5.0(1 Reviews)Charleston Inshore Fishing with Top Predator Adventures
5.0(1 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing trip targeting redfish and troutCaptain provides all gear and equipment for up to 2 guestsDeparting from Shem Creek in Charleston's scenic Lowcountry waters
Captain Cody Dakin knows Charleston's inshore waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. This 3/4 day guided trip out of Shem Creek targets the Lowcountry's best species—redfish, trout, flounder, sheepshead, and black drum. Whether you've been fishing these waters for years or you're picking up a rod for the first time, Cody tailors every trip to give you the best shot at filling the cooler. All the gear's provided, so just bring yourself and get ready for some real Charleston fishing action.
You'll meet Captain Cody at Shem Creek, one of Charleston's most productive launching points for inshore fishing. The boat's rigged with quality tackle and electronics to locate fish fast, and Cody's got decades of experience reading these tidal creeks and grass flats. This isn't a cattle boat operation—with just two anglers max, you get personalized attention and plenty of room to cast. The trip covers prime spots around Charleston Harbor, from shallow grass beds where redfish cruise to deeper creek channels where trout stack up on structure. Cody watches the tides, weather, and seasonal patterns to put you where the fish are feeding, not just where they might be.
Captain Cody runs a variety of techniques depending on what's biting and where the fish are holding. You'll work with live bait like shrimp and mud minnows, plus artificials including soft plastics, spoons, and topwater plugs when the action calls for it. The boat's equipped with medium-action spinning gear perfect for inshore species, plus a selection of weights and rigs to match the conditions. In shallow water, you might sight-cast to tailing redfish with light tackle, while deeper creek mouths call for heavier jigs bounced along the bottom for flounder and drum. Cody reads the water and adjusts tactics throughout the trip, so you'll learn different approaches that work in Charleston's diverse inshore environments.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston inshore fishing, and these copper-colored bruisers put up a serious fight. They average 18-27 inches in these waters, with slot fish being perfect for the table. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when you can spot them tailing in skinny water during moving tides. What makes redfish so exciting is their aggressive strike and bulldogging runs—they'll test your drag and give you a workout.
Sea trout patrol the grass flats and creek mouths year-round, with the best fishing from April through November. These spotted beauties hit both live bait and artificials, and a good Charleston trout runs 14-20 inches. They're known for their delicate mouths, so setting the hook requires finesse, but their acrobatic jumps and steady runs make every hookup exciting. Trout are also excellent table fare when kept within regulations.
Southern flounder are the masters of camouflage, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. These flatfish are most active during cooler months from October through March, making them perfect targets for winter fishing. They hit live finger mullet and shrimp dragged along the bottom, and their sneaky bite requires patience and good hook-setting skills. Keeper flounder in Charleston waters typically run 15-20 inches and are prized for their sweet, flaky meat.
Black drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with fish ranging from schooling juveniles to monster adults over 30 pounds. They're most active in spring and fall around oyster beds and structure, using their pharyngeal teeth to crush crabs and shellfish. The fight from a big black drum is all power and endurance—they make long, steady runs that'll have your arms burning. Smaller drum are excellent eating, while the big ones make for great photos before release.
Sheepshead are the technical challenge of Charleston fishing, with their human-like teeth perfectly adapted for stealing bait. They're most active around structure during cooler months, particularly near docks, pilings, and oyster bars. These black-and-white striped convicts require small hooks, light leaders, and perfect timing to hook before they spit the bait. Landing a sheepshead feels like a victory because they're so finicky, plus they're among the best eating fish in these waters.
Captain Cody's calendar fills up fast, especially during prime fishing seasons when the bite is hot. This top-rated charter gives you everything you need for a successful day on Charleston's renowned inshore waters—expert local knowledge, quality gear, and a boat positioned perfectly to target the Lowcountry's best species. Whether you're looking to put meat in the cooler or just enjoy some quality time on the water, this trip delivers the authentic Charleston fishing experience. Spots are limited to just two anglers, so don't wait to secure your date. Book now and get ready to see why Charleston's inshore fishing keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Captain Cody's 22' Bullsbay is your ticket to some serious inshore action around Charleston's productive waters. This 2017 bay boat packs a reliable 140HP Suzuki that'll get you to the fish quickly and quietly, hitting speeds up to 40 knots when you need to cover ground fast. Built tough for the Lowcountry's shallow flats and creeks, she's equipped with GPS and a quality fish finder to locate those redfish tailing in the grass or trout holding near structure. The spacious cockpit gives you and your fishing partner plenty of room to work lures and fight fish without getting tangled up. Perfect for targeting the area's famous red drum, spotted seatrout, flounder, and sheepshead that cruise these productive waters. Whether you're sight-casting to cruising reds or working structure for black drum, this boat puts you right where the action is.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the bulldogs of our waters - big, powerful fish that'll test your tackle. These bruisers typically run 5-30 pounds, but we see giants pushing 50+ pounds around Charleston's oyster beds and creek mouths. They love shallow flats, especially during spring spawning when they school up and are easier to target. You'll hear them before you see them - they make actual drumming sounds that carry underwater. What guests love is the raw power and that satisfying thump when they hit. The smaller ones under 15 pounds are fantastic eating with sweet, flaky meat. Here's my go-to trick: use fresh blue crab or cut mullet on a Carolina rig, and fish it right on the bottom near oyster bars. When you feel them mouthing the bait, give them time to really take it before setting the hook.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are what put Charleston on the map for inshore fishing. These copper-colored beauties with their signature black eyespots near the tail are absolute fighters that'll take you into the backing. Most fish run 18-27 inches in our slot, but we see plenty of oversized bulls pushing 35+ inches and 20+ pounds in deeper water. They love super shallow flats, oyster beds, and creek mouths - sometimes with their backs out of the water while "tailing." Fall is prime time when they school up, but we catch them year-round. What makes them special is their power and that distinctive bronze color that screams Lowcountry. They're also great table fare when kept in the slot. My go-to setup: gold spoon or topwater plug early morning over shallow oyster beds. When you see them tailing, cast past them and work the lure back slowly.
Salmo TruttaSpeckled Trout are our bread-and-butter fish here in Charleston's grass flats and shallow creeks. These spotted beauties typically run 12-16 inches, with some nice "gator trout" pushing over 20 inches and 4+ pounds. They love hanging over oyster bars and grass beds in 2-6 feet of water, feeding on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring are money seasons, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is their willingness to hit topwater lures - nothing beats that explosive surface strike at dawn. They're also excellent eating with sweet, flaky white meat. Here's a local tip that works every time: on those calm mornings, throw a popping cork with a shrimp tail jig about 18 inches below it over grass beds. Work it slow with gentle pops - when that cork disappears, get ready for some fun.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the ultimate challenge fish - nicknamed "convict fish" for their black and white stripes, but I call them the "bait thieves." These crafty fish have human-like teeth perfect for crushing barnacles and crabs around dock pilings and bridge structures. Most run 1-3 pounds and 14-18 inches, though we catch some real slabs pushing 8+ pounds. Spring is prime time when they're spawning around structures. What makes them fun is the chess match - they're notorious for stealing your bait without getting hooked. But land one and you've got some of the best table fare in the salt. My secret: use small hooks with fresh fiddler crabs or shrimp, keep your bait tight to the pilings, and when you feel that subtle nibble, set the hook hard and fast. Don't give them time to think about it.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are masters of disguise - these flatfish bury themselves in sand and mud, changing colors to match the bottom perfectly. You'll find them around 15-18 inches typically, though some push over two feet. They love shallow bays, creek mouths, and anywhere with sandy or muddy bottoms where they can ambush shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall through early spring gives us the best action when they're moving between inshore and offshore waters. What makes them special is that sneaky strike - one second your bait's sitting there, next you're hooked up. They're also some of the best eating fish we catch. My tip: when you feel that subtle tap-tap-tap, don't set the hook right away. Let them run with it a few seconds, then nail 'em hard.
5.0 out of 5.0
Charleston, SC