Carly A Sportfishing is the comfortable, conventional pick among the Outer Banks offshore boats, a big 57 foot air conditioned sportfisher out of Pirate’s Cove with a captain of more than 20 years and a deep, steady review record. Run by Captain Jonathan Weiss, the Carly A does one thing and does it well: a full day in the Gulf Stream for tuna, mahi, and billfish on a roomy boat with tournament grade tackle. It costs toward the top of the field, and the menu is essentially that single trip, but for a small group that wants room and a proven captain, it is a sound booking.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 7.9 Carly A is a strong choice and fifth in the port, the steady, comfortable middle of the field. It does not lead on any one factor, but it has no real weakness either: a big air conditioned boat, an experienced local captain, a consistent booking record, and a clear posted price. The two honest limits are that it runs essentially one trip, the full day offshore, so there is no nearshore or half day option, and the $2,800 starting price sits toward the top of the port’s full day rates. For the same money, Country Girl takes a larger group, and Hatteras Blue runs a similar full day for less out of Hatteras. For the best reviewed Manteo boat, see Speechless. Compare the field on the Outer Banks ranking.
The boat
The Carly A is a 57 foot Johnson Boatworks sportfisher, a quality Carolina build, with an air conditioned cabin, a head, and the room that comes with a boat that size. It is one of the larger and more comfortable hulls in the ranked field, which matters on a long Gulf Stream day and a bumpy ride home. The boat is rigged with fish finding electronics and tournament grade tackle. It runs as a private charter for a small group, so the cockpit is not crowded on a trolling day. The build year is not posted, which is a small gap for a buyer comparing hull ages across the port.
The fishing and what you target
This is a Gulf Stream trolling boat. The full day runs offshore from Oregon Inlet for yellowfin and bigeye tuna, mahi mahi, and wahoo, with blue and white marlin and sailfish in the summer spread, released under the boat’s federal HMS permit. Yellowfin fish best in the cooler months, mahi peak from late spring into summer, and the billfish run through the warm season. The boat will reach the winter bluefin grounds as well when they are in. Tuna and billfish rules come from NOAA Fisheries, which sets the bluefin retention and the billfish minimum sizes, so check the current numbers before a targeted trip.
Trips and prices
Carly A posts a full day offshore Gulf Stream trip starting at $2,800 for the boat, up to 6 anglers, on an air conditioned hull with tournament grade tackle, bait, and the North Carolina fishing license included. That is a fair number for a boat this size, but it is toward the top of the port’s full day prices, and it buys essentially the one trip, with no nearshore or half day menu. Fish cleaning and the mate gratuity are extra. Our cost guide shows how a full day offshore compares across ports, and the private versus head boat guide weighs the format.
The crew
Captain Jonathan Weiss has more than 20 years fishing the Outer Banks, and the boat carries a deep, consistent record across the booking platform and social reviews, with the recurring notes you want: a professional captain, a well kept boat, and crew that keep anglers on fish. It is a quieter, steadier review trail than the single highest rated boats in the port, without the standout superlatives but also without a recurring complaint. For a reader weighing comfort and a proven hand over the flashiest record, that consistency is the draw.
Booking and what to know
Book through the operator’s site or by phone, ahead for summer weekends. The full day offshore is an early start and a long day, so arrive 30 to 45 minutes before departure to load and check in at Pirate’s Cove. Bring food, drinks, sunscreen, and a cooler for your catch; the tackle, bait, and license are covered, and cleaning is handled at the marina for a fee.
How we scored it
Carly A earns its 7.9 as the comfortable, consistent middle of the field: a big air conditioned boat, a 20 year captain, and a steady record, held back by a single trip menu and a price toward the top of the port. No factor stands out and none falls down. See how we scored this boat and the Outer Banks ranking for the field.