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Half Day Redfish Trips Beaufort SC Jodys Guide
- Published Date: December 31, 2025
- Fishing
- $250 - $700 price range
Summary
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Beaufort Fishing Action
Half Day Fishing Trip in Beaufort, SC
There's something special about getting on the water with Captain Jody Powell in Beaufort's pristine inshore waters. This isn't your typical crowded charter - it's a personalized 6-hour fishing adventure where you'll target some of the Lowcountry's most prized species including redfish, sheepshead, black drum, spotted sea trout, and flounder. Starting bright and early at 7:00 AM from Sam's Point Boat Landing, you'll have the entire morning and early afternoon to work the flats, structure, and grass beds that make this area a world-class inshore fishing destination.
What to Expect on the Water
Captain Jody runs a top-rated operation aboard his Triton Bay Boat, which is perfectly suited for navigating Beaufort's shallow inshore waters. The boat accommodates up to 3 guests, keeping things intimate and allowing for plenty of one-on-one instruction. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first fishing trip or you're an experienced angler looking to dial in your inshore techniques, Jody tailors each trip to match your crew's skill level. All your gear is provided - quality rods, reels, tackle, and fresh bait - so you can focus on what matters most: getting fish in the boat. The captain knows these waters like the back of his hand, and he'll put you on productive spots based on tides, weather, and seasonal patterns. You'll keep everything you catch, and if you want your fish cleaned and ready for the dinner table, Jody offers that service for $50. Just remember to grab your Georgia state fishing license before you head out.
Techniques and Tactics
Inshore fishing around Beaufort is all about reading the water and adapting your approach. Captain Jody employs a variety of proven techniques depending on what's biting and where. You might find yourself sight-fishing for tailing redfish in skinny water, working live shrimp around oyster bars for sheepshead, or casting artificial lures along grass lines for spotted sea trout. The beauty of this fishery is its diversity - one minute you're bottom fishing with cut bait for black drum, the next you're drifting live finger mullet for flounder near creek mouths. Jody will walk you through each technique, from proper bait presentation to reading strikes and setting hooks. The Triton's shallow draft opens up access to places bigger boats can't reach, giving you shots at fish in their prime feeding zones. Expect to use both conventional and spinning tackle, with bait ranging from live shrimp and mud minnows to cut mullet and artificial soft plastics.
Top Catches This Season
Redfish are the crown jewel of Beaufort's inshore scene, and for good reason. These copper-colored bulldogs typically run 18-27 inches in these waters, with plenty of slot fish that make excellent table fare. Spring through fall offers the most consistent action, though winter can produce some monster bull reds. What makes redfish so special is their aggressive nature and the variety of ways you can target them - sight-casting to cruising fish, working them around structure, or even topwater action during dawn and dusk. Sheepshead might be the trickiest fish you'll encounter, but they're worth the effort. These black-and-white striped convicts have human-like teeth and a knack for stealing bait, but once you hook into a 3-4 pound sheepie, you'll understand why anglers get obsessed with them. They're excellent eating and provide a real test of your bait presentation skills around oyster bars and pilings.
Black drum often get overlooked, but they shouldn't be. These bottom-dwellers can surprise you with their size - fish over 20 pounds aren't uncommon in Beaufort waters. They're strong fighters that will test your drag system, and smaller drum in the 5-15 pound range are fantastic on the dinner plate. Look for them around structure and drop-offs, especially during cooler months. Spotted sea trout are another customer favorite, offering fast action and acrobatic fights. These silver speedsters love grass flats and creek mouths, and they'll hit everything from live shrimp to soft plastic jigs. Spring and fall typically produce the best trout fishing, with fish averaging 14-18 inches and plenty of opportunities for multiple hookups.
Summer flounder round out the slam with their unique personality and excellent table quality. These flatfish are ambush predators that bury themselves in sandy bottoms near creek mouths and channel edges. They're masters of camouflage and can be finicky feeders, but their sweet, flaky meat makes them one of the most sought-after species in the area. Flounder fishing requires patience and finesse, but the reward is worth it when you boat a nice 3-4 pound doormat.
Time to Book Your Spot
Captain Jody Powell's half-day trips offer the perfect balance of adventure and convenience, getting you back to shore by early afternoon with a cooler full of fresh fish and memories to last a lifetime. The 6-hour window gives you plenty of time to work different spots and target multiple species without committing to a full day on the water. This makes it ideal for families with young kids, visitors with afternoon plans, or anyone who wants to experience Beaufort's renowned inshore fishing without the marathon commitment. With all gear provided and the captain's local expertise guiding every cast, you're set up for success from the moment you step aboard. The intimate 3-person capacity ensures personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. Don't let this opportunity slip away - book your spot with one of Beaufort's most trusted guides and discover why anglers keep coming back to these productive waters season after season.
Learn more about the species
Black Drum
Black drum are the heavyweights of our inshore waters, running anywhere from 5-30 pounds with some bruisers pushing 90. These gray-black fish love hanging around oyster beds and shallow muddy flats where they use their powerful jaws to crush shellfish. Spring is prime time when they school up for spawning - that's when you'll hear them "drumming" underwater. They're strong fighters that'll test your drag, but keep in mind the smaller ones under 15 pounds taste much better than the big boys. My tip: use fresh crab or cut mullet on the bottom near oyster bars, and when you feel that subtle tap-tap, set the hook hard because they're trying to steal your bait.
Redfish
Redfish are the kings of our shallow water flats, and that distinctive black spot near the tail makes them easy to identify. Around here, most slot fish run 18-27 inches and put up a serious fight in skinny water. You'll find them tailing in 1-3 feet of water around oyster bars, grass flats, and creek mouths. They're year-round residents, but fall and spring offer the most consistent action when they're actively feeding. What guests love is watching them cruise the shallows - it's sight fishing at its best. They're also excellent eating with mild, sweet meat. The real thrill comes from that explosive strike in shallow water followed by a strong, steady fight. My advice: look for muddy water or nervous baitfish, cast ahead of cruising fish, and use live shrimp or cut bait near structure.
Sea Trout
Spotted sea trout are some of our most cooperative fish, especially in the cooler months when they school up in deeper channels. These silver beauties with black spots typically run 14-18 inches and love grass flats and drop-offs near structure. They're most active during moving tides, particularly early morning and late evening. What makes them special is they hit a variety of baits and lures, making them perfect for beginners and kids. The meat is delicate and flaky - just don't overcook it. They're also great fighters for their size with surprising runs. My go-to approach: fish live shrimp under a popping cork over grass beds, or throw soft plastics on light jigheads. Keep your drag loose because their mouths are soft and they'll throw the hook if you horse them.
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are the convict fish of our waters with those distinctive black stripes, but what really sets them apart are their human-like teeth. Most run 1-8 pounds and love hanging around any structure - docks, bridges, pilings loaded with barnacles. These guys are year-round residents, but spring brings the best action when they're more aggressive. They're notorious bait thieves with light, nibbling bites that'll clean your hook before you know it. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in these waters - sweet, flaky white meat. My local secret: use small hooks with fresh fiddler crabs or sand fleas, get your bait right against the structure, and the moment you feel any weight or tapping, set that hook hard. They've got tough mouths, so don't be shy about it.
Summer Flounder
Summer flounder are the masters of disguise on our sandy bottoms - these flatfish can actually change colors to match their surroundings. Most run 15-20 inches, but we see some nice ones pushing 5-6 pounds. They're ambush predators that bury in sand and mud, waiting for baitfish to swim by. Fall fishing from September through November is your best bet when they're more active. What makes them fun is you never know when that seemingly dead bottom will come alive with a solid thump. They make excellent table fare with sweet, white meat. Here's the trick: use a long leader with live finger mullet or mud minnows, and fish it slow along the bottom. When you feel a flounder grab your bait, give them a few seconds before setting the hook - they like to reposition their prey.
About the Triton Bay Boat
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 4
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 45
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower per Engine: 250
