6 Hour Fishing Adventure in South Carolina
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing adventure in South Carolina watersEquipment and fishing license included with trip bookingSmall group experience accommodating up to two guests
Picture this: you're out on the pristine South Carolina waters with Due South Fishing Expeditions, salt air in your lungs and your rod bent with a fighting fish. This top-rated 6-hour inshore fishing experience takes you right into the heart of some of the best fishing grounds on the East Coast. We're talking about waters that consistently produce world-class catches of Sea Trout, Redfish, Crevalle Jack, and Tripletail. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with all your gear and licensing handled, you just need to show up ready to fish. This isn't your typical crowded charter either – we keep it intimate with just 2 anglers max, so you get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and an epic day on the water.
Your day starts early when you meet your experienced captain who's been working these South Carolina waters for years. We'll run through the tide to hit the prime spots when the fish are most active – that's the secret sauce right there. Timing your fishing around the tidal movements is everything in inshore fishing, and your guide has it dialed in. The boat is rigged and ready with top-shelf tackle, from light spinning gear for finicky trout to heavier setups when we're targeting those bull reds in the shallows. You'll spend your 6 hours moving between different structure and grass flats, adjusting techniques based on what the fish are telling us. Some days they want live bait slow-rolled along the bottom, other days they're crushing topwater plugs in inches of water. That's what makes this such a customer favorite – every trip is different, but the action is consistently solid. Don't worry about bringing anything except your enthusiasm and maybe some snacks since meals aren't included on this trip.
Inshore fishing in South Carolina is all about versatility, and your captain comes loaded with an arsenal of proven techniques. We'll be sight fishing in skinny water where you can actually see the fish before you cast – talk about getting your heart pumping. When the water's clear and the sun's right, there's nothing like watching a big red tailing in two feet of water. We also work structure like oyster bars, dock pilings, and grass edges where baitfish congregate and predators follow. Your tackle box for the day includes everything from popping corks with live shrimp to soft plastics on jig heads, plus an assortment of hard baits like spoons and plugs. The beauty of this fishery is you might throw a topwater plug at daybreak, switch to live bait during the mid-day lull, then finish strong with artificials as the tide starts moving again. Your captain reads the water conditions, weather, and fish behavior to keep you on the most productive pattern all day long. All your rods, reels, terminal tackle, and even your fishing license are covered, so you're fishing with quality gear that's perfectly matched to these waters.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of South Carolina inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties are year-round residents that love grass flats and drop-offs. They typically run 14-20 inches with some real doormat trout pushing 5-6 pounds during peak season from fall through early spring. What makes trout fishing so addictive is their willingness to hit both live and artificial baits. They've got relatively soft mouths, so playing them on light tackle is pure fun. You'll find them in 3-8 feet of water most of the time, and they're notorious for their subtle bite – sometimes it feels like you just picked up a little grass until the fish starts shaking its head.
Redfish are the crown jewel of South Carolina's inshore scene. These copper-colored bruisers are built like footballs and fight like freight trains. Slot-size reds run 18-27 inches, but the real excitement comes from those over-slot bull reds that can push 35+ inches and weigh upwards of 20 pounds. Spring and fall are prime time for big numbers, but you can catch quality reds year-round in these waters. They love shallow oyster bars, marsh edges, and grass flats where they cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. The visual aspect of redfish fishing – seeing their backs and tails in shallow water – makes every hookup feel earned. When you set the hook on a bull red in two feet of water, you better hold on because they're heading for the nearest structure.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they'll test your drag system like nothing else in these waters. These silver torpedoes show up in schools and when you find them, it's game on. They typically range from 3-15 pounds and fight way above their weight class. Jacks are most active during warmer months and love to crash bait schools near structure. They're not picky eaters – spoons, jigs, and live bait all work when they're feeding. The best part about hooking a jack is the initial run – they'll strip line off your reel so fast you'll think your drag is broken. They're also great tablefare despite what some people say, especially the smaller ones.
Tripletail are the wildcards of this fishery and arguably the most sought-after species for their incredible eating quality. These odd-looking fish with their oversized fins love to float near structure, crab traps, and debris lines. They're masters of camouflage, often looking like floating leaves until you get close. Tripletail fishing requires patience and precision – you're typically sight casting to individual fish, and they can be finicky about presentation. They run anywhere from 3-15 pounds, with fish over 10 pounds being real trophies. Summer through early fall is prime time, and when you find one, there's often more in the area. Their white, flaky meat rivals any fish in the
This 18' Hells Bay Boatworks is built for serious inshore fishing in South Carolina's productive waters. The shallow draft hull lets you slip into skinny water where redfish and trout like to feed, while the GPS navigation system keeps you on course to your favorite fishing spots. With a fish finder onboard, you can locate schools holding in deeper channels or around structure. The boat handles two anglers comfortably, giving everyone room to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Whether you're working live bait around oyster bars or throwing artificials at grass lines, this boat gets you there quietly and efficiently. Perfect for a full day of exploring creeks, flats, and backwater areas where the best fishing happens. You'll have everything covered - tackle, licenses, and local knowledge of where fish are biting.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldogs of our coastal waters, averaging 3-5 pounds but capable of hitting 20+ pounds. These brassy-green fighters travel in schools and are absolute tackle busters when hooked. You'll find them around structure, grass beds, and offshore in 10-100+ feet of water. They're year-round residents but peak in warmer months when bait is thick. Watch for diving birds - that's your best sign of feeding jacks below. They'll eat almost anything but love silver spoons, swimbaits, and live bait worked fast and aggressive. What guests love most is their raw power and never-give-up attitude. Here's the deal: when you find a school, cast beyond them and retrieve rapidly. They love the chase and that fast movement triggers their predator instincts every time.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the backbone of our inshore fishing, averaging 20-35 inches with some bulls pushing 45+ inches. Look for that copper-red back and signature black spot near the tail. These fish love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. They're not picky eaters and will smash everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. What makes them special is that explosive strike and bulldogging fight in skinny water. Plus, they taste great with that mild, sweet flavor. Spring through fall offers the best action, but they're catchable year-round. Pro tip: when you spot one tailing in the shallows, cast well past them and work your bait back slowly - they spook easy but can't resist a good presentation.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, running 14-24 inches and weighing 1-5 pounds on average. You'll find them in grass flats and shallow waters, especially at night when they're most active. These silvery fish with their distinctive spots love to feed on shrimp, small crabs, and baitfish. They put up a solid fight and make excellent table fare with their flaky white meat. During winter months, they school up in deeper channels, making for some great action. My go-to tip: work plastic shrimp or topwater plugs slowly along grass edges during low light periods. The bite often picks up right as the sun starts to set, so patience pays off with these tasty fish.
Lobotes SurinamensisTripletail are one of our more unique targets, averaging 2-13 pounds with their distinctive three-fin appearance. These chunky fish hang around floating debris, buoys, and weed lines from surface down to 50 feet. They're masters of disguise, often laying on their sides to mimic floating leaves. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're spawning and most active. What makes them special is their acrobatic fight despite that bulky body, plus they're fantastic eating - tastes like snapper or grouper. The key to tripletail is sight fishing and stealth. When you spot one, cast well away from it and work your bait slowly toward them. They spook easily but can't resist a well-presented shrimp or crab pattern drifted right past their nose.
Mount Pleasant, SC