Flats Boat Fishing Charters in Hilton Head
Information on outstanding fishing charters in the Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island, Palmetto Bluff, and Bluffton, South Carolina area. Hilton Head fishing is the finest in the lowcountry!
There are a variety of options for Hilton Head fishing charters, and the best choice for you depends on what type of fishing you'd like to do, the size, composition, and experience of your group, and the location you'd prefer exploring with your professional fishing guide.
There are a variety of options for Hilton Head fishing charters, and the best choice for you depends on what type of fishing you'd like to do, the size, composition, and experience of your group, and the location you'd prefer exploring with your professional fishing guide.
"Skinny Water" Fishing
Some of Hilton Head's best fishing is in just inches of water.
Targets like Redfish (Red Drum) are a prime example. They use shallow water to hide from predators, and as a means to access food for themselves.
Shallow creeks, oyster rakes, sand flats, mud flats, and grass flats are areas where these Reds can be found, sometimes so shallow they can't even cover their entire body with water. At times, Redfish can get so wrapped up in picking food off the bottom that they are virtually standing on their heads and sticking their tails up out of the water. Chasing "tailers" on a flats boat is a unique fishing experience and the Lowcountry is the perfect place for it.
Targets like Redfish (Red Drum) are a prime example. They use shallow water to hide from predators, and as a means to access food for themselves.
Shallow creeks, oyster rakes, sand flats, mud flats, and grass flats are areas where these Reds can be found, sometimes so shallow they can't even cover their entire body with water. At times, Redfish can get so wrapped up in picking food off the bottom that they are virtually standing on their heads and sticking their tails up out of the water. Chasing "tailers" on a flats boat is a unique fishing experience and the Lowcountry is the perfect place for it.
Flats Boats
A "Flats Boat" or "Skiff" is a specially designed craft with an extremely shallow draft. That means it floats in inches of water. They are typically setup with a platform where the guide stands, using a push pole to propel the boat almost silently, stalking skinny water fish. Flats boats are also used to fish deeper waters as well, and some of them are designed to be comfortable in a wide range of inshore and nearshore situations. They are usually 16-21 feet in length.
Due to the shallow draft and smaller footprint, these boats are typically limited to just 1 or 2 anglers when used for poling in the marsh. Some larger Flats Boats can accommodate 3, maybe 4, depending on the type of fishing. Be realistic when planning your charter trip; any boat with 4 anglers is not going to float in 6" of water like a true flats skiff with a solo angler and guide. Parties of 3 or more anglers are advised to split into separate pairs for serious flats fishing.
Due to the shallow draft and smaller footprint, these boats are typically limited to just 1 or 2 anglers when used for poling in the marsh. Some larger Flats Boats can accommodate 3, maybe 4, depending on the type of fishing. Be realistic when planning your charter trip; any boat with 4 anglers is not going to float in 6" of water like a true flats skiff with a solo angler and guide. Parties of 3 or more anglers are advised to split into separate pairs for serious flats fishing.
Deck Boat & Bay Boats
There is still a chance to fish skinny water with larger groups. While flats boats are designed for the extreme shallow waters, some other relatively low draft designs are found in somewhat larger boats that can still fish the flats and shallow creeks at many parts of the tide. Deck Boats are usually in the 19-23 foot range and feature more in the way of cushioned comfortable seating, perfect for a family outing, "casual" fishing, and general cruising in addition to inshore fishing. They usually accommodate 4-6 guests.
Bay Boats are usually in the 21-26 foot range and have a usually deeper v hull than flats boats (for a better ride in open water) while retaining somewhat of a shallow draft for skinny water fishing. A big advantage of Bay Boats is capacity, often accommodating 4-6 anglers where a Flats Boat is usually limited to 1 or 2 guests (occasionally 3).
Bay Boats are usually in the 21-26 foot range and have a usually deeper v hull than flats boats (for a better ride in open water) while retaining somewhat of a shallow draft for skinny water fishing. A big advantage of Bay Boats is capacity, often accommodating 4-6 anglers where a Flats Boat is usually limited to 1 or 2 guests (occasionally 3).
Hilton Head Fishing Charters on Flats Boats & Skiffs
Captain's Spotlight:
Capt. John Werner - Stingray Flats Fishing
Capt. John's enthusiasm for fishing is unparalleled. A client commented, "We'd just spotted a school of redfish in a feeding frenzy, and for a moment there, John was so excited I thought he was going to jump into the water and start catching them by hand!" A fishing charter with Capt. John is truly a memorable experience.
Charter a flats boat fishing trip with Capt. John through:
Live Oac Outdoor Adventure Company
www.LiveOac.com • 843-384-1414 • Hilton Head Island, SC
Charter a flats boat fishing trip with Capt. John through:
Live Oac Outdoor Adventure Company
www.LiveOac.com • 843-384-1414 • Hilton Head Island, SC
Luck affects everything. Let your hook always be cast; in the pool where you least expect it, there will be fish.
Ovid
Complete Listing of Hilton Head Fishing Charters on Flats Boats & Skiffs:
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Stingray - Capt. John Werner
Live Oac's Stingray
Yellowfin 17 Skiff — Capt. John Werner
Check out the flats and inshore waters with Capt. John Werner aboard Live Oac's Stingray. This Yellowfin 17 Skiff offers a fantastic ride and the ability to get into super skinny water where the redfish like to hide. Capt John's years of experience as a fishing guide and an athletic coach provide a perfect blend of talents for both beginning anglers and lifelong fishing fanatics. You'll have a blast with Capt. John on the Stingray. -
Costa - Capt. Travis Meissner
Costa
19' Scout Flats Boat — Capt. Travis Meissner
Live Oac's Costa is a 19' Scout Flats Boat with a tremendous amount of space. It's 8 foot beam means plenty of stability and room for fishing, a perfect platform for inshore flats fishing and scouting the creeks. Guided by Capt. Travis Meissner, who has been leading trips with Hilton Head's Live Oac for nearly a decade, we fish for red drum aka redfish, coastal sharks, spotted sea trout, flounder, and tarpon. -
Awesome Adventure Charters
Awesome Adventure Charters
23' Jones Brothers & 17' Ranger Skiff
Capt. Kai Williams
Private fishing charters with Awesome Adventure Charters include light tackle and fly fishing Hilton Head's inshore and nearshore waters. AwesomeAdventureCharters.com -
Cleopatra Charters
Cleopatra Charters
18' Hewes Bonefisher
Capt. Jimmy Reese
Capt. Jimmy Reese is one of Hilton Head's most experienced flats fishing charter captains, and he'd love to share that expertise with you on a Hilton Head Fishing Charter aboard Cleopatra. CleopatraCharters.com -
LoCo Fly Charters
LoCo Fly Charters
18' Maverick
Capt. Mark Nutting
Hop aboard LoCo Fly Charters' 18' Maverick skiff with Capt. Mark who is a fly fishing specialist. Beginners are welcome and light tackle is available as an alternative. LoCoFlyCharters.com -
Moneric
Moneric
27' Key West & 19' Hewes Flats Boat
Capt. Eric Moore
Join Capt. Eric for a Hilton Head fishing charter inshore for cobia, trout, redfish, tarpon or sharks, or head offshore for an additional variety of species. Moneric.com -
Off The Hook
Off The Hook
21' Egret Flats Boat
Capt. Bryan Vaughn
Capt. Brian is a light tackle and fly fishing specialist with over 25 years experience guiding charters. OffTheHookCharters.com -
Southern Spots
Southern Spots
Skeeter SX240
Capt. Wes Chesnutt
Capt. Wes will lead your Hilton Head fishing charter in search of inshore and nearshore targets like redfish, cobia, sharks and more. His custom bay boat has a tower for spotting fish and a bimini top for shade. southernsportsfishingcharters.com
Deck Boats and Bay Boats for Hilton Head Fishing Charters:
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Black Tip Shark - Capt. John Werner
Live Oac's Black Tip Shark
21' Hurricane Deck Boat — Capt. John Werner
Black Tip Shark is Live Oac's 21' Hurricane Deck Boat, a great inshore boat for family fishing fun. Guided by Capt. John Werner, who has been leading trips on Hilton Head for two decades, we fish for small and mid sized coastal sharks, redfish, and more during summer evenings when it's cooler and more comfortable. -
White Tip Shark - Capt. Travis Meissner
Live Oac's White Tip Shark
21' Hurricane Deck Boat — Capt. Travis Meissner
White Tip Shark is Live Oac's 21' Hurricane Deck Boat, a great inshore boat for family fishing fun. Guided by Capt. Travis Meissner, who has been leading trips with Hilton Head's Live Oac for nearly a decade, we fish for small and mid sized coastal sharks, redfish, and more during summer evenings when it's cooler and more comfortable. -
Awesome Adventure Charters
Awesome Adventure Charters
23' Jones Brothers & 17' Ranger Skiff
Capt. Kai Williams
Private fishing charters with Awesome Adventure Charters include light tackle and fly fishing Hilton Head's inshore and nearshore waters. AwesomeAdventureCharters.com -
Bay Runner
Bay Runner
Pathfinder 2400
Capt. Miles Altman
Over 4 decades in the charter and seafood business, Capt. Miles brings a wealth of knowledge to your service aboard his Hilton Head fishing charters with Bayrunner. bayrunnerfishinghiltonhead.com -
Mighty Mako
Mighty Mako
Custom 25' Center Console
Capt. Dave Fleming
Capt. Dave has over 20 years guiding experience and his resume includes thousands of satisfied and appreciative vacationing anglers. The Mighty Mako has a huge amount of fishing space, with a wide 9 foot beam. It's shallow 10 inch draft allows access to tight spots you can't reach in other boats, and this can make the difference in finding the fish. MightMako.com -
Fishin' Coach
Fishin' Coach
22' Century Bay Boat
Capt. Dan Utley
Captain Dan is an expert inshore fisherman with the patience to "Coach Up" beginning angler and the knowledge to challenge the experienced fisherman. FishinCoach.com -
Off The Hook
Off The Hook
21' Egret Flats Boat
Capt. Bryan Vaughn
Capt. Brian is a light tackle and fly fishing specialist with over 25 years experience guiding charters. OffTheHookCharters.com -
Southern Spots
Southern Spots
Skeeter SX240
Capt. Wes Chesnutt
Capt. Wes will lead your Hilton Head fishing charter in search of inshore and nearshore targets like redfish, cobia, sharks and more. His custom bay boat has a tower for spotting fish and a bimini top for shade. southernsportsfishingcharters.com
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Our "charter" mission is to provide the best Hilton Head, SC fishing charter information to visitors and locals in the Lowcountry. Our goal is to promote positive fishing experiences and showcase the best adventures that Hilton Head has to offer.
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