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Charleston's Premier 8-Hour Inshore Fishing Trip
- Published Date: July 16, 2025
- Fishing
- Charleston
- $500 - $1,100 price range
- Updated Date: September 19, 2025
Summary
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Rods Bent, Fish On!
History on land, fish in the sea.
Harbor fishing, Charleston style.
Charleston: a reel good time.
Nothing but rods and rhythms.
Fresh catches, salty smiles.
Charleston Harbor = angler’s paradise.
Lowcountry tides calling.
Dropping lines, chasing time.
Fishing with a view of steeples.
Charleston coasts = endless adventure.
History on land, fish in the sea.
Harbor fishing, Charleston style.
Charleston: a reel good time.
Nothing but rods and rhythms.
Fresh catches, salty smiles.
Charleston Harbor = angler’s paradise.
Lowcountry tides calling.
Dropping lines, chasing time.
Fishing with a view of steeples.
Charleston coasts = endless adventure.
History on land, fish in the sea.
Harbor fishing, Charleston style.
Charleston: a reel good time.
Nothing but rods and rhythms.
Charleston's 8-Hour Inshore Fishing Bonanza
Get ready for a full day of rod-bending action in the rich waters of Charleston, South Carolina. This 8-hour inshore fishing trip is your ticket to targeting some of the Lowcountry's most prized catches. Whether you're after hard-fighting redfish, tasty sea trout, or the unique sheepshead, our experienced local guides know just where to find 'em. We've got all the gear, bait, and licenses covered, so you can focus on what matters - reeling in the big ones and making memories on the water.
What to Expect on the Water
As soon as we push off from the dock, you'll feel the excitement building. Our captains know these waters like the back of their hand, and they're itching to put you on the fish. We'll cruise through Charleston's maze of tidal creeks, oyster beds, and grass flats - prime real estate for inshore species. You might start the day sight-casting to tailing redfish in the shallows, then switch gears to jigging for trout around structure. With a full 8 hours, we've got time to try different spots and techniques to maximize your chances of a cooler full of fish.
Fishing Tactics & Gear
On this trip, we'll use a mix of light tackle techniques to target our inshore species. Expect to do some live bait fishing with shrimp or mud minnows, especially effective for trout and redfish. We'll also break out the artificial lures - soft plastics, topwater plugs, and jigs are all on the menu. For sheepshead, we might switch to some bottom fishing around pilings or jetties. Don't worry if you're new to these methods - our guides are patient teachers and will have you casting like a pro in no time. We provide quality rods and reels, but feel free to bring your own gear if you prefer. Just remember, in Charleston's summer heat, sunscreen and a hat are as essential as your fishing license (which we've got covered).
Species You'll Want to Hook
Redfish: Also known as red drum, these copper-colored bruisers are the crown jewels of Charleston inshore fishing. They'll test your drag with powerful runs, especially the bigger "bull reds" that can top 40 inches. Redfish love to cruise the shallows, often revealing their presence with their trademark tail waving above the water. Fall is prime time for big schools, but we catch 'em year-round.
Spotted Seatrout: Locally called "speckled trout," these tasty predators are a blast on light tackle. They've got soft mouths, so finesse is key when fighting them. Trout love to ambush bait around oyster bars and creek mouths. The colder months, especially November and December, can produce some real gators (big trout).
Sheepshead: With their distinctive black and white stripes and chompers that look like human teeth, sheepshead are unique catches. They're notorious bait stealers, making them a fun challenge to hook. We target them around hard structure like bridge pilings and reefs. Winter is actually prime time for big sheepshead.
Black Drum: Cousins to the redfish, black drum can grow to massive sizes. While the smaller ones are great eating, the big ones (over 20 pounds) are best released. They love crustaceans, so we often use shrimp or crab to entice them. Spring and fall are peak seasons, but you can catch them year-round.
Black Sea Bass: These aggressive bottom-dwellers are fun to catch and delicious to eat. We'll target them around nearshore reefs and wrecks. While they're available year-round, cooler months often produce the biggest fish. Don't be surprised if you hook into a real trophy - they can grow over 5 pounds in our waters.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
Charleston's inshore waters are a fish-filled playground that keeps anglers coming back for more. The diversity of species means there's always something biting, no matter the season. One day you might be sight-casting to tailing reds in gin-clear flats, the next you're pulling trophy trout from deep holes. Our local guides have spent years learning these waters, giving you the best shot at not just catching fish, but landing that personal best you've been chasing. Plus, the Lowcountry backdrop of swaying marsh grass, historic homes, and maybe even a dolphin or two makes for a day on the water you won't soon forget.
Time to Book Your Spot
Listen, the fish are biting, and the boat's gassed up - all we need is you. This 8-hour trip is perfect for both seasoned anglers looking to tap into local knowledge and newcomers wanting to experience the thrill of Charleston inshore fishing. With room for up to six people, it's a great way to spend a day with family or friends. Everything's included, so you don't have to sweat the details. Just bring your sense of adventure (and maybe a cooler for your catch). The tides wait for no one, so don't miss out on your chance to create some real fish stories. Book your Charleston inshore fishing trip now, and let's get you on the water!
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweights of Charleston's inshore scene. These powerful fish typically range from 5-30 pounds, but trophy-sized drum over 50 pounds aren't unheard of. Look for them around oyster beds, mudflats, and brackish creeks. Spring is prime time when they school up to spawn. Black drum are built like tanks and put up a stubborn fight, especially the bigger ones. They've got strong jaws perfect for crushing shellfish, so bring sturdy hooks. For table fare, stick to smaller drum under 15 pounds - the meat gets tough in larger fish. Live or cut crab is my go-to bait. Pro tip: listen for their distinctive drumming sound to locate schools. Once you find them, a slow-moving jig or chunk of crab on the bottom is hard to beat.
Black Sea Bass
Black sea bass are a favorite target in Charleston's inshore waters. These plump-bodied fish typically run 1-4 pounds but can reach up to 8 pounds. You'll find them hanging around structure like jetties, piers and wrecks in depths up to 120 feet. Late spring through summer is prime time, when they gather near shore. Black sea bass put up a good scrap, especially on light tackle. They're also excellent eating with firm, white meat. To catch 'em, use a medium-weight rod with 20-30 pound line and drop your bait right on the bottom. Live squid or fish strips work great. My top tip: target underwater structures and be ready for their initial run when hooked - they'll try to dive back to cover fast.
Redfish
Redfish, or red drum, are the rockstars of Charleston's inshore fishing. These copper-colored bruisers typically run 3-10 pounds inshore, but bull reds over 40 pounds cruise the beaches. Look for them tailing on shallow flats or prowling oyster bars and creek mouths. Fall is prime time when big schools form. Redfish are known for powerful runs and stubborn fights, especially around structure. They're also great eating when slot-sized. Live bait like mullet or cut menhaden works well, but watching a red crush a topwater lure is hard to beat. Local tip: on calm days, cruise the flats and look for their distinctive V-wake or tails breaking the surface. Once spotted, a well-placed cast often leads to an explosive strike. Just hang on tight - these fish don't give up easy.
Sea Trout
Sea trout, or speckled trout, are a staple of Charleston's inshore fishing. Most run 1-3 pounds, but gator trout over 5 pounds aren't uncommon. You'll find them in grass flats, creek mouths, and around oyster bars. Fall through spring is prime time, with big schools forming in deeper holes during winter. Trout are known for their soft mouths and acrobatic jumps when hooked. They're also one of the best-eating fish around, with delicate white meat. Live shrimp under a popping cork is deadly, but artificial lures like soft plastics work great too. Pro tip: focus on moving water and look for slicks on the surface - that's often a sign of feeding trout below. Once you find a school, you can usually catch multiple fish from the same spot.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are one of the craftiest fish in Charleston's waters. These striped "convict fish" usually run 1-8 pounds but can reach up to 20. You'll find them around any structure with barnacles - docks, bridges, jetties. They're year-round residents but really fire up in early spring. Sheepshead are notorious bait stealers with their human-like teeth, so you've got to be quick on the hook set. They put up a solid fight and taste great, though cleaning them can be tricky. Fiddler crabs are the top bait choice. My local tip: use a small, sharp hook and scrape some barnacles off the pilings to chum them up. Once you get them feeding, it's game on. Just be ready for some missed bites - these fish are masters at stealing bait.
About the Sea Pro
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Suzuki
Maximum Cruising Speed: 30
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250
