4.5(4 Reviews)Half Day Nearshore Fishing in Emerald Isle
4.5(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
5hour nearshore fishing adventure targeting premium speciesTrolling and bottom fishing techniques at local wrecksSmall group charter accommodates maximum 2 guests
Captain Will knows these Emerald Isle waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 5-hour charter targets the productive nearshore grounds where grouper, mackerel, and snapper call home. You'll be fishing both trolling spreads and dropping baits to the bottom, covering all the bases for whatever's biting that day. With room for just two anglers, you get personalized attention and prime positioning at the rail. The Crystal Coast's clear waters and abundant structure make this one of North Carolina's top-rated fishing destinations, and Captain Will's local knowledge puts you right where the action happens.
Your day starts early when you meet Captain Will at the dock, where his well-maintained boat awaits. The first part of your trip involves gathering fresh bait - live baitfish make all the difference when you're targeting species like grouper and king mackerel. Once you've got a good supply of frisky baits in the live well, it's a short run to the productive nearshore waters. You'll alternate between trolling for pelagic species and anchoring up over structure to work the bottom. Captain Will reads the conditions and adjusts tactics throughout the day, whether that means switching from live bait to cut bait or moving to different depths based on what the fish are telling him. The intimate two-person capacity means you're not fighting for rod time or missing opportunities while someone else fights a fish.
This charter combines the best of both worlds with trolling and bottom fishing methods. When trolling, you'll pull a spread of lures and live baits behind the boat, covering water to locate schools of king mackerel and Spanish mackerel. The trolling gear includes downriggers and planer boards to get baits at different depths and spread them wide. For bottom fishing, Captain Will positions the boat over known structure - ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs where grouper and snapper hold tight. You'll drop live baits and heavy jigs down to the fish, feeling every bump and tap as curious grouper investigate your offering. The boat carries all necessary tackle, from heavy conventional reels for big grouper to lighter spinning gear for Spanish mackerel. Circle hooks help ensure proper catch and release when needed, and Captain Will provides coaching on hookset timing and fighting techniques.
"Captain Will is a fantastic guide who went above and beyond to find fish, even on a challenging day! He tried all his favorite spots and even extended the trip by an hour and a half to keep us on the water. The boat was spotless and in excellent condition. I'm already planning to fish with him again in the fall when I'm back in town!" - Frank
"Capt. Will is very personable, knowledgeable, and helpful. I took my son on a trip and he had a great time. We didn't catch anything that we could keep (flounder and smaller fish) but it was okay because the experience was fun. We look forward to seeing Capt. Will in the fall." - Sarah
"It was a little bit of a let down. We spent the first hour and a half netting for bait fish and another 30 minutes getting to the spot to fish. We really didn't "fish" as, Capt Will casted the bait each time, set the hook and partially reeled the fish in before handing the rod to one of us to reel in. We did have a good time and Capt Will was great but the "fishing" experience was so so. In my opinion, the bait fish should already be on the boat, not wasting 90 minutes of the 5 hours we paid for and the people fishing should be allowed to fish." - John
King mackerel are the crown jewel of nearshore fishing around Emerald Isle. These torpedo-shaped predators can stretch over three feet long and put up spectacular fights with long runs and aerial displays. Kings move through these waters from late spring through early fall, following baitfish migrations. They're notorious for their sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes on trolled baits. When you hook a big king, expect your drag to scream as it peels line toward deeper water. The key is keeping steady pressure without pulling too hard - kings have soft mouths that tear easily.
Gag grouper represent the bottom fishing challenge every angler craves. These heavyweight brawlers live around structure and can weigh 20 pounds or more. Gags are ambush predators that grab baits and immediately dive for cover, testing your tackle and technique. The fight happens in two stages - first you muscle them up from the bottom before they can wrap you around a rock, then they make powerful runs in open water. Spring and fall offer the best gag fishing when they're feeding heavily. Their excellent table fare makes them a customer favorite for those looking to fill the cooler.
Red snapper bring both beauty and challenge to nearshore fishing. Their brilliant red coloration and excellent eating quality make them highly sought after. These fish school up around bottom structure and can be finicky about bait presentation. When the bite is on, you might catch several quickly, but they can also shut down just as fast. Red snapper have sharp gill plates and spines, so Captain Will handles them carefully during release. Their keen eyesight means lighter leaders and natural baits often work better than flashy presentations.
Sea bass provide consistent action when other species aren't cooperating. These willing biters school around structure and readily take both live and cut baits. While they don't grow as large as grouper, sea bass make up for size with numbers and fight hard for their weight. They're perfect for getting kids or new anglers hooked on bottom fishing. Sea bass also make excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's simple to clean and cook. During slower periods, a school of hungry sea bass can save the day and keep rods bent.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 2008 24' Kencraft Bay Rider, perfectly rigged for wreck fishing off Emerald Isle's coast. This spacious skiff handles the nearshore waters with ease, powered by a smooth 150HP Yamaha that'll get you to the productive fishing grounds without burning through your day. The boat's equipped with GPS to mark those honey holes and a fish finder to locate structure where the big grouper and king mackerel like to hang out. Marine VHF radio keeps us connected for safety and fishing reports. With room for up to 6 anglers total, there's plenty of space to work your rods whether you're trolling for kings or dropping baits to the bottom for gag grouper and red snapper. The open layout gives everyone room to fight fish without getting tangled up, and the 20-knot cruising speed means more time with lines in the water instead of running. This boat's seen plenty of successful trips targeting the wrecks and structure that hold Emerald Isle's best fish.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the classic bottom bruisers, averaging 5-15 pounds but capable of hitting 30+ pounds around here. They live around rocky structure, wrecks, and ledges in 60-180 feet, always near something they can duck into when trouble shows up. Fall and winter are your best shots when they're feeding heavy. What people love is the initial shock - one second you're fishing, next second something's trying to drag your rod overboard. The meat is top-shelf white and flaky. Here's the deal: once you hook one, lock that drag down and horse them up fast. Give them any slack and they'll wrap you around the nearest piece of structure.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are built for speed and can hit 30+ pounds, though most we see run 10-20 pounds. These silver rockets cruise nearshore waters around 40-150 feet, especially over structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime time when they're actively feeding on baitfish. What makes them special is that blistering first run - they'll strip line faster than almost any fish out there. The meat's rich and flaky, perfect for smoking or grilling. Pro tip: use a wire leader with two hooks when live baiting - hook one through the nose, let the other dangle by the tail since kings love to bite the back half of their prey.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are true bottom dwellers that love structure in 60-200 feet of water. Most run 2-8 pounds, but the big ones can hit 15+ pounds and really test your gear. They're found around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom where they feed on crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. Summer months are peak season when they're most active. What guests love is the strong fight - they'll head straight for cover and try to break you off in the structure. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with sweet, firm white meat. Key tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get their head down. They know every hiding spot down there.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass average around a foot long and 2-3 pounds, but the bigger ones push 5+ pounds and really bend the rod. They hang around hard bottom, wrecks, and jetties where they can ambush prey like crabs and small fish. These guys are scrappy fighters that dive straight for cover when hooked. Summer and fall are your best bets when they're most active. People love targeting them because they're aggressive biters and absolutely fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. Here's the trick: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run for a second, then lift firmly - they like to mouth the bait first.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that typically run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They school up near the surface around structure, bait pods, and temperature breaks in 15-60 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when the water warms up and they move closer to shore. What makes them fun is their acrobatic fight and the way they hit lures at full speed. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. The secret is using small, fast-moving lures like spoons or jigs - cast past the school and burn it back through. They can't resist something moving fast, and the smaller the better.
4.5 out of 5.0Captain Will is a fantastic guide who went above and beyond to find fish, even on a challenging day! He tried all his favorite spo...
Capt. Will is very personable, knowledgeable, and helpful. I took my son on a trip and he had a great time. We didn't catch anyth...
Capt. Will is very personable, knowledgeable, and helpful. I took my son on a trip and he had a great time. We didn't catch anyth...
It was a little bit of a let down. We spent the first hour and a half netting for bait fish and another 30 minutes getting to the ...
Emerald Isle