Expert Guided 6 Hour Charleston Fishing Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing charter targeting redfish, flounder, and tarponExpert captain teaches proven techniques and local fishing methodsSmall group experience with maximum two guests per trip
Get ready for some serious fishing action in Charleston's legendary inshore waters! Captain and crew at Skinny Water Charters know these backwaters like the back of their hand, and they're pumped to put you on some of the best fishing South Carolina has to offer. This isn't your typical tourist trap – we're talking about a legitimate 6-hour charter that'll have you battling redfish in the grass, chasing tarpon in the creeks, and maybe even tangling with some bull sharks if you're lucky. With space for just 2 anglers, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of chances to dial in your technique while targeting some of Charleston's most sought-after species.
Your day starts early when you meet the captain at the dock, ready to hit Charleston's maze of tidal creeks, oyster bars, and grass flats. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one minute you're sight-casting to tailing redfish in skinny water, the next you're working structure for flounder or watching your topwater plug get demolished by a hungry cobia. The captain knows when to run the trolling motor quiet through the shallows and when to fire up the big motor to chase birds working bait. You'll spend time learning to read the water, understanding how tides affect fish movement, and picking up local techniques that separate the weekend warriors from the guys who consistently catch fish. Don't worry about gear – everything's provided, from spinning rods to tackle, but feel free to bring your favorite setup if you've got one.
Charleston inshore fishing is all about adapting to conditions and understanding what the fish want on any given day. You'll likely be throwing everything from live shrimp under popping corks to artificial baits like paddle tails and spoons. The captain will have you rigged up with medium-action spinning gear perfect for the mix of species you'll encounter – light enough to feel every bite but with enough backbone to turn a bull red away from structure. Expect to work both live and artificial baits, learning when to fish the bottom for flounder, when to suspend baits in the water column for cobia, and how to present offerings to spooky redfish in clear, shallow water. The boat's equipped with a shallow-water anchor system and trolling motor, so you can stay positioned over productive water without spooking fish in skinny areas where big reds like to feed.
Tarpon are the silver kings of Charleston's waters, and when they're around, everything else takes a backseat. These prehistoric fish can reach 6 feet and 150+ pounds, with most of the fish you'll encounter running 40-100 pounds. Peak season runs May through September, with the hottest action typically in June and July when schools move through the harbors and creeks. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size – it's their aerial acrobatics. When a tarpon eats your bait, you better hang on because they're going airborne, gill-rattling and tail-walking like nothing else that swims. The fight can last 30 minutes or more, and even after you think you've got them beat, they'll find another gear and make you question everything.
Redfish are Charleston's bread and butter, the species that keeps local guides in business year-round. These copper-colored bruisers range from schooling "rats" around 18-22 inches up to bull reds pushing 40+ inches and 30 pounds. Spring and fall offer the best action, though you can catch them any month of the year. What makes reds special is their willingness to eat in skinny water where you can see every move they make. Watching a big red tail in 12 inches of water, then making the perfect cast and watching it turn on your bait – that's what inshore fishing is all about. They're tough fighters that use their broad shoulders to bulldoze toward structure, and they're excellent table fare in the slot size range.
Cobia are the chameleons of the inshore world, curious fish that'll follow your boat and eat almost anything you throw at them when they're in the right mood. These brown sharks (as locals sometimes call them) can reach 50+ pounds and are most active from April through October. They're structure-oriented fish, hanging around crab pots, channel markers, and oyster bars. What's cool about cobia is their personality – they're inquisitive and will often cruise right up to the boat, giving you multiple chances to make them eat. They're also fantastic table fare, with white, flaky meat that's excellent grilled or blackened.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. These flatfish can reach 8+ pounds, with anything over 4 pounds considered a solid fish. Fall is prime time for doormat flounder as they stage near inlets before heading offshore to spawn. What makes flounder fishing addictive is the subtlety – their bite is often just a gentle tick or slight weight on your line. You have to develop feel and learn to detect the difference between a flounder pickup and your sinker dragging bottom. When you do connect, they're surprisingly strong fighters that make long runs and use their flat profile to leverage against your drag.
This 6-hour charter with Skinny Water Charters gives you the perfect taste of what makes Charleston such a world-class inshore fishing destination. With personalized attention for just 2 anglers, you'll get hands-on instruction, prime fishing time, and shots at multiple species that call these waters home. Whether you're looking to check tarpon off your bucket list, fill the cooler with keeper reds and flounder, or just spend a day learning from a local expert, this trip delivers the goods. The captain's knowledge of seasonal patterns, productive areas, and proven techniques means you'll spend more time with
Get ready to hit Charleston's productive inshore waters aboard this well-equipped motorboat designed for serious angling. With a reliable GPS navigation system, you'll easily locate those honey holes where redfish cruise the flats and flounder lay waiting in ambush. The onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during those long stretches between bites. This intimate 2-person setup means you won't be fighting for rod space or prime fishing spots. Your captain knows exactly where the tarpon roll and sharks patrol these coastal waters. Whether you're working live bait around oyster beds or casting artificials near dock pilings, this boat gets you into the action without the crowds. Perfect for anglers who want to focus on technique and actually learn something instead of just hoping for luck. You'll cover plenty of water in 6 hours, from shallow grass beds to deeper channels where the big fish feed. The captain shares local knowledge that takes years to develop, showing you how to read the water and work different structures. This charter puts you on fish, not just on the water. Book your spot and get ready to bend some rods in Charleston's legendary inshore fishery.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are like the bulldogs of our offshore waters - dark brown, stocky fish that average 30-50 pounds but can hit 60+ around Charleston. What's cool about them is they're curious fish, often swimming right up to the boat to check things out. We target them around structure like reefs, wrecks, and channel markers in 30-70 feet during spring and early summer when they're migrating through. They're mostly loners, not schooling fish, so it's usually one at a time. Guests love them because they fight hard and make some of the best eating you'll find - firm, white meat that's restaurant quality. Here's what works: when we spot one cruising near the surface, drop a bucktail jig or live bait right in front of them and be ready - their bite is aggressive and immediate.
Sciaenops OcellatusCharleston's redfish, or red drum, are hands down one of our most popular targets. These copper-colored beauties average 20-30 inches but can push 40+ pounds in our waters. Look for that distinctive black spot near their tail - it's like nature's bullseye. They love our shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths, often in water so skinny their backs show above the surface. Fall and spring offer the best action when they school up. What guests love is the aggressive strike and strong fight, plus they make fantastic table fare with sweet, flaky meat. Pro tip: when sight-fishing the flats, cast well ahead of cruising reds and let your bait settle - they spook easily in shallow water, but once they find your shrimp or crab, they'll hammer it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaOur local "doormat" flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, but we catch plenty of 3-5 pounders in Charleston's creeks and flats. These bottom dwellers have both eyes on their left side and can change colors to match whatever they're lying on. Fall through early spring is prime time when they move into our shallow bays and river mouths. What makes them special is they're one of the best eating fish in our waters - sweet, white meat that's perfect for the dinner table. The trick is fishing slow and low. Use a light jighead with live mud minnows or shrimp, drag it along the bottom, and feel for that subtle tap. When you feel weight, don't jerk - flounder grab prey sideways and need time to turn it before swallowing.
Megalops AtlanticusThe "Silver King" is what dreams are made of - these prehistoric giants can reach 6-8 feet and 200+ pounds around Charleston's waters. What makes tarpon special isn't just their size, but their acrobatics. When hooked, they'll launch themselves 10 feet out of the water in spectacular jumps that'll get your heart racing. We find them in our deeper channels and around structure from late spring through early fall when water temps hit the 70s. Most folks fish them for the pure sport since they're tough eating with lots of bones. Here's a local trick: when that tarpon jumps, bow to the fish by dropping your rod tip toward them - keeps the line slack so they can't throw the hook on their way down.
Charleston, SC