After having some luck with some reds earlier in the day, my wife and I got motivated and tried gigging for some flounder Sunday night. The water was so full of sediment and murky that we could barely see 12 inches down and ultimately had no luck - we were off the Wando not far from Remleys Point. My only guess as to the reason for the poor water quality was all the rain we’ve had recently, but wanted to see if it could be something else. Anyone experienced on the local water have an idea of how long it will take the water to clear up again?
To be honest, I have yet to figure out what “clear” water is for this area. It’s all brown to me. The only place I have seen blue water is in the ICW.
I was out there as well. I think the wind had it stirred up as well, but I am not expert despite the username. Hopefully the wind will lay down soon.
Under the lights at night, the water will be a redish brown color when there is a lot of rain—especially in the Wando. There are other factors as well. For example, the wind has a significant impact on water clarity. The waves beat the bank, and the water gets muddy. In recent years, the Wando has had a significant up tick in the amount of boaters on the water in that river. The more boats running up and down the river means more waves beating the banks all day long. The Wando’s water clarity does not seem to rebound as quickly as the ICW and areas closer to the ocean. That is probably because there is alot more mud and steeper banks in the Wando. Most banks in the ICW are more gradual sloping on a whole than in the Wando.
It is tough to go flounder gigging in the Wando on an early tide with all the things I described. The best times are the last night zero dark thirty tides. On calm nights, most things have settled down after midnight, and the water clarity is much better.
2012 Skeeter ZX22 Bay
Yamaha 250 hp SHO
Minnkota Riptide 101
I don’t have any secrets to help you out, but I can say that just going and keeping a log of what you see will help you have much more productive nights. Keep in mind what direction the wind is blowing, the type of bank you are up against, and how the current comes across that bank. I have found I can count on decent viz in certain spots with certain wind directions.
I know that is vague, but I really don’t know how to help any better. I found this to be true… if you are in a bad viz area, sometimes cleaner water can be very nearby around a corner on another bank.
Best of luck!
I appreciate the comments - thanks!