Flood-tide redfish
Sight-fishing tails in the spartina on the big tides. Fly or light tackle.
Fishing · South Carolina · No fee to you
Charleston Fishing
Tailing redfish in the grass, wahoo in the stream.
Sight-fishing redfish on flood tides in the spartina, trout and flounder in the harbor, and a Gulf Stream run for wahoo and mahi.
Overview
Why Charleston.
Charleston is one of the best redfish towns in America and the fall flood tides are the reason. On the highest tides of September and October the water pushes into the spartina grass and redfish tail in a foot of water, which is as good as sight fishing gets on the East Coast, with a fly rod or with light spinning tackle. The rest of the year the harbor, Bulls Bay and the creeks behind Kiawah and Isle of Palms hold redfish, trout and flounder year round. Offshore, it is a longer run than Florida, roughly 50 to 70 miles to the Gulf Stream, and the payoff is wahoo in the cooler months and mahi through the spring and summer. Then you come back in and eat like you are in Charleston, which is most of the point.
Highlights
What Charleston does best.
01Redfish
02Fly fishing
03Offshore
04Food town
When to go
Best: March – November
Shoulder seasons often mean better value and fewer people. Tell us your dates and we'll be honest about what to expect.
Traveler reviews
What travelers said about Charleston.
Things to do
Build the days around Charleston.
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Harbor trout & flounder
Half day in the harbor and the rivers, ten minutes from downtown.
Gulf Stream run
Offshore for wahoo, mahi and tuna when the weather gives you a window.
Shrimping or crabbing morning
Cast nets and crab traps in the creeks. The best trip for kids on the whole coast.
Charleston dinner reservation
One of the best food towns in America, and the good tables go early.
Round of golf
Kiawah and the Isle of Palms courses are a short drive from the dock.
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