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AHQ INSIDER Beaufort (SC) Fall Fishing Report – Updated September 1

  • by Jay

The newest Beaufort fishing report, updated September 1, can be found at: http://www.anglersheadquarters.com/ahq-insider-beaufort-sc-fall-2017-fishing-report/

September 1

Inshore water temperatures in the Beaufort area are down from a high of 88 to around 80 or 81 degrees, and clarity is pretty tough right now.  On the fly dark colors like black and purple have the best visibility.

The redfish bite in the Beaufort area has been good, and Captain Tuck Scott of Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports that in particular the tailing action has been very strong.  It should get better as temperatures drop.

As water temperatures drop he also expects the reds to get more and more oriented towards chasing shrimp, and on low tide fish can already be caught in small channels in the flats on shrimp and artificials that imitate them.  On both the dropping tide and the incoming drum are sitting around shell bars in places they can ambush prey.

A big redfish caught Thursday on Captain Tuck Scott's boat
A big redfish caught Thursday on Captain Tuck Scott’s boat

Trouthave been feeding well, and fish are feeding around swift moving water where they have some sort of obstacle that creates an ambush point.  3-4 feet is a good depth range.  In addition to live bait ¼ ounce jigheads with paddletail grubs, Gulp! shrimp or swimming mullet are working well.

Trout are also biting well at light changes (particularly in the morning) on topwater lures.  Ladyfish and jack crevalle can also be caught the same way.

There are also a fair number of tripletail around, and on the flats and even over deep water if you see a dark spot it is worth looking to see if it is a tripletail laying on the surface.  On spinning tackle they will eat a finger mullet, mud minnow, or live shrimp, or a shallow suspended twitch bait.  A dark baitfish pattern is best on the fly.

Tarpon are around and guides have seen them busting bait.

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