Mixed messages

Catch a mixed bag on South Carolina’s coast

Along South Carolina’s coast, water temperatures will hang around the low to  mid 50s during December, and that’s when redfish begin to gang up in schools. Speckled trout are also active, and both species will keep anglers busy this month.

Capt. RC Ferdon of Harvest Moon Fishing Charters (843-485-7424) loves fishing this time of year, and spends most of the month fishing from Little River to Georgetown.

“The redfish are getting settled in to their winter pattern, this month, and these schooling redfish always offer up some fun days of fishing in the Grand Strand area,” he said.

Ferdon likes to target shallow creeks, which offer safe habitat to redfish. But these waters are generally crystal clear in December, so he said anglers need to approach with caution.

“Take care not to disrupt the fish. They can be really easy to spook this time of year, especially in that clear water. The best approach is to fish your way in, and try to stay as quiet as possible,” he said.

With a good pair of polarized shades, the schools of redfish can be easy to spot. And when anglers locate them, Ferdon said D.O.A. soft plastics are great options.

“D.O.A. Lures are affordable and effective for redfish. Usually, these fish will cooperate when they see these lures. But when they are being sluggish, adding a little dab of shrimp on the lure’s hook will get them fired up,” he said.

Anglers will have the most success when they keep their distance from these schools, and by avoiding casting into the middle of the schools.

If anglers do cast into the middle of the schools, the fish will break up and become even more skittish. If this happens, it’s best to leave that area and look for another school, then return to find the original school after an hour or two. By then, the broken school is usually formed back into place.

Don’t forget the specks

Speckled trout are also well worth pursuing this month, said Ferdon.

When the water temperatures dip into the low 50s and lower, Ferdon said specks will seek out the warmest spots that have little current.

“These areas can be tough to locate, but it’s worth looking for them,” he said.

Trolling is one of the most effective ways to entice the specks into biting.

“You can catch trout this month on artificial lures, live bait, and trolling,” he said. “And sometimes, trolling is the best bet to help locate them during the winter.”

Once he locates them trolling, Ferdon prefers to anchor in place and cast to them with artificial lures.

“That’s the ideal situation. But some days, speckled trout only seem to bite when you’re trolling. When that’s the case, just keep trolling. Always listen to what the fish want,” he said.