Charter Fishing on Hilton Head Island
Book a captain and a boat for inshore, offshore or shark fishing, or pick one by marina.
Book a Hilton Head Fishing Charter
These HHI fishing charters show live availability. Booking opens here on HHI.com, with the captain’s own booking system.
Booked through FareHarbor, the island operators’ own booking system. HHI.com may earn a commission.
Hilton Head Island fishing charters run from a three-hour inshore outing with kids to a full day offshore. Whichever of the fishing trips Hilton Head Island captains offer you pick, most boats leave from the island’s four working marinas, and nearly all are small private charters run by the captain who owns the boat. Book one below with live availability, or browse the captains by dock to find the one that suits you. If you’re planning the rest of the trip, our Hilton Head fishing guide covers the piers, surf fishing and the seasons.
Pick a Trip: Inshore, Nearshore or Offshore
Inshore (about 3 to 4 hours): the creeks, sounds and oyster beds around the island. Redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, black drum and sheepshead. Calm water, short runs and a good first trip for kids and beginners, and the place to start when you want fishing trips in Hilton Head SC with small children.
Nearshore (half day): the reefs and wrecks a few miles off the beach. Bluefish, Spanish and king mackerel, sheepshead in winter, and cobia in spring.
Offshore (full day): HHI deep sea fishing means a long run out for bigger, harder-fighting fish. It suits people who want a day of it and don’t mind a rolling boat.
Party boat: a shared boat with a per-person price and no need to find a group. Captain Hook runs one from Shelter Cove Harbour.
Shark trips: evening and half-day trips, below.
Fly fishing: a guided day on the flats and creeks, with a captain who teaches as well as guides.
Hilton Head charter fishing changes with the seasons. Winter is the time for sheepshead and black drum, spring brings cobia and the spawning drum, and summer is for tripletail, mackerel and sharks. The season guide lists what bites when, and the species pages on sheepshead, black drum and tripletail go deeper on three of the favorites.
Hilton Head Island Fishing Tours and Charters by Dock
Where your captain keeps the boat decides where you meet. Pick the dock that’s closest to where you’re staying, then the captain.
Shelter Cove Harbour
The easiest dock to find, with charters, a party boat and the harbour’s shops and restaurants beside the boats.
Bay Runner Charters at Shelter Cove Marina: Captain Miles Altman's inshore, shark and offshore reef fishing charters on three boats, since 1970.
Captain Hook at Shelter Cove Harbour: a 70-foot party fishing boat with 5.5-hour offshore trips, inshore shark fishing and a Tuesday fireworks trip.
Hilton Head Sport Fishing at Shelter Cove Marina: private inshore and offshore charters on four boats, 3 to 10 hours, from Dock B since 1989.
Palmetto Lagoon Charters, also sold as Palmetto Fishing Charters: Captain Trent Malphrus's Palmetto Dunes lagoon and Shelter Cove inshore trips.
Palmetto Fishing Charters
Shelter Cove Harbour
Captain Miles’s fishing charters.
Native Son Adventures at Shelter Cove Marina: private tiki-boat dolphin tours, fishing charters and custom days on the water for up to six people.
Outside Hilton Head at Shelter Cove Harbour: kayak and paddleboard rentals, guided kayak tours, dolphin tours, fishing and pontoon rentals, how to book.
Skull Creek and Hudson Road
The north end’s working waterfront: Skull Creek Marina and the docks off Hudson Road and Squire Pope Road.
Above and Below Charters (Salty Mistress Sportfishing): full-day wreck, bottom and Gulf Stream fishing on a 38-foot Rampage from Skull Creek Marina.
Live Oac Hilton Head private boat charters from Skull Creek Marina: dolphin and eco tours, fishing, tubing and wakeboarding with USCG licensed captains.
Bulldog Fishing Charters Hilton Head: Captain Christiaan's 3- to 9-hour shark, cobia and offshore trips from the Hudson Road docks on Skull Creek.
Black and Blue Charters fishes nearshore, offshore and for sharks from a 30-foot Blackfin out of Skull Creek. Meet Captain Stratton and book online.
Lowcountry Cowboy Fishing Charters offers 2 to 8-hour fishing trips and a sunset dolphin cruise on a 22-foot Pathfinder from Hudson Road. Book online.
Outcast Sport Fishing is Captain Chip's shark and light-tackle charter on a catamaran, Hilton Head Island. See what he catches and how to book.
Payback Fishing Charters: Captain Jake Parker's two- to eight-hour nearshore and inshore trips on an Avenger AV26 from the Hudson Road docks.
Rainmaker Fishing Charters Hilton Head: inshore, nearshore and Gulf Stream trips on the Rainmaker II from the Hudson Road docks on Skull Creek.
Stray Cat Charters Hilton Head: Captain Jim Clark's fishing trips and dolphin cruises on a 37-foot catamaran from the Hudson Road docks.
Sweet Pea Fishing runs private inshore, nearshore and offshore charters from Hudson's dock on Skull Creek. See trip lengths, rates and book online.
Out of the Blue Fishing Charters runs inshore, nearshore, offshore and shark trips from Squire Pope Road on Skull Creek. Meet Captain Drew and book.
Tale Hunter Hilton Head dolphin eco-tours and private sunset cruises on a 27-foot skiff for up to 15, from the Skull Creek docks.
Cool Cat Sportfishing
Skull Creek
Fishing charters.
Polecat Sport Fishing
Hudson Road
Fishing charters.
Palmetto Bay Marina
On Helmsman Way, the home dock for several sport-fishing boats.
Megabite Fishing Charters is Captain Kent Bird's light-tackle charter from Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head since 1995. See the boat and how to book.
Off The Hook Fishing Charters runs inshore, nearshore and fly trips with Captain Brian Vaughn from Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head. See boats and book.
Drifter Excursions runs a 60-foot party fishing boat and private charters from Palmetto Bay Marina on Hilton Head. See the boats, trips and book online.
Mighty Mako Sportfishing
Palmetto Bay Marina
Sport and charter fishing.
Top Dog Charters Hilton Head Island
Palmetto Bay Marina
Fishing charters.
Broad Creek Marina
Mid-island, on Simmons Road.
Tail Tamer Fishing Charters runs shark-fishing trips with several captains from Broad Creek Marina on Hilton Head Island. See the dock and how to book.
Top Shot Sport Fishing runs nearshore and offshore charters on a 31-foot Morgan from Broad Creek Marina on Hilton Head. See species, amenities and book.
Sea Bee Fishing Charters
Broad Creek Marina
Fishing charters.
Gone Fishing HHI sells inshore, nearshore, private offshore and shark fishing charters on Hilton Head Island, with live dates to book online.
Reel Easy Charters
Broad Creek Marina
Call 843-290-2932Captain Jack Crouch’s inshore, nearshore, offshore and shark trips on a 25-foot Sea Cat.
More Hilton Head Captains
Specialists and smaller operators, from fly-fishing to online-only booking.
LoCo Fly Charters offers fly-fishing and light-tackle trips for one or two anglers with Captain Mark Nutting on Hilton Head. See trips, gear and book.
IslandAce Adventure Tours: inshore, shark and kids' fishing trips, dolphin cruises and a fireworks tour on Hilton Head. Every trip and how to book.
HHI Hooked
Hilton Head Island
Inshore and nearshore trips, bookable online.
Hilton Head Inshore Charters
Hilton Head Island
Inshore trips, bookable online.
Tailer May’d Charters
South Beach
Fishing charters.
Fishing Charters of Hilton Head
Hilton Head Island
Fishing charters.
Aquatica Fishing Charters
Hilton Head Island
Fishing charters.
Catmandoo Sportfishing
Hilton Head Island
Fishing charters.
Hilton Head Fishing, Fishin Coach
Hilton Head Island
Fishing charters.
Bonnie Rae Charters
Hilton Head Island
Fishing charters.
North End Charter Fleet
Hilton Head Island
Fishing charters.
Finchaser Charters
Cross Island Landing
Fishing charters.
Still Playin Charters
Hilton Head Island
Fishing charters.
Shark Fishing Hilton Head: Trips and Rules
Shark fishing is one of the most popular charters on the island, and it is a boat trip here, so you need a captain. From late spring through early fall the sounds and nearshore channels hold blacktip, bonnethead, lemon and spinner sharks, and the captains know which tides and holes to fish. Most are catch-and-release, and a child’s first shark is a regular story. Several of the captains above run shark trips, including Hilton Head Sport Fishing, and Gone Fishing HHI lists them among its trips.
Worried about swimming with sharks around? Our shark safety page has the facts.
South Carolina Shark Rules
Hooks and tackle: non-offset, non-stainless-steel circle hooks, on rod and reel or handline, unless you are using flies or artificial lures.
Daily limit: 1 Atlantic sharpnose or bonnethead per person. For the larger sharks, 1 shark per boat.
Size: 54 inches (fork length) for blacktip, spinner, lemon, bull, tiger and the other large sharks, and 78 inches for hammerheads.
Protected: sandbar, dusky, mako, sand tiger and several other sharks must be released at once.
Federal waters: a federal Highly Migratory Species permit with a shark endorsement is required past state waters.
Those rules come from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and can change, so check the SCDNR website or ask your captain before the trip.
What to Know Before You Book
Price and what it covers: private boats charge per boat for a set number of hours, party boats charge per person. Ask whether rods, bait, tackle, ice and fish cleaning are included.
License: most guided trips cover your fishing license. Ask when you book.
Group size: small private charters are limited to six passengers, so a bigger group needs two boats or a party boat.
What to bring: sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, water and snacks, and soft-soled shoes. Bring a cooler if you plan to keep fish.
Weather: a captain may cancel for wind or storms. Ask about the rebooking or refund policy first.
Keeping fish: South Carolina sets size and bag limits, and your captain will know them. The species pages above list the limits for three common fish.
Tip: the captain and the mate work for tips. Fifteen to twenty percent is usual for a good day.
Planning around the water? The Hilton Head tide chart shows when the tide turns, and if your group wants a boat trip without a fishing rod, see boat charters. For a fish dinner without the work, try the seafood restaurants.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a fishing charter cost on Hilton Head?
It depends on the boat, the length and the trip. Private boats charge per boat for a set number of hours, and party boats charge per person. The booking section at the top of this page shows current prices and open dates.
Where do fishing charters leave from on Hilton Head?
Mostly four marinas: Shelter Cove Harbour, Skull Creek and the docks off Hudson Road on the north end, Palmetto Bay Marina on Helmsman Way, and Broad Creek Marina on Simmons Road.
What is the best time of year for charter fishing on Hilton Head?
Spring through fall is the busiest. Winter is good for sheepshead and black drum, spring for cobia, and summer for tripletail, mackerel and sharks. There is something to catch all year.
Do I need a fishing license on a charter?
Most guided trips cover it, so you do not need your own. Ask when you book.
How many people fit on a fishing charter?
Most small private charters take up to six. For more, book two boats or a party boat such as Captain Hook at Shelter Cove Harbour.
Can you go shark fishing on Hilton Head?
Yes, from a boat with a charter captain. The season runs from late spring through early fall, and most trips are catch-and-release. State rules limit what you can keep.
What fish can you catch on a Hilton Head charter?
Inshore: redfish, spotted seatrout, flounder, black drum and sheepshead. Nearshore and offshore: bluefish, mackerel, cobia and more. In summer, tripletail and sharks.
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