Carolina inshore fishing report for late January

Inshore fishing report is full of redfish

Lots of anglers have been braving the cold, along with some wind and rain in recent days, and the fishing report is great for redfish. And that goes for the full length of both Carolina coastlines.

Cape Lookout Shoals

Capt. Noah Lynk of Noah’s Ark Charters has been putting his clients on redfish in the surf. It’s one of Lynk’s favorite ways to fish in the winter. When anglers go with him, they’re often surprised by how incredible the bite is. One of his recent trips was with a crew from Cape Point Marina. At one point, seven anglers were hooked up at the same time, with every fish landed.

“It was an epic winter day of fishing Cape Lookout. We struck gold!” said Lynk.

Lynk’s anglers throw a variety of artificial plugs and Halco Twistys in the roughest part of the surf, where waves crash together from different directions. You need to wear waders and you’re still going to get wet here, but it’s well worth it. It’s not the type of fishing you’ll likely experience anywhere else.

Avon

Frank & Fran’s in Avon said sharks are making up the majority of catches on some days. But some dedicated drum anglers are catching their share of their desired species. Redfish in a variety of sizes are biting in the surf, mostly on shrimp or cut mullet. They’ve got both at the shop, and their winters hours are Friday through Monday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

fishing report — Chotty Sprenkle landed this 24-inch redfish in Avon.

Myrtle Beach

Patrick Kelly with Capt. Smiley Fishing Charters has been focusing on the back creeks in the Myrtle Beach area. The redfish are wearing his clients out.

Kelly said the bite is best on either end of the moving tide. Slack tide has been much slower. A variety of baits and lures are working, including artificial shrimp, live shrimp, and fresh cut shrimp. He said the redfish are in huge schools.

“Look around deep holes in the creeks at low tide, and around dock pilings at higher tides,” he said.

Murrells Inlet

Capt. Justin Witten of Ambush Sport Fishing in Murrells Inlet has been catching a mixed bag lately. Some days it’s coming easy, and other days it’s been a grind. But with hearty anglers willing to bundle up and brave the cold, he said plenty of redfish are at the jetties and biting live shrimp and cut bait.

Charleston

Capt. Ben Powers of Reel Time Charters said the redfish are cooperating nicely for anglers throwing topwater walk-the-dog style lures. Despite lots of wind and rain, his guests have been having a field day casting Shimano Coltsnipers.

The redfish they’ve been catching are schooled up, and range from slot fish to over-the-slot. And they’ve been hitting the Coltsniper aggressively.

Fishing with Reel Time Charters, Brad Bangel was walking the dog with a Shimano Coltsniper when this big redfish exploded on it.

Hilton Head Island

Capt. Brian Vaughn of Off the Hook Fishing Charters and his anglers are having a blast with the redfish in the Hilton Head area. He said it’s all about watching the schools and hooking these fish on light tackle. And if fly fishing is your gig, he said right now is prime time.

This redfish hit a fly during a charter with Off the Hook Fishing Charters in Hilton Head, where redfish are schooled up and hitting a variety of lures and baits.

No slowing down

Redfish will continue to be a highlight of the fishing report along the Carolina coastlines for the next several weeks. Other fish like black drum, sheepshead, and speckled trout are also biting in many areas right now. But redfish remain the most consistent bite.

Don’t let the cold keep you off the water. Some of the best fishing of the year is happening right now, especially for redfish.