Lowcountry Fishing Report - 4/16/12

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

John Fuss with a 50/50 black drum caught April 2012

Charleston Inshore Report: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West is screaming Trout, trout, TROUT! The cooler weather of the past week not only fired up the gobbling toms of the Lowcountry outdoors, it made the speckled trout bite increase. Many anglers reported 15 to 30-trout per trip with an average size range of 12 to 13-inches. Scott is happy to hear these reports about trout stocks rebounding after cautioning readers about the two hard cold winters in a row, and readers know they can count on Scott to tell it like it is. DOA shrimp and live shrimp have been the most consistent baits of choice when fished under popping floats. The flounder numbers are beginning to register for anglers using mud minnows or Zman Paddlerz. Reports of bluefish and spanish mackerel in the nearshore fishery are here, and a no fail option is to cast #00 clarkspoons in their direction. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Bart from the Market Street location of The Charleston Angler tells us that the month of April has been a time of fluctuation for water temps. The water temp was hovering just above 70-degrees when a cold front or two pushed through and dropped them back below the 70-degree mark. This is important because the bait begins to thrive at the magic 72-degree mark and then the inshore fishery enters into a long productive period known as the Lowcountry summer. Tailing reds are being found in a few flats but Bart predicts 'tailing mode' to hit full swing here shortly. Early morning seems like the best time to cast a fly rod with either a crab or a shrimp pattern, especially with a copper streamer attached. For soft plastics Bart says to go with Z-man scented paddlerz in Redbone coloration. If live bait is your thing, mud minnows are working well, but a cracked crab might result in a bigger redfish. The trout bite has been about the same as in past reports recording low numbers of fish, but with some surprisingly sizable specks being encountered. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Charleston Angler.

Captain John Fuss of Holy City Fishing Charters tells me that the saltwater season has kicked off earlier than normal, and he finds the fish happy to eat! This includes the whopper 50/50 black drum that measured 50-inches and weighed 50-pounds that Ernie Rood of Illinois recently manhandled while fishing with Fuss. Speckled trout have turned on now and Fuss says to use popping corks and live shrimp along grass lines or rock walls two hours before the incoming tide, and during the first two hours of the outgoing tide. Early risers and after work anglers have seen some decent topwater bite action with the trout going for Zara spooks. After that, transition to Zman smoky shad streakz on a flutter hook to search for specks. The redfish bite is good during low tide at docks and creek bends using blue crab for bait. Sheepshead are eating fiddler crabs fished vertically around pilings or at the jetties.  Fuss also reports that sharks are beginning to show up now in the inshore fishery. To book that Holy City fishing charter call Capt. John Fuss at 803-417-3052.

Charleston Offshore Report: Bart tells us that offshore reports have been steadily increasing. The wahoo bite continues to be strong with a banner day or two near the Georgetown Hole, and then the mahi bite is set to take a steep uptick as the month of May approaches, which is annually our best dolphin bite. Continue to focus on the moon phases using dark colors like black, purple and orange, and troll at slower speeds with an Ilander / ballyhoo combo. Closer to the coast the cobia should begin to move in closer to the cans as they migrate northward. After locating them, use a stout rod and cast a Hogy jiggin' bait in the direction of the brown bomber to entice a strike. The pull of a 'green' cobia reminds anglers why they love the variety of saltwater fishing.

Scott reports that the time has come for all anglers to prep their bluewater gear, lest you miss out on the beginning of the offshore season. Solid reports of wahoo are still coming through daily from 140 to 300-feet of water. Good numbers of blackfin tuna are being found at the ledge. Teenager dolphin in the 8 to 20-pound range have been caught with a few bulls in excess of 30-pounds mixed in. In addition to solid meatfish reports, there have already been a couple of blue marlin caught and released, and several sailfish too!

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