6 Hours : OBX Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Six-hour offshore fishing charter targeting Amberjack, Mackerel, and CobiaExtended time allows access to distant fishing grounds and wrecksSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests maximum
When a half-day trip just doesn't cut it and you're serious about getting after some quality fish, this 6-hour OBX fishing charter with Vicarious Charters is exactly what you need. We're talking about heading out to those prime fishing grounds and wrecks that are just too far for shorter trips – the spots where the real action happens. The Outer Banks waters are legendary for holding big fish, and with six full hours on the water, you'll have the time to work multiple spots and really dial in on what's biting. Pack your cooler with food and drinks, slather on that sunscreen, and get ready to see why anglers from all over the East Coast keep coming back to these waters.
This top-rated 6-hour charter gives you the freedom to fish the way you want to fish. We're not rushed, we're not cutting corners – we've got the time to run out to those offshore wrecks and structure that hold the bigger fish. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will put you on the fish based on current conditions, seasons, and what's been producing lately. The boat carries up to 4 anglers, so you're not crowded shoulder-to-shoulder with a bunch of strangers. All your fishing gear is provided and ready to go – rods, reels, tackle, bait, the whole setup. You just need to focus on fighting fish and having a good time. The extra time means we can cover more ground, try different techniques, and really maximize your chances of hooking into something special.
Out here in OBX waters, we're primarily trolling and bottom fishing depending on what we're targeting and where the fish are holding. For the pelagic species like King Mackerel, we'll be pulling spreads of spoons, diving plugs, and live bait behind the boat at varying depths and distances. When we hit the wrecks for Amberjack and Cobia, we switch gears to vertical jigging and live bait fishing right on structure. The tackle is sized appropriately for these fish – we're talking medium to heavy spinning and conventional gear that can handle 20-50 pound fish without breaking a sweat. Your captain will rig everything and show you the techniques, whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time. The key out here is being ready to adapt – these fish dictate the game, and successful trips come from reading conditions and adjusting tactics throughout the day.
Cobia are the crown jewel of OBX fishing and for good reason. These brown sharks, as locals call them, are incredibly strong fighters that will test your arms and your drag system. They typically run 30-60 pounds in these waters and are most active from May through September when water temperatures climb. What makes Cobia so exciting is their curiosity – they'll actually come up and check out the boat, giving you shots at sight fishing. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. When you hook one, get ready for multiple runs and some serious bulldogging near the boat.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of the offshore world, and OBX waters produce some world-class kings. These fish are built for speed with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. Kings in these waters average 15-30 pounds, but 40+ pounders show up regularly, especially during the fall run from September through November. They're primarily caught trolling, and when one hits, you'll know it – the rod doubles over and line starts screaming off the reel. Kings are also fantastic eating when prepared fresh, with a rich, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill or smoker.
Greater Amberjack are the muscle cars of the reef fish world. These fish live on wrecks and hard bottom structure, and when you hook one, it's going straight back to the bottom with bad intentions. AJs commonly reach 40-80 pounds in OBX waters and are available year-round, though they're most active during warmer months. The fight is all about power – they use their broad tail and the structure below to try and break you off. Successfully bringing a big Amberjack to the boat is one of the most satisfying experiences in offshore fishing. They're also customer favorites at the dinner table with dense, meaty fillets that work great for fish cakes or grilling.
This 6-hour charter represents the sweet spot for serious fishing without committing to a full day trip. You get the extended range to hit the best spots, multiple chances at different species, and enough time to really work the bite when we find active fish. The Outer Banks fishing scene is renowned throughout the mid-Atlantic, and Vicarious Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish trip after trip. With only 4 spots available, these charters fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. Whether you're looking to check some bucket list species off your list or just want to spend a quality day on some of the best fishing waters on the East Coast, this trip delivers. Don't let another season slip by – book your spot and see why OBX fishing keeps anglers coming back year after year.
This 2001 Glacier Bay center console is your ticket to the productive offshore waters around the Outer Banks. Twin 200HP Suzuki outboards push this pontoon-style boat to a cruising speed of 30 knots, getting you out to the amberjack and cobia grounds without burning your whole day in transit. The center console layout gives everyone aboard plenty of room to work their lines, while the built-in icebox keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long fights with big fish. Navigation and fish-finding electronics include GPS, radar for those foggy OBX mornings, and sonar to mark structure and baitfish. VHF radio keeps you connected to other boats and the Coast Guard. At 23 years old, this boat has proven itself in these waters time and again. With space for up to 4 anglers, there's enough elbow room to handle multiple hookups when the mackerel are running hot. All fishing gear comes ready to go - you just need to show up with sunscreen and whatever food and drinks you want for the trip out to the wrecks and structure that hold the best fish.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of those fish that'll make you do a double-take - their dark brown bodies and single dorsal fin often get them mistaken for sharks until they get closer. These solitary hunters average around 6 feet and 100 pounds, making them a serious target for anyone wanting a real fight. You'll find them around wrecks, reefs, and structure in 30-70 feet of water, especially during spring migration and spawning season from June through August. What makes cobia so popular is their aggressive nature and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's hard to beat. They'll hit bucktail jigs, live bait, or topwater lures pretty readily. Pro tip: when sight fishing for cobia, cast well ahead of where you see them swimming. They spook easy if your lure lands too close, but they'll chase down a jig that's moving away from them.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldozers of the reef - thick-bodied fish that'll test your tackle and your back. These guys average 30-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds on the bigger wrecks and structure. You'll find them hanging around anything with vertical relief in 60-200 feet of water year-round, though spring and fall fishing tends to be most consistent. What makes amberjack so appealing is their raw power - they fight straight down and don't give up easy. The meat's excellent when prepared right, white and firm like a cross between grouper and tuna. We target them with heavy jigs, live bait, or cut bait fished near the bottom around structure. Key thing with amberjack: as soon as you hook up, crank hard and get them away from the wreck. They'll wrap you up in the structure every time if you give them slack line. Keep steady pressure and work them up slowly.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel, or "kings" as we call them, are built for speed and put up one hell of a fight. These silver torpedoes typically run 20-30 pounds, but we see plenty that push 40-50 pounds out here. They cruise the 40-150 foot range, following baitfish and temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps hit that 68-84 degree sweet spot they love. What gets people hooked on targeting kings is their blistering runs - they'll peel drag like few other fish can. The meat's decent eating too, though it's got some oil to it. We usually troll with spoons, plugs, or slow-troll live bait. Here's a local trick: rig your live bait with two hooks on a wire leader - one through the nose, another trailing behind. Kings love to hit the tail end of baitfish, and that stinger hook will save you from a lot of missed strikes.
Wanchese, NC