Family-Friendly Oak Island Inshore Fishing Trip

Published Date: July 22, 2025
Fishing

Oak Island, NC
$350 - $800 price range

Summary

This 4-hour family fishing trip on Oak Island is perfect for introducing kids and adults to inshore angling. Setting off at 11 AM, you'll have a relaxed start and plenty of time on the water. We'll be targeting species like flounder, redfish, and speckled trout in the local waters. The trip is designed for families of up to 6 people, and we provide all the gear you'll need. Our guides are great with beginners and younger anglers, offering patient instruction and encouragement. It's a laid-back outing that focuses on hands-on fun and creating shared memories. You'll learn about the local ecosystem, fishing techniques, and have a chance to reel in some great catches. The trip runs seasonally on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Just remember, deposits are non-refundable. Come join us for a day of fishing, learning, and family bonding on the beautiful waters of Oak Island.

Family-Friendly Oak Island Inshore Fishing Trip

Rods, Reels, and Smiles

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Loaded with flounder!

Speckled catch!

Stacked flounder!

Oak Island Family Fishing: 4-Hour Inshore Adventure

Ready for some quality family time on the water? This 4-hour inshore fishing trip out of Oak Island is perfect for introducing kids and adults to the joys of coastal angling. With a laid-back 11 AM start, you'll have plenty of time to grab breakfast before heading out to chase some of North Carolina's most popular inshore species. Whether you're looking to bend a rod on some feisty redfish or hoping to land dinner in the form of a tasty flounder, this trip offers something for everyone in your crew.

Trip Overview

Flatfish Charters has put together a top-notch family fishing experience that's all about fun, learning, and making memories. You'll be fishing the rich inshore waters around Oak Island, known for their abundance of gamefish and stunning coastal scenery. This trip is ideal for families with kids, first-timers, or anyone looking for a relaxed day on the water. Your experienced guide will tailor the experience to your group's skill level, making sure everyone from grandpa to the little ones has a blast. With all gear provided and a focus on hands-on instruction, you'll be reeling in fish in no time.

What to Expect on the Water

Once you hop aboard one of Flatfish Charters' well-equipped boats, you'll head out to some of Oak Island's prime fishing spots. Your captain might have you drifting live bait along grass lines for redfish, or maybe you'll be tossing soft plastics near oyster beds for speckled trout. The beauty of inshore fishing is its versatility – there's always a technique that works for anglers of all ages. You might be using light tackle to finesse flounder from sandy bottoms or working topwater lures for explosive strikes from hungry reds. Throughout the trip, your guide will be right there offering tips, helping with tangles, and making sure everyone's having a good time.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Spotted Weakfish (Speckled Trout): These beautiful, speckled fish are a favorite among local anglers. Known for their delicate flesh and sporty fight, speckled trout can be found year-round in Oak Island's waters. They love to hang around structure and grass beds, often hitting lures with a satisfying "thump." Fall is prime time for bigger specks, but you can catch them throughout the warmer months.

Black Drum: Often overlooked by visiting anglers, black drum are like the bulldogs of inshore waters. These bottom-feeders put up a stubborn fight and can grow to impressive sizes. Kids love catching them because they're not too finicky and give a good pull. Look for black drum around pilings, bridges, and oyster beds. They're most active in spring and fall but can be caught year-round.

Summer Flounder (Fluke): Flatfish are the namesake of this charter company for good reason – they're abundant and delicious! Summer flounder, also known as fluke, are masters of camouflage and love to ambush their prey from sandy or muddy bottoms. Catching these guys is all about feeling the subtle "thump" when they take the bait. They're most active in the warmer months and make for excellent eating if you decide to keep a few for dinner.

King Mackerel: While not typically an inshore species, you might get lucky and hook into a "kingfish" if you're fishing near inlets or in slightly deeper water. These speedsters are known for blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. Catching a king is always exciting, especially for kids who might not be used to such powerful fish. They're most common in the summer months when water temperatures rise.

Redfish (Red Drum): The rock stars of inshore fishing, redfish are prized for their hard-fighting nature and beautiful bronze coloration. You might find smaller "puppy drum" in shallow creeks or encounter larger bulls cruising the flats. Sight-fishing for tailing reds is a heart-pounding experience that even seasoned anglers get excited about. Fall is prime time for big reds, but you can catch them year-round in Oak Island's waters.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Oak Island's inshore waters offer a perfect mix of accessibility and productivity. You don't have to run far to find fish, which means more time with lines in the water. The variety of species keeps things interesting – one minute you might be battling a hard-pulling red, the next you could be finessing a trout from under a dock. Flatfish Charters has dialed in the local bite, so you're in good hands whether you're a seasoned angler or it's your first time holding a rod. The relaxed pace of this 4-hour trip is perfect for families, allowing time for instruction, photos, and plenty of fish-catching action without overwhelming younger anglers.

Top Catches This Season

While every day on the water is different, Oak Island's inshore waters have been particularly hot lately. Anglers have been reporting solid catches of slot-sized redfish, with some bigger bulls mixed in near the inlets. The speckled trout bite has been consistent, especially on topwater lures early in the morning. Flounder fishing has picked up as water temperatures rise, with some nice doormats being pulled from deeper holes and channel edges. Black drum have been a reliable target around structure, providing steady action for anglers of all skill levels.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're looking for a family-friendly fishing adventure that combines fun, education, and the chance to reel in some awesome inshore species, this Oak Island trip with Flatfish Charters is hard to beat. With a convenient mid-morning start, all gear provided, and expert guidance tailored to your group's experience level, it's the perfect way to introduce kids to the joys of fishing or just enjoy a relaxed day on the water. Remember, these trips are offered seasonally on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, so be sure to check availability and book your spot soon. Whether you're aiming to catch dinner, snap some great family photos, or just create lasting memories, this 4-hour inshore trip has you covered. Don't let another season slip by without experiencing the best of Oak Island's inshore fishing – book your adventure today!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black drum are like the bulldogs of inshore fishing - stocky and strong. Adults typically run 5-30 pounds but can top 90. You'll find them in brackish waters around oyster beds, mudflats, and creek mouths. Spring is prime time as they school up to spawn. Black drum put up a stubborn fight, using those powerful jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great eating with a sweet, firm meat. To land one, use fresh crab or shrimp on a circle hook. Fish it right on the bottom and be patient - black drum like to take their time inspecting bait. Here's a tip: If you feel a gentle "tap-tap" it's probably a drum mouthing the bait. Give it a few seconds before setting the hook. The "drumming" sound they make underwater is pretty cool to hear too.

King Mackerel

King mackerel are speed demons of the nearshore waters, known for blistering runs that'll test your drag. These sleek predators typically range from 10-30 pounds, but 50-pounders aren't unheard of. Look for them in 40-150 foot depths, often around structure or bait schools. Kings are most active in warmer months, with fall being prime time as they migrate. Anglers love targeting them for their hard-fighting ability and acrobatic jumps. While not the best table fare due to high mercury, smaller ones can be good eating. To hook up, try trolling with live bait like mullet or menhaden. Here's a pro tip: use a stinger rig with two hooks, as kings are known for short-striking baits. When a king hits, hold on tight - that first run is something else!

Redfish

Redfish, or red drum, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing around here. They love shallow water, often tailing in just a foot or two looking for crabs and baitfish. Most "slot" reds run 18-27 inches, but they can grow over 40 inches in the surf. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths, especially on moving tides. Reds put up a strong, dogged fight and are excellent eating when fresh. Sight fishing for them is a rush - watching that copper-colored body light up when it spots your lure. To catch 'em, try gold spoons, soft plastics, or live bait like mullet or shrimp. Here's a local secret: on calm mornings, cruise the flats and look for "pushes" of water. That's often a redfish moving through, giving you a perfect target to cast to.

Spotted Weakfish

Spotted weakfish are a fun inshore target, usually running 12-16 inches but can reach over 3 feet. Look for them in shallow coastal waters, especially around sandy bottoms and seagrass beds. They're most active spring through fall when water temps warm up. Weakfish put up a good fight on light tackle and have a tasty, flaky white meat. To catch 'em, try slow-retrieving soft plastics or live bait near the bottom. These fish have soft mouths, so set the hook gently. A local trick is to fish the edges of oyster bars on an outgoing tide - weakfish love to ambush prey getting swept out with the current. Their speckled pattern makes for a pretty catch, and that trademark "croaking" sound when you bring one in always gets folks excited.

Summer Flounder

Summer flounder, or fluke, are a blast to catch and one of the tastiest fish in these waters. They're ambush predators, using their flattened bodies and ability to change color to blend in with the bottom. Most run 15-20 inches, but trophy fish over 10 pounds aren't uncommon. Look for them on sandy or muddy bottoms in bays and inlets, especially as waters warm up in late spring and summer. Flounder put up a unique fight, using those big eyes on one side to track your bait. They're also excellent eating, with a delicate, white meat perfect for pan-frying. To catch 'em, try drifting or slow-trolling with live bait or soft plastics bumping along the bottom. A local trick: when you feel a bite, don't set the hook right away. Give the flounder a few seconds to get the bait in its mouth, then reel down and lift.

About the 26ft BlackJack Boat

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Mercury

Maximum Cruising Speed: 55

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 350

Grab your family and hop aboard for a relaxed 4-hour fishing trip off Oak Island. Perfect for introducing kids and adults to inshore angling, this outing offers a chill 11 AM start time and plenty of action on the water. You'll be casting for local favorites like flounder, redfish, and speckled trout. No need to worry about gear – we've got you covered. Our experienced captain tailors the experience for beginners and younger anglers, making sure everyone has a chance to reel in some fun. With room for up to 6 guests, it's an ideal way to bond and create lasting memories together. The laid-back atmosphere encourages hands-on learning and shared excitement as you explore the coastal waters. Available select days during the season, this trip promises a fun-filled adventure for the whole family.

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