Charleston SC Redfish Tactics

 

1. Charleston Redfish Habitat

• Key Areas: Redfish roam the Charleston Harbor, Ashley, Cooper, and Wando rivers, plus tidal creeks like Shem Creek, Folly Creek, and the Stono River. Look for mud flats, oyster beds, and spartina grass edges.


• Structure: They hug tight to marsh banks, docks, and oyster rakes, especially in skinny water (1-3 feet). In February, deeper holes (6-10 feet) near shallow flats hold them during colder snaps.


• Mud and Scent: Reds root in mud for crabs and shrimp—cloudy patches or a sulfur-like smell mean they’re near.

2. Timing

• Tides: Charleston’s 5-6 foot tides dictate movement. Low tide exposes flats where reds “tail” (nose down, tails up) while foraging—prime time to sight-cast. Incoming tide pushes them into flooded grass; outgoing concentrates them at creek mouths.


• Late Winter (Now): Water temps of 50-60°F slow them down, but they’ll still feed in sun-warmed shallows or deeper holes. Midday bites improve as flats heat up; early morning and late afternoon work too.


• Weather: Overcast days or light northeast winds (common in February) keep them active. Post-cold front, give it a day—they sulk briefly after sharp chills.

3. Gear and Tackle

• Rod/Reel: A 7-7.5 foot medium spinning rod with a 3000-4000 series reel. Use 15-20 lb braid with a 20-30 lb fluorocarbon leader—reds bulldog through oysters and grass.


• Lures:
  
  • Soft Plastics: Z-Man PaddlerZ or Gulp! Crabby in root beer or new penny on a 1/4 to 1/2 oz weedless jig head. Bounce or crawl them through mud.
  
  
  • Spoons: Gold Johnson weedless spoons (1/4-1/2 oz)—deadly for cruising reds. Slow, steady retrieve with occasional twitches.
  
  
  • Topwater: Skitter Walk or Zara Spook in mullet for warmer days (less effective in February but worth a try at dawn).
  
  
  • Live/Cut Bait: Live shrimp, mud minnows, or cut mullet on a 2/0-3/0 circle hook. Fish under a popping cork (2-3 ft leader) or free-lined near structure.
  
  


• Hooks: 2/0-4/0 circle hooks for bait; single hooks on spoons or jigs to snag less grass.

4. Charleston Redfish Tactics

• Sight Fishing: At low tide, pole or wade quietly along Folly or Stono flats. Look for tails, wakes, or “crawling” reds pushing water. Cast 5-10 feet ahead—don’t spook them.


• Flooded Grass: On high tide, drift or stake out near spartina edges (e.g., Ashley River marshes). Pop a cork with shrimp or twitch a spoon tight to the grass line.


• Deep Holes: In February, target creek bends or harbor drop-offs (e.g., Wando River). Drag a jig with a soft plastic or soak cut mullet on the bottom—slow and steady.


• Scent and Sound: Reds rely on smell—add scent (Pro-Cure crab gel) to lures. Popping corks mimic feeding noise; pop twice, pause 5-10 seconds.


• Stealth: Approach upwind—reds spook from boat noise or shadows. Long casts (30-40 feet) keep you out of their bubble.

5. Local Conditions

• Water Clarity: Murky post-rain water (common now) favors gold or dark lures and scent. Clearer days (near inlets) need natural colors and lighter leaders.


• Temperature: At 50-55°F, they’re lethargic—crawl baits slowly. Above 60°F, they’ll chase faster retrieves.


• Wind: Northeast breezes (5-15 knots) push bait into creeks—fish windward shores. Calm days expose tailers but make them wary.


• Regulations: SC allows 3 reds per day, 15-23 inch slot. Check SCDNR for updates—limits can tighten.

6. Hotspots Around Charleston

• Shem Creek: Tight quarters with oysters and docks—great for corks or spoons.


• Ashley River: Mud flats and creek mouths at low tide; deeper holes in winter.


• Folly Beach: Shallow flats for tailing reds—waders’ dream.


• Stono River: Grass edges and deep bends—consistent year-round.


• Harbor Jetties: Bigger “bull” reds (over slot) lurk here with heavier tackle (1 oz jigs, cut bait).

Pro Tip

In February, find reds basking in shallow, dark-bottom creeks off the Stono or Ashley mid-day—sun warms them up for a brief feed. A weedless gold spoon crawled through mud near tailers is gold. If you see a “V” wake or hear a crunch (them crushing crabs), cast quick—they’re locked in.