Hilton Head Fishing Charters
Fishing Guides in the Lowcountry
Hilton Head Fishing Charters | Island Fish Guides, Charter Boat, and Fishing Info for the Hilton Head Island, SC Lowcountry
Site last published: 5/1/12
Hilton Head Fishing Charters
Information and discounts for fishing charters in the Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island, Palmetto Bluff, and Bluffton, South Carolina area. Hilton Head fishing is the finest, whether you're in a boat, kayak, or casting from shore... it's fishin'!
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 Area or Boat Type
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
While flats boats are a specialized type of "inshore" fishing, we separate them from the larger more inclusive category of Inshore Fishing Charters. Generally, Inshore Fishing charters are boats for up to 6 passengers, plus captain (and sometimes a mate). This is a great choice for small groups (2-6) who'd prefer more room and creature comforts than a flats boat might provide. Most inshore fishing vessels are designed for more than 6 passengers, however Coast Guard regulations limit their commercial use to 6 persons, so you'll have more than enough room. There are also a few larger vessels with licensed capacities beyond 6 persons that fish the inshore waters around Hilton Head, but keep in mind you might not experience the same personalized attention on a head boat.
Flats Boat 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.
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.
"Deep Sea" Fishing
The term "Deep Sea" Fishing is thrown about rather loosely. In Hilton Head, "Deep Sea" can 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.
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.
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.
Hilton Head Fishing Charters by Target Species
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.
Cobia Fishing Charters
The waters between Hilton Head Island and Parris Island are home to perhaps the largest spawning area of Cobia in the entire southeast. 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. (As of the 2012 season, the minimum limit size on a Cobia is 33" and there currently is no maximum.)
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.
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.
Featured Fishing Charters and Guide Services:
Live Oac Fishing Charters
Live Oac offers several vessels to suit your groups needs. Fishing Charters (primarily inshore and nearshore) have been a big focus of their outdoor adventure company for years.
Capt. Blair Willis
A professional waterman since 1996, Capt. Blair guides inshore fishing trips for all species. Focused on individual and small group outings on either a flats boat or a deck boat, allowing for a combination of shallow and deep water excursions for a variety of targets.
Live Oac Kayak Fishing
A kayak offers a creative approach to getting into some of the shallow water creeks and flats that hold fish like Red Drum and Flounder.
Capt. John Werner
Cutting his teeth on Stripers in New York a couple decades ago, Capt. John relocated in search of warmer waters back in the 90s. John was a pioneering kayak fisherman in the lowcountry at that time, and he's spent so much time in the lowcountry salt marsh some people believe he can directly communicate with the Redfish.
About HiltonHeadFishingCharter.com
Our "charter" mission is to provide the best Hilton Head, SC fishing charter information to visitors and locals in the Lowcountry.
Disclaimer & Terms of Use
All users of this website are subject to its Disclaimer & Terms of Use.
Contact Us
HiltonHeadFishingCharter.com is a member of the Adventure Hilton Head Network.
For contact and listing information, please visit the AHH website at: AdventureHiltonHead.com
For contact and listing information, please visit the AHH website at: AdventureHiltonHead.com