Spring Charter - NC - Recommendations?

[BlueFin II]

We're considering an offshore charter trip from NC this Spring, and looking for some recommendations. Want to see first hand how the Carolina boys do it and, on top of that, would like to see some action before our season gets under way.

Initial thought is Oregon Inlet, but open to suggestions.

Looking for help with the following:

Historically, what timeframe in the spring is best to target tuna?

Boat recommendations?

Accommodations recommendations?

Other considerations for NC in the Spring?

Thanks in advance for any input,

Steve

[trollman]

Shoe fish can weigh in here too, as far as the Northern Boyz who have done the trip. You basically got a few choices. We did Wrightsville Beach in March last year (check out thread in WahoonBox called "Real March Madness") It was awesome. YFT, Wahoo and all bottom fish are ON then. You can also go Outer Banks (Hatteras or OI (some differences there) i prefer Hatteras) and then you can go MHC = Morehead City (cannot be anything wrong with a city named Morehead, right).

but anyway, Wahoonbox has posted some threads on the action down there all year, and IMHO it gets no better anywhere up & down the east coast than in NC. i am sure the NC boyz will weigh in too. good luck.

[Glenn W]

If you can plan your trip to fish on a weekday, I would recommend the following (assumes you are considering March through early May). Wait till you hear where the bite is going on a week or so before you plan on going. Usually you can find a good boat out of any of the ports on a weekday with a week's notice. Every year is a little different. This year was certainly not the best for YFT anywhere in NC (not normal by any means). Obviously the fish start South and move North. Generally the Tuners start good by early March in MHC and move up to OI by April. However, I have caught a limit of Tuna in MHC in May and as early as late March in OI.
There are pleanty of World class boats in MHC, HI, and OI.
Accomodations?--- shit, I thought ya'll were going fishing?--- pleanty of places to stay ( Hatteras is a bit more limited but several motels).
Several charter boat Captains from MHC, HI, and OI are active here on SFC.
I know Charter Captains hate my thinking, but it is impossible to predict where the fish will be this far in advance.
Here's some spring generalities:

MHC: Tuna, Wahoo, Dolphin, Blue Marlin(realistically starting in May)

HI: Same as MHC but a little later (2 -3 weeks)

OI: perhaps the best YFT fishery on the East Coast when they are there-- when they aren't it is a loooooong day. Big Gaffer Dolphin
usually don't show up good till Memorial Day at the earliest-- usually laer. The Stray Marlin and Wahoo.

The biggest factor in the spring is wind--- it blows a whole lot.

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Book a trip on The Run-Off in April or May. The beast will find em for ya.
Holwachagot

[perfectscore]

check him out if u want to catch some fish

[Bodie]

MHC Book The Run-Off or The Fighting Lady both of them will put you on the fish just read the reports on this board see for yourself.

[shoefish]

NC is where it's at-
I tell you what- when you go down there, book at least two days...on the first, simply observe. On the second, ask the mate if you can get some hands on experience rigging, dropping back, etc. I promise you that you will come back with a whole new appreciation for what an art-form trolling is. Good luck!

[Fishfinder]

MHC in April! Yellowfins and gaffer dolphin. May, Yellowfin, extremely large gaffer dolphin and plenty of them as well as a few blue marlin.

Capt. Joe Shute

[brandon558]

The Runoff out of MHC..you want regret it.

Gattafly out of Wrightsville Beach..very good aswell.

just to list a couple

[Dave Sikorski]

I have had some great trips on the Run-Off and agree that The Fighting Lady puts plenty of fish on the dock too.

Get your cranking arms ready. Nothing better than a sporty day in the spring. Especially when the fish are on the cold side...They're MEAN!!

-D