SC Saltwater Fishing Report - September 3

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Published: September 3, 2010

Little River

Inshore: Captain Michael Rutenberg reports that fewer boats, less humidity and the abundance of live mullet makes the end of summer and early fall a great time for fishing.  Many inshore fish are now gorging themselves on the abundance of bait and/or gathering in large numbers to spawn.  This means more large adult fish are inshore than during the summer months.  In the shallow creeks and ICW slot-sized redfish, trout and flounder can all be caught on live mullet or mud minnows under a popping cork. Cherry Grove Pier reports that lots of bait is in the surf, and the most impressive bite has been for big flounder.  In the last week they’ve had multiple fish in the 4-5 pound range caught.  They’ve also had some big whiting.

Grand Strand

Red drum and black drum: Good to very good. Perry’s reports that both red and black drum are biting well in the creeks on live and cut bait, and the drum fishing is also strong at the Murrells Inlet jetties.  For big red drum at the jetties anchor a bottom rig - fish finder or Carolina rig-style - with a 3/0 or 4/0 circle hook baited with cut bait. Sheepshead: Good. Perry’s Bait and Tackle in Murrell’s Inlet reports that sheepshead have turned on at the jetties, especially down towards Georgetown, and fiddler crab sales are strong.  Fish a fiddler crab on a Carolina rig around structure.  Flounder: Slow.  Perry’s reports that inshore flounder fishing remains slow.  For best results cast or troll Carolina rigged live mud minnows on the bottom over sandy bottoms and around hard structure. Surf and Pier Report:  Perry’s reports that finger mullet schools are now cruising the beaches, and blues and ladyfish are picking up.  Whiting and croaker are also being caught in the surf.  Off the piers big Spanish are being caught on live bait rigs, but not a lot of fish are being jigged up right now. 

Charleston

Trout: Excellent.  Haddrell’s Point reports that fantastic numbers of small to medium sized trout are being caught on a daily basis.  Fish live shrimp under a popping cork or DOA shrimp around shell rakes in 3-5 feet of water.  Tarpon: Good to very good. Haddrell’s Point reports that tarpon are still here in full force, with great numbers being reported from the North Edisto inlet, Bull’s Bay, and the Charleston Jetties. Use large mullet or menhaden rigged on a long 80 pound leader. Spottail Bass: Good to very good.  Haddrell’s Point reports that redfish continue to feed heavily, and they can be found all over the estuaries right now.  Good tailing action in the grass on high tides is reported; try throwing a ZMAN jerkshad or Gulp! shrimp at tailing fish. Flounder: Good.  Haddrell’s Point continues to report an above-average flounder bite in inlets and creek mouths.  Mud minnows and finger mullet fished on the bottom are the baits of choice. Folly Beach Pier reports that pier fishing has slowed, and the tarpon have left.  A few sharks, whiting, bluefish and sheepshead have been caught. 

Beaufort

Spottail Bass: Very good. Bay Street Outfitters reports that over the last couple of weeks the high tide fishing on the flats has been good. Redfish are generally feeding on crabs and shrimp, and tailing fish will take flies in both patterns.  On peak high tides when tails aren’t exposed but redfish can be seen “pushing” they will also take minnow imitations. Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley reports that in Hilton Head the action for redfish has been strong.  High tides have created some good tailing action, but the best bite has been back in the creeks fishing deep holes at the creek bends nears docks or fallen trees on the last half of the outgoing tide.
Trout: Fair to good.  Down around Hilton Head Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley reports that since the shrimp have become big enough to put on a hook the inshore action for spotted seatrout has been picking up.  Live shrimp under a popping cork will catch fish. Tarpon: Slow to fair. Bay Street Outfitters reports a few tarpon have been caught in the Broad River, but they are pretty rare.  Dead menhaden fished on the bottom and live menhaden fished on the surface will both catch fish.

For South Carolina marine recreational fishing regulations: http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/regs/pdf/saltfishing.pdf
Visit the Saltwater Fishing License Web site at http://saltwaterfishing.sc.gov