Full Day Charleston Fishing Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
8hour inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesAll equipment, bait, tackle, and fishing licenses includedProfessional fish cleaning service available for fresh catch
Charleston's inshore waters offer some of the best fishing on the East Coast, and our 8-hour charters give you the full experience. When you fish with Right Tide Charters, you're getting way more than just a boat ride – you're tapping into decades of local knowledge about where the fish are biting and when. We've got everything covered from rods and reels to fresh bait and cold water, plus your fishing licenses are included. The extended time on the water means we can hit multiple spots and chase whatever's running hot that day. Whether you're a weekend warrior or fish every chance you get, this trip lets you really get into the rhythm of Charleston fishing without watching the clock.
Your 8-hour adventure starts early when the fish are most active and the water's still calm. We'll cruise out to productive flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths where Charleston's famous inshore species love to feed. The extra time means we're not rushed – if the bite's slow in one spot, we've got plenty of daylight to relocate and find where they're holding. You'll fish with live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures depending on what's working best that day. The boat stays stocked with ice to keep your catch fresh, and we provide plenty of cold water to keep you hydrated during those hot Charleston afternoons. With space for up to 6 anglers total, you can bring extra friends or family for just $50 each. The vibe stays relaxed but focused – we're here to put fish in the cooler while showing you why Charleston's inshore fishing has such a devoted following.
We run medium to medium-heavy spinning gear that's perfect for Charleston's inshore species. You'll be fishing with everything from popping corks and live shrimp under the docks to throwing soft plastics along oyster bars and grass lines. The tackle box stays loaded with circle hooks, egg weights, and Carolina rigs – the bread and butter setups that consistently produce here. When we're targeting redfish in shallow water, we'll switch to lighter tackle and work the grass flats with gold spoons and paddle tails. For sheepshead around structure, we'll break out the fiddler crabs and fish tight to the pilings. The beauty of an 8-hour trip is having time to really dial in the bite – if they want live bait in the morning but switch to artificials by afternoon, we can adapt and keep the action going. Every rod, reel, and piece of terminal tackle is included, so you just need to show up ready to fish.
Black drum are the bulldogs of Charleston's inshore waters, and these bruisers can really test your drag system. They love hanging around oyster bars and bridge pilings where they root around for crabs and shellfish. Fall and winter are prime time for the big ones – fish pushing 20 to 40 pounds that will make your arms burn. What makes them special is their fight in shallow water; they use their broad sides and that heavy head to really pull. Plus, the smaller ones in the 5 to 15-pound range are excellent table fare when you want something different from the usual catches.
Sheepshead are Charleston's most finicky biters, but that's exactly why seasoned anglers love targeting them. These convict-striped fish have human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and oysters, which means they can steal your bait before you even know they're there. They stack up around docks, jetties, and any hard structure from late winter through early summer. The challenge is setting the hook before they spit the bait – it takes a quick trigger finger and some experience reading their subtle bites. When you do connect, sheepshead are pound-for-pound fighters and absolutely fantastic eating.
Sea trout are Charleston's most reliable inshore species, and they'll hit everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastic jigs worked along grass beds. Spring and fall offer the best action when they school up in deeper holes and along channel edges. The 14 to 18-inch fish are perfect for the dinner table, while the bigger gator trout over 20 inches provide that trophy photo opportunity. They're aggressive feeders that give you that satisfying head-shaking fight, and their willingness to hit artificials makes them perfect for anglers who like to work lures.
Redfish are Charleston's signature species and the reason many anglers fall in love with inshore fishing here. These copper-colored fighters cruise the flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths year-round, though fall brings the best numbers when they school up for their spawning runs. A slot-sized red between 15 and 23 inches hits like a freight train and uses every trick in the book – running for structure, digging deep, and making those heart-stopping surface rolls. The sight fishing opportunities in shallow water add another dimension to the experience, especially when you can watch a red inhale your bait in crystal clear water.
This 8-hour Charleston fishing charter gives you the complete inshore experience without any shortcuts. We handle all the details – gear, bait, licenses, and ice – while you focus on what matters most: catching fish and making memories on Charleston's world-class waters. The fish cleaning service at $4.50 per fish after your first two means you'll head home with perfectly filleted catches ready for the dinner table. Just bring a cooler for your fresh fish and maybe some snacks for the longer day on the water. Charleston's inshore fishing scene keeps getting better, and there's no better way to experience it than spending a full day with Right Tide Charters. The spots are filling up fast, especially during peak season, so grab your dates now and get ready for some serious fishing action.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds. These bottom-feeders love our oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in 1-15 feet of water. You'll hear them "drumming" underwater - they literally make noise to communicate. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. They're fantastic fighters that'll test your drag, but stick with fish under 15 pounds for the table - the big ones get tough and lose their flavor. Pro tip: use fresh crab or clam on the bottom and be patient. They're notorious bait pickers, so when you feel that tap-tap-tap, give them a second to really grab it before setting the hook hard.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature species - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 18-27 inches and 3-8 pounds in our shallow creeks and oyster beds, often in water so thin their backs show. Fall and spring are peak seasons when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes reds special is their power - they'll drag you into structure and test every knot. Plus, they're gorgeous fish and excellent eating with firm, mild meat. They're sight-fishing targets too - watching them "tail" in skinny water gets your heart pumping. Year-round residents that hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp. Local secret: target the last two hours of incoming tide around oyster bars. Use a gold spoon and work it slow - reds can't resist that flash.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are Charleston's most popular inshore target, and for good reason. These spotted beauties typically run 1-5 pounds and love our grass flats and shallow bays year-round. They're most active during cooler months and low-light periods - early morning and evening are prime time. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures and their excellent table fare with delicate, flaky white meat. They're also great fighters for their size and make that distinctive "croaking" sound when you land them. In winter, they school up in deeper holes and creek bends, sometimes 10-20 feet down. My go-to trick: work a soft plastic shrimp or paddle tail slowly along grass edges during moving water. Keep it subtle - they can be finicky, but when they're on, you'll fill the cooler fast.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Charleston waters with their distinctive black and white stripes. These 1-8 pound tricksters hang around any structure - docks, bridge pilings, jetties - feeding on barnacles and crabs with their human-like teeth. They're year-round residents but really fire up in spring when they spawn around channel passes. What makes them special? They're probably the best eating fish we catch, with sweet white meat that's worth the effort. The challenge is they're master bait thieves who'll clean your hook without you feeling a thing. Here's the key: get tight to structure, use fiddler crab or shrimp, and when you feel them nibbling, set the hook aggressively. They've got strong jaws, so don't hesitate or you'll just be feeding them.
Charleston, SC