July 30

Morning surface water temperatures are roughly 89 degrees around Hilton Head.  Bait is prolific. 

There are certainly some redfish and trout that can be caught on shrimp, mullet or menhaden inshore around Hilton Head, but overall Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that inshore fishing is a little lackluster right now. Fortunately there is a fantastic bite off the beaches and in the rivers to make up for it as the tarpon season is in full swing.

Off the beaches tarpon can be found in 5-15 feet of water, while in the rivers some are as shallow as 10 feet and some are as deep as 50 feet. Typically in the rivers Kai is fishing live or cut menhaden or mullet on a bottom rig, while off the beach he is fishing the baits under floats. Blacktip and bonnethead sharks are prolific, and so on the bottom rig he will fish 130-pound fluorocarbon leaders while on the top he will use a 60 or 80-pound leader. If the water is muddy on the surface he can get away with the heavier. 

The other really exciting bite is that bull redfish are starting to show up on the offshore sand bars in a mere 3-15 feet of water. The turbulence and bait must be attracting them because the water is still very hot at those depths. He is anchoring baits very shallow, generally live and cut menhaden although mullet will also work. 

For right now the Spanish mackerel bite has tapered off, and the jacks are coming but have not quite arrived.

At the nearshore reefs there are a lot of sharks around so it is very hard to fish live baits for king mackerel.  Vertical jigging is also picking up some nice flounder.  Spadefish seem to have moved way out.

July 1

Morning surface water temperatures are roughly 83 degrees around Hilton Head, but in the afternoons in skinny water they can reach 90. The water is not very clear mainly due to tides and wind. 

As it gets hot some inshore species have gotten a little sluggish around Hilton Head, but Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley (843-368-2126) reports that they have been able to pick up some redfish fishing in the deep bends in the creeks where there is some structure such as rocks, docks or trees. While sometimes a low tide pattern the fishing has actually been better at mid-tides, and when it gets very low only croaker and occasional black drum are biting. Cut shrimp have been working. 

There have also been some reds caught on the mud flats, where Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that on low tide he has been successful with cut mullet around oyster bars. There should also be some good tailing tides on the upcoming full moon.  Kai has also seen some flounder on the low tide mud flats – including jumping out of the water chasing mullet!

Coach has found a tough trout bite, and Kai has only picked up a few on cut mullet as a by-catch. It seems that the fish are bit deeper and if you want to target them live shrimp under a slip cork could be the best option.

One of the more exciting bites right now is for tripletail, and Kai’s boat has been fishing for them around crab pots off the beach. They will take mud minnows, shrimp, and even artificial lures like Savage Gear shrimp.  While they can be caught blind-fishing if you know where they hang out, sight-fishing is the best way for most people to target them. 

In the Broad River the menhaden were in the river one day but then disappeared the next, but at nearshore reefs and wrecks like the General Gordon and Whitewater the fishing for bluefish and Spanish mackerel has been wide open. Kai’s boat has caught tons of both species vertical jigging with diamond jigs, and there are also small jacks around. While the last of the cobia are still being caught, the king mackerel have showed up and should get more and more prolific all the time. You can catch them on live bait or trolling big plugs.

One final note is that tarpon should arrive inshore any day now.

June 11

Water temperatures are about 83 around Hilton Head. 

Big redfish have been keeping charter clients happy the last week or two, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that inshore they are catching lots of big fish well over the slot – but not quite big enough to qualify as bulls. Fish are eating around the tide cycle, with cut mullet fished on the bottom producing the best. Oyster bars and creek mouths have been the best spots. 

There are also plenty of reds tailing at high tide on the grass flats. 

While they are not targeting them very much, it seems like there is a good population of trout right now as they have also caught some specks on cut mullet as well as Zman baits. If you want to target them early in the morning with topwater lures they will eat until the sun gets up. 

While Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley (843-368-2126) has not been targeting them much he is also catching some big trout, but the most surprising bite this week has been flounder. At a spot where Coach traditionally catches flounder they caught five including three 18 inchers on the last trip. Floating mud minnows over dead shell rakes with some current flow has been effective on high tide, but they are certainly feeding at other places on low tide. Apparently it’s a good flounder population this year in Hilton Head. 

Kai reports that sharks are everywhere, and there are also still plenty of cobia in the Broad River.  The tarpon and big jacks have not really showed up yet.  Spanish mackerel are thick in the Port Royal Sound, while you have to go further out to the nearshore reefs to find the king mackerel and spadefish.   There are also abundant cobia at the Betsy Ross but only about 1 in 10 is over 36 inches.

May 28

Water temperatures are in the mid-70s around Hilton Head. Very windy conditions have dirtied the water.  

The Broad River/ Port Royal Sound cobia fishery was pretty good in May, but Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley (843-368-2126) reports that it slowed down last week between moon cycles. However, he expects that on the June 5 full moon the fishing should really pick up again.

When it has been relatively calm and there has been some sun sight fishing has been effective around main rips from the mouth of the sound back to the bridge. Fish have been holding around sandbars near 18-25 feet of water. Menhaden, greenies and whole squid have all been working, either on the top or bottom when fish are submerged.   

Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that bluefish and Spanish mackerel have also been thick in the Port Royal Sound and both will take menhaden. 

Redfish can be caught on higher stages of the tide, but Coach reports that you have to work much harder to find them when the water is up in the grass. They are most concentrated on lower stages of the tide in creek bends where there is some structure. 

On the flood tides of the next full moon fish should be tailing well. 

Trout fishing has been pretty good on live shrimp fished under corks in 3-6 feet of water along grass lines on the top half of the tide cycle. Swimbaits have also been working. 

Nearshore and offshore fishing has been really tough with persistent high winds.

May 14

Water temperatures are in the mid-70s around Hilton Head. Very windy conditions have dirtied the water and limited fishable areas.  

There is one commonality for inshore fishing right now, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that it’s simple. If you have live shrimp you will catch fish, and if you do not you will struggle. Kai has been deep-holing for shrimp, which aren’t yet generally available in the marsh, because if you don’t have them you are usually out of luck.

Keeping the bait of choice in mind, redfish can be caught on structure inside of the creeks and particularly around oyster beds. Trout are on grass banks that drop sharply from deep to shallow. The best bite is on high tide as long as there is a little current to move the shrimp along.

At low water there is the best black drum fishing, and the fish can be caught around downed trees, docks, riprap and rock walls.  Sheepshead are being caught on live shrimp as a by-catch while black drum fishing, but in fairness they will probably take fiddler crabs too. 

Flounder are being caught on lower stages of the tide on white shell bars that have some current passing over them. In addition to live shrimp they have caught a few on Savage Gear Shrimp which look pretty realistic (when live shrimp have to be conserved). 

Fishing has been tough in the big water and nearshore with all the wind, but larger boats have caught some cobia and Spanish mackerel in the Port Royal Sound (see the Beaufort fishing report.)  At the nearshore reefs Spanish mackerel, weakfish, bluefish, cobia and king mackerel are all around, and in the last few days there were some nice kings that had moved closed in off the Savannah shipping channel. 

In 80-120 feet of water there has been good bottom fishing for triggerfish, snapper, and grouper, and out in the Gulf Stream they are catching dolphin and blackfin tuna.  Wahoo should be around but reports have been thin – in part since it has been so hard to get out.

April 30

Water temperatures are about 72 degrees around Hilton Head. There is a lot of darker fresh water around the Broad River Bridge but closer to the ocean the water is nice and green.

In a sure sign that summer is getting closer, Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that on Tuesday his boat got into some tripletail in the Broad River that were floating along beside weedlines. While these early fish were relatively small, they ate live shrimp under a cork and the bigger ones are certainly around or coming soon. 

The trout bite continues to be pretty good, and they are still fishing along grass edges or creek bends with drops.  Live shrimp on a 5-foot leader under a floating cork have been working well in the deeper creeks with 6-10 feet of water. 

Redfish have been biting pretty well on the low incoming tide, and they have even seen some fish tailing on lowtide. They caught a 12-pound fish on a popper that was tailing. There is also a tailing bite on high tide bite when fish go up into the grass to feed on fiddler crabs.

The menhaden have not gotten into the sounds yet even though they are off the beaches, but big Spanish mackerel have moved into the Broad River where they can be caught around the rips. There have been a few early cobia but the numbers are not great yet. Inshore there are lots of 1-2 pound bluefish. 

At the nearshore reefs 5-10 miles offshore cobia are around in good numbers, and at the Betsy Ross sheepshead and black drum are still around.

April 15

Water temperatures are in the mid- to upper 70s around Hilton Head. 

For anglers with access Hilton Head fishing is still good, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that the trout bite remains strong.  The best fishing has been along grass edges or creek bends with drops, and live shrimp on a 5-foot leader under a floating cork have been working well in the deeper creeks.  This pattern should stay strong.

Redfish are in similar areas, although there is starting to be a better high tide bite when fish go up into the grass to feed on fiddler crabs.

As it warms menhaden schools are starting to move into the sounds, and the Spanish mackerel are right behind them. This month they will be caught at the tidal rips while cobia fishing. At the nearshore reefs 5-10 miles offshore cobia are showing up, and it is only a matter of time until they make their way inshore. The nearshore reefs are already covered up with bluefish, and there are also lots of weakfish out there. They will eat jigs, shrimp or fish. 

There continues to be a good bite for sheepshead and black drum, which should last through the end of April.  Fiddler crabs are the best bait.

30-40 miles offshore there is good bottom fishing for vermillion snapper, black sea bass, and triggerfish. There are also tons of protected red snapper.

The wahoo bite is getting really good.

April 1

Inshore surface water temperatures around Hilton Head are about 70 degrees, and there is still a lot of freshwater coming in from the rivers and making for stained/ dirty conditions. Still, overall the water is normalizing and better than it was. 

For those who can fish in Hilton Head there is some good news, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that the trout bite is on fire right now.  They are catching fish in 3-10 feet of water when there is clean, moving water, with creek mouths on the outgoing tide, seams around oyster beds, and grass banks all working.

The best pattern has been floating live shrimp under a cork, and for anglers who know how to target them you can catch shrimp throwing a taped net in deep holes.

 

Redfish are basically on the same pattern, and with the two species mixed together they are often catching a red on one cast and a trout on the next. There are also some redfish still schooled up on the flats. 

At the nearshore reefs 5-10 miles offshore there continues to be an outstanding bite for sheepshead and black drum. Fiddler crabs have been the best bait.

While this is a difficult time to be an angler, Captain Kai points out that a possible silver lining could be that it may give some saltwater fisheries a chance to recover from overfishing.

March 27

Inshore surface water temperatures around Hilton Head have gotten into the upper 60s and even hit 70, and the water had cleared until recent winds got up. 

It’s a tale of two tides for redfish in the Hilton Head area, and Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley (843-368-2126) reports that on higher water fish are very spread out between spots and you have to keep moving to pick up a fish here-and-there. Basically they are along grass edges back in the creeks as generally they have moved off of the main channel.

On lower water you can find them grouped up around oyster beds in the small creeks. Look in 3-4 feet.  The drawback has been that you can’t get anywhere close to them as the water warms, and so casting from a distance is necessary. Mud minnows under a rattling cork and Gulp! shrimp are working equally well. 

Because of the closures Coach notes that there have been tons of local boats out and so getting on your spots can be difficult. 

While Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) has found the redfish a little finicky, as water temperatures have approached and even hit 70 he has found an improved trout bite. You need to be fishing in cleaner water near the ocean, and higher tides have been fishing the best. Ledges, drops and oyster bars in 8-10 feet of water have been producing, and live shrimp as well as white or green artificial lures have been good. 

With early warming this spring both captains expect very early cobia on the April full moon.

At the nearshore reefs 5-10 miles offshore there continues to be an outstanding bite for sheepshead and black drum.  Fiddler crabs have been the best bait.

March 13

Inshore surface water temperatures around Hilton Head have gotten into the low 60s, and even though recent big tides reduced the clarity each day this week visibility has been rising. 

Spring saltwater fishing is always a mixed bag, but this year Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that so far the fishing has been crazy good for redfish. Fish are being caught at all stages of the tide, and they have not been very skittish.

On higher stages of the tide fish have been caught in the grass with mud minnows, and Kai’s boat is targeting holes in the grass, sparse pockets and generally areas that do not have a lot of current. Big swimbaits have also been working well. There has also been some good fishing at low tide when the dolphin are not pounding the fish. 

There has been some good trout fishing with live shrimp, and the best fishing has been in holes in the creek where there is some structure such as a fallen tree or rock wall. 10 feet has been the target depth.

Nearshore sheepshead and black drum are still all over the reefs in 30-50 feet of water. Use fiddler crabs.

In the next few weeks migratory species should start to arrive.

February 27

Inshore surface water temperatures around Hilton Head range from about 56-59, and on days when there has been no recent wind or rain clarity is very good. 

Weather conditions have been inconsistent for inshore fishing, but Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley (843-368-2126) reports that when the tide is up he is having the best luck fishing for redfish around grass edges and oyster beds. At times the fish can be a little finicky, especially since the dolphins really don’t have mullet to feed on yet. However, the grass edges seem to give them some security and the schools will eat better that at low tide.  Gulp! fished on a ¼ ounce jighead is still working. 

On lower stages of the tide redfish are very finicky on the flats but are still biting pretty well back in the creeks in deep bends with some good structure such as docks, downed trees or rock. Fish are holding near the bottom in 12-18 feet of water, and on moving stages of the lower part of the tide cycle a slip cork and mud minnow is working well. 

Trout continue to be feeding a little on grass edges at high tide, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that white shell bars in the main rivers where there is 6-7 feet of water are holding fish. With some clarity issues the incoming tide when there is clear water coming in has been fishing the best. Jigheads with Zman PaddlerZ and Jerk Shadz, as well as live mud minnows, shrimp and small finger mullet, have all been working well. 

However, the best action for trout this week has been in deeper holes where there is 12-15 feet of water at the intersections of creeks or at the mouths. Some large fish have been caught in holes.

In 30-50 feet of water Kai continues to have success for sheepshead and black drum at the wrecks, and the fish should stay out there spawning through April. Fiddler crabs and clams have been working very well.

There are tons of small black sea bass in the same areas, but to get the bigger fish you need to go 30-35 miles offshore to the Hump – or the Betsy Ross a little closer in. The fish at the Tire Reef are already pretty picked over.

February 17

Inshore surface water temperatures around Hilton Head range from about 56-62, and with recent rains and big tides visibility is only fair. 

Conditions continue to be a little tough for sight-fishing, but Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley (843-368-2126) reports that redfish have been biting pretty well back in the creeks in deep bends with some good structure such as docks, downed trees or rock. Fish are holding near the bottom in 12-18 feet of water, and on moving stages of the lower part of the tide cycle a slip cork and mud minnow is working well. At low tide Gulp! shrimp on a 3/8 ounce jighead have been good.

At low tide on the flats fish can be seen but they are extremely finicky, but on higher water you can locate the same schools along the edges of the grass over oysters. Gulp! fished on a ¼ ounce jighead should catch these fish. 

There have been some really good trout caught at high tide, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that the best action has been around white shell bars in the main rivers where there is 6-7 feet of water. With some clarity issues the incoming tide when there is clear water coming in has been fishing the best. Jigheads with Zman PaddlerZ and Jerk Shadz, as well as live mud minnows, shrimp and small finger mullet, have all been working well. 

About 5 miles offshore in 30 feet of water Kai continues to have success for sheepshead at the wrecks, and the fish should stay out there spawning through April. Fiddler crabs have been working very well and also picking up some black drum as well as redfish. 

There are tons of small black sea bass in the same areas, but to get the bigger fish you need to go out to 50 plus feet of water.

January 29

Inshore surface water temperatures around Hilton Head have fallen into the mid-50s, and with rains last week and then a lot of wind clarity is below average for this time of year. 

Even though there has been tough weather for sight-fishing, Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley (843-368-2126) reports that redfish are schooled up well and there has been good fishing. Coach has been doing most of his catching on higher stages of the tide, and he has found that on low tides the fish are spooky because of dolphin predation. He advises locating the schools on low water when they can be easier to find, and then on higher water finding places where fish will follow creeks that run up into the marsh. The fish are particularly likely to be over oyster beds up in the marsh, and they are looking for a little deeper areas with 3-4 feet of water that does not have a sandy bottom. Gulp! on ¼ ounce jigheads is working well, and Coach notes that sometimes he is sight-casting and sometimes he is fishing familiar spots that have been productive in the past.

Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) notes that redfish can also be caught on the lower half of the tide cycle, when he is fishing for them with mud minnows or artificial lures. 

Trout reports have been very slow, and Coach reports that spots that typically hold trout at this time of year have not been producing. Kai advises that to locate trout in this colder water you may need to fish very slowly in deep holes. 

About 5 miles offshore Kai has had good success for sheepshead at nearshore reefs, where the fish should be around through April. Fiddler crabs have been working very well.

January 15

Inshore surface water temperatures around Hilton Head are up to the low 60s, and even though clarity has not been great because of winds and high tides the water is starting to clear again. 

The warming months of March and April are typically two of the toughest months of the year for catching redfish around Hilton Head, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that with recent weather patterns feeling more like the spring than January the bad fishing is here right now. The forecast for cooler weather ahead means that things will probably improve soon, but right now the fishing is nothing like it was a couple of weeks ago. On a recent trip a guide found five good schools of fish on four different flats, and not a single one was willing to eat. 

Despite tough conditions some fish can usually be picked up here and there, and the best bet is to fish the lower half of the tide cycle with artificial lures or mud minnows.

Even though the redfish action has slowed trout actually prefer water temperatures in the 60s, and so the fishing for this species has picked up. There is good fishing around the tide cycle as long as you target the right spots for the particular tide, and generally fish are in 5-10 feet of water around creek bends and structure such as rip rap banks, trees or other rocks. Clear, moving water is important. 

There have been some black drum and sheepshead caught at nearshore reefs like the Savannah Reef, but the spawning cycle should mean that the next few months are the best for this pattern. 

There are tons of black sea bass about ten miles offshore, but for every 50 fish there will only be a few keepers.  The better fish are 30 miles out.

er with mullet and menhaden. 

While fish are generally moving towards the ocean, with temperatures still warm there continue to be some outstanding catches up the rivers around deep structure and bridges. 

 drop below about 70 it should get really good. The areas he fishes in 25-35 feet, such as hard bottoms or the Broad River Bridge, have some fish but they have not arrived in huge numbers. Keep your eyes open for gannets diving on bait off the shipping channel as that will signal that the bull drum are feeding. 

Kai has been finding some fish in the Calibogue Sound and Port Royal Sound, and for him live menhaden, cut menhaden and cut mullet have been fishing the best. He is also concentrating on about 35 feet of water.