Charleston Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
4hour inshore fishing trip targeting multiple species in Charleston waters24foot bay boat accommodates up to 6 guests with expert guidesHarbor and jetties exploration for seabass, sharks, and bull reds
Looking for some solid fishing action in Charleston waters? This 4-hour inshore charter gets you out on a nimble 24' bay boat that can slip into the skinny water where the big reds and trout hang out. We're talking about hitting up Charleston Harbor and the jetties - spots that consistently produce fish year-round. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he's got you covered whether you're a seasoned angler or just picked up a rod last week. With room for up to 6 anglers, this is your chance to get on some quality fish without burning a whole day on the water.
Your day starts early when you meet the captain at the dock in Charleston. The 24' bay boat is perfect for our inshore game - shallow draft means we can get into those productive backwaters and oyster bars where fish love to feed. Charleston Harbor offers some of the most consistent fishing on the East Coast, and the jetties are absolute magnets for baitfish, which means predators aren't far behind. The captain reads the tides like a book and positions you where the fish are most likely to bite. You'll cover a lot of water in 4 hours, moving between structure, grass beds, and drop-offs. This isn't a drift-and-hope kind of trip - we're actively hunting fish and adjusting tactics based on what's working. The boat comes equipped with all the tackle you'll need, though you're welcome to bring your own gear if you've got favorites.
Inshore fishing around Charleston means adapting to what the fish want on any given day. We'll be working everything from live shrimp under popping corks to cut bait on the bottom for bigger predators. When the redfish are cruising the flats, sight casting becomes the name of the game - polarized sunglasses are your best friend for spotting those copper-colored backs. The jetties call for different tactics, often vertical jigging or casting soft plastics around the rocks where sheepshead and black drum like to hang out. Sea bass fishing means working structure with jigs or live bait, and when the bonnethead sharks show up, it's game on with whatever's moving. The captain switches up presentations based on tide, weather, and what the fish are telling us. Light to medium tackle keeps things sporty, and you'll feel every head shake and run these fish throw at you.
Black drum around Charleston are absolute bulldogs that test your drag system to the limit. These fish cruise the oyster beds and around dock pilings, often weighing 20-40 pounds and fighting like they're twice that size. Spring and fall are prime time when they're feeding heavily before and after spawning. They're suckers for blue crab and shrimp, and when you hook one, get ready for a stubborn fight that's all about power rather than speed.
Sheepshead are the trickiest customers in Charleston waters, but also some of the most rewarding to catch. These black-and-white striped beauties hang around structure like dock pilings, jetties, and oyster bars. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs, which makes them incredibly light biters. You need to be on your game with a sensitive rod tip and quick hook set. Winter months through early spring are when they're most active, and a fresh fiddler crab on a small hook is usually the ticket.
Redfish are the poster children of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters range from schooling rats around 18-27 inches to bull reds that can push 40+ inches and give you the fight of your life. They're year-round residents but really turn on during spring and fall. You'll find them tailing in shallow grass beds, cruising oyster bar edges, and ambushing bait around structure. Cut mullet, live shrimp, and spoons all produce, depending on conditions.
Sea bass might not win beauty contests, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare. These bottom dwellers love hard structure like jetty rocks, artificial reefs, and ledges. They hit fast and fight hard for their size, usually running 12-16 inches but occasionally surprising you with a keeper over 18 inches. They're most active during cooler months and will absolutely crush a well-presented jig or live shrimp.
Bonnethead sharks bring the excitement factor up a notch when they show up in Charleston waters. These smaller members of the hammerhead family are incredibly fast and acrobatic, often jumping clear out of the water when hooked. They're warm-weather visitors, typically showing up from late spring through early fall. They're not huge - usually 2-4 feet - but they make up for size with pure attitude and speed. Any moving bait will get their attention, and the fight is always memorable.
Charleston's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and this 4-hour charter gives you a solid taste of what makes our waters so special. You're getting an experienced captain who knows where to find fish, quality tackle that's ready to go, and access to some of the most productive fishing grounds on the East Coast. Whether you're looking to check some new species off your list or just want to bend some rods with good friends, this trip delivers. The 6-person max keeps things comfortable and gives everyone plenty of room to fish. Don't wait around - prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak season. Book your spot and get ready to see why Charleston inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Meet the "Short Skirts" - your ticket to some serious fishing action in Charleston's productive waters. This 30-foot bay boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably while targeting everything from feisty trout and bull reds to seabass and sharks around the harbor and jetties. Your first mate knows these waters inside and out, helping you get on the fish fast. The boat's loaded with all the essentials: fish finder to locate the action, GPS to hit the hot spots, and a solid VHF radio for safety. Keep your catch fresh in the icebox, store gear properly, and take advantage of the onboard facilities including a head and even a bed for longer trips. Outriggers and downriggers give you serious fishing capability, while the bait tank keeps your live bait lively. Whether you're casting lines near the jetties or working structure in the harbor, this setup puts you in prime position to hook up with Charleston's best inshore species.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters, typically running 5-30 pounds but capable of hitting 90+ pounds. These gray-black bruisers love our oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and around dock pilings where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll find the best action. What makes them special is their famous drumming sound they make underwater, plus they put up a serious fight on light tackle. The smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. My go-to tip: use fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig and fish it right on the bottom near structure. They're notorious for picking up bait gently, so when you feel that subtle weight, set the hook hard and hold on tight.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead sharks are the friendliest sharks you'll encounter around Charleston - small hammerheads with that distinctive shovel-shaped head that average 3-4 feet long. These guys travel in schools through our shallow bays and grass flats, especially during warmer months when they're chasing crabs and small fish. Summer into early fall is your best bet when water temps are up and they're most active near shore. What's cool about them is they're completely harmless but still give you that shark experience with strong runs and head shakes. They're also unique looking with that weird head shape that always gets people talking. Kids especially love catching their first shark with these guys. Best tip I can give: cut a blue crab in half and hook it through one of the legs on a circle hook. Fish it on the bottom near grass beds, and when they pick it up, just let the circle hook do its job - no need for a big hookset.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature shallow water gamefish, running 20-40 inches and easily spotted by their copper-bronze color and black spots near the tail. These beauties cruise our grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in water so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding, though you can find them year-round in our mild climate. What makes them special is their willingness to eat topwater lures, creating explosive strikes that'll get your heart pumping. Plus they're solid table fare with mild, sweet meat. The fight is memorable too - strong runs and head-shaking that'll test your drag. Pro tip: when you spot them tailing in shallow water, cast your bait well ahead of where they're moving and let it sink. They spook easily, so keep noise to a minimum and use your trolling motor sparingly.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are reliable bottom dwellers that run 1-3 pounds and love our hard structure - jetties, wrecks, and rock piles where they school up tight. These dark-bodied fish with their big mouths are aggressive feeders that'll hit just about anything you drop down to them. Summer through early fall is prime time when they're most active and closer to shore. What guests appreciate is they're usually a sure thing when other fish aren't cooperating, plus they're outstanding eating with firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. They fight harder than their size suggests and often come up in doubles or triples when you find a good school. My tip: use a simple high-low rig with squid strips or cut bait, and when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and run with it for a second - they like to mouth the bait before committing fully.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Charleston with their distinctive black stripes and human-like teeth that'll creep you out. These 1-8 pound fighters hang tight around any structure - bridge pilings, docks, jetties, and oyster beds where they pick off barnacles and crabs. Early spring through late fall gives you the best shot at them, especially when the water's warming up. What guests love is their excellent table fare - sweet, white meat that's hard to beat when cooked right. They're also notorious bait thieves with lightning-fast nibbles that'll clean your hook before you know it. Here's the trick: get your bait as close to structure as possible, keep a tight line, and the second you feel them mouthing the bait, set that hook aggressively. They've got tough mouths, so don't hesitate or you'll just be feeding them free meals all day.
Charleston, SC