January and February

A little outdoor gear is all that’s needed to have a great day fishing during these months--redfish are schooling inshore.  With clearer water conditions, you can easily sight-cast to these bigger fish in the shallow water where they are. Nearshore wrecks within 5 miles of the beach also produce other species such as black drum and sheepshead (a great eating fish!)

March

March is the month where we start targeting what we call the bull reds in the harbor.  These 30-40 pound game fish are exciting to catch, and of course the harbor is just full of other sea life and scenery.  I have some special artificial baits that are especially successful for the reds and trout this time of year as well.

April

Our favored bait fish, menhaden, start to show up beginning in April and can be netted in large numbers to lure in the biggest redfish and first sharks of the season.  Fishing the grass lines can also produce a nice trout bite if dinner is what you’re after.

May and June

It becomes your pick in the months of May and June.  Big reds, sharks, smaller reds for the lighter angler, trout are all biting.  Flounder can be found inshore, but you might hook what we call a doormat Flounder just slightly off the beach at one of our near shore reefs.  And while you’re out there, the ever-curious, ever-delicious Cobia will usually grace the scene. And, finally, if you’re into fish tacos, you cannot do better than an Atlantic spadefish.  These are the large silver, angel-fish looking guys that are just truly delicious.

July and August

It just gets more exciting in July and August with the onset of tarpon that migrate our Charleston waters and can be caught with a knowledgeable angler.  We can also easily see many, many shark species on the end of the line--Blacktips, Bullsharks, Lemons and Spinners. For the lighter angler, Spanish mackerel, bluefish, jack crevalle and ladyfish are plentiful this time of year.

September

As September starts to cool the air, the trout bite warms up.  Creek fishing becomes particularly more productive as the reds are tailing in the grasses and trout cruise the oyster beds.  Tarpon are still here feeding on large bait schools in several places I know. The species that were here in the summer are still here in September, so just when school starts and the crowds here subside, the fishing couldn’t be more lively.

October

The Harbor is still productive in October in terms of our bull reds, but inshore is heating up.  The trout are especially hungry this time of year, as well as the flounder and sheepshead that can be found on the pile-ons and structure.

November and December

November and December are the inshore fisherman’s delight.  The reds are schooling well by this time in the creeks and on mud flats if you know where to find them!  I also like to pull the artificials out to entice the reds, trout and sheepshead to bite. There’s nothing like reeling in fish after fish on these artificials to make you feel confident in your fishing abilities.