Fishing Charters Charleston SC 30' Boat
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore fishing adventure in Charleston Harbor and JettiesTarget seabass, sharks, bull reds, and trout with expert guidesPrivate charter accommodates up to six guests on 30foot boat
Looking for some serious action on Charleston's inshore waters? This 4-hour fishing charter aboard our 30-foot vessel puts you right where the fish are biting. We'll cruise Charleston Harbor and hit the productive jetties where redfish, black drum, sheepshead, and even bonnethead sharks cruise the structure looking for their next meal. With just 6 anglers max, you'll get plenty of elbow room and personal attention from your captain. No need to worry about lunch - we keep these trips focused on fishing, so pack some snacks and drinks if you want them. This is pure Charleston inshore fishing at its finest, targeting species that'll give you stories to tell for years.
Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on fish from the moment we reach our first spot. Charleston Harbor offers incredible structure fishing around docks, pilings, and oyster beds where redfish and black drum love to hunt. The jetties are absolute magnets for sheepshead, sea bass, and the occasional shark looking for an easy meal. You'll be fishing in 5 to 25 feet of water most of the time, perfect depths for sight fishing when conditions are right. The 30-foot boat handles Charleston's chop with ease and gives everyone room to fish without tangling lines. Weather plays a big role here - calm mornings often mean better fishing, while afternoon winds can stir up the water and change fish behavior. Your guide reads these conditions daily and adjusts tactics accordingly.
We supply all the rods, reels, and tackle you'll need, rigged specifically for Charleston's inshore species. You'll primarily fish with medium-action spinning gear loaded with 15-20 pound test, perfect for handling everything from trout to bull reds. Live shrimp and cut bait are the go-to options here - shrimp works magic on sheepshead and black drum, while fresh cut mullet or menhaden gets the attention of redfish and sharks. Bottom rigs with circle hooks keep you in the strike zone around structure, while Carolina rigs let you cover more water when fish are scattered. Your captain will show you how to feel the difference between a fish pickup and getting hung in the oysters - there's definitely a learning curve if you're new to structure fishing. Polarized sunglasses are a must for spotting fish in shallow water, and don't forget sun protection since you'll be out there for four solid hours.
Black drum are the heavy hitters around Charleston's inshore waters, and they're absolute bulldogs when hooked. These fish love hanging around oyster beds and bridge pilings, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush shellfish. You'll find them year-round, but spring and fall see the biggest concentrations. The smaller "puppy" drum (under 5 pounds) are fantastic eating, while the big bulls can push 20-30 pounds and will test your drag system. They're not the fastest fish, but they use their broad sides to pull hard and deep.
Sheepshead are the pickpockets of the inshore world, famous for stealing bait right off your hook. These black-and-white striped beauties hang tight to structure, especially around barnacle-covered pilings and rock jetties. They've got human-like teeth for crushing crustaceans, which makes them one of the oddest-looking catches you'll land. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they school up for spawning. A 3-4 pound sheepshead is a solid fish here, and anything over 5 pounds is a real trophy.
Redfish are Charleston's poster child for inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol shallow flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths looking for crabs and baitfish. The slot-sized fish (14-27 inches) fight like crazy and make excellent table fare, while the oversized "bull reds" are pure power and must be released. Fall brings the best redfish action as they school up in massive numbers. You'll know you've hooked one when your drag starts screaming and the fish makes a blistering run toward the nearest structure.
Sea bass might be smaller than the other targets, but they're aggressive biters and great for keeping the action steady. These bottom-dwellers love hard structure and will hit almost anything you drop down to them. They're most active during cooler months and provide consistent action when the bigger fish are being finicky. A cooler full of sea bass makes for some outstanding fish tacos back at the dock.
Bonnethead sharks add some serious excitement to any Charleston fishing trip. These smaller members of the hammerhead family cruise the flats and harbor areas, especially during warmer months. They'll hit live or cut bait meant for other species, and their initial run will wake up everyone on the boat. Most bonnetheads here run 2-4 feet long - big enough to get your heart pumping but small enough to handle safely. They're catch-and-release only, but the photos and memories last forever.
Charleston's inshore fishing delivers year-round action, but every season brings something different to the table. This 4-hour charter gives you enough time to hit multiple spots and target different species without burning a whole day on the water. The 6-person limit means you're not fighting for space or competing with a crowd for the captain's attention. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to explore new waters or a family wanting to introduce kids to serious fishing, this trip hits the sweet spot. Book early for peak seasons - fall redfish runs and spring sheepshead spawns fill up fast with repeat customers who know what Charleston's waters can deliver.
Meet the "Short Skirts" - your ticket to some serious fishing action in Charleston's productive waters. This well-equipped 30-footer is built for inshore adventures, with space for up to 6 anglers and a skilled First Mate who knows these waters like the back of his hand. You'll appreciate the thoughtful setup: outriggers and downriggers to get your lines where they need to be, plus a top-notch fish finder to locate the honey holes. The bait tank keeps your offerings fresh while the icebox handles your catch and cold drinks. Need a break? There's an onboard head and even a bed for quick power naps between bite sessions. Charleston Harbor and the jetties are prime real estate for seabass, sharks, bull reds, and speckled trout - and this boat puts you right in the action. The radar and GPS keep you on course while the VHF radio maintains contact with the fishing fleet. Whether you're after bottom dwellers around structure or working the grass flats for reds, "Short Skirts" has the range and equipment to make it happen. Ready to put some meat in the cooler?
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters, commonly running 15-30 pounds with monsters pushing 90. These grey-black bruisers hang around oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths in our harbor and jetties. Spring spawning season from March through May is prime time when they school up and get aggressive. What makes them special is that distinctive drumming sound they make - you can actually hear schools working shallow water. They're tough fighters that use their bulk and those crusher jaws built for eating oysters. Smaller ones under 15 pounds make great table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: use fresh blue crab or cut shrimp on a fish finder rig, and when you feel that first tap, give them a second to really grab it before setting the hook hard.
Sphyrna TiburoBonnetheads are the smallest hammerheads we see in Charleston waters, typically 3-4 feet long with that distinctive shovel-shaped head. They cruise our shallow bays, grass flats, and creek mouths in summer months, usually in small schools of 5-15 fish. Warm water from May through October brings them up from Florida, and they're most active during moving tides. What makes them fun is they're aggressive feeders but completely harmless - great for kids or anyone wanting their first shark experience. They put up a scrappy fight for their size and do these wild spinning jumps. We catch and release them all since they're important to the ecosystem. These guys are crab specialists, so fresh blue crab cut in half works best. My trick is using a 20-pound setup with a sliding sinker rig and letting them run with it for a few seconds before setting the hook - they like to taste it first.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are Charleston's signature shallow water game fish, running anywhere from schoolie rats at 18 inches to bull reds over 40. They love our grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water. Fall and spring are peak times when they school up and cruise the shallows looking for bait. What makes them special is watching that bronze back and distinctive black spot cruising in skinny water, plus they fight like freight trains once hooked. The slot-size fish around 20-27 inches are excellent eating with mild, flaky meat. We see them year-round, but cooler water really gets them fired up and feeding aggressively. Best local trick is watching for nervous bait or that telltale V-wake in shallow water. When sight-fishing, cast well ahead of them and let your bait settle naturally - they spook easily but eat aggressively once committed.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are solid bottom fish that hang around our jetties, reefs, and wrecks in 20-60 feet. These dark, chunky fish average 1-3 pounds but we regularly see them up to 5-6 pounds on good structure. They're spring through fall fish, with May through October being prime time when water temps are right. What guests love is the steady action - when you find them, you usually find a bunch, and they're aggressive feeders that hit hard. They're also some of the best eating fish we target, with firm white meat that's prized by restaurants. They school up around hard bottom and won't move far once you locate them. The key is getting your bait right to the bottom since they feed on crabs, squid, and small fish down there. Drop a bucktail jig or squid strip on a fish finder rig and work it slow along the bottom structure.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" around Charleston's docks and jetties, with those black and white stripes and human-like teeth that can crack barnacles like peanuts. Most run 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches, but we see plenty in the 8-10 pound range around our structure. They're year-round residents but really turn on during cooler months when they stack up on pilings and rock piles. What guests love is the challenge - these guys are notorious bait thieves with lightning-quick nibbles. The reward is some of the best eating fish in our waters, with sweet white meat that's worth the effort to clean. They're always tight to cover, so get your bait right against the pilings. My go-to trick is using small fiddler crabs on a #1 hook with just enough weight to get down, and when you feel that first peck, set the hook immediately.
Charleston, SC