4 Hour Charleston Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
River Fishing
Fourhour private inshore fishing trip targeting multiple speciesAll equipment and bait provided by experienced Captain HalExplore productive Charleston Harbor waters and tidal creeks
Looking for that sweet spot between a quick morning fish and an all-day grind? Captain Hal Gray's 4-hour inshore trips hit the perfect balance. You'll get serious time on Charleston's productive waters without burning a whole day, making it ideal whether you're squeezing in some fishing around family time or testing the waters before booking something longer. With just two anglers max, this isn't some cattle-boat operation – it's a hands-on fishing experience where you'll actually learn something while chasing some of the Lowcountry's most reliable species.
Captain Hal knows these Charleston waters like the back of his hand, and that local knowledge makes all the difference when the fish are being finicky. You'll launch from Isle of Palms Marina and spend your four hours working the tidal creeks, marsh edges, and flats that consistently produce fish around Isle of Palms and Charleston Harbor. The beauty of this mid-length trip is having enough time to really work an area when you find fish, instead of rushing from spot to spot. Hal provides all the gear – rods, reels, bait, and tackle – so you can focus on fishing instead of worrying about what to bring. Whether you're brand new to inshore fishing or you've been at it for years, he'll adjust the approach to match your skill level and show you techniques that work in these specific waters.
Inshore fishing around Charleston is all about reading the water and timing the tides right. Captain Hal uses a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what the fish are wanting that day. You'll learn how to work the grass lines and oyster bars where redfish love to cruise, plus the deeper holes and structure where black drum and sheepshead hang out. The boat's rigged with quality spinning gear that's perfect for the light tackle approach these fish demand. Don't worry if you've never sight-fished for reds in skinny water or bounced bait around oyster beds – Hal breaks it down so it makes sense, and before long you'll be reading the water signs yourself. The four-hour timeframe gives you enough opportunity to try different techniques and really get comfortable with the gear and approaches that work best in Charleston's diverse inshore environment.
The redfish action around Charleston stays pretty consistent year-round, and these copper-colored bruisers are what most folks are hoping to tangle with. Reds here typically run anywhere from slot-size keepers around 18-24 inches up to those big bull reds that'll test your drag system. They're aggressive feeders that hit hard and make long runs, especially in the shallows where you can watch the whole fight unfold. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but even winter days can surprise you when conditions line up right. What makes reds so special here is how they use the marsh – following bait into super shallow water where every cast feels like it could produce a fish.
Black drum don't get the same press as redfish, but they're absolute tanks when you hook into a good one. These bottom-huggers love structure like oyster bars and bridge pilings, and the bigger ones – we're talking 20-40 pounders – will give you a workout you won't forget. They're more subtle biters than reds, so you'll learn to feel for that steady pull instead of waiting for a rod-bending strike. Peak season runs from late winter through spring when they school up for spawning, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look.
Speckled trout add some finesse to the mix, especially around grass flats and drop-offs where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. These spotted beauties are perfect for folks who enjoy the technical side of fishing – they can be picky about presentation and require a lighter touch than the other species. The best trout fishing typically happens in cooler months when they move into deeper creeks and holes, though you'll find them scattered around productive areas most of the year.
Sheepshead are the thieves of the inshore world, famous for stealing bait with surgical precision around any kind of structure. Once you figure out their game though, they're incredibly fun to target. These black-and-white striped fighters love fiddler crabs and barnacles around docks, pilings, and oyster bars. They're year-round residents but really turn on during their spring spawn when they school up in big numbers. Landing a quality sheepshead takes some skill – they've got sharp, crushing teeth designed for eating crustaceans, so your bait presentation and hookset timing need to be on point.
Captain Hal's 4-hour trips deliver exactly what most anglers are looking for – enough time to get into fish without eating up your whole day, personalized instruction that actually improves your fishing, and consistent action on species that make Charleston famous among inshore fishing destinations. Whether you choose the morning or afternoon slot, you'll be working water that produces fish and learning techniques you can use long after your trip ends. With only two spots available per trip, you're guaranteed personal attention and the flexibility to focus on whatever style of fishing interests you most. Book your Charleston inshore fishing adventure and discover why these waters keep anglers coming back year after year.
The Beaver Tail B-2 Skiff is your ticket to Charleston's best shallow-water fishing spots. This specialized flats boat draws just inches of water, letting Captain Hal slip into tight creeks and marsh pockets where the big redfish hide. The reliable 60 HP Suzuki pushes you smoothly through the Lowcountry's maze of tidal waters around Isle of Palms and Charleston Harbor. Built tough for these salt marshes, the B-2 handles choppy conditions while staying stable enough for accurate casting. The shallow draft means you'll reach prime fishing holes that bigger boats simply can't access. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds in skinny water or working the grass edges for speckled trout, this skiff puts you right where the fish are feeding. The open layout gives both anglers plenty of room to work flies or light tackle without tangling lines. Captain Hal knows every creek bend and oyster bar, using the boat's stealth approach to get close to feeding fish without spooking them. Perfect for accessing Charleston's legendary inshore fishing grounds.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our Charleston waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers hitting 90+ pounds. These grey-black fish love hanging around oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - much easier to target than summer when they scatter. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make underwater, plus they're great table fare if you keep the smaller ones under 15 pounds. The bigger fish get tough and stringy. My go-to tip: use fresh crab on the bottom near oyster bars during moving tides. They're bottom feeders, so keep that bait down where they're rooting around for dinner.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Charleston flats - copper-colored fish with that signature black spot near the tail. They run 20-40 inches in our shallow waters, loving oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass flats in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What gets guests fired up is sight fishing - watching their backs cruise the shallows and that explosive strike on topwater lures. They fight hard and make great table fare too. The meat is mild and sweet, perfect for blackening. Here's my local secret: look for nervous water and mullet jumping on the flats during incoming tides. Throw a gold spoon or topwater plug just ahead of cruising fish and hang on tight.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are perfect for our grass flats around Charleston, typically running 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love shallow water over sandy bottoms near creek mouths and oyster bars. Best fishing happens during cooler months when they school up, especially early morning and evening. What makes them popular is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat fried up fresh. They're also great for beginners since they're aggressive feeders. The key is working grass flats on moving water with live shrimp under a popping cork. Keep the bait about 18 inches under the float and let the tide do the work while you pop it every few seconds to get their attention.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Charleston Harbor with their black and white stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and any structure with barnacles. They're notorious bait thieves - they'll nibble your shrimp clean off the hook if you're not paying attention. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they gather in big numbers. What guests love is the challenge - these fish require finesse and quick hook sets. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: get your bait tight to the pilings and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. Use fiddler crabs or fresh shrimp, and don't give them time to steal it.
Charleston, SC