In August, hot hazy days and calm seas are the norm. When air temperatures reach in the upper 90- to 100-degree range, the water is always a nice place to cool off. Fishing will be the best in the early morning or late evening.
This time of year, there are many species of fish to target. You may want to go at daylight and cast some top-water lures for redfish, sea trout or ladyfish. I like to use a walk the dog type of top-water lure like the Rapala skitter walk or Zara spook. A great way to catch a variety of fish is to drift a popping cork with a DOA shrimp or live bait two feet below along the banks of the marsh. In August, there are still a variety of migrating fish, such as Spanish mackerel, bluefish, ladyfish and jack crevalle, which can be found in the Charleston Harbor, inlets and off the beach. Look for birds over bait or fish breaking the surface. Small spoons, jigs or flies work great for these fish. If you’re fishing on the piers or surf, you can also find whiting, spots and pompano using cut shrimp.
If it’s something bigger you’re looking to catch, August is the month. You can catch large redfish in the surf or rock jetties. Sharks will be abundant in all sizes and can weigh up to several hundred pounds. August is also one of the best months for catching tarpon. To catch all of these larger fish, head to the deep holes in the Charleston Harbor, at the beach or in the inlets. You can also surf fish; just make sure you use heavy tackle. You will need a reel with line capacity of 300 yards or more as these fish can scream some line off the best reels. You can use chunks of cut bait, but live menhaden are hard to beat.
A great way to spend the day on the water is to book one of the areas great guides. I have many years of experience, having fished in Charleston for almost 19 years, and I would love to get you out on the water and share my knowledge.
Capt. Mark Phelps
Shore Thang Charters
www.ShoreThangCharters.com
ShoreThangCharter@hotmail.com
(843) 475-1274
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