Fishing charters in Emerald Isle, NC

Whether you are looking for a calm inshore fishing or a deep sea fishing adventure, Emerald Isle fishing options are only a click away.

Emerald Isle fishing charters will put you on Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bluefish, Mahi Mahi, and many more.

Inshore fishing charters in Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle is popular with anglers, who come to explore the calm inshore waters. From grassy shallows to numerous bays, there’s something for anglers of all tastes and budgets.

Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish, Cobia, Redfish, and Spanish Mackerel can be your next catch.

Inshore fishing trips are good for families with kids, couples, and small groups of friends.

Inshore fishing trip prices

$465 is the average base price for a private 4-hour inshore fishing charter and 2 anglers. An extra person fee is $50. Captains can accommodate 4-6 persons depending on the capacity of the vessel.

The cheapest rates start at $200 for a 2-hour inshore fishing trip near Emerald Isle.

There are about 41 fishing guides in Emerald Isle and nearby cities. You will have plenty of choices to find your next fishing outing.

Best time for inshore fishing

The best months for inshore fishing near Emerald Isle are July, June and September.

Popular inshore fish species

• Spanish Mackerel
• Bluefish
• Cobia
• Redfish
• Southern Flounder

Popular inshore fishing charters

• On Deck Charter Fishing from $400.00
• Gunny B Outdoors from $500.00
• Fish Insight Guide Service from $450.00

Offshore fishing charters in Emerald Isle

If you’re looking for offshore fishing adventures, you’ll find that there are some excellent fishing opportunities miles off the coast. Emerald Isle offshore fishing charters can take you there for a whole day.

Emerald Isle fishing charters will put you on King Mackerel, Mahi Mahi, Cobia, Black Sea Bass, and many more.

Offshore fishing trips are good for experienced anglers, groups for friends, and those who want to reel in a bigger catch. Be ready to travel into the federal waters miles off the coast.

Offshore fishing trip prices

On average, the price for a 4-hour offshore fishing trip is $770 for 2 people. Add $50 for an extra angler. Fishing charters can accommodate 2-6 anglers depending on the size of the craft.

The cheapest rates start at $595 for a 4-hour offshore fishing trip near Emerald Isle.

You can find about 29 fishing charters in Emerald Isle and nearby cities. It’s easy to book your next fishing break in Emerald Isle.

Tip: It’s better to take a 6-hour or 8-hour offshore fishing trip for the best fishing experience. Offshore fishing spots are away from the coast, so you will need some time to get there.

The average tips are 15-20% of the total fishing charter price.

Best time for offshore fishing

The best months for offshore fishing near Emerald Isle are July, June and September.

Popular offshore fish species

• King Mackerel
• Mahi Mahi
• Cobia
• Black Sea Bass
• Amberjack

Popular offshore fishing charters

• Gunny B Outdoors from $900.00
• Tombstone Charters from $1100.00
• Offshore Outlaw Fishing Charters from $1750.00

Family-friendly fishing charters in Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle family-friendly fishing trips are great for beginners, kids, and families. Your Captain will show you how to use the tackle and catch different species of fish.

You can fish in the inland waters during the fishing trip. Since the waters are calm, your family can focus on relaxing fishing.

Family-friendly fishing trip prices

Take a quick 4-hour inshore fishing trip. The kids will learn more about fish species and won’t get bored.

$436 is the average base price for a private 4-hour family-friendly fishing charter and 2 anglers. Add $50 for each additional person. Fishing charters can accommodate 2-6 anglers depending on the size of the craft.

Popular family-friendly fishing charters

Shark fishing charters in Emerald Isle

Emerald Isle is one of the best destinations for shark fishing because a wide variety of sharks are found in local waters. If you want to target these famous ocean predators, then hire a Emerald Isle shark fishing charter.

You can have a relaxing fishing adventure and a chance to target Blacktip Shark, Bull Shark, Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, Bonnethead Shark, and many more.

Note: you can keep certain North Carolina shark species, but most sharks are off-limits for harvesting. These sharks have to be released. But don't worry about shark identification. Your Captain will assist you.

Good shark fishing is along the coral or the sandy bottoms, river mouths, bays, and offshore waters. Juveniles are typically found in shallow water, while adults are located at greater depths.

Live bait is preferred for shark fishing. Preferred live baits for shark fishing could be Blue Runner, Mullet, Bonita, or Ladyfish. Fishing charters prepare the best bait depending on the targeted shark species.

Shark fishing trip prices

$522 is the average base price for a private 4-hour shark fishing charter and 2 anglers. An extra guest fee is $50. Fishing charters can accommodate up to 6 persons depending on the capacity of the boat.

You can find more than 13 fishing charters in Emerald Isle and nearby cities. It’s easy to book your next fishing break in Emerald Isle.

Best time for shark fishing in Emerald Isle

Sharks are active all year round in Emerald Isle, though they are more plentiful from March through October.

Popular shark species

• Blacktip Shark
• Bull Shark
• Scalloped Hammerhead Shark
• Bonnethead Shark
• Porbeagle Shark

Popular shark fishing charters

Tarpon fishing charters in Emerald Isle

Tarpon are one of the top species you can target in Emerald Isle waters. Many local charters specialize in putting anglers on Tarpon. They are ready to share productive spots and methods with their clients.

Tarpon inhabit inshore waters and even rivers. Shrimp, pinfish, mullet, and crabs would be the ideal fishing bait.

Note: You won’t be able to land your catch because Tarpon is a catch-and-release-only fishery. It is illegal to lift Tarpon out of the water if its length is greater than 40 inches. So be careful with your trophy, take a photo of a lifetime, and let it go.

Tarpon fishing rates

$580 is the average base price for a private 6-hour Tarpon fishing charter and 2 anglers. An extra angler fee is $50.

In Emerald Isle and nearby cities, there are about 15 fishing companies specialized in Tarpon fishing.

Best time for Tarpon fishing in Emerald Isle

Tarpon fishing season in Emerald Isle is late spring through summer. September, August, and July are the best months for Tarpon fishing.

Popular Tarpon fishing charters

FAQ

What is included in the price?

Most trips are all-inclusive. Captains provide everything you need for a fishing trip: tackle, rods, reels, bait, and a cooler with ice. Usually, Captains clean the catch for free.

Captains provide a saltwater fishing license. It covers all the people on the vessel.

An offshore fishing charter has to have a federal permit to fish in the federal waters.

What to bring on a fishing charter trip?

Depending on the weather, Captains recommend bringing sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, long sleeve shirt, hat, windbreaker, waterproof jacket, waterproof pans, appropriate non-skid footwear, gloves, your medicines, bug bite cream, sanitizer, drinks, and snacks.

Bring your freshwater license if you are planning to fish in the freshwater.

Some Captains don’t recommend bringing spray sunscreen, liquor, weapons, fireworks, and inappropriate footwear.

How to book a fishing charter trip?

You can make a reservation with a 10-30% deposit.

The remaining balance has to be paid directly to the Captain on the day of your trip or upon arrival.

The majority of the fishing charter deposits are refundable if you can cancel before the cancellation deadline. The average free cancellation deadline is 2-14 days before the trip date. Keep in mind that some of the bookings could be non-refundable.

What are the closest boat ramps and marinas to Emerald Isle?

Popular meeting points near Emerald Isle are:

• 709 Atlantic Beach Causeway — 28 mins from Emerald Isle
• Dudley's Marina, 106 Cedar Point Blvd — 13 mins from Emerald Isle
• Fisherman's Inn Marina, 200 Atlantic Beach Cswy — 27 mins from Emerald Isle