Last Updated on December 30, 2022 by Capt. R.C.
As Fall fills the air along the Grand Strand, fishing for trout and redfish takes center stage. We are in the best part of the year for inshore fishing in South Carolina, and 2022 is on track to be one of the best in a while. Charter clients have already been taking advantage of the hot bite which took off early in the month of September.
This fall has brought with it one of the best trout bites we have seen in years. It turned on in early September and continued through the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. We have had days catching 30 plus fish when the conditions are right. Live shrimp, paddletails, and popping corks have all been productive in getting these fish to bite. November should continue to be a productive month as these fish feel the urgency to store enough fat cells to make it through another winter.
The bull reds are making a strong presence during their semi-annual visit to estuaries in Myrtle Beach, Murrells Inlet and Georgetown. We have enjoyed days with numbers in the double digits during the Fall spawn. While cut bait is the choice for many anglers, there are multiple ways to target these fish.
It is important to take great care, and minimize handling of these fish, so that they can continue their journey to reproduce thousands more of their species for us to enjoy chasing.
Notice how the anglers are holding the fish. Great care is taken to properly support the belly of the fish so that their organs are supported out of the water. It is also important to minimize any loss of ‘slime’ and their time out of the water. Once we get a photo of a fish, we release all other fish that are caught without removing them from the water.
As water temperatures continue to cool down, redfish will begin to group in to large schools. These fish can spook easily, but finding one of these schools can be extremely rewarding. It can be common to have double digit days while fishing for reds throughout the winter.
We’re looking forward to the upcoming Fall and Winter bite in South Carolina. Whether you are planning a trip to Myrtle Beach for a wedding, golfing or just a family visit, be sure to book an inshore fishing charter. I am originally from this area, and I hope to show you our coast through a local’s eyes. You will get the same experience as me and my friends who grew up fishing these waters.