September 17

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are down to 83 degrees in the morning and clarity is high. There is tons of bait around and shrimping is very good. 

Even with water temperatures still in the 80s the hot fall action is starting, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the trout bite has been strong, although a lot of the fish are still small. Fish are biting well on moving water off the rips in the rivers, but there are also starting to be some good catches in the creeks. Live shrimp are working very well and some fish are also being caught on artificial lures. 

The redfish action has also gotten really good on live shrimp, and on the flats the basic story is that if you find some fish they will eat. Yesterday Ron’s boat found some good schools with slot-sized fish as well as some overs and some unders. Mid-tides continue to fish the best, around oyster beds. 

Fish in the creeks are biting very well for two hours either side of low tide around downed trees, docks, sea walls, and rock near deep bends and/ or holes. Finger mullet are the best creek bait because of all the bait stealers. 

In the last couple of weeks the flounder catch has been very good, and even though it’s a lot of small fish there are some good ones being caught. The best way to target flounder is to slowly drag a finger mullet across the bottom. Right now the fish are scattered everywhere but as temperatures cool they will move closer to the ocean. 

The sheepshead fishing is just getting good around inshore structure with 6-10 feet of water at low tide, and after the next cool front it should get really good. With so many bait stealers around you basically have to fish fiddler crabs.

Whiting fishing is still really good, and in the surf numbers are high while at sandbars numbers and sizes can be impressive. On rough high tides when the water gets muddy at the mouth of inlets the fish will really feed. Cut shrimp is hard to beat but cut mullet often catch bigger fish.

This is the peak time for catching tarpon, and the best numbers of fish are in the ocean right now. The best way to locate them is to look for large menhaden schools and tarpon rolling on them and fish live baits.  

Nearshore reefs in 30 feet are still loaded with Spanish mackerel, but for right now most of the king mackerel seem to have pushed out to 60-90 feet (or more). The mullet run should be pulling them shallower but at the moment they are not seeing it.    

There are still plenty of spadefish at the Edisto 60 and 90, and with jelly balls around they are easier to catch.  Still, Ron caught them on shrimp the last time out. 

The bottom fishing remains very strong in 80-100 feet of water, with diminishing numbers of cobia on the bottom in 90-100 feet as they start to head south. 

When the water temperatures drop about five degrees the tuna fishing will get very good, and if the wahoo bite is going to turn on that will be the time. There are also a ton of kings out towards the ledge while the sailfish are a little hit-or-miss. Ron has not heard any report on marlin. 

August 26

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are still about 85 degrees in the morning, and clarity is moderate. There are tons of finger mullet and white shrimp in the creeks and so bait is no problem.   

The really hot fall bite hasn’t quite kicked off yet, but Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that they are still catching a lot of small trout and the fish are starting to get bigger. Tide is not making a difference as long as there is clear, moving water on a current rip in the rivers, and live shrimp under a cork is the ticket. 

There’s not a lot of change with the redfish either, and the catch is still mixed between a ton of 8-13 inch fish and over-slot fish. It essentially seems like two year classes are missing. 

The best flats pattern is to fish around oyster shells with finger mullet. The fish are easier to spot at low tide but very hard to get to bite, while they feed better at mid-tides when there is a little water in the grass. They will be in the same general area as at low tide, just closer to the grass. They are at their most aggressive on the mid-outgoing tide. 

The best time to fish the creeks is for two hours either side of low tide around downed trees, docks, sea walls, and rock near deep bends and/ or holes. Finger mullet are also the best creek bait. 

The flounder catch is decent, but it’s a lot of small fish. The best way to target flounder is to slowly drag a finger mullet across the bottom. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

Catching numbers of sheepshead is still easy around inshore structure, and the best news is that they are also getting bigger. With so many bait stealers around you basically have to fish fiddler crabs. 

Whiting fishing is still really good, and in the surf numbers are good while at sandbars numbers and sizes can be impressive. On rough high tides when the water gets muddy at the mouth of inlets the fish will really feed. Cut shrimp is hard to beat but cut mullet often catch bigger fish.

The tarpon are still around in really good numbers, and Ron reports that if you want to catch one now is the time to do it. The best way to locate them is to look for large menhaden schools and tarpon rolling on them in the ocean. You can certainly soak baits on the bottom at the mouths of inlets and by sandbars, but if you free-line or float live menhaden to visible schools you may encounter less sharks.

Nearshore reefs are still loaded with Spanish mackerel, and there are very good numbers of king mackerel mixed in right now, too. Kings always follow Spanish, lying underneath and feeding on them as well as the menhaden they are eating, but there are still more than usual around. All you need to do is look for the birds and then throw spoons at the fish or pull live bait.  

There are still plenty of spadefish at the Edisto 60 and 90, but with no jelly balls around they are still deep and very tough to catch. Pretty soon smaller jelly balls the size of a nickel should show up and they will be easier to catch. 

The bottom fishing remains very strong in 80-100 feet of water, and there are also good numbers of cobia on the bottom in 90-100 feet seeking cooler water. 

In the bluewater zone, the wahoo fishing continues to be a little off as it has been all year. There are a bunch of small tuna around, and recently there have been a lot of sailfish and marlin popping up in 600-1000 feet. Still, they are here-today-gone-tomorrow.

The most unique fishery Ron has been targeting recently is the daytime swordfish bite, and going 80 miles offshore they are dropping ten pound weights and whole squid down 1500 plus feet. Yesterday they lost a fish at least three times its size but managed to catch a 50 or 60 pounder. 

August 6

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are still about 85 degrees in the morning, and clarity is still good. The South Edisto is on the verge of getting dirty with recent rains, while the North Edisto is unlikely to change much. There are tons of finger mullet and white shrimp in the creeks and so bait is no problem.   

It’s a fairly stable period around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that they are still catching a lot of small trout. However, only about 10% are keepers. Tide is not making a difference as long as there is clear, moving water on a current rip in the rivers, and live shrimp under a cork is the ticket. 

There’s not a lot of change with the redfish either, and the catch is still mixed between 8-13 inch fish and over-slot fish. It essentially seems like two year classes are missing. 

The best flats pattern is to fish around oyster shells with finger mullet. The fish are easier to spot at low tide but very hard to get to bite, while they feed better at mid-tides when there is a little water in the grass. They will be in the same general area as at low tide, just closer to the grass. They are at their most aggressive on the mid-outgoing tide. 

The best time to fish the creeks is for two hours either side of low tide around downed trees, docks, sea walls, and rock near deep bends and/ or holes. Finger mullet are also the best creek bait. 

The flounder catch is pretty good even while targeting other species, and if you want to really increase your chances of catching a flounder slowly drag a finger mullet across the bottom. Keepers are still rare. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

Catching numbers of sheepshead is still easy around inshore structure, but getting a keeper and avoiding the bait stealers is very tough. It’s like this every year at this time. 

Whiting fishing is still really good, and in the surf numbers are good while at sandbars numbers and sizes can be impressive. On rough high tides when the water gets muddy at the mouth of inlets the fish will really feed. Cut shrimp is hard to beat but cut mullet often catch bigger fish.

The tarpon are still around in really good numbers, and Ron reports that if you want to catch one now is the time to do it. The best way to locate them is to look for large menhaden schools and tarpon rolling on them in the ocean. You can certainly soak baits on the bottom at the mouths of inlets and by sandbars, but if you free-line or float live menhaden to visible schools you may encounter less sharks.

Nearshore reefs are still loaded with Spanish mackerel, and there are very good numbers of king mackerel mixed in right now, too. Kings always follow Spanish, lying underneath and feeding on them, but there are more than usual right now. All you need to do is look for the birds and then throw spoons at the fish or pull live bait.  

There are plenty of spadefish at the Edisto 60 and 90, but with no jelly balls around they are still deep and very tough to catch. Pretty soon smaller jelly balls the size of a nickel will show up again and they will be easier to catch. 

The bottom fishing remains very strong in 80-100 feet of water, and there are also tons of cobia on the bottom in 90-100 feet seeking cooler water. There is also good king mackerel action out at the same depth, with most of the of kings 15-20 feet down. The best way to target them is to slow troll live bait or pull spoons or big-lipped plugs. 

Bluewater fishing is about the same, but expect some really good wahoo fishing soon. Billfish and a few dolphin are around, and if you want to significantly improve your chances of catching a tuna head north to the Georgetown Hole where the numbers are much greater because of the greater depth.  Except very early in the morning most of the fish are 100 feet and below. 

July 30

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are still about 85 degrees in the morning, and clarity is good. There are tons of finger mullet and white shrimp in the creeks and so bait is no problem.   

There continue to be tons of small trout caught around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that, for example, this morning they caught 40. However, only about 10% were keepers. Tide is not making a difference as long as there is clear, moving water on a current rip in the rivers, and live shrimp under a cork is the ticket. 

There’s not a lot of change with the redfish, although the 8-12 inch reds have flooded into the area. There are also a lot of over-slot 27- or so inch fish, and so it essentially seems like two year classes are missing. 

The best flats pattern is to fish around oyster shells with mud minnows. The fish are easier to spot at low tide but very hard to get to bite, while they feed better at mid-tides when there is a little water in the grass. They will be in the same general area as at low tide, just closer to the grass. They are at their most aggressive on the mid-outgoing tide. 

The best time to fish the creeks is for two hours either side of low tide around downed trees, docks, sea walls, and rock near deep bends and/ or holes. Finger mullet are the best creek bait. 

The flounder fishing has actually picked up, and if you want to really increase your chances of catching a flounder slowly drag a finger mullet across the bottom. Keepers are still rare. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

Catching numbers of sheepshead is still easy around inshore structure, but getting a keeper and avoiding the bait stealers is very tough. It’s like this every year at this time. 

Whiting fishing is still really good, and in the surf numbers are good while at sandbars numbers and sizes can be impressive.  On rough high tides when the water gets muddy at the mouth of inlets the fish will really feed. Cut shrimp is hard to beat but cut mullet often catches bigger fish. 

The tarpon are around in really good numbers right now, and Ron reports that the better tarpon guides are hooking multiple fish each day. The best way to locate them is to look for large menhaden schools and tarpon rolling on them in the ocean. You can certainly soak baits on the bottom at the mouths of inlets and by sandbars, but if you free-line or float live menhaden to visible schools you may encounter less sharks.

With some better weather of late the Spanish mackerel action has been good around the nearshore reefs, and as always there are some king mackerel mixed in (which feed on the Spanish and lie underneath them). All you need to do is look for the birds and then throw spoons at the fish. 

There are plenty of spadefish at the Edisto 60 and 90, but with no jelly balls around they are deep and very tough to catch. Pretty soon smaller jelly balls the size of a nickel will show up again and they will be easier to catch. 

The bottom fishing remains very strong in 80-100 feet of water, and there are also tons of cobia on the bottom in 90-100 feet seeking cooler water. There is also good king mackerel action out at the same depth, with most of the of kings 15-20 feet down. The best way to target them is to slow troll live bait or pull spoons or big-lipped plugs. 

The Governor’s Cup last weekend saw catches about what would be expected at this time of year in the billfish category, but there were some bigger than expected dolphins in the 30-pound range as well as good wahoo at 56 and then 49 pounds. High speed trolling is the best way to catch them. Just two tuna were landed with 17 pounds the big fish, and a 515-pound marlin was caught!

July 22

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are up to 85 degrees in the morning, and clarity is good. There are tons of finger mullet and white shrimp in the creeks and so bait is no problem.   

There has been some improvement with the fishing around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that in particular the trout fishing has picked back up. They are catching a lot of small fish, but that’s better than almost no trout a few weeks ago!

The best fishing is coming from two hours before high tide to two hours after high tide when the water is cleanest, and the action is best around the main river white shell points. With so many shrimp in the rivers the fish want live shrimp under a popping cork. 

There’s not a lot of change with the redfish, and slot-sized fish are still hard to come by as the catch is either 8-9 inches or over 26. 

The best flats pattern is to fish around oyster shells with mud minnows. The fish are easier to spot at low tide but very hard to get to bite, while they feed better at mid-tides when there is a little water in the grass. They will be in the same general area as at low tide, just closer to the grass. They are at their most aggressive on the mid-outgoing tide. 

The best time to fish the creeks is for two hours either side of low tide around downed trees, docks, sea walls, and rock near deep bends and/ or holes. Finger mullet are the best creek bait. 

While keepers are rare there are decent numbers of flounder being caught inshore in the same places you fish for the trout, and if you want to increase your chances of catching a flounder slowly drag a finger mullet across the bottom. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

Catching numbers of sheepshead is easy around inshore structure, but getting a keeper and avoiding the bait stealers if very tough. 

Whiting fishing is still really good, and in the surf and around sandbars whiting fishing remains wide open. They are getting big ones, and on rough high tides when the water gets muddy at the mouth of inlets the fish will really feed. Cut shrimp is hard to beat but cut mullet often catches bigger fish. 

The tarpon are around in good numbers by now, and all you have to do to locate them is look for large menhaden schools and tarpon rolling on them. You can certainly soak baits on the bottom at the mouths of inlets and sandbars, but if you free-line or float live menhaden to visible schools you may encounter less sharks.

With some better weather of late the Spanish mackerel action has been good around the nearshore reefs. All you need to do is look for the birds and then throw spoons at the fish. 

There are plenty of spadefish at the reefs as well but they are deeper, and to tease them up to the surface you need to drop a jelly ball down 20-30 feet. 

The bottom fishing is very strong in 80-100 feet of water, and there are also tons of cobia on the bottom in 90-100 feet seeking cooler water. There is also good king mackerel action out at the same depth, with most of the of kings 15-20 feet down. The best way to target them is to slow troll live bait or pull spoons or big-lipped plugs. 

Bluewater fishing has been a little slow, but everything is about normal for this time of year except that there are less wahoo around than there should be in July and August. 

There are some small dolphin being caught and there are some sailfish and marlin in the area. Tuna are almost totally absent. 

July 9

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are up to 83 degrees in the morning, and before the storms the water still had good clarity. 

There’s not a lot of change this week in the fishing around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the trout fishing is still very slow. In the summer months when the fish are spawning, particularly around the full moon, they should be gorging. 

Usually live shrimp or finger mullet under a cork or on a Carolina rig should be getting tons of bites around points near the ocean at the top of the tide when the water is cleanest, but right now you are lucky to catch a fish. It’s unclear why. 

The action for redfish isn’t much better, one reason that Ron says the fishing is about as bad as he’s ever seen it. Slot-sized fish are almost non-existent, and they are either 8-9 inches or over 26. 

The best flats pattern is to fish around oyster shells with mud minnows. The fish are easier to spot at low tide but very hard to get to bite, while they may feed better at mid-tides when there is a little water in the grass. They will be in the same general area as low tide, just closer to the grass. They are at their most aggressive on the mid-outgoing tide. 

The creek pattern isn’t much better, but you should fish for two hours either side of low tide around downed trees, docks, sea walls, and rock near deep bends and/ or holes. 

There are lots of small black drum around trees and docks in the creeks that can be caught with shrimp on low tide.

There are good numbers of flounder being caught inshore in the same places you fish for the trout, and if you want to increase your chances of catching a flounder slowly drag a finger mullet across the bottom. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations changed, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat(from 20). The minimum size moved to 16 inches (from 15). 

Catching numbers of sheepshead is easy around inshore structure, but getting a keeper and avoiding the bait stealers if very tough.  

Whiting are a rare bright spot, and in the surf and around sandbars whiting fishing is wide open. Cut mullet are probably better than shrimp or squid for staying on the hook and getting big ones, and on rough high tides when the water gets muddy at the mouth of inlets the fish will really feed. 

The tarpon are around in good numbers by now, and you can certainly soak baits on the bottom at the mouths of inlets and sandbars but you will get a lot of sharks this way. The best way to target them is to look for big concentrations of menhaden just offshore where tarpon are busting or rolling and then free-line or float live menhaden to them. This pattern has been hard to fish with the winds.   

While there haven’t really been any days to get out there, the Spanish mackerel and spadefish are both abundant at the Edisto 40, 60 and 4KI. The Spanish mackerel are probably the best area bite right now – when you can fish for them. 

The best cobia action is out in 70-90 feet water. 

The offshore dolphin fishing has really slowed down, and even though you can catch a few fish 90% of the boats are getting less than 5 per trip. The wahoo aren’t around, but the hope is that they will show up later in July and in August which are normally two really good months.  

When weather allows perhaps the best thing going alongside the Spanish is the bottom fishing, and out in 70-100 feet the action is strong. Come July and August the better action will be out in 100 plus feet of water. 

June 24

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are about 81 degrees first thing, and the water is fairly clear in the North Edisto while the South Edisto is very tannic. It has also been extremely windy. 

The trout fishing has slowed way down around Edisto, and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that he has only caught one trout in the last two days, a completely unexpected result at this time of year. In the summer months when the fish are spawning, particularly around the full moon, they should be gorging. 

Usually live shrimp or finger mullet under a cork or on a Carolina rig should be getting tons of bites around points near the ocean at the top of the tide when the water is cleanest, but right now you are lucky to catch a fish. It’s unclear why. 

The action for redfish isn’t much better, one reason that Ron says the fishing is about as bad as he’s ever seen it. Slot-sized fish are almost non-existent, and they are either 8-9 inches or over 26. 

The best flats pattern is to fish around oyster shells with mud minnows. The fish are easier to spot at low tide but very hard to get to bite, while they may feed better at mid-tides when there is a little water in the grass. They will be in the same general area as low tide, just closer to the grass. They are at their most aggressive on the mid-outgoing tide. 

The creek pattern isn’t much better, but you should fish for two hours either side of low tide around downed trees, docks, sea walls, and rock near deep bends and/ or holes. 

There are lots of small black drum around trees and docks in the creeks that can be caught with shrimp on low tide but they are mostly small.

There are good numbers of flounder being caught inshore in the same places you fish for the trout, and if you want to increase your chances of catching a flounder slowly drag a finger mullet across the bottom. 

Note that effective July 1 flounder regulations will change, with a new limit of 5 fish per person (from 10) and 10 per boat (from 20). The minimum size will move from 15 to 16 inches. 

Catching numbers of sheepshead is easy around inshore structure, but getting a keeper and avoiding the bait stealers if very tough.  

Whiting are a rare bright spot, and in the surf and around sandbars whiting fishing is wide open. Cut mullet are probably better than shrimp or squid for staying on the hook and getting big ones, and on rough high tides when the water gets muddy at the mouth of inlets the fish will really feed. 

The tarpon are around in good numbers by now, and you can certainly soak baits on the bottom at the mouths of inlets and sandbars but you will get a lot of sharks this way. The best way to target them is to look for big concentrations of menhaden just offshore where tarpon are busting or rolling and then free-line or float live menhaden to them. This pattern has been hard to fish with the winds.   

While there haven’t really been any days to get out there, the Spanish mackerel and spadefish are both abundant at the Edisto 40, 60 and 4KI. 

The best cobia action is out in 70-90 feet water. 

The offshore dolphin fishing has really slowed down, and even though you can catch a few fish 90% of the boats are getting less than 5 per trip.  The wahoo aren’t around, but the hope is that they will show up in July and August which are normally two really good months. 

Perhaps the best thing going, except for the wind, is the bottom fishing, and out in 70-100 feet the action is strong. Come July and August the better action will be out in 100 plus feet of water. 

June 10

Inshore surface water temperatures around Edisto Island are around 80 degrees first thing, and water clarity remains very high in both rivers with no rains. 

Even though the dolphin fishing has slowed down, the most exciting fishing can still sometimes be offshore. There was a break in the wind Tuesday and Captain Ron Davis, Jr. (843-513-0143) was able to get offshore, and in addition to five dolphin they caught a pile of bottom fish in 90-150 feet.  These included vermillion snapper, porgies and triggerfish, including a pair of relatively rare queen triggerfish. Interestingly they caught almost no black sea bass, and speculation is that the abundant American Red Snapper were eating them. 

Wahoo and tuna have been a little slow. 

 

Inshore there’s not much change, and when you find clear water the trout fishing is good around main river white shell points. Early in the morning topwater lures are hard to beat, but after that DOA shrimp will work well if you can’t get live shrimp.

Flats fishing for redfish is a little sporadic, and outside of the early topwater bite the best pattern is to fish around oyster shells with mud minnows. The fish are easier to spot at low tide but very hard to get to bite, while they feed much better at mid-tides when there is a little water in the grass. They will be in the same general area as low tide, just closer to the grass. They are at their most aggressive on the mid-outgoing tide. 

The creek pattern is still stable, and they are catching lots of 17-18 inch fish as well as occasional 30 inchers. You should fish for two hours either side of low tide around downed trees, docks, sea walls, and rock near deep bends and/ or holes. Mud minnows are also working the best in the creeks. 

There are also black drum around trees in the creeks that can be caught with shrimp on low tide but they are mostly small.

The flounder fishing remains good inshore, and the best places to look have sandy bottoms mixed with shell in the mouth of creeks. Mud minnows are hard to beat.

The sheepshead fishing has finally slowed down as water temperatures have heated up, and it’s now relatively hard to catch keepers inshore.

In the surf and around sandbars whiting fishing is wide open with cut mullet, squid, or shrimp. Big ones are around right now.

Early tarpon have arrived in the inlets and sandbar.

At the nearshore reefs most of the summer trout are gone and the bull reds have gone deeper, but Spanish mackerel, bluefish and ladyfish are abundant. There are also flounder at the reefs. 

The best cobia action is out in 90 feet water.