Premium 6-Hour Nearshore Fishing in Morehead City

Published Date: July 18, 2025
Fishing

Morehead City
$400 - $1,000 price range
Updated Date: August 12, 2025

Summary

Get ready for a solid day of fishing off the coast of Morehead City with Prop-Wash Charters. This 6-hour nearshore trip puts you right in the action, targeting a mix of seasonal species. You might hook into some Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, or even King Mackerel depending on the time of year. The crew also knows some great bottom fishing spots for Ringtail, Grunt, Red Drum, and Black Sea Bass. It's a great all-around trip that gives you a taste of North Carolina's coastal fishing without going too far offshore. The boat can take up to 6 people, so bring some friends or family along. Remember to pack some snacks, drinks, and reef-safe sunscreen. If you've got kids under 13, they'll need their own life jackets. The local crew knows these waters well, so you're in good hands for a productive day on the water. Whether you're an experienced angler or just getting started, you'll find plenty of fish and scenic views on this trip.

Premium 6-Hour Nearshore Fishing in Morehead City

Nearshore Catches

Cast off for adventure in Morehead City’s waters.

Reel in the excitement of Morehead City fishing.

A Spanish mackerel caught while fishing in NC

Fishing thrills await in Morehead City’s waters.

Two Spanish Mackerel, 21 inches long, caught in Morehead City

Set sail for a day of fishing in Morehead City.

Reel in the Action: 6-Hour Nearshore Adventure

Get ready to feel that rod bend on a 6-hour nearshore fishing trip with Prop-Wash Charters, one of Morehead City's top-rated fishing outfits. We'll be targeting a mix of hard-fighting game fish just a stone's throw from the coast. Whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time wetting a line, this trip offers the perfect blend of action-packed fishing and stunning coastal views. So grab your shades and let's hit the water!

What to Expect on the Water

As we cruise out of Morehead City, you'll feel the salt spray on your face and the anticipation building. Our experienced crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, and we'll be heading to the nearshore hotspots where the fish are biting. Depending on the season, we might be trolling for Spanish mackerel, jigging for bluefish, or dropping lines for bottom-dwellers like black sea bass. The beauty of nearshore fishing is the variety – one minute you could be reeling in a feisty bonito, the next you're battling a hard-pulling king mackerel. And don't forget to keep an eye out for dolphins and sea turtles – they love these waters as much as we do!

Tackle Talk & Techniques

On this trip, we'll be using a mix of light and medium tackle, perfect for the species we're after. We might start off trolling with Clark spoons for Spanish mackerel, then switch to bottom rigs baited with squid or cut bait for those tasty sea bass. If the kings are running, we'll break out the heavier gear and slow-troll with live bait. Don't worry if you're new to these techniques – our crew is always happy to show you the ropes. We provide all the gear you need, from rods and reels to bait and lures. Just bring your excitement and maybe a lucky fishing hat!

Species You'll Want to Hook

Spanish Mackerel: These sleek, silver torpedoes are a nearshore favorite. Known for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics, Spanish mackerel are a blast to catch on light tackle. They typically show up in our waters in spring and stick around through fall. Anglers love 'em for their fight and their mild, flaky meat that's perfect for the grill.

Bluefish: Often called the "marine piranha," bluefish are all attitude. These chompers will hit just about anything that moves and fight like crazy all the way to the boat. They're most abundant in our waters from spring through fall. While they've got a reputation for being oily, when handled right, bluefish make for some tasty eating.

Black Sea Bass: These bottom-dwelling bruisers are a year-round target in our nearshore waters. Don't let their small size fool you – sea bass put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. They're also one of the tastiest fish in the sea, with firm white flesh that's great for fish tacos.

King Mackerel: The "kings" of our nearshore waters, these toothy predators can grow to over 50 pounds. Known for their smoking runs and tail-walking antics, hooking into a king mackerel is always an adrenaline rush. They typically show up in late spring and hang around through fall. Landing a big king is often the highlight of many anglers' trips.

Atlantic Bonito: These speedsters are like mini tunas, and they fight just as hard pound-for-pound. Bonito typically show up in our waters in spring, offering fast-paced action on light tackle. While they're not known as a premier eating fish, many anglers are surprised by how good they taste when prepared properly.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Our nearshore waters are like a marine buffet, offering up a smorgasbord of fish species throughout the year. One trip is never enough to experience all that Morehead City fishing has to offer. Many of our repeat customers love the variety – you never know what you might catch next. Plus, with our seasoned crew, even first-timers often go home with a cooler full of fish and a camera full of memories. Whether you're looking to put some fillets on the table or just enjoy a day on the water with family and friends, this trip delivers.

Time to Book Your Spot

Ready to feel that first strike of the day? Our 6-hour nearshore trip with Prop-Wash Charters is the perfect way to experience the rich fishing grounds off Morehead City. With room for up to 6 anglers, it's ideal for families, groups of friends, or even a team-building outing. Remember to pack some snacks, drinks, and reef-safe sunscreen. If you've got kiddos under 13, make sure they bring a personal life jacket for safety. The fish are biting, and we've got a spot on the boat with your name on it. So what are you waiting for? Give us a call and let's get your nearshore adventure on the calendar. Trust me, once you feel that first fish on the line, you'll be hooked!

Learn more about the species

Atlantic Bonito

Atlantic bonito are speedy members of the tuna family that show up in our waters each spring. You'll find them in large schools, often feeding on the surface from just off the beach to several miles offshore. Most run 2-5 pounds and put up an impressive fight on light tackle. Bonito hit fast-moving lures like small spoons and jigs. While not considered great table fare by most anglers, they make excellent bait for larger gamefish. A useful tip: when you spot birds diving, that often means bonito are feeding below. Motor upwind of the action, cut the engine, and drift through casting small, shiny lures. The bite can be fast and exciting when you find a feeding school.

Black Sea Bass

Black sea bass are bottom-dwelling fish found year-round on hard structures like wrecks, reefs, and rocky areas. Most run 1-3 pounds, but we occasionally catch 5+ pounders. They're typically in 60-120 foot depths, preferring cooler waters. Sea bass put up a decent fight for their size and are excellent eating - firm, white, flaky meat. We usually fish for them with two-hook bottom rigs baited with squid or cut fish. They'll also hit jigs and small lures. Sea bass can be finicky biters, so a light touch helps detect subtle strikes. Here's a tip: when you find a good spot, mark it on your GPS. Sea bass tend to stay in the same areas, so you can often return for more action on future trips.

Bluefish

Bluefish are aggressive predators that show up in our waters from spring through fall. You'll find them anywhere from the surf to several miles offshore, often in large schools churning up the water as they attack bait. Most run 2-5 pounds, but we occasionally hook into 10+ pound choppers. Blues are known for their powerful fights and razor-sharp teeth. They'll hit just about any lure or bait, but metal spoons and topwater plugs work great. Watch your fingers when unhooking them! Blues make good eating when prepared right - try bleeding and icing them immediately. A local trick: when blues are busting bait on the surface, cast a popper just beyond the school and retrieve it quickly through the frenzy. Hang on tight when one hits!

King Mackerel

King mackerel are prized gamefish that show up in our waters from late spring through fall. You'll find them anywhere from just off the beach to 20+ miles offshore. Most kings run 10-20 pounds, but we occasionally hook monsters over 50 pounds. They're known for blistering runs that can strip 100 yards of line in seconds. We typically slow-troll live baits like menhaden or bluefish, but kings will also hit artificial lures. Their firm, oily flesh makes excellent smoked fish dip. Here's a local trick: when slow-trolling live baits, stagger your lines at different depths. Kings often hold at specific depth ranges, so this helps you dial in the productive zone quickly.

Spanish Mackerel

Spanish Mackerel are sleek, fast swimmers that show up in our waters from late spring through fall. You'll typically find them in schools near the surface, chasing bait fish in depths of 20-40 feet. Most run 1-3 pounds, but the big ones can hit 8 pounds. They put up an exciting fight on light tackle, with blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. We usually troll for them with small spoons or live bait like finger mullet. Spanish are great eating too - firm, white meat that's excellent grilled. A local tip: when you see birds diving, that's often a sign Spanish are feeding on bait balls below. Motor upwind of the action, cut the engine, and drift through casting artificials. The bite can be fast and furious when you find a feeding frenzy.

About the Prop-Wash Charters

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Detroit

Maximum Cruising Speed: 26

Number of Engines: 2

Horsepower per Engine: 500

Ready for a fun day on the water? Join Prop-Wash Charters for a 6-hour nearshore fishing adventure off Morehead City. We'll target seasonal catches like Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, and Bonito, plus some bottom-dwelling species such as Red Drum and Black Sea Bass. It's a great mix of action-packed fishing and beautiful coastal views, perfect for anglers of all experience levels. Don't forget to pack some snacks, drinks, and reef-safe sunscreen. If you're bringing kids under 13, they'll need their own life jackets for safety. Our experienced local crew is excited to show you the best fishing spots along North Carolina's coast. Book your trip now and get ready to reel in some memories!

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