5.0(1 Reviews)Beaufort SC Fishing Guide | 6 Hour Inshore Charter
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore charter targeting Redfish, Trout, and Black DrumExpert captain provides guidance with top-notch fishing equipment includedFour-guest capacity ensures personalized attention and quality experience
Looking for a solid day on the water around Beaufort? Our 6-hour inshore charter puts you right where the fish are biting. We launch at 8:00 a.m. sharp, giving you plenty of time to work the flats, creek mouths, and structure where redfish, trout, black drum, and sheepshead love to hang out. Captain Tommy knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish while showing you the ropes of Lowcountry angling. Whether you're a weekend warrior or just getting started, this trip delivers the goods without all the fuss.
Your morning starts at the dock with a quick rundown of the game plan. We'll head out into the maze of tidal creeks and grass flats that make this area famous among anglers. The boat's rigged with everything you need - quality rods, reels, tackle, and bait. We focus on sight fishing when conditions are right, poling through skinny water where you can actually see the fish before you cast to them. When the tide's moving, we'll work the creek bends and oyster bars where predators ambush baitfish. The beauty of a 6-hour trip is we've got time to adapt - if one spot's slow, we're moving to the next. Weather permitting, we might even venture nearshore to mix things up and target different species in slightly deeper water.
We fish light tackle here - typically 15-20 pound spinning gear that gives you a real fight without overpowering these inshore species. Live shrimp is the bread and butter bait, but we'll also throw artificials like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs depending on what's working. The key to success in these waters is reading the tide and structure. We'll fish the flood tide on the flats, target creek mouths on the outgoing, and work oyster bars and dock pilings throughout the day. Captain Tommy will teach you how to feel the difference between a pickup and structure, how to work a jig head properly, and when to set the hook. If you're into fly fishing, bring your 8-weight - these waters are perfect for it when conditions cooperate.
"I chartered Tommy to take me, my dad, and cousin out. He did an great job putting us on some fish and we had a great time. Very professional, knew his way around, and had a lot of knowledge about how to fish the area. Looking forward to going out again in the future." - Josh
Redfish are the stars of the show around Beaufort, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats and oyster bars year-round, with fish ranging from 18-inch "rat reds" to 30-plus-inch bulls that'll test your drag system. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when you can spot them tailing in shallow water. There's nothing like watching a red inhale your bait in two feet of water - they hit hard and make that first run count. What makes them special here is how aggressive they are. Unlike their Gulf Coast cousins that can be finicky, Lowcountry reds are usually ready to eat.
Sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are another mainstay that'll keep your rod bent. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches, with some pushing over 20. They school up around grass beds and creek mouths, especially during moving water. Trout fishing peaks in spring and fall when water temps are in that sweet spot, but you can find them year-round if you know where to look. They're suckers for live shrimp under a popping cork, and when they're feeding actively, you can catch them two at a time. The bite is subtle compared to a redfish - more of a tick than a slam - so they teach you to pay attention to your rod tip.
Black drum might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute powerhouses that'll humble any angler. These bottom-huggers can range from 2-pound "puppy drum" to 40-plus-pound bruisers that look more like small cars. They love to root around oyster bars and structure, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. The bigger fish show up more in cooler months, while the eating-size drum are around most of the year. When a big black drum picks up your bait, there's no mistaking it - they pull like freight trains and use their broad sides to fight in the current. Many anglers overlook them, but they're some of the strongest fish you'll hook in these waters.
Sheepshead are the bait thieves of the inshore world, and catching them consistently separates the rookies from the pros. These black-and-white-striped convicts have human-like teeth perfect for picking crabs off pilings and rock piles. They're around year-round but really turn on in late winter and early spring during their spawning run. Sheepshead require patience and skill - they're notorious for stealing bait without getting hooked. But when you dial in the technique and start connecting, they're addictive. Most run 2-4 pounds, but the big "convicts" can push 8-10 pounds. They're also fantastic eating, which makes mastering the sheepshead bite even more rewarding.
A 6-hour charter gives you the full Beaufort inshore experience without breaking the bank or taking up your entire day. You'll learn the local techniques, fish multiple spots, and hopefully load the cooler with some quality fish. The boat handles up to 4 anglers comfortably, making it perfect for families, buddies' trips, or corporate out
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our reliable 25-foot C Hawk motorboat, built in 2019 and powered by a smooth 300HP Suzuki engine that'll get you to the fish quickly and quietly. This well-equipped boat handles Beaufort's inshore waters with ease, featuring a wireless trolling motor perfect for sneaking up on those speckled trout and redfish without spooking them. The onboard fish finder takes the guesswork out of locating schools, while GPS keeps us on track to the hottest fishing spots around the Sea Islands. With space for up to 4 anglers, everyone gets plenty of casting room along the gunwales. The live bait tank keeps your shrimp and mud minnows fresh all day, giving you the best shot at landing those prized red drum and black drum cruising the grass flats and oyster bars.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These dark-backed bruisers love hanging around oyster beds, creek mouths, and shallow muddy flats throughout Beaufort's waters. Spring brings the best action when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their distinctive drumming sounds underwater. They're powerful fighters that'll test your drag, and the smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Here's a local tip: use fresh blue crab or fiddler crabs on the bottom near structure. The crab stays put better than shrimp and Black Drum can't resist crushing those shells with their pharyngeal teeth.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the stars of our shallow water fishing, easily spotted by their copper-red backs and signature black spots near the tail. Most fish run 18-32 inches, and they love cruising 1-4 foot flats, oyster bars, and grass beds around Beaufort. Fall and spring offer peak action, but we catch them year-round. They're aggressive fighters that make blistering runs and provide some of the most visual fishing you'll experience - often feeding in water so shallow their backs break the surface. The meat is excellent with a mild, sweet flavor. My go-to approach: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats, then make a quiet approach and cast ahead of their path with a gold spoon or live shrimp.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are one of our most reliable inshore species, averaging 14-24 inches with that beautiful silvery body covered in distinct spots. They cruise grass flats, creek edges, and deeper holes throughout our estuaries year-round. Cool weather months often produce the biggest fish as they school up in deeper channels. These fish hit artificial lures aggressively - topwater plugs, soft plastics, and spoons all work great. The tender, white meat is delicious but delicate, so don't overcook it. Night fishing under lights can be outstanding as they come shallow to feed. Here's what works: fish the moving water during tide changes and switch between depths until you find where they're holding that day.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of our waters with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and barnacle-covered pilings where they scrape off their favorite meals. These crafty fish are notorious bait thieves - they'll delicately nibble your offering clean off the hook if you're not paying attention. Spring spawning season brings the best numbers, though we catch them year-round. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find inshore. Pro tip: get your bait right against the structure and set the hook hard at the first tap. They've got crushing jaws, so once they feel pressure, they'll try to cut your line on the barnacles.
5.0 out of 5.0I chartered Tommy to take me, my dad, and cousin out. He did an great job putting us on some fish and we had a great time. Very pr...
Hilton Head Island