Are you looking for a quick trip to the prolific waters of Carolina Beach? Maybe you want to get the rest of your family as passionate about angling as you? Either way, a trip with Fired Up Charters is an answer to all your questions!

Join Captain John Brantley on his 42’ Carolina sport fisher, rigged with a 700 HP Detroit Diesel engine. She can easily fit 6 anglers on her large back deck or inside the spacious cabin. With a flybridge to spot fish from afar, a fighting chair, and a live bait well, the vessel is a full package.

There’s a private toilet on board, so you’ll be completely comfortable the whole time you’re fishing. Your captain will have top-of-the-line Shimano and Penn fishing gear ready for you, so you don’t have to worry about bringing your own equipment.

There’s a wide array of species you can target on your excursion with Capt. John. Spanish and King Mackerel are among the favorite catches, as well as Bonito, Bluefish, and Tuna in the offshore waters. Spanish Mackerel is especially abundant in the summer, while King Mackerel prefers colder fall days.

Most of these predators can be caught while trolling – the onboard outriggers come in handy here, as they allow for more lines in the water. Spinning for Mackerel on light tackle is great fun for children and adults alike.

Kids of all ages are more than welcome on board and Capt. John will provide life jackets in all sizes. Half day trips are great fun for kids because won’t get bored and they can hook their first fish ever.  All you need to bring are drinks, some food, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a cooler to take your catch home.

Head out to an exciting fishing jaunt with Fired Up Charters and check out what the waters of North Carolina have in store for you!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Early bird
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $550
    Targeted fish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 1
    US $700
    This is a morning 4-hour excursion that will show you just how good fishing can get around Carolina Beach. The species on your to-catch list include Bluefish, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, King Mackerel, and even Tuna. You'll have everything you need for your fishing endeavors on board, so just pack some food and drinks, and head out.
    Targeted fish
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Tuna (Albacore)
    Albacore Tuna
    Bluefish
    Bluefish
    Spanish Mackerel
    Spanish Mackerel
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 12:00 PM
    Seasonal trip Apr 1 - Nov 1
    US $700
    Fishing in the waters around Carolina Beach is great any time of day, and this afternoon trip will prove it. Capt. John will take you to the productive nearshore and offshore spots to target Mackerel, Barracuda, Bonito, Bluefish, and Albacore Tuna. To come prepared for your fishing escapades, buy your favorite drinks and snacks before the trip and hop aboard!
  • Private trip
    6hour live bait
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,100
    Live bait and trolling for larger fish.
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Bonito
    Bonito
    Mackerel (Atlantic)
    Atlantic Mackerel
  • Private trip
    All day trolling trip
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
    US $1,400
    Catch larger fish and go futher offshore.
    Targeted fish
    Barracuda (Great)
    Great Barracuda
    Amberjack
    Amberjack
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    King Mackerel (Kingfish)
    Bonito
    Bonito
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FAQs about Fired Up Charters

Fired Up Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $550 per group - Early bird (3 hours)
  • US $700 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $700 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group - 6hour live bait (6 hours)
  • US $1,400 per group - All day trolling trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Fired Up Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Fired Up Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Penn and Shimano)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (50 cents per pound)
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License (Blanket fishing livense on the boat for all guest )

Fired Up Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

Fired Up Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Trolling
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Fired Up Charters include:
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Bluefish
  • Bonito
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Little Tunny (False Albacore)
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Tuna (Albacore)

Meet the Captain

John Brantley
Carolina Beach, North Carolina, United States
ID & license verified
99 Customer reviews
Response time 5 hours
Member since July 2018
Captain John Brantley has been guiding customers on exciting fishing trips for the past 35 years. He's done it all aboard his boat, "Fired Up." They've been fishing together for 3 decades now and he knows every trick there is to her. He loves fishing and loves boats and he loves sharing his passion with guests on board! Capt. John's preferred technique is trolling, perfectly suited to the Mackerel fishery off the coast of North Carolina.

About this listing

Targeted species

Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Bluefish Bluefish
Bonito Bonito
King Mackerel (Kingfish) King Mackerel (Kingfish)

Boat specs

Carolina Custom (Sportfishing) originally built in 1983, and restored in 2023. Powered by a 700HP Detroit Diesel engine, with a maximum cruising speed of 21 knots.

Length
42 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Trolling
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Penn and Shimano
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
50 cents per pound
First Mate
Fishing License
Blanket fishing livense on the boat for all guest

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 day prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 1 day before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
All ages welcome, life jackets provided
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Checks
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 5% charge will apply.

Carolina Beach Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 90 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (84)
PM trip with Captain John & Todd
Fishing with John
Great half day charter!
+81
Angler rating
74
8
4
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
92%
Friendly captain
99%
Recommend this charter
91%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
97%
Caught fish
91%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 90 reviews
Jennie M.
Franklin, TN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

AM Half Day July 2023

VERIFIED   Early bird on July 7, 2023
Excellent day with Captain John and Mate Butch!! We took our 15, 13, and 11 yr old kids with us for an adventure at sea and...
Jennie M. recommends Fired Up Charters
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Austin A.
Raleigh, NC
Very good
4.0 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

PM trip with Captain John & Todd

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on August 12, 2023
We went on an afternoon trip with Captain John and Todd for our son’s birthday, and we had a very good trip. It was a very...
Austin A. recommends Fired Up Charters
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Austin A. recommends Fired Up Charters
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Shira K.
Greensboro, North Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great half day charter!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 17, 2023
This was our second time doing a half day charter out of CB and the Captain and First Mate were great! Planning the next trip...
Shira K. recommends Fired Up Charters
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Shira K. recommends Fired Up Charters
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Tyler H.
Wilmington, North Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Early bird with captain John

VERIFIED   Early bird on June 21, 2023
Even with a little bit of rain it was a blast. Caught lots of fish and the crew and captain were awesome and friendly
Tyler H. recommends Fired Up Charters
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Tyler H. recommends Fired Up Charters
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B N. C.
Johnson City, TN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with captain John and his first mate Butch.

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 26, 2023
Had a great time with the fam! Brought home a lot o fresh fish for dinner!
B N. C. recommends Fired Up Charters
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B N. C. recommends Fired Up Charters
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