Hilton Head Island Inshore Fishing Charters

Hilton Head Island Inshore Fishing Charters

Best Inshore Fishing Charters in Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island: 82 fishing charters available
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(92 reviews)
Hilton Head Island
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $550
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(19 reviews)
Hilton Head Island
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $375
Excellent
5.0 / 5
(168 reviews)
Hilton Head Island
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $350
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(700 reviews)
Hilton Head Island
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $375
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(64 reviews)
Hilton Head Island
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $525
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(56 reviews)
Hilton Head Island
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $530
Excellent
4.9 / 5
(294 reviews)
Hilton Head Island
 Instant Confirmation
trips from US $425
Just listed
Hilton Head Island
trips from US $250

Inshore Fishing in Hilton Head Island

Look no further than Hilton Head inshore fishing for some of the finest light tackle action in the country. This type of fishing is superb at any time of year, whether you find yourself on the flats, in the rivers and estuaries, or out in the sound. From Redfish and Flounder to a variety of Sharks, you can expect to come away with a great catch.

What to Catch and When to Target it

Locals will tell you that autumn is hands down the best time for inshore fishing on Hilton Head. The weather is fair, the water is clear, and most of the tourists have left town. Speckled Trout and Flounder start heading to the flats, where they join Redfish in a feeding frenzy. The oyster bars, mud flats, and creeks are abundant with baitfish at this time of year, including lots of shrimp. This is a great chance to bring home plenty of table fare!

In autumn you can also venture into the sounds to target Bull Redfish. These monster reds sometimes reach up to 40 lbs in size and many anglers consider them to be the highlight of inshore fishing on Hilton Head. You will also find them on nearshore wrecks between five and 15 miles from shore, along with Bluefish, Black Seabass, and more.

Even in winter, Hilton Head offers some of the best inshore fishing you can find. Flounder, Speckled Trout, Redfish, Seabass, and Sheepshead are all biting close to shore.

In spring and summer you can reel in an assortment of species, including anything from Flounder to Cobia, Tarpon, and Sharks. Cobia begin to appear in Port Royal Sound and the Broad River in spring. Tarpon makes an entrance in summer, some of them reaching over 100 lbs. A variety of Sharks such as Lemon, Dusky, Spinner, and Bull Sharks become more numerous in summer as well. Fishing from June onwards will give you a chance to catch any of the above.

How to Fish

Inshore fishing usually calls for light tackle or fly fishing. Depending on the species and conditions, you can use live bait, dead bait, artificial lures, and flies. Poling the flats in winter and sight fishing in summer and fall are common methods that locals use to target Redfish in particular.

Fishing in the sound may include trolling and bottom fishing depending on the target species. Fishing near wrecks usually involves anchoring and bottom fishing for Seabass and other bottom fish. You might troll for Spanish Mackerel, Cobia, and other species.

Hilton Head Island
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Based on 28,443 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Inshore Fishing in Hilton Head Island

It was very chilly in the morning so come prepared with warm clothes. It wasnโ€™t peak fishing season, but our captain was able to get us on some wonderful fish!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It was very chilly in the morning so come prepared with warm clothes. It wasnโ€™t peak fishing season, but our captain was able to get us on some wonderful fish!
Captain Buddyโ€™s
Captain Buddyโ€™s
Seasonal. Redfish, Cobia, Tarpon, Snapper, Jacks, King Fish, Triple Tail, Sharks
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Seasonal. Redfish, Cobia, Tarpon, Snapper, Jacks, King Fish, Triple Tail, Sharks
Mighty Mako Sportfishing Charters
Mighty Mako Sportfishing Charters Villa Rica, Georgia
If fishing inshore or nearshore, bring bug repellant as the gnats can be a bit much to deal with.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
If fishing inshore or nearshore, bring bug repellant as the gnats can be a bit much to deal with.
Captain Buddyโ€™s
Captain Buddyโ€™s
Weather is a little unpredictable in February but this has to be expected. You have to be open minded to the fact that the fish may not necessarily be in abundance of catching. But that is pretty normal in a sport like this considering the weather/temperature this time of year! I would still recommend it though, because why not? Especially if you want to enjoy the time on a boat and doing something you love.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Weather is a little unpredictable in February but this has to be expected. You have to be open minded to the fact that the fish may not necessarily be in abundance of catching. But that is pretty normal in a sport like this considering the weather/temperature this time of year! I would still recommend it though, because why not? Especially if you want to enjoy the time on a boat and doing something you love.
Gone Fishing Charters
Gone Fishing Charters
Dress in layers because it can be cold on the water. Ware tennis shoes and sun glasses. Captain provided us fresh bait and did the baiting of the hooks.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Dress in layers because it can be cold on the water. Ware tennis shoes and sun glasses. Captain provided us fresh bait and did the baiting of the hooks.
Hilton Head Inshore Charters
Hilton Head Inshore Charters
Definitely dress appropriately! It was 65 degrees the day we went out and if I hadnโ€™t had a windbreaker I woulda froze lol. You WILL catch fish! Fishing is fishing though and you may or may not catch fish right away! The scenery alone is worth going on a trip in my opinion. The fishing was more of a fast paced style fishing. Like crappie or bass fishing.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Definitely dress appropriately! It was 65 degrees the day we went out and if I hadnโ€™t had a windbreaker I woulda froze lol. You WILL catch fish! Fishing is fishing though and you may or may not catch fish right away! The scenery alone is worth going on a trip in my opinion. The fishing was more of a fast paced style fishing. Like crappie or bass fishing.
Southern Summers Charters
Southern Summers Charters
Base your expectations on the season. We targeted red drum and sheepshead because that's what we knew we'd be able to catch at the end of January early February and that's exactly what we caught. In abundance!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Base your expectations on the season. We targeted red drum and sheepshead because that's what we knew we'd be able to catch at the end of January early February and that's exactly what we caught. In abundance!
Hilton Head Inshore Charters
Hilton Head Inshore Charters
Weather can be unpredictable (as expected), but if you are flexible with dates/times, it is worth the effort.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Weather can be unpredictable (as expected), but if you are flexible with dates/times, it is worth the effort.
Captain Buddyโ€™s
Captain Buddyโ€™s
I suppose it's the same any month - you are somewhat at the mercy of the weather and the tides. Had we fished during a different period that day, our catch might have been much different. We had fun and made memories for a lifetime. That's a good day in my book.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I suppose it's the same any month - you are somewhat at the mercy of the weather and the tides. Had we fished during a different period that day, our catch might have been much different. We had fun and made memories for a lifetime. That's a good day in my book.
Pole Cat Charters
Pole Cat Charters
Communicate with your captain ahead of time it helps you be prepared. Our captain did a great job.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Communicate with your captain ahead of time it helps you be prepared. Our captain did a great job.
Southern Summers Charters
Southern Summers Charters
Captain Matt Crowe has been handling a boat, and fishing these waters since he was 8 years old. If you are going inshore he is the man. He has been guiding for 8 years, and can show serious anglers or a family out for a fun time. He can make it fun, educational, and interesting, and you will catch some fish. Take picture. This area is beautiful. Red fish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, sharks, what ever you want in the way of an adventure.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Captain Matt Crowe has been handling a boat, and fishing these waters since he was 8 years old. If you are going inshore he is the man. He has been guiding for 8 years, and can show serious anglers or a family out for a fun time. He can make it fun, educational, and interesting, and you will catch some fish. Take picture. This area is beautiful. Red fish, speckled trout, flounder, black drum, sharks, what ever you want in the way of an adventure.
Southern Roots Fishing Charters
Southern Roots Fishing Charters Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Dress for the weather we came prepared and it was a good thing. Chilly in the am.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Dress for the weather we came prepared and it was a good thing. Chilly in the am.
Captain Buddyโ€™s
Captain Buddyโ€™s
We had unfavorable weather, but we made the best of it, and still had a great time!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
We had unfavorable weather, but we made the best of it, and still had a great time!
Reel McCoy Charters
Reel McCoy Charters
For novice folks, this kind of inshore bottom fishing trip is fantastic. Never know what youโ€™re going to pull up!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
For novice folks, this kind of inshore bottom fishing trip is fantastic. Never know what youโ€™re going to pull up!
Drifter Excursions โ€“ Ricochet
Drifter Excursions โ€“ Ricochet
Craig was wonderful, knowledgeable, and helpful with our group. He made our fun experience even more fun. We had a blast and hope we made his day a little more fun as well. Donโ€™t miss out on one of the best excursions in the Hilton Head area
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Craig was wonderful, knowledgeable, and helpful with our group. He made our fun experience even more fun. We had a blast and hope we made his day a little more fun as well. Donโ€™t miss out on one of the best excursions in the Hilton Head area
Gone Fishing Charters
Gone Fishing Charters
Canโ€™t believe we waited 18 years to try our hand at fishing! Definitely recommend it! Such fun!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Canโ€™t believe we waited 18 years to try our hand at fishing! Definitely recommend it! Such fun!
Southern Summers Charters
Southern Summers Charters
My skill is limited, was honest and the Captain built the trip around that information. AM is what I like but the tide is what you want, movement so the fish are biting. Best of luck.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
My skill is limited, was honest and the Captain built the trip around that information. AM is what I like but the tide is what you want, movement so the fish are biting. Best of luck.
Sonrise Fishing Charters
Sonrise Fishing Charters Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Donโ€™t go in august. Water is too hot to catch fish. Captain was good but he canโ€™t control the weather.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Donโ€™t go in august. Water is too hot to catch fish. Captain was good but he canโ€™t control the weather.
Sonrise Fishing Charters
Sonrise Fishing Charters Atlanta, GA
I am very inexperienced deep sea fishing and my husband is more experienced. We both had a great time!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I am very inexperienced deep sea fishing and my husband is more experienced. We both had a great time!
Captain Buddyโ€™s
Captain Buddyโ€™s
A lot of options so review the type of trip and what to expect, reviews and # of reviews.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
A lot of options so review the type of trip and what to expect, reviews and # of reviews.
Carolina Rig
Carolina Rig Lakeville, MN

Top Targeted Inshore Fishing Species in Hilton Head Island