Lowcountry Fishing Report - 5/16/2012

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Capt. Johnny Crislip and a Charleston Cobia

Charleston Inshore Report: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West actually got out of the store and into the boat for a 'heat check' of the inshore fisheries and found that the fishing is hot! In only a few hours of fishing a live shrimp under a cajun thunder float, 22 trout were handled. The action came in a spot with hard bottom, 4 to 5-feet in depth, and with a steady washing current. Three redfish, two flounder and a sheepshead beat the trout to the shrimp along the way, and Scott verified just what all his customers had been reporting - it's time to get on the water! Use minnows, shrimp, mullet or menhaden to target redfish now, and anglers are locating them along heavy structure at low tide levels. Gulp baits, Z-man shads and DOA baits are also very productive this time of year. Some bluefish and Spanish mackerel can be found around Castle Pinckney already, and keep an eye out when the tide and wind serve to trap bait against the shore - that is always a great opportunity to troll through for marauding toothy fishes! Don't forget to check the inlets for flounder, using a slow-drift method. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Bart Manley from the Market Street location of The Charleston Angler begins, saying with water temps consistently in the 70's, the inshore bite is at the point of no return! Redfish are all pretty active now with a lot of live bait pushing in the estuary to give them reason to celebrate. Now is a great time to target redfish or trout by fishing a live bait under a popping cork, such as a mud minnow or a shrimp. The flounder bite has been smokin' hot and Bart says to go with the 'fluke killer' rig. On the fly fishing front, the tide tables indicate that later next week the tailing redfish will be available for those wanting to break out the LONG-rod, and to fish fly patterns with some copper flash to them. Bart says not to overlook the fun of crabbing, and that putting out a trap or even a chicken-neck is a great way to gather a seafood supper. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Charleston Angler.

Captain Johnny Crislip with Tighten' Up Charters out of Toler's Cover Marina tells us that the fishing has been nothing short of excellent. (He usually backs up this claim daily with a post on his FB page.) He reports bait such as finger mullet and menhaden already in large numbers this year, and his shrimp boat friends reported seeing the FIRST tarpon of the summer too!! Flood tide fishing for redfish sees Crislip using EP crab pattern flies, EP swimming mullets and various shrimp patterns. If the wind does not allow for fly-casting he has been scoring with Gulp shrimp, Zara spooks or blue crabs rigged on a one-ought circle hook. Fresh bait can make all the difference, so Crislip advises putting some focus on netting bait whenever they present themselves - keep it fresh! Cobia fishing has been really good this year, but these finicky fish can refuse to eat at times, so Crislip's Pro Tip is to be ready with at least four different types of bait; he likes two live bait options and two jig options. To fish with Capt. Johnny Crislip give him a call at 843-532-9238.

Charleston Offshore Report: Bart says that mahi and wahoo reports have been strong as of late, and to continue to slow troll jigs as the water heats up. Anglers are looking South for cobia, and slow reports have given way to more consistent ones. He recommends casting Hogy jiggn' baits in dark colors at the brown cruising fish. Of course, don't forget about the live eel option, which is always a favorite for this blogger. What could be more slippery than live eels in a five-gallon bucket - NOT MUCH!

Scott reports that the wind has been an enemy here lately, particularly on Saturdays, but all of the offshore anglers who ventured out into the Atlantic ocean report that the action is wide open, and the fish box is hard to close! Joseph on the Game Day reported back finding quality dolphin in as little as 130-feet of water - which is in perfect range for center-console anglers. Greater numbers of mahi are being found on out to 1600-feet though, and that is the realm of the sportfisher fleet. Wahoo are still consistent along the ledge and on temperature breaks, so use the latest intel to locate blue water. Blue marlin reports have been strong off the coast with numerous boats having close encounters such as Can't Complain, Prowess and Sadie Beth.

To view past Fishing Reports for the Coastal Lowcountry click here.