Summer time on the Coast! Afternoon thunder showers and sea breezes are the norm. Usually the best to fish is early morning. The seatrout bite is getting better! Several fishermen have brought in catches of about 10 nice fish. There are lots of school small “rat reds” around dock pilings and oyster rakes. These fish are small but a good sign for the fall! Catching some nicer reds is possible but these are not schooling. For keeper sized reds its been one here, one there. Recent rains have temporarily pushed most of bait fish and larger predator fish to deeper water. Things on the coast can change rapidly. Bait fish can be scare one day and abundant the next. Fewer predator fish near the beach front can mean a better whiting bite.
Shrimp in the bait shops is still in short supply. Brown shrimp are becoming scare; while white shrimp are just beginning to move in. Don Adams, Adams Bait House says shrimp will become move abundant in the coming days and weeks. Alternative baits: mud minnows, small river menhaden and finger mullet can work well but on the Georgia Carolina coast there nothing beats live shrimp. Mullet and small menhaden can be found in the heads of most creeks.
Summer time fishing can be good! It’s all about the bait. When pushes in the bite can be good! This true for seatrout and reds as well tarpon and sharks.
The shark/tarpon bite is slow but as said earlier things can change quickly. We’re catching some reds and a few flounders. The whiting bite is pretty good. There have some nice seatrout catches. Fishermen who want to try something different might give inshore sheepshead a try. One friend recently caught several. Triple tail are another inshore/near shore fish that is often over looked. The SC state record holder said you might fish 10 structures for 1 bite. This type of fishing will require good boat handling skill. Triple tails can be sizeable fish. If seas are laying you might give triple tail a look!
Keep what you want to eat and release the rest and always obey the fish regulations!
I hope this is of help and enjoyment!
Fish On!
Capt. Jack McGowan
www.coastalrivercharters.com