All Day Nearshore Combo Trip | Murrells Inlet
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fullday combo trip features trolling and bottom fishing techniquesTarget species include Mackerel, Blues, and challenging Amber JackExtended 25mile range reaches premier offshore fishing locations
Looking for the best of both worlds on the water? Our all-day nearshore combo trip out of Murrells Inlet delivers exactly that. This isn't your typical half-day charter where you're just getting started when it's time to head back. We're talking about a full 8 hours of serious fishing time, mixing up trolling runs with productive bottom fishing sessions. The boat holds up to 4 anglers, so you'll have plenty of room to work without bumping elbows. We'll push out up to 25 miles from the inlet when conditions allow, hitting structure and temperature breaks that consistently hold fish. Pack your cooler with drinks and lunch because we don't mess around with meal service - we're here to fish, not cater.
Your day starts early at the Murrells Inlet docks, where we'll get you set up with gear and go over the game plan. First part of the morning usually means trolling the nearshore waters, working those productive zones where baitfish stack up and predators follow. We'll have multiple lines out, covering different depths and speeds to dial in what's working. Once we've had our fun with the trolling bite, we switch gears completely and anchor up on some proven bottom structure. This is where the day gets really interesting - dropping baits down to amberjack territory and whatever else is hanging around those rocky ledges. The beauty of this combo approach is variety. One minute you're fighting a smoking king mackerel that peeled off 100 yards of line, the next you're cranking up a hefty amberjack from 60 feet of water. Weather plays a big role in how far we can range, but that's fishing - we adapt and find the bite wherever it's happening.
Trolling the nearshore waters around Murrells Inlet means covering water efficiently while presenting baits at the right speed and depth. We run a spread of different lures - spoons, diving plugs, and rigged ballyhoo - each targeting specific zones in the water column. The key is matching your presentation to what the fish are feeding on. When Spanish mackerel are thick, we'll focus on smaller spoons and plugs closer to the surface. If kings are the target, we're pulling bigger baits and working temperature breaks where they cruise for schools of menhaden. Bottom fishing requires a completely different approach. We anchor up on structure using heavy sinkers to get baits down quickly in the current. Fresh cut bait works best - bonito strips, menhaden chunks, or whatever we caught while trolling earlier. The gear gets beefed up too because amberjack don't mess around when it comes to testing your drag system. Circle hooks are the standard for bottom fishing, and we fish multiple rods to increase our chances of connecting with whatever's down there prowling the rocks.
King mackerel are the crown jewel of nearshore fishing around Murrells Inlet, especially during their peak season from spring through fall. These fish run anywhere from 15 to 40 pounds, with the occasional monster pushing 50 or more. Kings are notorious for their blistering initial runs - when one hits your trolled bait, you'll know it immediately as line starts screaming off the reel. They're structure-oriented fish that follow bait schools along temperature breaks and ledges. What makes them so exciting is their unpredictability. You might catch three in an hour, then not see another bite for the rest of the day.
Greater amberjack are the muscle of our bottom fishing game, and these bruisers will test every component of your tackle system. Running 20 to 60 pounds commonly, with giants exceeding 80, they live around hard bottom structure and don't give up without a serious fight. Peak season runs through warmer months, but we catch them year-round when conditions allow us to reach their preferred depths. The first 30 seconds after hookup determines everything - if they make it back to the rocks, you're probably done. That's what makes landing a good amberjack so satisfying. They combine raw power with stubborn determination.
Great barracuda add an element of excitement with their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights. These toothy predators average 10 to 25 pounds in our waters and hit both trolled lures and bottom baits with equal enthusiasm. They're opportunistic feeders that can show up any time of year, though warmer months tend to be more consistent. Barracuda are known for their explosive surface jumps and their ability to cut through leaders with razor-sharp teeth. Wire leaders are essential, and even then, they sometimes find a way to slice through.
Spanish mackerel might be smaller than their king cousins, but they make up for size with numbers and aggression. Running 2 to 5 pounds typically, these fish school heavily and provide consistent action when they're around. Spring and fall migrations bring the best fishing, with schools so thick you can see them dimpling the surface. They'll hit small spoons, jigs, and live bait with equal enthusiasm. Spanish mackerel are perfect for anglers who enjoy steady action over trophy hunting.
Bluefish round out our target list with their voracious appetites and hard-fighting reputation. These fish travel in schools and feed aggressively on whatever baitfish are available. Size varies dramatically - from snapper blues under 5 pounds to chopper blues pushing 15 pounds or more. They'll hit trolled lures, bottom baits, and anything else that looks like food. Bluefish are known for their sharp teeth and tendency to bite through lighter leaders, but their aggressive nature makes them a favorite among anglers who appreciate a fish that fights hard from hookup to boat.
This all-day combo trip gives you the complete nearshore fishing experience without compromise. Eight hours on the water means time to work different
Step aboard our restored 1987 32' Hatteras sportfisher, where classic boat-building meets modern fishing technology. This beauty runs on twin 370HP Cummins engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds at a smooth 28 knots, covering up to 25 miles offshore when conditions allow. The boat's equipped with everything serious anglers need - GPS navigation to find those productive spots, fish finder to locate schools below, and radar for safe runs in changing weather. A wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're working structure for bottom fish like Amber Jacks, while the air conditioning and onboard refrigerator ensure your catch stays fresh and you stay comfortable during those long 8-hour combo trips. With room for up to 4 anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rails whether you're trolling for Mackerel and blues or dropping bottom rigs. The flybridge gives your captain excellent visibility for spotting birds and bait, while the onboard facilities mean you can focus on fishing all day. This Hatteras combines the reliability of proven offshore construction with the comfort features that make those full-day nearshore adventures productive and enjoyable.
Pomatomus SaltatrixBlues are aggressive fighters known for their razor teeth and feeding frenzies that can turn the water into a washing machine. They typically run 3-10 pounds around here and travel in schools that attack baitfish with serious attitude. We find them in 20-80 feet from late spring through fall, especially around bait schools and temperature breaks. What makes blues exciting is their willingness to bite almost anything and fight hard all the way to the boat. They're good eating when iced immediately - the smaller ones are milder than the big choppers. Watch your fingers though - those teeth are no joke and they'll bite even when they look done. Cut bait works great, but any shiny lure or fresh bait will usually do the trick when they're feeding.
Sphyraena BarracudaBarracuda are the ocean's missiles - sleek, silver predators that can hit 35 mph in short bursts. Most run 3-4 feet long around here, with occasional 5-footers that'll give you a real show. They hang around nearshore reefs, grass flats, and structure in 10-40 feet of clear water. Best fishing is spring through fall when baitfish are thick. What makes cuda fishing fun is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic jumps - they'll come completely out of the water trying to throw the hook. The meat's okay eating if you ice it quick, though many folks just enjoy the fight and release them. Key tip: use a wire leader and keep your bait moving fast. Cuda are visual hunters attracted to flash and speed, so chrome spoons work great.
Seriola dumeriliAmberjack are the bulldogs of the deep - thick-bodied fighters that average 20-40 pounds and can push past 60. You'll find them around wrecks, reefs, and hard bottom in 60-200 feet of water. Spring through early fall gives us the best action when they're feeding heavy. What guests love about AJs is the pure power - they'll test your tackle and your back with those bone-jarring runs straight for the bottom. The meat's excellent eating, firm and white like grouper. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and pump them up quick. If you let them get back to structure, they'll wrap you up in the wreck every time. Heavy tackle and strong drags are a must for these brutes.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing mackerel are some of the fastest fish you'll hook out here, averaging 20-30 pounds with occasional giants over 50. They cruise in 40-150 feet of water around structure and baitfish schools. We find them consistently from late spring through fall when water temps hit 68°F or warmer. What makes kings special is their blazing speed - they'll rip line off your reel like few other fish can. The meat's decent when fresh, though larger fish can have higher mercury levels. Pro tip: always use a wire leader and rig with two hooks - one in the bait's nose, another trailing behind. Kings love to hit the back half of live baits, so that stinger hook saves a lot of missed fish.
Scomberomorus MaculatusSpanish mackerel are perfect light-tackle fish - fast, aggressive, and typically 2-4 pounds with great table fare. They travel in schools near the surface around structure, baitfish, and temperature breaks. We see them spring through fall, with peak action in summer when water warms up. Guests love spanish mackerel because they're willing biters that put up a scrappy fight on lighter gear, plus they're some of the best eating fish we catch. The meat's mild, flaky, and perfect grilled or smoked. They're also great for getting kids hooked on fishing since they bite readily. Best trick is to look for diving birds - that's where the baitfish are, and spanish macs won't be far behind. Small spoons and jigs work well, just keep them moving.
Murrells Inlet, SC