In Hilton Head, "Inshore Fishing" can describe anything from the shallow creeks of the salt marsh, to the open rivers and sounds (think "small bay") and even the first few miles out into the ocean, typically still within sight of land. If you're on a shorter inshore fishing charter of a half day (4 hours) or less, you'll typically be limited to Hilton Head's inshore waters just as a matter of practicality. There are some exceptions with particularly fast boats and locations nearest the ocean, but even still, if you want to maximize your fishing time, stick to inshore on a shorter trip, and plan on 5+ hours for an offshore journey instead.

Hilton Head enjoys fantastic inshore fishing throughout most of the year, thanks in large part to relatively warm waters with a significant tidal range (7 feet or so on average!) that flushes water in and out of the coastal estuary twice daily. Check out HiltonHeadTides.com for more detailed information on the local tides. It's a big part of our local fishing scene, and many species activity depends entirely upon the tides. When a fishing charter captain suggests a particular start time based upon the tides, you'll be smart to take their advice!

These warm tidal waters move food for the larger fish species and predators that rely on the smaller bait fish, shrimp, crabs, and more for their sustenance. The fish you might target on an inshore fishing charter include red drum ("redfish"), spotted sea trout, bluefish, spanish mackerel, cobia, tarpon, coastal sharks, and more. Some of the main tactics for inshore fishing are live/cut bait bottom fishing, trolling, and sometimes casting to fish. In extremely shallow water, you can also use a flats boat to target redfish and others in just inches deep creeks and flats. That kind of a trip is perfect for 1 or 2 people. Check out our flats boat charters page if that's something that "floats your boat"! Otherwise, most inshore fishing charters in Hilton Head are on boats for up 6 guests, plus captain, but some captains may prefer smaller groups in certain circumstances. It's wise to not overcrowd a boat for the best fishing experience, and your captain can suggest what's best for the kind of trip you have in mind. Check out these companies that offer inshore fishing charters and find the right match for you: