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Lowcountry anglers in pursuit of game fish are blessed with year-round fishing of both northern and southern species in a vast, pristine environment. Often the greatest dilemma is not whether to go fishing, but what to fish for: redfish, spotted sea trout, flounder, whiting, sheephead, bluefish, mackerel, ladyfish, and cobia are just some of the species found seasonally in area waters. And of course, in the summer there’s the “king” – the tarpon – big, majestic, high-flying and tackle-busting. Shrimping and crabbing are also a way of life in these parts. Shrimp and crab are both caught with nets, but in distinctively different styles.
A diverse habitat of oyster rakes, salt marsh, creeks and flats, along with excellent water quality, furnish the ingredients for a world-class fishery. The cleansing action of tides, which run up to 10 feet or more, fuel this massive ecosystem with nutrients that are the basis of an extensive food chain.
Winter Fishing
Seasonal variations dictate my life as a fishing guide. Winter will find me in pursuit of the ubiquitous redfish, also called the spot–tail bass. The water is very clear at this time of year, and 5- to 10-pound fish will be found in large schools on mud flats usually around low tide. With the exception of rare, extremely cold winters, these fish will be responsive to a variety of artificial and live baits.
Spotted sea trout are also available during winter, usually found in deeper holes in the creeks and rivers that abound in the lowcountry. Once located, large catches of these tasty members of the drum family are not uncommon. Favorite baits include a variety of grubs heavy enough to reach the depths and live minnows usually fished on the bottom.
Spring Fishing
As temperatures warm up during late winter and early spring, subtle changes begin to occur on the fishing scene. Trout start to relocate to shallower haunts making them easier to find, and other species start to appear. Flounder can be caught on the deeper flats around river mouths and inlets. Whiting start to feed in earnest and can be caught almost anywhere. Water temperatures rise rapidly at this time of year, and conditions improve every day.
Spring comes early to the lowcountry with warm days and cool evenings. Many southern species now make their annual migration north with a prolonged stopover in the Beaufort area. One of the earliest arrivals will be a horde of small but aggressive bluefish. These toothy critters will take over the shallows terrorizing the local population of glass minnows and anything else they can catch.
Right on their heels will be large schools of Spanish mackerel that settle on the near and inshore bars wherever the most bait can be found. Spanish mackerel can be located by watching for diving gulls, which are feasting on the baitfish driven to the surface by hungry fish.
Ladyfish are also arriving at this time, and these junior relatives of the mighty tarpon are sure to please with their high–flying antics and readiness to strike most any artificial fly. Superstar of our spring time potpourri is the mighty cobia. Expect to see the first cobia around the third week of April, with some fish caught offshore several weeks earlier. These incredibly strong fish average 20 to 40 pounds and some run well over 50 pounds. They can be caught on bait fished around tidal rips and the near shore wrecks, and they can be sight–fished on light tackle or fly rods as they cruise the surface of the Broad River on calm mornings and early afternoons.
Cobia baits include live eels, herring, whiting, catfish and menhaden. They will also hit a variety of plugs, jigs and flies. Be extremely cautious when handling a cobia at the boat particularly if the fish is still green. Cobia have been known to tear up boats, destroy tackle and even injure the angler.
Summer Fishing
The first week of July, the king arrives, the “silver king.” Tarpon – big, majestic, high-flying and tackle-busting. The lowcountry will experience the arrival of the king around the first week of July and some years as early as the second week of June. Tarpon will be found at the mouths of Port Royal and St. Helena sounds as well as the smaller inlets and rivers. Regulars cast–net live bait from enormous schools that are found in the Broad River, then anchor and fish on the bottom at favorite sand bars and rips. The Broad River bridge is one of the hot spots.
Fall Fishing
Late summer and fall spell shrimp in the lowcountry. And like most of us, redfish and trout love to eat shrimp. The abundance of shrimp and the shortening days trigger a feeding frenzy in local fish populations. This is by far the easiest fishing of the year, with artificials and live shrimp scoring extremely well. Although seasonal visitors have departed by now, hungry redfish, trout, flounder, whiting and sheephead are at their season’s peak.
The lowcountry yields a varied and impressive bounty to the angler in search of a challenging and sometimes tasty quarry. Often the greatest dilemma is not whether to go fishing, but what to fish for – a fishing guide’s life is a tough one, but someone has to do it.
Fishing Licenses
Licenses are needed to harvest clams, oysters or to fish for marine finfish from privately-owned boats; they cost $5.50 for residents and visitors. Shrimping and crabbing are permitted without a license all year- round, but bait-shrimping requires a license and is enforced. Bait-shrimping licenses cost $25 for residents and $500 for visitors.
Residents of at least six months who are 65 and older may obtain a free license for fishing, set hooks, state duck stamp and saltwater fishing, but not for shrimp baiting.
Licenses are available at many local sporting goods stores, bait and tackle shops, and other retail stores. Fees and regulations are subject to change. For more information, call the license office (843) 762-5078.
Business Listings
Aqua Sports, Inc./Sea Wolf Charters
Phone: (843) 525-1174
Fax: (843) 525-9166 | 5003 Luella St.
Beaufort, SC 29906 | |
Port Royal Marina. Year-round professional sport fishing and customized cruise trips. By appointment. Call for rates.
Bay Street Outfitters
| Phone: 843-524-5250 | 815 Bay Street
Beaufort, SC 29902 | Website
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Gifts, clothes, fishing supplies as well as Orvis-endorsed fishing guides and charters. By appointment. Call for rates.
Captain Eddie's Fishing Charters
| Phone: 843-838-3782 | 28 Salt Wind Sr
St. Helena, SC | Website
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Offshore & Inshore fishing, sightseeing cruises and dolphin watching; Captain Eddis's Fishing Charters has it all.
Hunting Island State Park
Phone: (843) 838-2011
Fax: (843) 838-4263 | 2555 Sea Island Parkway
Hunting Island, SC 29920 | Website
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Open dawn to dusk. Lighthouse. Visitors Center. Secluded family-oriented park. Nature trails, nature center, fishing pier, lighthouse, visitor center.
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