Saltwater Fishing Trends
South Carolina marine recreational fishing regulations
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North Grand Strand
Inshore: Captain Smiley Fishing Charters (843-361-7445) reports that at the end of August the water had gotten really dirty after the storm, but the fishing was surprisingly good. 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 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. Additionally, bull red drum should move closer to shore where they can be caught off the beaches and at the jetties.
Most detailed North Grand Strand Updates
South Grand Strand
Inshore and nearshore: Captain Tom Cushman (843-997-5850) and Captain Robert Orr (843-347-4464) report that typically the fishing really picks up in September, but this month the bite was already outstanding at the end of August. It was as if all the fish including Spanish mackerel, kings, cobia, weakfish, bonita and more decided to move into the area following mullet schools at the same time. Flounder and redfish should continue to bite very well this month, and as temperatures cool they will bite better inshore. More trout should also show up inside the creeks. At the same time action from the jetties to the nearshore reefs should stay hot.
Most detailed Southern Grand Strand Updates
Georgetown
Inshore: Captain Greg Holmes (843-241-0594) reports that by the end of August the fishing was clearly improving as water conditions normalized after Debby, and this month should continue to see improvement for trout, redfish, and flounder. All three species will 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 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 a 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 continue to feed. It’s been an excellent late August and fishing will only get better this fall. Redfish will get even more aggressive this month and more and more fish will be above 15 inches, and trout fishing will get better as the water cools. Both species will be caught in areas where there is water flowing over oyster shells on live shrimp and live finger mullet. 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 August, but fortunately the fishing has been really good to close out the month. The trout bite will continue to be strong around points on live shrimp, and in September some bigger migratory fish should come through. There should be tons of small redfish caught on the flats and in the creeks, and as the month progresses they will approach or reach slot-sized. Bull reds will also arrive off the beaches. Flounder fishing should get better and better on live finger mullet, and this month will 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/offshore: Bull red drum should be found in about 15-22 feet of water, and summer trout 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 will continue to bust on the surface until water temperatures fall into the mid-60s. Strong bottom fishing will be in 70-90 feet of water, and offshore wahoo and tuna will start to really feed up when water temperatures hit around 75 degrees. It has already been a good August for wahoo.
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 as the reds’ metabolism speeds up the low tide bite should 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, oysters and creek mouths. As a bonus, very soon the fish that are starting out the month just under the slot will be keepers. 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 in late 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. And the silver king, tarpon, will likely continue to prey on schools of mullet and menhaden all month. Overall, by the end of August and beginning of September 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, after what was already a great 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 starting to show up in late August. Trout will bite better and be larger later in the month when it starts to get cooler, with shrimp often the bait of choice for them. It has already been a good summer for tarpon in the rivers and off the beaches, and the action should stay strong on menhaden and mullet all month.