically late fall through early spring. While many captains practice catch-and-release with Sails, the photo opportunities and bragging rights are priceless. They're incredibly fast and use their bill as a weapon, stunning baitfish before eating them.
This extended Gulf Stream trip represents serious offshore fishing at its finest. You're not just booking a fishing charter – you're securing a shot at some of the most sought-after species on the East Coast in one of the most productive fishing grounds in the world. The Gulf Stream doesn't fish the same every day, but that's what makes it so special when everything comes together. Ocean Stinger Charters has the local knowledge, quality equipment, and offshore experience
Our fully-equipped offshore fishing boat cuts through the waters to reach the Gulf Stream's productive fishing grounds up to 60 miles from Wrightsville Beach. Built for serious angling, this motorboat accommodates up to 6 guests and comes loaded with essential gear including a fish finder to locate schools of Mahi, Tuna, and Wahoo. The onboard GPS and radar keep you on course while the VHF radio maintains communication with the fleet. Between battles with trophy fish, relax with the multimedia system or grab refreshments from the ice box. A private head ensures comfort during the extended day on the water. The boat's design handles the open ocean swells as you chase pelagic species in the warm Gulf Stream currents where the big fish roam.
Istiophorus AlbicansSailfish are the ultimate prize for any offshore angler - there's nothing like watching that massive dorsal fin cut through the surface before they go completely airborne. Most fish run 6-8 feet long and average around 50 pounds, but their strength and speed make them feel twice that size. They patrol the Gulf Stream edges in 100-400 feet of water, hunting schools of ballyhoo and sardines. Winter and early spring are peak season when they migrate through our waters following the bait. What gets people hooked is the spectacular fight - multiple jumps, long runs, and that iconic sail fully extended. They're mostly catch-and-release, but the battle memories last forever. Best advice: when you get a bite, resist the urge to set the hook hard. Let them eat the bait for a few seconds before coming tight - patience pays off with sailfish.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the scrappy little fighters of the tuna world - don't let their smaller size fool you, these fish punch way above their weight class. Most run 10-25 pounds and rarely exceed 35, but they're pure muscle with that classic tuna stamina. They school up along the continental shelf edge where the Gulf Stream meets cooler water, usually in the top 200 feet. Fall through spring gives us our best shots, especially when water temps are in the low 70s. What makes blackfin fun is their aggressive attitude - they'll hit lures hard and then put on an acrobatic show. The dark red meat is rich and flavorful, perfect for the grill. Key trick: scale down your tackle and use lighter leaders than you'd think. These fish are sharp-eyed, and heavy gear will spook them in a heartbeat.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most beautiful fish you'll see out there, with their golden sides and electric blue-green backs that light up like a rainbow when they're hooked. Most run 15-29 pounds, but we've seen some real bulls push 40+. They love hanging around floating debris and weed lines in the warm Gulf Stream waters, usually in the top 100 feet. Spring through fall gives us our best action, especially when water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes mahi special is their fight - they'll go airborne multiple times and run hard. Plus, they're hands down some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that firm, sweet white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep your eyes peeled because they often travel in schools, so have another rod ready to go.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf Stream - these torpedo-shaped fish can hit 60 mph and will test every piece of your tackle. Most fish we catch run 3-5 feet long and 20-40 pounds, but the big ones can push 80+ pounds. They cruise the open blue water, usually in the top 200 feet, and are drawn to temperature breaks and current edges. We see our best wahoo action from late spring through fall when the water's warm. What gets anglers hooked is that explosive strike - they'll hit a lure so hard it sounds like a gunshot, then make blistering runs that'll peel line off your reel. The meat is white, flaky, and tastes fantastic grilled. Here's the key: troll fast at 12-15 knots and use wire leaders - their razor-sharp teeth will cut through anything else in a heartbeat.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of the tuna family - powerful, fast, and built for long fights. Out here, most fish range from 20-60 pounds, but we hook into some real bruisers that can top 100. They cruise the Gulf Stream in schools, usually in the top 300 feet of water, following baitfish and temperature breaks. Summer and fall are prime time when the water's warmest and bait is thick. What makes yellowfin special is their stamina - they'll pull drag for what feels like hours, testing your endurance as much as your tackle. And the meat? It's sushi-grade quality, perfect for searing or eating raw. The fish are smart though, so when they get finicky, try switching from trolling to chunking with live bait. Sometimes slowing down is exactly what triggers them to bite.
Wrightsville Beach