3/4 Day Inshore Fishing - McClellanville
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Six-hour inshore fishing targeting redfish, drum, and troutAll gear, licenses, snacks and drinks included onboardSmall group experience with maximum six guests
McClellanville's inshore waters are pure gold for serious anglers, and this 6-hour charter with Spot Tail Charters puts you right in the action. You'll be working the creeks, flats, and nearshore structure where some of South Carolina's best gamefish hang out year-round. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish whether you're a weekend warrior or seasoned pro. All your tackle, licenses, and gear come with the trip, plus they keep snacks and drinks onboard so you can focus on what matters - putting fish in the boat.
This isn't your typical half-day rush job. Six hours gives you real time to work different spots and adapt to what the fish are doing. You'll start early when the bite is hot, hitting prime structure and grass flats where redfish cruise and trout stack up. The boat holds up to 6 anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of room to spread out and work your lines without getting tangled up. McClellanville sits right in the heart of some of the most productive inshore waters on the East Coast - you're fishing the same creeks and channels that have been producing trophy fish for generations. The captain reads the tides, weather, and fish movement to keep you on productive water all day long.
You'll be using a mix of live bait and artificials depending on what's working best. The crew provides quality spinning gear matched to the species you're targeting - medium action rods for trout and flounder, heavier setups when you're after big drum and grouper. Live shrimp and finger mullet are go-to baits, but don't be surprised if they break out the soft plastics and spoons when fish are being picky. You'll work everything from shallow grass flats to deeper channel edges, adjusting your approach as conditions change. The boat's equipped with fishfinder and GPS so the captain can mark schools and structure, then put you right on top of them.
Redfish are the bread and butter of McClellanville inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers cruise the flats in schools, especially during spring and fall. They'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, and spoons with equal enthusiasm. What makes reds so special is their fight - they'll peel drag and make long runs that test your tackle. Most fish run 20-30 inches, but don't be shocked if you hook into a bull red that goes 40+ inches.
Sea Trout are another customer favorite, especially the bigger gator trout that patrol deeper grass beds. They're most active during cooler months and early morning hours. These spotted beauties are finicky eaters but absolutely explosive when they hit. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, and experienced anglers love working soft plastics around structure.
Southern Flounder are the ultimate ambush predators, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for baitfish to swim by. They're most active during fall months when they're moving toward inlets to spawn. Flounder fishing requires patience - they'll often grab your bait and sit still before actually eating it. The bigger doormat flounder are true trophies and some of the best eating fish you'll catch.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore world. These bottom-dwellers can reach massive sizes, with fish over 50 pounds caught regularly in these waters. They're year-round residents but most active during spring spawning runs. Blue crab and cut bait work best, and when a big drum hits, you'll know it immediately - they use their weight and power to test every piece of your tackle.
Grey Triggerfish show up around nearshore structure and artificial reefs. They're curious fish with serious attitudes and surprisingly strong for their size. Triggerfish have sharp teeth and tough mouths, so you need good hooks and steady pressure to land them consistently.
Gag Grouper are structure lovers that hang around rocks, reefs, and hard bottom areas. They're opportunistic feeders that will hit live bait, cut fish, and even artificials when they're aggressive. Gags are powerful fish that will try to cut you off in the rocks, so you need to turn them quickly after the hookup.
Black Sea Bass are excellent table fare and willing biters around structure. They're most active during cooler months and readily hit small baits and jigs. Multiple hookups are common when you find a good school, making for fast action and full coolers.
Spadefish are seasonal visitors that show up around wrecks and structure during warmer months. They're excellent eating and surprisingly strong fighters. Fresh shrimp and small pieces of clam work best, and they often travel in large schools so you can catch several quickly.
McClellanville inshore fishing delivers consistent action and legitimate shot at trophy fish across multiple species. This 6-hour trip gives you time to work different techniques, target various species, and really get a feel for these productive waters. Spot Tail Charters has the local knowledge and quality equipment to make your day successful, whether you're looking to fill the cooler or chase that personal best. The all-inclusive setup means you just show up ready to fish - they handle everything else. Book now and get ready to experience some of South Carolina's best inshore fishing action.
Your fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfectly suited for prowling McClellanville's productive inshore waters. This reliable vessel comes loaded with everything serious anglers need – a fish finder to locate those holding spots where Redfish and Black Drum like to hang out, plus GPS and radar to keep you on the productive flats even when coastal fog rolls in. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on spooky Sea Trout without spooking them with engine noise. With space for up to 6 anglers, there's plenty of room to spread out when the Flounder bite gets hot. The onboard ice box keeps your catch fresh and your drinks cold during this 6-hour fishing marathon. Whether you're casting to structure or drifting the grass beds, this boat puts you right where the fish are biting in South Carolina's legendary inshore fishery.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of the drum family, typically ranging from 5-30 pounds but capable of reaching 50+ pounds. They love shallow oyster beds, muddy flats, and creek mouths where they use those powerful jaws to crush shellfish and crabs. Spring around spawning season is prime time when they school up and make those distinctive drumming sounds you can actually hear. What makes them special is their size and that steady, powerful fight - big ones will test your tackle. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) are excellent table fare, while the big bulls are better released. Fresh blue crab or cut clam on the bottom is hard to beat for bait. My local trick: look for them in super shallow water on warmer days, sometimes with their backs showing - they'll cruise right up into water that barely covers them while feeding.
Centropristis StriataBlack Sea Bass are chunky, cooperative fish that average 1-3 pounds but can reach 8+ pounds around here. They hang out near structure like wrecks, jetties, and rocky bottom in 20-120 feet of water, often in good-sized schools. Late spring through summer is prime time when they move inshore to spawn and feed actively. What guests love about them is they're usually willing biters and put up a decent scrap until they hit the surface. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. They'll take squid strips, clams, or small jigs readily. During spawning season, the males turn bright blue and develop that distinctive hump on their heads. Here's a local tip: once you find a school, work the area thoroughly with multiple lines - where there's one, there's usually a bunch more, and they don't spook easily.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag Grouper are solid, hard-fighting fish that typically run 18-25 inches but can reach over 40 inches and 30+ pounds. You'll find them around rocky structure, reefs, and wrecks where they can ambush prey and duck for cover. Spring and fall are your best bets when they're more active and feeding aggressively. What makes them exciting is their initial powerful run straight for the rocks - it's a real tug-of-war to keep them out of structure. They're also top-notch table fare with firm, white meat that's perfect for grilling. Live bait like pinfish or mullet works best, but cut bait and jigs produce too. The males are darker with distinctive markings on their fins. My advice: once you hook one, keep your drag locked and don't give them any slack - they'll head straight for the nearest hole and break you off if you let them.
Balistes CapriscusGrey Triggerfish are tough-skinned, medium-sized fish that average 15-17 inches and pack a real punch for their size. You'll find them around hard bottom areas, reefs, and ledges in 60-180 feet of water. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit almost any bait, but squid chunks work best since they stay on the hook better. These fish are notorious bait thieves - they'll nip and test your offering before committing, so patience is key. Spring through fall gives you the best shot at them when they're active and feeding. What makes them fun is their scrappy fight and the challenge of outsmarting their cautious feeding style. Pro tip: when you feel those light taps, don't set the hook right away - let them take it and run before you start reeling fast and steady.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore fishing, typically running 20-30 inches with that distinctive copper color and black spots near the tail. They love shallow water from 1-4 feet deep, hanging around oyster bars, grass flats, and marshy areas where they root for crabs and shrimp. Fall and spring are prime time when they school up and feed aggressively, but we catch them year-round. These fish are popular because they fight hard, pulling drag and making long runs, plus they're excellent table fare with sweet, flaky meat. They'll hit live shrimp, cut bait, and artificial lures equally well. My local trick: when you see them tailing in skinny water, cast well ahead of where they're headed and let your bait sit still - they spook easily but can't resist a well-placed offering.
Salmo TruttaSea Trout (or Speckled Trout) are beautiful spotted fish that typically run 14-18 inches with a torpedo-shaped body covered in distinctive black spots. They prefer grass flats, shallow bays, and areas with moving water where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring offer the best action when water temperatures are right and baitfish are active. What anglers love is their aggressive strikes on artificial lures and their acrobatic fight - they'll jump and make strong runs. They're also excellent table fare with tender, flaky meat that's easy to overcook. Live shrimp under a popping cork or soft plastic jigs work great. They're more active during low-light conditions like dawn and dusk. My local tip: work the edges of grass beds during moving water - cast your lure just outside the grass line and work it slowly back through the transition zone where they ambush prey.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are unique flatfish that usually run 15-18 inches and can grow up to 30+ inches for the real doormat-sized ones. These ambush predators bury themselves in sand and mud bottoms in shallow bays, creeks, and near structure waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall is prime time when they're fattening up before their offshore spawning run, but we catch them spring through fall. What makes them special is their chameleon-like ability to change colors and that distinctive flat body with both eyes on one side. They're excellent eating with sweet, white meat. The key is using live minnows, shrimp, or strips of cut bait on the bottom. Local tip: drift fishing over sandy areas works best - let your bait bounce along the bottom and when you feel that subtle tap, give them a few seconds before setting the hook gently.
Chaetodipterus FaberSpadefish are disk-shaped, schooling fish that average 3-8 pounds with distinctive black stripes on a silver body. You'll typically find them around structure like jetties, wrecks, and reefs, often in large schools of hundreds of fish. Summer months are prime time when they move inshore and become more accessible to anglers. What makes them appealing is their strong, stubborn fight - they use that flat body to their advantage and really pull. They're also good eating with firm, white meat. Small pieces of clam or jellyfish on tiny circle hooks work best since they have small mouths. These fish are spooky, so a quiet approach helps. Local tip: when you locate a school, cast past them and slowly drag your bait through the group - they're curious but cautious, and the movement often triggers strikes from multiple fish.
McClellanville, SC