Read Captain Harvey's NC Saltwater Fishing Blog
Welcome to my NC Saltwater Fishing Blog. This is where I share practical how-tos, gear and rig breakdowns, seasonal strategies, regulation explainers, and stories from the Carolinas—written for real anglers who want straight answers and better results.
Looking for trip-by-trip catch details? Head to my OIB Fishing Reports. Otherwise, dive into the latest articles below.
How to Fish a MirrOdine Suspending Twitchbait
If you’ve got a MirrOdine in your tackle box but you’re not 100% sure when or where to throw it, or how to work it without wasting casts — this guide will fix that. I’ll break down the when / where / how, dial in size and color selection, give you a gear setup that keeps fish pinned on trebles, and include a full troubleshooting section for the most common frustrations...READ ARTICLE
Red Snapper Season in North Carolina (2026 Update)
As of now, a Red Snapper season in North Carolina for 2026 has not been announced, and any opening is expected to be short and tightly controlled, with season dates, size limits, and bag limits all dependent on last-minute federal announcements that typically arrive with little advance notice; historically, South Atlantic recreational Red Snapper seasons have not opened before early summer, most often in June or later, making an earlier 2026 opening unlikely.READ ARTICLE
Gag Grouper Season in North Carolina (2026 Update)
Gag grouper remain highly restricted in North Carolina and are most often encountered incidentally while bottom fishing for black sea bass on nearshore and offshore reefs. Because management falls under federal South Atlantic regulations, season decisions are driven by long-term stock assessments rather than local conditions, making openings rare and tightly controlled. This 2026 update explains the current closure status, the earliest possible reopening timeline, and what North Carolina anglers need to know about compliance and proper release practices before fishing.READ ARTICLE
Upcoming Harvest Changes for Black Sea Bass in NC
For the first time in more than a decade, black sea bass anglers are seeing meaningful regulatory momentum — and this time, it’s backed by long-standing science. During a recent joint meeting, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) approved a 20% increase in the black sea bass harvest limit for the 2026–2027 fishing seasons. This marks the first positive change since 2012, despite black sea bass stocks increasing steadily for well over a decade.READ ARTICLE
NC Redfish Satellite Tagging Study
A new satellite-tagging study led by the North Carolina Marine and Estuary Foundation (NCMEF) in partnership with the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (NCDMF) is shedding new light on one of the most debated questions in North Carolina saltwater fishing: where adult bull red drum actually live, how they move, and why their appearances near inlets, beaches, and reefs are so brief, seasonal, and often misunderstood. This in-depth breakdown connects the tagging data with red drum biology and real-world fishing experience to explain what anglers are really seeing on the water.READ ARTICLE
Updated NC Bluefish Bag Limits for 2026
Good news for North Carolina anglers — the recreational bag limit for bluefish is increasing starting January 1, 2026. According to the official NC DEQ announcement, the latest coastwide stock assessment shows that bluefish are continuing to rebuild, and overfishing is not occurring...READ ARTICLE
Shark Species You Can Catch in North Carolina
If you’re curious about the sharks we see along the North Carolina coast, this page is your jumping-off point. It links to detailed guides for Atlantic Sharpnose Sharks, Blacktip Sharks, Bonnethead Sharks, Bull Sharks, Hammerhead Sharks, Nurse Sharks, Sandbar Sharks, Spiny Dogfish, and Tiger Sharks. Each guide was written in plain English with local insight from the waters around Ocean Isle Beach to help you identify each species, understand where they show up, and see how I catch them on my charters.READ ARTICLE
A Day on the Water Chasing Bull Redfish in OIB
Tag along with me and read about a fall day chasing bull redfish around Ocean Isle Beach. The bait was thick, the tide was right, and the bull reds were chewing — a perfect day on the water filled with hard fights, quick releases, and the kind of moments that make this fishery special...READ ARTICLE
NC Fishing Harvest Reporting Begins December 1, 2025
Big changes are coming for North Carolina anglers. Beginning December 1 2025, North Carolina will require everyone who keeps certain inshore fish — like red drum and speckled trout — to report their harvest. Whether you fish on your own or with a guide, here’s what you need to know to stay legal and help protect the future of our fisheries...READ ARTICLE
North Carolina’s Legendary 94-Pound Redfish World Record
Every angler dreams of that one fish that becomes legend — the kind of catch that lives on in stories, photos, and quiet moments of bragging long after the fight is over. It’s the fish that defines a lifetime on the water, the one that separates ordinary days from unforgettable ones. For North Carolina, that fish isn’t just a story passed down on the docks. It’s a verified, world-record redfish...READ ARTICLE
NC Flounder: Protecting the Resource While Restoring Access to Anglers
Flounder regulations in North Carolina have become one of the most debated topics in our coastal fisheries. Recreational anglers once enjoyed a liberal 15-inch minimum size and a five-fish daily limit. Today, we’re down to a two-week season with a one-fish-per-person rule — a drastic shift that has created frustration, confusion, and controversy up and down the coast.READ ARTICLE
Understanding NC Redfish Size & Bag Limits
I’ve noticed that many of my charter guests are confused about North Carolina’s size and bag limits for redfish, especially how the slot limit works. To clear things up, I’ve written this quick guide to explain the current regulations, why they exist, and how you can stay legal while still having a blast chasing reds.READ ARTICLE
The Story of the World Record Tiger Shark
The 1,780-lb world record tiger shark was landed at Cherry Grove Pier, just 6 miles from Ocean Isle Beach. Here’s the story and how to fish the same waters...READ ARTICLE
Video Tutorial: How to Tie an Improved Clinch Knot
When it comes to fishing knots, few are as widely used as the Improved Clinch Knot. It's a simple, time-tested knot that anglers have relied on for generations. Easy to learn, quick to tie, and reliable when used under the right conditions, the Clinch Knot (and the Improved Clinch Knot) is often the first...READ ARTICLE
Video Tutorial: How to Tie a Palomar Knot
I use the Palomar Knot most of the time on my fishing charters when connecting line to terminal tackle, and there’s a reason for that—it simply doesn’t fail, it’s quick to learn, easy to tie under pressure, and incredibly strong, often retaining up to 95% of your fishing line’s original strength...READ ARTICLE
How Much Do You Tip on a Fishing Charter?
One of the most common questions I get as a fishing guide is about tipping. Do you tip the captain? How much? Is it expected? Before we get into it, let me be clear—this isn’t about me trying to get more tips. I’m writing this because guests ask all the time and simply want to know what’s normal. And my take is simple, it's up to you...READ ARTICLE
Video Tutorial: Building Your Own Shark Fishing Rigs
When I’m running shark fishing charters out of Ocean Isle Beach, this is the exact rig I trust. It’s simple, durable, and quick to build. Once you’ve got the right gear, you can make one in just a couple of minutes. I use these rigs with clients all season long, and they...READ ARTICLE
Why Your Favorite Fishing Spot Might Be Holding You Back
Every angler has a “magic” spot or a go-to lure. Maybe it’s the creek bend where you caught your personal-best bull redfish, or a lure that fooled a trophy trout on a perfect fall morning years ago. Those memories are powerful—and it’s natural to chase them, but...READ ARTICLE
Fall Bull Drum Fishing Near Ocean Isle Beach, NC: When, Where, and How
If you’ve never caught a bull redfish (or “bull red”, "bull drum", "old drum"), this fall near Ocean Isle Beach is your chance. These giants — often 40 inches or longer — are in town for only a short time each year. Every fall, from mid-September through late October, these massive red drum gather near the inlets and...READ ARTICLE
Fishing Charters Near North Myrtle Beach: Just Minutes Away in OIB
If you’re staying in North Myrtle Beach and looking for a fishing charter, you don’t have to settle for crowded head boats or long runs to get to the fish. Just across the state line in Ocean Isle Beach, NC, you’ll find a better option — inshore, nearshore, shark fishing, and kids fishing trips that are just a short drive away, but miles better when it comes to the experience.READ ARTICLE
How to Tie a Live Bait Rig for Redfish
If you're looking to catch Redfish on live bait, you don't need anything fancy — just a clean, reliable rig that keeps your bait swimming naturally and your hook ready for the strike. Here’s the exact live bait rig I use when targeting redfish around Ocean Isle Beach...READ ARTICLE
How to Catch Fiddler Crabs in the Winter
This article gives Captain Harvey's tactics for finding and catching fiddler crabs in the Winter in Ocean Isle Beach NC. Learn the best locations, optimal timing strategies, and proven fishing methods for using fiddler crabs to target sheepshead, black drum, and redfish when most anglers struggle to find quality bait.READ ARTICLE
How to Catch More Sea Bass in NC this Winter
Want to catch more Sea Bass this Winter? Check out my latest guide covering the best spots just 3-10 miles off Ocean Isle Beach, Holden Beach, and Sunset Beach! I'm sharing my favorite nearshore reefs (with GPS coordinates), proven baits and rigs, and exactly how I put my charter clients on keeper Sea Bass all Winter long. From finding the right structure to landing more 2-3 pounders, this guide covers everything you need for a successful Winter Sea Bass trip.READ ARTICLE
How to Catch Winter Redfish in NC
Winter is here in full force in Ocean Isle Beach. I'm sitting here staring out of my home office window at 4 inches of snow. The local kids are happy, but I'd rather have a 65 degree day on a warming trend and go after some Redfish. But instead, since it is so cold out and I'm off today anyway, then let's chat about how to catch Redfish in the Winter in NC.READ ARTICLE
How to Catch Black Drum in Ocean Isle Beach
Black Drum are one of my favorite inshore species to target, particularly on my Kids Fishing Charters. But don't be fooled, these fish are fun for everyone, from beginners to experienced anglers, as we also fish for them on my Inshore Fishing Charters. They are also a great tasting fish that literally anyone can go out and catch.READ ARTICLE
How to Catch Spanish Mackerel in NC
Nearshore fishing for Spanish Mackerel in North Carolina offers fast-paced action, hard-hitting bites, and plenty of excitement for anglers of all skill levels. If you’ve ever wondered how to catch Spanish Mackerel in NC, you’re in for a thrilling experience.READ ARTICLE
How to Catch Sharks in NC - Shark Fishing Guide
"How to Catch Sharks in North Carolina" is a popular question, especially during the Summer tourist season here along the NC beaches. Captain Harvey Wall walks you through the pro tips needed for a successful shark fishing trip.READ ARTICLE
How to Catch Flounder in NC
Flounder Fishing in North Carolina has been on Fire in 2024 and I fully expect it to be even better in 2025! Read this fishing blog post to learn how to catch flounder in NC.READ ARTICLE
How to Catch Redfish in North Carolina
North Carolina is a year-round redfish fishery. From the marsh creeks and oyster bars of the Intracoastal Waterway to near-inlet current seams and jetty rocks...READ ARTICLE