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 all the hustle and bustle this time of year, many people forget that fishing can still be great. The vast varieties of fish that are here in the summer have gone, but the redfish and trout bite can be excellent. The first thing you notice when fishing in December is how peaceful it is on the water. You won’t find any jet skis or many pleasure riders, as the majority of the boats are put up for the winter. Mostly what you will find on the water are friendly fellow anglers.
When fishing in December, you should concentrate on two things: redfish and sea trout. The inshore waters of Charleston will be loaded with large schools of both species. The cold weather will have the fish in large schools looking for protection from dolphins and working together to find food. This means you may have to move around to find 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, so the fish are 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 and easy to see 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 19 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
www.ShoreThangCharters.com
ShoreThangCharter@hotmail.com
(843) 475-1274
[easy-social-share]
