6-Hr Inshore Fishing Charter in Charleston, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
6hour inshore charter targeting redfish and bluefish speciesCaptain Shane Shields guides small groups of 3 guestsLocal Charleston waters provide diverse fishing opportunities
Looking to get serious about Charleston's inshore fishing scene? Captain Shane Shields knows these waters like the back of his hand, and his 6-hour charters with Pluff Mud Fishing Charters are your ticket to some of the best fishing the Lowcountry has to offer. You'll spend a full day working the creeks, flats, and channels where redfish cruise in schools and sea trout stack up in the grass beds. With just three anglers max, you get the personal attention that makes all the difference between a good day and a great day on the water.
Captain Shane runs a tight ship but keeps things relaxed – exactly what you want in a fishing guide. You'll launch early and head straight to where the fish are biting that day. Charleston's inshore waters are constantly changing with the tides, and Shane's got decades of local knowledge to put you on productive water whether it's your first time holding a rod or you've been fishing these waters for years. The boat's rigged with quality tackle, and Shane provides everything you need including bait, ice, and all the gear. Just bring your South Carolina fishing license, some snacks, and plenty of water – six hours flies by when the fish are cooperating. The intimate group size means Shane can work with each angler's skill level, from teaching kids how to feel a bite to helping experienced fishermen perfect their technique for sight-casting to tailing redfish.
Shane mixes it up depending on conditions and what's biting. You'll likely do some live bait fishing with shrimp or finger mullet around structure, plus plenty of artificial lure work with soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs when the action heats up. The boat's equipped with medium-action spinning rods perfect for inshore species – sensitive enough to feel a trout's light bite but with enough backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. Depending on the tide and season, you might work shallow grass flats where you can sight-cast to cruising fish, or focus on deeper channel edges and creek mouths where the bigger drum and stripers hang out. Shane knows when to anchor up and fish structure, and when to keep moving to cover water and find active schools. He's also great at reading water and teaching you what to look for – those little swirls that give away feeding fish, the way baitfish dimple the surface, and how tide lines hold predators.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-27 inches in the slot and put up a fight that'll test your drag system. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall when they school up in the creeks and along oyster banks. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat almost anything – cut bait, live shrimp, soft plastics, even topwater plugs when they're aggressive. Plus, they're beautiful fish with that distinctive black spot near the tail.
Sea trout might not be the flashiest fighters, but they're absolutely delicious and great fun on light tackle. Charleston's grass beds hold solid populations of keeper-size trout, especially during the warmer months. They're suckers for a well-presented shrimp under a popping cork, and when you find a school, you can often catch them one after another. The bigger "gator trout" over 20 inches are trophies worth mounting, and they show up more often in the cooler months around deeper structure.
Bluefish bring pure aggression to your fishing day. When a school of blues moves through, it's game on – they'll hit anything that moves and fight like they're twice their size. Charleston sees good runs of blues in spring and fall, and they're perfect for kids or anyone who wants fast action. They're also excellent eating when fresh, despite what some people say. Just bleed them right away and keep them on ice.
Black drum are the gentle giants of the inshore world. These bottom-dwellers can get seriously large – 20, 30, even 40-pound fish aren't uncommon around Charleston's deeper holes and bridge pilings. They're not flashy fighters but they use their weight and stubbornness to test your patience. Younger drum in the 5-15 pound range are excellent table fare, while the big breeders should go back to spawn another generation.
Striped bass bring a taste of the northeast to Charleston waters. These silver-sided fighters show up in cooler months and can provide some of the best action of the year when they're feeding on shrimp and baitfish in the creeks. They fight clean and strong, making long runs and using their broad sides to pull drag. Most of Charleston's stripers are in that perfect 18-28 inch range that fights hard and eats even better.
Six hours with Captain Shane isn't just a fishing trip – it's your chance to really get dialed in to Charleston's world-class inshore fishery. You'll learn the water, improve your technique, and hopefully box some quality fish for dinner. The small group size means you get personalized instruction and plenty of rod time, while Shane handles the navigation and finds the fish. Whether you're visiting Charleston or you're a local looking to up your game, this charter delivers the goods. These spots fill up fast, especially during prime fishing months, so don't wait around if you want to get in on some of the best inshore fishing the Southeast has to offer.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped motorboat, designed specifically for Charleston's productive inshore waters. The wireless trolling motor lets Captain Shane position you silently over prime fishing spots without spooking the redfish and bluefish lurking in the shallows. Our GPS navigation system ensures we hit all the best honey holes around the Charleston area, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where game fish love to hang out. With room for up to 3 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work your lines and land those keeper-sized reds. This boat handles the coastal waters like a dream, getting you to productive flats and creek mouths where the action heats up. Whether we're working oyster bars or cruising the backwaters, you'll be fishing from a stable platform that maximizes your chances of success.
Pomatomus SaltatrixThese aggressive fighters are some of the most exciting fish you'll hook around Charleston. Blues typically run 2-5 pounds inshore, though we occasionally see larger ones pushing 10+ pounds. They're voracious predators with razor-sharp teeth that'll slice through light leaders in a heartbeat. You'll find them schooling around baitfish in 10-30 feet of water, especially near jetties, drop-offs, and creek mouths. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're actively feeding. What guests love most is their hard-hitting strike and strong runs - they fight way above their weight class. The meat is excellent when fresh, with a rich flavor that's perfect for the grill. Pro tip: use a wire leader or heavy fluorocarbon, and when you see birds working over baitfish, get your lines in the water fast - that's usually a bluefish blitz happening underneath.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are one of Charleston's most popular inshore targets, and for good reason. These beautiful fish with their spotted sides typically run 14-20 inches, with keeper size starting at 15 inches. You'll find them over grass flats, around dock lights, and in deeper creek bends, usually in 3-12 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months from fall through early spring, plus they bite great at night under lights. What guests love is their willingness to hit artificial lures and their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Trout can be finicky, especially on calm, bright days, but they're suckers for a well-presented jig or topwater plug during low light conditions. Here's my secret: fish the grass flats early morning with a popping cork and live shrimp, working it slow and steady. The key is letting that cork sit still for 10-15 seconds between pops - that's when they usually strike.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the classic inshore gamefish that keeps Charleston anglers coming back year after year. These silver-sided beauties with their distinctive black stripes typically run 5-15 pounds in our waters, though we see some real cows pushing 20+ pounds during cooler months. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around jetties, bridge pilings, and oyster bars in 5-25 feet of water. Fall and winter bring the best action as they migrate through our area chasing baitfish. What guests love is their aggressive strike and bulldogging fight - they'll make multiple runs and test your drag system. The meat is top-notch with firm, white flesh that's perfect for any preparation. These fish are smart and can be picky, so matching the hatch is crucial. My go-to trick: when you see pelicans diving on baitfish, get a live shrimp or mud minnow down there quickly - the stripers are usually right underneath.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature inshore species and absolute favorites among our guests. These copper-colored beauties with their telltale black spots typically run 18-27 inches in our slot limit, though we see plenty of oversized bulls that'll bend your rod in half. They love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water - so shallow their backs sometimes stick out. Year-round fishing is solid, but fall brings incredible action as they school up for spawning. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat and their dogged fight in shallow water. They're also excellent table fare with sweet, mild meat. The cool thing about redfish is watching them "tail" in super shallow water as they root around for crabs and shrimp. Pro tip: when you see that signature copper flash or a tail sticking up, cast your shrimp or gold spoon well past the fish and work it back slowly - they spook easily in skinny water.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bulldogs of Charleston's inshore waters - big, powerful fish that'll test your tackle and patience. Most run 15-30 pounds, but we regularly see monsters over 40 pounds, especially around oyster beds and deeper channels. These bottom feeders love crushing crabs and shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth, making that distinctive drumming sound you can actually hear through the hull. They're year-round residents but spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up in 8-20 feet around structure. What makes them special is that raw power - they don't jump, but they'll pull drag for what feels like forever. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's the key: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a fish finder rig, and be patient. When a big drum picks up your bait, let him run with it before setting the hook.
Charleton