Changing Conditions
Just wait a little bit and conditions will change! This week was a good example of changing conditions. Water temperature has dropped to the mid 50’s, tides were in the six foot range over the week end resulting extremely clear water. Clear water and small tides sounds great but when I asked Jimmy at Adams Bait Shop how’s the fishing? His reply was some catching them others aren’t. The difference is the clear water. Those who are catching fish are adjusting to the clear slow moving water.
What Works
First of all notice number of “old timers” who are trolling. There are several small boats trolling plastics grubs for seatrout. Trolling will work. The preferred color is chartreuse. Although in clear water the more natural colors are preferred as well as reds and yellows. Pitching plastic will work. Remember to retrieve slowly when the bite is slow. Float rigs will work but you’ll likely have better success with smaller floats and longer lighter leaders. I use fluorocarbon day in and day out. Clear water is a good to give fluorocarbon a chance if you not fishing it already. Capt. Ray Crawely says don’t in such a hurry to move. Give the area fishing more of chance. Moving to another will likely produce the same results. Bites that are extremely slow or soft are indication you’re around fish. Fish lighter tackle and fish slower. As the day warms up the bite will likely pick up. Until then work with what you have. A frisking live bait will entice most fish. Have patience, you’ll be surprise at the bites you’ll have when you adjust to the clearer, colder water. Saturday our action was almost non stop. The bites were slow. Several times a fish simple bumped a bait, held the bait for several seconds before committing. The bite was a winter bite. The fishing was good but fish were scattered. On days with little or no current the fish are not as likely to concentrate. Slow drift days always remind me of redfish. But this isn’t always the case. Seatrout are still plentiful with lots of fish in the two pound range still in local waters. Slow drifts are usually thought of as the best days for fishing. They can be but you’ll have to adjust to catch fish in cold clear water.
The Tides
The Tides are building that is they getting higher.. Building tides are usually associated with a stronger bite. Water conditions will more turbid later in the week as tide raises to the 8 foot range. Tides will peak Sunday with an 8.6 foot tide. A northeaster could make tides over 9 foot and difficult to fish. Fishing will likely be best during the week and more difficult over the weekend. Stronger tides will likely mean a stronger seatrout and aswell a stronger striper bite.
Bait
Bait is available but will become increasingly scare in the coming weeks. Expect most local baits to close around the 1st. Fish more plastics!
The CCA Low Country
The CCA low country boil was a lot of fun and big success. About eighty people attended, lots of nice prizes were raffled off. The treasurer, Russell Kent reminded those in attendance about the Redfish Restocking Dec. 13th at the Mighty 8th Air Force Museum (I-95 exit 102) @ 7:00pm. Those interested in our redfish fishery are encouraged to attend.
Good Fishing! Capt. Jack McGowan
Tip of the Week
In clear cold water fish slower and fish lighter tackle. Resist the urge to set the hook when first feel the fish and you’ll probably catch more fish.