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Fishing with The Charleston Angler Crew

Paul & Dave from The Charleston Angler

 Wind and rain dominated the fishing scene this week. However, when I did manage to get out, the Trout and Redfish were biting. Earlier in the week, while at The Charleston Angler, my brother Dave, Paul Speranza and I were wondering how the bite was in the upper Wando. None of us had ventured up that way since the snow storm. Rather than continue to wonder, we decided to go find out. On Saturday, we launched into the last of the falling tide. A thick fog made navigating up river an interesting endeavor. Thankfully, my new skiff is equipped with a Garmin 54CV GPS/depth finder. The Garmin allowed us to make the trip in near zero visibility.

Upon arrival up river, we began casting Z-Man TRD Ned Rigs and TubeZ lures around docks and drop offs. The water temperature was 54 degrees (which is close to normal for this time of year) but the fishing was slow. We tried shallow and deep-water locations but we could not locate a large concentration of feeding fish. A few Trout is all we could manage in the first hour or two of fishing. Rather than continue scouting, we decided to head back down river and catch some fish. The fog had lifted by then so the run back down river was a quick one.

We stopped at a submerged oyster bar outside of Horlebeck Creek. On the first cast to the bar, I hooked an over-slot Redfish. Paul and Dave followed suit. At last, we had located a school of hungry fish. After releasing several Reds, we switched our attention to Trout in deeper water. It took a bit of looking, but we found a few schools holding along depth transitions in 10 to 15 feet of water. They were hungry too!

On the ride back to the boat landing, we laughed about wearing T-shirts and flip flops to fish in February. A far cry from fishing in the snow a few weeks ago. Hopefully, the warming trend holds and fishing continues to improve. Especially in the upper Wando.

Time for the Slim SwimZ

With the water temperature nearing 60 degrees, Trout and Redfish are feeding more aggressively.  So yesterday, I switched from my favorite cold water lure (Z-Man TRD Ned Rig) and began fishing a Z-Man Slim SwimZ on a 1/6 ounce NedlockZ jig.  Trout and Redfish have been crushing it.  While I am still learning to use the Slim SwimZ, a couple of things have become apparent.

A Slim SwimZ on a 1/6 ounce  NedLockZ jig is a light weight lure that requires a light tackle system to fish effectively.  I am using a 6’8″ Shimano Zodias light rod matched with a 1000 frame Ci4 reel that is spooled with 10 pound PowerPro.  A 12 pound fluorocarbon leader about 2 feet long completes the tackle system.  This outfit casts the 1/6 ounce NedlockZ jig really well and the light Zodias rod telegraphs even the most subtle strike.

Retrieving the Slim SwimZ is something I am still working on.  However, a slow retrieve with a pause (letting the lure hit the bottom) and short snap of the rod has been producing a lot of strikes.  Still experimenting but this is the retrieve cadence that I always begin with.

Slim SwimZ colors that I have been using are Opening Night and Bad Shad.

Time will tell but I think the Slim SwimZ is going to be a great year-round lure.  I will keep you posted on how it does.  So far, Trout and Redfish like it.  I do too!

 

New Shimano Bait Casting Outfit

Shimano 6’10” Medium Light Zodias with Curado 70XG

Spent the afternoon introducing Trout to my new Shimano bait casting outfit.   I like to fish a lot of finesse techniques.  Today, I was casting a Ned Rig (Z-Man NedLockZ Jig and TRD).  It was breezy.  The ability to adjust the 70XG  brakes and cast control (without opening up the reel) made casting the light Ned Rig effortless.  Trout were actively feeding  but the strike was still pretty light.  However, it was no trouble feeling the bite via the Zodias rod.  Happy to find Trout back in their normal winter haunts.  The snow storm put a hurting on them.  Thankfully, it seems a decent number of Trout (in mixed sizes) survived.

A sharp  snap and long pause retrieve triggered the most strikes.  With the bulk of the fish being in 2 to 4 feet of water.   On Friday, I plan to re-introduce my Asquith fly rod to a few Redfish.  Hope the wind lays down.  If not, my new bait casting outfit will get the nod.

 

Charleston Boat Show

The Charleston Boat Show was this weekend.  Thanks to Erin and Mel from Ankona / Salt Marsh Skiffs for letting me hang around the booth  and talk about fishing!  Also, thanks to everyone that dropped by to see me.

While at the show, I had the opportunity to speak with several guides and anglers.  The frigid water temperatures brought on by the recent snow storm, definitely moved our fish around.  Thankfully, temperatures have returned to a more typical range for this time of year.  Redfish are back in their normal late winter haunts.  However, Trout have yet to do so.   Hopefully, they will show up (in good numbers) soon.

Given the situation, I plan to target Redfish on the fly for the next week or so.  This will give the Trout more time to get back into their normal winter pattern and me more time to cast my 8-weight Shimano Asquith.

 

 

 

Neko Rig

Redfish on a Neko Rig

For several weeks, I have been experimenting with the Neko Rig.  Most of the lures that I experiment with often end up in a discard pile in my garage.  However, the Neko Rig has found a permanent place in my tackle box.  When large schools of Redfish become spooky, the Neko Rig is now my go to lure.  It casts well (on light tackle) and Redfish tolerate the lure landing in close proximity to the school.  It is also a very easy lure to work.  Just cast it and let is slowly sink to the bottom.  Once on the bottom, I just let it sit.  The current does all the work for you.  Typically, it will not sit for very long.  Redfish can not resist the Neko Rig.

The Neko Rig really shines when fishing over oyster bars or along the edges of the salt marsh.  It rarely gets hung up.  Even in the most gnarly situations.

My favorite lures for the Neko Rig are the Z-Man Hula StickZ or Big TRD.  For weight, a 1/16th or 1/8th ounce nail-type weight provide a slow and undulating rate of descent that triggers Redfish to strike.  This version of the Neko Rig is pretty light.  So it is important to match your tackle to the lure.  I prefer a Shimano Zodias 6’8″ Light rod with a 1000 frame Ci4 reel.

If you want to learn more about the Neko Rig, stop by the Z-Man booth at the Shallow Water Expo (on Saturday, January 20).   I will be hanging out at the lure tank.  Happy to share information and answers any questions.

 

 

 

January Event Schedule

On January 20, I will be at the Shallow Water Expo in the Z-Man and Shimano booths.  Please stop by and say hello.  I will be sharing techniques and tackle systems that will help you catch more fish.

The Charleston Boat Show is the following weekend.  On the 27th, I will be in the Ankona / Salt Marsh Skiffs booth.  While in the booth, I plan to share finesse techniques for cold water success.  Also, I am happy to answer your fishing or skiff questions too!

Hope to see you at the shows.

Cold Water, Hot Bite

Triple Redfish Hook Up

The snow and ice have finally melted.  However, the water temperature in our rivers and creeks is hovering near record lows.  Unfortunately, we are beginning to see evidence of Trout and Redfish that succumbed to  the frigid water.

Thankfully, is seems the bulk of the Redfish population has survived.  Even with the water temperature below 40 degrees, the Reds are actively eating.  On a day when it took over an hour to remove the ice my skiff (in order to go fishing), the Redfish bite was hot.  Z-Man TRD lures on 1/5 ounce NedlockZ jigs and Shimano Colt Sniper (sinking) lures  produced several triple hook up.

Until the water temperature rises above 45 degrees, Redfish will be my target species.  They seem to be able to tolerate the cold much better than Trout.  Hoping to get back to Trout fishing this weekend.

Trout in a Snow Storm

Today, the Lowcountry experienced a record breaking snow storm.   Watching the snow accumulate, I wondered if the Trout were still biting.  So, I called Elliott and we set out to see.  It was bitterly cold and we quickly lost the feeling in our hands.   However, we were able to catch a few of these guys.

Elliott and I figured the bite would be super light.  So, I tied a Z-Man TRD on a Shimano 6’8″ Zodias Light  rod that is paired with a 1000 frame Stradic Ci4 reel.  Even with this light and sensitive tackle system, we could barely feel the bites.

The fish were very cold and for the most part inactive.  Hopefully, the weather warms up soon and not to many fish succumb to the frigid water temperatures.

 

Asquith Redfish

As a Christmas present to myself, I picked up a Shimano Asquith 8 weight fly rod.  The Asquith has significantly enhanced my casting distance and accuracy.   It is by far, the best fly rod I have ever owned.

After a few days of catching Trout during higher stages of the tide, I put the Asquith to work on Redfish in shallow water.   Being by myself, I poled the skiff looking for schools of Reds.  Once located, I used the Power Pole Micro to hold the skiff within casting distance (50 to 70 feet) of the fish.   The Asquith made covering that distance a breeze.   It was easy to cast then pick up and shoot the line again.  Quick follow up presentations to passing fish paid big dividends.  All of the Reds I caught were on follow up casts.

The Asquith is the best gift I ever gave to myself!

First Fish of 2018

First Fish of 2018

Fishing on New Years Day is a family tradition.  Some years it is warm and other years it is freezing cold.  This year, it was definitely the latter.  With the temperature well  below freezing and the wind chill in single digits,  Elliott and I considered not fishing.  After a short debate, we felt is was important to uphold tradition and off we went.

The water temperature was 47 degrees and the Trout bite was slow.  However, we kept casting our Z-Man TRD lures on 1/5 ounce NedlockZ jigs.  It is hard to detect a subtle winter Trout bite when you can not feel your fingers.  Elliott and I missed several fish but eventually  I got lucky and nailed this one.  Our first fish of 2018.

Fishing was tough on New Years Day but Elliott and I were glad we kept the tradition going.

Happy New Year.