Mt Pleasant Fishing Charter | 8 Hour Charter Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Expertguided bottom fishing in Mt. Pleasant watersSeasonal fish variety with professional navigation supportSixguest capacity offshore charter adventure experience
Ready to hit the deep waters off Mt. Pleasant for some serious bottom fishing action? This 8-hour charter puts you right where the big fish live, targeting prime offshore structure where spadefish, wahoo, red snapper, gag grouper, and black sea bass call home. We'll take you out to the productive ledges and reefs that make Charleston waters legendary among Southeast anglers. With room for up to 6 anglers, this trip gives everyone plenty of space to work their lines without getting tangled up. Captain Richard knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish that'll have your drag screaming and your arms burning in the best possible way.
Your day starts early at the dock in Mt. Pleasant, where you'll meet your captain and get the rundown on safety and tackle. We'll cruise out past the Charleston Harbor, heading to productive bottom structure anywhere from 15 to 40 miles offshore depending on conditions and what's biting. The ride out gives you time to rig up, grab some coffee, and watch the sunrise paint the Atlantic. Once we hit our first spot, it's game on – we're talking serious bottom fishing with heavy tackle, circle hooks, and enough weight to get your baits down through the current to where the big boys hang out. Expect to fish multiple spots throughout the day as we chase the bite and work different depths and structures.
We run heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80 pound braid, paired with stout rods that can handle big fish and the weight needed to reach bottom in 60-120 feet of water. Your typical bottom rig features a fish finder setup with 8-16 ounces of lead depending on current, tied to a 60-pound fluorocarbon leader and sharp circle hooks ranging from 5/0 to 8/0. Fresh cut bait is king out here – we're talking squid, cigar minnows, and whatever baitfish are running thick. The captain provides all tackle and bait, but feel free to bring your own gear if you've got preferences. GPS and fish finder technology help us locate structure and mark productive spots, while our knowledge of seasonal patterns puts us over fish when they're feeding hardest.
Spadefish show up in massive schools during summer months, stacking up on offshore structure in 40-80 feet of water. These silver bullets fight way above their weight class, and when you find a school, it's non-stop action with fish in the 3-8 pound range. They're picky eaters though – small pieces of cut squid or shrimp on light leaders usually do the trick. Wahoo are the speed demons of our target species, hitting trolled baits or live bait presentations with explosive strikes that'll test your reflexes and your drag system. These torpedo-shaped predators can stretch over 4 feet and weigh 30-60 pounds, making blistering runs that peel line off your reel. Red snapper are the crown jewel of bottom fishing here, with their crimson scales and bulldogging fights that make every angler smile. During open season, these tasty fighters in the 5-15 pound range provide both great sport and excellent table fare. Gag grouper are the bullies of the reef, ambushing baits near structure with their massive mouths and trying to drag you back into their rocky homes. These brown and grey bruisers can top 20 pounds and require serious backbone to winch them up from the depths. Black sea bass might be the smallest of our target species, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent eating, with their distinctive black coloration and curious nature making them a favorite among anglers of all skill levels.
This top-rated 8-hour offshore bottom fishing charter gives you the best shot at multiple species in Charleston's most productive waters. With expert guidance, quality tackle, and access to prime fishing spots that take years to learn, you're setting yourself up for a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even get back to the dock. The 6-person capacity keeps things comfortable while still being cost-effective when you split it among your fishing crew. Bottom fishing off Mt. Pleasant consistently produces fish year-round, with seasonal variations keeping things interesting no matter when you book. Don't wait until the last minute – the best fishing days fill up fast, especially during peak season when the bite is hot and weather windows are perfect.
Jump aboard our brand-new 28' Tidewater motorboat, the perfect vessel for your offshore fishing adventure in Mt. Pleasant waters. This beauty comes fully loaded with everything you need for a successful day chasing bottom fish – from a fish finder to help locate your targets to GPS and radar for safe navigation. The spacious deck gives all 6 anglers plenty of room to work, while the private bathroom and comfortable seating keep everyone happy during those longer 8-hour trips. Keep your catch fresh in the onboard icebox and your favorite tunes playing through the Bluetooth sound system. Our experienced captains know these South Carolina waters like the back of their hand, putting you right where the fish are biting. Whether you're after grouper, snapper, or whatever's running seasonal, this well-equipped boat gets you there in comfort and style.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are scrappy fighters that make up the backbone of our bottom fishing trips. These chunky relatives of grouper typically run 1-4 pounds and 12-18 inches, with occasional 8+ pounders showing up. They love hanging around jetties, wrecks, and rocky structure in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and feed heavily. Anglers enjoy their aggressive strikes and solid fight, plus they're fantastic eating with sweet, white meat. They'll hit just about anything - squid strips, clams, small jigs, or live bait work great. Here's a local tip: use a two-hook bottom rig and bounce it right along the structure. They're not shy about hitting bait, so don't overthink it.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are ambush predators that'll give you a serious workout. These chunky fighters average 20 inches but can reach 57 inches and 80 pounds. They hang around rocky ledges, reefs, and offshore wrecks in 40-120 feet, waiting to grab an easy meal. Spring through fall offers the best chances when they're more active. What keeps anglers coming back? The brutal tug-of-war fight and excellent table fare with firm, white meat. They love live pinfish, mullet, or cut bait like squid and crab. Use heavy tackle with locked drag - these bruisers will try to drag your bait straight back to their cave. The trick is keeping your rod tip low and cranking hard the second they bite. Give them an inch and they'll disappear into the rocks forever.
Lutjanus CampechanusRed snappers are the crown jewel of bottom fishing - these ruby-red beauties average 1-2 feet and 5-10 pounds, though trophy fish can push 35+ pounds. They live around hard bottom, reefs, and wrecks in 60-200 feet of water, especially during our summer season from May through September. What draws anglers back? They fight like bulldogs, diving straight for cover when hooked, and their sweet, nutty meat is restaurant quality. Use heavy tackle with 40+ pound line because they'll try to cut you off on structure every time. Fresh squid, cigar minnows, or live pinfish work best on circle hooks. Here's the secret: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't give them slack - they'll head straight for the rocks if you do.
Chaetodipterus FaberThese silver disk-shaped beauties average 3-10 pounds and 18 inches, though we've seen monsters hit 36 inches. Spadefish travel in massive schools around our local reefs, wrecks, and jetty structures in 20-60 feet of water. They're known by locals as "angelfish" for their flowing fins and graceful movement. Summer through early fall brings the best action when they're thick around structure. What makes them special? They put up a surprising fight for their size and have sweet, flaky white meat that's fantastic on the table. The key trick is using small circle hooks with fresh clam strips - cast past the school and drag your bait right through the middle. They're picky eaters, so keep your tackle light and your presentation natural.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are speed demons that'll test your gear and skills. These torpedo-shaped fighters average 3-5 feet but can stretch to 8 feet and 180+ pounds. They cruise open waters near the Gulf Stream, typically in 60+ feet, hunting flying fish and squid at speeds up to 60 mph. Peak season runs July through November when they move closer to shore following baitfish. Anglers love them for the blistering runs and jumps - plus the white, flaky meat rivals any restaurant fish. High-speed trolling at 12-15 knots works best with wire leaders since their razor teeth will slice through mono instantly. Pro tip: use bright skirted ballyhoo or diving plugs, and keep your drag tight - give them an inch and they'll take a mile before you can blink.
Charleston