May 16
Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are approximately 70-72 degrees. Water clarity is very good for this time of year.
The trout bite is pretty outstanding by now, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that lots of big females have moved to the main river points to spawn. In general the pattern is to fish for them with topwater lures in the morning around the white shell banks and then to fish live shrimp, DOA shrimp, or grubs during the day in the same areas. High tide offers some of the best fishing but they will feed whenever the water is clean.
Redfish can also be caught on topwater lures first thing, with the bite extending for both species on cloudy days, and on the river flats sight-fishing is good with the high clarity. On low tide the fish are grouping up in big schools, but you can generally only catch a fish or two out of each before you must give them a break. They will eat about anything right now from Gulp! to mud minnows to cut mullet. There is also good tailing activity on high tides when they are feeding on fiddler crabs.
In the creeks the redfish are feeding well in holes and around structure on the lower half of the tide cycle, and whether you are throwing cut bait, minnows, shrimp or jigs they are not finicky.
Good numbers of flounder have arrived by now, and they are still catching two to three as a by-catch each trip. As they first move inshore the best place to look is closer to the ocean. Sandy creeks are some of the best spots, but they will also be found around mud banks with a mixed shell bottom – particularly when the water is cleaner. As the season progresses fish will spread out more into the backwaters.
Mud minnows, menhaden and soft plastics will both work.
At the same time the sheepshead bite is dropping off, and fishing fiddler crabs in 8-10 feet of water around structure is mainly yielding smaller fish by now.
There is an excellent bite for whiting in 6-8 feet of water over the sand bars lining the major inlets. Sometimes you can see shrimp skipping on the surface, and that combined with the presence of birds usually means that trout, bluefish, ladyfish, and even Spanish mackerel are also feeding.
About the biggest excitement is at the nearshore reefs right now, with cobia and spadefish both showing up in 40-60 feet. Cobia can be caught on bucktails, live pinfish and more, and for spadefish there are decent numbers of jellyballs around and they will also take fresh dead shrimp or squid. Bluefish, Spanish and weakfish are also still here.
Bottom fishing is very good in about 90 feet for almost everything except black sea bass.
Offshore the dolphin have showed up, and so far this season it is an average run. Numbers are good with 10-15 per day on average, and some catches of 20-30 plus, but few fish over 20 pounds have arrived. The best depth is in 400-800 feet. There are also plenty of wahoo and tuna around.
May 2
Morning surface water temperatures in the creeks around Edisto Island are approximately 69 degrees. Water clarity remains good.
The trout have finally made a move around Edisto this week, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that fish are moving to the main river points. There will be a big spawn on the May 8 new moon, and fish are already loaded with eggs. The best time to catch them is when there is clean water, and on the big new and full moon tides that usually correlates to slacker tides (or the incoming) while on quarter moon phases that can be the whole cycle. Ron generally prefers high water because the fish set up most predictably off the points.
Live shrimp are great if you can get them, but there are only a few around in the creeks and mud minnows and Gulp! will both work. But right now the best, readily available bait for trout and redfish is 3-inch menhaden.
When water temperatures hit about 70 degrees the topwater bite should be wide open for a few weeks; it has already started but is only sporadic right now.
In the creeks the redfish are feeding well in holes and around structure on the lower half of the tide cycle, and whether you are throwing cut bait, minnows, shrimp or jigs they are not finicky.
Good numbers of flounder have arrived by now, and they are catching two to three as a by-catch each trip. As they first move inshore the best place to look is closer to the ocean. Sandy creeks are some of the best spots, but they will also be found around mud banks with a mixed shell bottom – particularly when the water is cleaner. As the season progresses fish will spread out more into the backwaters.
Mud minnows, menhaden and soft plastics will both work.
The inshore sheepshead bite is still peaking, and for now fishing fiddler crabs in 8-10 feet of water around structure is the best pattern.
The nearshore reef bite is wide open, and Spanish mackerel are as thick as they have been in years. There are even a bunch of fish coming into the rivers each morning feeding on glass minnows and menhaden, but they are so scattered inshore that they are hard to target. In 30-60 feet the weakfish are peaking, and there are lots of bull red drum around which are following birds and bait. Sheepshead, black drum, and black sea bass can all be caught on quarter pieces of blue crab as well as fiddlers. Spadefish have arrived in about 60 feet but for now they are deep, while cobia should get here any day now.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass is still good in 60-70 feet, while for species such as vermillion snapper, triggerfish, and red porgies 90-100 feet is now as good as 140-150 feet. When water temperatures rise a few more degrees then 90-100 will be the best depth.
Offshore the dolphin have showed up, and calm days like today should have a couple thousand boats on the water chasing them. The bite will last until Memorial Day. Wahoo and tuna are also around.
April 25
Morning surface water temperatures on the beach just off Edisto Island are approximately 68 degrees. Water clarity remains good.
The only major change this week is with the offshore fishing, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the dolphin run is now underway. It will only get better and better. Wahoo fishing remains good and there are also some tuna around.
Inshore the trout have not moved yet, and for now more than 90% of the fish that are there are back in the creeks. Any day now fish should start to arrive on the main river points and the topwater bite should come on.
Redfish continue to feed well on the main river flats. In the morning they are eating baits like Spooks even better than sub-surface baits, and tide doesn’t matter as long as it’s not so high that fish are up in the grass. They can also get spooky on very low tides. During the day scented soft plastics are out-fishing everything else for flats redfish.
In the creeks the redfish are feeding well in holes and around structure on the lower half of the tide cycle, and whether you are throwing cut bait, minnows, shrimp or jigs they are not finicky.
More flounder are arriving every day in droves, and as they first move inshore the best place to look is closer to the ocean. Sandy creeks are some of the best spots, but they will also be found around mud banks with a mixed shell bottom – particularly when the water is cleaner. As the season progresses fish will spread out more into the backwaters.
Mud minnows and soft plastics will both work.
The inshore sheepshead bite is still peaking, and for now fishing fiddler crabs in 8-10 feet of water around structure is the best pattern.
The nearshore reef bite is wide open, and in addition to sheepshead and black drum there are tons of Spanish mackerel that can be caught casting or trolling, bluefish, bonito, false albacore, and more. This is also about the peak of the season for big 5-pound summer trout.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass is still good in 60-70 feet, while more and more species such as vermillion snapper, triggerfish, and red porgies are showing up in 90-100. However, the best action is still in 140-150 feet for bigger fish because they are the most particular about temperatures.
April 19
Morning surface water temperatures on the beach just off Edisto Island are approximately 65-66 degrees. Water clarity remains good.
Some things have changed this week but others have not, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the biggest change is that the topwater bite for redfish has really come along on the main river flats. In the morning they are eating baits like Spooks even better than sub-surface baits, and tide doesn’t matter as long as it’s not so high that fish are up in the grass. They can also get spooky on very low tides. During the day scented soft plastics are out-fishing everything else for flats redfish.
In the creeks the redfish are feeding even better in holes and around structure on the lower half of the tide cycle, and whether you are throwing cut bait, minnows, shrimp or jigs they are not finicky.
In contrast there is very little change with the trout, and they just haven’t showed up on the main rivers yet. Once temperatures hit about 68 then trout should arrive on the main river points and the topwater bite should come on, but for now more than 90% of the fish that are there are back in the creeks.
More flounder are arriving every day in droves, and as they first move inshore the best place to look is closer to the ocean. Sandy creeks are some of the best spots, but they will also be found around mud banks with a mixed shell bottom – particularly when the water is cleaner. As the season progresses fish will spread out more into the backwaters.
Mud minnows and soft plastics will both work.
The inshore sheepshead bite is still peaking right now, and for now fishing fiddler crabs in 8-10 feet of water around structure is the best pattern.
The nearshore reef bite is wide open, and in addition to sheepshead and black drum there are tons of Spanish mackerel that can be caught casting or trolling, bluefish, bonito, false albacore, and more. This is also about the peak of the season for big 5-pound summer trout.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass is still good in 60-70 feet, while more and more species such as vermillion snapper, triggerfish, and red porgies are showing up in 90-100. However, the best action is still in 140-150 feet for bigger fish because they are the most particular about temperatures.
Finally, when you can get out the offshore fishing for wahoo is still strong and more tuna are arriving. The dophin have not yet arrive but any day they could show up.
April 11
Morning surface water temperatures on the beach just off Edisto Island are approximately 63 degrees. Water clarity remains good.
With 80-degree weather seemingly here to stay next week Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that there should be a lot of change very soon, but already fish are starting to transition patterns. In particular there are more small male trout showing up on the main river points, although the big roe females have yet to arrive. He has also seen bait-sized shrimp arriving in the creeks, and at times trout have even been schooling on them! But overall the trout in the creek are getting more scattered and covering water is essential.
There have also been some good schools of redfish around in the smaller creeks, while the flats have been slower. Flounder are also arriving, and there have already been some good ones caught on artificial lures.
The sheepshead bite is peaking right now, and they are actually the one fish for which action will get worse once things heat up. For now fishing fiddler crabs in 8-10 feet of water around structure is the best pattern.
There are also plenty of sheeps and black drum still at the nearshore reefs, in addition to a lot of bluefish and an incredible number of small black sea bass. Summer trout are also arriving in pretty good numbers, and when water temperatures hit about 65 degrees then bonito, false albacore, and Spanish mackerel will show up.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass is still good in 60-70 feet, while more and more species such as vermillion snapper, triggerfish, and red porgies are showing up in 90-100. However, the best action is still in 140-150 feet for bigger fish because they are the most particular about temperatures.
Finally, when you can get out the offshore fishing for wahoo is still strong and more tuna are arriving. The best dolphin fishing should start very soon.
March 27
Morning surface water temperatures on the beach just off Edisto Island are approximately 62-63 degrees, while in the creeks they are about 60-61 degrees. Water clarity is as good as it has been in a while as the rain has slowed a little.
It’s a period of great transition for fishing around Edisto Island, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that as temperatures rise the amount of bait is constantly changing. Already there are a lot more mullet, mostly big ones for now, and before long significant numbers of shrimp will be moving into the creeks.
Like everything the trout are eating a little better in the warmer conditions, but they have not moved locations yet. While there are always some trout on the main river points, most of them are still inside the creeks. Throwing grubs in the bends is the most effective way to catch them, and while they will also eat mud minnows it’s hard to cover much water that way.
While it will be a few weeks before fish move out to their spawning grounds, the fish that are already on main river points are big, aggressive trout that are feeding on mullet. In the late evening, especially on warm days with low tide in the late afternoon, they will smash topwater lures. You will also catch redfish this way.
The flats fishing for redfish is also improving as fish eat better in the warmer water, and the creek bite is also picking up anchoring natural baits in the holes, especially ones with structure. There are also tons of small-to-medium black drum if you fish shrimp.
But the sheepshead bite is changing the fastest and getting the hottest, and Captain Ron reports that – even though fish spawn through April – more and more fish are making their way back inshore and trying to restore body weight. Fishing fiddler crabs in 8-10 feet of water around structure is the best pattern.
There are also plenty of sheeps and black drum still at the nearshore reefs, in addition to a lot of bluefish and an incredible number of small black sea bass. Summer trout are also arriving in pretty good numbers, and when water temperatures hit about 65 degrees then bonito, false albacore, and Spanish mackerel will show up. Most likely that will be in about 2-3 weeks.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass is still good in 60-70 feet, while more and more species such as vermillion snapper, triggerfish, and red porgies are showing up in 90-100. However, the best action is still in 140-150 feet for bigger fish because they are the most particular about temperatures.
Finally, when you can get out the offshore fishing for wahoo is still strong and more tuna are arriving. The best dolphin fishing should start around April 15.
March 13
Morning surface water temperatures on the beach just off Edisto Island are approximately 60 degrees, and there is an incredible amount of freshwater coming into the system. Between that and very high tides inshore waters are usually dirty and at best tannic.
Like the state overall the Edisto River is extremely high, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the amount of freshwater coming down the rivers can only really be equated to what happens around tropical storms. Except for 100-year-type floods, water levels are about as high as you will see them.
In addition to uniquely high water levels, a typical seasonal dynamic is affecting inshore fishing. While the ocean stays within about a degree from day to day and over the course of the day, even on very warm (or cold) days, there can great variance in the creeks. After cold nights temperatures can dip into the mid-50s, while on warm days sun soaking over black pluff mud can raise temperatures as high as the upper 60s. In those conditions fish can feed really well in the shallows.
Overall the trout fishing is fair right now, and without migratory fish around it’s almost like a closed system where what is there is there. In about a month new fish will arrive to spawn in the main rivers, but right now the fish are limited to resident trout in the creeks. Throwing grubs is the most effective way to catch them, and while they will also eat mud minnows it’s hard to cover much water that way. A good day is 10-15 trout.
The flats fishing for redfish is worse this week because there aren’t that many fish and because of dirty water conditions, but the creek bite is still pretty good anchoring natural baits in the holes, especially ones with structure. Catching 5-10 reds is a success, and you are almost certain to pick up small-to-medium black drum if you fish shrimp.
The sheepshead bite is starting to take off, and Captain Ron reports that – even though fish spawn through April – fish are making their way back inshore and feeding up on shallower structure. Fishing fiddler crabs in 10-15 feet of water is the best pattern.
There are also plenty of sheeps still at nearshore reefs, in addition to a lot of bluefish, small black sea bass and black drum. Summer trout are also starting to arrive, and when water temperatures hit about 65 degrees then bonito, false albacore, and Spanish mackerel will show up.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass is still good in 60-70 feet, while more and more species such as vermillion snapper, triggerfish, and red porgies are showing up in 90-100. However, the best action is still in 140-150 feet for bigger fish because they are the most particular about temperatures.
Finally, every year is different and this continues to be good one fishing offshore for wahoo. There are also a few tuna on top that can also be caught by guys high speed trolling and pulling plugs.
February 29
Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island range from about 55-59 degrees depending on overnight temperatures, while the ocean is more stable at about 57-58 degrees. With no rain in over a week both rivers are clearing.
Gradually rising temperatures continue to improve the bite around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that both the trout and redfish are feeding better this week. For both species low tides has been the strongest right now. Trolling or casting grubs and covering lots of water, particularly where the creeks bend, is the best pattern for trout.
The flats fishing for redfish is unchanged because there just aren’t that many schools of fish. However, the creek bite is improving anchoring natural baits in the holes, especially ones with structure. With lots of small to medium black drumaround, you will almost certainly get bites from them as well if you fish shrimp.
The sheepshead bite is about to get really good, and Captain Ron reports that – even though fish spawn through April – pretty soon post-spawn fish will start to make their way back inshore and feed up on shallower structure. Some also spawn inshore, and whether inshore or nearshore if you can find structure in at least 25 feet of water (most of the reefs start in about 30 feet) then you can also catch spawning fish through April.
Otherwise the nearshore reefs are still holding a lot of whiting, bluefish, small black sea bass, and keeper black drum. False albacore are also here.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass is best in 60-70 feet, while for other species it gets good around 100 feet out to the ledge.
The offshore bite for wahoo is still strong, and there have been plenty of five to eight fish days! Some days the fish are 20-30 pounds, and other days 30-60, but any time you catch a half-dozen wahoo you’ve accomplished something. The main caveat is that there are usually only about five days a month you can get out in March.
February 16
Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 54 degrees and the water in both rivers is clear but tannic with a lot of fresh water inflow. On high tide the North Edisto gets a clean green color when ocean water floods in.
With water temperatures a few degrees warmer the inshore fishing has improved a little around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the trout fishing in particular has picked up in the creeks this week. Trolling or casting grubs and covering lots of water, particularly where the creeks bend, is the best pattern, and a good day right now would be a dozen fish. You will also pick up some redfish the same way in the creeks, but there are only a few good schools on the river flats. Your best bet for redfish is probably still anchoring natural baits in the holes, especially ones with structure, on low tide. With lots of small to medium black drum around, you will almost certainly get bites from them as well if you fish shrimp.
The sheepshead bite is worth pursuing, and Captain Ron reports that if you can find structure in at least 25 feet of water inshore or nearshore (most of the reefs start in about 30 feet) then there can be a really good bite for spawning sheeps through April. When water temperatures get above 55, particularly around a new or full moon in March, significant numbers of fish will move back shallower inshore and it can be a great time to target the biggest fish of the year. They are very hungry around the spawn.
Otherwise the nearshore reefs are still holding a lot of whiting, small black sea bass, and keeper black drum. The biggest change is that in addition to deep red drum there are also starting to be more reds shallow under the birds again as temperatures rise and menhaden begin to show up.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass starts in 60 plus feet, while for other species you have to go out to 90 plus feet.
The offshore bite for wahoo isn’t quite as good as a couple of weeks ago but it’s still very strong, and another boat caught seven last week. Water temperatures are down a bit to 68 or 69 at the ledge but there are still lots of 25-40 pound fish being caught and Ron has heard of fish up to 70. Tuna are also out there but they are deeper and you can jig for them with a depth finder. They are also catching lots of amberjack in the same areas near the bottom.
February 2
Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are back up to about 52 degrees and the water has cleared.
It’s still a pretty tough period for inshore fishing around Edisto, and unfortunately Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that it will be there for a little while. The trout are feeding a little better than in the brutal cold last week, but still not well. The best bet for catching them is trolling or casting grubs in the creeks. The action for redfish is not much better, but the best place to look for them is also back in the creeks in deep holes on low tide. Trout are more likely to be on the edges of holes and bends while reds will be down in them.
Still the sheepshead bite is worth pursuing, and Captain Ron reports that if you can find structure in at least 25 feet of water inshore or nearshore (most of the reefs start in about 30 feet) then there can be a really good bite for spawning sheeps for the next month or two. When water temperatures get above 55 then they will come back inshore, and the action can be comparable to October and November. It’s a great time to target big ones and they are also hungry after the spawn.
Otherwise the nearshore reefs are holding a lot of whiting, small black sea bass, and keeper black drum. There can also be big schools of reds down deep when there is bait around. Don’t expect them to come to the surface with the birds anymore but bucktails jigged off the bottom can lead to fast action when a school comes through.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass starts in 60 plus feet, while for other species you have to go out to 90 plus feet.
January 25
Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island have been about 48 degrees in the creeks. With the rivers still high the water is a little tannic but much clearer than a week or two ago, and when the ocean comes in the water is a nice clean green.
It’s a pretty tough period for inshore fishing around Edisto, and unfortunately Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that it will be there for a little while. There’s not much bait around as the mud minnows have gone deep and the mullet that hang around in the winter have gone way into the backs. With water temperatures hitting the mid-40s a few days ago (and the overnight lows coming at the worst time, on low tide) there appear to have been some minor trout kills, although they won’t know too much about that until the fishing improves. Basically most of the inshore species are semi-dormant when it gets this cold and they are living off fat reserves. Even when temperatures start to warm species like redfish will be feeding on very small bait and they will be skittish.
Still the sheepshead bite is worth pursuing, and Captain Ron reports that if you can find structure in at least 25 feet of water inshore or nearshore (most of the reefs start in about 30 feet) then there can be a really good bite for spawning sheeps for the next month or two. When water temperatures get above 55 then they will come back inshore, and the action can be comparable to October and November. It’s a great time to target big ones and they are also hungry after the spawn.
Otherwise the nearshore reefs are holding a lot of whiting, small black sea bass, and keeper black drum. There can also be big schools of reds down deep when there is bait around. Don’t expect them to come to the surface with the birds anymore but bucktails jigged off the bottom can lead to fast action when a school comes through.
Bottom fishing for keeper black sea bass starts in 60 plus feet, while for other species you have to go out to 90 plus feet.
January 4
Morning surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are in the low 50s off the beach, and colder in the creeks.
We are still in a period where you really need to think about when and where to fish for species like trout, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that cold mornings are bad in the creeks. A warm spell, or later in the day, especially on a low tide where the water can warm up quicker, is better.
Overall the trout are either biting or they are not, related to conditions, and they don’t need to feed every day. You can’t make them if they don’t want to. You might have one day where you catch 60, then the next day catch 2 or 3 even if the fish haven’t moved. It doesn’t help that they are often feeding on young-of-the year 1-3 inch eels when they show up.
Overall trolling is still the easiest way to catch fish, but you can also cast grubs like a bass fisherman. The best trout fishing is not in the bottoms of drop-offs but on either side (the transitions into deeper holes), while the redfish are in the deepest parts – especially when there is some structure.
On the flats it’s not like it used to be for redfish, and there are literally only a handful of schools around Edisto. If you can find them on the flats they will eat, but the best pattern is still fishing three hours either side of low tide back in the creeks. The fish are usually in 3-8 feet of water in deep bends, especially those with rock or downed trees. They will take a variety of baits including cut mullet, shrimp and mud minnows.
Perhaps the best thing to fish for in the creeks is black drum, and with a simple two-hook bottom rig and shrimp you can find lots of half-pound to 2-pound fish in the same deep bends where the redfish are located.
Whiting can be found in 15-20 feet of water, while the best ones can be caught in 30 feet around shallow reefs. Unlike other species they will also hang over sand twenty or so yards off the reefs.
Unless you can find inshore structure with at least 18-20 feet of water there are few if any sheepshead around, but at the nearshorereefs sheeps, bluefish, and big red drum are also around. While the bull reds are unlikely to be on the surface as much as a month ago, you can still ride around until you see the gannets and then cast bucktails with curl-tail grub trailers under the birds for them. At the closer-in reefs there are tons of small black sea bass, but in more than 50 feet of water you can find good-sized black sea bass.
The best bottom fishing unless you are willing to go another 25 miles to hit 140 feet is in 90-100 feet of water, and offshore trolling is pretty much only for wahoo.