Deep Sea Fishing Targets in North Carolina

North Carolina is in the southeastern United States and is known for having some of the best fishing in the country due to its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. North Carolina has 301 miles of ocean coastline and a large number of fishing charters for anglers of all skill levels. Since the 1930s, when the state was first recognized as a world-class offshore fishing destination, the state's popularity as a top fishing location has grown.

One of the reasons the state is well-known as a great fishing destination is its location. It has a wide range of fishing opportunities, from saltwater to freshwater, and anglers can hook a fish at any time of year. The state is also known for the trophy fish caught in various fishing spots.

North Carolina hosts numerous fishing tournaments throughout the year. It is another reason why anglers flock to this part of the southern United States. There are plenty of games anglers can join to test their fishing skills and abilities.

Deep Sea Fishing Targets in North Carolina

Deep sea fishing is often done in the open ocean with at least 30 meters of depth beneath the anglers to catch the bigger fish available in a particular fishing spot. This fishing technique requires more knowledge and attention than other fishing types. Anglers often rent a charter boat to explore the open ocean. Booking fishing charters is a must when going deep sea fishing. While fishing charters allow anyone to join on a first-come, first-serve basis, they also conduct a personalized trip experience. Anglers can have their charter boat with an experienced guide that will help them select suitable fishing spots.

North Carolina is one of the best places for deep sea fishing. The state faces the North Atlantic Ocean and is just miles away from the Gulf of Mexico. Anglers can also go far and fish in the deep waters of the Caribbean Sea. Deep sea fishing in The Tar Heel State is clustered into three primary regions on the northern, central, and southern coastline.

Anglers can start the deep sea fishing experience in North Carolina's Outer Banks. The Outer Banks allow anglers to score fish like sailfish, blue marlin, and white marlin commonly found along this section of the coast. The Outer Banks also offer fish such as grouper, king mackerel, wahoo, tuna, snapper, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and flounder. Yellowfin tuna are caught much year-round from the Outer Banks. Aside from the Outer Banks, anglers can go deep sea fishing in the Cape Hatteras. The cape is home to red drum, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, blacktip shark, summer flounder, southern kingcroaker, common dolphinfish, and sandbar shark. The Ocracoke Island, located in the south end of North Carolina's Outer Banks, is where anglers can score big fish like red drum, bluefish, common dolphinfish, Spanish mackerel, blacktip shark, greater amberjack, crevalle jack, and summer flounder.

The Crystal Coast Region of North Carolina is perfect for targeting trophy marlin, wahoo, tuna, sailfish, and mahi-mahi. The region is found near Carteret and Onslow counties. Meanwhile, the most popular species caught in Onslow Bay are red drum, blacktip shark, and black seabass. Onslow Bay is still part of the Crystal Coast Region. Anglers can spot Spanish mackerel during summer and bluefin, blackfin tuna, and king mackerel every winter.

The southern coast of North Carolina is considered the perfect place for offshore fishing; this part of the state also gives exceptional opportunities for reef fishing that the northern areas do not offer. Commence your fishing trip in the waters of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, and Wrightsville Beach. These beaches are the common departure areas of anglers when they sail out to the North Atlantic Ocean. But most anglers flock to Wilmington, where fishing tournaments throughout the year are held. The southern part of the state is the perfect spot to fish for wahoo, dolphin, sailfish, marlin, tuna, and amberjack. Anglers can also capture sharks, red snapper, and mahi-mahi.

Anglers can travel via chartered boats and fish in the waters like the Great Sound in Bermuda. When deep-sea fishing in the Great Sound, anglers could catch blue and white marlin, rainbow runner, black or yellowfin tuna, or wahoo. Anglers can also travel to the Gulf of Mexico, an ideal spot for deep sea fishing. The gulf offers fish like Northern red snapper, red drum, red grouper, king mackerel, greater amberjack, common dolphinfish, spotted seatrout, and the blacktip shark. If the gulf is not enough for your adventure, the Caribbean Sea is always an option. Anglers can spot sport fish like great barracuda, tarpon, common dolphinfish, Indo-Pacific sailfish, Atlantic sailfish, greater amberjack, king mackerel, and Spanish mackerel. 

Last but not least is the great North Atlantic Ocean. The North Atlantic Ocean will surely give anglers the best deep sea fishing experience they are looking for. Fish that are commonly caught by anglers when fishing in the North Atlantic Ocean are in the ocean are haddock, Atlantic cod, pollock, tusk, Atlantic bluefin tuna, black seabass, and summer flounder. Grouper, king mackerel, wahoo, tuna, snapper, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and common dolphinfish are the familiar fish caught in the area.

North Carolina Fishing Seasonality

Since the North Carolina coastline extends out into the Atlantic Ocean, deep sea fishing is open year-round, but much of the activity is done during the spring through fall months. Fish like blackfin and yellowfin tuna remain dominant for the rest of the year.

Fishing Charters and Licenses

North Carolina has approximately 800 charter boats operating, making it easy for anglers to hire a chartered captain who knows the waters and species. Anglers are reminded that North Carolina requires a fishing license for anyone aged 16 and older fishing in the state's public waters. Many fishing charters include the fishing license in their fees. Anglers are advised to check North Carolina's fishing regulations and the daily bag and catch limits for specific fish species.