8-Hour Fishing Trip in Murrells Inlet
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour inshore trolling and bottom fishing adventureTarget Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Grouper, Snapper and KingfishAll equipment and tackle provided by experienced crew
Picture this: you're 10-20 miles off the South Carolina coast, lines in the water, and the Gulf Stream is calling your name. Our 8-hour fishing adventure out of Murrells Inlet is where serious anglers go when they want to tangle with some of the Atlantic's most prized gamefish. We're talking King Mackerel that'll scream drag, Mahi Mahi that fight like they're twice their size, and Wahoo that can strip 200 yards of line before you know what hit you. The crew at First Response Fishing Charters has been working these waters for years, and we know exactly where to find the fish when they're biting. Whether you're a seasoned pro or picking up a rod for the first time, this trip delivers the kind of action that keeps folks coming back season after season.
Your day starts early at the Murrells Inlet docks, where you'll meet your captain and crew who've already prepped all the gear you'll need. No need to worry about bringing anything except sunscreen and your appetite for fish – we've got premium rods, reels, tackle, bait, and all the essentials covered. The boat heads out through the inlet and makes the run to our prime fishing grounds, usually 10-20 miles offshore where the water gets that deep blue color and the real action begins. You'll spend your day moving between productive spots, and our experienced crew knows how to read the water, watch for bird activity, and find those temperature breaks where the fish stack up. With a maximum of 5 anglers on board, everyone gets plenty of room to fish and personal attention from the crew. The pace stays steady but relaxed – this isn't a rushed trip where you're constantly moving. When we find fish, we work them until the bite slows down.
We run a combination approach that gives you the best shot at multiple species throughout the day. Trolling is our bread and butter for covering water and finding the pelagic species like Mahi, Wahoo, and Kings. We'll pull a spread of lures at different depths and distances, watching the outriggers and listening for that sweet sound of a reel screaming. The crew handles all the rigging and knows exactly which lures to run based on conditions and what's been biting. When we mark fish on the bottom or hit a productive reef, we switch to bottom fishing tactics using circle hooks and fresh bait. The beauty of this approach is variety – you never know if the next fish will be a bull Mahi that comes up hot on a trolled ballyhoo or a hefty Red Snapper that crushes your bait on the bottom. Our tackle is all top-shelf stuff, from the Penn and Shimano reels down to the terminal tackle, because when a big fish eats, you want gear you can trust.
King Mackerel are the backbone of our offshore action here in Murrells Inlet waters. These silver bullets typically run 15-40 pounds, with the occasional smoker pushing 50-plus. Kings are most active during the warmer months from late spring through fall, and they love to patrol the edges of structure and temperature breaks. What makes them so exciting is that initial run – when a King eats your bait or lure, it's going to make a blistering run that tests your drag and your nerves. They're also excellent table fare when handled properly, with firm white meat that's perfect on the grill. Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish bring a different kind of excitement to the trip. These brilliant green and gold fish are pure athletes, known for their aerial displays and bulldogging fights. Most Mahi we encounter run 10-25 pounds, but the bulls can push 40 or more. They're schooling fish, so when you find one, there's usually more around. Mahi are most common during the summer months when the water temperatures climb, and they often relate to floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks.
Wahoo Fish represent the speed demons of our target species list. These torpedo-shaped predators can hit 60 mph and are known for making incredibly fast, long runs that can empty a reel in seconds. Most Wahoo caught in our area range from 20-60 pounds, with their razor-sharp teeth and incredible speed making every hookup memorable. They're more common during the cooler months and are often caught while trolling for other species. The fight is typically one long initial run followed by a bulldogging battle to the boat. Red Snapper round out our target species and represent some of the best eating you'll find in these waters. These bottom-dwellers typically range from 5-20 pounds in our area, with the occasional trophy pushing 25-plus. Snappers are structure-oriented fish that relate to reefs, wrecks, and hard bottom, and they're known for their hard initial run toward cover when hooked. They're most active during the warmer months and provide consistent action when we locate schools on productive bottom.
This 8-hour fishing adventure represents serious value for anglers who want to experience the best of what Murrells Inlet's offshore waters have to offer. You're getting a full day with an experienced crew, top-quality gear, and access to prime fishing grounds that consistently produce fish. The variety of species and techniques keeps things interesting from start to finish, whether you're battling a screaming King Mackerel on the troll or wrestling a Red Snapper up from the depths. With only 5 spots available per trip, you're guaranteed plenty of fishing time and personal attention from the crew. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak season when the fish are most active. Contact First Response Fishing Charters today to secure your spot for what could be your best fishing day of the year.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of our waters, hitting 50+ mph and averaging 20-40 pounds with some giants reaching 60-80 pounds. These slender rockets with zebra stripes patrol our deeper waters year-round, but fall and winter offer prime action. They're loners mostly, cruising open water and structure in 50-200 feet. What makes wahoo special? That blistering run when hooked and some of the best eating you'll find - white, flaky meat that's perfect grilled or in fish tacos. Their razor teeth will cut through regular line like butter. Here's what works: high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders is key. Use bright diving plugs or skirted ballyhoo, and when you get a bite, hang on tight - they'll test your drag and your nerves.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize of our bottom fishing, with most running 2-8 pounds though 15+ pounders show up regularly. These crimson beauties live around hard bottom, wrecks, and ledges in 60-200 feet of water. Late spring through early fall gives us our best shots before regulations tighten up. What makes snapper fishing addictive? They fight like bulldogs, diving straight for cover, and the meat is absolutely top-shelf - sweet, firm, and perfect for any recipe. They're smart fish with excellent eyesight, so they'll test your skills. Local secret: use the lightest weight you can get away with and fresh cut bait like cigar minnows or squid. When you feel that thump, set the hook hard and reel fast - they'll head straight for the rocks to break you off.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are fast, aggressive fish that average 15-30 pounds, though we've seen some push 50+ pounds off Murrells Inlet. These silver torpedoes with razor-sharp teeth love our 40-150 foot depths, especially around structure and temperature breaks. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit that sweet 68-75 degree range. What makes kings special? Pure speed and fight - they'll burn line like crazy and put serious bend in your rod. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, flaky meat. Here's a local trick: when trolling, use a wire leader and let your bait skip across the surface. Kings often hit the back half of bait fish, so rig with two hooks - one in the nose, another trailing near the tail.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter out here - brilliant gold and green that puts on a light show when they come out of the water. These surface dwellers typically run 15-30 pounds and love hanging around floating debris and weed lines in our offshore waters. Summer months bring the best action when we're trolling 10-20 miles out. What gets people hooked? The acrobatic fight and that sweet, mild white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're fast growers that school up, so where there's one, there's usually more. Pro tip: when you hook into one, keep a few rods in the water - mahi are curious fish and will often follow their hooked buddy right to the boat where you can pick off a few more.
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