Private 12-Hour Deep Sea Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 12hour offshore charter targets trophy fish speciesExpert crew provides light and heavy tackle fishing optionsAccommodates up to 6 guests of all experience levels
When you're ready to get serious about offshore fishing, this 12-hour private charter out of Wanchese puts you right in the heart of some of the best blue water action on the East Coast. We're talking about the kind of fishing that separates the weekend warriors from the real deal – targeting trophy pelagics in the deep waters off the Outer Banks. Your crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and with a full day on the water, you've got the time to really work the productive zones where the big fish hang out.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're rushing back to the dock just when things start heating up. With 12 full hours, we can run out to the best offshore grounds – the canyons, temperature breaks, and structure that hold the kind of fish you've been dreaming about. The boat's equipped with everything you need: outriggers for serious trolling spreads, live wells for bait, and tackle that can handle whatever decides to eat your offering. Your captain will read the water, watch the electronics, and put you on fish. We're talking about covering serious ground here, from the nearshore structure where the cobia cruise to the blue water where marlin and mahi roam. The Outer Banks is world-class fishing territory, and this trip gives you the time to really experience what makes these waters special.
We fish smart out here, adapting our approach based on conditions and what's biting. Most of the day involves trolling – running multiple lines at different depths and distances to cover water efficiently. The spread typically includes a mix of lures: ballyhoo rigged on circle hooks, artificial lures that mimic baitfish, and sometimes live bait when the bite calls for it. The boat's rigged with quality conventional reels spooled with braided line, but we'll match the tackle to the target species. When we're after marlin, we're talking heavy conventional gear that can handle a fish that might go 400 pounds or more. For mahi and tuna, we might scale down to lighter tackle that lets you feel every head shake and run. Your crew will handle the rigging, but they'll also teach you the nuances – how to work a fish, when to pump and wind, and how to stay connected to something that's trying its best to throw the hook.
The waters off Wanchese are home to some serious gamefish, and each species brings its own challenge and reward. Blue marlin are the holy grail of offshore fishing here – these apex predators can exceed 500 pounds and will test every ounce of your strength and determination. They're most active during the warmer months from June through September, often found around temperature breaks and underwater structure. When a blue marlin eats your bait, you'll know it instantly – the reel screams, the rod loads up, and you're connected to one of the ocean's most powerful fish. What makes them special isn't just their size, but their fight – they'll jump, they'll run, and they'll push you to your limits.
Mahi-mahi, or common dolphinfish as they're properly known, are the workhorses of offshore fishing. These brilliant gold and green speedsters travel in schools and provide non-stop action when you find them. They're aggressive feeders that will hit both lures and live bait, typically ranging from 10 to 40 pounds with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 50. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're often found around floating debris, weed lines, and temperature changes. What anglers love about mahi is their willingness to bite and their acrobatic fights – they'll jump, shake their heads, and put on a show that never gets old.
Yellowfin tuna are the speedsters of the deep, and hooking one is like connecting to a freight train. These fish are built for speed and endurance, with powerful bodies that can reach impressive sizes – we're talking fish that commonly run 40 to 100 pounds, with giants pushing well beyond that. They're year-round residents in these waters, though they're most active during the warmer months. Yellowfin are structure-oriented fish, often found around underwater mountains, temperature breaks, and areas with good bait concentrations. Their fight is legendary among serious anglers – long, powerful runs that test your tackle and your endurance.
White marlin might be smaller than their blue cousins, but don't let that fool you – these fish are pure adrenaline. Typically ranging from 40 to 80 pounds, they're incredibly acrobatic and will put on an aerial display that rivals any gamefish in the ocean. They're more numerous than blue marlin and provide excellent opportunities for anglers looking to tangle with a billfish. Peak season runs from June through September, and they're often found in the same areas as blue marlin, just in shallower water. What makes white marlin special is their aggressive nature and spectacular jumps – they'll greyhound across the surface and throw themselves completely out of the water.
Bluefin tuna are the heavyweights of the tuna family, and landing one is a true test of angling skill. These fish can reach massive proportions – we're talking about fish that can weigh several hundred pounds. They're seasonal visitors to our waters, typically showing up during the cooler months when they're following bait schools. Bluefin are incredibly powerful fish with stamina that seems endless, and they're known for their ability to sound deep and stay there. What makes them so coveted isn't just their size, but their intelligence – they're often line-shy and require precise presentations to get them to bite.
This is the kind of fishing trip that separates the good days from the great ones. With 12 hours on the water and access to some of the most productive offshore grounds on
Makaira NigricansThe king of offshore fishing, Blue Marlin are massive billfish that can reach 16 feet and over 1,000 pounds - though the females get much bigger than males. We find them in deep blue water, usually 20+ miles offshore where water temps hit 70°F or warmer. Late spring through early fall gives us the best shots here off the Outer Banks. These fish are pure power - they'll jump, run, and test every piece of gear you've got. The fight alone makes them worth targeting, but they're also incredible to see up close. When trolling for blues, I always tell folks to keep their spread moving fast - around 8-9 knots. These apex predators want a meal that looks like it's trying to escape.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail of tuna fishing - massive, powerful fish that can hit 400-600 pounds and pull like freight trains. We target them in deeper water, often 30+ miles offshore where they follow bait schools and temperature changes. Winter and early spring can be productive here, though they're unpredictable migrants. These fish are prized for their incredible meat quality - the fatty, rich flesh that sushi restaurants pay top dollar for. The fight is legendary too; they'll make deep dives and long runs that can last over an hour. Because they're federally regulated, you need permits and must report catches. When chunking for bluefin, I use fresh herring or mackerel and fish it back in the slick. Patience is key - these smart fish will often follow the chum for a while before committing to bite.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are some of the most colorful fighters you'll hook offshore, averaging 15-30 pounds with those brilliant gold sides and electric blues. We typically find them under floating debris, weed lines, or around temperature breaks in 100-600 feet of water. Spring through fall are prime time here off Wanchese, especially when water temps climb above 68°F. Anglers love these fish for their acrobatic jumps and how good they taste on the table - firm, white meat that's perfect grilled. They're also great for getting kids excited since they bite well and put on a show. Pro tip: when you hook one, leave it in the water while you rig another line. Mahi travel in schools, so that first fish will often keep the others around for multiple hookups.
Kajikia AlbidaWhite Marlin are the smaller, scrappier cousins of the blue marlin, typically running 40-80 pounds but fighting way above their weight class. These billfish love deep water near underwater structure like canyons and drop-offs, usually in that blue water 15+ miles out. Summer months are our bread and butter time, especially when we hit those temperature breaks. What guests love about whites is they're more aggressive than blues and will put on an aerial show that's hard to beat. They also bite more readily, so your chances of a hookup are better. My go-to trick is rigging ballyhoo on a circle hook with a small weight - let it swim naturally behind the boat. Watch the water around your baits, not just the baits themselves. These fish are sneaky and will appear out of nowhere to smack your spread.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are built like torpedoes and fight twice as hard as their 60-100 pound average suggests. These warm-blooded speedsters cruise the upper water column in 100-300 feet, often mixed with dolphin pods or under bird activity. Summer and early fall bring the best action here, particularly around temperature changes and current edges. What makes yellowfin special is their incredible stamina - they'll make multiple deep runs that'll test your drag and your arms. Plus, they're probably the best eating fish in the ocean, perfect for sashimi or searing. When we're marking fish deep but nothing's hitting the spread, I like to drop jigs down to them. The key is watching your fish finder and being ready to switch tactics when these smart fish get finicky about surface baits.
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