Lowcountry Fishing Report - 2/7/2012

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:


Charleston Inshore Report: Scott Hammond over at Haddrell's Point West asks to direct anglers to the store's new Facebook Page for all the latest tackle talk! Most anglers cannot believe that water temps remain in the upper 50's during February, which serves to keep the redfish feeding well. The latest reports still have some redfish schools numbering into the 100's of fish, and they are being located at low tide around mud flats with oyster points for structure. Cast live minnows, shrimp or a chunk of blue crab if natural baits are your preference. Artificial lures a must? Throw a Zman ultra shrimp or Gulp swimming mullet. Scott sounds like a broken record when it comes to the sheepshead, but he swears by using fiddlers for them around pilings in 8 to 15-feet of water or out at the Charleston jetties. A fair number of trout are coming from anglers using DOA shrimp with their special rattle attachment added. Free line this lure in 6 to 12-feet of moving water and let the slow-sinking action work its magic. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Frank Gibson got his first wahoo of the season on Feb. 1 during calm seas and 71-degrees

Bart Manley at the Market Street location of The Charleston Angler marks the water temperature at 57-degrees, which is surprising considering that February is normally a transition time between winter and spring. With warmer than usual weather in 2012, the fishing has been good and the redfish are reacting like spring when the water comes into a sun-warmed mud flat. The water is very clear so use artificials like a Zman Minnowz paddletail in the Houdini color to fool your fish. Of course a mud minnow under a popping cork is a productive way to get a bite too. Fly anglers are having success with darker colored flies when fishing the flats on a falling tide. Trout anglers should use a DOA shrimp under a popping cork, and hope that a cold snap does not come. Go see Bart to stock up on spring fishing gear, and for all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Charleston Angler.


Charleston Offshore Report: According to Bart, the offshore results have been varied due to weather concerns. A few mahi should be found by the end of February, but look for them even sooner if the warm temperatures should continue and increase. Trolling for wahoo is a good bet, but focus on moon phases and use dark colored lures like black, purple, and orange. Trolling at slower speeds warrants using an Ilander lure rigged with a ballyhoo.

Scott astutely observes that most offshore boats are getting their equipment ready for spring, but the handful that went fishing report good numbers of blackfin tuna. Try butterfly jigs down deep along the ledge in locations such as the southern Edisto banks and the Deli formation, but you can't ever rule out a topwater frenzy bite when tuna are involved! The wahoo bite is not consistent but a few have been gathered in 140 to 300-feet of water. Don't try and catch a sheepshead at the reefs because all reports indicate that an armada of black sea bass is waiting to intercept your baits. Remember to stay in shallow waters 25 to 35-feet deep to avoid the sea bass and to have a better chance at a black drum or a sheepshead.

To view past fishing reports click here.

To view the results from the first event of the 2012 Lowcountry Redfish Cup click here.