Full Day Inshore Fishing in McClellanville, SC
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Eighthour inshore fishing adventure targeting multiple speciesAll fishing gear and licenses included in trip priceSmall group experience accommodating up to six guests
McClellanville sits right where serious anglers want to be – tucked between pristine salt marshes and productive inshore waters that hold some of South Carolina's best fishing. This 8-hour charter with Spot Tail Charters puts you right in the heart of it all, targeting everything from hard-fighting redfish to sneaky sheepshead around structure. You'll fish the creeks, flats, and nearshore reefs where these fish live and feed, with all your gear and licenses handled so you can focus on what matters – putting fish in the boat. The waters around McClellanville stay productive year-round, making this a top-rated choice whether you're looking to bend some rods or just get away from it all for the day.
Your day starts early, meeting the crew at the dock while the morning air still has that cool bite to it. Captain and crew know these waters like their backyard – they've been running these creeks and flats for years, watching the tides and tracking fish movements to put you on the best action. You'll cover a lot of water during your 8 hours, moving between grass flats where redfish cruise in skinny water, oyster bars where sheepshead pick around structure, and deeper channels where black drum and sea trout hold. The boat's rigged with everything you need, from light tackle for sight fishing to heavier gear for bottom bouncing. Expect to make multiple moves throughout the day as conditions change and fish patterns shift – that's how you maximize your chances on a full-day trip.
McClellanville's inshore fishing is all about reading water and matching your approach to what the fish are doing. You'll spend time sight fishing the flats with live shrimp and cut bait, watching for tailing redfish and cruising sea trout in the grass. Around structure like docks, oyster bars, and creek mouths, the crew will set you up with bottom rigs for sheepshead and black drum – these fish love to hug cover and pick at baits. The triggerfish and grouper come from slightly deeper water, where you'll fish around hard bottom and artificial reefs. Live bait rules the day here, with shrimp, mud minnows, and mullet being the go-to choices. The crew handles all the rigging and bait prep, but they'll teach you the techniques if you want to learn. Tide timing is everything in these waters, and your captain will work the moving water to keep you on fish all day long.
Redfish are the crown jewel of McClellanville's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored fighters average 20-30 inches in these waters and will test your drag when they make their signature runs. Fall and winter months bring the biggest schools, but you'll find fish year-round in the grass flats and around structure. What makes redfish special is their attitude – they'll eat aggressively and fight hard, making every hookup memorable. Sea trout run strong here too, especially the speckled variety that locals call "specks." These fish love the grass flats and drop-offs, hitting live shrimp and soft plastics with authority. The bigger ones, what we call "gator trout," show up in cooler months and can stretch past 24 inches.
Black drum are the bullies of the bunch, often weighing in at 30+ pounds and giving you an arm workout you won't forget. They hang around oyster bars and creek mouths, picking up crabs and shrimp along the bottom. Sheepshead earn their nickname "convict fish" with those black stripes, but they're also called the thieves of the marsh for their bait-stealing skills. They average 2-4 pounds but make up for size with pure stubbornness around structure. Black sea bass and gag grouper add some reef fishing flavor to your inshore trip, holding around hard bottom and artificial structure in 30-60 feet of water. Both species are excellent table fare and fight well for their size.
Grey triggerfish and southern flounder round out your target list with their own unique appeals. Triggers are feisty little fighters that bite year-round around structure, while flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush baitfish. Both species require different techniques but reward anglers with great eating and fun fights.
McClellanville's inshore waters deliver the kind of fishing that keeps anglers coming back season after season. This 8-hour trip gives you the time to really explore different areas and techniques, maximizing your chances at multiple species. With gear, licenses, and local expertise all included, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The 6-person capacity keeps things comfortable without overcrowding, and the crew's knowledge of these waters makes all the difference between a good day and a great one. Whether you're looking to put some fresh fish on the dinner table or just spend a day on the water away from the daily grind, this charter delivers the authentic South Carolina inshore experience you're after.
Ready to chase some serious fish in McClellanville's productive inshore waters? This fully rigged motorboat puts you and up to 5 friends right where the action happens. The wireless trolling motor keeps things quiet when you're stalking redfish in shallow grass flats or working structure for black drum and sheepshead. When the fish finder marks targets, you'll know exactly where to drop your lines. The GPS keeps you on productive spots while radar cuts through morning fog that often blankets these coastal waters. After landing sea trout, triggerfish, and whatever else is biting, toss your catch in the spacious ice box. With 8 hours on the water and all gear plus licenses included, you're set for a full day of South Carolina inshore fishing at its finest.
Pogonias CromisBlack drum are the heavyweights of the inshore flats, commonly weighing 10-30 pounds with some pushing 50+ pounds. They cruise shallow oyster bars, mud flats, and creek mouths where they crush crabs and shellfish with powerful jaws. Spring spawning season brings the best action when they school up in predictable areas. What guests love is the sustained, bulldogging fight - no flashy jumps, just raw power. Smaller drum under 15 pounds make excellent eating, but the big ones are tough and better released. Here's my secret: fresh blue crab is king for bait, but here's the trick - crack the shell slightly so the scent disperses better. Fish it right on the bottom where they're rooting around.
Centropristis StriataBlack sea bass are chunky, cooperative fish that typically run 12-16 inches and 1-3 pounds around structure. You'll find them on wrecks, reefs, jetties, and rocky bottom in 20-120 feet of water. Late spring through summer is peak season when they move inshore and stack up on structure. Guests appreciate their willingness to bite and their excellent table fare - sweet, firm white meat that's perfect for any cooking method. They put up a decent scrap for their size and are great for families since they bite readily. Local tip: use a double-hook bottom rig and keep multiple baits in the water. Sea bass are schooling fish, so where you catch one, there are usually plenty more below.
Mycteroperca MicrolepisGag grouper are bulldogs that average 20 inches but can reach 30+ inches and 15-20 pounds. They hang around hard structure like reefs, wrecks, and rocky ledges in 40-100 feet of water. Spring through early summer is prime time when they move shallower to spawn. What makes them exciting is their brute strength - once hooked, they dive straight for cover trying to break you off in the rocks. The payoff is some of the finest eating fish in the ocean with firm, white, flaky meat. Here's the key: when you hook one, lock down that drag and horse them up immediately. Give them even a second to think about it and they'll wrap you around the nearest ledge. Keep steady pressure and don't let them get their head down.
Balistes CapriscusThese tough fighters run 15-17 inches on average but can push 24 inches. They love hard bottom areas, reefs, and ledges around 60-180 feet deep. What makes them fun to target is their aggressive nature - they'll hit almost any bait you drop, but they're sneaky about it, nibbling before committing. Spring through fall gives you the best action when they're active near structure. Guests enjoy their strong fight and excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Here's a local trick: when you feel that first light tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them take it fully, then reel fast and keep steady pressure - they'll try to wedge into crevices using their dorsal spines to lock themselves in place.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the bread and butter of our inshore trips, typically running 20-30 inches with that distinctive black spot near the tail. They love shallow grass flats, oyster bars, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet of water - sometimes so shallow their backs show above the surface. Fall and spring offer the best fishing when they school up and feed aggressively. What guests love most is their bulldogging fight and the explosive topwater strikes. The meat is excellent eating with a mild, sweet flavor. My go-to tip: when you spot tailing redfish in skinny water, cast your bait well ahead of where they're moving and let it sit still. They're spooky in shallow water, so patience beats aggressive retrieves every time.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled trout are beautiful spotted fish that average 14-18 inches and provide consistent action on grass flats and shallow bays. They love 2-6 feet of water around oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass beds where they ambush shrimp and small baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best fishing, with early morning and late evening producing the most strikes. Guests enjoy their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights, plus they're excellent table fare with tender, flaky white meat. Here's a local favorite technique: work a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds. The cork creates noise and commotion while keeping your bait in the strike zone - deadly effective when they're feeding actively.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" with their black and white stripes, typically running 2-5 pounds and 14-18 inches. They live around any structure - docks, bridges, jetties, and pilings where they pick off barnacles and crabs. Winter through early spring is prime time, especially during spawning season when they school up. Guests enjoy the challenge of their finicky bite and the reward of sweet, flaky white meat that rivals snapper. They're notorious bait thieves with human-like teeth that can strip hooks clean. My advice: use small hooks, keep bait tight to structure, and when you feel that first nibble, set the hook hard and fast. They'll test your patience, but the payoff is worth it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaThese flatfish are masters of disguise, lying buried in sand and mud waiting to ambush prey. Most run 15-18 inches, though we occasionally see 25+ inch doormat-sized fish. They prefer shallow sandy bottoms near creek mouths, drop-offs, and current breaks where baitfish get swept along. Fall migration from September through November provides the hottest action as they move toward deeper water. Guests love the challenge of detecting their subtle bite and the reward of sweet, flaky white meat that's hard to beat. Pro tip: when drift fishing for flounder, keep your bait moving slowly along the bottom with gentle lifts - they like movement but won't chase far. Once you feel weight, don't horse them up fast or they'll shake loose.
McClellanville, SC