# 51036: Subject: Shallow Saltwater Report, South Carolina

Submitted by Delta Guide Service (ip 24.88.85.49)

• Fished on 12/31/2003

• Report received: 1/10/04

Water Temperature: 50
Water Clarity: Good
Seas: Moderate
Weather: Cold / warm /cold / warm etc.
Fishing_for: Red drum & sea trout
Boat: Hewes 18' flats boat
captain: Gene Dickson

Report:
South Carolina Shallow Saltwater Fishing Report From 12-01-03 through 12-31-03

An unusually warm December helped us catch quite a few fish. They, the reds, were bunched up just like they were supposed to in the winter, but the water was still warm, so they fed great. Water temps in the 50's were common and several times I found it as high as 55 on the flats. The fish were aggressive when it was like that. But, as water temps go down, it seems that their interest in feeding goes down also. I guess it’s natures way of taking care of them; the colder they get, the less they move around and the less food is required to keep them happy. It can certainly be a frustrating time for angler and guide alike when you can find schools of 100 to 200 fish and only catch a couple of them. Sometimes you will see the fish follow the bait for a long distance, only to see it spook when it gets right up to the boat. Other times we will see the bait, see the fish following it, stop the bait, watch the fish nose right up to it and sit there. Then, after a long wait, move the bait just an inch and the fish spooks and runs off as if it were scared of the bait! It seems also that a big bait is not what they want. Smaller seems better in most all cases. 1/8 oz. jigs with 2" curly tails and tiny crank baits in dark colors seem to work good. Since the fish are not as active and won’t fight as hard so you can size down on the line to make casting the lighter baits easier. We have had a couple of good fly rod trips also. One trip had 11 reds up to 8.5 lbs and another had 8 reds to about 7 lbs. Once again, smaller seemed to work best and dark colors caught the most. We hope you have a great new year and look forward to seeing you on the water!

Always remember, take good care of the fish, it’s simply the right thing to do.

Good fishing!

Gene Dickson Delta Guide Service http://www.deltaguideservice.com/index.html Georgetown, SC 843-546-3645

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