As the temperatures start to drop, and the days get shorter the majority of saltwater anglers spend less time on the water. If you are one of these anglers here are a few helpful tips to prepare for old man winter.
The first thing is to clean your boat and gear. Make sure to get all of the salt off to prevent damage to your gear. Add fuel stabilizer to your fuel tanks to prevent fuel from going bad. Remove the plug from your boat,( this is in case of a freeze, even a small amount of water in your bilge can cause damage if it freezes. If possible cover your boat to keep it in the shape that you left it in. Then prepare you yourself for a few months away from your favorite past time. It helps to watch lots of fishing programs, read Charleston Fishing.com, and at best take a fishing trip to some tropical waters (the South Florida sailfish bite turns on).
Now for the die-hard anglers who brave old man winter; Come on, it is not that bad. In Charleston in rarely gets below 30, but on the water that can feel up to 25 degrees cooler so bundle up. The good thing is that the cooler temperatures reduce the crowds on the water. You will probably not see any water skiers, or 2 other boats at your favorite spot. In my opinion this is the best time to fish in Charleston. Inshore the redfish school up in large numbers and the sea trout bite gets better. The near shore reefs produce numbers of large sheepshead, and offshore the bottom fishing is at its peak.
You can join myself in North Carolina battling monster Bluefin Tuna, and chasing the False Albacore with my fly rod. Whatever your plans involve have a good holiday season, and remember to take a child fishing.
Tight lines,
Captain John Ward
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