5-Hour Family Special in Wrightsville Beach, NC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fivehour family fishing charter accommodates up to six guestsTarget Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bluefish, and Black Sea BassInshore fishing adventure operates from Wrightsville Beach waters
Looking for a fishing trip that'll get the whole crew excited? This 5-hour family charter with Whipsaw Fishing Charters is your ticket to some serious action on the waters around Wrightsville Beach. We're talking about a top-rated experience that puts you right where the fish are biting - targeting King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Black Sea Bass along the productive offshore ledges. Perfect for families with kids who've never wet a line or seasoned anglers wanting to introduce the next generation to the sport. With space for up to 6 guests, this customer favorite gives everyone plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and make memories that'll last long after you're back on dry land.
This isn't your typical inshore puddle-jumping trip - we're heading out to where the real action happens. The offshore ledges near Wrightsville Beach are renowned feeding grounds that hold some of the area's best gamefish year-round. You'll spend your morning and early afternoon working these productive structures, where the bottom drops off and creates the perfect ambush points for our target species. The boat rides smooth, the crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and you'll be fishing multiple techniques to keep everyone engaged. Kids love the fast action we typically see out here, while adults appreciate the chance to tangle with some legitimate gamefish. Don't worry about experience levels - the crew will have everyone fishing effectively within minutes of lines hitting the water.
We'll be running a mix of trolling and bottom fishing to maximize your chances at all four target species. The day usually starts with some high-speed trolling using spoons, diving plugs, and rigged baits to locate schools of mackerel and bluefish. Once we mark fish or find active water, we'll slow things down and work the area more methodically. For the bottom fishing, we're talking about dropping cut baits and live bait down to the sea bass that hold tight to the ledge structure. The crew provides all the gear you'll need - from light spinning setups perfect for Spanish mackerel to heavier conventional rigs that can handle a big king. Circle hooks, wire leaders, and proper weights are all part of the package. If you've got your own lucky rod, feel free to bring it along, but everything's covered if you prefer to travel light.
King Mackerel are the true trophy fish of this trip and the reason many anglers keep coming back. These world-class gamefish can stretch over 30 inches and put up a fight that'll test your drag and your arms. Kings are most active during the warmer months from late spring through early fall, and they absolutely love the structure and baitfish that concentrate around our fishing grounds. When a king hits your bait, you'll know it - they make long, screaming runs that get everyone on the boat excited. The crew knows exactly how to rig for these fish and where to find them when they're feeding.
Spanish Mackerel might be smaller than their king cousins, but they make up for it with pure speed and numbers. These 12-18 inch speedsters are perfect for kids and beginning anglers because they bite aggressively and fight hard for their size. Best time to target Spanish is typically late summer through fall when they school up in massive numbers. They're also some of the best eating fish you'll find in these waters - firm, white meat that's perfect on the grill. When the Spanish are biting, it's not uncommon to have multiple hookups at once.
Bluefish are the bulldogs of the bunch - pure muscle and attitude packed into a streamlined package. These aggressive predators average 2-5 pounds in our area and will absolutely crush anything that looks like food. They're most active during their spring and fall migrations, but you can find them around the ledges throughout much of the year. Kids love catching blues because they bite hard and fight dirty, often jumping and thrashing at the surface. Just watch those teeth - blues didn't earn their reputation by being gentle.
Black Sea Bass are the bottom dwellers that add variety to your fish box. These chunky, hard-fighting fish typically run 1-3 pounds and are absolute masters at using the ledge structure to their advantage. They're open season during certain times of the year and are fantastic table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a traditional fish fry. Sea bass fishing teaches patience and technique, making them perfect for anglers who want to learn proper bottom fishing skills.
This 5-hour family special delivers exactly what it promises - quality fishing time with species that'll keep everyone in your group engaged and excited. The offshore ledges near Wrightsville Beach consistently produce fish, the crew knows how to put you on them, and you'll come back with stories, photos, and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fillets. Whether you're introducing kids to saltwater fishing or just want a fun day on the water with family and friends, this trip hits all the marks. The boat's comfortable, the fishing's productive, and the memories you'll make are priceless. Don't wait too long to book - the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season.
Our well-equipped motorboat is perfect for your family fishing adventure off Wrightsville Beach. With room for up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need to target Spanish Mackerel, Kings, Bluefish, and Black Sea Bass along the offshore ledges. The onboard fish finder helps us locate the best spots where the fish are holding, while GPS navigation keeps us on course to productive waters. An ice box ensures your catch stays fresh for the trip home. This boat handles the coastal waters beautifully, getting your family to the fish quickly and comfortably. Whether you're teaching the kids to fish or looking to put some tasty fillets in the cooler, this vessel provides a stable platform for a successful day on the water. Perfect for creating lasting fishing memories with the whole crew.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing - chunky, hard-fighting fish that average 1-4 pounds around structure. They love wrecks, ledges, and rocky bottom in 60-120 feet, where they ambush crabs and squid. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to feed and spawn. Families love them because they're cooperative biters and excellent table fare with sweet, firm white meat. These fish have personality too - the males turn bright blue during spawning season. Best tip I can share: use a two-hook bottom rig with fresh squid strips. Drop it down, let it settle, then lift and drop rhythmically. Sea bass can't resist that wounded bait action.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are some of the most aggressive predators you'll encounter, running 2-15 pounds with razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match. They hunt in packs around our ledges and structure, especially during summer months when they chase baitfish into feeding frenzies. What makes them special is their raw power - pound for pound, few fish fight harder. The smaller "cocktail blues" are perfect for kids, while the bigger choppers will test your tackle. Fresh bluefish is outstanding when iced immediately and cooked same day. Fair warning: always use a wire leader and watch your fingers - these guys will bite anything that moves. When you find a school, work fast with spoons or cut bait before they move on.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are fast, aggressive predators that typically run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen some push 50+ off our ledges. They cruise the 40-150 foot depths around structure and drop-offs, hunting schools of baitfish. Spring through fall is prime time when water temps hit the mid-70s. These fish are built for speed - when one hits your trolled spoon or live bait, expect a blistering first run that'll test your drag. The meat's excellent grilled or smoked, though watch the mercury with kids. Here's a local trick: when trolling, use a wire leader with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, another trailing behind. Kings often hit the tail section first, so that stinger hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are perfect for families - they're aggressive biters averaging 1-3 pounds with beautiful silver sides covered in yellow spots. You'll find schools feeding near the surface around jetties, piers, and our offshore ledges in 20-60 feet. They show up strong from late spring through early fall when the water warms. Kids love them because they hit fast and fight hard for their size, plus they're fantastic eating - mild, flaky meat that grills perfectly. These fish are lightning quick, so light tackle works best. My go-to tip: cast small silver spoons or jigs just ahead of the school when you see them busting bait on top. Work it fast - Spanish Mackerel want moving targets.
Wilmington