AHQ INSIDER Edisto Island (SC) 2023 Week 18 Fishing Report

by Jay
05 May, 2023

May 5

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 70 degrees and clarity is decent considering the wind and super high, full moon tides.

With stable temperatures the trout are in the same places this week around Edisto Island, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the fish are still about evenly divided between the creeks and the major rivers. As the spawn gets closer more and more of the fish will move out to main river points. You can still cast or troll grubs for creek fish, but in the rivers look around white shell banks, points and current rips in 5-8 feet of water. Live shrimp, mud minnows or DOA shrimp under a cork will all work.

The topwater bite is still good, with high tides in the morning ideal for trout fishing. Casting Spooks around grass points and over submerged oyster bars is the way to catch them.

The river flats redfish have picked up a little this week, and especially early they are biting well. At low tide they are pretty grouped up but they are feeding better at mid-tides – especially when they fall at daylight.

Fishing in the creeks is still good and when you find the fish they will eat. It’s just a matter of moving from hole to hole with cut mullet, shrimp or mud minnows until you locate the fish.

Flounder are really arriving now, and the beginning of the season can be a good time to catch them at the first points inside the inlets from the ocean. Mud minnows on a Carolina rig are all you need. Unforunately right now it’s a lot of short fish.

The sheepshead fishing has slowed a little, and instead of catching 15-20 a good day is now 5-10. The action is with fiddler crabs on docks in 5-10 feet of water at low tide.

The whiting are thick in 10-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp, but more fish are also starting to move towards the breakers. Sharks are also showing up.

Fishing at the nearshore reefs is still good when you can get out, and in 30-60 feet of water there are lots of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, weakfish, bonita and bull reds around. The cobia and spadefish are now starting to show up in 50-60 feet, as the cobia first arrived in the sounds where the water was warmer but are now making their way offshore.

Bottom fishing for black sea bass starts in 50-70 feet of water, and there are also some other species at the same depth. However, by far the best fishing for snapper, grouper, triggerfish and more is on live bottoms in 90-100 plus feet.

The offshore fishing for dolphin is getting very good, and Ron is actually on the water today targeting them. Wahoo and tuna are also around as well as some marlin, and the next three weeks of fishing should be about the best of the year.

April 27

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 70 degrees and clarity in both rivers is good.

As temperatures rise the trout fishing is picking up around Edisto Island, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the topwater bite has started. High tides in the morning are ideal for trout fishing, and casting Spooks around grass points and over submerged oyster bars is a good way to catch them.

The fish are now about evenly divided between the creeks and the major rivers, but as the spawn gets closer more and more of the fish will come out to main river points. You can still cast or troll grubs for creek fish, but in the rivers look around white shell banks, points and current rips in 5-8 feet of water. Live shrimp, mud minnows or DOA shrimp under a cork will all work.

The river flats redfish bite remains slow, but in the creeks it’s still pretty good and when you find the fish they will eat. It’s just a matter of moving from hole to hole with cut mullet, shrimp or mud minnows until you locate the fish.

Flounder are really arriving now, and the beginning of the season can be a really good time to catch them at the first points inside the inlets from the ocean. Mud minnows on a Carolina rig are all you need.

While some sheepshead are offshore, there are also plenty inshore. The action with fiddler crabs on docks in 5-10 feet of water at low tide is strong.

The whiting are thick in 10-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp, but more fish are also starting to move towards the breakers. Sharks are also showing up.

Fishing at the nearshore reefs is still good, and in 30-60 feet of water there are lots of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, weakfish, bonita and bull reds around. Finding days to get out continues to be the main issue, but they are hungry when you can. Fish will take a variety of natural baits and artificial lures.

The offshore fishing for dolphin is just turning on, but by the first weekend of May it should be wide open. The fishing will peak within the next 3-4 weeks. Wahoo and tuna are also around.

April 11

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 65 degrees and clarity in both rivers is good.

Probably the most exciting thing going on around Edisto is at the nearshore reefs, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that in 30-60 feet of water there are lots of Spanish mackerel, bluefish, weakfish, bonita and bull reds around. Finding days to get offshore continues to be the main issue, but they are hungry when you can. Fish will take a variety of natural baits and artificial lures.

The trout are still extremely scattered, and in fact they are even more scattered now that some of the fish have started to head into the rivers where they will eventually spawn. Casting or trolling grubs in 3-6 feet of water is the best way to target them, and tide does not matter as long as the water is clear.

In the creeks the redfish bite is pretty good, and when you find the fish they will eat. It’s just a matter of moving from hole to hole with cut mullet, shrimp or mud minnows until you locate the fish.

A few more flounder have showed up, and when temperatures hit about 66 they will arrive in droves. The beginning of the season can be a really good time to catch them at the first points inside the inlets from the ocean.

While large numbers of sheepshead are offshore, there are also plenty inshore. The action with fiddler crabs on docks in 5-10 feet of water at low tide is strong.

The whiting are thick in 10-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp, but more fish are also starting to move towards the breakers. Sharks are also showing up.

March 31

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 63 degrees and clarity in both rivers is good.

The trout are extremely scattered right now, but Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that at least for a few more weeks the best numbers will still be back in the creeks. Casting or trolling grubs in 3-6 feet of water is the best way to target them, and tide does not matter as long as the water is clear.

While large numbers of sheepshead are offshore, there are also plenty inshore. Perhaps they are pre-spawn females who will eventually head out, some are doubtless post-spawn and probably some of them spawn inshore. Regardless, the action with fiddler crabs on docks in 5-10 feet of water at low tide is about the best thing going.

The whiting are thick in 10-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp, but more fish are also starting to move towards the breakers. Sharks are also showing up.

Water temperatures aren’t quite where they need to be for the nearshore reefs to really turn on, but in 30-60 feet sheepshead, black drum, smaller black sea bass, weakfish, and bluefish are all around. Spanish mackerel have just begun to arrive. Of course, there aren’t many days when you can get out – customary for March and April – but the fishing is pretty good when you can.

The offshore fishing for wahoo is not hot but some bigger fish are showing up, and in the wahoo shootout a 90-pounder is currently leading. More tuna are also showing up especially towards the Georgetown Hole.

March 26

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are down to 60 degrees. Both rivers are clearing.

Despite the cooler air temperatures on shore more species are showing up at the nearshore reefs, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that in 30-60 feet sheepshead, black drum, black sea bass, weakfish, and bluefish are all plentiful. In about three weeks Spanish mackerel should arrive. Of course, there aren’t many days when you can get out – customary for March and April – but the fishing is good when you can.

It remains a grind inshore to catch trout, and the fish are still very scattered and trolling the creeks is still the best way to catch them. They remain about ten plus feet deep on the bottom and you can also cast for them. The best action is still coming on mud minnows, but soft plastics can also work okay.

The redfish bite is better, particularly in the creeks, where the best pattern is fishing deep holes and structure on the lower part of the tide with cut shrimp and mullet.

A few flounder have showed back up, and when temperatures hit about 66 they will arrive in droves.

While large numbers of sheepshead are offshore, there are also plenty inshore. Perhaps they are pre-spawn females who will eventually head out, and probably some of them spawn inshore. Regardless, the action is good with fiddler crabs on docks.

The whiting are thick in 10-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp, but some smaller fish are also starting to move towards the breakers. Sharks are also showing up.

March 9

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 63 degrees. In particular the South Edisto River is still pretty tannic and dirty.

It’s still a struggle to catch trout, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the fish are still very scattered and trolling the creeks is still the best way to catch them. They remain about ten plus feet deep on the bottom and you can also cast for them. The best action is still coming on mud minnows, but soft plastics can also work okay.

The redfish bite is better, particularly in the creeks. The flats are hard to fish right now because the water is so tannic that you can’t see much. In the creeks the best pattern is fishing deep holes and structure on the lower part of the tide with cut shrimp and mullet.

A few flounder have showed back up, and when temperatures hit about 66 they will arrive in droves.

The whiting are thick in 20-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp, but some smaller fish are also starting to move towards the breakers. Sharks are also showing up.

Even though there are very few days when small craft can head offshore,

at the nearshore reefs summer trout, bluefish, bull red drum and sheepshead are all around. Soon Spanish mackerel will arrive.

The offshore fishing for wahoo is still pretty good if you get into the fish, and when that happens catching 3-5 fish per trip is normal. However, most of the fish top out around 40 pounds.

Tuna are out there but very deep, but should become catchable once it warms a bit more.

February 24

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 58 degrees. The water is still very dark and tannic around Edisto.

Catching 10-15 trout in a day, with 5-7 keepers, continues to be a good result, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that with fish very scattered trolling the creeks is still the best way to catch them. They are still about ten plus feet deep on the bottom and you can also cast for them. The best action is still coming on mud minnows, but soft plastics can also work okay.

The redfish sizes are getting a little more mixed, and in addition to 16-18 inch reds on the flats and in the creeks they are getting some bigger ones. It’s mostly an artificial lure bite, and tide doesn’t really seem to matter as long as the water is clear enough that the fish can see the bait. Cut mullet and cut shrimp can also work.

It’s a time of year when there are only a few days a month when you can get offshore, but

in the next 2-3 weeks there should be some significant changes at the nearshore reefs. The summer trout should get thick as well as bluefish and then Spanish. For now the sheepshead are the best thing going out there, and the hardest part of catching them is still getting fiddler crabs. If you can’t get fiddlers clams and oysters make a decent substitute. There are also chopper blues in the 10-20 pound range as well as the occasional flounder and early weakfish.

There are also incredible numbers of little tunny schooling from 60 feet out to the ledge, and while extremely low food-grade (but good cut bait) they are a fly-fishermen’s dream.

The offshore fishing for wahoo is still pretty good if you get into the fish, and when that happens catching 3-5 fish per trip is normal. However, most of the fish top out around 40 pounds.

Tuna are out there but very deep, but should become catchable once it warms.

February 16

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 56 degrees. With all the rain the water is very dark and tannic around Edisto.

There’s very little change over the past two weeks around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that some people have been catching trout trolling in the creeks. The fish have mostly broken out of their big winter schools and are extremely scattered. They are still about ten plus feet deep on the bottom and you can also cast for them. The best action is still coming on mud minnows, but soft plastics can also work okay.

They continue to catch a bunch of 16-17 inch redfish, and on the flats and in the creeks they will take Gulp!, Zman baits and mud minnows. Overall the incoming tide is fishing best when warmer water comes in from the ocean.

The whiting are thick in 20-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp.

The keeper sheepshead are almost all at the nearshore reefs, and the hardest part of catching them is getting fiddler crabs. If you can’t get fiddlers clams and oysters make a decent substitute. The sheepshead bite is about the best thing going right now.

There are also incredible numbers of little tunny schooling in 40-60 feet and even out to the ledge, and while extremely low food-grade (but good cut bait) they are a fly-fishermen’s dream. Chopper bluefish in the 10-20 pound range are also out there, especially over the wrecks.

Also, don’t overlook riding and looking for bull red drum schooling in 30-50 feet of water. When you see gannets diving on bait there are bound to be red drum there.

Bottom fishing for black sea bass starts in 60 feet of water, and there are also some other species at the same depth. However, by far the best fishing for snapper, grouper, triggerfish and more is on live bottoms in 90-100 plus feet. Bottom fishing is probably the other best thing going right now, although you basically get one good day per week.

The offshore fishing for wahoo has been surprisingly good, and they are catching 4-5 fish per trip. However, most of the fish top out around 40 pounds.

February 2

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 54-56 degrees. With all the rain the South Edisto is fairly tannic while the North Edisto is cleaner.

The fish are a little more aggressive with the recent warm weather, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the trout bite has improved a little in the creeks. The fish are still about ten plus feet deep on the bottom, and casting is still better than trolling, but you can catch some fish trolling. The best action is still coming on mud minnows, but soft plastics can also work okay.

The bad news, though, is that fish have mostly broken out of their big winter schools and are extremely scattered. Once you catch a single fish in a creek bend you might as well move on!

The whiting are thick in 20-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp.

There are also incredible numbers of little tunny schooling in 40-60 feet and even out to the ledge, and while extreme low food-grade (but good cut bait) they are a fly-fishermen’s dream. Chopper bluefish in the 10-20 pound range are also out there, especially over the wrecks.

Also, don’t overlook riding and looking for bull red drum schooling in 30-50 feet of water. When you see gannets diving on bait there are bound to be red drum there.

The offshore fishing for wahoo has been surprisingly good, and they are catching 4-5 fish per trip. However, most of the fish top out around 40 pounds.

January 20

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 53 degrees in the creeks and 55-56 on the front beaches. Both rivers are clear.

The fishing is very stable at Edisto right now, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that they continue to catch lots of smaller trout in the creeks. The fish are still about ten plus feet deep on the bottom and you have to present a bait to them extremely slowly. Trolling is out because basically no matter how slow you troll it’s too fast, and you need to make repeated casts to an area to get bites. The best action is coming on mud minnows, but soft plastics can also work okay. Fish are usually in schools and so once you catch one you should look for more.

The whiting are thick in 20-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp.

90 plus percent of the keeper sheepshead are at the nearshore reefs, and the hardest part of catching them is getting fiddler crabs. If you can’t get fiddlers clams and oysters make a decent substitute.

The nearshore reefs also have black sea bass, black drum, and big red drum over 27 inches.

Also, don’t overlook riding and looking for bull red drum schooling in 30-50 feet of water. When you see gannets diving on bait there are bound to be red drum there.

January 5

Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 55 or 56 degrees in the creeks and the rivers are clear.

A lot has happened with the Edisto fishing in two weeks, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the redfish became extremely lethargic in the cold conditions but they are re-energizing now. On the flats they will take Gulp!, Zman baits and mud minnows.

The fishing has stayed more consistent in the creeks, and there are tons of fish on the smaller end of the slot which will take the same baits. Overall the incoming tide is fishing best as warmer water comes in from the ocean.

The main rivers are still devoid of trout while the creeks still have plenty, but the patterns have changed. Now the fish are ten plus feet deep on the bottom and you have to present a bait to them extremely slowly. Trolling is out because basically no matter how slow you troll it’s too fast, and you need to make repeated casts to an area to get bites. The best action is coming on mud minnows, but soft plastics can also work okay. Fish are usually in schools and so once you catch one you should look for more, and about two-thirds of the fish are under 14 inches. Many of the bigger trout have headed out to the ocean.

The whiting are thick in 20-30 feet of water around sand and rubble piles where they will take shrimp.

90 plus percent of the keeper sheepshead are at the nearshore reefs, and the hardest part of catching them is getting fiddler crabs. Haddrell’s Point in Charleston sells out fast! The nearshore reefs also have black sea bass, black drum, and big red drum over 27 inches.

Also, don’t overlook riding and looking for bull red drum schooling in 30-50 feet of water. When you see gannets diving on bait there are bound to be red drum there.

Bottom fishing for black sea bass starts in 60 feet of water, and there are also some other species at the same depth. However, by far the best fishing for snapper, grouper, triggerfish and more is on live bottoms in 90-100 feet. However, with one more cold spell they will head out to the ledge.

Offshore the temperatures at the ledge in 150-180 feet is about 70 degrees, and most everyone is high speed trolling at 12-18 miles per hour to cover water and trigger reaction bites. On the last good day a lot of wahoo and tuna were caught.

AHQ INSIDER Edisto Island (SC) 2023 Week 18 Fishing Report – Updated May 5

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