With the hurricane shutting down much of peak guiding season, I have ventured out almost every day since the 14th doing some scouting, catching, and a little guiding. After the hurricane, the water conditions were obviously terrible, but I was very surprised to see tailing red activity being very strong and the trout bite being the best it’s been since 2009. The water is clearing up nicely now in both rivers around Edisto, and the bite is as good as it gets. I have averaged 75+ trout per day with 20-25 percent being keepers. Most all have been caught on DOA, MOJO, and VOODOO shrimp under a popping cork in the main rivers. No huge fish but several in the 17-19 inch range. The biggest fish have come early and late on Spook jrs.
2X on trout. After the hurricane I have fished several days on my partially destroyed dock. Three dozen shrimp gone in less than an hour. Seems like the water is alive with them. Just picked up two dozen more shrimp for six PM today.
Speaking of trout, have ya’ll ever had any luck freezing them? I treat them like a few for dinner fish and let the rest go. When I have tried thawing frozen trout they turn to mush.
Haven’t had that problem freezing trouts.I vacuum seal all meat and they turn out just fine. I’ve heard others say they turn to mush but they’re good to me. Like you I don’t bring many home unless they are for that day as I have today.
Oh by the way RADDADDY nice report and I agree with the catch rate even though mines in the 5 to 10 range but picking up for sure
“Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education”
NICE REPORT! Agree, the bite has been great and seems to be getting better with the water clearing! Live/fresh shrimp has been my bait of choice for recent trips and has worked well on the bottom or under a cork!! Thanks for the info Capt Ron!
Capt Buddy Bizzell
Edisto Palmetto Charters
803-603-2781
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Being on the water is a blessing, catching fish is a bonus!
The key to freezing them successfully without them getting mushy is to dry them thoroughly before they go into the freezer. Clean them, rinse slightly, put them up in gallon bags with plenty of paper towels in the bottom. After they have drained for at least 24 hours, vacuum seal or put in quart bags inside of water filled gallon bags (make sure to leave room for expansion). The water around them but not on them prevents freezer burn. Thaw in fridge, not in water. They keep well for 6 months. Also you can take 3-5 fillets and roll them in a tube of wax paper or plastic wrap at least 1/8 inch thick once they have dried on paper towels. This also will keep them very fresh for up to 6 months in the freezer.
Best way I have found to keep them is I go ahead and fry them till done, then place them on a flat rack in the freezer. Once frozen layer them in bags. When I am ready to eat em up get your oil hot and ready and drop in the fillets in frozen only takes a few minutes till they are thawed and hot and firm.
Peak was used to describe the QUALITY of each fishing experience, ie- number of fish per hour being caught, not the number of trips run per week. We are still running at around half capacity for rental houses here on the island because of damage and flooding, so most of the serious fishermen who wait every year to go catching in October have had to cancel.
quote:Originally posted by CaptFritz
Your Peak season for guiding is October? I’m envious.
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Down here is where a signature goes but they can confuse and anger some people so I don’t have one.
Ron, thanks for the fishing report and it is good to see all of the trout reports that are coming in. Maybe we are the way back to where things should with fish populations. We have been having great trips since Matthew but are seeing more reds than trout.
I hope things will soon return to normal on Edisto Island as there is lot of work to be done there.
Are you catching the trout in shallow or deep water and on what tide, IF you don’t mind expounding? BTW, I have been with you on a guided trip in the North Edisto. Mike.
All the trout I have been catching are on the main river in 4-8 feet of water in the fastest current rips in creek mouths or around large shell bars. Top of the tide plus or minus 2 hours have been best.
quote:Originally posted by redfish4sure
Ron, thanks for the fishing report and it is good to see all of the trout reports that are coming in. Maybe we are the way back to where things should with fish populations. We have been having great trips since Matthew but are seeing more reds than trout.
I hope things will soon return to normal on Edisto Island as there is lot of work to be done there.
Are you catching the trout in shallow or deep water and on what tide, IF you don’t mind expounding? BTW, I have been with you on a guided trip in the North Edisto. Mike.
What type of bait have you guys been catching them on if you don’t mind me asking? I haven’t fished bushy in a long time but I think I am going to put in at Cypress and go around.
Dedrickh11 - I have been fishing exclusively Bushy for the last month or so to learn the area and my success has come on a voodoo shrimp (natural color) suspended under a popping cork and 3 in. gulp shrimp (pearl with chartreuse tail) on a trout-eye jig head.
quote:Originally posted by Dedrickh11
What type of bait have you guys been catching them on if you don’t mind me asking? I haven’t fished bushy in a long time but I think I am going to put in at Cypress and go around.
