If you’re looking for an experience of a lifetime out of North Carolina, look no further! Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing will take you out for a thrilling day of fishing on the eastern coast, from Surf City to Sneads Ferry, including all surrounding Marine Corps bases. Captain John Cruise has been fishing these waters for over 24 years, and he’s committed to showing you a great time!

Join him on his 35’ Contender center console boat, accommodating up to 6 people. It’s a smooth and comfortable ride, with up-to-date electronics and tournament-grade tackle. Powered by twin 350 HP Suzuki engines, it’ll get you where you need to be in no time, pushing through the seas with ease.

Head out on the water to target a variety of species found in the area. Nearshore, you’ll come across the likes of Spanish and King Mackerel, Seabass, Bonito, and Cobia. Going further offshore you’ll start seeing Amberjack, Grouper, Mahi Mahi Wahoo, Marlin, Tuna, and the mighty Swordfish.

You’ll be provided with all the fishing equipment you need for spinning, jigging, bottom fishing, and trolling. The crew will clean and fillet your catch for you at the end of the trip, so you can take it straight to the table for a mouth-watering meal. If you have a group larger than 6, it can be accommodated using multiple boats.

Explore the stunning waters of North Carolina with Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing and make some amazing fishing memories!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    3 Hour Trip – Kids (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $600
    The kids will have a blast staying close to the beach but you can also expect to catch the following – Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Trout, Bluefish, and the favorite... sharks! Just bring your own food and drink as the crew has the rest.
  • Private trip
    3 Hour Trip – Kids (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $600
    This is a great trip for the kiddos. You can expect to catch Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Bluefish, Trout, and the favorite... sharks! Just bring your food and drinks and the crew will take care of everything else.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $750
    On this trip, you will have the potential to catch King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Grouper, Black Seabass, Amberjack, Porgy, and Grunt. The trip lasts 4.5 hours.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Offshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $750
    On this trip, you will have the potential to catch King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Grouper, Black Seabass, Amberjack, Porgy, and Grunt. The trip lasts for 4.5 hours.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $1,100
    On this trip, you could catch, King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Grouper, Black Seabass, Amberjack, and more. You will have the potential for a better class of fish with more time on the water.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $1,100
    This trip gets you further out and allows more time on the water to catch an amazing class of fish. You can expect Grouper, Snapper, Mahi, King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Grunt, Porgy, Black Seabass, and a whole lot more. Bring your food and drinks and you will be set.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $1,500
    You will have the potential to catch King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Grouper, Vermilion Snapper, Grunt, Porgy, Black Seabass, Amberjack, and possibly Wahoo.
  • Private trip
    10 Hour Trip – Extended
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $1,800
    You will have the potential to catch King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Grouper, Vermilion Snapper, Grunt, Porgy, Black Seabass, Amberjack, and possibly Wahoo and Tuna. This trip gives you more time on the water compared to the regular full day, maximizing your chances of reeling in monster fish.
  • Private trip
    11 Hour Trip – Gulf Stream
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    11 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $2,400
    You will have the potential to catch King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Marlin Grouper, Vermilion Snapper, Grunt, Porgy, Black Seabass, Amberjack, Wahoo, and Tuna. This trip allows you to get into that deeper water where all those pelagic fish hang out. 10-12 hours of fishing.
  • Private trip
    Daytime Broadbill Swordfish Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $2,600
    This trip is one of our special trips where a bucket list item can be crossed off – the Swordfish! These giants live in the deep and we know where to go and find them. This trip will take you out past the Gulf Stream so this trip is a 70–90-mile run.
  • Private trip
    Marlin Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    12 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $2,600
    The coveted Marlin is a type of fish that is a true trophy fish and one that will bring memories of a lifetime... Come fish with Capt. John Cruise III (62nd Annual Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament Winner) and go after these beasts of the water to truly have an experience of a lifetime!
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FAQs about Pelagic Hunter II

Pelagic Hunter II offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $600 per group - 3 Hour Trip – Kids (AM) (3 hours)
  • US $600 per group - 3 Hour Trip – Kids (PM) (3 hours)
  • US $750 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM) (4 hours)
  • US $750 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Offshore (PM) (4 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group - 6 Hour Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,100 per group - 6 Hour Trip (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,500 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
  • US $1,800 per group - 10 Hour Trip – Extended (10 hours)
  • US $2,400 per group - 11 Hour Trip – Gulf Stream (11 hours)
  • US $2,600 per group - Daytime Broadbill Swordfish Trip (12 hours)
  • US $2,600 per group - Marlin Trip (12 hours)

When you book a trip with Pelagic Hunter II, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live Bait Well
  • Wireless Trolling Motor Rhodan anchor system
  • Outriggers
  • Ice Box
  • Radar

Trips booked with Pelagic Hunter II include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

Pelagic Hunter II offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

Pelagic Hunter II offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Jigging
  • Popping
  • Fly Fishing
  • Drift Fishing
  • Kite Fishing
  • Handline
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Pelagic Hunter II include:
  • Amberjack
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Swordfish
  • Tuna (Bluefin)
  • Tuna (Yellowfin)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Captain

John Cruise III
North Topsail Beach, North Carolina, United States
82 Customer reviews
Response time 12 hours
Member since August 2017
Captain John C. Cruise III has been fishing the NC waters for over 20 years. This family-run, veteran-owned Charter business offers the best Topsail Island, Sneads Ferry, Surf City, and Camp Lejeune Charter fishing. Try out Sportfishing charters right on the beach and all the way out to the offshore Gulf Stream waters. We encourage women, children, and families of all ages to come aboard. We also specialize in trolling, jigging, bottom fishing, or any customized combination fishing trip that you desire. We catch fish ranging from Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, Grouper, Cobia, Snapper, Spanish Mackerel, and many more. Give us a call to book a trip of a lifetime! Let’s Go Fishing!

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Cobia Cobia
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Grouper (Goliath) Goliath Grouper

Boat specs

Contender (Center console) originally built in 2009. Powered by 2 350HP Suzuki with Duo props engines.

Length
35 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Drift Fishing
Kite Fishing
Handline
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

GPS
Fishfinder
Live Bait Well
Wireless Trolling Motor
Rhodan anchor system
Outriggers
Ice Box

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
First Mate
Fishing License

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 14 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 14 days 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
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.
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
Mastercard
American Express
PayPal
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 8 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photo by reviewers
There are no review photos
for this charter yet!
Angler rating
8
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
75%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 8 reviews
Jeffrey P.
Belmont, NH
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM) on March 23, 2022
Captain Aaron and Mate Jeremiah were excellent.  Stop searching for charter companies, and just BOOK them—-you won’t...
Jeffrey P. recommends Pelagic Hunter II
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Jeffrey P. recommends Pelagic Hunter II
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Josh V. T.
Lincoln, Nebraska
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

4 hour near shore trip

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Nearshore (PM) on June 21, 2022
More lizard fish than mackerel or sea bass but our family from Nebraska had a great time out on the ocean.  Guess that is...
Josh V. T. recommends Pelagic Hunter II
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Josh V. T. recommends Pelagic Hunter II
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Judith M.
Clayton, North Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with John

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM) on June 18, 2022
Judith M. recommends Pelagic Hunter II
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Judith M. recommends Pelagic Hunter II
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Oliver L.
Charlotte, North Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day Gulf Stream Trip

VERIFIED   11 Hour Trip – Gulf Stream on July 11, 2020
Fishing with Riley & KK was epic. Super fun day with two fun pros who made catching over 50 fish a joy. Boat was perfect,...
Oliver L. recommends Pelagic Hunter II
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  John Cruise III Captain replied

Thomas P.
Sanford, North Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with John

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM) on October 15, 2021
Thomas P. recommends Pelagic Hunter II
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  John Cruise III Captain replied