Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report - 2/26/2016

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Speckled Trout are reliable during winter transition times

Inshore Report: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West shared that warmer weather is arriving with a few day's spiking into the 70's. Each high note in the up and down cycle of nature will signal redfish and trout to become more active. If anglers think they are anxious, try thinking like a bait-deprived gamefish that is ready to resume the Lowcountry smorgasbord that is creek life.

Reds are still in winter schools, with 50 to 100-fish not uncommon, so anglers must be patient and fish the angles. Meaning don't cast right into the middle of the school, fish to the sides of the school and put bait on the bottom and let them come and find it. Scott says to alternate between cut mullet, mud minnows and cracked blue crab in order to cover one's bases. Use a 3-ought circle hook and place the rod in a holder with the drag set lightly and try to let the fish set the hook themselves before you lift it back out.

It varies each year when the trout appear in full force, but sometime in March is a safe bet. Popping corks fished along grass banks and over oyster beds should be rigged with mud minnows or artificial shrimp. Scott usually prepares a 18 to 24-inch leader and a size 1-ought circle hook. When working the popping cork, keep the line taught so that when the cork does go under, the trout can do the work of setting the hook.

Sight fishing enthusiasts love this transitional time of year, with smaller and darker flies working best. It's no surprise that the Haddrell's Point Shallow Water Expo is taking place the weekend of Feb. 27 - 28 at the Omar Shrine Temple in Mount Pleasant. Visit with Bob Clouser to learn the truth about the invention of his closer minnow and listen to Mark Nichols to find out the most effective ways to use his shrimp that are dubbed Deadly On Anything - DOA Lures.

To view past Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Reports click here.