Redfish Fishing Charters with
Live Oac Fishing
Hilton Head Island's Adventure Professionals™
Redfish Fishing Charters
Live Oac offers some of the best Hilton Head fishing for Redfish, also known as Red Drum, Spot-tail Bass, Channel Bass or just plain Reds. Whatever you call ‘em, they’re FUN!
Our overall most popular trip and best match for a chance at catching Redfish is a Half-Day Charter in the Inshore / Backcountry waters. The best timing for this is early Fall, from mid-August through mid-October. We also see quite a few during Spring and Summer, but to catch these we're running natural bait, and sharks often beat the red drum to the hook.
Our overall most popular trip and best match for a chance at catching Redfish is a Half-Day Charter in the Inshore / Backcountry waters. The best timing for this is early Fall, from mid-August through mid-October. We also see quite a few during Spring and Summer, but to catch these we're running natural bait, and sharks often beat the red drum to the hook.
2‑8 HOURS (BEST ~4 HRS)
ALL YEAR (PEAK AUG‑OCT)
INSHORE OR NEAR COASTAL
AGE VARIES
Live Oac supports catch-and-release fishing for Red Drum, in all cases.
All Live Oac fishing charters are led by experienced professional fishing guides & USCG licensed captains and include boat, fuel, bait and tackle (except certain full-day offshore trips which are flat rate + fuel). No experience is necessary. Our fishing trips are private charters, and we do not "mix" or "match" groups, so who you bring is up to you. Price and max capacity varies by boat and trip type.
2+ HOURS
We have an opportunity to catch redfish on LOTS of different fishing charters, so it's possible to see them even on our shortest 2 hour "Lil' Anglers" trip!
Here are our main approaches for targeting redfish in Hilton Head:
Inshore & Coastal Deep Water Bottom Fishing for Redfish
SEP - OCT
APR - AUG
As these fish become mature (able to reproduce), they begin to leave the comfort and security of the tidal creeks and join the spawning schools that move into the deeper water bays, sounds, and ocean. Big, mature redfish are often referred to as “Bull Reds”. They are hard hitting fish that fight like a bull, and are one of our most exciting fish to catch inshore.
We catch big bull reds throughout the year, but there are certain seasons, times and locations where we can target them specifically with good results. Depending on time of year, that varies from inshore to the near coastal range.
Our main approach is to anchor up over live bottom or structure where these giant fish are known to congregate at different times for spawning. We use medium tackle for these strong fighting fish, and attract them with a variety of live bait, cut bait, and jigs.
While fishing for bull redfish in deeper water, we also often see other species like black sea bass, black drum, whiting, bluefish, sharks and rays.
We catch big bull reds throughout the year, but there are certain seasons, times and locations where we can target them specifically with good results. Depending on time of year, that varies from inshore to the near coastal range.
Our main approach is to anchor up over live bottom or structure where these giant fish are known to congregate at different times for spawning. We use medium tackle for these strong fighting fish, and attract them with a variety of live bait, cut bait, and jigs.
While fishing for bull redfish in deeper water, we also often see other species like black sea bass, black drum, whiting, bluefish, sharks and rays.
Catch and release a huge "Bull" Red Drum like this while fishing in Hilton Head Island!
Backcountry Shallow Water Fishing for Redfish
LATE AUG - EARLY OCT
Shallow Water Flats Fishing for Redfish
SEP - FEB
APR - MAY
Red Drum live in the tidal creeks and marsh estuary region as juveniles and young adults. These fish tend to be in the 13-26” range, with some occasional larger ones to be found. Redfish spend a lot of time in extremely shallow water, as this offers a combination of protection from predators (dolphin and sharks) as well as a great place to search for food such as smaller fish, shrimp and crabs.
Redfish hover around oyster beds and shell banks, swim throughout the mud flats and creeks at low tide and amongst the marsh grass at high tide. We hunt for them using a specially designed “flats boat” or skiff that lets us float in extreme shallow water measured in inches, not feet!
This type of fishing is akin to Bass fishing like you might be familiar with or have at least seen on TV. We spend a lot of time on the move, casting at the edge of the water, along grass patches and shell banks. We can use light spinning, conventional, and fly tackle. We’ll typically also spend some time anchored or staked out in a position waiting for fish to come to us. The techniques and methods are tailored both the fish behavior and the anglers on board.
Other species are also caught when fishing for redfish in shallow water, such as spotted sea trout, black drum, flounder, whiting, stingrays and sharks.
Redfish hover around oyster beds and shell banks, swim throughout the mud flats and creeks at low tide and amongst the marsh grass at high tide. We hunt for them using a specially designed “flats boat” or skiff that lets us float in extreme shallow water measured in inches, not feet!
This type of fishing is akin to Bass fishing like you might be familiar with or have at least seen on TV. We spend a lot of time on the move, casting at the edge of the water, along grass patches and shell banks. We can use light spinning, conventional, and fly tackle. We’ll typically also spend some time anchored or staked out in a position waiting for fish to come to us. The techniques and methods are tailored both the fish behavior and the anglers on board.
Other species are also caught when fishing for redfish in shallow water, such as spotted sea trout, black drum, flounder, whiting, stingrays and sharks.
Sight fishing for redfish on a flats boat in Hilton Head, SC