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John Cloyd
Captain

John Cloyd

Hilton Head Island, United States
Angler's choice
100+ reviews
Captain John comes from Louisville, KY. He grew up playing every sport imaginable and fishing for Bass. He went to college to play baseball and ended up at a school close to the coast, USCB. Captain John received his undergraduate in business administration and started his own charter business shortly after.

Charter

Rating

4.9
148 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
5.0
Captain & Crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

96%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
95%
Appropriate for children
99%
Satisfied with the boat
93%
Caught fish

All reviews (148)

Showing 11 – 15 of 148 reviews
  • George Frederick
    George Frederick
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great day on the water!

    5 Hour – Inshore/Nearshore (AM) • 1 adult

    Had a wonderful time fishing with Captain John! Caught several huge Black Drum. the boat was spotless and easy to move around. He got me on the fish fast. was a great time. looking forward to a retun trip with him. if you’re thinking about fishing with him book it. Captain Kohn met me at the dock and we became instant friends. You can’t go wrong fishing with him.

    Reported catch:
    Redfish
    Black Drum
    Response from Captain

    I appreciate the kind words Joe! looking forward to doing it again!

  • Craig Amelung
    Craig Amelung
    Repeat angler
    us
    Virginia, US
    •
    Member since 2021
    •
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Hard working captain

    4 Hour – Inshore/Nearshore • 4 adults

    good day on the water. the higjlight was a 6 foot black fin shark that my son fought. captain was great and really pushed hard to get us on fish. My kids are all 22+ but i see this captain being great with all ages.

    Response from Captain

    Thanks again Craig, I really appreciate the kind words!

  • Andrew Mount
    Andrew Mount
    Repeat angler
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    •
    Member since 2020
    •
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Worth It Everytime

    6 Hour Trip • 1 adult

    If you are a serious angler who desires first class service and an exceptional fishing experience, Performance Fishing and Captain John Cloyd is the man. This was my fourth or fifth charter with Capt Cloyd and he has put me on the fish each and every time. Spend the time and money for an exceptional fishing expedition and you will not be disappointed!

    Reported catch:
    Redfish
    Response from Captain

    I appreciate the kind words Andy! Its been an honor to take you fishing the past 3 years and I look forward to the next one!

  • Brett Blake
    Brett Blake
    Repeat angler
    us
    New Jersey, US
    •
    Member since 2021
    •
    5 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Capt. John put us ON THE FISH!

    6 Hour Trip • 2 adults

    Capt. John was a great guide ! Super knowledgeable and put us on the fish right away! Caught some HUGE bull redfish. Overall great trip and definitely will be back !

    Reported catch:
    Jack Crevalle
    Redfish
    Tarpon
    Response from Captain

    Thanks again Brett!

  • John Sertich
    John Sertich
    us
    Illinois, US
    •
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Great Captain & Experience!

    6 Hour Trip • 4 adults

    Capt John was awesome. He took great care of us on the trip. Made sure we caught fish and had a great time. Very friendly and knowledgeable. I would highly recommend PFC & Capt John.

    Reported catch:
    Redfish
    Response from Captain

    Thanks again for the kind words John!

Real catches shared by our community

  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    Capt. John put us ON THE FISH!
    Brett B.
    Brett B.
  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    Awesome Experience!
    Vladislav T.
    Vladislav T.
  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    Great Trip!
    Greg R.
    Greg R.
  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    July fishing trip
    Rachel S.
    Rachel S.
  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    A Trip I will Never Forget
    Curtis E.
    Curtis E.
  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    Monster Stingray & more!
    Beth H.
    Beth H.
  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    Captain John
    Brandon G.
    Brandon G.
  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    Go Getter
    Curt R.
    Curt R.
  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    This trip was great!
    Chris .
    Chris .
  • Performance Fishing Charters
    Performance Fishing ChartersHilton Head Island, SC
    Highly Recommend Captain John
    Alan S.
    Alan S.

What's biting with Performance Fishing Charters in Hilton Head Island

You can still enjoy great offshore fishing, trolling for Barracuda, King Mackerel, and Sharks. In the Gulf Stream you'll have luck fishing for Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Wahoo, and more. 

Top catches for September

Fishing reports

Angler proudly displaying two large Black Drum caught during a fishing trip at the marina.

Lowcountry Winter Bite: Redfish, Black D

Feb 19, 2026 • Hilton Head Island
Fishing around Hilton Head has been steady and productive for late winter patterns. Water temps are still on the cooler side, but we’re seeing consistent action from redfish, black drum, and sheepshead throughout the tides. Redfish are schooled up and feeding well on lower tides. We’re finding them stacked in deeper holes in the creeks and along mud flats that warm up during the afternoon sun. On higher water, they’re pushing onto flooded grass edges and oyster points. Sheepshead fishing has been strong around docks, pilings, and oyster clusters. These fish are feeding aggressively as they stage around structure. As water temps slowly begin to climb, the bite should continue to improve. Expect redfish schools to stay grouped up for a bit longer before spreading out as we transition toward spring patterns. If you’re planning a trip soon, now is a great time to get on the water. Plenty of action and less boat traffic this time of year.
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A young angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while seated on a boat, enjoying a day of fishing.

Bull Red Blitz

Sep 13, 2025 • Hilton Head Island
Bull Red Blitz: The Lowcountry Ignites As autumn settles over the South Carolina Lowcountry, so does one of the most electrifying inshore migrations of the year—the arrival of bull red drum in full force. Right now, the bite is blazing, with anglers encountering oversized reds measuring up to and beyond 45 inches. These heavyweight bruisers are staging in classic fall patterns—stacking up near inlets, sandbars, creek mouths, and deeper channel edges. Feeding aggressively ahead of their offshore spawn, they’re inhaling fresh cut bait with reckless abandon, offering anglers an unforgettable fight and a true test of gear. “This is the time of year we wait for,” says one seasoned local guide. “The bulls are fired up and ready to eat—cut mullet, menhaden, blue crab—it doesn’t matter if you find the right water.” Most hookups are coming on heavy Carolina rigs rigged with circle hooks and stout tackle to muscle these fish in strong current. Anglers are encouraged to practice responsible catch and release—minimizing time out of the water, supporting fish properly, and avoiding over-handling to protect this vital breeding stock. With perfect conditions lining up—cooler temps, moving tides, and active baitfish—the Lowcountry’s bull redfish season is peaking. For anglers chasing their next big pull, the window is wide open.
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A young angler joyfully poses with a Sheepshead fish alongside a smiling adult on a fishing charter, capturing a memorable moment at the dock.

Inshore bite is on fire!!!

Feb 18, 2025 • Hilton Head Island
The sheepshead are still hanging inshore prior to leaving for the nearshore reefs to spawn. Mainly catching them on fiddlers crabs. The red drum sre still showing up in nice numbers. This will start to slow down as we get further into march and april. Sheepshead are some of the tastiest fish in the sea so if youre looking for meat, lets get on em!
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Angler proudly displaying two large Sheepshead caught while fishing offshore, showcasing a successful day on the water.

Sheepshead Fishing Report

Jan 25, 2025 • Hilton Head Island
The Sheepshead bite is starting to fire off recently! Fish are moving from the inshore waters to their offshore spawning areas. Many sheepshead to catch inshore still, mainly around docks and bridge pilings. In the next week or two we will start seeing large numbers on the near shore wrecks. If youve love a good fighting fish and an even bette tasting one, book a sheepshead trip and lets go fishing!
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An angler proudly displaying a large Redfish while fishing on a sunny day.

Fall Bull Red Bite is on Fire!

Sep 21, 2024 • Hilton Head Island
The fall migration of Bull Red Drum is in full effect! Seeing double digit totals on some half day trips! This should last well jnto November as water temps continue to fall. Cut bait on the bottom has been the ticjet!
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An adult angler proudly displaying a Speckled Trout while fishing in a scenic coastal environment.

Early Spring Inshore Action!!

Feb 28, 2024 • Hilton Head Island
Lately we have been forced to fish in the creeks due to high winds. However that doesn’t mean were off the fish! Weve been seeing steady nunbers of red drum and sheepshead coming from the creeks around structure. The red drum are starting to go into their spring phases and break up from the massive winter time schols they were previously in. Sheepshead are starting to make their way out to the local reefs and wrecks as well.
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