Inshore, nearshore, offshore fishing still red hot in both Carolinas

Anglers see no sign of hot bite slowing down

Summer is in full swing, and this time of year, the hot saltwater fishing bite often slows down a little bit. But that’s not happened so far this year in either of the Carolinas. The fishing is still red hot, and it really doesn’t matter what species you’re fishing for, or whether you’re fishing inshore, nearshore, or offshore.

Capt. Garrett Lacy of Charleston Fishing Adventures (843-478-8216) has been keeping his clients plenty busy with slot-sized and over-the-slot redfish in the inshore waters around Charleston, mainly using live bait around the mouths of feeder creeks.

Capt. Robert Olsen of Knot@Work Fishing Charters (843-442-7724) has been catching a big variety of species on the nearshore and offshore reefs with live bait and artificial lures, including some homemade swimming shad lures that have been too enticing for the amberjacks to pass up. His clients have also been catching their share of vermillion snapper, spadefish, tuna, and mah

In the Grand Strand area, Capt. Mike Eady of Yak Outdoor Guides has been keeping busy with sheepshead, redfish, flounder, and speckled trout. Eady (843-246-0045) guides inshore from kayaks, and also has an offshore boat that he uses to mothership multiple kayak anglers to nearshore and offshore reefs.

Redfish, cobia, and false albacore are just a few of the species Capt. Jot Owens has been catching with his clients in the Wrightsville Beach area. Owens (910-233-4139) doesn’t see any sign of the bite cooling off anytime soon.

Capt. Allen Jernigan of Breadman Ventures (910-467-1482) in the Topsail Island area has had no trouble keeping his customers busy. Recently, he’s been catching redfish and trout on topwater lures, a treat for this time of year. The redfish have mostly been slot-sized fish, and some of the trout have been in the 26-inch range. Jernigan has also been guiding at night with the gig, and they’ve been sticking plenty of flounder.

Spanish mackerel, bluefish, mahi, tuna, and wahoo have been some recent catches by anglers fishing with Capt. Froggy’s Guide Service (252-661-7222) in Albermarle Sound and offshore in the Gulf Stream.

In talking with guides and recreational anglers throughout the coasts of both states, it’s clear this year has been one of the best that many of them have experienced. While this time of year, a lot of anglers are looking forward to the fall bite, but the bite is red hot right now. Don’t let it pass you by without getting on the water.