If you were fishing this weekend?

To the South Beaufort / Hilton Head
1

New to the Beaufort area.

If you were fishing this weekend for trout and/or reds what tactics would you use. What tides, What lures? flats , deeper water?

Any tips for exploring new water?

Any help appreciated

Rich

2

Burnt Tressel. This is an old RR Tressel at the top of Broad River just below the mouth of Pocotaligo River. Live shrimp or mud minnow on the bottom near the old pilings should produce a variety, but mostly trout. A crowd usually gathers there from about Thanksgiving on. Bottom fish deep holes in creeks and just off treefalls with the same baits. Go by Beaufort Boat and Dock Supply and buy a Top Spot #N233 map. Lots of good info on there including an index which shows which areas and which species are “hot” by month. If I were new to the area, I would charter a local inshore captain to get a big head start on the exploring. BTW, explore on low and low incoming tide. You can see the oyster bars, which are good fishing drops, and the mud/sand bars which are to be avoided. If you get stuck on a bar, the incoming tide will soon float you. Beware exploring new territory on the outgoing tide. You may have a long wait for the tide to come back in if you get stuck. Trolling jigs/grubs on high incoming tide in areas with a lot of feeder creeks/white shell bars is a good way to learn new areas. Stop and cast when you catch a fish. Reel slow and let the lure bump along the bottom this time of year. A good GPS and the TopSpot #N233 map will help you find productive areas. Good luck!

spec

1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker

3

Great advice from spec for you ls6pilot. I second the Hot Spots map and getting a guide to help shorten the learning curve.

Good Luck!

4

Thanks guys. Already have the hotspots map and have a guide trip lined up.

Appreciate the tips.

Rich Chesser
Panga Marine 18

5

I really think going with guides a few times is WELL worth the price. I caught very little on my own last year, but kept at it and used a guide every couple of months. I learned techniques and spots, and about the tides- which is the toughest thing when you are new here.

6

The other thing I did, which was a COLOSSAL waste of time, was reading books about fishing for reds. I read 5 of them. Useless. They all focus on fishing Florida and the rest of the Gulf coast. They have about 1-3 foot tides. Here, I have learned that it is not really about learning the spots- it is about learning WHEN to be at each spot. Be patient- it will pay off with time. We are having a blast this year!

7

Had a good trip with coach. Caught some reds and a few trout.
Might try the trestle and some flats on the broad next weekend.

This book is kind of fun.
http://www.amazon.com/Reds-Carolinas-redfish-destinations-year-round/dp/097098135X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1418162323&sr=8-2&keywords=9+reds+south+carolina

Tight lines

Rich Chesser
Panga Marine 18

8

I’m envious. I’m bogged down in work, family, X-mas parties, etc. here in Hampton. All good stuff, but I NEED a River Therapy session bad!

spec

1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker