Custom Fishing Adventure in Charleston Harbor
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Custom halfday fishing and boating experience in Charleston HarborTarget trophy Redfish while exploring scenic waterways and landmarksSmall group charter accommodates up to 3 guests maximum
Forget cookie-cutter fishing trips – Happy Dog Charters is all about crafting the perfect day on Charleston Harbor that matches exactly what you're after. Maybe you're dead set on landing a bull redfish, or perhaps you want to mix some light tackle action with cruising past Fort Sumter while keeping an eye out for dolphins. With space for up to three anglers, this half-day charter gives you the flexibility to call the shots on how your time unfolds on these legendary inshore waters.
Charleston Harbor offers some of the most diverse inshore fishing on the East Coast, and your captain knows every creek, oyster bar, and grass flat that holds fish. You'll launch into waters that have been feeding Charleston families for centuries, where the Ashley and Cooper Rivers meet the Atlantic. The beauty of a custom trip means you can spend your morning sight-fishing shallow flats for tailing redfish, then switch gears to work deeper structure for black drum if that's where your interest lies. The harbor's protected waters make for comfortable fishing even when it's breezy offshore, and the scenery – from historic downtown Charleston to remote salt marshes – keeps things interesting between bites. Your captain will read the conditions, tide, and your group's energy level to put you on the best action available that day.
Inshore fishing in Charleston Harbor calls for versatility, and your guide comes equipped with everything from light spinning tackle for sea trout to heavier conventional gear when big drum are on the menu. You'll likely spend time working live shrimp under popping corks around dock pilings and oyster bars – a Charleston Harbor staple that produces consistent action with sheepshead and redfish. When conditions allow, sight-fishing with artificials like gold spoons and soft plastics becomes the name of the game, especially in the shallow grass beds where reds cruise looking for crabs and baitfish. Cut bait fishing near bridges and deeper channels opens up opportunities for larger black drum, while working the edges of spartina grass with topwater plugs during moving water can trigger explosive strikes. Your captain will match the approach to the conditions and your skill level, whether you're comfortable with precise casting or prefer a more relaxed bottom-fishing approach.
Redfish anchor the action in Charleston Harbor, and these copper-colored bruisers are what most anglers dream about when they think South Carolina inshore fishing. These fish run anywhere from slot-size 16-inchers up to bull reds pushing 40 pounds, and they're year-round residents that feed aggressively in the harbor's nutrient-rich waters. Spring and fall offer the best shots at sight-fishing when reds cruise the flats with their backs out of water, but summer brings the big schools that can keep rods bent for hours. What makes redfish so special here is their willingness to eat – they'll smash topwater plugs, crush live shrimp, and absolutely demolish cut mullet when they're feeding.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that will test your tackle and your patience. Charleston Harbor holds some真 monsters, with fish over 50 pounds not uncommon around the deeper bridge pilings and channel edges. These fish are most active during cooler months, roughly October through April, when they school up in impressive numbers. They're primarily bottom feeders with a preference for blue crab and shrimp, so your captain will likely anchor up and fish cut bait near structure. The fight is all about power – black drum don't jump or make long runs, but they'll use their broad sides and bulldogging strength to test every component of your tackle.
Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" from their black and white stripes, but they're better known among local anglers as the ultimate tackle thieves. These fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs off structure, which makes them both challenging and rewarding to catch. They're most active during cooler months and can be found around any hard structure in the harbor – dock pilings, bridge supports, and oyster bars are all prime real estate. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp fished tight to structure produce the best results, but you need sharp hooks and quick reflexes since sheepshead are notorious for stealing bait without getting hooked.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the bread and butter of Charleston Harbor fishing. These beautiful fish with distinctive spots provide consistent action throughout most of the year, with peak fishing in spring and fall when they school up over grass beds and sandy bottoms. They're aggressive feeders that will hit both live bait and artificials, making them perfect for anglers who want to stay busy. Specks typically run 12-20 inches in the harbor, with occasional gator trout over 25 inches that become the stuff of fishing stories. They're also excellent table fare, which makes them a favorite target for families looking to take dinner home.
Charleston Harbor's year-round fishing action means there's never a bad time to get out there, but the custom nature of this trip ensures you'll make the most of whatever conditions you find. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target a specific species or a family wanting to experience the best of Charleston's inshore fishing scene, Happy Dog Charters has the local knowledge and flexibility to deliver exactly what you're after. With only three spots available per trip, you'll get personalized attention and the freedom to adjust your plan based on what's biting and what gets your group excited. Don't wait – the best fishing days fill up fast, and there's nothing quite like having Charleston Harbor's legendary inshore fishery all to yourself.
Get ready to fish Charleston Harbor's productive waters aboard our reliable 19' Keywest Bayreef 196. This center console boat handles the harbor's currents with ease, powered by a 150HP Yamaha that'll get you to the fishing spots quickly. The wireless trolling motor lets us move quietly through shallow areas where redfish love to hang out, while the fish finder helps locate structure and baitfish below. We've got GPS to navigate the harbor's channels and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The boat comfortably fits up to 3 anglers, giving everyone plenty of room to cast and fight fish without crowding each other. Whether you're targeting redfish around dock pilings, looking for trout over grass flats, or trying for flounder near creek mouths, this setup handles Charleston's inshore fishing perfectly. The VHF radio keeps us connected for safety and fishing reports from other boats working the area.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bruisers of Charleston's waters - these gray-black fish with powerful jaws can range from keeper-sized 5-pounders to massive 40+ pound bulls. You'll find them around oyster beds, creek mouths, and shallow muddy flats where they crush crabs and shellfish with those bone-crushing teeth. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. They're incredible fighters that will test your drag, and the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. The bigger fish are mostly catch-and-release since the meat gets tough. My best tip: use fresh crab bait and keep it right on the bottom - these fish rarely chase anything more than a foot off the mud.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Charleston's inshore fishing - copper-colored beauties with that signature black spot near the tail. These fish run anywhere from slot-sized 18-27 inchers perfect for dinner up to massive 40+ pound bulls that'll drag you around the boat. They cruise super shallow water, often with their backs exposed, hunting around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek edges. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is watching them tail in inches of water and the explosive strikes on topwater lures - it's pure adrenaline. The smaller ones are fantastic eating with sweet, firm meat. Here's the key: move slow and quiet when you spot them tailing, and make your first cast count because you usually only get one good shot before they spook.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful silver fish covered in dark spots that typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. These guys love grass flats and shallow waters throughout Charleston Harbor, especially around creek mouths and drop-offs near structure. They're most active during cooler months when they school up, and dawn or dusk fishing often produces the best results. What makes them fun to target is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their decent fight for their size. Plus, they're excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. One local trick: work your lures slowly over the grass beds and pay attention to water temperature - when it drops into the 60s, they really turn on and you can have some fantastic action.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convict fish of Charleston Harbor with those distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth that'll creep you out every time. These 1-8 pound fighters love hanging around any structure - dock pilings, bridge supports, oyster beds - anywhere they can scrape barnacles and crabs. Spring months are your best bet when they're most active and feeding heavy. What makes them special is they're notorious bait thieves with incredibly light bites, so you need quick reflexes to hook them. The payoff is worth it though - their white, flaky meat is some of the best eating around. Pro tip: get your bait as close to the structure as possible and watch your line like a hawk. The second you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, set the hook hard because they'll steal your bait faster than you can blink.
Mount Pleasant, SC