8 Hour Frying Pan Tower Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
8-hour offshore charter to historic Frying Pan Tower locationTarget bottom fish, pelagics, and sharks 34 miles offshoreAccommodates up to 4 guests with hand-lining fishing option
Looking for a serious offshore fishing adventure that'll test your skills and fill your cooler? This full-day charter takes you 34 miles out to the legendary Frying Pan Tower, one of North Carolina's most productive fishing spots. With just four anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be fighting for rail space when the action heats up. Captain and crew from Reelin Pelican know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish that'll make your arms burn and your reel scream.
Your day starts early – we're talking before sunrise early – because the best fishing happens when most folks are still hitting the snooze button. The ride out to Frying Pan Tower takes about 90 minutes, depending on sea conditions, but trust me, it's worth every minute. This isn't some inshore puddle jumping; you're heading to big water where the big fish live. The tower itself is a massive structure that creates an artificial reef system, attracting everything from bottom dwellers to pelagic species that cruise the blue water around it. You'll spend most of your eight hours working different depths and techniques, from bottom fishing around the structure to trolling the edges where kings and mahi patrol. The crew handles all the heavy lifting – literally – so you can focus on fighting fish instead of wrestling with anchor lines.
This charter runs the full spectrum of offshore techniques, and that's what makes it such a blast. You'll start with bottom rigs targeting grouper and sea bass around the tower's structure using heavy tackle and serious weights to get down in the current. When the bottom bite slows, we'll switch gears and troll for kings and mahi using wire line and planers to get the baits down in the strike zone. The crew provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you'll need, but if you've got a favorite setup, bring it along. One of the coolest options they offer is hand-lining, which is old-school commercial fishing at its finest – no rod, just line, your hands, and whatever's on the other end trying to take you for a ride. It sounds crazy, but when you hand-line a 20-pound cobia up from 60 feet, you'll understand why commercial guys swear by it.
King mackerel are the crown jewels of this fishery, and for good reason. These silver missiles can hit 40+ pounds and will test every inch of your drag system. Kings around Frying Pan Tower typically run between 15-30 pounds, with the occasional monster showing up to ruin your day in the best possible way. They're most active from late spring through early fall, and they absolutely hammer trolled baits and live bait. When a king hits, you'll know it – the rod doubles over, line starts peeling, and your day just got a whole lot more interesting. The fight is all about endurance; kings make multiple runs and love to jump, so keep that rod tip up and let the drag do its job.
Mahi mahi bring the color and acrobatics that make offshore fishing special. These golden beauties average 5-15 pounds in our waters, though bull dolphins can push 25-30 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. What makes mahi so addictive is their unpredictability – they'll eat trolled baits, live bait, jigs, and pretty much anything that moves. Once you hook one, keep your lines in because mahi travel in schools, and where there's one, there's usually more. They're incredible jumpers and will put on an aerial show that'll have you fumbling for your phone camera while trying to fight the fish.
Cobia are the bulldogs of the offshore world, and Frying Pan Tower is prime cobia real estate. These brown sharks (that's what old-timers call them, even though they're not sharks at all) can reach 30-50 pounds and fight with pure muscle and determination. Cobia are curious fish that'll often swim right up to the boat, giving you a perfect sight-fishing opportunity. They're suckers for live bait and jigs, and once hooked, they dive deep and pull hard. The meat is absolutely phenomenal – firm, white, and tastes like a cross between shark and grouper.
Gag grouper are the bottom fishing prize everyone's after, and the structure around Frying Pan Tower holds some serious gags. These fish average 3-8 pounds but can reach 15-20 pounds if you're lucky. Gags are ambush predators that hide in the structure and crush anything that looks edible. They're notorious for making one powerful run toward the bottom when hooked, trying to cut you off in the rocks. If you can turn their head and get them coming up, you've won, but that first run will separate the light tackle from the serious gear. The table fare is world-class – firm, flaky white meat that's perfect for the grill or fryer.
Black sea bass might be smaller than the other targets, but don't underestimate these feisty little fighters. They typically run 1-3 pounds around the tower, but they make up for size with attitude and numbers. Sea bass are structure lovers and will stack up around any hard bottom or artificial reef. They're aggressive feeders and will hit cut bait, squid, and small jigs with enthusiasm. While you're waiting for the bigger fish to bite, sea bass keep the action going and provide excellent table fare. Their sweet, delicate meat is perfect for fish tacos or a good old-fashioned fish fry.
This 8-hour Frying Pan Tower charter represents serious offshore fishing at its finest. You're not just paying for boat time; you're investing in eight hours of prime fishing with experienced crew who know exactly where to find the fish and how
Hit the waters off Southport in our reliable 24-foot Triton center console, perfect for your 8-hour journey to Frying Pan Tower. This 2004 boat packs a serious punch with its 300HP Yamaha V6, cutting through offshore swells with ease as you head 34 miles out to one of the Carolina coast's hottest fishing spots. Built for up to four anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work the rails without crowding each other when the action heats up. The onboard fish finder will help locate schools while GPS keeps you on course to the tower's productive waters. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox and use the wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches when targeting bottom dwellers around the structure. Whether you're after snappers, groupers, or hoping to tangle with sharks, this center console gives you the platform to make it happen.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the perfect family fish - cooperative biters that hang around structure in good numbers. Most run 1-4 pounds with occasional 6-pounders, and they're built like little tanks with big mouths. You'll find them on wrecks, rocky bottom, and around the tower in 60-120 feet year-round. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and the males turn bright blue with that distinctive hump. Kids love them because they bite readily and don't require heavy tackle, plus they're fantastic eating - sweet, white meat that's perfect for fish and chips. The males get pretty territorial around structure, so once you find a good spot, work it thoroughly. Drop squid strips or small jigs right to the bottom and be ready - sea bass hit hard for their size and don't mess around.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these muscular fish cruise shallow waters and fight like freight trains. They typically run 30-60 pounds and are mostly loners, so each one is a prize. You'll spot them around the tower structure, buoys, and floating debris in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June gives us the best shot at them, when they're moving inshore to spawn. What makes cobia special is their curiosity - they'll actually follow the boat and check out lures. The meat rivals any fish in the ocean, with firm white fillets that grill beautifully. My go-to technique is sight fishing with bucktail jigs in the 4-8 ounce range. When you see one, don't get excited and cast right at it - lead them like a duck and let the jig sink naturally.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of the bottom - chunky, determined fish that average 5-15 pounds with some reaching 30+. They love rocky structure, ledges, and wrecks in 60-200 feet, always looking for a hole to duck into. Fall and winter give us our best shots when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What anglers love about gags is the initial thump when they hit, followed by a stubborn fight straight down. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The key to landing gags is keeping them away from structure once hooked - lock that drag down and don't give them an inch, or they'll wrap you around the nearest rock pile. Circle hooks with live pinfish or cut squid work great, but be ready for that bulldozing run to the bottom.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish in our waters, averaging 20-30 pounds with occasional giants pushing 50+. These silver torpedoes cruise in 40-150 feet around structure and temperature breaks, feeding heavily on baitfish. Spring through fall offers the best action when they move inshore following schools of menhaden and blue runners. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll scream line off your reel like few other fish. The meat is excellent when bled and iced properly, though it's rich and oily. Pro tip: use a wire leader and always rig with two hooks - one through the nose of your bait and a stinger hook trailing behind. Kings typically bite the tail end of live baits, so that back hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are absolute crowd favorites - brilliant gold and blue fish that put on a real show when hooked. They average 15-30 pounds and rarely live past 4 years, but they grow fast and fight hard. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in blue water. Summer months bring the best fishing when water temps hit the upper 70s. What guests love most is watching these fish change colors as they fight, flashing electric blues and greens before fading to gold. The meat is top-shelf - firm, white, and mild-flavored. When you hook one, keep your eyes open because mahi often travel in small groups. Here's the trick: once you boat the first fish, toss out a fresh bait quickly while the school is still fired up nearby.
Wilmington