Lowcountry Fishing Report - 9/18/2012

Fishing Report for the coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Brian Lazar with a bull redfish from 9/15

Charleston Inshore Report: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West shares that while much of the focus is on the arrival of shrimp baiting season, the inshore slam fishery for trout, reds and flounder is going strong! Some stud flounder in the 6 to -8-pound range have been weighed in recently, with most caught on mud minnows or live mullet fished along the edges of rock piles. Trout are taking artificial baits such as Z-man paddlerz and DOA shrimp the top choices. If floating a live bait under a popping cork for trout, target shell rakes in 3 to 6-feet of water where the current is flowing good. A great number of 'tailers' are being found in the grass during the high tide stage, as the redfish seek to devour as many fiddlers as they can between now and the cool snaps of fall. During low tide look for reds on mud flats or around structure like docks. Spanish mackerel are still outside the jetties, and anglers are having success with Clarkspoons or other small silver jigs. Shrimp baiting reports have been hit or miss with the best reports coming from St. Helena Sound and Bull's Bay. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Colt Harrison at the West Ashley location of The Charleston Angler elaborates that while the water temperature around 80-degrees is great for September fishing, the bite has been off and on likely due to massively fluctuating tides. For instance, the tailing redfish are not visible to anglers for very long once the tide deepens over the marsh, forcing anglers to get to flats earlier than usual to be ready and waiting on the redfish. When spotted, a well placed cast with a Crimp Merkin fly or a texas-rigged Gulp jerk shad is good for a bite most occasions. During lower water levels the reds are following their normal fall patterns of sticking around shell banks and feeding on shrimp. The trout are concentrated in deeper creeks right now during low tide levels, and they are responding to quarter-ounce jig heads with a shad tail grub, and they were not choosey about which color to eat. Target trout during higher water along the edge of the grass with topwater baits and Mirrolures. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at The Charleston Angler.

Josh Boyles at Southern Drawl Outfitters in Hilton Head shares that as the water temp starts to drop off, the inshore bite keeps heating up. Redfish and trout fishing is great, although a lot of the trout have been small in size. Topwater and suspended plastic baits have been taking almost all of the bigger trout. Fishing calm nights under dock lights has been producing much success. HEY, the bull reds are in Port Royal Sound and Calibogue Sound. Target the big reds right now and you also have a decent shot at hooking up with a tarpon too! It's a great time to wet a line with those two options in play at the same time.  For more store information visit the Internet at Southern Drawl Outfitters.

Offshore Report: Colt tells us that the bull redfish are showing up in the surf now, especially at the sandbars adjacent to the inlets of the North Edisto and Stono. The tarpon can be found hammering bait balls one day, and then they are gone the next, but don't be surprised when some larger kings show up under those same bait concentrations. Bump trolling live menhaden should put the key in the igntion for the king bite!

Scott indicates that the wind has been blowing which has kept most boats in port. On the fishable days a decent number of wahoo and blackfin tuna are coming in the 140 to 350-feet of water range. Bottom fishing for grouper in the 90 to 150-foot range has been pretty good. Plenty of triggerfish are being found by dropping down in the 75 to 110-feet range. Keep in mind that black sea bass season is closed as of Sept. 4, and that red snapper will be back open from Sept. 21 - 23 with one keeper fish (no size limit) per angler per day.

Josh shares that the offshore reports for dolphin has really dwindled, and that the wahoo bite has been slow. Blackfin tuna are on the way though, which are one of his favorite targets. During the first red snapper weekend his customers reported no trouble finding their limit of one fish to keep.

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