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The newest Beaufort fishing report can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-beaufort-sc-spring-fishing-report/

March 12

Inshore water temperatures in the Beaufort area have come up quickly to around 63-64 degrees, while clarity is still very good.

Spring has started very early in the Beaufort area, and Captain Tuck Scott of Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports that he is already seeing blacktip sharks and loggerhead sea turtles – wayahead of schedule.  Despite this redfishare still fairly schooled up for the most part, although some fish are starting to break out of their big winter schools.  Closer to the ocean schools seem to be a little more split up, probably because of the abundance of bait in these areas that is worth prowling for.

Sight-casting for redfish has been pretty good on low tide, and on the rising or falling tide reds are in their traditional spots in the slower moving water near creek mouths and shell points.  The higher outgoing tide has been a little better than the rise.

On the fly crab patterns in root beer brown have been working, as well as toad patterns in electric chicken.  On spinning tackle mud minnows under a cork will of course catch fish, and Gulp! baits in New Penny color have been working as well as most any soft plastics in electric chicken.  Both should be rigged on a ¼ ounce jighead.  For sight-casting Mirrolure suspending twitchbaits have also been effective.

There hasn’t been a good tailing tide yet, but when high flood tides come at the right time of the day Tuck won’t be surprised if they see some early fish tailing.

Troutfishing is off to an early start, and with the warm water temperatures there is even some sight-fishing activity at light changes.  Daybreak has been a little better than nightfall.  On the higher outgoing tide fish have been feeding in the swift water around shell points and creek mouths.  Mud minnows as well as a variety of grubs will catch fish.