Wrightsville Beach Fishing “Ocean Stinger” is one of the finest family-run North Carolina fishing charters on the East Coast, distinguished by more than a decade of solid reputation and a husband-and-wife team, Captain Jesse Gawlik and Natasha, who professionally tournament fish together. Captain Jesse holds an OUPV U.S. Coast Guard license, more than 16 years of experience in charter and commercial fishing, and writes weekly fishing reports for Fisherman’s Post Magazine, widely regarded as the best fishing magazine in the Carolinas.
Trips run aboard Ocean Stinger, a 40-foot Luhrs SX tournament vessel repowered in 2018 with twin Caterpillar C7.1 engines for fast trips to the Gulf Stream, outfitted with 2022 Simrad electronics (chart plotter, radar, color sounder, 4G radar, VHF, GPS) plus Shimano and Penn International rods and reels. The OUPV license allows up to 6 paying customers per trip.
Nearshore trips head up to 20 miles offshore for Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Bluefish, and False Albacore, with a shot at Mahi or Sailfish in season. Full-day offshore trips push 30 miles out for King Mackerel, False Albacore, and Barracuda, again with seasonal Mahi and Sailfish chances. Deep-sea Gulf Stream trips run up to 60 miles offshore targeting Mahi, Wahoo, Sailfish, Blackfin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, and Skipjack Tuna. Guests bring their own coolers for food and drinks (alcohol permitted with responsible consumption).
Every June, Captain Jesse makes the annual trip up the coast to Morehead City to compete in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament and Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament, joining thousands of anglers and captains for one of the most prestigious fishing tournaments on the East Coast. Beyond fishing, Ocean Stinger also offers scuba diving excursions out of Wrightsville Beach.
For anglers of any experience level near Wrightsville Beach looking for a genuinely reputable, husband-and-wife-run offshore or nearshore fishing charter, Wrightsville Beach Fishing “Ocean Stinger” offers a well-established operation with Captain Jesse and Natasha.
