10-Hour Fishing Trip in Murrells Inlet
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
10-hour offshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesAll fishing gear and equipment provided by experienced guidesSmall group experience with maximum 5 guests per trip
If you're looking to get serious about offshore fishing, this 10-hour charter out of Murrells Inlet delivers exactly what South Carolina anglers dream about. We're talking about a full day targeting some of the most prized gamefish in these waters – King Mackerel, Cobia, Red Snapper, and Black Sea Bass. First Response Fishing Charters knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish whether you're running nearshore structure or heading to the deep blue offshore grounds. This isn't your typical half-day trip where you barely get warmed up before heading back to the dock. With 10 hours on the water, you've got time to hit multiple spots, adjust tactics as conditions change, and really dial in on what's biting.
Your day starts early at Murrells Inlet, one of the premier fishing ports along the Grand Strand. The captain and crew have your gear ready to go – rods rigged, tackle sorted, and the boat prepped for whatever the day throws at you. Depending on what's running hot, you might start by working nearshore structure for Cobia and smaller Kings, then push offshore to the deeper ledges and drops where the bigger Snappers and Sea Bass live. The beauty of a 10-hour trip is flexibility. If the bite's on fire in 60 feet of water, you can stay and capitalize. If it's slow, you've got time to run and gun to different spots until you find active fish. The crew handles all the technical stuff – reading the fish finder, adjusting drift, switching baits – so you can focus on what you came for: catching fish. With a maximum of 5 anglers, there's plenty of room to fish comfortably without lines getting tangled or missing your shot at that trophy.
First Response comes loaded with quality gear suited for everything from finicky bottom fish to drag-screaming Kings. You'll see a mix of conventional and spinning setups, with heavier tackle for the big stuff and lighter rigs when you need to be subtle. Bottom fishing for Snapper and Sea Bass means dropping baits on circle hooks – usually cut bait, squid, or live baitfish – and feeling for that telltale tap-tap-pull that signals a fish picking up your offering. For Cobia, the crew might switch to sight fishing techniques, watching for those brown shadows cruising near the surface or around structure. King Mackerel fishing often involves trolling with live bait or pulling artificials like spoons and diving plugs. The crew reads conditions constantly, adjusting leader length, sinker weight, and bait selection based on current, depth, and what they're marking on the electronics. Part of what makes this charter top-rated is their willingness to switch tactics when fish aren't cooperating with Plan A.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of these waters, and when one hits your bait, you'll know it instantly. These fish can stretch over 40 inches and put up a fight that'll test your drag system and your arms. Kings are most active during the warmer months, typically from late spring through early fall, and they love structure like wrecks, reefs, and temperature breaks. What makes them so popular with anglers is their aggressive strike and the way they peel line on that first run. You'll find them anywhere from 20 to 100 feet of water, often suspended in the water column chasing baitfish.
Cobia are the curious giants that can make or break a fishing day. These fish are incredibly smart and often approach the boat to investigate, giving you a shot at sight fishing – one of the most exciting ways to catch fish. A good Cobia will weigh 30-50 pounds and fight like something much bigger, using their broad tail and powerful body to pull drag. They show up around Murrells Inlet from late spring through summer, often hanging around structure or following rays and sharks. What anglers love about Cobia is their willingness to eat a variety of baits and their tendency to travel in small groups, so where you find one, you might find several.
Red Snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing, and for good reason. These fish are beautiful, delicious, and put up a respectable fight for their size. Most Snappers you'll encounter range from 2-8 pounds, though bigger ones lurk around the deeper structure. They're found year-round but are most cooperative during warmer months when they're more active. Snapper fishing requires patience and skill – you need to feel the bite, set the hook properly with circle hooks, and keep steady pressure to avoid losing fish in the rocks. The reward is some of the best eating fish in the ocean.
Black Sea Bass might not be the biggest fish you'll catch, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare. These fish love rocky bottom and structure, often schooling in good numbers around productive spots. They typically run 1-3 pounds but make up for size with attitude and numbers. Sea Bass fishing is often steady action, which is perfect when other species aren't cooperating. They're available most of the year, with fishing typically best in spring and fall when they're most active. What makes Sea Bass special is their reliability – when you find them, you can usually catch several before the school moves on.
A 10-hour fishing trip with First Response Fishing Charters gives you the best shot at experiencing everything Murrells Inlet waters have to offer. You're not rushing, you're not watching the clock, and you're not heading back to the dock just when the fish start biting. The crew provides all the gear and know-how, so whether you're a seasoned angler or relatively new to offshore fishing, you'll be set up for success. With only 5 spots available, this charter fills up fast, especially during prime fishing season. Don't let this opportunity
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the gold standard for bottom fishing out here. Most run 2-8 pounds, but those deeper wrecks hold some real trophies pushing 15-20 pounds. You'll find them on hard bottom structure - wrecks, ledges, and rocky areas in 60-200 feet of water. Summer months are prime time when they're active and feeding heavy. What makes snapper special is they're both a great fight and fantastic eating - that sweet, flaky white meat is hard to beat. They're smart fish though, so you need to be ready when they bite. Once hooked, they'll dive straight for cover to cut your line. My advice: use a heavy enough weight to keep your bait on bottom, and when you feel that thump, set the hook hard and keep steady pressure to pull them away from structure fast.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of our most prized targets - think of them as the pickup trucks of the fish world. These brown, shark-looking fish average 20-40 pounds but can easily hit 60-80 pounds. They're loners, so you won't find schools, but they love hanging around structure like wrecks, buoys, and oil rigs in 30-100 feet of water. Late spring through summer is best, especially during their spawn when they move shallow. Guests go crazy for cobia because they fight hard and the meat is restaurant-quality - firm, white, and delicious. Plus, they're curious fish that will often come right to the boat. My go-to technique is sight fishing with a bucktail jig. When you spot one, cast well ahead and work that jig slow and steady. They'll usually follow it right to you.
Scomberomorus CavallaThese silver bullets are what make offshore fishing so addictive around here. Kings typically run 15-30 pounds, though we see plenty pushing 40-50 pounds when conditions are right. You'll find them anywhere from 40-150 feet, often relating to bait schools or temperature breaks. Spring through fall is prime time, especially when water temps hit that 70-80 degree sweet spot. What guests love most is the blistering runs - these fish are built for speed and will test your drag like nothing else. The meat's excellent too, despite what some folks say about mackerel. Here's a local trick: when trolling, use a stinger hook about 6 inches behind your main hook. Kings love to grab bait by the tail, and that second hook will save you from a lot of short strikes.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are perfect for anglers wanting steady action and great table fare. These chunky little fighters typically run 1-4 pounds, with the occasional 6-8 pounder mixed in. They love structure - wrecks, jetties, rocky bottom - usually in 30-120 feet of water. Late spring through early fall is your best bet when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What guests enjoy is the consistent bite and how good they taste - sweet, firm white meat that's hard to beat. They'll fight pretty good until they break the surface, then give up quick. Here's something cool: during spawn season, the big males turn bright blue with a hump on their heads. For best results, fish right on the bottom with squid or cut bait. They're not picky, but they want it presented right where they live.
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