Home to some of the finest and most varied fishing on the East Coast, the Palmetto State’s waters are an angler's dream. From marshes and backwaters teeming with Redfish to the deep blue seas where big game fish roam, you'll find them all out here. All you need to do is hop on one of the many South Carolina fishing charters, and you'll be ready to start the adventure of a lifetime.
Besides year-round populations of Redfish, South Carolina's inshore waters house a range of other species. These include Speckled Trout, Black Drum, Flounder, Sheepshead, and even Tarpon in the lowcountry.
If you head a little into the ocean, you'll start seeing Spanish and King Mackerel, as well as Cobia. Along the reefs, there are also Grouper, Snapper, Spadefish, and tasty Triggerfish for you to reel in. Of course, the deeper you go, the bigger the fish. About 50 miles offshore, in the Gulf Stream, you can catch Marlin, Tuna, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and big bottom dwellers.
Naturally, there are also plenty of freshwater fishing opportunities, too. Lakes such as Santee Cooper, Murray, and Hartwell offer epic Bass, Crappie, and Catfish angling. Lake Jocassee, on the other hand, has Brown and Rainbow Trout swimming in it. Another solid choice if you want to catch Gar, Bowfish, Bass, or Catfish is the Waccamaw River.
Some charter fishing hubs include Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and Hilton Head Island. Half day outings will give you enough time to explore the inshore waters or lakes. For offshore fishing, you'll need 8 or more hours on the water.
Rules & Regulations
Anglers aged 16 and older need to have South Carolina fishing licenses to fish legally. There are separate freshwater and saltwater permits, so make sure to get the correct one. However, you won't need a license when fishing aboard saltwater charter boats.