5-Hour Nearshore Fishing Trip - Murrells Inlet, SC
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
5hour nearshore fishing trip targeting grouper and snapperSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests aboardAccess to productive reef fishing grounds near Murrells Inlet
Want to get into some serious fish without running 40 miles offshore? This 5-hour nearshore trip with Hard Corps Fishing Charters puts you right where the action is. We're talking prime reef fishing just a few miles from Murrells Inlet, where the bottom structure holds everything from trophy grouper to screaming king mackerel. With only 4 anglers max, you'll have plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from our crew. This isn't some crowded head boat - it's a top-rated fishing experience designed for anglers who want to actually catch fish, not just go for a boat ride.
We'll head out from Murrells Inlet and run to our best nearshore reefs, usually within 3-8 miles of the beach. These artificial and natural bottom structures are fish magnets, holding resident populations of grouper, sea bass, and snapper year-round. The beauty of nearshore fishing is you get the variety of offshore species without the long boat ride or rough seas. One minute you might be dropping a chicken rig for black sea bass, the next you're fighting a 20-pound cobia that came up to check out the boat. The crew knows these reefs like the back of their hand - which ones are producing, what depths to fish, and how to adjust tactics based on conditions. You'll spend most of your time with lines in the water, not running between spots.
Nearshore reef fishing is all about reading the bottom and adjusting your approach. We'll use a mix of techniques depending on what's biting. For grouper and sea bass, we're talking bottom fishing with medium-heavy spinning tackle and circle hooks. Live bait works great, but cut bait often outproduces when the fish are picky. When the kings and cobia show up, we might switch to trolling spoons or putting out some live bait under floats. The key is staying flexible - these reefs can turn on fast, and you need to be ready to capitalize. Our crew provides all the tackle and rigging, but if you've got your own setup, bring medium to heavy action rods in the 20-50 pound class. Don't forget a good pair of pliers and a cooler with ice for your catch.
King mackerel are the speed demons of the nearshore scene, and when they're here, they're here in numbers. These fish typically show up in spring and fall, running anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds around Murrells Inlet. What makes them so exciting is the way they hit - usually a screaming run that'll test your drag and your nerves. Kings love structure, so when you find them on the reefs, they're often mixed with other species. Cobia are the wildcards that can make your whole trip. These brown bombers cruise the reefs looking for an easy meal, and a 30-pound cobia will give you a fight you won't forget. They're curious fish too - sometimes they'll follow hooked fish right to the boat, giving you a shot at doubling up.
Red snapper season brings some of the most consistent action you'll find. These fish are structure-oriented and when you find a school, you can load the boat. They're smart though - light leaders and sharp hooks make the difference between limits and excuses. Black sea bass might not be the biggest fish on the reef, but they're plentiful and excellent eating. They're perfect for kids or anyone new to bottom fishing because they bite aggressively and don't require heavy tackle. Gag grouper are the prize of the reef system. These fish can top 30 pounds and they know every hole and ledge on the bottom. When you hook a big gag, be ready for a tug-of-war as they try to cut you off in the rocks.
This nearshore trip hits the sweet spot for anglers who want variety, action, and great eating fish without the expense and time commitment of offshore fishing. Hard Corps Fishing Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish, not just taking them for expensive boat rides. With only 4 spots available, these trips fill up fast, especially during prime fishing months. Whether you're a local angler looking for a new crew or visiting the Grand Strand for a fishing vacation, this is the kind of trip that'll have you planning your next visit before you even get back to the dock. Book now and get ready to see why Murrells Inlet's nearshore reefs are some of the most productive fishing grounds on the South Carolina coast.
This well-equipped motorboat gets you to the productive nearshore waters off Murrells Inlet where grouper, black seabass, and snapper hang around the reefs and wrecks. The fish finder helps locate structure holding fish while the GPS keeps you on the productive spots. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the bottom for those keeper grouper or drift for kings and Spanish mackerel when they're running. The wireless trolling motor lets you position quietly over structure without spooking the fish below. An onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh, and the head means you can stay on the water longer when the bite is hot. Whether you're dropping baits for bottom dwellers or working the water column for cobia and sharks, this setup handles the nearshore fishery perfectly.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snapper are the prize fish most folks dream about catching out here. These bright red beauties typically run 2-8 pounds, though the big ones can hit 15+ pounds. They live on hard bottom and structure in 60-200 feet, hanging tight to the reefs where they ambush baitfish. Summer months are best when they're most active and feeding heavy. What makes snapper fishing special is the fight - they're strong fish that will try to get back to their holes in the rocks. The payoff is worth it though - red snapper are hands down some of the finest eating fish in the ocean. Here's the key: get your bait down fast and keep steady pressure once you hook up. Use a knocker rig with fresh squid or cigar minnows, and don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you up in the structure below.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldozers of the reef - powerful fish that'll test your tackle and technique. Most run 5-15 pounds, but the big males can push 30+ pounds. They hang around rocky structure, wrecks, and ledges in 60-200 feet, always looking for an easy meal. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavy before and after spawning. What anglers love about gags is the initial fight - once hooked, they'll dive straight for the rocks trying to break you off. The reward is some of the best eating you'll find, with firm white meat perfect for any recipe. These fish start life as females and change to males as they grow. Here's the secret: lock that drag down tight the second you feel the bite. Don't give them an inch or they'll get back to their hole. Live pinfish or cut bait works great, just get it down to the bottom where they're waiting.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of our favorite targets because they're curious fish that often come right up to the boat. These brown, shark-looking fish average 20-40 pounds but can push 60+ pounds. They're loners, so you won't find schools - just singles cruising around buoys, wrecks, and reefs in 30-70 feet of water. Spring through early fall is prime time when they're moving through our area. What guests love most is the fight - cobia are stubborn and will make multiple runs. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in these waters with firm, white meat. My go-to technique is sight fishing with bucktail jigs in the 4-6 oz range. When you see one, drop that jig right in front of their nose and work it slow. They'll usually eat it without hesitation if you don't spook them first.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are built for speed and put on some of the best fights you'll see out here. These silver rockets typically run 20-30 pounds, though we've seen them push 50+ pounds. They cruise the nearshore waters from spring through fall, usually in 40-150 feet around our reefs and structure. What makes kings special is their blistering runs - they'll peel line like nothing else. The meat's rich and oily, perfect for the grill. Best fishing happens during the warmer months when baitfish are thick. Here's a tip: use a dual-hook rig with wire leader - kings love to bite the tail end of live bait, so that stinger hook back by the tail will save you from a lot of cutoffs. When you hook one, keep that drag locked tight or they'll find the nearest structure to break you off.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are perfect for anglers who want steady action and great table fare. These chunky fish average 1-3 pounds around our nearshore structure, living on wrecks, reefs, and rocky bottom in 40-120 feet. They're most active late spring through summer when they move inshore to feed and spawn. What makes sea bass fishing fun is the consistent bite - when you find them, you'll usually catch several. They fight harder than their size suggests and make excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The males turn bright blue during spawning season and develop a distinctive hump on their heads. My advice: use a two-hook bottom rig with small pieces of squid or cut bait. Keep your offerings small since they have relatively small mouths, and work the bottom thoroughly - they're not shy about hitting a bait that's sitting still.
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