January 23

Morning surface water temperatures are about 50 degrees in Charleston Harbor. 

The trout fishing hasn’t been much to speak of recently, but other than that Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that from inshore to offshore the fishing has been pretty good.  For anglers with flats boats you can get in the very skinny water on low tide and sight-fish for redfish, but there are also plenty of reds around docks and oyster beds. This is a really good time to use ¼ or ½ sections of blue crabs for bait, because there aren’t all the picker fish around to nibble the shells clean. 

There are already a few sheepshead out on the nearshore reefs, but that bite will pick up as we get further into February. Black drum can also be caught on 4KI and Capers.

In 60 feet they are crushing the black sea bass, and it’s easy to get your limit (7 per person, 13 inch minimum) in just a few minutes. 

Offshore when you can find 70-degree water there are wahoo around.

Finally, note that in the next two-three weeks the shad run should take off in the Tailrace, Rediversion Canal and Santee River. 

January 4

Morning surface water temperatures are about 52 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water is dirty.  

It’s been a very good week of fishing in the Charleston area, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he is finding a variety of inshore species hungry and excited to eat. The redfish can be found schooled up on the shallow flats, and they are also biting well in the creeks around structure including trees and docks.  He is having the best success with live shrimp and blue crab, which are a good bait when there are less trash fish around to pick the sections clean.  Some days they are finding a bunch of black drum mixed in with the reds, and they are also getting some random sheepshead and trout. Really any tide is working, but fish are certainly in different spots on different tides. 

While Captain Addison hasn’t specifically targeted trout very often, the ones they are catching are a bit deeper. If you want to go after trout then the best bet is slowly drifting live shrimp on float rigs or working artificials very slowly in holes and bends in the creeks. 

In addition to the great inshore bite, Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that offshore in 50 plus feet of water they are finding massive schools of big redfish.  They aren’t as likely to be on the surface as a few months ago, but on calm days you can drop down on schools of literally thousands of fish and find outstanding action. 

Report to follow from Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516).  

December 21

Morning surface water temperatures are about 53 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water is dirty.  

It’s been a horrible week of weather in Charleston, but Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that even fishing after the rain he has been surprised to see that the bite remains strong for redfish. With muddier water sight fishing has been out of the question, but at low tide they have been catching fish on mud minnows over oyster shells. 

At the same time Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports he hasn’t fished this week since the monsoon, but as conditions clear again he expects there should be a good bite for trout in the creek rips with live shrimp under a slip float – or artificial lures like DOA shrimp crawled very slowly in holes. 

It's also been a slow week on Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), and manager Noah O’Brien reports that most of the fishermen this week have only been able to be out there for a couple hours and they are catching whiting, croaker, rays and sharks. There should be some trout around for the catching but no one has been targeting them. 

December 14

Morning surface water temperatures are about 57 degrees inshore around Charleston.

Even with some bad weather coming, Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that the redfish action has been very good as fish start to group up in tighter schools. There haven’t consistently been great conditions for sight-fishing in his areas to the south yet, but you can see the big schools rolling down the bank and they will go crazy for a mud minnow very shallow under a cork. Right now they are relating to oysters, pilings and grass lines, but pretty soon they will mostly be on the mud flats where they will be warming and trying to get away from dolphins. 

In the areas he has been fishing Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that the water has been pretty clear, and while he prefers to target low tide as long as you aren’t fishing around the super moons the reds will bite around the tide cycle. 

There is also a good bite for trout in the creek rips with live shrimp under a slip float, and Captain Addison also reports that artificials will work. Rob recommends fishing current rips in 3-15 feet, or even deeper, and casting paddle or twister tail grubs. 

Black drum can be mixed in with the trout and you will catch them on shrimp. 

In the surf things have really slowed down on the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), and manager Noah O’Brien reports that the only thing being caught this week is whiting. They are mostly catching them deeper around the second sun shelter and on the diamond. 

Finally, Captain Rob notes that the big reds have headed out of the surf and into 40-60 feet of water where they are spawning. You can have fast action for giants right now, especially on days when you see the gannets working bait that the reds are running through. 

Sheepshead should be moving to the reefs. 

November 30

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 56 degrees inshore around Charleston.

On the back of two very good days on the water, Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that the inshore fishing is still strong. The water has cleared significantly and it’s apparent that the redfish have grouped up in large schools, and off the shallow flats in the Intracoastal Waterway they have found them very willing to eat. Today they caught them on live shrimp and cut mullet, but yesterday they found them just as willing to take flies and artificial lures.

Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) adds that there are also still plenty of redfish related to structure, and with shrimp gone he has been catching them on mud minnows around docks and oysters. It’s also apparent to him that the fish are getting in tighter groups. 

There is also still a good bite for trout, and Captain Addison reports that fishing a 6-8 foot channel in the creek with live shrimp under a float rig they caught a bunch of trout yesterday. Captain Rob adds that grubs are working well, and as long as you find some sort of moving water with a current break in 3-10 feet of water there should be trout around. 

Winter is coming – or has come – to the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), and manager Noah O’Brien reports that the fishing has definitely started to slow down.  The best thing going is trout in the 12-20 inch range, and there are also still a few bull reds being caught.  It doesn’t seem like anyone has been after the sheepshead. 

While there are still a few big red drum in the surf, Captain Rob reports that more of them have moved off the beaches. Today he is three miles out seeing thousands of them spawning on the surface!

November 16

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 62 degrees in Charleston Harbor.

It’s still wide open action for inshore species around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that the inshore redfish bite is still very good. He has been fishing back in the creeks and they have actually been able to sight-fish very effectively. The fish are on the flats in shallow water, and they are also around docks and oyster beds. Low water has been the easiest. 

The trout fishing also has not slowed down, and Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that they are still getting 30 plus fish each trip.   Everything has come on shrimp under a popping cork fishing around oyster beds with a current rip. All moving tides have been good. 

Additionally, while they are picking up the occasional small flounder, Captain Addison reports that black drum have been pretty common. They are getting them on shrimp mixed in with the reds and trout, and if you want to target them then fresh dead shrimp fished on the bottom around docks or other structure is the best bet. 

It’s still great fishing on Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), but manager Noah O’Brien also reports that with the cooler weather less people are out there. It seems that the bull red drum catches are dwindling, but far less anglers are targeting them and they are still getting 5-10 per day when someone is after them – so who knows how many less are around? The trout action has been pretty consistent for 13-18 inch fish just behind the surf, and there are still larger pompano being caught in the breakers and just beyond. Nobody seems to be targeting the sheepshead but it’s doubtful they’ve left. Before too long they expect the dogfish to start rolling through.

Finally, Captain Rob points out that it’s still an outstanding bite for king mackerel slow-trolling with live bait. You can still net all the menhaden you need in one good cast, and then slow-trolling in about 50 feet of water over live bottom has been the ticket. They caught eight nice kings the last time out!

November 9

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 65 degrees in Charleston Harbor, and around 62 in the creeks.

After last week’s cold snap it was a pretty incredible few days for trout fishing, and – as predicted – Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that they have been catching the fire out of the trout. Everything has come on shrimp under a popping cork fishing around oyster beds with a current rip. All tides have been good. 

Similarly, Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures agrees that the cool snap ushered in some really good trout fishing and reports that the redfish have also been very cooperative.  He has caught trout in clean, moving water in 4-8 feet and also reports that the tide has not mattered.

For the reds, he has been fishing back in the creeks and they have actually been able to sight-fish very effectively. The fish are on the flats in shallow water, and they are also around docks and oyster beds. Low water has been the easiest. 

Not to be left out, Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) also reports that they have had good trout catches in the surf and just behind the breakers with the fish ranging from 12-20 inches. The sheepshead fishing has also really come on, and they are all in the surf zone around the pilings and ranging from 12-22 inches. The big reds seem to have slowed down, but there also haven’t been as many people targeting them so it’s a little hard to say. Finally, they are still seeing some nice pompano in the 10-inch range in the surf and just behind it. 

November 2

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 67 degrees in Charleston Harbor, but obviously much cooler back in the creeks. 

Between the astronomical tides and brutal cold and wind, neither Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters(843-367-3777) nor Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures have been on the water since the cold snap came through Tuesday night. However, once conditions stabilize Rob reports that trout fishing should be at its absolute peak for the next fifteen days. The redfish should also continue to bite. 

While there are no new reports from the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), until the ocean temperatures drop a few more degrees the big reds should continue to be caught once die-hard anglers get back after them. 

October 27

Morning surface water temperatures are around 69 degrees in Charleston Harbor. 

The inshore fishing for redfish and trout is still outstanding, and Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) as well as Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures report that both species are really biting. Rob says this the peak of the trout fishing, and he is catching 40 or 50 fish each trip on live shrimp (or DOA shrimp) fished around oyster beds. They are good-sized. The fish will be on the back side of current breaks in moving water seams. 

At the same time, the redfish can be caught around the tide cycle around most any structure – especially oysters – on live shrimp, fresh dead shrimp, finger mullet, or cut mullet.  By now pretty much all of the reds are legal size or bigger. 

Captain Addison is also picking up some black drum fishing live or cut shrimp mixed in randomly with the other species. They are also getting some flounder but no keepers this week (without really targeting them). 

While the mullet run seems to be slowing down Addison reports that there are still plenty of big reds in the harbor and around the jetties. Again, while you can certainly find them deeper he prefers to target fish in 10-20 feet to reduce the amount of stress on the breeding population, and he is finding them around the rocks, sand bars, other structure and various places off the shipping channel. Surf fishermen can also catch them. Cut mullet and menhaden will both work. 

They are also picking up some really nice sheepshead at the jetties. Tide does not seem to make a big difference, and the fish are eating both fiddler crabs and shrimp. Fiddlers are definitely better, but small shrimp on a small hook will also work. 

 

While the red drum run can’t lost too much longer on Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), it has still been good (albeit slowing) this week. They estimate it will last about another week or two. The pompano bite has been outstanding this week, with all the fish in the 6-14 inch range. Mostly they have been just behind the breakers but a few have been in the surf. 

The king mackerel fishing is approaching the end of its peak, and Captain Rob reports that fishing over live bottom in about 50 feet of water is still a very good pattern. All their fish are coming slow-trolling live menhaden on a live bait rig. 

October 19

Morning surface water temperatures are around 70 degrees in Charleston Harbor. Bait is still prolific, and with one throw of the net you can get more creek shrimp than you need.

The king mackerel bite is still wide open, and just this moment Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that they caught a 28-pounder in the tournament. The fish are biting very well today, and fishing over live bottom in about 50 feet of water it’s lights out! All the fish are coming slow-trolling live menhaden on a live bait rig. 

This pattern should hold up for at least another week or two, and Rob reiterates that the last two weeks of October are the peak of the whole year for kings. 

For the second week Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports again that he has had a really good week at the jetties and in the Charleston Harbor fishing for red drum. While you can certainly find them deeper he prefers to target fish in 10-20 feet to reduce the amount of stress on the breeding population, and he is finding them around the rocks, sand bars, other structure and various places off the shipping channel. Surf fishermen can also catch them. Cut mullet and menhaden will both work. 

It’s still a blistering good bite inshore for redfish and trout, and Captain Rob reports that they are catching fish on any tide as long as they are fishing around oysters. The redfish never slowed down and they are catching fifty plus most days, and now the trout have really picked up. Live shrimp under a popping cork are working extremely well, and in general the reds are a little shallower than the trout – although there are times when both are mixed together. 

The report from Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) is all positive, and after some signs that the bite was slowing down last week the bull red drum have picked right back up again this week. Most of the fish are still being caught on the deeper side and they have been huge! There are still lots of black drum in the 14-28 inch range being caught in the shallow breakers, and there has also been a nice bite for pompano. All of them have been in the 8-16 inch range. 

October 12

Morning surface water temperatures are around 73-74 degrees in Charleston Harbor. Bait is still prolific, and with one throw of the net you can get more creek shrimp than you need.   

Last week Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) predicted that the king mackerel fishing was about to be on fire, and yesterday he confirmed that. They went offshore to about 50 feet of water and fished over live bottom, and in two hours they caught 8 kings and lost another 5. They couldn’t keep a bait in the water! Everything came slow-trolling live menhaden on a live bait rig. 

This pattern should hold up for at least a couple more weeks, and Rob reiterates that the last two weeks of October are the peak of the whole year for kings. 

With more pleasant fishing conditions (until today) Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he had a really good week at the jetties and in the Charleston Harbor fishing for red drum. While you can certainly find them deeper he prefers to target fish in 10-20 feet to reduce the amount of stress on the breeding population, and he is finding them around the rocks, sand bars, other structure and various places off the shipping channel. Surf fishermen can also catch them. Cut mullet and menhaden will both work. 

And while Addison is not targeting them anymore, yesterday he saw a tarpon!

It’s still a blistering good bite inshore for redfish and trout, and Captain Rob reports that they are catching fish on any tide (now that the extreme high tides are behind us) as long as they are fishing around oysters. The redfish never slowed down and they are catching fifty plus most days, and now the trout have really picked up.  Live shrimp under a popping cork are working extremely well, and in general the reds are a little shallower than the trout – although there are times when both are mixed together. 

The report from Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) is that they are still catching lots of big reds, but it seems that the action is just starting to slow down. Most of the fish are still being caught on the deeper side. There are still lots of black drum in the 14-28 inch range being caught in the shallow breakers, and a few Spanish mackerel have showed up again. They are generally on the diamond or about 20 feet behind the breakers.  Within the week they expect king mackerel to arrive, and whiting and croaker are still around. 

October 5

Morning surface water temperatures are around 75-76 degrees in Charleston Harbor. You can get all the shrimp you need for bait throwing a net once or twice at the mouths of gutter creeks on lower tides. 

Conditions have been so windy that it has been hard to fish at the jetties, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that it will be tomorrow before they will finally have a day without howling winds out of the Northeast. While they know the bull red drum are still out there, they just haven’t been able to get there. And while they are pretty sure the tarpon are still around, the same is true. Once conditions allow then Addison will be fishing cut and live mullet, particularly around the big pods of mullet. 

But luckily the fishing inside the creeks has been pretty incredible, and both Addison and Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) report that redfish, trout, black drum and even the occasional flounderhave all been showing up. Both guides are fishing exclusively with live shrimp, with Rob only fishing under a popping cork and Addison also fishing live shrimp on a bottom rig. Yesterday Rob estimates that they caught 40 reds, a dozen trout and 8 black drum around oyster beds. He has mostly been fishing the low-incoming tide, and has noticed that by about mid-tide the bite slows down. With the effects of the full moon still prevalent there’s just so much water that higher tides are tough.

Addison is also having the best luck outside of high tide, concentrating on the low incoming and also the whole outgoing. In addition to oyster beds he is finding fish around docks, rocks and downed trees. 

Generally redfish are closer to the grass, while trout are further off it. Clean water also greatly increases your chances of locating trout. 

Rob also notes that in the surf it’s the best time of the year to catch bull reds on cut bait, and to that point Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports that they are still catching tons of them off the pier. Almost all of them have been off the diamond at the end.  And while the Spanish mackerel have been absent this week, in their place lots of black drum in the 14-28 inch range are showing up in the shallow breakers. Whiting and croaker are also being caught.

Finally, Rob notes that the fall king mackerel run should peak over the next three weeks.  Instead of having to go way offshore they will be in 40-50 feet of water and so smaller boats can target them.