3/4 Day Inshore Fishing in McClellanville
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Sixhour inshore fishing trip targeting multiple speciesAll gear, licenses, snacks and drinks included onboardMaximum six guests with experienced Spot Tail Charters
McClellanville sits right where the saltwater marshes meet the Atlantic, making it one of South Carolina's best-kept secrets for inshore fishing. This 6-hour charter with Spot Tail Charters puts you right in the heart of some seriously productive waters. You'll be fishing the creeks, flats, and nearshore structure that holds everything from trophy redfish to tasty flounder. Captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and with all gear, licenses, snacks, and drinks included, you just need to show up ready to fish. Six anglers max means everyone gets plenty of elbow room and personal attention.
Your day starts early at the McClellanville marina, where you'll meet your captain and get the lowdown on conditions and game plan. The boat's rigged and ready with quality rods, reels, and a full spread of tackle suited for whatever's biting. Depending on the tide and season, you might start working the grass flats for redfish, drifting structure for black drum, or hitting the creek mouths where speckled trout love to ambush baitfish. The captain reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the day, so you're always fishing the most productive spots. With six hours on the water, there's time to try different techniques and really dial in what the fish want.
Inshore fishing here is all about versatility. You'll be using medium to medium-heavy spinning gear loaded with 15-20lb braid, perfect for working everything from topwater plugs to Carolina-rigged live bait. When the redfish are tailing on the flats, nothing beats sight-casting with a gold spoon or soft plastic. For black drum around structure, expect to drop cut bait or blue crab to the bottom and wait for that telltale thump. The captain keeps live shrimp, mud minnows, and cut bait on board, plus a tackle box full of jigs, spoons, and plugs that have proven themselves in these waters. You'll learn to read the water, feel the bottom structure, and adjust your presentation based on what the fish are telling you.
Redfish are the bread and butter of McClellanville inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the grass flats and oyster bars year-round, with fall bringing the big bull reds that'll test your drag. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit everything from topwater plugs to live shrimp, and watching one explode on a surface lure in shallow water gets your heart pumping every time. Spring through fall offers the best action, with cooler months still producing if you know where to look.
Black drum might not be the prettiest fish in the marsh, but they're absolute tanks that fight like they weigh twice what they do. These bottom-dwellers love structure - bridge pilings, oyster bars, and creek bends where they root around for crabs and shellfish. They're year-round residents, but spring and fall see the biggest concentrations. Hook into a 20-pounder and you'll understand why locals call them "the poor man's tarpon." Their drumming sound when stressed is something you feel through the rod as much as hear.
Southern flounder are the chameleons of the inshore game, lying perfectly camouflaged on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush passing baitfish. These flatfish are prime table fare and a blast on light tackle. Spring and early summer bring the best numbers as they move in from deeper water to spawn. Working a jig slowly along the bottom or drifting live finger mullet is deadly effective. Don't be fooled by their lazy reputation - a big "doormat" flounder can strip line when it wants to.
Sea trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the perfect inshore gamefish. They hit hard, jump when hooked, and taste great on the dinner table. These spotted beauties love grass flats and drop-offs where they can ambush shrimp and small fish. Peak season runs from spring through fall, with early morning and late afternoon producing the most consistent action. A popping cork with live shrimp underneath is hard to beat, but they'll also crush soft plastics and topwater plugs when they're feeding aggressively.
Grey triggerfish might surprise you this close to shore, but McClellanville's nearshore structure holds good numbers of these hard-fighting fish. They've got serious attitude and will test both your tackle and patience. These fish have incredibly strong jaws designed for crushing shellfish, so sharp hooks and strong line are essential. Late summer and early fall bring them into shallower water, where they're a welcome bonus to any inshore trip.
Gag grouper and black sea bass round out the deeper structure opportunities, especially around nearshore reefs and hard bottom. These bottom-dwellers are excellent table fare and put up a solid fight on appropriate tackle. Gags are the bigger of the two and will head straight for structure when hooked, so you need to turn them quick. Both species are more common in cooler months when they move into shallower water.
Spadefish are the wild cards of the inshore game, showing up around structure in summer months. These silvery, disc-shaped fish are spooky but absolutely delicious. They're plankton feeders, so small hooks and light tackle are key. When you find a school, the action can be fast and furious, with multiple hookups common.
Six hours on McClellanville's world-class inshore waters gives you a real taste of what Lowcountry fishing is all about. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to target specific species or a family wanting to experience the best of South Carolina's coastal fishing, this top-rated charter delivers.
Your fishing machine for the day is a well-equipped motorboat built for serious inshore action around McClellanville's productive waters. This 6-person rig comes loaded with everything you need to target redfish, black drum, flounder, and sea trout in the lowcountry creeks and flats. The wireless trolling motor lets you slip quietly into shallow spots where the big fish hang out, while the fish finder shows you exactly what's swimming below. GPS keeps you on the productive spots, and radar helps when morning fog rolls in off the coast. The ice box keeps your catch fresh and the drinks cold during your 6-hour adventure. All tackle and licenses are covered, plus snacks and beverages are ready when you need them. Perfect setup for working the spartina grass lines, oyster bars, and drop-offs that make this area a redfish paradise.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, typically ranging from 10-30 pounds with some reaching 50-plus. These powerful fish cruise shallow flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with their pharyngeal teeth. Spring around spawning season offers the best action when they school up in predictable spots. What guests love is the raw power - a big drum will test your tackle and your back with long, steady runs. They're decent eating when under 15 pounds, but the bigger ones are better released. The meat gets tougher with age, and these fish can live 50 years. My best tip for drum fishing: fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a fish-finder rig works magic. When you get a bite, don't rush the hookset. Drum are methodical feeders, so let them mouth the bait and start moving before you lean into them. Patience pays off with these bruisers.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are scrappy little fighters that school up around structure from spring through summer. Most run 1-3 pounds and 12-16 inches, but the occasional 5-pounder will surprise you. They love rocky bottoms, wrecks, and jetties in 20-120 feet of water, especially during their spawning season from May to October. What makes them popular with guests is their willingness to bite and the steady action you can expect once you find a school. They're also fantastic eating - sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. These fish are curious and aggressive, so they'll hit squid strips, clams, or small jigs readily. Pro tip: once you hook your first sea bass, drop your line right back down to the same spot. They school tight, and where there's one, there's usually a dozen more waiting. Keep your bait on the bottom and be ready for quick, sharp bites.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are the bulldogs of our offshore structure, averaging 20 inches but capable of hitting 4 feet and 80 pounds. These fish love rocky reefs, ledges, and wrecks in 30-120 feet of water, where they ambush crabs, shrimp, and smaller fish. Spring and early summer are peak times when they move into shallower areas to spawn. What guests love about gags is the initial strike - it's like hooking into a freight train that immediately tries to drag you back to the rocks. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat perfect for grilling. The real challenge is the first 30 seconds of the fight. Here's the key: once you hook a gag, lock down your drag and keep that rod tip low. Don't give them an inch or they'll wrap you around the nearest ledge. It's a test of wills, and you need to muscle them up and away from structure fast.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are tough fighters that average 15-17 inches and can push 13 pounds. These guys hang around hard bottom areas, reefs, and ledges in 20-180 feet of water. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive nature - they'll hit almost any bait you drop, but they're also crafty nibblers. You'll find them year-round in our waters, but spring and summer offer the best action when they're most active. Guests love the challenge because triggerfish are smart and put up a serious fight once hooked. The meat is excellent eating too - firm and white. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first nibble, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it and start moving before you reel fast and steady. They love to dart into crevices, so keep constant pressure and get them up quick.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing here in McClellanville. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black spots typically run 20-30 inches and fight like nothing else in shallow water. You'll find them cruising grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in just 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Spring through fall gives you the best shots, especially during moving tides around dawn and dusk. What guests love most is watching these fish explode on topwater lures and then make those blistering runs that'll test your drag. The meat is fantastic too - mild and flaky. My tip for landing more reds: when you spot them tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're heading and let your bait sit still. They spook easy, but a perfectly placed shrimp will seal the deal every time.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout, or Speckled Trout, are gorgeous silver fish with dark spots that average 1-3 pounds and 14-20 inches long. They love grass flats, creek mouths, and shallow structure in 2-8 feet of water throughout our area. Spring through fall offers consistent action, but cooler months can produce some of the biggest fish when they school up in deeper holes. What guests enjoy most is their aggressive strikes on topwater lures and their acrobatic fights - they'll jump and make quick runs that keep you on your toes. The meat is delicate and flaky, though it's important not to overcook it. These fish are most active during dawn, dusk, and nighttime hours, especially around moving water. My favorite technique is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The key is subtle twitches - trout are attracted to the cork's noise but spooked by too much commotion. Light tackle makes the fight even more enjoyable.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators in our shallow waters. These flat fish typically run 15-18 inches but can reach over 2 feet, and they're masters of camouflage on sandy and muddy bottoms. You'll find them in creeks, around oyster beds, and near structure in 2-15 feet of water. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawn, but we catch them year-round. What makes flounder special is the challenge - they're not flashy fighters, but finding them takes real skill. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in our waters with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's my go-to technique: drift live finger mullet or shrimp on a Carolina rig along creek edges and drop-offs. When you feel that subtle tap-tap, count to three before setting the hook. Flounder mouth the bait first, then turn to swallow it headfirst.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are disc-shaped silver beauties that school in impressive numbers around structure. They typically weigh 3-8 pounds and reach about 18 inches, with their distinctive black stripes making them easy to spot underwater. You'll find them around jetties, reefs, and pilings in 15-60 feet of water, especially during summer months when they're most active. What makes spadefish exciting is their schooling behavior - when you find them, you can often catch dozens. They're also surprisingly strong fighters for their size and excellent table fare with mild, white meat. The challenge is their small mouths and finicky feeding habits. Here's the trick that works best: use small circle hooks with fresh clam strips, and when you see the school, cast past them and slowly drag your bait through the group. Spadefish are curious but spooky, so subtle presentations win the day. Once you hook one, keep your line in the water.
McClellanville, SC