Private Back Country Charleston Fishing
Private Trip
Backcountry Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targets multiple fish species in Charleston backwatersPrivate fishing experience accommodates up to four guests maximumAtlantic Breeze Charters provides professional backcountry fishing guidance
Looking for a real Charleston fishing adventure that gets you away from the crowds? Our private 6-hour inshore charter takes you and up to three buddies deep into the backwaters where the action never stops. We're talking about the kind of fishing that puts Charleston on the map – targeting red drum, speckled trout, sharks, flounder, and whatever else decides to bite. This isn't your typical tourist trip. We're heading into the maze of creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats where the fish actually live, not just where everyone else goes.
Your day starts early when we meet at the dock and load up the boat with everything you need. We'll be running a top-rated inshore vessel that's perfect for navigating Charleston's shallow backwaters – think 18 to 24 feet with a shallow draft that lets us get into spots bigger boats can't reach. The beauty of these backwater trips is the variety. One minute you're sight-fishing for tailing reds in two feet of water, the next you're working a deep creek bend for flounder or trout. The scenery changes constantly too – from wide-open flats where you can see for miles to narrow creeks lined with spartina grass and ancient oyster beds. Charleston's backwaters are like a maze, and after years of fishing these waters, I know exactly where to find the fish based on tide, weather, and season.
We fish light tackle almost exclusively back here – 7 to 8-foot spinning rods with 15 to 20-pound braid. The technique depends entirely on what we're after and where we find them. For reds, we might be throwing topwater plugs at first light, watching them blow up on the surface, or switching to soft plastics and working them slowly along the bottom when the bite gets tough. Trout fishing means covering water with moving baits – MirrOlures, soft jerkbaits, or live shrimp under popping corks. When we're after flounder, it's all about bottom fishing with live mud minnows or strips of fresh bait around structure. Don't worry if you've never fished these techniques before – part of what makes this trip special is learning how to read the water and adapt your approach. I'll teach you how to spot nervous water, read the grass lines, and understand how the tide affects where fish hold.
Red drum are the crown jewel of Charleston's backwaters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can range from 14-inch "puppy" reds perfect for dinner to 40-plus-inch bulls that'll test your tackle and your arms. Spring through fall is prime time, but we catch them year-round. What makes reds so special is their willingness to feed in super shallow water – there's nothing like watching a 25-pound fish crash your topwater plug in 18 inches of water. They're smart too, especially the bigger ones, so it takes skill and patience to consistently hook them.
Speckled trout are our bread-and-butter fish, and Charleston's grass flats hold some beautiful specimens. Most run 14 to 20 inches, but we regularly see fish pushing 24 to 26 inches, especially in cooler months. They're aggressive feeders and absolutely hammer artificial lures, making them perfect for anglers who love the strike and the fight. Trout are also excellent table fare, so if you're looking to bring home dinner, these are your fish. They school up heavily in winter, making for some fast action when you find them.
Sharks might surprise you, but our backwaters hold plenty of small blacktips, spinners, and bonnetheads. Most are in the 2 to 4-foot range – perfect for getting that shark experience without needing heavy tackle. They fight hard, jump occasionally, and always get the adrenaline pumping. Summer months bring the most shark activity, and they're particularly active around dawn and dusk.
Flounder are the masters of camouflage down here, lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish. They're not the flashiest fighters, but they're incredibly good eating and require real skill to consistently catch. Look for them around creek mouths, drop-offs, and anywhere current meets structure. Fall is prime flounder time when they're fattening up for their offshore migration, and that's when we see our biggest fish – some pushing 20-plus inches.
Six hours in Charleston's backwaters gives you the real deal – enough time to fish multiple spots, try different techniques, and really get into the rhythm of inshore fishing. This isn't a rushed trip where you hit one spot and call it done. We'll move with the tide, follow the fish, and make sure you get the full Charleston experience. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to learn new waters or a newcomer wanting to understand what makes Charleston fishing so renowned, this private charter delivers. The boat's yours for the day, the fish are waiting, and all you need to do is show up ready to fish. Book now and let's get you on some of the best inshore fishing the South Carolina coast has to offer.
This 1982 Proline is built tough for shallow water fishing in Charleston's backcountry. Restored in 2020, she's got everything you need for chasing redfish and trout in skinny water. The shallow draft gets you into those tight spots where the fish hide, while the high bow keeps you dry when the chop picks up. Rear casting platforms give you plenty of room to work lures around structure, and the Yamaha 150 with jack plate lets us get on plane fast and run shallow. Power Pole keeps us locked down on productive spots, while the Minnkota trolling motor lets us work quietly through the grass. Active livewell keeps your bait frisky, and the fish finder helps locate drop-offs and structure. GPS keeps us on the productive spots, VHF radio ensures safety, and the icebox keeps drinks cold during those hot Charleston days. Perfect setup for targeting reds, trout, flounder, and whatever else is biting in the backwaters.
Folly Beach