Where can I book a half day inshore fishing trip near Myrtle Beach?

What is a half day inshore trip, actually?

Four hours on the water, inside the inlet.

Inshore means the creeks, flats, marsh edges and the inlet itself: shallow, sheltered water with oyster beds and sandbars that fish use on a tide. The boat is never far from the dock, so four hours is four hours of fishing rather than two of running. On a half day a captain works a handful of spots properly instead of chasing all over, and that is usually the better fishing anyway.

It is the right first trip. Children, anyone who has never held a rod, and anyone who would rather stay in sight of land have a better day here than they would on a long run outside.

What do you catch inshore?

Redfish, flounder, speckled trout and black drum are the inshore staples behind Murrells Inlet. Which of them you find depends on the season, the water temperature and the stage of the tide, not on the booking form.

Nobody can promise a fish. What a captain who knows this inlet can promise is that you will be fishing the right bar at the right stage of the tide, which is most of the difference.

Morning or afternoon?

Both run. The afternoon half day leaves early in the afternoon, and the exact departure moves with the season and the tide, so confirm the time when you book.

Morning suits anyone who wants lunch on the Marsh Walk afterwards. Afternoon suits a slower start and lands you back about when the Marsh Walk gets going for the evening.

What is included, and what should I bring?

Included: the boat, the captain, all rods, reels, bait and tackle, and guidance for anyone who wants it. The fishing licence is covered by the charter, so you do not need your own.

Bring sun protection, something to drink, and a cooler if you plan to keep fish. Within the season and size rules for each species you can take your catch home, and the crew will clean it.

How many can come?

Confirm your group size before booking. The smallest boat is a shallow water skiff for small parties, which is also the boat for anyone who wants to fish a fly. Confirm the capacity of the boat assigned to your trip when booking. The trip is booked by the boat rather than by the seat.

Is four hours enough?

Inshore, yes. It is genuinely a full outing in sheltered water.

Four hours can also reach nearshore reefs when conditions allow. A longer trip leaves more time to move between spots; confirm the available duration. Confirm the fishing area and trip length when you book. The deep sea page explains what the longer trips reach, and the main charters page explains the trip options.

What if the ocean is rough?

Then inshore is where you want to be. A day that is unfishable outside is often a fine morning behind the marsh, and the captain makes that call for you rather than cancelling the trip. That is the main reason the boats keep at Murrells Inlet rather than on the beach front.

How do I book?

Call (843) 241-7706 with your dates and the size of your party, or check what is open on the booking page. The boats leave from 3993 US-17 BUS, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576. What the trip costs depends on party size and the date, so ask about yours.