April 16

Inshore water temperatures have risen into the mid to upper 60s. 

It’s been a funny week for inshore redfish, and just a few days ago Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that there was a massive red worm hatch and for a day or two the redfish gorged on them and were slow to feed on baits. However, their metabolism has now sped up to the point where they are feeding a lot more consistently and so the bite is now getting back to normal. There is tailing activity inshore which will only get better, and they are also picking up more big reds at the jetties. 

The troutare getting bigger and bigger as they fill up with eggs and ready for the spawn, and Redfin Charters reports that they are still catching them on live shrimp in 2-6 feet along grass lines. Tide is not that important as long as the water is moving in one direction or the other. Slack tide is very slow. 

While he hasn’t been spending as much time inshore recently, Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that at the nearshore reefs they are slaying the weakfish and big redfish. There are also lots of Spanish mackerel and bluefish around. While Rob’s boat has been using nothing but mud minnows, the same species can also be caught on Castmaster spoons jigged just off the bottom. 

The dolphin and wahoo action should get good anytime now.

March 26

Inshore water temperatures have risen to the low 60s and the water is surprisingly clean for the amount of recent rain. 

As temperatures warm Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that the action for redfish is getting better, and they are just starting to see some tailing activity on high tides. Fiddler crabs are mostly out of hibernation and the redfish are eating them.

Additionally, they are just starting to pick up some bigger reds at the jetties. Over the next month more and more “rock runners” will be caught as they make their way in from the reefs. 

In another seasonal move, Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the reds are also starting to stack up on structure including deeper docks with 6-12 feet of water as they come off of the flats. This is true in most all of the rivers around Charleston. Fresh shrimp or mud minnows fished on a Carolina rig are hard to beat. 

Captain Rob also reports that the sheepshead action is getting really good around some of the same structure, and inshore docks with 6-10 feet of water have been fishing well. Fiddler crabs, which are now readily available, are the best bait. 

While Rob is not targeting trout much right now, Redfin Charters reports that some big ones are showing up as they come back out of deeper water and prepare for the spawn later this spring. They are starting to catch them in 2-6 feet, and on cooler mornings fish are on the deeper side while on warmer mornings they are shallower. Tide is not that important as long as the water is moving in one direction or the other. Slack tide is very slow. While live shrimp will certainly work there have also been some exciting catches on Chatterbaits. 

Rob reports that water temperatures have just hit 60 degrees on the reefs, and while he notes that 63 is usually when things really get rolling the action is already starting. Some early, small bluefish are already here but very soon the big choppers should show up, and weakfish are already around in excellent numbers.  Remember that you can only keep one. Some good flounder are also at the reefs, and soon Spanish mackerel and false albacore should arrive. 

April usually marks the start of the best offshore season, and very soon the wahoo action should really pick up. Late in the month dolphin should arrive, and if we get the right currents tuna and even marlin should show up. 

March 11

Inshore water temperatures are in the mid-50s and the water is clear. 

The most exciting thing going in the Charleston area right now is out at the reefs, and in 40 feet of water Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that they are catching tons of good, keeper-sized black sea bass. There are also lots of weakfish around, and both species can be caught on minnows. Yesterday Rob did not have fiddler crabs but had a lot of mussels, but the sheepshead showed no interest in those.  With fiddlers you can do well. 

Water temperatures are still only about 52 degrees at the reefs and so the false albacore and bluefish have not yet showed up. They should arrive anytime.

It’s a funny time for catching redfish inshore, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that they continue to have some very good days chasing them. At the same time the fish are really grouped up in big schools in small areas, and so if you don’t know where to look you may not find them. It’s a tough time for casual fishermen. 

The best time to fish for reds is two hours either side of low tide, and, again, the best way to find them is to know spots where they frequently congregate. Failing that, if you look around oyster shells your chances of locating fish increase. If you are fishing on a higher tide the fish will be in the same general areas near the flats, but they will usually head up a feeder creek that is 15-20 feet wide.

Mud minnows and paddletail grubs are both working.

It continues to be an outstanding year for the shad run, and Captain Rob reports that in 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) the fishing is very good. They are catching fish on Sabiki rigs, shad darts, and tiny twist tail grubs. 

Trout fishing reports continue to be slow. 

With some good days recently there have been some nice wahoo catches.

February 23

Inshore water temperatures are still in the upper 40s.  

It’s a feast-or-famine time of year for catching redfish inshore, but recently Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that they have had some very successful days.  Earlier this week they got into a monster group of fish and caught 36 fish in two hours, consistent with the fact that fish are very schooled up right now.  You aren’t likely to find singles, but when you do find them recently the fish have been hungry.

The best time to fish for reds is two hours either side of low tide, and the best way to find them is to know spots where they frequently congregate. Failing that, if you look around oyster shells your chance of locating fish increase. If you are fishing on a higher tide the fish will be in the same general areas as the flats, but they will usually head up a feeder creek that is 15-20 feet wide.

Mud minnows and paddletail grubs are both working, and while sun is a bonus some of the best action recently has come on gray, nasty days. Less wind does seem to correlate with better catches. 

Some of the most exciting fishing in the Charleston area is still the shad run, and Captain Rob reports that in 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) the fishing is very good. They are catching fish on Sabiki rigs, shad darts, and tiny twist tail grubs. It should stay good for some time. 

Trout fishing reports have been slow recently.

When you can get offshore thesheepshead action is very good in 30-60 feet of water.  Fiddler crabs are still hard to find but mussels, sand fleas, barnacles raked off of bridge pilings and pieces of clam are all working. 

February 5

Inshore water temperatures are down to about 48 degrees.

It’s not technically a saltwater report, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the most exciting thing going on in the Charleston area is the shad run which has gotten underway. The action is heating up in 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). They are catching fish on Sabiki rigs, shad darts, and tiny twist tail grubs. The action should only improve for some time.  

Inshore the redfish action has slowed down, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that the fish are basically trying to stay warm. They have gotten in deep holes in the creeks but they can be caught on fresh cut shrimp or mud minnows. If we get some sunny days you may be able to find them on the flats, but in the next ten days some very cold weather is expected.

The best action may be out at the reefs if you can get there, and Rob reports that for the next 45 days thesheepshead should be on fire in 30-60 feet of water.  Fiddler crabs are hard to find but they will also hit mussels or barnacles raked off of bridge pilings. Black sea bass are also on the same reefs and right now there are some better ones close in. 

There are also some bull reds offshore, and Redfin Charters even picked up a monster on a recent scouting trip at the jetties on a jerkshad fished on a Texas Eye jighead.

January 21

Inshore water temperatures are down to the low 50s, but between the wind and larger tides a few days ago the water is still pretty dirty. 

The redfish are still the headline species around Charleston, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that the fishing continues to be very good. On lower stages of the tide redfish are getting up on the mud flats and feeding if conditions are good, but if the flats don’t heat up look for them to be way back in the deepest holes looking for warmer water and safety.  Artificials still continue to outproduce live bait on days when fish are mainly reaction striking.

While redfish are easier to locate at low tide, the trout fishing is best on the incoming tide. The outgoing is okay, and slack tide is the worst. Catches have been pretty good along deep grass edges with about 6 feet of water as the trout are mostly a little further down in the water column right now. Live shrimp, mullet and mud minnows have been fishing the best. 

On the artificial reefs they have been catching sheepshead on fiddler crabs in 30-60 feet of water, but it can be really hard to stay away from the red snapper.  There are also bull reds out there and even some slot-sized fish.

January 8

Inshore waters have gotten cold and mostly clear, but Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that the fishing has been pretty awesome recently. Low tides in warmer parts of the day have been outstanding, and the redfish are getting up on the mud flats and feeding.  When low tide hits a cold morning look for them to get way back in the deepest holes looking for warmer water and safety.  While live bait will certainly work, on some days they have actually gotten more hits on artificials when fish are apparently reaction striking.

Redfish are easier to locate at low tide, but Redfin Charters is having better luck for trout fishing on higher water along current rips beside grass lines. Live shrimp are available in some area tackle stores, and Redfin is catching their own in deep holes, and they will certainly catch fish. However, the biggest trout are being caught on dark Mirrolures right now. 

There are also good numbers of trout out at the jetties. 

On the artificial reefs they have been catching sheepshead on fiddler crabs in 30-60 feet of water, but it can be really hard to stay away from the red snapper.  There are also bull reds out there and even some slot-sized fish.

December 20

Inshore surface water temperatures around Charleston have fallen into the low 50s, and the water is clearing as expected.

The fishing is different than it was a few weeks ago, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that there are still plenty of 2-8 pound redfish to be caught inshore. By-and-large they have gotten in bigger schools and moved onto the flats where they can best be targeted at low tide around oyster shells. You can visually search for the schools in the clearing water. The shrimp are gone but the fish will certainly still eat mud minnows and artificial lures. 

For the last couple of weeks thetrout fishing was very good, but in the last few days it has slowed down.  However, while you are now having to search more to find fish when you do find them they are packed in together.  Deep holes in 7-10 feet of water are very likely spots, and the go-to baits right now are Z-man Slim SwimZ on a Trout Eye jighead or a traditional ¼ ounce chartreuse head.

The redfish have left the surf and moved out to the artificial reefs, which are starting to also hold a lot ofsheepshead and for now are still covered up inweakfish.  These grey trout are extremely aggressive and will hit about anything from jigs to spoons to mud minnows, but remember that you can only keep one per person.  Soon the weakfish will leave until spring. 

There are some goodwahoo reports from offshore. 

November 24

Inshore surface water temperatures around Charleston reached 68 yesterday, and while there is still some bait around shrimp are getting much harder to find.

You can scroll back through old reports to see that he is willing to call a spade a spade, but right now Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) advises that it’s hard to imagine that fishing for trout and redfish could get any better. While the trout are a mix of sizes almost all of the redfish are over 15 inches. 

In general the redfish are very tight to the grass lines, and on the dropping tide they are sitting in very shallow water waiting for bait to come out of the grass. They are also sitting at the mouths of small, 5-10 yard wide feeder creeks or docks.  They are feeding the whole tide cycle.

While a few trout can be caught right against the grass, Captain Rob’s boat is catching more trout over submerged oyster bars 10 plus yards off of the grass lines. The best trout action is still at high tide when there are 6-7 feet of water over the shells.  

Shrimp under a popping cork remain very effective, but you have to work really hard to get enough shrimp to fish with.  Luckily, artificial lures are fishing just as well as live bait and pearl or electric chicken Gulp shrimp or grubs on a Trout Eye jighead with gold eyes are about the best. 

Bull red drum are in the process of leaving the surf right now, but when you can get offshore with the wind the action on live bottom and artificial reefs in 30-50 feet of water is outstanding.  Fish are schooled up out there for the spawn.  The king mackerel are also thick if you can get offshore.

November 11

Surface water temperatures around Charleston are still in the upper 60s. Shrimp remain prolific although the next cold snap should send them on their way.

The inshore fishing has been nothing short of phenomenal in Charleston, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that they have been getting outstanding action from both the trout and the redfish. Catching 25-40 trout on a trip is common, and the redfish are just as prolific. 

Both species are tearing up live shrimp fished about 2 feet below a popping a cork, and particularly the trout will also take artificials such as twister tail grubs. In general both species are related to oysters next to the grass, but the trout are about 20-30 feet off the grass around submerged oysters a little further out. The best trout action is at high tide when there are 6-7 feet of water over the shells. Meanwhile, the redfish are biting better around docks and oyster beds right beside the grass throughout the tide cycle.   

WhileRedfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports similar action for both species inshore, they are also catching bull red drum in 15-30 feet of water in the harbor. Fish are around the jetties, Fort Moultrie and most any other structure that has some depth.  There have also been some very large black drum in the 20 plus pound range caught around inshore rocks and bridges that have some depth. 

Even though inshore fishing has been outstanding, the best action might actually be taking place offshore.  Around live bottom in 45-90 feet of water theking mackerel are thick right now, and Captain Rob’s boat landed a 52-pounder, a 35-pounder, and then two 20-pound fish earlier this week.  A barracuda got part of the last one.  While he has been fishing with live menhaden, slow-trolling with ballyhoo will also work. 

October 6

Surface water temperatures around Charleston are down to 72-73 degrees. The creeks are full of shrimp and finger mullet and the big mullet are running the beaches. Shrimp boats report an excellent white shrimp season and the baiters are also netting good catches. 

All year inshore fishermen wait for October, but now that it has arrived Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the fishing is exceeding even the lofty expectations anglers set for the fall. The redfish and trout bite is nothing short of spectacular, and in Rob’s most recent guided trip they caught more than 70 fish in 3 ½ hours. Both species are basically in similar areas and so catching a red then a trout and then a red and then a trout again is not unusual.

There’s no reason to fish with anything besides shrimp under a popping cork, and on the lower stages of the tide Rob reports that they are catching fish around docks. When the tide is rising or falling they are catching them where gutter creeks full of oysters join the larger creeks and rivers, while at dead high they are fishing right next to the grass around points near gutter creeks. Fish are biting well at every stage of the tide; you just have to fish different spots. The only noticeable difference in where the trout and redfish are holding is that the trout often stay a bit deeper in the same areas. They also seem to feed better on higher tides than they do at low.

They have not been picking up flounder, but there have been lots of 3-5 pound black drum caught as a by-catch in the same areas where the reds and trout are feeding.  

With the big schools of sea mullet running the beaches the blacktip sharks and tarpon are having a field day. The schools of bait often have a circumference of 20 plus yards, and the fish are under them feeding like it is their last meal.

Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) will only be open a little while longer before they close on October 19 for a long-term renovation/ upgrade project, but they report that the large bull red drum have been hitting very well for the last week. This bite should continue for a couple more weeks. There have also been some nice catches of black drum in the 3-pound range. 

With the inshore fishing so good Captain Rob points out there has been absolutely no reason for him to head offshore!

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.