Coastal River Charters

December 21st is officially the first day of winter. The morning now are cold, not frightfully cold but cold nonetheless. Fishing despite the cold and wind has been good if not exceptionally good! Large schools of large redfish on flats. When fish aren’t disturbed its been possible to pick off big numbers of large fish. These fish are hungry and on the prowl for food. With cooler temperatures fiddler crabs, which are a typical sight along mud banks, are no where to be seen. These crustaceans have burrowed deep into their muddy caverns seeking warmth. Bait fish another common sight have all but vanished except on occasion to those keenly looking for bait. Fiddler crabs and bait fish comprise the red drum’s diet. As food diminishes red drum are more aggressively feeding. Despite cold air water temperature along the coast is relatively mild, in the low to mid 50′s, allowing for a very favorable redfish bite. This will continue as long as water temperatures remain relatively mild and fish are able to find a food source. When the food source vanishes or water temperature drops the bite will change to a slower more subtle, less frequent bite. Until then enjoy the hot bite while it lasts! This bite as dramatically as it turns on will turn off just as quickly. How long will it last? Who know? For now the redfish bite is on! Seatrout action has been good! Most of the fishermen targeting seatrout are using soft plastics. Clear and crystal patterns have been favorites. During the winter months look for seatrout back in the grass. Normally fishermen associate seatrout with current, not necessarily so during the winter. As water temperatures drop seatrout will conserve energy by staying out of the frigid currents and literally hanging in and along grassy areas. These seatrout are looking for finger mullet. Pitching any soft bait that will resemble a finger mullet can be effective.

Those who enjoy bait fishing can do well on live or dead shrimp, finger mullet as well as mud minnows. Seatrout in most instances prefer a live bait or artificials. For best chances of good action concentrate on marshy area rather than fishing rips and currents. Look for fish that conserving energy. There is still some shrimp on the flats but shrimp in the shallows is becoming scarcer by the day. Don Adams, Adams Bait House, says he is planning on staying open until New Years then it will be one day at time. If the weather remains mild and Don is still able to find shrimp he’ll stay open a little longer. Your best bet is to call ahead to see if he’s open and has shrimp. If the weather is fowl trust me bait shops wont stay open. Adams Bait House phone number is 912.898. 1550. Don’t underestimate the lowly mud minnow. It’s a great bait and catch plenty of fish provided there are fish to be caught where you are fishing. Anticipate as water temperature drops the bite will be slower. Concentrate on marshy areas out of direct current or try trolling soft plastics or fish deep.

A few stripers being caught. Mostly smaller fish on plastics, a few on the fly. Vast amounts of fresh water coming to the coast will likely mean a good striper bite in the coming weeks. So far a few larger reported but not a lot of action.

Hope this of help!

Capt. Jack McGowan

Fishing over the Thanksgiving week was the most part was very obliging. The day before Thanksgiving was the toughest with strong winds and little current. When the weather deteriorated small sea trout were the norm. On other days the bite was good with large reds one day followed by schooling red fish the next. The sea trout bite in Wassaw Sound has been good! Sea trout are feeding on shrimp on flats. Sea trout can be found well off the marsh grass. Nonetheless when the bite slows, towards the top of the tide, its usually a good idea to fish close to the grass. Floats like Cajun Thunders can be very effective in drawing up strikes. Best sea trout bites can be found in places with clean water and current. When currents are slow, fishing slow can be effective. Those who enjoy pitching a fly rod last week did well on sea trout and red fish. Sometimes pitching a fly requires commitment. When the bites are not happening a simple statement like – I hope the fish don’t interrupt my fishing. Sounds a silly but before you know it fish are striking! Perhaps its as simple as relaxing and letting things happen. A slightly warmer day can mean red fish are turned on and on the feed. When this happens fishing can be easy. On the other hand when you find yourself fishing through a front nothing might seems to work. You might see fish tailing with little results. On these days you might try moving to another spot to find active fish. Making a change of location is likely appropriate. If nothing else your expectation has changed. Sometimes a move is all you need. The point is not to over commit.

Look for signs. One fishermen said he found fish last week by fishing where birds were working. More commonly mullet being pushed out of the water is a give away that red fish or sea trout could be close by. Just one mullet coming out of the water at crazy angle could belie a fat sea trout or red fish. If nothing else seeing a mullet pushed out of the water can mean you need to give it a few more minuets. When you catch one fish all the thrashing and crashing can draw other fish to your area. Another frequently overlooked sign is a shrimp popping out the water. As water temperature drops there is greater likelihood of a nice fish pushing the shrimp or mullet.

In summary fish has been good! When conditions warmed after Thanksgiving red fish could found schooling and feeding. Red fish were charged up with blue tails flashing! Red fish bites were hard as sea trout on the feed! On these days red fish will eat literally anything including a bare hook. When finding an ideal red fish bite temperature and currents are exactly to their likely. Following Thanksgiving this meant a warming trend and rising barometer, close to ideal conditions.

Tides are building this week to 8.6 feet on Thursday morning. Definitely a big tide. Nonetheless, there will opportunities to find and catch fish. The trick is to have a few back up plans when winds kick up. The best bite has been towards the sounds but as fall wains anticipate the best bite to be up river. Some small stripers being caught. Whiting fishing is still good when wind has lain. .

Hope this of help! Fish On! Capt. Jack McGowan