Full Day Guided Fishing In Morehead City
When you're ready to get serious about offshore fishing, this 8-hour deep water adventure puts you right where the big fish live. We're talking 45 to 80 miles out into the Atlantic, where the Gulf Stream brings warm water and serious gamefish within reach of Morehead City's fishing fleet. Stack N Bills knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish whether you're after pelagics in the blue water or working the bottom structure for reef fish. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of space to work without getting tangled up with your buddies when the action gets hot.
What to Expect on the Water
You'll meet at the dock before sunrise for an 8-hour day that covers a lot of water and targets multiple species. The run out takes you through some of North Carolina's most productive fishing grounds, from the nearshore reefs where grouper and cobia hang out to the deep blue water where wahoo and mahi patrol. Your captain reads the conditions daily and adjusts the game plan based on water temperature, bait movement, and recent fish reports. Some days that means spending more time on the bottom fishing for amberjack and grouper, other days you'll be trolling the edges for yellowfin tuna and sailfish. The boat's equipped with everything you need - rods, reels, tackle, and bait are all provided, so you just need to bring yourself and a North Carolina saltwater fishing license. You can grab your license at Freeman's Bait & Tackle if you don't have one yet.
Techniques & Tackle Setup
This trip runs the full spectrum of offshore fishing techniques depending on what's biting. When working the blue water, you'll be trolling with ballyhoo rigs, cedar plugs, and lures designed to mimic the baitfish that attract wahoo, mahi, and tuna. The spread typically includes both flat lines and outriggers to cover more water and present baits at different depths. When it's time to work the bottom, you'll switch to heavier tackle with circle hooks and cut bait or live bottom rigs targeting grouper, amberjack, and other structure-loving species. The captain carries a variety of weights and rigs to match the current and depth, whether you're fishing 60-foot reefs or dropping down to 200-plus feet for bigger grouper. All the gear is tournament-quality stuff that can handle whatever pulls back, and the crew will retie leaders and change out baits so you can focus on fighting fish instead of rigging tackle.
Top Catches This Season
Mahi mahi are the crowd favorites out here, and for good reason. These fish are absolute rockets when hooked, jumping clear out of the water and making long screaming runs that'll test your drag system. Most of the mahi we see range from 10 to 30 pounds, with the occasional bull dolphin pushing 40-plus. They're most active from late spring through early fall when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. What makes mahi so exciting is they often travel in schools, so when you hook one, there's usually more around. The key is working the floating sargassum weed lines and any debris in the water where they like to hang out.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of hitting a trolled bait at 50+ mph and making blistering runs that can empty a reel in seconds. These fish average 20 to 50 pounds off Morehead City, with fall being prime time when they're moving through in numbers following the baitfish migration. Wahoo have razor-sharp teeth that can slice through regular monofilament like butter, so we use wire leaders and high-speed lures that can handle the strike. When you hook one, hold on tight because the initial run is something you'll never forget.
Cobia are the gentle giants of the inshore reef scene, cruising around structure and often following rays or sharks near the surface. These fish can reach 50 pounds or more and are known for their strong, steady fights rather than flashy jumps. Spring and early summer are peak times when cobia are moving through the area, and sight fishing for them is some of the most exciting angling you'll find. They're curious fish that will often come right up to the boat to investigate, giving you a clear shot with live bait or jigs.
Yellowfin tuna are the marathon runners of the bunch, making long, powerful runs and testing both your tackle and your endurance. The yellowfin we target typically run 30 to 80 pounds, and they're most active during the warmer months when the Gulf Stream is within reach. These fish fight deep and hard, often taking 20 minutes or more to bring to the boat. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with sashimi-grade meat that's worth every minute of the fight.
Gag grouper are the kings of the bottom fishing scene, hanging around ledges and hard structure in 60 to 150 feet of water. These fish can exceed 30 pounds and are notorious for trying to cut you off in the rocks the second they feel the hook. The trick is getting them up and away from the structure quickly, which means using heavy tackle and keeping steady pressure. Gag grouper are most active during the cooler months and provide some of the best table fare you'll find offshore.
Time to Book Your Spot
This full-day offshore trip gives you the best shot at multiple species in some of North Carolina's most productive fishing waters. Stack N Bills has built their reputation on putting anglers on fish, whether you're a seasoned offshore veteran or trying deep water fishing for the first time. The 8-hour timeframe lets you cover serious ground and try different techniques based on what's biting. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and pick your dates carefully. With only 6 spots