By this time of the year the water temperature has warmed up significantly and we’re getting into the dog days of summer. Just because it’s hot don’t think that the fishing will slow down, this is the time of year when we go after the big fish. Weather is less of a factor inshore, and we will still be looking for calm days to venture out towards open water.

This month’s feature is Mackerel

Kingfish are without a doubt a blast to catch! We call the little guy’s snakes and the big boys smokers, but make no mistake any size king will get your heart racing as it peels off line with blistering runs. These guys are built for speed, and have a set of dentures like a serrated knife set which they use to take pray in open water. Did I mention that they are pretty good to eat as well…you can’t beat grilled or smoked king mackerel. 

Inshore Fishing

If you’re looking to catch a trophy fish this is the time of year to do it. Our inshore waters are holding good numbers of big sharks and tarpon. Look to catch tarpon in the 100 to 150 pound range, these bruisers fight hard and put on a powerful aerial show. This is also an excellent month to fish the flats for tailing redfish. Sight fishing for tailing reds is one of the most exciting inshore fisheries in the low country. Near shore we have huge schools of spanish mackerel, blue fish and jacks which can be seen from great distances as they push glass minnows to the surface. Both of these fisheries create a good opportunity for those of you who like to toss flies at big fish. Moreover, look to catch good numbers of big sea trout and ladyfish as they feed around the shell bars.

Offshore Wreck Fishing

The offshore wrecks will be holding quite a few cobia and king mackerel. Along with cobia and kings expect to catch sharks (some exceeding 200 plus pounds), jacks and various bottom fish. Due to the fact that these wrecks are located in open water we generally look for light winds and calm seas to go offshore.

On this beautiful summer morning we pull off the dock and cruise down the river on what looks like a streak free mirror. My fishing buddy comments that he hasn’t seen it this calm in a long time and adds that the fishing should be good today. I agree; with conditions like this I should be able to see redfish coming from a mile away. We pull up to the flat and things look good, there is plenty of bait, wading birds and a few sharks pushing around. So we start to pole down the edge of the shoreline looking for any movement, ripple or giveaway that may lead us to a redfish…but nothing. I was really starting to get frustrated until my buddy put a dead eye cast in front of a ten pound bonnet head shark that was lazily cruising down the flat. I have to admit I didn’t even see that shark eat the bait but within seconds he came tight with a loud “hooked up”! On the first run that fish nearly spooled our light tackle rod, but we managed to keep it on long enough to catch up and after a 15 minuet back and forth battle we finally landed the fish and snapped a few photos. I really had not thought to fish for sharks that day, but with action like that why not fish for what’s biting. We ended up catching 5 more really nice sharks on the flats that day and had a blast doing it. To hear more tails of whoppers and mishaps give me a call and let’s put together a fishing trip and until then “catch em up”!

tackle: Keep your tackle box organized. There is nothing worse than trying to find your favorite lure when the action gets good.

The redfish action last month was off the hook! The morning winds were light over most of the month making for some great sun rise fly rod opportunities. Moreover, with a lot of fish on the flats both fly and spin fishing was great through out the day. We had quite a number of double digit days and good numbers of large reds up to 12 pounds all in shallow water. We have also been catching good numbers of bonnet head sharks, lady fish, speckled sea trout and flounder.

With favorable weather conditions our fishing season is well under way. The inshore fishing is only getting better and the offshore bite is still going strong. Moreover, longer days equates to more time on the water. Weather will become less of a factor inshore and we will still be looking for calm days to venture out towards the offshore wrecks.

This month’s feature is Tailing Redfish

Fishing for tailing redfish has got to be one of the most exciting ways to catch fish in the low country, possibly in all of shallow water fishing. This type of fishing combines all fishing skills plus it is very similar to hunting in the way that you stalk the fish. Picture this; you’re on a pristine short grass flat, the water is rising and in the distance you hear water splashing and fish crashing around. As the water rises the splashing gets closer and closer until you look in the distance and see rings of water moving outward form a copper-blue tinged tail. Then another and another…and you realize that you’re in the middle of a hot tailing bite. The only question is can you keep a steady casting hand as your heart races harder with every tail that pops up. This is fishing for tailing reds.

Inshore Fishing

By this time of the year most of the cobia have left the river or are on their way out, but to take their place we have some great shark fishing and the beginning of the tarpon run. This is also a great month to work the flats for tailing redfish. Sight fishing for tailing reds is one of the most exciting inshore fisheries in the low country. Near shore we have huge schools of spanish mackerel, blue fish and jacks which can be seen from great distances as they push glass minnows to the surface. Both of these fisheries create a good opportunity for those of you who like to toss flies at big fish. Moreover, look to catch good numbers of big sea trout and ladyfish as they feed around the shell bars.

Offshore Wreck and Live Bottom Fishing

As cobia leave the sound they move out to the offshore wrecks. In general, the wrecks will hold large concentrations of these fish during this time of year. Along with cobia expect to catch sharks (some exceeding 200 plus pounds), king mackerel, jacks and various bottom fish. The live bottom areas hold a lot of bait this time of year and in turn a good number of game fish. Look to catch quite a few king mackerel and a mixed bag of grouper, snapper and jacks. Due to the fact that these wrecks are located in open water we generally look for light winds and calm seas to go offshore.

As I power my flats boat off of the trailer to fish the local waters of Beaufort and Hilton Head I can hardly contain my thoughts of the day to come. All year long I have been waiting for the summer tailing bite and it’s finally here. Once we load our gear, we motor up and run down the river winding through narrow creeks and marshland to one of my favorite grass flats. When we first arrive the flats are completely dry, and you would probably look at me and laugh as I tell you “this flat will be filled with fish in the next hour”. But as water creeps in with the tide the flats begin to flood and off in the distance we hear a crash in the grass. I have heard that distinct sound before and know the reds are pushing their way in to feed. Over the next few minutes we hear more fish pushing in until we see our first redfish gently waving its tail off in the distance as it roots in the bottom for a morning snack. The beauty of simply watching these fish in the wild do what comes naturally to them makes the trip a success. It gets even sweeter as I watch my buddy ease up to an unsuspecting fish and place a fly just in front of its nose. He pauses for a moment, gives the fly a short strip and with an eruption of water he’s hooked up! After a hard fight and a quick photo we release the worn out red back to the water for another day. To hear more tails of whoppers and mishaps give me a call and let’s put together a guided fishing trip and until then “catch em up”!

 2. After every day on the water it is important to meticulously rinse your tackle with fresh water and periodically soap the rods and reels from top to bottom.

This recipe works great for wahoo steaks and can also be used for king mackerel and cobia steaks.

Ingredients:

6 wahoo steaks

1/2 cup olive oil

1 table spoon old bay

1 table spoon tony chachere’s creole seasoning

1 tea spoon curry

1 tea spoon garlic powder

Directions:

Mix all seasonings into olive oil in small bowl. Paint both sides of the fish with seasoned olive oil and place on hot grill. Cook until meat flakes  to the center without drying out. Serve and Eat!

By this time of the year the water temperature has warmed up significantly and the fishing season is in full swing. June fishing can be summed up in two words, “mixed bag”. There is so much to catch this time of year and the days are so long you may never find yourself at home. 

This months feature is Bonnethead Shark Fishing

The shallow water flats and estuaries will be teaming with bonnetheads in water so low that you will often have the opportunity to sight fish many of them as they cruise the flats exposing their backs and tails in search of food. Most of these guys average 8-10 pounds and are great fun on light tackle putting on explosive runs and hard bullish head shakes. 

Inshore Fishing 

Port Royal Sound hosts one of the best spawning grounds for cobia anywhere in the world and the month of June is prime time. Look to have shots at 30-60 plus pound cobia on an average day. Is fly fishing your thing? While fishing for cobia doesn’t be surprised to also catch spanish mackerel and blue fish. Late June can also be a great time to fish for monster sharks such as; duskies, lemons, bulls, black tips, and spinners. June also hosts some of the best conditions for tailing redfish; it is not uncommon to get shots at 10-15 fish a day. Is fly fishing your thing? Sight fishing redfish on the flats provides some of the best fly action of the year.

Offshore Wreck Fishing

As cobia move in and out of the sound they also stage up on the offshore wrecks. In general, the wrecks will hold a larger concentration of big fish during this time of year. Along with cobia expect to catch sharks (some exceeding 200 plus pounds), mackerel and various bottom fish. Due to the fact that these wrecks are located in open water we generally look for light winds and calm seas to go offshore.