World Class 6-Hour Summer Fishing Adventures in Georgetown
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure targeting red drum and tarponSummer season trips accommodate up to four guests maximumGeorgetown waters offer flounder and sea trout opportunities
Picture this: you're drifting through the pristine waters around Georgetown, South Carolina, rod in hand, waiting for that telltale tug that signals a feeder fish has found your bait. Our 6-hour summer fishing adventure runs from June through mid-September, when the water temps heat up and the fish get active. Captain Ponytail Guide Service has been putting anglers on fish in these waters for years, and we know exactly where to find red drum, sea trout, flounder, and those bucket-list tarpon that'll test your drag and your nerves. With space for up to 4 anglers, this top-rated Georgetown fishing charter gives you plenty of elbow room to work a fish without bumping into your buddy.
We'll meet you at the dock bright and early, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active and before the summer heat gets too intense. The boat's equipped with everything you need – rods, reels, tackle, and bait – though you're welcome to bring your favorite setup if you've got one. Georgetown's inshore waters are perfect for this style of fishing because you've got endless grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where fish love to hang out and feed. The water's typically calm in the morning, making it comfortable for anglers of all experience levels. Don't worry about bringing lunch – we keep things simple with snacks and drinks so you can focus on what you came for: catching fish. The summer months here are prime time because the baitfish are thick, water temps are just right, and the variety of species means you never know what's going to hit next.
We'll be running a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are showing us that day. For red drum, we love working the shallow flats with cut bait or live shrimp, sight-casting to tailing fish when the conditions are right. Sea trout respond well to soft plastics worked along grass edges, especially early morning or late in the trip when they move shallow to feed. Flounder fishing means working the bottom structure with live finger mullet or mud minnows – these flatfish love to ambush prey from their sandy hideouts. When we're targeting tarpon, it's all about presenting live bait near structure or working the channels where they roll and feed. The Winyah Bay system gives us access to multiple fishing zones within our 6-hour window, so we can move around and find active fish rather than sitting in one spot hoping they show up.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim by. Summer months bring these flatfish into shallower water where they're easier to target, typically ranging from 14 to 20 inches with the occasional doormat pushing 4-5 pounds. They hit hard and fight dirty, using their flat profile to create maximum resistance as you try to bring them up. Anglers love flounder because they're excellent table fare and provide that satisfying thump when they grab your bait.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Georgetown waters, and summer is when these acrobatic fighters move into our area to feed and spawn. These fish can range from juvenile "baby" tarpon around 10-30 pounds up to mature fish exceeding 100 pounds. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their aerial displays when hooked, launching completely out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll get your heart racing. July and August are peak months, and landing one of these giants is a memory that lasts a lifetime.
Sea Trout, also called speckled trout, are year-round residents that really turn on during summer months. These spotted beauties typically run 14-18 inches in our waters, with trophy fish pushing 20+ inches and 3-4 pounds. They're aggressive feeders that hit artificials with authority, making them perfect for anglers who love the visual excitement of lures and topwater action. Sea trout are also fantastic eating, which makes them a customer favorite for folks wanting to take dinner home.
Redfish are the workhorses of Georgetown inshore fishing, available year-round but particularly active during summer when they move onto shallow flats to feed. These copper-colored drums typically range from slot-size fish around 18-27 inches up to oversized bulls that can exceed 30 inches and 20+ pounds. What makes reds special is their powerful, determined fight – they don't jump like tarpon, but they'll pull drag and test your tackle with bulldogging runs that showcase their strength. Sight-fishing for tailing reds in shallow water is world-class angling that keeps customers coming back season after season.
Georgetown's summer fishing season is short but sweet, running just June through mid-September when conditions are optimal. This 6-hour trip gives you serious time on the water to target multiple species and explore different fishing zones, all while enjoying some of the best inshore fishing South Carolina has to offer. Whether you're looking to check tarpon off your bucket list, fill the cooler with sea trout and reds, or just enjoy a day on the water with friends or family, Captain Ponytail Guide Service has the local knowledge and experience to make it happen. Summer dates book up fast, especially weekends, so don't wait too long to secure your spot. Give us a call and let's get you set up for a day of fishing you'll be talking about long after the sunburn fades.
Your fishing adventures around Georgetown's productive waters start aboard this well-equipped 26-foot Avenger AV26 Bay Boat. Built in 2016 and powered by a reliable 300HP Yamaha engine, she'll get you to the red drum flats and tarpon spots quickly and comfortably. The boat comes loaded with everything you need for successful inshore fishing - a quality fish finder to locate schools of sea trout, GPS navigation to hit your favorite flounder holes, and a wireless trolling motor that lets you approach spooky fish without spooking them. With room for up to four anglers, there's plenty of space to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. The modern electronics package takes the guesswork out of finding productive water, while the shallow draft design gets you into those back-country spots where the big reds like to feed. Perfect for targeting Georgetown's summer species from June through September.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails that make every angler's heart race. Most slot fish run 20-28 inches and 5-8 pounds, but the big bulls we catch and release can push 40+ inches and 30 pounds. These fish love our shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 1-6 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Summer fishing is outstanding when they're cruising the flats hunting crabs and shrimp. What guests love most is their powerful runs and stubborn fights, plus smaller ones make fantastic table fare with sweet, firm meat. They're also willing to hit both live bait and artificials. The real thrill comes from sight fishing - spotting their bronze backs and black-tipped tails in skinny water. Pro tip: when you see a red's tail sticking up, cast past him and work your bait back slowly - they spook easily in shallow water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish covered in distinct black spots. They typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, though 4-5 pounders show up regularly. These fish love our grass flats and shallow waters around 3-8 feet deep, especially areas with moving water and structure like oyster beds. Summer evenings are prime time when they move shallow to feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Guests appreciate their solid fights and excellent eating quality - the white, flaky meat is some of the best you'll find. They're also great for beginners since they're willing biters. During our summer trips, focus on the grass edges where clear water meets slightly stained water. My go-to technique is a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the noise draws them in from a distance, and that setup is nearly irresistible to hungry trout.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are flat, oval-shaped fish that spend their time buried in sand and mud bottoms, ambushing prey like shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 2-5 pounds, though we've seen some beauties push over 20 pounds. You'll find them in our shallow bays, creeks, and around oyster bars - anywhere there's soft bottom for them to hide in. Summer months are prime time when they're active in 2-8 feet of water. What makes them special is their ability to change color to match the bottom perfectly. Guests love the challenge of sight fishing for them, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jig head, and watch for that subtle "tick" - flounder don't slam baits, they just pick them up and swim off.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the silver kings of our waters - massive fish that can reach 6-8 feet and weigh 80-200 pounds. These prehistoric giants migrate through our area during summer months, rolling and feeding in deeper channels and around creek mouths. They're found in 10-30 feet of water near structure, often showing themselves by rolling at the surface. What makes tarpon fishing so addictive is their aerial show - they'll jump 8-10 feet out of the water when hooked, using every trick to throw the hook. Most guests are after the fight, not the meal, since tarpon are bony and not great eating. We practice catch and release to preserve these amazing fish. The best action happens on moving tides around dawn and dusk. Here's the key: when you hook one, bow to the fish during its jumps - lower your rod tip to give slack and prevent the hook from pulling out.
Georgetown, SC