6-Hr Inshore Fishing Charter in Charleston, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6-hour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish and bluefishCaptain Shane Shields guides small groups of 3 guestsCharleston waters offer variety of local fish species
Charleston's inshore waters are some of the most productive fishing grounds on the East Coast, and Captain Shane Shields knows exactly where to find the action. This 6-hour charter with Pluff Mud Fishing Charters gives you plenty of time to work the flats, creeks, and structure where redfish, sea trout, and other top species love to hang out. With only 3 anglers max, you'll get personal attention and prime fishing spots without the crowds that plague bigger boats.
You'll launch early from Charleston's pristine waters, heading into the maze of tidal creeks and grass flats that make this area legendary among inshore anglers. Captain Shane runs these waters year-round, so he knows which spots are firing based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. The boat stays in protected waters, making this perfect for families or anyone who gets queasy in rough seas. Six hours gives you serious fishing time – enough to hit multiple spots, adjust tactics when needed, and really dial in what the fish want. You'll work everything from shallow oyster bars to deeper channel edges, covering water that holds different species throughout the day.
This charter focuses on light tackle fishing that keeps things fun and sporting. You'll primarily use live bait like shrimp, mud minnows, and cut bait, but artificial lures come into play when fish are aggressive or when you want to cover water fast. Expect to fish with spinning gear in the 2500-4000 size range, perfect for the 10-20 pound class fish that call these waters home. Captain Shane provides all rods, reels, tackle, and bait – you just need to bring your fishing license and some snacks since meals aren't included. The boat is equipped with a shallow water anchor system that lets you lock onto productive spots without spooking fish, plus electronics to locate structure and mark fish when they're holding deep.
Redfish are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers fight harder than fish twice their size. You'll find them cruising shallow flats during high tide, often with their backs out of the water as they root around oyster bars for crabs and shrimp. Peak season runs from April through November, with fall bringing the biggest fish as they fatten up before winter. What makes reds so special here is how they fight – long runs, head shakes, and that bulldogging power that'll test your drag system. Plus, the slot-size fish (14-27 inches) make excellent table fare.
Sea trout, or speckled trout as locals call them, are the finesse fish of the inshore scene. These silvery speedsters prefer grass flats and drop-offs, especially during moving water. Spring and fall offer the best action, with fish ranging from 14-20 inches being common catches. Trout have soft mouths, so you'll need to keep steady pressure without horsing them. Their willingness to hit artificials makes them a favorite among light tackle enthusiasts, and their delicate white meat is prized by local restaurants.
Bluefish bring pure aggression to the mix, often traveling in schools that turn the water into a frenzy when they're feeding. These toothy predators show up in Charleston waters during their spring and fall migrations, with fish ranging from 2-8 pounds being typical. Blues will hit almost anything that moves, making them perfect for kids or first-time anglers who want consistent action. Just watch those teeth – they're razor sharp and can easily cut through light leaders.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish over 30 pounds being caught regularly around Charleston's oyster beds and bridge pilings. These bottom-dwellers use their powerful pharyngeal teeth to crush oysters and crabs, so you'll need stout tackle and patience when targeting them. Peak season is late winter through spring, when big schools move into shallow water to spawn. Landing a bull drum is a true test of angling skill and endurance.
Striped bass, known locally as rockfish, are seasonal visitors that create some of Charleston's most exciting fishing. These silver bullets show up during cooler months, typically November through March, and can range from schoolie size to 30+ pound cows. Stripers are structure-oriented, so you'll find them around jetties, bridge pilings, and deep channel edges. They're also excellent table fare and put up a fight that combines the speed of a trout with the power of a redfish.
Captain Shane's 6-hour inshore charters consistently deliver the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back season after season. With Charleston's incredible biodiversity and year-round fishing opportunities, every trip offers something different. The small group size means you'll get hands-on instruction, personalized service, and access to spots that bigger boats simply can't reach. Whether you're looking to put dinner on the table, teach kids how to fish, or just enjoy a day away from the office, this charter delivers. Don't wait – the best dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is absolutely on fire.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfectly designed for Charleston's inshore waters. This nimble vessel features a wireless trolling motor that lets Captain Shane position you silently over productive fishing spots without spooking the redfish and bluefish lurking below. The onboard GPS keeps us on course to the best fishing grounds, while our fish finder reveals what's swimming beneath the surface. With room for up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast lines and fight fish without getting tangled up. The boat's shallow draft design allows us to navigate Charleston's creeks, flats, and marshes where the big reds like to feed. Whether we're drifting over oyster beds or anchored near structure, this fishing machine puts you right where the action is. Captain Shane knows these waters like the back of his hand, and this boat gets him exactly where he wants to take you for the best shot at filling the cooler during your 6-hour charter.
Pomatomus SaltatrixThese aggressive fighters are some of the most exciting fish you'll hook in Charleston waters. Blues typically run 2-8 pounds here, though we occasionally see monsters pushing 15+ pounds. They're voracious predators with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through baitfish schools like butter. You'll find them around structure, jetties, and in open water chasing bait. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when water temps hit 60-75°F. What guests love most is their hard-hitting strike and bulldogging fight - they don't give up easy. Plus, smaller blues make excellent table fare when bled and iced properly. Pro tip: use a wire leader and keep your fingers clear when unhooking - those teeth mean business.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing - they're plentiful, cooperative, and make great table fare. Most specks we catch run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional 4-5 pound "gator trout" mixed in. These spotted beauties prefer grass flats, channel edges, and shallow bays where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Spring through fall produces steady action, with cooler months pushing them into deeper creek bends and channels. What guests love is their willingness to bite and their delicate, sweet meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not the strongest fighters, but they make up for it in numbers and taste. Best local trick: fish live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds during moving tides - the cork's popping sound calls them in from a distance.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the ultimate inshore gamefish around Charleston - they've got size, fight, and taste going for them. Most fish we catch run 20-40 pounds, but 50+ pounders show up regularly. These silver rockets love structure like jetties, bridge pilings, and drop-offs where they ambush baitfish. Fall and spring migrations bring the hottest action, especially when water temps are in the 60s. What guests really dig is their explosive strikes and powerful runs - they'll peel drag and jump when hooked. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. The meat gets stronger in bigger fish, but everything under 30 pounds is prime table fare. Local trick: fish live menhaden or cut mullet near current breaks at dawn or dusk - that's when they really turn on.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature species, and for good reason - they're beautiful, hard-fighting, and found in our backyard marshes year-round. Most reds we target run 18-27 inches (slot size), though bull reds over 30 pounds patrol deeper waters. These copper-colored beauties love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where they tail and cruise looking for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring offer peak fishing, but they bite all year in our mild climate. Guests get hooked on sight-fishing these bronze torpedoes in skinny water - watching one crush a topwater plug in 2 feet of water never gets old. They're also excellent eating within the slot. Charleston tip: work the edges of oyster rakes on falling tides with gold spoons or live shrimp - that's where they ambush prey.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldozers of Charleston's inshore waters, and they'll test your tackle like no other. These chunky fighters typically range from 5-30 pounds, with occasional giants hitting 50+ pounds around our oyster beds and creek mouths. They're bottom feeders that love crushing crabs and shellfish in shallow flats and deeper channels. Spring spawning season (March-May) brings the best action when they school up and get aggressive. What makes them special is their incredible pulling power - they'll make long, stubborn runs that'll have your drag screaming. Smaller fish under 15 pounds eat great, but the big ones are better released. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or cut shrimp on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near oyster structure.
Charleton