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Recently Booked Scup Fishing Charters Near Charleston, Sc
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Everything to Know About Booking a Charleston scup fishing charter
What are the best scup fishing charters in Charleston?
Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 4 scup trips in Charleston, and the most popular trips in the area are Charleston Deep Sea Offshore guided by Darius and Deep Sea Quest: Reel & Explore guided by Chris.
Our guides in Charleston are rated a 4 out of 5 based on 2538 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.
All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.
Another popular city nearby for booking a Scup charter is Mount Pleasant.
Looking for kid friendly scup guides / fishing lessons in Charleston? Check out our beginner and family friendly scup guides in Charleston.
What types of scup fishing charters are common in Charleston?
Deep Sea fishing is the most popular for scup in Charleston as well as nearshore fishing.
The most common fishing techniques in Charleston are bottom fishing, trolling, and heavy tackle fishing but light tackle fishing is popular as well.
How much do Charleston scup fishing charters cost?
for scup in Charleston prices can range anywhere from about $1,162 to $1,732, but the average price for a full day trip for scup in Charleston is $1,370.
What month is best for scup fishing in Charleston?
The most popular season for scup fishing in Charleston is summer, and most anglers book their trips 27 days in advance.
Do I need a Charleston fishing license for scup and what are the bag limits for scup in Charleston?
You’re in luck! Our fishing tours in Charleston don’t require you to purchase a fishing license – your group is covered by your boat’s captain. See here for more information on bag limits and fishing season regulations in Charleston.
What is scup in Charleston all about?
Scup, also known as porgies, are a common and popular species found in the waters around Charleston. These small to medium-sized fish are known for their distinctive appearance, with silvery sides and a sloping forehead. While scup are not typically considered a primary target for anglers in Charleston, they are plentiful and provide excellent opportunities for both recreational and commercial fishing. Their abundance and willingness to take a variety of baits make them a favorite catch among anglers of all skill levels.
Scup are commonly found in nearshore waters, particularly around reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottoms, where they feed on small crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates. Anglers targeting scup in Charleston often use light tackle and bottom fishing techniques to entice strikes. Baits such as squid, clams, and shrimp are popular choices for targeting scup, either fished on the bottom or suspended at various depths using a high-low rig or a sabiki rig.
While scup may not grow as large as some other game fish, they make up for it in abundance and feistiness, providing anglers with plenty of action and a delicious reward. Their firm, white flesh is mild and versatile, making them a popular choice for the dinner table. Whether fishing from shore, a pier, or a boat, anglers in Charleston can enjoy the thrill of targeting scup while soaking in the scenic beauty of the coastal waters.
What are the most popular months to fish for scup in Charleston?
In Charleston, the presence and abundance of scup can vary throughout the year, with distinct seasons that coincide with changes in water temperature, currents, and migration patterns. Typically, scup are more abundant in Charleston's waters during the warmer months, from late spring to early fall. During this time, as water temperatures rise, scup migrate closer to shore and congregate around reefs, wrecks, and other underwater structures, where they feed voraciously on small crustaceans and invertebrates.
As the seasons change and water temperatures begin to cool in late fall and winter, scup sightings and catches in Charleston may become less frequent. However, some individuals may still be present in nearshore waters, particularly in areas with favorable habitat and food sources. Additionally, scup may exhibit seasonal migrations along the Atlantic coast, with Charleston serving as a stopover point along their journey. While scup may be less abundant during the cooler months, dedicated anglers can still find success by targeting them in deeper offshore waters or around wintering grounds.
Understanding the seasonal patterns of scup in Charleston is essential for anglers looking to maximize their chances of success. By timing their fishing trips to coincide with peak scup migration periods and focusing their efforts around known hotspots and nearshore structures, anglers can increase their likelihood of hooking into one of these tasty and plentiful fish. Whether fishing from shore, a pier, or a boat, Charleston's rich fishery offers ample opportunities for anglers to pursue and reel in prized catches of scup during the peak fishing seasons.
What techniques are popular for catching scup in Charleston?
When targeting scup in Charleston, anglers often employ a variety of techniques to entice these feisty fish. One common method is bottom fishing, where anglers use light tackle and baited rigs to fish near the seafloor, particularly around reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottoms where scup tend to congregate. Baits such as squid, clams, shrimp, or small pieces of fish are commonly used to attract scup, either fished on the bottom or suspended at various depths using a high-low rig or a sabiki rig. This method allows anglers to cover a wide area and present their baits effectively to the schools of scup, resulting in plenty of bites and action.
Another effective technique for scup fishing in Charleston is drift fishing, where anglers drift along the coastline or over productive areas while presenting baits or lures to actively feeding scup. This method allows anglers to cover a larger area and locate schools of scup as they move around in search of food. Anglers can use a variety of baits, including squid strips, clams, or small jigs, to entice strikes from scup as they drift along. Drift fishing can be particularly effective when targeting scup in deeper water or areas with strong currents.
Anglers targeting scup in Charleston may also employ jigging techniques to entice strikes from these energetic fish. Jigging involves vertically jigging metal or weighted lures through the water column to mimic the movement of prey and attract the attention of scup. Anglers can vary the speed and depth of their jigging to effectively target scup at different levels of the water column, providing an exciting and dynamic fishing experience. Whether bottom fishing, drift fishing, or jigging, anglers in Charleston can enjoy the thrill of targeting scup while soaking in the scenic beauty of the coastal waters.
What other species are popular in Charleston?
In addition to scup, Charleston's waters offer a diverse range of fish species that provide anglers with exciting opportunities for fishing adventures. One popular target among anglers is the red drum, also known as redfish, which inhabits the marshes, estuaries, and nearshore waters around Charleston. Renowned for their strength and willingness to put up a fight, red drum provide anglers with exhilarating battles and the chance to reel in a prized catch. Whether targeting them with live bait, artificial lures, or fly fishing, anglers can find success pursuing red drum in Charleston's productive fishing grounds.
Another sought-after species in Charleston's waters is the spotted seatrout, a highly prized game fish known for its acrobatic leaps and voracious feeding habits. Spotted seatrout can be found in a variety of habitats, including grass flats, tidal creeks, and around structure such as docks and oyster beds. Anglers targeting spotted seatrout often use a variety of techniques, including casting artificial lures, drifting live bait, or fly fishing, to entice strikes from these elusive predators. With their impressive fighting abilities and delectable flesh, spotted seatrout are a favorite among anglers seeking a memorable fishing experience in Charleston.
Charleston's coastal waters are also home to a variety of other species that offer exciting opportunities for anglers of all skill levels. From flounder and sheepshead to black sea bass and king mackerel, there's no shortage of options to pursue in Charleston's diverse fishery. Whether fishing from shore, boat, or kayak, anglers can enjoy the thrill of battling a variety of prized catches while soaking in the natural beauty and abundant marine life of Charleston's coastal waters.
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Other Fishing Species in Charleston
- Almaco Jack
- Amberjack
- Barracuda
- Black Drum
- Black Seabass
- Blackfin Tuna
- Blacktip Shark
- Blue Marlin
- Bluefish
- Bonnethead Shark
- Bull Shark
- Cobia
- Flounder
- Gag Grouper
- Goliath Grouper
- Hogfish
- Jack Crevalle
- Kingfish
- Ladyfish
- Mahi Mahi
- Red Snapper
- Redfish
- Sailfish
- Sheepshead
- Spadefish
- Spanish Mackerel
- Speckled Trout
- Tarpon
- Triggerfish
- Vermillion Snapper
- Wahoo
- White Marlin
- Yellowfin Tuna
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What's biting in Charleston?
View Scup Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.
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