Ocean Isle Beach
Fishing Charters

No, all fishing equipment is provided on my charters, including rods, reels, tackle, and bait. Just bring weather-appropriate clothing, sunscreen (cream type, not spray on), snacks, and any personal items you might need.

No, I provide NC & SC fishing licenses and all necessary permits.

Ocean Isle Beach offers excellent fishing year-round. Redfish and Speckled Trout are available in all year long, providing consistent action regardless of when you visit. During January and February, we target Black Sea Bass and Black Drum in our Nearshore Reefs. Sheepshead are abundant in March. As temperatures rise in the spring, our fishing opportunities expand with King Mackerel and Flounder join the mix in April, followed by Cobia appearing nearshore in May. By June, Spanish Mackerel become abundant, marking the beginning of our prime fishing season that remains exceptional through Thanksgiving. For anglers seeking trophy catches, October stands out as the highlight of our calendar when massive Bull Redfish (exceeding 40 inches) migrate to our nearshore reefs and congregate around Shallotte Inlet and Little River Inlet. And Smoker Kings are consistently caught in November. By December, I focus my fishing charters on Puppy Drum (Redfish under 18 inches) and Slot Redfish (18 to 27 inches) that school up Inshore and just off the beach. That's what I love about guiding in this area, the waters around Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, Sunset Beach, and Little River hold fish year-round! No matter when you book your trip with me, I'll find something biting and put you on the action!

Absolutely! I offer specialized 2-hour Kids Fishing Charters designed specifically for families with children 12 and under. These trips focus on easy-to-catch fish in protected waters with minimal waves, making it a perfect introduction to fishing.

Yes, you can keep fish that meet legal size and bag limits. I also encourage catch-and-release for certain species to help maintain healthy fish populations. Make sure to bring a cooler with ice, but leave it in your vehicle. I'll keep your catch fresh until we get back to the dock.

Safety is 100% my top priority. I monitor Ocean Isle Beach weather and tide conditions closely (before and during your trip) and I will make the final determination of whether or not it is safe to fish. I'll never ask you to fish when it's unsafe or if it will be miserable. Refunds are electronic and are credited to the original means of payment.

Inshore Fishing Charters that are cancelled due to weather conditions will be able to re-schedule (if you're able to do so) or you'll receive a full refund.

Nearshore Fishing Charters & Shark Fishing Charters, when the weather or sea conditions aren't safe on the ocean, will fish Inshore if it is safe to do so. If it's not possible to fish Inshore then Captain Harvey will re-schedule your charter (if you're able to do so) or you'll receive a full refund.

I understand that things come up, so I have one of the most customer-friendly cancellation policies for fishing charters. If you need to cancel greater than 3 days before your fishing charter, you can -at your discretion- either re-schedule or receive a full refund. Bookings that cancel less than 3 days before their charter can reschedule, but do not receive a refund unless I am able to re-book that spot on my calendar. No-shows cannot reschedule or receive a refund.

Ocean Isle Beach offers exceptional fishing charter opportunities due to its strategic location between Shallotte Inlet and Tubbs Inlet. This prime positioning provides immediate access to both protected inshore waters and productive nearshore fishing grounds. The diverse ecosystems around Ocean Isle Beach support year-round fishing, with the Intracoastal Waterway, local marshes, and nearby reefs all within minutes of our dock at 67 Causeway Drive. Ocean Isle Beach fishing charters benefit from the area's unique geography that concentrates baitfish and gamefish in predictable patterns, allowing experienced local captains to consistently put clients on fish regardless of season.

Yes — many of my trips take place in the waters around Holden Beach and Sunset Beach. Depending on the day’s plan, we may fish the ICW, Shallotte Inlet, Lockwood Folly Inlet, Tubbs Inlet, Little River Inlet, Shallotte River, Bonaparte Creek, or any of the area backwaters and saltwater marshes.

If needed, I can pick you up at boat ramps in Holden Beach or Sunset Beach close to where you are staying, and we can be fishing within minutes of leaving the ramp.

You can learn more about the trips I run there on my Holden Beach fishing charters and Sunset Beach fishing charters pages.

While Ocean Isle Beach offers excellent fishing year-round, each season presents unique opportunities for charter fishing. Spring (March-May) brings Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, and the arrival of King Mackerel and Cobia to Ocean Isle Beach waters. Summer (June-August) is peak season for family fishing charters with abundant Flounder, Redfish, and nearshore action for Spanish and King Mackerel. Fall (September-November) offers the most spectacular fishing with Bull Redfish migrations around Shallotte Inlet and Little River Inlet and the best chances of the year for a smoker Kingfish. Winter (December-February) provides surprisingly good fishing for Speckled Trout and schooled-up Puppy Drum in the protected backwaters around Ocean Isle Beach, as well as Sea Bass on our local nearshore artificial reefs. Local knowledge of these seasonal patterns is what makes Captain Harvey successful for your Ocean Isle Beach fishing charters year-round.