Offshore:
Entering mid-May, it should be no surprise that the offshore trolling bite has turned on in full force in the past week. Reports of solid catches of dolphin have been coming in from all over, and numerous billfish were also found in the past week out in the deep blue. Capt Bobby K aboard Daymaker released another white marlin along with good catches of dolphin this past weekend. A good friend of mine fished out of Edisto and also reported back with 19 dolphin, all found just offshore of the ledge in 200-400ft of water. Even already hearing of a couple Blue Marlin being released, and numerous blue marlin being seen and given the "long-distance" release. With most (no red snapper or black sea bass currently can be possessed) bottom fishing being open again, we had quite a few nice reports of vermillion's and some decent grouper coming in from around the Comanche and Y-73 area. Most of the vermillion's were being caught on squid and other cut baits, while the best grouper's I heard of were taken on knife jigs. In addition to everything else going on out on the big pond, good numbers of spadefish are being found on the Comanche.
Inshore:
Big props to the SCDNR for taking a stand and pushing hard for recreational anglers to catch and release as many trout as they can from now until September, in an effort to reduce the amount of time for our trout fishery to rebound from 2 consecutive cold winters that definately took their toll on our stocks. "Let em Spawn, Let em Live"! Though the trout bite is a little slow, the redfish bite is still wide open and the fish have really taken to their summer-time patterns of scattering out under docks, along rock piles, tailing in the grass when tides allow, etc. Live menhaden, live shrimp, Gulp! baits, and even topwater plugs have all been producing on the reds. Flounder has been very consistent as well lately, with our good friend Kelly Burris reporting back from consecutive trips of flounder catches of 10-20 fish (most released). Mud minnows and live menhaden will be tough baits to beat right now for an old door mat! Spanish Mackeral and bluefish are showing up in good numbers, and can be caught on #00 clarkspoons around the tips of the jetties and by cruising the front beaches looking for birds.
Report By: Scott Hammond
Haddrell's Point Tackle & Supply
47 S. Windemere Charleston, SC 29407 (843) 573-3474
http://www.haddrellspoint.com