8 HR Inshore Fishing Charter - Charleston, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday 8hour inshore fishing charter in Charleston watersAccommodates up to 4 guests with personalized fishing experienceProfessional charter service targeting popular inshore fish species
There's something special about spending a full day on Charleston's pristine inshore waters, and our 8-hour fishing charter gives you exactly that. Starting at sunrise and running until mid-afternoon, this extended trip lets you really get into the rhythm of the marsh and tidal creeks. You'll have time to work multiple spots, adjust tactics as conditions change, and truly immerse yourself in what makes Charleston one of the top-rated inshore fishing destinations on the East Coast. With accommodations for up to 4 anglers (starting with 2 included, additional spots at $100 each), this charter strikes the perfect balance between personalized attention and shared excitement when someone hooks up.
Eight hours gives us the luxury of fishing the tides properly - something you just can't do on shorter trips. We'll start early to catch the morning bite, then follow the fish as they move with the changing water. The beauty of Charleston's inshore fishery is its diversity; one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next you're working structure for sea trout in deeper creeks. Captain and crew from Dogfish Charters know these waters like the back of their hands, reading the subtle signs that separate good days from great ones. You'll learn to spot nervous water, understand how baitfish movement signals feeding fish below, and maybe even pick up some local techniques that'll serve you well on future trips. The boat's equipped with quality tackle, but feel free to bring your favorite rods if you've got them.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the tide and adapting your approach. During moving water, we'll focus on current breaks, oyster bars, and creek mouths where baitfish get swept along and predators wait in ambush. As the tide slows, we shift to sight fishing the flats or working structure with soft plastics and topwater lures. You'll get hands-on experience with everything from popping corks under docks to throwing spoons at breaking fish. The marsh grass shorelines come alive during certain tidal stages, and there's nothing quite like watching a big red push a wake through ankle-deep water before crushing your lure. We carry an arsenal of proven baits - live shrimp, mud minnows, and artificial lures that've been putting fish in the boat for years. The captain will match your skill level, whether you're learning to cast or already know your way around a spinning reel.
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These beautiful fish are aggressive, fight well, and taste even better. Spring through fall, you'll find them schooled up around oyster bars, grass beds, and creek channels. They hit everything from topwater plugs at dawn to soft plastics bounced along the bottom. Most fish run 14-20 inches, but don't be surprised when a 4-pound gator trout hammers your bait. What makes sea trout special is their willingness to bite - they're not overly picky about presentation, making them perfect for anglers still building confidence on the water.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston's inshore scene. These copper-colored bruisers can be found year-round, though late summer and fall offer some of the best action. Reds are incredibly versatile - you might catch them tailing in 6 inches of water or schooled up in deeper holes. They're notorious for their bulldogging fight, using their broad sides to pull drag and test your tackle. A slot-sized red (15-23 inches) makes for excellent table fare, while the oversized bulls provide pure adrenaline. What sets redfish apart is their intelligence; they can be spooky in shallow water, requiring careful approaches and accurate casts.
Southern flounder add an element of finesse to your day on the water. These ambush predators lie buried in sand and mud, waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to swim within range. Fall is prime time for flounder fishing, when they're staging near inlets before their offshore spawning run. You'll typically find them around creek bends, drop-offs, and anywhere current creates an edge. They require a different approach - slow presentations with live bait or soft plastics dragged along the bottom. When a good flounder hits, there's often just a subtle tick on your rod tip, but don't let that fool you - these fish know how to use the current to their advantage once hooked.
An 8-hour charter represents the best value for serious anglers who want to experience everything Charleston's inshore waters have to offer. You'll leave with a deeper understanding of tidal fishing, confidence in multiple techniques, and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish for dinner. The memories of sight-casting to cruising reds or watching the sunrise paint the marsh grass golden will stick with you long after the trip ends. With Dogfish Charters' local expertise and your enthusiasm, this world-class fishery is ready to deliver the kind of day that turns casual anglers into lifelong addicts. Don't wait for the perfect conditions - some of the best fishing happens when you least expect it. Book your Charleston inshore adventure today and discover why this renowned fishery keeps anglers coming back season after season.
This 19-foot MayCraft center console is your ticket to Charleston's best inshore fishing spots. Built in 2013 and powered by a dependable 115HP Exinrude, she'll cruise at 30 knots to get you to the fish fast and comfortable. The center console design gives everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish, while the GPS keeps us on the productive waters around Charleston's creeks, marshes, and nearshore reefs. With an onboard fish finder, we'll locate schools of redfish, trout, and flounder hiding in the shallows. Perfect for up to 4 anglers, this boat handles Charleston's inshore waters like a dream - stable enough for beginners but responsive enough to chase tailing reds through the spartina grass. Whether you're working live bait around oyster bars or casting artificials at feeding fish, this setup gives you the best shot at filling the cooler during your 8-hour Charleston fishing adventure.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the crown jewel of Charleston's inshore fishing scene. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically range from 18-35 inches around here, though we see plenty of oversized bulls in the 40+ inch range. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, creek mouths, and spartina grass edges. Fall is prime time when they school up for their spawning runs, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is their explosive topwater strikes and bulldogging fights. Here's a local secret: target the moving water on an incoming tide around structure, and don't be afraid to throw big topwater plugs right into the shallow stuff.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of Charleston's most sought-after inshore species, and for good reason. These silvery beauties with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and pack a solid fight on light tackle. You'll find them cruising grass flats and shallow areas, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. Spring through fall offers the best action, with early morning and evening bites being most productive. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - plus they're absolutely delicious table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: work your lure slowly through the grass beds and listen for their telltale "drumming" sound when they're feeding actively.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in our Charleston waters. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches but can stretch over 2 feet and weigh up to 5 pounds. They're masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud bottoms around creek mouths, channels, and drop-offs. Fall migration from September through November is prime time when they're moving from inshore to offshore waters. Guests enjoy the challenge of targeting these sneaky fish - they don't fight like redfish, but landing a "doormat" flounder is incredibly rewarding. They're also fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. My go-to technique: slow-drift live finger mullet or mud minnows on light jigheads along channel edges. Feel for that subtle "tick" and set the hook gently.
Charleston