The “inshore slam” consists of the three most-popular inshore fish in South Carolina: redfish, speckled trout, and flounder. While catching the inshore slam in one trip in considered a feat, some anglers pursue an even bigger feat: the inshore grand slam. While the definition is open to interpretation, most Lowcountry anglers consider the black drum the fish that turns a slam into a grand slam.
Luckily for anglers pursuing this goal, black drum inhabit many of the same areas as redfish, trout and flounder, and they like the same baits. Capt. Addison Rupert said many of his black drum catches happen when he is fishing for redfish around wooden structure like dock and bridge pilings.
Capt. Amy Little takes a different approach when chasing a grand slam. She adds sheepshead to the list instead of black drum because the technique for catching them is different than fishing for the other three species.
“This involves a vertical jigging technique that is different from fishing on the bottom or with a popping cork,” said Little. “The bite is much different, and sheepshead fishing is something that takes more patience and skill to catch.”
Little said when multiple anglers are on the same boat, one can fish for sheepshead while another fishes for redfish, trout or flounder. Rather than tossing out an anchor, tying up to a piling is ideal, because a piling doubles as a place to tie up as well as a hot spot for sheepshead.
“Barnacles grow on these pilings, and sheepshead come to the barnacles as a food source,” Little said.
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