Extended Half Day Charleston Inshore Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour charter targeting redfish, trout, and local sharksCaptain provides all gear, bait, and fishing licenses includedMorning or afternoon departures with expert local guidance
Captain Derrick's 6-hour fishing charter puts you right in the heart of Charleston's most productive inshore waters. Whether you're an early bird looking to beat the heat or prefer an afternoon start, this extended half-day trip gives you serious time to work the bite. We're talking about hitting the sweet spots where Charleston's legendary redfish, speckled trout, and black drum love to hang out. With everything provided – tackle, bait, and fishing licenses – you just show up ready to fish. This isn't a rushed trip where you're watching the clock; it's a proper fishing adventure that lets you settle in and really experience what makes Charleston's inshore scene so special.
Captain Derrick knows these waters like the back of his hand, and that shows from the moment you step aboard. We'll work through Charleston's intricate network of tidal creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats where the fish actually live. The beauty of a 6-hour window is that we can move with the tide and the bite, hitting different spots as conditions change throughout the day. One minute you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next you're bouncing bottom for black drum around dock pilings. The calm, protected waters make this trip comfortable for anglers of all experience levels, while the variety keeps things interesting. Captain Derrick reads the water constantly – watching for bait movement, bird activity, and subtle changes in current that signal where the fish are feeding. It's this kind of local knowledge that separates a good fishing trip from a great one.
We fish smart here, matching our approach to what the fish want on any given day. Light tackle spinning gear is the go-to setup – sensitive enough to feel those subtle sheepshead bites but with enough backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. Captain Derrick keeps multiple rods rigged and ready, switching between live shrimp under popping corks for trout, cut bait on the bottom for black drum, and artificial lures when the fish are actively feeding. The technique changes with the target and the conditions. Early morning might call for topwater plugs over grass beds, while midday action often happens deeper around oyster bars using live or cut bait. We'll work everything from shallow flats where you can see the fish's back to deeper creek mouths where the current brings the food. The key is staying flexible and letting the fish tell us what they want. Captain Derrick's tackle selection covers all the bases, from light jigheads for finicky trout to heavier bottom rigs for drum and sharks.
Redfish are the stars of Charleston's inshore show, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schoolie-sized "rat reds" perfect for action to bull reds that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall, they cruise the flats in small groups, often with their backs out of the water as they root around oyster bars. The sight-fishing opportunities are world-class – there's nothing quite like watching a 30-inch red slowly cruise within casting distance. What makes them special is their willingness to eat and their fighting ability in shallow water.
Speckled trout, or "specks," are the bread and butter of Charleston fishing. These beautiful fish with their spotted flanks and canine teeth are found year-round in our waters, though they're most active during the cooler months. They school up around grass beds and drop-offs, feeding heavily on shrimp and small baitfish. A good trout bite means steady action, and these fish are excellent table fare. They're also perfect for light tackle, making screaming runs when hooked.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're incredible fighters and can reach impressive sizes in Charleston's waters. These bottom-dwellers love structure – dock pilings, oyster bars, and bridge supports. They feed by feel and smell, making them perfect targets for fresh cut bait. Large drum, called "big uglies" by locals, can easily top 40 pounds and provide arm-burning fights. Smaller drum are fantastic eating, while the big ones make for great photos before release.
Southern flounder are the ambush predators of the flats, lying buried in sand and mud waiting for unsuspecting prey. They're most active during their fall migration, but resident fish provide action throughout the warmer months. These fish require patience and the right technique – slow presentations along drop-offs and channel edges work best. When hooked, they're not flashy fighters, but they're prized for their excellent table quality.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of inshore fishing, with their human-like teeth and notorious bait-stealing abilities. They hang around any hard structure, using their specialized teeth to crush barnacles and crabs. The bite detection requires experience – they're notorious for cleaning hooks without the angler feeling a thing. But when you connect, they're strong fighters and excellent eating. These convict-striped fish are most active during their spring spawning run around jetties and bridges.
This extended half-day format gives you the best of both worlds – serious fishing time without committing to a full day on the water. Captain Derrick's local knowledge, combined with top-quality gear and a relaxed approach, makes this a customer favorite for good reason. Whether you're looking to check Charleston inshore fishing off your bucket list or you're a seasoned angler wanting to learn new waters, this trip delivers. The 6-hour window means we're not rushing, and with everything provided, you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat. Don't wait on this one – Charleston's inshore bite is trending hot, and Captain Derrick's calendar fills up fast during peak seasons.
Captain Derrick's 2020 Robalo bay boat is built for serious Charleston fishing adventures. This 21-foot powerhouse cuts through the lowcountry waters at up to 40 knots, getting you to the hotspots fast. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking redfish in shallow creeks, while the fish finder helps locate schools of trout and sheepshead around structure. GPS navigation ensures you hit all the productive spots during your 6-hour trip. With room for 2 anglers, there's plenty of space to fight fish without tangling lines. The YAMAHA engine delivers reliable power whether you're running the rivers or heading to nearshore grounds for black drum and sharks. This bay boat handles Charleston's tidal waters like a dream, giving you a stable platform to land whatever's biting in these rich coastal ecosystems.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore scene, typically running 15-40 pounds with some monsters reaching 60+. These bottom-dwellers love oyster beds, creek mouths, and shallow flats where they crush shellfish with their powerful jaws. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater during spring spawning season - that's your best shot at multiple fish. They're year-round residents but really fire up from March through May. What makes them special is their raw power and stubborn fight - they'll test your drag and your patience. Smaller fish under 20 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The key to success is fresh blue crab or cut mullet fished right on the bottom. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle weight, don't strike hard - just lift into them steady. They've got tough mouths but they'll spit the bait if you jerk too hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Charleston's shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. These bruisers typically run 18-32 inches and 5-15 pounds in our waters, though bull reds over 27 inches pack serious power. They cruise oyster bars, grass flats, and creek edges in water so shallow their backs sometimes show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is their explosive strikes and bulldogging fights - they'll strip drag and test your skills. Slot-sized fish make excellent eating with firm, mild meat. You'll often see them tailing in skinny water during high tide. My go-to technique: work a gold spoon or soft plastic slowly through their feeding zones. When you see nervous water or birds working, get ready - that's usually redfish pushing bait to the surface.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Charleston's bread and butter fish, running 14-24 inches and 1-4 pounds on average. These spotted beauties cruise grass flats, creek mouths, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, though we catch them year-round. What guests love is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials, plus they make great table fare with tender, flaky meat. The fight includes some nice head-shaking and short runs. During winter, they school up in deeper channels and can provide fast action. Spring and fall offer the best topwater action at dawn and dusk. Here's a local trick: work soft plastics under a popping cork around moving water during tide changes. The cork adds attraction and keeps your bait in the strike zone longer.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convicts" of Charleston waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, and they're notorious for their human-like teeth that can crush barnacles and oysters. These 2-8 pound tricksters live around any structure - docks, bridges, jetties - in 5-25 feet of water. They're year-round residents but fishing peaks from late fall through early spring when they school up for spawning. What drives anglers crazy is their light bite - they'll steal your bait faster than you can blink. But land one and you've got some of the best eating fish in our waters, with sweet, flaky white meat. The fight is solid for their size, with short powerful runs. My secret: use small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and when you feel them pecking, set the hook immediately. Don't give them time to work that bait off.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on muddy and sandy bottoms in 2-15 feet of water throughout our creeks and nearshore areas. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches and 2-5 pounds, though we occasionally see doormat-sized fish pushing 8+ pounds. They're ambush predators that bury themselves and wait for baitfish, shrimp, or crabs to swim by. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawning run. Guests love the challenge - flounder have a subtle bite and strong fight once hooked. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find. My tip: use a carolina rig with live mud minnows and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that telltale tap-tap, wait a second before setting the hook - they need time to fully grab the bait.
Charleton