September 26

Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-70s around Georgetown and water conditions have cleared – but that is likely to change. 

Just as water color was normalizing there is likely to be a ton of fresh water coming into the system again from the Pee Dee region, but Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that for now the inshore fishing has been really good in the Georgetown area. Fish are putting the feed bag on as they know that bait is not going to be around forever, and the redfish are biting really well. Slot reds can be caught in all the regular spots in the creeks, and low tide has been fishing the best. But in Winyah Bay Captain Greg’s boat is finding big 38-42 inch fish that want big chunks of cut mullet.  They are having the best action on the rising tide, fishing about 7 feet of water max. Other anglers are catching them in the deeper channels.

They are also picking up 3-4 foot sharks that seem to be running with the big reds, but they aren’t having much luck with trout or flounder. Of course, cut bait is probably limiting those catches. When they have fished with artificials lures they are picking up a few trout and flounder, but most have been small fish that won’t keep. About the only big trout they have seen have been feeding at first light in the clearest water. 

Finally, tarpon are certainly still around and they jumped one this week. 

September 12

Morning surface water temperatures have dropped into the mid-70s in Debordieu Creek and water conditions are dirty but normalizing. 

Finally the Winyah Bay area is getting back to normal, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that both bait and fish are returning to inshore areas which they had abandoned. The salinity levels are returning to where they typically are, and even as the water still has a dark color to it fish and bait are back in places like Muddy Bay (at the top of Winyah Bay) where they had evacuated. There have also been some good reports from the Shell Banks, including for flounder and some trout.

The bait situation can be a little challenging, and there still aren’t very many shrimp – certainly not big ones – around, while mullet are present but hanging a little lower in the water column instead of “running the roof”. But it’s worth making the effort to catch mullet because they have been the best bait for redfish right now, although the smaller menhaden that are around will also do in a pinch.  Generally fishing cut or live mullet around traditional ambush points like shell beds, drop-offs, or creek mouths has been working well. 

While it’s well south of Georgetown, Greg notes that Bulls Bay is loaded with shrimp and trout right now. It has far less freshwater inflow than the Winyah Bay area and so they either never left or returned more quickly. Expect the area to be flooded with fishermen as soon as shrimp baiting season opens this weekend!

August 28

Morning surface water temperatures dropped into the upper 70s in Debordieu Creek but have now rebounded into the 80s. Water conditions are slowly normalizing and bait is returning to areas it vacated after the storm. 

Salinity levels are still relatively low and the water is darker than usual, but Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that things are getting back to more normal as Hurricane Debby gets further in the rearview mirror. There is still not a ton of bait in Winyah Bay, and fish are more likely to be closer to the ocean, but both bait and fish are clearly returning.  However, after seeing salinity levels at the top and bottom of the water column drop to literally zero it was always going to take some time!

In fact the bigger consideration to catching bait this weekend was the cold snap, and on higher tides the mullet were not up in the water column where they could easily be netted. At times like that Captain Greg says it’s a good idea just to take what bait you can get, even if it’s small, less durable menhaden. 

On the first of the rising tide it’s almost impossible to avoid small redfish about everywhere right now, but as the current gets up it’s easier to target better fish by looking for slower moving water around oyster bars and other current breaks. Fish are basically in the same type of spots they have been in and right now live bait seems to be working the best. They are still finding large groups of good fish, indicating fish are still not as spread out as before the storm. 

Trout have been pretty scarce recently but they did manage a small one, while they have picked up the occasional better flounder. 

Finally, there have been a ton of tarpon around close to the ocean recently anywhere that you can find large schools of big mullet. 

August 14

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 82 degrees in Debordieu Creek and there is an incredible amount of freshwater inflow. Bait is still around but has moved to higher salinity. 

At the end of the last report Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) noted that bait was stacking up in Winyah Bay and “that should just continue unless a big tropical event flushes the bait out,” but that is exactly what has happened in the last week.  There is now an absolutely incredible amount of freshwater flowing into the system, and it actually should not peak for several more days. The result is brown, muddy water, and on low tide there is extremely low visibility. 

But the real result is that fish have cleared out of the river-fed bays in part because of the water color but even more because of the low salinity, and areas like Muddy Bay are now relatively devoid of life. Things can change fast but right now there are basically no birds or bait to be seen in large areas of Winyah Bay. 

The better fishing (and bait catching) is now either in the actual ocean/ at the jetties or in areas like North Inlet close to the ocean. The good news is that with fish very concentrated there has been some really good fishing in North Inlet. At one spot where Captain Greg has caught up to 5 good redfish on previous trips yesterday he caught 11 on cut mullet at the edge of the grass. While live bait does have some scent to it cut bait is probably better right now because of the smell, and you really can’t count on fish feeding based on sight. For that reason flounder and trout fishing has been really slow in the low visibility. If you opt for artificials they basically have to be scented.

As noted things can change fast and tomorrow fish could be in areas they are not today, but in these current conditions Greg recommends not lingering in an area if you don’t see bait. 

One final tip is that there are a ton of sharks around, and so Greg recommends winding fish in quickly.  Additionally, especially with low visibility it’s probably better to simply release redfish and not to spend much time trying to resuscitate them with your arms in the water!  

August 1

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 83-84 degrees in Debordieu Creek and there is a lot of freshwater inflow. Mullet are abundant although the cooler temperatures have pushed them a bit lower in the water column and can make them harder to net. 

There has been so much rain and muddy water coming in from the rivers, and especially the Pee Dee, that it is has really dirtied up Winyah Bay and the southern end of North Inlet. It has also pushed the salinity way down, and as a result Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that he is fishing closer to the ocean right now. 

Overall it’s pretty good for summer fishing right now, and he is catching redfish, a few trout and some nice flounder.  Everything has come on finger mullet or cut mullet. The best action is still coming in shallower spots off big water, and the better spots remain creek mouths and shallow shelves adjacent to deep water where there is a current break and oyster beds. Fish are still sitting in 1 ½ to 3 feet of water depending on tide, and in general the redfish bite better when the current is weaker but as the tide picks up the trout turn on. The first of the rise has been the best time this week, and Captain Greg notes that they are starting to pick up a ton more young of the year redfish. 

Finally, as bait stacks up in the bays the tarpon are getting thicker and thicker, and that should just continue unless a big tropical event flushes the bait out. 

July 18

Morning surface water temperatures are down to about 87 degrees in Debordieu Creek. Finger mullet are now abundant. 

While Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) isn’t changing his opinion that a big, fresh, bloody piece of mullet is often the best bait for enticing a big redfish, instead of chasing bigger bait this week he has been stocking up on readily available finger mullet and killing it. On the incoming tide they have been anchoring finger mullet on a heavy split shot rig and catching tons of slot and over-slot redfish as well as good numbers of trout from 20-22 inches (as well as a few smaller ones). The fish have been on shallow shelves adjacent to deep water where there is a current break and oyster beds, and they have been sitting in 1 ½ to 3 feet of water depending on tide. While there is frequently an overlap, in general the redfish bite better when the current is weaker but as the tide picks up the trout are more prevalent.  In general it seems that fish want to feed in shallow spots off big water, and areas like creek mouths are also holding fish. They have also picked up some smaller flounder this way. There’s no reason they haven’t caught big ones, but they haven’t this week. Moving the baits would probably improve the chances of catching flounder. 

Captain Greg notes that even though it’s not as bad as shrimp, picker fish like pinfish will nibble at finger mullet and so you need to have tons of bait and check them often. 

 

Finally, with bait getting thick in Muddy Bay Greg notes that the tarpon are also showing up in force.  

July 11

Morning surface water temperatures are about 87 degrees in Debordieu Creek. There is a ton of bait around but a lot of it is very small menhaden and finger mullet.  

It’s typical summer inshore fishing around Georgetown, and as noted previously Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that means fishing early (and sometimes late) is usually preferable. And at very low water the temperatures can get so hot that fish get lethargic and/or seek out deeper water, and of course sting rays are a constant nuisance.

Nonetheless they have had some good summer trips recently, and in particular the redfish have been feeding pretty well. Particularly in stained water it’s very hard to beat very fresh cut mullet for reds, but they are also picking up some fish on live bait. Oyster-lined banks continue to hold the most fish, but on lower water the fish do often seek deeper areas and leave the smaller creeks. 

Trout are around but mostly feeding in low-light periods, and the best way to catch them may be with topwater lures for the first hour and a half each day. They will also feed again as the sun sets. 

The flounder fishing has also been pretty good, and it seems that more flounder are around this year. Whenever they fish live bait or jerk shad on Eye Strike jigheads they pick up one or two keepers even while primarily targeting reds. 

Finally, while few people are going to get very excited about catching sting rays, the bonnethead sharks that are also cruising at low tide can make for some really exciting fishing. At lower tide they will feed along shallow edges, particularly where there is some sort of shelf, sometimes in such skinny water that their backs are out of the water. 

June 26

Morning surface water temperatures are in the mid-80s in Debordieu Creek. Water clarity is above average without much rain, and there are tons of mullet and menhaden around.

The Georgetown area is getting into some fairly typical summer inshore patterns, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that means one key to catching fish is fishing early. Tide also matters, but time of day may be even more important right now – including for the angler’s health!

Captain Greg has spent most of his time targeting redfish, and some days a spot will produce 6-10 fish while the next day on the same tide they might only get one or two there. That’s pretty typical for summer. In general he is soaking cut bait, and they are catching fish throughout the tide cycle but mostly around oyster-lined banks. They did catch one very nice 32-inch fish in the grass on high water. While Greg can’t say the fish are moving deeper in the heat, he is not seeing as much action in small creeks.  Mullet and menhaden will both work, but mullet are more durable. 

Even though he hasn’t targeted trout very much they are certainly around, and at least once each trip he is getting one on dead bait. One trip they caught a 20- and 24-inch trout on whole dead menhaden that were sitting on the bottom. 

 

The few times they have fished with live bait it’s obvious there are some good flounder around, and you can catch them either casting and trolling or pitching minnows up the current and letting the tide sweep them down. 

June 12

Morning surface water temperatures are around 80 degrees in Winyah Bay. Water clarity is above average and bait shrimp, finger mullet and menhaden are all around for netting. 

It’s been a pretty outstanding early summer bite this week around Georgetown, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that the storm system that came through Sunday night and did some pretty serious damage in the area seems to have cooled the water off a bit. Perhaps because of that the inshore fish are feeding very well, and in particular the redfish bite has been pretty reliable this week. Captain Greg is basically fishing two patterns for reds, and on lower tides he is fishing along shelves that are adjacent to deeper water with live bait or artificials. They have also picked up some beautiful flounder in the 20-22 inch range this way, with the fish coming on the dropping tide on a sandy spot just beside where the channel falls off into deeper water. It’s obviously a good place for flounder to sit and let bait wash over their heads. The biggest flounder actually came on a jerk shad fished on an Eye Strike wobbly head jighead. 

The other major redfish pattern is fishing on higher tides by anchoring cut bait in the sparse grass and letting the reds find it. While cut menhaden will work, mullet is much more durable and you have to check your bait less often.

The big surprise of the week came when they caught a 25 ¼ inch trout on cut mullet four feet back in the grass on high tide. At first they thought it was a nice redfish until they got a clear look!  

There are certainly some good trout around, and while you will catch more of them with live bait around main river points with clean, moving water, this is just another example of a very big Georgetown trout this season being willing to eat cut bait. 

June 6

Morning surface water temperatures are around 77 degrees around Georgetown and getting into the 80s during the day.  Clarity is above average, especially considering the negative low high tides. Bait shrimp, finger mullet and menhaden are all around for netting. 

The inshore fishing around Georgetown is good for the three major species, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that they actually had the hardest time catching decent slot redfish in the recent Habitat tournament. There are plenty of 17-inch fish around, as well as bigger ones, but 18-23 inch fish are elusive. The small reds seem to be in shallower water around areas like creek mouths and biting best on the dropping tide, while they have had the best luck for bigger fish fishing cut mullet on a 5/0 circle hook deeper in North Inlet in 3 or more feet. You will also catch plenty of sharks fishing this way. 

With the new moon there have been a lot of good trout around, and they are catching them on live menhaden on the rising tide. They have been around points in the main river when there is clean water moving.  Shrimp will also catch trout, but by now you have to deal with a significant by-catch of bait stealers. 

You have to beat the bottom with live bait or swimbaits to catch them, but there are a decent number of flounder around by now – including some big ones. In the tournament they managed an 18 ¾ inch fish on a cut between a shell bar and the mouth of a creek in about 4 feet, and similar funnel areas have also been producing. Their biggest flounder recently was a 22-inch fish (pictured below) caught on a 6- plus inch mullet. When it struck Captain Greg could tell it was a big one and put the rod in the holder, with an open spool, until it had eaten the bait and swam off!

 

May 23

Morning surface water temperatures are around 73 degrees off Georgetown and warmer in the creeks.  Finger mullet are showing up while shrimp are still far too small for bait.

The inshore fishing around Georgetown has really picked up, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that the action for both trout and redfish has come on strong this week. The big roe trout have arrived with the full moon, and the numbers of reds have gotten impressive. Captain Greg’s boat caught eleven in one spot on Friday.

The best places to fish have been funnel areas with shallow oyster beds that are out in front of the grass on the first of the rising tide. Fish have to move into these areas to get to bait and back into the grass as the water rises. While 3-4 inch live mullet can be found, Captain Greg has actually had better luck with cut mullet on the bottom. Big trout will eat cut bait, too, like this 22-inch fish that was full of eggs. 

If you can’t get mullet bluefish also make good cut bait, and they can be caught easily around current rips on artificials or bait under a popping cork.  Of course, live shrimp are hard to beat for trout. 

Also, on high tides now that fiddler crabs are active don’t overlook the redfish that are starting to tail on the short grass flats. 

Greg’s boat has not targeted flounder but they are showing up in better numbers, and with live bait (or artificials) you will pick them up even when fishing for other species. 

Be sure to check out this year’s Hooked on Habitat Inshore Slam fishing tournament on June 1.  

May 15

Morning surface water temperatures are around 74 degrees in the creeks around Debordieu and maybe a degree cooler in the ocean.  With all the rain visibility is very low in Winyah Bay.

It’s a transition period in the Georgetown area, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that some big 8-inch corn cob mullet are around, small menhaden are in the bay (indicating decent salinity levels), but he isn’t quite yet seeing bigger menhaden off the beaches. But they should show up any day. 

In the dirty conditions he is having the best luck either soaking cut bait for redfish on the dropping tide when fish are being funneled out, or fishing small wiggly baits on popping corks. They are picking up a fair number of bluefish on the live bait – and using blues for cut bait. While not necessarily preferable to mullet sometimes they are just as good.   

 

With visibility so low it has not been a great time for trout fishing, but if you can find cleaner areas they will feed. Right now they are seeing more gar than trout which is a bad sign. 

One exciting bite which is just getting started as the water has finally warmed enough and fiddler crabs are active is that on the flood tides redfish are starting to tail on the short grass flats. 

May 2

Morning surface water temperatures are in the low 70s in the creeks around Debordieu, and more bait is showing up all the time.

More stable weather is improving the bite for everything in the Georgetown area, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that soaking cut bait and fresh dead shrimp for redfish is still working very well.  Topwater action for trout also continues to improve, particularly early, late and on cloudy days. Points with oyster bars have been the best areas for this.  More keeper flounder are also showing up each day and spreading out in the shallow inlet areas. The best place to look for flounder right now is on the dropping tide at creek mouth drains. There have also been fish caught around hard structure just inside the inlets.

But the biggest change this week is off the beaches, and as menhaden schools start to arrive cobia and big drum should be right behind them. Sharks are already starting to get prolific, and fishing the menhaden pods is really as simple as pitching a bait or bucktail in, waiting for a bite, and moving on if nothing is forthcoming. Captain Greg points out that the fish don’t need to be over-taxed and so it’s important to use heavy enough tackle to land them efficiently. 

Finally, the sheepshead that have been offshore are really returning to the jetties.     

April 25

Morning surface water temperatures are around 68-72 degrees in the creeks around Debordieu, and more bait is showing up all the time.

The action for redfish is picking up in the Georgetown areas, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) gives a lot of the credit for that to the fact that the peeler crab season is winding down. There may also be more fish returning inshore as the freshwater levels normalize, while previously they had been pushed out towards the jetties.  This week Captain Greg is having a lot more luck soaking bait for reds, and fresh dead shrimp have been working as well as anything. 

There is also starting to be some good topwater action for trout, particularly early, late and on cloudy days. Points with oyster bars have been the best areas for this.

Flounder are also picking up and they are spreading out in the shallow inlet areas. The best place to looking for flounder right now is on the dropping tide at creek mouth drains. There have also been fish caught around hard structure just inside the inlets.    

April 11

Morning surface water temperatures are around 68-70 degrees in the creeks around Debordieu, and bait is showing back up again. 

Spring is arriving in the Georgetown area, and Captain Greg Holmes with Fish Skinny Charters (843-241-0594) reports that in addition to tiny shrimp he is starting to see more big 6-inch mullet swimming in the creeks again. It won’t be a surprise when menhaden arrive again in the next week or two – with sharks and more behind them.

The best action this week has been for trout and bluefish in the 1-2 pound range, and while bait-sized shrimp have been hard to come by artificial lures and mud minnows are working pretty well for both. The action has been best floating grass lines under a popping cork. 

There are also some flounder starting to be caught in the shallow estuaries such as around Pawley’s Island and North Inlet that warm faster. Captain Greg hasn’t personally caught any over 16 inches on his boat, but he has seen a 19-inch fish landed. 

Usually a stalwart, the redfish are actually a little tough right now as they are gorging on peeler crabs and hard to catch with anything else. They may also be filling up on the tiny shrimp that are around, but in a week or two they should be more cooperative again.