Deep Sea Fishing Morehead City From the Bottom

Gag Grouper caught while fishing in Morehead City

6 people enjoying a fishing tour in Morehead City

10 blackfin tuna and southern black bream fish in Morehead City

Angler with fishing rod at Morehead City

Wahoo fish caught while fishing in North Carolina

A fisherman catching a Wahoo fish in Morehead City

BOOK THIS TRIP

TRENDING NOW

Deep Sea Fishing Morehead City From the Bottom

What you will be catching:

Atlantic Bonito
Black Sea Bass
Bluefish
King Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel

Full-day offshore charter departing 6am from Morehead City
All equipment, tackle, licenses, and experienced mate included
Accommodates 6 guests with veteran discounts and pet-friendly policy

Trip Pricing and Availabilities:

Trip pricing information is temporarily unavailable.

Full Day Offshore Fishing Charter Morehead City

Ready to get serious about offshore fishing? This full day charter out of Morehead City puts you right where the big fish live, starting at first light and keeping you on the water for a proper offshore adventure. Captain and crew know these Crystal Coast waters like the back of their hands, and they'll put you on fish using light tackle and live bait techniques that make every hookup a real fight. With space for up to 6 anglers, this trip works perfect for family groups or buddies looking to get away from the crowds and hit the deeper structure where the good stuff hangs out.

What to Expect on the Water

Your day kicks off at 6am sharp – that's when the fish are most active and the water's still calm from the night. You'll head out to the offshore reefs and structure that hold the best mix of species along this stretch of coast. The boat comes loaded with everything you need: quality rods and reels matched to the fishing, fresh live bait, tackle box full of the right stuff, plus your fishing license is covered. There's a 25-pound ice chest onboard to keep your catch fresh, along with two 6-foot fish boxes for the bigger specimens. The experienced mate stays busy all day keeping baits fresh, helping with hookups, and making sure everyone gets their shots. Don't forget to take care of your mate – these guys work hard and 20 percent is the standard tip that keeps them motivated to put you on fish.

Light Tackle Live Bait Fishing

This isn't heavy tackle bottom bouncing – we're talking about light tackle techniques that let you feel every head shake and run. Live bait is king out here, and the crew knows how to present it right whether you're working the bottom around structure or letting baits drift in the current. The reefs and ledges off Morehead City are loaded with different structure types, from hard bottom areas that hold grouper-type fish to current breaks where the pelagics cruise. You'll learn to read the bottom machine, watch for bait schools, and understand how different species relate to structure. The light tackle approach means more sensitivity to feel those subtle bites, plus when you hook up, you get a real fight instead of just winching fish to the boat.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Spanish Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes when they hit a live bait. These silvery rockets typically run 1-3 pounds but fight way above their weight class with blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. Spring through fall is prime time, and they school up heavy around the nearshore reefs. What makes them special is that explosive first run – they'll strip line off a light reel faster than you'd expect from such a compact fish.

Bluefish are the bulldogs of the offshore scene, built like linebackers with attitudes to match. These chompers run anywhere from 2-8 pounds in these waters and they hit live bait like they're angry at it. Summer and fall bring the best action when they school up to feed. Blues are pure muscle – no fancy moves, just raw power and determination. They'll test your drag system and give you a workout, plus they make excellent table fare when handled right.

Black Sea Bass are the bread and butter of offshore bottom fishing around here. These chunky fighters typically run 1-4 pounds and they know every nook and cranny of their reef homes. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with the bigger fish showing up as water temps drop. What's great about sea bass is their willingness to bite and their habit of hanging around in numbers. Find one and there's usually more nearby.

King Mackerel are the crown jewel of Crystal Coast offshore fishing. These torpedo-shaped predators range from school-size fish around 10 pounds up to trophy smokers pushing 30-40 pounds. Late spring through early fall brings the best king action when they move inshore to feed. Kings are pure adrenaline – long smoking runs, powerful head shakes, and the kind of speed that'll make your reel sing. Landing a good king on light tackle is something you'll remember for years.

Atlantic Bonito might be the most underrated fighters in these waters. These mini-tunas typically run 3-6 pounds but they fight with the heart of fish twice their size. Fall migration brings the best bonito action when they school up thick. What sets them apart is their stamina – bonito just don't quit, making run after run until they're completely spent. On light tackle, they're pound-for-pound some of the strongest fish swimming.

Time to Book Your Spot

This full day offshore charter gives you the complete Crystal Coast fishing experience with professional guidance and all the gear you need. The 10 percent discount for veterans, first responders, and law enforcement shows the captain's appreciation for service members. Even your four-legged fishing buddy is welcome onboard – not many charters are pet friendly these days. Fish cleaning service is available after the trip for a small fee, so you can head home with ready-to-cook fillets. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so pick your dates carefully and come ready to fish. The offshore waters around Morehead City are calling, and this crew knows how to answer.

Learn more about the species

Atlantic Bonito

Atlantic bonito are small tuna relatives that show up in big schools from late spring through fall, usually weighing 3-8 pounds. They're silver with dark stripes and built for speed - these fish can hit 40 mph and fight way above their weight class. Look for them in 30-100 feet of water, often feeding on the surface where you'll see birds diving on baitfish. They're pelagic fish that cruise the mid-water column following bait schools. Anglers love the fast action when you find a feeding school - they'll hit almost any small lure thrown their way. While they're oily and not great table fare here in the States, the fight is what you're after. Best tip: watch for bird activity on the horizon. When you see diving gannets and terns, run toward them fast - bonito schools move quickly and the bite can shut off just as fast as it started.

Black Sea Bass

Black sea bass are one of our most reliable bottom fish, running 1-4 pounds on average with some reaching 6-8 pounds. They're chunky, dark-colored fish that love hard structure - wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom in 30-120 feet of water. Best fishing is late spring through summer when they move inshore to spawn. What guests really like about sea bass is they're fairly easy to catch and make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They'll fight decent for their size but won't take much line. Interesting fact - they're born female and change to male as they get bigger. My tip for consistent success: use a double-drop rig with squid strips and small hooks. They're not picky eaters, but they do like to steal bait, so keep checking your hooks and be ready to set when you feel that tap-tap-tap.

Bluefish

Bluefish are aggressive predators that show up here from late spring through fall, typically weighing 2-8 pounds with occasional larger ones. They're known for their feeding frenzies when they hit schools of baitfish - churning the water like a washing machine. You'll find them around jetties, wrecks, and sandy bottom areas, often in 15-60 feet of water. They migrate through our area following the warm water and bait schools. Anglers love them because they fight hard and hit lures with authority. The smaller "snappers" are great for kids to catch. When handled right, they make decent table fare, though the larger ones can be strong-tasting. Pro tip: when you hook one, there's usually more around, so get another line in the water quickly. They travel in schools and once you find them, the action can be non-stop.

King Mackerel

King mackerel are the speed demons of our offshore waters, typically running 15-30 pounds but capable of reaching 50+ pounds. They're built like torpedoes and can hit 40 mph when they take off - which makes for some serious drag-screaming runs. You'll find them in 40-150 feet of water around structure, temperature breaks, and where baitfish are thick. Best action is late spring through fall when water temps hit the upper 60s to 80s. What makes kings so popular is that raw power and speed - they'll test your tackle and your skills. The meat is good eating too, though larger fish can be strong. One tip that works well here: rig live bait with a stinger hook setup. Kings often hit the tail end of bait first, so that second hook back near the tail will save you from a lot of missed fish.

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that typically run 1-3 pounds around here, though we occasionally see some pushing 8-10 pounds. They're built for speed with that streamlined silver body and can hit 18 mph when chasing bait. You'll find them in schools near the surface from late spring through early fall, often around structure or following baitfish. They love our nearshore reefs and wrecks in 20-80 feet of water. What makes them fun to target is their willingness to bite and decent fight on light tackle. The meat is excellent - mild flavor that grills up perfectly. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds working over bait, get there fast and troll small spoons or jigs through the school. They'll usually hammer anything flashy moving at a good clip.

About the From the Bottom Charters

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 55

Number of Engines: 2

Horsepower per Engine: 250

Hit the deep waters off Morehead City for a full day of serious fishing action. This 6am departure gets you and up to 5 friends out to the best offshore spots along the Crystal Coast, where you'll target reef fish and structure species using light tackle and live bait. The experienced mate onboard knows these waters inside and out and will keep you on the fish all day long. Everything's included – rods, reels, tackle, fishing licenses, water, and a 25lb ice chest. You'll have two 6-foot fish boxes to handle your catch, and fish cleaning service is available after the trip. Veterans, first responders, and law enforcement get 10% off, and your four-legged fishing buddy is welcome aboard too. This is bottom fishing at its finest, focusing on the species that make the Crystal Coast famous. The boat's equipped for a full day offshore, and the mate will handle the details so you can focus on fighting fish. Perfect for groups who want to experience real offshore fishing without the hassle of bringing their own gear.

Sitemap