Temperatures are warming up in the air and in the water, which means springtime is here in Charleston! March marks the transition from winter to spring habits for most inshore species that’ll continue until June.
This weather transition brings bait slowly creeping out like shrimp, finger mullets, minnows, fiddler crabs and menhaden. Spring is the best time to capture blue crabs since they are beginning their molting process. Redfish love eating soft shell crabs during this time period.
The residential fish like redfish, sheepshead, flounder and trout will be joined by migratory species such as Spanish mackerel, tarpon, sharks, bluefish and jack crevalle in the murky waters. When the water clarity begins to change during springtime vs. summertime, keep in mind that you need to change lure choices – darker colors in murky waters and translucent in clearer waters.
Large schools of redfish will begin to settle into warm water patterns making their way to the harbor and off the beaches becoming easy targets at the lower end of the tide. If you’re heading into the creeks or inlet mouths, you’ll find several tarpon, sharks and bull reds closer to the beginning of the summer months.
Speckled sea trout will will be spawning move out of the deep water to shallower waters by the bank, while flounder will move towards the estuaries. Large groups of trout can be targeted around grass lines and oyster points during high tides using shrimp or mud minnow.
If you’re heading offshore, bluefin is a primary catch for the season striking in late winter and early spring months. Being the biggest among the tuna species, bluefins range from 300 to 500 pounds putting up an excellent fight.
Spring fishing can either be booming with a catch every day or very challenging, but it’s time to get out on your new boat to reel in your dinner!