Charleston Species Guide

What swims in
Charleston water.

Every inshore and nearshore species MarshMind tracks — seasonal patterns, habitat, and what makes each one tick in the Lowcountry.

Charleston low-country marsh at dawn
Most Targeted Species
— the four Charleston anglers fish most
PEAK: Aug–Nov
Redfish

A year-round Lowcountry target whose habitat use changes with tide, season, and water temperature.

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Redfish illustration
PEAK: Mar–Dec
Speckled Trout

A temperature-sensitive inshore predator tied closely to current, cover, and seasonal forage.

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Speckled Trout illustration
PEAK: Apr–Oct
Flounder

An ambush predator that favors bottom transitions and changes its local presence through the year.

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Flounder illustration
PEAK: Jan–Apr
Sheepshead

A structure-oriented species available year-round, with stronger seasonal concentrations in cooler months.

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Sheepshead illustration
More Charleston Species
PEAK: Jan–Apr
Black Drum

A bottom-feeding drum that uses shell and hard-bottom habitat across Charleston’s estuary.

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Black Drum illustration
PEAK: Jun–Aug
Tarpon

A powerful warm-season visitor associated with large forage and open coastal water.

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Tarpon illustration
PEAK: Apr–May
Cobia

A seasonal coastal species that relates to structure, moving water, and large forage.

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Cobia illustration
PEAK: May–Sep
Spanish Mackerel

A fast coastal predator that follows seasonal forage through nearshore water.

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Spanish Mackerel illustration
PEAK: Jun–Aug
Tripletail

A warm-season sight-fishing target often associated with floating cover.

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Tripletail illustration
PEAK: Apr–Oct
Pompano

A seasonal surf species associated with clean water, sandy bottom, and moving forage.

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Pompano illustration
PEAK: Mar–Nov
Whiting

An accessible coastal species that feeds over sandy bottom through much of the year.

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Whiting illustration
PEAK: Jun–Sep
Jack Crevalle

A hard-fighting warm-season predator that moves with forage through open inshore water.

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Jack Crevalle illustration
PEAK: Jan–Dec
Bluefish

An aggressive cool-season visitor that follows forage through coastal and inlet habitat.

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Bluefish illustration
Ready to fish smarter?

Plan for every
supported species.

Pick from 13 customer-facing species, then use current conditions and species-specific rules to rank the zones that fit today.

Fishing on Charleston water