Weekend Inshore Fishing Charter in Mount Pleasant
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore charter targeting redfish and black drumAll gear and licenses included for convenient fishing experienceProfessional captain provides guidance for all skill levels
There's nothing quite like getting on the water early on a weekend morning when the fish are hungry and the Charleston Harbor is still calm. This 4-hour inshore charter with Captain J Hook Charters kicks off at 7:00 AM, putting you right in the sweet spot when redfish and black drum are most active. You'll fish the productive waters around Charleston Harbor and Shem Creek, two of the most consistent fishing spots along South Carolina's coast. Whether you're just getting started with saltwater fishing or you've been working these waters for years, this trip delivers the kind of hands-on experience that keeps anglers coming back. All your gear and fishing licenses are covered, so you can focus on what matters most – putting fish in the boat.
Your morning starts with a quick meet-up at the dock where Captain J Hook will go over the game plan for the day. The beauty of inshore fishing in Mount Pleasant is the variety – one cast you might be working a creek mouth for redfish, the next you're drifting over grass flats targeting flounder. Charleston Harbor offers protected waters that stay fishable even when the ocean gets rough, making it perfect for a relaxed morning on the water. Shem Creek is legendary among local anglers for its year-round action, especially when the tide is moving. You'll cover different structure and depths throughout the trip, from shallow oyster bars where redfish cruise to deeper channels where black drum hang out. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish while sharing tips that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends. With a maximum of 4 guests, there's plenty of room to fish comfortably and get personalized instruction.
Inshore fishing in Charleston waters calls for versatile techniques that can handle everything from spooky redfish in skinny water to stubborn black drum in deeper holes. You'll primarily use medium-action spinning gear loaded with 15-20 pound braid, perfect for feeling light bites while having the backbone to turn fish away from structure. Live bait is king here – fresh shrimp, mud minnows, and cut bait will make up your arsenal depending on what the fish are eating that day. When targeting redfish around oyster bars, you'll often fish with a Carolina rig or knocker rig to keep your bait near the bottom where these copper-colored fighters like to feed. For black drum, expect to use heavier weights and circle hooks to get down to where these bottom dwellers cruise. The captain will also have artificial lures ready when fish are actively feeding – soft plastics on jig heads work magic around grass beds, and topwater plugs can create explosive strikes during the right conditions. You'll learn to read the water, understand how tide affects fish behavior, and pick up techniques that work specifically in Lowcountry waters.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston inshore fishing and for good reason. These bronze-backed bruisers range from 18 to 30 inches in local waters and fight like they've got something to prove. Fall through spring offers the most consistent action, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat and their bulldogging fight style – they'll pull drag and use every oyster bar and piece of structure to try breaking you off. When you hook a slot-sized red, expect a battle that'll test your drag system and leave your arms burning.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the creek, but they're absolute tanks that'll humble even experienced anglers. These chunky bottom-dwellers can weigh anywhere from 5 to 40 pounds in Charleston waters, with the bigger fish showing up in cooler months. They're notorious for their subtle bite – often feeling like you've snagged bottom until that bottom starts swimming away. Black drum have crushing power in their jaws from eating oysters and crabs all day, so when you set the hook, you better hold on tight. They're excellent table fare when kept in the slot, with firm white meat that's perfect for blackening or frying.
Southern flounder are the chameleons of the inshore world, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting baitfish. These flatfish are masters of disguise and can be tricky to locate, but that's what makes catching them so rewarding. Peak flounder season runs from late summer through fall when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run. A good Mount Pleasant flounder will measure 16 to 22 inches and provide some of the best eating you'll find in coastal waters. Their strike is often subtle – just a slight tick on your rod tip – so you'll need to stay alert and develop a feel for their bite.
Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as locals call them, are probably the most cooperative fish you'll encounter on this trip. These beautiful fish with distinctive spotted patterns are willing biters that respond well to both live bait and artificials. Spring and fall offer the best speckled trout action in Charleston Harbor, with fish ranging from 14 to 20 inches being most common. They school up around grass beds and drop-offs, making them relatively predictable once you understand their patterns. Specks have a soft mouth, so you'll need to play them carefully, but their aggressive nature means you'll often get multiple chances if one breaks off.
Striped bass round out your target list and bring some serious pulling power to the table. While not as common as the other species, when stripers are in Charleston Harbor, they make their presence known with aggressive feeds and hard fights. These silver rockets can show up any time of year but are most consistent during cooler months when baitfish are thick. A good Charleston striper runs 20 to 30 inches and will give you a fight that combines speed with endurance. They're excellent table fare and provide some of the most exciting action when they're feeding on the surface.
Cast off in style aboard this well-equipped 23' Epic center console, powered by a reliable 200HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast. Built in 2015, this boat handles Charleston Harbor's waters with ease while comfortably fishing up to 4 anglers. The fish finder helps locate redfish and black drum hiding in structure, while the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them. GPS and radar keep you on course and safe in changing conditions. Between bites, grab a cold drink from the icebox or tune into the multimedia system. Whether you're working the oyster bars around Shem Creek or drifting the harbor for spotted seatrout, this boat's spacious layout gives everyone room to fish without tangling lines.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, with most fish running 10-30 pounds, though we've landed some monsters over 40. These powerful fish love oyster beds and shallow flats where they use their crusher teeth to feed on crabs and oysters. Spring is prime time when they school up in the shallows for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the pure power - these fish will test your drag and give you a workout. They're also surprisingly good eating if you keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds. The bigger fish make great photo opportunities before release. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or cut shrimp on the bottom, and when you feel that steady pull, don't horse them - let that drag work and enjoy the fight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water flats, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most run 18-27 inches in the slot, perfect for the dinner table. These fish thrive in 1-4 feet of water around oyster beds, grass flats, and creek mouths throughout Charleston Harbor. Year-round fishing is good, but fall brings the best action when they school up in big numbers. What makes redfish special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fights in shallow water - you'll see your backing when a big one takes off. They're also fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. The trick is staying quiet and making long casts to avoid spoiling the flat. Gold spoons and topwater plugs work great, but live shrimp under a popping cork is hard to beat around structure.
Salmo TruttaSpotted seatrout are beautiful fish with silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. Most run 14-18 inches, but we catch some "gator trout" over 20 inches in deeper grass beds. These fish love shallow grass flats and creek mouths throughout Charleston Harbor, especially around dawn and dusk. Spring through fall offers the best action, with cooler months finding them in deeper channels. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also delicate table fare with sweet, flaky meat, though they're soft so don't overcook them. The key is working grass flats quietly during low light periods. Try a popping cork with live shrimp or throw soft plastics over the grass. Remember, trout have soft mouths, so keep steady pressure without horsing them in.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - they bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms and wait to ambush prey. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches in deeper channels. Look for them around oyster bars, creek mouths, and drop-offs throughout Charleston Harbor, especially during moving tides. Fall and winter are prime time when they fatten up before heading offshore to spawn. What makes flounder fishing special is the challenge - they're subtle biters that require patience. The reward is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: use live mud minnows on a Carolina rig and feel for that gentle "thump" - don't set the hook immediately, let them turn the bait first.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are some of the strongest fighters you'll encounter in Charleston waters. These silver bullets with distinctive black stripes typically run 20-35 inches around here, with the occasional trophy pushing 40+. They love structure - bridge pilings, jetties, and drop-offs where baitfish gather. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're actively feeding during their coastal migrations. What makes stripers special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights that'll put your gear to the test. They're also excellent table fare with firm, flaky white meat. You'll find them in moving water around dawn and dusk when they're hunting. My go-to technique is live shrimp or mullet near structure during tide changes. When you hook one, keep steady pressure - they'll make powerful runs but tire out if you stay patient.
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