SC Charter Fishing | 6-Hour Summer Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore fishing adventure targeting red drum and tarponSummer season trips available June through mid-SeptemberFour-guest capacity with Captain Ponytail Guide Service
Captain Ponytail Guide Service brings you the best summer fishing Georgetown, SC has to offer. From June through mid-September, when the water's warm and the fish are hungry, we'll spend six solid hours chasing red drum, sea trout, flounder, and tarpon in some of the most productive inshore waters along the Carolina coast. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to get tight with some serious fish while soaking up the South Carolina summer sun. We keep groups small at four anglers max, so you'll get plenty of one-on-one attention whether you're just learning to cast or you've been fishing these waters for years.
We'll launch early to beat the summer heat and make the most of prime feeding times. Georgetown's maze of creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats comes alive during summer months, and that's where we'll focus our efforts. The morning bite usually kicks off strong, with redfish cruising the shallows and sea trout working the grass lines. As the day heats up, we'll shift tactics – maybe hit some deeper holes for flounder or work the structure where tarpon like to hang out. Captain Ponytail knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish while sharing stories about the local fishing scene. Expect to move around quite a bit – we're not the type to sit in one spot all day hoping something happens. When one bite shuts down, we'll find another.
We run top-quality spinning gear perfectly matched to our target species, from medium-light setups for trout to heavy tackle when tarpon show up. You'll learn to work soft plastics around oyster structure for reds, drift live bait over grass flats for sea trout, and bump bottom with bucktails for flounder. If you're into artificial lures, we'll show you how to work topwater plugs during the early morning bite – nothing beats watching a redfish blow up on a surface lure in two feet of water. Live bait plays a huge role in our summer strategy too. Fresh shrimp, finger mullet, and mud minnows all have their place depending on conditions and target species. Captain Ponytail will teach you the subtle differences in presentation that separate good days from great ones, like how to drift a live shrimp so it looks natural or the right retrieve speed for different lure types.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise in Georgetown's waters, and summer brings some of the year's best doormat action. These flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud near creek mouths and around structure, waiting to ambush baitfish. What makes flounder so exciting is their fighting style – they'll make strong runs toward bottom structure, testing your drag and technique. Summer flounder here typically run 14 to 20 inches, with occasional fish pushing the 24-inch mark. The key is working your bait slow and steady along the bottom, feeling for that distinctive tap-tap-pull that signals a flatfish has your offering.
Tarpon turn Georgetown into a world-class fishery during summer months, and hooking one of these silver kings will ruin you for other fish. These acrobatic fighters can reach 100 pounds or more in our local waters, and they're famous for their spectacular jumps and long, powerful runs. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their intelligence and the challenge they present. You might watch them roll on the surface, seemingly ignoring every bait you present, then suddenly one will crush your offering and the fight is on. Summer brings the best tarpon action as these fish move inshore to feed, and Captain Ponytail knows the spots where they gather.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Georgetown summer fishing. These beautiful fish love grass flats and creek edges where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Summer specks are aggressive and willing to hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels. A good speckled trout will run 15 to 20 inches and fight with surprising strength for their size. They're also excellent table fare, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for a summer fish fry. The best part about targeting specks is the consistency – when you find a good school, you can often catch several before they move on.
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Carolina inshore fishing, and Georgetown's summer patterns put these copper-colored bruisers within easy reach. Red drum here typically range from 18-inch slot fish to oversized bulls pushing 40 inches or more. What makes reds so special is their versatility – you might sight-cast to tailing fish in skinny water one minute, then hook up with a 30-pounder around deep structure the next. Summer redfish are particularly aggressive, often found in schools working bait against oyster bars and creek mouths. Their fighting ability is legendary among inshore anglers – strong initial runs followed by bulldogging fights that test your equipment and technique.
Georgetown's summer fishing window is relatively short but incredibly productive, and Captain Ponytail's calendar fills up fast during peak season. This six-hour adventure gives you the time needed to really explore different techniques and locations while maximizing your chances with multiple species. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing, plan a guys' trip, or just escape the daily grind for some quality time on the water, this trip delivers. The combination of consistent action, beautiful scenery, and professional guidance makes it a customer favorite year after year. Don't wait until the last minute – summer dates book early, especially weekends and holidays. Contact Captain Ponytail Guide Service today to secure your spot for the best inshore fishing South Carolina has to offer.
The 26-foot 2016 Avenger AV26 Bay Boat is your ticket to prime fishing waters around Georgetown. This bay boat packs serious punch with its 300HP Yamaha engine, getting you to the best spots quickly while maintaining the shallow draft needed for inshore action. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into productive areas without spooking fish, while the GPS keeps you on target and the fish finder reveals what's lurking below. Modern electronics suite ensures you spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. Built for up to four anglers, there's plenty of room to work your rods without bumping elbows. The spacious deck gives everyone access to casting room whether you're sight fishing for red drum in the shallows or working deeper holes for sea trout and flounder. When those summer tarpon roll through Georgetown's waters, this boat has the power and stability to handle the fight.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-30 inches in our waters, with their signature black spots near the tail. You'll find them in surprisingly shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. They love oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-6 feet of water. Summer is prime time when they're actively feeding in the shallows. What guests love most is their strong, steady fight and excellent table fare - sweet, firm meat that's perfect for the grill. They're not picky eaters, hitting everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. The local trick is sight fishing the flats during incoming tide. Look for their tails or backs breaking the surface, then make a quiet cast well ahead of them. Gold spoons and paddle tails work great when they're tailing.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are steady producers that'll keep your rod bent all summer long. They typically run 14-18 inches with the occasional 20+ inch "gator" trout mixed in. You'll find them over grass flats in 3-8 feet of water, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs. They're most active during moving tides and low-light periods. Summer nights can be fantastic when they push shallow to feed. What makes them popular is they're both fun to catch and great eating - mild, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. They hit a variety of lures: soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp under popping corks. Local tip: during summer heat, focus on deeper grass edges during midday, then work the shallow flats at dawn and dusk. A slow-sinking soft plastic worked just above the grass will produce consistent bites.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey. You'll typically find them in 2-15 feet of water around creek mouths, oyster bars, and grass flats. They run 15-20 inches on average, though we see some pushing 25+ inches during peak summer months. What makes them special is their ability to change color to match the bottom - pretty cool to watch. They're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're feeding heavily before their offshore spawn. The key trick here in Georgetown waters is to fish the moving tide around structure. Use live mud minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig, and let it sit still - patience pays off with these ambush predators.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is what summer dreams are made of around Georgetown. These prehistoric giants average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds, though we've hooked fish pushing 200+. They're acrobatic fighters that'll jump clear out of the water multiple times - absolutely wild to experience. You'll find them rolling in 6-20 feet of water near jetties, channel edges, and around bait schools during summer months. Peak season runs June through September when water temps hit their sweet spot. Most folks fish them for the thrill since they're tough eating - lots of bones and strong flavor. Live bait works best: mullet, menhaden, or crabs. Here's the local secret - when you see them rolling at the surface, cast well ahead of the direction they're moving and let your bait sink naturally. Keep that drag loose or they'll snap you off on the first jump.
Georgetown, SC