South Carolina’s Wando River has long been known as a trout hot spot. Unlike most coastal rivers in either state, the Wando doesn’t really go anywhere. This prevents a lot of run-off from entering the river, particularly during tropical-storm season, so the river stays clearer than surrounding areas.
Guide Justin Carter of Charleston’s DIG Charters landed a 10 pound trout from the Wando earlier this year.
“It’s got deep, clear water, and it holds a lot of baitfish throughout most of the year. That’s what you need for growing big trout,” said Carter (843-725-8784). “Those trout relate to channel and creek edges, especially if there’s any shell or old wood that has washed out of the (Sumter) National Forest.
Carter also favors the Super Spook Jr. but said you need to match the water conditions with your presentation. The same philosophy goes for bait colors.: natural on a calm, clear day and brighter colors for more turbid conditions.
“A lot of guys will create a lot of racket on those calm, glass-slick day,s and that has a tendency to spook more trout than it catches,” he said. “On the days where there’s a lot of wind and the surface is choppy, that’s when you have to get their attention with a more aggressive retrieve.”
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