Hilton Head Morning Shark Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target various shark species on catchandrelease morning tripAccommodate up to 4 guests for personalized fishing experienceTwohour inshore charter with Off Duty Charter
Looking to start your day with some serious fishing action? Our 2-hour morning shark trip puts you right in the thick of Hilton Head's best shark fishing grounds. We're talking about getting after bonnethead and blacktip sharks in the productive inshore waters around Hilton Head Island. This isn't your typical tourist boat ride – it's a legitimate shark fishing experience that'll get your heart pumping and your drag screaming. We keep things intimate with just 4 anglers max, so everyone gets plenty of rod time and personal attention from our experienced captain.
We launch early to take advantage of the morning bite when sharks are most active in the shallows. The boat heads out to productive flats and drop-offs where these predators cruise looking for their next meal. You'll be fishing in 3-15 feet of water most of the time, which makes for some visual excitement when these fish come up on your bait. The morning hours are prime time because the water's cooler, bait fish are moving, and sharks haven't been pressured by boat traffic yet. Our catch-and-release approach means you'll experience the fight without harming these important apex predators. The captain knows exactly where to position the boat based on tides, water temperature, and recent activity – that local knowledge makes all the difference between a slow morning and non-stop action.
We're set up specifically for shark fishing with medium-heavy spinning rods that can handle the runs these fish make. Circle hooks are mandatory for catch-and-release – they hook sharks in the corner of the mouth for easy removal and better survival rates. Our bait selection includes fresh cut mullet, whiting, and whatever's running that week. We'll have you fishing with 30-40 pound test line and wire leaders to prevent bite-offs. The technique is straightforward but effective: we anchor up or drift fish depending on conditions, put out multiple lines at different depths, and wait for the action to start. When a shark picks up your bait, you'll know it immediately – the rod tip starts bouncing, then loads up heavy as the fish takes off. The captain will coach you through the fight, helping you stay tight to the fish while it makes its runs.
Our morning trips have been producing consistent action on bonnethead and blacktip sharks throughout the warmer months. Bonnetheads are showing up in good numbers on the grass flats, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding on crabs and small fish. These unique-looking sharks with their shovel-shaped heads put up a solid fight on light tackle. Blacktips have been cruising the drop-offs and channel edges, often showing themselves on the surface before taking baits. We've had multiple hookups on single trips, with fish ranging from school-size sharks perfect for beginners to larger specimens that'll test your fishing skills. The variety keeps things interesting – you never know if the next bite will be a curious bonnethead or an aggressive blacktip looking to make some serious runs.
Bonnethead sharks are the most common catch on our morning trips, and they're absolutely perfect for this type of fishing. These smaller members of the hammerhead family typically run 2-4 feet long and are incredibly active in Hilton Head's shallow waters from April through October. What makes bonnetheads special is their unique feeding behavior – they're one of the few shark species that actually eat seagrass along with crabs, shrimp, and small fish. You'll find them cruising the grass flats in small schools, and once you hook one, others often stick around. They fight harder than their size suggests, making multiple runs and putting a serious bend in your rod.
Blacktip sharks bring a different kind of excitement to the trip. These sleek predators are built for speed and known for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. In Hilton Head waters, blacktips typically range from 3-6 feet and are most active during the warmer months when bait fish are abundant. They're ambush predators that cruise channel edges and drop-offs looking for schools of mullet, menhaden, and other prey fish. When a blacktip takes your bait, expect immediate action – they'll make long, powerful runs that'll have your drag singing. The best part is they often jump multiple times during the fight, which creates some fantastic photo opportunities and memories you'll talk about for years.
This morning shark trip delivers exactly what serious anglers are looking for – consistent action, quality fish, and the expertise to make it happen. Off Duty Charter has dialed in this fishery, and our catch-and-release approach ensures these sharks will be here for future generations to enjoy. With only 4 spots available per trip, you're getting personalized attention and plenty of opportunities to hook up. Whether you're an experienced shark angler or trying it for the first time, this 2-hour morning adventure will give you a real taste of what makes Hilton Head's inshore shark fishing so special. Book now and get ready to start your day with some serious fishing action that'll leave you planning your next trip before this one's even over.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of shark fishing - these guys will jump clean out of the water and sometimes right into your boat! They average 5 feet but can hit 9 feet, with those signature black-tipped fins making them easy to identify. You'll find them cruising in 30-100 feet around reefs and drop-offs, especially when baitfish are thick. They're exciting to target because they get worked up fast and put on a real show with those aerial displays. The fight is solid - they're strong swimmers but can be a bit timid once they realize they're hooked. Spring through fall are prime times when they're feeding heavy on mackerel, sardines, and herring. Pro tip: get your chum going with oily fish like mackerel pounded into paste. Once you've got them fired up in a feeding frenzy, they'll hit just about anything you throw at them.
Sphyrna TiburoThe smallest hammerhead you'll find around Hilton Head, bonnetheads are easy to spot with their shovel-shaped heads and gray-brown coloring. These guys run 3-4 feet on average and travel in schools of 10-15, making them a reliable target during our warm months when they cruise the shallows feeding on crabs and small fish. They're pretty shy compared to other sharks but still put up a scrappy fight once hooked. What makes them special is they're harmless to humans - only one attack ever recorded - so it's a great species for first-time shark anglers. They hang around coastal waters, bays, and channels in depths you can easily reach. My go-to trick: cut a blue crab in half and thread your circle hook through one of the legs. That crab scent drives them crazy and they can't resist.
Bluffton, SC