January 23

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 50-51 degrees. Water clarity is high.    

The inshore fishing for trout has already been brutally tough this week around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the two times he went out it was a chore to catch four or five fish in the creeks. In contrast if you can find redfish, which are particularly in the very backs, they will bite.

The forecast for the next few days is not as bad as it looked originally, but cold weather looks to last for a long time and it certainly won’t help the fishing or the fishery. At this point it’s an unknown what effect it will have on the trout population. Below 46 gets into the danger zone where trout have trouble surviving, and because of last winter’s snow Captain Ron notes his catches were down about 35% this year. Regardless of long-term effects, what was already going to be a tough February will be even tougher because of the upcoming cold front. 

The best thing going for a while should be the nearshore fishing, and the last of the inshore sheepshead should move en masse to the closer reefs this week where the spawn is already starting. Black drum, winter trout, and some redfish will also be there, but more of the big bull red drum are running in 50-60 feet of water following bait. Diving birds will allow you to locate them. 

Good bottom fishing can be found in 90-100 feet where a lot of the fish never leave, while if you get out to the ledge in 140-180 feet you are guaranteed to whale on them in January, February and March. But with temperatures out there already below 70 offshore trolling will be slow for some time. 

January 8

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 54-55 degrees. Water clarity is good.   

The last cold front made the inshore fishing tougher around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that ever since the fishing on the main water has been pretty much dead for both trout and redfish. Especially with warming trends fish want to head to the back of the creeks which warm the fastest, and so the big schools of redfish are back there as well as trout.

At the same time the fishing is still generally inconsistent, as the fish don’t have to eat every day and so you won’t always find them aggressive.  A mix of natural baits and artificials can all work, but covering water with soft plastics until you locate fish is often the most effective approach.  Trout are still likely to be around hard bottoms and deep bends, while redfish can be in very skinny water or deep holes. 

There are still a decent number of sheepshead inshore, and Captain Ron estimates that perhaps 25-30% have not yet headed out. They have moved deeper, though, and so concentrating on docks with 10-15 feet of water is the best pattern.

Some sheepshead are in transition to the nearshore reefs and some are already there, but so many of the reefs are covered up in small black sea bass that they can be hard to target. In general about 30 feet is about the optimal depth for sheepshead, while the reefs in 40-50 feet are more likely to be overrun with small sea bass. The other species to look for nearshore is schools of bull red drum in 30-60 feet that will be under diving gannets. 

While the best bottom fishing for species like snapper is deeper, in 50-60 feet the biggest black sea bass are spawning. For other species 80-90 feet is ideal. 

Ron has not been or heard an offshore trolling report except that sailfish are still around. 

December 23

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 52-53 degrees. Water clarity is very high.   

With mild, stable weather predicted for the rest of the calendar year Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) is very optimistic that the inshore fishing around Edisto will be strong for the next ten days. His go-to species is still trout, and now that they have resumed feeding after the cold front last week the basic trout pattern remains fishing any place in the creeks with structure and particularly a hard bottom. The best areas have been a hard bottom in front of a line of trees, but rocky banks have also been good and they have caught some trout around docks. Casting grubs is as good as anything.   

Captain Ron is still seeing some massive schools of redfish on the flats, including a couple with 150 or so fish, and in the milder conditions they are more cooperative again. You can also catch reds fishing the middle to back third of creeks on low tide. Fish are in potholes, around docks with structure around them, near sea walls, and by trees. They will take both artificial lures and natural baits. 

Sheepshead are mostly gone inshore, but they are starting to arrive nearshore where the population of weakfish is also still very strong this year. Bluefish are also thick at the reefs, and bull redfish can be anywhere from the beach to about 15 miles offshore. These post-spawn fish are just following schools of mullet and menhaden and when you see gannets diving you know they are feeding. 

Offshore report to follow in the new year.

December 17

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 50-51 degrees. Water clarity is very high.   

We are at the point with the inshore fishing around Edisto where a hard cold front slows the trout fishing down for a few days, and – while Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the fish will get back to normal soon – after a cold front creek fish (the main river fish are basically gone) seek deep water in 8-15 feet and basically hunker down. But soon they will be back to feeding again, and the basic trout pattern remains fishing any place with structure and particularly a hard bottom. The best areas have been a hard bottom in front of a line of trees, but rocky banks have also been good and they have caught some trout around docks. Casting grubs is as good as anything.   

While Captain Ron has been seeing some massive schools of redfish on the flats, including a couple with 150 or so fish, they have been absolutely unwilling to bite. It’s too early for them to be this lethargic but even anchoring mud minnows and shrimp they have just ignored baits.  

The best way to catch reds continues to be fishing the middle to back third of creeks on low tide. Fish are in potholes, around docks with structure around them, near sea walls, and by trees. They will take both artificial lures and natural baits. 

Sheepshead are mostly gone inshore, but they are starting to arrive nearshore where the population of weakfish is also still very strong this year. Bluefish are also thick at the reefs, and bull redfish can be anywhere from the beach to about 15 miles offshore. These post-spawn fish are just following schools of mullet and menhaden and when you see gannets diving you know they are feeding. 

Offshore fishing has been very limited due to weather. 

December 4

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 55-58 degrees. Water clarity is high after only a small amount of rain. 

As happens every year dropping water temperatures turn on the inshore fishing around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that on mornings like this Thanksgiving morning when the temperatures drop and shrimp and finger mullet are leaving the creeks fish stack up at the mouths of all the major inlets and feed voraciously. That pattern will continue until temperatures get to about 50.  Dropping temperatures also improve the creek bite, and even with extreme tides right now the creek fishing has also gotten very good for trout – and redfish are also biting very well when you find them. 

The basic trout pattern is fishing any place with structure and particularly a hard bottom. The best areas have been a hard bottom in front of a line of trees, but rocky banks have also been good and they have caught some trout around docks. 

The best way to target redfish is in the middle to back third of creeks on low tide. Fish are in potholes, around docks with structure around them, near sea walls, and by trees. For both reds and trout Ron’s boat has only been fishing with artificials because fish are so aggressive, but natural baits will also work. 

Sheepshead are still around and won’t leave until water temperatures drop below 55, and from the beaches to nearshorethe population of weakfish is very strong this year. People are actually catching them casting from the bank and the reefs are covered up. Bluefish are also thick at the reefs, and bull redfish can be anywhere from the beach to about 15 miles offshore. These post-spawn fish are just following schools of mullet and menhaden and when you see gannets diving you know they are feeding. 

The best bottom fishing has moved closer into 60-70 feet of water, but offshore trolling reports are limited because of weather. 

November 20

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 62 degrees. There are still decent numbers of small shrimp inside the creeks. 

The big change has finally happened with the inshore fishing around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that now the best trout bite has moved inside the creeks and off the main river. It happened almost overnight. Even though the numbers aren’t where they were last year the fishing has been really good, and one day Captain Ron’s boat had 40.  The basic pattern is fishing any place with structure and particularly a hard bottom. The best areas have been a hard bottom in front of a line of trees, but rocky banks have also been good and they have caught some trout around docks. If the water is clear then they can be caught on any tide, but they don’t bite all day.  Once a school turns off then it’s time to keep moving.  

The action for redfish has been very good, basically in the middle to back third of creeks on low tide. Ron has actually been fishing out of a smaller boat to access these areas. Fish are in potholes, around docks with structure around them, near sea walls, and by trees. For both reds and trout Ron’s boat has only been fishing with artificials because fish are so aggressive, but there are still bait-sized shrimp to be netted. 

Sheepshead are still around and won’t leave until water temperatures drop below 55, and at the nearshore reefs there are lots of weakfish.  It’s the peak time for them. But there are also lots of bluefish, ladyfish, and small black sea bass, so it can be tricky to target them. The best bet is fishing a heavy jigging spoon or heavily weighted mullet baits. 

Bull redfish are in the same zone, but they are also roaming and chasing baits. If you can locate the diving gannets you will find big redfish. 

In 80-100 feet there is good bottom fishing with the biggest catch lots of vermillion and red snapper and some triggerfish. 

Offshore trolling news is limited but apparently sailfish are still doing well. 

November 6

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 65 degrees. Shrimp are leaving but plenty of mullet are still around.

This week extreme tides have made the inshore fishing a lot tougher around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that when you get an 8 ½ foot tidal swing it makes for difficult sledding. The best time to fish for trout is at high water still on the main river points, but with water so far over the grass it’s hard to find the points that they are around. At low water you can catch fish in a short window when the tide slacks off for about an hour, but once there is current moving across the mud it gets too dirty to fish. 

While shrimp are leaving there are still plenty around, but the next cold front coming at the beginning of the week should basically push the bank runners out. Finger mullet will also get harder to find as they stop dimpling the surface and seek refuge in holes. Both will catch fish right now, but soon mud minnows will be the easiest bait to get. 

Redfish are still eating well whenever you can locate them, and there are still some flounder around – but keepers are getting more and more sparse. The best thing going is still the sheepshead bite around structure on low tide. 

There are a few more bull red drum from the beaches out to the Edisto Rocks to the nearshore reefs, but it has been so windy that fishing out of a boat off the front beaches is tough most of the time. The nearshore reef fishing should get better and better through Thanksgiving, and hopefully the bluefish, ladyfish, and 8-inch black sea bass will get more sparse so that it’s easier to get a bait down to the weakfish. The big 20- plus inch fish will be showing up in better and better numbers.

In 90-100 feet the bottom fishing should be good for grouper, snapper and more when conditions allow, and the action just inside that should also peak for king mackerel this month. 

There are limited trolling reports but sailfish continue to be outstanding and it should be a great time for tuna and wahoo once boats can more consistently get out. 

October 30 

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 66 degrees. Shrimp and mullet are still around. 

In the last week it has finally become apparent to Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) how far down the inshore trout numbers are, and despite some ideal conditions they are catching a fraction of the numbers from last year. This is his slowest fall bite since the deep freeze about 15 years ago. 

The best action is still in the main rivers, and what shrimp are still in the creeks are smaller. Some trout are back there but not huge numbers. The bigger shrimp are making their way out to deeper water where trout are picking them off, but by about Thanksgiving the better trout fishing will have switched over to the creeks.  

Redfish are still eating well, and there are still plenty of flounder around – but on his last couple of trips Captain Ron caught a dozen flounder but no keepers. The best thing going is still the sheepshead bite around structure on low tide. 

It seems to be a delayed season for the bull red drum as they are still nearshore at the Edisto 40 but not at the rocks off the beaches. When people have been able to get to the reefs they also report them covered up with bluefish and ladyfish making it hard to get baits to the bottom for weakfish. The 8-inch black sea bass are also a menace. However, water temperatures should be getting about ideal for reef fishing for summer trout, bull drum, and species like bonito the next month. 

In 90-100 feet the bottom fishing should be good for grouper, snapper and more when conditions allow, and the action just inside that should also peak for king mackerel this month. 

There are limited trolling reports but sailfish continue to be outstanding and it should be a great time for tuna and wahoo once boats can more consistently get out. 

October 22 

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 69 degrees. Shrimp and finger mullet are still everywhere.

There’s really not much change with the inshore fishing patterns right now, but Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that despite the big tides the fishing is basically peaking right now for trout and redfish. Finding clear water is still the best bet for catching everything and often necessary for trout. If water temperatures drop a couple more degrees then the tailing action will be over for redfish, but for now it’s still going on, and the bigger flounder are already mostly gone.  Sheepshead fishing could not get any better. 

Off the beaches bull red drum can be caught right in the surf, while at the nearshore reefs the biggest change is that more summer trout are around. There are also bull red drum, some Spanish mackerel, lots of bluefish, and ladyfish. While you can catch the summer trout (weakfish) on live bait, there is so much else around that ¾ - 1-ounce spoons are more effective for actually getting a bait to them with the fish close to the bottom. 

With more calm days offshore reports should start coming in, but in 90-100 feet the bottom fishing should be very strong and offshore trolling for sailfish, wahoo and tuna should be very good. 

October 16 

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 70 degrees. With about 6 inches of rain in the area the water is very dark with all the freshwater inflow. There are plenty of shrimp and incredible numbers of finger mullet around. 

Perhaps because of just how unusually many mullet are around inshore right now, Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that from filleting fish it seems that trout are keying on mullet more than usual. Probably as a result there is a fantastic topwater bite both early and late when trout are feeding up on mullet making wakes along the surface. The daytime bite is also good for trout and redfish, and while redfish can be caught in the creeks and rivers far better numbers of trout are still on the main water. It will take one or two more cold fronts to push them into the creeks. You can still catch reds in dirty water but it’s slower, and the best bite for both species – and often the only bite for trout – is any tide when the water is clean but moving. Finger mullet, live shrimp, and mud minnows are working for both species, and they are so aggressive right now that artificials will also work as fish want to chase something. The tailing redfish bite is also very good although this is the likely end of it, and the flounder season is also starting to wind down with relatively few keepers being caught. Giggers seem to be getting most of them.   

Sheepshead are biting as well as they possibly can inshore, and the key is fishing at low tide in 6-8 feet of water with crabs around docks, trees and rocks. 

Off the beaches bull red drum can be caught right in the surf, while at the nearshore reefs there are bulls, some Spanish mackerel, lots of bluefish, ladyfish, and summer trout. While you can catch the summer trout (weakfish) on live bait, there is so much else around that ¾ - 1-ounce spoons are more effective for actually getting a bait to them with the fish close to the bottom. 

While there have been very few good days that reports are extremely limited, in 90-100 feet the bottom fishing should be very strong and offshore trolling for sailfish, wahoo and tuna should be very good. 

October 9 

Morning surface water temperatures at the mouths of the main rivers are around 75-76 degrees. The water clarity is good without much rain.   

It’s a strange week to report on inshore fishing around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that on the one hand it should be approaching the peak fishing time of the year. But in reality the weather and conditions have been close to unfishable for the last ten days, with strong wind from the northeast and king full moon tides.

The upside is that the fish are almost totally unpressured and so, after three or four more days of wind, calmer conditions and mild tides should make the fishing absolutely incredible for the next 2-3 weeks. A downward bump in temperatures will also turn on the bite – for the next month or two every time temperatures drop the fish will feel an increasing urgency to feed.

Redfish, trout, flounder and sheepshead should all peak for the year in the near future, and the bull reds that are almost certainly still nearshore and just off the beaches will actually get into the surf zone where anglers can cast for them from the sand. 

Offshore no one has able to get out, but the sailfish, wahoo and tuna should be on fire as well.  And the best bottom fishing of the year should kick off.

The bottom line is that if you can see past the immediate conditions very, very exciting times beckon.