Gulf Stream Fishing Trip - Swansboro, NC
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Gulf Stream offshore fishing specializing in premium gamefishMaximum 6 guests with experienced professional crewTarget tuna, mahimahi, wahoo and other pelagic species
When you're ready to test your skills against some of the ocean's most prized gamefish, Tuna-Tic Charters has you covered. Our Gulf Stream fishing trips out of Swansboro put you right in the heart of North Carolina's world-class offshore fishing grounds, where the warm waters hold trophy tuna, lightning-fast wahoo, and colorful mahi-mahi. With a crew that knows these waters inside and out, you'll get the kind of personalized attention that only comes with a maximum of six anglers on board. We're talking about real fishing here – the kind where your drag screams and your arms burn, but you can't stop grinning.
This isn't your typical near-shore trip. We're heading out to where the Continental Shelf drops off and the Gulf Stream's blue water starts doing its magic. The ride out takes us through some of North Carolina's most productive fishing zones, and once we hit that temperature break where the inshore green water meets the deep blue, that's where things get interesting. Our boat is rigged and ready with top-shelf tackle, outriggers spread wide, and a crew that's been working these waters long enough to read the signs – bird activity, water color changes, and those subtle current edges where big fish love to hunt. You'll spend your day trolling the blue water, working structure when we mark it, and getting hands-on instruction from guides who genuinely want to see you hook up with the fish of a lifetime.
Gulf Stream fishing is all about covering water and presenting the right bait in the right zone. We run a spread of lures and rigged baits designed to appeal to different species at various depths – ballyhoo for the mahi, cedar plugs and jet heads for the wahoo, and chunk baits when the tuna are being finicky. The boat stays in motion most of the day, working likely spots where temperature breaks, weed lines, and bottom structure create the perfect ambush points for pelagic species. When something hits, you'll know it immediately. These fish don't mess around, and neither do we when it comes to boat handling and coaching you through the fight. Our tackle is sized right for the job – heavy enough to turn big fish away from structure, but sporting enough to let you feel every head shake and run.
Mahi-mahi are the crowd favorites for good reason. These fish are pure eye candy – brilliant gold and green colors that light up when they're fighting mad. They're also cooperative, often traveling in schools, so when you find one, you've likely found several. Mahi typically range from 10 to 30 pounds in these waters, with the occasional bull pushing 40-plus. They love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, making them perfect targets for our trolling approach. Spring through fall offers the best action, with peak season running May through September when water temperatures climb above 75 degrees.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf Stream, capable of blistering runs that'll test your reflexes and your drag system. These torpedo-shaped predators can exceed 50 mph and typically weigh between 20 and 60 pounds, though larger specimens aren't uncommon. They're structure-oriented fish that love drop-offs and ledges, often striking without warning and taking off on runs that can peel 200 yards of line in seconds. Fall and winter months tend to produce the biggest wahoo, when cooler water temperatures pull them closer to the Continental Shelf.
Yellowfin tuna represent the ultimate test for serious anglers. These fish are pure muscle, built for endurance, and capable of multi-hour battles that'll leave you questioning your life choices – in the best possible way. Yellowfin in our area typically range from 30 to 100 pounds, with larger fish showing up during summer months when baitfish concentrations are heaviest. They're smart, often requiring precise presentations and fresh baits to trigger strikes. Once hooked, they dive deep and fight with a strength that has to be experienced to be believed.
Southern flounder might seem out of place on a Gulf Stream trip, but these flatfish are actually common around offshore structure during certain times of year. They're excellent table fare and provide a nice change of pace from the high-speed pelagic action. Flounder fishing requires different techniques – often involving live or cut bait presented near the bottom around wrecks and ledges where these ambush predators wait for unsuspecting prey.
The Gulf Stream doesn't wait for anyone, and neither do the fish. Tuna-Tic Charters offers the kind of personalized offshore experience that's getting harder to find – small groups, experienced crew, and access to some of the East Coast's most productive fishing grounds. Whether you're chasing your first tuna or looking to add another wahoo to your list, our Gulf Stream trips deliver the real deal. The boat's equipped, the crew knows their stuff, and the fish are out there waiting. All you need to do is show up ready to fish and prepared for whatever the blue water decides to throw at you. Book your spot today and find out why anglers keep coming back to Swansboro's offshore grounds season after season.
The Tuna-Tic is a well-equipped 33' Bertram Sportfisher ready to take you and 5 other anglers out to the Gulf Stream waters off Swansboro. This proven offshore platform comes loaded with everything you need for serious fishing - GPS to get you to the hot spots, radar for safe navigation, VHF radio to stay connected, and a quality fish finder to locate your targets below. The experienced crew knows these waters and specializes in putting you on the big ones like tuna, mahi-mahi, and wahoo that cruise the Gulf Stream. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work the rods without getting tangled up. The Bertram's solid construction handles the offshore swells while you focus on what matters - getting tight to some serious fish in some of the East Coast's most productive waters.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of the Gulf Stream - strong, fast, and built for the long haul. Most run 60 pounds, but we've had 100+ pounders test every bit of tackle and angler endurance. These torpedo-shaped fish with bright yellow fins cruise the upper 100 feet of water, following baitfish and temperature breaks. They're here year-round, but summer and fall bring the best numbers. What makes yellowfin special is that deep, powerful fight - no jumping, just pure strength pulling straight down. The sushi-grade meat is why many anglers target them specifically. We'll troll, chunk, or jig depending on conditions, but here's what works: when they're finicky, try switching from artificials to live bait. Sometimes a fresh ballyhoo or blue runner is what it takes to get that first bite, then the others usually follow.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are one of the most colorful fish you'll find in the Gulf Stream - brilliant golds, blues, and greens that put on quite a light show when you bring them aboard. They typically run 15-29 pounds and about 3 feet long, though we've seen bigger. These fish love floating debris and weed lines, so we'll cruise the current breaks looking for birds working over sargassum. Spring through fall gives us our best action when water temps climb. What makes mahi special is their aggressive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make long runs that'll test your drag. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, mild white meat. Here's a tip: when you hook one, keep the boat moving and look for more - they school up and where there's one, there's usually several more waiting.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the Gulf Stream, hitting 50+ mph and averaging 3-5 feet long. These sleek fish with their distinctive blue zebra stripes are pure adrenaline on the line. We find them cruising the deep blue water, often around the 60-foot mark, though they'll come up to chase lures. Summer through fall is prime time here off North Carolina. What gets anglers fired up is that lightning-fast initial run - they'll scream line off your reel like nothing else. The meat is top-shelf too - firm, white, and mild, perfect for the grill. We troll fast at 12-15 knots with wire leaders because those razor teeth will slice through mono in a heartbeat. Here's the key: don't slow down when one hits - keep that bait moving fast and they'll usually stay hooked better than if you throttle back.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand and mud with both eyes on their left side, waiting to ambush prey. They run 15-18 inches typically, though we've caught some pushing 25 inches around structure. You'll find them on sandy or muddy bottoms in shallower water, especially around inlets, drop-offs, and near-shore structure. Fall is prime time as they stage for their offshore spawn - that's when we see the biggest doormat-sized fish. What makes flounder fishing fun is the challenge of reading bottom structure and the surprise factor when one inhales your bait. They're also excellent table fare with firm, sweet white meat. We drift or anchor up using live minnows, shrimp, or small jigs. Pro tip: when you feel that telltale tap-tap, let them run with it a few seconds before setting the hook - they grab prey sideways first, then turn to swallow.
Swansboro, NC