In December, old man winter begins to flex his muscles in the Lowcountry, moving plenty of strong fronts through our area that can make fishing tough. Timing is everything this month. Getting out prior to the fronts can produce some awesome fishing, and finding a few days with stable weather between fronts can bring some very good fishing as well. The holidays also provide the opportunity to make wonderful family fishing memories together.
Offshore fishing can be tough primarily due to weather, but there are fish out there for anyone wanting to give it a shot. Offshore report archives from our site show some nice catches of blackfin tuna and wahoo during the month of December. Bottom fishing can also be very good in the winter months, but the closures do not leave many options when it comes to popular offshore bottom species. Make sure you know and understand the regulations before you keep any bottom fish.
Inshore fishing is normally very good during December. Remember to slow your retrieve down as the water temperatures drop. When you think you are working an artificial lure slowly, slow it down a little more. Since cold temperatures make fish lethargic and generally unwilling to expend a lot of energy for a meal, you have to make it easy for them. Redfish will be schooled up and very easy to find on low-tide flats. Keep an eye out for disturbances along the bank and for birds working over shallow water areas. Scented baits like Z-Man and GULP work very well for redfish when they are feeding; however, redfish can be tricky to catch at times, especially when porpoises are working the area. These fish will be more interested in surviving than eating, and sometimes it is best to move on and see if you can find another school that is not under so much stress.
Last winter was a pretty favorable trout fishing season, and so far we are having a great season this year. Anglers’ increased awareness and willingness to release more fish is producing big dividends, resulting in catches of 30 or more trout per day being a pretty common occurrence during the month of November this year. I prefer using the trolling motor and working long stretches of banks and hitting creek mouths by casting, while some anglers will troll until they find fish. Both methods are effective, with the key aspect being to cover water until you find the trout. Once you find a fish or two, you will normally find more as the trout are schooled up this time of year as well. Fishing creek mouths, oyster mounds and docks will also produce fish. A variety of lures will work this time of year, and some of my favorites are the Z-Man Paddlerz and the Trout Trick Lure. Early morning and overcast days are the perfect time to try some top-water action. There is a great variety of top-water lures that work well, so find one that you have confidence in and you will catch fish with it.
Sheepshead fishing will be very good inshore and nearshore during the month. Live fiddler crabs fished around docks, the jetties and artificial reefs will work very well.
Please visit our site for daily reports and fishing information. We appreciate everyone that participates and makes the site a great resource for all of us. We wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and encourage all to use this holiday time to get out on the water with friends and family and enjoy the beauty the Lowcountry has to offer.
Andy Pickett
CharlestonFishing.com
