6-Hour Inshore Fishing Adventure in Okatie
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing trip targeting multiple speciesAll equipment, tackle, and fishing licenses includedSmall group experience accommodating up to four guests
Looking for a solid day on the water that won't break the bank? This 6-hour inshore fishing trip with Merrikohl Outfitters puts you right in the heart of Okatie's best fishing grounds. We're talking about some of the most productive waters along South Carolina's coast, where the grass flats meet deeper channels and the fish stack up like you wouldn't believe. You'll have plenty of time to work different spots, try various techniques, and really get into a rhythm with whatever's biting that day.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish from the moment you leave the dock. We're targeting structure, grass beds, and creek mouths where redfish cruise the shallows and trout hang in the current breaks. The Okatie River system offers everything from skinny water sight fishing to deeper holes where the big drum like to sulk. With a 4-person max, you're not fighting for space or time with your rod. Everyone gets plenty of shots, and your guide can actually spend time coaching you through the finer points of reading water and presenting your bait. All your gear is covered - rods, reels, tackle, and even your fishing license - so just bring your appetite for action and maybe some snacks to keep your energy up.
This isn't a one-trick operation. Your guide will switch up techniques based on conditions, tides, and what the fish are telling you. Live bait fishing with shrimp and mud minnows produces consistent action, especially when the fish are finicky. Artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs come into play when you want to cover water fast or when the bite gets aggressive. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the versatility - you might be sight casting to tailing reds one minute, then bouncing a jig along an oyster bar the next. Your captain runs quality tackle that can handle everything from feisty trout to bull reds that'll test your drag system. Circle hooks keep fish healthy for release, and the gear is matched perfectly to the species you're after.
Redfish: These copper-colored fighters are the bread and butter of Lowcountry fishing. Reds in these waters typically run 18-27 inches, with the occasional bull red pushing 30+ inches and giving you a real workout. They're most active during moving tides, especially around oyster bars and grass edges. What makes them special is their attitude - they eat aggressively and fight like they're twice their size. You'll find them year-round, but fall and spring offer the best action when they're fattening up and super aggressive.
Sea Trout: Speckled trout are the perfect inshore game fish - they bite readily, fight with surprising strength, and taste fantastic on the dinner table. Most fish here run 14-20 inches, but keeper-sized trout over 15 inches are common. They love structure and current, so you'll find them around docks, creek bends, and drop-offs. Summer and fall are prime time, especially early morning and late afternoon when they move shallow to feed. Their spotted flanks and delicate mouth make them a favorite among anglers who appreciate finesse fishing.
Southern Flounder: These flatfish are ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for bait to swim by. Door-mat flounder over 20 inches are the prize, but any keeper over 15 inches makes excellent table fare. They're most active during cooler months from October through March, positioning themselves near creek mouths and channel edges. What's exciting about flounder fishing is the technique - bouncing bait along the bottom and feeling that distinctive thump when they grab it. They don't fight flashy, but landing a big flounder requires skill and patience.
Black Drum: The heavyweights of the inshore scene, black drum can range from keeper-sized fish around 14 inches to massive bulls over 40 pounds. They're bottom feeders with a taste for crabs and shrimp, making them perfect targets for natural bait fishing. Spring brings the big spawners into shallow water, while smaller "puppy drum" provide action year-round. Their powerful runs and bulldogging fights will leave your arms sore and your reel screaming. They're not the prettiest fish, but they command respect.
Crevalle Jack: If you want to test your tackle, pray for a jack to find your bait. These silver torpedoes are pure muscle and attitude, capable of burning drag and making long, powerful runs. They school up and feed aggressively, often breaking the surface in feeding frenzies that attract birds and get your heart racing. Most jacks here run 10-25 pounds, but they fight like fish twice that size. They're not great table fare, but as a sport fish, few species can match their raw power and determination.
Cobia: The brown sharks of the inshore world, cobia are curious fish that often approach boats and provide sight-fishing opportunities. They're strong fighters with excellent table qualities, making them a top target when conditions are right. Spring and summer offer the best shots at cobia as they move through coastal waters. They average 25-40 pounds in these waters, with fish over 50 pounds always possible. Their habit of following rays and sharks makes them exciting to target, and their powerful runs will challenge both angler and equipment.
Six hours gives you real time to fish, not just a quick taste of what these waters offer. You'll hit multiple spots, adjust to conditions, and really dial in on what's working. The variety of species means something's always biting, and with experienced guidance, you'll learn techniques that'll
Your fishing adventure starts aboard a well-equipped motorboat designed for serious inshore action around Okatie's productive waters. This boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably while you target redfish, black drum, flounder, cobia, and sea trout in the shallow flats and creek systems. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on spooky fish in skinny water, while the GPS navigation helps pinpoint those honey holes where the big ones hang out. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating structure and baitfish, giving you a real edge when the bite gets tough. Whether you're working live bait around oyster bars or throwing artificials at tailing reds, this boat puts you in position to make the most of your 6-hour trip. All your tackle, rods, reels, and licenses are handled, so just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks, and get ready for some serious low country fishing action.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90 pounds. These powerful fish love shallow muddy flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths around Okatie. Spring spawning season is prime time when they school up and become much easier to target. What guests love about Black Drum is their incredible pulling power - they'll test your arms and your drag system. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent eating with firm, flaky meat, though the big ones are better released. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws built for oysters and crabs. Here's my go-to trick: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom, and when you feel that steady pull, let them run a bit before setting the hook - they need time to really take it.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are big, brown, solitary fish that often get mistaken for sharks due to their single dorsal fin. They average around 6 feet and can hit 100 pounds, making them serious tackle-busters. Look for them around reefs, wrecks, buoys, and structure in 30-70 feet of water, though they'll cruise shallow areas too. Spring through summer is prime time, especially during their spawning migration. What makes Cobia special is their size, strength, and incredible table quality - firm, white meat that rivals any offshore fish. They're curious fish that can often be sight-fished near the surface. Cobia eat crabs, squid, and smaller fish, so they're not picky about baits. Here's my best tip: when you spot one cruising, cast a bucktail jig well ahead of it and work it back slowly - they'll usually investigate and often commit to the bite.
Caranx HipposCrevalle Jack are the bulldozers of the ocean, typically running 12-24 inches and 3-5 pounds, but capable of reaching 60 pounds. These brassy-gold bruisers prefer seagrass beds, shallow reefs, and structure where they hunt in aggressive schools. They're year-round residents, but warmer months bring the best action when they're most active near the surface. What makes Jacks exciting is their raw power and stamina - pound for pound, they're one of the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter. They're relentless once hooked and will test your tackle. While not the best table fare, they provide pure adrenaline fishing. Watch for diving birds - that's your signal that Jacks are pushing baitfish to the surface. My trick: cast silver spoons or fast-moving swimbaits past the school and retrieve them rapidly - these bullies love the chase and aggressive presentation.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-red backs and distinctive black eyespots near the tail. Most run 28-33 inches, but we regularly see fish pushing 45 inches and 50 pounds. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out - around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Year-round fishing is good here, but spring and fall are outstanding when they're most active. What makes Redfish special is their aggressive strikes and bulldogging fights in shallow water. Plus, they're excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. These fish aren't picky eaters and will hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Pro tip: look for "tailing" fish in skinny water and cast your bait well ahead of where they're moving - spook one and the whole school disappears.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks" as we call them, are beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots that typically run 14-24 inches. They love grass flats and shallow waters around Okatie, especially at night or during low-light conditions. Spring and fall provide the best action when water temperatures are comfortable. These fish are prized for their delicate, flaky white meat and make some of the finest table fare you'll find. They're also scrappy fighters that will jump and make multiple runs. Specks feed heavily on shrimp and small baitfish, making them fun on light tackle. During winter, they school up in deeper channels. My local tip: work topwater plugs or soft plastic shrimp imitations around grass beds during the first hour of daylight - that's when they're most aggressive.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that typically run 15-18 inches, though we catch some up to 33 inches. They're masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy and muddy bottoms where they ambush prey like shrimp and small fish. Around Okatie, you'll find them in shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries - perfect for our local fishing spots. Fall through early spring gives you the best action when they're more active in cooler water. What makes them special is watching that perfectly camouflaged fish suddenly appear from nowhere to hit your bait. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. My tip: use a slow drift with live shrimp or bull minnows on a light jig head, and fish right along the bottom where they're waiting.
Charleton