Weekend Inshore Charter for Redfish and Black Drum
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting redfish and black drumEarly morning departure from Charleston Harbor and Shem CreekAll fishing gear and licenses included with experienced captain
Nothing beats starting your weekend with lines in the water at first light. This 4-hour inshore charter out of Mount Pleasant puts you right in the heart of some of South Carolina's best fishing grounds. Captain J Hook Charters knows these waters like the back of his hand, and whether you're a first-timer or you've been fishing these flats for years, you're going to love what Charleston Harbor and Shem Creek have to offer. We're talking about a top-rated fishing experience that gets you on the water at 7 AM sharp, when the fish are most active and the weekend crowds haven't hit yet.
Your morning starts at the dock in Mount Pleasant, where you'll meet your captain and get a quick rundown of the day's game plan. The boat is rigged and ready with everything you need - quality rods, fresh bait, tackle, and all the gear that separates a good day from a great day on the water. Charleston Harbor offers incredible variety, from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise to deeper channels where black drum stack up. Shem Creek is another honey hole that consistently produces fish year-round. The captain reads the conditions each morning - tide, wind, water clarity - and adjusts the plan accordingly. With space for up to 4 anglers, everyone gets plenty of elbow room and personal attention. The beauty of this charter is that beginners get hands-on coaching while experienced anglers can focus on perfecting their technique and landing bigger fish.
Inshore fishing around Mount Pleasant is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. We're primarily sight fishing and structure fishing, depending on what the fish are doing that day. For redfish, expect to work the shallow flats with live shrimp, cut bait, or soft plastics. These fish love to cruise the grass beds and oyster bars, especially during moving water. Black drum require a different approach - they're bottom feeders that respond well to fresh shrimp and blue crab fished near structure. The captain provides spinning tackle that's perfectly matched to the species we're targeting. You'll learn proper casting techniques, how to work different baits, and most importantly, how to fight these fish without losing them at the boat. Spotted seatrout often show up in the deeper grass beds, while flounder ambush prey along channel edges and drop-offs. The gear is top-notch but not overwhelming - everything is set up so you can focus on fishing rather than fumbling with equipment.
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Carolina inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from 18 to 35 inches in our waters, with the bigger bulls putting up fights you'll remember for years. They're most active during moving tides and love shallow water where you can actually see them cruising. What makes redfish special is their aggressive nature - when they're feeding, they'll hit just about anything you throw at them. Fall and spring are prime time, but honestly, Mount Pleasant produces quality reds year-round.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute tanks when it comes to pulling power. These fish can range anywhere from 2 to 30 pounds in our area, and the bigger ones will test your drag and your patience. They're bottom dwellers that use their pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, so expect a methodical, powerful fight rather than flashy jumps. Black drum are most cooperative during cooler months, and they often school up in impressive numbers around structure.
Southern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. They're masters of camouflage and can be tricky to hook since they often grab bait and hold it before committing. When you do connect, they fight with surprising strength for a flatfish. Flounder fishing peaks in fall when they're staging for their offshore spawn, but we catch keeper-sized fish throughout the warmer months. There's something satisfying about fooling such a cunning predator.
Spotted seatrout, or "specks" as locals call them, are probably the most cooperative fish in our inshore waters. They school up in grass beds and around structure, feeding aggressively on shrimp and small fish. Trout have soft mouths, so the fight is more about finesse than raw power, but they make up for it with their willingness to bite. Spring and fall offer the best action, though summer mornings can be phenomenal if you're on the water early enough.
Striped bass bring a different dimension to inshore fishing around Charleston. These fish are built for speed and endurance, making long runs when hooked. They're seasonal visitors, typically showing up in fall and winter when baitfish are thick. Stripers school heavily and when you find them, the action can be non-stop. They're also excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers who like to take home dinner.
This weekend charter consistently books up, especially during prime fishing months, and there's a reason why anglers keep coming back to Captain J Hook Charters. You're getting a world-class fishing experience without the hassle - no need to worry about licenses, gear, or even knowing where to fish. The 7 AM start time puts you on the water when fish are most active, and four hours gives you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques. Whether you're looking to introduce someone new to saltwater fishing or you're a seasoned angler wanting to explore new waters, this trip delivers. The combination of expert guidance, quality equipment, and productive fishing grounds makes this one of the best values on the water. Don't wait too long to reserve your spot - weekends fill up fast, and the fish are biting now.
Step aboard the 23' Epic center console and get ready to work the waters around Charleston Harbor and Shem Creek. This 2015 boat packs a reliable 200HP Suzuki outboard that'll get you to the fishing grounds quickly and quietly back to the hotspots. The spacious layout gives you and up to 3 other anglers plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and move around without bumping elbows. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on redfish and black drum without spooking them in shallow water. When you're searching for structure or schools, the fish finder will show you what's below while the GPS keeps you on productive spots. The radar comes in handy during those early morning runs when fog rolls in off the coast. Between fishing sessions, grab a cold drink from the icebox and enjoy some music from the onboard sound system. This boat handles the inshore waters perfectly, whether you're drifting oyster bars for drum or sight-casting to tailing reds in the grass.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters - these bruisers can push 30+ pounds and will test your drag system. They're part of the drum family, known for the croaking sounds they make underwater. You'll find them around oyster beds, creek mouths, and shallow flats where they cruise looking for crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. They're powerful fighters that use their broad sides to pull hard once hooked. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: use fresh blue crab or cut shrimp on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near oyster structure. They're bottom feeders, so keep it down there.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing - copper-colored fish with that signature black spot near their tail. They typically run 18-30 inches around here, with the slot fish being perfect for dinner. You'll find them in super shallow water, sometimes with their backs showing, cruising oyster beds, grass flats, and creek banks. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. These fish are scrappy fighters that use the shallow water to their advantage, making powerful runs. The meat is excellent - mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. What makes them special is you can sight-fish for them in skinny water, which is always exciting. My go-to tip: use a 1/4 oz gold spoon and work it steady over grass beds on an incoming tide. They can't resist it.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Seatrout, or "specks," are beautiful fish covered in distinctive black spots with a golden tint along their sides. Most range from 14-20 inches, but the bigger "gator trout" over 25 inches are real prizes. They hang around grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow water structure throughout Charleston Harbor. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially on moving tides. These fish have a soft mouth, so they're fun on light tackle but you need to be careful not to horse them. The meat is delicate and flaky - perfect for a fish dinner. Dawn and dusk are prime feeding times when they move shallow to hunt shrimp and baitfish. Local tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below. Work it over grass beds and let the cork do the calling - they'll come up to investigate the noise.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, unique fish that both eyes on their left side - pretty wild to see up close. They're masters at hiding in sandy and muddy bottoms, especially around oyster beds and creek mouths throughout Charleston Harbor. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch some nice ones pushing 25+ inches that really put up a fight. They're ambush predators, so they'll bury themselves and wait for bait to drift by. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore. The meat is excellent - sweet and flaky when cooked right. My best tip: work your bait slow along the bottom near structure changes. They'll often hit on the pause, so give it a second before setting the hook.
Morone SaxatilisStriped Bass, or "stripers," are powerful fish known for those distinctive dark stripes running down their silver sides. Around Charleston, most run 20-30 pounds, but we see some real bulls pushing 40+ pounds. They love structure - bridge pilings, jetties, and creek mouths where baitfish gather. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're actively feeding and moving through our waters. These fish are serious fighters that make long runs and use their size to their advantage. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and perfect on the grill. They're also great for catch-and-release if you're after the bigger ones. Pro tip: look for diving birds and surface activity - that's where the stripers are pushing bait up. Live menhaden or large shrimp work best, but they'll crush topwater plugs when they're feeding shallow.
South Carolina