48-Hour Offshore Adventure in Morehead City
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
2-day offshore fishing adventure targeting premium speciesOvernight liveaboard accommodations with all gear providedProfessional guided trips for cobia, grouper, and tuna
If you're ready to take your fishing game to the next level, this 2-day offshore charter with Stack N Bills is what serious anglers have been waiting for. We're talking about a full 48 hours on the water, starting with an afternoon departure and fishing straight through until 2 PM the following day. You'll sleep on the boat, wake up already positioned over prime fishing grounds, and get back to work while most other charters are still burning fuel to reach the good spots. This isn't your typical day trip – it's a proper offshore expedition targeting everything from screaming pelagics to bottom structure monsters.
Your adventure kicks off from Morehead City's bustling waterfront, where you'll board a fully equipped charter boat designed for extended offshore work. The captain will brief you on the game plan while heading out to the fishing grounds – typically the continental shelf and nearby structure where big fish concentrate. You'll have liveaboard accommodations right on the vessel, so no need to worry about hotels or driving back to shore after a long day of fighting fish. The boat sleeps up to 6 anglers comfortably, and all your fishing gear is provided. Just remember to grab your North Carolina saltwater license before you head out – Freeman's Bait & Tackle has you covered if you need one. Fair warning though: your deposit is non-refundable, so make sure you're committed to this offshore marathon.
This trip combines the best of both offshore worlds – high-speed trolling for pelagics and dropping down on structure for bottom fish. During the day, you'll likely be pulling spreads of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and lures through blue water, hunting for wahoo, mahi, and tuna. The crew knows how to read the water, watching for temperature breaks, weed lines, and bird activity that signal feeding fish. When it's time to target the bottom dwellers, you'll switch tactics completely – dropping heavy jigs and live bait down to grouper holes and amberjack structure. Night fishing adds another dimension, as many species feed more aggressively after dark. The extended time on the water means you can adapt to conditions and fish multiple spots without worrying about a tight schedule back to the dock.
Mahi Mahi are the crowd pleasers out here, and for good reason. These electric-colored fighters put on a show both in the water and on the dinner plate. Look for them under floating debris, around weed lines, or anywhere the water turns from green to deep blue. They're most active during warmer months, and once you hook into a school, the action can be non-stop. Mahi hit hard, jump repeatedly, and their bright gold and green colors make for great photos before they hit the cooler.
Cobia are the bulldogs of the offshore world – powerful, stubborn, and surprisingly smart. These brown submarines can reach 50+ pounds and will test your arm strength on every turn. Spring and early summer are prime time for cobia around Morehead City, when they move inshore to spawn. They're curious fish that will follow the boat, often giving you multiple shot opportunities. When a big cobia decides to make a run, there's not much you can do except hold on and trust your drag.
Yellowtail Amberjack are the gym rats of the reef – pure muscle wrapped in a streamlined package. These fish live around hard structure and will immediately try to cut your line on bottom rocks when hooked. They're available year-round but fish best in spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate. A big amberjack will make multiple deep runs, and landing one requires patience and steady pressure. They're also excellent table fare when prepared properly.
Yellowfin Tuna represent the pinnacle of offshore fishing around here. These speed demons can hit 40+ mph and won't give up without a serious fight. Summer months bring the best yellowfin action to the continental shelf waters off Morehead City. When you hook a yellowfin, expect long, powerful runs that will test your tackle and technique. They're prized both for their fighting ability and their sushi-grade meat.
Gag Grouper are the heavy hitters of the bottom structure, with big females reaching 30+ pounds. These ambush predators live in rocky holes and ledges, striking fast when bait drifts by. Winter months often produce the largest gags, though they're catchable year-round in deeper water. Fighting a big grouper is all about keeping them out of the rocks – once they get back to their hole, the game is usually over. Their firm, white meat makes them one of the most sought-after table fish in these waters.
This 48-hour offshore charter isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience what serious offshore fishing is all about. You'll have time to target multiple species, fish through different conditions, and really get a feel for what makes Morehead City such a renowned fishing destination. The extended time on the water means better odds at trophy fish and the flexibility to chase whatever's biting best. Stack N Bills has built their reputation on putting anglers on fish, and this marathon trip gives you the best shot at experiencing world-class offshore fishing. Don't wait too long to secure your dates – prime fishing seasons fill up fast, and there are only 6 spots available per trip.
This beautifully restored 46-foot Buddy Davis convertible is your floating basecamp for two days of serious offshore fishing off Morehead City. The 800HP Detroit engine gets you to the fishing grounds fast, while the spacious cockpit gives your crew of up to 6 anglers plenty of room to battle cobia, grouper, and whatever else is biting. After a full day chasing wahoo and mahi, retreat to air-conditioned comfort below deck where you'll find a full galley, head, and sleeping quarters for the overnight portion. The flybridge offers commanding views for spotting fish, while the radar and GPS keep you on track in any conditions. With an icebox and fridge to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus all the electronics you need to locate the action, this classic sportfisher handles everything from reef fishing to blue water trolling with style.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are beasts that'll surprise you with their size and fight. They average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, though plenty of smaller ones in the 30-50 pound range cruise our waters. These brown, shark-looking fish are loners that hang around reefs, wrecks, and buoys in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration and spawning season from May through August is when they're most active here. What guests love is the aggressive fight they put up and the firm, white meat that's restaurant-quality eating. They're sight fish a lot of the time, cruising just under the surface. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure where they'll cut you off. Bucktail jigs work great, but any color seems to do the trick.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef, averaging 20 inches but growing up to 50+ inches and 80 pounds. These mottled gray fish live around rocky bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 60-200 feet of water. They're here year-round but bite best in cooler months when they're more aggressive. What guests love is the initial power dive they make when hooked - it's a tug-of-war to keep them out of the rocks. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating in the ocean. They're ambush predators that like live bait, especially pinfish and mullet. The trick is keeping your reel locked tight when you hook one - no freespooling or they'll dive straight into a hole and cut you off. Circle hooks are required here, and a steady pump-and-wind gets them up.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are absolutely stunning fish that put on a color show like nothing else out here. They average 15-29 pounds but can get much bigger, and they're built for speed with those torpedo-shaped bodies. You'll find them around floating debris, weed lines, and anywhere there's current - they love structure in blue water. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps warm up. What makes them special is the fight they give and that incredible golden color that flashes underwater before changing to silver when boated. The meat is firm, white, and tastes fantastic grilled. My tip: when you see one, there's usually more around, so get multiple baits out fast and keep them skipping on the surface like flying fish.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are the speed demons of the offshore world, hitting 50 mph when they want to. Most of what we catch runs 30-80 pounds, but bigger ones cruise through. These torpedo-shaped fish with bright yellow fins live in the top 100 feet of blue water, following baitfish and temperature breaks. Summer and early fall are prime time when warm water pushes closer to shore. What makes them special is that blistering initial run and the premium table fare - this is sushi-grade fish. They're constantly moving, so trolling rigged ballyhoo or casting to surface schools works best. My advice: when you mark them deep but they won't bite, try chunking with whatever baitfish are around. Gets them fired up and coming to the surface where the real fun starts.
Seriola LalandiAmberjack are powerhouse fighters that'll test your arms and your tackle. Most run 15-25 pounds, though 40-pounders show up regularly to remind you who's boss. These yellow-finned speedsters live around reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom in deeper water, typically 60-150 feet. They're here year-round but really fire up in spring and fall when baitfish are thick. Guests love the raw power these fish bring - they'll make long runs and fight hard all the way to the boat. The meat is excellent eating too, firm and mild. Live bait works best, but here's what I've learned: when they're holding deep on structure, a heavy jig bounced right on bottom will pull them up. Don't horse them too hard early or they'll wrap you in the reef.
Atlantic Beach