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Charleston's Top-Rated Offshore Fishing Adventure
- Published Date: July 17, 2025
- Fishing
- Charleston
- $500 - $1,100 price range
- Updated Date: September 19, 2025
Summary
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Big Catches of Charleston
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.
Reel in Big Game on Charleston's Nearshore
Ready to tangle with some serious fish just off the Carolina coast? Our 8-hour nearshore trip out of Charleston is your ticket to battling bruisers like grouper, sharks, and jacks. We'll run you out to the prime fishing grounds where the big boys hang out. No need to fuss with gear or licenses - we've got you covered from stern to bow. Grab a buddy (or up to five) and let's get after those rod-bending beasts!
What to Expect on the Water
We'll push off early from the docks, cruising past the harbor and out to where the water turns that deep blue. Once we hit the nearshore reefs and wrecks, it's game on. We'll be dropping lines for everything from tasty grouper to toothy sharks. The action can be hot and heavy out here, so be ready to work. Don't worry if you're new to this kind of fishing - the crew will show you the ropes and help you land that trophy. We provide all the heavy-duty gear you'll need to wrangle these offshore bruisers.
Tactics for Taming the Big Ones
Nearshore fishing is all about versatility. We might start by bottom fishing with cut bait for grouper and snapper, then switch to live bait for cobia or jacks when they show up. If the sharks are in a feeding mood, we'll bust out the heavy tackle and chum slick. Vertical jigging is another go-to method for scoring hard-fighting amberjack. The crew knows all the tricks, from finding the right structure to presenting baits just how the fish want 'em. You'll pick up some serious offshore skills by the time we head back to the dock.
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
"This was our second trip out with Cpt. Mike. The first was an inshore trip and this a nearshore reef trip. Both trips were a blast and yielded plenty of fish. I definitely recommend Heading out with Cpt. Mike." - Jeremy
Species You'll Want to Hook
Greater Amberjack: These bruisers will test your stamina and your tackle. "Reef donkeys" as we call 'em, can top 100 pounds and pull like a freight train. They love to hang around wrecks and offshore structure. When you hook one, hold on tight and get ready for a battle royale. Spring through fall is prime time to tangle with these powerhouses.
Blacktip Shark: Fast, acrobatic, and always ready to put on a show. Blacktips are one of the most common sharks we encounter nearshore. They'll readily take cut or live bait and often go airborne when hooked. Expect fish in the 4-6 foot range, with some topping 100 pounds. These sleek predators are a blast on medium-heavy tackle and make for some great photos before release.
Crevalle Jack: When a school of jacks moves in, it's like someone rang the dinner bell. These hard-charging fish hunt in packs, creating surface-thrashing feeding frenzies. They'll crush topwater lures or live bait with reckless abandon. Pound for pound, they're some of the strongest fighters in the sea. Look for them busting bait schools from spring through fall.
Cobia: The "man in the brown suit" is a prized catch in these waters. Cobia are curious fish that often swim right up to the boat, giving sight-fishing opportunities. They grow big (40+ pounds is common) and fight dirty, using their broad bodies to bull-dog anglers. Spring and early summer are peak seasons as they migrate along the coast. Ling, as they're also called, make for excellent eating too.
Gag Grouper: The reefs and wrecks off Charleston hold some stud gags. These ambush predators have serious pulling power and will try to break you off in the structure if you let 'em. Most fish run 10-30 pounds, but 50+ pounders aren't unheard of. We target them year-round, but fall and winter tend to be most productive. There's nothing quite like feeling that telltale grouper thump on your line.
Black Sea Bass: While not the biggest fish out there, what sea bass lack in size they make up for in numbers and taste. These structure-loving fish are abundant on the nearshore reefs. Most run 1-3 pounds, with some "knobheads" pushing 5+. They're aggressive biters and make for excellent eating. Sea bass are often mixed in with other species, providing steady action between bigger catches.
Time to Book Your Spot
Our nearshore trips offer a perfect mix of variety, action, and trophy potential. Whether you're after a cooler full of fillets or looking to cross some bucket list species off your list, the waters off Charleston deliver. With all gear provided and an experienced crew to put you on the fish, all you need to do is show up ready for battle. Spots fill up fast, especially during peak seasons, so don't wait to lock in your date. Get ready to make some lasting memories and possibly land the catch of a lifetime!
Customer Review
Capt Mikes Fish Fest
Jeremy Kellogg
March 10, 2025
Learn more about the animals
Black Sea Bass
These tasty bottom-dwellers are a staple of our nearshore fishing. Most run 1-3 pounds, but they can reach 8+. You'll find them around rocky bottoms, wrecks, and reefs in 30-120 feet of water. They're here year-round, but fishing is best in spring and fall. Sea bass are aggressive feeders and put up a scrappy fight on light tackle. A simple two-hook bottom rig with squid or cut bait works great. Use just enough weight to hold bottom. When you feel the tap-tap of a bite, set the hook quickly - they're masters at stealing bait. My pro tip? Move around frequently. When you find a good spot, you can often catch a bunch before they wise up. The white, flaky meat is some of the best eating you'll find, so be sure to keep a few for dinner!
Blacktip Shark
Blacktips are some of the most common sharks we see, usually 4-5 feet long and 30-50 pounds. They like warm, shallow waters near the coast - we often spot them cruising just off the beaches. These sharks are known for their acrobatic leaps when chasing bait fish. Spring and summer are prime seasons as they follow bait schools inshore. Blacktips put up a great fight on light tackle, with fast runs and jumps. To target them, we'll chum and fish cut or live bait on the bottom. Circle hooks are a must for easy release. Watch for birds diving on bait balls - that often means blacktips are feeding below. Just be careful handling them - those teeth are razor sharp!
Cobia
Cobia are one of our most prized catches - they grow big (30-80 pounds), fight hard, and taste great. Look for them around buoys, wrecks, and floating debris from spring through fall. They often swim near the surface, so keep your eyes peeled for their distinctive shark-like profile. Cobia are curious fish and will investigate baits, but can be finicky. Live eels or crabs are top baits. Use heavy spinning gear with 50 lb braid to handle their powerful runs. Once hooked, be ready for jumps and long runs. My best tip? Chum with live bait to get them fired up, then sight-cast a live eel on a circle hook. Let it sink slowly - the cobia will usually follow it down before striking. It's an awesome visual experience when it all comes together.
Crevalle Jack
These hard-fighting jacks average 3-5 pounds but can top 30. Look for them around inlets, piers, and nearshore reefs, often in big schools chasing bait to the surface. Spring through fall is prime time. Crevalle jacks are pure muscle and will test your gear with long, powerful runs. They're not great eating, but the fight makes up for it. To catch them, watch for birds diving on bait schools. Then cast topwater lures, spoons, or live bait into the frenzy. A medium spinning setup with 20-30 lb line works well. When you hook one, tighten that drag - these bulldogs will head straight for structure if you give them any slack. It's an arm-burning battle you won't forget!
Gag Grouper
Gags are some of our biggest, tastiest bottom fish. They average 10-30 pounds but can top 50. You'll find them around rocky bottoms and reefs in 60-250 feet of water. Fall and winter are prime seasons as they move offshore to spawn. Gags put up a stubborn fight, using their bulk to dive for cover. Heavy conventional tackle and 80 lb braid is the way to go. Live bait like pinfish or squid works well, but big jigs can also produce. Once you hook up, it's all about keeping them from running back into the rocks. Apply steady pressure and gain line whenever you can. My top tip? When you feel the bite, reel down fast and set the hook hard - gags have tough mouths and you need to drive that hook home. The delicious fillets make it all worthwhile!
Greater Amberjack
These bruisers can reach 6 feet and over 100 pounds, though most are in the 20-40 pound range. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and other structure in 60-240 feet of water. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they migrate. Amberjacks put up an epic fight - they'll test your arms and your gear. Once hooked, they often make powerful runs straight for the bottom. Their firm white meat is excellent eating too. To land one, use heavy tackle and drop a live bait like blue runner or pinfish near the structure. Let it swim naturally and hold on tight when that rod doubles over. Just be ready for a battle royale when you hook into one of these powerhouses.
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
This was our second trip out with Cpt. Mike. The first was an inshore trip and this a nearshore reef trip. Both trips were a blast and yielded plenty of fish. I definitely recommend Heading out with Cpt. Mike.