Charleston Fishing Report: April, 2026

April is when the Lowcountry officially catches fire. This is arguably our favorite month of the year to be on the water in Charleston.

Inshore, the redfish schools are starting to split up, and they are aggressively patrolling the grass edges. In the harbor, we’re seeing the arrival of the big “Bull” Reds and the first real wave of sharks. Nearshore, the reefs are teeming with life as the migration moves into high gear, and out in the Stream, we are on the doorstep of the legendary spring Mahi run. It’s the kind of month where you truly never know what might end up on the end of your line.

March Recap and April Outlook With Capt. Foster

March was bad ass! We were on em pretty much all month. We had several banner trips—getting some folks on their first redfish with a few fish breaking the 30″ mark and multiple 30-40+ fish days.

“Great trip with 4 Sons Charters. Captain Foster did a great job all day very good guy. Fishing was great, caught a lot of fish, we will fish with him again.”

Jerry Brown
Google Review

The sight fishing has been a little tough with the weather but we’ve been able to sneak out and get some great fly fishing opportunities in. Come the 15th of April, we should have some flood tides. This is a great opportunity to get out on the flats for some early flood tide action.

If You’re A Fly Fisherman, We’ve Got A Few Prime Dates In April

Capt. Foster is going to be on the poling platform of our Xplor Delta Flats Skiff a lot this month. The fish should start pushing up into the grass over the next few days with the steady increase in water temps. We’re sitting right around 65º and it’s about to get epic. The redfish might not start tailing just yet, but the sight fishing is still on fire.

Prime Dates This Month:

• April 15th
• April 16th
• April 17th
• April 28th
• April 29th

Dust off your eight weight, shoot us a call or text at (843) 633-6640, and let’s get you on the bow of the boat this month.

Tides & Moon Phases

For our April planning, we’ve got some “fishy” moon cycles to work with. We’ll start the month with a Full Pink Moon on April 2nd. Those high spring tides will have the water pushing deep into the marsh grass—keep an eye out for those early-season tailing redfish on the afternoon flood tides! We hit the Third Quarter on April 10th, followed by the New Moon on April 17th. That New Moon window is historically one of our most productive weeks for inshore trout and flounder. We’ll wrap up the month with the First Quarter on April 24th. With the water warming up, the outgoing tide near creek mouths will be a “conveyor belt” of baitfish, making it the prime time to set an ambush.

The April Weather Pattern

Weather-wise, April in Charleston is just about perfect, though it still keeps us on our toes. We’ve said goodbye to those biting North winds, replaced by more consistent, warm breezes from the South and Southwest. Typical daytime highs sit comfortably in the mid-70s, which is perfect for a full day on the boat without getting overheated. We do have to watch for those quick spring afternoon thunderstorms, but they usually blow through as fast as they arrive. The most important thing for us is the water temperature hitting that “magic” 68-72°F mark. Once we stay consistently in that range, the bait moves in thick, and the fish transition from “surviving” to “thriving.”

Inshore: The Shrimping Season Begins

In the creeks and the harbor, the menu has officially changed. The mud minnows are still a staple, but the arrival of the first spring shrimp and finger mullet has the fish looking up. Speckled Trout are incredibly active right now, and there’s nothing more exciting than watching a “Gator” Trout crush a topwater lure. For the Redfish, we’re transitioning to lighter tackle. We’re also seeing more Flounder showing up in the sandy patches near creek mouths—work your bait “low and slow” to tempt these ambush predators.

What We’re Throwing This Month:

• 1/4 oz jig head with a Gulp! Dragon Tail in Penny Fleck
• 1/4 oz jig head with a Turbo Shrimp in Nuclear Chicken
• White Berkley Slobberknocker
• And of course, live shrimp under a popping cork is the “bread and butter” this month

If You’re Local, Now’s The Time To Take That Half Day (Or Full Day) Off

If you’re a local looking to get out for a weekday afternoon, this is one of the best times of year to get out before the pressure increases with the summer crowds. Give Capt. Johnston a call at (843) 633-6640 to chat about what’s happening now and when we could get you on the calendar this month. Our captains are out scouting regularly and have been hittin’ em hard this Spring!

Offshore: The Reefs & Nearshore Action

If we’re heading 10 to 30 miles out, the action on the reefs is hitting its peak. This is the month of the Cobia! They start showing up on the surface around the nearshore wrecks, and sight-fishing for a 40-pound Cobia is an unreal experience. Along with Cobia, the Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish have arrived in force, providing non-stop action for kids and experienced anglers alike. We’re also bottom-fishing for Triggerfish, Vermilion Snapper, and some of the largest Black Sea Bass of the year. Whether we’re trolling small spoons for Mackerel or dropping live bait for a “Reef Donkey” (Amberjack), the offshore structure is absolutely loaded.

Deep Sea: The Gulf Stream & Beyond

The Gulf Stream (50–75 miles out) is transitioning into its “Glory Days” during April. The Wahoo bite remains world-class, but the real news is the start of the Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin) run. We’re starting to see those beautiful “gaffer” Mahi moving north with the warm blue water. Blackfin Tuna are also thick along the ledge, and we’re beginning to raise the first Sailfish and Blue Marlin of the season. If the blue water pushes in close, it’s not uncommon to have “quadruple hookups” where every reel on the boat is screaming at once. It’s high-octane fishing that requires a fast boat and a crew that knows how to handle the chaos!

Flounder & Frogs: Some Authentic Lowcountry Experiences Are Right Around The Corner

The Charleston Flounder Gigging and Frog Snatching season is quickly approaching. These are evening/night trips and make a great addition to any fishing trip with us. It’s cooler evenings, headlamps, and hands-on—getting some great meat for the fridge and an absolutely unforgettable time on the water.

Have a question about April fishing in Charleston? Give us a shout!

If you’re new to the area or just visiting, we’re always happy to answer any questions about the fishing, the experience, and have plenty of recs on things to do. We pride ourselves on providing the best customer service possible and treating everyone like they’re family and are always here to chat.

April is truly the “sweet spot” of the Charleston fishing calendar. The weather is perfect and the fish are biting—what more could you ask for?

Give Capt. Johnston a call at (843) 633-6640 to learn more about trips and availability coming up in the Lowcountry. We hope to see you out on the water—forging new friendships and making memories with us from the creeks to the Gulf Stream.