June 26

Morning surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s around Charleston. 

The wind has basically limited our Charleston captains to inshore fishing, but Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that there has been a pretty exceptional flounder bite recently. He is catching all of his fish on mud minnows under a cork, and the best action is coming at high tide over main river shell points in about 2 feet of water. 

At the same time Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he is finding a good creek bite for redfish, and even though the wind has them pinned down they are having a pretty easy time catching fish on cut menhaden or mullet around docks and other structure. The trout bite has also been better than expected in the creeks, including some good quality fish, but they are having to fish a little bit deeper than usual in the heat. Surprisingly some of the biggest trout are coming on cut bait while targeting reds. 

The last time they were able to fish the harbor they did find an excellent bite for bull red drum, and in the inlets you can find both bull red drum and tarpon in 6-10 feet of water around current breaks and ledges. Both species will take cut menhaden and mullet.  

Finally, a combination of factors including beach renourishment and bad surf conditions have made for some really muddy water around Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), but manager Noah O’Brien reports that there have still been some black drum and trout being caught. The black drum in the 10-16 inches range, and the trout have ranged from about 12-24 inches.  There was a beautiful 4-pound trout caught in their recent tournament!

June 12

Morning surface water temperatures are about 80 degrees around Charleston. 

The inshore fishing has picked up again this week for Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777), and he reports that in particular the redfish bite has come on strong. It must have been the crazy tides that slowed the fishing last week. Inside the creeks the reds are chasing glass minnows and other baitfish up against the banks, and they are also picking up lots of flounder fishing the same areas. Mud minnows are working for everything. 

After some up-and-down days the bull redfish bite in the Charleston Harbor has also gotten more consistent for Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures, who reports that they are eating menhaden pretty well this week.

Overall Captain Addison believes we are in something of a sweet spot right now, where the water has gotten warm enough to have the fish active (and out of any spring funks) but not so hot as to make them lethargic. Inshore his boat is fishing a mix of menhaden and live shrimp, and in addition to redfish and flounder they are finding trout as well as black drum and smaller sheepshead. 

Also, Addison has received two reports of tarpon being hooked this week! One came on a live shrimp at the jetties and was totally random, but the other was by an angler targeting them. It won’t be long until Charleston fishermen are chasing silver kings.    

Finally, the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports that in addition to the usual suspects it has been a good week for black drum and trout in the surf or just behind it. 

June 6

Morning surface water temperatures are about 80 degrees inshore and 77-78 off the beaches. Shrimp have gotten harder to catch but tons of “peanut” menhaden are around. 

It could be the 80 degree water temperatures, or it could be the astronomical new moon tides, but Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that the inshore fishing for redfish and trout has slowed pretty dramatically this week. Last week they were killing both species, but this week has been a different story. As these very large tides fade away he is hopeful the slower action is more a function of temperature than tide.

In particular the harbor bite has been a grind this week for Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures, who reports that he is having better success inside the creeks than in Charleston Harbor for big reds. Perhaps the pressure is getting to be too much. 

Small menhaden have been working pretty well for bait, as they continue to scratch out some nice redfish along grass lines, structure and oyster beds. There seem to be more flounder at the jetties right now, but they did get one nice one on a swimbait inshore. They have also picked up some black drum on frozen shrimp around structure in the creeks. 

But Captain Addison is really ready for tarpon to show up!

When the creek fishing is slow Captain Rob reports that there is still a reliable whiting bite in the inlets, and fishing over sandy bottoms in 5-15/20 feet of water is a pretty surefire way to catch fish. There also tons of sharks to be caught in the inlets. 

Both for nearshore and offshore fishing weather has been a factor, but the spadefish and Spanish mackerel are pretty thick at the reefs and there are jelly balls around. But it’s been one of the worst years for dolphin recent memory, while probably the best year for marlin most people have ever seen!

May 23

Morning surface water temperatures are about 73-74 degrees inshore and off the beaches. 

With water temperatures still mild there is a pretty fantastic inshore bite around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he is catching trout, redfish, black drum and even a bunch of flounder. While the bigger flounder are usually at the jetties, they did have one awesome 24-inch fish this week and a bunch more keepers. 

Right now all the fish seem to be in similar areas, and the best fishing has been along main river or creek grass lines with clean, moving water on either tide.  Oyster mounds have also been good, and around riprap they are finding proportionately more redfish. 

With live shrimp under a popping cork you will catch everything and Captain Addison is still able to net them in deep holes. 

Even though the full moon has messed up his fishing for a day or so, Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that overall the redfish bite has still been really good for him around docks. 

In the Charleston Harbor, the bull redfish are around and Addison’s boat is catching them on cut menhaden. 

Some weird weather slowed the fishing activity and the bite off the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) this week, but manager Noah O’Brien reports that they still saw some nice sheepshead between 12-18 inches all over the pilings from the beach to the diamond. The trout are also really starting to show up, mostly in the 12-16 inch range. Other than that it’s been the usual suspects of whiting, croaker, shark and rays. 

Nearshore, Captain Rob reports that the Spanish mackerel are abundant and there are also cobia in 40-60 feet, while offshore the dolphin bite is good. 

May 16

Morning surface water temperatures are about 75 degrees on Folly Beach.

The bite continues to get hotter off Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), and manager Noah O’Brien reports that they are still catching a lot of decent black drum between 12 and 26 inches. The sheepshead bite has finally started kicking off, with some monsters being caught between 14-24 inches. They have been all over the pilings either in the surf or off of the diamond. They are also starting to see a lot of pompano anywhere from 6-16 inches, more towards the middle of the pier behind the breakers. There have also been a lot of nice Spanish mackerel anywhere from 10-25 inches, almost exclusively off of the diamond.

Finally, they had a nice bluefish run, with fish larger than normal and up to 7 plus pounds, but by now they've all pretty much headed north. 

 

May 15

Morning surface water temperatures are about 75 degrees at the mouth of the Cooper River and 73 or 74 degrees at the jetties. While finger mullet haven’t really showed up small shrimp and a variety of menhaden have arrived. 

The inshore fishing has been really good recently, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that in particular the jetties have been on fire. They are catching big red drum on cut menhaden, and on live shrimp or small live menhaden they are catching sheepshead, black drum and flounder. 

There is also a ton of activity inside the creeks, and they are getting a bunch of trout on live shrimp floated under a cork along structure and grass lines on the high outgoing tide. They are also picking up redfish and black drum this way, but the most consistent way to target black drum is with fresh cut shrimp fished on the bottom around structure. You will also pick up a lot of reds this way.  

There are also a lot of sharks in the area now that bait is arriving. 

It’s also been a good inshore bite for Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777), but for Captain Rob the most exciting thing going has been the dolphin run offshore. In the Gulf Stream they are getting nice boxes of dolphins and there are also plenty of wahoo and blackfin tuna to be caught. 

May 1

Morning surface water temperatures are about 72 degrees in Charleston Harbor. 

It’s been a little tricky to fish the harbor with windy conditions recently, but Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that they are catching some big red drum on menhaden and it seems like more are arriving each day. Crab has also been working well as a bait.  

The creek bite remains consistent, with reds, trout and some flounder all being caught around oyster beds and creek mouths. It seems like the high dropping tide has been the best, and live shrimp are working very well. One day Captain Addison was able to net peanut menhaden, however, and they worked very well. 

While smaller flounder can already be found throughout the creeks, the bigger ones are in inlets close to the ocean. 

With the full moon past the inshore bite has really picked up again for Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777), and he reports that around docks they are catching lots of reds as well as some trout and flounder. Mud minnows fished around the pilings on the outgoing tide have been working the best. 

It’s still a good bite at the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), although manager Noah O’Brien reports that some bad weather and the renourishment project dirtying the water have slowed the fishing action a little. Still lots of 12-18 inch black drum are being caught, as well as more and more trout. Most are in the 10-12 inch range. The Spanish mackerel are around in good numbers but as of now no king mackerel.  However, with lots of king mackerel fishermen on the piers they should show up soon. Lots of 10-15 inch weakfish are also being caught, as well as croaker, whiting, spots, etc. 

Nearshore, Captain Rob reports that the Spanish mackerel are abundant, and offshore the hot dolphin bite is just getting started. 

April 25

Surface water temperatures are about 68 degrees in Charleston Harbor. 

With the arrival of menhaden and some favorable days Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he has been able to fish the jetties recently. Out there it’s clear that spring has arrived with the pogies running around, sharks and stingrays and bluefish becoming abundant, and also some big red drum being caught on menhaden. 

At the same times as temperatures warm up the inshore schools are starting to break up and at times fishing on the inside is getting a little trickier. Captain Addison is still catching plenty of reds, some random trout and generally smaller sheepshead, and to catch a variety of inshore fish live shrimp have been hard to beat. There are also some black drum showing up around structure.  As noted fish are very spread out, but oyster beds, creek mouths, and all the usual spots can be productive. The key has been moving water.

While the full moon has messed up the inshore bite a little for Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777), he again reports that his go-to location has been docks. Mud minnows fished around the pilings on the outgoing tide have been working the best. 

Things have gotten really good at the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), and manager Noah O’Brien reports the black drum bite has picked up with some big fish up to nearly 10 pounds and an average range of 12-21 inches. They have all been caught in the surf near the pilings. Spanish mackerel are also starting to come through as well, mostly on the smaller side but anywhere from 10-18 inches.  These have all been caught from the second sun shelter to the end of the diamond.  They are hopeful this means the king mackerel will start biting as they have been seeing them feeding a couple hundred yards off of the diamond. A TON of larger whiting have also been caught, some getting close to two pounds,  and a lot of people have been catching between 40 and 50 a day. The bluefish bite is also in full force, all between 8-18 inches, and mostly past the first sun shelter. Finally, while most of them have been smaller a few giant spotted sea trout have been hooked, and there have also been some weakfish in the 10-16 inch range. These are mostly around the first breaker. 

April 11

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 66 degrees in Charleston Harbor. 

While wind has limited his ability to get out to the jetties or fish the harbor and pursue the big reds which should be arriving soon, Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that the inshore bite for redfish and black drum has been pretty remarkable recently. They have also picked up a few trout, but those have been rare. 

Fish are mixed between the river flats and structure back in the creeks, and the key in either area has been that fish are biting best on moving tides in either direction. Slack water has generally been slow, although they are finding a few reds on high tide. 

Blue crabs and live shrimp have been the best bait. 

It’s also been a strong inshore bite for Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777), and he again reports that his go-to location has been docks. Mud minnows fished around the pilings on the outgoing tide have been working the best. 

Things are finally turning on at the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), and manager Noah O’Brien reports that in addition to some large whiting they are catching a good number of 14-20 inch black drum in the surf near the pilings.  There have also been some redfish in and just below the slot caught in the breakers or just beyond. There have also been a lot of cownose rays caught but more species should be arriving any day!

Again, weather has limited nearshore fishing but sheepshead and more are definitely still out there. 

March 27

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 60 degrees in Charleston Harbor and between wind and very high tides the water is muddy. 

He’d like to be offshore at the reefs, but Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that the wind has keep them in the protected creeks and rivers where there has luckily been a strong redfish bite. It’s not fall fishing, but the reds have overall been quite cooperative.

There are a lot of big fish being caught right now, and for Captain Rob the go-to location has been docks. The tide doesn’t seem to make very much difference, but different docks certainly produce on different tides.  He is exclusively fishing mud minnows but reportedly cut bait is doing well too.  

Like Rob, Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he would like to have more options – in his case the bull reds that are showing up in the Charleston Harbor – but wind has forced him to stay inside the creeks.  Overall reds are the main catch for him as well, but fishing with live shrimp he has been able to manage a mixed bag also including trout, sheepshead, black drum, and even some small early-season flounder.  These have all been in the creeks around structure, particularly oysters and downed trees, and the low incoming has been the best time to fish for all of these. Redfish in particular have also been biting closer to low – as long as the tide is moving.   

There’s not much change on Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) this week, and manager Noah O’Brien reports that without a lot of good fishing conditions for now the main catch remains whiting. They are getting some really good ones in the 10-14 inch range, and they are being caught all over but mostly on the diamond. 

While again it’s been next to impossible to get out there, Captain Rob believes that nearshore the reefs should still be loaded up with weakfish (grey/ summer trout), and sheepshead. 

Finally, there are still plenty of American Shad being caught at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s, and the Santee River below Lake Marion. However, they are having to let so much water out that it has made for challenging conditions because you can’t keep a lure on the bottom. Overall, the fishing has best been described as spotty. Again, the general pattern follows:

Most everyone is fishing out of a boat and at the Tailrace you put in at the Tailrace Landing, for the Rediversion you put in at Arrowhead Landing and for the Santee River you put in at Wilson’s Landing. There are a lot of boaters, sometimes hundreds within a stretch of river, and so it’s important to be respectful. The main tactic is anchoring up and casting a single rod with a small chartreuse curly tail grub, Shad Dart or 1/16 or 1/32 ounce casting spoon on 6- or 8-pound test line. Sabiki rigs can also work. When there is a lot of current you can add a pinch of split shot, and you are generally fishing 1-10 feet of water.  

When they get really thick fish can be caught in the middle of the river, but generally the edges are the best. Fish will hit right up to the side of the boat. 

Most anglers are targeting the shad for their roe, and it’s important to bleed the fish by cutting their throats soon after catching them to keep their eggs from turning blood red. Others are keeping them for big catfish and striper bait.

March 14

Morning surface water temperatures are about 60 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water has gotten very clear again after some dirtier conditions last week. 

It’s been a really strong inshore bite around Charleston in the pleasant weather this week, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that they are finding redfish very willing to eat coming out of winter. The choice of bait doesn’t seem to make a lot of difference, except that they are generally catching bigger fish on blue crab than shrimp. There are also some small menhaden around that are working and artificials are, too.

Fish are feeding around the tide cycle as they try to replenish fat stores, and so tide isn’t making a huge difference either. They are catching fish on the flats and around grass lines, while fishing around structure has probably been the best. 

Some early bull reds are also starting to show up in the Charleston Harbor. 

While Captain Addison has spent more time on the reds, there are also some good early spring trout being caught. Live shrimp on slip floats fished along grass lines have been working the best. 

Things are heating up at the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) this week, but manager Noah O’Brien reports that for now the main catch is whiting. They are getting some really good ones in the 10-14 inch range, and they are being caught all over but mostly on the diamond. 

Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) is even more excited about the nearshore fishing, and with the blessing of some warm fair-weather days he has been heading to the reefs. Right now they are starting to load up with weakfish (grey/ summer trout), and despite the apparent need for very restrictive limits they are catching them fast and furious. Most of the time he is fishing mud minnows, but switching over to grubs the action barely slows down.

There are also lots of sheepshead around which will take fiddler crabs. 

Offshore the wahoo bite remains strong. 

Finally, it must be approaching the peak of the American Shad run at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s, and the Santee River below Lake Marion because reports have been fantastic. 

Most everyone is fishing out of a boat and at the Tailrace you put in at the Tailrace Landing, for the Rediversion you put in at Arrowhead Landing and for the Santee River you put in at Wilson’s Landing. There are a lot of boaters, sometimes hundreds within a stretch of river, and so it’s important to be respectful. The main tactic is anchoring up and casting a single rod with a small chartreuse curly tail grub, Shad Dart or 1/16 or 1/32 ounce casting spoon on 6- or 8-pound test line. Sabiki rigs can also work. When there is a lot of current you can add a pinch of split shot, and you are generally fishing 1-10 feet of water.  

When they get really thick fish can be caught in the middle of the river, but generally the edges are the best. Fish will hit right up to the side of the boat. 

Most anglers are targeting the shad for their roe, and it’s important to bleed the fish by cutting their throats soon after catching them to keep their eggs from turning blood red. Others are keeping them for big catfish and striper bait!  

February 28

Morning surface water temperatures are up to about 56 degrees in Charleston Harbor and wind has the water a little dirtier than normal. 

Inshore fishing is still mostly about the redfish right now around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that even though spring is getting closer fish are still basically in winter patterns. He’s catching them on the flats and around structure in the creeks, and in both areas blue crab chunks have been hard to beat. They were also catching a lot of flats fish on the fly until the wind made that technique difficult to fish.  

The wind has also affected the way Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) is fishing, but he reports that in protected creeks they have found redfish super shallow around dock poles on low tide. At times they are actually tailing in large groups when they locate a school of baitfish. 

Trout reports are still very thin.

It’s been slow at the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) this week, and manager Noah O’Brien reports that – while better fishing is just around the corner – this week has mainly seen sting rays, whiting and croaker. 

In the rivers around deeper structure and at the nearshore reefs the sheepshead bite has been strong when the wind makes things fishable, and Captain Rob reports that any of the artificial reefs in 20-40 feet are now loaded with fish. Deep inshore structure also has them. The better offshore structure has a profile that rises higher off the ocean floor. Fish will eat multiple baits but fiddler crabs are hard to beat.

Offshore, the wahoo fishing has been outstanding. 

Finally, this week the reports are incredible on the American Shad running at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner and the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s. While Captain Rob hasn’t heard anything on the Santee River below Lake Marion, it should also be on fire.  This is the peak of the season and 100 fish days are possible. 

Most everyone is fishing out of a boat and at the Tailrace you put in at the Tailrace Landing, for the Rediversion you put in at Arrowhead Landing and for the Santee River you put in at Wilson’s Landing. There are a lot of boaters, sometimes hundreds within a stretch of river, and so it’s important to be respectful. The main tactic is anchoring up and casting a single rod with a small chartreuse curly tail grub, Shad Dart or 1/16 or 1/32 ounce casting spoon on 6- or 8-pound test line. Sabiki rigs can also work. When there is a lot of current you can add a pinch of split shot, and you are generally fishing 1-10 feet of water.  

When they get really thick fish can be caught in the middle of the river, but generally the edges are the best. Fish will hit right up to the side of the boat. 

Most anglers are targeting the shad for their roe, and it’s important to bleed the fish by cutting their throat soon after catching them to keep their eggs from turning blood red.  

February 14

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 54 degrees in Charleston Harbor and with all the rain the water clarity is a little lower than usual. 

Inshore fishing is mostly about the redfish right now around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that even though clarity isn’t at its best it’s a good time for sight-fishing on the flats. On low tide they are concentrated in big schools, while at higher tides you can still find smaller groups of fish sun-bathing in the grass. Fish have been willing to eat a fly this week but there are certainly other ways to catch them. 

In a similar vein, Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that he has also been catching redfish poling the flats and sight-fishing. They are just casting soft plastics on a jighead at the fish and finding them quite willing to eat. 

Trout reports have been very thin.

In the rivers around deeper structure and at the nearshore reefs the sheepshead bite has been strong, and Captain Rob reports that any of the artificial reefs in 20-40 feet are now loaded with fish. Deep inshore structure also has them. The better offshore structure has a profile that rises higher off the ocean floor. Fish will eat multiple baits but fiddler crabs are hard to beat.

In a similar vein, manager Noah O’Brien reports that on the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) they have also had some 14-20 inch sheepshead caught as well as a decent number of whiting. It’s still a little chilly but it’s clear that the fishing is starting to turn back on. 

Offshore, the Wahoo Series started last week and they have been burning up the fish. The dimmer half of the moon phases are generally best. 

Finally, it’s not technically a Charleston bite, but once again the American Shad are running at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s and there should be fish in the Santee River below Lake Marion. (No reports on those yet). 

Most everyone is fishing out of a boat and at the Tailrace you put in at the Tailrace Landing, for the Rediversion you put in at Arrowhead Landing and for the Santee River you put in at Wilson’s Landing. There are a lot of boaters, sometimes hundreds within a stretch of river, and so it’s important to be respectful. The main tactic is anchoring up and casting a single rod with a small chartreuse curly tail grub, Shad Dart or 1/16 or 1/32 ounce casting spoon on 6- or 8-pound test line. Sabiki rigs can also work. When there is a lot of current you can add a pinch of split shot, and you are generally fishing 1-10 feet of water.  

When they get really thick fish can be caught in the middle of the river, but generally the edges are the best. Fish will hit right up to the side of the boat. 

Most anglers are targeting the shad for their roe, and it’s important to bleed the fish by cutting their throat soon after catching them to keep their eggs from turning blood red.  

February 2

Morning surface water temperatures are about 54 degrees in Charleston Harbor. 

The trout fishing still isn’t very strong, but other than that Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that from inshore to offshore the fishing remains pretty good. For anglers with flats boats you can get in the very skinny water on low tide and sight-fish for redfish, but there are also plenty of reds around docks and oyster beds. This is a really good time to use ¼ or ½ sections of blue crabs for bait, because there aren’t all the picker fish around to nibble the shells clean. 

There are more sheepshead each day out on the nearshore reefs, and that bite will pick up as we get further into February. Black drum can also be caught on 4KI and Capers.

In 60 feet they are crushing the black sea bass, and it’s easy to get your limit (7 per person, 13 inch minimum) in just a few minutes. 

Finally, any day now the shad run should take off in the Tailrace, Rediversion Canal and Santee River.  Rob has caught them as early as Groundhog Day!  

January 23

Morning surface water temperatures are about 50 degrees in Charleston Harbor. 

The trout fishing hasn’t been much to speak of recently, but other than that Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that from inshore to offshore the fishing has been pretty good.  For anglers with flats boats you can get in the very skinny water on low tide and sight-fish for redfish, but there are also plenty of reds around docks and oyster beds. This is a really good time to use ¼ or ½ sections of blue crabs for bait, because there aren’t all the picker fish around to nibble the shells clean. 

There are already a few sheepshead out on the nearshore reefs, but that bite will pick up as we get further into February. Black drum can also be caught on 4KI and Capers.

In 60 feet they are crushing the black sea bass, and it’s easy to get your limit (7 per person, 13 inch minimum) in just a few minutes. 

Offshore when you can find 70-degree water there are wahoo around.

Finally, note that in the next two-three weeks the shad run should take off in the Tailrace, Rediversion Canal and Santee River. 

January 4

Morning surface water temperatures are about 52 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water is dirty.  

It’s been a very good week of fishing in the Charleston area, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he is finding a variety of inshore species hungry and excited to eat. The redfish can be found schooled up on the shallow flats, and they are also biting well in the creeks around structure including trees and docks.  He is having the best success with live shrimp and blue crab, which are a good bait when there are less trash fish around to pick the sections clean.  Some days they are finding a bunch of black drum mixed in with the reds, and they are also getting some random sheepshead and trout. Really any tide is working, but fish are certainly in different spots on different tides. 

While Captain Addison hasn’t specifically targeted trout very often, the ones they are catching are a bit deeper. If you want to go after trout then the best bet is slowly drifting live shrimp on float rigs or working artificials very slowly in holes and bends in the creeks. 

In addition to the great inshore bite, Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that offshore in 50 plus feet of water they are finding massive schools of big redfish.  They aren’t as likely to be on the surface as a few months ago, but on calm days you can drop down on schools of literally thousands of fish and find outstanding action. 

Report to follow from Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516).