SC Flats Fishing

The Charleston harbor water level changes twice per day by almost 6 feet on average making tide one of the most crucial elements for fishing inshore this area. Here in the creeks and on the flats we are typically working with the tide to target redfish, trout, and flounder using light tackle spin rods with artificial lures or bait. The rates listed cover all of the fishing gear, bait/lures, and licensing that you will need. Everyone is encouraged to bring your own fishing gear if you want, or you are welcome to use mine. For planning how to dress, the best way is check the forecast the day before and decide what you will be comfortable wearing outside that day. I recommend everyone bring a light jacket or rain jacket, and sunglasses are a must especially for sight fishing. Shoes are a good idea to avoid accidentally stepping on something, even flip flops or sandals work well for the summer months. Each boat has a cooler onboard packed with ice and water, but you will need to bring any other drinks and/or snacks you want. (No glass please) The inshore boat is an East Cape Vantage technical flats skiff. At 19’ in length and drafting right around 10 inches, this is East Cape’s premier inshore skiff. The v­-shaped bottom allows for a smooth ride in chop, and the extra large spray rails keep everyone on board dry for an overall comfortable experience while out on the water. This boat fits up to 3 people and is rigged with a poling platform for stalking the flats with fly rods and a trolling motor to work the banks with artificials and bait.

The inshore fly fishing is typically targeting trout and redfish using 6­9wt fly rods depending on the fishing conditions. Tippet sizes range from 12­20, and the most effective flies tend to be crab, shrimp, or small fish patterns. Offshore fly fishing in the Seacraft can be very exciting whether you’re using live bait to chum up reef dwellers like mackerel, cobia, and amberjacks or drifting behind the shrimp boats looking for large sharks. Standard gear are 10­15wt fly rods with assorted baitfish patterns. The rates listed cover all of the fishing gear, bait/lures, and licensing that you will need. Everyone is encouraged to bring your own fishing gear if you want, or you are welcome to use mine. For planning how to dress, the best way is check the forecast the day before and decide what you will be comfortable wearing outside that day. I recommend everyone bring a light jacket or rain jacket, and sunglasses are a must especially for sight fishing. Shoes are a good idea to avoid accidentally stepping on something, even flip flops or sandals work well for the summer months. Each boat has a cooler onboard packed with ice and water, but you will need to bring any other drinks and/or snacks you want. (No glass please) The inshore boat is an East Cape Vantage technical flats skiff. At 19’ in length and drafting right around 10 inches, this is East Cape’s premier inshore skiff. The v­-shaped bottom allows for a smooth ride in chop, and the extra large spray rails keep everyone on board dry for an overall comfortable experience while out on the water. This boat fits up to 3 people and is rigged with a poling platform for stalking the flats with fly rods and a trolling motor to work the banks with artificials and bait.

The offshore waters of South Carolina are covered with naturally occurring live bottom areas as well as man­-made reefs to provide structure for fish. These areas can be extremely productive using spin tackle and conventional gear for the bigger fish. We frequently see amberjacks, spadefish, cobia, little tunas, seabass, sharks and lots more. The rates listed cover all of the fishing gear, bait/lures, and licensing that you will need. Everyone is encouraged to bring your own fishing gear if you want, or you are welcome to use mine. For planning how to dress, the best way is check the forecast the day before and decide what you will be comfortable wearing outside that day. I recommend everyone bring a light jacket or rain jacket, and sunglasses are a must especially for sight fishing. Shoes are a good idea to avoid accidentally stepping on something, even flip flops or sandals work well for the summer months. Each boat has a cooler onboard packed with ice and water, but you will need to bring any other drinks and/or snacks you want. (No glass please) The nearshore/offshore fishing boat is a 23’ Seacraft center console fully rigged for fishing off the coast of Charleston or for taking larger groups (up to 6 people) to fish inshore and in the harbor.