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Fish The Best Of The Lowcountry

Get your heart racing (and your drag) with FishWater Outfitters’ Charleston fly fishing guides, targeting shallow-water redfish throughout South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

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CALL CAPT. BRADEN OR RESERVE ONLINE

FISH WITH CAPTAIN BRADEN POWELL AND CHARLESTON FLY FISHING GUIDES

Welcome to Charleston, South Carolina – where salt marshes, tidal creeks, and endless Lowcountry charm make for some of the best fly fishing on the East Coast!

Whether you’re chasing tailing redfish on the flats or exploring hidden backwaters, I’ll guide you to the spots that make this fishery so special. No pressure, no fuss – just good company, great water, and plenty of chances to bend a fly rod.

Not a fly fisherman? No problem – we always have spin rods on board and still offer exclusively light-tackle inshore fishing charters.

I’m Captain Braden Powell, a full-time Charleston fly fishing guide, and I hope you’ll join me on the water. Come see why clients keep returning year after year.

Call or email to get any of your questions answered and easily book your trip online when you’re ready. Thanks for considering FishWater Outfitters for your Charleston fishing charter!

  • Max of 2 anglers
  • Fishing gear provided
  • Convenient launches
  • Licensed & insured
  • All experience levels welcome

Top Rated Service 2026
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Mrchristopherroche
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I guided fly fishing clients part time and full time for over 25 years in NC, TN & VA until 2023. I've hosted various groups of clients out to rivers and streams out in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming for several years always using local guides as I am not licensed in those states to guide. August 2024, I took a group of 6 out to Cameron, MT for a week, very hot difficult conditions, extremely low water, hoot owls restrictions, some streams were actually closed to fishing. Braden did an OUTSTANDING job getting all anglers on fish multiple days in extremely difficult conditions. Excellent guide, highly recommended. Chris R.
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Tom Quail
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I booked a guide trip yesterday with Braden Powell, owner of Fishwater Outfitters, down in the Charleston, South Carolina area, for red fish. It was a great trip and Braden is a great guide. I had quite a bit of trouble casting and double hauling the 9wt rod. It was just too heavy for me and my bad shoulder. Braden was very patient. I would highly recommend booking a trip with Braden, and Fishwater Outfitters.
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Shawn Isaacs
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What a fun trip! Thanks again!
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Joel Yates
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Great day on the water with an awesome guide!!! Highly recommend!!!
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David Mchugh
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+3
Great day on the water!!
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Jeffrey Lamb
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Braden took me and my 7 year old son out for a half day chasing redfish on the marsh, and we absolutely loved it! I got to throw flies at fish pushing the shallows, and hooked up on several good ones with the spin rod as well. It was my son’s first guided trip, and needless to say he’s caught the bug just like I did at his age. Braden was patient and a great teacher with him, while also giving us great opportunities at big fish. When we’re back in Kiawah next year, he’ll be our first phone call! 10/10!
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Craig Evans
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Capt. Braden went above and beyond to make our trip a success. His knowledge put us on a great class of fish. Highly recommend for the ultimate low country fishing experience.
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Bryan Brinson
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If you are looking for a charter out of or near Charleston look no further. My wife and I recently fished with Braden and had a wonderful time with lots of success. Knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating.
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Matt Keller
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Our weekend trip to Charleston wouldn't have been complete without Braden. Super quick to respond, and he got us on the water and on some reds despite the not so ideal conditions. I've fished with guides from all over and Braden is among the best. Nothing but great vibes out there! Pro tip- ask the man where to eat and have some drinks. Take his advice. Thank me later. Looking forward to getting back out in the near future. Thanks again!
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Taylor Ivey
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Our time fishing with Capt. Powell and FishWater Outfitters was a blast. It was our first time experiencing South Carolina redfish and will certainly not be our last. Braden was kind, good-spirited, and very helpful for both myself and my wife. Landing fish each day was a great bonus. Would 10/10 recommend for everyone from the most accomplished angler to someone brand new to the sport.

Flood Tide Fly Fishing In Charleston

From mid-April through mid-November, Charleston’s coastal waters come alive with higher-than-average tides driven by the lunar cycle. During the new and full moons, the water regularly climbs above six feet, spilling deep into the vast spartina grass flats that make this area so unique. As the tide floods these grassy meadows, redfish push in eagerly, hunting fiddler crabs, shrimp, and small baitfish in the shallows.

Few sights in shallow-water fishing compare to watching redfish tail across a Charleston flat. With their noses buried in the mud, their broad copper tails wave above the surface as they dig for crabs—an unforgettable moment and the perfect chance to slip a fly right into their path.

Flood tide fishing in Charleston is something every angler should experience. Between the incredible fish activity, pristine Lowcountry scenery, and nonstop excitement, this season is one of the most rewarding and visually stunning times to be on the water. Give me a call and come fish with Charleston fly fishing guides and Captain Braden Powell.

Book Half-Day Charters Starting @ $550

THE MAGIC OF THE MARSH: REDFISH GALORE

Charleston, SC sits at the heart of the Lowcountry, surrounded by endless marshes, winding estuaries, and miles of pristine coastline. This landscape of spartina grass and oyster mounds stretches as far as the eye can see, creating both a stunning backdrop and an incredible fishery. At the center of it all is the redfish, also known as red drum—one of the most popular gamefish along the southeastern seaboard and especially abundant in Charleston’s estuaries.

The waters around Charleston Harbor, and the surrounding barrier islands are prime grounds for redfish fly fishing. Here, tidal creeks, grass flats, and oyster beds form a perfect mix of habitats that redfish call home. On a flooding tide, baitfish and crustaceans get pushed into the marsh, and the redfish aren’t far behind. Shallow-water structure makes for excellent sight fishing, with tailing fish on the flats being the ultimate target for fly anglers.

There’s no one way to chase redfish here—success often comes from adapting to the conditions. Streamer, crab, and shrimp flies all have their place, while light tackle anglers find action with live bait, cut bait, or artificials. At FishWater Outfitters, we come prepared for it all. Captain Powell and his charleston fly fishing guides have the gear and the know-how to adjust to the tides and weather, making sure every trip is not only productive, but also a whole lot of fun on the water.

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Thanks for your interest in fishing with FishWater Outfitters and our Charleston fly fishing guides. We’re happy to answer any questions you may have ahead of booking. Please complete the form with your preferred trip date.

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Sight-Fishing For Redfish with our Charleston Fly Fishing Guides

When everything lines up just right, sight fishing in Charleston can be nothing short of unforgettable—whether you’re throwing a fly to a tailing redfish or working soft plastics across the flats. It’s the kind of experience that keeps anglers coming back to the Lowcountry season after season.

From spring through fall, our Charleston fly fishing guides and light-tackle charters key in on flood tides, often around the new and full moons. When the water rises high enough to spill deep into the spartina grass, redfish push right in behind it, hunting fiddler crabs, shrimp, and blue crabs. As they feed, their copper tails break the surface—a sight that’s every angler’s dream and the perfect target for a well-placed cast.

Winter brings a different but equally exciting opportunity. On lower tides, redfish school up tightly—sometimes in groups of a hundred or more—as they move across the flats in crystal-clear water. The cooler water temperatures provide excellent visibility, and seeing those large schools pushing wakes against the backdrop of Charleston’s marsh is an unforgettable winter fly fishing experience.

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Ready to book your Charleston Fly Fishing Guide?

Contact Captain Braden and Charleston Fly Fishing Guides for year-round availability!