Half-Day Inshore Light Tackle An Fly
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Halfday inshore charter targeting redfish, flounder, and spotted sea troutLight tackle and fly fishing aboard authentic Hewes Redfisher flats skiffAll equipment provided including Penn reels and St. Croix rods
Picture this: you're casting into a mirror-calm tidal creek as the Charleston sun warms your back, waiting for that telltale red flash of a bull redfish to appear in the shallows. That's exactly what you'll get on this half-day inshore charter with Captain Stephen aboard the legendary Hewes Redfisher 18. This isn't just another fishing trip – it's your chance to experience the lowcountry marshes the way they were meant to be fished, with light tackle precision and fly fishing finesse that turns every strike into pure excitement.
Captain Stephen knows these Charleston waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish whether you've been casting for decades or just picked up a rod yesterday. The Hewes Redfisher 18 is the perfect platform for this type of fishing – shallow draft, quiet, and built specifically for stalking redfish and trout in skinny water. You'll be poling through grass flats, working oyster bars, and drifting along creek mouths where the fish come to feed. The beauty of this charter is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing reds, the next you're working a drop-off for flounder or maybe getting surprised by a rolling tarpon. Captain Stephen provides all the gear, including top-shelf Penn reels and St. Croix rods that'll handle anything from delicate presentations to hard-fighting fish. With space for just three anglers, you'll get plenty of personalized instruction and fishing time without feeling crowded.
This charter is all about finesse fishing that'll test your skills and reward precision. Light tackle means you're using spinning gear with 10-15 pound test, perfect for feeling every headshake and run while still having enough backbone to turn fish away from structure. Captain Stephen will have you working live shrimp under popping corks, dragging soft plastics along the bottom, and throwing topwater plugs when the fish are aggressive. The fly fishing opportunities here are world-class – imagine stripping a gold spoon fly past a school of redfish or watching a sea trout crush a shrimp pattern in crystal clear water. The shallow-draft Hewes lets you get into spots bigger boats can't reach, putting you right where the fish live and feed. You'll learn to read the water, spot nervous baitfish, and time your casts with the tides. The light tackle approach means longer fights and more exciting battles, turning even smaller fish into memorable catches.
Redfish are the stars of Charleston's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers range from slot-size fish around 18-27 inches up to bull reds that can stretch past 40 inches and fight like freight trains. Spring through fall offers the best action, with fish tailing in shallow water during moving tides. What makes reds so special is their willingness to eat just about anything – live bait, artificials, or flies – and their habit of feeding in water so shallow you can see their backs. The sight-fishing opportunities are incredible, especially when you spot a school of bulls cruising a flat.
Southern Flounder might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute table fare champions and surprisingly fun fighters on light tackle. These flat fish love creek mouths, oyster bars, and sandy bottoms where they can ambush prey. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder, with fish pushing 5+ pounds common during the migration. They're masters of camouflage, so you'll often feel the bite before you see the fish. The key is a slow, methodical presentation along the bottom – patience pays off big time with flounder.
Sea Trout, or specks as the locals call them, are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing. These spotted beauties are active year-round but really turn on during spring and fall when water temperatures are perfect. They school up over grass flats and around structure, making for fast action when you find them. Trout have soft mouths, so the light tackle approach is perfect – you'll feel every subtle bite and enjoy their acrobatic jumps. A good day on the trout can mean steady action with fish in the 14-20 inch range.
Tarpon are the wildcards that can show up anytime from late spring through early fall, turning a routine day into something legendary. Charleston's tarpon aren't the giants you'll find in Florida, but these 20-80 pound fish are pure silver dynamite on light tackle. They roll through the area following bait schools, and when you hook one, everything else stops. The aerial displays and powerful runs will test your drag and your nerves. Even a smaller tarpon on light gear is a fish of a lifetime for many anglers.
This half-day charter delivers everything you want in a Charleston fishing adventure – expert local knowledge, top-quality gear, and access to some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast. Captain Stephen's approach combines the excitement of sight-fishing with the reliability of proven techniques, giving you the best shot at both numbers and trophy fish. The Hewes Redfisher 18 puts you in the perfect position to experience the lowcountry the way serious anglers do it. Whether you're looking to master new techniques, introduce someone to saltwater fishing, or just spend a morning doing what you love, this charter delivers. Don't wait – the best fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fish are most active.
Step aboard the 2019 Hewes Redfisher 18, a legendary flats boat that practically invented the shallow-water fishing game. This nimble 18-footer is powered by a reliable Yamaha 115 SHO outboard that'll get you into those skinny Charleston waters where the redfish love to feed. Built for serious anglers who want to reach the honey holes tucked deep in the lowcountry marshes, this boat draws just inches of water while still providing a stable platform for sight fishing. The onboard GPS navigation keeps you on course through the maze of tidal creeks, while the fish finder helps locate structure where flounder and spotted sea trout hang out. With room for up to 3 anglers, there's plenty of space to work a fly rod or cast light tackle without bumping elbows. The Redfisher's shallow draft design means you'll access spots bigger boats can't reach, putting you right where the fish are feeding in Charleston's pristine backcountry waters.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing - copper-colored bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most run 20-28 inches around here, but we see plenty of slot fish and some real bulls pushing 30+ inches. These fish love our shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek edges, often in water so thin their backs show. Spring through fall offers consistent action, with fall being prime time when they school up and feed aggressively. What makes them special is their power - they'll make long runs and fight dirty in shallow water. Plus they're excellent eating within the slot limit. The signature black spot tricks predators into attacking the wrong end, giving them escape time. My go-to tip: look for nervous water and tailing fish on low tide flats. Cast ahead of cruising fish and work your bait slowly - they spook easily in skinny water.
Salmo TruttaSpotted sea trout, or "specks" as we call them, are gorgeous fish with silver sides covered in distinctive black spots. They average 14-16 inches but we regularly see 20+ inchers, especially during cooler months when they school up in deeper holes. These fish love our grass flats, creek mouths, and oyster bars, particularly around structure changes. Spring through fall produces steady action, but winter can be phenomenal when they gather in channels. Guests love them because they fight well on light tackle and make excellent table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. They're also great for beginners since they're aggressive feeders. Local secret: work the grass edges on falling tides with shrimp or soft plastics, and don't overlook deeper pockets during winter - that's where the big ones hide.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern flounder are masters of disguise - these flat fish bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms, waiting to ambush prey. They typically run 15-18 inches around Charleston, but we see some nice ones pushing 25+ inches in deeper channels during winter months. You'll find them in our shallow creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats, especially on moving tides. Fall through early spring offers the best action when they're feeding heavily before heading offshore. What makes them special is watching one materialize from the bottom after a perfect cast - it's like fishing for ghosts. They're also fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky white meat. Pro tip: work your bait slowly along the bottom and pause often. When you feel that subtle tap, give them a second to fully commit before setting the hook.
Megalops AtlanticusTarpon are the ultimate sight-fishing challenge - silver kings that can reach 6+ feet and 150+ pounds in our Charleston waters during summer months. These ancient fish cruise our flats, creeks, and harbor areas from May through September, often rolling on the surface or swimming in shallow water with their backs exposed. What gets anglers hooked is the sheer power and acrobatics - they'll jump 8+ feet out of the water and run line like freight trains. Most folks target them for the fight since they're not great eating due to their bony meat. The key here is stealth and patience. When you spot a school, position the boat well ahead and make long, accurate casts. Once hooked, bow to the king when they jump to keep tension on the line - this prevents them from throwing the hook during their aerial shows.
Mount Pleasant, SC