I first want to thank everyone for their reports, discussions, and information. I am planning a trip down to Charleston area with my brother in-law in March. He has never fished saltwater. I grew up fishing the coast of Texas. I have talked a lot about redfish with him and would love to get him one. I am not looking for any special spots but need a general direction or areas to stay away from. I have experience with tidal fishing but any advice on areas to look would be awesome. I love grass flats and creeks. Fishing in a 16ft high tide boat. Thank you for any help with locations to research more.
I would say with that boat, you should put in at Paradise Landing at the end of Chandler Rd off of N Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant. There is a bunch of good redfish and trout activity up that way. All the grass lines, oysters and creek mouths you want.
Capt. Jeremiah McCarthy Southern Slam Fishing Charters www.southernslamfishing.com 2018 Sea Hunt BX22BR
Thank you for the info Firefighter. I am also a paramedic and work in the Peds Er here in Greenville. Is there parking at that ramp? It’s hard to tell from aerial photos.
Yes there is parking. Don’t leave valuables in the vehicle, someone may like them more than you at times. Still a decent ramp other than at very low tides, but the hightide(boat) should be fine there. The fishing is good all in that area, within eyesight even. Good luck and welcome to the forum!
Fishing Nerd
“No bar, no pinball machines, no bowling alleys, just pool… nothing else.”
…well, some fishing too!
Thank you for the info…I am trying to decide between this spot and running out of beaufort area. Can anyone shed some light on which place they would rather fish…pros/cons?
You’re welcome. I have no input on the Beaufort area as I’ve never fished down that way. I am sure the fishery is probably pretty solid. I don’t think either place would be a bad time on the water, regardless of number of fish caught.
Capt. Jeremiah McCarthy Southern Slam Fishing Charters www.southernslamfishing.com 2018 Sea Hunt BX22BR
Not sure how often you’re planning on coming down here but unless winter pattern ends early due to warmer weather would advise waiting a month or two. Winter fishing here is the worst relative to any other time of year and many people that have fished here for decades literally don’t go out this time of year. SCDNR has tons of species info on their site and gist of it for reds/trout is that they just don’t feed much in winter. Would keep an eye on fishing reports on this site and follow local fishing people on social media (Eye Strike Fishing on Instagram comes to mind) to see when spring pattern starts.
If March is the only time you can make it, lower your expectations and make sure you have bait in case soft plastics aren’t effective. One thing we have found easier this time of year is spots to fish, only having any success around docks and heavy underwater structure. Know at low tide reds school up on flats if you’re comfortable taking your boat in those areas, but still hard to find and they spook easy. None of our normal oyster beds, grasslines, feeder creek mouths have produced anything since fall pattern ended.
Hope this helps. Don’t have much insight on where to launch from. Less boats is best but puts burden more on you to find spots.
Welcome to the site AA.
I love this time of year. As you said not many people on the water.
. I have had a couple 50+ fish days in January. You have to really slow down. which I have a hard time doing.I prefer a couple hours before & h after low tide. As you said the reds will be back in the creeks. Been finding nice fat trout in the holes. A buddy of mine has been slamming the black drums. @$$ Won’t tell me where…
The water is still around 55. I’m hoping after this week we start staying in the 60s during the day. Worst thing that can happen is you can get skunked. But you’ll have a story.
I am fragile. Not like a flower. But like a bomb.
I am also new to Charleston fishing and thinking about heading down that way with my 18’ boat. Is the area you mention (Paradise Landing in Mt. Pleasant) as good for specks/reds as somewhere further down like the Isle of Palms area or Shem’s Creek area?
I was looking for an area with good boat ramp and hotels/restaurants nearby.
Thx,
Richard
Asheville
BEEN A LOOOOONG TIME (SEVERAL YEARS) SINCE I FISHED ABOVE THE 41 BRIDGE BUT IT USED TO BE AS GOOD AS IT GETS FOR REDS AND SPECKS… THE LANDING AS NOTED ABOVE IS A LITTLE DICY ON LOW TIDE AND THERE ARE TONS OF OYSTER RAKES AND FLATS THAT TEND TO BE VERY PRODUCTIVE. MY ADVICE FOR A NEWBY WOULD BE TO GET YOUR RIDE IN BEFOR DEAD LOW THEN SPEND A LITTLE TIME EXPLORING THE AREA TAKING NOTES AND PICS… JUST BE SURE TO DO THE EXPLORING ON LOW TO RISING TIDE SO AS TO NOT HAVE TO SIT OUT A TIDE CYCLE GROUNDED ON A OYSTER BED OR MUD FLAT…
George McDonald US Navy Seabees,Retired, MAD, Charleston Chapter [http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown
Hi I’m originally from Corpus Christi, tx. I’ve lived here in Spartanburg, SC from 18 years. I kayak fish and I want to fish Charleston probably once a month. I was used to catching redfish/specs/drum/sheephead. I was wondering if anyone could help me find a good spot to fish to where there is bridge fishing for sheepshead and reds and specs close to that bridge. Any help or tips would be awesome. Thanks in advance
I saw a guy in a yak tucked up against the pilings of the Ben Sawyer bridge last year as I was going by in my boat. He was outside the boat lane and in a place only he could squeeze into. There’s a ramp next to it, but that might be private. No clue if he was catching anything, others with more knowledge than me will need to comment on that.
Most bridges fish like this, sheepshead on the deeper structure and edge of major current, reds by the shallow structure out of the current and trout are usually just down stream sitting in a pocket on the edge of current. Flounder can usually be found down current of the piling or on a sand bar/ hump by the bridge. Most bridges have a sand bar by them. One bridge with all three fish isn’t impossible but not all bridges will hold fish. The trout like moving water and reds are usually better at low tide and I prefer to sheep head fish at low tide moving for sheep’s. So you could go at mid falling and fish trout, then sheep’s at closer to low as the tide slows and then reds at low and then sheep’s again while the tide starts to flow and then trout once it gets moving. You can get a mixed class of reds by bridges and there is a lot of structure by bridges so I’d go with a 20# leader or more to avoid breaking off.
I really appreciate the comments guys. Very helpful, if anyone else has some more input on my previous post, I’m all ears. Eager to learn this area and fish them. I love fishing more than most things in life. 
. I can say I went to Bowen’s island and fished and it was terrible. Didn’t catch anything.
Welcome to the site Kavlostela. I’m from Anderson and fish Charleston as often as possible. Hoping to get there in the next 2-3 weeks.
Bunch of good guys on this forum that you can learn from
BadBob
Polar 1910 BB 150 Johnson
“Convict Hunter”
If you ain’t the lead dog then the scenery never changes