Lowcountry Fishing Report - 8/21/2012

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Shannon Elias with a 51-pound HOO caught at FFM

Charleston Inshore: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West dares anglers to pick your poison since there is a fish ready to suit almost any desire. Redfish are still the typical summer target, located under docks and along structure at low tide. Tailing redfish in the grass at high tide can be targeted via boat, kayak or on foot using a flyrod or light tackle. The trout bite is still very strong, with juvenile trout mixed in with 3 to 4-pound specks. Use live minnows or shrimp under a popping cork for a sure bet, but for the challenge of casting an artificial try the new Trout Trick lure or a Zman Paddlerz in 'bad shad' color. Target trout around creek mouths and shell rakes in 3 to 6-feet of water at high tide, or target them at low tide around hard bottom areas with humps, lumps and ledges. Spanish mackerel continue to jump just past the jetties. The flounder bite is going strong around inlets and rock piles. The tarpon bite is WIDE OPEN right now especially at inlets like Bulls Bay, Deveaux Bank and Stono Inlet. Use large mullet or live menhaden when targeting the silver king. For all the latest seminar reports visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Bart Manly at the Summerville location of The Charleston Angler measures water temperatures in the middle to upper 80's now. Redfish are tailing well and have been chasing bait like shrimp and fiddlers with a vengeance. Fishing for reds on the flats the next couple of weeks will be favorable for wading due to flood tides. Fly anglers should use bright and flashy flies, especially ones that imitate fiddler crabs. Spin fishermen would do well to use soft plastics like a Berkley Gulp in New Penny with a lightweight jighead. The trout bite continues to be good, and customers use a D.O.A. shrimp under a popping cork or go with live mud minnows for steady results. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at The Charleston Angler.

WELCOME to Josh Boyles from Southern Drawl Outfitters in Hilton Head! Josh reports that redfishing has been the best early in the morning and then again later in the afternoon. Big tides have made for great fly fishing action in the grass. Be one the lookout for BIG jack crevalle that have moved into Calibogue Sound, and are blowing up topwater poppers. As an option to the poppers, try a Shimano Waxwing swimming jig. Tarpon have been spotty up until now but they seemed to have turned on jus this week in Port Royal Sound. Target tarpon at the mouth of the sound and at the Broad River bridge. Speckled trout are making a fantastic comeback with far more customers bragging this year about the fun of catching them with a live shrimp fishing under a cork. For the latest store information visit the Internet at Southern Drawl Outfitters.

WELCOME to Stump from Pawleys Island Outdoors who reports that oxygen-depleted waters are being attributed to a major flounder bite in the surf along the grand strand! The trout bite has been decent and the reds are on fire in the creeks and in deep channels. The tarpon have pushed inside the bays and rivers and are now accessible to everyone. Also, the nearshore wrecks are loaded with spadefish, flounder and sheepshead. For more store information visit the Internet at Pawleys Island Outdoors.

Offshore: Josh says to find the scamp grouper, head out to 160-feet of water. Drop down cigar minnows and hold on because the bite has been great.

Bart shares that the offshore results for wahoo and dolphin are still decent, but weather has become a concern. Anglers might have a smooth ride offshore, but storms can churn the ocean quickly making for a long return leg. Black sea bass are being found in 55 to 100-feet of water and the grouper bite is doing well over live bottom in 90 to 120-feet using cigar minnows and live pinfish.

Scott says anyone looking to wrangle in some sailfish should head out now and get it done! Reports of 4 to 8 shots per day on sails is not uncommon, with the best action in 250 to 400-feet of water. Wahoo numbers are good with 2 to 5 per trip coming from 150 to 250-feet of water. There is even some dolphin and blackfin tuna still available at the offshore buffet. King mackerel are full grown in August, just reference the two 40+ pounders at the recent Fishing For Miracles tourney. Target kings in the shipping channel out to 120-feet of water. On the down side, the bottom fishing fleet  are using live baits for grouper in 75 to 110-feet of water. Butterfly jigs provide an option to live baits.

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