Morning Inshore Fishing Charter North Myrtle Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Private 4hour morning charter targets redfish and black drumLight tackle fishing in calm inshore waters near North Myrtle BeachAll equipment and bait included with expert captain instruction
There's something special about getting on the water early in North Myrtle Beach when the sun's just starting to peek over the horizon and the inshore flats are coming alive. This 4-hour morning charter puts you right where the action is – targeting some of the Carolina coast's most popular species in the calm, protected waters that make this area a top-rated fishing destination. Whether you're new to saltwater fishing or you've been chasing reds for years, this trip delivers the perfect mix of relaxed fishing and real opportunities to put fish in the boat.
Your morning starts in the productive inshore waters around North Myrtle Beach, where shallow flats, oyster bars, and grass beds create perfect habitat for redfish, black drum, speckled trout, and flounder. The beauty of inshore fishing here is that you're working in protected waters – no rough seas or long runs to fishing grounds. Instead, you'll be sight-fishing and working structure just minutes from the launch, where water depths typically range from 2 to 8 feet. The calm conditions make this trip ideal for families with kids or anyone who gets queasy in choppy water. Your captain knows these waters like the back of their hand and will adjust the game plan based on tides, weather, and what's been biting lately. Some days that means working the grass flats for trout, other days it's poling the shallows looking for tailing redfish. The flexibility is what makes each trip unique and keeps regular customers coming back season after season.
This charter focuses on light tackle fishing, which means you'll be using spinning reels loaded with 10-20 pound test line paired with rods that let you feel every tap and run. It's way more fun than heavy tackle and gives these inshore species a real chance to show what they can do. Your captain provides all the gear, so don't worry about bringing anything except sunscreen and a good attitude. You'll learn to work soft plastics like paddle tails and shrimp imitations around structure, plus how to read the water for signs of feeding fish. The techniques here aren't complicated – it's more about understanding where fish hold based on tide movement and water temperature. Your guide will show you how to detect subtle bites from black drum, recognize the aggressive strikes that speckled trout are famous for, and stay ready for the bulldogging runs that make redfish such a customer favorite. Between the hands-on instruction and the productive waters, you'll pick up skills that translate to fishing anywhere along the Southeast coast.
Redfish are the stars of the show in these North Myrtle Beach waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters typically run 18-27 inches in the inshore areas, with fish over the 27-inch slot limit fairly common. What makes reds so exciting is their attitude – they'll eat aggressively and then peel line off your reel like they're heading for the next county. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, but winter can produce some of the biggest fish of the year when cold fronts push them into deeper creek mouths. You'll find them cruising oyster bars, rooting around grass flats, and sometimes tailing in super shallow water where you can actually see them feeding.
Black drum don't get the publicity that redfish do, but they're absolute bruisers that will test your drag system. These fish can range from 2-pound "puppy drum" up to 20-pound slabs that feel like you've hooked a truck tire. They're bottom feeders that love to hang around structure, especially during cooler months when they stack up in deeper holes and creek bends. Black drum have pharyngeal teeth that crush oysters and crabs, so they're not picky about bait – shrimp, crab, and cut bait all work well. The fight is different from a redfish – more of a steady, powerful pull that keeps your rod bent for what feels like forever.
Speckled trout add the numbers to your catch, and they're probably the most cooperative fish you'll encounter on this trip. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs where they can ambush baitfish. Most specks run 12-16 inches, but the area produces plenty of "gator trout" over 20 inches that make for great photos. They're most active during moving water and low-light conditions, which is why this morning charter timing works so well. Trout have soft mouths, so you'll learn to fight them with a light drag and steady pressure. They're also excellent table fare, making them a favorite with families looking to take home a fresh fish dinner.
This morning inshore charter offers everything you want in a fishing trip – productive waters, expert guidance, and fish that actually bite. The 4-hour timeframe gives you plenty of time to work different spots and techniques without feeling rushed, while the small group size (maximum 4 anglers) means personalized attention from your captain. All tackle and bait are included, and any fish within legal limits go home with you for the dinner table. The calm inshore waters make this trip accessible for anglers of all ages and experience levels, but the fishing is serious enough to keep seasoned saltwater veterans interested. Book early, especially during peak season from April through October when the bite is most consistent and the weather is most reliable.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our 2014 24-foot Champion center console bay boat, the perfect platform for targeting those North Myrtle Beach redfish and black drum. This reliable workhorse is powered by a smooth 225HP Yamaha engine that'll get you to the hotspots quickly, cruising at up to 40 knots when conditions call for covering water fast. Built specifically for inshore fishing, this center console design gives you 360-degree fishability and easy movement around the boat when that big red is making its run. The GPS navigation system keeps us on productive structure and helps mark new productive spots, while the fish finder lets you actually see what's swimming below before dropping your line. With comfortable seating for your group of four, there's plenty of room to spread out and work different techniques without getting tangled up. The open deck layout makes it easy to fight fish and gives everyone a fair shot at the action. Whether you're sight-fishing shallow flats for redfish or working deeper structure for black drum, this boat handles the varied inshore waters around North Myrtle Beach with confidence and stability.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our local waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 90. You'll find them around oyster beds and muddy flats where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws - that's why fresh crab works so well as bait. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to locate. These fish are famous for the drumming sounds they make, especially during spawn season. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag, but stick to the smaller ones (under 15 pounds) for the dinner table - the big ones get tough and lose their flavor. Pro tip: keep your bait right on the bottom and use enough weight to stay there. They won't come up to feed.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our inshore fishing, easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and distinctive black eyespot near the tail. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Most run 18-30 inches and fight like bulldogs, making long runs and testing your tackle. They're year-round residents but fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding heavily. What guests love most is their aggressive strikes and the fact they'll eat almost anything - topwater plugs, spoons, live shrimp, you name it. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Local secret: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during moving tides.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are one of our most popular targets, typically running 14-24 inches and putting up a scrappy fight on light tackle. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially at dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. These spotted beauties are year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat that's perfect for the table - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. They're aggressive biters that'll hit topwater plugs, soft plastics, and live shrimp. The trick here is fishing the grass edges where clear water meets structure. Move quietly and make long casts - they spook easily in shallow water.
North Myrtle Beach