3.0(1 Reviews)Full Day Offshore Fishing with SWF Charters
3.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore fishing targeting multiple species with expert crewTrolling and bottom fishing techniques for trophy catchesSmall group experience with maximum six guests aboard
Looking for a serious day on the water? SWF Charters' full-day offshore trip puts you right in the action where the big fish live. We're talking 8-10 hours of fishing time, covering both near and offshore waters to give you the best shot at multiple species. Captain Nick and his crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll work their tails off to put you on fish. With space for up to 6 anglers, this trip strikes the perfect balance between having enough room to fish comfortably and keeping the group small enough for personalized attention.
Your day starts early – we're talking sunrise departure to maximize fishing time. The boat heads out from the dock loaded with fresh bait, ice, and all the tackle you'll need. First stop is usually the near shore structure where we'll work the bottom for grouper and amberjack. The captain reads the water, watches the fish finder, and positions the boat over productive spots. You'll feel the difference once we hit deeper water – the swells get bigger, the baitfish schools show up on the sonar, and that's when things get interesting. The crew keeps lines in the water, switches up techniques based on what's biting, and makes sure everyone gets their shot at the action. Don't worry about bringing lunch – you'll want to pack your own food and plenty of water since meals aren't included. The boat has a cooler with ice to keep your drinks cold and your catch fresh.
This isn't a one-trick operation. The crew runs a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what's biting. Trolling covers water fast and draws strikes from kings, mahi, and cobia cruising the blue water. You'll see them deploy spread of baits at different depths – some running deep on downriggers, others skipping the surface. When we're working structure for grouper and amberjack, it's all about bottom fishing with heavy tackle and fresh bait. Circle hooks, heavy sinkers, and strong line are the name of the game when you're pulling fish up from 80+ feet of water. The crew handles all the rigging, but don't be surprised if they show you the setup – most anglers love learning the tricks that produce fish in these waters. Rod holders keep multiple lines working while trolling, and when something hits, everyone knows it. The drag screams, the rod bends, and it's game time.
"Overall, I enjoyed the trip. The fishing started and ended pretty good, but the majority of the day was super slow. No fault of Nick. He worked hard to get us on fish, just a bad day for catching. The info about the trip I received through Fish Booker did not match what we got (did not specifically target Mahi or Kings), so I learned a lesson to go straight to the source when booking a charter. Still an enjoyable day on the water, good price point, and Nick will work hard to provide you with a good experience." - Loren
Gag Grouper are the bread and butter of offshore bottom fishing around here. These guys hang tight to structure – wrecks, rocks, and ledges in 60-120 feet of water. They're ambush predators that hit hard and dive straight back to cover, so you need heavy tackle and quick reflexes. Most gags run 15-25 pounds, but the big females can push 30+ pounds. They're most active during cooler months when they move into shallower water to feed. What makes them special is the fight – they use every ounce of their body weight and the structure to try to break you off. Plus, they're excellent table fare when prepared right.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the offshore world. These silver bullets patrol the blue water looking for baitfish schools, and when they find them, it's mayhem. Kings average 15-30 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds during peak season. Spring and fall are prime time when they migrate along the coast. They hit trolled baits at 8-12 knots and make blistering runs that can strip 100 yards of line in seconds. The key is keeping steady pressure without overdoing the drag – their mouths are soft and hooks pull easily. Kings are also fantastic on the grill or smoked, making them a favorite target for anglers who love to eat their catch.
Mahi Mahi bring the color and acrobatics to offshore fishing. These bright green and yellow beauties love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks in blue water. They're schooling fish, so where you find one, there's usually more. Mahi are aggressive feeders that attack both trolled baits and live offerings. They jump repeatedly when hooked, putting on a show that never gets old. Most run 10-25 pounds, with bulls reaching 30+ pounds. They're year-round residents in warmer waters, with peak action during summer months. The bonus is their mild, white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or grilling.
Greater Amberjack are the bullies of the reef. These powerful fish live around structure and use brute force to try to break your tackle. They're curious fish that often follow hooked grouper to the surface, giving alert anglers a bonus shot. Amberjack fight in circles, using their broad sides to create maximum resistance. Most weigh 25-50 pounds, with trophy fish exceeding 60 pounds. They're available year-round but fishing is best during cooler months. The fight is what keeps anglers coming back – it's a straight-up tug of war against a fish that doesn't know when to quit.
Cobia are the wild cards of offshore fishing. These brown sharks-lookalikes cruise alone or in small groups, often following rays and sharks. They're curious fish that investigate the boat, sometimes giving anglers
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the most unique fish we target - they look like sharks but fight like freight trains. These brown beauties average 30-60 pounds and can push over 100 pounds when we find the right fish. They're loners that cruise shallow structure, wrecks, and even follow rays in 20-80 feet of water. Spring migration brings the best action, especially during spawning season when they're moving through in good numbers. What guests love is the sight fishing aspect - we actually spot them cruising near the surface before casting. The meat quality is outstanding, often compared to shark but with better texture. Bucktail jigs work great, but live bait gets the most consistent bites. Watch for their curious nature - they'll often follow a lure for a while before committing to strike.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are one of the most rewarding bottom fish you'll tangle with out here. These chunky fighters average around 20 inches, but we regularly see them pushing 30+ pounds on the deeper reefs and wrecks. They love hanging around structure in 60-150 feet of water - think ledges, rocks, and artificial reefs. What makes them special is that stubborn fight once hooked. They'll immediately try to dive back into their hole, so you've got to muscle them up fast with your drag locked down tight. The meat is fantastic - firm white fillets that grill perfectly. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're actively feeding. Pro tip: use circle hooks with live pinfish or cut bait, and keep that rod tip low when you set the hook to pull them away from cover.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjack are the bulldogs of deep water structure, and they'll give you a workout you won't forget. These bruisers commonly hit 30-50 pounds, with some monsters pushing 80+ pounds on the deeper wrecks and reefs. You'll find them hanging around structure in 80-200 feet, especially during their spring spawn when they're most aggressive. What people love about AJs is that raw power - they fight straight down and test your tackle to the limit. The meat is excellent, though larger fish can carry ciguatera, so we usually keep the smaller ones. Best fishing happens spring through early summer when they're feeding heavily. Heavy tackle is a must - think 50+ pound line. My go-to technique is dropping live bait or large jigs right to the bottom, then working them slowly up the water column.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are the speed demons of our offshore trips, and they'll test your reflexes like no other fish. These silver bullets typically run 15-30 pounds, but we see plenty of 40+ pounders that'll make your arms burn. They patrol depths from 40-150 feet, often around temperature breaks and bait schools. Peak season runs spring through fall when they're following the baitfish migrations. What guests love most is that screaming initial run - kings can peel off 100 yards of line in seconds. The meat is excellent if you bleed them immediately and keep them iced. We usually troll with live bait or spoons, but here's a tip that works great: use a two-hook rig with wire leader since they'll often grab bait from behind with those razor-sharp teeth.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are pure gold when we find them - literally. These colorful fighters average 15-30 pounds and put on quite a show with their acrobatic jumps and color changes. We typically find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in blue water depths of 100+ feet. They're most active during warmer months when the water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes them special is the combination of great fight and even better eating - the white, flaky meat is restaurant quality. They travel in schools, so when you hook one, keep the boat positioned because there's usually more below. The key is trolling colorful lures or rigged ballyhoo at varying depths. Once you get a bite, leave the hooked fish in the water while others cast to the school.
3.0 out of 5.0Overall, I enjoyed the trip. The fishing started and ended pretty good, but the majority of the day was super slow. No fault of Ni...
Carolina Beach, NC, USA