Little River - Grand Strand - Charleston - Beaufort - Tides - S.C. marine recreational fishing regulations (PDF file). Saltwater Fishing License site.

Fishing trends courtesy www.SCFishingReport.com. Check the site for recent updates and detailed reports.

***Note winter fishing conditions will make for sporadic reports***

Little River

* Cherry Grove Pier reports that cold weather has kept most fishermen off the pier, but occasional whiting have been caught by anglers braving the wind and cold.

Grand Strand

* Inshore: On warmer days anglers report that sight fishing for redfish can be strong. Fish are grouped up in large schools, and they will take live mud minnows or Gulp! artificials. Fish the lower stages of the tide and maneuver towards the skittish fish quietly. A few trout have also been reported caught.

Charleston

* Sheepshead: Very good. Haddrell's Point reports that sheepshead fishing around bridges and hard structure is in full swing. Fish fiddler crabs vertically on a Carolina rig.
* Trout: Good. Haddrell's Point reports that trout fishing remains strong and bigger 18-22 fish are still being caught. Fish have moved a bit deeper, and anglers should target shell rakes and the mouths of feeder creeks in 5-8 feet of water with live or DOA shrimp and jighead/ grub combinations.
* Spottail Bass: Good. Haddrell's Point reports that redfish are grouping up in large schools on the flats, and this is a good time to try sight fishing on lower tides. A variety of artificial lures will catch fish, and it's hard to go wrong with Gulp! baits.
* Folly Beach Pier reports that a few whiting have been caught, but almost no one has been fishing the pier. Offshore: Haddrell's Point reports that on occasional good days wahoo have been caught on the ledge as well as a few sailfish and white marlin. Bottom fishing for triggerfish and large black sea bass in 75-110 feet of water has been very good.

Beaufort

* Spottail Bass: Fair. Bay Street Outfitters in Beaufort reports that cold and windy weather has kept most anglers off the water, but fish are grouped up in very large schools of 300-400 fish. On warmer days there will be excellent sight fishing for redfish as visibility is very good; the trick is getting the fish to take the bait in cold water. Live mud minnows and Gulp! baits are about the best bets for hooking up. Expect better fishing after a brief warm spell than in the middle of a cold snap. Captain Dan "Fishin' Coach" Utley reports that down in Hilton Head sight-fishing for schooled up redfish was strong before it got very cold. Look for warmer days to cast quarter ounce jigheads and grubs at the fish. Later in the winter, when inshore temperatures have gotten very cold, the bite will slow down.