Winter 2020 Inshore Fishing Report 2020 Savannah, GA../Hilton Head, SC.
So far this has been a very mild winter to say the least. We’ve had several warm days. This can mean sea trout can reproduce all winter long. Bait shrimpers are still finding shrimp to sell. Fronts passing through can shut down the bite. in general fishing has been good with more fish being caught more often by more people. The typical winter pattern is bait and fish push move inland. This winter the bite and been in the creeks and river off the ICW as well around the barrier islands.
On a couple of recent fishing trips the reds had sea lice on them. Redfish are moving up on the flats from deeper water. Fish on the move are hungry and will readily eat. Redfish are creature of habits and will stay on a flat as long they aren’t pushed too hard. If you keep a couple to eat release the rest and you’ll likely find fish on other outings.
We’ve catching a few sea trout but most of the action is with the reds. Redfish aren’t picky when comes to taking a bait: live, dead or an artificial can work. During the winter often like an afternoon low incoming tide is a favorite tide to fish. The flat soaks up the warmth from the sun. As the water floods over the flat bait and fish can push in.
Lately we’ve been finding more action on the outgoing tide: staking up or anchor on a flat with marsh and oyster edges. On a big tide the water can ebb quickly leaving a fisherman stranded. No matter how good a bite you’re on if you’re not prepared to stay for four or hours its best leave those extra fish for another day. Once your hull locks on the bottom you’re stuck.
This winter inshore sheepshead fishing is mostly a back up plan. Sometimes your back up plan can produce most of the action. That said sheepshead are “change of tide” fish meaning they don’t like a lot of current. These fish will move from inshore to offshore to spawn. A dock that holding fish one day might produce nothing the next due to change in nature or simply the fish are on a spawning run. That said location is important. Sheepshead will favor some structure over other.
So far this winter the near shore sheepshead bite has been fair at best Fishermen are finding lots small sea bass on wrecks. Lots of small fish will mean fishermen will need to carry more bait. A favorite sheepshead bait are purple back fiddler crabs. Most fishermen prefer small short shanked hook. Typically a 1/0 snell hooked is a favorite. For fisherman sheepshead can be tricky fish to catch. A good trick is just reel down on the fish if you think you felt something. Its not unusual after catching one two a person knows what to expect. When sea lays the bite on the near shore wrecks can offer some of the best sheepshead acton. The inshore sheepshead bite tends to better on the lower tide stages. Drops that are 7 feet or deeper tend to be the best. The best tide in tidal creeks is usually on an incoming tide. Rock jetties can be good on either incoming or outgoing tide or typically on the lower stage of the tide.
Winter can be good time of the year for picking up a fly rod for a winter time red! Wind can be a factor so its best to be flexible. If the bite is on, pick up the fly. If conditions are windy stick with spin tackle.
Going back to sheepshead – water that is exceptionally clear can be too clear to catch inshore sheepshead on most drops. In clear water fish deep drops that are 15 feet and deeper. One friend says sheepshead have good eye sight. In clear conditions fish deeper. If conditions are brackish fish drops closer to the ocean or near shore wrecks. The only problem with sheepshead is they are built like little armored tanks. Cleaning your fish first can be difficult but you’ll know what to expect when cut through one or two.
Winter can be a fun time on the water. Usually it will mean fewer boats on the water. Redfish can be fat, dumb and happy or very skittish requiring long accurate casts. Fishermen who are targeting sea trout during the winter are usually fishing deep holes in the head of creeks with live shrimp and tube floats. The winter bite can be a slight move of the cork. Fishermen will need to wait for seems like an eternity then the float go down. Dolphins can bust up fish during the winter. If this happens its probably best to look for a new drop.
I hope this of interest and help! Thank you very much!
Fish On!
Jack
912.441.9930
Capt. Jack McGowan
Coastal River Charters
