Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report - 6/25/2013

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Scott Hammond with a 6-pound gator released on June 12

Charleston Inshore: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West is so reverent when it comes to fishing that he says it would be a SIN not to get out and enjoy some topwater action right now. He states that with the heat ramping up, and July 4 usually signals the start of 'dog days' weather, this subtle transition in weather changes gamefish feeding patterns. Ever heard the expression 'We are burning daylight?' - well in order to get the maximum out of the topwater bite at dawn, anglers need to plan to rise a bit earlier, and put in at the boat ramp before dawn. Make sure your running lights are functioning, and be at your fishing hole, rigged and ready for the 'first light bite.' Almost any 'walk the dog' topwater bait can draw a strike from redfish and trout, but you can never rule out bluefish or ladyfish in that mix. Scott says that after the sun gets up, switch over to a suspending bait like the Mirrolure 17MR. Stop by the store to learn what colors are working best, and to pick up live bait like mud minnows and shrimp. Use DOA shrimp under a popping float to tangle with gator trout, and who doesn't want to wrangle with a bull redfish! The bulls are showing up at the jetties right now, eating live menhaden and blue crabs. Warmer weather and large concentrations of bait have also washed some tarpon into the inlets, as well as sharks. Tarpon reports should only improve from here on - YES we have a tarpon fishery!! Spanish mackerel are both inshore and offshore, and a silver casting jig or a clarkspoon in size #00 is what you need for some action. In the nearshore, cast a drone spoon into the Spanish school and let it fall to the bottom to try and draw a 'wounded fish' strike from a king mackerel. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Offshore: Scott recalls that every year about this time the number of dolphin being caught offshore begins to diminish. Reports of 4 to 10 mahi per trip are more random and a few stud wahoo are being mixed in. One silver lining is that with the calming effect that hot weather has on the ocean, smaller boats can get out to have dolphin trips, with hook-ups coming from 80 to 130-feet of water. Blue marlin are still steady and are found in 350 to 1200-feet of water, and Scott wonders if 2013 is going to be one of our best years for blue marlin fishing ever? Keep in mind that a blue marlin weighed in the S.C. Governor's Cup was heavier than the 2013 Big Rock tourney winner. Bottom fishing continues to produce solid reports of large sea bass in 70 to 110-feet of water, along with good numbers of vermillions and giant grouper, using butterfly jigs and live baits like pinfish and cigar minnows. Solid reports of smoker kings are coming from 45 to 75-feet of water.

To view past Lowcountry saltwater fishing reports click here.