5.0(6 Reviews)Quick Cast Guided Fishing Trip In South Carolina
5.0(6 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Top Rated
Inshore fishing charter targeting snapper, redfish, and sheepsheadSmall group experience with maximum 3 guests aboardProfessional captain provides all gear and bait included
Ready to fish some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast? Captain Adrian and the crew at Eye Deal Fishing Charters know exactly where the fish are biting in South Carolina's coastal waters. This isn't your typical half-day charter – we're talking about a focused fishing trip that puts you right on top of red snapper, sheepshead, redfish, and more without wasting time running around. You'll be working prime structure and drop-offs where these fish stack up, all while soaking in those gorgeous South Carolina coastal views that make this area so special.
This charter keeps things intimate with just three anglers max, so you're not fighting for rail space or waiting your turn to get a rod in the water. Captain Adrian runs a clean, well-maintained boat loaded with quality tackle that's perfectly matched for these inshore species. We're talking circle hooks, strong leaders, and fresh bait that these fish can't resist. The beauty of fishing South Carolina's inshore waters is the variety – one minute you might be pulling up a hefty sheepshead from around dock pilings, the next you could be battling a bull redfish in the shallows. The scenery doesn't hurt either, with salt marshes, barrier islands, and plenty of wildlife to keep things interesting between bites. Don't be surprised if dolphins cruise by to check out what you're catching.
We fish these waters the right way – with the right gear for each target species. For sheepshead around structure, we're using smaller hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, getting that bait right up against the pilings where these convict fish like to hide. When we're targeting red snapper and black sea bass, we'll drop down heavier weights to get baits to the bottom quickly and keep them in the strike zone. Redfish and cobia require a different approach – sometimes we're sight fishing in shallow water, other times we're working deeper channels with cut bait. Captain Adrian provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait, so you just need to show up ready to fish. The key to success in these waters is reading the tide, understanding the structure, and knowing which baits work best for each species – that's where having an experienced local captain makes all the difference.
"Adrian is a wonderful guide. He's very knowledgeable of the prime fishing spots." - Tirea. "Great guy." - Troy. "We were hesitant to book a trip end of July because of the heat. Captain Adrian did all he could do to get us a catch. Nice boat, nice tackle and puts in the work to get you on fish." - Mario. "Adrian was great! He seems to really love his job. And he was so sweet. He even took pictures for us with the sunset at the end of the night to capture our awesome trip. We even got to see a dolphin. Another thing I liked was that he never rushed us. We had a blast! If we decide to come back to Charleston we are definitely hitting him up for another great time." - Kimberly
Sheepshead are the ultimate test of your bottom fishing skills. These black and white striped fish have some of the strongest jaws in the ocean and love hanging around dock pilings, bridge supports, and oyster beds. They're notorious bait thieves – you'll feel a subtle tap and then nothing. The trick is setting the hook at the first sign of movement. Spring through fall are prime times, with the bigger breeding fish showing up in late winter. What makes sheepshead so rewarding is that they're excellent table fare and provide a real challenge for anglers who like finesse fishing.
Redfish are South Carolina's signature species and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters can range from slot-sized fish around 18-27 inches up to massive bull reds that'll test your drag system. They're year-round residents in these waters, feeding in shallow grass flats, around oyster bars, and in deeper channels. What anglers love about reds is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight – they'll make long runs and use their broad sides to fight you all the way to the boat. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot near the tail.
Cobia are the wild cards of South Carolina inshore fishing. These brown sharks look-alikes are curious fish that often cruise near the surface, following rays and sharks looking for an easy meal. When you spot a cobia, your heart rate jumps because you know you're in for a battle. They can reach 40-50 pounds in these waters and fight like freight trains. Spring and fall migrations bring the best cobia action, and they're suckers for live bait or large jigs worked near structure.
Red snapper bring that deep-water excitement to your inshore trip. These bright red fish with their big eyes and sharp teeth are found around hard bottom and artificial reefs. They hit hard and fast, often on the drop, and they're notorious for their head-shaking fights that can throw hooks if you're not careful. Summer months are prime time for red snapper, and they're hands-down one of the best eating fish in these waters. The key is getting your bait down quickly before the bait stealers move in.
Black sea bass might not be the flashiest fish in South Carolina waters, but they're consistent producers and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers love structure and will stack up around wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom areas. They have huge mouths for their size and will eat just about any bait you drop down to them. What makes black sea bass perfect for mixed-bag trips is their willingness to bite year-round and their cooperative nature – where you catch one, you'll usually find more.
South Carolina's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing on
Step aboard our Wellcraft Scarab Offshore Edition and get ready to chase snapper, sheepshead, and whatever else is biting in South Carolina's productive inshore waters. This reliable motorboat handles the coastal currents with ease while you focus on landing fish. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools beneath the surface, while GPS keeps us on the hottest spots. Stay connected with marine radio and keep your catch fresh in the icebox. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to cast lines without tangling up. The Scarab's stable platform makes it perfect for both seasoned fishermen and newcomers learning the ropes. Captain Adrian knows these waters inside and out, so you'll spend more time with bent rods and less time searching. Whether you're targeting red snapper in deeper holes or working structure for sheepshead, this boat gets you there ready to fish.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, hard-fighting members of the grouper family that make great targets around structure. They typically run 1-3 pounds and 12-16 inches, though we catch plenty that push 5-6 pounds around deeper wrecks and rocky bottom. You'll find them on any hard structure - jetties, artificial reefs, and live bottom in 40-100 feet of water during our season, which runs May through December. Anglers love them for their strong initial fight and excellent eating - the white, flaky meat is perfect for the dinner table. They're also pretty cooperative once you find them, often schooling up in good numbers. The males turn bright blue during spawning season, which is pretty cool to see. Best approach is dropping squid strips or cut bait on a simple two-hook bottom rig right to the structure. They hit hard but tire quickly once you get them up off the bottom.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are true bruisers that can easily hit 30-50 pounds and stretch over 4 feet long. These brown, shark-looking fish are loners, so you won't find them in schools - they cruise solo around reefs, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-60 feet of water. Late spring through summer is when they move through our area during their migration, making May and June prime months. What gets anglers excited is their aggressive nature and powerful runs once hooked - they'll test your drag and your arms. The meat is outstanding too, firm and white like a premium steak fish. Since they're usually found by sight fishing near the surface, we watch for their dark silhouettes cruising structures. When we spot one, a 4-6 ounce bucktail jig worked near the bottom around structure is deadly effective. Just be ready - they hit hard and don't give up easy.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing, with their bright red color and excellent table quality making them a favorite target. Most run 2-5 pounds, but we regularly see them in the 8-12 pound range around our offshore structure. They live on hard bottom, wrecks, and reefs in 60-120 feet of water, staying tight to cover where they feed on small fish and crabs. Summer months offer the best action when they're most active and regulations allow harvest. What makes them special is their aggressive strike and strong fight - they'll head straight for structure trying to break you off. The meat is simply outstanding, with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. My advice is to use circle hooks with fresh cut bait or live pinfish, and once you hook up, keep steady pressure to turn them away from the bottom. Don't give them slack or they'll wrap you up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spots near the tail. They typically run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds, though we see plenty of bigger "bull" reds in deeper water. These fish love our grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. Spring through fall are peak seasons, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and their bulldogging fight once hooked. Plus, they're fantastic eating with mild, sweet meat. My go-to trick is working a gold spoon or popping cork with live shrimp around oyster beds on an incoming tide. Look for wakes and tailing fish, then make your cast ahead of where they're moving.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are some of the most distinctive fish you'll see, with their black and white stripes earning them the "convict fish" nickname. What really sets them apart are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs off dock pilings and jetties. Most run 1-3 pounds, but we regularly see them pushing 8-10 pounds around our local structures. They love hanging tight to any hard bottom - bridges, oyster beds, and rock piles in 10-30 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily. Guests love them because they're scrappy fighters and make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's the key - use fiddler crabs or shrimp and get your bait right against the structure. They're notorious bait thieves, so when you feel that tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard immediately.
5.0 out of 5.0Adrian is a wonderful guide. He's very knowledgeable of the prime fishing spots.
Thank you, Tirea!
Captain Johnson was a great guide, who went above and beyond to make the best of our day and put us on some fish
Glad to hear that you had a best day of fishing!
Great guy.
We were hesitant to book a trip end of July because of the heat. Captain Adrian did all he could do to get us a catch. Nice boat, ...
Adrian was great! He seems to really love his job. And he was so sweet. He even took pictures for us with the sunset at the end of...
Mount Pleasant, SC