5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Guided Fishing Trip in Charleston, SC
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day Charleston fishing targeting redfish, trout, and sharksMorning, afternoon, or evening trips accommodate flexible schedulesAll equipment, bait, tackle, and licenses provided by captain
Looking for some quality time on Charleston's waters without burning a whole day? Captain Derrick's half-day charters with Blue Light Charters are exactly what you need. These 4-hour trips run morning, afternoon, or evening, so you can easily work them around your schedule. Whether you're visiting the Holy City or you're a local wanting to get away from the dock for a few hours, this top-rated charter puts you right in the action targeting redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and more in Charleston's productive inshore waters.
Captain Derrick keeps things relaxed but productive, which is exactly the vibe most anglers are looking for. You'll be fishing Charleston's extensive network of rivers, creeks, and nearshore waters where the fishing stays consistent year-round. The boat holds up to 2 anglers, so you're not crowded and everyone gets plenty of attention. Don't worry about bringing anything—bait, tackle, and fishing licenses are all covered. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and he'll put you on fish whether you're a first-timer or you've been wetting lines for decades. Expect to see plenty of dolphins cruising around, and depending on your timing, you might catch an amazing lowcountry sunset to cap off the day.
Charleston's inshore fishing is all about reading the water and adapting to what the fish are doing. Captain Derrick runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. You'll likely be throwing live shrimp under popping corks around structure for redfish and trout, or working cut bait along the bottom for black drum and sheepshead around docks and jetties. The tackle is sized perfectly for these inshore species—not too heavy that you lose the fight, but sturdy enough to handle that bull red when it shows up. Flounder fishing often means bouncing jigs or live finger mullet along sandy bottoms and drop-offs. The captain provides all the gear, but if you have a favorite rod you like to bring, that's totally fine too. Artificial lures work great here when conditions are right, especially soft plastics and spoons that mimic the abundant baitfish in these waters.
"Captain Derrick is awesome! He accommodated our specific requests. He was great with communication, friendly and kept us safe on our adventure. I highly recommend booking your charter with Blue Light Charters! We saw a ton of dolphins, many sharks and a gorgeous sunset." - Danielle
Redfish are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers hang around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths year-round. They're not picky eaters but they're smart, so presentation matters. Most reds you'll catch run 18-27 inches—perfect slot fish that fight hard and taste even better. Fall and spring are peak times when they school up in big numbers, but honestly, you can find them any month of the year in Charleston. What makes them so popular is that aggressive take and the way they strip drag once hooked.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are another customer favorite because they're willing biters and excellent table fare. These spotted beauties love grass flats and moving water, especially around creek bends and drop-offs. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, but you can find them in deeper holes during summer. A good speckled trout runs 14-20 inches and has some of the whitest, flakiest meat you'll find. They're also pretty predictable once you learn their patterns, making them great confidence builders for newer anglers.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage and one of the most sought-after species for their incredible eating quality. These flatfish bury themselves in sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey, so finding them takes local knowledge of the right spots and tidal movements. Best fishing happens during their fall migration from September through November when they're heading to deeper water to spawn. A keeper flounder goes 15 inches or better, and the bigger ones can really surprise you with how hard they pull. The trick is feeling that subtle thump when they grab your bait—it's nothing like the aggressive strike of a redfish.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore scene, with fish commonly running 20-40 pounds around local structure. These bottom feeders love to hang around dock pilings, jetties, and oyster beds where they crunch on crabs and shellfish. They're not the prettiest fish, but they make up for it with pure power. Spring months bring the big spawning fish into shallow water where you can hear them drumming—that's how they got their name. Young black drum under 10 pounds are actually excellent eating, while the big breeders are better released to keep the population strong.
Sheepshead are probably the craftiest fish swimming in Charleston waters, known for their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. These black-and-white striped convict fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and fiddler crabs around structure. They're most active during cooler months and are considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean. The challenge is their light bite—you have to stay focused and set the hook at the first sign of movement. Once you figure out their timing, though, you can load up on these 2-4 pound fighters around any decent piece of structure.
This half-day charter hits the sweet spot for most anglers—long enough to get into some serious fish but short enough to leave time for other plans. Captain Derrick's local knowledge and laid-back approach make this a customer favorite, and the flexible scheduling means you can
Your fishing adventure launches aboard a pristine 2020 Robalo bay boat, a 21-footer that's become the go-to choice for Charleston's inshore waters. This sleek vessel cuts through the lowcountry's tidal creeks and marshes with ease, powered by a reliable Yamaha engine that can hit 40 knots when you need to chase the bite. The boat's shallow draft design lets Captain Derrick slide into those skinny-water honey holes where redfish and trout love to feed. Equipped with a whisper-quiet wireless trolling motor, you'll ghost along oyster bars and grass flats without spooking fish. The onboard GPS keeps you on productive fishing spots, while the fish finder reveals what's lurking beneath the surface. With comfortable seating for your party of two, there's plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and store your catch. The boat's stable platform makes it perfect for sight-fishing when those copper-colored reds are tailing in the shallows.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters, commonly running 10-30 pounds with some pushing 50+ pounds. These powerful fish cruise oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws - you can actually hear them "drumming" underwater. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. They're fantastic fighters that will test your gear, and smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Look for them in 2-8 feet of water around structure during moving tides. Fresh cut crab is the ultimate bait - it stays on the hook better than shrimp and doesn't get stolen by catfish. Use a Carolina rig with enough weight to hold bottom, and be patient. When a big drum picks up your bait, it feels like you're hooked to a truck.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Charleston's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 18-27 inches in our slot limit, with that distinctive black spot near their tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface on low tide. Look for them around oyster beds, creek mouths, and grass flats, especially during moving water. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're feeding heavily. Reds are strong fighters that make blistering runs, and they're excellent table fare with mild, sweet meat. They'll eat just about anything, but live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat. Pro tip: when sight fishing the flats, cast well ahead of cruising fish and let your bait sink to the bottom. Redfish feed head-down, so put your offering right in their path and be ready for that unmistakable thump.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of Charleston's most popular inshore targets, averaging 14-18 inches with plenty of 2-4 pounders mixed in. These spotted beauties love grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow bay areas where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Cooler months from fall through early spring are prime, especially during moving tides at dawn and dusk. They're fantastic eating with delicate, flaky white meat, but don't overcook them. Trout are aggressive strikers that will hit both live bait and artificials - soft plastics under popping corks are deadly effective. Here's a local tip: when the water temperature drops into the 50s, look for them in deeper creek bends and channels where they stack up. Use a slow presentation and downsize your baits. A 1/8-ounce jighead with a small paddle tail worked slowly along the bottom will often outproduce flashier lures.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Charleston waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth that crush barnacles and crabs. These 2-5 pound fighters hang around any structure - dock pilings, bridges, jetties, and oyster beds. Winter and early spring are peak times when they're most aggressive before spawning. They're prized for their sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers, so use small hooks and firm baits like fiddler crabs or shrimp. The trick is getting your bait right against the structure where they live - they rarely move far from cover. When you feel those subtle taps, resist the urge to set the hook immediately. Let them chew on it for a second, then set it hard. Their bony mouths require a solid hookset to stick.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly into sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Both eyes sit on their left side, and they can change colors to match their surroundings. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 5 pounds, though bigger ones hit 20+ pounds. You'll find them in shallow bays, creeks, and around structure during cooler months - fall and winter are prime time when they move toward inlets. They're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. These fish are notorious bait thieves, so here's the key: use a slip sinker rig with live mud minnows or shrimp, keep your bait on the bottom, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. They need time to turn the bait and swallow it properly.
5.0 out of 5.0Captain Derrick is awesome! He accommodated our specific requests. He was great with communication, friendly and kept us safe on ...
What a fun and amazing trip! Been putting off a trip for this and that and am completely happy with todays trip!
Had a great time! Personable and knowledgeable.
Charleton