Charlotte born and bred, Saltwater Guide John Irwin graduated from Myers Park nearly two decades ago and headed west. He ended up in Big Sky, Montana – a place he never ever wanted to leave. While living there he worked as a fly fishing guide on some of the best rivers in the country and enjoyed every second of the scenery and the experiences. He eventually moved back to the East coast to Asheville, where he guided on small trout streams all over Western North Carolina. Then the ocean called and Irwin answered, moving to Charleston to pursue his love of the sport of fishing on an entirely different level.
His company, Fly Right Charters, offers inshore, nearshore, and offshore fishing, with both spinning and fly tackle. Irwin is equipped with an 18’ Hell’s Bay flats boat capable of getting into skinny water, as well as a 23’ Jones Brothers Cape Fisherman for the deeper, rougher water. His guided trips can target an assortment of species including redfish, sea trout, flounder, and sheepshead year round and cobia, tarpon, sharks, mackerel, bonito, spadefish, albies, amberjack, and tripletail seasonally.
There are a ton of challenges you can encounter on the water, from swiftly changing weather to changes in fishing patterns, however Irwin’s experience can help you overcome these. Whether it be a school of sea trout you’re pursuing or a single tailing redfish snacking on shrimp pushed in by a floodtide, Irwin will do his best to put you on fish.
The waters of Charleston are truly unique and Irwin feels very blessed to be doing what he loves in an area so special. In fact, according to Irwin, “The Lowcountry is truly God’s country. I feel blessed to call it my office.” Because of his relationship with the area and its waters, Irwin feels a sense of stewardship towards the ocean. As a guide, “It is our livelihood and it is so important to preserve a high quality of service by monitoring the surroundings for the welfare of the natural resources.” He also strongly supports Catch & Release and truly does all he can to help the maritime ecosystem.
When Irwin is not guiding his homewaters of Charleston he spends his time golfing and traveling, mostly to exotic fishing destinations across the globe. Most recently he has enjoyed fishing the flats of Belize for tarpon.
Booking a trip with Irwin is easy. Simply contact him at John@flyrightcharters.com, visit his website at www.flyrightcharters.com, or call him at 843-860-4231. Guided trips start at $400 and include licensing, tackle, equipment, instruction, and a cooler with ice and drinks.
At just under three and a half hours from the Queen City, this experience with Captain Irwin is a must, not just for fisherman, but for nature enthusiasts and ocean lovers. A guided trip like this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
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