World Class Full Day Redfish and Sea Trout Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday charter targets redfish, trout, and multiple speciesCaptain Derrick provides all gear, licenses, and expert guidanceEighthour inshore trip accommodates up to two guests
When you want to make the most of Charleston's legendary inshore waters, Captain Derrick's full-day guided fishing trip delivers everything you're looking for. Eight solid hours on the water gives you time to hit multiple spots, dial in your technique, and really get into the rhythm of these productive coastal waters. Whether you're chasing redfish through spartina grass or working structure for sheepshead, this charter puts you in the best position to connect with Charleston's premier game fish. With all gear, bait, and licenses covered, you can focus entirely on fishing while soaking up the lowcountry scenery.
Captain Derrick knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll adjust the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. Your day might start working shallow flats for redfish and trout, then shift to deeper structure for black drum and sheepshead as conditions change. The beauty of an eight-hour trip is having flexibility to move around and target different species as opportunities arise. You'll fish both inshore creeks and nearshore waters, giving you a taste of everything Charleston fishing has to offer. The boat accommodates just two anglers, so you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. Captain Derrick provides expert coaching on local techniques, from sight-casting to reds in skinny water to bottom fishing around oyster bars and dock pilings.
Charleston inshore fishing requires versatility, and Captain Derrick comes prepared with the right tackle for every situation. Light spinning gear handles most of the inshore action, perfect for working live shrimp under popping corks for trout or casting soft plastics to redfish cruising the flats. When targeting sheepshead around structure, you'll switch to heavier tackle with small hooks and fiddler crabs or barnacles for bait. For black drum, expect to fish with cut bait on the bottom near oyster beds and creek mouths where these bruisers like to feed. The captain stocks a variety of live and cut baits, plus an arsenal of artificial lures that work well in these waters. You'll learn local techniques like working a paddle tail through grass beds, bumping bottom with a Carolina rig, and reading water to spot fish before they spot you. The shallow draft boat lets you access skinny water flats where big reds patrol, while still being seaworthy enough for nearshore adventures when conditions allow.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston inshore fishing, and these copper-colored fighters put up a serious battle in shallow water. Bull reds over 27 inches are catch-and-release only, but they'll test your drag and give you a workout you won't forget. Slot-sized reds between 15-23 inches are excellent table fare and aggressive feeders year-round. Look for them tailing in grass beds during high tide or cruising oyster bar edges on the drop. Sea trout, locally called speckled trout, school up in deeper holes and around structure, especially during cooler months. These spotted beauties hit live shrimp and soft plastics with enthusiasm, and a good trout bite can keep you busy for hours. Southern flounder are ambush predators that lie buried in sand and mud waiting for prey to swim by. They're prized for their delicate, sweet meat and can be found around creek mouths and deeper channels throughout the year.
Black drum grow massive in Charleston waters, with fish over 40 pounds not uncommon around oyster beds and bridge pilings. These powerful bottom-feeders require patience and heavy tackle, but hooking into a big drum will put your fishing skills to the test. They're most active during cooler months and love fresh crab or cut bait fished on the bottom. Sheepshead are the technical challenge of Charleston fishing, with small mouths and incredible bait-stealing abilities. These black-and-white striped fish hang around structure like dock pilings and jetties, requiring precise presentations with small hooks and fresh shellfish. Their excellent table quality makes the challenge worthwhile, and experienced anglers consider them one of the best eating fish in local waters.
Captain Derrick's full-day charters fill up quickly, especially during peak fishing months when the action heats up. Eight hours on Charleston's top-rated inshore waters gives you the best shot at a variety of species while learning techniques you can use on future trips. With all equipment provided and expert guidance throughout the day, this world-class fishing experience delivers memories that'll last long after you head home. The personalized attention you get with just two anglers aboard means more coaching, better fishing spots, and a customer favorite experience that keeps people coming back. Book your charter now and get ready to see why Charleston consistently ranks among the best inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a 2020 Robalo 21-footer, the bay boat that's been making waves in Charleston's inshore scene. This sleek 21-foot vessel runs on reliable YAMAHA power, hitting speeds up to 40 knots to get you from spot to spot efficiently. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking redfish in shallow water, while the GPS and fish finder help Captain Derrick locate the best structure and drop-offs where speckled trout and flounder hang out. With room for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the flats and channels without crowding each other. The boat's shallow draft design is perfect for accessing Charleston's back bays and creek mouths where the big redfish cruise during different tides.
Pogonias CromisBlack drums are the heavyweights of the drum family, and around Charleston's oyster beds and muddy flats, we see them ranging from 5-30 pounds, with some giants pushing 50+ pounds. These powerful fish have crushing jaws built for cracking oysters and crabs. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action in shallow water around oyster bars and creek mouths. They're bottom feeders that prefer brackish water where fresh meets salt. What guests love is the steady, bulldogging fight - no flashy jumps, just raw power. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, white meat. Pro tip: fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a fish finder rig works best. Keep your bait right on the bottom and be patient - when a big drum picks up your bait, you'll know it. The bite feels like picking up a concrete block that suddenly comes alive.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature species - copper-colored beauties with that distinctive black spot near their tail. We catch them from small schoolies around 18 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches and 30+ pounds. They love super shallow water, often with their backs showing, cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. You can sight-fish them year-round here, but fall brings the best big fish action. What guests love is their power - even smaller reds will make your drag sing, and the big bulls are pure bulldogs. They're also fantastic eating when under 27 inches - firm, sweet meat that grills perfectly. The larger breeder fish we release to keep the population strong. My favorite approach: look for nervous water or tailing fish in the shallows. A gold spoon or live shrimp works great, but topwater plugs create the most exciting strikes. Keep quiet and make long casts - these fish spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread and butter inshore species, with their silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though we catch some nice gator trout over 5 pounds. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall offer the best action, but summer nights around lighted docks can be phenomenal. What makes them special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - few things beat a trout exploding on a surface plug at dawn. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat that's perfect fried or grilled. The key is not overcooking them. These fish have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure but don't horse them. My favorite setup: live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds, or work a soft plastic jig along drop-offs. Early morning and late evening are prime times when they move up shallow to feed on shrimp and small baitfish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Charleston waters, with their distinctive black and gray stripes and human-like teeth that can crack barnacles and crush crabs. We typically catch them 1-5 pounds around docks, bridge pilings, and any structure with barnacles. They're year-round residents, but spring brings the best action when they spawn around jetties and offshore structures. What makes them challenging is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and test your offering before committing. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. Their strong jaws mean you need a sharp hook set once you feel them. My go-to technique: get as close to structure as possible with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs on a small hook. Keep your bait pinned tight - these fish will pick it clean if it's loose. When you feel that subtle weight, don't hesitate - set the hook hard and pull them away from cover quickly.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms to ambush prey. You'll spot them by their distinctive feature - both eyes on the left side of their head. Around Charleston, we typically catch them ranging 15-18 inches, though some can reach over 30 inches. They love shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and creeks where they feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Fall and winter are prime times when they move toward deeper channels. What makes flounder special is their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The fight isn't flashy, but landing a doormat-sized flounder is always satisfying. My tip: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig, and when you feel that subtle tap, wait a second before setting the hook - they like to mouth the bait first.
Charleton