Full Day Fishing Charter - Murrells Inlet, SC
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full-day offshore charter targets premium fish speciesProfessional captain guides fishing for wahoo and grouperSmall group experience accommodates up to four guests
Looking for a serious day on the water? Hard Corps Fishing Charters runs one of the top-rated full day offshore trips out of Murrells Inlet, and trust me, you'll need every hour of it. When you're targeting the big boys like wahoo and grouper, those extra hours make all the difference between coming home with fish stories and coming home with fish. This isn't your typical half-day jaunt – we're talking about a proper offshore adventure that gives you the time to hunt down the species you've been dreaming about.
Your captain knows these South Carolina waters like the back of his hand, and he's going to make the call on where we fish based on conditions, season, and what's biting. Some days we'll be working the nearshore reefs for black sea bass and triggerfish, other days we're running out to the blue water for wahoo and bluefish. The beauty of a full day charter is flexibility – if one spot isn't producing, we've got time to move and adapt. You're looking at up to 4 anglers max, so there's plenty of room to work without bumping elbows. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. Just bring your cooler, snacks, drinks, and sunscreen because we'll be out there from dawn until the fish stop biting or the sun starts setting.
Offshore fishing around Murrells Inlet means working a variety of structure and open water, so we'll be switching up techniques throughout the day. For the grouper and sea bass, we're talking bottom fishing with heavy tackle – circle hooks, cut bait, and enough weight to get down to where these fish live. When we're chasing wahoo, it's all about trolling with high-speed lures and wire leaders because those teeth will cut through mono in a heartbeat. The triggerfish require a bit more finesse – they're notorious bait stealers, so small hooks and fresh bait are key. Your captain will have you rigged up with the right gear for whatever we're targeting, and he'll walk you through the techniques if you're new to offshore fishing. The boat's fish finder and GPS will keep us on the productive spots, whether that's artificial reefs, ledges, or temperature breaks in the open ocean.
Grey triggerfish are one of the most challenging and rewarding catches you'll find in these waters. These guys are smart – they'll nibble your bait to pieces if you're not paying attention. They typically run 2-4 pounds, but don't let the size fool you. They fight like fish twice their weight and they're absolutely delicious. Best time to target them is late spring through early fall when they're spawning around the reefs. What makes them exciting is that they require skill and patience – you can't just chunk bait and hope for the best.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, and when one hits your trolled lure at 30+ mph, you'll know it immediately. These fish can reach 50+ pounds and make blistering runs that'll test your drag system. Fall and winter are prime wahoo seasons here, when the water temperature drops and they move closer to shore. They're prized not just for the fight, but for their white, flaky meat that's perfect on the grill. The challenge with wahoo is getting them to the boat – they're notorious for throwing hooks with their acrobatic jumps.
Gag grouper are the heavyweight champions of the reef, and landing a good one is what offshore dreams are made of. These bruisers can go 20+ pounds and will try to pull you straight into the rocks when hooked. They're most active during the cooler months, and finding them requires knowledge of the bottom structure. What makes gag grouper special is their fight – it's a straight-up tug of war, and you better have your drag set right or they'll break you off in the rocks.
Black sea bass might not be the biggest fish out there, but they're consistent biters and fantastic table fare. These guys are year-round residents around the reefs and wrecks, typically running 1-3 pounds with the occasional 5+ pounder to keep things interesting. They're perfect for beginners because they bite readily, but experienced anglers love them for their sweet, white meat. The key to black sea bass is finding structure – they're rarely far from rocks, reefs, or wrecks.
Bluefish are the aggressive predators that'll attack anything that moves, making them perfect for action-packed fishing. When you find a school of blues, it's game on – they'll hit lures, cut bait, or live bait with equal enthusiasm. They typically run 3-8 pounds in our waters, though larger ones show up in fall and spring. What makes bluefish exciting is their aggressive nature and the fact that where there's one, there's usually a dozen more. They're also excellent smoked or grilled fresh.
A full day offshore charter with Hard Corps Fishing Charters isn't just a fishing trip – it's your chance to experience some of the best fishing the South Carolina coast has to offer. With a maximum of 4 anglers, you're getting personalized attention from a captain who knows how to put you on fish. Whether you're after that trophy wahoo for the wall or a cooler full of grouper and sea bass for the table, this trip gives you the time and flexibility to make it happen. The offshore waters around Murrells Inlet are world-class, and there's no better way to experience them than with a full day on the water. Don't wait – the fish are biting and the calendar fills up fast, especially during peak seasons.
Your offshore fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for serious angling in the waters off Murrells Inlet. This vessel comes loaded with everything you need for a productive day targeting bluefish, wahoo, grouper, and king mackerel. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools while the GPS keeps you on the productive spots. When you need to position quietly over structure, the wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky fish without spooking them with engine noise. An ice box keeps your catch fresh for the trip back to the dock, and there's a head onboard for comfort during those long offshore runs. With space for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of room to work the lines and land whatever decides to bite. Your captain calls the shots on where to fish and what to target based on conditions, so come ready for whatever the Gulf Stream delivers.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive predators that typically run 2-10 pounds, with some bigger fish pushing 20+ pounds. These blue-green torpedoes with razor-sharp teeth roam our waters from late spring through fall, often in feeding schools that create surface commotion. They're exciting because they hit hard, fight strong, and when you find a school, the action can be nonstop. The smaller "choppers" are great eating - flaky white meat with a mild flavor. We catch them on everything from live bait to metal jigs and spoons. Watch for diving birds - that usually means bluefish are pushing baitfish to the surface. Pro tip: bring wire leaders or heavy fluorocarbon. Those teeth will cut through regular mono like butter, and you'll lose more fish than you land.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are scrappy bottom dwellers that average 12-17 inches but can hit 24 inches. These pale grey fish with tough, leathery skin hang around hard bottoms, reefs, and ledges in 60-180 feet of water. They're year-round residents here, but fishing peaks in warmer months when they're more active. What makes them fun is their attitude - they'll grab almost any bait and fight hard once hooked. Their sharp teeth can crack sea urchins, so use wire leaders. The meat is excellent, white and firm. Pro tip: when you feel that first nibble, don't set the hook right away. They love to pick at bait, so let them take it fully before reeling fast and steady to keep them from diving into structure.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are reliable fighters that typically run 1-4 pounds, though bigger males can hit 8+ pounds. These dark, chunky fish with white-spotted dorsal fins love structure - wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottoms in 30-120 feet of water. Peak season is late spring through summer when they move inshore to spawn. They're popular because they bite readily, fight well for their size, and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. We fish them with squid, clams, or small jigs on medium tackle. The males turn bright blue during spawning season - quite a sight. Pro tip: use a two-hook bottom rig and keep your bait moving slightly. They're curious fish and that little motion often triggers the bite when they're being finicky.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, averaging 3-5 feet and capable of hitting 60 mph. These torpedo-shaped fish with blue backs and silver sides patrol open waters and around structures in 60+ feet. Best fishing is late spring through fall when they're hunting near the surface. What gets people hooked is the blistering runs and acrobatic jumps - plus the meat is top-shelf eating, mild and flaky like premium tuna. We typically high-speed troll at 12-15 knots with wire leaders since their razor teeth will slice through mono instantly. The key is keeping your lures moving fast enough to trigger their predatory instincts. When one hits, hang on tight and let that drag work.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are hard-fighting bottom dwellers that average 20 inches but can push 50+ inches and 80 pounds. These mottled grey fish live around offshore reefs, wrecks, and rocky structure in 60-200 feet of water. Best fishing is spring through fall when they're more active and feeding heavy. Guests love the bulldogging fight - once hooked, they'll try everything to get back to their rocky homes. The meat is fantastic, white and flaky. We target them with live pinfish, mullet, or cut bait on circle hooks. Here's the trick: soon as you feel that bite, lock down your drag and horse them up immediately. Give them even a second to think about it, and they'll wrap you around every piece of structure down there.
Myrtle Beach