Lowcountry CB
01-03-2007, 06:35 PM
Haven't been good about posting periodically, but here's my SC report for my most recent trip down to Charleston--hope it helps.
Had heavy rains just before Christmas that forced the bait and trout out into deeper water. Following weather was simply awesome! Average high around 70 degrees. Water was consistently 57-59 degrees at the surface. Harbor chop was generally 1-3 feet except the day I tried to go out to the nearshore reef. :mad:
Trout are beginning to school nicely which makes makes finding them a little more challenging. Found several keeper-sized schools in the tidal creeks near deeper openings in 9-12 feet. Key is grubs, grubs, grubs. Trolled or cast SLOW. Managed several great days. Folks who weren't doing well were generally impatient and working too fast. No need for a boat, as I watched several pier fisherman limiting-out during the tidal shifts.
Caught one nice red, but they are more elusive this time of year since the crabs are down. Wasn't my target of choice this trip, but they can be found especially in high grass.
As far as the fly fishing goes, trout are hitting 5" clousers in just about any contrasting color. Like a grub, work them slow. I'd recommend sinking lines since I found them consistently in that 9-12 foot range. I only brought a floating line for this trip and wish I brought the depth-charges. I'll put in a plug for those guys at Charleston Angler who are putting on a trout-fly seminar later this month--if you're in town, check it out.
In deeper water, folks are still catching sheepshead and large trout at the jetties. Trouble is finding fiddler crabs which are going for $12 a cup now. Supposedly, the reefs are producing good catches of black sea bass--but I couldn't handle the butt-kicking I took in my 17' boat trying to get there.
Anyway, I'm back in NC now fighting bass and crappie... just not the same.
Hope you guys found this helpful--good luck!
Had heavy rains just before Christmas that forced the bait and trout out into deeper water. Following weather was simply awesome! Average high around 70 degrees. Water was consistently 57-59 degrees at the surface. Harbor chop was generally 1-3 feet except the day I tried to go out to the nearshore reef. :mad:
Trout are beginning to school nicely which makes makes finding them a little more challenging. Found several keeper-sized schools in the tidal creeks near deeper openings in 9-12 feet. Key is grubs, grubs, grubs. Trolled or cast SLOW. Managed several great days. Folks who weren't doing well were generally impatient and working too fast. No need for a boat, as I watched several pier fisherman limiting-out during the tidal shifts.
Caught one nice red, but they are more elusive this time of year since the crabs are down. Wasn't my target of choice this trip, but they can be found especially in high grass.
As far as the fly fishing goes, trout are hitting 5" clousers in just about any contrasting color. Like a grub, work them slow. I'd recommend sinking lines since I found them consistently in that 9-12 foot range. I only brought a floating line for this trip and wish I brought the depth-charges. I'll put in a plug for those guys at Charleston Angler who are putting on a trout-fly seminar later this month--if you're in town, check it out.
In deeper water, folks are still catching sheepshead and large trout at the jetties. Trouble is finding fiddler crabs which are going for $12 a cup now. Supposedly, the reefs are producing good catches of black sea bass--but I couldn't handle the butt-kicking I took in my 17' boat trying to get there.
Anyway, I'm back in NC now fighting bass and crappie... just not the same.
Hope you guys found this helpful--good luck!