Full Day Trip - North Carolina Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full day inshore fishing for Snapper, Sea Bass, and GrouperAll fishing gear, snacks and drinks included onboardSmall group experience with maximum four guests
Looking for a solid day on the water targeting some of North Carolina's best bottom fish? This full-day charter with ProWire Marine puts you right where the action is, hunting down Red Snapper, Gag Grouper, Black Sea Bass, and the occasional Cobia that'll make your day. We're talking about a proper fishing trip here - not some tourist boat ride. You'll get eight hours of serious angling time with all the gear you need, plus lunch to keep you fueled up between fights. The boat holds just four anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space or waiting around for your turn at the fish.
This isn't your typical half-day quickie - we're talking a legitimate full-day mission that gives you time to really work the spots. Captain and crew know these North Carolina waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on structure where these fish actually live. You'll be fishing productive bottom in 60 to 120 feet of water, hitting ledges, artificial reefs, and natural hard bottom that holds consistent fish year-round. The morning usually starts strong with Sea Bass and smaller Grouper, then as the day progresses and you move to different spots, that's when the bigger Snappers and Gag Grouper start showing up. Don't be surprised if a hungry Cobia cruises up to check out what's happening - those fish are curious and aggressive when they're around. The boat's rigged with quality electronics, so you're not just guessing where the fish are.
All your fishing gear comes with the trip, and it's the real deal - not some beat-up rental stuff. We're talking conventional reels loaded with enough line to handle whatever wants to eat your bait, paired with rods that have the backbone to pull fish up from depth. Bottom fishing is the name of the game here, using circle hooks and enough weight to get down and stay down in the current. Live bait when it's available, cut bait when it's not - Snappers and Grouper aren't picky if you put it in front of them right. The crew will show you the technique for setting the hook properly with circle hooks and how to work a fish up from 100+ feet without losing it halfway up. When Cobia show up, that's when things get interesting - switching to lighter tackle and working them near the surface is a completely different game.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of this trip, and North Carolina's got some of the most consistent Snapper fishing on the East Coast. These fish run anywhere from 3 to 15 pounds, with the occasional bigger one that'll make you wonder if you hooked bottom. They're smart fish - they'll taste your bait before committing, and once hooked, they know exactly where every piece of structure is to try and break you off. Best action typically happens during the federal season, but there are always plenty of other species to keep you busy. Gag Grouper are the bulldogs of the bunch - not the biggest fish you'll catch, but pound-for-pound some of the strongest. They'll hit hard and immediately try to get back to their hole in the rocks. Black Sea Bass might not be the most glamorous fish, but they're abundant, excellent eating, and a blast on lighter tackle. Cobia are the wild card - when they show up, everything else takes a back seat. These fish are aggressive, strong, and absolutely delicious on the table.
Red Snapper are what most anglers are dreaming about when they book this trip. These fish are year-round residents on North Carolina's offshore structure, but the best action happens from May through September when they're most active and the federal season is typically open. Snappers are smart - they'll often grab your bait and swim up a few feet to examine it before fully committing. Once hooked, they make strong runs toward the bottom and will use every piece of structure they can find. What makes them special is the combination of great fight and outstanding table fare. A cooler full of Snapper fillets is worth the trip alone.
Gag Grouper are the muscle of this crew, typically running 2 to 8 pounds with the occasional teenager that'll surprise you. These fish live in the rocks and they know it - first thing they do when hooked is try to get back home and wrap you up. Spring and fall are prime time for Gags, when they're feeding heavily and positioned on the ledges. They're ambush predators, so they'll often hit your bait hard and fast. Don't let their size fool you - a 5-pound Gag will give you a better fight than fish twice its size.
Black Sea Bass are the workhorses of North Carolina bottom fishing. They're here year-round, always hungry, and absolutely excellent eating. These fish school up on structure, so when you find one, there are usually plenty more around. They run from keeper size up to 3 or 4 pounds, and the bigger ones are surprisingly strong fighters. Sea Bass are also great for kids or newer anglers because they bite consistently and aren't too difficult to handle.
Cobia are the bonus fish that can show up any time from April through October. These fish are curious and will often cruise right up to the boat to see what's happening. When they do, the crew will get you set up with the right tackle to pitch a bait or jig to them. Cobia fight like a cross between a shark and a big drum - long, strong runs and plenty of headshaking. They're also one of the best eating fish in the ocean, so landing one is always a highlight.
This full-day charter gives you the real North Carolina bottom fishing experience - no shortcuts, no rushing back to the dock early. Eight hours on proven fishing spots with experienced crew, quality gear
Your fishing platform for the day is a well-equipped motorboat designed to get you on the fish along North Carolina's productive inshore waters. With room for up to 4 anglers, this boat gives everyone plenty of space to work the rails without getting tangled up. The fish finder will help us locate schools of Snapper, Sea Bass, and Grouper hiding near structure, while the GPS keeps us on productive spots and gets us back to port safely. When the fog rolls in or visibility drops, the radar system ensures we can navigate confidently. All your tackle is provided, so just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods. Snacks and cold drinks are stocked on board to keep you fueled between bites. The boat handles the coastal chop well, letting you focus on fishing rather than fighting rough seas.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are steady producers that keep the action going when other species slow down. These chunky, dark fish usually run 1-4 pounds but can hit 8+ pounds. You'll find them around wrecks, jetties, and rocky structure in less than 120 feet of water. They're most active from late spring through summer when they move inshore to spawn. What's fun about sea bass is they're scrappy fighters that school up, so catching one often means more are nearby. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat. These fish have an interesting trait - they start life as females then change to males as they grow larger. My advice is to use squid strips on a two-hook bottom rig. They're aggressive feeders, so once you find a school, work it thoroughly before moving spots.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are some of the most unique fish you'll encounter off North Carolina - they're dark brown, solitary hunters that often get mistaken for sharks due to their single dorsal fin. These bruisers average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, making them a real trophy catch. We typically find them in 30-70 feet of water around reefs, wrecks, and buoys during spring and summer months. What makes cobia special is their aggressive nature and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that rivals any restaurant fish. They hit bucktail jigs hard and put up a serious fight. Here's a local tip: when you spot one cruising near the surface, cast ahead of where it's swimming, not right at it. They spook easily but once hooked, they'll test every bit of your tackle.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper might not win beauty contests, but they're some of the hardest fighting fish in our waters. These gray, marbled-looking fish average around 20 inches but can reach monster sizes of 80 pounds. You'll find them around rocky bottoms, reefs, and shipwrecks where they ambush prey like crabs and small fish. Late spring through summer is prime time when they're most active in our area. What makes gags exciting is their powerful fight - once hooked, they immediately dive for the nearest hole or structure to break you off. They're also excellent eating with firm white meat. Here's what works: use live pinfish or mullet on a stout rod with locked drag. The key is keeping steady pressure and not letting them freewheel back to the rocks. Fight them hard from the start.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing off North Carolina's coast. These beautiful red fish typically run 1-2 feet long and under 10 pounds, though giants over 35 pounds do swim our waters. You'll find them hugging rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks in 30-300 feet of water, where they feed on crabs, squid, and small baitfish. Peak season runs May through October when they're spawning and most active. What guests love about red snapper is the solid fight they put up - they're true warriors that will run straight for cover to cut your line. Plus, the eating quality is top-notch with mild, nutty meat. My go-to trick is using fresh squid or live pinfish on a heavy rig, and once you hook one, get them up fast before they reach the rocks.
Wilmington