Welcome Aboard the Hell’s Bay Marquesa
Captain Braden Powell operates all Charleston fishing charters from an 18′ Hell’s Bay Marquesa. See what makes these poling skiffs so ideal for the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Charter Boat Details
Fishing out of a Hell’s Bay Boatworks Marquesa boat provides a premium inshore fly fishing and light-tackle experience, especially when targeting redfish in the shallow waters of South Carolina’s Lowcountry. The Marquesa’s shallow draft and lightweight design allow it to glide effortlessly over skinny waters where redfish thrive. Its stability ensures smooth poling, essential for sight fishing in marsh flats and creeping up on pods of redfish. With ample storage, the boat accommodates gear while keeping a clutter-free deck.
We hear over and over again from clients how enjoyable this boat is to fish out of. Anglers benefit from quiet approaches, reducing spooked fish, and ensuring more successful casts in prime fishing spots. Learn more below about what makes the Marquesa so special.
DESIGNED FOR FISHING CHARLESTON’S LOWCOUNTRY
SHALLOW DRAFT & LIGHTWEIGHT BUILD
The Hell’s Bay Marquesa is designed specifically for shallow water fishing, boasting a minimal draft that allows it to navigate areas where other boats can’t go. This feature is critical in the South Carolina Lowcountry, where redfish are often found tailing in less than a foot of water. The boat’s lightweight build ensures it sits high on the water, perfect for poling through grassy marshes and oyster beds.
STABILITY FOR PRECISION POLING
Poling is key when sight fishing for redfish in shallow waters. The Marquesa offers exceptional stability, even when poling over long distances, ensuring a quiet and smooth approach. This quiet approach is vital when targeting redfish in shallow waters, as they are easily spooked by the noise of larger or less stable boats. The boat’s design minimizes hull slap, allowing anglers to get closer to feeding fish without alerting them.
SPACIOUS LAYOUT & SMART STORAGE
The Marquesa is built for anglers who want both performance and comfort. Its spacious layout allows for multiple anglers to move around comfortably without the fear of tripping over gear or lines. The boat is equipped with smart storage solutions to keep rods, tackle, and other equipment safely tucked away, ensuring the deck remains uncluttered, a must when casting a fly rod.
PERFECT FOR SIGHT FISHING
With its raised casting platform and excellent visibility, the Hell’s Bay Marquesa is perfect for sight fishing reds. Redfish are often seen tailing or cruising the flats in the Lowcountry around Charleston, and they require precise casts. You might be able to get multiple shots at the same fish, but the first cast certainly needs to count. The boat’s quiet hull and responsive handling help me position clients for optimal casting angles. Being able to spot fish before they spot you gives us a major advantage when targeting these spooky redfish.
VERSATILE FOR LIGHT-TACKLE AND FLY FISHING
Whether you’re a fly fishing enthusiast or prefer light-tackle gear, the Hell’s Bay Marquesa accommodates both styles with ease. For fly anglers, the clean, open deck makes stripping and managing line a breeze, while light-tackle anglers benefit from the boat’s stability and performance when casting jigs or soft plastics. It’s versatile enough to handle different setups, making it ideal for anglers who enjoy switching between techniques.
A MATCH MADE IN THE MARSH
SEASONALITY OF REDFISH FISHING
Redfish are a year-round target around Charleston, but they are especially active in the cooler months from fall through early spring. During this time, large schools of redfish gather in shallow waters, making for exciting sight fishing (my personal favorite time of year!). The Marquesa’s ability to quietly stalk these schools in ultra-shallow water gives anglers a prime opportunity to present flies or lures with precision – which means more hook-ups and fish pictures to brag to your friends with : )
BEST REDFISH STRUCTURE AND HABITATS
In the Lowcountry, redfish thrive around oyster beds, grassy marsh flats, and mudflats. These fish are often found tailing—feeding on crabs, shrimp, and baitfish in just inches of water. The Hell’s Bay Marquesa excels in navigating these areas, where the shallow draft allows the boat to glide over the flats without getting stuck. The ability to pole quietly into these zones helps anglers position themselves for the perfect cast, giving them a better chance to hook up.
TACTICS AND GEAR FOR REDFISH
When targeting redfish with a fly rod, patterns that mimic the natural prey of the Lowcountry—like crab, shrimp, and baitfish flies—are key. Fly anglers will benefit from the Marquesa’s stable platform, which allows for accurate long-distance casting. For light-tackle anglers, soft plastics or topwater lures work well when casting toward the edges of grass or near oyster beds. The boat’s agility ensures you can move quickly to adjust your position as the fish move or conditions change.
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