Fall is a great time to wet your line with fantastic fishing along the Carolina coast. Whether you’re an experienced angler or a newbie, you can reel in some good-sized redfish, black drum and sea trout.
But first, before you head out, be sure you have a proper fishing license. A valid fishing license is required for all types of fishing on state waters.
Places to Fish Along the South Carolina Coast
Now, for the fun stuff. Some of our favorite fishing piers include the Pitt Street Bridge and Shem Creek Park, both in Mount Pleasant. Palmetto Islands County Park is another spot in Mountain Pleasant with fishing and crabbing docks. The river inlet outside the gates at Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island’s public beach, is a popular place to fish, particularly at high tide.
On Seabrook Island, Captain Sams Inlet is a productive fishing spot during autumn. Look for shallow troughs and drop-off ledges to find the fish. Watch for moving water at low and high tides, as well as signs of bait fish, feeding birds and jumping mullet.
Reel in flounder with some cut bait fishing the jetties near Fort Moutrie or on the west side of the rocks on Sullivan’s Island.
Fishing Charters Along the Coast
Charters go out from Bohicket Marina & Market at Johns Island with experienced captains who can get you on the fish at close-to-shore spots or venture into blue water to fish the Gulf Stream and troll for game fish like kingfish, cobia, snapper, mahi-mahi, wahoo and tuna.
Charleston Fish Finder at Isle of Palms Marina has been in operation for more than 10 years. They offer an array of charters, including inshore fishing holes in the area’s tidal creeks and inlets. Flounder, cobia, spadefish, Spanish mackerel, Black Sea bass, bull redfish, sheepshead and sharks can be caught on nearshore artificial reefs, 19th-century shipwrecks and natural formations within sight of land.
For fly fishing or inshore light tackle charters, book with Charleston Fishing Adventures, also located in Isle of Palms. Target redfish in just inches of water or cast a line at a local reef or the jetties for cobia, amberjack and bull redfish.
Use these fishing tips from Capt. Stephen Fields of Charleston Fishing Company:
- Hit the creeks and the flats for redfish and black drum. They hit hard in the fall.
- Pay attention to water color and clarity. In the creeks, water will be tannic, that doesn’t mean it’s not clean.
- Look for the current when targeting trout. They swim in the currents.
- Also look for baitfish. If there is not baitfish in the area, you probably won’t find bigger fish.
- Look for holes and transitions in the water depth. Those reds look for deeper water, which may only be a foot or so deeper.
- Fish around the older docks, pilings and oyster beds where fish gather.
- Along the jetties, look for breaks in the rocks.
- Use big flute baits, artificial shrimp, spoons and deep jig baits along the jetties for targeting bull reds along the jetties.
- For trout, target the inlets, creeks, flats and creek mouths and points. Float them with popping corks, moving around the area where you can see feeding fish on the surface. From September through November is prime time for those spots.
Book Your Stay Along the Charleston Coast With Sweetgrass
A stay at our six-bedroom, luxury Intracoastal Court property, puts you in perfect proximity to an array of fishing spots, including a private pier on the waterway. 80 Inlet Cove, a three-bedroom property on Kiawah Island, is located on a tidal creek of the Kiawah River. Or, book 411 Carolina Blvd., a four-bedroom Lowcountry beach home situated between Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms. With a private pool, charcoal grill and outdoor shower, this property is an angler’s dream with easy access to the fishing spots and a backyard picnic area for grilling your catch.