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The Lowcountry
Angler!
By Capt. Chris Chavis
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For many years South Carolina residents and guests have enjoyed the abundance of light tackle angling located in the low-country. South Carolina’s low-country lies in an area along the coast, located between Georgetown and Hilton Head. Within these limits lies the historical city of Charleston. With miles and miles of rivers and creeks surrounding the peninsular city, anglers can find themselves in a state of solitude. The seasons play an important role in the methods used and the species targeted. Charleston’s inshore fishery has been described as an angling adventure comparable to none. FALL AND WINTER With the coming of fall the Spartina grass
starts to take on the yellow and golden leaves. As water temperature starts
to cool, the summer time waters give way to the algae free winter tones
of blues and greens. With these dramatic changes, the Redfish also change.
The Reds begin gathering into their winter time schools. These schools
usually average thirty to fifty fish, but it’s not uncommon to see schools
of up The South Carolina coast is fortunate to have mile after mile of rivers, creeks, sounds, and bays. These rich estuaries are homes for hundreds of species of fish, birds, and animals. The Redfish are the ruler of these waters. Smaller Reds, known as pups, can be found in the rivers, sounds, and bays until they are approximately five years old. After reaching maturity they will leave the estuaries for the open waters of the ocean. Once leaving for the ocean waters, Reds may continue to grow to sizes reaching fifty to seventy pounds. These enormous fish are generally referred to as Bull Reds. The pups habits in the fall are very predictable, unless they are heavily pressured. During the high tides the Reds will take shelter amongst the spartina grass, creating a hiding place from predators such as eagles, ospreys, and dolphins. As the tide begins to recede, the Reds are forced out from their spartina shelter into open areas usually surrounded by mud bars and oyster mounds. The schools seem to tighten up as they make their way out. At low tide the schools are found roaming the flats looking for easy meals which may include numerous marine organisms. Low tide makes it easier to find the schools simply because there are fewer hiding places. Fishing for Reds in the low-country has been around for decade but there are many new methods that have been adapted from other places. Fly fishing for the fall and winter Reds is an exploding sport in the low-country. Just the sheer anticipation of laying a fly into a milling school of big reds is enough to raise the hair on the back of your neck. The fly rods of choice can differ from day to day and angler to angler. Most anglers prefer using seven to nine weights with the ever changing conditions one will experience while fishing on the coast. Floating lines are the choice because of the oysters and other snags. The flies used on these fish may vary day to day,
much like matching the hatch on a mountain stream. A favorite of many,
the Clouser minnow, is a great pattern Those anglers who don’t fly fish rely on lures in the winter. Artificials such as lead heads with grub tails of different color and size, gold spoons, and many top water and sub surface plugs will do just fine. With the cold water in full force the live bait becomes very scarce. Due to this lack of bait, the Dolphins develop a taste for Redfish. They can be your friend or foe. If you witness Dolphins feeding, there is a good chance Reds will be around. Returning to the same area the next day, and if you can beat the Dolphins to it, chances are the Reds will be there. SPRING AND SUMMER The spring months bring the warming water, and aggressive Reds in the flats. Shortly after the warming begins the larger Bull Reds start moving back in from offshore waters. This time of year is also a good time to target some of the other abundant inshore game fish found in the Charleston estuaries each spring and summer. Sea Trout, Flounder, and Ladyfish are plentiful in the same waters as the Reds. By late spring more and more of the migrating species better associated to Florida make their presence known in our waters. Potential IGFA world record Jack-Crevalle are a common site in Charleston Harbor, and for the angler looking for a work out, these fish are full of energy. Shortly after the Jacks arrive, Tarpon begin to show up. The few anglers that are lucky enough to land one of these prehistoric looking beasts, are soon to understand why they are called the Silver King. The water may not be so clear in the summer months, but incredible sight fishing opportunities await, thanks to the extreme high tides which flood the marshes. Depending on the moon phase, full and new, the gravitational pull causes these flood tides. Each month we are blessed with six or eight such tides. As the water starts to flood the marsh, the Reds will move onto the spartina covered flats to feed on fiddler crabs. As these fish feed on the crabs they will appear to be standing on their heads, this is known as "tailing". Depending on the depth of the water the fish may be feeding in shallow enough water to completely expose its back and tail. Similar to fishing for Reds in the fall and winter, at
low tide these fish will gradually be forced out of the hiding places
they find among the spartina. This time of year, the huge schools formerly
found cruising the flats in the fall and winter, will start to break up.
Warmer water brings in enormous amounts of bait, reducing the pressure
on the Reds that may have been caused by predators. Smaller schools, (5-10)
are the common place in the spring and summer. The baits for Reds seem
to vary in the warmer months much like they do in the cooler ones. Live
baits seem to be the best producers in the spring and summer. Finger mullet
are plentiful up until mid November and can be caught with cast nets.
Fishermen first setting eyes on this region are quick to realize these are rich waters with a super abundance of forage for their cruising quarries. The state allows anglers to keep two Reds per day in the legal slot limit of 15-24 inches. But more and more sport fishermen are practicing the release ethic, making good fishing even better. Over a decade ago, South Carolina recognized the tremendous value of Redfish as a gamefish, and gave it that status officially, allowing no more commercial harvesting of the species. Now more and more anglers participate in the states tag and release program. The Carolina low-country awaits you. Might as well get started right now. GUIDES:
SHOPS:
LODGING:
GENERAL INFO:
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to three hundred fish. These fish found in these schools usually weigh
six to twelve pounds. On occasion you will come into a school that may
hold some larger fish, fifteen to twenty pounds. Most locals refer to
these larger fish as "slobs". As long as the water temperature
does not drop below fifty degrees, the Reds are usually very active and
willing to test the skill of the low-country angler. As the winter weather
cools, sight casting plays an important role. The water becomes much clearer,
allowing us to see the schools and even picking out individual fish.
for the fall and winter Reds. Depending on the water depth, some top water
flies such as the Dahlberg Diver can produce some great surface strikes.
Further more as the water continues to cool many other patterns work well.
Deceivers, Rattle Rousers, and Bendbacks are just a few. Colors vary among
anglers, but patterns in chartreuse and gold seem to be the preferred.
Getting close to the target is essential in the cold water, since the
fish, more lethargic in feeding, like to have the fly dropped right in
front of them. Casting distances may vary, 50 to 70 feet is the average
but some strikes come within closer distances. Any lethargy, ends suddenly
once these cold water Reds feel the hook.
Along
with the finger mullet, shrimp can be found to work well in areas that
have a high concentration of the succulent shellfish. One of my favorites
(old faithful), a blue crab with the back busted off and broken into quarters
will generally produce a strike even when the others will not.