6-Hour Inshore Charter in Murrells Inlet
When you're looking for a serious day of fishing that covers all the best spots around Murrells Inlet, this 6-hour charter with Next Level Fishing Co delivers exactly what you're after. You'll spend your morning working the productive inlet creeks where the grass beds hold hungry trout and redfish, then move out to the jetties where the structure draws in sheepshead and black drum. It's the kind of trip that gives you a real taste of what makes this area such a renowned fishing destination along the South Carolina coast.
What to Expect on the Water
This top-rated charter runs for six solid hours, giving you plenty of time to work different areas and techniques without feeling rushed. Your experienced guides know exactly where to find fish based on the tide, season, and conditions. You'll start early, usually around sunrise when the fish are most active, and cover a lot of productive water. The boat accommodates up to three anglers, so you're not fighting for space or competing with a crowd. Your guides will handle all the navigation, bait prep, and net work - you just focus on keeping your line tight and enjoying the fight. The intimate group size means personalized attention and coaching, whether you're a seasoned angler or still learning the ropes.
Techniques & Tackle
In the inlet creeks, you'll primarily fish with live shrimp and mud minnows under popping corks, working the grass beds and drop-offs where trout and reds like to ambush prey. The guides will also have you throwing soft plastics on jig heads when the fish want something with more action. At the jetties, it's all about bottom fishing with fiddler crabs and fresh shrimp around the rocks where sheepshead hang out, plus heavier tackle for the black drum that cruise the deeper holes. Your guides provide all the rods, reels, tackle, and bait - everything's matched perfectly to the conditions and target species. They'll teach you how to read the water, feel the bite, and work different structures. The boat is equipped with quality fish finders and GPS, so your guides can put you on productive spots consistently.
Customer Stories
"We have chartered several trips and most have been great. But…this trip topped them all. Tyler and Rocco were the best crew we have ever had. They were both accommodating,knowledgeable and great to hang out with all day on the boat. We will definitely be booking with them again and so should anyone else wanting to catch a lot of fish and have. fun!" - Bobby
Species You'll Want to Hook
Sea trout are the bread and butter of Murrells Inlet fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties love the grass beds in the creeks, especially during moving tides when baitfish get pushed around. Most trout here run 14-18 inches, with plenty of keepers in the mix and the occasional gator trout pushing 20-plus inches. They hit hard and make great eating, plus they're active year-round in these waters. Spring and fall are peak times when you can load the cooler, but even winter days can produce steady action when you find the right holes.
Redfish are what every angler dreams about - they fight like trucks and give you that heart-pounding drag-screaming run. The slot-size reds around 20-27 inches are perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger bull reds provide pure adrenaline. These copper-colored fighters love shallow water and structure, often cruising the creek edges and oyster bars. You'll spot them tailing in skinny water during high tide or holding around docks and fallen trees. Fall is prime time when big schools move through the inlet, but you can find quality reds here throughout the year.
Sheepshead are the jetty specialists - these black-and-white striped convicts hang around rocks, pilings, and any hard structure they can find. They're notorious bait thieves with those human-like teeth, so you need to stay alert and set the hook quickly. Most sheepshead here run 2-4 pounds, but the occasional doormat over 6 pounds makes your day. They're excellent eating with white, flaky meat, and they provide a fun challenge with their light bites and sneaky ways. Winter and early spring are peak times when they stack up around the jetties for spawning.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the jetties, with fish ranging from 3-pound puppies up to monster bulls over 30 pounds. These bronze bruisers are bottom feeders that love crabs and fresh shrimp, and they'll test your tackle with powerful runs and stubborn fights. The smaller drum make excellent table fare, while the big bulls are purely for the thrill and photos. They're most active during cooler months, especially around the new and full moon phases when the tides really move. When you hook into a big drum around the rocks, you know you're in for a battle.
Time to Book Your Spot
A 6-hour charter gives you the perfect balance of covering water and having enough time to really get dialed in on the bite. You're not just sampling different spots - you're putting in the hours to fill the cooler and create those stories you'll tell for years. Next Level Fishing Co has built their reputation on putting clients on fish and showing everyone a great time on the water. With prime dates filling up fast, especially during peak seasons, now's the time to secure your spot. Whether you're planning a guys' trip, celebrating a special occasion, or just want to experience some of the best inshore fishing on the South Carolina coast, this charter delivers the goods. Book your trip today and get ready for a day of bent rods and full coolers in the productive waters around Murrells Inlet.