January 19

Morning surface water temperatures have gotten back to about 55 inshore around Hilton Head, and probably as a result clarity is still very good but slightly down. 

It’s a strange time for trout fishing in Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that while there are plenty of trout to be seen they are not being caught. Kai is spotting huge schools of large trout sunning themselves on the warm flats, but they don’t even seem to be thinking about feeding. 

Luckily the redfish are making up for it and feeding very well. On a short sight-fishing trip yesterday they found the reds schooled up like the trout but willing to eat on the low tide oyster and mud flats. Artificials have been all that is required, and Zman Kicker CrabZ have been working when the fish don’t mind a big bait – while when they want something more subtle they are taking Ned CrawZ.   

Fish are skittish so you have to make long casts and put baits well ahead of them. Also, the bite basically lasts for about three hours each side of low tide. 

There are also still plenty of reds around structure like docks, rip rap, and downed trees, and again the lower half of the tide cycle is the time to fish for them. 

Nearshore, about five miles out they have found keeper black sea bass, small grouper, and bull reds. There are already some big sheepshead and black drum out there but more will arrive for the spawn. 

January 5

Morning surface water temperatures dropped all the way into the mid-40s around Hilton Head but have now rebounded into the 50s, but the water has stayed extremely clear. 

Recent weather conditions have had interesting effects on the inshore redfish, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that as expected the flats fish grouped up extremely tight and got very easy to locate. At one point they got so shallow, perhaps to get away from dolphins, that they literally had their tails partially out of the water. But they also became very picky, and it wasn’t until temperatures began to warm again that they really started to feed.

At the same time the bite in the creeks never really fell off, and around deeper docks and sea walls the action stayed good even after the very cold weather. However, the fish would not eat artificials at all and they only wanted mud minnows. They also fed much better for an for an hour or so each side of low and high tide when the current was the weakest, and on the moving tides they seemed to just want to hide.

The trout have also been curious, and Kai has located large schools of giant trout just sunning in the shallows. However, they will not eat anything and in a week of guiding Kai has only caught two trout!

December 22

Morning surface water temperatures are around 56 degrees inshore in Hilton Head and the water is relatively clear considering all the wind. In calm conditions it’s very clear. 

Temperatures have already dropped into the mid-50s, but with the cold, windy weather coming they are about to plummet. Already cooler temperatures have pushed the bigger redfish out of the sounds and into the ocean, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that they have found them off the beaches in the 40-foot range. On rare calm days they have also fished reefs in about 30-feet and found small grouper and black sea bass as well as keeper weakfish and bluefish. Everything came on vertical jigs. 

Inside the creeks the trout have already moved a little deeper, and they are now finding them in holes in the 10-foot range. Mud minnows on a jighead have been working well. As the temperatures drop in the coming days they expect more fish to get off steep drops and in holes and to relate tighter to the bottom. 

The redfish are schooled up on the low tides flats, but at times even when they have found big schools the fish won’t eat. While they are most accessible at low water they are often harder to catch. 

The best action for redfish has been coming around structure in about 8 feet of water, again with mud minnows on jigheads.

December 15

Morning surface water temperatures are around 64 degrees inshore in Hilton Head and the water is getting pretty clear. 

We may only be 10 days from Christmas, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that things are fishing more like Thanksgiving right now with persistently warm water temperatures. That’s expected to change in the near future, but for right now fall patterns are more prevalent than winter ones. 

Redfish can be still be found around structure on low tide, and particularly oyster beds on the flats. In one sign of the changing seasons they do seem to be getting really shallow at low water. 

At higher stages of the tide they can be found along the grass lines or in sparse pockets in the grass, but once the oyster beds are covered but water isn’t yet up in the grass they can be a little tricky. Live shrimp and mud minnows will both work. 

At low tide trout can be found in deep holes and bends in the creeks, while at high tide they are closer to the edges in 4-6 feet of water. They can be found around grass edges, docks, riprap, and oyster beds.  At this time they are often mixed with the reds. 

Live shrimp and mud minnows will also work for trout, but they have also been very happy to eat Vudu Shrimp. 

So far this year the giant trout have not showed up, but perhaps with warm temperatures they are just delayed. 

Finally, Captain Kai’s benefit fishing tournament to support Southwest Florida guides was a big success. They raised over $7,000 and a good time was had by all whether fishing or at the after-party!

December 1

Morning surface water temperatures are down to 63 degrees inshore in Hilton Head and the water is getting pretty clear. 

This week when Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) hasn’t been busy getting ready for his tournament tomorrow he’s managed to sneak out on the water, and he reports that right now there are plenty of fish out there and eating. The tides have mellowed this week and so it’s been good conditions for approaching the two major cold-weather species.

Redfish can be found around structure on low tide, and particularly oyster beds on the flats. At higher stages of the tide they can be found along the grass lines or in sparse pockets in the grass, but once the oyster beds are covered but water isn’t yet up in the grass they can be a little tricky. Live shrimp and mud minnows will both work. 

At low tide trout can be found in deep holes and bends in the creeks, while at high tide they will be closer to the edges in 3-5 feet of water. They can be found around grass edges, docks, riprap, and oyster beds.  At this time they are often mixed with the reds. 

Live shrimp and mud minnows will also work for trout, but they have also been very happy to eat Vudu Shrimp. 

So far this year the giant trout have not showed up, but perhaps with warm temperatures they are just delayed. 

Finally, remember Captain Kai’s benefit fishing tournament to support Southwest Florida guides whose businesses were devastated by Hurricane Ian set for December 2. Read more about the Coast 4 Coast Guide Relief Fishing Tournamentand consider donating!

November 18

Morning surface water temperatures are down to 65 degrees inshore in Hilton Head and water clarity is improving. 

Dropping water temperatures are finally ushering in some new fishing patterns around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that both trout and redfish are getting into true fall patterns. With trout moving into 4-5 feet of water, instead of 8 plus where they have been holding, both species are truly mixed together. They are easy to catch around grass edges, docks, riprap, and oyster bed edges. Trout favor clean moving water, while redfish can be caught around the tide cycle.

Live shrimp under a popping cork are working the best for both species, but they will also take mud minnows.

At dead low tide there is also a pretty decent bite for big redfish on the flats, and even though cloudy weather and wind has hurt visibility it’s starting to improve. Kai has seen some giant schools of redfish grouped up at low tide, and that should get more and more common. Early in the season they are still very aggressive while after temperatures bottom out they will get harder to catch. 

If you have to fish on high tide then the best bet is to put baits in areas with sparse grass or or little open pockets in the grass. 

With creek fish eating so well they haven’t fished for them as much this week, but there are still some bull red drum in the Port Royal Sound. Live or cut mullet will work but menhaden still seems to be the preferred bait if you can get it. 

Finally, remember Captain Kai’s benefit fishing tournament to support Southwest Florida guides whose businesses were devastated by Hurricane Ian set for December 2. Read more about the Coast 4 Coast Guide Relief Fishing Tournamentand consider donating and fishing!

November 10

Morning surface water temperatures are up to 72 degrees inshore in Hilton Head and water clarity has dropped with the weather.  Tons of bait is still around. 

It’s a familiar story on the coast this week, as the wind has limited the fishing for Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) the last few days.  But with a ton of mullet still on the flats and around the creek banks, there is still a topwater bite for redfish and trout casting a Bomber topwater plug and a Zara Spook. The best places to work the bait are over oyster bars on the outgoing tide where fish are ambushing prey.

Continuing the artificial lures theme, Captain Kai has also had success fishing Zman PaddlerZ around docks and trees for redfish, but of course working mud minnows or shrimp right along the edges of grass lines and around docks you can find redfish willing to eat around the tide cycle.    

While there are exceptions most of the trout are still in 8-10 feet of water. Once water temperatures hit the mid-60s then they should move into the 4-foot range, and that could happen this coming week. 

Right now the trout are still off the same grass lines as the reds but further out, and you really want to look for sharp drop-offs. Shrimp would certainly work but you can also catch them with minnows fished on a jighead or under a popping cork with a longer, 4-foot leader.

There are still some bull red drum in the Port Royal Sound, but it’s hard to know what will happen when temperatures drop this week. The bite could improve or fall off further. 

Live or cut mullet will work but menhaden seem to be the preferred bait. 

Finally, due to another storm Captain Kai’s benefit fishing tournament to support Southwest Florida guides whose businesses were devastated by Hurricane Ian has been postponed to December 2. Read more about the Coast 4 Coast Guide Relief Fishing Tournament and consider donating and fishing!

November 4

Morning surface water temperatures are stable at 71 degrees inshore in Hilton Head and water clarity is a 6 or 7 out of 10.  Tons of bait is still around. 

Looking to do something different, the last couple times out on the water Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) has explored a topwater bite for redfish and trout and found both species cooperative.  There are a ton of mullet still on the flats and around the creek banks, and casting a Bomber topwater plug and a Zara Spook he has been able to get hits. The best places to work the bait were over oyster bars on the outgoing tide where fish were ambushing prey. 

There are also plenty of other ways to catch both species, and working mud minnows or shrimp right along the edges of grass lines and around docks he has found redfish feeding around the tide cycle. They don’t seem very picky about what they will eat.  

While there are exceptions most of the trout are still in 8-10 feet of water. Once water temperatures hit the mid-60s then they should move into the 4-foot range.

Right now they still are off the same grass lines as the reds but further out, and you really want to look for sharp drop-offs. Shrimp would certainly work but you can also catch them with minnows fished on a jighead or under a popping cork with a longer, 4-foot leader. 

The only bad news is that the bull red drum bite seems to be starting to slowly taper off around Hilton Head, which makes sense because it can’t last forever and started in August! However, it’s still possible that they could get another good run when temperatures drop a couple of degrees. For now bull reds can be found in the surf, up the rivers, around the bridges and about anywhere that you can think of inshore. Live or cut mullet will work but menhaden seem to be the preferred bait. 

Finally, remember that on November 11 Captain Kai will be holding a benefit fishing tournament to support Southwest Florida guides whose businesses have been devastated by Hurricane Ian. Read more about the Coast 4 Coast Guide Relief Fishing Tournament and consider donating and fishing!

October 21

Morning surface water temperatures have cooled down to around 71 degrees inshore in Hilton Head.

Our loyal reporter Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) is a happy man again this week, as the bull red drum are in full swing around Hilton Head. Menhaden are everywhere and the temperatures are mild, and as a result bull reds can be found in the surf, up the rivers, around the bridges and about anywhere that you can think of inshore. Live or cut mullet will work but menhaden seem to be the preferred bait. 

When the bull reds are around sometimes Kai doesn’t focus on the smaller fish, but with a couple of windy days that limited his best spots for the bigger fish he has also spent some time chasing slot reds inshore. They have found a terrific bite on mud minnows, although the fish were feeding so well they might have eaten anything. They worked along the edges of grass lines and around docks and found the fish feeding around the tide cycle.  

The trout fishing is also pretty strong right now, but Kai reports that the fish are still deeper than the redfish in 8-10 feet of water. Once water temperatures hit the mid-60s then they should move into the 4-foot range.

Right now they are in the same areas as the reds but further out, and you really want to look for sharp drop-offs. Shrimp would certainly work but you can also catch them with minnows fished on a jighead or under a popping cork with a longer, 4-foot leader. 

Overall it’s clear that October fishing is in full swing!

Finally, on November 11 Captain Kai will be holding a benefit fishing tournament to support Southwest Florida guides whose businesses have been devastated by Hurricane Ian. Read more about the Coast 4 Coast Guide Relief Fishing Tournament and consider donating and fishing!

October 13

Morning surface water temperatures have slightly rebounded to around 74 degrees inshore in Hilton Head.

It’s obvious to Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) that things are starting to get into some normal fall patterns, while for a little while it looked like the fish were moving back into summer patterns. Once again he is now catching bull red drum up the rivers and sounds, particularly around the bridges. The offshore spots which had been producing are not as good again. This week he has found some fish in holes as deep as 43 feet, and others in the lower 20s. 

Cut mullet and menhaden are both working. 

Inshore the smaller redfish are also around, but they have been surprisingly finicky about what they will eat.  The fish are in the usual places around rip rap, docks, sea walls, and grass lines, but they have been turning their nose up at small live menhaden and cut mullet. However, white Zman PaddlerZ have been working very well. The last couple times out Kai’s boat did not have shrimp but perhaps those would have worked, or maybe the fish are just on a reaction bite. 

One species that is definitely eating shrimp is trout, and perhaps because they foresaw that  temperatures would rebound they still have not moved into their shallower fall spots in the 4-foot range. That may still be three or four weeks away. 

Fish are in holes and drops in the 10-foot range, and they are are biting best in clean, slowly moving water. Bigger shrimp continue to produce the best. 

While it can’t be too much longer before they are gone, a guide friend of Kai’s saw a tarpon yesterday and so they have not totally left yet. 

October 6

Morning surface water temperatures have plummeted from about 81 degrees inshore around Hilton Head to 72. With some big tides the water is pretty muddy. 

The storm didn’t really do much to the Hilton Head area, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that the really cold nights are responsible for the fast-dropping temperatures. He’s not sure if all the tarpon are gone yet, and they are still hoping a few are left, but it won’t be much longer. 

Inshore there has been a really good redfish bite for fish at the very lower end of the slot, and in all the creek bends at low tide they are stacked up. They will eat about anything you put in front of them from shrimp to mullet to mud minnows. At higher tides the fish are less concentrated but will still feed around points, oyster beds and grass lines with some irregular feature.  

It's still confusing why bull red drum showed up way up the rivers in mid-August, but right now they seem to be following a far more normal progression. Fish are being caught on offshore structure in 20-30 feet, and there are also some fish showing up on deep current rips in the sound.  Cut mullet and menhaden are both working.

Eventually the fish will make their way up the rivers. 

Despite the cooler weather the trout are still on the deeper side in their spots in the 10-foot range, and even though water temperatures have hit the lower 70s they haven’t moved into their spots in the 4-foot range. That could be because they know temperatures should rebound a little before they start to slide down again. 

They are still biting best in clean, slowly moving water, but the real trick to nailing the trout remains to fish with big live shrimp. The creeks are full of smaller live shrimp but the big ones are stacked up in the deep holes.  

From one end of the South Carolina coast to the other the creeks are still full of small gag grouper, which should be released to grow up.