BackCountry Light Tackle & Fly Fishing

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Graham Cotter

Graham Cotter

Independent Guide 23 years of exp.
Talkative
Laid-back
Instructional
Comfortable
Quality
Captain Graham has been an adventure guide in one way, shape, or form for over 20 years. While he grew up visiting his father in Hilton Head Island he spent the majority of his career in the Florida Keys, South Florida, and the Bahamas. Captain Graham managed private sport fishing operations which required him to learn new fisheries as he travelled to various remote locations - offshore fishing for pelagics, inshore fishing for bonefish, snook and tarpon and diving and spearfishing. But sight fishing the Backcountry flats and creeks were always the favorite.

After evacuating the Florida Keys for Hurricane Irma in 2017 he ended up on Hilton Head Island. Captain Graham had found the Backcountry waters he had always been searching for. The endless variety of salt marsh creeks and flats in the Lowcountry are overwhelming and ever-changing with the tide and could never be fully explored.

When not on charter, Captain Graham is still on the water every day keeping his finger on the pulse & scouting new spots.

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Graham Cotter

Graham Cotter

Independent Guide 23 years of exp.
Captain Graham has been an adventure guide in one way, shape, or form for over 20 years. While he grew up visiting his father in Hilton Head Island he spent the majority of his career in the Florida Keys, South Florida, and the Bahamas. Captain Graham managed private sport fishing operations which required him to learn new fisheries as he travelled to various remote locations - offshore fishing for pelagics, inshore fishing for bonefish, snook and tarpon and diving and spearfishing. But sight fishing the Backcountry flats and creeks were always the favorite.

After evacuating the Florida Keys for Hurricane Irma in 2017 he ended up on Hilton Head Island. Captain Graham had found the Backcountry waters he had always been searching for. The endless variety of salt marsh creeks and flats in the Lowcountry are overwhelming and ever-changing with the tide and could never be fully explored.

When not on charter, Captain Graham is still on the water every day keeping his finger on the pulse & scouting new spots.
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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
500 lb Blue Marlin
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Smoked Meats Roasted Veg
Whats your favorite band?
JJ Grey
Whats your favorite movie?
THe Aviator

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?
500 lb Blue Marlin
If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?
Smoked Meats Roasted Veg
Whats your favorite band?
JJ Grey
Whats your favorite movie?
THe Aviator
Whats your drink of choice?
IPA
What do you want for Christmas this year?
Trips
How did you get started guiding?
In the keys i couldn't get off the water. It was all I could think about. After awhile it just seemed natural.
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Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly

NEW 1 - 2 People 4 - 8 Hours From $525
Redfish Fishing in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Redfish Fishing in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Redfish Fishing in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Speckled Trout Fishing in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Redfish Fishing in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Redfish Fishing in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing
Backcountry Light Tackle & Flyfishing

About Your Trip

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather

The Redfish is the staple, year-round fish in the South Carolina Lowcountry and has proved to be the perfect gamefish. They can be sight fished on the fly or artificial lure on flood tide grass flats, mud and sand flats, or up tidal creeks at lower water levels. They can also be fished using live or cut bait. Other common species caught include Black Drum, Speckled Sea Trout and Flounder. Throughout the year some species...

About Your Trip

The Redfish is the staple, year-round fish in the South Carolina Lowcountry and has proved to be the perfect gamefish. They can be sight fished on the fly or artificial lure on flood tide grass flats, mud and sand flats, or up tidal creeks at lower water levels. They can also be fished using live or cut bait.

Other common species caught include Black Drum, Speckled Sea Trout and Flounder. Throughout the year some species
are in more abundance than others and some seasons hold different surprises as migratory fish move through the area.

Winter in the Lowcountry is special because the water can become gin-clear due to the lack of nutrients in the water with water temperatures in the upper 40s and 50s. Redfish will school up in large numbers and provide anglers with excellent sight fishing opportunities at lower tides

As the water temperature begins to warm in the Spring baitfish begin to move into the interior waters. The food source becomes slightly more abundant and schools start to break up and spread out to more zones. 

In April and May, the Cobia begin to show up to spawn in this estuary. The Cobia can be taken on the fly or artificial on the surface when weather and sea conditions line up.

Summer months afford the angler the most variety.  In addition to Redfish, Black Drum, Sea Trout, and Flounder other species frequent a variety of scenarios. Ladyfish, Tripletail, Spanish Mackeral are all fun species to target on light tackle and fly but the big schools of large Jack Crevalle are high on the list of gamefish to be hunted this time of year when the sea conditions are calm enough. Tarpon also visit our water during Summer but are generally on the bottom in deeper water.

Once the Fall season comes into play, we see relief from Summer temperatures, the baitfish mature, and the shrimp move into the creeks. It seems like everything gets fired up! Bull Redfish have a tendency to move back into estuarine waters to feed. When the water is calm enough Bull Reds can be targeted on the surface out in nearshore waters where they are spawning this time of year.

So no matter what time of year there is always something buzzing aboard Captain Graham Skiff! It comes loaded with everything you could possibly need for success, so all you need to bring are your favorite snacks and drinks, and Captain Graham will show you what Hilton Head fishing is all about!
Amenities

Water Type

Inshore, Flats

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Live Bait

Live bait is included for this trip.

Location

This guide can be flexible with the departure location.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to kids.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled for a refund up to 2 days before the trip.

Waders

Wader rentals are not available.

Fish Cleaning

No cleaning service provided.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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About Your Boat

Boat photo for Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
Boat photo for Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
Boat Type
Skiff
Boat Manufacturer
Beavertail
Year Built
2015
Boat Length
18'

About Your Boat

Boat Type
Skiff
Boat Manufacturer
Beavertail
Year Built
2015
Boat Length
18'
Engine Manufacturer
Suzuki
Total Horsepower
90
Number of Engines
1
Additional Amenities
GPS, Poling Platform, Wireless Trolling Motor, Ice Box
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Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .
January February March April May June July August September October November December
Black Drum
Good
Good
Good
Great
Great
Great
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Jack Crevalle
Good
Good
Good
Good
Great
Great
Great
Great
Good
Good
Good
Good
Redfish
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Good
Great
Great
Great
Great
Good
Speckled Trout
Good
Good
Good
Great
Great
Great
Good
Good
Great
Great
Good
Good
Tarpon
Good
Good
Great
Great
Great
Good
Good
Good
Good
Great
Great
Good
Tripletail
Not Ideal
Not Ideal
Not Ideal
Good
Good
Great
Great
Great
Great
Good
Good
Not Ideal
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  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Artificial Lure Fishing
Fly Fishing
Light Tackle Fishing
Sight Casting
Wading

Types of Fishing

Flats
Inshore

Need a Place to Stay?

BackCountry Light Tackle & Fly Fishing Photo Gallery

Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
December 13th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
March 25th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
March 25th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
March 25th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
March 25th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
March 25th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
March 25th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
March 25th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
December 13th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
December 13th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
December 13th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
December 13th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
December 13th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
December 13th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
December 13th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Backcountry Light Tackle & Fly
December 13th, 2022
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
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