Do I Need to Bring My Own Fishing Gear?

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.

Do I Need a Fishing License?

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

What's the Best Time of Year to Fish in Ocean Isle Beach?

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!

Are Your Fishing Charters Suitable for Children?

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.

Can We Keep the Fish We Catch?

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.

What Happens if the Weather is Bad?

Safety is 100% my top priority. I monitor weather 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.

What is Your Cancellation Policy?

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.

July Fishing Report Ocean Isle Beach NC

Name: Salty Dawg Fishing Charters
Address: 67 Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach, NC, 28469, US
Telephone: (910) 250-8459
Price range: $275 - $900 per trip
Rating: 5

Spanish Mackerel caught while trolling in OIB in July

July fishing around Ocean Isle Beach offered plenty of action for my charter fishing customers, but adapting to the Summer heat was key. Early mornings or overcast afternoons were best for Redfish in shallow waters, with topwater lures performing well during cooler hours. For Spanish mackerel, nearshore trolling with Clarkspoons near reefs was highly effective. Shark fishing was hot all month, while flounder provided fun action throughout July. If you're looking to hit the water in August then call or text me at (910) 250-8459!

Inshore and Nearshore Fishing Report

July Redfish Fishing Report

Early mornings or overcast afternoons are prime times for shallow water fishing for Redfish in Ocean Isle Beach. Topwater During the cooler, low-light periods, I like to use topwater lures to entice a bite from Reds. Once the sun is higher and the water warms, I will switch to soft plastics swimbaits or soft plastic shrimp on 1/8 to 1/4 ounce jigheads.

July Spanish Mackerel Fishing Report

Spanish mackerel were a top target in July for my Nearshore Fishing Charters in Ocean Isle Beach. I typically troll near reefs and other structure with Clarkspoons. Use lighter weight braided lineconnected to a 20+ pound fluorocarbon topshot with a short piece of wire leader.

nice flounder caught from the ICW in Ocean Isle

July Flounder Fishing Report

In July we caught literally hundreds of flounder on my fishing charters. The season was closed, but they still were a lot of fund to catch. I like to target flounder around the mouths of deeper creeks, around Shallotte Inlet, or near where the ICW, Saucepan Creek, and Shallotte Inlet all meet. I'll use larger Z=Man soft plastics in their Diesel Minnow and Goat series baits with great success. Fish them on a 1/4 oz Z-Man Jighead with 2-3 feet of fluorocarbon leader. Maintain bottom contact and maintain action with the jig, but work it slowly. Lots of flounder in the 18-20 inch range were caught in July. And one 24 incher was caught by a 12 year old on his second cast of the day. He caught it fishing a creek mouth that emptied into the ICW around 7 AM. Photo on this page.

Shark caught in Ocean Isle Beach near Shallotte Inlet

July Shark Fishing Report

Sharks start showing up in greater numbers by mid-Summer, providing exciting opportunities for anglers of all ages. I will anchor and set bottom rigs or even drift fresh baits lover area reefs. I use 80 pound braid, with a 2 ounce egg sinker just above a quality ball bearing swivel, with 150 pound monofilament leader (about 24 inches), and a 8/0 to 12/0 circle hook. The 150 pound leader is used in lieu of wire leaders and works exceptionally well for me.

I use heavier rods with Abu Garcia 6500 Baitcaster reels for sharks and we rarely have an issue getting them in quickly with this setup.

Fishing Tips for Success

Stay Flexible: As the water warms, fish may change their feeding habits. Adjust your tactics accordingly.
Gear Up Properly: Ensure your tackle is suitable for the species you’re targeting. Heavier gear for sharks, lighter setups like a Penn Battle 3 Rod and Reel Combo in a 2500 or 3000 reel size for inshore fish.
Plan Around the Tides: Moving tides are your best friend when targeting redfish, trout, and flounder. Tip: search for and download the "Tides" app and the "Windy" app -thank me later.
Stay Hydrated: Bring plenty of water and sun protection to enjoy your time on the water safely. If you're on a charter with me, I do provide bottled water and my boat has a t-top for shade, if needed.

Why Ocean Isle Beach is a Premier Fishing Destination

Whether you're an experienced angler or a first-timer, Ocean Isle Beach offers some of the best inshore and nearshore fishing in North Carolina. Here you have the opportunity to be catching fish in just minutes and not have to ride in the boat for an hour to get to your fishing spot. Most trips can have you actively fishing in 10 minutes from meeting your Captain. With the Shallotte River, Calabash River, Little River, and tons of area saltwater creeks and marshes - as well as awesome nearshore and offshore fishing - there is always great fishing here, year-round!

With August just around the corner, there's still plenty of summer time action waiting for you on the water. For hands-on guidance and access to proven spots, consider booking a charter with me. You can Book Your Charter Now or give me a call or text at (910) 250-8459.

Remember, there's no substitute for time on the water. Each trip teaches you something new. Stay observant, keep learning, and most importantly - enjoy your time on the water!

Tight Lines,
Captain Harvey Wall
Salty Dawg Fishing Charters

July 31, 2024