Oak Island Pro Inshore Fishing | Flatfish Charters

Published Date: July 22, 2025
Fishing

Oak Island, NC
$350 - $800 price range

Summary

Ready for a focused fishing session? This 3-hour Oak Island charter is designed for skilled anglers who want to make every minute count. Launching at 11 AM, it's perfect for those looking to squeeze in some quality fishing time. You'll be targeting flounder, redfish, and speckled trout in the rich inshore waters. The trip runs seasonally on select weekdays and Sundays, ideal for solo fishermen or small groups wanting to hone their skills, chase specific species, or try out new gear. Flatfish Charters provides all the tackle you'll need, plus local know-how to put you on the fish. With a max of two guests, you'll get personalized attention and the flexibility to adjust your approach on the fly. It's a no-frills, results-oriented trip for anglers who know what they're after. Just remember, deposits are non-refundable, so come ready to fish hard and make the most of your time on the water.

Oak Island Pro Inshore Fishing | Flatfish Charters

Inshore Catches

Loaded with flounder!

Speckled catch!

Stacked flounder!

Proud flounder!

Oak Island's Best 3-Hour Inshore Fishing Trip

Looking to make the most of your time on the water? Our 3-hour Oak Island inshore charter is tailor-made for anglers who know their stuff and want to get right to the action. We'll zip out to the hotspots, target the day's most active species, and have you back on shore with some great catches and even better stories. It's quick, it's focused, and it's all about putting you on the fish.

What to Expect on the Water

We launch at 11 AM sharp, perfect for those who like to sleep in a bit but still want to hit the prime fishing window. This trip is all about efficiency - we'll waste no time getting to where the fish are biting. Whether you're after flounder, redfish, or specks, we've got the local know-how to put you on them. It's a private charter, so you're calling the shots. Want to try out a new technique? Looking to dial in your gear? Just let us know, and we'll make it happen. We provide all the tackle, so just bring your A-game and maybe a snack to keep you going.

Techniques That Land Fish

On these inshore waters, we're all about versatility. We might start off sight-casting to tailing reds in the shallows, then switch it up to jigging for flounder along deeper channel edges. If the trout are schooling, we'll break out the popping corks and light tackle. It's not about fancy gear here - it's about reading the water, understanding the tides, and knowing where the fish are holding. We'll show you how to work soft plastics, when to use live bait, and the subtle tricks that can turn a good day into a great one. And if you've got a favorite technique you want to focus on, just say the word.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Spotted Weakfish (Speckled Trout): These silver beauties are a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts. They're known for their delicate bite and explosive runs. In Oak Island, we typically target them around grass flats and oyster beds. Spring and fall are prime times, but a skilled angler can find them year-round. What makes specks so exciting is their willingness to hit topwater lures - there's nothing quite like seeing that surface explosion.

Black Drum: Often overlooked but never disappointing, black drum are the bulldogs of the inshore scene. They love hanging around structure, so we'll often find them near pilings or bridge supports. These guys put up a stubborn fight and can reach impressive sizes. The best part? They're suckers for fresh crab or shrimp, making them a great target for both bait and artificial lure anglers.

Summer Flounder: Also known as fluke, these flatfish are masters of camouflage. We target them along sandy bottoms and channel edges, often using a technique called bounce-jigging. Summer is peak season, but we can find them from spring through fall. The challenge with flounder is detecting their subtle bite - it's all about feeling that soft thump and setting the hook at just the right moment.

King Mackerel: While we primarily focus inshore, when conditions are right, we might venture a bit further out for kings. These speedsters are known for their blistering runs and aerial acrobatics. We typically troll for them using live bait or spoons. Late summer and early fall are prime times to target kings, and hooking into one of these silver missiles is sure to get your heart racing.

Redfish: The crown jewel of inshore fishing, redfish (also called red drum) are what bring many anglers back year after year. In the shallows, we sight-cast to them, watching for their copper-colored backs and waving tails. In deeper water, we might use cut bait or artificials. What makes reds so special is their versatility - they'll hit topwater lures, gulp down cut bait, and put up a fight that'll have your drag singing. Fall is the peak season, but we catch them year-round in Oak Island.

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Our 3-hour trip hits the sweet spot for a lot of folks. It's long enough to get into some serious fishing, but short enough to fit into a busy vacation schedule. Plus, with the 11 AM start time, you don't have to be an early bird to get the worm (or in this case, the fish). We run these trips Tuesday through Friday, plus Sundays, giving you plenty of options to fit one in. And because it's a private charter, you're not stuck fishing someone else's way. Want to focus on sight-casting for reds? No problem. Determined to land your personal best flounder? We'll make it happen. It's your trip, your rules - we're just here to put you on the fish and maybe share a few local tips along the way.

Time to Book Your Spot

If you're an experienced angler looking to make the most of a few hours on the water, this Oak Island inshore trip is right up your alley. We've got the local knowledge, the right gear, and the flexibility to tailor the trip to your goals. Whether you're squeezing in some fishing between beach days or looking to dial in your technique, we've got you covered. Just remember, spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons. And while we hate to mention it, that deposit is non-refundable - so make sure you're good to go before you book. Ready to get out there and bend some rods? Give us a shout, and let's get you on the water. The fish are waiting, and the clock's ticking - let's make those three hours count!

Learn more about the species

Black Drum

Black drum are the bruisers of our inshore waters. These powerful fish can reach 90 pounds, though most we catch are in the 5-30 pound range. You'll find them hanging around oyster beds, mudflats, and creek mouths in our brackish estuaries. Spring is prime time as they school up to spawn, but you can catch them year-round. Drum put up a stubborn, head-shaking fight that'll test your gear. They're not the prettiest fish, but smaller ones under 15 pounds are good eating. Locals love targeting them with fresh crab or clam baits on the bottom. Here's a tip: listen for their distinctive croaking sound to locate a school. When you feel that telltale thump, set the hook hard - drum have tough mouths. Just be prepared for a battle royale if you hook into a big one!

King Mackerel

King mackerel are the speedsters of our offshore waters. These sleek predators typically run 15-30 pounds but can top 90. Look for them anywhere from just off the beach to 30 miles out, usually in 40-150 foot depths. Kings are here from spring through fall, with peak action in summer. They're famous for blistering runs and acrobatic leaps when hooked. Trolling with live bait like menhaden or blue runners is deadly effective. A local trick is to use a stinger rig with two hooks to combat short strikes. Kings have razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are a must. The fight and thrill of the chase make kings a favorite, but they're also great eating when prepared right. Just be aware of mercury levels in larger fish. When a king skyrockets on your bait, hold on tight - you're in for a wild ride!

Redfish

Redfish, or red drum, are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches in the shallows, but big bulls over 40 inches cruise the surf. You'll find them tailing in less than 2 feet of water over grass flats, oyster bars, and muddy bottoms. They're here year-round, but fall is prime time as they school up to spawn. Reds are known for powerful runs and their distinctive tail spot. Light tackle sight-fishing is a blast - watch for their tails waving above the surface as they root for crabs. Try a gold spoon or soft plastic shrimp imitation. When hooked, they'll often make a hard run for deeper water. Local tip: on calm days, cruise the flats and look for pushes of water - that's often a redfish on the move. Their fight and excellent table fare make them a top target for both novice and seasoned anglers.

Spotted Weakfish

Spotted weakfish are a blast to target around Oak Island. These silver-sided fighters typically run 12-16 inches but can reach over 3 feet. Look for them in shallow coastal waters and estuaries, especially near sandy bottoms and seagrass beds. They're most active in warmer months, from spring through fall. Weakfish put up a scrappy fight on light tackle and make excellent table fare with their mild, flaky meat. To hook one, try slow-retrieving a bucktail jig or soft plastic near the bottom. A local trick is to use a strip of fresh squid as trailer - weakfish can't resist it. Just be ready for their soft mouths when setting the hook. The "speckled trout" nickname comes from their distinctive spotted pattern, which helps them blend into their surroundings.

Summer Flounder

Summer flounder, or fluke, are one of our most popular inshore targets. These flatfish average 15-20 inches but can reach over 20 pounds. You'll find them lurking on sandy or muddy bottoms in our bays and along the coast. They're masters of camouflage, changing color to match their surroundings. Peak season is late summer through fall as they move offshore. Flounder fishing is all about patience and precision. Use live bait like minnows or strips of squid, keeping it close to the bottom. When you feel that distinctive thump, resist the urge to set the hook immediately. Give them a few seconds to fully take the bait, then reel down and lift. Flounder put up a decent fight and make excellent table fare. Pro tip: target areas with depth changes or structure - flounder love to ambush prey in these spots.

About the 26ft BlackJack Boat

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4

Manufacturer Name: Mercury

Maximum Cruising Speed: 55

Number of Engines: 1

Horsepower per Engine: 350

For this Oak Island inshore fishing trip, we'll be cruising the local waters in a nimble, well-equipped vessel perfect for navigating the shallow areas where the fish are biting. While the exact boat model isn't specified, you can expect a reliable craft designed for inshore fishing, with plenty of deck space for two anglers to cast comfortably. The boat will have all the necessary gear and electronics to help locate and land your target species. Whether you're after flounder, redfish, or speckled trout, this vessel is set up to give you the best shot at success. It's an ideal platform for experienced anglers looking to make the most of a focused 3-hour session on the water. The captain knows these waters like the back of their hand, so you'll be in good hands as you explore Oak Island's prime fishing spots.

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