June is a great month to fish in Charleston. The bite is really good for the local fish and for the many migratory species moving through the area. Our usual suspects, such as redfish, sea trout and flounder, will be found back in the creeks and flats in the marsh. These fish can be caught in a number of ways. The early morning top-water bite can be very fun, as there is a lot of bait in the water this time of year and the redfish will eat a variety of live and cut bait. Mud minnows under a popping cork or finger mullet on the bottom will work great for any of these hungry fish. You may also use a DOA shrimp in glow or gold flake color and do very well with a variety of fish. A slow presentation and drift in the current works great for the lure.
Variety is a major theme this month due to the large number of species you can catch. Many different types of fish are migrating through our waters. Spanish mackerel can be found in the Charleston Harbor, inlets and jetties, and bluefish and ladyfish will be traveling with the schools of Spanish. Try 30# or 40# fluorocarbon leaders and small baits for these fish. Small Clark spoons size 00 or any small synthetic jigs in the 1/8- to1/2-ounce size work great. These are also great fish to catch on a light fly rod. Clouser minnows and surf candy flies work well.
The cobia bite has been excellent this year, and we should continue to see some this month. Larger migrating species including sharks, tarpon and jacks will also show up this time of year. Many species of sharks invade the area when the water warms. Use live or cut bait on the bottom for these. I have also caught sharks on a fly rod. The tarpon are always a great game fish and large 80- to 180-pound ones show up off the beach. Every year, there are some large jacks that make their way into the Charleston Harbor to eat the bait the harbor provides. If the weather is calm, you might even fish off the beach for cobia or amberjacks. In June, the possibilities are endless. Usually the hardest thing to do is to decide which type of fish you want to target on a given day!
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 17 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
[easy-social-share]
Call: (843) 475-1274
