Charleston's Best Backcountry Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6-hour private charter targets redfish, jack crevalle, and bluefishCaptain Scott guides through Charleston's backwaters and nearshore zonesAll gear, bait, and fishing licenses included for two anglers
Captain Scott knows Charleston's backcountry waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This top-rated 6-hour private charter takes you deep into the Lowcountry's most productive fishing grounds, where redfish patrol the flats and aggressive jack crevalle ambush baitfish in the channels. Starting at 7:30 AM, you'll have the water mostly to yourself while targeting multiple species across Charleston's diverse inshore ecosystem. With all gear, bait, and licenses included, this world-class fishing experience accommodates two anglers of any skill level.
Your day begins in Charleston's legendary backcountry, where tidal creeks wind through spartina grass and oyster bars create natural feeding stations for gamefish. Captain Scott runs a clean, well-equipped boat that's perfect for navigating everything from shallow flats to deeper channels. The beauty of this charter lies in its variety – you're not stuck fishing one spot or targeting just one species. Instead, you'll move between different environments based on tide, weather, and fish activity. One moment you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish in two feet of water, the next you could be battling a bruising jack crevalle that grabbed your bait near a creek mouth. The 6-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunities to experience Charleston's renowned inshore fishery without feeling rushed.
Captain Scott adapts his approach based on conditions and what the fish are doing. Live bait fishing with shrimp or mullet is incredibly effective here, especially when redfish and bluefish are feeding aggressively. Cut bait works great for bigger fish holding in deeper water, while artificial lures like spoons and soft plastics shine when fish are active on the flats. The boat comes rigged with quality spinning gear that's perfectly matched to Charleston's inshore species – not too heavy for smaller fish, but with enough backbone to handle a bull red or oversized jack. You'll fish everything from grass flats where redfish root for crabs to channel edges where spanish mackerel slash through baitfish schools. The captain provides all terminal tackle, and he's constantly adjusting leader length and hook size based on what's biting.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schoolie-sized fish perfect for dinner to oversized bulls that'll test your drag system. They feed year-round in Charleston's waters, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What makes redfish so special is their willingness to eat and their fighting ability – they'll make long, powerful runs and use their broad sides to leverage against your rod. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot near their tail.
Jack crevalle might not win any beauty contests, but they're absolute dynamite on the end of a line. These blunt-nosed brawlers hunt in schools and hit baits with incredible aggression. When you hook into a jack, expect a fight that's all power and endurance – they'll pull drag and keep pulling until they're completely worn out. Charleston's jacks typically run 3-8 pounds, perfect for the tackle you'll be using. They're most active during warmer months and often show up near structure or bait concentrations.
Bluefish bring pure excitement to any charter. These toothy predators are notorious for their feeding frenzies, and when you find a school, the action can be non-stop. Charleston's blues range from smaller snapper blues to chunky fish pushing 5-6 pounds. They're excellent table fare when handled properly, and their aggressive nature makes them a customer favorite. Spring through fall offers the best bluefish action, especially when they're corralling baitfish in the deeper channels.
Spanish mackerel add speed and acrobatics to your fishing day. These sleek predators are lightning-fast and known for their jumping ability when hooked. They love small, shiny lures and often feed near the surface, making for visual and exciting fishing. Charleston's spanish mackerel fishing peaks in late spring through early fall, and they're fantastic eating when kept fresh on ice.
Ladyfish round out the mix with their spectacular jumping displays. These silver torpedoes might not be keepers, but they're incredibly fun to catch and perfect for building confidence in newer anglers. They're active year-round in Charleston and often show up when you're targeting other species, providing bonus action throughout your trip.
Charleston's backcountry fishing delivers consistent action across multiple species, making every cast an opportunity for something different. Captain Scott's local knowledge and quality equipment give you the best shot at a memorable day on the water. With flexible cancellation up to 7 days out, you can book with confidence knowing you're covered if weather doesn't cooperate. This trending charter fills up quickly, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait too long to secure your dates. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just getting started, this backcountry adventure offers the perfect introduction to Charleston's world-class inshore fishing scene.
Your Charleston fishing adventure starts aboard a solid 20-foot BullsBay center console, built in 2020 and perfectly rigged for backcountry action. This bay boat handles Charleston's shallow creeks and inshore waters like a champ, giving you and your fishing buddy plenty of room to work the rods while Captain Scott puts you on the fish. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when stalking redfish on the flats, while the fish finder helps locate schools of jacks and blues in deeper channels. An onboard icebox keeps your drinks cold and the catch fresh during those hot Lowcountry mornings. With GPS navigation and room for two anglers, this boat gets you into prime fishing spots from the backwaters to nearshore zones where Charleston's best action happens.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that show up in Charleston waters during warmer months, typically running 2-8 pounds with occasional larger specimens. These blue-green fighters have razor-sharp teeth and an attitude to match – they'll hit almost anything that moves. You'll find them around jetties, nearshore structure, and wherever baitfish are schooled up. Summer through early fall brings the best action, especially when they're feeding in shallow water. Guests love the hard strikes and bulldogging fights, plus they're great eating when prepared fresh. Fair warning: handle them carefully because those teeth can do serious damage. My go-to technique is cut bait or chunk baits fished near structure. When they're feeding, you can almost use anything, but fresh oily baits like mullet or menhaden work best.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of Charleston waters – built like tanks and fight twice as hard as anything their size. These brassy-green bruisers average 3-8 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds, and they'll test every piece of your tackle. Look for bird activity over schools of baitfish – that's your cue the jacks are feeding below. They cruise flats, channels, and nearshore structure year-round, but summer brings the best action. What guests love most is that first screaming run and the non-stop fight right to the boat. While they're not great table fare, the sport fishing is top-notch. Here's the trick: when you spot a school feeding, cast past them and retrieve fast. They're aggressive and love the chase, so keep that bait moving or you'll miss your shot.
Elops SaurusLadyfish are Charleston's "poor man's tarpon" – silver torpedoes that'll give you a wild ride on light tackle. They average 12-20 inches but put up a fight way above their weight class, jumping and thrashing like crazy once hooked. You'll find schools of them year-round in our creeks, channels, and nearshore waters, especially around structure and drop-offs. They're not picky eaters – live shrimp, cut bait, or small jigs all work well. While most folks consider them more of a fun catch than table fare, they make excellent cut bait for bigger fish like snook. Pro tip: use a heavy mono leader because those small teeth are sharp and they'll trash your line with all that jumping. Great species for beginners to practice their fighting techniques.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of Charleston's shallow waters, running 20-35 inches and 5-15 pounds around here. Look for them tailing in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Their copper-bronze backs and that telltale black spot near the tail make them easy to spot. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially on moving tides when they're hunting crabs and shrimp. What makes them special? That initial run when hooked will test your drag, and they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. The key is staying quiet – these fish spook easy in skinny water. I always tell guests to cast past the fish and work your bait back through their path rather than dropping it right on their heads.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are speed demons that show up in Charleston waters spring through fall, running 1-3 pounds and 12-18 inches typically. These silver bullets with yellow spots love to cruise nearshore waters, jetties, and channel edges where baitfish gather. They're surface feeders, so watch for diving birds – that's usually your best sign they're around. What makes them popular is their lightning-fast strikes and that initial burst of speed that'll peel line off your reel. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, flaky white meat that's perfect grilled or smoked. The secret to consistent hookups is trolling small spoons or casting tiny jigs and retrieving them fast. These fish have razor-sharp teeth, so always use a wire leader or you'll lose more lures than you catch fish.
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