Half Day PM Fishing Trip in Okatie, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday afternoon inshore fishing with Master Captain JasonTarget Crevalle Jack, Red Drum, Sea Trout, and CobiaAll fishing gear included, accommodates up to four guests
Looking for some serious action on South Carolina's inshore waters? Captain Jason knows exactly where the fish are biting around Okatie, and this afternoon trip puts you right in the sweet spot when the bite really turns on. You'll be targeting some of the Lowcountry's most prized species while soaking up the coastal atmosphere that makes this area a true angler's paradise. With all your tackle handled and room for up to four people, this trip is perfect whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your feet wet in saltwater fishing.
Captain Jason has been working these waters long enough to know where every oyster bar holds fish and which grass flats come alive during the afternoon bite. You'll launch from Okatie and head out to his proven honey holes, where the tide and structure create perfect ambush points for everything from feisty sea trout to bull redfish. The afternoon timing is no accident – as the sun starts dropping and the water cools slightly, predator fish become more active and aggressive. You'll spend your time working different techniques based on what's happening that day, from sight fishing the shallows to dropping baits near structure where the bigger fish lurk. Captain Jason provides all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait you'll need, so just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks to keep everyone comfortable during the action.
This isn't your typical sit-and-wait fishing trip. Captain Jason runs a variety of techniques depending on conditions and what species are most active. You might find yourself throwing topwater plugs at first light, working soft plastics around oyster bars, or live lining shrimp near drop-offs where the bigger fish cruise. The boat comes rigged with quality spinning and conventional gear suited for everything from finesse work on spooky trout to muscle matches with oversized drum. When the fish are shallow and visible, you'll get into some sight casting that'll get your heart pumping – there's nothing quite like watching a red drum inhale your bait in crystal clear water. If the fish are holding deeper, Captain Jason's got the electronics and local knowledge to put you on structure where cobia and bigger drum like to hang out. The beauty of fishing Okatie's waters is the variety – one cast might bring a scrappy jack, the next could be a doormat flounder.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting for unsuspecting baitfish to cruise by. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes around Okatie, with fish over 20 inches providing serious drag-screaming runs. Fall months are prime time for doormat flounder, when they're feeding heavily before heading offshore. What makes them so exciting to target is their unpredictable strike – one second your bait is sitting still, the next you're fighting a fish that seems to weigh twice what it looks like.
Black Drum are the bulldozers of the inshore world, and Okatie's waters hold some true giants. These fish can live for decades and grow well over 40 pounds, making them a bucket-list catch for serious anglers. They're most active during cooler months and love to root around oyster bars and creek mouths for crabs and shellfish. When a big drum takes your bait, there's no mistaking it – they'll test your drag and your patience with powerful, stubborn runs that can last several minutes.
Sea Trout, or spotted seatrout, are the bread and butter of Lowcountry fishing, but don't let their abundance fool you into thinking they're easy. These fish are incredibly structure-oriented, holding around grass beds, oyster bars, and creek mouths where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. The bigger "gator" trout are particularly challenging to hook, requiring precise presentations and quality tackle. Spring and fall provide the best opportunities for trophy-sized trout, with fish over 25 inches not uncommon in Okatie's productive waters.
Redfish are the poster child of South Carolina inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers are aggressive, beautiful, and fight like freight trains. Around Okatie, you'll find them in everything from shallow grass flats to deeper creek channels, often traveling in schools that create heart-stopping feeding frenzies. Reds are active year-round, but summer and fall bring the best action when large schools move through the area. A slot-sized red drum will give you everything you want in a fight – blistering runs, head shakes, and that distinctive thump that tells you you've hooked something special.
Crevalle Jack might not win any beauty contests, but they'll school you on what a real fight feels like. These silver bullets are pure muscle, capable of stripping line off your reel faster than you can believe. They often travel in aggressive schools, creating feeding frenzies that attract birds and provide explosive topwater action. Summer months bring the biggest jacks to Okatie's waters, with fish over 15 pounds not uncommon. Once hooked, they'll make multiple runs and test every knot in your tackle system.
Cobia are the wildcards that can turn any good day into a great one. These brown sharks of the inshore world are curious, aggressive, and grow to impressive sizes. Around Okatie, they're often found near structure, following rays, or cruising the shallows during warmer months. What makes cobia so special is their willingness to eat just about any bait or lure, often following it right to the boat before deciding to strike. A 30-pound cobia will give you a fight you won't soon forget, combining power with surprising agility.
Captain Jason's afternoon trips fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing is at its absolute best. This top-rated half-day experience gives you everything you
Your afternoon fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped motorboat, built for serious anglers targeting South Carolina's inshore waters. Captain Jason knows these Okatie waters like the back of his hand, and he's got the boat to match his expertise. The wireless trolling motor lets us glide silently into those prime fishing spots where Red Drum and Sea Trout like to hide, while our GPS keeps us on track to the hottest locations. The fish finder takes the guesswork out of what's swimming below, so you spend more time with your line wet and less time wondering where the fish are. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work your rods without bumping elbows. Whether you're after Crevalle Jack, Black Drum, or hoping to hook into a Cobia, this boat gets you there comfortably and quietly. All fishing gear comes with the trip, so just bring your cooler with snacks and drinks, and get ready to see why these South Carolina waters keep anglers coming back.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, and you'll hear them before you see them - they make actual drumming sounds underwater. These guys range from 5-30 pounds typically, but monsters over 50 pounds show up regularly. They love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring spawning season is magic when they school up in shallow water. What guests love is the steady, bulldogging fight - no flashy jumps, just pure muscle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Larger ones get tough and aren't worth keeping. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom with enough weight to stay put. When they pick it up, let them run with it a few seconds before setting the hook - they're not in a hurry.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the sharks that aren't sharks - big, dark brown fish that cruise near the surface and often get mistaken for trouble until you see that single dorsal fin. These are trophy fish, averaging 20-40 pounds with some pushing 100+ pounds. They're loners, not schoolers, hanging around structure like buoys, wrecks, and channel markers in 20-60 feet of water. Spring migration and summer months are prime time when they move inshore to spawn. What makes them special is the sight fishing - spotting that dark shadow cruising just under the surface gets your heart pumping. Plus they're phenomenal table fare, firm and meaty like a steak. The fight is strong and steady, not flashy but powerful. Best technique is sight casting with bucktail jigs or live eels. When you spot one, get ahead of them and let your bait sink right in their path - they're curious fish and will usually investigate.
Caranx HipposCrevalle jacks are the bullies of the flats - aggressive, hard-fighting fish that'll give you an arm workout. They average 3-5 pounds but can hit 20+ pounds, with that distinctive brassy-green back and bright yellow tail. Look for them around structure like jetties, reefs, and grass beds, plus they love chasing baitfish in open water. The dead giveaway is diving birds - jacks push bait to the surface and birds capitalize from above. Summer months are best when they're most active. Guests love them because they hit hard and fight harder with powerful runs and bulldogging tactics. They're not great eating, but they're pure fun to catch. Here's my go-to: throw a silver spoon or white jig past the school and retrieve it fast - really fast. These fish love the chase, and the more aggressive your retrieve, the more likely they are to slam it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the golden stars of our shallow water fishing, literally - look for that distinctive black spot near the tail and that bronze-red coloration. These bruisers typically run 20-35 inches and love cruising the flats in just 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars and grass beds. You'll often see their backs breaking the surface as they feed. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most aggressive, but we catch them year-round. What makes them special is that explosive topwater strike and the way they fight - long, powerful runs that'll test your drag. Plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, firm meat. The key is staying quiet and making long casts ahead of cruising fish. Use a gold spoon or topwater plug, and when you see that wake coming toward your lure, resist the urge to set the hook until you feel the weight - they'll often miss on the first pass.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, running 14-24 inches with those beautiful spotted sides that give them their nickname. They're ambush predators that love grass flats, oyster bars, and drop-offs where they can surprise shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall are your best bets, especially around moving water during tide changes. What makes them so popular is they're willing biters that put up a scrappy fight, plus they're some of the best eating fish in these waters - white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They can be finicky though, so we'll switch between live shrimp under popping corks and soft plastics until we find what they want. Local trick: when the water's clear, downsize your leader to 15-pound fluorocarbon and work your bait slower than you think you should.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, burying themselves in sand and mud on the bottom to ambush prey. You'll recognize them by both eyes being on the left side of their head and those distinctive light and dark blotches. Most run 15-18 inches, but we've seen them up to 33 inches. They love shallow waters around oyster beds, grass flats, and creek mouths where they hunt shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're most active. What makes them special is that surprise strike when you're drift fishing - they hit hard and fight smart. The meat is excellent eating too, white and flaky. Pro tip: use live mud minnows or shrimp on a Carolina rig and work it slow along the bottom. When you feel that thump, give them a second before setting the hook.
Charleton