4-Hour Afternoon Fishing in Hilton Head Waters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore fishing targeting redfish, cobia, and sharksAll equipment, bait, and tackle provided by experienced captainBeginnerfriendly charter accommodating up to four guests maximum
Captain Randy Young knows exactly where the fish are biting around Hilton Head Island, and he's ready to put you on them during this top-rated afternoon charter. This isn't some rushed trip where you barely wet a line – you'll have four solid hours to work the inshore waters where redfish cruise the grass flats, cobia patrol the deeper channels, and sharks prowl looking for an easy meal. Whether you've never held a rod or you're always chasing your next personal best, Randy's got the local knowledge and patience to make sure you leave with stories worth telling. All your gear, bait, and tackle comes with the trip, so just bring yourself and maybe a cooler for whatever you plan to take home for dinner.
Your afternoon kicks off around the time when the fish start getting active and the crowds thin out from the morning rush. Captain Randy runs a clean, well-maintained boat that's built for the Lowcountry's shallow waters and sudden weather changes. You'll head out from the dock with everything you need already on board – rods rigged for whatever species are running hot, a cooler full of fresh bait, and tackle boxes stocked with local favorites that have been putting fish in the boat all season. The beauty of fishing Hilton Head's inshore waters is the variety – one cast might bring up a feisty trout, while the next could have you wrestling with a bull red that's been living in these creeks for years. Randy keeps the group small at just four anglers max, which means plenty of room to cast, personal attention when you need help with your technique, and no fighting over the prime spots on the boat.
Inshore fishing around Hilton Head is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want that day. Randy switches between live bait fishing with shrimp and finger mullet when the bite is slow, and artificial lures when the fish are aggressive and chasing anything that moves. You'll work the grass flats with popping corks and soft plastics, drift the deeper channels with cut bait for sharks and cobia, and maybe even sight-fish some tailing reds if the conditions line up right. The rods are medium-heavy spinning setups that can handle everything from 14-inch trout to 40-pound cobia, spooled with braid for better sensitivity and hook sets. Randy's been fishing these waters long enough to know when to move spots, when to switch baits, and when to just be patient and let the fish come to you. He'll teach you how to feel the difference between a sheepshead picking at your bait and a redfish inhaling it, and why sometimes the best technique is just keeping your line tight and your drag set right.
Southern Flounder are the masters of camouflage in Hilton Head's sandy bottoms and creek mouths. These flatfish can grow up to 20 inches and put up a surprisingly strong fight once they realize they're hooked. Fall months are prime time for flounder as they stage near inlets before heading offshore to spawn. What makes them exciting is the challenge – they're ambush predators that require precise bait placement and patience. When you finally hook into a keeper-sized flounder, that initial head shake and dogged fight toward the bottom will test your drag system.
Sheepshead are the convict-striped bait thieves that'll humble even experienced anglers with their light bite and strong jaws. Running 2-8 pounds around Hilton Head's docks and oyster bars, these fish are notorious for stealing bait without getting hooked. They're most active in cooler months when they school up around structure. The excitement comes from the chess match – using small hooks, fresh shrimp, and developing the touch to feel their subtle bite before they spit the bait. Landing a 5-pound sheepshead on light tackle is a genuine accomplishment that proves your fishing skills.
Sea Trout, or speckled trout, are the bread and butter of Hilton Head's grass flats fishing. These beautiful spotted fish range from schoolie 12-inchers up to gator trout pushing 6 pounds. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action as they feed heavily in the shallows. Trout are exciting because they hit both live bait and artificials aggressively, often jumping when hooked and making screaming runs that'll test your reflexes. They're also excellent table fare, making them a customer favorite for anglers wanting to take dinner home.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Lowcountry fishing, with their bronze sides, distinctive black spots, and bulldogging fight that can break your back. Hilton Head's reds range from schooling juveniles around 20 inches up to bull reds over 40 inches that have been roaming these marshes for decades. They're year-round residents but peak in fall when they're feeding heavily before winter. What makes reds special is their attitude – they eat aggressively, fight hard from hookup to boat, and often feed in water so shallow you can see their backs. A 30-inch red in 2 feet of water is pure adrenaline.
Bonnethead Shark are the smaller cousins of hammerheads, typically running 2-4 feet long around Hilton Head's shallow flats. These unique sharks are most active during summer months when they move into the shallows to feed on crabs and small fish. They're exciting because they're constantly moving, often traveling in small groups, and will hit both live and cut bait. Their distinctive shovel-shaped head and acrobatic fights make them a favorite for anglers wanting shark action without the heavy tackle. Plus, they're generally safe to handle for photos before release.
Blacktip Shark bring the real shark excitement to Hilton Head waters, running 3-6 feet long and known for their spectacular
Captain Randy Young's fishing boat is your ticket to productive inshore waters around Hilton Head Island. This well-equipped motorboat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably while you target redfish, cobia, and sharks in the coastal shallows. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're sneaking up on feeding fish, while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure below. GPS navigation ensures you hit the best fishing spots, and the onboard multimedia system keeps everyone entertained between bites. All your gear, bait, and tackle are provided, so just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this boat gives you everything needed for a successful afternoon on the water chasing South Carolina's finest game fish.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of the shark world, known for their spectacular jumps and those distinctive black-tipped fins. Around Hilton Head, most run 3-5 feet, though they can get bigger. You'll find them in 30-100 feet of water over structure like reefs and wrecks, plus they cruise the surf line and inlets. Spring through fall is prime time when they're most active in our area. What makes blacktip fishing exciting is their aerial displays - they'll launch themselves completely out of the water when hooked, spinning and twisting. They're also pretty aggressive feeders, so they'll hit both live and cut bait readily. The fight is memorable, with powerful runs and those signature jumps. We typically use mackerel, herring, or other oily fish for bait on circle hooks with wire leaders. My tip: when you hook one, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Let them tire themselves out with their acrobatics - trying to muscle them just leads to pulled hooks.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnetheads are the perfect introduction to shark fishing - they're smaller hammerheads with that distinctive shovel-shaped head that makes them instantly recognizable. Most run 2-4 feet and are completely harmless to humans, actually quite shy. Around Hilton Head, you'll find them in shallow bays, estuaries, and near shore during the warmer months when they migrate up from Florida. They school up in groups of 10-15, so where you catch one, there's usually more. Summer through early fall is prime time here. What's fun about bonnetheads is they give you that shark experience without the intimidation factor - they fight hard for their size and put on quite a show. Fresh cut blue crab is the ticket for bait. Here's the local trick: cut the crab in half and hook it through one of the legs. The scent trail drives them crazy, and the movement from the dangling legs is irresistible to these bottom feeders.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are one of the most prized catches around Hilton Head - they're like the bulldogs of the ocean. These dark brown fish typically run 30-50 pounds, though some reach 100+ pounds. They're usually found around structure like buoys, channel markers, and wrecks in 30-70 feet of water. Spring migration from April through June is prime time, when they're moving north and easier to spot cruising near the surface. What makes cobia special is their incredible table fare - firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. They're also strong fighters that make long, powerful runs. We typically sight-fish for them, looking for that dark shadow just under the surface. Bucktail jigs in any color work great, though live bait like eels or crabs is hard to beat. Here's the key: once you spot one, get the bait in front of them quickly but don't drop it on their head. They're curious but spook easily, so lead them by a few feet.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish, or red drum, are the bread and butter of Hilton Head fishing. These copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails typically run 18-32 inches in the slot, though big bulls can push 40+ inches. You'll find them in extremely shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs are showing - around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. Spring through fall are prime, but they're here year-round. What makes reds special is their powerful fight and willingness to eat just about anything. They'll crush live shrimp, crabs, or artificials like spoons and soft plastics. Plus, they're excellent eating with a mild, slightly sweet flavor. The thrill of sight-fishing for tailing reds in skinny water is hard to beat. Here's my go-to tip: when you spot a red with its tail up feeding, cast well past it and work your bait back slowly. They spook easily, so patience pays off.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are one of the most popular inshore targets around Hilton Head. These silvery fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds. They love grass flats and shallow waters, especially around creek mouths and oyster bars. Spring through fall are peak seasons, with some of the best action happening at dawn and dusk. During winter, they school up in deeper holes and channels. What makes trout fishing fun is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials - they'll smash a topwater plug or sip a shrimp under a popping cork. They're also great table fare with mild, flaky white meat. The fight isn't their strong suit, but they make up for it in numbers and eating quality. Pro tip: fish the moving water during tide changes. Trout position themselves in current to ambush baitfish, so find the flow and you'll find the fish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusKnown as "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, sheepshead are one of the trickiest fish to hook around Hilton Head. They typically run 1-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure - docks, bridges, oyster bars, and pier pilings where they munch on barnacles and crabs. Those human-like teeth aren't just for show - they're expert bait thieves that'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. Spring is prime time when they move inshore to spawn, making them more aggressive. What guests love is the challenge and the payoff - they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. The key is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, and getting your bait right tight to the structure. Here's the trick: when you feel them picking at the bait, don't set the hook immediately. Let them chew on it a second, then hit them hard - their bony mouths need a solid hookset.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, oval-shaped fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sand and mud to ambush prey. Around Hilton Head, you'll typically find them in 15-18 inches running 3-5 pounds, though some reach over 20 pounds. They love shallow coastal waters, bays, and estuaries with sandy or muddy bottoms - perfect habitat we've got plenty of here. Fall and early spring are prime times when they move through our area. What makes flounder fishing special is the challenge - they're sneaky biters that require patience and skill to hook properly. The payoff is worth it though, as they're some of the best eating fish in these waters. My tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. They like to nibble the bait first, and if you're too quick, you'll pull it right out of their mouth.
Hilton Head Island