Extended Half Day Charleston Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour charter targeting redfish, trout, and sharks with Captain DerrickAll gear, bait, and licenses provided for relaxed fishing experienceExtended trip format allows more time to locate active fish
When you're ready to get serious about fishing Charleston's legendary waters, Captain Derrick's 6-hour extended half day charter is exactly what you need. This isn't your typical quick trip around the harbor - we're talking about a real fishing adventure that gives you time to work multiple spots and dial in on what's biting. With morning and afternoon departure options, you'll have plenty of flexibility to fit this top-rated charter into your schedule while targeting some of the Lowcountry's most sought-after species.
Captain Derrick knows these Charleston waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put that knowledge to work for you and one other angler. The beauty of keeping groups small at just 2 guests means you get personalized attention and more time with your rod in the water. We'll cover a lot of ground during those 6 hours, hitting productive rivers, exploring quiet creeks, and working nearshore structure where the fish stack up. The captain provides everything - rods, reels, tackle, bait, and even your fishing license - so you can focus on what matters most: putting fish in the boat. These calm inshore waters are perfect for anglers of all skill levels, and the extended timeframe means we can be patient and methodical in our approach.
This charter is all about versatility and adapting to what's working on any given day. Captain Derrick runs a mix of techniques depending on conditions and what species we're targeting. You might find yourself sight fishing for tailing redfish in skinny water one hour, then dropping live shrimp around dock pilings for sheepshead the next. We'll work everything from grass flats and oyster bars to creek mouths and nearshore structure. The boat is rigged with quality spinning gear that handles everything from finesse fishing to pulling bigger drum out of heavy cover. Live bait, cut bait, and artificials all have their place on this trip, and the captain will teach you when and where to use each approach. The extended timeframe gives us the luxury of working spots thoroughly and moving when the bite slows down.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight like freight trains and are available year-round in our waters. You'll find them tailing in shallow grass beds during warmer months or holding around structure when it's cooler. What makes reds so special here is their size - Charleston consistently produces fish in that 18-27 inch slot, with plenty of oversized bulls mixed in for good measure.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are another customer favorite that keeps anglers coming back. These beautiful fish are most active during cooler months from October through March, when they school up in deeper holes and around creek bends. They're excellent table fare and put up a solid fight on light tackle. The key is finding the right depth and structure, something Captain Derrick has dialed in after years of chasing specks in these waters.
Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder as they stage near inlets before heading offshore to spawn. These fish require patience and the right technique - slow presentations along drop-offs and channel edges where they like to hunt. Landing a 3-4 pound flounder is a real accomplishment and provides some of the best eating you'll find.
Black drum are the gentle giants of the inshore scene, with mature fish weighing 20-40 pounds not uncommon in Charleston waters. Spring brings the best drum fishing as they move into shallow water to spawn around oyster beds and creek mouths. They're powerful fighters that will test your drag system, and smaller "puppy" drum in the 14-16 inch range make excellent table fare.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped tricksters that love to steal bait around structure. These fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and oysters, making them one of the most unique catches you'll encounter. They're notorious for light bites and quick hook sets, requiring finesse and patience. Winter months offer the best sheepshead action when they school up around bridges, docks, and jetties.
Captain Derrick's extended half day charter offers the perfect balance of time on the water without committing to a full day trip. Whether you're visiting Charleston for the first time or you're a local angler looking to up your game, this 6-hour adventure delivers the goods. The small group size ensures personalized instruction and plenty of fishing time, while the captain's local knowledge puts you on fish consistently. With all gear and licenses included, you just need to show up ready to fish. Don't wait - these popular charters fill up quickly, especially during prime fishing seasons. Book your spot today and get ready to experience why Charleston is considered one of the premier inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Your fishing platform for this Charleston adventure is a brand-new 2020 Robalo bay boat – 21 feet of serious fishing machine built for the Lowcountry's diverse waters. This sleek bay boat handles everything from shallow creek mouths where redfish cruise to deeper channels where speckled trout hang out. The reliable Yamaha engine pushes you to fishing spots at up to 40 knots, then the wireless trolling motor takes over for silent approaches to spooked fish. The onboard fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish, while GPS keeps you on productive spots. With space for you and one fishing partner, this Robalo gives you the perfect setup to work Charleston's inshore waters – from oyster bars holding sheepshead to grass flats where flounder ambush prey. The boat's shallow draft gets you into tight spots where bigger vessels can't follow.
Pogonias CromisThese bruisers are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters, commonly running 5-30 pounds with some giants pushing 50+ pounds. They're built like tanks with powerful jaws that can crush oysters and crabs with ease. You'll find them around oyster beds, creek mouths, and shallow flats, especially during spring spawning season when they school up and make that distinctive drumming sound. They're year-round residents but spring offers the best action. What guests love is the raw power - even smaller ones will test your drag. The meat on fish under 15 pounds is excellent, but the bigger ones are better released. My go-to trick: use fresh blue crab or fiddler crab on a Carolina rig near oyster bars. Keep your bait on the bottom and be patient - when they bite, they mean business.
Sciaenops OcellatusCharleston's signature species, redfish are copper-colored powerhouses with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we also target the big "bulls" that can push 40+ inches and 30+ pounds in deeper waters. They live in super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster bars, creek mouths, and spartina grass edges. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall is prime time when they school up for their offshore spawning run. What guests love most is the visual fishing - seeing them cruise the flats and watching explosive topwater strikes. They're also fantastic table fare when kept in the slot. My favorite technique: sight-fishing with gold spoons or soft plastics, but keep your distance and make long, accurate casts. Spook them once and they're gone for good.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds on average. These spotted beauties love our grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow waters, especially during low light periods and moving tides. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but they can be caught year-round in deeper holes during cold snaps. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they're aggressive feeders that provide steady action for anglers of all skill levels. The bonus is excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My best advice: work live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds, or throw soft plastics on light jig heads. Listen for them "popping" shrimp on the surface - that's your cue to cast their way.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusCharleston's "convict fish" are easily spotted by their black and white stripes and human-like teeth that they use to crush barnacles and crabs off dock pilings. Most run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though we occasionally see 20-pounders around deeper structure. They're year-round residents but spring brings the best fishing when they spawn around bridges, jetties, and offshore reefs. What makes them challenging and fun is they're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble and pick at your offering before committing. The payoff is worth it though - sheepshead are some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, firm white meat. My secret: use fiddler crabs or sand fleas on a small hook, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel them pecking, set the hook hard and fast.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, ambush predators are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms with both eyes on their left side. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though we've seen some push 20+ pounds. You'll find them in our shallow bays, creeks, and around structure where they wait to pounce on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they move through our waters heading to spawn offshore. What makes them special is their fight - they pull hard and make great table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jig head and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that subtle tap, don't hesitate - set the hook quick before they steal your bait.
Charleton