Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report - 4/30/2013

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Flounder caught on DOA shrimp

Charleston Inshore Report: Bart Manley at the Summerville location of The Charleston Angler calculates that water temps at the end of April will be consistently around 70-degrees. This has long been the temp that marks the summer fishing season in the Charleston Harbor. Since the latest cold front, fishing has picked up, and the flood tides have brought more reports of tailing redfish. Fly fishermen should pay particular attention to the small live baits that enter the estuary right now trying to mimic their shape while adding a flash of color. Conventional anglers are finding success with the Z-Man minnowz in new penny color. If using live bait, try rigging a mud minnow under a popping cork, or put a piece of cracked blue crab on the bottom. Flounder are showing up and taking DOA shrimp in clear with metal flake. Reports on the trout bite have been even better lately, with fish up the creeks, and some even being landed off the Charleston Battery. Bart's rule of thumb on trout is that if one color is not working, make sure to switch it out without much hesitation. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Charleston Angler. To learn about the BIG 32-pound striper caught at Lake Murray click here.

Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West Ashley sheds his turkey camo for his trout fishing tackle in May and is on the hunt for 'gator' trout. He shares that they are most abundant in spring, and with the second mild winter in a row the trout should be growing big. While April saw a few specks in the 20-inch range caught, May is the time to look for the 22-inchers or bigger! Target structure and feeder creeks with a good current flow in 4 to 8-feet of water. Baits like live shrimp and live menhaden are always a can't fail, but artificials such as Zman Paddlerz and Trout Tricks will also produce trout. The majority of redfish have transitioned from large winter schools over to smaller pods of fish and are readily available to anglers. From fishing under docks at low tide, to tailing redfish at high water in the grass flats, they are seemingly everywhere. Live minnows and cut bait work well for reds, but don't overlook the fun of fishing with artificials like Gulp jerkshads, chatterbaits and DOA shrimp. Bluefish have begun schooling up in the harbor are the Charleston jetties, and Scott recommends a #00 clarkspoon or casting jig in order to try for the fast-action provided by these piranhas of the saltwater. For the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point. To view the results from the 2013 CIA sheepshead tourney click here.

Josh Boyles at Southern Drawl Outfitters in Hilton Head joyfully announces Cobia, cobia, cobia! The Broad River aggregation is in full swing, whether anchored up or sight casting with a fly rod. Menhaden are in now, but finding them has been hit or miss. Greenies and whiting have been the go to baits when soaking them on the bottom. Casting options include Hogy lures or even live blue crabs. The redfish are tailing too and the trout are biting, and it's a great time to be a Lowcountry fisherman. In the offshore fishery, HHI anglers reported some HUGE weedlines last week and that helped bring the dolphin to the area. Everyone needs a break from the wind to go offshore, but grouper season opens May 1, offering yet another incentive to get out there. For more store information visit the Internet at Southern Drawl.

Offshore Report: Scott tells us that for the past few weeks the offshore fishing has yielded some decent action, but only when the wind would allow. Bluewater anglers that slipped out last week brought back solid reports of dolphin in the mix now, with 5 to 15-mahi per boat. Early May is usually the threshold in time when anglers see large concentrations of migratory dorado. The best dolphin reports came from 400 to 600-feet of water where a decent temperature break could be found. Considering that decent numbers of wahoo and blackfin tuna continue to find the fishbox, this is a splendid time to go offshore. Consult Scott for frozen baits and what to spool up with for 2013!

Bart shares that the mahi bite has really picked up, and that the wahoo bite continues to be strong. Bart prefers trolling dark colors like black and purple with orange on Ilander lures rigged with ballyhoo. Some cobia sightings have Bart thinking that May will bring lots of positive reports back to the docks. Stock up on Hogy Jiggn' Baits to tempt these brown bombers who infiltrate S.C. waters each spring.

To view past Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Reports click here.