Charleston Shark & Inshore Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Four-hour inshore shark fishing adventure in Charleston watersExpert guide provides gear, live bait, and fishing licensesSmall group charter accommodates up to six guests
Get ready for some serious action on Charleston's legendary inshore waters with Simon Says Private Charters. This 4-hour shark and inshore fishing trip puts you right in the heart of some of South Carolina's most productive fishing grounds, where bull sharks cruise alongside trophy redfish and hefty sheepshead. Your captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with everything from gear to bait to licenses covered, all you need to bring is your appetite for adventure. Whether you're looking to tangle with a blacktip or land a citation red drum, these Charleston waters deliver the goods year-round.
You'll meet your captain at the dock bright and early, where a well-equipped boat awaits with comfortable seating for up to 6 anglers. This isn't some cramped charter where you're fighting for elbow room – Simon Says runs a top-rated operation that prioritizes your comfort and success on the water. The boat heads out into Charleston's maze of creeks, marshes, and nearshore waters, where your guide will read the conditions and adjust tactics throughout the day. One minute you might be anchored up over structure waiting for a bull shark to slam your bait, the next you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water. The beauty of this trip lies in its versatility – your captain adapts to what the fish are doing, not what the schedule says.
Your guide comes prepared with everything you need, from heavy shark rigs to finesse setups for pressured sheepshead. For shark fishing, expect to see circle hooks, wire leaders, and serious drag systems that can handle the heat when a bull shark decides to make a run. The live bait cooler stays stocked with whatever's working – could be finger mullet, blue crabs, or shrimp depending on the season and target species. When targeting redfish and sheepshead around structure, your captain switches gears to lighter tackle with bottom rigs, jigs, and even some artificial lures when conditions are right. Don't worry if you've never fought a shark before – your guide talks you through every step, from setting the hook to working the fish to the boat. The drag settings, fighting techniques, and safety protocols are all handled by your experienced captain.
Sheepshead around Charleston are some of the craftiest fish you'll encounter, and that's exactly what makes them so rewarding to catch. These black-and-white striped convict fish hang around docks, bridge pilings, and oyster bars, using their human-like teeth to crush barnacles and fiddler crabs. Spring through fall offers the best sheepshead action, with fish ranging from keeper size up to true doormat specimens pushing 6-7 pounds. They're notorious bait stealers, so your captain uses small hooks and fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs to tempt these finicky feeders. When you finally feel that subtle tap and set the hook on a big sheepshead, you'll understand why local anglers get so fired up about these fish.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers patrol everything from grass flats to deep creek mouths, providing consistent action throughout the year. Fall months bring the legendary bull red runs when oversized breeding fish move through the area, but slot-sized reds between 15-23 inches provide steady action year-round. Your captain knows where to find them based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. Whether you're sight-fishing to cruising schools or soaking cut bait near oyster bars, redfish deliver that classic Charleston inshore experience. Their powerful runs and bulldogging fights make every hookup memorable, especially when you're dealing with a 20+ pound bull red.
Blacktip sharks bring explosive action to Charleston's inshore waters, particularly during warmer months when they move into shallow areas to feed and reproduce. These sleek predators typically range from 3-5 feet in length and are famous for their acrobatic jumps when hooked. Your captain targets them around creek mouths, channels, and nearshore areas using fresh cut bait or live offerings. Blacktips hit hard and run fast, peeling line off your reel in long, powerful surges before launching into their signature aerial displays. They're perfect for anglers who want to experience shark fishing without dealing with massive, unmanageable fish.
Bull sharks represent the apex predator experience on this trip, capable of reaching impressive sizes and delivering heart-pounding fights. These stocky, aggressive sharks can push into surprisingly shallow water, making Charleston's inshore areas prime territory for encounters. Spring through fall provides the best opportunities, with fish ranging from juvenile bulls around 4 feet up to mature specimens exceeding 8 feet. Your captain uses heavy tackle and large baits to target these powerful predators, often anchoring near deep holes or channel edges where bulls patrol for food. When a bull shark takes your bait, you'll know it immediately – these fish hit like freight trains and fight with relentless power from hookup to release.
Charleston's inshore waters offer world-class fishing opportunities that attract anglers from across the country, and Simon Says Private Charters delivers the complete package. With your expert guide handling all the details – from reading water conditions to providing top-quality gear to cleaning your catch at the end of the day – you can focus entirely on the fishing experience. The 4-hour timeframe gives you plenty of opportunity to target multiple species while keeping the trip manageable for anglers of all experience levels. Whether you're hoping to check sharks off your bucket list or add a trophy redfish to your personal best collection, this Charleston adventure delivers the goods. Book now and discover why so many anglers consider Charleston's inshore waters among the best fishing destinations on the East Coast.
Hit the productive inshore waters around Charleston aboard this well-equipped 26-foot fishing machine. Built for serious anglers targeting sharks, redfish, and sheepshead, she's rigged with everything you need for success. The onboard fish finder helps locate the hotspots while GPS navigation gets you there efficiently. When you're working structure or stalking fish in shallow water, the wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet so you won't spook your targets. Between fighting fish, relax in comfortable seating while the multimedia system keeps the mood right. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to work the rods without getting tangled up. Your captain knows these Charleston waters inside and out, putting you on the fish whether you're after toothy sharks or tasty inshore species. All your gear, fresh live bait, and fishing licenses are covered, plus they'll clean your catch so you can head home with fillets ready for the grill.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are the acrobats of Charleston's inshore waters, known for launching themselves clear out of the water when hooked. These sleek predators average 3-5 feet but can push 6+ feet, with those telltale black-tipped fins. They cruise our nearshore waters from late spring through fall, often in 30-100 feet around structure and bait schools. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and aerial shows - they'll jump repeatedly, making every hookup a spectacle. They're also great table fare with firm, white meat. They can get pretty excited during feeding frenzies too, sometimes even jumping right into the boat! My go-to setup is heavy braid with circle hooks, and here's the secret: use oily baits like fresh mackerel or sardines in your chum slick to really get them fired up.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the bruisers of our inshore waters - thick, powerful fish that can handle both salt and fresh water. These gray torpedoes typically run 6-9 feet around Charleston, with stocky builds and massive bite power. You'll find them in our rivers, harbor areas, and nearshore waters, especially during summer months when they move up into brackish water to feed. What draws guests to target them is the raw power - once hooked, they'll make drag-screaming runs that'll test your tackle. They're also unique since they're one of the few sharks that'll venture way up our rivers. Here's my best bull shark tip: fresh eel is absolute magic for these fish. The high oil content and tough skin makes it perfect bait, and bulls can't resist it when you're fishing the deeper holes around creek mouths.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the kings of our shallow water flats, and they put up one heck of a fight. These bronze beauties with the signature black spot near their tail typically run 20-30 inches around Charleston's grass flats and oyster beds. They love water so shallow their backs stick out, especially during moving tides. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're feeding heavy before and after spawning season. What guests love most is watching these fish crash topwater lures in 2 feet of water - pure adrenaline. The meat's mild and sweet too. Here's a local trick: look for nervous water and birds working bait schools. When you find feeding reds, use a gold spoon or popping cork with live shrimp, and cast past them to work your bait back through the school.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are some of the smartest fish you'll encounter around Charleston's dock pilings and jetties. These gray-and-black striped "convict fish" typically run 2-5 pounds, though we see some pushing 15+ pounds around the deeper structures. They've got human-like teeth for crushing barnacles and crabs, making them tricky to hook. Best fishing is fall through early spring when they move to the jetties and offshore reefs. What makes them special? They're notorious bait thieves that'll test your patience, but the reward is sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. My tip: use fiddler crabs and keep that bait right against the pilings - they won't chase it far from cover, and set the hook hard when you feel that first nibble.
Charleston, SC