March 25

Morning surface water temperatures are now about 61 degrees at the mouth of Charleston Harbor and water clarity is still good.

The inshore fishing is picking up around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that in addition to the usual inshore suspects of redfish, black drum, and trout (although less this winter) some small flounder are returning inshore as well as jumbo sheepshead. Back in the creeks around structure in 5-6 feet of water they are catching a mix of species on pieces of blue crab or live shrimp. The lower stages of the tide have been better, either on the incoming or the outgoing.

While Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) points out that the numbers of redfish aren’t like fall fishing, he is catching fair numbers of fish around docks. Different docks are producing on different stages of the tide, but the common denominator is 6-8 feet of water. While he is exclusively fishing mud minnows, in part to increase the chances of picking up other species like trout, quarter sections of blue crab are very strong right now. This seems to be related to the coming blue crab molting season. Captain Rob also reports that there is excellent action in the rivers as the sheepshead return from the spawn. 

The jetties are also turning on, and Captain Addison reports that they have had some fantastic days for jumbo bull reds on calmer days when they could get out there. They are mostly fishing in about 15 feet of water with sections of crab, but they also caught a 40-pounder on live shrimp under a popping cork fished on a 2500-series reel! They felt very, very lucky to get it to the boat. 

As temperatures warm the news from Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) is picking up, and manager Jacob Cynar reports that they are now catching fish consistently. For now they are getting a ton of whiting, but small redfish as well as the occasional bonnethead shark are showing up. 

Nearshore, Captain Rob reports that there are still good numbers of sheepshead on the reefs but his boat was very excited to get into some nice weakfish on a calm day in 40 feet. There are still lots of small black sea bass around and any day they expect bonito and bluefish to show up. 

March 12

Morning surface water temperatures are now about 57 degrees in Charleston Harbor and water clarity is still high.

It’s a transition period around Charleston for inshore fishing, but Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that the redfish are still schooled up in places and they continue to catch good numbers. On a short charter yesterday they found the fish in tight schools, but with temperatures in the creek of just 53 to start off the day that wasn’t a huge surprise. As temperatures rise this week fish will spread out more.  They caught everything on mud minnows.

It’s a similar report on the redfish from Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures, who has found big groups of fish still gathered around structure and docks in particular. They are catching decent numbers of fish every time out, but the key to good days versus great days seems to be having blue crabs on the boat. With crab they are doubling their catches and getting a lot of black drum, too. 

Once again the report from Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) is that warmer temperatures have the anglers out, but manager Jacob Cynar advises the catch is still mostly rays and skates with occasional whiting and croaker. 

The most consistent saltwater bite right now is in the rivers, and Captain Rob reports that they are absolutely whacking the sheepshead around structure in just 5-10 feet of water with fiddler crabs. When you can get to the nearshore reefs the sheepshead are also around, as well as weakfish and black sea bass. There may be keeper sea bass at 40 feet but they are definitely in 60 feet. 

Finally, inland the American Shad and river herring run is at or near its peak, and Captain Bill Plumley reports that he caught 86 fish including shad, herring, and a few perch yesterday. He has mostly been fishing the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s, but it’s also very good at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner and the Santee River below Lake Marion near Pineville. So long as there is current – when the current dies it shuts off like a light!

Many people are 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. However, near Arrowhead Landing and Wilson’s Landing you can fish off the bank. 

Whether by boat or land the main tactic is 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/ bank.   

Most anglers are targeting the shad and herring 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! With a single rod out behind the boat Captain Bill is getting nice cats on each trip.

February 26

Morning surface water temperatures are now about 53 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water is still very clear.

Inshore fishing has been very consistent for Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures both before and after the warmer weather, and he reports that there has been a strong redfish bite on the flats off the main waterways around low tide. Blue crab and frozen finger mullet are both working, and fish are also biting well back in the creeks around docks. 

They are also catching fish on float rigs with mud minnows in inlets to the north of the harbor around the point where the beaches meet the grass and oyster shells. Reds may be finding warmer water in these areas, especially on the outgoing tide when a warm creek is draining.  

Overall everything is coming alive and even the fly-fishing has been good in the glorious weather this week. 

Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reminds anglers that with conditions transitioning from winter to spring you may have to do some hunting to locate fish, but once you find fish they are usually ready and willing to eat. Like Captain Addison his boat has not been pursuing trout, but they continue to hear that the kill was not as bad as feared. 

Finally, every year at this time Captain Rob reminds anglers of the American Shad run – yesterday he caught 25. It’s now red hot at the Lake Moultrie Tailrace Canal outside Monck’s Corner, the Rediversion Canal at St. Stephen’s, and the Santee River below Lake Marion near Pineville. 

Many people are 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. However, near Arrowhead Landing and Wilson’s Landing you can fish off the bank. 

Whether by boat or land the main tactic is 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/ bank.   

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!

Pier report to follow. 

February 12

Morning surface water temperatures are now about 54 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water is clear. 

Back from a bucket list trip to Australia and New Zealand, Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports he is back inshore fishing again and was concerned about the trout population upon his return. However, everything he has heard from DNR has been optimistic and it sounds as if water temperatures did not stay cold enough long enough to do serious damage. A lot of fish also may have made it to deeper water. In addition to DNR observing healthy trout after the snow, another positive sign is that the early shrimp samples have been encouraging that there are still good numbers of shrimp around. 

In any event, the very warm temperatures we had through the weekend were the best thing for the trout. Once Captain Rob starts targeting them again he will have a first-hand feel for the trout population. 

What his boat is catching is redfish, and they are finding them schooled up very tight. They are under docks, on the flats, and in small creeks, and in general lower tides when they are more concentrated are the easiest time to target them. However, on higher tides they have been able to follow them into sparse grass flats. Certainly they will eat mud minnows, mullet, and shrimp, but scented paddle tail grubs have also been working.

That flats pattern has also been a success for Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures, who reports that last Friday they found an incredible shallow bite on the flats. They caught six fish on the fly out of big schools. 

There was also a ton of action on the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) this weekend, but manager Jacob Cynar reports that they think the water started so cold that even with warm air temperatures the bite couldn’t take off. A fair number of whiting and tons of rays were caught.

At the nearshore reefs in about 40 feet of water there are still tons of sheepshead around that will take fiddler crabs.

Finally, every year at this time Captain Rob reminds us about the American Shad (and ocean herring) spawning run. He will be running a couple of charters after these fish next week, and expects to have the best luck at the Rediversion Canal. Most years recently they haven’t pulled enough water at the Tailrace for the best fishing. 

February 7

Morning surface water temperatures are now about 50 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water is extremely clear. 

The warm weather this week has been a boon for inshore fishing around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he has found some happy redfish on the shallow flats. His boat is almost exclusively fishing the low to rising tide, and at low tide the fish are hanging over oysters and mud flats while as the tide rises they will move into the sparse grass – and remain visible. He even saw a couple of fish get active enough that they had their tails out of the water rooting around. Natural baits will certainly work but they are also having success with swimbaits and scented soft plastics. 

Right now the schools are a mix of sizes, and it’s not unusual to see a ten-pounder and a two-pounder hanging out together.

Captain Addison has not seen or heard anything with the trout since the reports of minor fish kills. 

January 28

Morning surface water temperatures are now about 44 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water is very clear. 

Like most people in Charleston Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures has had limited time on the water the last week, but of the inshore charters he has heard about in the past couple of days very, very few fish have been caught. He has seen videos of trout and even redfish kills, which is no surprise considering he saw water temperatures reach as low as 38 degrees. 
The good news is that biologists report seeing lots of healthy trout in shallow water sunning themselves today, and so there are certainly still fish around. 

Finally, while there are no catches to report right now on the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), manager Jacob Cynar reports that they are starting to have more anglers, especially on the weekends, and so he hopes to see uptick in catches soon. 

More information to follow as we receive it. 

January 15

Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to about 45-47 degrees inshore around Charleston and the water is very clear. 

The cold weather has finally caught up with the inshore fishing around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that even though there are huge schools of redfish on the flats his boat has not been able to get them to eat. It seems as if they have lockjaw in the cold, clear water.

The only way they have been able to entice fish to feed is by heading back into the creeks and fishing around structure with live shrimp. Captain Addison notes that the bite is better in the afternoon when the water warms some, and that is probably more important than tide right now.

Trout activity has slowed way down and no one he knows is catching them right now.   

There is virtually no fishing activity on the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516).

January 8

Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to around 49 degrees in Charleston Harbor and the water is very clear. 

Despite the cold the inshore fishing is pretty good around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that in particular the redfish are grouped up in huge schools of 100 plus fish. At low tide you can find them on the mud flats and over oyster bars, and they will take both artificial lures as well as natural baits.  In the very clear conditions you can look for them and then sight-fish.     

There is also a good redfish bite around structure (docks, rocks, pilings, downed trees, etc.) in 5-6 feet of water on the outgoing tide (if you try to fish the flats on the outgoing you can get stuck, among other issues), with fish being caught on both blue crab chunks and shrimp. The bigger fish are coming on crab, while smaller ones as well as juvenile black drum are taking shrimp.  

While Addison’s boat has caught a few trout on shrimp they seem to have mostly shut down with the cold. 

At last report things were pretty slow on the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516), but a few smaller sheepshead and black drum are being caught. 

December 19

Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s around Charleston. 

There’s a little bit of everything biting inshore around Charleston, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that on his last few trips they have caught redfish, trout, black drum, and sheepshead all on live shrimp. Windy conditions have kept them inside the creeks, and the best pattern has been fishing around trees and other structure. The tide has not mattered as long as it has been moving. 

When conditions allow you to get on the bigger water there are also giant schools of redfish on the flats in just a foot or so of water, and in the clear conditions it’s the best time of the year for sight-fishing.  Captain Addison has caught a lot of reds on the fly recently. 

That’s consistent with the report from Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777), who has found the redfish extremely schooled up. On one spot they caught 35 fish in two hours last week, and everything came on mud minnows fished two feet under a float. Generally the fish want to be shallow along the grass lines and oysters, and when you locate one you are likely to find a bunch!

It's also a very good time to find sheepshead at the jetties and in the rivers, and while you pretty much have to buy fiddler crabs to target them they are feeding very well around deeper structure. 

December 3

Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-50s around Charleston. 

As expected the cold weather has only improved the inshore fishing for trout in the Charleston area, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that anglers are catching them from the small creeks to the rivers to the inlets, on every cast at times. They are generally congregating a little deeper in 6-8 feet of water, but the real key to catching them has been fishing clean, moving water. Live shrimp under a slip cork have been working very well, but Vudu shrimp have also been productive. 

That’s consistent with the report from Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777), who is blistering the trout on live shrimp but points out that you aren’t able to easily catch your own shrimp now. One option is to buy them, but he also expects the artificial grub fishing to be very good for the next two to three weeks for trout. 

At the same time both captains are catching limits of redfish (and a few black drum), and live shrimp have been working really well for the reds as well. The best action has been on shallow mud flats, around oyster beds, and near structure in the creeks. In general the flats and oysters have fished better on low tide, but docks and other structure have often been most productive on the high outgoing. 

Nearshore, Captain Rob points out that there are now schools of giant 20-50 pound red drum following bait that you can locate by following the birds in 30-90 feet of water. There can be some incredible topwater action for these fish. 

That make sense, because Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports that the bull red drum bite is finally slowing down off the pier as the fish head offshore with dropping December temperatures. At the same time they are catching lots of slot-sized black drum just beyond the surf as well as trout all over the pier. 

November 20

Morning surface water temperatures are still in the mid to upper 60s around Charleston and bait continues to be abundant. 

The inshore fishing continues to be outstanding in the Charleston area, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that they continue to catch a wider array of species including redfish, trout, black drum and more. As the water temperatures have dropped a few degrees the bait stealers have gotten a little less abundant, which is good because fish are on such a strong shrimp bite.   However, yesterday they also caught fish on the fly as well as Spooks.  

Both tides have been good as long as there is moving water, and even though Captain Addison hasn’t been targeting them specifically they are picking up more and more trout. The coming cold front should make them bite even better. The best action for all species has been in 2-5 feet of water around grass lines, oyster beds, and creek mouths. In general the red and black drum are feeding a little better shallower and on slacker tides, while once the tide gets up the trout become more prominent in the catch. 

Additionally, the bite can’t go on forever, but for now the bull red drum bite at the jetties is still really good and Addison’s boat is still catching lots of big fish each time they can get out.  Live or cut mullet (or other cut bait) will all work. 

November 14

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 70 degrees around Charleston and bait continues to be abundant. 

It’s hard to believe, but with inshore water temperatures this warm Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that they are still catching shrimp in the cast net like it’s August – 50-75 per throw. But the trout have been a little slower this week, perhaps because of the extreme high tides, but they also expect the cooler temperatures that are coming to really turn them on – particularly when water temperatures hit about the mid-60s.  Captain Rob is still fishing in the rivers 4-5 feet off the grass around oyster beds. He is fishing in about 5 feet of water with live shrimp a few feet under a popping cork on moving tides. 

As the trout have slacked off a bit the redfish have been very cooperative, and they continue to catch them a little shallower in 2-3 feet of water. 

The creek bite has also been great for Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures, who reports that with live shrimp and finger mullet they are catching an outstanding variety of species including trout, redfish, black drum, occasional flounder, and even some random sheepshead. Tides moving in either direction have been productive and the only down-side to fishing right now is that water temperatures are so high that there still a lot of bait stealers around.

 

Warm temperatures have also extended the bull red drum bite at the jetties, and on one recent day when it was calm enough to fish out there they caught fourteen giant drum on frozen menhaden. This bite won’t last much longer once temperatures drop, but for now it is still pretty phenomenal. 

October 30

Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to about 69 degrees around Charleston. Bait is abundant. 

The inshore fishing is still outstanding around Charleston, and Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that with such a protracted, mild fall he expects it to stay that way for another month. In particular the trout fishing is still incredible, with Captain Rob’s boat catching 30-60 fish per day. He is still fishing in open water 4-5 feet off the grass about 5 feet deep around oyster beds, using shrimp a few feet under a popping cork. The slot redfish and flounder are generally shallower, but they have managed to pick up a monster redfish each of the last two days – one 33-incher and one 34-incher. Both times they wondered if it were a shark at first. Higher, moving tides have been the best. 

Meanwhile Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures is on similar patterns inshore, and he is basically starting out in 2-4 feet of water over submerged shell beds fishing for reds but catching more trout as the tide gets up. 

But the catch of the week came at the jetties, where fishing live shrimp will entice a smorgasbord of species. One of those was a 28-inch, 9-pound flounder!  

Finally, in the Charleston Harbor the bite for bull red drum is still pretty outstanding. Captain Addison’s boat is fishing in 10-25 feet of water and having success with about any cut bait from mullet to whiting to bluefish and more. The fish aren’t very picky right now and they are around in strong numbers

Finally, manager Noah O’Brien reports that, perhaps because of the renourishment project, fishing on the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) continues to be less than expected.  Bull red drum are coming through but not like most years, and they get maybe four or five in the 35-40 inch range on a good day. They are also still seeing some trout in the 10-20 inch range in the surf or just behind it. 

October 16

Morning surface water temperatures have dropped to about 71 degrees around Charleston. 

The inshore fishing is nothing short of outstanding around Charleston, but Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that he has changed his target species from redfish to trout. While the reds are still around they are catching 30-60 trout per trip, with everything coming on live shrimp under popping corks. They are fishing the main river points in about 5 feet of water with the bait about 3 feet under a float, and even in 25 mile per hour winds today fish were practically jumping in the boat.

While fish can be caught around the tide cycle the best time has been the high outgoing tide. 

Meanwhile Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures is finding a similarly outstanding bite for bull red drum in the harbor and at the jetties, and tide isn’t making too much of a difference. They are fishing in 10-25 feet of water and having success with about any cut bait from mullet to whiting to bluefish and more. The fish aren’t very picky right now and they are around in strong numbers – which is what is supposed to happen in October!  

The tarpon seem to be pretty much gone, especially with the weather coming in.

Finally, manager Noah O’Brien reports that this week on the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) the red drum in the 24-45 are coming through. So far the run hasn’t been quite as plentiful as last season, but they are definitely still around. Additionally, lots of trout are being caught in the surf including a five-pounder Tuesday!  They are taking Gotcha plugs, live shrimp, and live mullet. Sheepshead in the 12-16 inch range are still abundant as well as the usual suspects of whiting, bluefish, etc.  

October 3

Morning surface water temperatures are still about 77 degrees around Charleston. 

There’s very little change with the inshore fishing around Charleston, and that’s a good thing because Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) reports that the bite is still completely wide open. The trout numbers aren’t fantastic but they are still catching redfish on virtually every cast. The key is fishing moving water in either direction around docks, oysters and other structure with live shrimp a couple of feet under a popping cork. Slack water is the only time the bite slows. 

Meanwhile Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures is still chasing the bull reds in the Charleston Harbor, and the bite has been pretty outstanding. October is the very best month for them and so far it has not disappointed! The fish are taking cut menhaden and mullet in 10-25 feet around the jetties, sand bars, and structure.

While tarpon can still be found other places, the biggest concentrations are on the beaches this late in the season. Yesterday Captain Addison saw a bunch and jumped several on live menhaden. 

At the same time the fishing off the Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) continues to disappoint, and manager Noah O’Brien reports that with the renourishment project right in front of the pier this week the fishing has been very, very slow. One angler did manage to catch 8 bull reds off the diamond right before the storm, but since then it has slowed to a crawl.

Finally, for something different Captain Rob reports that the nearshore bite for king mackerel has been pretty fantastic slow-trolling live baits over live bottom in 50 feet of water. On the last trip their biggest was 40 pounds!