6-Hour Winter Fishing Charter in Georgetown, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing targeting redfish, flounder, sea trout, and tarponWinter season availability from midSeptember through October in GeorgetownSmall group trips accommodating up to four guests maximum
When the temperatures drop and most boats head to the dock, that's when the real fishing begins in Georgetown's pristine waters. This top-rated 6-hour winter charter with Captain Ponytail Guide Service runs from mid-September through October, targeting some of the Lowcountry's most sought-after species. You'll be casting lines for redfish, flounder, sea trout, and if we're lucky, the king of inshore fishing – tarpon. With room for up to 4 anglers, this trip gives you plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from our experienced captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Georgetown's winter fishing season brings cooler air but hotter action. The water temperature drops just enough to concentrate baitfish in predictable patterns, and that's when our target species really turn on the feed. We'll launch from Georgetown's harbor and work the extensive creek systems, oyster bars, and grass flats that make this area a world-class fishery. The scenery alone is worth the trip – historic rice fields, ancient live oaks draped in Spanish moss, and pristine saltwater marshes stretching as far as you can see. During these 6 hours, expect to move between several productive spots as we follow the tide and chase active fish. The cooler weather means you can fish all day without the summer heat beating down on you, making it a customer favorite season for serious anglers.
We'll be fishing with medium-action spinning rods paired with 3000-series reels spooled with 15-20 pound braided line. Most of our fishing happens in 2-8 feet of water around structure like oyster bars, dock pilings, and grass bed edges. Live bait is king out here – we'll have fresh shrimp, mud minnows, and finger mullet depending on what's available at the bait shop that morning. For artificials, we'll throw soft plastics like Z-Man paddletails, DOA shrimp, and topwater plugs when the conditions are right. The technique varies with the target – slow-rolling soft baits along the bottom for flounder, sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, and working creek mouths with live bait for sea trout. If we get into tarpon, we'll step up to heavier tackle and focus on areas where they're rolling or feeding on the surface.
Southern flounder are the bread and butter of winter fishing in Georgetown waters. These flatfish move into the creeks during cooler months, staging near creek mouths and channel edges before their offshore spawn. Most fish run 14-18 inches with plenty of keeper-sized doormat flounder mixed in. They're ambush predators that bury in the sand and mud, so we'll work baits slowly along the bottom near structure. What makes flounder so exciting is the fight – they pull hard and shake their heads like crazy, plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Lowcountry fishing, and Georgetown's winter pattern puts them in predictable spots. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches to oversized bulls pushing 30+ inches. Winter reds school up in deeper creek bends and around oyster bars, feeding heavily on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. When you hook into a red drum, you'll know it immediately – they make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to fight in the current. The sight-fishing opportunities are phenomenal too, especially on warmer winter days when they push shallow to sun themselves.
Sea trout, or spotted seatrout as they're properly called, are abundant in Georgetown's grass flats during the cooler months. These beautiful fish with their distinctive spots and canine teeth average 12-16 inches with the occasional gator trout over 20 inches. They're primarily structure-oriented, holding around creek mouths, drop-offs, and grass bed edges where they can ambush prey. Sea trout are known for their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights – they'll jump and tail-walk across the surface when hooked. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat.
Tarpon might seem out of place on a winter trip, but Georgetown's temperate waters hold resident fish year-round, especially the juvenile silver kings in the 20-50 pound range. These are fish of a lifetime for most anglers – when a tarpon eats your bait and launches 6 feet out of the water, shaking its head and rattling its gills, you'll understand why they're called the silver king. Even smaller tarpon are incredibly strong fighters that will test your tackle and your skills. Finding them requires local knowledge and the right conditions, but when it happens, it's the kind of fishing story you'll be telling for years.
This renowned winter fishing charter fills up fast once word gets out about the quality of fishing during these cooler months. Six hours gives us plenty of time to work multiple spots, adjust our tactics based on conditions, and put you on fish without feeling rushed. Captain Ponytail Guide Service has built a reputation on consistent catches and showing anglers the best that Georgetown waters have to offer. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target specific species or someone new to saltwater fishing wanting to experience the Lowcountry's incredible fishery, this trip delivers. The combination of productive fishing, stunning scenery, and comfortable weather makes this the best trip for anglers who want to experience South Carolina's coastal waters at their finest. Don't wait – these winter dates book solid with repeat customers who know this is when the fishing is at its peak.
Get ready to chase redfish and tarpon aboard this well-equipped 26' Avenger AV26 Bay Boat! Powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha engine, this 2016 vessel handles Georgetown's inshore waters with ease while comfortably accommodating up to four anglers. The boat comes loaded with essential fishing electronics including GPS navigation and fish finder to help locate those winter hotspots where sea trout and flounder like to hide. A wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure without spooking fish, while the spacious deck provides plenty of room for casting and fighting those hard-pulling tarpon. Modern electronics ensure you stay on course and find productive water during your 6-hour winter fishing adventure along South Carolina's scenic coastline.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or Red Drum, are copper-colored fighters with distinctive black spots near their tails. Around Georgetown, most run 20-30 inches, though bull reds can push 40+ inches and 30+ pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Fall and winter months are perfect as they school up and feed heavily before cooler weather hits. What makes them special is their powerful runs and that telltale spot that fools predators into attacking the wrong end. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. My local secret: look for nervous water or tailing fish on falling tides around oyster rakes. A gold spoon or live shrimp works magic, but keep your casts quiet - they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout as locals call them, are beautiful spotted fish that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds around Georgetown. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels and creek mouths. Fall and early winter fishing is prime time - they're more active in the crisp water and easier to locate. Anglers love them for their scrappy fight and excellent table fare - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. Pro tip: fish the grass edges at dawn and dusk with soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork. The sound draws them in, and that subtle cork twitch usually means you've got one.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish with both eyes on their left side - pretty unique sight when you first see one. They typically run 15-18 inches around here, though we've seen some push 25+ inches. These ambush predators bury themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow bays and estuaries, waiting to grab shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they move into deeper channels. What makes them fun to target is their solid fight once hooked, plus they're excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to tip: drift slowly over sandy bottoms with live shrimp on a light jig head - when you feel that subtle tap, wait a second before setting the hook since they like to grab bait sideways first.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - massive, acrobatic fish that can reach 6+ feet and 100+ pounds, though most we see are 4-5 feet. These prehistoric giants love shallow coastal waters, especially around structures and deeper channels during cooler months. Fall through early winter brings them through Georgetown as they migrate. What gets anglers hooked is their explosive jumps and long, powerful runs - pure adrenaline. While they're catch-and-release only due to their bony, mercury-heavy meat, the fight alone makes them bucket-list fish. They can live 50+ years, so treating them right matters. Local trick: when one jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip - it prevents the line from snapping on their hard gill plates during those wild aerial shows.
Georgetown, SC