Book your Fishing Charter in Hilton Head Island, SC

Hilton Head Island offers a fishing paradise to anglers. Here's where to go and what to bring on your next fishing adventure on the island.

Book your Fishing Charter in Hilton Head Island, SC
Book your Fishing Charter in Hilton Head Island, SC
Team Guidesly

April 5, 2022, 3 min read

Updated on June 19, 2023

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Hilton Head Island situates in Beaufort County, in South Carolina. It was discovered by Captain William Hilton in 1663 while sailing on the ship Adventure. The boot-shaped island is the second largest barrier island on the East Coast.

Hilton Head Island is well-known for its stunning beaches and world-class golf courses. It has been hosting PGA's RBC Heritage since 1969. Now, the tournament is celebrating its 54th anniversary in April. The island is often voted one of the top vacation spots worldwide because of its beaches. Museums, resorts, plantations, and picnic parks are other must-see areas on the island. Tourists looking for water adventures can book activities with Outside Hilton Head, which offers boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and biking adventures. Never miss visiting a museum when you are on vacation. The Gullah Heritage Trail Tours provides tours to various historical locations on the island. You can have fun while learning as you visit Hilton Head Island's famous Gullah Museum of Hilton Head, Santa Elena History Center, York W. Bailey Museum at The Penn Center, and Coastal Discovery Museum. 

Hilton Head Island is a fishing site you wouldn't want to miss because it is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and nearby islands.

Hilton Head Island Fishing: Coastal Island Angling

person sitting by the water body fishing during sunset

It would be best if you didn’t let the fishing opportunity in Hilton Head Island pass. Anglers will surely experience exceptional fishing on the island.

Before heading out to fish, the main thing to do is identify the prime locations where you can catch trophy fish. Charles C. Haigh Jr. Fishing Pier, Jarvis Creek Park, Calibogue Sound, Sea Pines Lagoon, and Palmetto Dunes Lagoon are the best spots for inshore fishing. These locations are home to fish like largemouth bass, redfish, whiting, spanish mackerel, jacks, tarpon, cobia, spotted seatrout, black drum, and summer flounder. Drift fishing is a common technique used by anglers, but they also prefer surf casting, spinning, baitcasting, and handline fishing as alternatives. Beginner anglers going after inshore species can also attempt to do kayak fishing.

Seasoned anglers often want to do deep-sea fishing, and to do that, booking fishing charters is a must. Large boats and chartered boat captains are vital in going out to the sea. Anglers can fish in the Gulf Stream, Fish America Reef, Betsy Ross Reef, and, of course, the Atlantic Ocean. Fish found in these locations are sheepshead, bluefish, speckled seatrout, king mackerel, spanish mackerel, mahi-mahi, wahoo, tuna, and even marlin. Atlantic sharpnose shark, kingfish, spanish, king mackerel, black bass, sea trout, and black drum are just some species to catch in the Atlantic Ocean.

Anglers can buy fishing licenses online from the South Carolina Department of Resources. Fishing charters are available across the island, while fishing equipment and baits are also available for rent in multiple shops. 

Do More in Hilton Head Island

Aside from fishing, Hilton Head Island offers other activities that you'll surely enjoy.

1. Coastal Biking Trip

Visitors can tour Hilton Head Island while riding a bicycle. Enjoy the seaside ride along the beach as you feel the coastal breeze. Cyclists can go through bike trails in the Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, The Sea Pines Resort, the Shelter Cove, and the nearby picnic-perfect park.

2. Hole-in-One

Hilton Head Island is also famous for its golf courses. Play like a pro and show your competitive side by joining golf matches. The island has 24 golf courses you can choose from. Never have the guts to play? You can still enjoy golf by watching the RBC Heritage, South Carolina's sole PGA golf tournament.

Fish in Hilton Head Island and beyond.

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