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Please note that the most recent Beaufort fishing report can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-beaufort-sc-winter-fishing-report/

January 15

Inshore water temperatures in the Beaufort area are around 57 degrees, and clarity is very good.

Atypically mild weather, combined with typically good winter water clarity, has made for excellent conditions for catching redfish in the Beaufort area.  Captain Tuck Scott of Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) in Beaufort reports that at lower stages of the tide there has been some excellent sight-fishing for reds on the flats.  The best tide runs from about 3 hours before low tide until about 2 hours after low.  Fish are eating Gulp! baits, paddletail grubs, swimming mullet and other soft plastics fished on a ¼ or 1/8 ounce jighead.

Fishing is tougher on higher tides, but fishing live bait for reds chasing shrimp is one option (Atkins on Lady’s Island is probably the best bet for bait around the islands).  Fishing is tougher on the rising tide when water is going into the grass, and a little easier when the tide is coming out of the grass.

Perhaps due to the combination of good weather this winter as well as mild winters the last few years, Tuck reports that the trout fishing is about as good as he has seen it in a while.  It looked like cold weather this winter might get water temperatures into the danger range, but then very warm days quickly rebounded the temperatures.

The best trout fishing has been on the dropping tide, but the incoming has been pretty good, too.  Fishing Gulp! baits or grub bodies on a ¼ ounce jighead has been working very well over and around oyster bars, and on the dropping tide fishing where water is coming out of the grass has been good.