Murrells Inlet 4-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and king mackerelAll fishing gear, bait, and licenses included with charterProfessional guide service up to fifteen miles offshore
Looking for a productive morning on the water? This 4-hour inshore fishing trip with Aces Up Fishing Charters puts you right in the action just off Murrells Inlet's coast. We'll cruise up to 15 miles out, hitting the prime spots where redfish, king mackerel, cobia, and sheepshead love to hang out. Your gear, bait, and fishing license are all covered – just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods. While the trip accommodates just one angler, you'll have the captain's full attention to maximize your time on the water.
Your morning starts early at Murrells Inlet, one of South Carolina's top-rated fishing destinations. The inlet's protected waters give us easy access to both nearshore structure and open water, depending on what's biting. We'll motor out in comfortable conditions, scanning for bird activity, bait schools, and temperature breaks that signal fish activity. The beauty of this 4-hour window is we can cover serious ground – from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper ledges where kings patrol. Don't worry about bringing tackle; we've got everything dialed in with the right rods, reels, and terminal tackle for whatever we encounter. The boat comes equipped with quality gear that can handle everything from finicky sheepshead to freight-train king mackerel runs.
Depending on the season and conditions, we'll deploy a variety of proven techniques. For redfish, we'll work live bait around structure – think cut bait on the bottom or live shrimp under popping corks near oyster bars and grass edges. When targeting king mackerel, we'll troll with live bait or pull spoons and plugs along temperature breaks and bait schools. Sheepshead require a more finesse approach – we'll anchor up on hard structure like jetties or artificial reefs and drop fiddler crabs or shrimp right to the bottom. The key is staying mobile and reading the water. If the bite slows in one spot, we're moving to the next productive area. Murrells Inlet's geography gives us access to diverse habitat within that 15-mile range – from shallow backwater creeks to offshore structure that holds bigger fish.
Tautog: These bottom-dwelling bruisers are absolute favorites among serious anglers. Tautog, or "tog" as locals call them, are structure-oriented fish that love hard bottom, jetties, and artificial reefs. They typically run 2-8 pounds in our waters, with occasional doormat-sized fish pushing double digits. Fall through early spring offers the best tog action when they're feeding heavily before and after spawning. What makes them exciting? They fight like bulldogs and are considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Their powerful jaws can crush shellfish, so expect a strong, determined fight once hooked.
Sheepshead: Known as the "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, sheepshead are year-round residents around Murrells Inlet's structure. These 2-6 pound fish are notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth perfect for crushing crustaceans. Peak season runs March through May when they're spawning around jetties and piers. Anglers love sheepshead because they're challenging to hook – they require patience and skill to detect their subtle bites – but they're fantastic table fare with firm, sweet meat.
King Mackerel: The speed demons of our inshore waters, king mackerel are what dreams are made of. These toothy predators range from school-size fish around 10 pounds to monster smoker kings pushing 40+ pounds. Prime time is April through October when they follow bait schools along our coast. Kings are pure adrenaline – they'll scream drag on initial runs and make multiple blistering runs before surrendering. Their aggressive nature and impressive size make them a customer favorite, plus they're excellent for the smoker or grill.
Redfish: South Carolina's signature inshore species, redfish are the bread and butter of our local fishery. These copper-colored drum typically run 18-27 inches in our area, with occasional bull reds exceeding 30 inches. They're available year-round but peak activity happens during fall months when they school up for spawning runs. Redfish fight with incredible power, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. They're perfectly suited to our grass flats and oyster bar habitat, making them reliable targets for consistently productive action.
This 4-hour inshore adventure delivers exactly what serious anglers want – productive fishing in prime habitat with an experienced captain who knows these waters inside and out. You're getting world-class inshore fishing without the long run times of offshore trips, meaning more time with lines in the water. The variety of target species keeps things interesting, and the included gear and licensing make it hassle-free. Whether you're a local angler looking to explore new spots or visiting from out of town, this trip puts you on fish in South Carolina's renowned inshore waters. Book your spot now and get ready for a morning of bent rods and tight lines off Murrells Inlet.
This 34' Hydra Sports center console is built for serious inshore fishing around Murrells Inlet. The spacious deck gives you and up to 5 other anglers plenty of room to work lines and land fish without getting tangled up. GPS and radar keep you on the best spots and safe in changing conditions, while the VHF radio maintains contact with other boats and the coast. The boat's deep-V hull cuts through chop smoothly, getting you to productive waters up to 15 miles offshore where redfish, king mackerel, cobia, and sheepshead are waiting. A head onboard means comfort during the 4-hour trip. The captain provides all tackle, bait, and takes care of licenses, so you just need to show up ready to fish these rich South Carolina waters.
Scomberomorus CavallaThese silver bullets are pure speed and aggression, typically running 15-30 pounds but capable of hitting 50-plus. They cruise offshore structure and baitfish schools from spring through fall, with summer being peak season when water temps hit the 70s. What guests love is that initial run - nothing matches a king mackerel's first sprint when it realizes it's hooked. The razor-sharp teeth and fighting power make every hookup exciting. They patrol depths from 40-150 feet, following temperature breaks and bait schools. The meat is rich and flavorful, perfect for smoking or grilling. Here's what works: troll with live bait on a wire leader, but always use two hooks - one through the nose and a trailing treble. Kings love to bite the tail end of baitfish, so that second hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusThese copper-colored bruisers with the distinctive black eyespot are the backbone of our inshore fishing. They range from schoolie size around 18-24 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches and 30-plus pounds. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall is prime time when they school up, but they bite year-round. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They're not picky eaters either - live shrimp, cut bait, or topwater plugs all work. The secret is fishing early morning on moving water when they're actively feeding. Look for nervous baitfish or that telltale bronze flash in skinny water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese "convict fish" with their black and white stripes are some of the smartest fish around our docks and jetties. They run 1-8 pounds typically, but the 20-pounders are out there hiding in the pilings. What makes them tricky is those human-like teeth - they're built to pick barnacles and crabs off structure, so they're masters at stealing bait. You'll find them around any hard bottom, bridges, and oyster beds year-round, but spring spawning time brings the biggest numbers. Guests love the challenge and the payoff - sweet, flaky white meat that's restaurant quality. The key is getting your bait right against the structure and using a sensitive rod. My go-to trick is tipping a small jig with fresh shrimp and being ready to set the hook the second you feel weight.
Tautoga OnitisAlso called Blackfish, these chunky fighters are built for rocky bottom life with thick skin and powerful jaws that crush shellfish like candy. Most run 1-3 pounds, but the big ones can hit 28 pounds. They love structure - jetties, wrecks, and boulder fields where they feed on crabs and mussels during daylight hours. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active. What makes them special is that stubborn fight and surprisingly sweet, white meat that's worth the effort. They're notorious bait thieves though - you'll feel tiny taps before they commit. Here's the trick: use fresh green crab, crush up some shells to create a scent trail, and fish tight to structure. When you feel that first nibble, give it a few seconds then set hard.
Murrells Inlet