April 9
Morning surface water temperatures are now about 66 degrees at the mouth of Charleston Harbor but reaching the 70s inside the creeks.
There’s a semi-secret pattern to inshore fishing around Charleston right now, and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) with Lowcountry Outdoor Adventures reports that he’s hearing a lot of people complain about a difficult redfish bite but not finding it himself. The key is fishing with blue crabs, and with crab sections it’s been relatively easy to catch fish on the shallow flats – often in a foot of water or less – as well as around structure including docks, oyster beds, and rocks.
While crab is also picking up sheepshead and black drum, fishing with shrimp they are also catching some early flounder and occasional trout. The best places to look for trout right now are around oyster rakes and creek mouths on the high outgoing tide when there is clean, moving water.
Crabs are also working in the rivers and harbor for bull reds, and around the jetties, bridges, and other structure it’s been pretty easy to catch large fish with the “right” bait.
A big red drum caught this week with Captain Addison Rupert
While Captain Rob Bennett with Lowcountry Inshore Charters (843-367-3777) is also catching redfish inshore, he has found some exciting nearshore action (when the wind laid down enough to allow fishing) for big weakfish. The action at the reefs is on the verge of getting really, really good for a variety of migratory species.
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.