Georgetown SC Winter Fishing | 6-Hour Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore fishing targeting redfish, flounder, and tarponSmall group experience with maximum four guests aboardWinter season availability from mid-September through October
When the summer crowds clear out and the water starts to cool, that's when Georgetown's fishing really comes alive. Captain Ponytail's 6-hour winter charter runs from mid-September through October, hitting that sweet spot when the fish are feeding heavy before the real cold sets in. You'll be working the pristine inshore waters around Georgetown, where the Winyah Bay system creates some of the most productive fishing grounds on the Carolina coast. This isn't your typical tourist trip - we're talking serious fishing time with a captain who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
Your day starts early at the Georgetown marina, where you'll meet Captain Ponytail and get the lowdown on what's biting. The boat holds up to 4 anglers, so you're not fighting for elbow room or dealing with a cattle boat situation. We're targeting four main species - redfish, flounder, sea trout, and tarpon - and the captain adjusts the game plan based on tides, weather, and what the fish are telling us. The fall transition period is prime time because baitfish are schooling up, and everything with teeth is following them. You'll spend the day moving between different spots, from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges, always chasing the bite. Pack your own lunch and drinks since meals aren't included, but trust me, you'll be too busy reeling in fish to think much about food.
Captain Ponytail runs a well-equipped boat with quality rods, reels, and tackle included in your trip. We're primarily sight fishing and working structure, using everything from topwater plugs at first light to soft plastics and live bait as the day progresses. The redfish bite often happens in skinny water where you can see their backs, so be ready for some heart-pounding visual fishing. For flounder, we're bouncing jigs along the bottom near creek mouths and drop-offs. Sea trout love the grass beds, and we'll work those areas with both artificial lures and live shrimp when available. The tarpon fishing is seasonal and weather-dependent, but when they show up, we're ready with heavier tackle and circle hooks. The captain provides all the gear, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one - just make sure it's rigged for inshore work.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Georgetown's inshore scene, and fall is when they really turn on. These copper-colored bruisers range from 18 to 35 inches in our waters, with the bigger bulls showing up in the deeper channels and around structure. They're aggressive feeders in the cooler months, bulking up for winter, which means they'll hit everything from gold spoons to live finger mullet. What makes reds so special is their fighting ability - they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad shoulders to give you a real workout.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder as they stage for their offshore spawning run. We're talking fish in the 3 to 8 pound range, with the occasional 10-pounder to keep things interesting. They're structure-oriented fish, so we work creek mouths, channel edges, and anywhere current breaks over bottom changes. The bite is subtle - more of a tap than a slam - but once you get the hang of it, flounder fishing becomes addictive.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as the locals call them, are schooling fish that love the grass beds and oyster bars around Georgetown. They run 12 to 20 inches on average, with some gator trout pushing 6 pounds or more. Fall fishing is fantastic because they're feeding aggressively on shrimp and small baitfish. They're willing biters on both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers who want consistent action. The strike is usually aggressive, and they jump and shake their heads like small tarpon.
Tarpon are the wild card species on these trips - when they're around, everything else takes a backseat. Georgetown's tarpon are typically in the 40 to 100 pound range, and they show up when water temps and bait conditions align perfectly. These fish are pure adrenaline, known for their aerial displays and bulldogging runs. Even a 50-pound tarpon will test your tackle and your nerves. They're catch-and-release fish, but the photos and memories last forever. When the captain spots rolling tarpon, get ready for some of the most exciting fishing on the East Coast.
Georgetown's fall fishing window is short but sweet, running from mid-September through October when conditions are just right. This is when local guides see some of their best action of the year, with cooler temperatures making for comfortable days on the water and fish that are actively feeding. Captain Ponytail's 6-hour trip gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and target different species without feeling rushed. The boat's 4-angler capacity means personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for that next personal best or someone wanting to experience South Carolina's world-class inshore fishing, this trip delivers the goods. Book now and get ready to see why Georgetown is considered one of the top fishing destinations on the Carolina coast.
Our 26-foot 2016 Avenger AV26 Bay Boat is built for serious fishing along Georgetown's productive inshore waters. Powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha engine, this bay boat cuts through the coastal shallows with ease while keeping your group of up to four anglers comfortable during those long winter fishing sessions. The wireless trolling motor lets you drift silently into redfish territory without spooking your targets, while the GPS navigation system keeps you on productive fishing spots trip after trip. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools of sea trout and flounder holding in deeper channels. Modern electronics package ensures you're always connected to the action below, whether you're working the grass flats for tailing reds or hunting winter tarpon in the deeper creeks. This bay boat handles Georgetown's varied inshore conditions perfectly, from shallow oyster bars to windswept sounds, giving you access to prime fishing grounds that bigger boats simply can't reach.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-32 inches and 3-15 pounds in our waters. They love super shallow flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Fall is prime time as they feed heavily before winter, and you'll often see them tailing in skinny water. What makes reds special is their powerful fight and willingness to eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, and topwater plugs all work. They're also excellent eating with firm, mild flesh. My best local tip: look for nervous water and birds working bait in the shallows during rising tides - that's usually reds pushing shrimp and small fish up onto the flats where they're easiest to catch.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are one of our most reliable inshore targets. These silvery fish with distinct black spots typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional "gator trout" exceeding 5 pounds. They love grass flats, creek edges, and oyster bars in 3-8 feet of water, especially around moving tides. Fall fishing is fantastic as they school up before winter. Trout are popular because they fight well for their size, make great table fare with mild, flaky white meat, and bite consistently on both live and artificial baits. They're suckers for live shrimp under popping corks, soft plastics, and topwater plugs during low light. Here's a local trick: when the water gets cold, look for them in deeper creek bends and channels where they stack up - sometimes you can catch a dozen from one spot.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are unique flatfish that'll surprise first-timers with both eyes on their left side. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting for shrimp, crabs, and small fish to pass by. You'll typically find them in 2-15 feet of water around grass flats, creek mouths, and sandy holes. Most run 15-18 inches and 2-4 pounds, though we occasionally see doormat-sized fish pushing 6+ pounds. Fall and winter are prime time here in Georgetown when they move toward deeper channels. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. The key to landing more flounder is using a slow drift with live shrimp or mud minnows on a Carolina rig - keep your bait moving just above bottom since they strike from below and you need to feel that subtle tap before they spit the hook.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate gamefish that'll test your skills and stamina. These silver kings average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds around here, with their signature massive jumps and bulldogging runs that can last 30+ minutes. You'll find them rolling in deeper channels, around creek mouths, and near structure in 8-25 feet during our fall season. What makes tarpon special is their raw power and acrobatics - watching a 100-pound fish launch itself 8 feet out of the water never gets old. They're strictly catch-and-release since the meat isn't great, but the fight is worth every minute. We target them with live mullet, crabs, and large swimbaits. My go-to tip: when they jump, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - it gives slack and prevents them from throwing the hook on those spectacular leaps.
Georgetown, SC