4-Hr Inshore Fishing Charter in Charleston, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target redfish, bluefish, sea trout, black drum and striped bassFourhour inshore fishing charter with experienced local guidesSmall group experience accommodating up to three guests maximum
Picture this: you're standing on the bow of a well-rigged boat, rod bent double, drag screaming as a red drum makes another powerful run toward the marsh grass. That's exactly what you'll experience with Pluff Mud Fishing Charters right here in Charleston's legendary inshore waters. This 4-hour fishing adventure puts you in prime position to tangle with some of the Lowcountry's most sought-after gamefish, including redfish, sea trout, black drum, striped bass, and bluefish. With space for up to three anglers, you'll get personalized attention from experienced local guides who know these waters like the back of their hand.
Charleston's inshore fishing scene is absolutely world-class, and this charter showcases exactly why anglers travel from all over to fish these waters. You'll launch from one of the area's top-rated marinas and head straight into the maze of tidal creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats that make the Lowcountry so special. The boat stays in protected waters, so even if it's a bit choppy outside, you'll be fishing comfortably in the backwaters where the fish live. Your captain will read the tides, wind, and structure to put you on active fish throughout the trip. Don't worry about experience level – these guides work with everyone from kids catching their first fish to seasoned anglers looking to dial in their technique. The relaxed pace means you'll actually learn about the fishery while you're out there, not just cast blindly and hope for the best.
Inshore fishing in Charleston is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want that day. Your guide will have the boat rigged with quality spinning gear loaded with braided line – perfect for feeling those subtle trout bites or handling the bulldogging power of a slot red. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you'll throw everything from live shrimp under popping corks to paddle tail soft plastics worked along oyster bars. The beauty of fishing these grass flats is the variety – one cast might produce a keeper sea trout, while the next could hook into a hefty black drum cruising the shallows. Your captain will position the boat to work structure like downed trees, creek bends, and drop-offs where predator fish ambush baitfish. When the bite gets hot, you'll understand why Charleston has such a reputation among serious inshore anglers.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from schoolie reds around 18-24 inches up to genuine bulls pushing 40+ pounds. Peak season runs from April through November, though you can catch them year-round in the right spots. What makes reds so special is their attitude – they'll crush a topwater bait in two feet of water and immediately head for the nearest oyster bar to try breaking you off. Watch for their distinctive black spots and that broad, powerful tail that gives them serious pulling power.
Sea trout might not fight as hard as reds, but they're absolute customer favorites for their willingness to bite and excellent table fare. These silver beauties love grass flats and creek mouths, especially during moving water. Spring and fall produce the biggest fish, with some gator trout topping 5-6 pounds. They're perfect for light tackle fishing, and hearing that distinctive trout "thump" on your line never gets old. Most anglers keep a few for the dinner table – there's nothing better than fresh trout fillets after a day on the water.
Black drum are the bulldogs of the marsh, and Charleston's waters hold some genuine giants. These bottom-huggers can exceed 40 pounds and will test every bit of your drag system. They're most active during cooler months when they stack up in deeper holes and around structure. Don't expect spectacular jumps, but get ready for a straight-up tug of war that'll leave your arms burning. The smaller "puppy drum" make excellent eating, while the big breeders are always released to fight another day.
Striped bass bring that Northeast rockfish experience right to South Carolina waters. Charleston's winter striper bite is legendary, with schools of fish pushing bait in the harbor and surrounding creeks. These silver rockets can exceed 20 pounds and fight with a combination of power and speed that'll remind you why they're so popular up north. They're structure-oriented fish, so you'll find them around bridges, jetties, and creek mouths where current concentrates baitfish.
Bluefish round out the slam possibilities and bring serious attitude to the table. These toothy predators travel in schools and absolutely demolish baitfish when they're feeding. Spring and fall migrations produce the best action, with fish ranging from snapper blues perfect for kids to chopper blues that'll straighten hooks if you're not careful. They're aggressive biters that'll hit everything from topwater plugs to cut bait, making them perfect for keeping the action hot between redfish and trout.
Charleston's inshore fishing delivers year-round action, but the best trips book up fast, especially during peak seasons. This 4-hour charter gives you the perfect taste of what makes Lowcountry fishing so special without eating up your entire day. Pluff Mud Fishing Charters has built their reputation on putting clients on fish while showing them the real Charleston – not just the tourist spots, but the hidden creeks and honey holes where locals have been fishing for generations. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to saltwater fishing, celebrate a special occasion, or just need to get on the water and unwind, this trip delivers. The intimate 3-person capacity means you'll get the personalized attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfectly designed for Charleston's inshore waters. This nimble vessel cuts through the tidal creeks and marshlands where redfish, sea trout, and black drum love to hide. The wireless trolling motor lets us sneak up on fish without spooking them, while our GPS keeps us on track to the hottest spots. The fish finder does the heavy lifting, showing you exactly what's swimming below before you drop your line. With room for three anglers, there's plenty of space to cast without tangling lines or bumping elbows. Whether you're working the oyster beds for redfish or drifting the grass flats for sea trout, this boat handles Charleston's shallow waters like a dream. The stable platform gives you confidence when fighting that bull red or keeper striper, and the smooth ride means more time fishing, less time dealing with choppy conditions.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of our Charleston flats, known for their distinctive black spots and copper-bronze backs. Most run 18-30 inches and 3-12 pounds, making them perfect on medium tackle. These fish love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them tailing on mud flats, cruising oyster bars, and hanging around creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they school up and feed aggressively before winter. Reds are bulldogs that make long, powerful runs and never give up easy. They're also great eating when kept within slot limits. They'll eat live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, and topwater plugs. The sight-fishing opportunities are amazing here. Pro tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on low tide flats during early morning - approach quietly and cast ahead of their path.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive fighters that'll test your drag system when they hit. These silver-blue predators typically run 3-10 pounds around Charleston, though we occasionally hook bigger ones. They're voracious feeders with razor-sharp teeth, so wire leaders are a must. You'll find them in schools around jetties, nearshore reefs, and feeding over grass flats during summer and fall. They love chasing baitfish, so look for bird activity or surface commotion. Best fishing happens during moving water on incoming or outgoing tides. Guests love the hard strikes and strong runs these fish deliver. Fresh bluefish tastes great when iced immediately - the smaller ones are sweeter. Pro tip: use cut bait or fast-moving lures like spoons and keep your fingers away from those teeth when unhooking them.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the gentle giants of our inshore waters, growing anywhere from 5 to 40 pounds with some real monsters pushing 60. These bottom-feeders cruise oyster bars, mudflats, and creek mouths looking for crabs and shellfish. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning around March and April. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - it's wild when a big school fires up. They're not fast runners but they're bulldogs that'll test your back on light tackle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Bigger fish are better released. These fish love fresh crab bait fished on the bottom. Local tip: fish the last two hours of incoming tide around oyster beds with peeler crab - that's when they really feed hard.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout are one of our most popular inshore targets, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with their distinctive black spots run 12-20 inches on average, with some reaching 5-6 pounds. They love grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow drop-offs in 3-8 feet of water. Spring through fall provides consistent action, but they really turn on during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. Trout have relatively soft mouths, so they're scrappy but not overpowering fighters. They're fantastic eating with tender, flaky white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. Look for them around moving water during tide changes. They'll hit live shrimp, soft plastics, and topwater plugs. Local secret: fish the deeper grass edges at first light with a popping cork and live shrimp - that's money for keeper trout.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass bring serious excitement to our Charleston waters, especially during their spring and fall migrations. These silver beauties with distinctive black stripes typically run 15-30 pounds here, though we hook bigger ones regularly. They're structure-oriented fish that love hanging around jetties, bridge pilings, and drop-offs where current brings baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best action when they're actively feeding. Stripers are strong fighters that make long runs and jump occasionally. They're also excellent eating with firm, white, flaky meat. You'll find them in 10-30 feet of water around structure or chasing schools of menhaden and shrimp near the surface. Live bait works great, but they'll also crush topwater plugs and spoons. Pro tip: watch for diving birds - when the bait's up, the stripers aren't far behind.
Charleton