Are you looking to head out on a deep-sea fishing expedition during your visit to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands? Our area’s knowledgeable charter captains can put you on the big game fish in no time throughout the year. To make the most of your fishing trip, we’ve also enlisted our local fishing expert Captain Jerry Dilsaver for some offshore fishing tips and tricks.
Booking a Fishing Charter
As you move further out from the 45-mile coastline of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands, the probability of catching big fish naturally increases. With big fish comes the need for big gear, which numerous charter companies across the Brunswick Islands are more than capable of providing you. From on-board bait tanks to heavy duty rods and reels, all the equipment you’ll need for a successful and enjoyable fishing trip comes stocked.
In addition to the necessary tools, our expert charter captains are also equipped with invaluable local knowledge. Having grown up on these waters or after seeing them day after day, our charter captains can put you on big fish quickly.
Find the charter that best suits your crew on our Fishing charter page.
What’s Biting Offshore?
Expect to catch species including mahi-mahi, blackfin tuna, sailfish, marlin, and wahoo in our offshore waters.
Mahi-mahi are located approximately 45-60 miles offshore in and around the Gulf Stream in April. Fishing for dolphinfish will typically peak between May and June as spring turns to summer, although fishermen in NC’s Brunswick Islands still see good numbers through July too. If you’re headed out on a half-day charter trip and unable to reach the North Atlantic Drift, catching mahi-mahi is still a possibility. Mahi-mahi are known to follow bait into nearshore waters, sometimes appearing only miles from the beach, says Captain Dilsaver.
Blackfin tuna are the most common kind of tuna caught in the deep waters off the coast of NC’s Brunswick Islands. They enjoy spending their fall and winter around the warm waters of the Gulf Stream and will move further nearshore as spring arrives.
The waters off the northernmost Brunswick Islands, around Frying Pan Shoals, are especially popular with sailfish through July and August, according to Captain Dilsaver. Attracted by the increased presence of baitfish and warmer water temperatures this time of year, the big game fish are more than happy to draw a bit closer to the shoals located 30 or so miles offshore.
Wahoo are another fine catch you can expect to find of the end of your line offshore of our coast. Good wahoo fishing begins in late winter through early spring. After slowing some in June, July, and early August, it picks up again in late August and continues into late fall. “Wahoo fishing off of North Carolina is worldclass,” says Captain Dilsaver. “It’s as good as anywhere in the world.” Across the board from Ocean Isle Beach all the way up the coast, six or more in a trip is a considered a “good” day. Although Captain Dilsaver says he’s known fishermen to see 10 to 12 in a day.
Perhaps the most popular game fish off the coast of North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands are king mackerel. So much so, our area is home to one of the largest king mackerel tournaments on the East Coast. This year’s 47th Annual U.S. Open King Mackerel Tournament runs October 2-4, 2025. For more information about king mackerel fishing in the Brunswick Islands visit our blog here.
Equipment and Boat Launching Tips
If you’re headed out to sea on your own boat, you’ll need a place to put her in the water. Luckily the Brunswick Islands are home to many well-equipped marinas and numerous boat launches. Visit our Marinas and Boat Access page here for more information.
It’s no secret that targeting larger fish requires larger and tougher gear. Expect to use heavier and longer rods designed for deep sea fishing, heavy-duty reels with braided lines, and larger hooks.
When it comes to your lure, an experienced fishermen typically suggests using a blue and white or blue and crystal colored one. On days when nothing else is getting hit, blue and white lures are almost guaranteed to get hit, says Captain Dilsaver.
With these tips you’re one step closer to heading out on your offshore fishing expedition. Now comes the time to plan your visit to North Carolina’s Brunswick Islands. Visit www.ncbrunswick.com to get started.