Fishing in Hilton Head, SC

Hilton Head fishing is shaped by two big sounds and a lot of marsh. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, sits between Port Royal Sound to the north and Calibogue Sound to the south, with Broad Creek and Skull Creek cutting in behind it, so there is protected water to fish in almost any wind. Fishing on Hilton Head Island runs on the tide, which can rise and fall 6 to 8 feet: the fish move with it, and so should you.

What You Can Catch, Season by Season

• Spring (March to May): redfish, trout, black drum and sheepshead in the creeks, then cobia arriving in the sounds in late April and May, one of the island’s big events for anglers.

• Summer (June to August): tarpon of 75 pounds and more in the sounds and creeks, jack crevalle, sharks, tripletail, and redfish tailing on the flooded marsh at high tide.

• Fall (September and October): the best months of the year for many locals. Bull redfish of 15 to 30 pounds school up, trout fatten, and the crowds thin out.

• Winter (November to February): redfish and trout in clear, low water, and sheepshead around docks and pilings. Offshore, bull reds sit on the nearshore reefs.

Inshore Fishing: Redfish, Trout and Flounder

Inshore fishing, in the creeks, sounds and marsh around Hilton Head, is where most visitors start, and it fishes well all year. Redfish are the headline catch all year, with spotted seatrout, flounder and black drum alongside them. Calibogue Sound, Broad Creek, Skull Creek and the oyster banks along Port Royal Sound all hold fish; the trick is being on the right bank at the right stage of the tide. Live shrimp, mud minnows and finger mullet are the local baits. A half-day inshore charter is the easiest way to learn the water, and the charter directory below shows which boats run inshore trips.

Hilton Head Deep Sea Fishing

Most deep sea fishing trips from Hilton Head Island, SC, head for the artificial reefs a few miles to about 20 miles out. The best known is the Betsy Ross Reef, built around a sunken 440-foot Liberty ship out of Port Royal Sound, where black sea bass, king and Spanish mackerel, barracuda and cobia hold on the structure. Real offshore fishing, for mahi, wahoo, tuna and billfish, means the Gulf Stream, roughly 60 to 70 miles out: a long day, and a bigger boat.

Most HHI deep sea fishing boats leave from Broad Creek, Palmetto Bay and Shelter Cove, and the directory below lists them with their trip types. Several also run shark trips, which are a boat-only activity here: shark fishing from the beach is banned. Our shark fishing guide lists the outfitters.

Surf Fishing on Hilton Head Island

Surf fishing at Hilton Head Island is mostly for whiting, with bluefish and rays in the mix and the occasional redfish near the inlets. The ends of the island fish better than the middle: the sound side at Fish Haul Beach Park on the north end, and the inlet by Burkes Beach. Fish the moving water around low tide, with shrimp or cut bait on a two-hook bottom rig and a pyramid sinker heavy enough to hold.

Beach fishing on Hilton Head has two rules worth knowing. From April through September, fishing and surfcasting are not allowed in the designated swim areas between sunrise and sunset, and shark fishing is banned on the beach and in the water off it all year.

Crabbing on Hilton Head

Crabbing is the easiest fishing on the island and the one children remember. Tie a chicken neck to a string, lower it off a dock on a rising tide, and pull it up slowly when the line goes tight; a long-handled net does the rest. House Creek Fishing Pier is the classic spot, and the Haigh pier works too. With three or fewer lines, drop nets or fold-up traps, you do not need a license.

Kayak Fishing and Fly Fishing on Hilton Head Island

The marsh creeks are made for a kayak: quiet water, no wake, and redfish in a foot of water that a boat could never reach. Go on a rising tide so you are not stranded on a mudflat, and go with a guide the first time; the current in the bigger creeks is stronger than it looks. The same flooded marsh is Hilton Head’s fly fishing draw. On the biggest high tides of summer and fall, redfish push into the grass to feed with their tails out of the water, and a fly rod is the best tool there is for them. Southern Drawl Outfitters, just off the island at Moss Creek, is the fly shop.

Fishing Licenses, Bait and Tackle, and Fishing Reports

Anyone 16 or older needs a South Carolina saltwater fishing license to fish from the shore, a free public pier or a dock, and you can buy one online from SCDNR in a few minutes. On a licensed charter boat, the captain’s license covers you.

For bait and tackle on Hilton Head, Blue Water Tackle Shop at South Beach Marina in Sea Pines has sold bait, tackle and crabbing gear since 1979 and runs its own charter boats. Southern Drawl Outfitters, on US 278 at Moss Creek Village, carries live bait such as mud minnows, fiddler crabs and finger mullet as well as fly gear. Either counter will tell you what is biting this week, which is the most current HHI fishing report there is.

Best Fishing Spots on Hilton Head

• Calibogue Sound and Broad Creek: the inshore heart of the island, by boat or kayak.

• Skull Creek and Mackay Creek: deep, fast water, fished from the free Charles C. Haigh Jr. Fishing Pier.

• Port Royal Sound: surf and inlet fishing from Fish Haul Beach Park.

• The Palmetto Dunes lagoons: an 11-mile saltwater lagoon system with redfish and trout. Hilton Head Outfitters in Palmetto Dunes rents kayaks and fishing poles.

• Jarvis Creek Park: a stocked freshwater lagoon with a floating pier, catch and release, for young children.

Charter boat fishing on Hilton Head Island blends the Lowcountry’s natural beauty with the thrill of open-water adventure. Framed by calm estuaries and the vast Atlantic, the island offers a remarkable range of fishing experiences—from light-tackle inshore pursuits for redfish, trout, and flounder to exhilarating offshore runs targeting mahi, king mackerel, cobia, and even billfish in season. Expert captains navigate these waters daily, reading tides, weather, and migration patterns to give anglers of all skill levels the best opportunity to land something memorable. Families, seasoned anglers, and first-timers alike find charter excursions both accessible and deeply rewarding, with every trip shaped by Hilton Head’s pristine waterways and rich marine ecosystems.

Charter Boat Fishing on Hilton Head, SC

Marinas on Hilton Head, SC

Dolphin Charter Cruises

Dolphin charter cruises on Hilton Head Island are one of the most popular and memorable ways to experience the Lowcountry’s coastal beauty. Departing from locations like Shelter Cove Harbour, Harbour Town, and Broad Creek, these guided boat tours offer up-close views of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. Along the way, guests enjoy scenic marshes, tidal creeks, and waterfront homes while knowledgeable captains share insights about local wildlife and the island’s ecosystem. Perfect for families, couples, and nature lovers, Hilton Head dolphin cruises combine relaxation, education, and unforgettable encounters on the water.

Dolphin Charter Cruises on Hilton Head Island

Explore the best dolphin tours on Hilton Head Island, SC. From high-speed adventures to relaxing sunset cruises, these trusted operators depart from Shelter Cove, Harbour Town, and South Beach—offering unforgettable encounters with Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

Shelter Cove Harbour

Island Head
Premium dolphin eco-tours, private charters, and sunset cruises. Website

Commander Zodiac
Fast-paced zodiac-style dolphin tours with a fun, adventurous edge. Website

Lowcountry Watersports (Hilton Head Dolphin Tours) Website
Family-friendly dolphin cruises and combo water activities.

Outside Hilton Head Website
Eco-focused dolphin tours, kayaking, and nature experiences.

Harbour Town (Sea Pines Resort)

Vagabond Cruise Website
Classic sightseeing and dolphin cruises from Harbour Town Marina.

H2O Sports Website
Dolphin tours plus parasailing and watersports options.

South Beach Marina

Salty Dog Cruise Website
Relaxed dolphin cruises and sunset tours near the iconic Salty Dog Café.

Additional Local Operators

Sea Monkeys Watersports Website
Private dolphin charters and customizable boat tours.

Captain Buddy’s Dolphin Tours Website
Small-group, personalized dolphin experiences on Broad Creek.

Dolphin Discoveries Website
Nature-based dolphin and wildlife tours (local operator). See dolphins or come back free!

💡 Pro Tips for Visitors

• Best time: Morning or sunset for active dolphins

• Best location: Shelter Cove for variety, Harbour Town for scenery

• Booking: Reserve in advance during peak season (spring–summer)