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Inshore Fishing Report
By Capt. Matt
Well, it's time to say goodbye to 2011 &
Hello to 2012 - Happy New Year, Lowcountry
fisherpeople! A brief recap of the past year
is always in order when a new one starts,
isn't it? So we'll call this our "Auld
Angling Syne".
Due to the extreme cold of the winter in
2010-11 we lost a lot of trout, but despite
dire predictions, all was not lost. The
trout are coming back, if slowly, with quite
a few caught this fall by both local anglers
and visitors here on charter. Hopefully the
mild trend of weather we have seen so far
this winter will continue, so that next year
we will see our trout stocks back to normal,
or much closer anyway.
Also due to the extreme cold of the winter
last year, there were many predictions that
the white shrimp population would be badly
hurt. Happily that did not turn out to be
the case, and we had a pretty good year for
both inshore baitcasting as well as with the
commercial shrimping along our coastline. I
think that closing the roe shrimp season in
the spring made a big difference, allowing
the population a much-needed break from
predation in order to flourish and grow.
After all of the cold, spring started strong
with the reds. As the year progressed, we
saw things like the tarpon bite that was so
good in the late summer and fall; plenty of
multiple fish days, something that is always
a lot of fun. There was also plenty of nice
flounder throughout the summer and fall
season. As usual the red drum bite stayed
good year 'round.
Coming into 2012, let's all hope for a
continuation of the mild winter so that
conditions remain easy on our fish and
shrimp. Inshore you can still count on
catching reds on the flats in low water, or
in tidal creeks when the water is deeper.
You can fish for these reds using spinning
tackle or fly rods. Of course,'fluff
chuckers' might find it a bit more difficult
in the stronger winds of January and
February to get their flies in front of the
fish, but that just makes a catch that much
more rewarding.
Near shore, if you are the kind of brave
soul who'll venture out into the cold ocean,
you'll be able to pick off sheepshead on the
near shore wrecks and reefs. Dress the same
for either place; warm, and in layers, and
with the expectation that at some point
you'll get wet from splashes, spray, or
rain. Extra clothing isn't much of a burden
- it is always easy to cool down a little,
this time of year. Happy Angling!
Capt. Matt
843-997-9842
www.georgetowncharters.com
Saltwater (Sporadic reporting due to winter
conditions)
Little River
No report.
Grand Strand
No report.
Charleston
Spottail Bass: Fair. Cooler temperatures
mean that redfish will be grouped in very
large schools on flats; look for flats that
have some structure. Gulp! jerkshad,
Mirrolures, and live mud minnows are good
choices. Trout: Fair. Trout are stacked up
in deep holes, and the key is to work your
bait or lure very, very slowly. Fish will be
grouped in large schools, and if you can get
one fish to bite you are likely to pick up
more. DOA Shrimp and Gulp! worked very
slowly will both produce.
Beaufort-Hilton Head
Spottail Bass: Fair. Some good fish are
still being caught, particularly sight
fishing at low tide. Gulp! continues to be
the bait of choice, although other heavily
scented soft plastics will work, too. Trout:
Fair. Trout fishing has slowed down and the
action is hit or miss. Use live shrimp and
Gulp! shrimp imitations for best results.
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