Expert Guided Inshore Fishing Adventures in Myrtle Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour instructional fishing trip targeting flounder, trout, and redfishExpert guides teach angling techniques in Atlantic Ocean watersSmall group experience accommodating up to eight guests maximum
Looking to sharpen your angling skills while targeting some of the Grand Strand's best inshore species? Captain Greg's 4-hour instructional fishing trips offer the perfect blend of hands-on learning and productive fishing time. Whether you're picking up a rod for the first time or looking to dial in your technique, these guided outings focus on building real fishing knowledge while putting you on fish. With room for up to 8 anglers, it's an ideal way to get the whole crew on the water without breaking the bank.
These aren't your typical "throw a line and hope" charters. Captain Greg structures each trip around actual instruction, walking you through everything from proper bait presentation to reading water conditions. You'll start each morning with a gear overview, learning which rigs work best for different target species and bottom conditions. The boat launches from one of Myrtle Beach's convenient marinas, and within minutes you're working productive inshore waters where flounder, drum, and sharks cruise year-round. Expect to move between several spots throughout the 4-hour window, with Greg explaining why certain areas hold fish and others don't. The pace stays relaxed but focused – plenty of time to ask questions and actually absorb the techniques being taught. Most trips see steady action, but the real value comes from understanding why fish behave the way they do in these waters.
All fishing gear comes included, from medium-action spinning rods perfect for inshore work to a full spread of terminal tackle. You'll get hands-on experience with live bait fishing using mud minnows and shrimp, plus learn when artificial lures like soft plastics and spoons outproduce natural baits. The instructional focus covers proper hook-setting technique, how to feel the difference between a bite and bottom structure, and reading your drag system when bigger fish make their runs. Most fishing happens in 8-25 feet of water around structure like jetties, creek mouths, and sandy drop-offs where baitfish congregate. Greg emphasizes understanding tidal movement and how it affects fish feeding patterns – knowledge that'll make you a better angler long after the trip ends. You'll also learn species identification, proper handling techniques, and basic fish care for anything headed home for dinner.
Bonnethead sharks are absolute crowd-pleasers and one of the most consistent catches on these instructional trips. These smaller members of the hammerhead family typically run 2-4 feet long and provide great rod-bending action without the danger factor of their larger cousins. They're curious and aggressive feeders, often found cruising shallow flats and around structure during warmer months from April through October. What makes them perfect for learning is their willingness to take both live and cut bait, plus they fight hard enough to teach proper drag technique without being overwhelming for beginners.
African Pompano bring serious excitement when they show up, though they're less predictable than other target species. These silver bullets can reach impressive sizes – 20+ pounders aren't unheard of in these waters – and they fight like fish twice their weight. Spring and early summer offer the best shot at hooking one, typically around deeper structure or near the inlet. They're finicky eaters that respond well to live bait presented just right, making them an excellent species for practicing precise bait presentation techniques.
Spanish Mackerel provide fast action and are perfect for building confidence in newer anglers. These aggressive predators school up heavily during their spring and fall migrations, creating opportunities for multiple hookups and steady action. They typically weigh 1-3 pounds but make up for their size with blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. They're also excellent table fare, giving everyone a chance to take home some fresh fillets. Their willingness to hit both live bait and small lures makes them ideal teaching fish.
Southern Flounder are the bread and butter of Myrtle Beach inshore fishing, and learning to target them properly opens doors to year-round angling success. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying buried in sand near creek mouths, around docks, and along channel edges. Fall months produce the biggest "doormat" flounder as they fatten up before their offshore spawn, but keeper-sized fish are available most of the year. They require patience and proper technique – you'll learn to distinguish their subtle bite from crabs or bottom contact, plus master the art of giving them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Black Drum round out the target species list and provide some of the most consistent action, especially during cooler months when other species move offshore. These bottom-dwellers can range from schooling "puppy drum" perfect for beginners to hefty 20+ pounders that'll test your equipment and technique. They're structure-oriented fish found around jetties, oyster bars, and bridge pilings. Their powerful runs and dogged fighting style in shallow water create memorable battles, while their willingness to eat cut bait makes them accessible to anglers of all skill levels.
Captain Greg's instructional approach sets these trips apart from typical fishing charters. You're not just paying for boat time – you're investing in knowledge that'll make every future fishing trip more successful. The 4-hour format provides enough time to cover real technique without the fatigue that comes with longer days on the water. With Myrtle Beach's year-round fishing opportunities and these productive inshore waters, there's never a bad time to book. Groups of friends, families, or solo anglers looking to step up their game will find exactly what they're after. Don't just fish – learn to fish better with one of the Grand Strand's top-rated instructional charters.
Alectis CiliarisAfrican pompano are sleek, silvery members of the jack family that'll test your gear when you hook one. These diamond-shaped speedsters typically run 20-30 pounds around here, though the world record hit over 50. You'll find them in 30-100 feet of water around structure and drop-offs where they hunt smaller fish and crustaceans. Summer months bring the best action when water temps climb and baitfish are thick. What guests love is the raw power - these fish are built for speed and don't give up easy. They're also excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The juveniles have long trailing filaments that disappear as they mature. Pro tip: keep your lures moving fast and shiny. Pompano are attracted to flash and movement, so silver spoons or fast-jigged metals work best when you spot them busting bait on the surface.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of our inshore waters, capable of hitting 30+ pounds and putting up fights that'll test your tackle. These dark, powerful fish cruise oyster beds and shallow flats using their strong jaws to crush crabs and shellfish. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up in predictable spots, though you can catch them year-round in our brackish creeks and estuaries. What guests enjoy is the raw power - big drum will drag you around for 20 minutes, plus they make that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear underwater. Smaller ones under 15 pounds eat well, but the big breeders are better released. You'll find them in 2-30 feet around structure and drop-offs. My top tip? Fresh cut blue crab is like candy to drum. Use a fish-finder rig to keep it on the bottom where they feed, and don't set the hook on the first tap - let them run with it.
Sphyrna TiburoThese small hammerheads are the friendliest sharks you'll encounter around Myrtle Beach. Running 3-4 feet and sporting that distinctive shovel-shaped head, bonnetheads are curious but harmless - only one attack on humans has ever been recorded. They cruise our shallow waters during summer months, often in schools of 10-15 fish hunting crabs and small fish. What makes them special is they're surprisingly tough fighters despite their size, and they're actually pretty shy compared to other sharks. Spring through early fall gives you the best shot when they're feeding actively in the shallows. My go-to trick? Cut blue crab in half and hook it through a leg joint - bonnetheads can't resist fresh crab, and that presentation looks natural as it bounces along the bottom.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise that lie buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches, with both eyes on their left side and the ability to change color to match the bottom. You'll find them in shallow bays, creeks, and around structure in 2-20 feet of water. Fall migration provides the best action as they move toward inlets heading offshore to spawn. Guests love the challenge of targeting fish that are essentially invisible until they bite, plus flounder are premier table fare with sweet, white meat. They feed on shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish, often completely burying themselves except for their eyes. My best advice? Fish moving water around structure changes and keep your bait right on the bottom. Use a Carolina rig with live mud minnows or shrimp, and when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are among the fastest fish we target, hitting speeds that'll surprise you when they take off. These sleek, spotted speedsters typically run 1-2 feet and pack serious punch for their size. You'll find schools of them near the surface around piers, jetties, and offshore structure during warmer months. Spring through fall gives you prime action as they follow baitfish along our coast. What makes them popular is the combination of great fight and excellent eating - their mild, flaky meat grills beautifully and makes outstanding fish cakes. They travel in massive schools that can stretch for miles, so when you find one, there's usually plenty more around. My secret weapon? Small silver spoons trolled fast or cast into feeding schools. Keep your drag loose initially - these fish have soft mouths and will tear free if you horse them.
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