Charleston Inshore Fishing on a 24' Bay Boat
Private Trip
4-hour inshore fishing charter targeting seabass, sharks, and bull redsExpert guides provide access to Charleston's prime harbor fishing spots24-foot bay boat accommodates up to 6 guests comfortably
Looking for a solid day of fishing without the long haul offshore? This 4-hour Charleston inshore trip gets you right into the action around the harbor and jetties where the fish are biting. You'll be fishing from a nimble 24-foot bay boat that can slip into those productive shallow spots the big boats can't reach. With room for up to 6 anglers, this is perfect for families, groups of buddies, or anyone wanting to experience what makes Charleston's inshore waters so special. No meals are included, so pack some snacks and drinks to keep your energy up between fish.
Charleston's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent fishing on the East Coast, and this trip puts you right in the sweet spots. You'll start by running through Charleston Harbor, where centuries of maritime history have created the perfect fish habitat. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand - every oyster bar, every creek mouth, every structure that holds fish. The jetties are where things get really interesting. These rock piles create current breaks and ambush points that attract everything from bull redfish to aggressive sharks. The boat's shallow draft means you can work the backwaters and flats where bigger boats fear to tread. Expect to move around quite a bit as your guide reads the water, watching for bird activity, bait schools, and those telltale signs that fish are feeding. The beauty of inshore fishing is the variety - one cast might bring in a speckled trout, the next could hook you up with a slot red that'll test your drag.
Your captain comes equipped with quality spinning tackle matched to the species you're targeting. Most of the fishing involves live and cut bait - shrimp, mud minnows, and cut mullet are the go-to choices that Charleston fish can't resist. You'll fish everything from popping corks over grass beds to bottom rigs around structure. The boat carries a variety of weights and rigs to match the conditions - lighter tackle for trout over the grass, heavier gear when you're dropping baits around the jetties for bigger fish. Circle hooks are standard to ensure good hooksets and easy releases. Don't worry if you're new to saltwater fishing - the crew will show you how to work the baits, when to set the hook, and how to fight these fish properly. The 24-foot bay boat is rigged with a live well to keep your bait frisky and plenty of rod holders so multiple lines can be working at once.
Black drum are the bulldogs of Charleston's inshore waters, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can push 40-50 pounds and will give you a workout you won't forget. They love hanging around oyster bars and bridge pilings, crushing crabs and shrimp with those crushing plates in their throats. Spring and fall are prime time when big schools move through the harbor. What makes them so fun is that slow, powerful fight - they don't jump or make flashy runs, but they'll dig deep and test every bit of drag you've got.
Sheepshead are the convict fish of the Lowcountry, with their black and white stripes making them easy to spot. But don't let their looks fool you - these are some of the craftiest fish in Charleston waters. They'll steal your bait so cleanly you'll swear nothing was there. Target them around any kind of structure with fiddler crabs or shrimp, and be ready for a lightning-quick hookset. They're excellent table fare and available year-round, though winter months see the biggest schools congregating around the jetties.
Redfish are the poster child of Charleston fishing, and rightfully so. These bronze beauties with the distinctive black spot near their tail are aggressive feeders and spectacular fighters. Slot-sized reds between 15-23 inches are perfect for dinner, while the oversized bulls that patrol the jetties can stretch past 40 inches and 30 pounds. They're most active during moving tides and love to ambush prey around oyster bars and grass edges. Fall brings some of the best red fishing when big schools push bait against the shorelines.
Sea bass might be small, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent eating. These little reef fish love structure and will hit just about any bait that passes by. You'll find them around the jetties and hard bottom areas, often mixed in with other species. They're great for kids and new anglers since they bite readily and put up a good fight for their size. Most run 10-14 inches, perfect for the dinner table.
Bonnethead sharks bring the excitement factor to any Charleston trip. These small members of the hammerhead family are constantly on the move, hunting crabs and small fish in the shallow waters around the harbor. They typically run 2-4 feet and provide non-stop action when you find a school. They're completely harmless to humans but will give you a thrilling fight with their speed and agility. Summer months see the most bonnetheads as they move into the shallows to feed and reproduce.
Charleston's inshore fishing scene is world-class, and this 4-hour trip gives you the perfect taste of what our waters have to offer. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking for a quick half-day fix or a family wanting to introduce the kids to saltwater fishing, this charter delivers. The 24-foot bay boat puts you in prime position to target multiple species without the expense and time commitment of an offshore trip. Short Skirts Sportfishing knows these waters and how to put you on fish. Don't wait - the best dates fill up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons. Book your Charleston inshore adventure today and get ready to see why anglers from all over the country make the trip to fish these legendary waters.
Meet "Short Skirts" - your 30-foot fishing machine ready to tackle Charleston's Harbor and Jetties. This well-equipped bay boat handles up to 6 anglers comfortably, with a First Mate on board to help you land those big Bull Reds and Seabass. She's loaded with everything serious fishermen need: GPS and fish finder to locate the hotspots, radar for safety, VHF radio for communication, plus outriggers and downriggers for serious trolling action. The live bait tank keeps your bait fresh while you work the waters, and when you need a break, there's an icebox for cold drinks, a bed for rest, and a head for convenience. Whether you're targeting Trout around the jetties or hunting Sharks in deeper water, this boat puts you right where the fish are biting in Charleston's productive inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's waters, ranging from 5-30 pounds with some monsters hitting 90 pounds. They get their name from the drumming sounds they make - you can actually hear them underwater during spring spawning season. These grey-black bruisers love our oyster beds, shallow muddy flats, and around jetty structure where they crush shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning, making them much easier to target. Guests love the strong, steady fight they put up. Keep smaller fish under 15 pounds for the table - the big ones get tough and stringy. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab on a circle hook and keep your bait right on the bottom. They're picky eaters and won't chase bait very far from structure.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnethead sharks are the smallest hammerheads we catch around Charleston, usually running 3-4 feet long. That shovel-shaped head makes them easy to identify, and they're completely harmless - actually pretty shy compared to other sharks. They cruise our shallow bays and around the jetties in small schools, especially during warmer months. These guys migrate south in winter, so summer and fall are your best bets. Guests get a kick out of catching their first shark, and bonnetheads give a solid fight without being intimidating. They're catch and release only here. The trick is using fresh blue crab on a circle hook with a wire leader. Cut the crab in half and hook it through a leg - they can't resist it. Fish it on the bottom near structure and be patient. Once hooked, they'll make some good runs.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature shallow water gamefish, known for that distinctive black spot near the tail and copper-bronze color. Most run 20-35 inches, but we see plenty of bull reds over 40 inches around our jetties. They love super shallow water - sometimes so shallow their backs stick out. You'll find them around oyster bars, grass flats, and dock pilings feeding on shrimp and crabs. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're most active. What guests love is the explosive topwater strikes and strong runs they make. The smaller ones eat great with mild, flaky meat. Local trick: throw topwater plugs early morning around the jetties, but switch to live shrimp under a popping cork when they get picky. Work the bait slow and be ready - their strike will wake you up.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are our go-to bottom fish around Charleston's jetties and offshore structure. They typically run 12-16 inches and fight harder than their size suggests. These dark, stocky fish live around hard bottom, wrecks, and rocky areas where they ambush anything that swims by. They're aggressive feeders and travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more. Spring through fall gives the best action when they're most active. Guests appreciate that they're excellent eating - firm, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. They're not picky eaters either. Best tip: use a bucktail jig tipped with squid or shrimp, and keep it moving near the bottom. Once you hook one, get it up quick and drop back down - the school will usually stick around for a few more fish.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, but what really gets people talking are their human-like teeth - seriously weird looking. They average 1-8 pounds around Charleston's docks, bridges, and jetty pilings where they pick barnacles and crabs off the structure. These guys are notorious bait thieves, nibbling to steal your bait without getting hooked. Spring months bring the best action when they're most active. Guests love the challenge - they're smart fish that require finesse. The meat is excellent, sweet and flaky when you can get past those tough scales. My advice: get your bait tight to the pilings, use a small hook with fresh shrimp or fiddler crab, and set the hook hard the moment you feel weight. They've got strong mouths, so don't hesitate.
Charleston, SC