Best Inshore Fishing Charters in Wrightsville Beach

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

$650 - $2,200 price range

Summary

Ready for a full day of fishing adventure off Wrightsville Beach? Join MaTunahoo Sportfishing for six action-packed hours on the water. We'll take you to prime spots where you can cast your line for a wide variety of fish. Our inshore trips target species like Amberjack, Bonito, Mahi Mahi, Groupers, Mackerels, Tunas, and Wahoo – plus plenty more depending on what's biting. With room for up to four guests, it's perfect for a small group or family outing. Whether you're after that trophy catch or just want to enjoy a day on the ocean, our experienced crew will put you on the fish. We provide all the gear and know-how, so just bring your enthusiasm and maybe a lucky hat. From beginners to seasoned anglers, everyone's welcome aboard. Come see why Wrightsville Beach is a top spot for coastal Carolina fishing!

Best Inshore Fishing Charters in Wrightsville Beach

Reels in Action

Trophy sized catch in North Carolina.

A single greater amberjack fish, a 42-inch catch from Wilmington

A big and heavy giant caught in NC!

Look at the length of that beauty!

A foot for comparison on how big this fish is.

Reel in Trophy Fish off Wrightsville Beach

Ready for some serious offshore action? MaTunaHoo Sportfishing's 6-hour charter out of Wrightsville Beach is your ticket to landing the big one. We're talking monster Mahi Mahi, hard-fighting Wahoo, and tasty Grouper – all waiting for you in the rich waters of the Atlantic. With room for 4 anglers, you and your crew will have plenty of elbow room to work those rods. Our seasoned captains know these waters like the back of their hand, so get ready to fill the cooler and make some unforgettable memories!

What to Expect on the Water

When you step aboard our well-equipped vessel, you're in for a full day of primo fishing. We'll cruise out beyond the breakers, where the real action happens. Once we hit our sweet spots, it's all hands on deck. You'll be jigging, trolling, and bottom fishing for a mixed bag of hard-hitting game fish. Don't worry if you're new to offshore fishing – our crew's got your back with tips and tricks to help you land that trophy catch. Just remember to bring your A-game and maybe some snacks to keep your energy up. The fish are biting, and we want you ready when that reel starts screaming!

Offshore Tactics & Gear

Out here, we're not messing around with light tackle. We're geared up with heavy-duty rods and reels, ready to handle whatever the Atlantic throws our way. Trolling is our bread and butter for species like Wahoo and Mahi Mahi. We'll set out a spread of lures and live bait, cruising at the perfect speed to entice those big pelagics. For Grouper and other bottom-dwellers, we'll switch to deep dropping techniques. You'll feel the thump when a big one takes the bait, and then it's game on! Our boat's loaded with top-notch electronics to find the fish, and we've got all the gear you need. Just bring your sun protection, a cooler for your catch, and maybe a lucky hat – we'll take care of the rest.

Top Catches This Season

Anglers have been crushing it lately off Wrightsville Beach. The Mahi Mahi bite has been on fire, with multiple bull dolphin in the 30-40 pound range hitting the deck. Wahoo have been showing up in force too, with several fish topping 60 pounds caught by our happy customers. The bottom fishing's been equally hot, with some hefty Grouper and a few surprise Yellowfin Tuna mixed in. Every trip's different, but one thing's for sure – there's always a chance at a personal best when you're fishing these waters.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Mahi Mahi, or Dolphinfish, are the crowd-pleasers of the offshore world. These acrobatic fighters put on a show when hooked, leaping and tail-walking across the surface. They're known for their stunning blue-green and gold colors, which fade quickly after being caught. Mahi can grow over 50 pounds, but even the smaller "schoolie" size are a blast to catch and delicious on the grill. They're most abundant in the warmer months, from late spring through early fall.

Wahoo are the speed demons of the sea, capable of short bursts up to 60 mph. These sleek, torpedo-shaped fish are prized for their hard fights and tasty white meat. Wahoo can reach over 100 pounds, though 30-50 pounders are more common. They're often found near underwater structures and dropoffs, and we target them by trolling at high speeds. The best Wahoo fishing off Wrightsville Beach typically happens in the late summer and fall.

Snowy Grouper are deep-water specialists, typically found in waters 500 feet or deeper. These big, white-spotted fish can weigh over 50 pounds and put up a stubborn fight all the way to the surface. They're highly prized for their mild, sweet-tasting flesh. Catching a Snowy Grouper requires specialized deep-dropping techniques, but the reward is well worth the effort. They can be caught year-round, but winter tends to be prime time.

Yellowfin Tuna are the marathoners of the fish world, known for their long, powerful runs that can strip hundreds of yards of line from your reel. These torpedo-shaped fish are beloved by anglers and chefs alike, prized for their fighting ability and sushi-grade meat. Yellowfin can reach over 200 pounds, though 30-80 pounders are more common on our charters. Spring and fall are typically the best seasons for Yellowfin off the Carolina coast.

Bluefin Tuna are the heavyweight champions of the tuna world, capable of growing to over 1,000 pounds. While fish that size are rare in our waters, we do see some bruisers in the 200-500 pound range. Hooking into one of these giants is the experience of a lifetime – be prepared for a battle that could last hours. Bluefin are highly regulated, and we strictly adhere to all catch limits. The best time to target them is during their winter migration, typically from December through March.

Time to Book Your Spot

Look, if you're itching for some world-class offshore fishing, Wrightsville Beach is the place to be, and MaTunaHoo Sportfishing is your ticket to the action. We've got the knowledge, the gear, and the drive to put you on fish. Whether you're dreaming of a cooler full of Mahi, the scream of a reel as a Wahoo hits, or the arm-burning fight of a deep-water Grouper, we've got you covered. Don't let another season slip by without experiencing the thrill of big game fishing in these productive waters. Grab your crew, give us a call, and let's make some fishing memories that'll last a lifetime. The fish are out there waiting – are you ready to come and get 'em?

Learn more about the species

Bluefin Tuna

Bluefin tuna are the heavyweight champions of the tuna world, reaching over 1,000 pounds. Even "small" 100-200 pounders will test your stamina. These highly migratory fish pass through our waters in winter and early spring. Find them 20-100 miles offshore, often near temperature breaks or bait schools. Bluefin are legendary fighters, capable of towing boats for miles. Their rich, fatty meat fetches top dollar for sushi. To land one, you'll need heavy gear and patience. Trolling spreader bars or large lures works, but many prefer chunking or kite fishing with live bait. Whatever method you choose, be ready for an epic battle when one of these giants takes the bait.

Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish

Mahi Mahi are a blast to catch and great eating too. These colorful fish average 15-30 pounds but can reach 60+. Look for them near floating debris or weedlines, usually within 30 miles offshore. They're most active in warmer months, from late spring through fall. Mahi hit lures and live bait aggressively, often skyrocketing out of the water when hooked. Their acrobatic jumps and hard runs make for an exciting fight. The meat is mild and flaky - perfect for fish tacos. To increase your odds, troll past floating objects and keep an eye out for frigate birds, which often follow schools of mahi. When you hook one, leave it in the water to keep the school around.

Snowy Grouper

Snowy grouper are deep-dwelling fish that put up a stubborn fight. Adults typically run 30-50 pounds and live 300-600 feet down on rocky bottom. They're available year-round but fishing picks up in warmer months. Snowy grouper are prized for their delicate white fillets. The challenge is getting them off the bottom - they'll try to wrap you in structure. Electric reels help, but some purists insist on manual cranking. Either way, use heavy gear - 50-80 pound braid and 100 pound leader. Mackerel, squid, and cut bonito make good baits. Drop them down on a chicken rig with a heavy sinker. When you feel the bite, reel fast and steady to pull them away from their rocky lairs before they can hunker down.

Wahoo Fish

Wahoo are prized for their blistering runs and tasty white meat. These torpedo-shaped speedsters can hit 60 mph and grow up to 8 feet long, though 3-5 footers are more common. Find them in blue water near drop-offs and underwater structure, typically 100-300 feet deep. Late summer and fall are prime wahoo seasons here. They're known for violent strikes and screaming runs that can quickly empty a reel. High-speed trolling with wire leaders is the go-to method - these toothy fish will slice through mono. Lures that skip on the surface or dive deep both work well. For best results, troll at 12-15 knots with a spread of 4-6 lures. Keep the hooks razor sharp to connect with their lightning-fast hits.

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin tuna are built for speed, growing up to 400 pounds with their signature yellow fins. Most catches run 30-100 pounds. Find them in the upper 300 feet of water, often marking bait schools. They're available year-round but fishing heats up in summer and fall. Yellowfin put on amazing aerial displays when hooked, making blistering runs and deep dives. Their rich red meat is prized for sushi. To target them, troll with a spread of skirted lures, cedar plugs, and rigged ballyhoo. When you mark fish deep, switch to jigging or chunking. For chunking, cut up some baitfish and toss pieces overboard to draw them up. Then drop down a baited hook. The key is matching your offerings to what they're feeding on that day.

About the MaTunaHoo

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Yamaha

Maximum Cruising Speed: 50

Number of Engines: 2

Horsepower per Engine: 200

Ready to reel in some big ones off Wrightsville Beach? Hop aboard our inshore fishing charter for a day of non-stop action on the water. We've got room for you and three buddies to cast your lines and try your luck at landing trophy fish. Over six full hours, we'll cruise the local hotspots in search of a wide variety of species. You might hook into hard-fighting Amberjack, zippy Bonito, colorful Mahi Mahi, tasty Groupers, or speedy Mackerels. If we're lucky, we could even tangle with some Tunas or the prized Wahoo. Our experienced crew knows all the best fishing grounds and will work hard to put you on the fish. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting your feet wet, this trip offers plenty of opportunities to snag some impressive catches. Grab your hat and sunscreen – an awesome day of fishing awaits!

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