Half Day Fishing Trip in Hilton Head Island, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour guided fishing adventure targeting five inshore speciesPrivate charter accommodates up to 4 guests with expert captainThree daily departure times available for flexible scheduling
Captain James knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to show you why Hilton Head's inshore fishing scene keeps anglers coming back for more. This 4-hour guided fishing adventure takes you through some of South Carolina's most productive fishing grounds aboard the 1720 Action Craft Fly Fisher – a top-rated shallow water boat that gets you into those tight spots where the big fish hang out. With room for up to 4 guests, this private charter gives you the flexibility to fish at your own pace while targeting five of the area's most sought-after species: Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Sheepshead, and Flounder.
You'll launch from one of Hilton Head's prime boat ramps and cruise into the May and Cooper Rivers, where the brackish water creates perfect conditions for inshore species. The Action Craft Fly Fisher is built for this kind of fishing – shallow draft, stable, and quiet enough to sneak up on those spooky redfish without spooking them. Captain James offers three departure times to fit your schedule: early morning at 7:30 AM when the fish are most active, a midday trip at noon, or the popular afternoon slot at 3:30 PM when the light starts getting good for photos. The boat's casting deck gives everyone plenty of room to work, and the shallow water capability means you'll fish areas that bigger boats simply can't reach. This is family-friendly fishing at its best – whether you're a seasoned angler or putting a rod in your kid's hands for the first time.
Inshore fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. Captain James switches between live bait, artificial lures, and even fly fishing depending on conditions and what's working that day. You'll learn to work soft plastics around oyster bars, pitch live shrimp under docks, and sight-cast to tailing redfish in skinny water. The boat comes equipped with quality spinning gear, but if you've got your own lucky rod, bring it along. Tackle selection varies with the tides and seasons – during cooler months, you might be bouncing jigs along the bottom for black drum, while summer calls for topwater plugs at dawn and dusk. The key to success in these waters is staying mobile and adapting to what the fish are telling you, and that's exactly what this charter delivers.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Hilton Head's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schooling "rat reds" around 14-20 inches to bull reds that'll test your drag system. Peak season runs from late spring through fall, when they move into the shallows to feed on fiddler crabs and shrimp. What makes them special is their fight – they pull hard and don't give up easy. Plus, they're beautiful fish that photograph well before you release them.
Speckled Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of these waters. They hold around grass beds, oyster bars, and creek mouths, especially during moving tides. Spring and fall produce the best action, with fish ranging from keeper-sized 14-inchers to trophy specks over 20 inches. They're aggressive strikers and excellent table fare if you decide to keep a few for dinner. The bite often picks up right at sunset, making those afternoon trips particularly productive.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the group, with mature fish weighing 20-40 pounds or more. They're bottom feeders that love to hang around structure – bridges, docks, and oyster beds are prime spots. These fish are available year-round but really turn on during the cooler months when they school up in deeper creek channels. The fight is all about power and endurance, and landing a big drum on light tackle is a real accomplishment.
Sheepshead are the trickiest fish in these waters, known for their ability to steal bait without getting hooked. They're structure-oriented fish that feed around dock pilings, jetties, and anywhere barnacles and oysters provide food. Winter is prime time for sheepshead fishing, when they stack up in deeper water before moving to spawn. They're excellent eating and provide a fun challenge for anglers who like technical fishing.
Summer Flounder, or "fluke," are the chameleons of the flats, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. They're most active during the warmer months and often found around creek mouths where current brings food. Flounder fishing requires patience and the right presentation – a slow-moving bait bounced along the bottom is usually the ticket. They're prized for their sweet, white meat and are a customer favorite for fish dinners.
This half-day fishing trip with Marsh Critter Charters delivers exactly what serious anglers and fishing families are looking for – local expertise, productive waters, and the chance to target multiple species in one outing. Captain James brings years of experience and the kind of local knowledge you can't get from fishing apps or online forums. The 4-hour timeframe is perfect for getting a solid taste of Hilton Head's fishing without committing to a full day, and the three departure times make it easy to work around your vacation schedule. Whether you're looking to check inshore fishing off your bucket list or you're a regular who wants to try new water, this charter puts you in the right spots at the right times with the right guidance to make it happen.
Step aboard the 1720 Action Craft Fly Fisher, your ticket to Hilton Head's best inshore fishing spots. This 17-foot 2024 motorboat cuts through the May and Cooper Rivers with ease, thanks to its reliable Mercury engine and stable design. Built specifically for shallow water fishing, she's nimble enough to chase redfish in the grass flats while comfortable enough for a full family day on the water. The spacious deck gives you and up to 3 other anglers plenty of room to cast for speckled trout, black drum, sheepshead, and flounder without getting tangled up. Captain James knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this boat gets you to the fish quickly and quietly. Whether you're an experienced angler or bringing the kids for their first fishing adventure, the Action Craft handles Hilton Head's tides and channels like a dream, making your half-day trip both productive and relaxing.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, typically running 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. They love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats in brackish water, using those powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when we find the best action. What makes them special is that drumming sound they make, plus they're incredible fighters that'll test your drag. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh crab or cut bait on the bottom near oyster bars, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard - they're notorious for stealing bait with those crushing jaws.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our local flats, easily recognized by their copper-bronze color and that distinctive black spot near the tail. They typically run 20-35 inches around Hilton Head and love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths year-round, though fall and spring offer the most consistent action. What gets folks excited is watching them cruise in clear water and that powerful fight when hooked - they'll make long runs and test your drag. They're excellent eating in the slot size range too. The secret is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of cruising fish. Gold spoons and topwater plugs work great, but don't overlook live shrimp under a popping cork near structure.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are our bread-and-butter inshore species, running 14-24 inches with beautiful spots covering their silvery sides. They love grass flats and shallow water, especially early morning and evening when they're most active feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but winter months can be productive too when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificial lures, plus they're outstanding table fare - tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for any recipe. The key is covering water over grass beds with topwater plugs at dawn, then switching to soft plastics or live shrimp as the sun gets higher. Work them slow and steady - trout don't like fast-moving baits.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but what really gets people talking are those human-like teeth they use to crush barnacles and crabs. They typically run 1-8 pounds around here, though we occasionally see 20-pounders. You'll find them hugging any structure - docks, bridges, oyster bars, anywhere barnacles grow. Spring months are best when they congregate for spawning. Guests love the challenge because sheepshead are notorious bait thieves with light bites, but they're also some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, white meat that's worth the effort. My advice: use fiddler crabs or shrimp, get as close to structure as possible, and when you feel that subtle nibbling, don't wait - set the hook immediately and pull them away from cover.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish blend perfectly with sandy bottoms using their chameleon-like color changing abilities. They typically run 15-20 inches and make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. We find them on sandy flats and around structure in depths from shallow water to about 30 feet. Fall months from September through November are peak season when they're most active and easier to locate. What guests love is the challenge of finding them and that solid fight once hooked. They're ambush predators that'll nail live bait like mullet or minnows. Here's the trick: hook your baitfish through the lips and fish it just off the bottom - flounder bite sideways, so give them a second to turn the bait before setting the hook.
Hilton Head Island, SC