Well it’s winter on the coast. The key to winter fishing is fishing when the conditions moderate. Typically a cold front will be followed by warming conditons. Fishing just before a front or after the front has passed can be productive. Best fishing for redfish tends to be close to the sounds and around mud flats that have shelly bottoms close by. North winds can make fishing open waters almost impossible so plan accordingly. Redfish have a tendency to hold during winter months. Moving a boat can easliy spook fish so try to be patient even when the bite is slow. Redfish on the fly is a winter time favorite. Small weedless rattle shrimp and crabs are favortes. Whatever you’re fishing try to fish light: fluorocarbon leaders and small floats such as Low Country Lightings are well suited for winter fishing.

There have been several reports of stripers biting. Chuck at Cransman reports that a blueback Redfin lure has been his most productive lure this season. He has had anglers reporting catching large stripers while working this lure around structure in the Savannah and Back River. Finger Mullet as well large mudminnows will catch stripers. Fish structure and look for shadows.

Water temperature is around fifty degree. Seatrout when feeding they are feeding on hardbacks (a small shrimp) and mudminnows. One trout fishermen Gary Collins uses a Berkley powercraw for winter and springtime trout. A large mudminnow is hard most seatrout, redfish or stripers to resist. Fish a large mudminnows close to the bottom and something good is likely to pick it up. One thing about winter fishing is you’ll have fewer bites but the bites will likely be a quality fish.

Good Fishing! Captain Jack McGowan