Full Day Trip – Charleston Fishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday inshore fishing targeting multiple Charleston speciesAll rods, reels, tackle, and gear provided onboardSmall group experience accommodating maximum two guests
Charleston's legendary inshore waters offer some of the Southeast's best fishing, and this full-day charter with Lowcountry Angling puts you right in the heart of it all. You'll spend eight solid hours working the flats, creeks, and structure where redfish cruise and flounder lie in wait. With gear included and room for just two anglers, this isn't your typical crowded boat experience – it's quality time on quality water with a captain who knows every oyster bar and grass bed in the Lowcountry.
Your day starts early, meeting at the dock while the morning air still carries that saltwater chill. Charleston's inshore fishing scene revolves around the maze of tidal creeks, expansive grass flats, and structured areas where gamefish ambush baitfish. The beauty of a full-day trip is you're not rushed – there's time to work different spots as the tide changes, adjusting your approach based on what the fish are telling you. You'll move between shallow water sight fishing opportunities and deeper holes where bigger fish hold. The intimate two-person capacity means personalized instruction, whether you're learning to read water or perfecting your cast placement around dock pilings.
Lowcountry Angling provides everything you need – quality spinning rods matched with smooth reels, a tackle box full of local favorites, and the kind of terminal tackle that actually works in Charleston's waters. You'll fish with live shrimp under popping corks, throw soft plastics on jig heads, and maybe work some topwater plugs when conditions are right. The approach changes throughout the day: morning might find you drifting creek mouths with live bait, midday could mean sight casting to tailing redfish, and afternoon often calls for working structure with artificials. Your captain reads the water, wind, and tide to put you on fish, rotating between techniques until you find what's working.
Southern Flounder are the chameleons of Charleston's waters, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms and grass edges. These flatfish can grow substantial here – doormat flounder over five pounds aren't uncommon, especially during fall migration periods. They're ambush predators that slam live shrimp or well-presented soft plastics dragged slowly along the bottom. What makes flounder fishing addictive is the subtle bite and the satisfying weight when you lift a keeper fish into the boat. Peak season runs late summer through fall when they're feeding heavily before moving offshore.
Snook represent the northern edge of their range in Charleston, making every hookup special. These silver-sided fighters prefer structure – docks, bridges, and oyster bars where they can pin baitfish. They're notorious for their gill-rattling jumps and powerful runs back toward cover. Live shrimp freelined near structure or soft plastics worked along dock lines produce the most strikes. Snook are temperature sensitive, so they're most active during warmer months and often concentrate around warm-water discharges during cooler periods.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore scene, with mature fish often exceeding twenty pounds. These powerful fish cruise shallow flats and oyster beds, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. They're sight fishing targets when conditions allow – watching a big drum's black back cruise through skinny water gets your heart racing. Live or cut crab works best, though they'll take shrimp. The fight is pure power – long, determined runs that test your drag system and patience.
Sea Trout, locally called speckled trout, are Charleston's most cooperative gamefish. They school up around grass beds, creek mouths, and drop-offs, making them perfect for beginners while still challenging experienced anglers hunting trophy fish. Specks hit artificials aggressively – soft plastics, topwater plugs, and suspending baits all produce. The key is matching the baitfish size and working the right depth. Spring and fall offer the best numbers, while summer produces bigger individual fish.
Redfish are Charleston's signature species and the reason many anglers become obsessed with inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers patrol grass flats, oyster bars, and creek systems year-round. What makes reds special is their willingness to feed in extremely shallow water – watching a red's back break the surface as it hunts is pure fishing magic. They eat everything from live shrimp to cut bait to perfectly presented artificials. The fight combines power and stamina, with larger fish making blistering runs across the flats.
This full-day Charleston fishing experience delivers exactly what serious anglers want – quality time on productive water with professional gear and local expertise. The two-angler limit ensures personalized attention and plenty of fishing time, while the eight-hour duration lets you experience different fishing scenarios as conditions change. Whether you're after your first Charleston red or hoping to add snook to your life list, Lowcountry Angling's local knowledge and commitment to putting clients on fish makes this a top-rated choice. The Lowcountry's fishing reputation didn't happen by accident – book your spot and find out why Charleston consistently ranks among the Southeast's premier inshore destinations.
Your Charleston inshore fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for serious angling. This nimble vessel features a wireless trolling motor that lets you slip quietly into prime fishing spots without spooking the fish. The onboard fish finder helps locate schools of redfish, trout, and flounder hiding in the shallow waters around Charleston's marshes and creeks. GPS keeps you on course to the hottest fishing grounds while the spacious ice box ensures your catch stays fresh. Perfect for two anglers, this boat gets you right where the black drum and snook are biting. All rods, reels, and tackle come ready to go – just bring yourself and get ready to fill the cooler with some of South Carolina's finest inshore species.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters, and they'll give you a workout. Most fish we catch run 10-20 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 40-pounder around the oyster beds. These chunky, dark-colored fish have crushing jaws built for eating shellfish and crabs. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning in shallow water. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - it's wild when you experience it. They're found around oyster reefs, muddy flats, and creek channels, usually in 3-15 feet of water. Guests love the steady, powerful fight they put up. Smaller ones under 15 pounds eat great, but the big ones are tough. Best approach is bottom fishing with fresh crab or clams on a Carolina rig. Key tip: use circle hooks and let them run with it - they're not going anywhere fast, and patience pays off.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are one of the most unique fish you'll encounter around Charleston. These flatfish range 15-18 inches typically, though we've seen them push 30+ inches. They're masters of disguise, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms in shallow bays and creek mouths. Both eyes sit on their left side, making them perfectly adapted for ambush feeding on shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Fall and early winter are prime time when they're moving toward deeper water. Guests love the challenge of spotting their outline on the bottom and the solid fight they put up. The meat is excellent - mild, white, and flaky. Pro tip: drift slowly over sandy flats with live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jighead. When you feel that subtle tap, count to three before setting the hook - they like to grab prey sideways first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature species and absolutely what put our area on the fishing map. These copper-colored beauties with distinctive black spots near their tails typically range 18-27 inches in the slot, though bull reds over 30 inches provide serious fights. You'll find them tailing in 1-3 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and marsh edges. Fall is legendary here when big schools move through, but they bite well spring through late fall. What guests love most is sight-fishing to them in skinny water - it's like hunting with a rod. They're aggressive feeders and will crush topwater plugs, spoons, and live shrimp. The meat from slot-sized fish is fantastic. These fish are tough and make long runs, so expect a battle. Best local tip: look for nervous baitfish and birds working over shallow flats. Cast past the fish and work your lure back through the school - they can't resist it.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are a Charleston favorite that'll bite year-round. These silvery fish with black spots typically run 14-18 inches, weighing 1-3 pounds, though we catch plenty of 4-5 pounders. They love grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but summer nights can be phenomenal. What makes trout special is their willingness to hit topwater lures - watching one explode on a surface plug never gets old. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat. These fish are fairly easy to catch, making them perfect for families or beginners. Try working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds during moving tides. Local trick: if the bite slows, switch to a gold spoon and work it erratically - trout can't resist that flash and wobble.
Centropomus UndecimalisSnook are the ultimate inshore gamefish here in Charleston waters. These sleek, silver fish with that distinctive black lateral line typically run 18-24 inches, but the big females can stretch over 3 feet. You'll find them around dock pilings, mangrove shorelines, and creek mouths where they ambush baitfish. They're temperature sensitive, so warmer months from late spring through early fall offer the best action. What makes snook special is their explosive strike and acrobatic fight - they'll jump, run, and test every knot you tied. The meat is outstanding too, firm and white with great flavor. They're structure-oriented fish, so cast tight to cover like oyster bars and fallen trees. Here's a local secret: work the moving water during tide changes with live shrimp under a popping cork. The sound drives them crazy, and you'll get some violent strikes.
Charleston, SC