Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Southern Coast and Wilmington
Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Southern Coast and Wilmington Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Southern Coast and Wilmington

Fishing

Head Boats & Charters

If you 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, on board 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, 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.

Listed in this section are marinas and boats that book fishing charters. The types of vessels available at each location, six-packs or head boats, are indicated.

Click here for a breakdown of Head Boats and Charters by area.

TexsTackle_fishing_wilmington_053010 North Carolina Fishing: What's Hot and When!
Hieronymus_FishingCharter_WilmingtonNC_051810
1402 Airlie Rd., Wilmington
(910) 231-6133
www.carolinafishingcharter.com

 

NoExcuses_FishingCharters_WilmingtonNC_061610
Wilmington
(910) 352-2715
www.noexcusescharters.com

 

SeahawkInshoreFishingCharters_FishingCharters_WilmingtonlNC_090409
5419 Paden Point Rd., Wilmington
(910) 792-6209

With Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters you’ll find a variety of boats perfect for fishing the calm waters of the Cape Fear waterways. Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters provides fishing experiences for inshore, near-shore and the backwaters of Carolina Beach, Kure Beach, Wrightsville Beach, Southport and Bald Head Island. From sight-casting for redfish in Buzzard’s Bay to live-bait fishing for large flounder in Snow’s Cut, Captain Jeff Wolfe will give you the fishing experience you desire. Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters offers a unique service, the Waterman’s Way Seafood Charter, for those looking to catch a variety of seafood such as clams, crabs and various types of popular fish. Wolfe is a USCG–licensed, insured captain with 30 years of fishing experience. He specializes in local fishing trips that are fun and affordable for the entire family. Participants, especially children, enjoy using the different types of fishing gear. Seahawk Inshore Fishing Charters is open year-round.

SeawardActionCharters_FishingAndBoating_CapeFearNC_050209
219 Oak Crest Dr., Wrightsville Beach
(252) 671-1684
www.seawardaction.com

One of the area's newest charter companies is Seaward Action Charters. No strangers to saltwater fishing, each of Seaward Action's captains will provide a great experience using the latest techniques and equipment. The company runs its charters out of the 25-foot Ranger Seaward Action. One of the top tournament fishing boats, Rangers are built with an ultimate goal in mind — fishing. Running at exhilarating speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, Seaward Action will get your lines in the water twice as fast as a traditional fishing charter. At Seaward Action, you'll find a high-quality boat and tackle, knowledgeable captains and affordable prices.

VondaKayHeadBoat_CharterFishing_TopsailBeachNC_072110
743 Cockle St., Surf City
(910) 545-FISH

Are you ready to catch the big one? Climb aboard the Vonda Kay and head out to the Gulf Stream for a great day of fishing. Fish for black sea bass, snapper, grouper, triggerfish, mahi mahi, amberjack, mackerel and cobia. The Vonda Kay carries 76 passengers and has all of the latest electronics and safety equipment. Bait, tackle and instruction are provided. Private charters are available. Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations are recommended. The on-board galley serves deli sandwiches, burgers, snacks, soft drinks and beer. Fish-cleaning services and half-day trips are available.

If you're contemplating a charter fishing adventure, take time to walk around marinas where the boats are docked. Chat with different captains to see how comfortable you are with them. You're going to be out on the water with this person in tight quarters for several hours or a whole day, so pick a captain you like. Ask questions. Is he/she licensed? What are the boat's facilities (is there a "head" or just a bucket)? How far offshore does the boat go? What is the policy for bad weather? What about drinking alcohol on board?

Head Boats & Charters by Area

Wrightsville Beach

Fortune Hunter Charters
Custom charters
(910) 791-6414
No Excuses Charters
Inshore, near-shore custom charters and tours for 1 to 4 people
910-352-2715
OnMyWay Charters
Custom charters
(910) 798-6093
Rod-Man Charters
Inshore, near-shore custom charters and tours for 1 to 4 people
(910) 799-6120
SeahawkInshoreFishingCharters_FishingCharters_WilmingtonlNC_090409
Inshore charters
(910) 792-6209
Wrightsville Fishing Charters
Six-packs
(910) 617-4160
SeahawkInshoreFishingCharters_FishingCharters_WilmingtonlNC_090409

Wilmington

HookLineAndPaddle_Watersports_WilmingtonNC_032010
435 Eastwood Rd. Wilmington
(910) 792-6945
(877) 91-KAYAK

Hook, Line & Paddle Canoe & Kayak Outfitters is one of the largest fishing kayak dealers in North Carolina. As the sport of kayak fishing grows in popularity, so does the store’s large stock of fishing kayaks, rods, reels and tackle. Join the store’s professional guides for a five-hour guided fishing tour in the marshes and inlets of Wrightsville Beach, where you’re bound to catch red fish, flounder, trout, blue fish and Spanish mackerel. In addition to kayak fishing gear, the store also sells recreational kayaks, canoes, stand-up paddleboards and Flatstalkers and all the latest accessories from top brands like Native Watercraft, Heritage and Wilderness Systems. If you're not ready to take the plunge and purchase your own equipment, you can rent kayaks through the store, at their Wrightsville Beach location (across from the Blockade-Runner Beach Resort) and at the Yacht Club on Figure Eight Island. If after you rent, you get hooked and want to buy, as an added incentive, Hook, Line & Paddle will refund the cost of your rental toward a purchase. Not only can you get the right gear, but you can also book a tour at the shop or receive instruction from one of the store's master teachers. One of their most popular tours is the Dawson's Creek Tour, a three-hour excursion visiting the Wrightsville Beach house featured in the series. They also sell custom kayak fishing outfitting and Yakima roof racks, with free installations with purchase. The store is open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM.

Carolina Beach

Blue Marlin Charters
Six-packs
(910) 458-6136, (866) 420-6136
Captain John's Fishing Charters/Carolina Coastal Adventures
Custom charters
(910) 458-9111
Class Action Charters
Custom charters for 1 to 6 anglers; offshore/inshore
(910) 458-3348
Fish Dance Charters
Six-packs
(910) 367-0884
Fish Witch Charters
Six-packs
(910) 458-5855
Hooker Fishing Charters
Six-packs
(910) 313-2828, (800) 946-1616
Hot Ticket Fishing Charters
Six-packs
(910) 791-0443
Large Time Charters
Six-packs
(910) 458-3362, (800) 582-5524
Lookout Charters
Inshore, offshore, 1 to 6 anglers
(910) 619-0928
Musicman Charters, Inc.
Six-packs
(910) 796-FISH (3474)
SeahawkInshoreFishingCharters_FishingCharters_WilmingtonlNC_090408
Inshore charters
(910) 792-6209
Winner Gulf Stream Fishing & Cruise Boats
Head boats
(910) 458-FISH(3474)

Bald Head Island

Cool Runnings Charters
Four-packs
(910) 278-7006
Fish Whistle Charters
Six-packs
(910) 201-1645, (910) 470-1995
Impulsive Charters
Six-packs
(910) 457-5331

Southport

Cool Runnings Charters
Four-packs
(910) 278-7006
Fish Whistle Charters
Six-packs
(910) 201-1645, (910) 470-1995
Salty Dog Charter Boat
Six-packs
(910) 278-9834
SeahawkInshoreFishingCharters_FishingCharters_WilmingtonlNC_090408
Inshore charters
(910) 792-6209
Salty Dog Charter Boat
Six-packs
(910) 278-9834
Yeah Right Sportfishing Charters
Six-packs
(910) 845-2004, (336) 239-5429

Oak Island

Amber Lady Charters
Four-packs
(910) 278-6707, (910) 471-0157
BlueWater Princess
Headboat fishing/cruises, Custom charters, up to 6 anglers, offshore
(910) 278-1230, (888) 634-9005
Cool Runnings Charters
Four-packs
(910) 278-7006
Fish Whistle Charters
Six-packs
(910) 201-1645, (910) 470-1995
Fugitive Charter Boat
Six-packs
(910) 278-3796, (910) 523-0845
Get Reel Charters Gulf Stream Fishing
Six-packs
(910) 294-2005, (910) 294-2004
My Way Charters, Inc.
Three-packs
(910) 619-1274

Holden Beach

Holden Beach Charters
Six-packs
(910) 842-9055, (910) 233-1215
Intimidator Fishing Charters
(910) 842-6200
Sea Hawk III
Six-packs
(910) 754-6169, (910) 321-8909

Ocean Isle Beach

Captain Brandt's Fishing Charters
Three, Four, and Six-packs
(910) 575-3474
Follow Me Charters
Six-packs
(910) 575-5738, (540) 238-1868
Sea Bear Fishing Charters
Four-packs
(910) 575-4736. (828) 403-1204

Calabash

Hurricane Fleet Deep Sea Fishing Center
Head Boats,Six-packs, & up to 20
(910) 579-3660, (800) 373-2004
Voyager Fishing Charters
Six-packs & up to 15
(910) 575-5978, (843) 626-4900

Topsail Island

VondaKayHeadBoat_CharterFishing_TopsailBeachNC_072109
Walk-ups and private charter
(910) 545-FISH, (910) 545-3474

Are you ready to catch the big one? Climb aboard the Vonda Kay and head out to the Gulf Stream for a great day of fishing. Fish for black sea bass, snapper, grouper, triggerfish, mahi mahi, amberjack, mackerel and cobia. The Vonda Kay carries 76 passengers and has all of the latest electronics and safety equipment. Bait, tackle and instruction are provided. Private charters are available. Walk-ups are welcome, but reservations are recommended. The on-board galley serves deli sandwiches, burgers, snacks, soft drinks and beer. Fish-cleaning services and half-day trips are available.

No Excuses Charters
Inshore, near-shore custom charters and tours for 1 to 4 people
910-352-2715
Paradise Landing
Six-packs
(910) 327-2114