Skip the long offshore run and get straight to the bite.
Our 4-hour Reef & Wreck trip targets the patch reefs, live bottom, and artificial wrecks within 15 miles of Murrells Inlet, where some of the most aggressive near-shore fish in South Carolina stack up on structure. It’s the perfect run for families, first-time anglers, and seasoned fishermen who want maximum rod-bending time without burning a full day.
You’ll leave the dock at Murrells Inlet, and run past the jetties.
Your captain monitors water temps, current, and bait movement to put you on the best bite of the day. Most trips mix bottom fishing with cut squid and shrimp, plus light trolling or live-baiting when mackerel are running. Everything is hands-on, and the mates will coach kids and first-timers through every step.
Trips run year-round, weather permitting, with the species lineup shifting through the seasons.
What’s Included
What to bring: Food, non-glass drinks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, and soft-soled shoes.
The bread and butter of South Carolina reef fishing. Sea bass are hard-fighting, delicious, and almost always willing to bite when the federal season is open. They hold tight to wrecks and live bottom and are one of the most reliable fish on the trip. Federal size and bag limits apply.
Lightning-fast surface feeders that show up in spring and stick around through fall. We troll small spoons or sight-cast when they’re busting bait on top. Spanish run 1 to 3 pounds on average and fight well above their weight.
The smokers. Bigger cousins of the Spanish, kings push into our waters from late spring through fall. Live-baiting with menhaden and slow-trolling dead cigar minnows are the go-to tactics. A solid king on light tackle is one of the most exciting fights you’ll find this close to shore.
The convict-striped structure fish. Sheepshead pile up on wrecks and reefs year-round, with the best bite in late winter and early spring when they school to spawn. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp are the ticket. They’re notorious bait stealers, so expect a learning curve and a lot of laughs.
Doormat flatfish ambush bait on sandy edges around reef structure. Spring through fall is prime time, with peak action in fall as flounder move out of the creeks toward the ocean. We fish them on jigheads tipped with mud minnows or finger mullet.
Atlantic sharpnose, blacktip, bonnethead, and the occasional spinner show up reliably on near-shore wrecks. All sharks are handled with care and released on our boat, but the fight is worth it. Great for first-timers and kids who want a serious story to tell back home.
We fish within 15 miles of Murrells Inlet, typically in 30 to 60 feet of water. The shorter run means more time fishing and less time traveling.
Common catches include black sea bass, sheepshead, flounder, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and several near-shore shark species. The exact mix depends on the season and conditions.
Yes. Because we stay within 15 miles, almost the entire trip is fishing time rather than running time. Most parties limit out on sea bass or boat a solid mix of species well within the window.
Our 4 hour Reef & Wreck charter runs $950 to $1,200 for up to 6 anglers, including the captain and mate, all rods, reels, tackle, bait, fishing license coverage, and coolers and ice for your catch.
Reef and wreck fishing happens on near-shore structure in 30 to 60 feet of water, targeting fish that live tight to bottom and around bait pods. Offshore deep sea trips run 40 to 60+ miles out to fish the Gulf Stream for mahi, wahoo, and billfish. Reef and wreck is shorter, calmer, more action per hour, and better for families. Offshore is a longer commitment for bigger pelagic species.