Inshore Charter: Redfish, Trout & Black Drum
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting redfish, trout, and black drumProfessional captain provides gear, licenses, and fishing instructionSmall group experience accommodates up to three guests maximum
Looking for a serious day of fishing along South Carolina's productive inshore waters? Captain J Hook Charters has you covered with this 6-hour morning trip that puts you right where the fish are feeding. We're talking about prime redfish flats, trout grass beds, and structure that holds black drum year-round. This isn't a quick tourist trip – it's designed for anglers who want to put in the time and effort to land quality fish. With gear and licenses handled, plus photos and video included, you can focus on what matters most: getting your line wet and bringing fish to the boat.
Your morning starts early because that's when the fish are most active. We'll cruise out to productive flats and creek mouths where redfish cruise the shallows looking for their next meal. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might bring a hard-fighting red drum, while the next could hook into a speckled trout or a chunky black drum. With just 3 anglers max, everyone gets plenty of room to work and personal attention from your captain. The boat stays positioned over the best structure and grass beds, moving as conditions and fish activity dictate. You'll learn to read the water, spot fish movement, and understand why certain areas produce better than others. The extended 6-hour format means we're not rushing between spots – when we find active fish, we can stay and work them properly.
All your fishing gear comes included, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. We'll be using medium-action spinning gear perfect for inshore species, rigged with everything from live shrimp and mud minnows to soft plastics and spoons. Depending on conditions, you might be sight fishing for cruising redfish in shallow water, drifting live bait over oyster bars for black drum, or working grass flats for speckled trout. The captain will show you how to present baits naturally, read fish behavior, and adjust your technique based on what's working. Whether you're comfortable with light tackle or still learning the ropes, the setup is designed to give you the best shot at hooking up. Bottom fishing, drift fishing, and sight casting are all part of the game plan, depending on what the fish are telling us.
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Carolina inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 18-27 inches and fight like they're twice that size. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish cruising shallow flats during moving tides. What makes reds so exciting is their aggressive nature – they'll crush a well-placed spoon or inhale a live shrimp with authority. The sight of a red's broad tail waving above the grass as it feeds is something every angler should experience.
Southern Flounder might be our most prized table fare, with their firm white meat making them a customer favorite. These flatfish ambush prey from sandy bottoms near creek mouths and drop-offs. Fall months bring the best flounder fishing as they fatten up before their offshore spawning run. Don't let their flat profile fool you – a quality doormat flounder will test your drag and provide plenty of excitement on light tackle.
Black Drum are the bulldogs of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from schooling puppy drum to heavyweight bulls pushing 30+ pounds. They're year-round residents around oyster bars and structure, using their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. The fight is pure power – no flashy jumps, just steady, determined runs that'll make your arms burn. Their drumming sound when brought to the boat adds to the experience.
Striped Bass bring a different energy to the mix, especially during their spring and fall runs. These silver-sided fighters are built for speed and endurance, making long runs and testing every knot in your tackle. Local stripers range from schoolies to keeper-sized fish, and they're notorious for their aggressive strikes on live bait or well-worked lures.
Sheepshead round out our target list with their distinctive black stripes and incredible bait-stealing abilities. These structure-oriented fish require finesse and patience, but their excellent table quality makes the effort worthwhile. Spring months around spawning season offer the best sheepshead action, with fish congregating around jetties, docks, and oyster bars.
This 6-hour charter gives you the extended time on the water that serious anglers appreciate, without the rush of shorter trips. With all gear, licenses, and documentation included, plus a small group size that ensures personalized attention, it's become a top-rated choice for both visiting and local anglers. South Carolina's inshore waters are productive year-round, but prime seasons fill up quickly. Whether you're targeting your first redfish or looking to add to your species count, this trip delivers the variety and quality that keeps customers coming back. Ready to get your lines wet? Your spot on the water is just a booking away.
This 23' Epic center console is your ticket to serious inshore action along South Carolina's productive waters. Built in 2015 and powered by a reliable 200HP Suzuki, she'll get you to the prime redfish flats and trout grounds quickly and quietly. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip into shallow spots without spooking fish, while the fish finder helps locate those deeper drum holes. With GPS and radar onboard, you can fish confidently even when morning fog rolls in. The spacious layout comfortably handles up to 3 anglers with plenty of room for casting, and the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long 6-hour trips. Whether you're working the grass beds for spotted seatrout or hunting big bull reds in the shallows, this boat puts you right where the fish are biting.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, commonly running 15-30 pounds with some bulls hitting 50+. These fish love structure - oyster beds, bridge pilings, and creek channels with good current flow. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing shells, so they put up a solid fight once hooked. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning, making them easier to locate. What guests love is the consistent action and great table fare from smaller fish under 15 pounds. The bigger ones are tough eating, so we usually release those bruisers. Fresh blue crab or cut shrimp works best - they can't resist it. My go-to trick is using just enough weight to hold bottom in the current, and when you get a bite, don't horse them. Let that rod do the work because their mouths are surprisingly soft for such a tough fish.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what put our shallow water fishing on the map - copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most of our fish run 20-32 inches, perfect slot size for great eating and strong fights. They cruise the skinny water flats, oyster bars, and grass beds in 1-4 feet, sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding in cooler temperatures. What makes them special is that explosive strike on topwater lures and their bulldog fight in shallow water. The sight fishing aspect gets everyone excited - watching them cruise the flats before making your cast. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from live shrimp to soft plastics. My favorite trick is working a gold spoon slowly through the grass beds on an incoming tide. The flash drives them crazy, and when they hit it, hold on tight because they'll make long runs in that shallow water.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the clever thieves of the dock pilings - they'll steal your bait faster than you can blink. Running 2-8 pounds typically, these black and white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure. They're always tight to cover - docks, bridges, jetties, anywhere with barnacle growth. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up heavy around structures. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait pickers that require finesse and quick reflexes. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters, sweet white meat that's hard to beat. Fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp work best, but here's the trick: use the smallest hook you can get away with and keep that bait right against the pilings. When you feel them nibbling, don't wait - set that hook hard because they'll clean you out in seconds if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that'll keep you guessing. These flatfish run 15-18 inches typically, though you might land one pushing 25+ inches on a good day. They bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms around creek mouths, oyster bars, and shallow flats - usually in 2-8 feet of water. What makes them fun to target is their ambush style - they'll nail a well-placed shrimp or mullet strip when you least expect it. The meat is excellent, white and flaky. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore. Here's the key: fish slow and keep your bait on the bottom. Use a Carolina rig with just enough weight to stay down, and when you feel that subtle tap, give it a second before setting the hook. They like to grab and run with it.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the ultimate gamefish around here - aggressive, strong fighters that can surprise you with their size. Most run 20-40 pounds, but we see some real bulls over 50. They love structure like jetties, bridge pilings, and drop-offs where baitfish gather. During their spring and fall migrations, the fishing gets red hot as schools move through our waters chasing shad and herring. What makes them special is that powerful run when they first feel the hook - they'll test your drag for sure. The meat is top-notch too, firm and sweet. Best action happens around moving water during tide changes, especially early morning and evening. Live or fresh-cut bait works best - herring, shad, or eels. Here's what most folks miss: when you're fishing structure, position yourself upcurrent and let your bait drift naturally down to them. Fighting the current never works with these fish.
South Carolina