Offshore Fishing Tours Charleston SC | 8 Hour Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Eight-hour offshore fishing adventure targeting tuna, wahoo, and marlinExpert captains provide guidance with professional equipment and spacious vesselsSmall group experience accommodates up to six guests maximum
Charleston's offshore waters are some of the most productive fishing grounds on the East Coast, and this 8-hour deep-sea adventure puts you right in the middle of the action. Captain and crew at Coastal Carolina Fishing Charters know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll have you fishing the best spots where the big fish live. We're talking about serious offshore fishing here – heading out 20-40 miles where the continental shelf drops off and the real monsters cruise. You'll be fishing with up to 5 other anglers on a spacious boat that's built for comfort and equipped with everything you need to land fish of a lifetime.
Your day starts early – we're talking 6 AM departure to make the most of prime fishing hours. The ride out takes about an hour depending on where the fish are biting, giving you time to get your sea legs and watch the sunrise paint the Atlantic. Once we hit our first spot, it's game on. The captain uses top-shelf fish finders and GPS to locate structure, temperature breaks, and bait schools that hold the fish we're after. You'll be fishing in 80-200 feet of water over reefs, wrecks, and ledges that have been producing quality fish for decades. The boat carries all the tackle you need – heavy conventional reels, circle hooks, and enough sinkers to reach the bottom in strong current. Don't worry about bringing anything except your cooler, snacks, and drinks. We've got the rest covered, including ice for your catch.
This trip is all about bottom fishing with heavy tackle and live or cut bait. We'll be using 6-8 ounce sinkers to get your bait down through the current to where the fish are holding. The captain will set up a drift over productive structure, and you'll drop down with circle hooks rigged with squid, cut bait, or whatever's working that day. The key is keeping your bait on or near the bottom – that's where these reef fish spend their time feeding. When you feel that thump-thump-thump on your rod tip, set the hook with a steady lift and start cranking. These fish fight hard and will test your arms on the way up. The crew will coach you through each fight and handle the netting and gaffing. Between spots, we'll move around to find the most active fish, sometimes hitting 4-5 different areas throughout the day.
Greater Amberjack are the bruisers of this fishery and the reason many anglers book these trips. These fish average 20-40 pounds but can push 60-70 pounds when you find a good one. They live around wrecks and hard bottom in 100-200 feet of water, and they'll test every ounce of drag on your reel. Amberjack are most active from April through October, with the biggest fish showing up in late spring and early summer. When you hook one, expect a long, hard fight with multiple runs toward the structure. They're also excellent eating when prepared fresh.
Cobia are the wild cards of offshore fishing and one of the most exciting fish to catch in Charleston waters. These brownish, shark-looking fish cruise alone or in small groups, often following rays and other marine life. They average 20-30 pounds but can reach 50+ pounds. The best cobia fishing happens from April through September, with peak action in May and June. What makes cobia special is their curiosity – they'll often swim right up to the boat, giving you a chance at sight fishing. They're also considered one of the best eating fish in the ocean, with firm white meat that's perfect for grilling.
Red Snapper are the prize of bottom fishing, though you'll need to check current regulations since seasons change. These beautiful red fish typically run 3-8 pounds on Charleston's offshore reefs, though bigger ones lurk in deeper water. They're structure-oriented fish that hold tight to the bottom around rocks and artificial reefs. Red snapper have excellent eyesight and can be picky about bait presentation, making them a challenge even for experienced anglers. When the season's open, there's nothing better than a cooler full of fresh snapper fillets.
Black Sea Bass might not win any beauty contests, but they're reliable fighters and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers live around structure in 60-150 feet of water and typically run 1-3 pounds, though keeper-sized fish need to be at least 13 inches. They're active year-round in Charleston waters, making them a dependable target when other species are finicky. Sea bass are aggressive feeders that will hit squid, cut bait, and small jigs. They're perfect for kids and beginning anglers since they bite readily and don't require heavy tackle to land.
Charleston's offshore fishing scene is world-class, and this 8-hour trip gives you the best shot at filling your cooler with quality fish. The combination of experienced crew, top-notch equipment, and productive fishing grounds makes this a customer favorite among serious anglers. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but these reefs produce fish year-round when weather permits. The 6-person limit keeps the boat from getting crowded and gives everyone plenty of room to fish comfortably. Whether you're looking to put meat in the freezer or just want to feel your drag screaming, this offshore adventure delivers the goods. Book early, especially for weekend trips – the best dates fill up fast when word gets out about hot fishing.
Jump aboard our reliable 26-foot Scout center console and head out to Charleston's prime offshore fishing grounds! This 2008 beauty packs twin 150HP Yamaha engines that'll cruise you to the deep water at 55 knots, getting you to where the big fish are biting fast. With room for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the lines without bumping elbows. The boat comes equipped with everything serious fishermen need - GPS to navigate to the hotspots, radar for those foggy mornings, and a quality fish finder to locate schools of tuna and wahoo. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox and your drinks cold during those long fights. The center console design gives you 360-degree fishing access, perfect for when multiple lines are screaming. Plus, there's a head onboard for those 8-hour adventures. This Scout handles the offshore swells like a champ, keeping you comfortable while you chase trophy marlin and other gamefish in Charleston's productive waters.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are stocky little fighters found around wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom in 30-120 feet of water. They average 1-3 pounds but the bigger males can hit 6-8 pounds and develop that distinctive hump on their head. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn. What's cool is they're all born female, then the larger ones change to male - nature's pretty wild. Guests enjoy them because they're scrappy fighters, bite readily, and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They're also great for kids since the action stays steady. Best tip is using a simple two-hook bottom rig with squid strips - keep it moving slightly off the bottom and you'll outfish the guy sitting still.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are curious brown sharks-lookalikes that cruise shallow waters around buoys and wrecks. These solitary hunters average 20-50 pounds but can hit 100+ pounds. You'll spot them just under the surface during spring and summer months, often following rays or checking out the boat. They inhabit depths from 10-100 feet around structure. What guests love is the sight fishing - watching a big brown torpedo swim up to investigate your bait gets the heart pumping. Plus they're fantastic eating with firm, white meat. The fight's solid but not crazy long. My go-to trick is using a 6-8oz bucktail jig in any color - these fish aren't picky. Cast ahead of them and work it naturally.
Seriola dumeriliThese bluish-grey bruisers with their signature amber stripe are serious fighters that'll test your gear. Most run 20-40 pounds, but we see plenty pushing 50+ pounds around wrecks and reefs in 60-200 feet of water. They're ambush predators that hang near structure, so expect a hard initial run when hooked. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps climb above 68°F. What makes them special is that raw power - they'll drag you around the boat if you're not ready. The meat's excellent too, firm and white. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the wreck. They love to cut you off on structure, so fight them away from cover first.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of bottom fishing - bright red beauties that average 3-8 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds. They live on hard bottom, wrecks, and ledges in 60-300 feet of water. May through October brings peak action when they're spawning and most active. What makes them special is they're tough fighters that'll head straight for cover, plus the meat is absolutely top-shelf - mild, flaky, and perfect for any recipe. They're smart fish that can be finicky about bait presentation. The trick is getting fresh cigar minnows or squid right on the bottom fast. Use enough weight to stay vertical, and when you feel that tap-tap bite, set the hook hard and winch them up before they reach the rocks.
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