August 26

Morning surface water temperatures are about 86 degrees around Hilton Head and visibility is about normal. There are shrimp and mullet in the creeks and menhaden everywhere. 

It’s been a pretty good couple of weeks around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that they are catching a bunch of redfish in the grass on high tide with cut bait fished in little pockets and holes. At low tide they are doing well around the oyster flats with cut mullet or menhaden. 

Trout have moved out of deeper water and towards the banks, and they are catching lots of specks on live shrimp fished along the grass lines. Moving tides in either direction are fishing well. 

Some flounder are also being picked up on mud minnows at the mouths of creeks. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

The tarpon fishing has been really good recently in the Port Royal and Calibogue Sounds. Live menhaden are catching fish on both the top and the bottom, but there are still a lot of sharks around.

Big jack crevalle can also be found in both sounds, and there are small numbers of jacks everywhere.

Spanish mackerel can be found in both the Broad River and nearshore, but to find king mackerel you have to go way offshore.

August 6

Morning surface water temperatures are about 85 degrees around Hilton Head.  Shrimp and finger mullet are prolific in the creeks.    

Storms and winds have wreaked havoc on the fishing this week, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that all things considered they made the best of it and caught some good fish. Another challenge is that there are still as many sharks as he has ever seen around, but they did manage to catch some tarpon this week. They can be found on both the river side and in the ocean on the south side of the island, and live menhaden or mullet under a float are working the best. On the bottom you get even more sharks. 

There have also been some big jack crevalle around this week, and this is pretty much exclusively a sight-fishing game. When you spot them feeding on top you can throw big poppers or swimbaits at the fish, although if you get in an area where you know they are you will also sometimes pick them up with live baits on the bottom.

While trout have been conspicuously absent, they are still catching big redfish in the 28-30 inch range in very shallow water in the creeks. On low tide they are feeding on the oyster flats and cut mullet or cut menhaden is doing the trick. 

Some flounder are also being picked up on mud minnows at the mouths of creeks. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

While it’s been too rough to get offshore, the Spanish mackerel have been showing up in the Port Royal Sound and Kai has caught some around the Broad River Bridge. 

There are some very isolated reports of king mackerel being caught a couple of miles offshore, but otherwise the nearshore fishing has been slow even when it was possible to get there. 

July 29

Morning surface water temperatures are about 84 degrees around Hilton Head and the water is relatively clear. There are tons of small shrimp inshore and more big ones should be on the way. Finger mullet are also prolific.  

As he predicted last week, Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) is pleased to report that the full moon did bring in a wave of tarpon and they have been catching more this week. Of course, there are still as many sharks as he has ever seen in the area, and you catch a bunch for every tarpon that you jump, but today they caught a good one on a live menhaden under a float at the mouth of the sound. You can also catch them on the bottom but there are usually more sharks that way. 

Kai is still targeting big redfish in 28-30 inch range in very shallow water in the creeks. On low tide they are feeding on the oyster flats, and cut mullet or cut menhaden is doing the trick. 

Early in the morning there is a good topwater bite for trout, and they can also be caught on live shrimp or finger mullet in four plus feet of water. They are holding a bit deeper than the reds. 

Some flounder are also being picked up on mud minnows at the mouths of creeks. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

The Spanish mackerel fishing has picked up a little this week, and Kai has caught a bunch of them in the Port Royal Sound.  While live bait is usually preferable, he has even picked some up on cut menhaden fished around a rip when he was fishing for ladyfish. 

There is still a really good bite for king mackerel from about three miles off the beaches on out. The shipping channel in particular has been holding a lot of kings. Fish can be caught pulling live bait or anchoring up, chumming and putting out king rigs on top. 

Finally, the action for bull reds has come on this week and there are a bunch of bulls being caught off the beaches over rock bottoms a couple of miles offshore.  Chunk menhaden is working the best.

July 23

Morning surface water temperatures are about 83 degrees Hilton Head.  There are tons of small shrimp around and more big ones should be on the way. Finger mullet are also prolific.  

Summer in Hilton Head usually means abundant tarpon, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that the tarpon fishing has been a little off recently. He points out that the fish usually come in waves, and right now we are obviously between groups. However, he is optimistic that this full moon could bring up some more tarpon over the weekend, in which case live menhaden under a float or on the bottom should be productive.

What is around right now is sharks, and Kai reports that he does not remember ever seeing as many sharks as this summer.

Kai has been spending the most time recently guiding for redfish, and there have been some really nice 28-30 inch fish caught in very shallow water in the creeks. On low tide they are feeding on the oyster flats, and cut mullet or cut menhaden is doing the trick. 

While Kai’s boat is not targeting them as much there are also some trout being caught on live shrimp or finger mullet in four plus feet of water. They are holding a bit deeper than the reds. 

Some flounder are also being picked up on mud minnows at the mouths of creeks. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

While it continues to be a slow year for Spanish mackerel, there is a really good bite for king mackerel from about three miles off the beaches on out. The shipping channel in particular has been holding a lot of kings. Fish can be caught pulling live bait or anchoring up, chumming and putting out king rigs on top. 

July 8

Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s inshore around Hilton Head.

When you are chasing tarpon nothing is ever certain, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that some weeks they are just easy while other weeks they “play hard to get.” Unfortunately this has been the second kind of week, and they have been fishing for tarpon but catching tons of sharks. Kai reports that he has seen more blacktips than ever before in his life. 

Live menhaden remain the best bait, both under a float and on the bottom, and after this storm passes the fishing should get better again.  

Typical inshore species have been a bit of mixed bag recently, and while Kai has not seen many small redfish they have been catching good numbers of over-slot fish in the 26-32 inch range. The best bite has been on the high outgoing tide where water is coming out of the grass near feeder creeks. They are fishing very shallow in about a foot of water with cut menhaden under a cork or on the bottom. 

The trout bite has been slow, but they have caught the occasional good black drum like the 27-incher pictured below which came on a piece of shrimp under a dock. 

Some flounder are also being picked up on mud minnows at the mouths of creeks. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat (from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

A few small late-season cobia can still be caught in the Port Royal Sound, and there are also a decent number of fish out at the Betsy Ross. 

While the fewest Spanish mackerel in the last four years are in the Port Royal Sound this year, they have picked up some big kings in the sound. While there is bait it’s not an incredible amount, and so this is unexpected. You can catch kings along the rips on live menhaden. 

The jack crevalle that were around a couple of weeks ago headed south and they can be found at the mouth of Savannah River.

June 25

Morning surface water temperatures are about 81 degrees inshore around Hilton Head.

It’s been a tough few days between very high full moon tides and steadily blowing wind which has muddied up the water, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that they have still picked up some good fish. Both yesterday and today they have caught cobia in the Broad River, and they also picked up a big jack crevalle in the 30-pound range. The cobia season is certainly winding down, but there could be jacks around off and on through the summer. They follow the bait, and fish can be caught on Pop-Rs on the surface or on big baits under floats. 

Kai’s boat has pursued redfish and trout less frequently of late, but when he has both species have been caught at low tide over shell beds. Docks are also holding both species as well as black drum on the lower half of the tide cycle. Live shrimp will also catch all three.  

Some flounder are also being picked up on mud minnows at the mouths of creeks. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations will change, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size will move from 15 to 16 inches. 

While all those species are fun to catch, the most exciting action in the past couple of weeks has undoubtedly been with the tarpon. Before the tropical storm rolled in all the area guides were catching tarpon and there was tons of bait around in the Calibogue and Port Royal Sounds. They were probably off the beaches, too, but Kai saw no reason to look there with the bite so good in the sounds.  So far this season his boat has caught about half of their tarpon on top under a float and half on the bottom. Live menhaden are hard to beat.  

There have also been a ton of sharks around, the most Kai has ever seen, a sure sign of a good fishery. 

While as mentioned the bite has been off for the last few days, and the full moon usually moves the fish around anyway, there is every reason to think that they can find the tarpon again soon. However, they may have to do some work and burn a lot of gas to find them!

June 11

Morning surface water temperatures are about 79 inshore around Hilton Head.

With persistent winds this past week Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that they have mostly been stuck inshore, but with a lot different things going on inside they have still been catching a mixed bag of species. 

The cobia fishing has only been fair recently, although some fish can still be caught anchored up in the Broad River, but they have caught tons of male Atlantic sharpnose sharks. There have been also plenty of Spanish mackerel in the same areas. Overall they expect cobia to be in the area through the end of the June since the season got off to such a late start, and the June 24 full moon could have another wave of fish.

They still aren’t catching many juvenile redfish, but at low tide cut menhaden on the bottom around oyster points have worked for big ones. At some point the slot-sized fish will show up again, as if by magic, but right now they are catching mostly brutes in the 10-pound range. 

While trout haven’t really been prolific, on one trip they caught some big ones on a point that had clear water where they were mixed in with Spanish mackerel and ladyfish. They caught everything on diamond jigs, although other baits and artificial lures certainly would have worked. 

In a sign of excitement just ahead there have been some early sightings of tarpon, but they have not been in the numbers yet to generate a consistent fishery.  With menhaden just now starting to flood into the Port Royal and Calibogue Sound they are really excited for what is coming.

May 27

Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s inshore around Hilton Head.

There are certainly cobia around in the Broad River right now, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that in the next week he expects the fishing to get really good after this full moon. This seems especially likely as menhaden are just starting to flood into the area. The only problem is that soon you will be able to legally kill inshore fish, which isn’t good for the fishery and also means a ton of boats on the water. 

While Kai’s favorite way to target cobia is sight-fishing, this report will focus more on anchor fishing (see Captain Tuck Scott in the Beaufort report for sight-fishing information.).  Conditions have been unfavorable for sight-fishing a lot this month, and in those circumstances where you have to anchor up Kai reports that chumming is important. He uses 8/0 circle hooks with both live and dead baits, and puts live baits on the top and bottom as well as cut bait on the bottom. Croaker, menhaden and dead squid are all good options. 

There’s not much change with resident inshore species, and Kai reports that in addition to an early topwater bite they are catching some trout on live shrimp fished under floats. The best action is on moving tides in 5-6 feet of water along the edges of grass, and fish are deeper during the day.

The fishing for juvenile redfish is still slow, and right now they are mainly catching big ones on cut mullet around creek mouths, docks and other structure at low tide. 

They have picked up a few flounder as a by-catch, like this fish caught on a white Gulp! shrimp under a popping cork.

60-90 miles offshore there is still a very good dolphin bite.

 

May 20

Morning surface water temperatures remain in the low to mid-70s inshore around Hilton Head.

A cold front and then strong winds from the East bringing cooler offshore water have kept temperatures down around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that in addition to an early topwater bite they are catching some trout on live shrimp fished under floats. The best action is on moving tides in 5-6 feet of water along the edges of grass, and fish are starting to head a little deeper during the day.

At the same time the fishing for juvenile redfish has slowed down, and right now they are mainly catching big ones on cut mullet around creek mouths, docks and other structure at low tide. The action for black drum has also dropped off but a few fish can still be caught around structure on shrimp and crabs. 

At the same time that resident species aren’t feeding especially well the cobia are providing a jolt of excitement, and in both the Port Royal and Calibogue Sounds fish are showing up. On the next full moon Kai expects a pile of them to arrive. Some fish are being caught sight-fishing, but with tricky weather anchoring at bridges and sand rips with live mullet, squid and greenies (threadfin herring) has been better.

It’s been too windy to get offshore much, but there have been some Spanish mackerel caught in the Port Royal Sound on live bait. Nearshore there are acres of Spanish when you can get out after them. 

Offshore there have been some monster dolphin up to 61 pounds caught, although you have to go about 60 miles to catch them.

May 6

Morning surface water temperatures remain in the low to mid-70s inshore around Hilton Head.

The early morning topwater bite is picking up around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that both redfish and trout can be caught first thing with Spooks and other topwater baits. The action for juvenile redfish generally remains a little more consistent than it was a few weeks ago, and Kai reports that fish can still be caught on bait around creek mouths, docks and other structure at low tide. Live shrimp, dead shrimp on the bottom, and sections of blue crab are all working. Regardless of how you are fishing early is now better. 

In addition to early topwater action they are still catching trout on moving tides in 5-6 feet of water along the edges of grass, and fish are starting to move a little deeper during the day. Live shrimp under floats have been working the best.

Black drum are in many of the same areas as the redfish, and they are catching them around docks, riprap banks, rock walls and more. They are feeding best on lower tides when there is a little moving water. Small pieces of shrimp on a small hook are working the best. 

While there have still been a few cobia caught inshore, the action in the Broad River is not yet wide open. A few were caught at the end of last week but this week has been slower. 

At the hard bottoms and artificial reefs 3-15 plus miles offshore the very tail end of the sheepshead bite is still taking place and this week there were some very good, late-season catches. As promised the Spanish mackerel have also arrived and they are catching good numbers casting or dragging planer boards with Clarks or Drone spoons.   

April 30

Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-70s inshore around Hilton Head.

The inshore fishing has turned up a notch around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that the most exciting development this week is that as bait floods into the Broad River bull red drum and cobia have just started to show up around the bridge. Kai’s boat has caught some monster reds, and the cobia are definitely around because there are multiple reports of sightings. 

The action for juvenile redfish has also gotten a little more consistent than it was a few weeks ago, and Kai reports that fish are being caught around creek mouths, docks and other structure at low tide. Live shrimp, dead shrimp on the bottom, and sections of blue crab are all working. 

For now they are still catching trout on moving tides in 5-6 feet of water along the edges of grass, although as it gets hot fish could move a little deeper during the day. Live shrimp under floats have been working the best.

Black drum are in many of the same areas as the redfish, and they are catching them around docks, riprap banks, rock walls and more. They are feeding best on lower tides when there is a little moving water. Small pieces of shrimp on a small hook are working the best. 

At the hard bottoms and artificial reefs 3-15 plus miles offshore, there are still sheepshead and weakfish around.  Any time now the Spanish mackerel should also arrive, if they have not already.

April 16

Morning surface water temperatures are about 68 degrees inshore around Hilton Head and the water is still nice and clean. 

While today was a little slow, overall the inshore fishing has been pretty good around Hilton Head.  Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that they are catching trout on moving tides in 5-6 feet of water along the edges of grass. Live shrimp under floats have been working the best.

The action for redfish has gotten a little more consistent than it was a few weeks ago, and Kai reports that fish are being caught around creek mouths, docks and other structure at low tide. Live shrimp, dead shrimp on the bottom, and sections of blue crab are all working. 

Black drum are in many of the same areas as the redfish, and they are catching them around docks, riprap banks, rock walls and more. They are feeding best on lower tides when there is a little moving water. Small pieces of shrimp on a small hook are working the best. 

While it’s been a few days since Kai’s boat has fished the hard bottoms and artificial reefs 3-15 plus miles offshore, when he was last out there were still plenty of sheepshead and weakfish around.  With water temperatures still only in the high 60s offshore they may be there for a little while longer.  There are also tons of small black sea bass around but to get keepers you have to go about 30 miles offshore.

March 25

Morning surface water temperatures are about 62 degrees inshore around Hilton Head and the water is a medium green. 

The nearshore fishing is still very good, but Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that the inshore fishing for trout is also picking up.  Some bigger fish are starting to be caught, and they are coming in deep creek bends near steep banks as well as along grass lines in the creeks. Mud minnows and shrimp are both working. 

At the same time the flats redfish are getting a little “squirrelly”, and Kai reports that as they break out of their winter schools it can be difficult to get them to bite. The creek redfish are more reliable around oyster beds and docks. Fresh shrimp or mud minnows will catch creek reds.   

Probably the best action continues to be found fishing over hard bottoms and artificial reefs 3-15 plus miles offshore, and in particular the sheepshead and huge black drum are biting very well.  Today they caught a 30-pound black drum on a little fiddler crab!  There are also black sea bass and weakfish around, and in the next month bluefish, Spanish mackerel and cobia should arrive.

March 11

Morning surface water temperatures are about 57 degrees inshore around Hilton Head and clarity is very good.

It’s hard not to lead off with the nearshore fishing report as good as the action has been, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that 5-10 miles offshore over hard bottoms and artificial reefs the sheepshead fishing has been phenomenal with fiddler crabs. They have had some calm, warm days when conditions are really pleasant, and the fish are hungry and willing to eat!  Yesterday was especially good. 

You do have to contend with lots of small black sea bass, but there are also good black drum and weakfish for the catching. Yesterday water temperatures were about 56 degrees nearshore. 

The redfish are still on a similar pattern around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that fish continue to feed well at low tide on the flats that have laid down white shell oysters. In the clear water they are looking for schools in about a foot of water, and the best way to target the fish is casting artificials. Lately Zman MinnowZ in black and gold or root beer colors have been working really well. 

You can still fish the flats until mid-tide, but when the water gets high in the grass the best pattern is to look for small pockets with sparse grass. While you can throw artificial baits the pattern reverses on higher tides and soaking natural baits works better.

The trout fishing is still decent, with fish in 10-15 feet of water. They can be found around riprap in bends in the creek or other hard structure such as a rock wall. Mud minnows and Vudu Shrimp have been working the best. 

The better fishing is still usually at mid-tide, and there really needs to be some flow in either direction for the fish to feed. 

The best place to look for black drum is in the creeks around docks and fallen trees on low tide. Cut shrimp on the bottom are the best bait and you will also pick up some redfish this way.

February 23

Surface water temperatures are back to about 52 around Hilton Head, and with all the recent wind and rain clarity is only moderate.   

The redfish are still on a similar pattern around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that fish continue to feed well at low tide on the flats that have laid down white shell oysters. In the clear water they are looking for schools in about a foot of water, and the best way to target the fish is casting artificials. Lately Zman MinnowZ in black and gold or root beer colors have been working really well. 

You can still fish the flats until mid-tide, but when the water gets high in the grass the best pattern is to look for small pockets with sparse grass. While you can throw artificial baits the pattern reverses on higher tides and soaking natural baits works better.

The trout fishing has perked up a little bit, and fish have moved slightly shallower into 10-15 feet of water. They can be found around riprap in bends in the creek or other hard structure such as a rock wall. Mud minnows and Vudu Shrimp have been working the best. 

The better fishing is still usually at mid-tide, and there really needs to be some flow in either direction for the fish to feed. 

The best place to look for black drum is in the creeks around docks and fallen trees on low tide. Cut shrimp on the bottom are the best bait. 

It’s been really hard to find a day good enough to get offshore recently, but Captain Kai reports that when you can get out the sheepshead and black drum are feeding well 5-10 miles offshore over hard bottoms and artificial reefs.  Fiddler crabs have been hard to come by but the sunny weather predicted for the next few days may bring them out.

February 5

Surface water temperatures have dropped to about 52 around Hilton Head, and the water is very clear except when the winds are high. Even then it gets back to gin clear after a day. 

Luckily the redfish bite remains pretty good around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports the fish continue to feed well at low tide on the flats that have laid down white shell oysters. In the clear water they are looking for schools in about a foot of water, and the best way to target the fish is casting artificials like gold spoons or weighted Zman PaddlerZ or MinnowZ on a jighead. You can also use natural baits such as mud minnows or fresh shrimp, but you really have to sit and wait for the fish to move towards the bait with natural baits.

You can still fish the flats until mid-tide, but when the water gets high in the grass the best pattern is to look for small pockets with sparse grass. While you can throw artificial baits the pattern reverses on higher tides and soaking natural baits works better.

The trout fishing has gotten pretty slow and the fish have gone deep, and while they can still be caught you need to look in holes and creek bends with 15 plus feet of water. The good news is not many people are fishing for them, so if you target trout you can have them to yourself!

The best fishing is still at mid-tide, and there really needs to be some flow in either direction for the fish to feed. While artificials like Vudu Shrimp will work mud minnows are fishing better. Live shrimp, available at Southern Drawl Outfitters and Bluffton Marine Sports and Supply, are the best bait. 

You will also catch some redfish in the same areas, but the best place to look for black drum is in the creeks around docks and fallen trees on low tide. Cut shrimp is the best bait. 

If water temperatures will warm just a degree or two then Captain Kai expects the sheepshead and black drum to start feeding really well 5-10 miles offshore over hard bottoms and artificial reefs. There are some keeper black sea bass on the deeper end of this range.   

January 21

Surface water temperatures are in the low 50s around Hilton Head, and even with recent winds and some rain the water is still clear. 

The inshore fishing remains good around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that redfish continue to feed well at low tide on the flats that have laid down white shell oysters. In the clear water they are looking for schools in about a foot of water, and the best way to target the fish is casting artificials like gold spoons or weighted Zman PaddlerZ or MinnowZ on a jighead. You can also use natural baits such as mud minnows or fresh shrimp, but you really have to sit and wait for the fish to move towards the bait with natural baits.

You can still fish the flats until mid-tide, but when the water gets high in the grass the best pattern is to look for small pockets with sparse grass. While you can throw artificial baits the pattern reverses on higher tides and soaking natural baits works better.

The trout have mostly gone deeper, and while they can still be caught in holes and creek bends with 15 plus feet of water not a lot of anglers are targeting them. The best fishing is still at mid-tide, and there really needs to be some flow in either direction for the fish to feed. While artificials like Vudu Shrimp will work mud minnows are fishing the best. Live shrimp, available at Southern Drawl Outfitters and Bluffton Marine Sports and Supply, are the best bait. 

You will also catch some redfish in the same areas, but the best place to look for black drum is in the creeks around docks and fallen trees on low tide. Cut shrimp is the best bait. 

When the wind is moderate then the nearshore fishing is pretty good, and 5-10 miles offshore the sheepshead and black drum should be stacking up over hard bottoms and artificial reefs. However, Captain Kai has discovered that the small black sea bass are so thick that you can hardly get a bait past them. He has found some keepers 8 or 9 miles out on structure, along with grouper that you can’t keep, but without fiddler crabs which are hard to come by (and maybe even with them) targeting sheeps is hard. 

January 14

Surface water temperatures have dropped to about 53 degrees around Hilton Head, and the water has gotten very clear.  

The same three species headline the inshore fishing this week around Hilton Head, and Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) reports that in particular the redfish are feeding really well at low tide on the flats. In the clear water they are looking for schools in about a foot of water, and the best way to target the fish is casting artificials like gold spoons or weighted Zman baits on a jighead. You can also use natural baits such as mud minnows or fresh shrimp, but you really have to sit and wait for the fish to move towards the bait with natural baits.

You can still fish the flats until mid-tide, but when the water gets high in the grass the best pattern is to look for small pockets with sparse grass. While you can throw artificial baits the pattern reverses on higher tides and soaking natural baits works better.

The trout have mostly gone deeper, and they are catching them in holes and creek bends with about 15 feet of water. The best fishing is at mid-tide, and there really needs to be some flow in either direction for the fish to feed. While artificials like Vudu Shrimp will work mud minnows are fishing the best. Live shrimp would also be very good if you can get them. 

You will also catch some redfish in the same areas, but the best place to look for black drum is in the creeks around docks and fallen trees on low tide. Cut shrimp is the best bait. 

Offshore 5-10 miles the sheepshead and black drum are starting to stack up over hard bottoms and artificial reefs.