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.