5.0(4 Reviews)Half Day Charleston Inshore Fishing Adventure
5.0(4 reviews)
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Half-day inshore fishing targeting redfish, trout, and flounderCaptain provides all tackle and gear for groups up to twoDeparts from Shem Creek with experienced local guide service
Captain Cody Dakin knows these Charleston waters like the back of his hand, and he's ready to put you on some serious fish. Meeting at Shem Creek, you'll head out into the legendary Lowcountry waters where redfish cruise the grass flats and speckled trout ambush bait in the creeks. This isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – Cody runs a legitimate operation focused on one thing: getting his anglers hooked up with quality fish. Whether you're bringing your kids for their first real fishing experience or you're a weekend warrior looking to add some Charleston species to your list, this half-day charter delivers the goods without breaking the bank.
Forget about dragging your tackle box and wondering if you brought the right gear. Cody's got you covered with top-shelf equipment that's perfectly suited for Charleston's inshore fishery. You'll be fishing from a well-maintained boat that gets you into the skinny water where the big reds like to feed, plus all the productive creek mouths and oyster bars that hold trout and flounder. The beauty of a half-day trip is you get the prime fishing hours without committing your entire day – perfect for families or anyone who wants to squeeze in some quality angling time. Cody keeps his charters small with just two guests max, so you're not fighting for rod time or competing with a crowd. This personal approach means more fish for everyone and plenty of one-on-one instruction if you're still learning the ropes.
Charleston's inshore scene is all about reading the water and matching your presentation to what the fish want. Cody switches up techniques based on tides, weather, and what's biting, but you can expect to throw everything from live shrimp under popping corks to soft plastics on jig heads. When the redfish are tailing in the spartina grass, you might find yourself sight-casting with gold spoons or paddle tails. For trout, it's often about working the drop-offs and creek bends with suspending baits or topwater plugs during the right conditions. The gear setup changes throughout the trip as you target different species – lighter tackle for trout and flounder, stepping up the drag when a big red makes a run for the marsh. Cody's local knowledge really shines when it comes to reading the tides and positioning the boat where fish are most likely to be feeding.
"Top Notch Charter, Captain Cody kept us on fish all charter - Reds, Flounder, and Trout. Highly Recommended!! The Bakers" - Scott. "Captain Cody is top notch! Very knowledgeable of the area. Professional and works hard to get you on the fish. Will definitely be booking with him in the future. We had a great 6 hour trip" - Richard. "Captain Cody was a great guide. My son's 13th birthday will be a lasting one and he was an integral part of making that happen. He asked for sharks and he got us to them! Super down to earth, friendly, funny, and full of fishing knowledge that he was more than happy to share and teach. Thanks Cody, we will for sure be biking with you again in the future ." - Ryan.
Redfish are the crown jewel of Charleston's inshore waters, and these copper-colored bulldogs will test your drag system when they make their signature run for the nearest oyster bed. These fish hang around all year but really fire up in the fall when they school up in massive numbers. You'll find them cruising the grass flats on incoming tides, and when you hook into a slot red in the 20-28 inch range, you'll understand why anglers travel from across the country just to target these fish. They're aggressive feeders that'll eat everything from live shrimp to cut mullet, and their fighting ability combined with their beautiful bronze coloring makes them a favorite for both the dinner table and photo ops.
Sea Trout, or "specks" as the locals call them, are the bread and butter of Charleston fishing. These spotted beauties love to set up ambush points near creek mouths and grass beds where they can dart out and grab unsuspecting baitfish. Spring and fall offer the best trout fishing, with fish in the 15-20 inch range being common and occasional "gator trout" pushing over 24 inches. They're notorious for their soft mouths, so keeping steady pressure without horsing them is key to landing these fish. Speckled trout are excellent table fare and aggressive enough to provide non-stop action when you find a good school.
Southern Flounder are the masters of disguise, lying flat on sandy bottoms waiting for prey to swim overhead. These flatfish can be tricky to locate, but Cody knows the specific creek bends and drop-offs where they like to set up shop. Fall is prime time for flounder as they fatten up before their offshore spawn, and a quality doormat flounder in the 18-20 inch range will provide both a good fight and some of the best eating you'll find in these waters. They require a different approach than the other species, often preferring slow-moving baits dragged along the bottom.
Black Drum are the heavyweights of the inshore scene, with adult fish capable of reaching 40-50 pounds. These powerful fish love to root around oyster beds and structure looking for crabs and shellfish. When you hook into a big drum, you better be ready for a sustained battle that'll have your arms burning. They're most active during the cooler months and can provide some of the most memorable fights of your fishing career. Younger black drum in the 14-16 inch slot make excellent table fare, while the big breeder fish are best released to keep the population healthy.
Sheepshead are the notorious
This 22' Bullsbay serves as your fishing platform for targeting Redfish, Trout, and other Lowcountry species around Charleston's inshore waters. Built in 2017, the boat runs on a dependable 140HP Suzuki that'll get you to productive fishing spots quickly, hitting speeds up to 40 knots when needed. The GPS keeps you on course while the fish finder helps locate schools and structure where fish hang out. With room for up to 2 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to cast and fight fish without getting tangled up. Captain Cody knows these waters well and will position the boat over oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where Redfish cruise and Trout feed. The shallow draft design lets you access those skinny water spots where bigger boats can't go.
Pogonias CromisBlack Drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore waters, and they'll give you a workout you won't forget. These powerful fish typically range 5-30 pounds but can push 90+ pounds - the big ones are true tackle-busters. You'll find them around oyster beds, creek mouths, and shallow muddy flats where they use those crushing jaws to demolish crabs and shellfish. Spring is prime time, especially March through May when they school up for spawning and you can hear them "drumming" underwater. What guests love most is that bulldogging fight - once hooked, they'll use every ounce of strength to head for structure. The smaller ones (under 15 pounds) make excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Bigger fish are better released since the meat gets tough. Pro tip: fresh blue crab or cut mullet on the bottom works best, and don't be afraid to use heavy tackle - these fish don't mess around.
Sciaenops OcellatusRedfish are the crown jewel of Charleston's shallow water fishing and the reason many folks fall in love with our Lowcountry waters. These copper-bronze beauties typically range 18-32 inches with that signature black spot near their tail, and they'll give you a fight that'll test your drag. You'll find them in 1-4 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths where they cruise looking for crabs, shrimp, and baitfish. Fall is absolutely prime time when they school up and feed aggressively before winter, but we catch them year-round. What guests love most is sight-fishing to tailing reds in skinny water - watching that copper back and black tail waving above the surface gets your heart pumping. They're also fantastic eating with firm, sweet meat. Pro tip: when you spot a tailing red, cast well ahead of where it's heading and let your bait settle to the bottom - patience pays off with these fish.
Salmo TruttaSpotted Sea Trout, or "Speckled Trout" as we call them locally, are the bread and butter of Charleston's inshore fishing. These beautiful silver fish with distinctive black spots typically run 14-24 inches and 1-5 pounds, making them perfect for light tackle action. You'll find them over grass flats, around creek mouths, and in 2-8 feet of water where they feed on shrimp and small baitfish. Fall and spring offer the best action, especially early morning and evening when they're most active. Guests love them because they hit lures aggressively, jump when hooked, and their delicate white meat is outstanding table fare - just don't overcook it or it gets mushy. Winter months see them schooling in deeper channels, sometimes stacked up thick. My go-to method is working a soft plastic shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds at first light. Keep it subtle though - these fish can be finicky and will shut down if you're too aggressive with your retrieve.
Archosargus ProbatocephalusSheepshead are the "convict fish" of Charleston waters, famous for their black and white stripes and human-like teeth that can crush barnacles with ease. These crafty fish typically run 1-8 pounds and 14-20 inches, though 20-pounders do swim these waters. You'll find them around any structure - docks, bridge pilings, jetties, and oyster bars where they feed on barnacles, crabs, and shrimp. Winter through early spring is prime time when they school up heavily before spawning. What makes them so popular is their notorious reputation as bait thieves - they'll steal your shrimp faster than you can blink, making every hookup feel like a victory. Plus, they're phenomenal eating with sweet, white meat that rivals any fish in our waters. The key is getting right up against structure with fresh shrimp or fiddler crabs, keeping a tight line, and setting the hook hard the instant you feel them pecking at your bait.
Paralichthys LethostigmaSouthern Flounder are fascinating flatfish that guests love targeting for their unique looks and excellent eating quality. These ambush predators typically run 15-18 inches and up to 5 pounds, with both eyes on their left side and an amazing ability to change colors to match the bottom. You'll find them buried in sandy or muddy areas of shallow bays, creeks, and around structure where they wait to pounce on shrimp, crabs, and small fish. Fall and winter months are prime time when they're most active and feeding heavily before moving offshore. What makes them special is that sneaky strike when your bait just stops moving - no big run, just dead weight. Their white, flaky meat is some of the best table fare around. My tip: use a slow drift with live mud minnows or shrimp on a light jighead, and watch your line closely since their bite is super subtle.
5.0 out of 5.0Top Notch Charter, Captain Cody kept us on fish all charter - Reds, Flounder, and Trout. Highly Recommended!! The Bakers
It was a pleasure having you guys on the boat today!
Captain Cody is top notch! Very knowledgeable of the area. Professional and works hard to get you on the fish. Will definitely ...
I had a great time with you guys! Hope to see you this summer for some bull redfish!
Captain Cody was a great guide. My son’s 13th birthday will be a lasting one and he was an integral part of making that happen. He...
Charleston, SC