The “big four” inshore species – redfish, trout, flounder and black drum – are all biting very well in the Georgetown area, according to Guide Kevin “Stump” Grant of Pawley’s Island Guide Service (843-833-4477).  It’s not unusual for anglers to catch all four species on a single trip, and in fact it’s common for all four to be in the same spots.  However, that’s not to say that the bite is equally good for each, and the trout bite is hot while flounder are starting to get smaller and fewer as bigger fish begin to pull out for the season.  The black drum bite is getting better and should continue to get stronger through the winter, while the redfish bite remains consistent.

Stump says that he is employing the same live bait technique for all four species, namely fishing a float rig with live bait.  For fishing in shallower areas he will use a rattling/ clacker cork with a 2-foot leader and a 2/0 circle hook, while for fishing deeper areas he will use an adjustable float rig.  For redfish, trout, and flounder mud minnows, finger mullet, and shrimp will all work, while black drum prefer shrimp or clams.

Artificial lures are also working well for trout and redfish in particular, and there has been a pretty good topwater bite at times on Mirrolures and Rapala SW-08s.  Bass Assassin grubs and most any artificial shrimp imitation are also catching fish, including DOA Shrimp, Savage Gear Shrimp, and Vudu Shrimp.

As far as tides Stump says that he is usually looking for moving water that is not too swift, and that means that two hours each side of high and low tide are ideal.  One of the beauties of the Georgetown area is that the creeks and bays are so vast that anglers can pick up and run to find ideal tides, whereas in smaller creeks and inlets that can be harder to do.  A general rule is that when the tide is first coming in he will be fishing closer to the ocean, but as the tides come up he will move further back.  However, Stump points out that with lots of fresh water coming in now fishing close to the ocean where salinity levels are higher is often better.

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