Saltwater Fishing Trends

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The Columbia full-service Licensing and Boat Titling office is now located at:

SCDNR at the State Farmer's Market
326 Little Brooke Lane
West Columbia, SC 29172

The State Farmers Market has convenient parking and easy access to both I-77 and I-26.

These services are no longer offered at 1000 Assembly Street in Downtown Columbia.

North Grand Strand

Inshore: Captain Patrick "Smiley" Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that March is typically a strong month on the north end of the Grand Strand, and it is not until April that the fishing usually experiences a spring slowdown. Redfish should still be schooled up on the flats where they can be caught at low tide on shrimp, and at higher stages of the tide they will be found around structure. Black drum will also eat shrimp fished around the same structure. Trout fishing should turn on at the jetties, and fish will be caught on both live shrimp and artificial baits like Vudu Shrimp.

Nearshore/offshore: Captain Patrick "Smiley" Kelly (843-361-7445) reports that in March sheepshead will still be stacked up at the nearshore reefs, and black sea bass should still be relatively close to the coast.

Most detailed North Grand Strand Updates

South Grand Strand

Inshore: Captain Tom Cushman (843-997-5850) reports that on the south end of the Grand Strand fishing usually picks up in March, and migratory species also start to return. In the creeks redfish and trout should become more active and eat shrimp, and black drum and flounder will appear at the jetties this month. The flounder will quickly move inshore seeking warmer water, where they can be caught on live mud minnows. Note, however, that fishing was really good in February and so March could be surprising – in any direction – too.

Most detailed Southern Grand Strand Updates

Charleston

Inshore: Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) report that March can be a tough month in Charleston for redfish, and the fish are often skittish and difficult to convince to eat. Trout might be easier to catch in the creeks this month, and live bait will increase your chances of hooking up. Captain Rob points out that perhaps the best bet this month is to head inland and fish the shad run with small twister-tail grubs as fish make their way into the Rediversion Canal, Santee River and Cooper River Tailrace. It got off to a strong start in late February.

Nearshore: Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) reports that sheepshead will be all over the nearshore reefs right through the month of March, and on days when you can get offshore catches can be excellent. A variety of baits including fiddler crabs, sand fleas and mussels will work.

Most detailed Charleston updates

Edisto Island

Inshore: Captain Ron Davis Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that in March redfish on the flats will stay skittish and feed on very small bait, making them hard to catch, while creek redfish will continue to eat fairly normally on live and cut bait. For the first part of the month trout will remain in the creeks and they will still eat soft plastics, but as the month progresses, they will start to transition towards the main rivers. Sheepshead should start to return this month and so it could be a good March for sheepshead – as it was last year. Flounder will remain offshore most of this month.

Nearshore and offshore: Captain Ron Davis Jr. reports that bull red drum, sheepshead and black drum will be found at the nearshore reefs early in the month, and as it gets warmer bluefish and weakfish will show up in ever greater numbers. Bottom fishing will remain strong offshore, and wahoo and perhaps tuna should be caught trolling on the ledge.

Most detailed Edisto Island Updates

Beaufort

Inshore: Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports that March fishing will depend on weather conditions, and at some point redfish will start to break out of their tight winter schools. Early in the month sight-fishing should be productive, and both live bait and artificials can catch fish. Later in the month fish should start to spread out more and forage for fiddler crabs. Trout should start to get more active in March, particularly in moving water. They will eat soft plastics fished on quarter-ounce jigheads.

Most detailed Beaufort Updates

Hilton Head

Inshore: Captain Kai Williams (843-816-7475) report that inshore fishing in March is all about the weather. If it is a cold March, then trout fishing won’t be as good but there should continue to be a good redfish bite inshore. However, as temperatures start to warm the schools break up and redfish become much harder to catch, and so as it warms instead of targeting fickle redfish the better bet is to fish for trout. The trout will show up following bait and be willing to feed along grass edges, and fish that never left will come out of the deep holes. Live mud minnows or shrimp are hard to beat, but artificials will also work.

Nearshore: Captain Kai Williams reports that black sea bass should start to move further offshore again this month, but at the nearshore reefs sheepshead and black drum should continue to spawn through the end of the month. They will eat fiddler crabs and clams.

Most detailed Hilton Head Updates