Spottail Bass: Good. Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) in Beaufort reports that fish are grouped up in large schools. This time of year you need to be subtle in your presentations with the clear water, and on spinning tackle throw as light a jig as you can throw around creek mouths and flats where fish should be sitting. Small paddle tail grubs in light or bright colors – not dark colors – are a good option, as are Gulp! Shrimp. Small #4 and #6 flies in light colors, such as tan kwan flies, are good on fly gear. On the incoming tide fish will be a bit shallower when the mud is warm, and on dropping tides fish will hold a bit deeper. It is worth remember to throw to the edge of schools to avoid spooking fish. Away from the flats some fish can also be caught around deep holes and trees.
Captain Dan “Fishin’ Coach” Utley (843-368-2126) in Hilton Head reports that despite the stretch of cold weather redfish are still eating. It seems as if there may not be as many schools around the flats where they are normal found, probably because of the weather. The good news is that fishing back in some of the small creeks off the main rivers small, one year old redfish have been schooled up thick and eager to eat Gulp! Shrimp on a 1/4 ounce jighead. Cast into deep pockets around the oyster beds and let the jig sit, then when there is a slight tap-tap reel down and set the hook.
No new trout reports.
Offshore: No new report from Captain Wally Phinney (843-838-7437).
