Expert Guided Wreck Fishing Adventures in Charleston SC
Private Trip
Wrecks/Reefs Fishing
Fullday reef and wreck fishing adventure in Charleston watersTarget barracuda, cobia, redfish, and multiple premium speciesSmall group charter with maximum six guests aboard
Get ready for a serious day of fishing Charleston's legendary wrecks and reefs with Short Skirts Sportfishing. This isn't your typical inshore trip – we're talking about an 8-hour deep water adventure that starts at 7 AM sharp and takes you to some of the most productive bottom structure off the South Carolina coast. With only 6 anglers max, you'll have plenty of elbow room to work your tackle and land the fish of a lifetime. From aggressive barracuda to monster cobia cruising the wrecks, Charleston's offshore waters deliver the kind of action that keeps anglers coming back season after season.
We'll be targeting the artificial reefs and natural wrecks that dot the ocean floor 15-25 miles offshore from Charleston Harbor. These underwater structures act like magnets for gamefish, creating mini ecosystems packed with baitfish and the predators that hunt them. The boat ride out takes about an hour, giving you time to rig up and get your game face on. Once we reach the first spot, it's all about reading the bottom machine and positioning over the sweet spots where fish stack up. You'll be dropping heavy jigs, live bait, and cut bait down to depths ranging from 60 to 120 feet, depending on which wrecks we hit. The captain knows these spots like the back of his hand – some are military vessels from WWII, others are deliberately sunk ships creating artificial habitat that's been producing for decades.
Wreck fishing is all about precision and patience. We'll be using stout conventional reels spooled with 50-80 lb braid to handle the big fish and rough structure below. The key is getting your bait right to the bottom without hanging up in the wreck itself – that's where experience pays off. We'll be fishing with everything from live pinfish and cigar minnows to fresh cut bait like squid and mackerel. When the current's running hard, it takes 8-12 ounces of lead to get down and stay down, so don't expect the light tackle experience you'd get inshore. The fish here fight dirty, diving straight for the wreck to cut you off, so be ready to put some serious pressure on when you hook up. Circle hooks are the name of the game for most presentations, letting fish hook themselves while keeping gut-hooking to a minimum.
Redfish around these offshore wrecks are absolute bruisers – we're talking about 20-40 pound bulls that make their inshore cousins look like babies. These copper-colored tanks show up year-round but peak in fall and winter months. They'll crush a live pinfish or chunk of cut bait, then make blistering runs that'll test your drag settings. What makes catching them here special is the sheer size – these are mature fish that have moved offshore to spawn, and they fight with the kind of power that'll leave your arms aching.
Great Barracuda are the speed demons of the wreck scene, often hitting baits meant for other species with lightning-fast strikes. These silver bullets can stretch 4-5 feet and are notorious for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're most active during warmer months and will absolutely destroy a live baitfish or flashy lure worked near the surface. The trick is using a wire leader – their razor-sharp teeth will slice through mono or braid like butter. When one explodes on your bait, hold on tight because they're about to put on a show.
Cobia are the holy grail of wreck fishing in Charleston waters. These brown sharks (as some locals call them) can push 50+ pounds and are famous for their curious nature around boats. Peak season runs from April through September, when they cruise the wrecks looking for crabs and small fish. They're sight feeders, so when we spot one, it's all hands on deck with live eels or large jigs. A big cobia is like hooking into a submarine – they use their broad tails to bulldoze toward the bottom with incredible power.
Black Sea Bass might be the most underrated fighters on the wreck. These chunky bottom dwellers stack up in huge numbers around structure and provide consistent action when other species are finicky. They hit hard, fight dirty, and taste fantastic on the dinner table. Most run 2-5 pounds, but the occasional doormat of 8+ pounds will surprise you with its strength. They're year-round residents but fishing is best during cooler months when they're most aggressive.
Black Drum on the wrecks are legitimate monsters that can stretch 30+ inches and weigh 20-40 pounds. These copper-colored fighters are bottom huggers that prefer cut crab or shrimp baits fished right on the structure. They're not the fastest fish in the ocean, but their bulldogging power and stamina make for epic battles on heavy tackle. Spring and fall offer the best action, and when you hook a big one, expect a long, grinding fight that'll test every knot in your rig.
Charleston's wreck fishing scene is world-class, and this 8-hour adventure with Short Skirts Sportfishing puts you right in the heart of the action. With small groups, top-notch local knowledge, and access to the most productive offshore structure, you're looking at the kind of fishing trip that creates lifelong memories. The wrecks are always there, but the fish move with seasons, weather, and bait migrations – that's what makes every trip different. Whether you're after a personal best redfish, your first cobia, or just want to experience the raw power of Charleston's offshore gamefish, this is your ticket to the best wreck fishing the South Carolina coast has to offer. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when the fishing is red hot.
Meet the "Short Skirts" - your 30-foot fishing machine built for serious wreck fishing adventures off Charleston's coast. This motorboat handles 6 anglers comfortably while the First Mate keeps you on the fish. She's loaded with outriggers and downriggers to get your lines down deep where the big amberjack and cobia hang around those offshore structures. The fish finder will mark schools of vermilion snapper and black seabass hiding in the wrecks, while GPS and radar keep you locked onto the hottest spots. When you need a break from battling hogfish and triggerfish, grab a cold drink from the icebox or take a quick rest on the onboard bed. The bait tank keeps your live offerings fresh, and the VHF radio connects you to other boats sharing intel on where the redfish and drum are biting. With a proper head onboard, you can focus on what matters - dropping lines on Charleston's productive reef systems and hauling up dinner.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene - powerful, bulldogging fighters that'll test your tackle and patience. These dark, barrel-shaped fish range from 10-40 pounds in our waters, with occasional monsters pushing 60+ pounds. They love shallow oyster bars, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their powerful jaws. Spring spawning season offers the best action when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds underwater. Smaller fish under 15 pounds are excellent eating, but the big ones get tough and wormy. What makes them fun is that stubborn, head-shaking fight - they won't give up easily. Pro tip: fresh blue crab is the ultimate black drum bait. Fish it on the bottom near oyster beds during moving tides, and be patient - they're methodical feeders that take their time.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are the workhorses of our reef fishing trips - reliable, tasty, and surprisingly scrappy for their size. These chunky, dark-colored fish typically run 1-3 pounds around Charleston's wrecks and hard bottom, though the occasional 5-pounder will surprise you. They love structure in 40-120 feet of water, especially during late spring through summer when they're closest to shore. What guests appreciate most is the consistent action and excellent eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Males turn bright blue during spawning season and develop a distinctive hump on their heads. They'll fight hard until they break the surface, then give up quickly. Best tip I can share: use a double-drop rig with squid strips and stay right on the bottom. They're structure-oriented, so if you're not getting bit, move until you find the fish.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the "brown sharks" that aren't sharks at all - they're one of the best fighting and eating fish in our waters. These dark brown beauties average 30-50 pounds around Charleston's reefs and wrecks, with some pushing 100+ pounds. Look for them from spring through fall in 30-70 feet of water around structure, though they'll cruise the surface too. They're loners most of the year, making them trickier to target than schooling fish. What makes cobia special is their incredible table quality - firm, white meat that rivals any fish - plus they fight like freight trains with long, powerful runs. Spring migration in May and June offers the best shot at big fish. My go-to trick is sight fishing with bucktail jigs when you spot them cruising near the surface. Drop that jig right in front of their nose and hang on tight.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are the ocean's torpedoes - built for speed and equipped with razor-sharp teeth. These silver missiles typically range 2-4 feet around our reefs and wrecks, though the big ones can push 5-6 feet and 50+ pounds. They patrol depths from the surface down to about 100 feet, hanging around structure where they can ambush prey. Summer months bring the best action when water temps are up and baitfish are thick. Anglers love them for their blistering initial runs and acrobatic jumps - just be ready because they can hit 35 mph in short bursts. They're not great table fare due to potential toxins, but the fight makes it worthwhile. Here's a tip: they hunt by sight and are curious, so shiny spoons or tube lures work great. Use a wire leader - those teeth will cut through mono like butter.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are one of Charleston's most sought-after species, and for good reason. These copper-colored beauties with their distinctive black spots near the tail typically run 20-35 inches in our waters. You'll find them cruising shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs break the surface. Spring through fall offers the best action when they're feeding actively on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. What makes them special is that explosive strike when they hit topwater lures, plus they're fantastic eating with mild, flaky meat. They'll fight hard initially but tire quickly. Pro tip: look for nervous water or tailing fish on the flats during incoming tides - that's when they're pushing into the shallows to feed and you can sight-cast to them with soft plastics or live shrimp.
Charleston, SC