Best Charleston Inshore Fishing with Sunshine Charters
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Fourhour inshore charter targeting Sea Trout, Red Fish, and FlounderPrivate fishing trip accommodates single guest with personalized experienceLow country waterway cruise combined with active fishing opportunities
Looking for a solid half-day fishing trip in some of Charleston's most productive inshore waters? This 4-hour charter with Sunshine Charters puts you right in the heart of the low country's best fishing grounds. We're talking about waters where Sea Trout, Red Fish, and Flounder are practically neighbors, and if you're feeling adventurous, we can chase down some Bull Reds or even tangle with sharks. It's just you on this personalized charter, so we can fish at your pace and hit the spots that match your skill level and interests.
Your morning starts with a cruise through Charleston's famous low country waterways – these tidal creeks and marshes are where the magic happens for inshore fishing. The scenery alone is worth the trip, but we're here to put fish in the boat. Four hours gives us plenty of time to work different structures and tide changes without feeling rushed. We'll target grass flats for Sea Trout, work the oyster bars for Red Fish, and drop baits around structure for Flounder and Sea Bass. The beauty of inshore fishing here is the variety – one cast might get you a keeper trout, the next could be a bull red that'll test your drag system. Since it's just you aboard, we can spend extra time on whatever's biting best or switch techniques if you want to try something new.
We fish these waters using proven inshore methods that work year-round in Charleston. Light to medium spinning gear handles most situations, loaded with 15-20 lb braid for the feel and strength you need around structure. Live shrimp is the go-to bait – it's like candy to just about everything swimming in these waters. We'll also run artificial lures like soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs depending on conditions and what the fish are telling us. The tidal creeks and grass flats we fish are typically 3-8 feet deep, perfect for sight fishing when the water's clear or working the grass edges when it's stained. If you want to target those Bull Reds or sharks, we'll beef up the tackle and use cut bait or live mullet to get their attention. The low country's structure is perfect for this style of fishing – oyster beds, creek bends, and grass points all hold different species at different tide stages.
Sea Trout are the bread and butter of Charleston inshore fishing, and for good reason. These spotted beauties average 14-18 inches but can push over 20 when conditions are right. They love the grass flats and feed most actively during moving water, especially the last two hours of incoming tide. What makes them special is their willingness to hit both live bait and artificials – you can catch them on a popping cork with live shrimp or fool them with a well-placed soft plastic. The bite stays consistent most of the year, with spring and fall being absolutely lights-out for numbers and size.
Blacktip Sharks bring the adrenaline factor to your charter. These guys range from 3-6 feet in Charleston waters and are absolute rockets when hooked. Summer months are prime time, especially when baitfish are thick in the creeks and near the inlets. They'll hit cut bait, live mullet, or even large artificials if you're lucky. What's cool about blacktips is they're great jumpers – expect multiple aerial shows once you set the hook. They're also perfect for catch-and-release fishing, making for awesome photos before a quick release.
Bull Sharks are the heavy hitters that serious anglers dream about. These bruisers can exceed 7 feet and 200 pounds in Charleston's waters, particularly during warmer months when they move into the creeks to feed. They're ambush predators that love cut bait fished near structure or drop-offs. What makes bull sharks so exciting is their raw power – they don't jump like blacktips, but they'll drag you around the boat and test every component of your tackle. Summer evenings are prime time, especially around creek mouths and deeper bends where they hunt for rays and big fish.
California Flounder might sound out of place, but these flatfish are legitimate targets in Charleston's diverse ecosystem. They're masters of camouflage, lying perfectly still on sandy or muddy bottoms waiting for bait to drift by. What's fascinating is their feeding behavior – they strike from below, inhaling baits in a quick upward motion. They prefer live or fresh dead bait fished on the bottom, and once hooked, they fight with surprising strength for a flatfish. Fall and winter tend to be most productive, when they're feeding heavily before colder weather.
Blue Sharks are the long-range travelers that occasionally show up in Charleston's offshore-influenced waters. These sleek, beautiful sharks are built for speed and endurance, with their distinctive blue coloration and long pectoral fins. They're more common during certain weather patterns that push warmer, cleaner water closer to shore. When they do show up, they're typically very aggressive feeders, hitting cut bait or even large lures. Their fight is different from other sharks – more about long runs than raw power, making them a unique challenge on medium tackle.
Charleston's inshore waters offer some of the most consistent and diverse fishing on the East Coast, and this personalized 4-hour charter puts you right in the middle of it all. With just one angler aboard, you get the full attention of your guide and the flexibility to fish your way. Whether you're after a mixed bag of inshore classics or want to specifically target sharks or bull reds, we've got the local knowledge and equipment to make it happen. The low country scenery is just a bonus to what could be your best fishing day of the year. Don't wait – prime dates fill up fast, especially during peak seasons when these species are most active.
Your Charleston fishing adventure starts aboard our well-equipped 25-foot Sportsman, perfect for navigating the scenic low country waters. This motorboat comfortably handles up to six anglers while providing essential amenities including an onboard restroom and icebox to keep your catch fresh. The wireless trolling motor lets you move quietly through fishing spots without spooking the fish, while our GPS and fish finder help locate prime areas where Sea Trout, Red Fish, Flounder, and Sea Bass are biting. Feel like targeting something bigger? We're happy to chase Bull Reds and Sharks when conditions are right. The multimedia system keeps everyone entertained during travel time between fishing spots. Whether you're casting lines in shallow creeks or drifting along the waterway, this boat gives you everything needed for a successful half-day on Charleston's productive inshore waters. The spacious layout provides plenty of room for multiple lines in the water while ensuring everyone has space to fight their fish properly.
Carcharhinus LimbatusBlacktip sharks are the acrobats of our local waters, known for their spectacular jumping ability when hooked. These sleek predators typically run 3-6 feet long and patrol our nearshore waters from spring through fall. You'll find them cruising in 30-100 feet of water around structure and baitfish schools. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit live bait like mackerel, herring, or cut fish, making them exciting targets when guests want some serious action. What sets them apart is their energy - they'll jump, run, and put on a real show once hooked. The fight is what keeps people coming back. While they're not table fare, the catch-and-release experience is something special. Best tip I can share: use a heavy braided line and circle hooks, and keep your chum oily with cut mackerel. These sharks rely heavily on scent.
Prionace GlaucaBlue sharks are sleek, beautiful predators that show up in Charleston's deeper offshore waters during warmer months. These torpedo-shaped sharks typically run 7-10 feet and are built for speed with their distinctive deep blue coloring. You'll find them in 100+ feet of water where they cruise the open ocean hunting squid and baitfish. Summer offers the best opportunities when they follow warm currents closer to shore. What draws anglers is their incredible speed and agility once hooked - they'll make blistering runs and aerial displays that get your heart pumping. While not kept for food, the catch-and-release experience is unforgettable. They respond well to chum slicks made from oily fish like mackerel and herring. Best approach is drift fishing with cut bait on heavy tackle. Pro tip: keep your line at least 20 feet from the boat - these curious sharks will investigate and can get pretty active near the surface.
Carcharhinus LeucasBull sharks are the bruisers of Charleston waters - thick, powerful predators that average 8-10 feet and can push 200-300 pounds. These guys are unique because they'll cruise both saltwater and brackish areas, especially around river mouths and deeper channels. Summer months bring the best action when they move into our estuaries. What makes them special is their raw power - once hooked, they'll make long, determined runs that test your tackle and skills. They're not great table fare, but the fight alone makes targeting them worthwhile for serious anglers. You'll find them in 15-50 feet of water near structure and current breaks. My go-to technique is fresh cut bait or whole fish on heavy tackle with a good chum slick. Pro tip: fresh eel is hands down the best bait - its high oil content and tough skin make it irresistible to bulls.
Paralichthys CalifornicusSummer flounder are masters of disguise that lie flat on sandy bottoms throughout Charleston's inshore waters. These flatfish typically run 12-20 inches and can change color to match the seafloor perfectly. You'll find them on mud and sand flats in 5-25 feet of water, especially near channel edges and structure transitions. Spring through fall offers prime fishing, with late spring being particularly productive during spawning season. While they're not big fighters, flounder are prized for their sweet, flaky white meat - some of the best eating you'll find. They're ambush predators that'll nail live bait like finger mullet, shrimp, or cut fish. The unique fishing experience and excellent table quality keep guests happy. Best technique is slow-trolling or drifting live bait along the bottom. Pro tip: use a Carolina rig and give them time to fully take the bait before setting the hook.
Salmo TruttaSea trout, also called speckled trout, are one of our most reliable catches in Charleston's shallow waters. These silver beauties typically run 14-24 inches and pack decent fight for their size. You'll find them hanging around grass flats and oyster bars in 2-8 feet of water, especially during moving tides. They love feeding on shrimp and small baitfish, making them perfect targets for artificial lures like soft plastics and topwater plugs. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes them special is their delicate, flaky white meat - some of the best eating fish in our waters. Pro tip: work your lure slow and steady near structure. These fish can be finicky, so if topwater isn't working, drop down to a popping cork with live shrimp about 18 inches below.
Charleston