What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Oak Island, North Carolina for the first time?

Be prepared for small boat motion (someone will get sea sick). Take medication before you go if you have never been on a small boating trip on the ocean. You will be in the sun the whole time. No one cares what you look like protect your self from a sunburn. Surf shirt and big hat. Two water bottles for each person. A 3 foot shark is a tough fight. You will be hungry when you get back.

Check ahead with what's biting in the area if you have some flexibility in your travels to the area. Depending on the warmth of the water, you may have different experiences. We just missed spanish mackerel season by a week!

Start with local marsh fishing, get a comfortable feeling and do a 1/2 day to start, especially if you are not a very seasoned fisherman. I will be bringing my granddaughters with me next time. Captain Jones is a great person and it will be wonderful time for them

If you want to catch fish in June, we highly recommend going offshore. With a skilled captain and a good boat, you can load up on Kings and Spanish. However, most fishing charters offer inland and near shore fishing that can still be productive and fun.

Don’t go fishing after heavy rain onshore. Fresh water flowing into the ocean sends the fish deeper and affects the bite

Water was choppy, we weren’t able to target Spanish and bluefish as expected, but the sharks were so much fun to catch!!

Book a charter boat. Take someone out that has never fished before. It's a great time teaching them how to fish

Don't go if it is real windy or a front has just come through. The weather highly affects the in shore fishing.

Wait until you're allowed to keep the flounder. We caught multiple, but had to throw them back by NC law.

Book a charter with Captain Steve "Reel em up" Really layed back awesome trip.

We had more luck catching fish mid-May. Fishing was pretty slow the day we went out.

Remember in North Carolina, the weather is very unpredictable. Last relax and very a great time.

Ask locals for good spots to fish find out what's biting along with what bait to use.

Listen to your guides and their knowledge, ask their techniques, have fun while doing so.