3 Hour AM or PM Fishing Trip - Charleston, SC
Private Trip
River Fishing
Private 3hour inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and troutCaptain provides all equipment and expert local knowledge includedMorning or afternoon departure options from Isle of Palms Marina
Captain Hal Gray knows these Charleston waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish during this 3-hour private inshore adventure. Whether you're an early bird who loves the morning bite or prefer the afternoon action, this trip delivers exactly what you're looking for. You'll fish the productive tidal creeks, expansive marshes, and shallow flats around Isle of Palms and Charleston Harbor – some of the most fish-rich waters on the entire East Coast. With a maximum of just 2 guests, you get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to work your lines without feeling crowded.
This isn't your typical charter boat experience where you're shoulder-to-shoulder with strangers. Captain Hal runs a tight ship focused on putting his guests on fish while teaching proper techniques along the way. You'll meet right at Isle of Palms Marina, where Hal will have everything rigged and ready to go. The beauty of Charleston's inshore fishery is its incredible diversity – one cast might bring in a bull redfish while the next could be a hefty black drum or a feisty speckled trout. Hal reads the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to position you where the fish are feeding most actively. The Lowcountry's maze of creeks and marshes provides endless opportunities, and with Hal's local knowledge, you're fishing the spots that produce day after day. He'll adjust tactics based on what's working, whether that means switching from live bait to artificials or moving to different structure when the bite slows down.
Forget about hauling your own tackle – Captain Hal provides top-quality rods, reels, bait, and terminal tackle that's perfectly matched to Charleston's inshore fishery. You'll typically fish with medium-action spinning rods spooled with braided line, which gives you the sensitivity to feel those subtle bites while having enough backbone to turn a big red away from structure. Depending on conditions and target species, you might be throwing live shrimp under popping corks, working soft plastics along oyster bars, or presenting cut bait on the bottom for black drum and sheepshead. The tidal creeks around Charleston are perfect for sight fishing when conditions align – there's nothing quite like watching a red's back fin cutting through skinny water as you make your presentation. Hal knows when to fish the incoming tide along the grass edges and when to hit the outgoing flow around dock pilings and creek mouths. The variety keeps things interesting, and you'll learn techniques that work specifically in these Lowcountry waters.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-28 inches in these waters, with bigger bulls showing up regularly during their fall runs. Reds are aggressive feeders that will absolutely slam a well-presented bait, and they fight harder than fish twice their size. You'll find them cruising the grass flats, ambushing bait around oyster bars, and tailing in super shallow water during high tide. The best action typically happens during moving water, and Hal times his trips to hit the prime feeding windows.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the creek, but they're absolute tanks when it comes to pulling power. These bottom dwellers can push 30+ inches and will test your drag system to its limits. They love to hang around structure like dock pilings and oyster bars, where they use their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. The key to hooking black drum is patience – they're methodical feeders that will mouth a bait before committing. Fresh shrimp and blue crab work best, and once you hook one, be ready for a bulldogging fight that'll leave your arms burning.
Speckled trout bring the numbers game to Charleston fishing. These spotted beauties are incredibly abundant in the area's grass flats and creek mouths, especially during cooler months. They're aggressive strikers that will hit both live bait and artificials with equal enthusiasm. Specks average 14-18 inches but can reach 24+ inches when conditions are right. They school up heavily, so when you find one, you've usually found many. The light tackle fight is fantastic – they jump, run, and use every trick in the book to throw your hook.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of Charleston inshore fishing. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and a notorious reputation for stealing bait. They hang tight to structure like dock pilings, bridges, and oyster bars, where they feed on barnacles, fiddler crabs, and shrimp. Hooking sheepshead requires quick reflexes and sharp hooks – they're notorious for their light bites and lightning-fast bait theft. But land one of these 15+ inch slabs, and you've got some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Captain Hal knows the specific structures where sheepshead congregate and the exact techniques needed to outsmart these crafty fish.
Charleston's inshore fishery is world-class year-round, but the best dates fill up fast with Captain Hal. This 3-hour format gives you serious fishing time without eating up your entire day, making it perfect for families, couples, or anyone wanting to experience what makes Lowcountry fishing so special. You'll leave with a better understanding of these waters, improved technique, and hopefully a cooler full of fresh fish. The personalized attention you get with just 2 guests maximum means more fish, more instruction, and more memorable moments on the water. Whether you choose the morning departure to beat the heat or the afternoon trip to extend your day, you're in for some top-rated Charleston fishing action that'll have you planning your return trip before you even reach the dock.
Captain Hal's Beaver Tail B-2 Skiff is your ticket to Charleston's best inshore fishing spots. This shallow-water specialist draws just inches of water, letting you slip into tight creeks and marshes where the big redfish hide. The reliable 60 HP Suzuki pushes you smoothly through the Lowcountry's tidal waters around Isle of Palms and Charleston Harbor. Built tough for these waters, the skiff's stable platform keeps you comfortable whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working the grass flats for speckled trout. Perfect for two anglers who want to get into the backwater honey holes where the action happens. This boat knows these waters like the back of your hand.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of Charleston's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 50+ pounds. These powerful fish cruise our oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths using their crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them easier to target. You'll find them in surprisingly shallow water - sometimes just 2-3 feet deep around structure. What makes them special is their raw power and that distinctive drumming sound they make underwater. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are great eating with firm, white meat. My local trick: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near oyster bars on an incoming tide.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature inshore species, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black spot near the tail. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we also see bull reds over 30 pounds in deeper water. They love super shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek edges where they tail and cruise in just 1-3 feet of water. Fall is magic time when big schools move through, but they bite year-round here. What makes redfish special is watching them hunt in skinny water - it's like sight fishing for ghosts. They fight hard with long runs and put up a great battle on light tackle. The smaller ones are excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. My local secret: look for nervous water and muddy spots on the flats during incoming tides - that's usually redfish rooting around for crabs and shrimp.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are Charleston's most reliable inshore target, running 12-20 inches with plenty of 2-4 pounders mixed in. These spotted beauties love our grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow bays where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. They're active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when water temps are comfortable. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit topwater lures and the steady action they provide - perfect for beginners and kids. The meat is tender and mild, though you don't want to overcook it. Early morning and evening are prime times when they move shallow to feed. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork around grass edges during moving water. The sound draws them in from a distance.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Charleston waters with their distinctive black and white stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-5 pounds around dock pilings, bridge supports, and jetties where they pick barnacles and small crabs off the structure. They're notorious bait thieves with those crushing jaws, so you need to stay alert and set the hook hard when you feel them nibbling. Spring through early summer gives you the best action when they're most active. What guests love is the challenge - these fish are smart and require finesse. The payoff is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat on the table. Here's my tip: get your bait as close to the structure as possible and use small hooks with fresh fiddler crabs. They rarely venture far from cover.
Charleston, SC