Fishing and Shrimping Charters Worth Booking in Charleston and the Jersey Shore

Whether it's a Lowcountry creek at sunrise or a Jersey Shore backbay at low tide, a few hours on the water is one of the simplest ways to slow down. Here's a closer look at some of the charters worth booking on either coast, and where to find them.

Charleston and the Lowcountry

Charleston's waterways are built for a morning on the boat. Redfish, trout, and flounder are the local staples, and the creeks winding through the marsh make for some of the most scenic fishing anywhere on the East Coast.

RedFin Fishing Charters operates out of Seabreeze Marina at 50 Immigration Street in downtown Charleston. The company runs inshore, nearshore, offshore, and fly fishing trips, targeting redfish, speckled trout, black drum, and flounder in the tidal creeks, along with cobia and snapper on nearshore reef trips. It's been recognized as one of Charleston's top charter operators for several years running.

All In One Charters is a locally owned operation launching from several points around the harbor, including Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and West Ashley, depending on the trip and tide. Their guides run inshore, nearshore, and deep sea charters, with redfish, flounder, and sheepshead as the usual targets, and shark fishing trips for those wanting bigger action.

For something closer to a Lowcountry tradition than a typical fishing trip, St. Johns Kayaks & Boat Tours, based on Johns Island, runs an actual working shrimp boat, the Sea Bounty, out into the Atlantic from June through November. Trips are limited to six people, and whatever the boat brings in goes home with you for dinner.

And for families or first-timers who want the experience without the early wake-up call, Barrier Island Eco Tours, departing from the Isle of Palms Marina at 50 41st Avenue, runs guided crabbing and eco excursions out to Capers Island Heritage Preserve. Guides pull crab traps and cast nets along the way, with dolphins and loggerhead turtles making frequent appearances.

The Jersey Shore

South Jersey's backbays and inlets offer their own version of the same morning, whether that's flounder in the back bay or striped bass on the flats.

Miss Avalon Fishing & Cruising, docked at the Avalon Fishing Center at 14th Street and Ocean Drive in Avalon, has been a Jersey Shore fixture since the 1950s, when it was founded by Captain Irv Hurd Sr. The 78-foot Miss Avalon runs ocean fishing trips, while its companion boat, the Avalon Lady, handles calmer back bay fishing and crabbing trips, an easy way to introduce younger kids to a day on the water.

Badfish Charters, based at 680 Bay Avenue in Somers Point, is run by Captain Brian Williams, a lifelong South Jersey angler known for his striped bass expertise on the flats. Trips run March through December and range from family-friendly back bay charters for flounder and tautog to nighttime striped bass trips on light tackle, all the way out to nearshore charters for sea bass and sharks.

Operating under the name Cape May Fishing Charters, Over Under Charters runs South Jersey's larger offshore boats, a 48-foot Ocean Yacht and a 55-foot custom Carolina boat, out of locations in Avalon, Stone Harbor, and Sea Isle City, with canyon trips departing from South Jersey Marina in Cape May. This is the choice for anyone chasing tuna, marlin, or shark well offshore, alongside more accessible half and full-day back bay trips closer to shore.

For a more relaxed outing, Moover Fishing Adventures, docked at Seaview Harbor Marina in Longport, runs bay and nearshore trips aboard the 42-foot Moover under U.S. Coast Guard licensed Captain Rob. Bay trips are calm and well suited to younger kids, while nearshore and canyon trips cover everything from sea bass and tautog to bluefin tuna and mahi-mahi in season.