Premier Charleston Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore charter targeting redfish, seatrout, and flounderExpert guides provide equipment and coaching for all skill levelsSmall group experience with maximum two guests per trip
Charleston Harbor has been my home waters for years, and I can tell you firsthand – there's nothing quite like spending six hours working the flats and structure around this legendary fishing destination. This charter puts you right in the heart of some of South Carolina's most productive inshore waters, where the combination of tidal creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats creates the perfect storm for world-class fishing. You'll fish alongside an expert guide who knows every drop-off, every grass bed, and every structure that holds fish in these waters.
We'll meet at Charleston Harbor bright and early, ready to make the most of your six-hour adventure. The beauty of fishing Charleston's inshore waters is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next you're dropping baits near oyster bars for hungry sheepshead. Our guides know how to read the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to put you on fish consistently. With a maximum of two anglers per trip, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to work. We provide all the tackle you'll need, from light spinning gear for finesse work to heavier setups when the sharks start showing up. The boat is equipped with everything from live bait wells to top-quality electronics, so we can stay on the fish all day long.
Charleston inshore fishing is all about versatility and adapting to conditions. We'll use a mix of live bait fishing, artificial lures, and sight-casting depending on what the fish are telling us. The shallow grass flats are perfect for working topwater plugs and soft plastics for redfish and trout, while the deeper channels and structure call for bottom rigs with shrimp or cut bait. Your guide will teach you how to read the water – spotting nervous baitfish, finding the right depth on oyster bars, and recognizing the subtle signs that indicate feeding fish. We fish everything from the famous Charleston jetties to the backcountry creeks of the Ashley and Cooper rivers. The key is staying mobile and following the bite, which is exactly what six hours gives us the flexibility to do.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in these waters, and Charleston Harbor holds some real doormat-sized fish. These flatfish love to bury themselves in sandy bottoms near creek mouths and channel edges, especially during moving tides. Fall months bring the best flounder action as they stage for their offshore migration, with fish pushing 20+ inches not uncommon. What makes flounder so exciting is the way they hit – that distinctive thump followed by dead weight as they try to bury back into the bottom. Pro tip: give them a second to turn the bait before setting the hook.
Sheepshead around Charleston are notorious bait thieves, but that's exactly what makes them such a prized catch. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and oysters around structure. You'll find them tight to pilings, jetty rocks, and oyster bars, especially during their spring spawning run. The trick is using small hooks, fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and feeling for that subtle tap-tap before they strip your bait clean. A quality sheepshead in the 3-4 pound range will test your patience and skill – they're one of the best eating fish in these waters too.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers never disappoint. Whether we're sight-casting to tailers in two feet of water or working deeper grass beds, reds provide consistent action year-round. Spring and fall offer the best opportunities for larger fish, with bull reds over 27 inches putting on spectacular fights in the shallows. The smaller slot-size fish are perfect for the table, while the big breeders give you photo opportunities you'll never forget. Watch for their trademark tails breaking the surface as they feed head-down in the grass – that's when the real fun begins.
Bonnethead Shark fishing adds an element of surprise to every Charleston trip. These smaller members of the hammerhead family are incredibly common in our warm-weather months, cruising the flats in search of blue crabs and small fish. While they typically run 2-4 feet long, bonnetheads are lightning-fast and acrobatic fighters that will test your drag system. They're also one of the few shark species that's actually omnivorous, feeding on seagrass along with their usual prey. Kids especially love the unique hammer-shaped head and the chance to get up close with a real shark before release.
Blacktip Sharks represent the apex predator experience on Charleston inshore charters. These sleek, powerful sharks patrol the deeper channels and beach fronts, especially when baitfish are thick in summer and early fall. Blacktips are known for their spectacular aerial displays when hooked – multiple jumps and tail-walking that rivals any tarpon. Most of the blacktips we encounter run 3-6 feet, providing serious fights on appropriate tackle. They're also incredibly important to the ecosystem, and watching one swim away healthy after a proper release never gets old. The key is using circle hooks and wire leaders to ensure both angler safety and fish survival.
Six hours on Charleston's inshore waters with Fin's Guide Company gives you the complete lowcountry fishing experience – from the technical challenge of sight-casting to redfish to the heart-pounding action of hooking into a blacktip shark. The combination of diverse species, stunning scenery, and expert local knowledge makes this a top-rated charter choice for serious anglers. Whether you're looking to improve your technique, introduce someone new to saltwater fishing, or simply spend a day doing what you love most, this trip delivers. The intimate two-angler maximum ensures personalized instruction and plenty of fishing time for everyone
Your Charleston inshore adventure awaits aboard this nimble 22-foot Skeeter, built to slice through coastal waters with serious fishing power. The Yamaha 200 HP engine pushes this rig up to 40 knots, getting you to those prime redfish and seatrout spots fast. Whether you're working the grass flats for flounder or stalking sheepshead around dock pilings, this boat's got the tools you need. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on spooky fish, while the GPS and fish finder help locate the action. An onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during the full 6-hour trip. Perfect for two anglers who want personalized attention from the guide and room to fight fish without bumping elbows. This setup handles Charleston Harbor's waters like a dream, giving you stable casting platforms and smooth rides between fishing spots.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip Sharks bring real excitement to our Charleston trips with their famous jumping ability - they can launch 20+ feet out of the water when hooked. These sleek sharks average 4-5 feet but can reach 8+ feet, and they're built for speed with those distinctive black-tipped fins. We find them around artificial reefs and structure in 30-100 feet of water, especially during warmer months. What guests love is their acrobatic fight and how they school up during feeding frenzies. They're aggressive feeders but also timid, which makes the bite unpredictable and exciting. The key is using oily baits like mackerel or sardines to get their attention. Set up multiple lines at different depths and get ready for action. Once you hook one, keep tension steady - they'll throw the hook with all that jumping if your drag isn't set right.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead Sharks are the gentle giants of our shark fishing, despite being the smallest hammerhead species. They typically measure 3-4 feet around Charleston and travel in schools of 10-15 fish. You'll find them in shallow bays and estuaries during warm months, often in water less than 6 feet deep. Summer brings the best action when they cruise our grass flats hunting crabs and small fish. What guests enjoy is their unique shovel-shaped head and the fact they're completely harmless - great for kids getting their first shark experience. They still put up a scrappy fight for their size. These sharks are surprisingly shy but curious about baited hooks. Best technique is bottom fishing with fresh blue crab chunks. Cut the crab in half and hook it through a leg - that crab scent drives them crazy in the shallow water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties typically run 20-28 inches in our shallow waters, but we see plenty of slot fish and the occasional bull red over 40 inches. Look for them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are prime time when they're most active. What guests love is that explosive topwater strike and the way they pull drag on those shallow flats. Plus, they're excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat. The black spot near their tail is nature's decoy to confuse predators. My local tip: watch for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats. Cast ahead of them and let your bait sink slow - they'll track it down by scent.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Charleston Harbor with their black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're crafty as they come. These fish average 2-4 pounds around our docks and bridge pilings, where they pick barnacles and crabs off the structure. They've got human-like teeth that can crush shellfish, so they're notorious bait thieves. Spring months bring the best action when they spawn around our jetties. What makes them special is that sneaky bite and how they test your patience. The reward is sweet, white meat that's hard to beat fried up. Here's the key: get your bait tight to the pilings with a short leader and light sinker. Soon as you feel them nibbling, set that hook hard - they'll steal your bait every time if you hesitate.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms where they blend in perfectly. These flatfish typically run 15-18 inches around Charleston, though we catch some pushing 25+ inches in deeper holes. They're ambush predators with both eyes on one side of their head - pretty wild sight for first-timers. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they move through our inlets and creeks. What guests love most is how these fish fight sideways, making wild runs once hooked. The meat is white, flaky, and some of the best eating you'll find. My go-to trick: use a drift rig with live mud minnows and bounce it slow along structure. When you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn the bait.
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