The bite is hot! Redfish action is strong! As the temperature drops seatrout can be found schooling. Schooling action last week was close to the sounds and barrier islands. In recent days seatrout have been on the move in search of food as they fatten up before winter. Tides last week were 7 foot (or less) throughout the week. This week tides are building to 9 feet on Thursday and Friday. Typically big tides are the times to stay off the water and wait for better conditions. Fish will eat even on big tides! When conditions aren’t too poor, fishing should be good! Fishing windward areas can be productive until conditions literally get to rough. Tip of the week – have an anchoring system on board capable of holding your boat in strong wind and strong current. This tip alone should help put lots of fish in your boat! Cloudy days with not much sun light can quickly plunge water temperature. Trash fish are still around but are quickly becoming scarce as water temperature falls. On blue bird days, sunny days without a cloud in the sky, try fishing deep. Blue birds are generally thoughts of as the least productive for hunting or fishing. That said we’ve had several nice days of fishing without a cloud in the sky.
Fishing has been good to excellent! Nice seatrout, lots of redfish as well as blackdrum, sheepshead, and occasional flounder! The baitshops are still finding shrimp but as temperatures continue to drop anticipate bait supplies to become inconsistent in coming weeks. Traditional plastics have been catching fish as well as new ones by Berkley and Strorm. The main ingredient with any artificial is confidence and right technique for that lure. Technique is critical! The best teacher is seeing someone catch a fish then duplicating that technique. This is another reason to attend one Miss Judy’s inshore clinics or book a learning charter (please book this through Miss Judy and specifically request for me).
In recent days good catches of seatrout near the sounds, up the Savannah River as well on the jetties. Corks that produce clicks such as Cajun thunders and bay side Bloppers are very effective this time of the year. While fishing practically still water, Steve Howell asked if he was popping his cork too much. My reply was going to be yes then big old five pound drum engulfed his shrimp. So much for the subtle approach! Can popping be over done? Likely on the other hand seatrout love action. The key is to keep changing your pattern till you’re on a pattern that works. Seatrout fishing should be good for next several weeks! Likely the best seatrout fishing is yet to come!
Tides will remain big through the week. Next week tides on Tuesday, Nov. 18th. tides will subside to 7.9 feet and will continue to decrease throughout the week. Fishing should be good! A few big stripers already showing up. Most of the stripers action for the past few years has been in the main Savannah River. The best time to striper fish is usually at the last of the incoming or first of the outgoing. On sunny days fish deep! Days with little current can be unproductive as well days with too much current. Typically most of these fish are caught during the early morning hours or late afternoon. These fish love structure as rocks and wood. Some stripers around but seatrout and redfish taking center stage!
Those who like catching whiting are doing well! Frank Setera said he caught some nice ones this week as well nice seatrout near sandy bottoms areas. Frank’s unusual catch was a big old stag bass while whiting fishing! You never know. Frank said the sharks have all but vanished. I saw a bonnethead in the Wilmington River several days ago chasing a shrimp but how most of the sharks have eased out to deeper water.
Hope this interest and help! Fish On! Capt. Jack McGowan