North Myrtle Beach Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Nearshore fishing charter stays within 15 miles of coastTarget eight species including King Mackerel and FlounderPerfect for beginners with maximum four guest capacity
Looking for a solid fishing trip that won't have you green around the gills? Our nearshore charters out of North Myrtle Beach hit that sweet spot between productive fishing and staying comfortable. We'll take you up to 15 miles offshore where the water's still blue-green and you can see the beach behind us. Perfect for first-timers who want to catch real fish without dealing with the big swells, and seasoned anglers who know that some of the best action happens in that productive zone between the surf and the deep blue.
This is fishing the way it should be – relaxed but productive. We keep our groups small at just 4 anglers, so you're not fighting for rail space or waiting forever for your turn. The boat's equipped with everything you need, from rods and reels to tackle and bait. Most days we'll start by working some structure closer to shore for bottom fish like black sea bass and flounder, then move around based on what's biting. The beauty of nearshore fishing is the variety – one minute you're dropping down for bottom dwellers, the next you might be trolling for kings or casting to a school of Spanish mackerel that just lit up the fish finder. The water's usually calmer than the deep sea trips, making it perfect for anyone who gets a little seasick or just prefers a smoother ride.
We fish smart out here, adapting to what the fish want on any given day. Bottom fishing is our bread and butter – we'll anchor up over structure and drop down chicken rigs loaded with squid or cut bait for sea bass, croaker, and whiting. The key is reading your rod tip and feeling those subtle taps that tell you a fish is mouthing your bait. When we're after flounder, we'll drift with Carolina rigs and live minnows or gulp baits, working the sandy bottoms where these flatfish love to ambush prey. For the mackerel species, we switch gears completely – trolling small spoons and feathers at different speeds until we find what triggers them. Sometimes we'll see birds working and cast into the action with gotcha plugs or small jigs. Don't worry if you've never done this before – we'll walk you through each technique and help you feel the difference between a bite and just bouncing bottom.
Spanish mackerel are the speed demons of our nearshore waters and absolutely love our area from late spring through early fall. These silver bullets usually run 1-3 pounds and fight way above their weight class. They school up in big numbers, and when you find them, it's game on. What makes them so fun is their aggressive nature – they'll slam a small spoon or jig with authority, then put on an aerial show with jumps and blistering runs. The best part? They're excellent eating with firm, mild flesh that's perfect on the grill.
Black sea bass might not win any beauty contests, but they're the workhorses of our bottom fishing. These chunky fighters average 1-2 pounds around here and provide steady action when they're biting. They're year-round residents but really turn on in the spring and fall. What guests love about sea bass is how they fight – pure power straight down, trying to get back to their rocky homes. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat.
Spadefish are the wild cards that can make your day special. These disc-shaped silver fish are notorious for being finicky, but when they're feeding, they're addictive to catch. They average 2-4 pounds and fight with surprising strength for their size. Summer months are prime time, especially around structure in 20-40 feet of water. They require patience and light tackle, but landing a cooler full of spades means you're eating some of the best fish the Atlantic has to offer.
King mackerel are the heavyweights of our nearshore game, and even the smaller ones we catch inshore pack serious punch. These toothy predators can range from 5-20 pounds in our area, with the occasional bigger fish showing up. They're most active in warmer months and love to patrol the edges of structure and temperature breaks. Kings are pure adrenaline – long, screaming runs that'll test your drag and stamina. Just be ready for those razor-sharp teeth when we bring them boatside.
Sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the prettiest fish we target and among the most popular with light-tackle enthusiasts. These spotted beauties average 1-3 pounds and are most active in spring and fall when they move through our area. They're sight feeders with excellent eyesight, making them challenging but rewarding targets. What makes trout special is their versatility – they'll hit live bait, artificials, and everything in between. Their delicate mouths mean you need to play them carefully, but that just adds to the satisfaction of landing one.
This is exactly the kind of fishing that hooks people for life – productive enough to keep your rod bent, comfortable enough that everyone has a good time, and diverse enough that you never know what's coming up next. Whether you're trying to get the kids into fishing, looking for a fun day with friends, or just want to catch dinner without the long run to blue water, our nearshore charters deliver. The small group size means personalized attention, and staying within sight of shore keeps everyone comfortable while still putting you on fish. Ready to see why nearshore fishing off North Myrtle Beach keeps anglers coming back? Let's get you on the calendar and put you on some fish.
Your fishing adventure awaits aboard our reliable 22-foot SeaSwirl dual console, powered by a smooth 200HP Yamaha that cruises at 28 knots. This 2005 vessel comfortably handles up to 4 anglers, making it perfect for intimate fishing trips along North Myrtle Beach's productive nearshore waters. We've equipped her with everything you need for a successful day on the water - GPS navigation to find the hotspots, fish finder to locate your targets, wireless trolling motor for stealthy approaches, and an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. There's even an onboard toilet for convenience during longer fishing sessions. Whether you're after Black Sea Bass around structure, Spanish Mackerel in open water, or Flounder in the shallows, this boat gets you there efficiently and brings you back with a cooler full of fish. Built for stability and comfort, she handles the coastal chop well while giving everyone plenty of room to cast, fight fish, and move around the deck safely.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, bottom-dwelling fish that average 1-4 pounds and put up a surprising fight for their size. They hang around structure - think wrecks, rocks, and jetties in 20-80 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move closer to shore. What guests love about these fish is they're cooperative biters and make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They'll hit squid, cut bait, or small jigs worked near the bottom. The bigger males develop a distinctive hump on their head during spawning season. My go-to trick is using a two-hook bottom rig with fresh squid strips - drop it down and keep it moving slightly off the bottom. They're curious fish, so if you're patient and stay on structure, you'll usually connect.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "Kings," are the speedsters that get everyone's adrenaline pumping. These torpedo-shaped fish average 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds in our waters. They patrol depths from 40-150 feet, often near temperature breaks and current edges. Spring through fall is peak season when they're most active in 68-80°F water. What makes them special is their blistering runs and aerial jumps - they're built for speed and will test your drag system. They're also good eating if bled properly. We troll with live bait on wire leaders or pull spoons and diving plugs. The key trick is using a stinger hook rig since Kings often bite the tail end of baitfish. When one hits, hold on tight - they'll make multiple screaming runs before you get them to the boat.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Specks," are silver fish with distinctive black spots that typically run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds. They prefer grass flats, shallow bays, and creek mouths in 3-15 feet of water. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially during moving tides at dawn and dusk. Anglers love them because they hit topwater lures aggressively and fight well on light tackle. They're also some of the best eating fish in our waters - soft, white meat that's perfect fried or grilled. Soft plastics, live shrimp, and topwater plugs all work well. My favorite technique is working a popping cork with live shrimp underneath over grass beds during an incoming tide. The sound of that cork popping brings them up from the grass, and the strike is usually explosive.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are disk-shaped, silver fish with black vertical stripes that average 3-8 pounds and 14-18 inches long. They travel in large schools around structure like wrecks, jetties, and nearshore reefs in 20-60 feet of water. Summer months are best when they're most active in warmer water. Guests enjoy targeting them because they're strong fighters that test your patience - they're notoriously picky eaters. Their unique angelfish-like appearance makes them a cool catch, and they're decent on the table too. Fresh clam strips on small circle hooks work best. The trick with Spadefish is being quiet and patient. When we find a school, don't get excited and start banging around the boat. Present your bait naturally and let it drift through the school - they spook easily but bite well when conditions are right.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish Mackerel are fast, silver-sided fish that typically run 1-2 feet long and weigh 2-8 pounds. You'll spot them by their distinctive yellow spots scattered along their sides. These speed demons love to travel in schools near the surface, making them perfect targets for our nearshore trips. They're most active during warmer months when water temps climb above 70°F. What makes them popular is their aggressive strikes and the solid fight they put up on light tackle. Plus, they're excellent eating - mild, flaky white meat that grills beautifully. When we find a school, I'll have you cast small spoons or use live shrimp. Pro tip: when you see diving birds, Spanish Mackerel are usually feeding underneath, so that's where we'll head first.
Myrtle Beach