8-Hr Inshore Fishing Charter in Charleston, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8-hour inshore charter targets redfish, bluefish, and sea troutProfessional guides provide equipment, bait, and local expertiseSmall group experience accommodates up to 3 guests maximum
Charleston's inshore waters are pure fishing gold, and this full-day charter puts you right in the action. You'll spend eight hours working the creeks, flats, and structure that make the Lowcountry famous among anglers. Our experienced captain knows these waters like the back of his hand and will put you on fish while sharing stories about what makes this fishery so special. With gear, bait, and local knowledge all included, you just need to bring your appetite for catching some of the Southeast's most sought-after species.
This top-rated charter kicks off early, giving you the full day to explore Charleston's productive inshore grounds. You'll fish everything from shallow grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water to deeper creek mouths where sea trout stack up on moving tides. The boat accommodates up to three anglers, so you get plenty of personal attention from your guide. Expect to move around throughout the day as we follow the bite – that's how you maximize your chances on these waters. The Lowcountry's maze of creeks and marshes means there's always a protected spot to fish, regardless of wind conditions. Your guide will read the water, watch the tides, and adjust tactics based on what the fish are telling us.
We fish light tackle here – it's way more fun when you can feel every headshake and run. You'll primarily use live bait like shrimp, mud minnows, and cut mullet, but artificial lures definitely have their place depending on conditions and target species. Techniques vary throughout the day: sight fishing for tailing reds in the shallows, drifting live bait along creek edges for sea trout, and working structure for black drum. All rods, reels, tackle, and bait are provided, though you're welcome to bring your own gear if you prefer. The boat is equipped with a shallow draft hull perfect for navigating the skinny waters where big fish often feed. We also carry a casting net for catching fresh bait when the opportunity presents itself – nothing beats live, frisky bait for getting fish fired up.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston inshore fishing and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers average 20-27 inches in our waters and fight like they're twice that size. They're most active during moving tides and can be found year-round, though spring and fall offer the most consistent action. What makes reds so exciting is their versatility – you might sight cast to one tailing in six inches of water or hook up while bottom fishing in fifteen feet. They're smart fish that require stealth and the right presentation, making every catch feel earned.
Sea trout are another customer favorite, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper creek bends. These speckled beauties are notorious for their soft mouths, so playing them requires finesse. Most of our sea trout run 14-18 inches, with occasional "gator trout" pushing over 20 inches. They're aggressive feeders that love live shrimp bounced along the bottom or slow-trolled through likely spots. The bite often turns on during tide changes, and when you find a school, the action can be fast and furious.
Bluefish bring pure excitement to any charter with their aggressive strikes and blistering runs. These toothy predators average 2-5 pounds in our area and are most active during spring and fall migrations. Blues often feed in schools, so when you hook one, be ready for multiple hookups. They'll hit both live bait and lures with equal enthusiasm, making them perfect for anglers who love variety. Their sharp teeth and powerful jaws mean you need wire leaders, but the payoff is fish that fight from the moment they're hooked until they're in the boat.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute bulldogs that test your tackle and patience. These bottom dwellers can range from schoolie-sized fish around 2-3 pounds to true giants exceeding 30 pounds. They're most active during cooler months and are often caught around oyster beds and structure where they feed on crabs and shellfish. The bite is typically subtle – more of a weight than a strike – but once hooked, they use their broad sides and powerful tails to wage war against your drag.
Striped bass, or "stripers" as we call them, are seasonal visitors that show up during their winter migration. These silver-sided fighters are renowned for their long, powerful runs and aerial displays. Most of our stripers range from 18-28 inches, with the occasional cow pushing into the teens pound-wise. They're structure-oriented fish that love current breaks, bridge pilings, and drop-offs. When the striper bite is on, it's some of the best fishing Charleston has to offer.
This world-class inshore experience gives you eight full hours to explore what makes Charleston fishing so special. With five different species to target and endless water to explore, every trip writes its own story. The combination of expert local knowledge, quality equipment, and some of the Southeast's best fishing grounds makes this charter a must-do for serious anglers. Whether you're a seasoned pro or picking up a rod for the first time, you'll leave with a better understanding of why Charleston's inshore waters have such a devoted following. Don't wait – the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our fully-equipped motorboat, perfectly designed for Charleston's diverse inshore waters. This nimble vessel features a wireless trolling motor that lets us slip quietly through the shallows without spooking the redfish and sea trout hiding in the grass flats. The onboard GPS navigation system ensures we hit all the productive spots along the Lowcountry coast, while our fish finder helps locate schools of bluefish and marks underwater structure where the big ones like to hang out. With room for three anglers, there's plenty of space to cast, fight fish, and move around the boat comfortably. The shallow draft design allows us to access those prime fishing areas in the creeks and marshes where other boats can't reach, giving you the best shot at landing trophy fish in Charleston's legendary inshore fishery.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow flats, easily spotted by their copper-red color and black eyespots near the tail. Most run 18-27 inches and put up an amazing fight in shallow water. You'll find them tailing in 1-4 feet around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths year-round. What makes them special is sight fishing - watching them cruise the flats with their backs out of water. They eat almost anything but love live shrimp, cut mullet, and crab. The smaller "slot" fish are excellent eating with sweet, firm meat. Here in the Lowcountry, early morning low tide is prime time. My local tip: look for nervous water or slight wakes on calm flats. Cast ahead of where they're going, let your bait settle, then give it a subtle twitch when they get close.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBluefish are aggressive feeders that put up a solid fight once hooked. These silvery-blue fish typically run 3-10 pounds in our Charleston waters, though bigger ones show up. You'll find them around structure like jetties, oyster bars, and drop-offs, usually in 10-30 feet of water. They travel in schools and go on feeding frenzies, especially during spring and fall migrations. What makes them exciting is their aggressive strikes - they'll hit topwater plugs, spoons, and cut bait hard. The meat is decent eating if you bleed them right away and ice them down. Here's a local trick: when you see birds diving and baitfish jumping, get your lines in fast - that's a bluefish blitz happening and the action can be non-stop for 20 minutes.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are a Lowcountry favorite, typically 14-20 inches with beautiful spotted sides. These fish love grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 2-8 feet of water. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods like dawn and dusk. What makes them fun is their willingness to hit artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp all work well. They have a delicate bite, so you need to stay alert. The meat is fantastic - white, flaky, and mild. Just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. In winter, they school up in deeper holes and channels. Here's a Charleston tip: work the edges of grass beds with a popping cork and live shrimp. Let it sit still for 30 seconds between pops - that's when they usually strike.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, commonly weighing 15-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 50+ pounds. These dark, chunky fish love oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 3-15 feet of water. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. They're bottom feeders with crushing jaws, so fresh blue crab or cut shrimp works best. What guests love is the powerful, bulldogging fight they put up. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Big ones get tough and wormy. Here's my go-to tip: fish the last two hours of incoming tide around oyster bars. Use a fish finder rig with just enough weight to hold bottom, and be patient - they're not speed demons.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are one of our most prized catches, typically running 20-40 pounds with those distinctive black stripes. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around jetties, bridge pilings, and drop-offs in 15-40 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons when they're moving through our area following baitfish. These fish are powerful swimmers that make long runs and fight hard all the way to the boat. The meat is excellent - firm, white, and mild-tasting. They're also catch-and-release only over 28 inches here in South Carolina. What makes them special is their intelligence - they can be picky about baits. Live menhaden or cut mullet works great, but here's a local secret: during dawn or dusk, throw a topwater plug near structure. The surface strikes are something you'll never forget.
Charleton