Charleston Shark & Inshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour inshore shark fishing adventure in Charleston watersTarget redfish, sheepshead, and sharks with expert guidanceAll gear, bait, licenses, and cleaning included
Looking for a fishing trip that combines the adrenaline rush of shark fishing with the consistent action of inshore targeting? This 4-hour Charleston charter with Simon Says Private Charters delivers exactly that. You'll fish the productive waters around Charleston Harbor and nearby flats, where blacktip and bull sharks cruise alongside redfish and sheepshead. With everything included – tackle, live bait, fishing licenses, and even cleaning your catch – all you need to bring is your enthusiasm and maybe a cooler for the ride home. The boat accommodates up to 6 anglers, making it perfect for families, buddy trips, or corporate outings where everyone wants in on the action.
Your day starts with comfortable seating aboard a well-equipped charter boat designed for Charleston's inshore waters. The captain knows these waters like the back of their hand – from the structure-rich areas where sheepshead hang out to the deeper channels where sharks patrol. You'll spend time fishing multiple spots depending on tides, weather, and what's biting best that day. The beauty of this trip is the variety: one minute you're working the bottom for sheepshead around dock pilings, the next you're watching your drag scream as a shark takes off with your bait. The crew handles all the technical stuff – rigging lines, managing the live well, and making sure everyone stays safe while fighting fish. Between the comfortable setup and expert guidance, even first-time anglers feel confident, while seasoned fishermen appreciate the local knowledge and prime fishing spots.
The crew comes prepared with a full arsenal of gear suited for Charleston's diverse inshore fishery. For shark fishing, you'll use heavy conventional reels spooled with braided line and circle hooks – essential for safe catch-and-release practices. Live bait like mullet, menhaden, or blue runners work best, and the boat's live well keeps everything fresh and lively. When targeting redfish and sheepshead, the approach shifts to lighter tackle with bottom rigs, cut bait, and sometimes live shrimp. The captain reads the water conditions and adjusts techniques accordingly – maybe trolling along drop-offs for sharks during moving tides, or sight-fishing shallow flats when the water's clear. You'll learn about Charleston's unique tidal patterns, how structure holds fish, and why certain baits work better in different seasons. The crew takes care of all the rigging and re-baiting, so you can focus on feeling the bite and fighting the fish.
Sheepshead are the bread-and-butter species around Charleston's inshore structure, and these black-and-white striped fighters know how to test your patience. They're notorious bait stealers with human-like teeth designed for crushing barnacles and crabs off dock pilings, bridges, and jetties. Peak season runs from late fall through early spring when they stack up for spawning. Most fish range from 2-5 pounds, but Charleston produces plenty of trophy sheepshead pushing 8-10 pounds. What makes them exciting isn't just the challenge of hooking them – it's outsmarting fish that seem to know every trick in the book. Plus, they're fantastic table fare with firm, white meat that rivals any restaurant fish.
Redfish represent Charleston's signature inshore species, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol grass flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths year-round, with fish ranging from schoolie-sized "rats" to bull reds over 30 inches. Spring and fall offer the most consistent action, though summer brings exciting shallow-water opportunities in the early morning and late evening. What gets anglers hooked on redfish is their willingness to eat and their bulldog fighting style – they'll peel drag and make multiple runs before giving up. Charleston's slot-sized reds (15-23 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide pure sport before release.
Blacktip sharks bring the excitement level up several notches, especially during their spring and summer presence in Charleston's inshore waters. These athletic sharks typically run 3-6 feet and are famous for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. They move into shallow water chasing baitfish, making them perfect targets for inshore charters. The fight is pure adrenaline – long runs, aerial displays, and that distinctive shark power that tests both angler and equipment. Blacktips are also excellent for beginners because they're manageable in size but still provide that "I caught a shark!" bragging rights.
Bull sharks represent the apex predator experience on Charleston inshore trips. These stocky, powerful sharks can handle fresh and saltwater, often pushing far up into creeks and rivers. They're year-round residents but most active in warmer months. Bulls typically run larger than blacktips – often 4-8 feet – and fight with raw power rather than aerial acrobatics. When a bull shark takes your bait, you know it immediately. The initial run is devastating, and the fight becomes a test of endurance. They're the species that creates lifetime fishing memories and endless stories back at the dock.
This top-rated Charleston charter offers the perfect blend of shark fishing excitement and consistent inshore action that keeps anglers coming back season after season. With an expert captain, quality equipment, and access to Charleston's most productive fishing grounds, you're set up for success whether you're a first-timer or seasoned angler. The 4-hour timeframe hits the sweet spot – long enough to target multiple species and locations, but short enough to leave you wanting more. Since everything's included and the boat only takes 6 people, spots fill up quickly, especially during peak fishing seasons. Don't wait to experience what makes Charleston one of the Southeast's premier fishing destinations.
This Charleston shark fishing rig is built for serious anglers targeting toothy predators in the inshore waters around the Holy City. The 6-person motorboat features a wireless trolling motor that lets you slip quietly through the shallows without spooking fish, plus a fish finder to pinpoint where the action is hiding. GPS keeps you locked onto productive spots while the multimedia system provides entertainment between bites. Comfortable seating means you can fish all day without getting beat up, whether you're battling bull sharks in the harbor or working the flats for redfish and sheepshead. Your captain knows these waters inside and out - from the Cooper River to Folly Beach - and handles all the gear, live bait, and licensing so you just focus on the fight.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktips are the acrobats of Charleston's shark scene - these guys will jump clean out of the water when hooked. They average 3-5 feet but can hit 6+ feet and really test your tackle. You'll find them in 30-100 feet of water around structure and drop-offs, especially during summer months when baitfish are thick. They're exciting because they're aggressive feeders and put on quite a show with those aerial displays. The meat's actually pretty good eating too, mild and firm. Best tip I can share: use oily baits like cut mackerel or fresh sardines, and don't be shy with the chum. These sharks get fired up in feeding frenzies, so be ready for multiple hookups when you find a school.
Carcharhinus LeucasBulls are the tough guys of Charleston waters - thick, powerful sharks that can handle both salt and brackish water. These bruisers typically run 6-8 feet but can push 10+ feet and 300 pounds. You'll encounter them in shallow coastal waters, river mouths, and even up in tidal creeks during summer. They're year-round residents but most active in warmer months. What draws people to target them? Pure raw power and that unique ability to hunt in water you wouldn't expect sharks. They're aggressive and fight like freight trains. My secret weapon is fresh eel - the oil content drives them crazy and it stays on the hook better than most baits. Set up near structure with heavy tackle and be patient; when a bull grabs your bait, you'll know it.
Sciaenops OcellatusRed drum are Charleston's bread and butter - those copper-backed beauties with the black spots near their tails. Most run 18-28 inches, but we see plenty of slot fish and some real bulls pushing 40+ inches. They love super shallow water, sometimes so skinny their backs show above the surface. Look for them on grass flats, oyster bars, and around creek mouths, especially on moving tides. Fall and spring are prime time when they school up. What gets people hooked? That aggressive strike and bulldogging fight, plus they're fantastic table fare. Here's a local tip: when sight fishing, cast well ahead of cruising reds and let your bait sit still - they spook easy but can't resist a perfectly placed shrimp or cut bait.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusThese striped "convict fish" are Charleston favorites, running 1-8 pounds with those famous human-like teeth. You'll find them hugging structure - docks, bridge pilings, jetties - anywhere there's barnacles to crunch. They're notorious bait thieves, so keep that hook set firm. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially around oyster bars and creek mouths. What makes them special? That sweet, flaky white meat is top-shelf eating, plus they fight harder than you'd expect for their size. My go-to trick: get your bait right against the pilings and work it up from bottom in one-foot steps until you find where they're hanging. Fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp work best.
Charleston, SC