South Carolina · Lowcountry
REDFISH FISHING
IN BEAUFORT
Beaufort is an outstanding destination for redfish fishing, with peak season in March, April, May and good catches in January, February, June. Book a charter and target redfish with local experts.
About Redfish Fishing in Beaufort
Also known as Red Drum, one of the most sought-after inshore gamefish in the Gulf. Known for powerful runs and the distinctive spot on the tail.
Redfish — also called Red Drum — are the most popular inshore gamefish along the Gulf and South Atlantic coasts. They are bronze-copper in color with one or more distinctive black spots near the tail, which scientists believe confuse predators into attacking the wrong end. Juveniles (called "rat reds") are bright gold or copper, while bull reds over 30 inches take on a deeper bronze-red hue with a pronounced hump behind the head. Males and females are visually identical, though females grow larger and are the primary spawners.
Scientific name: Sciaenops ocellatus
Redfish Seasonal Calendar — Beaufort
Month-by-month availability for redfish in Beaufort, SC.
How to Catch Redfish in Beaufort
Techniques & Bait
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
Recommended Tackle
Medium or medium-light spinning rod (7 ft), 2500-3000 size reel, 10-15 lb braided line, 20 lb fluorocarbon leader. For bull reds: medium-heavy rod, 4000 reel, 20-30 lb braid, 30 lb leader.
Best Inshore Fishing Spots in Beaufort
Top spots where local captains target redfish and other inshore species.
Beaufort River
The Beaufort River flows through the heart of historic Beaufort and is lined with docks, seawalls, and oyster beds that hold redfish, flounder, and speckled trout year-round. The river's consistent tidal flow brings in fresh supplies of shrimp and baitfish that keep gamefish feeding along the banks and pilings. It is one of the most accessible and productive inshore fisheries in the Lowcountry, with fishing spots within minutes of downtown.
St. Helena Sound
St. Helena Sound is one of the largest and most pristine estuaries on the South Carolina coast, where the Combahee, Ashepoo, and Edisto Rivers empty into the Atlantic. Trophy redfish, speckled trout, flounder, and tarpon patrol the sound's vast grass flats, oyster reefs, and creek mouths. The sound's size and limited development create a wilderness inshore fishing experience that rivals any destination on the southeastern coast.
Morgan River
The Morgan River connects Lady's Island to St. Helena Island and is fed by a network of tidal creeks that drain miles of pristine Lowcountry marsh. Redfish, speckled trout, and flounder hold along the river's oyster-lined banks and deeper bends, with sight-fishing opportunities for tailing redfish on shallow flats at low tide. The river's relatively low fishing pressure and healthy habitat produce consistently large fish.
ACE Basin (Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto)
The ACE Basin is one of the largest undeveloped estuarine systems on the Atlantic coast, encompassing over 350,000 acres of marsh, tidal creeks, and river channels. Redfish, speckled trout, flounder, tarpon, and jack crevalle thrive in the basin's pristine waters, which benefit from protected status as a wildlife refuge. It is the crown jewel of South Carolina's inshore fisheries and a destination that draws anglers from across the country.
Other Species in Beaufort
More fish you can target while visiting Beaufort.
Redfish Fishing in Beaufort — FAQ
The peak months for Redfish fishing in Beaufort are March, April, May, September, October, November. During these months, Redfish are most active and abundant in the Beaufort area.
Redfish fishing charters in Beaufort are typically inshore trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Live shrimp under a popping cork is the most reliable year-round technique. Soft plastic jigs (gold spoons, paddle-tail swimbaits on 1/4 oz jigheads) worked along oyster bars and grass flat edges are deadly. For trophy bulls in the fall, fresh-cut mullet or blue crab on a Carolina rig fished near passes and jetties is hard to beat. Sight-casting to tailing reds on shallow flats with gold spoons or fly-rod presentations is the pinnacle of the sport.
No — when you book a charter in Beaufort, your captain provides all required South Carolina fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Redfish regulations in South Carolina include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Redfish in Beaufort, you may also catch Sheepshead, King Mackerel, Cobia, Black Drum, Black Sea Bass. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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