July 9

Inshore surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s around Charleston. 

Inshore fishing has been a little slow around Charleston, but Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that when it’s too rough to get out further they have been able to catch some small redfish and flounder on mullet inside the creeks. The best action has been on higher water around rip lines, docks or some other structure, and early in the morning there has also been a topwater bite for reds.

The fishing for bull reds in the Charleston Harbor slowed down before the storm, but they are hoping that it gets really good again as the water settles back down. Usually you get a feeding binge before or after weather, and since they didn’t bite before the storm bets are on good catches the next few days. 

Perhaps the best way to bend a rod near Charleston right now is with the blacktip sharks, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that he has been burning up the sharks out in front of Kiawah. The fish are certainly following the shrimp boats, but you don’t even have to fish around them. 

With live mullet or menhaden you are also likely to hook into a tarpon. 

While it’s been a challenge to get offshore recently there is good Spanish mackerel fishing in 30-50 feet.

June 24

Inshore surface water temperatures are about 80 degrees around Charleston, and the wind has been so hard the last three days that they have had small craft advisories and had to cancel some charters. 

The inshore redfish bite has been pretty tough recently, and even the dock patterns which are usually reliable have pretty much dried up.  The one exception has been the tailing action, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that on the afternoon flood tides this week they have seen a lot of tails and caught some nice fish.

While there is still some good trout fishing, Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that it is confined to the low light period first thing. Topwater lures can work, but Rob is still catching them best on mud minnows or live shrimp about 10-20 feet out from grass lines over oyster bars.

Huge schools of menhaden have showed up and the tarpon should arrive any day now, if they have not already. Windy conditions have kept Rob’s boat out of the inlet mouths and sandbars where they will be found, but anchoring big baits in 3-8 feet of water on the bottom is the best pattern. 

Today there are white caps in the Charleston Harbor, but when it’s fishable there are a ton of Spanish mackerel inside the harbor as well as out at the jetties. There have been some good ones, and it’s also really fun fishing because you are casting spoons and small plugs at visibly feeding fish. The jacks seem to have moved on. 

There are also tons of bull reds in the harbor and out at the jetties, and when you can get out to the nearshore reefs they are stacked up so thick there that you can hardly fish for anything else.

June 10

Surface water temperatures in the morning are in the upper 70s. 

Inshore fishing is getting into some predictable summer patterns, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that for trout that means it’s pretty much an early morning bite. Topwater lures can work, but Rob is catching them best on mud minnows about 10-20 feet out from grass lines over oyster bars. DOA Shrimp under a popping cork can also produce. Captain Rob continues to ask anglers to release large roe trout so that they can reproduce!

Redfish are now primarily in a low-tide pattern, and Rob’s boat has been catching some really nice 8-10 pound fish around docks on mud minnows. 

With inshore fishing having moved into such brief windows Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) is basically doing other things, and in the Harbor they are targeting bull drum and also catching a lot of sharks. You could also jump a tarponout at the jetties, but perhaps the most exciting action right now is chasing jack crevalle with flies. One day they could be in the Harbor, the next day they could be in the Wando, and one day this week they found a group way up the Cooper. While you have to burn a lot of fuel looking for them, they run on top and fight extremely hard. There’s usually no question when you find them and the fight is well worth it! 

The ocean has been rough and so offshore fishing has been tricky, but some days Captain Rob has loaded up on whitingaround sandy bars in 10-12 feet.  These are some of the best tasting fish in the ocean and there are a lot of big ones around now.   

Word is there are a lot of spadefish (which will eat jelly balls) and Spanish mackerel out on the reefs, but very few people have been able to get offshore.

May 27

Inshore water temperatures have shot up to the mid- to upper 70s.  

It won’t surprise anyone who has gone outside in South Carolina in the last week, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that it’s gotten to the point where the trout action is pretty much an early morning bite. Topwater lures can work, but Rob is catching them best on mud minnows about 10-20 feet out from grass lines over oyster bars. DOA Shrimp under a popping cork can also produce. Captain Rob continues to ask anglers to release large roe trout so that they can reproduce!

You can also catch redfish around grass lines or oyster beds, but Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that by far the best action is at high tide when the fish are tailing. At other times they have been a little finicky but on high tide they have been voracious. 

The bite for big bull redfish in the harbor is also wide open, and Redfin Charters reports that they are catching monsters in holes as well as some gigantic black drum that are 30 plus pounds. While black drum will occasionally take menhaden, you are more likely to catch both species with a half crab. Reds will not turn down cut or live bait. 

At the nearshore reefs there are tons of Spanish mackerel around and the spadefish have showed up, but the most exciting action is for cobia. The best cobia fishing is out in about 60 feet of water, and yesterday Redfin Charters lost a 60-pound fish at the boat! 

The dolphin fishing continues to be outstanding, and anywhere you can find a weed line the dolphin are stacked up.

May 20

Inshore water temperatures range from around 72-74 degrees.

It remains a good time of year to catch trout around Charleston, but Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that we are now getting to the season where the action is much better first thing. When the sun gets up the fishing really slows down. Topwater lures can work early, but Rob is catching them best on mud minnows around his fall spots – oyster flats and creek mouths. Captain Rob asks anglers to release large roe trout so that they can reproduce!

Inshore fishing for slot-sized redfish has been a little slow, but big redfish can be found around holes and structure. The harbor is also full of big redfish right now. Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) also reports that there are lots of menhaden around and the reefs are stacked up with bull reds. Spadefish and cobia can also be found at the reefs as well as abundant barracuda. 

But while there are other games in town, without a doubt the most exciting fishery right now is the dolphin.  Anywhere from 180-300 feet of water where you can find a weed line the dolphin are stacked up, and for the next 2-3 weeks the action should be the best of the year.

May 6

Inshore water temperatures have risen to around 73 degrees. More mullet are starting to show up every day. 

The inshore fishing has been really good around Charleston recently, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that in particular they are catching tons of big trout full of eggs. They are still catching them on live shrimp fished in 2-6 feet along grass lines, and tide is not that important as long as the water is moving in one direction or the other. Slack tide is very slow.  This bite won’t last too much longer but for now there are gators to be caught.   

The action for redfish has also been really good around cover, and docks in particular have been producing a lot of fish.  On low tide it has been fairly easy to catch fish if you have live shrimp. The high tide bite for tailing fish has still not gotten strong but if temperatures stop yoyoing it should improve.

Just this afternoon they caught a couple of big bull reds at the jetties, but that bite is not yet on fire. 

The wind has been blowing and so it has been a little hard to get offshore, but a 50-pound cobia was caught recently on a relatively calm day. 

New nearshore/ offshore report to follow from Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) now that he is home from Bermuda!

April 30

Inshore water temperatures have risen into the low to mid-70s, and the water is overall pretty dirty with big tides recently. 

The inshore redfish action is pretty steady around Charleston, and Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) reports that if you know where to go then you can catch plenty of fish. In particular docks have been good, and on low tide it has been fairly easy to catch fish if you have live shrimp.  At high tide you can sporadically find tailing fish but that will improve now that temperatures are stabilizing. 

There are also lots of big bull reds being caught at the jetties, Dynamite Hole, and the nearshore reefs. 

Tons of big trout full of eggs are also around, and they have been biting really well for the past few days. The pattern is unchanged and 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. 

When you can get out the nearshore fishing can be really good, and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that the menhaden have showed up in places and so naturally the sharks and cobia are also arriving. He has caught tons of 150-pound black tips in areas where the shrimp boats are working now that the federal season has opened. Rob also notes that just off the beaches he has caught outstanding numbers of big whiting. 

Any time now spadefish should show up on the reefs because jelly balls are thick. Spanish mackerel and bluefish have already arrived. 

This year May will be the month for dolphin around Charleston.

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.