6 Hour Inshore Fishing Trip - Charleston, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour private inshore charter with experienced Captain Austin YoungLight tackle and fly fishing instruction in Charleston's productive watersPersonalized experience targeting multiple inshore species in Lowcountry marshes
If you're looking to really dial in your inshore game, this 6-hour private charter with Captain Austin Young is where you want to be. Charleston's Lowcountry waters are some of the most productive on the East Coast, and with an extended day like this, you'll have plenty of time to work different spots, try various techniques, and really get into the rhythm of these fish. Captain Austin brings 7 years of guiding experience to the table, and he's got a knack for putting anglers on fish while teaching you the ins and outs of our local waters. Whether you're brand new to saltwater fishing or you've been chasing reds for years, this trip gives you the time and personal attention to step up your game.
You'll be fishing aboard a fully equipped boat that's built for our shallow water conditions. Captain Austin knows these marshes, creeks, and flats like the back of his hand, and he'll move you around to find active fish throughout the day. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is that you're not rushed - if the bite is hot in one spot, you can stay and work it. If things slow down, there's time to relocate and try different water. The Lowcountry's maze of tidal creeks and oyster bars creates perfect habitat for our target species, and you'll see why this area has such a reputation among serious inshore anglers. Expect a relaxed pace with plenty of hands-on instruction, whether you're perfecting your casting or learning to read the water like a local.
Captain Austin specializes in light tackle and fly fishing techniques that make the most of Charleston's inshore opportunities. On the light tackle side, you'll be throwing everything from soft plastics to topwater plugs, depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. The shallow flats and creek mouths are perfect for sight fishing, and there's nothing quite like watching a red drum crush a spoon in two feet of water. For fly anglers, this is prime territory - long shots to cruising fish, tight casts into structure, and the kind of technical fishing that keeps you sharp. All gear is provided, but if you've got your own setup and want to bring it along, Captain Austin is always happy to help you fine-tune your technique with familiar equipment.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love our shallow grass flats and oyster bars, and they'll give you a fight that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall are prime time, but even winter can produce when conditions line up. What makes reds so special here is the sight fishing opportunities - spotting that telltale wake or watching them tail in skinny water never gets old. They're also perfect for beginners since they're not overly spooky and will eat a variety of baits.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the marsh, but they're absolute powerhouses that'll humble even experienced anglers. These bottom dwellers can push 40-50 pounds in our waters, and when one decides it doesn't want to come to the boat, you'll know it. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around oyster beds and dock pilings where they can vacuum up crabs and shrimp. Peak season runs from late winter through early summer, and they're a customer favorite because of their incredible pulling power and the technical challenge of getting them out of heavy cover.
Summer flounder, or fluke as many anglers call them, are the chameleons of the inshore world. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms and strike with lightning speed when prey swims overhead. They're most active during the warmer months, and finding them requires reading bottom contours and understanding current flow. What makes flounder fishing so engaging is the subtlety - you've got to feel that light tap and set the hook before they spit the bait. Plus, they're excellent table fare, making them a hit with families looking to bring dinner home.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge that keeps guides on their toes. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs, and they're notorious bait stealers. They hang tight to structure like dock pilings and jetties, and getting them to commit to your bait requires patience and finesse. Winter months are typically best, when they school up for spawning. Anglers love them because they're a true test of skill - you'll lose more baits than you'd like to admit, but when you figure them out, it's incredibly satisfying.
This 6-hour private charter gives you the time and personal attention to really make the most of Charleston's world-class inshore fishing. Captain Austin's experience and teaching ability, combined with the extended time on the water, creates the perfect setup for both learning and landing fish. Whether you're looking to master new techniques, introduce someone to saltwater fishing, or just spend a quality day chasing some of the Southeast's best inshore species, this trip delivers. The Lowcountry's waters are calling, and there's no better way to answer than with a rod in your hand and a captain who knows where the fish live. Book your spot with Ace Outdoors Charleston and get ready for a day on the water that'll have you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock.
The 2023 Xplor 18' is your ticket to Charleston's best inshore fishing spots. This nimble motorboat cuts through the Lowcountry's winding creeks and marshes with ease, powered by a reliable 50HP Mercury that gets you to the fish fast at speeds up to 45 mph. Built specifically for shallow water fishing, she'll slip into those skinny flats where the redfish and trout like to feed. The compact design means responsive handling when you're working tight to oyster bars or navigating narrow channels. Perfect for solo anglers or fishing buddies who want to focus on the catch without dealing with crowds. Her shallow draft opens up fishing grounds that bigger boats can't reach, giving you access to Charleston's most productive backwaters where the fish haven't seen every lure in the tackle box.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. These gray-black bruisers love our oyster beds and shallow muddy flats, using their powerful jaws to crush shellfish all day. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater, making sounds you can actually feel through the boat hull. They're stubborn fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare. My go-to trick? Fresh blue crab on a circle hook right on the bottom near oyster bars. Keep your bait still and let them find it - they're not chasers, they're crushers.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature inshore species, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most of our fish run 20-30 inches and fight like they're twice that size, making blistering runs across shallow flats. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster beds, grass flats, and creek mouths - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. They bite year-round here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding on shrimp and crabs. What guests love most is watching them cruise the shallows in clear water before that explosive strike on topwater plugs. The fight is pure power with long runs that'll test your drag. My favorite setup? Live shrimp under a popping cork near oyster bars on an incoming tide. Let the cork work with the waves - that popping sound drives them crazy.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Charleston waters, sporting black and white stripes and human-like teeth that'll give you a double-take. These 2-8 pound nibblers are found around every dock piling, bridge, and oyster rack in the area, using those weird teeth to scrape barnacles and crabs off structure. Winter and early spring are your best bet when they're spawning and schooled up tight. They're notorious bait thieves - you'll swear something's down there but your hook comes up clean. The challenge is what makes them fun, plus they're fantastic on the table with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: use the smallest hook you can get away with and fiddler crabs for bait. Feel that subtle tap? Set the hook hard and fast - hesitate and they'll steal your crab every time.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms, changing colors to match whatever they're lying on. These flatfish typically run 15-20 inches but can surprise you with doormat-sized specimens over 20 pounds. They hang out on sandy flats and drop-offs, ambushing baitfish with lightning-fast strikes. Fall months from September through November are prime time when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special? They're arguably the best eating fish we catch, with sweet white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Plus, watching a big flounder come up sideways never gets old. Here's the key: use live finger mullet hooked through the lips and drag it slowly across the bottom. When you feel that tap-tap-tap, give them a second to turn the bait before setting the hook.
Charleston