If you want to explore Hilton Head Island waters, you can’t go wrong with Black Skimmer Charters. With Captain Stephen Ranney, both expert anglers and beginners can find the adventure tailored to their desires.

To Captain Stephen, charter fishing is a passion, not a job. He loves sharing his knowledge and expertise with others and seeing the wonder on their face as something new is discovered. Black Skimmer Charters welcome anglers of all skill levels – no experience needed.

The captain invites you to join him aboard his 31’ Blackfin offshore sportfishing boat. You’ll find shade and a restroom on this comfortable riding boat that can carry up to 6 anglers comfortably. Powered by twin 250 HP Yanmar Turbo engines, it also features a flybridge, downriggers, live bait tank, and state of the art marine electronics and safety gear.

You’ll be exploring the hottest fisheries, from inshore and nearshore waters to reef and wreck spots. Get ready for some trolling, spinning, drifting, and bottom fishing for a variety of species! Depending on the bite, your main targets will include Kingfish, Cobia, Jack Crevalle, Amberjack, Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, and many others.

The charter will cover top-notch fishing gear by Shimano and Pen, along with lures. Live bait is available free of charge during summer – you’ll get to catch your own at the beginning of the trip. The first mate will even clean and fillet your catch at the docks after the trip. Leaving from the marina closest to the fishing ground more fishing less boat riding.
Come catch a big one with Black Skimmer Charters! Lunch boxes can be provided at an additional cost; please contact the captain beforehand.



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    In demand! Last booked: 1 day ago
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $700
    If you're looking to spend some quality time with the family or you're just new to saltwater fishing, this is the trip for you! The captain will do everything he can to put you on Amberjack, Cobia, Jack Crevalle, Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish, Redfish, and more. Lunch boxes can be provided at an additional cost; please contact the captain beforehand.
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (PM)
    In demand! Last booked: 6 days ago
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    4 Hour Trip, starts at 1:00 PM
    $700
    This afternoon trip is great for families and those new to saltwater fishing in general. Depending on the bite, you'll be going after Cobia, Jack Crevalle, Spanish Mackerel, Amberjack, Kingfish, Redfish, and more. Lunch boxes can be provided at an additional cost; please contact the captain beforehand. Lunch boxes can be provided at an additional cost; please contact the captain beforehand.
  • Private trip
    5 Hour Trip
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $850
    On this 5-hour trip, you'll have enough time to go farther from the shore and explore the reefs. Amberjack, Cobia, Jack Crevalle, Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish, Redfish, and much more will be on the menu. Lunch boxes can be provided at an additional cost; please contact the captain beforehand.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    6 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $1,000
    Six hours on the water allow for a little extra time for going further out and also exploring the reefs for a variety and abundance of fish. You'll get to target Amberjack, Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish, Cobia, Jack Crevalle, Redfish, and whatever else takes the bait. Lunch boxes can be provided at an additional cost; please contact the captain beforehand.
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 1 day notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 8:00 AM
    $1,400
    This 8-hour trip is perfect for avid anglers looking for quality time on the waters. Depending on the bite, you'll have the opportunity to reel in Kingfish, Cobia, Jack Crevalle, Amberjack, Spanish Mackerel, Redfish, and whatever else crosses your path. Lunch boxes can be provided at an additional cost; please contact the captain beforehand.
There are 20 people looking at this charter.

FAQs about Black Skimmer Charters

Black Skimmer Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • $700 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (4 hours)
  • $700 per group - Half Day Trip (PM) (4 hours)
  • $850 per group - 5 Hour Trip (5 hours)
  • $1,000 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • $1,400 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)

When you book a trip with Black Skimmer Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet Full-head
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well
  • Outriggers
  • Radar

Trips booked with Black Skimmer Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle (Shimano, Pen)
  • Live Bait (During summer only, caught during the trip)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (At the dock)
  • First Mate (Works for tips, 15 to 20% is customary)
  • Fishing License
  • Lunch (Lunch boxes can be provided at an additional cost)

Black Skimmer Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Offshore Fishing
  • Reef Fishing
  • Wreck Fishing

Black Skimmer Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Spinning
  • Drift Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Black Skimmer Charters include:
  • Amberjack
  • Barracuda (Great)
  • Bluefish
  • Cobia
  • Jack Crevalle
  • King Mackerel (Kingfish)
  • Redfish
  • Seabass (Black)
  • Spanish Mackerel

About the Captain

Stephen Ranney
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States
155 Customer reviews
Response time 4 hours
Member since September 2018
Captain Stephen Ranney has been fishing all his life and he loves sharing his passion for fishing with others. He has been fishing Hilton Head Island waters since 1978. In 2007, he fulfilled his lifelong dream and started doing this professionally. His wife Patte and his son are also captains and guides – love of fishing runs strong in this family.

About this listing

Targeted species

Amberjack Amberjack
Barracuda (Great) Great Barracuda
Bluefish Bluefish
Cobia Cobia

Boat specs

Blackfin (Offshore sport fishing) originally built in 1988, and restored in 2006. Powered by 2 315HP Yanmar Turbo engines.

Length
31 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Offshore Fishing
Reef Fishing
Wreck Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Drift Fishing

Amenities

Toilet
Full-head
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Flybridge
Live Bait Well

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Shimano, Pen
Live Bait
During summer only, caught during the trip
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
At the dock
First Mate
Works for tips, 15 to 20% is customary
Fishing License
Lunch
Lunch boxes can be provided at an additional cost

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 1 day prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 1 day before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
Minimum age is 4, life jackets provided
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 10% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 10% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express

Hilton Head Island Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating Summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 155 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (151)
Half Day with Captain Ben
Half Day with Captain Ben
Half Day with Captain Ben
+148
Angler Rating
125
15
6
1
0
Anglers Claimed
Good experience
93%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
91%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Catch intended fish
78%
Sort By:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 155 reviews
Diane C.
Beaufort, SC
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fun Four-hour Fishing Charter

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 6, 2022
Captain Ben and Jackson are skilled fishers. Ben guided his boat directly to a location and six of us caught 14 mackerel. Then...
Diane C. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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Diane C. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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Brett S.
New York, NY
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great for the Whole Family

VERIFIED   3 Hour Shark Trip 5PM on June 29, 2022
This was a great trip for our entire family, two Grandparents, two parents, and two children (10 & 6).  The captain and first...
Brett S. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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Brett S. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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James D.
United States
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day with Captain Steve

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (PM) on April 7, 2023
4 hr shark fishing trip. Capt Steve is a delightful, friendly soul. very easy to talk to, and he made my young grandsons feel...
James D. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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James D. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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Richard S.
Indianapolis, IN
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip on the Black Skimmer with Capt Steve

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on February 8, 2023
Great trip.  This was my first trip doing off shore fishing..  Capt Steve and Ben made the trip easy and enjoyable. Very...
Richard S. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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Richard S. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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Doug M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Terrific Experience

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (PM) on May 27, 2023
Friendly and experienced crew. Wonderful boat. A blessed afternoon with family and new friends. Highly recommended. Will book...
Doug M. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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Doug M. recommends Black Skimmer Charters
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