Looks like we are in for a drastic water temperature drop inshore Monday-Wednesday. The last time we had such a severe cold front was in December 2009, and it dropped water temperatures inshore about 10 degrees in 2 days. Multiple species of fry (including redfish) were killed in St. Helena Sound that week, and it killed numerous adult trout. This is a shame seeing how the trout fishing and redfish numbers have been rebounding nicely in my area after the terrible winters of 2009-2011.
I was looking at this thinking the same thing today. I hope we it does not have the effect that it did then. I would be curious to know what the water temperature was heading into the cold front in 09. Seems like we had more cold weather that year heading into that strong front.
The water temperature at the time I am recalling was 51 the afternoon before the front blew through. This was mid-December. I could have 09 and 10 reversed, but in that year, cold came abruptly and dropped the water down to 41 degrees in 2 mornings. I was on the water both mornings. Lots of stunned and dying juvenile fish were everywhere and the birds (gulls, pelicans, and cormorants) were taking advantage. Right now, the water temps. in the Edisto rivers are very close to 50, and low tide is early in the morning which will make things worse.
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Originally posted by ApickettI was looking at this thinking the same thing today. I hope we it does not have the effect that it did then. I would be curious to know what the water temperature was heading into the cold front in 09. Seems like we had more cold weather that year heading into that strong front.
Ugh. I would think low tide would be better? Less water on the flats to get super cooled really fast? Do you think the relatively warm weather book ending this snap will help. Well we of course have no control over it so no need to worry… Sucks though
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
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Personal Trout Slot Limit: 16"-20" Creel: 2
I’m like Dave, hoping that the warm spell that is supposed to follow this short cold snap will keep everything in check and not drop water temps to drastically. When I was out a few days ago, I saw temps ranging from 52 - 55. Is 50 the magic number?
“Apathy is the Glove in Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
45 is when things start to get critical. Just like your home aquarium, though, it’s the sudden drop that’s more traumatic to the fish. An 18 degree night will put the water temps in the lower 40’s Tuesday morning in the rivers. It takes a few days for the relatively warmer ocean water to mix with the colder creek and river water to moderate the temps. During low tide, you tend to get frozen marsh and mud with air temps in the low 20s and lower. When the tide comes in, flats reds and trout will move VERY shallow in order to sun themselves, but it will take longer for that shallow water to warm being previously frozen.
Got it. You have more experience witnessing this than anyone. Hopefully it’s not as bad as predicted.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
Personal Trout Slot Limit: 16"-20" Creel: 2
I was out behind Sullivan’s on Saturday and the water temp held steady at 49 degrees all day. This doesn’t look good for the spec’s.
A big factor is rapidly dropping temps is the wind. Think about how you cool a hot cup of coffee or spoonful of soup. It is supposed to be windy with this front passing through. Hopefully the cold doesn’t stall and stay here for more than a couple days.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
Yeah, hopefully a short cold snap. Weather guessers say air temp back to 60 degrees this weekend.
This system is being referred to as an arctic vortex or winter hurricane. It is going to come and go very quickly and we can only hope this will actually be the case. Go deep, fish, go deep!
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Originally posted by hairballA big factor is rapidly dropping temps is the wind. Think about how you cool a hot cup of coffee or spoonful of soup. It is supposed to be windy with this front passing through. Hopefully the cold doesn’t stall and stay here for more than a couple days.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
I should have read this “thread” before posting a question about the cold front impact on trout. Lots of good information here. Thanks to all. Let’s hope for a quick thaw!
I’ll have an excuse ready next season when I don’t catch any shrimp AGAIN!!! It was the Polar Vortex that did it. Argh.
Hopefully the trout had already begun to seek warmer water. Anyone know what it is now…? Its soo strange…in the gulf they instinctively head for deeper, warmer water when winter encroaches. Do they not do that at all here…?
For some reason, some of the trout population stays on the main river flats and those are the ones that get hit the hardest. The ones that find refuge in deep water fare much better.
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Originally posted by RedstripeHopefully the trout had already begun to seek warmer water. Anyone know what it is now…? Its soo strange…in the gulf they instinctively head for deeper, warmer water when winter encroaches. Do they not do that at all here…?
49.1 F in Charleston as of this morning
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
Personal Trout Slot Limit: 16"-20" Creel: 2
43 in Bailey Creek. 45 at Dawhoo Bridge. Dead low tide. Frozen mud everywhere.
So only the stupid ones get killed. Survival of the fittest! 
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Originally posted by RADDADDYFor some reason, some of the trout population stays on the main river flats and those are the ones that get hit the hardest. The ones that find refuge in deep water fare much better.
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Originally posted by RedstripeHopefully the trout had already begun to seek warmer water. Anyone know what it is now…? Its soo strange…in the gulf they instinctively head for deeper, warmer water when winter encroaches. Do they not do that at all here…?
If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.
RD, I hope you checking these temps by car and not boat! I live on Yonges Island and use the Dawhoo ramp exclusively for boating.Frozed mud sounds very ominous for the fish.
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Originally posted by RADDADDY43 in Bailey Creek. 45 at Dawhoo Bridge. Dead low tide. Frozen mud everywhere.
Measured off the docks at the ramps held 1 foot deep. (same as your boat would read)
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Originally posted by redfish4sureRD, I hope you checking these temps by car and not boat! I live on Yonges Island and use the Dawhoo ramp exclusively for boating.Frozed mud sounds very ominous for the fish.
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Originally posted by RADDADDY43 in Bailey Creek. 45 at Dawhoo Bridge. Dead low tide. Frozen mud everywhere.