4-Hour Inshore Fishing Trip in Charleston, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targeting redfish and sharksLarge vessel features private bathroom for guest comfortSmall group experience with maximum two guests
Charleston's backwater creeks and shallow flats are some of the best inshore fishing grounds on the East Coast, and Four Sons Charters knows exactly where to put you on the fish. This half-day trip gives you four solid hours to work the waters where redfish cruise the oyster bars and bull sharks patrol the deeper channels. You're looking at prime fishing time without burning your whole day, plus you'll be riding in comfort with a spacious boat that includes a private head – because nobody wants to worry about bathroom breaks when the fish are biting.
Four Sons runs a top-rated operation that focuses on putting you on fish, not just taking you for a boat ride. The trip kicks off early when the tides are right and the fish are most active. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand – every oyster bar, grass flat, and creek mouth that holds fish. The boat's got plenty of room for just two anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with tangled lines from a crowded deck. That private bathroom is a game-changer too, especially on longer trips when you're staying hydrated and the coffee's still working. The setup gives you the freedom to fish hard without any distractions, and with only two people aboard, your captain can really dial in on what's working and get both anglers into fish.
Charleston inshore fishing is all about reading the water and matching your approach to the conditions. Your captain will likely start by working the grass flats and oyster bars where redfish love to feed, using live shrimp or cut bait on the bottom. These fish are spooky in shallow water, so expect some sight fishing where you'll actually see the copper-colored backs cruising before you cast. For bull sharks, you'll move to deeper creek mouths and channel edges where the current brings baitfish and the sharks follow. Fresh cut bait like mullet or menhaden works best, rigged on heavy tackle because these fish don't mess around. The beauty of Charleston's inshore waters is the variety – you might be sight-casting to tailing redfish one minute and soaking bait for sharks the next. Your captain will have all the gear rigged and ready, from light spinning tackle for reds to heavy conventional setups for sharks.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers love the shallow grass flats and oyster bars throughout the Lowcountry. Most of the fish you'll encounter run between 20 and 30 inches – perfect slot-sized fish that fight like crazy and make great table fare. Redfish feed year-round in Charleston, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're schooled up and aggressive. What makes them so exciting is their willingness to eat in shallow water where you can see the whole fight unfold. They'll make long runs, dive for structure, and use their broad sides to pull drag. The sight of a red's bronze back and distinctive black spot never gets old.
Bull sharks bring a completely different energy to your fishing day. These apex predators cruise Charleston's creek systems and can show up anywhere from 3 feet to 30 feet of water. Most bulls caught inshore run between 4 and 7 feet long, with some real monsters pushing 8 feet or more. Summer months bring the best bull shark action when they move into the estuaries to feed and give birth. What makes bull sharks so exciting is their raw power and unpredictability – they'll absolutely smoke a drag and test every knot in your tackle. These fish are built for power, not speed, so the fight is more about brute strength than acrobatics. The adrenaline rush of hooking into a 200-pound apex predator in relatively shallow water is something every angler should experience.
Charleston's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and Four Sons Charters delivers the kind of personalized experience that keeps anglers coming back. With just two spots available, you're getting the attention and fish-finding expertise that bigger boats can't match. The comfortable ride, private facilities, and captain's local knowledge add up to a fishing trip that's as much about the experience as it is about the catch. Whether you're targeting slot redfish on the flats or hoping to tangle with a bull shark in the creeks, this half-day charter gives you the best shot at success. Book your spot now and get ready to see why Charleston's inshore waters have such a legendary reputation among serious anglers.
Hit the Charleston waters aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfectly rigged for chasing redfish and sharks in the inshore shallows. This spacious vessel handles the coastal currents with ease while you focus on what's biting. Our fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, and the GPS keeps us on the productive spots locals know best. Between hookups, grab a cold drink from the icebox or catch up on the action with our onboard multimedia system. The private head means no cutting trips short, so you can stay out there as long as the fish are cooperating. Built for comfort during those long fights with bull reds, this boat gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to work the rods without getting tangled up. Whether you're sight-fishing the grass flats or dropping baits near structure, we've got the platform to make it happen on Charleston's prime inshore waters.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the heavy hitters of Charleston's inshore waters - thick, aggressive predators that average 8-12 feet and 200-300 pounds. What makes them special is their ability to hunt in both salt and brackish water, so we find them cruising shallow coastal areas and even up into rivers. They're most active during warmer months when they move into our estuaries to feed. The fight is intense - these sharks have serious power and attitude. Fresh eel is hands down the best bait - its high oil content drives them crazy, and the tough skin stays on the hook when smaller fish try to steal it. We'll also run whole mullet or mackerel chunks with some chum to get them fired up.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature inshore species, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with the distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 20-35 inches around here, though we catch plenty of bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Look for them around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Spring through fall is prime time, especially on moving tides. They fight hard and taste even better with that mild, sweet flavor. The meat is firm and perfect for the grill. My go-to trick? Work a gold spoon slow over the grass beds on an incoming tide - that flash drives them nuts.
Charleston