5.0(5 Reviews)Charleston's Premier 6-Hour Offshore Charter
5.0(5 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Top Rated
6-hour offshore charter targeting amberjack, cobia, and mahi-mahiCaptain Louis provides expert guidance and premium fishing equipmentMaximum 6 guests with scenic Charleston coastline views included
When you're looking to get offshore and chase some serious fish in Charleston waters, Captain Louis McMichael's 6-hour charter is where you want to be. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking about heading out to the blue water where the big boys live. With over two decades running these waters, Captain Louis knows exactly where to find the action, whether the fish are holding on structure 20 miles out or cruising the temperature breaks further offshore. You'll be fishing from a top-notch vessel equipped with everything you need to battle amberjack, cobia, mahi-mahi, and black grouper. The best part? You don't need to bring a thing except your fishing license and a cooler for your catch.
Your day starts early at the marina, where Captain Louis will get you set up with premium tackle and go over the game plan. We're looking at a 30-45 minute run to reach the productive offshore waters, depending on where the fish are biting that day. The captain runs a clean, well-maintained boat that handles the offshore swells like a dream, so even if you're prone to seasickness, you'll be comfortable out there. Once we reach the fishing grounds, it's all about reading the water – looking for birds working, temperature breaks, and structure that holds fish. You'll be using a mix of live bait, dead bait, and lures depending on what species we're targeting. The crew handles all the rigging, so you can focus on what you came here for: fighting fish. With a maximum of 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work and everyone gets their shot at the rod.
Captain Louis runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and target species. For mahi-mahi, we'll troll ballyhoo and lures around floating debris and weedlines where these fish love to hang out. When we're after amberjack and grouper, it's all about bottom fishing with heavy tackle over wrecks and hard bottom structure. The boat's equipped with quality Penn and Shimano reels spooled with braided line, plus circle hooks to ensure solid hooksets and safe fish releases. For cobia, we might sight-fish to cruising fish or work them around structure with live bait. The captain provides all terminal tackle, weights, and bait – both live and cut depending on what's working that day. If you've got your own lucky rod, feel free to bring it, but the boat's tackle is more than capable of handling anything we'll hook into out there.
"If you are looking for a trip that you will always remember Capitan Louie is your man. I've booked a few full day trips with him and his crew and they have always been able to put us on the fish. If nothing was biting in one spot the captain didn't waste any time and went to find them. The boat and the gear are top of the line which makes riding out and reeling in the big one just a little easier. If you want to go deep and bend big rods with the opportunity of catching the fish of a lifetime call Louie." - Kevin
"This isn't my first time chartering with Captain Louie and it certainly won't be my last. Every venture is run smooth and efficiently and the fish are always biting. It's also evident that Louie knows the waters like the back of his hand. He brings a lot of entertainment to the charter and it leaves everyone laughing and enjoying themselves. Highly recommended if you need someone to charter your next fishing adventure!" - Samantha
"Captain Loui is a great fisherman, guide, host, and a southern awesome fellow. I have been out fishing with him 3-4 times now and currently have 3 trips booked for 2023. He absolutely tore the mahi-mahi up in 2022 and put my father and brother on some quality fish. Captain Loui's choice of mates has been great also, we never missed a boated fish. I'm looking forward to his retirement so I can go more often. Obviously there is other "guides" that can fish, but you will enjoy this fishing trip I guarantee. Get some rest, your forearms and back will need it….." - William Jason
Mahi-mahi are the poster fish for Charleston offshore fishing, and for good reason. These brilliant green and gold fighters average 10-25 pounds in our waters, with bigger bulls pushing 40+ pounds showing up regularly. They're most active from late spring through early fall, and they absolutely love floating debris, weedlines, and current breaks. When you hook into a mahi, get ready for an aerial show – these fish jump, run, and fight like crazy. They're also fantastic eating, making them a customer favorite for good reason.
Lesser amberjack are the muscle cars of the reef. These brutes live around wrecks and hard bottom in 60-120 feet of water, and they'll test your tackle and your back. Most of our amberjack range from 20-50 pounds, but the big ones can push 80+ pounds. They bite year-round, but fall and winter often produce the biggest fish. When you hook an amberjack, it's going straight for the bottom and you'd better be ready for a tug-of-war. They're powerful, stubborn fighters that will make your arms burn.
Cobia are the ultimate sight-fishing target in Charleston waters. These brown sharks (as they're often called) cruise around structure, buoys, and even rays in 30-80 feet of water. They average 20-40 pounds, with fish over 50 pounds caught regularly. Spring and fall migrations bring the best action, but resident fish are here year-round. Cobia are curious fish that will often approach the boat, making for exciting sight-fishing opportunities. They're also excellent table fare and strong fighters.
Get ready to fish Charleston's offshore waters aboard this restored 2019 Contender center console! This 32-footer packs twin 300HP Mercury engines that'll get you to the fish fast, cruising up to 63 knots to those prime fishing grounds where amberjack, cobia, and mahi hang out. Captain Louis knows exactly where to find the action, and with onboard fish finder and GPS, you'll spend more time with lines in the water than searching around. The boat's got everything you need - icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold, plus radar for when visibility gets sketchy offshore. Room for up to 6 anglers means you can bring the crew along for some serious bottom fishing and trolling action. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you need to sneak up on those spooky fish. Whether you're targeting black grouper on the reefs or looking for that trophy cobia, this setup will get you there and back with plenty of stories to tell.
Istiophorus AlbicansAtlantic sailfish are the ultimate trophy fish - nothing matches watching one light up in electric blues and blacks while tail-walking across the surface. These billfish average 6-8 feet and 40-60 pounds, making them one of the fastest fish in the ocean. We typically find them in 100-600 feet of water following bait schools during winter months when they migrate through our waters. The fight is pure spectacle with multiple jumps and long runs that test your endurance. Most anglers release these magnificent fish for future generations. Best technique: slow-troll live bait or rigged ballyhoo around temperature breaks and current lines where bait concentrates.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the most underrated fighters out there. These brown, shark-looking fish average 30-50 pounds but can push 100+ pounds. We find them around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 30-70 feet during spring migration and spawning season. They're loners, so it's usually sight fishing when we spot one cruising the surface. What guests love is the combination of a bulldogging fight and excellent table fare - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. Spring through early summer is prime time here in Charleston waters. Key tip: once you hook up, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure or they'll wrap you up every time.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bread and butter of our bottom fishing. These grey, marble-patterned fish average 5-15 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds around deeper structure. They love rocky bottoms, reefs, and wrecks where they can ambush prey. Spring through fall produces the most consistent action in 40-120 feet of water. What makes them a favorite is their incredible table quality - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. The fight is classic grouper style - straight down trying to get back to their hole. Circle hooks are required, and here's the key: once you feel the bite, lock that drag and horse them up immediately. Give them an inch and they'll dive straight back into the rocks.
Seriola FasciataLesser amberjacks are the smaller cousins of their greater amberjack relatives, typically running 5-15 pounds when mature. These olive-green to dark pink fish hang out in deeper water than most species - usually 180-430 feet down around structure like wrecks and reefs. They're open year-round but best during warmer months when they move up in the water column. While not considered premier game fish, they still give a solid account of themselves on the rod. The meat is decent table fare, though watch for ciguatera like other jacks. My advice: drop your jig all the way to the bottom and work it slow - they tend to hug the seafloor more than other amberjacks.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi-mahi are some of the most colorful fish you'll encounter offshore. These golden beauties with electric blue and green backs average 15-29 pounds and put up a spectacular fight with acrobatic jumps. We typically find them around floating debris, weed lines, or current breaks in 100-400 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action when water temps hit 70°F+. What makes them special is their firm white meat - some of the best eating fish in the ocean. The colors fade fast once out of the water, so get your photos quick! Pro tip: when you hook one, keep trolling - mahi often travel in small schools and you might double up.
5.0 out of 5.0If you are looking for a trip that you will always remember Capitan Louie is your man. I’ve booked a few full day trips with him a...
This isn’t my first time chartering with Captain Louie and it certainly won’t be my last. Every venture is run smooth and efficien...
Unreal fishing experience, these guys know what they’re doing. The boat is super nice with all the bells and whistles and safety e...
Once the lines were in the water the fish would not stop biting our lines. Great time my customer were happy and the captain made ...
Captain Loui is a great fisherman, guide, host, and a southern awesome fellow. I have been out fishing with him 3-4 times now and ...
Charleston