January 2021 Fishing

[SouthernWake]

While it is hard to complain about a "harsh" SC winter we did see some colder weather over January. While the fishing remained good a more technical approach has been needed to stay productive.

 

Trout -  I always view trout as a high water fish. I have been targeting them along main river shorelines with a broken shell banks. Smaller baits with a more relaxed retrieve have been the ticket. Small lightly weighted presentations have been key, the light weight allows a slower fall which is where the bite has been coming. 

 

Redfish - The fish are still tightly schooled but colder weather, dolphin predation, and fishing pressure have taken their tole making them very weary.

When approaching these fish come in well up current and either drift or push pole down to them, once in casting range power pole or pin down. The school is likely to bounce back and forth along a shoreline within a few hundred yard stretch, wait your turn for them to come your direction. You will get more quality shots being patient than trying to run them down. 

Finesse baits such as those in ZMan's Ned rig series have been out fishing everything else, including live bait. My go to has been a green pumpkin TRD on a 1/10oz mushroom head. The aim has been to cast to the edge of the school or ahead of where they are going and very slowly drag the bait along the bottom just a few inches at a time. Patience is key.

 

Fly Fishing - Schooled fish in clear water lend themselves to great sight fishing targets. On low tide many oysters and other obstructions are left out of the water giving the option to downsize leader and rod weight to get a very light presentation. Size 1-6 flies in muted natural colors seem to work best with short strips letting the fly fall between. Our fish on fly are coming in very shallow water often casting right up to dry ground and puling the fly off.  You will notice a chocolate milk colored cloud off the bank, at the mouth of creeks, or along current lines in shallow water. I have found that the more actively feeding fish are being found in this dirty water.

 

[scseadog]

Hey Cleve

We are seeing the same, big fish 10# in 10-20 fish schools along the waterways.  Any issue with that small 1/10 hook straightening out with these 10# fish? 

[SouthernWake]

I have not had an issue yet, that being said not all Ned rig hooks are created equal. There are some with heavier gauge wire that I have been using.

They can bend on oysters but no issues yet on actual fish

[scseadog]

I picked up a pack of the zman pro shroomz, which brand are you using? 

[fishmanjj]

We also had some good luck with Z Man....Ned Rigs....coppertruse small TRD with 1/10 pro shroom heads. They work good when the tide flow is slack or slower moving....once the tide gets going I switch to 1/5 sizes.

[SouthernWake]

 

This in 1\10 is what I have been using.

Glad to see you having success with them as well fishmanjj. The two used today were green pumpkin and coppertruse.

 

You can use a dab of superglue to hold the bait to the jig head and the plastic will last as long as the hook with no adjustments.

[fishmanjj]

I’m using a little longer hook....see below....