5.0(2 Reviews)Half Day Morning Fishing Trip In Charleston
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and flounderAll equipment, bait, and fishing licenses includedPrivate charter with Captain Brent for up to 6 guests
There's something special about getting on the water early in Charleston when the tide's moving just right and the fish are already stirring. Captain Brent's half-day morning trips are perfect if you want to get after some solid inshore action without burning your whole day. Four hours is plenty of time to find the fish and put some bends in the rod, especially when you're fishing with someone who knows these waters like the back of his hand.
This is a private charter, so you're not sharing the boat with strangers or dealing with crowded spots. Captain Brent runs a clean operation with all the gear you need – rods, tackle, live bait, and your fishing license are all included in the trip. The boat accommodates up to six anglers, with pricing starting at $500 for the first person and $50 for each additional angler. Departure times aren't set in stone because Brent knows that timing your trip with the tides and weather makes all the difference between a good day and a great day. The inshore waters around Charleston are loaded with structure – oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where redfish, trout, and flounder love to hang out. You'll be fishing relatively shallow water, usually within sight of land, which means calmer conditions and more time with your line in the water instead of fighting rough seas.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. Brent keeps the boat stocked with everything from live shrimp and mud minnows to cut bait, depending on what's working that day. You might be sight fishing to tailing redfish on the flats, working a popping cork over grass beds for trout, or dropping down to the bottom structure for flounder and sheepshead. The tackle is medium-light spinning gear that's perfect for these species – sensitive enough to feel the subtle bites but with enough backbone to turn a good red away from the oysters. Live bait fishing is the bread and butter, but don't be surprised if Brent breaks out some artificials when the fish are aggressive. The key is staying mobile and adjusting your technique as conditions change throughout the morning.
"Brent always does a great job finding the best bait and fish." - Larry Cravens
"Excellent, great day on the water! Everyone had a great time, some nice redfish throughout the morning." - William Coward
Redfish are the stars of the show in Charleston's inshore waters. These copper-colored fighters typically run anywhere from 18 to 30 inches, with the occasional bull red pushing the scales past 40 inches. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and marsh edges where they hunt for crabs and shrimp. What makes reds so special is their attitude – they fight hard, pulling drag and making runs that'll test your technique. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action, but Charleston's mild climate keeps them biting almost year-round.
Sea Trout are another staple that keeps anglers coming back. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs, where they ambush baitfish. Most trout you'll catch run 14 to 20 inches, with the occasional gator trout stretching past two feet. They're excellent table fare and provide steady action when you find a school. Trout bite best during moving water, particularly on the incoming tide when bait gets pushed over the flats.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms around structure and ambushing anything that swims by. These flatfish can be tricky to hook since they often grab bait and sit still, but once you feel that telltale thump and set the hook, you're in for a dogged fight. Flounder fishing peaks in fall when they're staging for their offshore spawn, and a good doormat flounder makes for some of the best eating you'll find.
Sheepshead are the convict fish with their black and white stripes, and they're notorious bait thieves with their human-like teeth. They hang around structure like dock pilings and oyster bars, picking off crabs and barnacles. These fish require finesse and quick hook sets, but they're worth the effort for their excellent taste. Winter months are prime time for sheepshead when they move into shallow water to spawn.
Common Carp might not be the target species you're thinking about, but these resilient fish offer a different kind of challenge. They're strong fighters that can surprise you with their endurance, and they're more common in the brackish areas where freshwater meets salt. While not typically prized for eating, they provide rod-bending action and can be a fun diversion when other species aren't cooperating.
A half-day morning trip with Captain Brent gives you the perfect taste of what Charleston inshore fishing is all about. You'll get quality time on productive water without the commitment of a full day, leaving you time to explore the city or just enjoy the rest of your morning. The fact that everything's included – gear, bait, and license – means you can focus on what matters: catching fish and enjoying the experience. With Charleston's year-round fishing opportunities and Brent's local knowledge, you're setting yourself up for the kind of morning that reminds you why you love getting on the water in the first place.
Captain Brent's 22-foot Bay Scout cuts through Charleston's inshore waters with authority, powered by a reliable 200HP Yamaha that gets you to the fishing grounds fast. This 2004 bay boat handles the shallow flats and deeper channels where redfish cruise and sea trout feed. The spacious deck gives you room to work your lines while targeting flounder, black drum, and sheepshead around structure. An icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those hot Carolina mornings, while the GPS and fish finder help locate productive spots along the marsh edges and oyster bars. Built for up to 6 anglers, this versatile vessel navigates tight creeks and open water with equal confidence, making it perfect for exploring Charleston's diverse inshore fishery.
Cyprinus CarpioWhile not typical for our Charleston inshore trips, carp occasionally show up in the brackish backwaters and tidal creeks. These golden, heavy-bodied fish average 15-20 pounds but can reach massive sizes - I've seen 30+ pounders in local waters. They prefer muddy bottoms and slow-moving areas where they root around for food like aquatic plants, crawfish, and worms. Spring and fall offer the best chances when they move into shallows to feed aggressively. What surprises guests is their incredible fighting power - they're bulldogs that don't give up easily and will test your tackle. While not prized for eating here, they're pure fun on light tackle. Local trick: if you spot one rooting in the mud, drop corn or bread right in front of its nose. They're focused feeders and won't notice much else when they're digging.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature inshore species, easily identified by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we regularly see bull reds over 30 inches in deeper water. They cruise shallow flats, oyster beds, and creek edges in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs are exposed. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings the best action when they school up. Guests love redfish for their powerful runs and stubborn fights that'll test your drag. They're also great table fare when kept in the slot. My Charleston tip: look for nervous water and tailing fish on low tide flats. When you spot them, cast well ahead and let your bait drift naturally into their path - they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Charleston's bread and butter inshore fish, running 14-18 inches on average with some beauties pushing 24+ inches. They love grass flats, creek mouths, and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water. Spring through fall provides steady action, but they really turn on during moving tides at dawn and dusk. What makes trout fishing special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive surface strike. They're also excellent eating with delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. My local secret: when working grass flats, use a popping cork with live shrimp. The sound draws them in from a distance, and that suspended bait looks natural as it drifts with the current. Just remember to set the hook gently - their mouths are soft and will tear out easily.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusKnown as "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, sheepshead are some of the smartest fish we target around Charleston's docks and bridges. They typically run 2-5 pounds, though we catch some pushing 8+ pounds around the right structure. These guys live around anything with barnacles - pier pilings, jetties, oyster beds - where they use their human-like teeth to crunch crustaceans. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love is the challenge - they're notorious bait thieves with light bites that'll test your skills. Plus, they're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's my go-to trick: use the smallest hook you can get away with and keep your bait tight to the structure. They rarely venture far from cover to feed.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, bottom-dwelling fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches around Charleston, but we see some pushing 25+ inches in deeper holes. They love shallow flats, creek mouths, and sandy bottoms where they feed on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before heading offshore to spawn. What makes flounder special is their unique appearance - both eyes on one side of their head - and they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. My local tip: when you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder are notorious for picking up bait and swimming off with it before actually swallowing it down.
5.0 out of 5.0Brent always does a great job finding the best bait and fish.
Excellent, great day on the water! Everyone had a great time, some nice redfish throughout the morning.
Charleston