Fishing Report
Early morning anglers beat the crowds and find lots of fish
By Greg Peralta
Jul 3, 2009 - 12:17:53 PM

Daniel Island Fishing Report

Early morning continues to be the most productive time to fish. Trout are hitting top water lures pretty well before sunrise. Once the sun gets up and the top water bite slows down, a live shrimp suspended below a rattle float will keep you catching fish. Working the float like a top water lure (with a twitch, twitch, pause retrieve) attracts fish to your shrimp. Lately, this technique has been working best around oyster bars and ledges that drop off into deeper water. The transition zone between two and 10 feet is where most of the bites are happening.

With July Fourth just around the corner, our boat landings are going to be crowded. Getting out before sunrise and returning to the boat landing early will help avoid the masses.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at captaingreg@shallowwatercharters.com or (843) 224-0099.

Saltwater Fishing Report around Charleston

Haddrell’s Point reports that action is hot around the Charleston jetties. Trout: Very good. For the first couple of hours in the morning there has been good topwater action fishing around oyster shell rakes with moving water. When the sun gets higher fishing Carolina rigged live or cut menhaden or live shrimp around structure in 4-8 feet is working for trout as well and spottails and flounder. Spottail Bass: Good to very good. The redfish bite is strong around creek mouths with oyster rakes. Tarpon: Good. Tarpon are arriving in the Lowcountry and being caught in areas like Bull’s Bay, the jetties, Deveaux Bank, and of course in inlets such as Stono Inlet. Anchor in four to 10 feet of water and fish between slews or sandbars funneling into the inlets. Flounder: Good. As water temperatures rise the flounder bite continues to get hotter. Fish around the edges of rock piles in the inlets and along the edges of sand flats near creek mouths, and use live minnows or finger mullet on Carolina rigs. As the summer moves along, fish will move further back into the creeks.

Folly Beach Pier: Fishing has slowed but a few whiting, pompano and black drum are still being caught off the piers.

Freshwater Fishing Report for the Santee Cooper System

Bream: Very good. Bream fishing is very good in the Stump Hole area and bluegill are spawning in shallow water from a foot to three or four feet deep. Fish around trees and move around until you find concentrated fish. Catfish: Good. The Santee Cooper catfish bite has remained good despite hot temperatures, and many of the fish being landed are showing scrapes and scratches indicating that they have recently completed spawning. A variety of cut baits are working. This is a good time for night fishing. Crappie: No report. Fish for crappie around deep brush piles with small and medium minnows. Largemouth bass: Slow. Fluctuating water levels and hot summer temperatures are making for a tough bite, and the few fish being caught are generally coming on soft plastics.