Wilmington

127 Fishing Charters

Wilmington Fishing Charters

Search top fishing charters in Wilmington
Wilmington: 127 fishing charters available
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(51 reviews)
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $400
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(34 reviews)
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $275
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(176 reviews)
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $450
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(49 reviews)
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $450
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $350
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $350
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $500
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(41 reviews)
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $425
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(57 reviews)
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation
trips from $550
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(6 reviews)
Wilmington
 Instant Confirmation

Frequently Asked Questions about Fishing Charters in Wilmington

According to customer reviews, Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville, and Leverdrag Charters are some of the most popular fishing charters in Wilmington, North Carolina. Full list of top fishing charters in Wilmington.

The average price for a private 4 hour Wilmington fishing trip is $432, while an 8 hour private trip will cost you $746 based on prices on FishingBooker.com.

Falling Tide Fishing Adventures, Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville, and Leverdrag Charters all received great reviews from families who booked fishing trips in Wilmington.

The most popular fish species you can target are Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, and Flounder. Top fishing techniques include Light Tackle, Bottom Fishing, and Jigging. Nearshore fishing, inshore fishing, and reef fishing are commonly offered by local guides.

With a range of praised inshore fish available year round and beastly game fish offshore, Wilmington fishing charters have a really difficult task deciding where to head first. The town itself is a real sightseeing treat for scores of beachgoers who vacate here. History and museum lovers will have a lot to explore and anglers have relatively easy access to some of the most iconic fishing on this part of the coast.

Wilmington fishing spots

Wilmington may not be as close to the continental drop-off as Hatteras, but local fishermen have a rich selection of game fish and table fare right off their porch. Whether it’s streams, rivers, inlets, surf, or epic Billfish and Tuna offshore, you could be hitting a game fish jackpot on your next full day trip.

Cape Fear River

Flowing west of the town and emptying into the Atlantic, the Cape Fear River is home to superb Striped and Largemouth Bass fishing. This body of water once used to send chills down local fishermen’s spines as a chance of running asunder was quite real. Now, this fishery produces stunning Bass action from spring onwards. As it flows towards the ocean, the slow current of this river is a perfect setting for a relaxing light tackle action.

Inshore fishing spots

Anglers who want to establish themselves as fully-fledged fishermen should definitely check out the inlets and onshore fisheries right out of Wilmington, towards Carolina and Wrightsville Beach. These waters are packed with the fares of inshore species. That’s right, it’s Red and Black Drum all over the place. They are generally available year round but the action gets super hot when these fellas make their run in the fall. October and November are the months to visit if you want monster Drums.

The numerous cuts, inlets, channels and small bays that surround the Masonboro Inlet and Wrightsville Beach oceanfront offer outstanding fishing for Red and Black Drum. The nearby salt marshes and ocean creeks are home to Flounder, and for some Spotted Seatrout action, search around the jetties, rock walls, and backwater surrounding the Masonboro Inlet.

Offshore

When a Wilmington charter sets sail towards the Atlantic, anglers onboard bring their absolute best to land the big names of offshore fishing. Offshore reefs and wrecks are home to King Mackerel, Mahi, Wahoo, Blue and White Marlin, monster size Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna. It’s more than just bravado, as these fish will strike hard and rip your line to smithereens. You’ll need a charter captain with experience before you venture out to make the most out of your trip.

Travel anywhere between 20 and 40 miles offshore for some solid action that will see you fishing already within the first hour. These waters regularly see schools of Mahi, and you can troll for King Mackerel, do kite fishing for sailfish, or present the bait to Tuna.

The proximity of the Gulf Stream, which flows about 20 miles offshore, makes fishing here super hot even on the coldest winter days. And an hour boat ride -- and often shorter -- will see you fishing right above a major drop-off, as the continental shelf starts sliding down, plunging from 200 ft to 600 ft.

The Outer Shell Reefs, found off the coast of Wilmington and right on the edge of the continental shelf, mark the place with a significant drop in depth. As the ocean floor plummets from 150 ft to 600 ft, you will find rich marine life, with plenty of sponges and beds of corals. They make a place-to-call-home for a healthy stock of Tilefish, Vermillion Snapper, Sea Bass, and Snowy Grouper.

How much does it cost?

Anglers looking for a family trip should probably go on a half day trip. These run between four and six hours and will take you fishing around nearshore hot spots, where you can still target Mackerel, Sharks, Bonito, and more. These trips cost about $500 for up to six anglers and mostly include all the licenses, gear, and ice.

If you’ve set your eyes on a trophy-size catch, you should book a full day charter and head far our. Depending on how far you want to go, you’ll be fishing for monster game fish up to 40 miles offshore for about $1,000. A bit farther out, up to 70 miles, a standard 12 hour trip will cost about $1,600, and you will have a good shot at landing the next record Marlin, Tuna, or Sailfish, as well as a chance to explore the offshore bottom fisheries.

For the ultimate fishing experience, you will want to book an overnight trip and stay near the Gulf Stream to be there in time for the bite early in the morning and during the night. These trips are perfect for hardcore anglers.

Fishing techniques

Whether it’s light tackle action inshore for the likes of Redfish and Black Drum, or trolling offshore amidst a Bluefin Tuna bonanza, Wilmington has a fine selection of fishing techniques to enjoy.

Rivers and creeks

Let’s start at the beginning. If you’re planning to explore inshore fisheries, Wilmington has rivers, estuarine waterways, sounds, inlets, creeks, and inshore fisheries in the Atlantic that put to the limit even the seasoned angler. Scenic river fisheries at the west boundary of the town lend themselves to incredible light tackle action, where spinnerbait works well with Striped Bass and Largemouth Bass. Look for grass areas near the shoreline.

Inshore fishing

Inshore waters are home to impressive Redfish, Black Drum, Spotted Seatrout, and Flounder. Reds make the best inshore fish to target come fall, as the local fisheries see a surge in Bull Reds. Most fishing charters target Redfish and both adults and kids love fishing for them. They respond well to live bait such as shrimp, while you can use spoons and topwater lures for equal success. Follow these steps, and chances are high that each cast will be matched by a solid thud.

Black Drum make a somewhat different beat. They are a tad more finicky, but work well on live bait such as shrimp and crabs. If you like using artificial lures or flies, head to skinnier water, where you can also try sight fishing.

Offshore and deep sea fishing

Words hardly do justice to the offshore and deep sea fishing Wilmington has in store. From King Mackerel, Amberjack, Wahoo, Mahi, White and Blue Marlin to incredibly savage Bluefin Tuna and Yellowfin Tuna, here you can try trolling, bottom fishing, kite fishing, deep sea fishing, and so much more. The question is, when do you want to be fishing--and for what?

Trolling is a super effective way to get big fish. What starts out as a relaxing cruise down the ocean soon turns into a blitz as Mahi and Wahoo strike the bait. Mahi feed near the surface so you will want to keep your bait near the top of the water, while solitary Wahoo forage a bit further below. To get them, use a downrigger to sink your bait and set the speed at about 12 knots.

White and Blue Marlin are swimming far offshore, anywhere from 40 miles and beyond. Use live bait when trolling and stay alert once they get hooked. Blue Marlin will often make run towards the boat so you’ll need to act fast and retrieve the line to keep it tight. White Marlin are fished more and more with circle hooks. Troll with dead bait Ballyhoo and downsize your gear as White Marlin can be managed on light tackle too.

Bottom fishing for Amberjack and Black Seabass is nothing short of spectacular. Get the bait all the way down near offshore wrecks. Use heavy tackle for Amberjacks and drop the bait all the way to their layer, often at 100+ ft depth. The trick is to use big bait, or as of recent, butterfly jigs
Further down, you can also get Tilefish, which are a textbook example of deep dropping. You will need to sink the bait all the way to the ocean floor where these bottom browsers spend their days. You can use several pounds heavy sinkers to get present the cut bait. Bait your circle hooks with varied bait, mostly crabs and sea worms.

Need to know

If you’re fishing from a licensed charter boat, you don’t need a fishing license. Trips on these vessels are a perfect way to explore Wilmington fisheries as you will have a local captain at the helm and that’s as safe as it gets to reach the honey holes teeming with fish. Most charters here are private which means when you book a trip, you actually book the entire boat for your party and get all rods, reels, tackle, and most often ice to keep your catch cool.

What you need to have in mind is that weather can change quickly, especially if you’re fishing far offshore, so it’s best to bring clothes in layers, and sometimes clothing for foul weather. This of course varies from season to season. Pack sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. You may also want to bring seasickness medication as offshore waters can seem overwhelming for some novice anglers. Even if you’re less experienced, your charter captain will help out and will work to make your trip memorable.

Wilmington
Excellent
4.4 / 5
Based on 26559 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

January

It’s only the start of the year, but Wilmington waters are in full swing. Offshore, imposing Bluefin Tuna strike with abandon.
 

February

Superb fishing for Redfish and Black Drum. Take an offshore trip and aim for Bluefin Tuna or sink your bait to get Amberjack.

March

Stay inshore for a rich selection of table fare, including Redfish, Black Drum, and Spotted Seatrout. If you fancy more demanding action, head offshore for Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna.

April

You will find a good bite from trophy size Bluefin Tuna, and decent fishing for Wahoo, White Marlin, and Mahi Mahi.

May

The water’s heating up, but the warm currents of the Gulf Stream are as hot as ever. Head offshore to land Wahoo and Yellowfin Tuna, or pull Amberjack up from the floor.

June

Go offshore and do trolling for King Mackerel, Mahi, some Marlin, and more game fish. The waters are bustling with fish of all sizes and hues and you could be landing the fish of a lifetime.

July

As the summer heat kicks in, inshore and offshore action are in full force. Head 70 miles out for some deep sea fishing and target Billfish, or stay closer and savor Tarpon fishing.

August

Wahoo fishing is incredible these days. They are fast and brutish, turning the line into a pretzel if you’re not cautious. Mahi, Barracuda, and Sailfish make up for excellent angling action.

September

Head to offshore wrecks and do bottom fishing for Amberjacks. There’s a steady bite from other big fellas, including Sailfish, Tuna, and Marlin.

October

You can expect a fair bite from Blue and White Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin and Bluefin Tuna. Trolling for Mackerel is a fun way to spend the day. Inshore, a good selection of Black and Red Drum.

November

Yellowfin Tuna blitz offshore is a spectacular sight to witness. Head 50 miles offshore and your patience will likely pay off big time. Stay close to the land for magnificent Drum action.

December

If you want a colossal catch for Christmas, head offshore to land impressive Bluefin Tuna. Inshore waters are filled with excellent Redfish, Black Drum, and Spotted Seatrout.

Wilmington Fishing Calendar

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Make sure to take adequate food and drink. Donโ€™t forget your sunglasses like I did!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure to take adequate food and drink. Donโ€™t forget your sunglasses like I did!
Gabriel  B.
Gabriel B. Fayetteville, NC
Overall a great place to fish, many different spots to hit along the beaches and inlets. Wide verity of fish and ocean life to enjoy, great place to live & visit!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall a great place to fish, many different spots to hit along the beaches and inlets. Wide verity of fish and ocean life to enjoy, great place to live & visit!
Justin  C.
Justin C. Noblesville, IN
Great experience, and lots of fish weโ€™ll definitely be fishing here again. Highly recommend!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Great experience, and lots of fish weโ€™ll definitely be fishing here again. Highly recommend!
David  C.
David C. Cameron, NC
Book with Rising Sun! Captain Pierre is an educator, his lifetime of knowledge is priceless!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book with Rising Sun! Captain Pierre is an educator, his lifetime of knowledge is priceless!
Joelle  S.
Joelle S. Richmond, Virginia
Contact Luke he went above and beyond to get us on fish it was a great time
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Contact Luke he went above and beyond to get us on fish it was a great time
Randy  S.
Randy S. Evansville, Wisconsin

Falling Tide Fishing Adventures
Falling Tide Fishing Adventures
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(51 reviews)
Conditions were not optimum But Captain Zane did an awesome job hetting us on fish. Great day and we left all smiles and happy after time well spent on the water. Would recommend again and if fact wll be oir go to next trip down!
Dennis  D.
Dennis D. Angier, NC
Falling Tide Fishing Adventures
Falling Tide Fishing Adventures
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(51 reviews)
We had a fantastic time. The captain explained so much and was incredibly helpful. Highly recommend!
Kristy  S.
Kristy S. Garner, North Carolina
Leverdrag Charters
Leverdrag Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(176 reviews)
Wonderful half day trip with Captain Joe! Great catch, great friends, great memories. What else do you need!?
Matthew  H.
Matthew H. Cary, North Carolina
Leverdrag Charters
Leverdrag Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(176 reviews)
Awesome trip. Would definitely recommend Joe and will absolutely be going out on his boat in the future.
Alexandra  H.
Alexandra H.
Hieronymus Fishing Charters
Hieronymus Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(49 reviews)
First time deep sea fishing and the Captain made it one heck of a great experience! We caught plenty of king mackerel within a few hours and went home with a cooler full of fresh fish!
Austin  W.
Austin W. Greensboro, North Carolina
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(34 reviews)
It was a short trip in the evening, but the boys had a great time and enjoyed fishing in the evening hours. The Captain was awesome and he comes highly recommended frim our fisherman family!!
Bernie  S.
Bernie S.
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(34 reviews)
Communication was amazing, timing was on point, Capt stayed in tune with us and we had great conversation. Treated us with the utmost respect and did what it took to make it a great trip. I will be going back out with him again.
Josh  G.
Josh G.
Hieronymus Fishing Charters
Hieronymus Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(49 reviews)
Cord new exactly where to find the Spanish mackerel for us. He was also fun and made us feel welcomed
William  B.
William B. Wilmington, NC
Leverdrag Charters
Leverdrag Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(176 reviews)
First time ever going and had a great time. Captain Joe was patient and informative. He wasnโ€™t afraid to switch up what we were doing to catch more fish. We caught a bunch of Spanish mackerel and had a great time. He even told us how to cook the fish when we got back. We are definitely going to do this trip with him again.
Jacob  G.
Jacob G. Garner, North Carolina
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(34 reviews)
Captain Pierre came was ready to go when we arrived and had the equipment already set up for our trip. It is clear he knows the waters well and continues to research the best fishing spots. We had a great trip!
Katelyn  T.
Katelyn T. Raleigh, NC
Leverdrag Charters
Leverdrag Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(176 reviews)
I work in an office setting, donโ€™t fish much. Went with my Dad and Friend. Instructions easy, timing was good - got lucky with the weather. Joe killed it - didnโ€™t overload with information and only said what needed to be said. Pulled in 6 king mackerels - pretty stoked. If we decide to go in the near future Iโ€™ll be back Joe - hopefully weโ€™ll get a Mahi next time.
Gabriel  B.
Gabriel B. Fayetteville, NC
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(34 reviews)
Had a awesome experience with my two sons and Capitan Pierre. Was all set up and ready to fish upon arrival at Wrightsville Public Boat Ramps. Great weather day, spotted Dolphins, Sea Turtles and many jelly fish while out on the water. Captain was super knowledgeable and patient with my sons, could not have been more chill & polite. Would highly recommend using him for fishing trips or sunset cruises and will definitely be a return costumer! Overall amazing time!!
Justin  C.
Justin C. Noblesville, IN
Leverdrag Charters
Leverdrag Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
4.3 / 5
(176 reviews)
Joe got us on some Spanish Mackerel early in the AM. Went further out in pursuit of King Mackeral, but no dice. It was a fun trip with a great Captain!
Ben  S.
Ben S. Fuquay-Varina, NC
Fishing Beagle Adventures, LLC
Fishing Beagle Adventures, LLC
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(5 reviews)
We had a great trip! Captain Andy was very friendly and full of knowledge!
Savannah  S.
Savannah S. Fayetteville, NC
Leverdrag Charters
Leverdrag Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(176 reviews)
Want to start out by saying Captain Joe went above and beyond. We got lucky and first line out we got a bite! He kept us on moving and on top of fish. Very laid back and receptive to your needs. He cleaned all the fish up with speed and style. He even gave us a few recipes for our catch. Will defiantly book again with Captain Joe.
Eliezer  C.  G.
Eliezer C. G. Greensboro, North Carolina
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Rising Sun Fishing- Wrightsville
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(34 reviews)
We had a wonderful couple hours fishing & enjoying the beautiful scenery of Wrightsville Beach. Would highly recommend this excursion.
Jeff  J.
Jeff J. Westminster, CO
Hieronymus Fishing Charters
Hieronymus Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(49 reviews)
Captain Cord was awesome and so knowledgeable! He was exceptionally welcoming and made the most of our time fishing. Between his direction and a good day to be fishing, we had a fish on in the first 30 seconds! Appreciated his easy going personality and clear love for the outdoors.
Laurynn  M.
Laurynn M. Pella, IA
Leverdrag Charters
Leverdrag Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(176 reviews)
I booked a 1/2 day fishing trip for my husbands birthday. Captain Joe was so great. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. Thank you for giving my husband and son a great experience. He brought home lots of fish as well! We will definitely be booking with Captain Joe again.
David  C.
David C. Cameron, NC
Wrightsville Fishing
Wrightsville Fishing
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(3 reviews)
I'd highly recommend Captain Rennie. We had an amazing day at his boat. He was very knowledgeable, definitely knows his stuff and areas where fish hand out! We had countless catches (Spanish, Trout, Blue fish, Black bass,..). We had so much fun. Thank you Captain!
Nima  Y.
Nima Y. Martin's Additions, MD
Hieronymus Fishing Charters
Hieronymus Fishing Charters
Fishing charter in Wilmington
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(49 reviews)
Been on many charters ---up and down the East coast -- and Captain Cord is among the best! Just the two of us, beautiful sunny day out of Wilmington. We caught many more than in the photo, but the black bass were just shy of the minimum required 13". Lots of Spanish Mackerel, Silver Snapper, and more. He cleaned and bagged and iced all of these for the trip home. Absolutely a great choice! Hieronymus Charters will get my business any day!
Diane  E.
Diane E. Raleigh, NC

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