Fishing

Great fishing conditions have arrived as weeks of warm temperatures and consistent sunshine have made the fishery come alive. With bait prevalent across the water, predatory fish are eagerly on the chase. Anglers now have a full host of options as seasonal species arrive to complement our traditional staples of redfish and trout.

Fishing for redfish remains highly productive, and using blue crab on the bottom is proving to be a standout technique. To prepare the bait, remove the shell and legs before cutting the body in half. You should thread a size 3/0 circle hook through the hole where the flipper fin used to be, ensuring the hook point is fully exposed. There is no need to keep the rod in your hands, as it is often more effective to leave it in a rod holder. Once the rod begins to bend, resist the urge to pick it up until the drag starts screaming.

We are also finding consistent trout action on artificial lures, which offers an excellent alternative to traditional popping corks. Small plastics that mimic baitfish are getting crushed, with the Z-Man 3 ¾” StreakZ in Smoky Shad being an exceptional choice. When paired with an 1/8oz jighead, these lures work best when moved slowly through the water column. Anglers should note that trout will usually strike when the lure is lifted in a steady jigging motion.

The flounder bite is picking up momentum as well. While we have been catching many fish using mud minnows under a popping cork, the traditional method of fishing finger mullet along the bottom near structure remains a prime technique. It is important to move the bait slowly and wait a few seconds after feeling a bite before setting the hook.

Finally, ladyfish are becoming increasingly present as the water temperatures rise. These lively fish are incredibly entertaining due to their hard runs and acrobatic jumps. They will readily strike bait under a popping cork and are often found in the same spots as trout. One of my favorite summertime species!

It’s an excellent time to get out on the water. Local waterways are full of baitfish, and gamefish are feeding aggressively. With all the summer species now present alongside the usual favorites, anglers have plenty of choices. If you haven’t started fishing yet, now is the perfect opportunity!

When going after redfish, live bait is especially effective. Menhaden is a top option, whether used whole or cut. Many anglers are finding success by casting chunks of menhaden beneath docks. Be sure to use enough weight to keep your bait on the bottom so it stays in place and avoids snags. Split shot weights are a good option since they can be easily adjusted by adding or removing them as needed.

Early mornings offer great topwater action for trout. Lures like the Heddon Super Spook Jr. in silver hues perform well, though chartreuse and black is another strong choice. Try changing your retrieve speed as you move the lure across shell beds and grassy shorelines. When a fish hits, reel in the slack before lifting your rod. After the surface bite slows down, switching to a suspended twitch bait can help keep the action going.

Sharks are also active, with species such as bonnetheads, sharpnose, and blacktips commonly found in the area. You may spot their fins as they hunt along riverbanks or search for food near drop-offs in harbors and inlets. Effective bait options include blue crab, cut bait, and live shrimp. Using 7/0 circle hooks is recommended. Set your rods in holders and be ready for a strong, sudden strike!

At the beginning of March, Charleston began to shed winter’s hold. The bite improved noticeably, then two weeks of storms and wind slowed things down again. Redfish are available, and trout can be found if you work the right lures. Temperatures should rebound in April, and with warmer water the fishing will too.

The big winter schools of redfish are breaking up as these fish become more active. Switch to artificial plastics that mimic baitfish—jerk-shad style lures are a great choice and come in many colors. I’ve had the best results with silver and blue patterns; they produce even when the water is stained. Rig them with a 3/0 flutter hook for optimal action.

The trout bite should ramp up in April as water temperatures warm. Live bait under a popping cork remains a top tactic. Live shrimp are now available and offer a solid alternative to mud minnows. If you can cast-net finger mullet, use them under a cork—finger mullet under a popping cork is deadly.

Flounder are on the feed. Target structure—docks, pilings, and other bottom contours—using mud minnows on the bottom or mud minnows under a popping cork. Keep your bait on or just above the bottom; flounder sit tight and ambush prey, so presentation in their strike zone is key.

See you on the water!

Chilly days are rapidly fading away with temperatures rising well into the 60s and sometimes pushing into the 70s. Warmer water temperatures will wake the fish up and get them feeding. Trout should be turned on by mid-March. It’s time to break out your reels and rods and get ready for a great season!

Having spent the winter months lying low and avoiding dolphins, redfish are now focused on eating instead of simply surviving. Low tide will be the best time to target large schools of redfish that can number in the hundreds. These fish are still spooky, so a quiet and subtle approach is very important. On many days, it pays to stay in one spot when you find a school and wait for them to come to you instead of scaring them away.

As these reds are nervous, I’ll try to bother them as little as possible by minimizing my casting. This is a great time to fish with bait on the bottom.  I’ll put a chunk of blue crab or frozen mullet on a size 3/0 circle hook and just let it be until the redfish swim over it. Make sure the barb of your hook is fully in the bait and the point is cleanly exposed. Place your rod in the rod holder and get ready for it to whip over once the circle hook sets itself!

As trout begin to eat, popping corks cast along grass banks and over oyster beds will be a good bet with mud minnows attached. I usually pair a 18”-24” fluorocarbon leader with a size 1 circle hook. I use weighted oval shaped corks that are heavier and can be cast further. When using a popping cork, do your best to keep slack out of your line and when that cork drops under just reel without lifting the rod tip. You’ll find that the circle hook rarely misses if your line is tight.

See you on the water!