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 October is often the best month of the year on the north end. Trout, redfish, flounder, and black drum should all be gorging on bait before it gets harder to locate later in the season. During October the trout will get bigger and live shrimp will work inshore and at the jetties as long as it’s available. When shrimp get hard to find anglers can switch over to DOA shrimp and Gulp! baits. While numbers were not great in September redfish will continue to eat mullet and shrimp around oyster beds, and flounder will be caught on mullet around creek mouths and depressions. Bigger flounder will almost certainly be caught this month – although September was already pretty good. Black drum will eat shrimp and crabs at the jetties as well around inshore structure. This month bull red drum should be caught in the inlet and then off the beaches, with the fishing peaking in October.
Cherry Grove Pier (843-249-1625) reports that they expect October fishing to be excellent, and they are hopeful for a good king mackerel run after getting one the last day of September. Fishing for red drum, flounder, black drum, whiting, and croaker should also be good.
Most detailed North Grand Strand Updates
South Grand Strand
Inshore and surf: Captain Caleb Hartley (843-241-7706) reports that October usually offers peak fishing on the south end of the Grand Strand. Catches of flounder, redfish and trout should be very good, and as it cools off and fish realize that shrimp and mullet will only be available a little longer they should gorge. Live shrimp under a popping cork will work well for most species including black drum in areas with current, and finger mullet on a Carolina rig will catch flounder, redfish, and trout. Black drum weren’t around in good numbers in September but should get more common this month, and as fish get more aggressive artificial lures should also become more and more productive this month for other species. Off the beaches the mullet run should peak this month and bull red drum, weakfish, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and more should all be caught.
Most detailed Southern Grand Strand Updates
Georgetown
Inshore: Captain Greg Holmes (843-241-0594) reports that by late September the big fall feed was just starting, and this month should continue to see improvement with trout, redfish, and flounder. All three species will take live mullet and shrimp, but to catch bigger fish and weed out the abundant puppy drum you often want to upsize your offerings. Bigger trout should move into the area this month, and some of the best flounder of the year should also be caught in October. The only downside is that tripletail will almost certainly leave this month.
Charleston
Inshore: Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) and Captain Addison Rupert (843-557-3476) report that October fishing should be the best of the whole year. The population of redfish is very strong right now, and around the tide cycle from low tide to the flood and back again fish should be eating mullet, shrimp and more. Trout will be caught on shrimp and mullet around moving water all month, and black drum can be caught around structure on shrimp. As temperatures drop sheepshead catches should get more consistent on fiddler crabs around a variety of inshore structure. Finally, tarpon should stay through the middle of the month feeding on big mullet schools and bull reds will be around all month. They will get shallower and shallower as temperatures continue to moderate.
Surf and pier: Folly Beach Pier (843-762-9516) reports that October is typically the magical month off the pier where just about anything can be caught. Bull reds will be in full force this month, and black drum, bluefish, pompano, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, and more should also be around.
Most detailed Charleston updates
Edisto Island
Inshore: Captain Ron Davis Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that October is typically an excellent month for inshore fishing in the Edisto area for a range of species. Redfish in the creeks or on the flats will eat shrimp or mullet, and this month should offer the best tailing action of the year. Trout fishing should also peak for the year with greater numbers of fish likely to be above 14 inches. Later in the month many fish will move from the main rivers to the creeks but live and DOA shrimp will remain effective. Flounder catches should continue to be good in the area, and as water temperatures enter the mid-70s the inshore sheepshead bite will be the best of the year on fiddler crabs. It was already good at the end of September. Black drum will be mixed in with reds on the flats and should also take up residence around structure.
Surf: Whiting, croaker and bluefish should all be feeding in the surf, and eventually the red drum will be too. Tarpon will leave once water temperatures drop a few more degrees.
Nearshore and offshore: Bull red drum should be found in about 15-22 feet of water before they come to the beaches, 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. The best bottom fishing will be in 70-90 feet of water, and offshore wahoo, tuna and dolphin will all feed best high in the water column 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 October fish will eat more and more, storing up reserves since they will eventually lose much of their bait supply as most shrimp and baitfish leave and crabs go into hibernation. Redfish should bite better and better on low and moving tides, and on very high tides they will continue to tail throughout October. Mud minnows, finger mullet, cut mullet, and shrimp are all good bait choices. Trout will be caught around the mouths of creeks in moving water, and shrimp under a popping cork should be hard to beat. Artificial lures like DOA shrimp can also be very effective. Flounder fishing should be good around structure on mud minnows and finger mullet, and there should also be some tripletail around for part of October. Black drum and sheepshead will also feed up more and more this month on shrimp and crabs around structure like fallen trees, and the bull red drum will eventually show up in area inlets and off the beaches.
Most detailed Beaufort Updates
Hilton Head
Inshore: Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) and Captain Trent Malphrus (843-301-4634) report that October is typically a “golden” month in the Hilton Head area. In addition to young-of-the-year redfish the slot-sized and bigger reds will be moving around the edges of the marsh where they can be caught on shrimp, mullet, and artificial lures. As it gets cooler and the water clears the trout bite should really turn on around moving water along the grass lines – it was already improving by late September. Live shrimp are the bait of choice for trout generally, but to target bigger ones finger mullet are a good option. This is also the best month for bull reds inshore at the same sandbars where cobia are caught in the spring, around mid-depth structure, and off the beaches. For the first part of the month tarpon will also still be around, but once water temperatures drop they will migrate south. About October 20 is as late as Captain Kai has caught one in Hilton Head.