5.0(3 Reviews)Half Day Charleston Fishing with Blue Light Charters
5.0(3 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday Charleston fishing targeting redfish, trout, and sharksCaptain provides all equipment, bait, and fishing licensesMorning, afternoon, or evening trips accommodate all skill levels
Picture this: you're casting lines in the legendary waters around Charleston, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet the Atlantic, and every drop could bring up a bull redfish or a feisty speckled trout. Captain Derrick knows these waters like the back of his hand, and his half-day charters are the perfect way to get a real taste of what makes Charleston fishing so special. Whether you're an experienced angler or just getting your feet wet, these four-hour trips pack serious fishing action into a timeframe that won't eat up your whole day. Morning, afternoon, or evening slots mean you can work around whatever else you've got planned in the Holy City.
Captain Derrick runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed—exactly what you want in a fishing guide. His boat handles Charleston's diverse fishing grounds with ease, from the shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to the deeper channels where black drum hang out. You'll cover a lot of water in four hours, hitting multiple spots based on tides, weather, and what's biting that day. The beauty of these half-day trips is their flexibility. If the morning bite is slow, there's always another productive spot to try. Captain Derrick brings all the essentials: quality tackle, fresh bait, and your fishing license is covered. All you need to bring is sunscreen, drinks, and maybe some snacks if you get hungry. The boat accommodates up to two anglers, so you're not fighting for rod space or dealing with a crowded deck.
Charleston's inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your technique to the conditions. Captain Derrick switches things up based on what's working—live shrimp under popping corks for trout, cut bait on the bottom for black drum, or sight fishing with artificials when the reds are tailing in shallow water. The boat is rigged for versatility, with everything from light spinning gear for finesse fishing to heavier tackle when you need to muscle a big fish away from structure. You'll fish the iconic spots that make Charleston famous: oyster bars where sheepshead love to hide, grass flats that hold redfish and flounder, and the channels where sea trout stack up during moving tides. The nearshore waters add another dimension, especially when targeting sharks or larger drum. Captain Derrick reads conditions like a pro, adjusting depth, location, and technique throughout the trip to keep you on fish.
"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 crown jewel of Charleston's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers fight like freight trains and show up year-round in Charleston's waters. Spring and fall offer the best action when they school up in massive numbers, but summer brings sight fishing opportunities in skinny water that'll get your heart pumping. A slot-sized red (14-27 inches) makes excellent table fare, while the oversized bulls provide pure adrenaline when they make their first run. They're smart fish that require finesse, but when you connect, you'll understand why Charleston is considered red fish central.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Charleston fishing. These spotted beauties are abundant, willing biters that fight well for their size and taste even better. They love grass flats and oyster bars, especially during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with winter fishing slowing down but still producing for those willing to work deeper water. Specks between 14-20 inches are keepers and make some of the finest eating you'll find in these waters.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat against sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish are highly prized for their sweet, flaky meat and provide a different kind of fishing challenge. They're most active during cooler months, particularly fall when they're moving toward inlets to spawn. A keeper flounder (15+ inches) is always a trip highlight, and Captain Derrick knows the specific structure and drop-offs where they like to hold.
Black drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters, with fish over 30 pounds common in these waters. They're bottom feeders that love oyster bars and bridge pilings, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. While the big ones are tough and not great eating, the smaller "puppy drum" under 16 inches are delicious. These fish fight with pure power, making long, steady runs that'll test your drag and your arms.
Sheepshead are the convict fish of Charleston waters, sporting black and white stripes and human-like teeth perfect for picking barnacles and crabs off structure. They're notorious bait stealers with incredibly light bites, earning them the nickname "convict fish" for stealing your bait. Winter and early spring offer the best sheepshead action when they move shallow to spawn. A big sheepshead over 5 pounds is a trophy fish and excellent table fare, with firm white meat that's hard to beat.
Charleston's fishing scene is world-class year-round, and Captain Derrick's half-day trips offer the perfect introduction to what makes these waters so special. Whether you're looking to check fishing off your Charleston bucket list or you're a serious angler wanting to explore new waters, these four-hour adventures deliver consistent action without the commitment of a full day. The flexible scheduling means you can squeeze in some quality fishing time regardless of your other plans. With all gear included and a captain who
This 2020 Robalo bay boat is built for Charleston's diverse inshore waters, where you'll chase redfish through shallow grass flats and target speckled trout around oyster bars. At 21 feet, she handles the area's tidal creeks and nearshore runs with ease, powered by a reliable Yamaha engine that cruises comfortably at 40 knots when moving between fishing spots. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into skinny water without spooking fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate structure where sheepshead and black drum like to hang out. With room for up to 4 anglers, this bay boat strikes the perfect balance for small group fishing trips around Charleston's marshes and rivers. The layout gives everyone space to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up, whether you're working live shrimp under a popping cork or throwing artificials at redfish tailing in the shallows.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore scene, and you'll hear them coming - they literally drum and croak underwater during spawning season. These bruisers typically run 8-15 pounds, but we regularly hook fish over 30 pounds that'll test your drag. They love shallow oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season from March through May is prime time when they school up and get aggressive. What guests love is the raw power - these fish will drag you around the boat and make long, powerful runs. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare too. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a fish-finder rig, and when you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let them run and work them back slowly.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature fish - those copper-colored backs and distinctive black spots make them unmistakable. These drum family members typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds in our shallow waters, though we occasionally hook slot-busters over 27 inches. They love oyster beds, grass flats, and creek edges in 1-4 feet of water, often so shallow their backs show. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall feeding frenzies are epic when they school up. What guests love most is their power and the visual game - watching them cruise the flats and explode on topwater lures. Plus, they're excellent eating within the slot limit. My go-to trick: work a gold spoon or topwater plug over shallow oyster bars during moving water. When you see one cruising, cast well ahead of where they're going, not where they are - lead them like a duck hunter.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of Charleston's most reliable fish, and they'll hit everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. These silver beauties with black spots typically run 12-18 inches and 1-3 pounds, perfect for steady action on light tackle. They love grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow bays in 2-6 feet of water, especially around moving water. Spring through fall are prime, but the real magic happens on low-light periods - dawn, dusk, and overcast days. Guests love them because they're aggressive feeders that put up a good fight and make excellent table fare with delicate, flaky meat. The key is working grass flats during tide changes with a 1/4-ounce jig head and soft plastic shrimp. Keep your retrieve slow and steady about a foot off the bottom - trout will often follow before striking, so don't stop reeling when you see one.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, and they're notorious as the best bait thieves in Charleston waters. These crafty fish run 2-8 pounds typically, with their human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around structure. You'll find them tight to docks, bridge pilings, jetties, and oyster bars year-round, but they really stack up during spawning season from February through April. What makes them fun is the challenge - they nibble and test your bait before committing, making every bite a chess match. Plus, they're outstanding table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The trick is getting your bait right in the structure where they live, using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs. When you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately - wait a second and they'll clean your hook.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend in perfectly. These unique fish have both eyes on one side of their head and can change color to match their surroundings. Most run 15-18 inches and 3-5 pounds, though we catch some pushing 8+ pounds. They're ambush predators that love structure - docks, jetties, creek mouths, and grass flats in 2-15 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawn. What makes them special is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites, but the meat is sweet and flaky, perfect eating. My trick: use a Carolina rig with live mud minnows and barely feel for the pickup. When you think you feel something, set the hook - they'll steal your bait if you wait.
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