Charter Fishing in North Myrtle Beach
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore bottom fishing targeting Black Sea Bass, Grouper, and AmberjackSeasonal trolling opportunities for King Mackerel and Spanish MackerelSmall group charter accommodates up to 4 guests maximum
There's something special about heading out into the Atlantic waters off North Myrtle Beach with your rod in hand and the promise of serious fish on the line. Our nearshore charter takes you up to 25 miles from shore, where the water gets deep enough to hold the kind of fish that'll make your arms ache and your reel sing. This isn't your typical pier fishing – we're talking about getting into the good stuff where the big boys live.
When you step aboard with Nauti Buoy Fishing Charters, you're signing up for a proper fishing adventure that blends the best of both worlds. We'll spend most of our time bottom fishing over structure and reefs, dropping down heavy tackle to where the grouper and sea bass hang out. But don't think we're just sitting there waiting – depending on what's running and what the season's giving us, we'll fire up the engines and start trolling for kings, Spanish mackerel, and whatever else is cruising through our waters. The boat holds up to 4 anglers, which means you get plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from the crew. No fighting over rod holders or getting your lines tangled with a dozen other people.
Bottom fishing out here means dropping heavy sinkers and circle hooks down 40 to 80 feet, sometimes more, depending on where the fish are holding. We'll anchor up over known structure – artificial reefs, rock piles, and ledges where the baitfish gather and the predators follow. You'll be using chunk bait, cut squid, and live bait when we can get it. The key is keeping your line tight and feeling for that telltale thump when a grouper or sea bass picks up your offering. When we switch to trolling, it's a whole different game. We'll pull diving plugs, spoons, and rigged ballyhoo at different speeds and depths, covering water until we find where the pelagic species are cruising. King mackerel love a fast-moving bait, while Spanish mackerel will hit just about anything shiny that moves through the water column.
Black Sea Bass are the bread and butter of our nearshore trips, and for good reason. These chunky, hard-fighting fish live around structure and will absolutely hammer your bait when you find them. They're most active during the cooler months, roughly October through April, and they'll fight you all the way to the boat. A good sea bass will go 2-4 pounds, but we regularly see fish pushing 6-8 pounds that'll test your drag system. What makes them so popular is their aggressive nature – when you drop down to a school of sea bass, you can expect steady action.
King Mackerel are the speed demons of our waters, and when they hit your trolled bait, you'll know it immediately. These silver rockets can stretch over 40 inches and weigh 20-30 pounds, with some real monsters pushing 40-50 pounds during peak season. Spring through fall is prime time for kings, especially when the water temperature hits that sweet spot in the mid-70s. They're notorious for their blistering runs and acrobatic jumps, making them a favorite among anglers who want their gear put to the test.
Gag Grouper are the prize catch that every angler hopes for on these trips. These bottom dwellers can grow massive – we're talking 20-40 pound fish that'll try to drag you down to the rocks where they live. They're ambush predators that hang around structure, waiting for an easy meal to swim by. Gags are most cooperative during the spring and fall months when they're more active and feeding heavily. Landing a big grouper is like wrestling with a freight train that knows every hiding spot on the bottom.
Spanish Mackerel bring non-stop action when they're schooled up and feeding. These smaller cousins to the king mackerel are perfect for light tackle fishing, usually running 1-3 pounds but making up for their size with sheer numbers. When you find a school of Spanish mackerel, it's not uncommon to hook doubles and triples while trolling small spoons or casting jigs into the feeding frenzy. They're most active during the warmer months and provide great sport for anglers of all skill levels.
Mahi Mahi are the wild cards of our nearshore waters – you never know when these colorful fighters might show up. Also called dolphinfish or dorado, these brilliant yellow and green speedsters are pure excitement on light tackle. They're famous for their aerial displays and rapid color changes when hooked. Mahi usually show up around floating debris, weed lines, or temperature breaks, and while they're not guaranteed, finding a school of mahi can turn a good day into an epic one. They typically range from 5-20 pounds in our waters, with occasional bulls pushing 30-40 pounds.
North Myrtle Beach offers some of the most consistent nearshore fishing on the East Coast, and our charter puts you right in the heart of it. Whether you're after the steady action of bottom fishing or the adrenaline rush of trolling for pelagics, this trip delivers the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back year after year. The combination of species diversity, accessible fishing grounds, and the chance for that trophy catch makes this a top-rated charter experience. Don't wait – book your nearshore adventure with Nauti Buoy Fishing Charters and get ready to see why these waters have built such a reputation among serious anglers.
This 22-foot SeaSwirl dual console is your ticket to prime fishing grounds up to 25 miles offshore. The 200HP Yamaha gets you there fast, cruising at 28 knots to maximize your time on the water. Built for serious anglers, she's equipped with a fish finder to locate those bottom-dwelling Black Sea Bass and Grouper, plus GPS to hit all the productive spots. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure for Amberjack and Porgy. With space for 4 anglers, there's plenty of room to fight fish without getting tangled up. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long days chasing King Mackerel and Spanish Mackerel. When nature calls, the head keeps you comfortable. Whether you're dropping bottom rigs or pulling trolling spreads, this boat handles North Myrtle Beach waters like a champ.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are our bread-and-butter bottom fish, running 1-4 pounds with the occasional 6-pounder showing up. They stack up around wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom in 60-120 feet during summer months. Males turn bright blue during spawn with a distinctive hump on their heads. Late spring through summer gives us the best action when they move inshore. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite and solid fight for their size. They're fantastic eating - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat fried or baked. These fish start life as females then change to males as they grow. They'll hit cut bait, squid strips, and small jigs readily. Best tip: use a two-hook bottom rig with small pieces of squid or fish. They're not shy about biting, but keep your bait on bottom where they feed.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are the bulldogs of the reef, averaging 20 inches but capable of reaching 50+ inches and 30+ pounds. They hang around rocky structure, ledges, and wrecks in 60-200 feet of water. Males are darker with distinctive patterns, while females show more mottled gray coloring. Fall and winter offer our best shots when they're most active. What makes gags special is their stubborn fight - once hooked, they dive straight for cover trying to wrap your line around anything they can find. The meat is top-notch, firm white fillets perfect for any cooking method. Keep your drag locked tight and don't give them an inch, or they'll bury you in the rocks. My go-to trick: use live pinfish or cut bait, and the second you feel that thump, crank hard to get their head up before they know what hit them.
Scomberomorus CavallaKings are the speed demons of our nearshore waters, typically running 15-40 pounds with some bruisers hitting 60+. They cruise open water between 40-150 feet, often following baitfish along temperature breaks and current edges. Late spring through early fall gives us the best action when water temps hit that sweet spot above 68°F. What makes kings so popular is their blistering runs - they'll strip line faster than almost any fish out here. The meat's rich and flaky, perfect for the grill. Here's a local trick: use a wire leader with two hooks when live baiting - one through the nose, one free-swinging near the tail. Kings love to hit from behind, and that stinger hook saves a lot of cut-offs.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the wild cards of our trips - these surface cruisers show up around floating debris and weedlines, usually weighing 15-30 pounds. They love warm water above 70°F and often travel in small schools. Spring through fall brings the best chances, especially when we spot birds working over floating sargassum. What makes mahi special is their crazy color show when hooked - they flash gold, green, and blue while fighting. Plus, they're fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat that grills perfectly. The fight is pure chaos with long runs and acrobatic jumps. Pro tip: when you hook one, keep others in the school interested by leaving the hooked fish in the water while you grab another rod. Mahi are curious and will stick around.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are our reliable action fish - sleek silver speedsters with yellow spots that typically run 1-3 pounds. They school up near the surface around structure and baitfish, perfect for light tackle fun. We see them best from late spring through early fall when they're following bait close to shore. What guests love is the steady action and their willingness to hit small jigs, spoons, and live bait. They're also excellent table fare with mild, flaky meat that's great grilled or smoked. These fish are fast - they'll hit and run in a split second. The key is keeping your bait moving; dead-stick it and they lose interest quick. A simple tip that works every time: when you see them schooling, cast past the school and retrieve through it. They can't resist a fleeing baitfish.
Myrtle Beach