Charleston Fishing Charters with Stroupe
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day nearshore fishing charter off Edisto Island watersTarget Redfish, Spotted Seatrout, Amberjack, and King MackerelPrivate charter experience with professional Stroupe Fishing guides
Picture this: you're standing on the deck at first light, watching the sun break over Edisto Island's pristine waters while your captain fires up the engines for an 8-hour adventure you won't forget. That's exactly what you get with Stroupe Fishing Charter – a top-rated Charleston fishing experience that puts you right in the heart of some of South Carolina's most productive nearshore waters. Captain Stroupe knows these waters like the back of his hand, and whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up a rod for the first time, this charter delivers the kind of fishing action that keeps folks coming back season after season.
Your day starts early – that's when the fish are most active and the bite is hottest. We're talking about 8 solid hours of fishing time, which gives you plenty of opportunities to work different spots and target multiple species. The waters off Edisto Island offer some of the most diverse fishing on the South Carolina coast, and Captain Stroupe has spent years dialing in the best spots for each season. You'll be working both structure and open water, depending on what's biting and where the action is that day. The beauty of this charter is the flexibility – if the reds are crushing bait in the shallows, that's where we'll focus. If the kings are running offshore, we'll chase them down. This isn't a cookie-cutter trip; it's fishing the way it should be done, adapting to conditions and following the fish.
Captain Stroupe comes equipped with quality rods, reels, and tackle that can handle everything from schoolie reds to bruiser amberjacks. We're talking about spinning gear for the lighter stuff and conventional tackle when you need to put some serious pressure on bigger fish. Live bait is king out here – expect to work with everything from mud minnows and shrimp to live pogies when targeting the bigger predators. The techniques vary based on what's biting: you might be sight fishing to tailing reds in skinny water one minute, then dropping baits on structure for amberjacks the next. Bottom fishing, trolling, and even some light tackle action are all on the table depending on conditions and what the fish want. The captain provides all the gear, but if you've got lucky rods or favorite reels, bring them along – just make sure they're spooled with fresh line.
Black Marlin are the holy grail of this fishery – these apex predators show up in the warmer months and provide world-class battles that can last hours. They're not called "billfish" for nothing, and when one crashes your spread, everything else becomes secondary. These fish average 200-400 pounds in these waters, and the rush of watching one come up behind your bait is something every angler needs to experience. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall when water temperatures hit their sweet spot.
King Mackerel are customer favorites for good reason – they're fast, aggressive, and absolutely demolish live baits. These speedsters typically run 15-30 pounds in our waters, with the occasional smoker pushing 40-plus. Kings love trolling presentations and live bait, and they're most active during the warmer months when baitfish are thick. The fight is pure adrenaline – long runs and acrobatic jumps that'll test your drag and your nerves.
Sea Trout, or "specks" as locals call them, are the bread and butter of inshore fishing here. These beautiful fish love grass flats and structure, and they're suckers for live shrimp and soft plastics. Most specks run 14-20 inches, but the gator trout – those 5-pound-plus bruisers – are what dreams are made of. They bite best during moving water, and early morning and late afternoon are prime time.
Redfish are the poster children of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs are found year-round and provide consistent action when other species are finicky. Slot-sized fish (15-23 inches) are perfect for the dinner table, while the oversized bulls provide tackle-busting fights in shallow water. Reds are opportunistic feeders and will eat everything from live bait to artificials, making them perfect for anglers of all skill levels.
Greater Amberjack are the muscle cars of the reef – when you hook into a 40-pound AJ, you'll know it immediately. These bruisers live around structure and wrecks, and they'll test every ounce of your tackle and technique. The fight is straight down and dirty, with powerful runs that'll make your arms burn. Amberjacks are most active during cooler months when they move shallower to feed, and they're absolute suckers for live bait dropped right on their heads.
Look, there's a reason Stroupe Fishing Charter has built such a solid reputation in the Charleston fishing scene – consistent fish, quality equipment, and the kind of local knowledge that only comes from years on the water. This 8-hour charter gives you serious time to work different techniques and target multiple species, which is exactly what you need when you're dealing with the variables of fishing. Whether you're looking to check a billfish off your bucket list, fill the cooler with dinner, or just enjoy a day of quality fishing in some of South Carolina's most productive waters, this trip delivers. The calendar fills up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait around if you've got specific dates in mind. Book your spot now and get ready for the kind of fishing day that reminds you why you picked up a rod in the first place.
Ready to chase redfish and spotted seatrout around Edisto Island's shallow waters? This Sea Pro center console is built for serious inshore action in South Carolina's productive nearshore zones. The boat handles beautifully in skinny water where the big reds like to cruise, while the fish finder helps you locate schools of trout holding near structure. Your catch stays fresh in the onboard icebox, and the GPS keeps you on productive spots throughout your 8-hour adventure. When morning fog rolls in off the Atlantic, the radar ensures you can navigate safely back to the honey holes. Whether you're targeting amberjack around wrecks or trolling for king mackerel, this setup gets you where the fish are biting. Perfect for solo anglers who want to experience some of the Southeast's best fishing without the crowds.
Istiompax IndicaBlack Marlin are the ultimate offshore challenge - massive, powerful fish that can hit 80 mph and weigh over 1,000 pounds. While they're more common in Pacific waters, we occasionally see them in our warmer summer months when Gulf Stream currents push closer to shore. These beasts have that iconic sword-like bill and dark blue-black coloring above the lateral line. What makes them special is their raw power - they're actually slower than Blue Marlin but make up for it with brute strength and aggressive fights. When hooked, they're known to attack boats with their bills, so respect is key. Best bet is trolling large baits around current breaks and temperature changes. Pro tip: keep your drag smooth and be ready for a marathon battle that can last hours.
Seriola dumeriliGreater Amberjack are the workhorses of our offshore reefs and wrecks - powerful, determined fighters that average 20-40 pounds with some reaching 60+ pounds. They hang around hard bottom, artificial reefs, and shipwrecks in 60-200 feet of water. Best fishing runs April through October when they're most active and feeding heavily. What guests love about AJs is their bulldogging fight - they'll pull straight down toward structure, testing your tackle and stamina. They're also great eating with firm, white meat perfect for the grill. We typically target them by vertical jigging or dropping live bait near structure. Spring is spawning season when they're most aggressive. Here's the trick: once you hook up, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to the wreck - they'll cut you off on structure every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel are speed demons that'll test your reflexes and drag system. These silver bullets typically run 20-30 pounds around here, though we've pulled 50+ pounders from deeper water. You'll find them cruising 40-150 feet, especially around structure and bait schools. Spring through fall are prime time when water temps hit that 68-84°F sweet spot. What makes Kings special is their explosive strikes - they'll hit a trolled bait at 40+ mph and peel line like nothing else. They're also excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat. We target them by trolling spoons, live bait, or diving plugs around ledges and wrecks. Here's a local trick: rig two hooks on your leader - one in the bait's nose, one trailing behind, because Kings love to hit from the rear.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the poster child of our inshore waters - bronze-backed bruisers with distinctive black spots near their tails. Most slot fish run 18-27 inches, but we see plenty of oversized "bull" reds pushing 30+ inches in deeper water. They love super shallow flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths in 1-4 feet - sometimes so shallow their backs show above water. Year-round fishing with peak action in spring and fall when they're most active. What makes them special is their power and the visual excitement of sight-fishing in skinny water. They're also excellent eating when kept in the slot. These fish will eat almost anything - live shrimp, cut bait, spoons, topwater plugs. Local secret: work the falling tide around oyster bars with a gold spoon, and be ready for that telltale red flash and crushing strike.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout are bread-and-butter fish around Edisto's grass flats and shallow bays. Most run 14-24 inches and 1-3 pounds, with those distinctive black spots covering their silver sides. They love hanging around oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass beds in 2-8 feet of water. Spring and fall are peak seasons, especially during moving tides when they're actively feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. What makes them popular is their willingness to bite artificials - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and live shrimp all work great. They're also fantastic eating with tender, flaky white meat. During cooler months, they school up in deeper channels. Pro tip: fish the grass edges at dawn and dusk with a popping cork and live shrimp - the strike will come just as it settles.
Charleston, SC