Looking for the best Sunset Beach fishing charters? I’m Captain Harvey Wall — a US Coast Guard licensed captain and local guide who fishes the waters around Sunset Beach, the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), and the inlets year-round. You’ll get a safe, fun, and hands-on trip with all tackle and your fishing license included.
The biggest advantage of booking a charter near Sunset Beach is how quickly you can get to productive water. We can fish protected inshore areas when the wind is up, or head toward inlet and nearshore structure when conditions are right — which means more time with lines in the water and less time riding around.
Staying in Sunset Beach? You’re in a perfect spot for a charter. Sunset gives you quick access to the ICW, nearby creeks and marshes, and inlet/nearshore structure — so we can tailor your trip to the weather, the season, and what you want to catch.
Where We Fish on Sunset Beach Fishing Charters
Sunset Beach sits in the heart of some of the best fishing water in Brunswick County. Depending on conditions and your goals, we’ll focus on a mix of protected inshore water and inlet/nearshore structure — the areas that consistently produce quality fish for my charter clients.
- Little River Inlet / Little River Jetties: A go-to area for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, Sheepshead, and seasonal Bull Reds.
- Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) near Sunset Beach: Calm, protected water with grass, docks, and oyster edges that hold Redfish and Speckled Trout year-round.
- Backwater Creeks & Marsh: Perfect for dialing in the tide and targeting inshore fish on light tackle — especially when you want steady action and a relaxed, family-friendly pace.
- Nearshore reefs & ledges: Seasonal trolling for Spanish Mackerel and King Mackerel, plus year-round bottom fishing opportunities for Sea Bass, Red Snapper, Gag Grouper, and Triggerfish.
Fishing in Sunset Beach, NC
The Fish We Catch in Sunset Beach
Fishing in Sunset Beach, NC means access to inshore creeks, the ICW, nearby inlets, and productive nearshore reefs — all within a short run from the dock.
- Inshore: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, and Sheepshead
- Nearshore: Spanish Mackerel, King Mackerel, Atlantic Bonito, Weakfish, Cobia, Triggerfish, Gag Grouper, and Red Snapper
- Big Fish: Sharks (May–November) including Hammerhead, Bull, Sharpnose, and Tiger Sharks. October is prime time for trophy Bull Redfish near the beaches, inlets, and nearshore reefs, followed by smoker King Mackerel in November.
Seasonal Fishing in Sunset Beach, NC
Fishing is good year-round in Sunset Beach, but the “best” trip depends on what’s in season. Spring through fall is prime time for nearshore mackerel action, and May through October is peak shark season. Inshore fishing stays strong all year with redfish and trout, with larger trout in winter and larger redfish often showing up in the fall. Flounder are a spring-through-fall target when the season is open.
An Established, Trusted Fishing Charter Service in Sunset Beach
Captain Harvey Wall is a US Coast Guard Licensed Master Mariner, a United States Maritime Academy graduate, a US Army Veteran, and the owner of Salty Dawg Fishing Charters. My goal on every Sunset Beach Fishing Charter is simple: keep it safe, keep it fun, and put you on fish. My reviews on Google, FishingBooker, and Facebook highlight the family-friendly service and memorable trips that define the Salty Dawg experience.
Featured in Carolina Sportsman Magazine
Captain Harvey Wall was recently featured in Carolina Sportsman Magazine for his analysis of the future of North Carolina’s flounder fishery, including fisheries management, size limits, season structure, and long-term sustainability.
READ ARTICLEChoose the Right Sunset Beach Fishing Trip For You
Kids Fishing Charters
Best for Families with Young Kids
- Trip Length: 2 Hours
- Start Time: 3:00 PM
- Price: $275 (+$50 for 4th Angler)
- Calm Waters • Easy Bait Fishing • Year-Round
- Target: Easy to catch species to keep kids entertained
Inshore Fishing Charters
Best for Light-Tackle Action in Calm Water
- Trip Length: 4 Hours
- Start Time: 6:30 AM or 10:45 AM
- Price: $450 (+$50 for 4th Angler)
- Calm Waters • No Experience Needed • Year-Round
- Target: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum
Nearshore Fishing Charters
Best for Keeping Fish
- Trip Length: 4 or 6 Hours
- Start Time: 6:30 AM or 10:45 AM
- Price: $550 or $825 (+$50 for 4th Angler)
- Target: Sea Bass, King Mackerel, Grouper, Snapper
- Trolling: Spring thru Fall • Bottom Fishing: Year-Round
Sharks & Bull Redfish (Big Fish)
Best for Anglers Chasing a Trophy Fish
- Trip Length: 4, 6, 8 Hours
- Start Time: 6:30 AM or 10:45 AM
- Price: $550, $825, $1,150 (+$50 for 4th Angler)
- Target: Bull Redfish • Hammerhead & Blacktip Sharks
- Heavy Tackle Fishing for Big Fish • Summer thru Fall
Captain’s Recommendation: Not Sure Which Trip to Pick?
If you’re not sure which trip to pick, book my Captain’s Choice Fishing Charter.
I’ll choose the best plan on the day of your trip based on weather, sea conditions, and what’s biting. So you catch the most fish possible!
What to Expect on Your Sunset Beach Fishing Charter
I’m based at 67 Causeway Drive, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469, but for guest convenience I can meet you in Sunset Beach when you book a Sunset Beach fishing charter. This is simply an optional trip meeting location — my home base and business location remain in Ocean Isle Beach — and it makes things easy for Sunset Beach vacationers who want to get on the water quickly.
- Arrival time: Please plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early so we can load up and get lines in the water fast.
- Parking: Public parking is available at the ramp area. On busy summer mornings, arriving a little early helps.
- What to bring: Sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, snacks/drinks, and a small bag.
Once we’re loaded up, I’ll do a quick safety briefing, get everyone set up with the right gear, and we’ll make a short run to our first fishing spot based on the tide, weather, and the species we’re targeting that day.
Your Fishing Charter Includes:
- USCG-licensed captain with first-aid and CPR certifications
- Fully insured and safety-inspected vessel
- All rods, reels, tackle, lures, and bait
- North Carolina fishing licenses for everyone on board
- Hands-on instruction for all skill levels
- Bottled water
What You Should Bring:
- Sunglasses (polarized recommended)
- Hat and sunscreen
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Snacks and any extra drinks
- Small cooler if you plan to keep fish
- Motion sickness medication for ocean trips if needed
Our Sunset Beach Fishing Charter Customer Reviews
Still wondering if Salty Dawg Fishing Charters is the right choice for your Sunset Beach Fishing Charter? Here’s what real guests have to say:
Recent 5-Star Google Reviews
Google Reviews: 4.9 out of 5 stars based on 93 reviews.
Sunset Beach Fishing Charter FAQ's
Where will we meet?
You’ll meet Captain Harvey at the Sunset Beach public boat dock at 101 Sunset Blvd N, located beside Sunset Beach Town Park and just down the street from Dave’s Outpost. This easy, central launch point gives us quick access to the Intracoastal Waterway and Little River Inlet, so we spend less time riding and more time fishing.
Do you fish Little River Inlet?
Yes — Little River Inlet is one of the primary areas I fish on Sunset Beach charters. It’s a year-round hotspot for Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Flounder, and Sheepshead, and it’s also our route to the nearshore reefs for Spanish and King Mackerel, Cobia, Snapper, Grouper, and sharks. Its close proximity to Sunset Beach means short runs and more time with lines in the water.
How far is the run?
Most of the fishing grounds are only a short run from the dock. Inshore spots are typically 5–15 minutes away, Little River Inlet and the jetties are about 15 minutes, and nearshore ocean trips are usually 20–30 minutes depending on conditions. Launching in Sunset Beach lets us maximize your fishing time instead of making long boat rides.
Is this good for kids?
Absolutely — Sunset Beach is one of the best places on the Carolina coast for family fishing trips. The protected water stays calm, the runs are short, and the action is steady, which keeps kids engaged. Life jackets are provided for children 13 and under, and I tailor the trip to your child’s age and experience level so everyone has a fun, safe, hands-on fishing experience.
How to Book Your Sunset Beach Fishing Charter
Booking your Sunset Beach fishing charter with Salty Dawg Fishing Charters is easy! Here’s how:
- Option 1:
BOOK MY TRIP - Option 2: (If you have questions or don't want to book online)
Call / text Captain Harvey directly at (910) 250-8459
Have questions? Feel free to Contact Captain Harvey or call anytime. He is happy to help you plan the perfect fishing trip for you!