Private Half-Day Afternoon Fishing in North Myrtle
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day afternoon fishing trip starting at 1:00 PMInshore waters perfect for families and small groupsFishing license included with Captain Quick Fishing Charters
Looking for a laid-back afternoon on the water without the early morning wake-up call? Captain Quick Fishing Charters has you covered with their top-rated half-day afternoon trip that lets you sleep in and still get some serious fishing done. Starting at 1:00 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, this 4.5-hour adventure takes you into North Myrtle Beach's productive inshore and nearshore waters where Spanish mackerel, redfish, and sea trout are waiting. With your fishing license included and space for up to 5 anglers, it's the perfect setup for families wanting to introduce kids to fishing or friends looking to unwind after a beach morning. Captain Quick keeps things simple and stress-free, so you can focus on what matters most—getting lines wet and making memories.
This afternoon trip hits the sweet spot between relaxed and productive fishing. You'll launch from North Myrtle Beach and head out to the captain's favorite inshore spots where the water's usually calmer and the fish are active during the afternoon bite. The 1:00 PM start time is no accident—many species feed heavily during the late afternoon hours, especially when the sun starts casting longer shadows. Captain Quick knows these waters like the back of his hand, from the grass flats where redfish cruise to the nearshore structure that holds Spanish mackerel. The boat's equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle, plus all the bait you'll need. Since it's a private charter, the captain can adjust the fishing style based on your group's experience level, whether you're teaching a 7-year-old how to cast or competing with buddies over who lands the biggest drum. Pack non-spray sunblock, hats, sunglasses, and plenty of water—the afternoon sun can be intense, but the fishing action makes it worth every minute.
Captain Quick runs a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. In the inshore grass flats and creek mouths, you'll likely be casting live bait or soft plastics for redfish and sea trout, working the edges where these fish ambush prey. When the Spanish mackerel are running nearshore, expect to troll small spoons or jigs along structure and drop-offs where they school up to feed. Black drum fishing often means bottom fishing with cut bait around oyster beds and deeper holes where these bruisers like to hang out. The captain reads the conditions daily—wind, tide, water temperature—and adjusts the game plan accordingly. Some days you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, other days you'll be working deeper channels where the sea trout are stacked up. The beauty of this half-day trip is the flexibility to move around and try different techniques until you find what's working. Live bait is often the go-to, but don't be surprised if the captain breaks out the artificial lures when the fish are aggressive.
Spanish mackerel are the speed demons of this fishery, showing up in good numbers during their seasonal runs. These silver rockets typically weigh 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class, making screaming runs that'll test your drag system. They school up around nearshore structure and are suckers for small jigs and spoons trolled at moderate speeds. The best action usually happens from late spring through fall, and when you find one, there are usually plenty more in the area. Kids love them because they bite aggressively and provide non-stop action.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the group, with fish ranging from 5-pound "puppy drum" to monsters pushing 40+ pounds. These copper-colored bruisers love oyster beds, bridge pilings, and deeper holes where they root around for crabs and shellfish. They're notorious for their powerful, bulldogging fights that'll make you think you're hung on the bottom until the fish starts moving. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring, making them a reliable target when other species are scarce. Landing a big black drum is a bucket-list experience that'll have you talking about it for years.
Sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are beautiful spotted fish that typically run 12-20 inches with occasional gator trout pushing 5+ pounds. They're structure-oriented, hanging around grass beds, creek mouths, and drop-offs where they can ambush baitfish. Sea trout are notorious for their soft mouths, so keeping steady pressure without horsing them is key. They bite best during moving tides and low-light conditions, making this afternoon trip timing perfect. These fish are excellent table fare and provide consistent action throughout most of the year.
Redfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, with their bronze backs and distinctive black spots making them easy to identify. Most fish you'll encounter run 18-27 inches (the slot size), though oversized bulls over 30 inches show up regularly. Reds are incredibly adaptable, found everywhere from skinny grass flats to deeper channels. They're notorious for their powerful runs and ability to use structure to their advantage during the fight. Spring and fall provide the most consistent action, but redfish can be caught year-round. They're also great table fare within the slot limit.
Atlantic mackerel round out the target species list as another fast-moving schooling fish that provides excellent action when they're around. Similar to Spanish mackerel but typically smaller, these fish are perfect for beginners and kids due to their aggressive feeding behavior. They school up in large numbers during their seasonal migrations, often creating feeding frenzies that result in multiple hookups. While not as large as other target species, their willingness to bite makes them a favorite for keeping rods bent when the action's hot.
This afternoon fishing trip delivers everything you want from
Scomber ScombrusAtlantic Mackerel are smaller than their Spanish cousins, usually running 12-16 inches with distinctive wavy black bars across their metallic blue-green backs. These pelagic fish travel in massive schools that can stretch for miles. Summer is your best shot when they move closer to shore following bait. They're aggressive feeders and excellent eating - rich, oily meat that's perfect smoked or grilled fresh. What's fun about mackerel fishing is the fast action - when you find a school, it's non-stop. They're day feeders and incredibly fast swimmers. The key is staying mobile and watching for diving birds or bait activity on the surface. Use small shiny lures like spoons or sabiki rigs and keep them moving quickly through the school.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50-plus. They're bottom feeders with powerful jaws built for crushing oysters and crabs. You'll find them around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 2-15 feet of water. Spring is peak season when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. What guests love about drum fishing is the steady, bulldogging fight and the satisfying thump when they pick up your bait. Smaller fish under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, white meat. My go-to trick: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a circle hook and fish it right on the bottom. Listen for their drumming sounds - they actually make noise when feeding.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of inshore fishing, averaging 18-32 inches with that classic copper color and distinctive black spot near the tail. They love super shallow water - sometimes with their backs showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and marshy shorelines. These fish are year-round residents but get more aggressive in spring and fall. What makes them special is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldog fights that'll test your drag. They're also prime table fare with sweet, firm meat. The black spot is actually a defense mechanism to confuse predators. Here's my secret: when you see redfish tailing in shallow water, cast well ahead of where they're moving and let your bait settle to the bottom before they get there.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout, or "specs" as we call them, typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds with their distinctive spotted sides. These are grass flat specialists that love shallow waters around oyster bars, dock lights, and creek mouths. They're most active during cooler months and at night when they move shallow to feed on shrimp and baitfish. Guests enjoy their light tackle fights and excellent eating quality - soft, flaky white meat that's perfect pan-fried. They're sight feeders, so clear water helps your chances. In winter, they school up in deeper holes and channels. Local trick: fish a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below it over grass flats at dawn or dusk - the popping sound draws them in from a distance.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that run 1-2 feet long and weigh around 2-4 pounds. They're easily spotted by their silver bodies with yellow spots scattered along the sides. These speedsters love nearshore waters, especially around structure and bait schools. Spring through fall is prime time when they move closer to shore following shrimp and small fish. What makes them great targets is their willingness to hit lures hard and their excellent table fare - mild, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or blackened. They travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Pro tip: use small spoons or jigs and retrieve them fast - these fish love chasing down quick-moving baits that mimic fleeing baitfish.
North Myrtle Beach