.png)
When most anglers think about Charleston fly fishing, redfish instantly come to mind—and for good reason. The Lowcountry is world-renowned for sight-casting to tailing reds on the flats. But what many don’t realize is that inshore fly fishing in Charleston offers more than just a good SC redfish. Two of the most intriguing and overlooked species to target are southern flounder and sheepshead.
Both fish bring their own unique challenges. Flounder blend perfectly with the bottom, striking with a subtle thump that tests an angler’s focus. Sheepshead, often called the “permit of the South,” are notorious for their wariness and picky eating habits. Fooling one on a fly takes patience, precision, and a little luck—but the payoff is unforgettable.
This article explores the seasonal timing, habitats, and techniques that give fly anglers a chance at these underappreciated inshore fish. If you’re ready to go beyond redfish, Charleston’s flounder and sheepshead fly fishing opportunities can turn a good day on the water into something truly memorable.
For most anglers, redfish are the headliner in the Lowcountry. But every so often, a day on the water delivers something unexpected—a flounder or sheepshead willing to eat a fly. These are what I like to call “bonus fish.” They don’t show up on every trip, but when they do, they test your patience, skill, and creativity in ways redfish never will.
Flounder are classic bottom ambush predators. They bury themselves in mud or sand, waiting for baitfish or shrimp to pass overhead. Getting one to take a fly requires a sinking presentation and the discipline to keep it crawling along the bottom until that subtle thump tells you a fish has struck.
Sheepshead, on the other hand, are known as crustacean crushers. With strong teeth built to crack crabs and barnacles, they feed differently than most inshore species. They’re often spotted around docks, oyster reefs, or tailing in flooded grass flats, and they demand precision. Presenting a small crab pattern naturally—and having the patience not to rip it away too soon—is the key to success.
Over the years, I’ve watched clients light up after landing their first flounder or sheepshead on the fly. These aren’t everyday catches, but that’s what makes them so rewarding. They represent the broader spectrum of fly fishing opportunities for Charleston flounder and sheepshead, proving that inshore fly fishing here is far richer than most anglers imagine.
The best window for targeting Charleston flounder is from late spring through fall, when water temperatures rise and bait is abundant. Flounder settle into mud flats, sandy drop-offs, and creek mouths, blending almost perfectly with their surroundings. They’re ambush predators, lying in wait for shrimp or baitfish to pass overhead. For fly anglers, the challenge is keeping the fly in the strike zone long enough for a flounder to commit. Presentations that crawl along the bottom near structure are often the ticket.
Sheepshead are at their most accessible during summer and early fall flood tides. When high water pushes onto the marsh grass, these striped fish tail much like redfish, rooting around for crabs and fiddlers. That creates rare but exciting sight-fishing opportunities where a well-placed crab fly can earn an eat. Outside of flood tides, sheepshead can still be found around oyster reefs, pilings, and docks, but they’re notoriously wary. Accuracy and patience are essential—miss your shot or move too quickly, and the fish are gone.
Both flounder and sheepshead are more difficult to catch on the fly than redfish. Hook-up rates are lower, and sometimes you’ll put in hours without a clear shot. But when it all comes together—when a flounder thumps your fly off the bottom or a sheepshead tips down on a crab pattern in flooded grass—the satisfaction is hard to beat. Over years of guiding, I’ve seen anglers light up after fooling one of these so-called “bycatch species.” Those moments remind me that the challenge is what makes Charleston’s inshore fishery so rewarding and diverse.
When it comes to targeting flounder on the fly in Charleston, success often comes down to keeping your fly in the strike zone long enough for the fish to commit. Since flounder bury themselves along the bottom, the presentation must get down and stay down. That’s why a sinking fly presentation near structure—whether it’s a creek mouth, sandy drop-off, or oyster edge—is absolutely key.
The most productive patterns are ones that imitate small baitfish and crustaceans. Clouser Minnows in natural colors are a go-to because they sink quickly and ride hook-point up, reducing snags. Weighted shrimp flies and small crab imitations are also effective, especially when worked slowly over mud flats where flounder blend into the bottom.
Presentation matters as much as fly choice. Use short, deliberate strips with pauses to mimic a wounded baitfish or a shrimp kicking along the bottom. Most flounder bites aren’t explosive—in fact, they’re often little more than a faint thump or extra weight on the line. That’s why it’s so important to stay tight to your fly throughout the retrieve. If you feel anything unusual, make a firm strip set. Many anglers miss their chance simply because they don’t recognize how subtle a flounder strike can be.
Sheepshead have earned the nickname “permit of the South” for good reason. They’re notoriously picky, often inspecting a fly multiple times before deciding whether to eat. For fly anglers, that means success isn’t about casting the farthest—it’s about patience and accuracy.
The most effective flies are those that imitate the small crustaceans sheepshead naturally feed on. Crab flies, fiddler imitations, and shrimp patterns should make up the bulk of your box. Keep them small and realistic, as oversized patterns are often ignored. Subtle colors like tan, olive, and brown tend to produce best in Charleston’s tidal creeks and flood tides.
When sight-fishing, the key is to lead the fish and let the fly sink naturally into its path. Resist the urge to move the fly too much—sheepshead often tip down and mouth the fly without giving a dramatic strike. The take can be incredibly subtle, sometimes just a faint twitch of the leader. Staying calm and waiting for that moment to strip set is what turns interest into a hookup.
I’ll never forget the first time I saw a sheepshead tailing in a flooded flat. At first glance, I thought it was a redfish until I noticed the black-and-white stripes flashing in the grass. That fish circled my fly three times before finally committing, and the feeling of watching it tip down on the crab pattern is still one of my favorite memories as a guide. Moments like that remind me why Charleston sheepshead fly fishing is such a rewarding challenge for those willing to try.
Targeting flounder and sheepshead on the fly doesn’t require the heaviest tackle, but having the right setup makes a big difference in your accuracy and ability to control fish around structure. A 7–8 wt rod is ideal—light enough for precision casting but with enough backbone to handle these stubborn inshore species.
For line choice, match your setup to the habitat. A floating line works best when casting to sheepshead in flood-tide grass, where you’re sight-fishing in skinny water and need delicate presentations. When targeting flounder in deeper channels, sandy drop-offs, or creek mouths, an intermediate line helps keep your fly down where ambush strikes happen.
Leaders should also be tailored to the target species. For flounder, a 12–16 lb leader provides stealth while still giving enough strength to manage fish in current. With sheepshead, especially around oyster beds and dock pilings, bump up to 16–20 lb tippet to guard against abrasion and sudden runs into cover.
This balanced setup keeps you versatile across different scenarios, whether you’re crawling a shrimp fly along the bottom for flounder or dropping a crab imitation in front of a tailing sheepshead in flooded grass.
Both flounder and sheepshead play an important role in Charleston’s inshore ecosystem. While they may not be targeted as heavily as redfish or trout, their presence adds to the diversity and health of the fishery. That’s why it’s critical to approach them with conservation in mind.
The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) sets regulations on size and creel limits for both species, and anglers should always check the latest rules before heading out. These regulations are designed to protect spawning populations and ensure future generations of anglers have the same opportunities to target these fish.
Even when a fish is within legal limits, there’s value in practicing catch-and-release, especially for those caught while sight-fishing. Releasing a sheepshead that tail-fed in flooded grass or a flounder fooled by a carefully presented fly means the fishery remains just as special the next time you—or someone else—has the chance to experience it. Handle fish gently, keep them in the water as much as possible, and make sure they swim off strong.
By treating flounder and sheepshead with the same respect given to redfish, we help keep Charleston’s inshore fly fishing scene healthy, diverse, and rewarding for years to come.
Targeting flounder and sheepshead on the fly isn’t like chasing redfish. These fish can be finicky, tough to locate, and often require precision in both presentation and timing. A local guide brings the experience needed to turn slim chances into real opportunities.
Guides know the small windows when flounder are most likely to feed along drop-offs or when sheepshead push into the grass during summer flood tides. They also understand how to use tide cycles, boat positioning, and fly choice to put anglers in the right place at the right moment. Without that knowledge, many shots at these species are missed before they even happen.
At Tailfin Expeditions, we help anglers go beyond redfish and experience the challenge of these overlooked but rewarding species. If you’re ready to test your skills against flounder and sheepshead on the fly, let us show you how exciting Charleston’s inshore fishery can be.
Redfish may get most of the spotlight in Charleston, but the inshore fly fishing scene is far richer when you include species like flounder and sheepshead. Flounder reward anglers who can keep a fly crawling near the bottom, while sheepshead demand patience, precision, and a steady hand when presenting crab patterns in flooded grass.
They’re not easy targets. Hook-up rates are lower, and both species will test your focus and adaptability. But that’s exactly what makes them so rewarding. Landing a flounder or sheepshead on the fly adds a whole new layer of excitement to the Lowcountry experience and proves that Charleston’s fishery offers much more than just redfish.
Ready to go beyond redfish? Book your Charleston fly fishing adventure with Tailfin Expeditions today and take a shot at flounder and sheepshead on the fly.
Flounder can be found throughout Charleston’s inshore waters. Productive spots include mud flats, sandy drop-offs, and creek mouths, where they lie in ambush for shrimp and baitfish. Areas with structure—like oyster beds and marsh points—are also reliable holding zones for flounder on the fly.
The best time of year for flounder in South Carolina is late spring through early fall. As water temperatures rise, flounder move shallow to feed on shrimp and mullet before eventually heading offshore in cooler months. Summer is particularly strong for targeting them in Charleston’s tidal creeks and estuaries.
June through September are generally the most productive months for flounder in Charleston. Warm water and abundant bait during this period create ideal conditions for targeting them on fly, especially near creek mouths and structure where they wait in ambush.
A deposit of $200 will be required to hold your dates. Deposits are refundable up to 7 days prior to your trip or if the weather does not allow us to get out. Payment in full is due the day of the trip. Cancellations within 48 hours of the trip are subject to full payment. Acceptable forms of payment include; credit/debit card, Venmo, check or cash.
Quick links
Where we fish
.jpg)