Charleston-area fishing guide Jamie Hough says he expects seatrout to bite this time of year, but even he has been surprised by the number of bites he and his clients have gotten of late. “We’re catching a lot of trout right now,” said Hough, who on a recent four-hour trip boated 105 fish. “To be honest, they haven’t bitten this good in five or six years.”
Hough, of Flatspot Charters (843-364-1759, www.flatspotcharters.com), says his fish-finding method has been simple.
“I’m just going up the rivers and finding creeks that dead end and have pockets,” he said.
A variety of artificial lures have been doing the trick, particularly when fished on weedless, 1/4-ounce jigheads. Trout favorites have included D.O.A. shrimp, Exude slugs and grubs in chartreuse or any color with a lot of glitter, according to Hough.
“They’ve been biting a lot on the fall (of the bait), but we try to let them sink, then go with a slow retrieve,” he said.
Hough also recommends 15-pound-test fluorocarbon leaders due to the extreme water clarity.
Trout have been susceptible to topwater plugs as well, and Hough and professional golfer D.J. Trahan recently landed 25 fish while casting plugs late one evening. Brown, copper and mullet-pattern Zara Spooks have proven most effective, along with a clear Mini-Spook.
“We’ve been catching a lot of big fish, too — some 6- and 7-pounders,” said Hough, although the average trout has been running in the 1½- to 3-pound range.
“The water temperature has dropped to around 58 or so, and it can get kind of cold out there on the water, but right now it’s worth it,” Hough said.
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