Report provided by Charleston Fish Rod Bending Company:

January Fishing Report:

Our Fishing charters in Charleston and Folly Beach have seen plenty of nice catches as Speckled Trout and Redfish please anglers looking for some winter fishing action. Our resident Redfish have gathered up in schools on and near the flats and can be seen cruising and sunning themselves at low tide. We have been boating those fish using soft plastic baits by Z-Man and a variety of cut or live bait depending on the circumstances and opportunities handed to us. In either case a stealthy approach has been the key to getting the fish to bite. Sometimes this involves hunting on the flats and placing ourselves within casting distance of the fish. Other times we find ourselves sitting tight as the fish move towards us. In any case it can be nerve wrenching event to see dozens of big Reds moving towards your bait. Keep your wits about you though because when one hits your line things will get chaotic real fast!
The Trout bite can be just the opposite. The presentation should be subtle when water temps get near 50 degrees. We have been drifting small soft plastic baits through deeper slow moving water to pick up these sometimes finicky eaters. Minnows and shrimp presented the same way will also entice strikes. However you need to have a deft hand and a keen sense of touch to know when you have a bite. These fish are notorious for picking up your bait and spitting it out before you have a chance to react. But once it happens a few times everyone usually gets the hang of it and fish start dropping in the boat at a better pace. With more mild winter days here than cold ones we can expect good fishing most of the time. Get yourself a coat and a calendar and give me a call. I will get you out for some winter fishing that you should thoroughly enjoy!

Provided by Charleston Fish Rod Bending Co:

May has almost come and gone and our usual summer fishing pattern is right on time. Mullet and Menhaden have filled our waters and there are plenty of fish around to eat them. Bluefish and Mackerel are sporty targets for light tackle anglers and they can be found on current breaks inshore and around our Jetty. Sharks are being caught on inshore and nearshore trips and if you want wrestle with a tough and toothy fish this is the time of year to do it. Redfish of all sizes continue to bite on artificials and live and cut bait. Focus on structure in 1 to 15 ft of water to find these fish. Once you do make a note of the tide level where you are fishing. Those fish will likely hang around that same spot in similar tides from now until October. Trout have moved well inshore and juveniles are mixing in with some larger keeper sizes now. Throw a topwater lure like a Zara Spook early in the morning to target the bigger fish. Ladyfish and flounder continue to bite and can be taken on live shrimp and soft plastics. Don’t forget about those crafty Sheepshead too. Grab a pint of fiddler crabs and head down to your favorite structure with some #2 hooks to have some great fun. Your local tackle shop can help you gear up for your next outing. If you can’t get out on your own or want a guide to help put you on the fish visit my website at www.charlestonfishrodbendingcompany.com
Let’s go fishing!
Captain Kevin Blair
Captain Kevin Blair
Charleston Fish Rod Bending Co

Re-posted from Charleston Charter Fishing –

“Wind again?” was a familiar refrain over the past few weeks. Even blustery weather couldn’t hold back warmer water temperatures and the arrival of bait. Seasonal species like spanish mackerel, shark and bluefish were right behind. In spite of the breezy days, anglers have a lot to look forward to over the coming months.
As water clarity slowly improves, redfish are eating artificial plastic lures, especially those that mimic the glass minnows so abundant in our waters. Zman’s 3 ¾” streakz in smokey shad is an excellent choice. I pair this lure with a 1/8oz. jighead. When possible I try to bump this lure along the bottom then pick it up sharply once or twice with a flick of my wrist. Often, the fish will crush it as it pops up.
It’s that time of year for topwater trout action at first light. Heddon’s Super Spook Jr. in their silver mullet color works great but my favorite is the chartreuse and black. Vary retrieve speeds as you work these lures back to the boat. Here’s a lure that you should reel tight to the fish before raising your rod tip. Good luck with that as a violent boil erupts around your lure!
Spanish mackerel and bluefish are beginning to show up especially in the harbor. If you find schools of fish slashing across the surface, throw reflective casting jigs and reel them quickly through the school. Alternatively, if you know fish are present but not up top, try trolling Clark Spoons at different depths and different speeds. Remember to check your leader often as it only takes catching a few of these teethy fish to cut through it.
With the warmer water temperatures, sharks have returned to our waters. You’ll start to see the fins of bonnethead sharks slicing through the water as they seek out prey. Chunks of blue crab or live shrimp both work well on these predators. Fishing for sharks can be a great way to get younger anglers involved as sharks are usually hungry and put up great fights.
See you on the water!

Capt. Geoff Bennett operates Charleston Charter Fishing providing fly fishing and light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of fly rods, artificial and live bait fishing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 843-324-3332, visit his website at www.charlestoncharterfishing.com or email him at captain@charlestoncharterfishing.com.

Reposted from Charleston Rod Bending Company

Published on April 16, 2014

Easter is upon us and right on cue the fishery here in Charleston and Folly Beach is producing some of our favorite inshore sport fish. Redfish, Trout and Sheepshead have been making way over the side of the boat in ever increasing numbers keeping anglers busy in all tide phases. The Reds have been taking mud minnows, soft plastics by Z-Man and DOA, cut bait such as mullet crab and shrimp. Trout have been eating soft plastics by Z-Man and DOA, mud minnows and shrimp under corks and if you can find them menhaden live lined with a split shot into deep holes. Sheepshead have been holding inshore on rocks, dock pilings and any kind of hard structure. Fiddler crabs and oyster meat have been taking the most fish. Fish a Carolina rig with a 10 inch leader and a #2 mosquito hook. Drop it down to the bottom next to structure and lift the weight about a foot off the structure. Wait for the soft quick tap and set the hook immediately. These guys are quick so be sharp and expect to go through some tackle in the process. If you want additional information on tackle or techniques your favorite tackle shop will be happy to offer you the information that you need. To book a charter you may do so online here under “booking” or just call 843-696-4231 or email me at captain@charlestonfishrodbendingco.com

Lets go fishing!

Captain Kevin Blair

Lots of cold days and nights during March kept thoughts of traditional Spring fishing on the back burner. With highs in the 70s forecast over the next ten days, let’s hope we have turned the corner. Warmer water temperatures should bring out the trout bite while anglers can still target redfish in big schools.

Unlike most years, redfish remain in their wintertime schools that can number as many as a hundred fish. They are still spooky but becoming more aggressive as the arrival of bait turns them into predators again. The easiest way to target these reds is using cut bait or better yet freshly cracked blue crab fished on the bottom. Be patient and let the schools come to you. If they think eating is their idea, they’ll most likely take the bait.

As trout become more active, popping corks cast along grass banks and over oyster beds will be a good bet paired with mud minnows and live shrimp. I usually use a 18”-24” leader and a size 1 circle hook. When working the popping cork, always try to keep slack out of your line and when that cork drops just reel tight to set the hook. You’ll find that the circle hook will do most of the work for you.

For both redfish and trout, mud minnows paired with a jighead have been working well especially around docks and structure. I’ll use a 1/8-1/4oz. jighead and hook the mud minnow under the bottom lip and out through the top lip. Work these baits slowly and try to bump them along the bottom where oftentimes you’ll get hit as you lift the rod tip.

Redfish remaining in big schools has been a boon to flyfishermen eager to stalk these fish on the flats. To avoid spooking them, we’ve sometimes been casting well in front of a moving school and only begin moving the fly with quick small strips once the school is almost on top of it. On recent charters, black wiggler flies have been the most productive.

See you on the water!

 

Capt. Geoff Bennett operates Charleston Charter Fishing providing fly fishing and light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of fly rods, artificial and live bait fishing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 843-324-3332, visit his website at www.charlestoncharterfishing.com or email him at captain@charlestoncharterfishing.com.

Tuesday, March 4th, 2014

Re-Posted from Charleston Charter Fishing, Capt. Geoff.

It has been a long cold Winter but warmer times have started to come around. During many charters, it never got much out of the 30s and those were hard earned fish. After a run of days with highs in the 70s, it’s easy to get excited about fishing again! Rising water temperatures and the return of bait should provide plenty of action.

Redfish remain in massive schools numbering in the hundreds as they try to avoid dolphins and stay warm. You’ll find these schools on mud flats as well as shallow banks that provide cover. On sunny days, redfish are especially drawn to the flats as the mud retains an extra few degrees of warmth. You’ll find the best fishing tends to be around low tide when these reds are balled up tight together.

During this time of year, these big schools of redfish can be wary and spook when a lure hits the water. When this happens, it’s best to soak some cut bait. I’ll put chunks of frozen mullet on size 3/0 circle hooks and just let it sit on the bottom until the redfish swim over it. Put your rod in the rod holder and resist the urge (if at all possible!) to set the hook when you see a fish begin to eat. The circle hook will do all the work for you and when your reel starts to sing you are in business.

It will be interesting to see if the trout bite starts in March based on how cold the past two months have been. Working artificial lures slowly across the bottom will be your best bet. Plastic lures that are 3″-4″ long and imitate small minnows are a good choice. For color, stick with grey and silver hues that most resemble bait. Paired with a 1/4oz. jighead, the combination should be very effective when the trout return.

This a great time of year for fly fishing as a softly presented fly won’t send a school of redfish fleeing for cover. Sight fishing abounds and stalking a school of a hundred plus redfish is so exciting you almost fall off the bow with anticipation. Smaller flies in lighter colors are working best and a clouser minnow is a fine example. Remember when the fish hits, resist the temptation to lift your rod tip and strip strike instead.

See you on the water!

Capt. Geoff Bennett operates Charleston Charter Fishing providing fly fishing and light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of fly rods, artificial and live bait fishing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 843-324-3332, visit his website at www.charlestoncharterfishing.com or email him at captain@charlestoncharterfishing.com.