Half-Day Inshore Light Tackle An Fly
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore charter targeting redfish, flounder and spotted troutFish scenic lowcountry marshes aboard authentic Hewes Redfisher skiffAll tackle and equipment provided for hassle-free adventure
Charleston's saltwater flats are calling, and there's no better way to answer than with Captain Stephen aboard the legendary Hewes Redfisher 18. This half-day charter puts you right in the heart of the lowcountry's best fishing grounds, where tailing redfish cruise shallow waters and spotted sea trout lurk in grass beds. You'll fish the same marshes and tidal creeks that have made Charleston famous among saltwater anglers, using top-shelf Penn light-tackle reels paired with St. Croix rods that'll handle anything from schoolie reds to bull-sized flounder.
Captain Stephen knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got a knack for putting clients on fish whether you're casting your first fly or you've been working flats for decades. The Hewes Redfisher 18 isn't just any boat – this is the original flats skiff that started it all. With its shallow draft and quiet poling platform, you'll slip into skinny water where bigger boats can't go. The morning starts early when the tide's right, and you'll spend four solid hours working everything from oyster bars to creek mouths. Don't worry about bringing gear – everything's provided, from the rods and reels to terminal tackle and bait. Captain Stephen stocks both live and artificial options depending on what the fish are wanting that day.
This charter's all about finesse fishing, whether you're throwing artificials on spinning gear or laying down fly lines. The Penn reels are spooled with appropriate line weights for sight casting to redfish and working grass flats for trout. If you're fly fishing, expect to throw 8-weight rods with floating lines most of the day, though Captain Stephen's got sinking tips ready when the fish are holding deeper. The technique changes with the tide – high water means sight fishing the flats for tailing reds, while falling tides concentrate fish along drop-offs and creek bends. You'll learn to read the water, spot nervous bait, and present lures or flies with the precision these educated fish demand. The light tackle approach means every fish feels like a monster, and when a 30-inch red takes off across a shallow flat, you'll understand why this style of fishing is addictive.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol the flats year-round, with the best action typically from April through November. You'll find them tailing in ankle-deep water during high tides, their distinctive black spots flashing as they root for crabs and shrimp. Reds average 18-27 inches in the slot, but don't be surprised when a 35-inch bull shows up to test your drag. What makes them special is their willingness to eat both flies and artificials, plus they fight like freight trains once hooked.
Spotted sea trout love the grass beds and sandy potholes throughout Charleston's marsh system. These beautiful fish are most active during cooler months, from October through March, when they school up in deeper creeks. Trout are structure-oriented, holding near oyster bars and dock pilings where baitfish congregate. They're suckers for soft plastics worked slowly along the bottom, and on fly gear, a well-presented Clouser Minnow is deadly. Most trout run 14-20 inches, with the occasional "gator" trout pushing 24 inches or better.
Southern flounder are the shape-shifters of the flats, perfectly camouflaged against sandy bottoms near creek mouths and channel edges. Spring and fall migrations bring the best flounder action, with fish moving between inshore creeks and offshore spawning grounds. These ambush predators love live finger mullet, but they'll also crush a properly presented jig or fly. Flounder fishing requires patience – they often follow a bait for several feet before committing. When they do hit, it's usually a solid thump rather than a screaming run. Keeper flounder start at 15 inches, with the real trophies pushing 20-plus inches.
Tarpon are the wildcards that can show up any time from May through September, turning a routine inshore trip into something legendary. Charleston's juvenile tarpon typically run 10-40 pounds, perfect for light tackle fishing. They roll and crash bait in the deeper creeks, and when one eats your fly or lure, you're in for aerial acrobatics that'll have your heart pounding. Tarpon require heavy tippet and strong hooks since their mouths are like sandpaper, but the reward is a fish that jumps like a silver rocket and fights with incredible power.
Captain Stephen's half-day charters fill up fast, especially during peak season when the fishing's red-hot. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience Charleston's world-class inshore fishing from the deck of a legendary flats boat with a captain who lives and breathes these waters. Whether you're looking to check redfish off your bucket list, perfect your fly casting technique, or just spend a morning doing what you love, this charter delivers. The boat only holds three anglers, so you're guaranteed personal attention and prime fishing spots without the crowds. Book now and get ready to see why Charleston's lowcountry marshes are considered some of the best saltwater fishing grounds on the East Coast.
Get ready to fish Charleston's legendary waters aboard our 2019 Hewes Redfisher 18, the boat that started the flats skiff revolution. This shallow-draft beauty lets us slip into skinny water where the big reds hide, while the Yamaha 115 SHO gets us to the hotspots fast. With GPS navigation and fish finder onboard, we'll track down redfish, flounder, and speckled trout in the lowcountry's maze of tidal creeks and grass flats. The Redfisher's stable casting platform gives you room to work your fly rod or light tackle without crowding - perfect for up to 3 anglers. This boat was designed specifically for sight fishing and shallow water work, making it ideal for Charleston's backcountry marshes where the fish feed. Built tough but refined, she handles the chop when we need to make longer runs to productive water.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are the poster fish of our Charleston flats, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties average 20-32 inches and sport that signature black spot near their tail - nature's fake-out to confuse predators. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass edges, and mud flats, often with their backs breaking the surface as they root for crabs and shrimp. They're year-round residents here, but fall brings the best action when they school up. What makes reds so special is their power - they'll make blistering runs and use every bit of structure to try breaking you off. Plus, they're fantastic eating within the slot limit. These fish aren't picky eaters, hitting everything from live shrimp to topwater plugs. My go-to trick: look for nervous water or mud trails - that's a redfish working a flat. Cast ahead of the disturbance and work your bait slowly back toward them.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them locally, are beautiful fish with distinctive black spots scattered across their silver-green backs. Most of our fish run 14-20 inches and 1-3 pounds, with occasional "gator trout" pushing 5+ pounds. They love our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths, especially during moving tides. Spring through fall offers the best action, with dawn and dusk being prime feeding times. These fish are aggressive strikers and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. They're also some of the best eating you'll find - delicate, white, flaky meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The trick with trout is working your lure slowly along the bottom structure. They'll often follow a bait before committing, so don't be afraid to pause and twitch it. Pro tip: use a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below - the sound draws them in from a distance.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flat, bottom-dwelling fish are masters of camouflage, burying themselves in sandy or muddy bottoms with just their eyes showing. Most run 15-18 inches and weigh around 2-5 pounds, though we've seen some nice ones push 8+ pounds. You'll find them in our shallow tidal creeks and grass flats, especially around structure like oyster bars and drop-offs. They're ambush predators that feed on shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Fall and winter are prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn. What makes flounder fishing so rewarding is their excellent table fare - firm, white, flaky meat that's hard to beat. Here's a local trick: when you feel that subtle tap-tap bite, count to three before setting the hook. They need time to turn that bait around and get it positioned right in their mouth.
Megalops AtlanticusThe silver king is pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These prehistoric fish average 4-6 feet and 80-150 pounds in our waters, though giants over 200 pounds show up each summer. You'll find them rolling in our harbor mouths, around bridge pilings, and along deeper channel edges during their May through September migration. When hooked, they'll jump repeatedly, often 6-8 feet out of the water, trying to throw the hook with violent head shakes. Most anglers target them for the fight alone since they're bony and not great eating. We typically use live bait like mullet or pinfish, but they'll also hit big topwater plugs and flies. The key to landing one is keeping steady pressure but not horsing them - let that drag work and be patient. One Charleston tip: when you see them rolling on the surface, cast well ahead of the direction they're moving and let your bait sink slowly into their path.
Mount Pleasant, SC