Deep Sea Express Charters
+21Your family adventure on Wrightsville Beach begins by booking a trip with Deep Sea Express!
“The Hard Way” is an easygoing boat that will get you out there in a relaxed, comfortable setting. You’ll have it made in the shade underneath the large sunshade over the fishing deck, and there is plenty of room in the wheelhouse if you want to get out of the elements. There is also a private restroom below the deck. Great boat for families!
When you arrive at the dock on Seacrest Drive parking is free, a rare occasion on Wrightsville Beach.
Captain Ger Hardin has been running charters out of Wrightsville Beach for 20 years now, so he knows a thing or two about how to catch fish around here.
All bait, tackle, ice, and even licenses are included for your entire party. Young children are welcome and if they don’t have their own life jacket the captain will furnish them with a youth-sized life jacket as required by the Coast Guard.
You will need to bring your own food and drink, alcohol is allowed but please try to avoid glass, and make sure to bring some sunscreen and wear clothing and footwear that you don’t mind getting fishy.
After the trip, Captain Ger will clean your catch and bag the filets for you, be sure to bring a cooler to carry your filets home.
It’s time to go where the fish are!
Captain
Ger Hardin
Most popular features:
Trip availability and prices
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (23)
+20Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
100%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
He’s now our fishing guy!
4 Hour Trip – Captain’s Choice on August 20, 2024
Had a great time on the water with Ger. We were uncertain of how fishing would go after the big storm. Lots of rain water was still spilling into the ocean affecting conditions, which we we warned about. Thanks to Ger’s expertise (over 20 years of experience!), we still managed to catch some beautiful Spanish mackeral And got to see a loggerhead turtle! His boat had a very comfortable setup and the canopy protecting us from the sun was a godsend. Ger was super helpful, explained how everything worked, answered all our questions, and guided us the entire way. Expertly fileted our catch with fresh ice for the cooler. It made for a memorable trip and will be worth going out again even if it’s just me and the husband versus a bigger group! Thanks Ger!!!
Had a great time on the water with Ger. We were uncertain of how fishing would go after the big storm. Lots of rain water was still spilling into the ocean affecting conditions, which we we warned about. Thanks to Ger’s expertise (over 20 years of experience!), we still managed to catch some beautiful Spanish mackeral And got to see a loggerhead turtle! His boat had a very comfortable setup and the canopy protecting us from the sun was a godsend. Ger was super helpful, explained how everything...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
A great trip!
4 Hour Trip – Captain’s Choice on July 3, 2025
We had a wonderful time fishing with Ger! He was helpful, kind and eager to help us find fish.
We had a wonderful time fishing with Ger! He was helpful, kind and eager to help us find fish.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Fantastic Day on the Water with Ger and “The Hard Way”
4 Hour Trip – Captain’s Choice on June 26, 2024
We recently had the pleasure of spending a day on the water with Ger and his boat, “The Hard Way,” and it was an unforgettable experience. We booked a trip to catch Spanish mackerel, and boy, did we have success! We caught 15 fish in total, which made for an exciting and productive day. The boat itself was incredibly steady and roomy, comfortably accommodating me, my wife, my son, and his girlfriend. There was plenty of space for everyone to relax and enjoy the fishing action. I spent most of the day watching my wife and kids reel in one fish after another, which was a delight to see. Ger was an excellent host and guide. He was knowledgeable, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed for a successful fishing trip. At the end of the day, he even filleted our catch, ensuring we could enjoy a delicious fish dinner that evening. If you’re looking for a fantastic fishing adventure, I highly recommend Ger and “The Hard Way.” It was a perfect day on the water, and we can’t wait to do it again!
We recently had the pleasure of spending a day on the water with Ger and his boat, “The Hard Way,” and it was an unforgettable experience. We booked a trip to catch Spanish mackerel, and boy, did we have success! We caught 15 fish in total, which made for an exciting and productive day. The boat itself was incredibly steady and roomy, comfortably accommodating me, my wife, my son, and his girlfriend. There was plenty of space for everyone to relax and enjoy the fishing action. I spent most...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
The Best Experience
4 Hour Trip – Captain’s Choice on May 25, 2024
We had a blast. 3 adults and 2 young children and we caught tons of Spanish Mackerel and even a Benito! For the price and what you get out of it, it was awesome. Ger taught us all about the area, the fish there, how to use all the equipment, and was the right amount of helpful while letting us feel accomplished and that we did it ourselves. He cleaned all the fish for us and even taught my husband how to do it. We had so much fun. Highly recommend.
We had a blast. 3 adults and 2 young children and we caught tons of Spanish Mackerel and even a Benito! For the price and what you get out of it, it was awesome. Ger taught us all about the area, the fish there, how to use all the equipment, and was the right amount of helpful while letting us feel accomplished and that we did it ourselves. He cleaned all the fish for us and even taught my husband how to do it. We had so much fun. Highly recommend.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Half day mackerel trip
4 Hour Trip – Captain’s Choice on June 28, 2023
I recently booked a fishing charter for my family, with a focus on providing a memorable experience for our young children. I am delighted to share that our outing with Deep Sea Express Fishing Charters exceeded all expectations, offering a fantastic blend of child-friendly atmosphere and professional service. Right from the start, Captain Ger demonstrated his commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for our family. He was exceptionally friendly and accommodating, ensuring that our children felt comfortable and included throughout the trip. His patience and enthusiasm made the fishing excursion truly special for our little ones. The charter boat itself was well-maintained and equipped with top-notch fishing gear suitable for all ages. Captain Ger took the time to explain the basics of fishing to our kids, ensuring they understood the techniques and safety guidelines. Overall, I highly recommend Deep Sea Express Fishing Charters for families looking to introduce their children to the joys of fishing. The combination of a child-friendly atmosphere, professional service, and knowledgeable captain made this experience one that my family will cherish for a lifetime. We can't wait to return and create more amazing memories on our next fishing adventure with Deep Sea Express.
I recently booked a fishing charter for my family, with a focus on providing a memorable experience for our young children. I am delighted to share that our outing with Deep Sea Express Fishing Charters exceeded all expectations, offering a fantastic blend of child-friendly atmosphere and professional service. Right from the start, Captain Ger demonstrated his commitment to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for our family. He was exceptionally friendly and accommodating, ensuring that...
FAQs about Deep Sea Express Charters
What are the trip rates for Deep Sea Express Charters?
Deep Sea Express Charters offers the following trips to customers:
- US $450 per group - 4 Hour Trip – Captain’s Choice (4 hours)
- US $800 per group - 6 Hour Trip – Intermediate Offshore (6 hours)
- US $1,000 per group - 8 Hour Trip – All Day Offshore (8 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Deep Sea Express Charters?
When you book a trip with Deep Sea Express Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- Toilet Private restroom below deck
- Fighting Chair Deck chairs with rod gimbals
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Outriggers
- Ice Box
- Radar
What's included in the trip price with Deep Sea Express Charters?
Trips booked with Deep Sea Express Charters include:
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting (I clean your fish when we get back to the dock at no extra charge.)
- Fishing License (My boat is blanket permitted, which means that if you are on the boat you are covered by its license at no extra charge.)
What types of fishing does Deep Sea Express Charters offer?
Deep Sea Express Charters offers the following types of fishing:
- Nearshore Fishing
- Offshore Fishing (No more than a mile or two on a half day, up to 25 miles on a full day.)
What fishing techniques does Deep Sea Express Charters offer?
Deep Sea Express Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
- Heavy Tackle
- Trolling
- Deep Sea Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Deep Sea Express Charters?
Top targeted fish species with Deep Sea Express Charters include:
- Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
- Grouper (Gag)
- King Mackerel (Kingfish)
- Spanish Mackerel
Your captain
Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, United States
I first started fishing in Wrightsville Beach when my Dad used to take me to Johnnie Mercer's pier when I was about seven years old. Back then it was made out of wood, and I still remember the feeling of walking down that pier and looking at the waves below through the gaps in the boards. I started fishing offshore as I got older on boats that belonged to good friends, and after a lot of growing up and figuring out what I wanted to do with my life, I finally got a boat of my own back in 2002. I got my license shortly thereafter and have been making my living on the water ever since. The most rewarding thing about being a charter captain is taking people offshore for their first time and seeing how excited they get when they reel in their first fish, and then reel in another one, and another one.
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
What kind of fishing will you do?
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
No more than a mile or two on a half day, up to 25 miles on a full day.
Which fishing techniques you can try
Heavy Tackle
Trolling
Deep Sea Fishing
Which amenities are available onboard
Toilet
Private restroom below deck
Fighting Chair
Deck chairs with rod gimbals
GPS
Fishfinder
Outriggers
Ice Box
Radar
What’s included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
I clean your fish when we get back to the dock at no extra charge.
Fishing License
My boat is blanket permitted, which means that if you are on the boat you are covered by its license at no extra charge.
How cancellations work
Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 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.
What the listing policies are
Pickup agreed upon reservation
Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.
Child Friendly
If you are comfortable with your child being on a boat than so am I. I can supply youth sized life vests, but toddlers will need their own properly fitting floatation. You will be responsible for keeping your child safe.
You Keep Catch
How you can pay
Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 2% charge will apply.
What’s biting in Wrightsville Beach right now
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
King Mackerel (Kingfish)
Spanish Mackerel