Offshore Charters with Onslow Bay Waterman
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private offshore charters target premium gamefish up to 25 miles outHalfday and fullday options accommodate up to 6 guests maximumMultiple fishing techniques including trolling, jigging, and bottom fishing
Looking for serious offshore action? Our private fishing charters take you up to 25 miles out where the big boys swim and the coolers fill up fast. Whether you're after your first keeper grouper or chasing that trophy king mackerel, we've got the boat, the gear, and the local knowledge to put you on fish. Choose between half-day trips when time's tight or go all-in with a full day charter - either way, you're getting access to some of the best offshore fishing grounds around.
You'll be fishing with up to 5 other anglers on our spacious boat that's rigged for serious offshore work. We head out early to beat the crowds and hit the productive spots while the fish are still feeding. The ride out gives us time to set up tackle, go over techniques, and spot for bird activity or floating debris that holds fish. Once we're on the grounds, expect to move around - we're not the type to sit in one spot all day if the fish aren't cooperating. The water changes constantly out here, and reading conditions is what separates a good day from a great one. Pack your own food and drinks since we don't provide meals, but trust me, you'll be too busy pulling on bent rods to think much about lunch anyway.
Offshore fishing means variety, and we'll switch tactics based on what's biting and where we find them. Trolling gets us covering water fast - we'll pull spreads of ballyhoo, diving plugs, and spoons to locate schools of mahi, kings, and whatever else is moving through. When we mark fish on the bottom machine, it's time to break out the heavy tackle for bottom fishing. We're talking 6-8 ounce sinkers, circle hooks, and fresh cut bait to pull grouper and snapper off the hard bottom. Jigging comes into play around structure - vertical jigs that flash and flutter drive amberjack and cobia crazy. Drift fishing lets us cover areas naturally, especially productive for snapper when the current's right. Each technique requires different gear setups, but don't worry about bringing your own - we've got everything from light spinning tackle to heavy conventional reels ready to go.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, but we catch them offshore too when they're staging near structure. These bruisers can push 40-50 pounds and will test your back muscles on the way up. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy on crabs and cut bait. What makes them special is the fight - long, powerful runs that keep you wondering if you're hooked to a fish or a submarine. They're not pretty, but man do they pull hard.
Summer Flounder, or fluke as the northerners call them, are the ultimate ambush predators. They bury in the sand waiting for baitfish to swim by, then explode upward in a cloud of sand and fins. Doormat flounder over 5-6 pounds are what we're after, and the offshore wrecks hold some monsters. Summer months are obviously best, but we catch keeper flounder into early fall. The bite can be finicky - sometimes they want live finger mullet, other times fresh strips of squid do the trick. Landing a 8-10 pound flounder is something you'll remember for years.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped thieves of the fishing world, famous for stealing bait right off your hook before you know what happened. They hang around structure with their crushing jaws, feeding on barnacles, crabs, and anything else they can crunch. Winter months are actually prime time for the big ones offshore, when most other species have moved on. They require finicky tackle - small hooks, light leaders, and a gentle touch. But hook into a 6-pound sheepshead and you'll understand why they're called the fish with hands - they'll use every piling and piece of structure to try breaking you off.
Redfish are the copper-colored bruisers that make long runs and never give up easy. Offshore reds are typically the bigger breeding fish, often 30+ inches and built like bulldogs. They school up in massive numbers during certain times of year, creating some of the most exciting sight fishing you'll ever experience. Fall months bring the big schools, but we catch scattered reds year-round. They'll eat cut bait, live bait, and even jigs when they're fired up. The trademark spot near their tail and that bronze coloring makes them unmistakable, and their fighting ability keeps you coming back for more.
Ready to get out there and see what's biting? Our offshore charters fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing's hot and the weather's cooperating. With only 6 spots per trip, you're getting personalized attention and plenty of room to fight fish without bumping elbows. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, we'll put you on fish and make sure you have the techniques down to be successful. The offshore grounds are calling - let's go see what's waiting out there beyond the horizon.
Step aboard our beautifully restored 24-foot Performance Yachts center console, rebuilt from the hull up in 2016 to deliver serious offshore fishing capability. This classic 1988 hull combines proven seaworthiness with modern reliability, taking up to 6 anglers as far as 25 miles offshore where the real action happens. You'll find everything needed for productive fishing days - a reliable GPS to mark those honey holes, fish finder to locate structure and baitfish, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. Whether you're trolling for mahi and kings, dropping bottom rigs for grouper and snapper, or working jigs around structure for amberjack, this boat handles it all. The spacious deck gives everyone room to fight fish without getting tangled up, while the center console design keeps you connected to the action from every angle. Perfect for targeting everything from vermillion snapper to king mackerel, this proven fish-catcher puts you where the big ones live.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These dark, powerful fish love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and around pier pilings where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and become much easier to target. They're famous for their drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. Guests love the strong fights they put up, especially the bigger ones. For eating, stick with fish under 15 pounds - the meat gets tough and loses flavor as they age. Here's the key: use fresh crab for bait since it won't get picked off by catfish like other baits, and make sure you're fishing right on the bottom where they feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are shallow water legends, famous for their copper-bronze backs and distinctive black spots near the tail. They typically run 28-33 inches when mature but can push 45+ inches and 50 pounds. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and mangrove shorelines - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. Guests love their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights in shallow water. The meat on smaller fish is sweet and mild, perfect for the table. They'll hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. My go-to trick: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let them find your bait naturally - they spook easily in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their distinctive black bars and human-like teeth that can crush barnacles with ease. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, but 20-pounders do show up around the right structure. These guys live around docks, bridges, reefs, and any barnacle-covered pilings. Early spring through late fall is your best bet when they're actively feeding. Guests love the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves that'll clean your hook without you feeling it. The white, mild meat makes them prime table fare. They stick tight to cover, so get your bait as close to structure as possible. Here's the trick: once you feel them nibbling, don't wait - set that hook hard and fast. They've got tough mouths, so a firm hookset is key to landing these crafty feeders.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the chameleons of the seafloor, changing colors to match the bottom perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can reach 26 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting to strike at baitfish swimming overhead. You'll find them both inshore and offshore on sandy bottoms. Fall fishing from September through November is peak season when they're most active. Guests get a kick out of their unique sideways bite and how they fight differently than other fish. The meat is excellent - sweet, white, and flaky. They respond well to live minnows, sea worms, and clams on circle hooks. Pro tip: hook your baitfish through the eye socket rather than the lips - it keeps them lively longer and flounder can't resist that wounded action.
Sneads Ferry, NC