Fall is here, bringing shorter days, cooler temperatures, and some of the best fishing of the year. So don’t put those rods and reels away just yet! While live bait will continue to produce plenty of fish, artificial lures are becoming increasingly effective as water temperatures cool. It’s a great time to get out on the water and enjoy everything the season has to offer.

Redfish—including plenty of bull reds—have been feeding aggressively on cut and live bait fished along the bottom. Mullet are abundant throughout our waters and are easy to catch with a cast net. For redfish, try rigging a mullet on a 3/0 circle hook with a Carolina rig. Use enough weight to keep the bait in place and prevent it from drifting into snags. This setup works well both on the flats and around docks. Once everything is in place, put the rod in the holder and wait for that reel to start screaming as the fish takes the bait and hooks itself.

Artificial lures have also started producing some excellent trout action, with traditional paddle-tail soft plastics leading the way. I like to pair a paddle tail with a 1/4-ounce Trout Eye jighead and tie it on with a loop knot to give the lure plenty of freedom and action. Experiment with your retrieve speed as you work different areas and look for pockets of feeding fish. If you want to add a little extra attraction, try tipping the jig with a small piece of shrimp. Frozen or live shrimp will both work and can create a scent trail that fish have a hard time ignoring.

Even with artificial lures becoming more productive, don’t give up on those popping corks. Live shrimp, artificial shrimp, and mud minnows have all been working well when suspended 18–24 inches beneath a cork on a fluorocarbon leader with a size 1 circle hook. Redfish, trout, and flounder will readily take these baits as they drift through the water column. Popping corks have been especially effective along grassy banks during the middle and higher stages of the tide.

See you on the water!

Ideal conditions make September one of the best times of the year for inshore fishing. Cooler water temperatures, abundant bait, and significantly lighter boat traffic create a perfect environment for success, offering big rewards for anglers willing to focus on fishing.

Redfish and trout begin aggressively striking artificials this month, making soft plastics exceptionally effective. A Z-Man 3.75-inch StreakZ in Smokey Shad paired with a 1/8-ounce jighead is a reliable starting point, though heavier weights may be necessary depending on depth and current. When working a spot, experiment with your retrieve speed, as simply speeding up or slowing down the action can frequently trigger a hesitant strike.

Even with the rise of artificial lures, popping corks remain a go-to tactic for both trout and redfish. Suspending live shrimp, mud minnows, or plastic imitations roughly 18 to 24 inches below the cork yields great results, especially when drifted over shell rakes and along grassy banks during mid-to-high tide.

Meanwhile, giant bull redfish measuring over 36 inches begin moving out of the jetties and nearshore reefs into local harbors and inlets to feed on large mullet and menhaden. To target these heavy hitters, rig a stout rod with heavy braided line, a 50-to-60-pound leader, and a 7/0 circle hook baited with fresh chunks of cut bait. Position yourself over distinct depth changes and wait for the rod to double over. See you on the water!

See you on the water!

August brings warm temperatures, but it also delivers fantastic action on the water. To maximize your success, plan your outings around early morning or late evening windows when fish are most active. By tailoring your tactics to low-light hours and choosing the right setups, you can beat the heat and stay on a steady bite all month long.

When starting at first light, topwater lures are your absolute best option. Plan to arrive at your spot just as the horizon begins to brighten. In the dawn shadows, fish aggressively target surface disturbances, mistaking the rhythmic walk of a topwater plug for a struggling baitfish. This approach is particularly deadly for both redfish and trout. For maximum action, tie on a Heddon Super Spook Jr. in either chartreuse and black or red and white.

Popping corks are a reliable producer all day long, regardless of the tide phase. They offer unmatched versatility and will draw strikes from nearly every inshore species, including trout, redfish, flounder, ladyfish, and sharks. Using a weighted popping cork helps maximize casting distance. Tie an 18-to-24-inch fluorocarbon leader from the cork down to a size 1 circle hook, and bait up with live shrimp, mud minnows, or realistic artificial shrimp. When the cork pulls under, simply reel until you feel the weight of the fish before lifting your rod tip—no hard hookset required.

When the sun reaches its peak, the shark bite stays red-hot. Sharks remain aggressive even in the heat of the afternoon. To combat persistent bait stealers, rig a whole live menhaden on a 7/0 circle hook. Inshore waters are currently holding plenty of sharpnose, bonnethead, and blacktip sharks. As an added bonus, soak these big baits long enough and you just might hook into a trophy bull redfish!

See you on the water!

Since 2009, Capt. Geoff Bennett has operated Charleston Charter Fishing providing light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of artificial, live bait and fly fishing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 843-324-3332, visit his website at www.charlestoncharterfishing.com or email him at captain@charlestoncharterfishing.com.