Fishing Report (Updated 1.15.2012)

Thanks to Ron Davis, inventor of The Chatterbait, for this inshore report.

Spottail bass: Excellent.  The redfish are grouped up tight on the flats, which leads to some of the best sight-fishing opportunities of the year. Above average temperatures and below average rainfall have provided anglers with perfect conditions to catch shallow reds on a variety of artificial lures and flies, especially when the winds are light. The best days to look for these large groups of shallow fish is when low tide falls between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.  When the sun is high in the sky, anglers can spot these dark masses of fish from a great distance which allows positioning that doesn't spook the school. Because the water has stayed over 50 degrees, aggressive offerings have worked well such as spoons, spinners, jerk baits, and even top waters on certain days. As the water cools below 50 in late January to February, flats fishers will have to slow down their presentations with soft plastics to have the most success.

Sheepshead: Excellent.  Some sheepshead are still being caught inshore around deeper docks (10-20 feet) during slack tides, but the majority of sheeps have headed to the nearshore wrecks and hard bottom areas in 30-60 feet. On days with light winds and calm seas, anglers can fill their coolers with nice sheeps by packing loads of fiddlers, a good anchor, and lots of patience.  Wading through loads of sea bass (illegal to keep) is the norm on most pieces of good high structure, but eventually, the sea bass will move out and the sheeps will start biting. A simple 1-3 ounce Carolina rig ending with a high quality, strong 1/0-3/0 live bait hook is all the tackle required.

Black drum: Good.  There are lots of juvenile black drum (1-4 lbs.) mixed in with the redfish schools on the flats in the two rivers, but they are difficult to catch on artificial lures.  A small hair jig tipped with a dime-size piece of shrimp will sometimes do the trick, but plain cut shrimp or crab will usually work best.  On calm days, good catches of black drum have been coming off the nearshore wrecks using fiddlers and cut shrimp.

Trout: Fair.  Some trout are being reported caught in the major creeks by trolling and casting grubs in 10-15 feet of water. The trout are also in tight groups, so when one is caught thoroughly fish the area to locate and stay on the school.

Offshore: No new report from Edisto Marina (843-869-3504).

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