July 1
Morning surface water temperatures are still around 87 degrees inshore around Charleston.
It continues to be one or the other with inshore slot redfish and bull drum in the harbor, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that it’s indicative of the fickle bite that when one is going well the other usually is not. Both in the creeks and in the harbor live and cut mullet and menhaden are working pretty well, and inshore moving water is still fishing much better than slack tides.
With the redfish bite finicky they have been leaning on the sharks more, which have been very reliable.
While they did have the monster 24-inch trout last week they week they have been almost completely absent. Occasional flounder have livened up the catch, usually caught on the bottom around creek mouths on live bait.
The tarpon bite continues to be very good, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that while you can still catch them on sandbars (along with a ton of sharks), since the fish are feeding on menhaden the best technique is to follow the bait. Enormous schools of menhaden are running along the beaches and so Rob’s preferred method to target them is to take the trolling motor and follow the menhaden schools. Look for diving pelicans to find the bait.
Fish the menhaden with a heavy fluorocarbon leader on an 8/0 circle hook free-lined or under a balloon. You will still catch sharks, but far less.
The smaller whiting are still in the surf, but in about 10 feet of water around sandbars the 10-15 inch whiting are thick. All you need to catch them is a piece of peeled shrimp about the size of a thumbnail. There have also been some really nice pompano caught in the surf in about 3 feet of water. They are biting the best on sand fleas, which can be found at low tide around groins and other rocks going into the surf.
The Spanish mackerel fishing has also been outstanding, and anywhere from the sea buoys out to 4 or 5 miles they have been schooling. All you need is silver casting spoons although they will also eat live bait. They are also catching them around current rips in the harbor and you can also troll for them.
There have also been good catches of king mackerel in 60-90 feet.
June 23
Morning surface water temperatures are around 87 degrees inshore around Charleston.
With water temperatures this high it’s no surprise that the tarpon have showed up in Charleston and along the South Carolina coast, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that they arrived on the full moon and will be here through October. You can certainly sit on a sandbar and eventually catch a tarpon, but it’s not Rob’s idea of fun to catch one for every 50 sharks.
The fish are feeding on menhaden, and with enormous schools of menhaden roving along the beaches Rob’s preferred method to target them is to take the trolling motor and follow the menhaden schools that are apparent because of the pelicans hammering them. Fish the menhaden with a heavy fluorocarbon leader on an 8/0 circle hook on a free-line or under a balloon. You will still catch sharks, but far less.
Sharks are everywhere but if you want to target them look no further than behind shrimp boats.
Even as the bull drum have slowed down the inshore bite for redfish has been surprisingly good around oyster points and other structure, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that with shrimp a little tough to find live and cut mullet and menhaden are both working very well. The key is fishing on moving tides as fish are not feeding in still water. Surprisingly time of day has not made a huge difference, and of late the afternoon bite has often been best!
While they are not catching a lot they did have a random, giant 24-inch trout landed this week.
The smaller whiting are still in the surf, but in about 10 feet of water around sandbars the 10-15 inch whiting are thick. All you need to catch them is a piece of peeled shrimp about the size of a thumbnail. There have also been some really nice pompano caught in the surf in about 3 feet of water. They are biting the best on sand fleas, which can be found at low tide around groins and other rocks going into the surf.
Fuel prices are limiting offshore fishing, but at the artificial reefs there are outstanding numbers of spadefish around right now. With jellyballs hard to find you generally have to offer them something else, and while fresh shrimp can work Rob has found that squid are even better.
The Spanish mackerel fishing has also been outstanding, and anywhere from the sea buoys out to 4 or 5 miles they have been schooling. All you need is silver casting spoons although they will also eat live bait. They are also catching them around current rips in the harbor and you can also troll for them.
June 17
Morning surface water temperatures are around 82 degrees inshore around Charleston.
The creek bite for redfish has picked up this week in the Charleston area, but Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that you have to fish early. During the day they go deeper and don’t feed as well. Fish are very spread out and they are being caught on grass lines and around oyster beds, and moving water is key. Shrimp have been hard to get and so they are fishing mullet and menhaden under floats.
Even though there have been some good tailing tides the water has been so hot by late afternoon that they have been less productive than normal.
Trout have been essentially absent.
They are still catching big drum at the usual spots including the jetties, the Grillage and Fort Sumter and they have catching them on cut menhaden in water up to 40 plus feet. Contending with the sharks is still an issue, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) points out that sharks are providing a lot of excitement for anglers. You can easily target them behind shrimp boats.
At the artificial reefs there are outstanding numbers of spadefish around right now, but with jellyballs hard to find you generally have to offer them something else. Fresh shrimp can work but Rob has found that squid are even better.
The Spanish mackerel fishing has also been outstanding, and anywhere from the sea buoys out to 4 or 5 miles they have been schooling. All you need is silver casting spoons although they will also eat live bait. They are also catching them around current rips in the harbor.
They are also catching king mackerel with live menhaden on drift lines off the back of the boat over structure about 13 miles offshore, and of course you can also troll for them. The cobia action also seems to have picked up a little this week.
Finally, don’t forget about another opportunity very close to the beaches where Rob reports that in about 10 feet of water around sandbars the 10-15 inch whiting are thick right now. All you need to catch them is a piece of peeled shrimp about the size of a thumbnail.
June 10
Morning surface water temperatures are around 82 degrees inshore around Charleston.
Even though mullet are starting to flood into the creeks inshore fishing has been a little slow, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that while you can still catch some redfish around docks with shrimp or mullet or on tailing tides the real excitement has been coming targeting bull reds and sharks. The big drum have arrived at the usual spots including the jetties, the Grillage and Fort Sumter and they have catching them on cut menhaden in water up to 40 plus feet. Sharks are fun to catch but if you are trying to target reds then you usually have to move along once you start catching them.
The inshore redfish and trout bite has also been slow for Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777), but luckily the wind has laid down enough that he’s been able to pursue other adventures.
At the artificial reefs there are outstanding numbers of spadefish around right now, but with jellyballs hard to find you generally have to offer them something else. Fresh shrimp can work but Rob has found that squid are even better.
The Spanish mackerel fishing has also been outstanding, and anywhere from the sea buoys out to 4 or 5 miles they have been schooling. All you need is silver casting spoons although they will also eat live bait. Trolling live bait in about 40 feet is the best way to catch the abundant king mackerel, although they will also eat trolled dead ballyhoo.
The cobia bite seems to be winding down although they have caught a few in the past week.
If heading offshore isn’t in the cards there is another option to catch tons of wonderful-eating fish, and Rob reports that in about 10 feet of water around sandbars the 10-15 inch whiting are thick right now. All you need to catch them is a piece of peeled shrimp about the size of a thumbnail.
May 25
Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s inshore around Charleston.
Without strong tailing tides they have had to target redfish other ways this week, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that dock fishing has been pretty good this week at a variety of stages of the tide. Fish do continue to transition to more of an early morning bite as temperatures rise, and they are also starting to move to bigger water as it heats up. Live shrimp are working well.
More bull drum are also being caught at the jetties as menhaden get more and more prolific.
Inshore fishing for Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) has been pretty normal, and he has picked up a few trout and flounder in addition to redfish. For trout the best way to target them has been with live or DOA shrimp fished a couple of feet under a popping cork on the high outgoing tide in the main rivers.
But the most exciting inshore activity has been with the sheepshead, and on docks with 4-10 feet of water it’s still very good fishing with fiddler crabs. Some areas are better at some tides than others and so you can really fish around the tide clock.
The nearshore reef fishing continues to be very strong, and cobia have showed up in good numbers and they are also catching kings and Spanish mackerel. While you can see some cobia at the top of the water column Rob’s primary set-up has been fishing a Carolina rig a couple of turns off the bottom with a live menhaden hooked through the nose. He also catches some fish on free-lines on the top, and you can also jig a four-ounce bucktail up and down.
Spadefish are also out there by the thousands and you really need jellyballs to catch them.
In the bluewater the dolphin bite continues to be very strong, and Rob reports that in 180 feet of water about 50 miles offshore they have been killing the dolphin trolling along the ledge. There are also wahoo around.
May 20
Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid to upper 70s inshore around Charleston.
Inshore fishing has been pretty good this week, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that once again the best time to catch the redfish has been at high tide when they are tailing. Flood tides are still trending about a foot above predictions, even with full moon tides earlier this week, and so there are lots of opportunities to find reds up in the grass. On the fly crab patterns are hard to beat, and they will also take Gulp! peeler crabs on conventional tackle.
Outside of high tide fish are starting to transition to more of an early morning bite as temperatures rise, and they are also starting to move to bigger water as it heats up.
Some bull drum are also starting to show up at the jetties as the menhaden have arrived.
Inshore fishing for Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) has been pretty normal, and he has picked up a few trout and flounder in addition to redfish. But the most exciting activity has been with the sheepshead, and on docks with 4-10 feet of water he has been killing them with fiddler crabs. Some areas are better at some tides than others and so you can really fish around the tide clock.
But with some calmer weather this week it is has been hard to keep Rob inshore, and he has been having the most fun out at the nearshore reefs. Cobia have showed up in good numbers and he is also catching kings and Spanish mackerel. While you can see some cobia at the top of the water column his primary set-up has been fishing a Carolina rig a couple of turns off the bottom with a live menhaden hooked through the nose. He also catches some fish on free-lines on the top, and you can also jig a four-ounce bucktail up and down.
Spadefish are also out there by the thousands, but in Rob’s experience this week you have to have jellyballs to catch them. They don’t want shrimp.
In the bluewater the dolphin bite has been insane this week, and in Rob’s estimation it’s the best in 20 years.
May 13
Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to about 70 inshore around Charleston.
Conditions have been strange in Charleston this week, and while the wind has significantly limited the fishing Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that an additional complicating factor has been abnormal tides. Yesterday low tide was 3 feet higher than normal, and so they are not really getting low tide right now! High tide is also far higher than usual.
As a result of this perhaps the best way to catch redfish has been looking for tailing fish on high tide in the short grass. On flood tides they are tucking behind islands back in the creeks and finding happy, feeding fish. With tides so high every high tide is a tailing tide and the action starts early in the cycle.
While it’s challenging, Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that you can also hunker down in the creeks and fish for reds on lower tides around docks and holes with mud minnows, live shrimp or half-sections of blue crab.
There also seem to be a fair number of flounder around which are being caught on Carolina rigs with mud minnows, and there is a really good population of sheepshead inshore right now. A lot of fish are on the smaller side but if you weed through them you can get plenty of keepers. Fiddler crabs fished around heavy structure are the key, and chumming is really helping.
About as close as you can get to nearshore or offshore fishing right now is to anchor in 10-30 feet of water in the inlets for sharks, and Rob points out that all the shark species are here now and will take cut bait. The cobia and beyond them dolphins are also around in droves, but unless something changes the wind looks like it will cause fishermen to mostly miss them this year.
May 4
Morning surface water temperatures are in the lower 70s inshore around Charleston. Lots of small menhaden have started to arrive.
It’s not quite a fall bite, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the inshore fishing for redfish has been pretty solid recently around docks and grass. They are seeing more and more bruisers each week and the fish are very willing to eat mud minnows.
Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) is seeing about the same thing, and they also point out that fish are getting more and more spread out. In addition to mud minnows they are catching them on live shrimp, which for them has been the most productive.
Rob and Redfin both report that they aren’t catching a ton of trout but they are getting some really big roe females. Current rips in 4-6 feet of water have been the most productive, especially on moving tides when the water is clean.
Rob reports that he is now catching a ton of blacktip sharks.
There are also some big black drum in the 30-40 pound range being caught around bridges, and the bull red drum are also starting to arrive in the Charleston Harbor.
Nearshore and offshore weather continues to be a limiting factor, but at the nearshore reefs there are a ton of weakfish around. Lots of undersized black sea bass are also there.
The dolphin run has been great but with the wind only the big boats have been able to get after them.
April 21
Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-60s inshore around Charleston.
The wind continues to severely limit offshore fishing, but Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that inshore the redfishare in a transition period where they are spreading out in the marshes. They are getting around a variety of structure including docks and oyster beds and flats, but the common denominator for catching them has been that you need some moving water. Flat tides have been no good.
While you can catch them other ways, they are having the best success with live shrimp under a float.
In a similar vein, Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that his boat is also catching a pile of redfish around docks. Both the low outgoing and the low incoming have been good, and he is catching them on mud minnows as well as sections of blue crabs.
His boat has also picked up a few early flounder although the numbers are still low.
The trout fishing has also been pretty good, and Redfin Charters reports that they are catching fish on live shrimp fished along grass lines. Rob has also caught some big roe trout around oyster beds, and he encourages anglers to release the spawners.
With wind limiting offshore fishing, one consistent bite that allows anglers to do something a little different is to head into the inlets and fish for whiting over sandy bottoms in 10-15 feet of water. They will take small pieces of cut shrimp and when there is some turbulence you can get into really good fish.
April 8
Morning surface water temperatures are about 64 degrees inshore around Charleston.
Weather has again slowed down the fishing around Charleston, and this week Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that there has been another complication with a worm hatch that slows down the inshore fishing. They should be gone in about a week when the fishing should pick up again.
The inshore bite for redfish has still been decent, and they continue to pick up a fair number of fish around docks. Mud minnows under a popping cork have been working well when the tide is moving in either direction and you can float the bait under docks, but it’s really hard to beat a ¼ section of soft-shell crab anchored on the bottom right now. The crabs are molting and the redfish absolutely love them.
Flounder are just starting to show up and they have had several nice keepers this week.
Docks are also producing for Redfin Charters (843-277-5255), and they are also catching some redfish on the mud flats. In both areas moving water has been key, again in whichever direction. They are also picking up some trout on rips with fast moving current right now.
Wind has made it tough to get offshore this week, but when you can get to nearshore reefs like 4KI the bluefish and Spanish mackerel are both getting thick. Both species can be caught on plugs and spoons, and there are also lots of weakfish around. They will eat about anything from spoons to jigs on the bottom to minnows to shrimp. There are some very early reports of cobia to the south.
They continue to catch monster wahoo offshore and the big dolphin should show up soon.
March 31
Morning surface water temperatures are about 62 degrees inshore around Charleston.
The wind has not been favorable for getting out of the creeks around Charleston, but fortunately Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the inshore bite for redfish has been fairly consistent. It’s nothing like fall fishing when it seems that you can catch a fish on every cast, but around the docks they are picking up a decent number of fish. Mud minnows under a popping cork have been working well when the tide is moving in either direction and you can float the bait under docks, but it’s really hard to beat a ¼ section of soft-shell crab anchored on the bottom right now. The crabs are molting and the redfish absolutely love them.
Docks are also producing for Redfin Charters (843-277-5255), but more generally they are catching fish around most any structure in 6 or more feet of water. Live shrimp have been hard to beat. Live shrimp under a float have also been working well for trout in different areas. The trout seem to be on rips with fast moving current right now.
It’s been really difficult to get out to the nearshore reefs with all the wind, but weakfish are starting to get out there in good numbers.
While Rob is concentrating more on saltwater fishing now, he is hearing reports that the shad run is still going at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s and the Santee River below Lake Marion. Look back at February and March reports for detailed information about the pattern.
March 17
Morning inshore surface water temperatures are about 61 degrees around Charleston. The water is still gin clear except that wind and rain are dirtying it.
While the redfish don’t seem to be schooled up as well on the flats as they were, the bite has been pretty good around docks. Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that they are catching 15-20 fish per day around docks. Fish are still in schools and there seem to be groups of 10-15 fish around the better docks, mostly in the 2-10 pound range. Mid-tides in either direction are fishing the best. Captain Rob is catching everything on mud minnows, either on a float rig or a Carolina rig. He will usually put at least one bait on top and at least one on bottom when he approaches a dock. Cut crab has also been working well.
After the cold snap Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) also found the most redfish action around docks, and they have also been catching some really nice trout inshore. The fish are being caught at mid-depths in the creeks around current lines and rock walls, and fishing mud minnows or shrimp 3-4 feet under a slip cork has been the best pattern.
There has also been some outstanding action out at the nearshore reefs, and Redfin Charters reports that that they have been catching huge sheepshead up to 10 pounds. Both fiddler crabs and little black dock crabs are working well.
Rob reports that he is also catching tons of black sea bass at the nearshore reefs, but less than 10% are keepers. The 2-3 pound bluefish but not the larger “choppers” are also starting to show up, but the weakfish have not arrived yet.
Water temperatures are about 58 at the reef.
While Rob is not hearing as much about the shad run and has been too busy saltwater fishing to go himself, it should still be going at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s and the Santee River below Lake Marion.
March 1
Morning inshore surface water temperatures are about 58 degrees in the Charleston Harbor and the water clarity is still good.
While the fish may not eat after a cold snap, in general Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that the redfish action is picking up in the Charleston area. The bite is not incredible but they are catching fish each time they go out and the fish are starting to move around more.
Fish are still in their big wintertime schools and they are catching them sight-fishing on the mud flats and in the creeks. They are also catching a few fish around docks but that bite has not been outstanding. Overall low but moving tides have been the best.
Some days the fish will eat artificial lures, and some days they only want live shrimp.
The inshore trout bite is still a little slow, but they are catching a few more fish on live shrimp as the water starts to warm.
The shad run remains in full swing, although if you happen to hit it after a cold front the bite can be a little off. Overall Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that anglers are flocking to the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s and the Santee River below Lake Marion chasing spawning American shad. All three areas are producing.
Most everyone is fishing out of a boat and at the Tailrace you put in at the tailrace landing, for the Rediversion you put in at Arrowhead Landing and for the Santee River you put in at Wilson’s Landing. There are a lot of boaters, sometimes hundreds within a stretch of river, and so it’s important to be respectful. The main tactic is anchoring up and casting a single rod with a small chartreuse curly tail grub, Shad Dart or 1/16 or 1/32 ounce casting spoon on 6- or 8-pound test line. Sabiki rigs can also work. When there is a lot of current you can add a pinch of split shot, and you are generally fishing 1-10 feet of water.
When they get really thick fish can be caught in the middle of the river, but generally the edges are the best. Fish will hit right up to the side of the boat.
Most anglers are targeting the shad for their roe, and it’s important to bleed the fish by cutting their throat soon after catching them to keep their eggs from turning blood red.
You can also encounter other species, including billions of ocean-going herring (good for striper and catfish bait) making a similar migration as well as rockfish at the Rediversion Canal.
The sheepshead fishing is really good right now, but unfortunately you pretty much have to have fiddler crabs to nail them. If you can’t catch your own fiddlers are very expensive at $16.99 per pint! Fish can be caught around heavy structure inshore as well as at the reefs right now, and it’s really the peak of the sheepshead fishing.
February 18
Morning inshore surface water temperatures are about 50-51 around Charleston and the water is still clear.
While the inshore bite is still pretty tough around Charleston, the shad run is now in full swing and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that anglers are flocking to the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s and the Santee River below Lake Marion chasing spawning American shad. He has had the best luck in the Tailrace, but all three areas are producing.
Most everyone is fishing out of a boat and at the Tailrace you put in at the tailrace landing, for the Rediversion you put in at Arrowhead Landing and for the Santee River you put in at Wilson’s Landing. There are a lot of boaters, sometimes hundreds within a stretch of river, and so it’s important to be respectful. The main tactic is anchoring up and casting a single rod with a small chartreuse curly tail grub, Shad Dart or 1/16 or 1/32 ounce casting spoon on 6- or 8-pound test line. Sabiki rigs can also work. When there is a lot of current you can add a pinch of split shot, and you are generally fishing 1-10 feet of water.
When they get really thick fish can be caught in the middle of the river, but generally the edges are the best. Fish will hit right up to the side of the boat.
Most anglers are targeting the shad for their roe, and it’s important to bleed the fish by cutting their throat soon after catching them to keep their eggs from turning blood red.
You can also encounter other species, including billions of ocean-going herring (good for striper and catfish bait) making a similar migration as well as rockfish at the Rediversion Canal.
While redfish can still be caught the action is a little slow, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that the best place to fish is still on the flats. In the clear conditions you can easily locate the big winter schools and cast for them with artificials. A section of crab can also be effective. Low water is the best time to target them, but expect the fish to be lethargic most of the time.
The inshore trout bite has actually picked up a little this week, but the best results have come on live shrimp and mud minnows. Action on artificials has been slow.
With the calm weather earlier this week it was apparent out at the reefs that black sea bass are plentiful. The fish are in 40-60 feet of water, and for the next month or two the sheepshead will also be out there spawning. It’s almost impossible to get live fiddler crabs but clams, mussels and oysters will all work.
February 10
Inshore surface water temperatures are in the upper 40s around Charleston and the water is gin clear.
The hottest thing going in the Charleston area is actually a freshwater bite, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that anglers are now flocking to the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s and the Santee River below Lake Marion chasing spawning American shad. In the last week the bite has turned on, and it should only get better for the next few weeks. The fish are already so thick that you can smell them.
Everyone is fishing out of a boat and at the Tailrace you put in at the tailrace landing, for the Rediversion you put in at Arrowhead Landing and for the Santee River you put in at Wilson’s Landing. There are a lot of boaters, sometimes hundreds within a stretch of river, and so it’s important to be respectful. Pretty much everyone is anchoring up and casting a single rod with a small chartreuse curly tail grub, Shad Dart or 1/16 or 1/32 ounce casting spoon on 6- or 8-pound test line. Sabiki rigs can also work. When there is a lot of current you can add a pinch of split shot, and you are generally fishing 1-10 feet of water.
When they get really thick fish can be caught in the middle of the river, but generally the edges are the best. Fish will hit right up to the side of the boat.
Most anglers are targeting the shad for their roe, and it’s important to bleed the fish by cutting their throat soon after catching them to keep their eggs from turning blood red.
You can also encounter other species, including billions of ocean-going herring (good for striper and catfish bait) making a similar migration as well as rockfish at the Rediversion Canal.
While redfish can still be caught the action is a little slow, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that the best place to fish is still on the flats. In the clear conditions you can easily locate the big winter schools and cast for them with artificials. A section of crab can also be effective. Low water is the best time to target them, but expect the fish to be lethargic most of the time.
The inshore trout bite has slowed, but there is excellent action out at the reefs for black sea bass. The fish are in 40-60 feet of water, and for the next month or two the sheepshead will also be out there spawning. It’s almost impossible to get live fiddler crabs but clams, mussels and oysters will all work.
February 1
Inshore surface water temperatures have dropped into the mid-40s around Charleston and the water is gin clear.
Water temperatures have gotten very cold in Charleston, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that as a result most of the fish they were catching in the creeks have pulled out. The best redfish action is now on the flats, and even though fish have really slowed down you can easily locate the big winter schools and cast for them with artificials. A section of crab can also be effective. Low water is the best time to target them, but expect the fish to be lethargic most of the time.
The inshore trout bite has slowed, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that there is excellent action out at the reefs for black sea bass. The fish are in 40-60 feet of water, and for the next two months the sheepshead will also be out there spawning. It’s almost impossible to get live fiddler crabs but clams, mussels and oysters will all work.
Any day now the shad run should start into the Tailrace Canal, the Rediversion Canal (put in at Arrowhead Landing), and on the Santee River (from Wilson’s Landing outside of St. Stephen’s). Fish will be caught on Sabiki rigs, shad darts, and tiny twist tail grubs.
January 20
Inshore surface water temperatures have dropped into the upper 50s around Charleston and the water is fairly clear.
There are other things going on around Charleston, but when you can get offshore right now there is nothing that compares to the black sea bass bite! In 40-60 feet of water Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the action is red hot, and all you need to do is head out to one of the reefs or a live bottom area with a box of squid.
There are also black drum and sheepshead out there, and while fiddler crabs would be ideal for the sheeps they are next to impossible to get right now. The best option is to thread mussels, clams or oysters on a treble hook as best you can.
The redfish remain in a pretty typical winter pattern, but they are catching an unusually high number of fish under 15 inches right now.
The fish are schooled up so tight on the shallow flats that you really need to locate them before fishing. The best time to target them is around lower water and they will take mud minnows, cut mullet, scented soft plastics and more.
The other best place to look for redfish is around structure, and deeper docks have been fishing well. Low tide is often the best time to fish docks as well.
The trout bite remains a little finicky, and generally the trout are a bit deeper. Numbers are low, but they are catching some really big ones when they do get them.
The fish are in holes in the creeks, deeper along grass lines, and particularly out at the jetties. Live shrimp are very difficult to beat but Vudu Shrimp, DOA Shrimp, and grubs on an Eye Strike Jighead will also work. The eye still seems to be really making a difference.
Any day now the shad run should start into the Tailrace Canal, the Rediversion Canal (put in at Arrowhead Landing), and on the Santee River (from Wilson’s Landing outside of St. Stephen’s). Fish will be caught on Sabiki rigs, shad darts, and tiny twist tail grubs.
January 6
Inshore surface water temperatures have dropped into the upper 50s around Charleston and the water is fairly clear.
The most exciting thing going on right now is at the nearshore reefs, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that right now the black sea bass fishing is on fire in about 60 feet of water. There are also sheepshead and black drum out there. The sheepshead fishing has also been surprisingly good around inshore structure, which is maybe not so surprising considering that only a few days ago water temperatures were still 61 degrees!
The redfish are in a pretty typical winter pattern, and they are now schooled up so tight on the shallow flats that you really need to locate them before fishing. The best time to target them is around lower water and they will take mud minnows, cut mullet, scented soft plastics and more. Of course they will eat live shrimp if you put it in front of them but shrimp have gotten very precious.
The other best place to look for redfish is around structure, and deeper docks have been fishing very well. Low tide is often the best time to fish docks as well.
The trout bite remains a little finicky, and generally the trout are a bit deeper. They are in holes in the creeks, deeper along grass lines, and particularly out at the jetties. Live shrimp are very difficult to beat but Vudu Shrimp, DOA Shrimp, and grubs on an Eye Strike Jighead will also work. The eye still seems to be really making a difference.
Any day now the shad run should start into the Tailrace Canal, the Rediversion Canal (put in at Arrowhead Landing), and on the Santee River (from Wilson’s Landing outside of St. Stephen’s). Fish will be caught on Sabiki rigs, shad darts, and tiny twist tail grubs.
December 22
Inshore surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s around Charleston and the water is clearing.
After an incredible fall Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that inshore fishing is starting to look more like normal for early winter, and the redfish are now schooled up so tight on the shallow flats that you really need to locate them before fishing. The best time to target them is around lower water and they will take mud minnows, cut mullet scented soft plastics and more. Of course they will eat live shrimp if you put it in front of them but shrimp have gotten very precious.
The other best place to look for redfish is around structure, and deeper docks have been fishing very well. Low tide is often the best time to fish docks as well.
The trout bite has gotten a bit more finicky as it has gotten cooler, and generally the trout have moved a bit deeper. They are in holes in the creeks, deeper along grass lines, and particularly out at the jetties. Live shrimp are very difficult to beat but Vudu Shrimp, DOA Shrimp, and grubs on an Eye Strike Jighead will also work. The eye still seems to be really making a difference.
While a lot of the trout being caught right now are on the smaller side, Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) notes that they have caught a few really good ones.
Even as inshore action has slowed a little, nearshore there is some really exciting stuff going on as the big reds that were all over the jetties in the summer and fall have formed massive schools offshore in about 50 feet of water. Sometimes they are on the bottom but at other times they will come up to the surface and hit anything that anglers throw at them.
Out at the reefs there are also bull reds, big black drum and black sea bass, and it’s simply a matter of picking your days. In a few weeks the sheepshead will be really thick.
December 16
Inshore surface water temperatures are still about 58 degrees around Charleston and the water is clearing again.
It’s still a very good period for inshore fishing, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that they continue to catch excellent numbers of redfish and trout. The reds are heavily schooled up and if you catch one there are likely a lot more in the area. Generally they are shallow, but there are also some holding around docks in 6-8 feet of water.
Overall the redfish are biting better on low water, and since the trout are biting best on higher stages of the tide around grass lines, points and water moving over oyster bars it sets up well.
While you can buy live shrimp it’s very hard to net your own, but mud minnows are working well for both species. They are also biting well on Vudu Shrimp and twister tail grubs, but be sure to use a jighead like the Trout Eye that has a painted eye. A plain unpainted lead jig is not working as well.
While they are not running as many charters right now Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) notes that they are catching some big trout on live mullet.
December 2
Inshore surface water temperatures are still about 58 degrees around Charleston and the water is clear as a bell after very little rain.
Batting leadoff this week is the inshore sheepshead fishing, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that right now the action is absolutely phenomenal. The reefs are probably dead until January because all the fish are closer in, and it’s as simple as fishing around most any type of inshore structure from docks and pilings and rocks to trees and “brush”. Today Rob has been slaying the big fish dropping live shrimp down vertically around isolated downed trees in the backs of creeks, but they are easier to hook with fiddler crabs.
If the sheeps are batting first then the trout and redfish are batting clean-up, and 70-fish trips are the norm right now. Rob reports that he is catching fish around most any grass line, point, or oyster bed, but the real key for him has been live shrimp. They are hard to get and you really have to know where to throw a net, or you can pay $4.50 per dozen. With the quality of the bite that very quickly adds up.
If you don’t have shrimp fish can be caught on other baits or artificials like Vudu Shrimp or Trout Tricks, but for Rob shrimp are significantly out-fishing the alternatives.
With the in-between tourist season Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) is running less inshore trips right now, but when the captains have a free day they are running out to 90-100 feet and slaying the bottom fish. Mutton snapper and vermillion snapper have been particularly prolific.
In the bluewater zone they have caught a few blackfin tuna as well as wahoo.
November 19
Inshore surface water temperatures are about 58 degrees around Charleston and the water is relatively clear.
Sometimes fishing reports need to offer a lot of detail to be sure anglers will know how to catch fish, but that’s not the case for Charleston this week. Both Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) report that the fishing is absolutely phenomenal right now, and Rob reports that yesterday his boat caught 40 redfish and trout in 45 minutes with basically one on every cast. They actually had to take a break and look for new water because the clients’ arms were hurting!
For both species it is really as simple as having a live shrimp in the water under a popping cork and then being in the vicinity of some grass or oysters. But the fishing has been so good that they have switched to artificial lures at times with about the same results. Clear, moving water in either direction is best but not essential, and the only caveat is that cloudy conditions can slow the fishing.
Rob notes that this year the trout are abnormally large.
As noted there’s no argument about the state of the fishing from Redfin Charters, and Captain Erven Roper reports that on a 6-boat charter two days ago they caught 380 fish! The catch was very heavy towards reds but they did have about 40 trout. The fish are so hungry right now that bait does not seem to matter.
While the bull red drum bite have slowed down, Redfin Charters reports that out at the jetties they are getting some really nice trout in the 22- and 23-inch range. These fish seem to want a live shrimp floated deep under a slip cork about 8 feet or more down. Note that this pattern is better on smaller tides and when the water is really ripping at the jetties it’s not as good.
November 11
Inshore surface water temperatures are about 60 degrees around Charleston and the water is clearing.
The trout fishing is nothing short of outstanding right now around Charleston, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the fish are devouring live shrimp fished under a popping cork along grass lines. It has not made a huge difference whether the tide was going in or coming out, but there has to be some current moving. Clear water is certainly better.
Even through live shrimp are hard to beat, Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) has also been catching lots of trout on artificial lures like Zman baits.
The action has also been really, really good for redfish right now, and Redfin Charters reports that they even saw a bunch of tailing fish yesterday on the really big flood tide! Overall they notice that the reds are starting to group up more, and it is getting rare to catch a single. If you get one there should be more with it.
Again a variety of artificials will work, but it’s hard to beat live shrimp – especially with many of the bait stealers disappearing. Around lower stages of the tide there are a bunch of fish around docks, and oyster beds are always productive.
There are still some bull reds in the harbor, but it seems like they are on the way out right now. But with such good inshore action not as many people are targeting them to give an accurate census.
November 4
Inshore surface water temperatures are about 65 degrees around Charleston.
The trout fishing is getting really good around Charleston, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that they have been catching fish on live shrimp and mud minnows fished under a popping cork near grass lines. It has not made a huge difference whether the tide was going in or coming out, but there has to be some current moving. The fish are holding about 5-6 feet off the grass where the current is ripping along.
The creeks are also full of redfish right now, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the action has been really fast. It’s not unusual to have boated 30 fish before 9 a.m. Live shrimp under a popping cork are hard to beat right now.
In the last few days Redfin Charters has noticed a minor transition with the reds, and they are starting to see a lot more fish grouping up around structure. In particular there have been a lot of fish around docks. In addition to shrimp they are also catching fish on mullet.
A couple of weeks ago Redfin Charters was taking half of their trips in the creeks but the balance was in the harbor going after bull reds. While there are still some bull reds in the harbor, it seems like they are on the way out right now.
October 20
Inshore surface water temperatures are about 75 degrees around Charleston and shrimp, mullet and menhaden are all prolific.
From inshore to offshore, Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the fishing is absolutely phenomenal right now. Live shrimp under a popping cork will catch redfish
almost anywhere in the creeks that you throw, and most of the fish are in the slot and over.
The trout are also prolific, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that they have caught several big 20 plus inch trout as well as a ton of smaller fish, and for some reason docks have been particularly good. Live shrimp are the bait of choice.
Everything is eating shrimp and they have even caught some sheepshead under a floating cork around pilings.
While Redfin Charters is taking about half their trips in the creeks, the other half have been out at the jetties where they are having great success with the bull reds. Right now the fish want to be out at the tips of the jetties instead of closer in, and menhaden is the key to catching them.
About anywhere that you can find some live bottom in 50-90 feet of water the king mackerel are eating it up, and Captain Rob reports that live menhaden are working very well. There are also tons of false albacore around.
October 7
Inshore surface water temperatures are still about 78 degrees around Charleston and the creeks are full of bait.
There’s not too much change in the inshore bite around Charleston, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that’s a good thing! The creeks are absolutely full of shrimp right now, and as a results that redfish are gorging on them and growing very fast. By now the creeks are full of 15-17 inch fish. A live shrimp under a popping cork fished around oyster beds is still all you need to catch reds, and if you can find a spot that isn’t overrun with spottails you can pick up some trout, too. However, the redfish are so thick right now that Rob isn’t trying to do anything else.
Spending a little more time inshore than a week ago, Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) has found the same thing. When clients do want to target trout they can usually put them on some by fishing live shrimp under a cork along grass edges at higher tides when there is a strong current pulling the bait along the grass. Reds are a bit lazier and like to avoid the swiftest water.
They have also picked up some sheepshead on live shrimp around structure, but of course if you want to catch more sheeps then fiddler crabs are hard to beat.
The action for bull redfish in the Charleston Harbor has slowed just a little but is still really good, and Redfin Charters reports that fish are still in 25-50 feet of water at areas like the Grillage, Fort Sumter and around the jetties. Mullet and menhaden are both working, and at the jetties you can catch fish with a knocker rig right off the rocks.
Captain Rob reminds everyone that very soon – usually by the third or fourth week of October – those same giant reds will be in the surf following the massive schools of mullet which will be about 100 yards off the beach.
The king mackerel fishing has picked up this week, and you only have to go 12-15 miles offshore into about 60 feet of water to really get on them. Trolling live bait or artificials will both work.
September 29
Inshore surface water temperatures are down to about 78 degrees around Charleston and the creeks are full of bait.
The inshore bite has gotten really, really good around Charleston, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that may be because the creeks are so full of shrimp that you can practically walk on them! A live shrimp under a popping cork fished around oyster beds is still all you need to catch a ton of redfish and trout, and by now the inshore redfish are a mixed bag of little, medium and big fish. The trout are mainly on the smaller end but will get bigger.
You will also pick up some flounder on shrimp, but if you really want to concentrate on them finger mullet on a Carolina rig or jighead are hard to beat. Fish are in main river areas where there is a small shallow bluff, drop-off, or hump and current running across it. The fish seem to prefer a bottom that is somewhere between muddy and sandy that has some oyster shells.
The action for bull redfish in the Charleston Harbor has been so good that Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) has barely had time to fish the backwaters, and on one recent half-day trip they caught 37 bulls in four hours! It was impossible to fish more than two rods at a time. The fish are still in 25-50 feet of water at areas like the Grillage, Fort Sumter and around the jetties. Mullet and menhaden are both working, and at the jetties you can catch fish with a knocker rig right off the rocks.
While the big reds are in the harbor or nearshore right now, Rob reminds everyone that by the third or fourth week of October those same giant reds will be in the surf following the massive schools of mullet which will be about 100 yards off the beach.
At the reefs there are Spanish mackerel, and in 40-90 feet of water king mackerel are abundant.
September 17
Inshore surface water temperatures are down to about 79 degrees around Charleston and the creeks are full of bait. The water has normal color but rain and some big tides should get it dirtier.
Water temperatures dropping into the 70s has turned the fish on around Charleston, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that yesterday his boat caught about 80 redfish. Most of them were below the slot, but in just a few weeks they will almost all be more than 15 inches. Shrimp are incredibly prolific in the creeks right now and the fish are devouring them, so a live shrimp under a popping cork is all you need. Most of the fish seem to be relating to oyster beds right now. They are also picking up some trout and big ladyfish on the same bait, but the trout have not really turned on yet.
While Rob hasn’t targeted flounder inshore recently, there should be some fish in main river areas where there is a small shallow bluff, drop-off, or hump and current running across it. The fish seem to prefer a bottom that is somewhere between muddy and sandy that has some oyster shells.
In the Charleston Harbor Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that they have been having a lot of success with the bull redfish in 30-50 feet of water at areas like the Grillage, Fort Sumter and around the jetties. Mullet and menhaden are both working, and at the jetties you can catch fish with a knocker rig right off the rocks.
There are also some Spanish mackerel being caught at the end of the jetties.
September 2
Inshore surface water temperatures remain about 85 degrees around Charleston and the creeks are still full of bait, especially shrimp.
Inshore fishing continues to be good in the Charleston area, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that shrimp is the bait of choice for pretty much everything right now. And with the rivers and creeks so full of shrimp there is no need for anyone to have to buy bait!
For now they are catching an absolute ton of small redfish as well as some bigger fish at the upper end of the slot and just above it. However, these small reds are eating so voraciously that they will be over 15 inches in no time. They are also catching a mixed bag of trout, croaker, pinfish, stingrays and even mangrove snapper since the water is so hot.
The morning is still fishing better than the heat of the day, and as long as there are moving tides you should be able to catch fish around grass lines, oysters bars and docks.
The flounder catch has been spotty, and the fish they have caught are small. Perhaps flounder are still on more of a finger mullet bite.
Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15).
The sheepshead fishing is still good around walls in the creeks or docks on lower stages of the tide. Fiddler crabs are key and sizes are getting bigger.
In addition to good inshore action, Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that the most exciting new thing they have done is chasing schooling bull reds off the beaches and at the jetties. When conditions are calm you can see them feeding on the surface, and in addition to conventional baits they have been able to target them on the fly!
