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Yearly Archives

2024

Charleston Fishing Report – November 2024

By Fishing, Fishing Report

Fishing was great in October, and we can expect November to be just as good!  Chilly nights remind redfish and trout that they had better eat soon or it will be a long few months ahead without any food. Artificial lures have become very productive as natural bait leaves our waters. Take advantage of sunny days and go chase some fish!

As water temperatures decline, redfish have begun their seasonal phenomenon of forming huge schools. Schools of fifty redfish will become common and they can grow as large as 100-150 during the winter. These fish are more wary this time of year and artificial lures can spook them. Instead of casting at the schools, we will throw out as many as three lines with chunks of blue crab or mullet on #3/0 circle hooks and just put the rods in holders. Eventually, the redfish will find your bait and bend your rods over with some astonishing hits!

For trout, artificial lures continue to work very well. Trout hang together and when you catch one there will likely be others in the immediate area. Lures in hues of gray and blue are performing the best when paired with a 1/4oz. jighead. Remember to move your lure slower than usual as the fish slow down with the cooler water temperature. Try to touch the bottom with the jighead and wait until you feel the pull of a striking fish.

Popping corks are still great options for both trout and redfish. Live shrimp can be used again with the bait stealers gone. I’ll attach a three-foot leader to the cork and a size 1 circle hook on the other end with a split shot a foot above the hook. Cast along grass banks, over oyster beds, and at creek mouths and watch for that cork to disappear! It can be challenging, but when that cork drops, reel as fast as you can and let the circle hook naturally set itself. A big hook set can sometimes rip your bait right out of the fish’s mouth.

See you on the water!

 

Charleston Fishing Charters

By Fishing, Fishing Report

Charleston-Fishing-Charters

It had been eight years since Bill and I last fished together but it made enough of an impression he booked again. Along with his friend Michael, we had a great day of Fall fishing. For the duration of six hours, we were catching fish including four legal trout and redfish up to eight pounds (pictured). Beautiful day!

James Island Fishing Charters

By Fishing, Fishing Report

Isle-Of-Palms-Fishing-Charters

The Tipton family joined me for a half day charter and we weren’t sure what to expect post Hurricane Florence even though Charleston received very little rain. Well, it fished great! A dozen fish at the first spot as reds and trout alike hit mud minnows under popping corks. Most of the reds were of modest size and then one rod got smoked. After an extended battle, we landed this sweet nine pound red and it was truly a family effort. Great job!

Charleston Fishing Report – October 2024

By Fishing, Fishing Report

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Fall has arrived and with it comes cooler weather and shorter days. But don’t put your rods and reels away just yet because here comes the best fishing of the year! Fishermen will continue to find success with live bait but artificial lures should become increasingly effective. Make time to get out on the water, you will be sure to enjoy it!

Redfish have been happily eating live and cut bait fished on the bottom. Mullet especially are everywhere you look and can be easily netted. We’ll rig the bait on a size 3/0 circle hook paired with enough weight to hold the rig firmly on the bottom. You can use this setup on docks as well as on the flats. Leave your rod in the holder and wait for the reel to start screaming as the fish hook themselves.

Artificial lures have started to really produce for trout and the traditional paddle tail design has been awesome. I’ll use a 1/4oz. Trout Eye jighead and tie a loop knot to give the lure even more action. Vary your rate of retrieve as you try different spots for pockets of fish. To make your lure even more attractive, try putting a piece of shrimp on the hook. You can use pieces of live or frozen shrimp and it will put a scent on your lure that fish find hard to turn down.

With the colder water temperature, redfish are starting to form bigger schools. These larger schools make for superb sight fishing on low tides. On clear days, you can see these redfish roving around in circles with their golden backs flashing in the sun. Use patience when approaching the schools and when you make your first shot cast to the edges so as not to spook the school. Jerk shad artificial lures rigged on size 3/0 flutter hooks are the way to go.

See you on the water!

Folly Beach Fishing Charters

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Folly-Beach-Fishing-Charters

Popping corks were the way to go today and we fished with them for the entire charter. Fish were equally happy with live shrimp or mud minnows and ate well in front of an incoming storm front. Almost all reds but one nice four pound trout surprised us all!

Fishing Isle Of Palms

By Fishing, Fishing Report

Fishing-Isle-Of-Palms

Fishing-Isle-Of-Palms

Ray came to town for his 9th trip during which we fish three days in a row. Once again the weather cooperated and more importantly so did the fish! Caught a full mix of reds, trout and flounder. His son, Adam, joined us for the first time and showed that it was in the family blood as he caught reds up to 12lbs!

Charleston Fishing Report – September 2024

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With an ideal set of conditions in place, anglers can be sure that inshore fishing will really pick up in September. The combination of lots of bait, cooler water temperatures and less traffic on the water should make for awesome fishing. While a lot of people will turn their focus to hunting and football, fishermen who save some time for casting a line will be well rewarded.

During this time of year, redfish will begin to increasingly take artificial baits. Plastic lures that mimic the bait fish in our waters are very effective. Zman’s 3 ¾” streakz in smokey shad is a great choice. I pair this lure with a 1/8oz. jighead but conditions may call for a heavier weight. Make sure to change your rate of retrieve as you fish a spot. Sometimes just slowing down or speeding up the pace of the lure can make the bite come to life.

Even with artificials becoming more effective, keep throwing those popping corks. Mud minnows, live shrimp and artificial shrimp have been working well when suspended about 18″-24″ below the cork. Trout and redfish alike will eat these baits as they pass by suspended in the water column. Corks have been working best fished over shell rake and along grassy banks at mid and high tide.

It’s not uncommon to catch bull redfish (36” inches plus) during the summer time at the jetties or at nearshore reefs. During the fall, these big fish come into the harbor and inlets as they track down large mullet and menhaden. Rods rigged for these fish will have heavy test braided line connected to a 50-60lb. leader and 7/0 circle hooks. Fresh chunks of mullet, menhaden or smaller fish are effective baits. Target spots where there are marked changes in depth and wait for your rod to rip over!

 

See you on the water!

First Redfish Ever!

By Fishing, Fishing Report
First Redfish Ever!

Big winds out of the East kept us pinned in for most of the charter. Stephanie would not be deterred and caught her first redfish ever! This nice five spotted slot fish took down a shrimp under a popping cork. She’ll be back for more!

Charleston Shark Fishing

By Fishing, Fishing Report

Charleston Shark Fishing

While catching trout and reds, I got the call that the shark bite was hot in the inlet. With no hesitation, the Kircher family, visiting from Germany, said let’s go! Caught several nice bonnetheads with Dad helping his daughter and son land them. Apparently shark fishing is a hit worldwide!

Charleston Fishing Report – August 2024

By Fishing, Fishing Report

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Our fishery is in full swing with lots of bait and an incredibly diverse mixture of fish to target. During August, it will be key to get out early to beat the heat. You’ll not only be more comfortable fishing in the morning but also more productive. The high temperatures in the afternoon can put species like trout down. You may lose some sleep but launching at first light has plenty of rewards.

Popping corks are very effective this time of year. You can catch so many different types of fish: redfish, trout, flounder, ladyfish, shark etc. I use a weighted popping cork so I can increase the distance of my cast. I run an 18″-24″ fluorocarbon leader from the cork to a size 1 circle hook. When your cork drops under water, reel until you feel the weight of the fish and then lift the rod tip. Mud minnows, shrimp and artificial shrimp all work well as baits.

Topwater is a fantastic option when you are starting early. Try to get to your spot just as it is becoming light. Fish will strike topwater lures based on the commotion they make on the surface and aren’t able to see that the lure isn’t a real struggling baitfish. These lures work well for trout, ladyfish and redfish. Heddon’s Super Spook Jr. lures in chartreuse and black or red and white are the ticket.

This time of year you’ll want to carry your cast net not only for shrimp but also for baitfish like finger mullet and menhaden. Finger mullet under a popping cork are deadly for trout and can’t be torn to bits by little bait stealing fish. Menhaden fished live on the bottom with big circle hooks are great for reds and sharks. Fresh cut menhaden or mullet put out a scent trail that few fish can ignore.

See you on the water!