Saltwater Fishing Trends
South Carolina marine recreational fishing regulations
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260 D Epting Ln
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North Grand Strand
Inshore: Captain Smiley Fishing Charters (843-361-7445) reports that at the end of August the fishing was better than normal for the time of year, and there is every reason to expect it will only get better as we get further into the annual fall feed. Black drum, redfish, and flounder will continue to gorge on live shrimp (and more) inshore, and as long as you are fishing in areas where bait is abundant you should find action. More trout should also start to show up soon as the temperatures cool. Additionally, bull red drum should move closer to shore where they can be caught off the beaches and at the jetties.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that typically in September the fishing heats up along the pier, with the annual mullet run usually turning on species like drum and bluefish. About halfway through the month catches of whiting, croaker, and other species usually get good, and depending on water conditions it can be an excellent month for king mackerel.
Most detailed North Grand Strand Updates
South Grand Strand
Inshore: Captain Caleb Hartley (843-241-7706) reports that things started to improve in late August but typically the fishing really picks up in September, and the mullet run usually signifies the beginning of the best action. Flounder and redfish should bite very well on the inside this month, with longer feeding windows as temperatures moderate, and as the water cools more trout should also show up inside the creeks. At the same time action from the jetties to the nearshore reefs should get hot for the same species found inshore as well as sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, and more.
Most detailed Southern Grand Strand Updates
Georgetown
Inshore: Captain Greg Holmes (843-241-0594) reports that at the end of August fishing was good for redfish and they were also catching some big trout, with occasional random flounder also in the mix. This month all three species should feed better and take live mullet and shrimp, and at times you can even pick up a random trout or flounder on cut mullet – as well as abundant reds. This month there should also be some excellent flood tides for targeting tailing redfish, and on the next full moon look for big redfish to move up to spawn. The biggest trout should also be caught at that time. Expect many of the flounder that have been holding in deeper water or nearshore to return to inshore waters, and don’t be surprised at the sight of tarpon jumping for the rest of the month.
Charleston
Inshore: Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) report that September should be an excellent month for inshore fishing, and with bait shrimp and finger mullet abundant pretty much everything should only feed more as it cools. It’s been a strong late August and fishing will only get better this fall. Redfish will get even more aggressive this month and young-of-the-year fish will be bigger, and trout fishing will get better as the water cools. Both species will be caught on live shrimp and live finger mullet, with reds usually a little shallower and trout a bit deeper. This should be another excellent month for tarpon in our waters, and with the mullet run silver kings will key on mullet in the inlets and surf. Finally, more bull reds should be around in the Charleston Harbor as well as closer in.
Surf and pier: Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports that with dropping temperatures September fishing should really pick up, and daytime fishing will become more pleasant and productive. Black drum, whiting, bluefish and trout should be caught this month, and if water conditions are right Spanish mackerel and kings should be caught off the diamond. Bull reds should also be prolific this month.
Most detailed Charleston updates
Edisto Island
Inshore: Captain Ron Davis Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that the beginning of September will look a lot like the latter part of August, but as temperatures cool they are hopeful the action will continue to improve. The trout bite should pick up around points on live shrimp or mullet, and in September some bigger migratory fish should come through. There should continue to be tons of small redfish caught in the creeks, and there should also be more larger fish feeding up. Flounder fishing should only improve on live finger mullet after a good summer for numbers, and this month will likely be the peak of tarpon season in the inlets with menhaden or mullet. The better sheepshead should also start to bite more around heavy structure.
Surf: Whiting, croaker and bluefish should all be feeding in the surf.
Nearshore and offshore: Bull red drum should be found in about 15-22 feet of water, and summer trout fishing will be wide open at the mouths of inlets and the nearshore reefs and rocks once water temperatures drop into the low 70s. Spanish mackerel should continue to bust on the surface until water temperatures fall into the mid-60s. Strong bottom fishing will move into 70-90 feet of water, and offshore wahoo and tuna will start to really feed up when water temperatures hit around 75 degrees.
Most detailed Edisto Island Updates
Beaufort
Inshore: Captain Tuck Scott (843-524-5250) and Captain Patrick Kelly (843-962-3503) report that in September the tailing pattern for redfish should continue to be strong, but the lower tide bite should also get better and better. It was already good at the end of August, and fish were feeding on everything from shrimp to mud minnows to mullet to Gulp! baits around pretty much any structure including docks, oyster beds, and creek mouths. The black drum fishing should also continue to improve on shrimp, and more large trout will be caught as temperatures cool. Numbers were already strong at times during August. More keeper flounder should be caught on mud minnows and finger mullet, and migratory species like tripletail, bluefish and ladyfish should be around until temperatures cool. Silver king and tarpon will almost certainly continue to prey on schools of mullet and menhaden all month. Overall, by the end of August the fishing was getting really good, and for the next two months it should be flat-out excellent.
Most detailed Beaufort Updates
Hilton Head
Inshore: Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) and Captain Trent Malphrus (843-301-4634) report that in September redfish should only get easier to catch in the creeks and rivers, after what was already a good late August, and when the mullet run starts later this month bull reds should get closer in and move up the rivers. They were already just starting to show up for the spawn in late August. Trout will bite better and be larger later in the month when it starts to get cooler, with live shrimp often the bait of choice for them. It has already been a fair summer for tarpon in the rivers and off the beaches, and the action should peak this month.