Oak Island Half Day PM Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon charter targeting flounder, redfish, and king mackerelInshore fishing adventure departing at 12PM from Oak IslandSmall group experience with maximum 2 guests per trip
Looking for some serious afternoon action on the water? Our Oak Island half day PM charter kicks off at noon and puts you right in the thick of some of Carolina's best inshore fishing. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and with just 2 anglers max, you're getting that personalized attention that makes all the difference between going home with stories and going home with dinner.
This isn't your typical crowded party boat situation. With only 2 spots available, you're looking at a custom fishing experience where the captain can actually focus on putting you on fish instead of managing a crowd. We launch right here from Oak Island and work the prime inshore structure where the big ones like to hang out. The afternoon bite can be absolutely lights-out, especially when the water temperature starts cooling down and baitfish start moving. You'll be working everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges, depending on what's biting and where the bait is stacked up. The beauty of a PM trip is that you're hitting that golden time when fish are actively feeding before the evening hours roll in.
We're talking serious inshore tactics here - live bait fishing with shrimp, finger mullet, and whatever's jumping in the bait wells that day. Captain will have you rigged up with everything from popping corks for the trout bite to bottom rigs for those chunky black drum. When the mackerel are running, we'll switch it up to light tackle trolling with spoons and small plugs. The boat's equipped with quality gear, but if you've got your own favorite rod setup, bring it along. We're fishing anywhere from 3 feet of water on the flats to 30 feet along the channel drops, so you'll see how versatile Oak Island's inshore scene really is. Circle hooks are the name of the game for most of our bottom fishing - they hook fish cleaner and make for better releases when you're dealing with shorts or out-of-season fish.
Spanish Mackerel are absolutely on fire around Oak Island, especially during the warmer months when they're thick along the beaches and around structure. These silver rockets will test your drag system and put up a fight that's way bigger than their 2-3 pound average weight suggests. They're suckers for small spoons and live shrimp, and when you find a school, you can usually count on steady action. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, and they're fantastic table fare if you bleed them out quick and keep them on ice.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore world, and Oak Island's got some legitimate giants cruising the oyster bars and channel edges. We're talking fish that can push 20-40 pounds and will absolutely school you if your drag isn't set right. They're structure-oriented fish that love feeding around pilings, jetties, and shell bottom. Blue crab and cut bait work magic, and these fish are available year-round with peak action in the cooler months. The fight is all about that steady, head-shaking pressure - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle.
Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish we target, but they're also some of the most rewarding. These convict-striped bait stealers hang tight to structure and have a bite so light you'll swear it's just the current. Fiddler crabs and barnacles make up their main diet, so we fish them with small hooks and light tackle around anything with hard bottom. Spring and fall are prime time, and a 3-4 pound sheepshead is both a trophy and some of the best eating you'll find in these waters.
King Mackerel are the speed demons that separate the rookie anglers from the experienced ones. When kings are in the area, usually during the warmer months, we'll work the nearshore waters with live bait and wire leaders. These fish can stretch 15-30 pounds and will make blistering runs that'll have your reel screaming. The key is letting them swallow the bait before setting the hook, and being ready for multiple runs. They're highly migratory, so timing and location are everything.
Redfish are hands-down the most popular inshore target, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the shallow flats and can be sight-fished when conditions are right. A slot-sized red between 18-27 inches is pure gold - they fight like fish twice their size and are phenomenal on the dinner table. They're year-round residents with peak action during the fall months when they school up in massive numbers. Cut bait, live shrimp, and artificial lures all produce, but the real magic happens when you can see them tailing in skinny water.
This Oak Island PM charter fills up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is hot and the weather's cooperating. With only 2 spots available, you're getting that boutique fishing experience that the big operations just can't match. The afternoon bite has been consistently strong, and our captains have been putting clients on quality fish trip after trip. Whether you're looking to put meat in the cooler or just want to feel that rod bend with some serious inshore action, this half-day trip delivers the goods without eating up your entire day. Book now and get ready to see why Oak Island's inshore fishing scene has such a solid reputation among serious anglers.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of the drum family, typically running 5-15 pounds but capable of hitting 50+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love shallow oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season from March through May offers the best fishing when they school up in huge numbers. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make - you can actually hear schools underwater. They're notorious for their bulldogging fights, staying deep and using that broad body against you. Smaller fish under 15 pounds eat great, but the big ones get tough. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a fish finder rig and keep your bait tight to the bottom - they won't come up for it.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are the apex predators we target offshore, averaging 15-30 pounds but capable of smoking 60+ pound fish. These silver torpedoes patrol blue water from 40-150 feet deep, following temperature breaks and baitfish schools. Late spring through early fall brings the best fishing when water temps hit the upper 70s. Kings are pure adrenaline - they hit like freight trains and make blistering runs that can spool you if you're not ready. The fight is what hooks people, but the meat's excellent too if you bleed them immediately. Here's what works: troll live menhaden or blue runners on wire leaders with dual hook rigs. Kings love to hit baits from behind, so that trailing hook is crucial. Watch for diving birds and temperature changes - that's where you'll find them.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the copper-colored fighters that define shallow water fishing around Oak Island. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, though bull reds over 40 inches prowl deeper waters. Look for them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Fall brings peak action when they school up for their spawning runs. Those distinctive black spots near the tail make them unmistakable. What guests love is the visual fishing - you can often see them cruising the flats - and that initial run when hooked is pure power. They eat well in the slot size range. Local secret: work the falling tide around oyster points with live shrimp under a popping cork. The sound draws them in from surprising distances.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of the reef with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 2-6 pounds, though 10-pounders show up around deeper structures. You'll find them glued to dock pilings, bridge supports, and oyster beds where they pick barnacles and crabs with surgical precision. Winter through early spring brings peak action when they spawn around structures. They're famous for being bait thieves - those teeth can strip a hook clean without you feeling it. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in these waters - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. My go-to trick: use fiddler crabs on a light wire hook, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle tick, set the hook hard. They've got concrete-hard mouths.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are silver speedsters that usually run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class. You'll spot them by their bright yellow spots scattered along their sides. These fish love to school up near the surface around structures, jetties, and drop-offs in 20-60 feet of water. Spring through fall brings the best action when water temps climb above 70 degrees. They hit fast and make screaming runs that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent - mild, flaky, and perfect on the grill. Here's a local trick: when you see diving birds, get there quick. Spanish Mackerel push baitfish to the surface, creating feeding frenzies. Use small silver spoons or live shrimp and be ready for that lightning-fast strike.
Wilmington