Oak Island Inshore Fishing with Captain Artie
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6-hour inshore fishing adventure with Captain Artie at Oak IslandTarget Black Drum, Flounder, Redfish, and Spanish Mackerel speciesAll equipment, bait, tackle, and fishing license provided onboard
When you're looking for some serious inshore action along North Carolina's coast, Oak Island delivers the goods. Captain Artie runs a tight ship with Hounddog Fishing Charters, and his 6-hour trips are perfect for anglers who want to get after it without breaking the bank. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing adventure or you're a seasoned angler looking to add some Oak Island species to your list, this trip has you covered. We're talking about prime inshore waters where the fishing stays consistent year-round, and Captain Artie knows every productive spot from the marshes to the nearshore structure.
Your day starts early with Captain Artie, who's been working these waters for years and knows exactly where the fish are holding. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter operation – you're getting personalized attention with just three anglers max, so there's plenty of room to cast and no fighting over the best spots on the boat. The beauty of Oak Island's inshore fishing is the variety. One minute you're working the grass flats for redfish, the next you're bouncing bottom rigs near structure for black drum. Captain Artie provides all your tackle, fresh bait, and even handles your fishing license, so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the box. The ice is included too, which means your catch stays fresh for the dinner table. Six hours gives you real time to work different areas and techniques, not just a quick tour around the harbor.
Inshore fishing around Oak Island means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Captain Artie runs medium-heavy spinning setups that can handle everything from finicky flounder to hard-fighting drum. You'll be using live bait most of the time – finger mullet, mud minnows, and shrimp are the go-to options here. For redfish, expect to work the shallow grass beds with popping corks or free-lined baits. Black drum fishing means bottom rigs with circle hooks and enough weight to hold in the current. When the Spanish mackerel are running, you might switch to lighter tackle and work small spoons or gotcha plugs around bait schools. The boat is rigged with quality Penn and Shimano gear, and Captain Artie keeps multiple rods ready so you can switch techniques quickly when the bite changes. The key to success here is reading the water – watching for bait, birds, and structure that holds fish.
Spanish mackerel are the speed demons of the inshore scene around Oak Island. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and hit lures with serious attitude. Best fishing happens spring through fall when they're chasing glass minnows and other small baitfish. What makes them so fun is the aggressive strike – they'll absolutely crush a small spoon or jig, and once hooked, they make multiple runs that'll test your drag. Kids especially love catching Spanish mackerel because the action stays fast when they're biting.
Southern flounder and summer flounder are the table fare champions of this trip. These flatfish can range from keeper-size at 15 inches up to doormat-sized fish pushing 5-6 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand near structure, channel edges, and grass lines. Fall fishing is prime time for big flounder as they stage for their offshore spawn. The fight might not be spectacular, but landing a quality flounder takes skill – they have soft mouths and love to shake their heads near the boat. Captain Artie knows the productive flounder holes and how to present baits to trigger strikes from these bottom-huggers.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore game here. Oak Island's nearshore structure and oyster bars hold some serious drum, with fish commonly running 5-15 pounds and occasional bulls pushing 30-40 pounds. These fish are pure muscle and will test your tackle with long, steady runs. They feed primarily on crabs and shellfish, so fresh shrimp and crab baits work best. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring, and the bigger fish often show up around the full and new moon phases when tides are strongest.
Redfish round out the slam opportunities around Oak Island's inshore waters. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in the slot, though you might encounter some oversized bulls in deeper water. Redfish are structure-oriented and love oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. They're sight-fishing targets in shallow water, and watching a red crush your bait in two feet of water never gets old. The fight is what sets them apart – multiple runs, head shaking, and a tendency to use the current to their advantage. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but these fish bite year-round when you find them.
Oak Island's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and Captain Artie's operation gives you the best shot at a productive day on the water. With only three anglers per trip, you're getting personalized instruction and plenty of fishing time without the crowds. The 6-hour format lets you really work the water and try different techniques until you find what's working. All your gear, bait, and licensing is handled, so you can focus on fishing instead of logistics. Whether you're targeting a specific species or just want to see what's biting, this trip delivers consistent action in some of North Carolina's most productive inshore waters. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is hot.
You'll be fishing aboard our 2018 Nauticstar bay boat, perfectly rigged for Oak Island's inshore waters. This reliable 25-knot cruiser runs on a smooth 150HP Yamaha engine, getting you to the best fishing spots quickly and quietly. The boat's wireless trolling motor lets Captain Artie position you precisely over structure where redfish and flounder love to hide, without spooking the fish. Our GPS and fish finder combo takes the guesswork out of locating schools of Spanish mackerel and black drum. The onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and your catch fresh throughout the 6-hour trip. With comfortable seating for up to 3 anglers, this bay boat handles Oak Island's shallow waters and channels with ease, giving you access to prime fishing grounds that bigger boats can't reach. Whether you're targeting drum in the creeks or mackerel near the jetties, this setup gets the job done.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These bottom-feeders have crushing jaws perfect for shellfish and make distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear underwater. Find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and pier pilings in shallow brackish water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we target the big ones. What guests love is the serious fight these fish put up, plus smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, mild meat. They're smart fish that require patience. My best local tip: use fresh blue crab for bait and keep it right on the bottom. When you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let that big fish tire itself out or it'll snap your line.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the ultimate inshore game fish, averaging 20-30 inches with that distinctive copper color and black eyespot near the tail. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. We target them around oyster reefs, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but they bite year-round here. What makes them special is their powerful fight in shallow water plus they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. They'll hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. The eyespot tricks predators into attacking the wrong end so they can escape. Local secret: look for "tailing" redfish feeding head-down in the shallows on low tide. Approach quietly and cast past them, then work your bait back slowly through their feeding zone.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - flat, oval fish that lie buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some pushing 5+ pounds around here. Look for them on sandy bottoms, around oyster bars, creek mouths, and shallow flats in 2-15 feet of water. Fall is our best season when they're moving toward inlets to spawn. What makes them special is their unique flat body design - both eyes on one side - and they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. The key is slow presentation with live mud minnows or finger mullet on the bottom. Here's my local trick: when drifting the flats, watch your rod tip for that subtle tap-tap-tap. Don't set the hook right away - let them turn it and swim off first, then reel down tight.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average 1-2 feet and weigh around 8-11 pounds. You'll spot their silvery bodies with yellow spots as they cruise near the surface in schools. They love structure and bait pods, so we target them around jetties, piers, and offshore around wrecks. Spring through fall is prime time here at Oak Island, especially when the water warms up. These fish are pure speed - they'll scream line off your reel and make multiple runs. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling or smoking. My go-to tip: when you see diving birds, get there fast. Cast shiny spoons or live bait like sardines right into the action. Keep your drag loose because their first run is lightning quick.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or "fluke," are aggressive flatfish that can reach 20+ inches and several pounds. Unlike their southern cousins, these fish are active hunters that will chase down baitfish using excellent swimming ability. We find them on sandy bottoms near structure, drop-offs, and around inlet mouths in 10-40 feet of water. Fall fishing from September through November is peak season when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. Guests love them because they fight hard for a flatfish and are considered some of the best eating fish in our waters - sweet, white, flaky meat that's perfect for any cooking method. They're called "chameleons of the sea" because they change color to match the bottom. Pro tip: use live finger mullet or sea bass on a hi-lo rig, and always fish the tide changes around structure where baitfish get swept along.
Oak Island, NC