July 17
Morning surface water temperatures are around 85 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay, and higher back in the shallow flats and bays, especially by midday.
Inshore fishing continues to be excellent for several species, and Captain Greg Holmes withFish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that multiple species are being caught across various tides and conditions.
Captain Greg has been primarily targeting redfish, and he’s been catching a lot of reds in various sizes. Plenty of smaller reds in the slot limit size are available, but he’s also targeting and catching plenty of bigger reds in the 28-35-inch class and on recent trips, often multiple fish in that size class.
Father and son with a 31-inch red caught fishing with Captain Greg.
His most recent trip was with a father and son, and the 7-year-old son enjoyed an excellent trip catching reds. They began by fishing the last of the rising tide and the first part of the falling tide with excellent success, using cut bait around the grass. And the youngster cut his fishing teeth on big, hard-fighting reds with a 31-and-28-inch redfish right off the bat. Captain Greg said that the youngster had a ball and by the time he’d landed those two fish, he’d developed a good rhythm of fighting a big fish, and the rest of the day he caught plenty of smaller redfish. It was a great lesson in how to fight a strong fish properly, and by day's end the youngster didn’t need much coaching. Getting kids out in the summer to experience fighting a hefty redfish is an ideal way to introduce a kid to the sport of fishing, he noted.
Captain Greg reports that in the early morning, another excellent redfish target at low tide is far back in the creeks in water less than 3 feet deep. This needs to be an early-morning adventure, because as the sun gets higher, the reds leave that skinny water for deeper water with current. His top bait choice is live and cut mullet, with the live mullet about 6 inches long.
He’s only targeted flounder a few times recently, but the bite is good when he’s fished for them. Multiple sizes are being caught, and keepers and short fish providing a good bite.
He said abundant bait is available throughout the area, and anglers are not having trouble catching mullet or menhaden for bait for their targeted species. Shrimp are available, too.
At thejetties, multiple species are available, with sheepshead, trout, sharks, and even Tarpon patrolling the area. He added that Tarpon are beginning to move into other areas as well.
And his tip for the week is that if fishing gets slow when fishing with kids, put a live shrimp on a popping cork rig, or even better, cast it on the bottom, and something is going to stretch your string quickly. If you don’t hook something within 5 minutes, move because that area is likely void of fish. It's a good tactic while waiting on bigger fish to bite.
--Terry Madewell
June 30
Morning surface water temperatures are around 82 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay, and higher back in the shallow flats and bays.
The inshore fishing continues to be very good for several species, and Captain Greg Holmes withFish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports he is still catching redfish, trout, and flounder.
Captain Greg has been primarily targeting redfish with excellent success, but he’s not catching as many of redfish fish over 40 inches as he was last week. He reports he’s still catching fish over 30 inches and consistently catching good numbers. He said he expects the fishing to remain good for both numbers and quality.
Redfish are scattered throughout the area and he’s primarily using live and cut bait recently, more than artificial lures. He’s finding them in the creeks and flats based on tidal conditions; he’s working the edges of grass, back into the pockets, and around grass points. Shell beds are another redfish attractor when the current is flowing through them.
His top bait choice is live and cut mullet, with the live mullet about 6 inches long.
If he is guiding a small party or two anglers, where casting lures is a safe option, he likes the traditional spinnerbait, a favorite of redfish around creek junctions. He’ll slow-roll it over shell beds with the rod tip held high to stay away from line-cutting shells, just ticking the shells with the lure. It’s a highly effective and often overlooked tactic, but he prefers this when anglers have plenty of room to cast and have the ability to make accurate casts.
Captain Greg said the flounder action is still strong, and with ample bait now in the creeks, flounder fishing is good throughout the area. Plenty of keeper flounder are now available, but smaller flounder are caught and released, providing good fish-catching action.
He reports some big trout have been caught, and the sharks, bonnetheads specifically, are now cruising the edges looking for crabs. Also, sheepshead fishing is good at the jetties.
In addition to reds, Captain Greg has caught big trout recently, such as this 25-inch fish.
Captain Greg noted that on the last couple of trips while fishing the cut mullet for redfish, he’s also caught a 21- and 25-inch trout and a big flounder. He said that fishing for mullet, as he does, consistently catches species other than redfish.
--Terry Madewell
June 17
Morning surface water temperatures are around 76-77 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
With the weather finally cooperating a bit, inshore fishing is seeing more activity, and Captain Greg Holmes withFish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that the overall fishing for several inshore species is very good and poised to get better.
Captain Greg is back on the water this week, and he’s planning to target what seems to be biting best from the trio of redfish, flounder, and trout. His first effect will be redfish, he said.
Redfish are available in good numbers and scattered throughout the area, and he’ll be using a combination of live bait as well as artificial lures. He said to hunt the redfish in the creeks and, depending on the tide stage, work around the edges of grass, back into the pockets, and around grass points. Shell beds are another redfish attractor when the current is flowing through them.
At this time of the year, he’ll be soaking live baits with larger parties when casting isn’t practical, and his top bait choices include shrimp, mullet, menhaden, and mud minnows.
If it’s a small party, he’ll also use artificial lures, and one he enjoys is the traditional spinnerbait, a favorite of redfish around creek junctions. He’ll also slow-roll it over shell beds with the rod tip held high to stay away from line-cutting shells, just ticking the shells with the lure. It’s a highly effective and often overlooked tactic, he said.
Captain Greg said the flounder action is much improved over a few weeks ago, and with scads of bait now in the creeks, fish have moved throughout the area. Many keeper flounder are now available. He said it is crucial to have good water clarity and to look for flounder where the bait is located; they’ll be staged to ambush forage as it swims by.
He reports some big trout have been caught, and the sharks, bonnetheads specifically, are now cruising the edges looking for crabs. Also, sheepshead fishing is good at the jetties.
Big redfish ruled the day on Tuesday for Captain Greg.
An update to this report. Captain Greg just reported on his redfish trip on Tuesday, and the redfish bite was excellent and his party’s first redfish was 41 inches. In addition, they boated three more huge redfish over 40 inches, and all were caught in only 3 feet of water. Captain Greg is on fire!
Terry Madewell
June 4
Morning surface water temperatures are around 75-76 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay and freshwater is making its way down the rivers.
While the wind and weather has been uncooperative for inshore fishing too often recently, Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that the big picture is that as salinity levels drop and more fish can return below the bridges fishing is improving.
One species that is doing much better is flounder, and Captain Greg reports that the numbers of keeper-sized fish are going way up. With so much bait showing up and water temperatures mild fish are spreading out everywhere, and throughout the month they can be caught from 1 foot to 20 feet. It’s not until later in the summer that they start to concentrate in deeper areas. Since flounder are visual feeders water clarity is key, and it’s also important to follow bait flows to locate fish. They like to stage up anywhere that bait is swimming by.
The redfish action is also improving as salinity levels drop, and early in the morning this month is a great time for topwater action (for reds and trout). On overcast days it can continue through the day. Like flounder with mild June temperatures redfish can be found everywhere from the smallest creeks to bigger rivers, while later in the summer they will leave the smaller creeks except during the coolest parts of the day. Additionally, this month on big flood tides redfish will be found tailing – like next week on the new moon.
The new moon isn’t usually a great time for trout, but on the full moon at the end of June there should be a wave of bigger fish around. The jetties should also hold trout all month, although on the inside with so much dirty water coming out of Winyah Bay conditions may not be ideal.
A couple of final notes is that tripletail have arrived and you can spot them through the summer running crab pot buoys when visibility is decent, and there are also tons of sharks like bonnetheads patrolling at low tide. The sharks are both a fishing opportunity and a reason for caution!
May 27
Morning surface water temperature is around 80 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
Inshore fishing is very good for flounder and redfish, but windy afternoons have hampered recent fishing success, Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports.
Captain Greg said that live bait, such as mud minnows, and artificial lures are producing flounder regularly, and fishermen are catching plenty of keeper-sized fish. Anglers are still catching some short fish as well. The consistency of flounder action is good, and he expects it to continue to improve.
The redfish action is still scattered, with some still being caught above the Saltwater/Freshwater dividing line, but recent rain inland may change that. He reports that recently, some anglers have been catching freshwater black bass and redfish on the same trips, using spinnerbaits far upriver. He advised that if you’re fishing above the dividing line, make sure you have a freshwater fishing license in addition to your saltwater license.
He reports that anglers are catching bull redfish and big black drum in the deep channels, but Captain Greg said that when looking for these big fish, use adequate tackle to handle them. Plus, when you release them, do so with care so others can enjoy that fish again. Don’t just launch it airborne with a big heave back into the water.
Trout action is slightly improved, and trout fishing should continue to improve during late May as the next full moon approaches, but he hasn’t heard of any spectacular reports.
This past week, Captain Greg said most morning trips have been productive, but the wind has picked up the afternoons making fishing conditions difficult. The fish are still available, just difficult to get to when the wind in howling.
Terry Madewell
April 30
Morning surface water temperatures are around 68 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
Time on the inshore waters hasn’t been especially productive this week, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that while they have picked up a few redfish (and some bluefish) pressure changes from frequent fronts as well as salinity issues seem to be negatively affecting the bite.
Only rain can help with the salinity issues, and right now fish are extremely spread out with anglers catching redfish in traditional freshwater areas 10 miles further inland than usual. Having the fish this spread out obviously makes them more difficult to catch, but also puts them off-limits for guides when clients don’t have freshwater licenses. But May weather is expected to resolve many of the barometric pressure issues, and more stable weather should make for better fishing.
On low tides anglers will want to target redfish this month in smaller drains where bait is congregated, although on super low negative tides these areas will be unfishable and fish will holder further out. On high tides anglers should look for fish to go back into areas they cannot usually access, including short grass flats where they will forage and tail. On moving tides grass lines, oyster beds, and particularly on the falling tide creek mouths should be very good. Bigger fish will also be found in the channels and at the jetties.
Right now redfish are feeding on flea-sized shrimp, but as more bait arrives then various cut bait options will come into prominence. Mullet and menhaden are usually the best in May. Crab can also be effective, but with so many crabs moving into less salty water up the rivers they may not as easy to get. The upside is that they won’t be messing with cut bait offerings.
So far the trout fishing has been disppointing, and perhaps temperatures weren’t quite where they needed to be for trout to feed up in preparation for a big spawn on this full moon. Regardless, sometime in May they should begin to spawn around the new and then full moon. Look for them around points, current changes, eddies, and as it gets later in the month areas proximate to deep water. Live shrimp is the best bait, especially if fish are finicky, but as more bait stealers arrive finger mullet and menhaden can be more rewarding.
Flounder fishing is improving and more and more keepers will be caught in May.
April 22
Morning surface water temperatures are around 67 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
As the drought intensifies it is starting to affect the inshore fishing, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) notes that high salinity creeping up the rivers has the effect of really spreading out the fish. That can make them harder to catch as there are so many more places they can be.
For some reason this week the shallow areas of Muddy Bay have been fishing slow, and better action has been coming in deeper sections of the inlets. Additionally, big, over-slot redfish have been caught in the main channels and at the jetties. Peeler crab season is winding down and cut mullet are getting to be the primary bait again.
But the most exciting thing for the next week or ten days should be the trout bite, with the first big spawn of the year coming up at the end of the month. Look for some of the largest trout of the year to be caught at the jetties and then inside around main river points. Live shrimp are always hard to beat for trout.
April 16
Morning surface water temperatures are around 67 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
The inshore fishing continues to pick up around Georgetown, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) notes that redfish, trout and flounder are all biting. At this point there are a lot of throwback flounder being caught, but he also saw a 24-incher caught in the creeks behind Pawley’s. This is the time of year when the smaller inlets warm faster than bigger areas and offer better fishing for a range of species, and “keepers” are particularly attuned to that.
For flounder mud minnows on the bottom are hard to beat, and with the full moon coming up big trout should be gorging around grass lines and at creek mouths in the days before they spawn. Live shrimp are hard to beat for trout and water clarity is important for both sight feeders. Captain Greg notes that since this is just the first spawn of the year if you don’t have to keep female trout it can be a good time to throw them back.
Redfish are still on a peeler crab bite although it may be starting to drop off, but with crabs you also increase your chances of catching black drum and even sheepshead. Juveniles of both species can be found in the marsh but the bigger ones are usually at the jetties.
April 3
Morning surface water temperatures are around 64 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
The inshore fishing is rapidly improving around Georgetown, and Captain Greg Holmes withFish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that this week he thinks the crab molt, the ‘peeler’ crabs, will be a huge attraction for various species. This first massive ‘peel off’ is usually the best of the season, and Redfish and Black Drum absolutely go crazy for them. The softshell crabs make good bait, and they’re expensive at the markets; but they will be the best bait you can offer a redfish right now. Captain Greg said this is the one time when these crabs are super available, and the fish take advantage of it. He said it’s a situation where you cast a prime bait of 'anything else' to a red, and someone casts the crab close to your bait, they're going to catch that red.
Fishermen are catching early-season trout in respectable numbers and sizes, but they haven’t spawned yet. In clean water, they’re taking imitation shrimp like Zman Prawn StarZ bumped along the bottom. On the inside, they’re in moving water, and they are also around the jetty rocks.
Early flounder, some around 16 inches, are being caught in the inlets and a few around the jetties. Covering a lot of water is a key to flounder success right now, but as the water warms, the flounder action will improve considerably as they move inshore over the next few weeks.
March 25
Morning surface water temperatures are around 59 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
The inshore fishing is rapidly improving around Georgetown, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that at least for a little longer we are still in a time of year where the bite is very temperature-dependent. On warmer days the fish get more active and feed better, while during cold snaps they often shut down.
Decent numbers of early-season trout are already showing up, and while they aren’t ready to spawn yet Captain Greg has caught some big fish that have the look of spring spawners. In clean water they are taking imitation shrimp like Zman Prawn StarZ bumped along the bottom. On the inside they are in moving water, and they are also around the jetty rocks. (As sheepshead leave the reefs there also are more and more showing up at the jetties each day.)
Some early flounder close to 16 inches are being caught on the inside, and as redfish break out of their winter schools they can be found in more places. In this transition phase you really just have to cover water as they can be found anywhere from back creeks to close to the ocean. We are very, very close to the crab molt (if it has not already begun) and so soon crab will be far-and-away the best bait for reds as they look to rebuild winter energy stores on this energy-rich food source.
March 11
Morning surface water temperatures are around 55 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay and very small bait is starting to show up again.
As the water warms the creeks are starting to come back to life around Georgetown, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that one of the tricks to catching fish inshore right now is to fish anywhere you see bait! Beyond that you should look for redfish to move up onto the shallow flats, and unlike during the winter they can be there even first thing with warmer overnight temperatures. As reds break out of their giant winter schools and disperse in some ways they are also getting easier to catch as there is less dead water and more areas that hold at least a few fish.
Trout are also starting to move around after the very cold winter, and to locate trout look in shallower areas near the deeper drops where they have been holding. They will start to move towards shells bars and points in the waterways, and some of the bigger fish will actually spawn before too very long.
As it warms you can catch both trout and reds early with topwater lures, especially when you see bait on the surface. Shrimp are also good bait for both species and at least for now you don’t have to worry as much about picker fish, while if you are targeting redfish blue crab are hard to beat as fish attempt to restore energy reserves after the winter’s depletion.
Finally, Captain Greg reports that there has been a good sheepshead bite at the jetties.
February 25
Morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
Once again ocean temperatures are cold around Georgetown, but Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that before this most recent cold snap inshore he saw Winyah Bay water temperatures in the mid-50s and some shallow areas in the creeks bumping 60 degrees. On the back side of this cold more stable conditions should take hold, and then before too long we will move into a transition period where redfish start to break up out of their big winter schools.
But for now redfish are still generally in large groups in the very backs or on the sides of the major waterways, and stealth is vital for catching them in both areas. Trout are more likely to be close to deep drops or in deep holes themselves, although on warm afternoons they may slide up to feed.
The most important thing for anglers to remember is that even when air temperatures first rise the water is still cold, and fishing slowly is vital. Bites will also usually be very light. On the natural bait side mud minnows or live shrimp will work for both species, although dead shrimp will work for reds. As we get closer to spring crab pieces are also an excellent choice as bait is not as prolific and they are a high protein food for fish to eat to replenish energy. Artificial baits will also work, and curly tail grubs are a particularly good choice as they can have subtle action even with the slightest movement or in light current. As water temperatures warm you can get into more aggressive lures like spinnerbaits.
February 12
Morning surface water temperatures are around 45-46 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
While Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) still hasn’t heard a word about people catching trout or an informed opinion about the health of the trout population since the snow, there are some interesting reports on redfish this week. In addition to the inshore fish that are still by-and-large grouped up in depressions far back in the creeks or around structure like docks or riprap, the jetties are holding large numbers of redfish.
Just like the inshore reds they are stacked up in tight groups, and if you can find a slack spot at the jetties where a school has decided to take up residence on a particular tide they will bite. One boat caught 25 fish over the slot out of a single spot on a white paddletail grub.
If we get the warming that is predicted patterns will start to change, but for now redfish are still very much in winter patterns.
February 5
Morning surface water temperatures are around 45 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
While Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) hasn’t heard information about trout since the storm over the weekend, there are some fresh inshore reports that the redfish continue to bite well even as temperatures have gotten very cold. The best reports are coming from depressions way back in the creeks where there is a little more depth in an area surrounded by a lot of skinnier water. A subtle presentation with long casts is required in the clear conditions.
While Captain Greg doesn’t know of people seeing dead trout, monitoring the inshore temperatures he saw a significant period where water temperatures were below 43 and even a shorter time where they were below 40. That doesn’t bode well for any trout that didn’t escape to deeper water.
January 28
Morning surface water temperatures are around 46-47 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
He hasn’t run any charters in the last week, but Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reminds anglers that we remain in a period where picking the warmest days to fish can often be more important than technique. And for the second week in a row, we have to report that with even more very cold weather predicted later this week the trout remain in danger for the second straight year.
The best places to look for redfish are still basically docks, shallow along the main river banks, and back in the feeder creeks in areas with some depth where creeks and drains empty. In the clear conditions long casts are necessary but a slow presentation – even slower than seems possible – is even more important. Smaller profile baits are generally working the best, although occasionally a big fish will choose a bigger meal.
If you don’t want to get stuck in the backs fishing the rising tide can be more forgiving than the falling, and white curly tail grubs and imitation shrimp continue to be good artificial baits.
Inshore trout reports are non-existent, but the jetties are almost certainly still holding them. Live shrimp or at least mud minnows fished on a slip cork rig are the best bet, and you want to fish them at least 7-8 feet deep and often deeper. Again, if you are going to trout fish try to work everything as slowly as possible, especially as temperatures drop further.
January 21
Morning surface water temperatures are around 49 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
We remain in a period where picking your days for inshore fishing is as important as technique, but Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that may be easier said than done in the coming days! Very low water temperatures can already be found at times in the creeks depending upon weather and tide, and if we get sleet, a decent amount of cold rain, or just an extended period of very cold weather the trout could be in danger for the second year in a row.
The best places to look for redfish are still basically docks, shallow along the main river banks, and back in the feeder creeks in areas with some depth where creeks and drains empty. In the clear conditions long casts are necessary but a slow presentation – even slower than seems possible – is even more important. Smaller profile baits are generally working the best, although occasionally a big fish will choose a bigger meal.
If you don’t want to get stuck in the backs fishing the rising tide can be more forgiving than the falling, and white curly tail grubs and imitation shrimp continue to be good artificial baits.
Inshore trout reports are still thin, but the jetties are still holding them. Live shrimp or at least mud minnows fished on a slip cork rig are the best bet, and you want to fish them at least 7-8 feet deep and often deeper. Again, try to work everything as slowly as possible, especially as temperatures drop further.
January 7
Morning surface water temperatures are around 53-54 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
While Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) has spent a decent amount of time wetting a line inshore the past two weeks, overall there has been very little fishing activity in the Georgetown area from what he’s seen. For those who go results are fair as we are in the time of the year when fish don’t have to feed every day, but with water temperatures where they are even a small uptick can make a big difference and so it’s quite possible fish will be feeding very well through the weekend. And pleasant conditions will almost certainly bring out more anglers.
The three places Captain Greg is looking for redfish are basically docks, shallow along the main river banks, and especially back in the feeder creeks in areas with some depth where creeks and drains empty. In the clear conditions long casts are necessary but a slow presentation – even slower than seems possible – is even more important. Smaller profile baits are generally working the best, although occasionally a big fish seems best tempted by a bigger meal.
If you don’t want to get stuck in the backs fishing the rising tide can be more forgiving than the falling, and white curly tail grubs and imitation shrimp continue to be good artificial baits.
Greg has not seen much sign of trout inshore, but there have been some good reports from the jetties on live shrimp. Soft plastics should also work when you locate the fish, but again these need to be fished painfully slowly.
December 23
Morning surface water temperatures are around 52 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
They continue to have some good inshore catches around Georgetown, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that just messing around the other day he caught a half dozen large redfish and a 15 ½ inch flounder. Those fish were around a dock, and docks are certainly holding redfish, but the other really good place to look for them is back in the feeder creeks in areas with some depth where creeks and drains empty. There are also some fish to be found along the main river banks, as well as bigger reds at the jetties, but with the dolphins hungry numbers of fish are getting as far back in the creeks as they can. In the clear conditions long casts are necessary, but fish are still feeding very well and will eat white curly tail grubs. While the dropping tide is good you have to be more careful to avoid getting stuck, and so the low rising tide can be preferable.
But the overall key to catching fish is a painfully slow presentation. Slow down your retrieve, and then slow it some more – while trying to keep your line tight so you can detect bites.
That’s also critical for trout, which are on the edges of the waterway in 5-7 feet of water around shoals, rips, out-bumps, or anything else that creates a disturbance in the current. They are also in deep holes in the curves of creeks. Vudu shrimp are working well but particularly with artificial shrimp be ready for light bites that feel just like a “tick”.
Finally, Captain Greg notes that sunny bright days on low rising water where temperatures go up a little as warm ground is covered can be really good as even a degree increase in temperatures can make a big difference to fish activity.
December 17
Morning surface water temperatures are around 50 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
Especially as temperatures rebound there are some exciting inshore opportunities around Georgetown, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that on one recent trip they caught about 20 redfish in short order as well as 5 short flounder. The key is getting back in the feeder creeks and finding areas with some depth where creeks and drains empty. There are also some fish to be found along the main river banks, as well as bigger fish at the jetties, but with the dolphins hungry numbers of fish are getting as far back in the creeks as they can. In the clear conditions long casts are necessary, but fish are still feeding very well and will eat white curly tail grubs. While the dropping tide is good you have to be more careful to avoid getting stuck, and so the low rising tide can be preferable.
There are also plenty of trout around but the key to catching them right now is a slow presentation. They are on the edges of the waterway in 5-7 feet of water around shoals, rips, out-bumps, or anything else that creates a disturbance in the current, and they are also in deep holes in the curves of creeks. Vudu shrimp are working well but you need to fish any bait slowly and be ready for light bites that feel just like a “tick”.
Finally, Captain Greg notes that sunny bright days on low rising water where temperatures go up a little as warm ground is covered can be really good as even a degree increase in temperatures can make a big difference to fish activity.
December 3
Morning surface water temperatures are around 58 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
Up-and-down temperatures and conditions have kept inshore fisherman having to adapt (or at home), but Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that there are some fairly reliable patterns for both trout and redfish based on conditions. When it gets cold particularly trout will be found in deeper runs where water temperatures are more stable, and at the very least they will want to be close to deep water. On low tide they will be particularly careful to be in sufficiently deep water. Water clarity also remains very important, especially if you are fishing artificial lures but even if you are using live shrimp.
While reds will also seek deep water in cold conditions, they are more likely to be willing to hole up in tighter creeks and drains that have deep holes on low water. Extreme negative tides may bring them out of creeks, but they are more likely to be comfortable in smaller water. However, the biggest difference is that redfish will be very quick to move towards shallow water where they can soak up sun rays, warm up, and metabolize their food on sunny days.
For both species we are in the period where they are more willing to eat artificial lures because there is less bait around, but either fishing with scented soft plastics or adding scent to unscented baits can be very helpful. Further, especially when temperatures dip fishing slowly can be essential, and making long casts that are less likely to spook the fish can make a big difference.
November 20
Morning surface water temperatures are around 61-62 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
The inshore redfish are still biting well, but Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that he has mainly been focusing on trout this week. They have showed up in very good numbers, and his boat is catching them on the main water in Winyah Bay. The key is fishing clean water, and they are having the most success fishing 2-3 feet of water over top of oyster beds or a tick deeper in around 4 feet along grass edges. Finding clean water often means fishing high tide, but it’s not essential if the water is clear.
While live shrimp are very effective, they are catching 15-20 fish each trip with artificial shrimp under a popping cork.
When conditions aren’t right for trout they are finding the best concentrations of redfish in the Intracoastal Waterway, but with so much transient traffic moving up and down this time of year conditions are very muddy. The best bite under these conditions is coming fishing cut shrimp (mullet would likely also work) and allowing the fish to hone in on the baits. They are more likely to be targeting reds on low water, and that’s luckily the best time for them when they are more concentrated and can’t get up in the grass.
November 6
Morning surface water temperatures are around 63-64 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
The inshore redfish are still chewing, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that live bait is great when the water is clean but in dirtier water (especially with these high tides) cut mullet is often preferable. Overall tides moving both directions have been productive fishing along the edges, and it’s simply a matter of getting bait in the water.
But the biggest change this week is with the trout, and Captain Greg reports that conditions finally gotten right and the bite is firing off in Winyah Bay, North Inlet, and surrounding areas. Bait is still hugging the edges and so on higher tides fishing grass lines is productive, while on lower tides fishing shelves where shallow water drops off into deeper is most productive. Trout typically hold deeper than redfish.
Live shrimp are hard to beat, but a variety of soft plastic artificials are also working.
Cooler weather coming Monday may slow the redfish bite for a day or two and push both species a bit deeper, but if anything it should help the trout bite by dropping the water temperature into the peak range.
October 29
Morning surface water temperatures are around 65 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
Despite a new round of rain, Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that so far it doesn’t show signs of flooding the area with freshwater. As a result, inshore fishing continues to be strong and should only get better. Really the only thing holding back catches the last few days has been unpleasant weather.
On Captain Greg’s last trip on Saturday they managed four big redfish, but the water started off too high. They finally caught fish anchoring cut mullet along grass lines at a creek mouth when the water started to drop. Live bait is fine, but when dealing with dirty, stained water, like they were, cut bait is preferable.
The trout don’t seem to be thick yet, but conditions are just getting right and more are being caught each day. Shrimp or other live bait is working the best, and finding clear water is important – especially if you are fishing with artificials. While cold mornings may not be great for topwater lures, on overcast days trout will still take them all day.
Plenty of fish are around at the jetties, but conditions have not been conducive to fishing there.
October 22
Morning surface water temperatures are around 69 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
The freshwater inflow has settled down in the Georgetown area and weather has been more cooperative, and so Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that basically the fishing is just getting back to really good fall conditions. Fish are spreading out again and so redfish can be found most everywhere, and they are picking up some large fish back in the smallest creeks.
With lots of current and low visibility much of the time if you do opt to use artificial lures be sure to pick something with scent, but cut mullet has been hard to beat. They are catching plenty of reds up in the sparse grass at high tide as well as at mid-tides moving in both directions along the grass lines. At low tide fish are working the mud flats, often near oyster beds.
While flounder are getting fewer and farther between as particularly the better fish head offshore, when water temperatures hit about 65 the best trout fishing should start. For now they are still taking topwater baits in the morning and then live or artificial shrimp under a popping cork around grass points with oyster beds all day.
October 16
Morning surface water temperatures are around 70 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay.
Once again freshwater inflow is a major factor for inshore fishing in the Georgetown area, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that from what he is seeing there is less bait in Winyah Bay. Fishing in areas with higher salinity, usually closer to the ocean or in North Inlet, may be more productive. Redfish themselves don’t mind brackish water but they do want to be around bait, and trout and certainly species like sheepshead have a lower tolerance for freshwater. And of course also need to eat.
Those factors aside, dropping temperatures are nothing but a boon for the fishery and even as some flounder start to leave the remaining ones as well as trout and redfish are getting more and more aggressive. When water temperatures hit about 65 that is when most old timers think the best trout fishing starts. They are still taking topwater baits in the morning and then live or artificial shrimp under a popping cork around grass points with oyster beds all day.
Flounder are in creek mouths, along the edges of pockets, and shallow edges where they can ambush bait on moving tides.
Redfish are still working grass edges. On higher water they are getting up in the grass where they can be harder to locate, but it can also be an outstanding time to catch them tailing or just find them feeding for anglers with access to a flat-bottom boat that can get back on the grass flats. This is probably about the last week of tailing action for the year, however. For mid- and low-tide fishing they will take artificial lures but anchoring cut mullet along the edges and around oyster beds is hard to beat.
October 9
Morning surface water temperatures are around 77 degrees at the mouth of Winyah Bay and water conditions remain pretty typical. Bait is abundant.
There was very little bait in Winyah Bay and surrounding areas a month or two ago after all the rains, by a couple of weeks ago it was mostly back to normal, but today Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that bait is literally everywhere. Shrimp are prolific, and on cooler days you may not see mullet “running the roof” but rest assured that they are there. There are also a ton of glass minnows around. The combination of all the bait and dropping temperatures is signaling to inshore redfish, trout and flounder that they need to put the feed bag on. Trout are already biting better, particularly in areas that have glass minnows, but the bite will really fire up with this cool snap. They are taking topwater baits in the morning and then live or artificial shrimp under a popping cork around grass points with oyster beds all day.
Flounder are in creek mouths, along the edges of pockets, and shallow edges where they can ambush bait on moving tides. They are showing a real preference for very large bait right now, and Captain Greg has caught even sub-keepers on 6-8 inch mullet!
Redfish haven’t changed their locations very much, and they are still working grass edges. On higher water they are getting up in the grass where they can be harder to locate, but it can also be an outstanding time to catch them tailing or just find them feeding for anglers with access to a flat-bottom boat that can get back on the grass flats. They will take artificial lures but for mid- and low-tide fishing anchoring cut mullet is hard to beat.
The only downside recently has been the hard winds, which look to be coming back at least for a few days, but overall the fishing should be outstanding going forward.