Oak Island Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour inshore fishing trip with Captain Artie near Oak IslandTarget Black Drum, Flounder, Redfish, and Spanish Mackerel speciesAll equipment, bait, tackle, and fishing license provided onboard
You're looking at one of the best fishing setups on the North Carolina coast. Captain Artie runs a tight ship with Hounddog Fishing Charters, and he knows these Oak Island waters like the back of his hand. This isn't some cookie-cutter tourist trip – it's a genuine 6-hour fishing experience where you'll actually catch fish. We're talking about productive inshore waters that hold serious numbers of redfish, flounder, black drum, and spanish mackerel. The boat takes up to 3 anglers, so you get personalized attention instead of being crammed in with a crowd. Everything's included – your fishing license, fresh bait, quality tackle, and ice to keep your catch fresh. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing trip or you're a seasoned angler looking to put some meat in the cooler, this is your ticket to some of the most consistent fishing on the Crystal Coast.
Captain Artie picks you up bright and early, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active. Oak Island's inshore waters offer incredible diversity – you'll fish everything from shallow grass flats to deeper creek mouths and oyster bars. The beauty of this area is that you're always within sight of land, so it's perfect for families or anyone who gets queasy in rough water. You'll spend your day working different spots based on the tides and what's biting. Some days we'll anchor up on structure for black drum, other days we're drifting the flats for redfish and flounder. Captain Artie reads the water and adjusts the game plan accordingly. The boat's equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so he can put you on productive water fast. You're not just casting blind and hoping – this is strategic fishing where every move has a purpose. The 6-hour timeframe gives you enough time to really dial in the bite and work multiple spots without feeling rushed.
We're talking about classic inshore fishing techniques that actually work. Most of the time, you'll be using medium-action spinning rods with 15-20 pound test line – perfect for the variety of species we target. For flounder, we'll drift live finger mullet or mud minnows along the bottom structure. When we're after redfish, expect to throw cut bait around oyster bars and grass edges where they feed. Spanish mackerel respond well to fast-moving spoons and small jigs, especially when they're schooled up chasing baitfish. Black drum fishing is all about patience – we'll anchor up with fresh shrimp or crab and wait for these bruisers to find our spread. Captain Artie provides all the tackle, but he's cool with you bringing your own gear if you have favorites. The key here is using the right presentation for each species. We're not just throwing the same rig all day – we match the technique to what we're targeting and where we're fishing. Circle hooks are the standard for most applications, helping with fish survival and making it easier for novice anglers to hook up solid.
Spanish Mackerel are the speed demons of the inshore waters around Oak Island. These fish typically run 1-3 pounds and they hit like freight trains. Best time to target them is late spring through early fall when water temperatures climb above 70 degrees. They school up around baitfish, so when you find one, you'll usually find a bunch. What makes them exciting is the sheer aggression – they'll absolutely destroy a small spoon or jig, and they fight way above their weight class. Plus, they're fantastic eating when you bleed them out properly and get them on ice quick.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage and one of the most sought-after inshore species. These flatfish can range from keeper-sized 15-inchers up to impressive 5-pound "doormat" flounder. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand and mud, waiting to strike passing baitfish. Fall months are absolutely prime time as they fatten up before their offshore spawning migration. What anglers love about flounder is the challenge – you need to feel that subtle tap and set the hook at just the right moment. They're also top-tier table fare, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling or frying.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the inshore world. Around Oak Island, you'll encounter fish ranging from 2-pound "puppy drum" all the way up to massive 40+ pound giants. They're bottom feeders with incredible pulling power, making even smaller ones feel like you've hooked a truck tire. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they move into the creeks and sounds. What makes black drum special is their fighting ability – they use their broad sides to leverage against the current, testing your drag and your patience. The smaller ones are excellent eating, while the big breeders provide photo opportunities before release.
Summer Flounder, also called fluke, are the larger cousins of southern flounder and provide some of the most exciting inshore action. These fish can grow substantially larger, with specimens over 8 pounds not uncommon in Oak Island waters. They're more aggressive feeders than their southern counterparts, often chasing down live bait in the water column rather than just lying in ambush. Summer months are peak time, especially around structure and drop-offs where they corner baitfish. Anglers prize them for both the fight and the meat – there's nothing quite like a big summer flounder making drag-screaming runs in shallow water.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing along the North Carolina coast. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-30 inches around Oak Island, with their distinctive black spot making them unmistakable. They're year-round residents, but fall fishing is legendary when they school up in massive numbers. What makes redfish special is their versatility – they'll eat cut bait, live bait, and artificial lures with equal enthusiasm
Step aboard our reliable 2018 Nauticstar bay boat, perfectly rigged for chasing redfish and flounder through Oak Island's productive inshore waters. This fishing machine runs on a smooth 150HP Yamaha that'll get us to the hot spots at 25 knots, whether we're heading to the jetties or working the back creeks. The wireless trolling motor keeps us whisper-quiet when stalking spooky drum in shallow water, while the fish finder helps locate those structure-holding Spanish mackerel. Everything stays fresh in the onboard icebox, and GPS navigation ensures we never miss our favorite fishing holes. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without tangling up. This bay boat handles Oak Island's varied conditions beautifully, from open water runs to skinny water fishing where the big reds like to feed.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of our inshore waters, and they'll test your tackle when you hook into a big one. Most fish run 10-20 pounds, but we regularly see 30-40 pounders that can peel drag like nobody's business. They love hanging around oyster beds, bridge pilings, and shallow muddy flats where they crunch crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring during spawn is prime time when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. Guests enjoy the strong, steady fights and the challenge of landing these brutes on medium tackle. Smaller ones eat great, but release the big breeders. Fresh blue crab is hands-down the best bait, and here's the trick: use just enough weight to hold bottom because these fish are spooky in shallow water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, known for their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most fish we catch run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, perfect for slot limits and great eating. They love super shallow water - sometimes so thin their backs show - around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Year-round fishing is good, but fall and spring offer the hottest action when they school up. Guests get hooked on their powerful runs and the visual excitement of sight fishing in clear, shallow water. They're also excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. The key is staying quiet and making long casts since they're easily spooked in skinny water. My favorite setup is a gold spoon or topwater plug early morning when they're actively feeding on the surface.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise on our local flats and creek mouths. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and weigh 2-5 pounds, with both eyes on their left side so they can lay buried in sand or mud. You'll find them in shallow bays, around oyster bars, and near creek openings where they ambush prey. Fall and winter are prime time when they move toward inlets to spawn. Kids love watching these "pancake fish" change colors to match the bottom, and they make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. They don't fight hard but require patience since they often mouth the bait before committing. My go-to trick is using a knocker rig with live mud minnows - let it sit still on bottom and give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, silver streaks that show up in schools during warmer months around Oak Island. These 1-2 foot fish typically weigh 2-4 pounds and are some of the speediest swimmers you'll encounter. They cruise near the surface around jetties, piers, and open water structures, making them perfect targets for both trolling and casting. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps climb. Guests love their aggressive strikes and the way they burn line on light tackle. The meat is excellent - mild, flaky, and great on the grill. Here's a local tip: when you spot diving birds, motor over fast but cut the engine early and drift into casting range. The noise will spook the whole school if you get too close with the motor running.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke," are some of the best eating fish we target around Oak Island. These flatfish average 15-20 inches but can reach 5+ pounds, with both eyes migrated to the left side of their flat bodies. They're ambush predators that bury in sandy bottoms near structure, inlets, and drop-offs in 15-40 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is peak season, especially when baitfish are thick. Guests appreciate their solid fights and the fact that they're chameleons of the sea, changing colors to match the bottom. The white, flaky meat is restaurant-quality. Unlike their southern cousins, these fish are more aggressive and will chase bait. My secret is using a bucktail jig tipped with squid or live killifish, bouncing it just off bottom with a slow retrieve to mimic injured baitfish.
Oak Island, NC