Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report - 8/20/2013

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Team No Name and a nice blackfin tuna 

Charleston Inshore: Shane Clevenger at the West Ashley Charleston Angler says that cool weather in August doesn't make much sense to anglers, but that it sure has the inshore bite on fire. Water temps have dropped almost 10-degrees in certain areas, and summer's hot grip has loosened on the Lowcountry a bit. Pop-up thunderstorms have some anglers, the ones that wade the flats for redfish, scratching their heads about when is safe to go. Shane reports that a good option is to stay on land and try some good ole bass fishing with the new LunkerFrog that he brough back from the ICAST show in Vegas. The LunkerFrog is realistic looking, retrieves well and has a weedless hook design. Stop by and speak to Shane for the full description of acrobatic jumps and blowups he has witnessed while using this lure. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at The Charleston Angler.

Scott Hammond from Haddrell's Point West can be heard giving his war cry for Tar-pooooooon!! Yes, the tarpon are here and the latest reports include good numbers of these majestic visitors. Tarpon are being found around inlets everyday, especially in hotspots like North Edisto inlet, the Charleston jetties, and from Price's inlet to Bulls Bay. Live baits like mullet and menhaden are the preferred option, but do not hesitate to target them with blue crab or large chunk baits. Trout continue to produce solid catch numbers inshore though most are juvenile fish. Live shrimp or minnows under a popping float is Scott's can't fail option but a Zman Paddlerz in Mulletron or Pinfish coloration are deadly on a standard 1/4-ounce jighead. Redfish continue to be very structure oriented especially at low tide, and they are chewing on cut mullet and Gulp shrimp. High tides are producing good sightings of tailing reds and a Zman Ultra Shrimp rigged weedless have been the best choice lately for hooking up. Sheepshead are readily available using fiddler crabs around pilings and rocks. For some splashy action, look for the schooling bluefish cruising the harbor on a falling tide. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Beaufort Inshore: Craig at the NEW Buck, Bass N Beyond shares that the redfish bite is off a little bit with all of the fresh rainwater in the creeks, but that the surf bite is going strong using live mullet and menhaden. Customers report a few trout being caught on live shrimp fished under corks, and even though these fish are small, the stage is set for an increase in size come September. The tarpon bite is excellent in the Broad River right now, and the abundant menhaden in the area is the bait of choice. The flounder gigging at night has been very productive when you can find clear water in between downpours. Craig himself stuck a flattie and a sheepshead with his bow! Check out the latest updates at Buck, Bass N Beyond.

Offshore: Scott shares that trolling reports for wahoo are consistent in 130 to 300-feet of water, with a decent sailfish bite going on in 250 to 450-feet of water. A few slinger dolphin can be found in 110 to 150-feet of water. The king bite has been good in 85 to 110-feet of water, and congrats to Stray Dog for winning the Fishing For Miracles tourney. Bottom fishing reports include trigger fish and vermillion snapper coming from 80 to 120-feet of water and grouper in 90 to 150-feet of water, including the new S.C. state record gag grouper!

To view past Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Reports click here.