Our Boat :: Our Captain :: Saltwater Fishing :: Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing :: Offshore Fishing :: Site Seeing :: Crabbing Our Boat (top)
The newest boat is a 2008 23’ Sea King 230CC powered by twin 150 HSP four stroke Yamaha engines. This boat is used mainly for offshore or nearshore charters but can be requested for larger inshore parties at a minimal additional fee. The engines are mounted on a transom bracket which in essence gives you the ride and space of a 26 footer. The boat is equipped with the newest Garmin fishfinder and GPS/chartplotter to help put you right on top of the fish. Our main inshore boat is a 2004 22' Sea Pro 2100 center console powered by a four stroke 150 HSP Yamaha engine, and has an 82 lb. thrust/24 volt trolling motor that makes for a stealthy approach. Seating capacity for 6 people comfortably makes for an enjoyable ride with friends or family. This boat is also equipped with state of the art electronics from Garmin and Clarion. Both are smooth riding vessels that accommodate all your needs in a safe environment. (Check out www.seapro.com and www.kencraftboats.com) Our Captain (top)
Captain Rich Harris is a certified U.S. Coast Guard Captain and Maritime Officer. He has been near the water all his life and has fished all over the world in places like, Caracas Venezuela, Panama Canal, East Coast of Africa, Chesapeake Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. He is retired from the U.S. Air Force and proudly served for 22 years, most of that time here locally at Charleston AFB, fishing the inshore waterways every chance he had. He lives on the Cooper River and is an outstanding guide to see all of the wildlife the Low Country has to offer. He has won numerous local inshore saltwater fishing tournaments to include a most recent 1st and 3rd place trout, in the 2004 LLCA tournament and in 2002 a 1st place flounder. Captain Rich is a Christian and a member of The Cathedral of Praise Church in North Charleston, so you are guaranteed good times in a great atmosphere. We Specialize in Saltwater Inshore Fishing (top)
Fishing in the Charleston area is good all year round but as in any place in the world, there are better times to catch them than others. We at The Reel Deal Charters take great pride in ensuring you have a productive and enjoyable experience. Captain Rich is a skilled professional and can teach you all the tricks of the trade. Fishing is more than putting a piece of bait in the water. Depth, structure, water temperature, barometric pressure and bottom composition are just some of the factors taken into consideration when fishing for a specific species. We promote catch and release of all fish but have no problem with you keeping the catch for a nice dinner. All South Carolina Department Natural Resources regulations are strictly adhered to.
All fishing tackle, bait, and licenses are provided for you at no charge, and rods will be provided according to type of fishing requested. You have a choice of artificial or live bait (at no-charge, when available) and Captain Rich will give you his advice but the choice is yours, as some people are strictly artificial lure fishermen. You are welcome to bring your own equipment and lures; however tackle will always be available for your use. Live bait fishing requires a 48-hour notice, and is not always available. Fish cleaning is available upon request for a charge of $3.00 per fish and includes packaging. Inshore Fishing (top)
From the serious angler who wants to target the monster red, flounder, trout, sheepshead or shark, to the small child that has never caught a fish, The Reel Deal Charters offers something for everyone. Your experience and capabilities will be discussed with our experienced staff to determine what best meets your expectations. Most of the inshore fishing we specialize in is done by the use of a trolling motor, casting the banks and flats which consistently produces action. Targeting reds and sheepshead at low tide where they are easier to catch usually makes for long runs with reds and muscle testing fights with sheepshead. Later, as the tide moves in, the trout and flounder usually turn on, providing nonstop action. We will also anchor when we have the fish concentrated in one area which can produce heart pounding action. It’s not uncommon to catch large numbers, which can exceed 50 fish in one outing. The inshore grand slam comes very often and is one you will remember forever. We suggest that most of the time with small children is spent bottom fishing where the bite will keep the kids interested. Small children like a lot of action and if they get bored it could make for a miserable day for Mom or Dad. Shark fishing can be one of the most heart pounding experiences you will ever have, and those with a weak heart are urged not to choose this type of fishing. Large sharks ranging from sandbars, blacktips to bonnetheads are abound in the Charleston area and could keep you busy for some time. Sorry, we do not allow the harvesting of sharks as the species and creel limits are so low. Nearshore Fishing (top)
Nearshore fishing consists of fishing some of the local artificial reefs and live bottom areas. We travel anywhere from 3 to 20 miles off shore depending on the type of fish requested. During the winter months when the inshore fishing slows dramatically, a trip offshore can really help with the cabin fever. The action is normally nonstop and great to take kids just for the fact that they will stay busy. Our main target here is the most delicious black sea bass but we do catch everything from little tunny’s to sheepshead and everything in between. A minimum of a 6 hour trip is required. Offshore Fishing (top)
Offshore trips are considered deep sea or gulf stream which will take you from 20 to 50 miles out. We specialize in bottom fishing for red and vermillion snapper, large triggerfish, grouper, sea bass; porgy’s and we do catch the occasional dolphin (mahi-mahi) from time to time. These trips can be a blast and will fill a cooler in no time, with some of the best tasting fish you will ever eat. At present we only bottom fish and do not offer trolling trips, but are planning to add that service soon. A minimum of an 8 hour trip is required. Sight Seeing (top)
Our professional and courteous staff will make you feel at home with the southern hospitality you have come to love. Imagine cruising the Charleston area with your own personal tour guide. See Fort Sumter, The Battery, and the USS Yorktown up close. You will most likely see porpoises frolicking in the bay, alligators, pelicans feeding, Osprey and their nests, sea turtles and an occasional manatee or two. We have so much to offer for your viewing and picture taking pleasures.
We offer two packages for sight seeing in the area: - The Charleston Harbor tour includes a complete guided tour of the harbor with some history and stories about all of the attractions. You will pass by the USS Yorktown, the new Cooper River Bridge, Shem Creek, and the Shrimping Fleet (stopping at one of the finest restaurants for lunch or dinner is also possible, please advise us at the time of booking), beautiful houses along the intercostals waterways, Fort Sumter, Sullivan’s Island lighthouse, the Battery/White Point Gardens; and you will most likely see schools of porpoises and a wide variety of birds native to the Charleston area. This tour may accommodate 6 passengers and will last approximately 2 hours. Time and costs will vary with a lunch or dinner request. Pick up point for passengers can be at the SC Aquarium, Remlies Point Marina, or Bushy Park Landing. Check out our directions to each of these locations.
- The Cooper River tour includes a complete guided tour of the Cooper River from Mepkin Abbey to the Santee Cooper Dam. You will see the rice fields of the old plantations and hear awesome stories of how this river was used during the civil war. The houses on parts of the river are exquisite and each is unique in their own right. You will pass by Mulberry Plantation and Santee Canal State Park on the way thru the Tail Race Canal. Stops at Santee Canal State Park are possible, there is a beautiful nature trail and docking facilities are available for picture taking and viewing pleasure. The tour continues up the canal and by a well known restaurant, where dining on the water is possible. Lastly we will continue to the lower part of the Santee Cooper Dam. The locks operate on a seasonal basis, when open, a trip through the locks is possible, and is an experience you won’t soon forget. On this tour (spring through fall) you will see alligators up close or at a distance, a wide variety of birds, many Ospreys and schooling fish are not uncommon to see right by the Dam. This tour accommodates 6 passengers and will last 2, 3 or 4 hours, depending on the stops requested, please advise us of any requested stops at the time of booking. Pick up point for passengers will be at Pimlico Plantation Boat landing, directions will be provided when booking this trip.
Crabbing (top)
The Charleston area has an abundance of blue crabs which makes great table fare and fun for the whole family. Lines are set with bait and pulled in by the kids or adults, then dipped up with a net and measured, providing hours of excitement and fun for all. The large 22” Sea Pro can accommodate 6 passengers with no problem. There is normally a bucket or two of crabs to take home to cook to perfection. Bring something in your vehicle to take your catch home. The South Carolina state minimum size limits of 5” are strictly adhered to. |
