September 17

Surface water temperatures around Charleston have dropped to about 82 degrees, and wind and rain have dirtied up the water. The creeks are full of shrimp and finger mullet.

While the fall bite hasn’t arrived to the whole South Carolina coast, Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the redfish and trout action has been pretty awesome around Charleston for the past week or two. There have been lots of 50+ fish days. Both species are in the same areas around oysters, grass and gutter creeks, and they are biting around the tide cycle. This fast action should continue for at least another 45 days. Shrimp are very thick and so Captain Rob’s boat is almost exclusively fishing live shrimp under a popping cork. 

The only difference between where they catch the two species has been that the reds are a little closer to the grass while the trout are a little further out in the current. 

While it’s not an everyday occurrence his boat caught this 7-poundtripletail earlier this week, also on shrimp under a popping cork.  This one was along a grassline but they can also be found around crab pots or other floating structure.

WhileRedfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports similar success with the trout and reds, Captain Erven Roper reports that the bull reds have been a little harder to locate for the last week or two. While the harbor is full of mullet the bulls seemed to disappear when the menhaden got more scarce, and so it seems like we are in an in-between phase for the big drum. 

They have seen some nice flounder caught but those have slowed down from a month ago.  

Next week Captain Rob expects the mullet run to start down the beaches, which will mark the unofficial beginning of the lights-out fall surf fishing season.  Trout, reds, black tipsharks and more will be feeding. 

With windy conditions there has not been much in the way of offshore fishing. 

August 25

Surface water temperatures around Charleston have dropped into the lower 80s in the creeks, while in the ocean it is still about 84 degrees.  The creeks are full of shrimp and finger mullet.

It’s all about the redfish right now for Redfin Charters (843-277-5255), and Captain Erven Roper reports that today on the water they got worn out catching 30-plus inch fish. On the flats in 1-3 feet of water the big bruisers were demolishing shrimp under a popping cork, and when they slowed down on the shrimp finger mullet on the bottom reactivated the bite. They caught a fish on the first cast of the day and it never really let up. 

It’s a similar report from Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777), who has found lights-out action for redfish on the dropping tide where gutter creeks are draining into the main water. He is catching a mix of under-slot, slot and over-slot fish. 

The trout fishing has also been really good, and Captain Rob reports that on higher water he has been wearing out the trout with live shrimp fished under a popping cork over oyster beds. They expect an excellent fall for both species in part because of the mild winter last year.

Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports that this past week the main catch has been pompano and whiting, including a huge 2.5 pound pompano!

If you want a hard fight there’s no better pattern than fishing for blacktip sharks behind the shrimp boats, and Captain Rob advises that if you fish the same areas that the porpoises are working the sharks are thick. Rob employs a live menhaden on an 8/0 circle hook behind 3 feet of wire leader and 3 feet of mono, and he casts the rig under a balloon. You can use a similar rig around sandbars and hook up with tarpon, too. Both species will also take live mullet as well as cut menhaden and mullet. 

Spanish mackerel are still prolific just offshore and they can be caught on Clarks Spoons or Gotcha Rigs.

July 30

Morning surface water temperatures around Charleston are in the upper 80s.  The creeks are full of shrimp and finger mullet.

Despite the summer heat the inshore flounder fishing continues to be pretty outstanding, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that the 8-pound doormat pictured below was caught Tuesday. Overall the flounder fishing has been the best it has been in a long time. Carolina rigging live mullet has been the best pattern, and fishing around structure at low tide has been most productive. Look for current rips and places where you see mullet schools being swept by.

There has been outstanding action fishing for blacktip sharks behind shrimp boats, but on days when that pattern is impractical Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that there has been a strong inshore bite for redfish – even during the heat of the day. About half of the fish have been just under the slot, and about half of the fish have been in the slot. Rob has been catching them on live shrimp fished under a float around docks, and rip rap has also held some nice schools of redfish. 

Trout fishing has been a little hit-or-miss, but Captain Rob points out that the key to catching fish right now is fishing early or late. The trout just don’t want to bite in the heat of the day. The best pattern is fishing live shrimp under floats around oysters or along grass lines, and when you get on a cycle with morning/ evening high tides that is ideal.

Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports that the catch has consisted of whiting and black drum for the last few days. 

Bait is prolific off the beaches, and tarpon and king mackerel have both moved into the area.  Tarpon can be caught around sandbars on live or cut mullet and menhaden, while the best bet for catching king mackerel is to troll live bait along the rip lines.  Rob’s boat caught this monster 35-pound fish in about 15 feet of water. Look for both species to bite really well on the upcoming full moon. 

Spanish mackerel are also all over the place, and they can be caught on the bottom around the jetties as well as first thing around Castle Pinckney with Clarks spoons or Gotcha jigs. This bite generally shuts off at 9 or 10 a.m. Spanish can also be caught 5 or 6 miles offshore. 

At the reefs a little further out the have been good catches ofcobia in 100 feet of water, and right now they are catching them on the bottom.  Last year they were biting more on the top, but this year they have mainly been coming up when they hook a shark and the cobia follow it up.  Live menhaden on a slider rig have been working well. Bottom fishing for grouper and snapper has also been really good at the same depth. 

60 plus miles offshore there have been a few small dolphin and some wahoo caught, but it’s been almost two weeks since there were many tuna reports.

July 16

Morning surface water temperatures around Charleston are about 86 degrees.

Inshore fishing has overall gotten tougher, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that there are some surprisingly good bites despite the heat. They continue to catch lots of nice-sized flounder on mud flats that have oysters and some current that forms an eddy and carries bait across 2-3 feet of water. The low, incoming tide has been very productive with mud minnows or finger mullet fished a couple of inches above the bottom on a cork.  You can also fish the bait on a Carolina rig but the bobber has been working better.

There has also been a pretty good trout bite early, with the caveat that it dies after about 8:00 or 8:30. Rob’s boat is having the best success catching fish in the low-light conditions with a mud minnow and a split shot, although a cork will also work. Most of the fish are on the smaller size and he has been releasing the big spawning females. 

Plenty of rat redfish are around but slot-sized fish are rare right now.

With the creeks slow outside of the morning, Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) is spending a lot of time chasing bull red drum and sharks in the Charleston Harbor in 20-50 feet of water. They are mainly using menhaden. Blacktip sharks can also be caught behind the shrimp boats. 

Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports that fishing has been pretty good off the pier, and they have been catching some really nice 3-4 pound black drum and 2-4 pound Spanish mackerel. They have also hooked several king mackerelalthough none have been landed. Good-sized whiting are around as usual. 

Nearshore, there are lots of flounder that can be caught at the reefs. 

Spanish mackerel are also all over the place, and they can be caught on the bottom around the jetties as well as first thing around Castle Pinckney with Clarks spoons or Gotcha jigs. This bite generally shuts off at 9 or 10 a.m.  Spanish can also be caught 5 or 6 miles offshore. 

Spadefish are all over the reefs, but Captain Rob reports that a lot of the time it’s not worth trying unless you have jelly balls.  They just won’t eat pieces of shrimp or squid some days.  While jelly balls have been seen closer in, the spadefish have been more apt to be caught from 45-90 feet of water at the Capers Reef, 4KI, the Edisto 40 and Comanche Reef.

Redfin Charters reports that the cobia bite has been on fire, and the fish have been as far out as 40 miles but seem to have moved a bit closer to 15-20 miles offshore.  There have been some big ones caught as well as excellent numbers of fish.  Many of them are not legal-sized.

June 25

Inshore surface water temperatures in Charleston are in the low 80s, while the water at Folly Beach is an unseasonably cool 76. Shrimp have been hard to find, perhaps because of all the freshwater.

Inshore fishing can be a little tough in the summer heat, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the best thing going is definitely the flounder fishing. They are catching lots of nice fish each trip targeting mud flats that have oysters and some current that forms an eddy and carries bait across. The low, incoming tide has been very productive with mud minnows or finger mullet fished a couple of inches above the bottom on a cork. 

While the action has not been hot they are picking up a few trout and small redfish on the same rig. 

While the guides at Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) are finding an inshore bite that is in transition, they have been having good success targeting bull red drum in the Charleston Harbor in 30-50 feet of water. Fish are around Fort Sumter and the Middle Grounds in the shipping channels, and they are still catching them on frozen American shad. Mullet and menhaden will also work. 

Sharks are also prolific and can be caught behind shrimp boats or at the jetties, and first thing in the morning there is a good bite for Spanish mackerel in the harbor.  Starting at about 5:45 they can be found on the surface and they will chase spoons, Mirrolures, and more. Fish have been around Castle Pinckney and Drum Island. 

Jacks have moved from the harbor out to the jetties and appear to be leaving. 

Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports that water temperatures have been oddly mild so far this season, which is making for more favorable fishing conditions. They have caught king mackerel in the 30-pound range as well as 5-pound Spanish mackerel. In the surf they are catching some big whiting as well as plenty of black drum in the 4-pound range. 

Some dolphin are still being caught from 90 feet of water out to the Gulf Stream. 

When you can get offshore the cobia bite has been phenomenal about 40 miles offshore.  The bigger fish have gone very deep but they have been able to catch some limits.

June 9

Inshore surface water temperatures in Charleston are in the low 80s, while the water at Folly Beach is 77.  

The most exciting new action this week is for jack crevalle, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the jacks appear to be making a comeback in the area. He has caught them schooling on the surface with striper plugs and they will also take live bait on the bottom when they are not up. They hang around the channels such as the North Edisto or the Charleston Harbor. Castle Pinckney is a good spot. 

There are also some Spanish mackerel in the Harbor as well as off the beaches, and early in the morning they can be found on the surface. They will chase most any flashy spoon. 

Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports thatinshore redfish can be caught along grass lines on moving tides in both directions, and with shrimp a little hard to net mud minnows have been working fine. They are also catching fish around docks when they need to retreat into the more protected creeks to escape the wind.

Continue to look for tailing fish on good high tides. 

There has been an early topwater bite for trout as well as redfish.  

Bull red drum are also being caught in the Charleston Harbor in 30-50 feet of water. Fish are around Fort Sumter and the Middle Grounds in the shipping channels, and they are still catching them on frozen American shad. Mullet and menhaden will also work. 

Big sharks are still prolific, especially around shrimp boats. 

Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports they continue to catch a lot of nice black drum and whiting fishing has also been good. They suspect that wind has kept the king mackerel from showing up. 

Some dolphin are still being caught from 90 feet of water out to the Gulf Stream.

June 2

Inshore surface water temperatures in Charleston are around 80 degrees. Rain and windy conditions have dirtied the water and made it difficult to get offshore, but things are supposed to improve late this week.  

Unstable weather conditions continue to make for challenging fishing conditions, but Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that with bull red drum showing up in the Charleston Harbor that is providing an exciting fishery. Fish are in deep water around Fort Sumter and the Middle Grounds in the shipping channels, and they are still catching them on frozen American shad.  Mullet and menhaden will also work. 

Big sharks have also arrived to provide another seasonal fishery, and Spanish mackerel have been caught around Castle Pinckney.

Inshore redfish can be caught along grass lines on moving tides in both directions, and with shrimp a little hard to net mud minnows have been working fine. They are also catching fish around docks when they need to retreat into the more protected creeks to escape the wind.

Starting this week there are some good tailing tides in the evening which should be productive.

There has been an early topwater bite for trout as well as redfish.  

Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports they continue to catch a lot of 3-pound black drum, but even though the conditions were perfect for king mackerel over the weekend they have not showed up yet. 

The cobia bite is tapering off nearshore, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that at the artificial reefs the action for spadefish is on fire with jelly balls. The best reefs have been less than ten miles out and 4 KI, Capers and the Edisto 40 and 60 have all been productive. There have also been a good number of Spanish mackerel offshore as well as lots of bonita. Menhaden have gotten thick off the beaches but for now king mackerel are still in 40-90 feet offshore. 

Shrimp boats are a magnet for sharks. 

The dolphin fishing has been very good but should wane in the next week.