December brings holidays, good food and family time. One way to enjoy family time and get away from the busy shopping centers is to go fishing. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, many people forget how enjoyable it can be on the water this month. The first thing you may notice is how peaceful it is on the water. You won’t find any jet skis or many pleasure riders, as the majority of boats are put up for the winter. Mostly what you will find are friendly fellow anglers who realize how great the fishing can be in December. The vast varieties of fish that are here in the summer have gone, but the redfish and trout bite can be excellent.
In December, you should concentrate on two things when fishing: redfish and sea trout. The inshore waters of Charleston will be loaded with large schools of both species, as the cold weather will have the fish schooled up looking for protection from dolphins and working together to find food. Therefore, you may have to move around to find the large schools or wait a while in your favorite spot until a school comes to you. Either way, you will be in for some fast action when you find them. Most of the bait will be gone, and the fish will be hungry for almost any artificial lure or fly you place in their path.
Look for redfish to be in very shallow water trying to find food and stay warm. Pole or troll down a shallow flat looking for a disturbance or gold flashes. It is not uncommon to see more than 100 fish in a school this time of year. The water will be very clear on a sunny day, but you must be quiet and have polarized glasses to help you see in the water.
The trout will move from place to place depending on the water temperature. After a cold front, you might find them in a 10- to 20-foot hole. However, a warm afternoon will have them in 2 feet of water along the grass. Midday high tides or late afternoon incoming tides can be the best for trout. Remember to slow down your retrieve of all lures this time of year, as the fish will be moving and reacting more slowly in the colder water.
A great way to spend the day on the water is to book one of the area’s great guides. Having fished in Charleston for almost 18 years, I am extremely knowledgeable and experienced in this area. As owner and operator of Shore Thang Charters, I would love to share my expertise with you on the water.
Capt. Mark Phelps
Shore Thang Charters
(843) 475-1274
