What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina for the first time?

It was a pretty hot day so the fishing wasn’t as high quality as the captain had expected. Likely if the water temperatures were little cooler than 98 we would’ve caught a few more fish. However, some of us fisherman could’ve done better as well!

So happy with the great experience today! Captain jay was very family friendly and helpful! He was super Involved and patient with the kids! We caught a variety of fish that left the kids super excited to continue! We all had a great trip on the boat and the kids can’t wait to do it again! The entire trip was more than we expected and so happy with surprised the kids with this adventure! For dinner tonight we enjoyed fresh shark tacos, and it as excellent! The kids are thinking none of their friends will believe them that they caught so many sharks and ate them! Thank you!

August can be iffy, We’ll be back in October. When your looking for a fishing trip beyond the typical offers out of the primary marinas where your looking to catch something other than small sharks, my opinion is to find a local owner operator captain not associated with the major marinas.

We had the best tour guide! He knew all the good spots, asked us ahead of time what we were looking to get out of the trip. We felt like we knew him for years. We are so greatful for these memories.

Wear what you can to protect yourself from the sun and heat, bring plenty of cool drinks, and enjoy! Make sure to look up which species are common within each season to know which ones will be targeted most on the trip.

It was almost unbearably hot so take fluids to hydrate. I dont know enough about saltwater fishing to know if the weather was impactful either way. This is a memort though that we will all have for a lifetime.

I would recommend a fishing charter to really get the full experience. Hilton Head Inshore Charters is a very reputable and knowledgeable charter for a first time fishing trip to Hilton Head. Captain Thomas MacDonald grew up in the area and has spent his life on the water. He will definitely make your experience worthwhile!

Our trip was 10-2, it got pretty hot around 1230, but Captain Buddy made sure we were able to cool down with a good splash of water. Even with the spike in heat, we still had a great time! If you are sensitive to heat, I would recommend booking early morning.

Perfect 1st time experience fishing in saltwater. Captain Ethan did a great job baiting and casting lines in a space that was prime for fishing. He also coached all passengers well on how to reel in the several catches safely and successfully. We thoroughly enjoyed the trip!

Make sure you know what you want to go after, and try to get the most experienced on the reel first especially if you haven't done it before. Captains are professionals, but cant guarantee fish ..so just be prepared to be the same amount of happy for getting 1 or 15..or none. That's fishing!

The time of year makes a difference. Early in the Spring season, we knew it was unlikely we would catch anything to keep. Understanding the season is important for your expectations. We had a great time with catch and release!

we had a bachelor party and booked with Captain Craig and first mate Braedon ( probably spelled it wrong). these guys are top shelf and professional. We did a 6 hour trip and the weather was perfect just as our hosts were. Friendly, Knowledgeable and put us right on the fish, we killed it! we caught about 25 and kept about half that. They fileted them up for us and we took them to Hilton Head Boathouse and had them cooked up for dinner! Outstanding time and would ? recommend. We're already planning round 2 for after the wedding!!

Captain Kim was my first charter im hikton head island. I will never book with anyone else. Always successful even in the off-season. Would highly recommend him for your first time. Excellent teacher!

Yes, but not out of season. It’s still fun being on the water but people from out of state should know there is still a season here where fishing is slow. I come from mn, so assumed since it was pretty warm here year round fishing was too, which was my mistake.

Fishing for red fish in Hilton Head is a great experience. I have booked a charter in Savannah GA and they brought us all the way to Hilton Head to fish around the island and Dafuskie. SC and its captains do a great job with fishing rules to allow for the red fish population to be thriving.

Find a great captain with a good knowledge of the area and local conditions. Listen to the advice provided and you will be successful. What works where you normally fish might not work here. I fish frequently in NJ. Bait that will catch black drum there doesn’t work here. An experienced Capt will know that. Don’t try to be the Capt or guide.

Book With Captain Heath and Dolphin Discoveries Family Fishing and Nature Tours if you are brand new to fishing or a veteran angler as this is an enjoyable trip. Three hours is probably the right time if you are new to fishing. My wife could have stayed another two hours and kept fishing. As I write in all my reviews a 3-hour trip doesn't always mean 3 hours of lines in the water as there is transit time to the fishing spots so take that into consideration. Even if we wouldn't have caught a fish this is a great trip as we still were able to see dolphins and learned a lot about the area from Captain Heath.

You have to have realistic expectations when going on these fishing excursions. Sometimes you get the fish and sometimes the fish get you. Landing fish or sharks is never a guarantee, so be prepared to embrace the experience of being on the water and becoming closer to nature. With that said, I have been fortunate to have caught many fish and shark on all of the excursions around HHI. Bring water. Bring snacks. Wear sunscreen. Bring sunglasses. Wear light clothing that covers and protects your skin. A long sleeve shirt is best. Invest in a neck gaiter that you can use to cover your face.

We had an incredible day on the water with Captain Craig Ryan! From the moment we stepped onto his well-maintained, comfortable boat, we knew we were in good hands. Craig is not only a knowledgeable and experienced captain, but also friendly and patient — making it a perfect trip for the whole family. We caught a great haul of fish, including some impressive king mackerel and Spanish mackerel. Craig knew exactly where to take us and made sure everyone had a chance to reel something in. He made the whole experience exciting and stress-free, even for the kids. If you’re looking for a top-tier fishing charter with a seasoned guide who genuinely loves what he does, we highly recommend booking with Craig Ryan. We’ll definitely be back for another trip!

I don't get the opportunity to fish salt water very often and know very little about it but this was a spur of the moment trip. Locals told me March isn’t necessarily the best time of the year to go but it can have its good days. I will definitely be going back to Hilton head to fish but will be going back in the summer/fall when the fishing is a little better. Still had a great time and caught fish.

The only reason for not rating 5 stars is Hilton Head in July is very hot and humid. We were lucky in that it was overcast with a light wind, but on the few occasions when the sun came out and before the light wind picked up, it was unbelievable hot. My kids certainly felt the heat when it was there so if you have kids sensitive to the heat, I'd be mindful of that. Wear hats, sun protective clothing and bring A LOT of water like we did. In general, I'd reach out to Captain Jon either before or after booking to get his thoughts on the day. He's not the least bit interested in taking your money if the conditions aren't ideal or if there's a chance you're not going to enjoy the day.

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.

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.

Check with the charter service for the best times of the year for different fish to catch. Captain Dave told me there will be plenty of great eating fish to catch around the October, early November time frame. We'll be scheduling another trip with Above and Below Charters around that time frame. Captain Dave and CJ are excellent in this field with nice, well maintained boat and fishing gear. Very easy to fish with and very willing to teach.

I wholeheartedly give this in-land fishing charter a well-deserved 5-star rating. The expertise of the guides, the quality of the equipment, the breathtaking fishing spots, the outstanding customer service, and the overall experience were truly exceptional. If you're looking for an unforgettable fishing adventure, book a trip with this charter and get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime!

If you are looking for an introduction to fishing for kids and families, take a quick shark trip in Hilton Head. The 3 hour tour is perfect for a family. it keeps the kids engaged the entire time. You'll head out and be plucking shark, croakers, whiting and so much more while learning about the local fishing. We have taken two trips now with our kids, and both times captain and crew have been so engaged with the children to create a wonderful fishing experience.

I recommend reading the reviews of the different boat captains when deciding on a fishing trip in Hilton Head in June. Temperatures were extremely high and you should bring plenty of water out for a day of fishing. In fact, in deciding how much to take add about 50 percent more to your plan. Avoid alcohol when temp indexes exceed 100 degrees. Also know what fish you are targeting and select a trip which is suitable for that species. Watch winds carefully and select a boat which is large enough to be comfortable for your party size.

Book your trip with Captain Kurt of Aqua Excursions, and enjoy! Debating the cost? I did, and yet is was worth every dollar. Grandfather on a fixed income here, and it was the most satisfying money I have spent in a very long time. We, three generations (Father, son, and Grandson together) are going out again tomorrow Saturday. Thanks again, Captain Kurt. Trust me, you and yours will have a lot of fun together.

This was my first time ocean fishing so I don't have a good reference point. If you have a flexible schedule you my want to check with the captain to see when/if the fishing is good and schedule accordingly. I was limited with a two day window. A wind kicked up on first day that didn't allow us to get out on the ocean and the second day was supposed to be worse. We fished in the sound and did not have much luck, 2 small sharks.

We booked with Black Dog Fishing Charter in Hilton Head with Captain Jon. I highly recommend this trip to anyone that wants a great day out on the water catching fish. Captain Jon was very knowledgeable on where to go so that we were successful in catching fish. Everything was supplied for us so there was no stress involved. A great experience for a family or individuals! The trip is well worth the money!