Charleston Inshore Fishing on 24' Bay Boat
Private Trip
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple species around Charleston HarborExpert guides lead trips to productive jetties for seabass, sharks, and bull redsTwentyfour foot bay boat accommodates up to six guests comfortably
Looking for some solid inshore action in Charleston? You've found the right spot. Short Skirts Sportfishing runs a sweet 4-hour afternoon trip that hits all the productive water around Charleston Harbor and the jetties. We're talking about real fishing here - no tourist fluff, just you, your rod, and some of the best inshore fishing the Lowcountry has to offer. Our 24-foot bay boat handles the choppy stuff with ease and gets you into the skinny water where the fish actually live. Maximum 6 anglers means everyone gets plenty of room to work and our captain knows exactly where to find the bite.
This afternoon charter kicks off when the fish are getting active and the harbor traffic starts to calm down. We'll cruise out from Charleston and work the productive structure around the jetties, then slide into the marsh creeks and grass flats where redfish and trout like to hang out. The 24-foot bay boat draws just enough water to get us into those sweet spots that bigger boats can't touch, but she's stable enough to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at us. You'll be sight fishing, working structure, and learning to read the water like the locals do. Our guide will put you on fish, but this isn't a hand-holding operation - you'll actually learn something about Charleston fishing that you can use next time you're down here. Bring your camera because when the redfish are tailing in the spartina grass, it's something you'll want to remember.
We fish light tackle here - spinning reels spooled with braid and leaders that won't spook the fish in these clear Charleston waters. Depending on what's biting, we'll be throwing live shrimp under popping corks, working soft plastics along the bottom for black drum, or sight casting to redfish cruising the flats. The jetties call for a different approach - we'll drop down cut bait for sharks and work jigs around the rocks for sheepshead. Our captain carries all the gear you need, but if you've got your favorite rod, bring it along. Circle hooks are the way to go for most of what we're targeting, and we'll show you how to set the hook properly so you don't pull it right out of their mouth. The key to Charleston inshore fishing is reading the tide - these fish move with the water, and timing your drift or knowing when to anchor up makes all the difference between a good day and a great day.
Black drum are the bulldogs of Charleston's inshore waters, and when you hook into a 40-pounder, you'll know it immediately. These fish love to hang around structure like dock pilings and jetty rocks, especially during the cooler months from November through March. They're not the prettiest fish in the ocean, but they'll test your drag and your patience. What makes them special is their fight - pure, stubborn power that'll have your arms burning. The bigger fish are usually females loaded with eggs, so we practice catch and release to keep the population healthy.
Sheepshead are the thieves of the inshore world, and catching them consistently separates the weekend warriors from the real anglers. These black-and-white striped bandits have human-like teeth and they'll steal your bait faster than you can blink if you're not paying attention. Spring is prime time when they move into shallow water to spawn, typically March through May. They're excellent eating - firm, white meat that's perfect for the grill. The trick is using small hooks with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs and feeling for that subtle tap-tap before they drop your bait and swim away laughing.
Redfish are the gold standard of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers can be caught year-round, but fall is when they really turn on. Bull reds over 27 inches are catch-and-release only, but the slot fish between 15-23 inches are perfect for the cooler. What makes redfish special is their willingness to eat just about anything you throw at them, from topwater plugs to cut mullet. They're not the smartest fish in the water, but they make up for it with attitude. Watching a red blow up on a topwater plug in two feet of water will get your heart pumping every single time.
Sea bass might be small, but they're scrappy fighters and excellent table fare. These guys hang around hard bottom and structure, especially near the jetties where they can ambush baitfish. Summer is their peak season in Charleston waters, and they're aggressive biters that'll hit cut bait, small jigs, or live shrimp. Don't let their size fool you - a good sea bass will bend your rod and fight like something twice its size. They're also one of the best eating fish in these waters, with sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos or a good old-fashioned fish fry.
Bonnethead sharks are the perfect introduction to shark fishing - aggressive, fun to catch, and just the right size to handle on light tackle. These smaller members of the hammerhead family are common in Charleston's shallow waters during the warmer months, typically from April through October. They're curious fish that'll often circle the boat before deciding to eat your bait. What's cool about bonnetheads is watching them use that unique head shape to pin down blue crabs and stingrays on the bottom. They're catch-and-release only, but the fight they put up on spinning gear makes them a favorite target for anglers who want to say they caught a shark without needing a steel leader and heavy tackle.
Charleston's inshore fishing is world-class, and this afternoon trip gives you a real taste of what makes the Lowcountry special. You'll fish productive water with an experienced captain who knows these waters like his backyard, learn
Meet the "Short Skirts" - your 30-foot ticket to Charleston's best inshore fishing action. This bay boat handles the harbor and jetties like a champ, with room for up to 6 anglers plus a First Mate who knows these waters inside and out. She's rigged for serious fishing with outriggers, downriggers, and a live bait tank to keep your offerings fresh. The fish finder will help you locate schools while the GPS keeps you on productive spots. When you need a break from battling bull reds and trout, grab a cold drink from the icebox or take advantage of the onboard head. VHF radio and radar keep you connected and safe, while the comfortable bed lets someone catch a quick nap between bites. Whether you're targeting sharks near the jetties or working the flats for speckled trout, this boat has everything you need for a productive day on Charleston's productive inshore waters.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the bruiser cousins of redfish, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some monsters pushing 90. They love our shallow oyster beds and muddy flats, especially around the jetties where they crush crabs and shellfish with those powerful jaws. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear their signature drumming sounds underwater. These fish are built like tanks and will test your drag system with long, stubborn runs. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make excellent table fare with flaky white meat. My go-to trick is using fresh blue crab on a Carolina rig - let it sit on bottom near structure and wait for that steady pull.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnetheads are the smallest hammerhead species, usually 3-4 feet long with that distinctive shovel-shaped head. They cruise our shallow bays and flats in schools of 10-15 fish, especially during warmer months when they move north from Florida. Summer through early fall is your best shot before they head south for winter. What guests love is catching their first shark - these are perfect starter sharks since they're manageable size but still give that classic shark fight with strong runs. They're also the most docile shark you'll encounter. Schools often feed in just 3-6 feet of water near grass beds. Fresh blue crab cut in half works best - thread your circle hook through a leg and let it sit on bottom with a fish finder rig.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature species, ranging from slot-sized 14-inchers to monster "bull reds" over 27 inches. They cruise our shallow flats in just 1-4 feet of water, often with their backs breaking the surface. Those copper-colored sides and black eyespots make them easy to spot on clear days. Fall and spring offer the hottest action when they school up and feed aggressively on shrimp and crabs. What makes them special is that explosive topwater bite - watching a 20-pound red blow up on a spook is pure adrenaline. They fight hard with long runs and head shakes. My local trick: work topwater baits slowly over oyster bars at first light, letting the lure sit motionless for several seconds between twitches.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the workhorses of our jetty fishing, typically running 1-3 pounds with some reaching 6-8 pounds. They live around hard bottom structure - jetties, reefs, and wrecks where they school up and feed on crabs, shrimp, and small fish. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when water temps warm up. These scrappy fighters punch above their weight class, making strong runs toward structure when hooked. They're also top-notch table fare with firm, white flesh that's restaurant quality. Sea bass are aggressive feeders that'll hit cut squid, bucktails, or soft plastics. My tip: use braided line to feel the bottom and detect subtle bites, then reel fast to keep them away from the rocks where they'll break you off.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with those distinctive black stripes and eerily human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds around docks, bridges, and jetties where they pick barnacles and crabs off pilings. They're notorious bait thieves - nibbling and testing before committing to a bite. Early spring during spawning season offers the best action when they gather in big numbers. What makes them special is that sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper for table quality. These fish are spooky around boat noise, so I always drift up to structure quietly. Here's the key: once you feel them mouthing your bait, don't hesitate - set that hook hard because they'll steal your shrimp faster than you can blink.
Charleston, SC