Backcountry Hilton Head 

4.9/5 (12 reviews)
 68 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928, United States

Capt Graham Cotter is a full-time fly fishing and light tackle guide operating out of Hilton Head Island, SC with over 20 years of professional experience on the water. The Lowcountry of South Carolina offers a year-round fishery, especially for the shallow water angler looking to make presentations to fish using artificial lures or flies.

Backcountry Hilton Head is that of a Complete Angler meaning different days and times of year may require one approach over another. Redfish are the core focus the majority of the year with late August through February considered the Shallow Water Season, where sight fishing truly shines. The warmer months, April through September, offer more variety with schools of breeder-sized Jack Crevalle and Tarpon frequenting the region.

Each day is dependent on wind and tide and the skill set and desired approach of the angler. Whether you are a novice looking to level up or a seasoned angler looking to check a certain species off your list, Captain Graham and Backcountry Hilton Head can put you in position!

Graham Cotter

Captain

Graham Cotter

24 years of experience
 responds within an hour

Most popular features:

 Fishing License
 Rods, reels & tackle

Trip availability and prices

Trip Date:
Days:
Group Size:
Almost there...
Morning Half Day Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
4 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Price for up to 2 people
US $525 
Afternoon Half Day Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
4 Hour Trip, starts at 2:00 PM
Price for up to 2 people
US $525 
3/4 Day Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
6 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Price for up to 2 people
US $685 
Full Day Trip
Low rate deposit non-refundable
8 Hour Trip, starts at 7:00 AM
Price for up to 2 people
US $895 
There is 1 person looking at this charter.

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9/5
out of 5 stars from 12 reviews
Boat
5.0/5
Crew
5.0/5
Experience
4.8/5

Photo by reviewers

There are no review photos
for this charter yet!

Angler rating

11
1
0
0
0

Anglers claimed

Good experience

100%

Appropriate for children

50%

Friendly captain

100%

Satisfied with the boat

100%

Recommend this charter

100%

Caught fish

73%

Showing 1 - 5 of 12 reviews
Brian M.
Brian M.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Fishing with Graham

VERIFIED

Morning Half Day Trip on July 24, 2023

 

 Brian M. recommends Backcountry Hilton Head
Graham Cotter
Graham Cotter (The Captain)

John H.
John H.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Excellent guide. Incredibly fun trip

VERIFIED

Morning 5 Hour Trip on May 27, 2024

My wife and I had a blast on the water with Graham. Fishing was tough. We watched a lot of reds do some weird things and just seemed like they were just not interested in eating, but that is part of fishing. Despite a tough day on the water, we had fun and will definitely plan to book another trip with Graham next time we are in the area. He is a fun, incredibly personable guide that knows his stuff.

My wife and I had a blast on the water with Graham. Fishing was tough. We watched a lot of reds do some weird things and just seemed like they were just not interested in eating, but that is part of fishing. Despite a tough day on the water, we had fun and will definitely plan to book another trip with Graham next time we are in the area. He is a fun, incredibly personable guide that knows his stuff.  

 John H. recommends Backcountry Hilton Head

Judson H.
Judson H.
4.7/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

4.0/5

Overall

No fish, great trip!

VERIFIED

Afternoon Half Day Trip on April 26, 2024

We got skunked, not for lack of effort by the Captain. Mother Nature (and maybe my casting abilities...) weren't on our side. Winds blowing constantly with 10-30mph gusts made finding fish, siting fish and casting to them very difficult. I look forward to another shot at 'em with Graham Cotter next time I'm in the area.

We got skunked, not for lack of effort by the Captain. Mother Nature (and maybe my casting abilities...) weren't on our side. Winds blowing constantly with 10-30mph gusts made finding fish, siting fish and casting to them very difficult. I look forward to another shot at 'em with Graham Cotter next time I'm in the area.  

 Judson H. recommends Backcountry Hilton Head

Michael M.
Michael M.
5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Best Experience - Highly Recommend!

VERIFIED

3/4 Day Trip on November 6, 2023

Graham is as good as they come - he is a master at his craft, he knows this water inside and out, and is incredibly knowledgeable about redfish and their habits. He put me on fish and guided me through the whole process start to finish to help me land some giant redfish. Worth every penny - incredible experience!

Graham is as good as they come - he is a master at his craft, he knows this water inside and out, and is incredibly knowledgeable about redfish and their habits. He put me on fish and guided me through the whole process start to finish to help me land some giant redfish. Worth every penny - incredible experience!  

 Michael M. recommends Backcountry Hilton Head

Tim D.
Tim D.

Bolivia, NC

5.0/5

Experience:

5.0/5

Boat

5.0/5

Crew

5.0/5

Overall

Half day trip with Graham

VERIFIED

Morning Half Day Trip on July 27, 2023

Perfect father/son half day trip with Graham. We were wanting to do something a little more active and we got just that. Grahams program is perfect for those looking to stay active and hunt for the fish. Great trip and looking forward to the next one.

Perfect father/son half day trip with Graham. We were wanting to do something a little more active and we got just that. Grahams program is perfect for those looking to stay active and hunt for the fish. Great trip and looking forward to the next one.  

 Tim D. recommends Backcountry Hilton Head

FAQs about Backcountry Hilton Head

What are the trip rates for Backcountry Hilton Head?

Backcountry Hilton Head offers the following trips to customers:

  • US $525 per group - Afternoon Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • US $525 per group - Morning Half Day Trip (4 hours)
  • US $685 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (6 hours)
  • US $895 per group - Full Day Trip (8 hours)
Which amenities are available onboard with Backcountry Hilton Head?

When you book a trip with Backcountry Hilton Head, you can expect the following amenities onboard:

  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
What's included in the trip price with Backcountry Hilton Head?

Trips booked with Backcountry Hilton Head include:

  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Lures
  • Fishing License
  • Fly Fishing Equipment
What types of fishing does Backcountry Hilton Head offer?

Backcountry Hilton Head offers the following types of fishing:

  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Flats Fishing
  • Backcountry Fishing
What fishing techniques does Backcountry Hilton Head offer?

Backcountry Hilton Head offers the following fishing techniques:

  • Light Tackle
  • Fly Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Backcountry Hilton Head?

Top targeted fish species with Backcountry Hilton Head include:

  • Black Drum
  • Cobia
  • Flounder
  • Jack Crevalle
  • Redfish
  • Shark (Bonnethead)
  • Speckled Trout
  • Tarpon

Your captain

Graham Cotter

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, United States

1 Fishing Report
12 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since November 2022

Graham Cotter has been an adventure guide in one way, shape, or form for over 20 years. While he grew up visiting his father in Hilton Head Island he spent the majority of his career in the Florida Keys, South Florida, and the Bahamas. Graham managed private sport fishing operations which required him to learn new fisheries as he traveled to various remote locations - offshore fishing for pelagics, inshore fishing for Bonefish, Snook, and Tarpon as well as diving and spearfishing. But sight fishing the Backcountry flats and creeks was always the favorite. After evacuating the Florida Keys for Hurricane Irma in 2017 he ended up on Hilton Head Island. Graham had found the Backcountry waters he had always been searching for. The endless variety of salt marsh creeks and flats in the Lowcountry are overwhelming and ever-changing with the tide and could never be fully explored. ​When not on charter Graham is still on the water every day keeping his finger on the pulse & scouting new spots.

The fish you can target

Black Drum
Black Drum
Cobia
Cobia
Flounder
Flounder
Jack Crevalle
Jack Crevalle
Redfish
Redfish
Bonnethead Shark
Bonnethead Shark
Speckled Trout
Speckled Trout
Tarpon
Tarpon

What is the boat like?

Boat Image
Boat category
Skiffs and flats boats
Capacity
2 persons
Boat length
18 ft
Year built
2015
Boat manufacturer
Beavertail
Boat type
Flats boat

Engine model
Suzuki
Powered by
1 x 90HP
Max cruising speed
30 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Inshore Fishing

Nearshore Fishing

Flats Fishing

Backcountry Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle

Fly Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

GPS

Fishfinder

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle

Lures

Fishing License

Fly Fishing Equipment

How cancellations work

Deposit non-refundable

If it is unsafe to travel, you may still cancel free of charge or change the date(s) of your booking.

What the listing policies are

Pickup agreed upon reservation

Transfer to/from departure site may be available and included in price depending on your location and distance from the dock.

Catch and Release Mandatory

How you can pay

Pay online in full

Pay online in full through FishingBooker and save on credit card fees at the dock.

No additional fees.

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

When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3.5% charge will apply.

What’s biting in Hilton Head Island right now

CobiaCobia
FlounderFlounder
RedfishRedfish
Shark (Bonnethead)Shark (Bonnethead)
Speckled TroutSpeckled Trout
TarponTarpon