Hilton Head Fishing Charters
Information on outstanding fishing charters in the Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island, Palmetto Bluff, and Bluffton, South Carolina area. Hilton Head fishing is the finest in the lowcountry!
There are a variety of options for Hilton Head fishing charters, and the best choice for you depends on what type of fishing you'd like to do, the size, composition, and experience of your group, and the location you'd prefer exploring with your professional fishing guide.
There are a variety of options for Hilton Head fishing charters, and the best choice for you depends on what type of fishing you'd like to do, the size, composition, and experience of your group, and the location you'd prefer exploring with your professional fishing guide.
The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.
John Buchan
Hilton Head Fishing Charters by On-Water Location
When discussing charters it's important to clarify certain "location" terms. Please be aware that different fishing charters might apply the same terms to totally different experiences. It's best to clarify exactly what they mean and be sure it is appropriate for your group.
Inshore Fishing Charters
Inshore fishing in Hilton Head includes the tidal creeks, sounds (think "small bay"), and the nearshore region off the beach typically still within sight of land.
Generally, inshore fishing charters are on boats for up to 6 passengers, plus the captain, but some captains may prefer smaller groups in certain circumstances. It's wise to not overcrowd a boat for the best fishing experience.
Generally, inshore fishing charters are on boats for up to 6 passengers, plus the captain, but some captains may prefer smaller groups in certain circumstances. It's wise to not overcrowd a boat for the best fishing experience.
Flats Fishing Charters
Flats fishing is a specialized type of "inshore" fishing. Flats Boats offer an excellent opportunity for coastal marsh fishing. Typically setup for 1-2 people fishing, plus a guide, a flats boat charter is the most personalized guided charter fishing available. Sight casting opportunities for Redfish and Trout are numerous, among other species depending on season. Flats boat fishing guides tend to be among the most experienced, seasoned captains in the business. Likewise, due to the experience required to operate an excellent flats boat guiding service, they are also few and far between. The charters listed here are outstanding guides with many years fishing Hilton Head Island and the surrounding Lowcountry waters.
"Deep Sea" Fishing
The term "Deep Sea" Fishing is thrown about rather loosely. In Hilton Head, "Deep Sea" could be used to describe any deepwater fishing, whether it's technically inshore, nearshore, or offshore. In fact, the closest deep holes to Hilton Head are primarily inshore by definition, with certain hotspots that are 50'-70' deep being just a stones throw from land on the backcountry side of the island.
Just because it's "deep" doesn't necessarily mean "fish are there," but it's important to understand where and how you'll be fishing. One charter company might throw about the term "Deep Sea" Fishing when referring to a 3-4 hour trip that may not venture beyond the mouth of Port Royal Sound, while another captain might refer to "Deep Sea" when talking about Gulf Stream fishing 80 miles out on a 12 hour trip… The difference is substantial. One is appropriate for a 10 year old, the other is not.
We suggest you not use the term "Deep Sea" at all, and discuss the specific areas you will be fishing and intended target species.
Just because it's "deep" doesn't necessarily mean "fish are there," but it's important to understand where and how you'll be fishing. One charter company might throw about the term "Deep Sea" Fishing when referring to a 3-4 hour trip that may not venture beyond the mouth of Port Royal Sound, while another captain might refer to "Deep Sea" when talking about Gulf Stream fishing 80 miles out on a 12 hour trip… The difference is substantial. One is appropriate for a 10 year old, the other is not.
We suggest you not use the term "Deep Sea" at all, and discuss the specific areas you will be fishing and intended target species.
Offshore Fishing Charters
A true Offshore Fishing Charter is a serious adventure not for the faint of heart.
Similar to the phrase "Deep Sea," the term "Offshore" can mean different things to different people.
"Offshore" doesn't mean fishing from the shore, or even just off the shore. True Offshore fishing is ocean-specific, beyond the nearshore coastal region.
By default, a 4 hour "Offshore" fishing charter will mean you're staying fairly close to land, within the first few miles away from the beach, but still in the nearshore vicinity and typically in sight of land. If it were any more than that, you'd spend the whole time getting there and back, rather than fishing!
5 miles from the dock does not equate to 5 miles offshore.
To get to offshore wrecks and reefs in the 5-25 mile range, you'll probably want a 6 or 8 hour trip that offers plenty of fishing time, relative to travel time.
Gulf Stream offshore fishing is a distant 60-80 miles out, where targets like Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) and Wahoo are found. In Hilton Head, a Gulf Stream trip means launching at 3 or 4 in the morning, in order to start fishing by first light. Expect 12+ hours for this kind of trip.
Similar to the phrase "Deep Sea," the term "Offshore" can mean different things to different people.
"Offshore" doesn't mean fishing from the shore, or even just off the shore. True Offshore fishing is ocean-specific, beyond the nearshore coastal region.
By default, a 4 hour "Offshore" fishing charter will mean you're staying fairly close to land, within the first few miles away from the beach, but still in the nearshore vicinity and typically in sight of land. If it were any more than that, you'd spend the whole time getting there and back, rather than fishing!
5 miles from the dock does not equate to 5 miles offshore.
To get to offshore wrecks and reefs in the 5-25 mile range, you'll probably want a 6 or 8 hour trip that offers plenty of fishing time, relative to travel time.
Gulf Stream offshore fishing is a distant 60-80 miles out, where targets like Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) and Wahoo are found. In Hilton Head, a Gulf Stream trip means launching at 3 or 4 in the morning, in order to start fishing by first light. Expect 12+ hours for this kind of trip.
Hilton Head Fishing Charters by Target Species
Hilton Head Red Fishing
A year round target for Hilton Head is the Redfish (Red Drum). The younger Reds in the "keeper" range of 15"-23" can be found in the creeks, flats, and oyster reef areas of the tidal salt marsh around Hilton Head Island.
Larger "Bull" Reds visit inshore occasionally, and are most likely to be found in late Summer / early Fall in a few specific areas where they are believed to gather for breeding. Outside of this, you'll see them occasionally around artificial wrecks and reefs offshore throughout the rest of the year.
Larger "Bull" Reds visit inshore occasionally, and are most likely to be found in late Summer / early Fall in a few specific areas where they are believed to gather for breeding. Outside of this, you'll see them occasionally around artificial wrecks and reefs offshore throughout the rest of the year.
(Coming Soon!)
Shark Fishing in Hilton Head
One of the most popular targets, especially if you're looking for consistent action during the warm water months.
In the tidal creeks you'll find Bonnethead, Sharpnose, and Blacktip sharks. Larger species such as Lemon Sharks, Tiger Sharks, and Hammerheads also visit the inshore region, but tend to stick to deep areas around Port Royal Sound or Calibogue Sound, and of course the open ocean.
In the tidal creeks you'll find Bonnethead, Sharpnose, and Blacktip sharks. Larger species such as Lemon Sharks, Tiger Sharks, and Hammerheads also visit the inshore region, but tend to stick to deep areas around Port Royal Sound or Calibogue Sound, and of course the open ocean.
(Coming Soon!)
Cobia Fishing Charters
The waters between Hilton Head Island, Bay Point Island, and Parris Island are part of perhaps the largest inshore spawning area of Cobia in the southeast US. Every Spring, thousands of chocolate "brownies" migrate inshore to breed. The males of the species are smaller, in the 10-30 pound range, and the females can easily double that and more.
Offshore, the artificial wrecks and reefs in the 10-20 mile range in particular offer some of the best Cobia fishing in the world. Anglers benefit from clear waters where sight casting to cobia can be either frustrating or exhilarating, depending on the mood of the fish. When the bite is on, it's amazing!
Offshore, the artificial wrecks and reefs in the 10-20 mile range in particular offer some of the best Cobia fishing in the world. Anglers benefit from clear waters where sight casting to cobia can be either frustrating or exhilarating, depending on the mood of the fish. When the bite is on, it's amazing!
(Coming Soon!)
Complete Listing of Hilton Head Fishing Charters:
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Our "charter" mission is to provide the best Hilton Head, SC fishing charter information to visitors and locals in the Lowcountry. Our goal is to promote positive fishing experiences and showcase the best adventures that Hilton Head has to offer.
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