Transfer to transition zones

Saltwater anglers typically seek super salty waters of sounds and estuaries for the best chances at inshore catches. But as abundant as these areas are, some prime angling opportunities lies farther inland where freshwater mixes with the saline tidal flow and creates transition zones.

As droughts often invade the Southeast, high salinity waters intrude into freshwater ecosystems, choking out tree species intolerant of the high salt contents. Droughts also create sport ish hangouts from the downed timber and more opportunities for South Carolina anglers.

Marine predators such as redfish, striped bass and flounders are well adapted to these transitional zone,s as well as, largemouth bass at the freshwater portions of these areas.

Redfish and flounder are the most prolific of the transitional zone species with redfish as being the most commonly caught. Juvenile redfish (reaching as much as 30 inches in length) are right at home and very successful ambushing bait at dead timber and brush structures.

So fishing the brackish waters at the coast provides an excellent chance for a mixed bag for S.C. anglers.

Even though the flow mostly seems to be a one-way affair because rivers flow toward the ocean, saltwater influences may be seen many miles upstream (tidal influences and sometimes hurricanes may increase inland saltwater intrusions).

Salinity at the transitional zones is dynamic, rising and falling, depending upon rainfall and tides. These transitional zones are unique and nutrient rich, producing a wide assortment of vegetation, structure, and forage. It’s not uncommon to have transitional zones where fresh and saltwater fish species intermingle.

But freshwater species are less tolerant of salinity than saltwater species are to fresh water. Saltwater species will travel upstream into brackish and even into full freshwater environments where they can thrive (land-locked stripers are one example).

Transitional-zone habitat is diverse and usually features heavy wooded structure and thick vegetation. However, during periods of low rainfall, salinity may move into the freshwater, choking out cypresses and other freshwater tree species. The dead timber either completely of partially falls into the water, creating an ambush point for predators.

Transitional zones provide a refuge for forage to conceal themselves and to feed. However, the diverse habitat creates a buffet for predators. Whether these predators are lurking through woody structure or lying motionless along the bottom, they utilize structure to ambush unsuspecting prey.

Anglers then are well advised to seek out concentrations of baitfish because redfish and other predators usually will be near.

Best places may be areas where currents or falling tides corral baitfish. Typically, redfish will be chasing bait in the shallows or at mud bars.

Experienced anglers know to watch for “pushes” of water along the shoreline as reds will travel into shallow water at times and create wakes. However, because redfish may be in shallow water increases problems for anglers who must get close enough to present a lure to these fish. Extreme stealth is required to sneak near close enough to drop a Clouser minnow, crab or shrimp soft-plastic imitation in front of a tailing redfish without spooking him.

Redfish feed similarly to largemouth bass and will engulf many kinds of lures, including soft plastics, hard baits and spinners.

However, redfish don’t usually feed at the surface (their mouths are low-slung) but they will strike a lure just below the surface.

At transition zones, anglers should be aware some of the best places contain downed timber, so baits must be fished near the bottom and through woody structure. That habitat presents additional problems: baits may be easily snagged, even when rigged weed-less, and it takes extreme skill to get a red from “wrapping” line around a limb.

Texas or Carolina-rigged soft plastics can be good bait choices for redfish and flounder. Most redfish anglers at transition zones use artificial lures with built-in floatation and dangling appendages. The added action of those little shrimp-like arms apparently keeps redfish focused because the lures appear real.

That’s why shrimp and crab imitation lures work well when fished on or just above the bottom. To spot-tails, they apparently have the look, smell and feel of the real thing.

Depending on rainfall, the freshwater content at the transitional areas will drive fishing adventures inland or towards the ocean; the tides also come into play.

So find locations more favorable to one tide sequence than another. Prior scouting of target areas at low tides is always good for finding hot spots.

At least once try leaving inlets and sounds for transition zones, and you may experience some surprisingly good mixed-bag action.