Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report - 2/19/13

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Nice mural from Out of the Blue Fishing Charters

Charleston Inshore Report: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West wonders if anglers have seen a winter slow down? He figures that we are through the bulk of winter weather now, and a solid trout bite never waned! Even this past week, trout in the 15 to 19-inch range were boated using Trout Tricks, live shrimp and Zman Paddlerz. During cold spells, target the trout just a little deeper in 5 to 12-feet of water at spots like creek mouths associated with shell rakes. Scott's PRO TIP  for slow bites during cold weather is to slowly bump the bottom with your baits at the deepest part of the creek mouth. Sheepshead continue to provide solid action on fiddlers and live shrimp, and though there have been a lot of smaller fish than big ones, the numbers reported approach 50-plus sheepies per trip. Redfish are still in tight schools on the shallow flats, and more than anything else anglers report that good ole cut mullet is working the best right now. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Bart Manley at the Summerville location of The Charelston Angler marks water temps hovering in the middle-50's. Redfishing has become inconsistent even though they are most likely found sunning themselves on mud flats around oyster beds and shell rakes at low tide. Be stealthy when approaching these schools if you want to hook into them, and it only takes one or two mistakes of spooking them to learn this lesson. For good results try Z-Man Paddlerz in smoky shad on a flutter hook and work it slowly. Fly fisherman can take advantage of 'schoolers' by using smaller flies and dark patterns. The sheepshead bite is still good when using fiddler crabs. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Charleston Angler.

Josh Boyles at Southern Drawl Outfitters reports that the steadiest bite in the Hilton Head area has been sheepshead. Both inshore and nearshore the sheepshead action has been very steady, with fiddler crabs the number one bait of choice. His PRO TIP is to use oysters left in the sun to dry out briefly, since they have been out-producing fiddlers for those in the know! The redfish bite has been tough to figure. Lower tides are revealing ample numbers of reds, but they have become extremely tough to catch. The new 'Airhead' lure by D.O.A. are giving the redfish something new to look at it, with their fat body and extended paddle-tails. No reports on trout means that they have likely shut down due to cold weather. For more store information visit the Internet at Southern Drawl.

Offshore Report: Bart shares that offshore results are picking up where it concerns wahoo. Troll Ilander lures in dark colors rigged with ballyhoo for best results. He also predicts that the mahi bite should pick up sooner rather than later with signs of an early spring everywhere. Of course some anglers will see these rising fuel prices as good reason to hold off on trips until the mahi become thick. Go see Bart and his walk-in bait cooler to stock up before the offshore season blitz arrives.

Scott says YES there is in fact some offshore action once again. Longtime customer Randy Cowart slipped out in his Regulator and found 69-degree water temps along the ledge. He also found the wahoo were in feeding mode in 250-feet of water just off the ledge, though the hoos were the only meatfish caught while trolling. Anglers looking for light tackle action can find false albacore over live bottom areas in 60 to 150-feet of water. Cast small silver spoons for falsies until your forearms ache! For anyone unfamiliar with this fishery, it is not unlike casting to schools of Spanish mackerel.

Josh knows of blackfin tuna being caught offshore, plus a few dolphin from the South Lowcountry. The wahoo that made a few strikes were all broken off before reaching the boat.

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