Charleston fishing report for early August

fishing report
Sullivan McElveen of Mt. Pleasant caught this redfish while fishing with Capt. Dylan Rohlfs and RedFin Charters.

Lowcountry fishing report includes all species of inshore grand slam

The summer inshore fishing report may not be quite as hot as the weather in South Carolina’s lowcountry, but that doesn’t mean it’s time to sit at home. Capt. Dylan Rohlfs of RedFin Charters said it just takes a little more persistence to catch a day’s worth.

“On some days, the bites just come easy and often. But this time of year, it can be a little tougher. The best thing to do is give a spot abut 15 minutes. If you don’t catch a fish or at least get a solid bite during that time, move to another spot,” said Rohlfs from the cockpit of one of the company’s six BlackJack boats.

This time of year, Rohlfs said any species of the inshore grand slam — flounder, redfish, speckled trout, and black drum — can bite in the same locations on the same bait, which is usually live mullet or menhaden.

Using a Carolina rig with as little weight as necessary, Rohlfs casts to structure, places the rods in rod holders, then waits.

“Structure is the name of the game right now. Docks, sea walls, oyster-lined banks — they’re all good places to find any of these fish this time of year,” he said.

Have patience, but don’t waste time in unproductive spots

Rohlfs said an ideal day for him is when the outgoing tide coincides with the sunrise, which is the coolest part of the day.

“I prefer the outgoing tide because that’s when the fish are coming out of the smaller creeks to you, rather than going into those creeks and away from you,” he said. “In the hottest part of the year, that early morning bite can make it a great day, and that’s especially true when the tide is just right.”

But when the tides don’t line up that way, anglers can still catch plenty of fish.

“It becomes more like picking up a few fish at one spot, then moving on to another. Pick up two or three there and move again. That’s really the key this time of year. The fish are still here, they’re still hungry, and they are going to eat at some point,” he said.

For gear, Rohlfs uses Daiwa BG spinning reels and St. Croix Mojo Inshore rods. Fifteen to 20-pound braided line, a fluorocarbon leader, and a 3/0 hook make up the business end.

“On some days, you’ll catch all four species of the inshore grand slam. You can find all four of them in the same creeks, around the same docks, and eating the same baits,” he said.

RedFin Charters also offers offshore trips, fly-fishing trips, and lodging. To book a trip with RedFin, call 843-277-5255 or click here to visit their website.

About Brian Cope 2726 Articles
Brian Cope is the editor of Carolina Sportsman. He has won numerous awards for his writing, photography, and videography. He is a retired Air Force combat communications technician, and has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of South Carolina. You can reach him at brianc@sportsmannetwork.com.

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