Kiawah Island is the perfect place to enjoy South Carolina’s great outdoors. With beautiful beaches, isolated inlets, and one of the East Coast’s best golf courses, it’s an ideal escape from the busy streets of nearby Charleston. And what better way to enjoy it than from the water? Kiawah Island fishing charters will give you an authentic Lowcountry angling experience with an endless cast of hard-fighting fish to catch. Spend a day in these stunning waters and you’ll head home with a huge smile and a trunkload of tasty fillets!
Known For
Kiawah Island is surrounded on all sides by fish. You can find Trout, Redfish, Black Drum, and more all year round in the local shallows. Head farther out, and you can add anything from Black Seabass to Blue Marlin to your list of potential catches. The island even has a decent Largemouth Bass fishery – It really doesn’t get more varied than this!
Most Kiawah Island fishing guides launch from nearby Folly Beach, just a mile up the coast. Large parts of the island itself are privately owned, and the local marina is mainly for resort members. Folly Beach has easy access to all of Kiawah’s fisheries, though, and is actually better placed for heading offshore.
Kiawah Island Fishing Spots
Drop a hook and a hunk of bread into any of the local waters and you’ll probably find something on the end of your line. Fish in any of these spots, though, and things hit a whole new level of awesome.
Kiawah River
Take a trip into the protected shallows of Kiawah River and you won’t believe the variety of fish on offer. Spotted Seatrout and Redfish (known locally as Spottail Bass) top the list, but you can also find Southern and Winter Flounder, Black Drum, Whiting, Tarpon, and several species of Shark. All this, just a putting stroke from the island’s resort.
Kiawah Reef
If you thought the shallows had all the action, just wait until you see what’s in store for you on the reefs! Kiawah Reef is just one of a score of reefs and wrecks littering the surrounding area. Depending on how deep you fish, you can expect anything from Black Seabass and Spadefish to Cobia, Snapper, Grouper, and Amberjack. You can also find pelagic fish like King Mackerel and Mahi Mahi hunting around more remote spots.
Gulf Stream
Kiawah Island deep sea fishing is good enough to stop even the most seasoned sportfisher in their tracks. Blue Marlin, White Marlin, and Sailfish all spend their summers in the deep waters offshore. Head out at night, and you can try your luck against one of the toughest fish in the sea – Swordfish. Throw in a variety of pelagic Sharks and a great Yellowfin Tuna bite, and it’s hard to resist making the long journey offshore. It is a long journey, though: the best action takes place anywhere from 40 to 70 miles out.
Beaches
If you don’t handle boats well or just don’t have the time to enjoy Kiawah fishing charters, you can find some big hookups from shore. The surf fishing Kiawah Island has to offer is a perfect way to snatch an hour’s angling while the family enjoys a day at the beach. Bluefish are common catches here, and you can even hook the big Trout and Bull Reds Kiawah Island is so good for.
Ponds
If you’re more the freshwater type, you’ll be pleased to hear that the island’s golf courses are dotted with ponds full of Largemouth Bass and Bluegill. Many of these are also home to alligators, though, so only fish from ponds with proper docks.
Need to Know
So you’re sold on fishing around Kiawah Island. Good for you, you won’t regret it! Here are a few last tips to make your trip even easier, because we’re nice like that.
Local Laws
You don’t need a fishing license aboard registered South Carolina charter boats, but you will need one to fish from shore or in the island’s ponds. You should be aware that most ponds are only accessible to anglers renting in the Vanderhorst Plantation.
Budget
An inshore charter will cost you around $400-$450 for a half day or $700-$850 for a full day. Boats fishing the reefs are bigger and burn more fuel, so they cost a little more. Offshore charters start at around $1,400 for an 8-hour trip, with extended 12-hour or overnight charters on offer if you’re after the biggest Billfish out there.
Getting There
Kiawah Island is well under an hour’s drive from Charleston, and just over 2 hours from Savannah, GA or Columbia, SC. Once you’re on the island, there are paved cycle tracks and bike rental points if you feel like getting some exercise. You can also rent kayaks easily if you want to explore the surrounding waters.
Whether you’re visiting the island for its beaches, its golf, or for the fishing itself, you won’t be disappointed wetting a line here. With dozens of major species and every important habitat within reach, there’s a trip to suit any taste. What’s more, most of the accommodation on the island is self-catered. So avoid the overpriced restaurants and have a great time catching some delicious dinner instead!