January started out real cold but quickly changed to unseasonably warm weather as the month progressed. The Ocean temperature is presently in the middle 50’s. As I write this the first week in February, the daily temperature has been in the 60-70 degree range. But I guess the fish don’t know that! They are still in their winter slumber... As I said before, the piers, docks and waterfront are where to look for Croaker, Whiting, Bluefish, Red Drum, Black Drum, and Sheepshead. They are right close to the pilings. A dropping tide has produced some fish. Cut bait is the usual.
Red Drum have moved into the back waters of the creeks, trying to get into the warmer water. The reports I have say they are really bunched up and in some places there are schools of them in the same area. Live bait works well but is not as available now so we are using Gulp baits. Light line does it, make sure it’s fluorocarbon leaders.
I have reports of many Black Drum being taken lately in the ICW near the grass at the dead tide. They bite on just about any kind of frozen bait available in the bait shops. Cut bait and squid seems to get them excited. They seem to bite best on the slack tide.
Spotted Seatrout have been caught in the creeks and the ICW. The usual good spots are the Sunset Beach Bridge, and Tubbs Inlet. The best luck seems to be at the Little River swing bridge but they are all small. Look for moving water for the best fishing. Hang shrimp (dead or alive) on a short leader (about 12-15 inches) under a small float and make sure the shrimp is moving. Working Gulp lures on a leadhead off the bottom has been productive as well.
Whiting are also waiting for your hook tho they are small but make a good fish sandwich! Try fresh shrimp or Fish-Bites for bait and as little weight as possible.
Stripers are here. They like the cooler water and it has to be moving fast for you to be successful. Some anglers have caught them while fishing for Spotted Seatrout using live shrimp and others have caught them casting into pilings using Gulp bait such as Electric Chickens. They are mostly in the 4-5 lb. range but good eating.
Bluefish are here and there and are bait and tackle stealers! They will bite most anything!
I have more reports this month that the Spiny Dogfish Sharks have moved in. They stay for the winter and are a real nuisance stealing bait and tackle! Kids love to catch them tho. Again, don’t even try to eat them... they are terrible no matter how you prepare them compared to the other sharks we get in the summer.
"Saltwater" Catfish are biting good tho they are not on our LeaderBoard yet. They usually are very active anywhere from the Little River waterfront to Barefoot Landing In the ICW. Any kind of good (not spoiled) cut bait will get you action. Be sure to use a sturdy net. Beware if you fish the area below the Little River swing bridge, as you will need to have a SC Freshwater Fishing License!
Way offshore near and about Frying Pan Tower they are still catching some top water fish. The King Mackerel are out there and beyond and Wahoo still seems to be the catch of the day out there with several boats reporting a good day of Wahoo catches.
A reminder that as for this winter, the Black Seabass, shallow water Grouper (black, rock hind, tiger, yellowfin, yellowmouth, coney, and graysby Grouper), Vermillion Snapper (beeliners), and Red Snapper have all been shut off by the feds.
Surf fishing has picked up due largely to the really warm weather we have been getting. I have seen many anglers on the beaches recently but I suspect they are tourists and I have no reports other than a few Bluefish being caught. If anyone has a report on surf fishing, I would appreciate a shout about it.
Stop Wishin'...Go Fishin.'
If you have info on the local fishing, email THE ANCHOR at SeacoastAnglers@aol.com and let us know.
