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September 2024

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

By Fishing, Fishing Report

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

By Fishing, Fishing Report

charleston-fishing-report

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!