Would like to take my dad yellowfin tuna fishing next year. Looking to charter a boat from the Carolina's. Anyone have any suggestions about times, places or charters? I think that April is supposed to be the best time for Yellowfin's.

Thanks

 

Why not the Big Boys, the Bluefin Tuna... Nov-Dec. Don't know of a good charter captain, but a friend of mine with a beachhouse on the southern coast of NC (Holden Beach) has a neighbor with a 42 footer that has been chartering for twenty some years.... if you want, I will find out if he charters tuna and get his information. I also have a friend with a place in Carolina Beach that fishes tournaments, but does not charter. He may have some captains he knows also. Let me know.....

John

 

Thanks for the reply John,

My dad is near 70 so I don't think the 500# tuna would be a good idea. I think he would have fun with 20 to 50# Yellowfin. I would appreciate any information you could give me. I'll try to e-mail you.

Tim

 

Check the web for Oregon Inlet, lots of good charters running in that area.

Also check with people on other possibilities. Tuna area a blast, but tough fish and it slows down having multiple rods fishing when a fish is on. There are plenty of other options that will keep you busy and make for a fun day. Talk to the people about Mahi Mahi fishing.... "bailing" dolphin is something to remember!

Also since you mentioned you fathers age.... Don't be scared to look into fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. We made a family trip years ago on one of my Dads old friends charter boat. Drift fishing for Bluefish was a blast. They used a chum grinder on the boat, and had about 8 rods with baits drifting. We would sit for 15-20 minutes and then... WHAM! All 8 rods hooked up at once on a couple of occasions.

 

Tim,

I just got invited today to Carolina Beach to go out Sunday with my friends and take my 11 and 9 yr old boys with me. I'll find out more this weekend.....

John

 

Don't worry too much about your father's age. My father was 70 when he won a major tournament and he was 73 when he caught a 600 lb pacific blue marlin. A year after that, we caught a 235 lb yellow fin tuna. He's now 80 and fishing for trout somewhere near Yosemite in CA.

It also helps that we fish with some of the best fishing gear available. Light tackle, we use all Shimano gear. Heavy tackle, Penn International. All two speed reels.

So, if you're going after big fish, make sure you ask about the tackle. 2-speed lever drag reels make it a lot easier for older people (women and kids too) to bring in big fish.

Avoid boats that still use "star drag" reels such as the venerable Penn Senator. It's too hard to push the limit with these reels and the gear ratios are kind of hard on old people.

 

Hey nukescrew, try the Red Drum Tackle website. I believe it is
Reddrumtackle.com. They are in Buxton N.C (Hatteras Island)
and have all sorts of connections on their site.
I frequent their store every year when we vacation at Avon. They will steer you straight.

Marc

 

Thanks everyone for all the information. It is all very helpful. Still looking at going out around April, though my brother says the sea can be quite rough that time of year. Don’t remember the sea being that rough when I was stationed in Norfolk, but then again I was on a sub going out. North Atlantic on the other hand, 200 feet underwater and still getting tossed around, that is impressive.

 

One of the charters is Swag Charters in Holden Beach, NC (South of Wilmington) (910) 842-4930 Capt Ron Arvidson. My friend says he is the best around those waters.... 42' custom built boat.

http://www.insiders.com/wilmington/main-fishing3.htm

Look under South Brunswick Island. Nothing more than I have posted, just the phone number.

 

signmaster,

how much you know about the oregon inlet?

we (two families) go to the outer banks every year, but have never fished there. we stay in rodanthe (not too far south of the inlet).

this year i want to make it a point to get out on one of the charters. i dont fish saltwater often at all, and only started doing it a few times a year recently. hooked some real nice stripped bass last year off the jersey shore, and it was on my barbeque that night. i have never eaten seafood that tasted so good in my life. little lemon, onions, salt & pepper, wrapped in tin foil and place on the grill.

i hope to do one of the charters this year and get it from sea to plate the same day. we always go in september, and once in mid october and its always worked out well.

any advice you can give me on any charters you know of?
i am starting to look into it online now..


thanks for any info.

 

There's a charter boat at Carolina Beach called "Music Man". I was told that when the Yellowfin season is on, he is one of the ones that is good at putting you on the fish. My friend said he would also check with some of his tournament fishing buddies on other captains.

 

thanks jryager.

nice to get input here from someone i didnt expect it from. lots of good people on this page (even non truck related stuff)

appreciate the time you took.

thank you.

18 days and counting, cant wait.

 

Did go fishing last week out of North Carolina. Use Swag charters. Very nice boat, and very laid back captain. It was a good trip with my father. We only caught 2 fish, one yellowfin and one Dolphin. The yellowfin was 60 lbs though. Could not believe how hard it was to get it in the boat. Thanks, John, for the information. I will try next year in Jun with my brother and father.

 

I didnt realize so many of you come to the OBX if anyone needs any info on charters and different stuff of that sort shoot me an email. I am stationed out here and know quit a few of the local charters and fisherman.