Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing

At Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing, their mission is to give you the experience of a lifetime! They serve the eastern coast of North Carolina, from Surf City to Sneads Ferry, including all surrounding Marine Corps bases.

Join them for a customized fishing trip and enjoy casting lines anywhere between the beach and 65 miles offshore. Anglers of all ages and skill levels are encouraged!

Step aboard a 30’ Carolina Classic powered by twin Volvo Diesel engines. This vessel was built to handle rough seas and long distances with ease, meaning you can depend on a safe and comfortable ride.

She comes equipped with advanced fishing technology and Shimano tournament grade tackle. Up to 6 passengers can enjoy sitting in the spacious helm area. A full bathroom and cabin allow you to spend a day on the water without sacrificing your comfort.

While fishing nearshore you can catch Spanish and King Mackerel, Black Seabass, Cobia, Bonito, and more. With a little more time at your disposal, you can venture up to 30 miles from shore and catch Amberjack, Grouper, and Mahi Mahi as well.

If you come aboard for the whole day, your captain can take you more than 40 miles out, expanding your options even further. When fishing the Gulf Stream, you will have the opportunity to target Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Billfish, and Tuna.

Both captains running this vessel have over 20 years of experience fishing the waters of NC. They will use their knowledge to put you on the catch of a lifetime. All the gear you need for spinning, jigging, trolling, and bottom fishing are provided, including standard and swivel rod holders. You may keep your catch and it will be cleaned and filleted for you.
 
Come aboard today for an experience to remember!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    3 Hour – Kids/Family Nearshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $600
    Stay closer to shore and battle it out with some fantastic catches on this 3.5-hour adventure! You'll hook into the likes of King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Black Seabass, Cobia, Bonito, and sharks. Fishing gear is provided, all you need to bring are drinks and snacks.
  • Private trip
    3 Hour – Kids/Family Nearshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    3 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $600
    The 3-hour trip allows you enough time to get a taste of the area's nearshore waters! Typical catches include King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Black Seabass, Cobia, Bonito, and sharks. A fishing license and gear are provided. Bring any drinks and snacks you'd like to enjoy and hop aboard!
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $750
    This trip is typically 4.5 hours. You can expect to catch King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Bonito, Bonita, Grouper, Snapper, Mahi, Cobia, Amberjack, and much more. All licenses and tackle included.
  • Private trip
    4 Hour Trip – Offshore (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $750
    This trip is typically 4.5 hours. You can expect to catch King Mackerel, Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, Amberjack, Mahi, Grouper, Snapper, and much more. All tackle and licenses are included.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $1,000
    On this trip, you'll have opportunities to catch King Mackerel, Dolphin, Grouper, Black Seabass, Amberjack, and more. This trip will give you the potential to get your hands on some seriously big fish. Bring any drinks and snacks you'd like to enjoy – the rest is taken care of.
  • Private trip
    6 Hour Trip (PM)
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    US $1,000
    On this trip, you'll have opportunities to catch King Mackerel, Dolphin, Grouper, Black Seabass, Amberjack, and more. This trip will give you the potential to get your hands on some seriously big fish. Bring any drinks and snacks you'd like to enjoy – the rest is taken care of.
  • Private trip
    8 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $1,600
    You will have the potential to catch King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi (Dolphin), Sailfish, Grouper, Vermilion Snapper, Grunts, Porgy, Black Seabass, Amberjack, and possibly Wahoo. A fishing license and gear are provided. Bring enough drinks and snacks to keep you going and you're all set!
  • Private trip
    10 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    2 Day Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    Overnight stay, liveaboard
    US $1,800
    This trip allows you to stay out in the deeper grounds longer than our regular full day. We can do a mix of bottom fishing and trolling or cater to your crew. You can expect to see Grouper, Snapper, Mahi, King Mackerel, Cobia, Sailfish, Triggerfish, and so much more. Just bring your food and drinks and you will be ready to go.
  • Private trip
    11 Hour Trip – Gulf Stream
    FREE Cancellation 14 days notice
    11 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $2,200
    Heading deep into the Gulf Stream on an extended full day adventure! You'll troll for the likes of Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, and Billfish for 10-12 hours. A fishing license and gear are provided. Make sure to bring drinks and snacks to keep your energy up.
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FAQs about Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing

Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $600 per group - 3 Hour – Kids/Family Nearshore (AM) (3 hours)
  • US $600 per group - 3 Hour – Kids/Family Nearshore (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 $1,000 per group - 6 Hour Trip (AM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group - 6 Hour Trip (PM) (6 hours)
  • US $1,600 per group - 8 Hour Trip (8 hours)
  • US $1,800 per day per group - 10 Hour Trip (2 days)
  • US $2,200 per group - 11 Hour Trip – Gulf Stream (11 hours)

When you book a trip with Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Kitchen
  • Outriggers
  • Tuna Tubes
  • Ice Box

Trips booked with Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Shimano tournament grade)
  • Live Bait (May be prepped, may be fished for (5-10 min))
  • Lures
  • First Mate
  • Fishing License

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

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

Top targeted fish species with Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing include:
  • Amberjack
  • Cobia
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Goliath)
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Little Tunny (False Albacore)
  • Snapper (Red)
  • Spanish Mackerel
  • Tuna (Bluefin)
  • Tuna (Skipjack)
  • Tuna (Yellowfin)
  • Wahoo

Meet the Captain

John Cruise III
Sneads Ferry, North Carolina, United States
82 Customer reviews
Response time 15 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

Carolina Classic (Sportfishing) originally built in 2007. Powered by 2 260HP Volvo D4 Common Rail Diesels engines.

Length
30 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
Drift Fishing
Kite Fishing
Handline
Deep Sea Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
GPS
Fishfinder
Flybridge
Live Bait Well
Kitchen

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Shimano tournament grade
Live Bait
May be prepped, may be fished for (5-10 min)
Lures
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.

Sneads Ferry Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 74 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (64)
Awesome short trip!
July fishing trip
July fishing trip
+61
Angler rating
66
5
2
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
93%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
84%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 74 reviews
Adrian B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with John

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip (AM) on August 25, 2023
Adrian B. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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Adrian B. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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Megan S.
White Lake Charter Townsh, MI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

5hr trip with Capt. Aaron and 1st Mate Shane

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM) on April 12, 2023
Capt. John was in touch from the original booking. He called the week and day before for organizing and coordinating. They...
Megan S. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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Megan S. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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Paul C.
Hampstead, North Carolina
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

6 hour off shore trip

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip (PM) on August 12, 2023
Our captain, Aaron, is first rate. Friendly, knowledgeable, and concerned for our experience and safety. There were 5 of us...
Paul C. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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Paul C. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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James F.
Hornell, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day To with Captain Aaron

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip – Offshore (AM) on April 4, 2023
Captain Aaron was fantastic. Most of our party got seasick, but he and Mate Zach were professional,  kind, caring, and put...
James F. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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James F. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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Ben S.
Columbia, South Carolina
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome short trip!

VERIFIED   11 Hour Trip – Gulf Stream on June 24, 2023
We were booked to do an extended day trip to the Gulf Stream but weather conditions were not favorable. Captain John was able...
Ben S. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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Ben S. recommends Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
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