Oak Island Inshore Fishing with Hounddog Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour inshore fishing trip around scenic Oak Island watersTarget Black Drum, Flounder, Redfish, and Spanish Mackerel speciesAll equipment, bait, tackle, and fishing license included
When you're looking for a solid day of inshore fishing along North Carolina's coast, Captain Artie and the crew at Hounddog Fishing Charters know exactly where to find the fish. Oak Island's protected waters offer some of the best inshore action on the Carolina coast, and this 4-hour charter puts you right in the middle of it all. You'll be targeting prime species like redfish, flounder, black drum, and spanish mackerel in waters that consistently produce. With everything included – your fishing license, bait, tackle, and ice – you can focus on what matters most: getting your line wet and bringing dinner home.
Your morning starts at the Oak Island marina where Captain Artie will get you set up with gear and walk through the game plan for the day. The boat's equipped with everything you need for a successful inshore trip, from light tackle rigs perfect for redfish to bottom rigs that'll put you on some keeper flounder. The waters around Oak Island are a mix of tidal creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats – each spot holding different species depending on the tide and time of year. You'll spend your 4 hours moving between productive areas, adjusting techniques based on what's biting. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might bring up a hard-fighting redfish while the next could be a doormat flounder. Captain Artie reads these waters like a book and knows when to make the moves that put fish in the cooler.
Inshore fishing around Oak Island is all about adapting to conditions and matching your approach to the target species. You'll be using light spinning tackle with live bait like shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows – the local favorites that consistently produce strikes. For redfish and black drum, expect to fish the oyster bars and creek mouths with bottom rigs, letting your bait sit in the strike zone where these fish cruise looking for an easy meal. When targeting flounder, you'll drift the channels and drop-offs, bouncing baits along the bottom where these ambush predators lay waiting. Spanish mackerel fishing means switching to lighter tackle and adding some flash – small spoons or jigs that mimic the baitfish these speedsters can't resist. Captain Artie provides all the gear and switches setups throughout the trip to maximize your chances on whatever species are most active that day.
Spanish mackerel are the speed demons of the inshore waters around Oak Island. These silver bullets typically run 1-3 pounds and hit baits with lightning-fast strikes that'll test your reflexes. Best fishing happens during the warmer months from late spring through early fall when they're chasing baitfish in the surf and around the jetties. What makes them so popular with anglers is their aggressive nature – when you find a school, you can often catch them one after another until your arms are tired. They're also excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Southern flounder are the prize catch for many Oak Island anglers, and for good reason. These flatfish can grow to impressive sizes, with keeper fish starting at 15 inches but the real trophies reaching 20+ inches and several pounds. They're masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush passing prey. Fall months typically produce the best flounder action as fish fatten up before their offshore migration. Landing a big flounder requires patience and the right technique – these fish are notorious for short strikes and last-second escapes at the boat.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore waters, known for their powerful runs and stubborn fighting style. Around Oak Island, you'll find them ranging from small "puppy drum" up to hefty 30+ pound adults that'll give your arms a serious workout. These fish love structure – oyster bars, bridge pilings, and creek mouths are prime spots. They feed primarily on crabs and shellfish, so fresh shrimp and crab baits are your best bet. Black drum fishing is productive year-round, but spring and fall typically offer the most consistent action.
Summer flounder, also known as fluke, are closely related to southern flounder but have their own distinct characteristics and seasonal patterns. These fish are excellent fighters and prized for their mild, white meat that makes for perfect fish dinners. They prefer deeper channels and structure edges where they can ambush prey. Summer months obviously provide the best action, though skilled captains like Artie know the spots that hold fish throughout the extended season.
Redfish are arguably the most sought-after inshore species around Oak Island, and it's easy to see why. These copper-colored fighters are known for their powerful runs and ability to strip drag from reels. Slot-sized redfish (18-27 inches) provide great sport and excellent eating, while the oversized "bull reds" are catch-and-release trophies that can exceed 40 inches and 30 pounds. They're found around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths throughout the year, though fall typically offers peak action as schools of fish move through the area.
Oak Island's inshore waters deliver consistent fishing action throughout the year, and Captain Artie's local knowledge puts you on fish when others are struggling. This 4-hour charter hits the sweet spot – long enough to cover multiple spots and techniques, but not so long that you're exhausted by day's end. With a maximum of 3 anglers, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of fishing time without feeling crowded. The fact that everything's included means you can book with confidence, knowing you're getting a complete fishing package. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or a family wanting to create lasting memories on the water, Hounddog Fishing Charters delivers the kind of authentic inshore fishing experience that keeps customers coming back season after season.
Get ready to fish the waters around Oak Island aboard this reliable 2018 Nauticstar bay boat! Captain Artie's 24-foot vessel packs a 150HP Yamaha outboard that'll cruise you to the best fishing spots at 25 knots. Perfect for inshore adventures, this boat handles up to 3 anglers comfortably while you target redfish, flounder, black drum, and Spanish mackerel in the coastal waters. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools while the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during your 4-hour fishing trip. With GPS navigation, you'll hit productive spots around Oak Island's marshes, creeks, and nearshore waters. All gear, bait, tackle, and fishing licenses are included, so just bring sunscreen and get ready to bend some rods!
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, with their powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. Most fish we catch run 5-15 pounds, but 30+ pounders show up regularly. Spring is peak season when they school up in shallow water for spawning - you can actually hear them "drumming" underwater. They're bottom feeders found around oyster beds, creek mouths, and shallow flats. What makes them fun is their bulldogging fight and the challenge of finding the schools. Fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a circle hook works best. The smaller ones make great table fare with white, flaky meat. Here's my local trick: look for nervous water or mud clouds on the flats - that's usually drum rooting around feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that cruise our shallow flats and marsh edges. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches and fight like freight trains, making long runs in skinny water. They're year-round residents but fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. Look for them in 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass beds, and creek mouths where they root for crabs and shrimp. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing reds in super shallow water - it's pure adrenaline. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. Live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat, but topwater plugs create explosive strikes. Local tip: watch for nervous baitfish or muddy water - that usually means feeding redfish are nearby.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flatfish that lie camouflaged on sandy and muddy bottoms, both eyes on their left side. Most run 15-18 inches around Oak Island, though we catch some pushing 5+ pounds. Fall is prime time when they're moving toward inlets to spawn. They're ambush predators that bury themselves and wait for prey to pass overhead. Guests love the challenge of finding them and the reward - they're some of the best eating fish we catch. Drift fishing with live mud minnows or finger mullet works best, but cut bait like squid strips produces too. The key is keeping your bait moving slowly along the bottom. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait around.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, silver-bodied fish with yellow spots that run in schools near the surface. Around Oak Island, they typically weigh 1-3 pounds and put up a quick, spirited fight that's perfect for kids and beginners. You'll find them from late spring through early fall when the water warms up, often around structure or baitfish schools. They love trolling spoons and small jigs, but live shrimp works great too. What makes them special is their excellent eating quality - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. My tip: when you hook into a school, work fast because they spook easily. Keep your boat moving and have multiple rigs ready since they often travel in large groups.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder, or "fluke," are the larger cousins of our Southern Flounder and real crowd pleasers. They average 15-20 inches but can reach 26 pounds, with the biggest being females. Fall months are best when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. These flatfish are active hunters that will chase down baitfish, making them more aggressive than other flounder species. They hang around structure, drop-offs, and current edges in 10-40 feet of water. Guests love their strong fight and excellent eating quality. Live finger mullet or sea robins work great, but bucktail jigs tipped with squid are deadly too. My go-to technique: bounce your bait just off the bottom while drifting - they like movement and will often hit on the drop.
Oak Island, NC