Inshore Fishing Charter North Myrtle Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 5hour morning charter targets redfish and black drumLight tackle fishing in calm coastal waters near North Myrtle BeachAll bait, tackle, and gear included with professional instruction
There's nothing quite like the calm morning waters off North Myrtle Beach when the fish are feeding and the action is hot. This 5-hour private inshore charter puts you right in the sweet spots where Black Drum, Redfish, and even Blacktip Sharks cruise the shallows looking for their next meal. You'll fish the productive backwaters, creek mouths, and structure-rich areas that hold fish year-round, all while staying in protected waters that are perfect for anglers who want great fishing without the rough ride offshore. Whether you're bringing the family or a crew of serious anglers, this top-rated charter delivers the kind of consistent action that keeps guests coming back season after season.
Your morning starts early when the fish are most active and the water is glass calm. The boat heads out to prime inshore spots where your captain's local knowledge really shines – we're talking about hidden creek bends, oyster bars, and grass flats that most weekend warriors never find. The beauty of inshore fishing is you're working in 2-15 feet of water where you can actually see the structure and sometimes even spot your target fish. The fight is different too – these fish use the shallow water to their advantage, making drag-screaming runs toward cover. You'll spend your time anchored up on productive bottom or doing some controlled drifting over known fish-holding areas. The captain handles all the navigation and fish-finding, so you can focus on what matters most – getting your line tight and landing fish. With light tackle gear, even smaller fish put up a respectable fight, and when you hook into a 30-pound Black Drum or a feisty Shark, you'll know why inshore fishing has such a devoted following.
Inshore fishing is all about finesse and reading the water. You'll be using spinning reels spooled with 15-20 pound test line, which gives you the sensitivity to feel subtle bites while still having enough backbone for larger fish. The technique varies based on what's biting – for Black Drum and Sheepshead around structure, you're looking at bottom fishing with fresh shrimp or cut crab, keeping your bait right on the bottom where these fish feed. Redfish calls for a different approach, often involving live or cut bait presented near grass lines and shallow flats. When targeting Summer Flounder, you'll work soft plastics or live finger mullet along sandy bottom transitions. The captain provides all tackle, bait, and knows exactly what presentation works best for current conditions. You'll learn to read your rod tip for those light taps that signal a fish picking up your bait, and how to set the hook with authority when the moment is right. The shallow water fishing means you can watch the action unfold, seeing fish move in and out of casting range.
Black Drum are the heavy hitters of this charter and exactly why this trip has such a strong reputation. These bruisers can push 40+ pounds and fight like freight trains, using their broad sides and powerful tails to test your drag system. They hang around oyster bars, bridge pilings, and rocky structure where they crush crabs and shellfish. Spring through fall offers the best action, with larger fish moving into the shallows to feed. The fight is all about endurance – Black Drum don't jump, but they'll pull steady and strong, making multiple runs toward structure. Landing a citation-size Black Drum is a real accomplishment that puts you in an exclusive club of successful inshore anglers.
Summer Flounder, better known as Fluke, are the tricky customers that test your angling skills. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, lying in ambush along sandy bottoms and channel edges. They hit fast and light, requiring quick reflexes to set the hook before they spit your bait. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, with the largest fish often caught in deeper channel areas. What makes Flounder so rewarding is their excellent table fare – few fish eat better than fresh Fluke fillets. They're also visual predators, so you'll sometimes work bucktails or soft plastics with erratic retrieves that trigger their strike response.
Sheepshead are the bait thieves that will humble even experienced anglers. These black-and-white striped fish have human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crustaceans around structure. They're notorious for stealing bait without getting hooked, requiring perfect timing and sensitive tackle to catch consistently. Winter months often provide the best Sheepshead action when they school up around inshore structure. Despite their reputation for being difficult, a successful Sheepshead angler earns serious respect, and these fish are outstanding eating with firm, white meat.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Carolina inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters are aggressive feeders that hit hard and fight harder, often making multiple runs and using their powerful tails to bulldoze toward structure. They're found year-round in our waters, feeding in shallow grass flats, around docks, and near creek mouths. Redfish in the 18-27 inch slot limit are perfect for the dinner table, while the larger bull Reds provide pure adrenaline with their raw power. They're also opportunistic feeders, taking everything from live shrimp to cut mullet, making them accessible to anglers of all skill levels.
Blacktip Sharks bring an extra element of excitement to your inshore charter. These sleek predators patrol shallow flats and channel edges, especially during warmer months when baitfish are abundant. They're incredibly fast and acrobatic, often launching themselves completely out of the water multiple times during the fight. Blacktips typically run 2-4 feet in our inshore waters, providing manageable but exciting action on light tackle. They hit aggressively and fight with non-stop energy, making them a customer favorite for the pure adrenaline rush
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our 24-foot Champion center console bay boat, perfectly equipped for North Myrtle Beach's productive inshore waters. This reliable workhorse runs on a strong 225HP Yamaha engine that'll cruise smoothly at 40 knots, getting you to the fish quickly and comfortably. Built in 2014, she's spacious enough for up to 4 anglers without feeling cramped when you're fighting that big Black Drum or Blacktip Shark. The center console design gives everyone easy access to the action, whether you're casting for Redfish in the shallows or working the deeper channels for Speckled Trout. Our GPS navigation and fish finder take the guesswork out of locating productive spots, so you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time searching. The boat handles Carolina's coastal waters with confidence, making it ideal for targeting those hard-fighting inshore species that make North Myrtle Beach such a popular fishing destination.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are powerhouses that typically run 5-15 pounds in our waters, though we occasionally hook into 30+ pounders. These dark, barrel-shaped fish love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they crush shellfish with their strong jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. They're bottom feeders, so fresh crab or cut bait fished right on the bottom works best. What makes them special is that signature drumming sound they make and their bulldogging fight once hooked. The smaller ones make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap on your bait, don't set the hook right away - let them take it and start moving off before you strike.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are seasonal visitors that show up during warmer months, typically running 3-6 feet long with those signature black-tipped fins. These athletic sharks love to put on a show, jumping clear out of the water when hooked. You'll find them cruising nearshore waters and around bait schools where they feed on mackerel, herring, and whatever's schooling up. Summer into early fall is when we see them most. What guests love about blacktips is their acrobatic fights and the pure adrenaline rush of tangling with a shark on light tackle. They're also catch-and-release only, making for great photos and memories. The trick with blacktips is using fresh, oily bait like cut mackerel or bluefish and keeping your drag loose - they'll make lightning-fast runs that can snap your line if you're not ready.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore trips, running anywhere from schoolie-sized 18-inchers up to bruising 30+ pound bulls. You can spot them by that distinctive black eyespot near the tail and copper-bronze coloring. These fish love super shallow water - we're talking 1-4 feet around grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths. Fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What makes reds so special is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and that drag-screaming fight in shallow water. They're also excellent on the table with firm, mild flesh. During cooler months, look for them tailing in skinny water as they root around for crabs. My go-to trick is throwing a gold spoon or soft plastic just ahead of where they're heading - they can't resist it.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the convicts of our waters with their distinctive black and white stripes, but don't let their looks fool you - they're some of the best eating fish around. Most run 2-5 pounds with those famous human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles off dock pilings. You'll find them tight to any structure - bridges, jetties, and oyster bars where they feed on crabs and shellfish. Spring months bring the best action when they move shallow to spawn. Guests get a kick out of their unique appearance and that sweet, mild white meat that rivals any fish in these waters. They're notorious bait thieves though - they'll nibble your fiddler crab or shrimp right off the hook. The secret is using small hooks and setting hard the second you feel weight. Keep your bait tight to structure; they rarely venture far from cover.
Paralichthys DentatusSummer flounder are the chameleons of our local waters, changing colors to match whatever bottom they're lying on. These flatfish typically range 15-20 inches but can grow much larger. They're ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near structure, waiting to grab passing baitfish. Fall months from September through November give you the best shot at hooking one when they're most active. What guests love about flounder fishing is watching them come up sideways to the boat and their excellent eating quality - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat. They hit live minnows, mullet, and sea worms fished on bottom rigs. The key trick here is using a circle hook and being patient - they'll often mouth the bait before fully committing, so give them time to take it properly.
North Myrtle Beach