%2Ffit-in%2F250x250%2Fguide_websites%2F11791%2Fimages%2Fimageedit_2_6197882313.png&w=1200&q=100)
Beginner-Friendly Offshore Fishing in Morehead City
- Published Date: August 19, 2025
- Fishing
- Morehead City
- $400 - $1,000 price range
Summary
%2F%2Fusers%2F3ebd9300-b06d-44d2-9606-81ea4de8c66b%2Fratecard%2F8e5c00c05945019b829ff6b4b743707b.jpg&w=1200&q=75)
Offshore Action Shots
Morehead City Fishing: Creating Experience and Fun
Catch Fish and Memories: Morehead City Fishing
More than Memories with Morehead City Charter Trip
Chart Course for Fun & Fishing with Morehead City
Cast off for adventure in Morehead City’s waters.
Reel in the excitement of Morehead City fishing.
Fishing thrills await in Morehead City’s waters.
Set sail for a day of fishing in Morehead City.
Experience coastal fishing in Morehead City.
Morehead City Fishing Gems: Spanish Mackerels!
Morehead City Fishing: Creating Experience and Fun
Catch Fish and Memories: Morehead City Fishing
More than Memories with Morehead City Charter Trip
Chart Course for Fun & Fishing with Morehead City
Cast off for adventure in Morehead City’s waters.
Reel in the excitement of Morehead City fishing.
Fishing thrills await in Morehead City’s waters.
Set sail for a day of fishing in Morehead City.
Experience coastal fishing in Morehead City.
Morehead City Fishing Gems: Spanish Mackerels!
Morehead City Fishing: Creating Experience and Fun
Catch Fish and Memories: Morehead City Fishing
More than Memories with Morehead City Charter Trip
Chart Course for Fun & Fishing with Morehead City
Reel in Beginner-Friendly Offshore Fun
Ready to get your feet wet with some offshore fishing? Captain William's half-day trips out of Morehead City are the perfect way to dip your toes into the world of saltwater angling. Whether you're a total newbie or just looking to sharpen your skills, these morning and afternoon outings offer a laid-back intro to the diverse fishery just beyond our coast. With light tackle and an experienced guide at the helm, you'll be hauling in fish and soaking up ocean views in no time.
What to Expect on the Water
Once we push off from the dock, we'll cruise out to some of Captain William's favorite nearshore hotspots. The waters off Morehead City are teeming with a mix of hard-fighting and tasty fish species, so there's always a good chance of steady action. We keep things simple with light tackle setups that are easy for beginners to handle. The captain will walk you through the basics of baiting hooks, casting, and fighting fish. Before you know it, you'll be reeling in Spanish mackerel, bluefish, and maybe even a toothy king mackerel if we're lucky. With room for up to 6 guests, it's a great trip to share with family or friends.
Gearing Up for Success
No need to stress about bringing a bunch of fancy equipment - we've got you covered with all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need for a productive day on the water. Captain William keeps the boat stocked with light and medium action combos perfect for targeting the nearshore species we'll be after. We'll use a mix of live bait and artificial lures depending on what's biting. The most important thing to bring is your sense of adventure (and maybe some snacks and sunscreen). Expect to do a mix of drift fishing, anchoring up on structure, and maybe even some light trolling if conditions are right.
Top Catches This Season
Our nearshore waters are home to a diverse mix of gamefish that'll keep your rod bent and your cooler full. Spanish mackerel are one of our most reliable targets - these speedy little missiles put up a great fight on light tackle and make for some fantastic eating. Bluefish are another common catch, known for their aggressive strikes and chompers that'll make short work of mono leaders if you're not careful. When we hit it right, we might tangle with some hard-pulling bonito or maybe even a keeper-sized king mackerel. Bottom fishing can produce tasty treats like hogfish, sea mullet, and grey trout. The variety is what makes these trips so fun - you never know quite what you'll pull up next!
Species You'll Want to Hook
Spanish Mackerel: These sleek, silver speedsters are a blast to catch on light tackle. They hunt in schools, so when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. Spanish macks love to chase flashy lures and will often skyrocket on bait, making for some exciting topwater strikes. They typically range from 1-4 pounds but can grow larger. The meat is mild and flaky, perfect for grilling or smoking.
Bluefish: Pound for pound, blues are some of the hardest fighting fish in the ocean. These toothy predators are known for their aggressive feeding frenzies and powerful runs. We catch them anywhere from 1-5 pounds on average, with some real bruisers showing up in the fall. Bluefish have a reputation for being oily, but when handled properly, they make for some fantastic smoked fish dip.
King Mackerel: While we don't target them specifically on this trip, it's always exciting when a smoker king decides to crash the party. These larger cousins of the Spanish mackerel can grow to over 50 pounds, though most we encounter nearshore are in the 10-20 pound range. Kings are known for blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They make for great smoked fish but require careful handling due to their razor-sharp teeth.
Atlantic Bonito: Often mistaken for small tuna, bonito are actually members of the mackerel family. These football-shaped speedsters put up an impressive fight for their size, typically ranging from 2-10 pounds. They show up in good numbers during the spring and fall migrations. While not as popular for eating as some other species, bonito make great cut bait for larger gamefish.
Hogfish: These unique-looking members of the wrasse family are a treat when we're bottom fishing over rocky areas. Hogfish use their pig-like snouts to root through the sand for crustaceans, giving them a sweet, almost shellfish-like flavor. They're not the biggest fighters, but landing a keeper hog (14" minimum in NC) is always cause for celebration due to their excellent table fare.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
There's something special about that first trip offshore, watching the coastline fade away as you head out into the big blue. For many folks, these beginner-friendly charters are the gateway to a lifelong passion for saltwater fishing. Captain William has a knack for explaining techniques in a way that's easy to grasp, even if you've never held a rod before. The steady action and variety of species keep things interesting, and there's nothing quite like the feeling of your first hookup with a hard-pulling mackerel or bluefish. Plus, you might just bring home some fresh fillets for dinner!
Time to Book Your Spot
If you're looking to get your feet wet with some offshore fishing, Captain William's beginner-friendly trips are the perfect place to start. With morning and afternoon options available, it's easy to fit an adventure on the water into your Morehead City visit. Remember, all the gear is provided, so you can just show up ready for some salty fun. Spaces tend to fill up fast, especially during peak summer months, so don't wait to lock in your date. Whether you're a total newbie or just looking to brush up on your skills, these trips offer a laid-back intro to the fantastic fishing our area has to offer. So grab some friends, pack the sunscreen, and get ready to make some waves (and maybe catch dinner while you're at it). The fish are waiting - time to get out there and reel 'em in!
Learn more about the animals
Atlantic Bonito
Atlantic Bonito are small but mighty members of the tuna family, packing a lot of fight into a 2-10 pound package. These streamlined speedsters have dark blue-green backs with distinctive stripes. Look for them in nearshore waters 20-100 feet deep, often around shoals or tide rips. Bonito show up in spring when water temps hit the 60s, sticking around through fall. Anglers love targeting them for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. To catch bonito, try casting small metal jigs or spoons into feeding frenzies. A local tip is to look for birds diving on bait - that often means bonito are below. These fish are constantly on the move, so be ready to pick up and run to the next school. While some folks eat bonito, they're often used as bait for larger gamefish. For best table fare, bleed and ice them immediately.
Bluefish
Bluefish are aggressive predators that put up a fierce fight on light tackle. Adults typically run 3-10 pounds but can reach over 20. Look for their silvery-blue bodies and distinctive forked tails slashing through bait schools near the surface. Bluefish migrate seasonally, showing up in our waters from spring to fall when temps are in the 60s-70s. You'll find them around inlets, jetties, and nearshore structures in 20-60 feet of water. Anglers love bluefish for their savage strikes and powerful runs. Be careful of those razor-sharp teeth when unhooking! To target blues, try casting metal lures or topwater plugs into feeding frenzies. A local tip is to look for birds diving on bait - that often means bluefish are underneath. For eating, smaller "snappers" under 5 pounds taste best. Bleed and ice them quickly to preserve that mild flavor.
Hogfish
Hogfish are unique-looking reef dwellers that make for some tasty fillets. These colorful fish typically run 2-10 pounds and have a distinctive pig-like snout they use to root for crustaceans. Look for them around rocky bottoms and reefs in 30-100 feet of water. Hogfish are most active in warmer months when water temps are in the 70s. Anglers enjoy targeting them for their mild, sweet meat that some say rivals grouper. To catch hogfish, use light tackle with small hooks and pieces of shrimp or crab for bait. A local trick is to create a chum slick to draw them in, then drop your bait right in front of their nose. Be ready for a subtle bite - hogfish are crafty and can steal bait without getting hooked. For best results, try anchoring up-current of a reef and letting your bait drift back naturally.
King Mackerel
King Mackerel, or "kings," are prized gamefish that can really scream some line off your reel. These sleek, torpedo-shaped predators typically run 10-20 pounds but can top 50. Look for their silvery bodies with faint bronze spots in offshore waters 30-150 feet deep, often near structures like reefs or wrecks. Kings migrate north in spring and summer when water temps hit the upper 60s. Anglers love targeting them for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics when hooked. To catch kings, try slow-trolling live baits like blue runners or menhaden. A local trick is to use a stinger rig with two hooks to prevent short strikes. Kings make great smoked fish, but larger ones can have high mercury levels, so stick to eating smaller ones under 15 pounds. For a real thrill, try sight-casting to kings busting bait on the surface.
Spanish Mackerel
Spanish Mackerel are fast-swimming predators that provide exciting light tackle action. Typically 1-2 feet long and weighing 2-6 pounds, these streamlined fish have dark spots on their silvery sides. Look for them in coastal waters 20-100 feet deep near structures like reefs or wrecks. They migrate south for winter, so prime fishing is spring through fall when water temps are in the 70s. Spanish Mackerel hunt in schools, slashing through bait balls with their sharp teeth. Anglers love their strong runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked. For tasty fillets, bleed and ice them immediately. To target Spanish Mackerel, try trolling small spoons or jigs behind planers. A local trick is to look for diving birds to find feeding schools, then cast small, flashy lures into the frenzy. These fish strike fast, so be ready for explosive hits.
About the Prop-Wash Charters
%2F%2Fusers%2F3ebd9300-b06d-44d2-9606-81ea4de8c66b%2Fvehicle_picture%2Fboat.png&w=1200&q=75)
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Detroit
Maximum Cruising Speed: 26
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 500
