If you're want to fish with a group of people, you've come to the right place. From Topsail's Treasure Coast to Calabash, there are fishing vessels aplenty. Choose the large head boats (a.k.a. party boats) accommodating dozens of people or the "six-pack" charters accommodating up to six passengers. Head boats average $40 to $100 per person for full-day excursions, and walk-ons are always welcome. The boats are equipped with full galleys and air-conditioned lounges. Handicapped accessibility to most large head boats tends to be good, but varies from boat to boat and with weather conditions.

Charters offer a variety of trips, half-day or full-day, inshore or offshore, and sometimes overnight. Most are available for tournaments and diving trips, but it's a good idea to reserve early. If you can't find enough friends to chip in to cover the cost, ask about split charters. Many captains book them. Most charter captains prefer reservations but will accept walk-ons when possible. Charters range anywhere from around $300 for half-day excursions up to $1,200 for an entire day of fishing in the Gulf Stream, which from here can be 40 to 70 miles offshore, depending on currents and the marina from which you embark.

Certain provisions are common to all charters and include first mate, onboard coolers and ice, all the bait and tackle you'll need for kings, tuna, dolphin, wahoo, billfish and more. With advanced notice, many captains will arrange food packages, and some may even arrange hotel packages. Optional electric reels may be available. Although most six-pack charters are unable to bring wheelchairs aboard, crews are often very accommodating of handicapped passengers, sometimes leaving the wheelchair ashore and providing secure seating on deck, right where the action is. Call the vessel of your choice in advance for details. Remember that no one can guarantee sea conditions. If your captain decides to turn back before you've landed a smoker, rest assured he knows what he's doing. Captains reserve the right to cancel trips if conditions are unsafe for the vessel or passengers.

Carolina Beach is the Gulf Stream fishing hub between Bald Head and Topsail islands. A large number of vessels run out of the Carolina Beach Municipal Docks at Carl Winner Street and Canal Drive. Paid parking is available on the marina's west, south and east sides. There is no central booking office for the charter boats, but since you should know something about what you're chartering in advance, your best bet is to simply walk the docks and eye each one. Signs and brochures there will give you all the booking information you'll need. Ticket booths for the head boats are located at the south end of the marina. Also, check the phone book's Yellow Pages under fishing guides, charters and parties.

Charters in southern Brunswick County are concentrated at the Southport Marina, Blue Water Point Marina on the western end of Oak Island, at Holden Beach and Ocean Isle Beach. There are no charters running directly out of Wilmington. Look instead for charters and head boats running from Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.

Tournament fishing has been luring ever-larger schools of anglers, and no wonder. Top prizes can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and proceeds often benefit worthwhile charities. Many contests recognize tag-and-release as part of the Governor's Cup Billfishing Conservation series. The area has literally hundreds of competitive fishing events. Some of the popular tournaments are listed below; however you should watch the newspapers, as well as check current listings at tackle shops, marinas, piers and visitors centers.

May

Annual Cape Fear Disabled Sportsmen Fishing Tournament, Kure Beach Fishing Pier, Kure Beach, (910) 458-5524, or Dawson Freuler, Tournament Director, (910) 458-1202

The Far Out Shoot Out Fishing Tournament, Ocean Isle Fishing Center, Ocean Isle Beach, (910) 575-3474

Rebel King Mackerel Tournament, Ocean Crest Pier, Oak Island, (910) 278-4747, (910) 278-6674

June

Annual Carolina Beach Parks & Recreation Youth Pier Fishing Tournament, Kure Beach Fishing Pier, Kure Beach, (910) 458-5524 or (910) 458-2977

Annual Flounder Tournament, Shallotte Point, Shallotte, (910) 579-3757

Bald Head Island Fishing Rodeo, Bald Head Island Marina, (910) 457-3779, (800) 234-1666

Jolly Mon King Classic, Ocean Isle Fishing Center, Ocean Isle Beach,
(910) 575-3474

Oak Island Open Pier Fishing Tournament, Ocean Crest Pier, Oak Island, (910) 278-4747, (910) 278-5518

Greater Wilmington Hydra Sports King Mackerel Tournament, Wilmington, (910) 452-9940  

July

Cape Fear Blue Marlin Tournament, Wrightsville Beach Marina, Wrightsville Beach, (910) 256-6666

Captain Eddie Haneman Sailfish Tournament, Bridge Tender Marina, Wrightsville Beach, call Tripp at (910) 256-6550

East Coast Got-Em-On Classic King Mackerel Tournament, Carolina Beach Yacht Basin, Carolina Beach, call Ty Cobb at (910) 512-0542

August

Annual Sneads Ferry Rotary Club King Mackerel Tournament, (held in conjunction with the Sneads Ferry Shrimp Festival), Sneads Ferry,
(910) 329-4446

Brunswick Islands Kingfish Classic, Holden Beach Marina, Supply,
(910) 842-5447, (800) 546-4622

Long Bay Lady Anglers King Mackerel Tournament, Marina at South Harbour Village, Southport, (910) 278-4137

Oak Island Open Youth Fishing Tournament, Ocean Crest Pier, Oak Island, (910) 278-5518 

Ocean Crest Pier Kingfishing Open, Ocean Crest Pier, Oak Island, (910) 278-4747, (910) 278-6674

Topsail Offshore Fishing Club King Mackerel Tournament, Topsail Beach, (910) 329-4446

September

Wrightsville Beach King Mackerel Tournament, Wrightsville Beach Marina, Wrightsville Beach, (910) 256-6666 

October

Fall Brawl King Classic, Ocean Isle Fishing Center, Ocean Isle Beach,
(910) 575-3474

Kings of the Coast Fishing Tournament, Ocean Crest Pier, Oak Island, (910) 278-4747, (910) 278-6674

U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament, Southport Marina, Southport, (910) 457-6964, (800) 457-6964

November