Outer Banks Offshore Fishing with Captain Brian
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore fishing from 5am to 4pm with Captain BrianTarget Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Bluefin Tuna seasonallySix-person capacity charter includes all fishing equipment provided
Looking for a serious fishing adventure off the Outer Banks? Captain Brian and his crew at Waverunner Fishing Charters know these waters like the back of their hand. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking a full 11-hour offshore expedition from 5am to 4pm that puts you right in the heart of some of the East Coast's best fishing grounds. With room for up to 6 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the lines without bumping elbows. Just bring your own grub and drinks, and get ready to put some serious fish in the boat.
Captain Brian runs a tight ship, and that early 5am departure isn't just for show – it gets you to the productive waters while the fish are still feeding. The Outer Banks offshore scene is all about timing and positioning, and this crew knows exactly where to set up based on the season. Spring and summer trips focus on the warmer water species that move in with the Gulf Stream, while fall and winter fishing shifts to the cooler water predators that patrol these edges. You'll be working multiple rods with a mix of live bait, dead bait, and lures depending on what's biting. The mate will keep you rigged up and ready, so don't forget that 20% tip – these guys work hard to put fish on your line. Weather can change fast out here, so dress in layers and bring sun protection. The boat's equipped with all the heavy tackle you'll need, from 30-pound setups for the smaller pelagics up to the big stuff for tuna and marlin.
Most of your day will be spent trolling the offshore structure and temperature breaks where baitfish stack up. Captain Brian runs a spread of ballyhoo, cedar plugs, and artificial lures at different depths to cover the water column. When you hook up, the mate will clear the other lines so you can fight your fish without tangles. Circle hooks are standard here – they hook cleaner and give you a better chance of releasing fish in good shape. The boat's outfitted with quality Penn and Shimano reels that can handle anything from 20-pound mahi to 200-pound bluefin. If the trolling slows down, don't be surprised if you switch to chunking or live bait fishing over structure. The mate will show you proper fighting techniques, especially important when you're dealing with big tuna that can take 30 minutes or more to boat. Rod belts and fighting chairs are available for the larger fish, and Captain Brian knows when to back down on the engines to help you gain line.
Barracuda are year-round residents that provide fast action and sharp teeth – these aggressive predators will hit trolled lures hard and put on an aerial show when hooked. They're not huge, typically running 10-30 pounds, but their speed and attitude make them a blast on lighter tackle. You'll find them around structure and temperature breaks, often mixed in with other pelagic species.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphin fish as locals call them, are the bread and butter of spring and summer offshore fishing here. These colorful fighters average 10-25 pounds, with occasional bulls pushing 40-plus. They school up under floating debris and weed lines, and once you find a school, you can often catch multiple fish by keeping one hooked and in the water to hold the school. Their bright colors and acrobatic fights make them a favorite with photographers and anglers alike.
Wahoo are fall and winter speedsters that can hit 50+ mph when they strike your lure. These toothy torpedoes typically run 20-50 pounds in these waters, and their initial runs will test your drag system. They're often caught while trolling for other species, and their white, flaky meat makes them one of the best eating fish in the ocean. Wire leaders are essential since their razor-sharp teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat.
Yellowfin Tuna are the summer stars that can range from school fish in the 20-40 pound range up to giants over 100 pounds. These powerful fighters will take you to the backing and test your endurance. The smaller school fish are great on lighter tackle, while the big ones require serious gear and technique. Their rich, red meat is prized by sushi lovers and grilling enthusiasts.
Bluefin Tuna show up in fall and winter, and landing one is like hitting the lottery. These massive fish can exceed 200 pounds and will give you the fight of your life. The regulations are strict, so make sure you understand the size and bag limits before you go. When you hook a big bluefin, clear your schedule – you could be fighting it for over an hour.
Captain Brian's calendar fills up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait around if you're serious about getting offshore. The combination of his local knowledge, quality equipment, and productive fishing grounds makes this one of the top-rated charters in the Outer Banks. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so check the weather forecast and make sure you're ready to fish when you book. The 11-hour format gives you maximum time in the productive waters, and with species variety changing throughout the year, there's always something different to target. Whether you're after your first offshore fish or chasing a personal best, this trip puts you in the right place with an experienced crew that knows how to put fish in the boat.
Captain Brian's custom 56-foot Carolina boat is your ticket to serious offshore fishing in the Outer Banks. This beauty was built specifically for these waters and shows it - equipped with everything you need for a successful day chasing Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, and Bluefin depending on the season. The fish finder and radar keep you on the fish while GPS gets you to the hot spots. When you need a break from fighting fish, cool off with AC, grab a cold drink from the fridge, or catch up on the action with the onboard TV. Full galley, head with shower, and comfortable sleeping quarters mean you're set for those long 11-hour trips from dawn to dusk. The flybridge gives you great visibility for spotting birds working over schools of bait fish. Wheelchair accessible too, so everyone can get in on the action. With room for 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the lines without getting tangled up. Just bring your food, drinks, and get ready to put some serious bend in the rods.
SphyraenidaeBarracudas are aggressive predators that hunt by sight, making them exciting targets on light tackle. These torpedo-shaped fish typically run 18-36 inches around the Outer Banks, with their razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes. You'll find them near structure like wrecks, reefs, and drop-offs in 30-100 feet of water. They're active year-round here, but spring through fall offers the best action when baitfish are thick. Guests love the explosive surface strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. The meat is firm and white, great for the grill. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your lures moving fast - barracudas can't resist a flashy spoon or tube lure skipping across the surface.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the ultimate challenge in our fall and winter fishery - these giants range from school fish at 30-60 pounds up to true monsters over 200. They're built like torpedoes and fight harder than anything else we target, making deep dives and surface runs that'll wear you out. We find them in 100-600 feet of water around structure and temperature breaks, especially November through March when they migrate through. What makes them legendary is the combination of raw power and incredible table quality - this is sushi-grade tuna that restaurants pay top dollar for. Fair warning: you need heavy tackle and serious endurance for these battles. My go-to technique is chunking with fresh herring or live bait, and always fish the early morning bite when they're most active.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the gold standard of offshore fishing here in the spring and summer months. These colorful fighters average 15-30 pounds but can push 50+, with their distinctive golden sides and electric blue-green backs. Look for them around floating sargassum, debris lines, and current breaks in 100-500 feet of water. They're most active May through September when water temps hit the mid-70s. What makes them special is the combination - they fight hard with multiple jumps, they're absolutely beautiful fish that change colors, and they're some of the best eating you'll find offshore. The white, flaky meat is perfect for fish tacos. Here's the key: when you hook one, keep your lines in because they travel in schools and you'll often get multiple hookups.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are pure speed - hitting 60 mph and delivering some of the most aggressive strikes you'll experience offshore. These sleek predators typically range 20-60 pounds around the Outer Banks, with their distinctive blue stripes and razor teeth. We find them in blue water from 200-1000 feet, often around temperature breaks and current edges. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through during cooler months. Anglers love the bone-jarring initial run and the premium table fare - wahoo meat is white, mild, and perfect for steaks or sashimi. The challenge is their sharp teeth cut through regular leaders like butter. My advice: troll fast with wire leaders and heavy ballyhoo rigs. When that rod doubles over at 15 knots, you know you've got something special.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are the workhorses of our offshore trips, typically running 40-80 pounds with some real giants pushing over 200. These warm-blooded speedsters cruise the top 300 feet of blue water, especially around temperature breaks and structure. Spring through fall brings the best action when they follow baitfish up from the depths. What sets yellowfin apart is their incredible stamina - they'll make long, powerful runs that really test your endurance and gear. Plus, the meat quality is outstanding, perfect for sushi-grade steaks. We catch them year-round, but they really turn on during the warmer months. Here's a local trick: when trolling isn't producing, switch to chunking with live bait or drop jigs down deep where they're marking on the fish finder.
Outer Banks