April 11

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 66 degrees in Charleston Harbor. 

While wind has limited his ability to get out to the jetties or fish the harbor and pursue the big reds which should be arriving soon, Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that the inshore bite for redfish and black drum has been pretty remarkable recently. They have also picked up a few trout, but those have been rare. 

Fish are mixed between the river flats and structure back in the creeks, and the key in either area has been that fish are biting best on moving tides in either direction. Slack water has generally been slow, although they are finding a few reds on high tide. 

Blue crabs and live shrimp have been the best bait. 

It’s also been a strong inshore bite for Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777), and he again reports that his go-to location has been docks. Mud minnows fished around the pilings on the outgoing tide have been working the best. 

Things are finally turning on at the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), and manager Noah O’Brien reports that in addition to some large whiting they are catching a good number of 14-20 inch black drum in the surf near the pilings.  There have also been some redfish in and just below the slot caught in the breakers or just beyond. There have also been a lot of cownose rays caught but more species should be arriving any day!

Again, weather has limited nearshore fishing but sheepshead and more are definitely still out there. 

March 27

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 60 degrees in Charleston Harbor and between wind and very high tides the water is muddy. 

He’d like to be offshore at the reefs, but Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that the wind has keep them in the protected creeks and rivers where there has luckily been a strong redfish bite. It’s not fall fishing, but the reds have overall been quite cooperative.

There are a lot of big fish being caught right now, and for Captain Rob the go-to location has been docks. The tide doesn’t seem to make very much difference, but different docks certainly produce on different tides.  He is exclusively fishing mud minnows but reportedly cut bait is doing well too.  

Like Rob, Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he would like to have more options – in his case the bull reds that are showing up in the Charleston Harbor – but wind has forced him to stay inside the creeks.  Overall reds are the main catch for him as well, but fishing with live shrimp he has been able to manage a mixed bag also including trout, sheepshead, black drum, and even some small early-season flounder.  These have all been in the creeks around structure, particularly oysters and downed trees, and the low incoming has been the best time to fish for all of these. Redfish in particular have also been biting closer to low – as long as the tide is moving.   

There’s not much change on Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) this week, and manager Noah O’Brien reports that without a lot of good fishing conditions for now the main catch remains whiting. They are getting some really good ones in the 10-14 inch range, and they are being caught all over but mostly on the diamond. 

While again it’s been next to impossible to get out there, Captain Rob believes that nearshore the reefs should still be loaded up with weakfish (grey/ summer trout), and sheepshead. 

Finally, there are still plenty of American Shad being caught at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s, and the Santee River below Lake Marion. However, they are having to let so much water out that it has made for challenging conditions because you can’t keep a lure on the bottom. Overall, the fishing has best been described as spotty. Again, the general pattern follows:

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 throats soon after catching them to keep their eggs from turning blood red. Others are keeping them for big catfish and striper bait.

March 14

Morning surface water temperatures are about 60 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water has gotten very clear again after some dirtier conditions last week. 

It’s been a really strong inshore bite around Charleston in the pleasant weather this week, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that they are finding redfish very willing to eat coming out of winter. The choice of bait doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference, except that they are generally catching bigger fish on blue crab than shrimp. There are also some small menhaden around that are working and artificials are, too.

Fish are feeding around the tide cycle as they try to replenish fat stores, and so tide isn’t making a huge difference either. They are catching fish on the flats and around grass lines, while fishing around structure has probably been the best. 

Some early bull reds are also starting to show up in the Charleston Harbor. 

While Captain Addison has spent more time on the reds, there are also some good early spring trout being caught. Live shrimp on slip floats fished along grass lines have been working the best. 

Things are heating up at the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) this week, but manager Noah O’Brien reports that for now the main catch is whiting. They are getting some really good ones in the 10-14 inch range, and they are being caught all over but mostly on the diamond. 

Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) is even more excited about the nearshore fishing, and with the blessing of some warm fair-weather days he has been heading to the reefs. Right now they are starting to load up with weakfish (grey/ summer trout), and despite the apparent need for very restrictive limits they are catching them fast and furious. Most of the time he is fishing mud minnows, but switching over to grubs the action barely slows down.

There are also lots of sheepshead around which will take fiddler crabs. 

Offshore the wahoo bite remains strong. 

Finally, it must be approaching the peak of the American Shad run at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s, and the Santee River below Lake Marion because reports have been fantastic. 

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 throats soon after catching them to keep their eggs from turning blood red. Others are keeping them for big catfish and striper bait!  

February 28

Morning surface water temperatures are up to about 56 degrees in Charleston Harbor and wind has the water a little dirtier than normal. 

Inshore fishing is still mostly about the redfish right now around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that even though spring is getting closer fish are still basically in winter patterns. He’s catching them on the flats and around structure in the creeks, and in both areas blue crab chunks have been hard to beat. They were also catching a lot of flats fish on the fly until the wind made that technique difficult to fish.  

The wind has also affected the way Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) is fishing, but he reports that in protected creeks they have found redfish super shallow around dock poles on low tide. At times they are actually tailing in large groups when they locate a school of baitfish. 

Trout reports are still very thin.

It’s been slow at the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) this week, and manager Noah O’Brien reports that – while better fishing is just around the corner – this week has mainly seen sting rays, whiting and croaker. 

In the rivers around deeper structure and at the nearshore reefs the sheepshead bite has been strong when the wind makes things fishable, and Captain Rob reports that any of the artificial reefs in 20-40 feet are now loaded with fish. Deep inshore structure also has them. The better offshore structure has a profile that rises higher off the ocean floor. Fish will eat multiple baits but fiddler crabs are hard to beat.

Offshore, the wahoo fishing has been outstanding. 

Finally, this week the reports are incredible on the American Shad running at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner and the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s. While Captain Rob hasn’t heard anything on the Santee River below Lake Marion, it should also be on fire.  This is the peak of the season and 100 fish days are possible. 

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.  

February 14

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 54 degrees in Charleston Harbor and with all the rain the water clarity is a little lower than usual. 

Inshore fishing is mostly about the redfish right now around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that even though clarity isn’t at its best it’s a good time for sight-fishing on the flats. On low tide they are concentrated in big schools, while at higher tides you can still find smaller groups of fish sun-bathing in the grass. Fish have been willing to eat a fly this week but there are certainly other ways to catch them. 

In a similar vein, Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that he has also been catching redfish poling the flats and sight-fishing. They are just casting soft plastics on a jighead at the fish and finding them quite willing to eat. 

Trout reports have been very thin.

In the rivers around deeper structure and at the nearshore reefs the sheepshead bite has been strong, and Captain Rob reports that any of the artificial reefs in 20-40 feet are now loaded with fish. Deep inshore structure also has them. The better offshore structure has a profile that rises higher off the ocean floor. Fish will eat multiple baits but fiddler crabs are hard to beat.

In a similar vein, manager Noah O’Brien reports that on the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) they have also had some 14-20 inch sheepshead caught as well as a decent number of whiting. It’s still a little chilly but it’s clear that the fishing is starting to turn back on. 

Offshore, the Wahoo Series started last week and they have been burning up the fish. The dimmer half of the moon phases are generally best. 

Finally, it’s not technically a Charleston bite, but once again the American Shad are running at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s and there should be fish in the Santee River below Lake Marion. (No reports on those yet). 

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.  

February 2

Morning surface water temperatures are about 54 degrees in Charleston Harbor. 

The trout fishing still isn’t very strong, but other than that Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that from inshore to offshore the fishing remains 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 more sheepshead each day out on the nearshore reefs, and 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. 

Finally, any day now the shad run should take off in the Tailrace, Rediversion Canal and Santee River.  Rob has caught them as early as Groundhog Day!  

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).