Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report - 4/16/13

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Beaufort Redfish caught on a DOA shrimp with
Captain Danny Rourk

Charleston Inshore Report: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West relays that water temperatures pushing into the upper-60's the fish have been responding accordingly. Remember, the magic number in Charleston harbor for great fishing has always been 70-degree. More consistent spotted sea trout action is being reported with 15 to 20-specks per trip not out of the ordinary. More important is the size of trout anglers are seeing, with quite a few 'gaot' trout in the 24-inch range, which is likely a dividend of two mild back-to-back winters. Target creek mouths and shell rakes in 5 to 7-feet of water for trout, with the larger specks holding in deeper water associated with heavy structure. Live baits such as minnows and shrimp are a can't fail, but artificial baits including the 17MR Mirrolures, DOA shrimp and Zman Streakz have also been producing very well. Reds are in a bit of a transition this time of year, staying in schools, but becoming more susceptible to hopeful anglers. Cut mullet, live minnows, and Gulp! shrimp are the baits of choice lately for redfish. Sheepshead remain scattered about anywhere from inshore dock pilings to nearshore reefs. Fiddler crabs are a good bait but oysters and live shrimp can and will also produce a strike. For the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Bart Manley at the Summerville location of The Charleston Angler knows that water temps are the key for spring fishing, and reports of angler success are beginning to surge. Tailing reds are being spotted in a few flat areas as they progress into their summer pattern. A morning bite has been the best for fly anglers to cast a crab or shrimp pattern with copper flash to the redfish. Spinfishers can lob a Z-man scented Paddlerz in Redbone color for a chance at hooking up. Live bait continues to produce with mud minnows the number one bait for all, but move on to cracked crab in order to target larger reds. The trout bite remains good and a few flounder are showing up on DOA shrimp. For the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Charleston Angler.

Josh Boyles at Southern Drawl Outfitters in Hilton Head reports that the cobia are HERE!!! A few cobia have been caught in the Broad River, which is the usual spot. Pogies are here now and Josh predicts the cobia will begin to stack up at the nearshore reefs. Inshore fishermen are enjoying tailing reds again and the trout bite has been pretty good. The wahoo series and shootout is now complete with Capt. Michael Perry on the Papa Bear winning the series and Robbie Maroudas on the Tuna Hut winning the shootout. Overall the weather was windy for the series but the Hoo bite was strong. For more store information, including the current renovations, visit the Internet at Southern Drawl.

Offshore: Bart says that with the steadily improving conditions the mahi bite is beginning to pick up. The wahoo bite remains strong, and the blackfin tuna do not disappoint.  Focus on the moon phase and use dark colored lures like black, purple and orange and troll at slower speeds with an Ilander and ballyhoo combo. Next up, Bart is looking for the cobia to move into the nearshore waters and hang around the channel markers as they migrate north. Target cobia by casting plastics like the Hogy Jiggin Bait to entice a battle with a brown bomber.

Scott warns not to delay when it comes to putting together the odds and ends on your offshore boat right now. Great reports of wahoo are coming in from the Georgetown Hole and SouthWest Banks, along with solid numbers of blackfin tuna. Common reports have included three to five wahoo per trip and three to fifteen blackfin per trip. Try to find a warm eddy of water to tap into the best fishing right now. Pull small baits like sea witches and small chuggers rigged with cedar plugs for the blackfin tuna. Use larger lures with medium or large ballyhoo for the wahoo. While the location of fish is highly variable, the best reports are coming from the 150 to 200-feet of water. Many wahoo have been grande in size with from 50 to 75-pounds!

To view past Lowcountry saltwater fishing reports click here.