Half Day Fishing in Beaufort, SC | Pro Anglers
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting Redfish, Trout, and FlounderProfessional gear and tackle provided aboard fully equipped charterCaptain Tony offers expert local knowledge and guidance
Ready to fish some of South Carolina's most productive inshore waters? Captain Tony and the Cajunlad IV crew are waiting to show you why Beaufort consistently ranks as a top-rated fishing destination. This half-day charter puts you right in the heart of the action, targeting prime species like Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder in waters that local pros have been working for decades. You'll step aboard a fully rigged boat with everything you need—premium rods, reels, and tackle boxes loaded with the right baits for these waters. Captain Tony doesn't just know these channels and flats; he's been reading them like a book for years, watching tides, tracking baitfish, and putting anglers on fish when others come up empty.
Your half-day starts early when the fish are most active and the inshore waters are prime for action. Captain Tony will pick the spots based on current conditions—maybe working the grass flats for Speckled Trout or sliding into the shallows where Redfish cruise the oyster bars. The boat handles up to six anglers, so you've got plenty of room to work without bumping elbows. Expect to move around as conditions change; that's how you stay on fish in these waters. The captain reads the water constantly—watching for bait schools, bird activity, and tide movement that signals where the fish are feeding. You'll spend time sight fishing, working structure, and covering water efficiently. This isn't a lazy drift trip; it's focused fishing with a pro who knows how to put his customers on quality fish. The half-day format keeps things intense and productive, perfect for anglers who want maximum action in minimum time.
Inshore fishing in Beaufort means adapting your approach to match what the fish are doing. Captain Tony runs medium to medium-heavy spinning gear loaded with braided line—perfect for working around oyster bars and grass beds without losing fish to cutoffs. You'll throw everything from soft plastics rigged weedless to live shrimp under popping corks, depending on conditions. Topwater action happens early morning and late afternoon when Speckled Trout blow up on the surface. For Redfish, expect to work the shallows with gold spoons, paddle tails, and live bait when the bite gets tough. Flounder fishing means bouncing jigs along drop-offs and channel edges where these flatfish ambush prey. The tackle box stays stocked with proven local favorites—Gulp shrimp, Z-Man plastics, and fresh live bait when it's available. Captain Tony adjusts techniques throughout the trip, reading fish behavior and water conditions to keep you in the strike zone.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Beaufort's inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-size fish around 18-27 inches up to bull reds that'll test your drag system. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but you can find quality fish year-round in these waters. Redfish love shallow water—often feeding in less than three feet around oyster bars and grass flats. When you hook one, expect a strong initial run followed by that classic head-shaking fight that makes experienced anglers smile. They're smart fish that spook easily in clear, shallow water, making sight fishing both challenging and rewarding when you get it right.
Speckled Trout, or Sea Trout as locals call them, are the bread-and-butter species that keep rods bent throughout the trip. These fish hit hard and fight with surprising strength for their size, typically running 14-20 inches with occasional specimens pushing the 24-inch mark. They school up around grass beds and drop-offs, especially during moving tides. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, but summer mornings and winter warm spells can produce exceptional catches. Speckled Trout are aggressive feeders that respond well to both artificial lures and live bait, making them perfect for anglers still learning to read water and work lures effectively.
Southern Flounder and Summer Flounder provide a different kind of challenge that keeps trips interesting. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush passing baitfish. Flounder fishing requires patience and technique—working jigs slowly along the bottom and feeling for that subtle tap that signals a fish has picked up your bait. They typically run 16-22 inches in these waters, with occasional doormat fish that'll surprise you with their size. Best fishing happens during tide changes when baitfish move through channels and these predators position themselves for easy meals. Landing a quality Flounder takes skill since they have soft mouths that tear easily, adding an extra element of technique to the fight.
This half-day charter delivers exactly what serious anglers want—quality fishing time with a captain who knows these waters inside and out. Captain Tony's local knowledge and years of experience mean you're not wasting time searching for fish; you're fishing productive water from the moment you leave the dock. The fully equipped boat and professional-grade tackle let you focus on fishing instead of worrying about gear. Whether you're working on technique, chasing personal bests, or just want to catch fish in some of South Carolina's best inshore waters, this trip puts you in the right place with the right guide. Book your half-day Beaufort fishing charter with Cajunlad IV and experience why local pros and visiting anglers keep coming back to these world-class inshore waters.
Captain Tony's fully equipped motorboat cuts through Beaufort's productive inshore waters with serious fishing power. The GPS navigation keeps you positioned over prime fishing spots while the fish finder reveals where Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder are holding. This charter boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to work the flats and channels where South Carolina's best gamefish feed. Professional-grade rods, reels, and tackle come ready to deploy, so you can focus on reading the water and perfecting your presentation. The boat's shallow draft design accesses those backcountry honey holes where the big ones lurk. Captain Tony knows every oyster bar, grass bed, and tidal creek that produces consistent action. The stable platform provides solid footing for sight casting and fighting fish in Beaufort's challenging inshore environment.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Beaufort's inshore waters – bronze-backed bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that average 20-30 inches and fight way above their weight class. They cruise our shallow flats, oyster beds, and spartina grass edges in just 1-4 feet of water, sometimes with their backs showing above the surface. Year-round fishing here, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action during moving tides. What guests love most is sight-fishing these copper-colored missiles as they cruise the flats – pure adrenaline when you see that red back and cast ahead of them. The strike is explosive and the fight is relentless. Excellent table fare too, with sweet, firm white meat. Local tip: watch for nervous water and mullet jumping – that's usually redfish feeding underneath. Cast past the disturbance and work your bait back through it slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are the bread and butter of Beaufort inshore fishing – silvery, spotted beauties that average 14-18 inches but can push 5+ pounds when conditions are right. They're schooling fish that love our grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, with peak times during moving tides at dawn and dusk. What makes them special is their explosive topwater strikes and that distinctive speckled pattern. They're also fantastic eating – mild, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. These fish are structure-oriented, so look for them around downed trees, dock pilings, and grass edges. Here's a local secret: during cold fronts, they'll stack up in deeper creek bends and river channels. Switch to slower presentations and work the bottom with soft plastics.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise – flat, oval-shaped fish that lie buried in sand and mud with both eyes on their left side. They're ambush predators that change color to match the bottom, making them fun to hunt but tricky to spot. Most run 15-18 inches around Beaufort, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches in deeper holes. They love our shallow bays, oyster bars, and creek mouths, especially during fall and early winter when they're fattening up before heading offshore. The bite is subtle – more like a gentle pressure than a strike. Here's the key: when you feel that soft thump, count to three before setting the hook. They need time to get the bait positioned right in their sideways mouth. Great table fare with sweet, flaky white meat.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer Flounder are the bigger, more aggressive cousins of our Southern Flounder, running 15-20 inches on average but capable of hitting 26 pounds in our deeper waters. These chameleons of the sea change colors to match their surroundings perfectly. Unlike Southern Flounder, they're more active hunters and will chase down baitfish when needed. Best fishing is September through November when they're feeding heavy before their offshore migration. They love sandy bottoms near structure – drop-offs, channel edges, and around our jetties in 15-30 feet of water. The fight is solid and they make excellent table fare. Pro tip: hook your bait through the eyes on smaller minnows and through the lips on larger ones. Use just enough weight to stay in contact with bottom – these fish are spooky and will drop light baits.
Broad River, SC