Lowcountry Fishing Report - 4/3/2012

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina

Erin Nowles catches a fish with Capt. Condon

Charleston Inshore Report: Bart Manley at the Market Street location of Charleston Angler begins with a water temperature reading of 70-degrees, which is significant since warmer waters welcome in the hordes of live bait that the average saltwater angler relies on to entice the fish to bite their hook and line. Fresh on the attending the Fly Fishing Film Tour, Bart urges anglers that it is not a bad time to break out the fly rod and throw some crab and shrimp patterns in natural colors for redfish. Of course those with spinning tackle can rely on artificial baits like the Gulp crab to wrangle the same redfish. Live bait options include mullet, menhaden and mud minnows. The trout bite remains hard to understand with no great numbers of fish being encountered but the size on the specks biting the hook is better than average. Use D.O.A. shrimp in natural colors under a popping cork while casting to the outer edges of the marsh grass to locate the fish. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Charleston Angler.

Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West, says "Coming back in from vacation this week, I had no idea what had gone on recently on our inshore bite. After talking with a dozen or so charter Capts today, I have learned that a pretty good little trout bite kicked in last week. DOA shrimp under a rattle float or live shrimp have been deadly on the trout fished around 3-6ft of water along shell rakes and creek mouths. Sheepshead are still doing well around heavy structure using fiddlers, and though occasionally they have not fed heavily coming off these full mooon tides, we are hearing of redfish being found anywhere from the shallow flats, to under docks, to along rock piles, and yes we are even hearing of reds already tailing up in the grass at high water!"

Captain Chris Condon of Strike Zone Charters tells me that recent mornings have been calm and the flats have been holding good numbers of redfish. He has been spotting ten to fifteen dorsal fins sticking up in the shallow water, using them as an indicator to locate the school. Capt. Condon says to cast small artificial baits at this point, like the Gulp curlty on a jighead or a Gulp shrimp on a flutter hook, and employ the dead stick or slow crawl method of retrieve. The water has remained clear and on sunny days Condon can locate fish by seeing the mud clouds the reds kick up as they move along. The best flats have quick drop-offs to deeper water, where Condon has been locating large schools of mullet. By far, the most bites are coming on the incoming tide on bait like fresh cut mullet, broken up crabs and mud minnows. The recent appearance of menhaden has Capt. Condon excited about the spring fishing, and you can find out more about him at Facebook or Strike Zone Fishing.


Charleston Offshore Report: Scott Hammond says "A continued flurry of good fishing in early spring is still being found offshore of SC right now. Still hearing solid reports of wahoo from 140-250ft of water, blackfin tuna in and around 150-200ft, and solid numbers of dolphin have been found anywhere from 180ft out to as deep as 800ft. To make a long story short, the offshore season is officially upon us and good weather is all we need to get out and take advantage of the strong bite! I have spoken with numerous charter boats lately, and while they all seem to have plenty of trips upcoming in May, many have lots of openings still for April as most anticipated the fishing not being as good until the month of May. DayMaker charters and Game Day charters, both out of Ripley, are two great boats to get you out there on some fish while everyone else is waiting for the month to roll over. Water temps are right, time for some bluewater!!!!!"

Bart is straight up when he tells us that the offshore resultsw have been good. The mahi bite has picked up and will most likely continue through the month of April, especially with warmer than normal water temperatures for this time of year. The best reports have come in regarding the wahoo bite with good catches coming over the transom with consistency. Continue to focus on the moon phases using dark colors like black, purple and orange. Troll for wahoo at slower speeds using and Ilander lures rigged with a ballyhoo.

To view past fishing reports for the coastal Lowcountry click here.