SIGHT FISHING FOR SOUTH CAROLINA REDS

By Capt. Michael Bruner

In Charleston, S.C., the almighty redfish reigns as king of the flats in our salt marshes. Since tides can get as high as 7 feet, we are presented with options for sight fishing for them. No matter how you approach it, sight fishing for big reds is awesome.

From shallow-water exposed mud flats to flooded spartina grass flats, we choose our approach based on the time and size of the tide, the season and recent trends. Because our tides are so big and span a period of six hours, we are presented with blocks of time in which these flats are fishable.

Spring to Fall Flood Tides

As these large tides fill our spartina grass flats, so do the redfish. Often referred to as flood tides, these high tides are some of the most popular for sight fishing. Hunting for redfish feeding on fiddler crabs with their tails waving in the air is the approach to these tides. Flood tides typically happen on new and full moons with the exception of fall months, when they occur more frequently. Fishing two hours before and after high tide, our goal is to target a single fish tailing so that we can feed it a fly or lure. Distance is not as important as accuracy during these tides because the fish will be feeding head down in the mud, allowing the angler to get in close range. Weedless lures and weighted fly patterns with strong weed guards are a must for these flats.

Mud Flats

Fishing on the mud flats can be done yearround but is best from late fall into winter. When the fish are spread out rather than swimming in schools, you need both accuracy and distance. However, when fish are in schools, and especially a winter school, you really just need to get the fly or lure in front of the mass without spooking them. They can be sensitive due to harassment from porpoises and pressure. These schools can range from twenty fish to hundreds of fish. You may spot them by searching for wakes, or you may find them tailing and flashing. During the winter, coastal South Carolina’s water will clear up nicely, allowing us to sight fish in clear water!

Year-long Trends

At times the fish will bite at a different stage of the tide. Sometimes these trends can be a guaranteed catch. For example, you might catch fish coming out of the grass on a high falling tide that are happy and ferociously eating; or you could spot a giant school of tailing, flashing fish feeding on top in the middle of the summer at low tide! Other trends can be sight fishing for reds in the surf, chasing big schools of giant redfish floating on the surface in the ocean under birds, and maneuvering your way up in the back of a skinny creek to find fish slurping shrimp with nowhere to go. Quite often these trends can be a great way to catch fish. So enjoy the moment because they don’t always happen. Contact ou don’t need an invitation to have fun in Upcountry South Carolina: Come kayak crys-tal blue lakes, hike to rushing waterfalls, dig into local cuisine, attend family oriented events and breathe fresh mountain air. But when you hold a South Carolina fishing license, it feels like an official ticket to enjoy the great outdoors.

Fish bite year-round in the lakes, rivers and streams of Upcountry South Carolina, which is located in the state’s northwest corner in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Devils Fork State Park in Salem is a great place to access Lake Jocassee, which holds state records for rainbow trout, brown trout, redeye bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and yellow perch. Or try your luck at Lake Hartwell, at Lake Hartwell State Park in Fair Play and Sadlers Creek State Park in Anderson, three-time host of the Bassmaster Classic.

The Chattooga River boasts healthy wild trout populations and is also regularly stocked by Oconee County’s Walhalla State Fish Hatchery. The Whitewater River above Lower White-water Falls is another great option for wild trout. Lake Keowee, at Keowee-Toxaway State Park in Pickens County, swims with largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass, crappie, bluegill, yel-low perch, catfish, brown and rainbow trout.

Pick up everything you need—including advice— at local fly shops or book a guided fish-ing trip. Sam Jones, of Jocassee Charters, puts anglers on trophy trout. Buster Green’s Guide Ser-vice reels in stripers, hybrids and bass on Hartwell and Keowee. Chattooga