NC Fishing Charters - 8-Hour Offshore Adventure
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday 8hour offshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesFlexible itinerary includes sound bottom fishing and ocean tripsPursue King Mackerel, Cobia, Tilefish, and Seabass catches
Looking for a full day of fishing action off the North Carolina coast? X-Spearmint Sportfishing's 8-hour charter gives you serious bang for your buck. We're talking about a flexible trip that adapts to what Mother Nature serves up and what you're hoping to put in the cooler. Whether you want to split time between the sound and offshore waters or go all-in on the blue water hunt, this charter's built for anglers who want options. Pack your appetite for adventure because we'll be chasing everything from bull reds in the shallows to king mackerel cruising the Gulf Stream.
This isn't your typical half-day trip where you're just getting warmed up when it's time to head back. Eight hours gives us real flexibility to fish smart and follow the bite. If the ocean's flat and the kings are running, we'll burn some fuel and get after them. If it's blown out offshore, no worries – we'll work the sound for redfish and maybe pick up some bonito along the way. The boat handles six anglers comfortably, so bring your crew or join up with other serious fishermen. We provide all the heavy tackle you'll need, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you've got preferences. Just remember, this is a bring-your-own-lunch situation, so pack accordingly for a long day of fishing.
We fish smart out here, not just hard. For the offshore action, we'll be trolling for kings and cobia using a spread of planers, downriggers, and surface baits. When we find structure or good bottom, we'll drop down with heavy sinkers for tilefish and seabass – these deep drops can produce some serious box-fillers. In the sound, it's all about reading the water and adapting. We might be sight-fishing for tailing reds with live bait or working creek mouths with cut mullet. The tackle gets sized to match what we're after – light spinning gear for the inshore stuff, heavy conventional reels for the deep drops, and everything in between for the trolling spread. Don't worry if you're not familiar with all the techniques – that's what we're here for.
King Mackerel are the crown jewel of North Carolina offshore fishing, and for good reason. These silver rockets can hit 40+ pounds and will test every knot in your tackle box. Spring through fall is prime time, with the best action typically from May through October when the Gulf Stream pushes closer to shore. When a king hits your trolled bait, you'll know it – they make blistering runs and aerial displays that'll get your heart pumping. What makes them special here is the size. North Carolina consistently produces some of the biggest kings on the East Coast.
Atlantic Bonito might be smaller than their king mackerel cousins, but pound-for-pound, they're some of the strongest fish in these waters. These 5-10 pound torpedoes show up in late summer and fall, often mixed in with the king mackerel schools. They're perfect on light tackle and will bend your rod double. Bonito also happen to make excellent table fare when prepared fresh – their meat is more like tuna than typical local fish.
Redfish are the inshore slam-dunk that keeps this trip interesting when we work the sound. Bull reds over 27 inches are catch-and-release, but the fight they put up makes them worth every minute. These copper-colored bruisers can push 40+ inches and will drag you around the boat. Slot-size reds (18-27 inches) are fantastic eating and aggressive biters. Fall is magic time for big reds as they school up for their spawning runs.
Cobia are the wildcard that can make your whole trip. These brown sharks-that-aren't-sharks can top 50 pounds and have a habit of appearing out of nowhere. They're curious fish that will often swim right up to the boat, giving you a shot at sight-casting. Spring and early summer are peak times, especially around structure or following rays. When you hook a big cobia, get ready for a bulldogging fight that's all power and endurance.
Little Tunny round out our target list as the speed demons of the bunch. These 10-20 pound members of the tuna family are built for speed and won't give up easy. They school heavily in late summer and fall, often creating feeding frenzies that'll keep every rod on the boat bent. While they're primarily a sport fish due to their strong flavor, the action they provide is world-class light tackle fishing.
Bottom line – this 8-hour charter gives you the best shot at experiencing what North Carolina fishing is all about. The flexibility to adapt to conditions means you're not stuck with a bad plan when the weather doesn't cooperate. Whether you're a local angler looking to get serious about offshore fishing or visiting from out of state, this trip delivers the variety that keeps fishing interesting. Six-person capacity means you can split costs with friends or family while still having room to fish comfortably. The extended time on the water translates to more opportunities, more species, and more chances to put together a trip you'll be talking about for years. Book with X-Spearmint Sportfishing and see why North Carolina's earned its reputation as one of the top fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Meet our restored 30' Custom Carolina, a serious fishing machine built for North Carolina's offshore waters. Twin 300HP Yamaha 4-strokes push this beauty to 40 knots, getting you to the fishing grounds fast and back home comfortable. Originally launched in 2012 and fully restored in 2021, she's equipped with everything you need for productive days on the water - fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The onboard facilities include a head for convenience during long offshore runs. Whether you're working the sound for bottom species or running offshore after kings and cobia, this Carolina-built boat handles the conditions with the stability and performance these waters demand. Perfect for up to 6 anglers ready to make the most of North Carolina's diverse fishing opportunities from the protected sound to the deep blue offshore grounds.
Sarda SardaAtlantic Bonito are the speed demons of our coastal waters, hitting 40 mph and averaging 5-8 pounds with occasional fish pushing 12+. These tuna relatives travel in large schools that feed aggressively on the surface, often with their dorsal fins cutting through like mini sharks. Look for diving birds - that's your sure sign of feeding bonito below. They prefer nearshore waters in 60-70 degree temps, making spring and fall prime time. While they're not great table fare here, bonito provide non-stop action when you find a school. They'll hit almost anything you throw at them. Pro tip: when you see them feeding, get your lures in fast because the school can disappear quickly. Small metals and plastics work best.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the brown sharks that aren't sharks - these bruisers average 30-50 pounds and fight like freight trains. Spring migration brings the best action as they move through our waters heading north. We target them around structure in 30-70 feet - wrecks, buoys, and offshore towers. What makes cobia fishing special is the sight fishing aspect. They cruise just under the surface, often mistaken for sharks until you see that distinctive flat head. The table fare is top-shelf, firm white meat that rivals any fish in the ocean. Here's the key: when you spot one, get a bucktail jig or eel down quick but don't spook them. They're curious fish but easily spooked by boat noise or sudden movements.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are one of NC's premier offshore targets, averaging 20-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These speedsters cruise in 40-150 feet of water around structure and temperature breaks. We typically find them 8-20 miles offshore during warmer months when water temps hit 70+ degrees. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll peel drag like few other fish. The meat is excellent when fresh, with firm white flesh that's perfect for the grill. Here's a key tip: always use a wire leader and rig with two hooks on live bait. Kings have razor-sharp teeth and often hit bait from behind, so that trailing hook saves the day. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're migrating along our coast.
Euthynnus AlletteratusLittle Tunny, or false albacore, are pure adrenaline in a 10-15 pound package. These torpedo-shaped speedsters travel in schools and put up fights way beyond their size. You'll find them in nearshore waters around jetties, inlets, and temperature breaks during spring and fall migrations. They feed aggressively on the surface, making lots of commotion that's easy to spot. While the dark red meat isn't everyone's cup of tea, the fishing action is addictive - constant hookups when you find a school. They're also prime bait for bigger game. Best tip: once you find feeding tunny, work fast with small metals or feathers. They move quickly and the bite window can be short, but when it's on, you'll catch fish until your arms hurt.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing, typically running 20-35 inches in the sounds and marshes. These bronze beauties with distinctive black spots love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall offers prime action, especially during moving tides. What guests love most is the visual aspect - watching a red's back wake as it cruises the shallows, then the explosive strike on topwater lures. The meat is outstanding too, mild and flaky. My go-to trick is working a gold spoon slowly over grass beds on an incoming tide. Keep your eyes peeled for nervous water and tailing fish.
Washington