Structure

Saltwater Inshore Discussion
1

I am on my way to Charleston this weekend. I am a bass fisherman that wants to do some salt. I have some tackle I have purchased and watched this forum for a while. Do I look for drops and humps like bass fishing or is it all based on tides? I will stay in ICW or bays. Is it about finding bait and is smell more important than color of baits? Do you throw topwater only in schools and early morning?

Thanks

2

These pubs on the SCDNR website will give you alot of information to start with

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/publications.html

Rich

3

Most of the photos I see show you guys fishing with spinning rods. Any reason they are more prevalent than baitcasters? I purchased a Penn spinning reel for salt water and have a rod for cork and leader for DOA etc. I plan on taking a rod and reel I use for striper fishing for my cut bait rig. Like what I saw with Trout Tricks plan on fishing that on spinning rod. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

4

Have fun. Don’t overthink it. Any rod and reel that gets your bait/jig/fluke/Gulp!/shrimp/crab/cut mullet in the water will work. Moving water is best. Shallow oysters with deep water nearby produce great. Grasslines on high tide are great. Just read a few of the reports and go for it. They will tell you what’s biting this time of year. I often go back several years with the search tool, checking reports for the time of year I’m fishing. Follow what those reports say, and you will likely catch something. Then you will be HOOKED on salt!

Tidewater 196DC
Yamaha F115

Pungo 120
5

Thanks I guess I will just go fishing. If I can catch smallies and largies I can figure this out.

6

Just like bass fishing, not a lot of difference. I use the same baitcasting gear I use for bass, just rinse well when you’re done.

If you’re used to fishing freshwater rivers for bass, think the same way in salt. Look at the current, eddies, and something that’ll break the current. Logs, pilings, points, grasslines, etc. Look for creek mouths, small drains, anywhere running water will “funnel” bait.

As for artificials, again, use bass gear. Rattletraps, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, shallow crankbaits, plastic worms, craw worms etc. If it’s cloudy you can throw topwater any time of the day, it’ll get better as the water cools. The trout trick everyone is talking about appears to me to be the old Gambler Stud, you can fish a worm the same way on a jighead, or you can texas rig it.

7

Thanks pitcher that is what I wanted to know

8

I always have luck in heavy cover(bloW downs and under docks) on the incomeing! Try to position your self in a creek at the entrance to the larger river at low tide fish that area till the tide is ripping then follow the creeK to the end stopping and fishing all docks and trees and outside bends. Sholhd fill the boat!When cut bait fishing be sure to use a rod holder or you will loose a lot of rods. I have always used my fresh water casting outfits in the creeks.no need to upsize you can land 36" fish on 15 # test with the right drag setting.
Good luck hope you enjoy your time on the salt!!!

9

Use a carolina rig with live mudminnow or shrimp on the bottom with a 1 oz egg sinker on your Penn spinning reel.

I’m so salt life I get land sick.

10

Thanks have two rods c-rigged and ready.
Do you guys use the popping cork with leader more often in shallow water? I was looking at the trout trick and it looks like a bait I use from Yamamoto the shad shape worm Going to tie one on a spinning rod and give it a try as well. Going to keep spinner bait handy and one more rod for whatever. Looks like a heck of a weekend for this weekend down there, can’t wait.

11

You guys don’t talk about the Alabama rig there much do you throw it and is it legal there?

thanks

12
quote:
Originally posted by red-neck-i-nize

You guys don’t talk about the Alabama rig there much do you throw it and is it legal there?

thanks

i have been meaning to get one to try on the trout, I believe there are many times i could catch 2 or 3 on a cast.
13

[quote]Originally posted by red-neck-i-nize

You guys don’t talk about the Alabama rig there much do you throw it and is it legal there?

Nope, nope, that thing doesn’t work, especially the smaller downsized one. Nope. It’s horrible. Don’t waste your money as it does not work. :wink:

“The problem that infuriates you the most is the one you are meant to solve.”

14

just what i wanted to know have one ready to go