South Carolina Fishing Seasons

January, February and March has excellent opportunities to sight cast to schools of redfish on the shallow water flats of the Port Royal Sound, the Broad River, the Beaufort River and the May River. Gin clear water allows for sight fishing at its best.

Water temperatures will be in the high 40’s to low 50’s but the reds will be active unless a severe cold front drops air temperatures into the teens or 20’s. If that occurs, redfish will become lethargic for a day or two until normal temperatures warm the flats. This doesn’t happen often in the Lowcountry as all twelve months will register days in the 70’s.

Light spinning tackle and fly rods are the order of the day with either being effective if the angler is reasonably skilled in casting the lure or fly efficiently.

April and May continues excellent sight fishing for redfish but also includes the beginning of the infamous Cobia migration into the Port Royal Sound and the Broad River. Cobia average about 40 pounds and can be caught both on the surface and down deep. Relatively calm conditions bring Cobia to cruise the surface and allow for sight fishing opportunities with fly rod and light tackle. On the days when the wind is up, live bait will usually get the job done while anchored on drops where cobia generally congregate.

June, July, August and September signal the arrival of Tarpon, Spanish mackerel, Bluefish, Jack Crevelle, and many different species of sharks. Our tarpon fishery is outstanding and not heavily fished. There is not much of an opportunity to cast flies to tarpon as they are concentrated in deeper water however, we do toss flies when conditions allow. "Running and Gunning" the beaches and near shore reefs for Spanish Mackerel, Bluefish and Jacks makes for lots of action with light tackle or flies.

October, November and December bring us back to prime time sight fishing for Redfish and Speckled Trout. Water temperatures begin to cool and Redfish gather again in large schools on the flats.

Daytime: (843) 908-2325
Evenings: (843) 538-8870
ospreycharters@comcast.net