Oak Island Inshore Fishing with Hounddog Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4-hour inshore fishing adventure with Captain Artie around Oak IslandAll equipment, license, bait, and tackle included for up to 3 guestsTarget Black Drum, Flounder, Redfish, and Spanish Mackerel species
Looking for some solid inshore action off the North Carolina coast? Captain Artie and the crew at Hounddog Fishing Charters have been putting anglers on fish around Oak Island for years, and they know exactly where the bite is happening. This isn't some cookie-cutter charter operation – these guys live and breathe these waters, and it shows in the results they deliver. Whether you're a seasoned angler or bringing the kids for their first real fishing trip, you're going to walk away with stories worth telling and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fillets.
Your 4-hour adventure starts early when you meet Captain Artie at the dock. He's already got everything dialed in – your fishing license is covered, tackle box is stocked with the right baits for the day's conditions, and there's plenty of ice to keep your catch fresh. The boat maxes out at three anglers, which means you're not fighting for rail space or waiting around for your turn to fish. This setup keeps things relaxed and gives everyone plenty of room to work. Captain Artie reads the water like a book, adjusting tactics based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling him. Some days you'll be working the grass flats for redfish, other times you're bouncing bottom rigs near structure for black drum. The beauty of inshore fishing around Oak Island is the variety – you never know what's going to grab your bait next.
The inshore waters around Oak Island offer diverse fishing opportunities, and Captain Artie tailors each trip based on seasonal patterns and current conditions. During slack tide, you might find yourself working live shrimp under popping corks around dock pilings and oyster bars where redfish like to ambush prey. When the tide starts moving, it's time to switch gears – maybe dropping cut bait on bottom rigs near channel edges where black drum cruise looking for an easy meal. The grass flats come alive during moving water, and that's prime time for working soft plastics or live finger mullet for flounder. Spanish mackerel fishing is a whole different game – you'll be casting spoons or small jigs around bait schools, and when you find them, the action can be fast and furious. Captain Artie keeps multiple rod setups ready so you can adapt quickly when conditions change or when you mark fish on different parts of the water column.
Spanish Mackerel show up in good numbers during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall. These silver rockets are absolute blast on light tackle – they hit hard, make screaming runs, and fight way above their weight class. Most of the mackerel you'll catch run between 1-3 pounds, but don't let their size fool you. They're aggressive feeders that school up around bait, and when you find them, you can often catch several before they move on. What makes Spanish mackerel so popular with families is their willingness to bite – kids love the fast action, and they make excellent table fare when prepared fresh.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate inshore challenge, and Oak Island's grass flats and channel edges hold some quality fish. These ambush predators lay buried in sand or mud, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim within striking distance. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique – you're working baits slow along the bottom, feeling for that distinctive tap-tap-tap bite. Summer flounder join the party during warmer months, and both species can reach impressive sizes in these waters. A keeper flounder makes for some of the finest eating you'll find, with white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The thrill comes from never knowing when you're going to hook into a real doormat – those fish that make your drag sing and get your heart pumping.
Black Drum are the workhorses of the inshore scene around Oak Island. These copper-colored fighters love structure – bridge pilings, oyster beds, and channel drop-offs where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Black drum fishing is all about patience and heavy tackle. These fish can reach substantial sizes, with some tipping the scales at 20-30 pounds or more. They're notorious for their bulldogging fights – no fancy jumps or long runs, just raw power that tests your tackle and your arms. Fresh cut bait or live crabs work best, and you'll feel that distinctive thump-thump bite when a big drum picks up your offering. The smaller ones make great eating, while the big breeders get released to keep the population strong.
Redfish are probably the most sought-after species in these waters, and for good reason. These bronze beauties patrol the grass flats, oyster bars, and shallow creek mouths looking for shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Reds are known for their powerful runs and stubborn fights – they'll use every trick in the book to wrap your line around structure or bury their heads in the grass. The slot-sized fish typically run 18-27 inches and make outstanding table fare. Sight fishing for redfish in shallow water is about as exciting as inshore fishing gets – watching a red crush a topwater plug in two feet of clear water will get your adrenaline pumping every time. They're also one of the more consistent species around Oak Island, with good populations year-round.
Captain Artie and Hounddog Fishing Charters have built their reputation on putting customers on fish and making sure everyone has a great time on the water. The 4-hour trip length hits that sweet spot – long enough to try different techniques and locations, but not so long that the kids get restless or novice anglers get worn out. With all your gear, bait, and licensing taken care of, all you need to bring is sunscreen, snacks, and drinks for the trip. The small group size means person
Ready to hit the waters around Oak Island? Captain Artie's 2018 Nauticstar bay boat is your ticket to some serious inshore fishing action. This sleek 25-knot cruiser runs on a reliable 150HP Yamaha and comes loaded with everything you need to find and catch fish. The onboard fish finder will help locate those hiding spots where Black Drum, Flounder, and Redfish like to hang out, while the GPS keeps you on course to the hottest fishing grounds. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up quietly on your targets without spooking them. Keep your catch fresh in the built-in icebox along with cold drinks for the crew. Perfect for small groups of up to 3 anglers who want a more intimate fishing experience. Whether you're after Spanish Mackerel or hoping to land that trophy Redfish, this well-equipped bay boat handles Oak Island's inshore waters like a dream and gets you to the fish fast.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of our inshore waters—powerful, stubborn fighters that'll test your tackle. These chunky, dark-sided fish typically run 5-30 pounds around Oak Island, with bigger ones possible. They love shallow oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with sweet, firm meat. Here's the deal: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom, and when you get a bite, don't horse them—let that fish tire itself out first or you'll pull the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our shallow water fishing around Oak Island. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-35 inches inshore. They love super shallow water—sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall provides consistent action, but they bite year-round here. Their powerful runs and bulldogging fights make them a blast on light tackle, plus smaller ones are excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. Local secret: sight-cast gold spoons to tailing fish in skinny water for heart-stopping strikes.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy and muddy bottoms. These flatfish average 15-18 inches but can surprise you with doormat-sized specimens over 20 inches. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they change colors to match the bottom perfectly. Best fishing happens spring through fall in shallow bays, around oyster bars, and near creek mouths. They ambush prey from below, so patience pays off. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find. My trick: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are fast, aggressive fighters that run in schools near the surface around Oak Island. These silvery speedsters with yellowish spots typically run 1-2 feet long and 8-11 pounds, but their blazing runs will test your drag. Spring through fall, look for them around structures, jetties, and nearshore waters. They love trolling spoons and live bait like sardines or shrimp. The meat is excellent—mild flavor that grills beautifully or works great for fish tacos. Pro tip: when you hook into a school, keep your bait in the water because where there's one, there's usually dozens more ready to bite.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder, or fluke, are some of the most challenging flatfish you'll target around Oak Island. These "left-handed" bottom dwellers typically measure 15-20 inches, with females growing larger than males. They're ambush predators that lie camouflaged on sandy bottoms near structure, inlets, and drop-offs. Fall months from September through November offer the best action as they feed heavily before moving offshore. Their aggressive strikes and strong runs make them fun fighters, plus the white, flaky meat is top-shelf eating. Key tip: use a slow lift-and-drop retrieve with bucktails tipped with squid strips or live killifish—they like movement but won't chase fast-moving baits.
Oak Island, NC