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Charleston, South Carolina, isn’t just known for its rich history and beautiful coastal views—it’s also one of the best redfish fishing destinations on the East Coast. With a vast network of tidal creeks, expansive marshes, and inshore flats, this area provides the perfect year-round habitat for redfish, also known as red drum.
Redfish are one of the most sought-after game fish in the Lowcountry, and for good reason. These hard-fighting, aggressive feeders are known for their thrilling runs, especially when hooked in shallow water. Whether you’re chasing tailing reds on the flats, sight fishing with a fly rod, or battling bull redfish near the jetties, Charleston offers an unmatched redfish experience for anglers of all skill levels.
If you’re looking to catch trophy redfish and experience Charleston’s premier inshore fishing, look no further than Tailfin Expeditions. We specialize in targeting redfish in every season, whether it’s wintertime sight fishing in crystal-clear waters or fall bull red runs in the Charleston Harbor. Our expert guides know the local waters inside and out, ensuring an unforgettable day on the water.
From beginners looking to land their first redfish to seasoned anglers chasing that next personal best, we tailor every Charleston fishing charter for success. Let’s get on the water and put you on the fish!
One of the greatest things about redfish in Charleston, SC is that they can be caught year-round. These hardy inshore fish are highly adaptable, thriving in the Lowcountry’s salt marshes, tidal creeks, and coastal flats regardless of the season. However, their behavior, location, and feeding patterns change throughout the year, making some seasons better than others for targeting specific types of redfish action.
If you’re looking to catch a trophy bull redfish, fall is prime time. During these months, mature redfish migrate into Charleston’s inlets, beaches, and harbor, feeding aggressively before winter. This is the best time to hook into massive 30-50+ pound reds near the jetties, sandbars, and deeper channels.
For inshore anglers, fall also provides excellent action for slot-sized reds in the creeks and grass flats, especially on flood tides when redfish tail in the spartina grass.
Winter in Charleston offers some of the best sight fishing for redfish. As water temperatures drop, redfish gather in large schools in shallow flats, often in groups of 50-100 fish. The water becomes crystal clear, making it an ideal time for fly fishing and artificial lure enthusiasts to sight-cast to feeding reds.
Colder months thin out boat traffic, and with redfish being more lethargic, precise presentations and slow retrieves become key for success.
As the waters warm in spring, redfish spread out across the flats, oyster bars, and marsh edges, feeding on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. This is a great time for consistent action, as redfish become more active and aggressive.
Spring also marks the return of flood tides, offering some of the best tailing redfish action in the grassy marshes.
Summer redfish fishing in Charleston is all about early morning and late evening bites. During the hottest part of the day, redfish move to deeper water and shaded areas, but at dawn and dusk, they explode on topwater baits in the shallows.
Night fishing is also productive, especially around dock lights and bridges where redfish ambush bait.
Tides and moon phases play a huge role in redfish behavior. Understanding these factors can greatly increase your chances of success:
At Tailfin Expeditions, we time our charters around these optimal conditions, ensuring you’re on the water when redfish are feeding the hardest. Whether you’re chasing schooling reds in the winter, tailers in the marsh, or summer topwater explosions, we’ve got the experience to put you on fish!
Check out the 2025 Flood Tide dates to help best plan and prepare for the best trip possible.
Charleston’s diverse inshore waters provide some of the best redfish fishing opportunities on the East Coast. Whether you prefer sight fishing in shallow water, working structure with artificial lures, or targeting bull reds in deeper channels, knowing where to fish is key to success.
Charleston’s tidal creeks and shallow flats are excellent year-round habitats for redfish. Areas like the Wando River, Stono River, and Copahee Sound are prime locations where redfish move with the tides, feeding on shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. During low tide, reds stack up in deeper holes within these creeks. On high tide, they push up onto flooded flats to hunt.
Mudflats and grass lines are some of the best places to target tailing redfish, especially on flood tides. These areas provide ideal feeding conditions, as redfish root around for small crabs and shrimp in the grass. Fly anglers and light tackle enthusiasts favor these spots for sight fishing, where patience and stealth make all the difference.
For those looking to catch trophy bull redfish, the Charleston jetties and nearshore reefs are the go-to spots. In the fall, large redfish migrate into these deeper waters, feeding heavily before winter. Fishing near the Charleston Harbor jetties, artificial reefs, and sandbars with live or cut bait can result in redfish over 40 inches.
Marshes and oyster bars are key feeding areas for redfish, especially on a rising tide. These areas hold plenty of bait, making them hotspots for reds looking for an easy meal. The best fishing is often around oyster rakes, grass edges, and creek mouths, where redfish ambush prey as the tide moves in or out.
Charleston’s harbor and inlets, such as Shem Creek and Breach Inlet, become major redfish highways, particularly in the fall bull redfish season. Large schools of reds move through these areas, following baitfish schools and looking for structure to hold near. Fishing deep channels and drop-offs in these locations can produce some of the biggest redfish of the year.
One of the most exciting ways to catch redfish in Charleston is by sight fishing the shallow flats. This technique involves spotting reds cruising or tailing in the shallows and making precise casts to them. Sight fishing works best in clear water conditions, typically in winter and early spring when fish school up on warm flats.
Both live bait and artificial lures are effective for redfish, but the choice depends on conditions and angler preference.
Charleston offers world-class fly fishing opportunities for redfish, particularly on flood tides and in clear winter waters. The best flies mimic natural forage like shrimp, crabs, and small baitfish. Popular flies include Clouser Minnows, shrimp patterns, and crab flies. Fly fishing is most productive on mudflats, grass flats, and shallow oyster beds, where redfish can be seen tailing or cruising in skinny water.
At Tailfin Expeditions, we specialize in guiding anglers to the best redfish spots in Charleston. Whether you prefer casting live bait into the creeks, throwing topwater plugs at sunrise, or sight fishing on a fly rod, we customize each trip to maximize your success on the water.
South Carolina enforces strict regulations to protect redfish populations and ensure a healthy fishery for future generations. These regulations, set by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), are designed to balance angler access with conservation efforts.
Violating these regulations can result in fines and penalties, so it’s essential to follow the rules to help maintain a sustainable fishery.
Many anglers in Charleston practice catch and release, especially for oversized bull redfish. Proper handling ensures that released fish survive and continue to thrive in the ecosystem.
Redfish are a slow-growing species, and excessive harvesting can quickly deplete local populations. In South Carolina, bull redfish over 30 inches are protected, as they are the primary breeders that sustain the fishery. By following regulations and practicing ethical catch and release, anglers can help ensure that Charleston’s world-class redfish fishery remains strong for future generations.
At Tailfin Expeditions, we promote sustainable fishing practices while providing unforgettable redfish adventures. Whether you're looking to catch a personal best or just enjoy a great day on the water, we ensure that every trip respects the health of Charleston’s redfish population.
Choosing the right tackle and gear is essential for successfully targeting redfish in Charleston’s inshore waters. Whether you’re fishing with live bait, artificial lures, or a fly rod, having the proper setup makes all the difference. At Tailfin Expeditions, we use gear that’s proven to handle redfish in the tidal creeks, marsh flats, and nearshore waters.
For inshore redfish, we recommend:
Live bait is highly effective for redfish, especially when fishing around oyster bars, creek mouths, and grass edges.
Redfish are aggressive feeders, making them a prime target for artificial lures. Some of the most effective options include:
Fly anglers can have great success targeting redfish, particularly on flood tides and clear winter days. The best fly patterns mimic the redfish’s natural forage:
For a deeper dive on best flies, be sure to check out our top 10 flies for redfish article that we wrote.
At Tailfin Expeditions, we provide all necessary gear on our guided trips, ensuring you’re set up with the best tackle to target Charleston’s redfish effectively. Whether you’re throwing live bait, casting topwater lures, or presenting a fly to a tailing red, we make sure you have the right tools for success on the water.
Charleston offers some of the best redfish fishing on the East Coast, and there’s no better way to experience it than with a professional guide. At Tailfin Expeditions, we specialize in putting anglers on redfish year-round, whether you're targeting slot-sized reds in the creeks or chasing trophy bull reds near the jetties.
With years of experience fishing Charleston’s inshore waters, we know exactly where redfish feed, how they move with the tides, and what techniques work best in every season. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, our guided trips are customized to ensure you have the best shot at landing quality fish.
At Tailfin Expeditions, we offer a variety of redfish-focused trips to match your style of fishing:
No matter what style of fishing you prefer, our inshore redfish charters are designed to provide an unforgettable experience. Book your trip with us today!
A deposit of $200 will be required to hold your dates. Deposits are refundable up to 7 days prior to your trip or if the weather does not allow us to get out. Payment in full is due the day of the trip. Cancellations within 48 hours of the trip are subject to full payment. Acceptable forms of payment include; credit/debit card, Venmo, check or cash.
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