Freshwater Fishing Trends

By HEATHER RUPPE

Edisto Island
Inshore: Captain Ron Davis Jr. (843-513-0143) reports that November is known as DOA month around Edisto because this month shrimp will become scarce but trout, redfish and more will be hungry and looking to feed on whatever they can find – including artificial lures! That transition may take place a little later in the month that usual, however, as temperatures are starting out very warm. Early in the month trout will be scattered out on the main rivers, and as temperatures drop they will get into tighter schools. If the effect of cold fronts, shorter periods of daylight, and longer nights drops temperatures rapidly and they approach the 60 degree mark more trout will start to get into the creeks. With each 2- or 3-degree drop all of the inshore species will feed better as winter approaches, and the sheepshead and black drum bites should get better and better. Migratory species like flounder will stay until temperatures drop below about 65 degrees.

Lake Murray
Bass: Tournament angler Andy Wicker of Pomaria reports that in November some fish will move shallow and relate to the sides of rocky points and areas with hard bottom. A shakey-head worm can be very good this month, but if bait is around a #5 Shad Rap fished in small ditches and pockets can work well. There will also be another group of fish that can be caught on the bottom deep.
Striped bass: Captain Brad Taylor (803-331-1354) reports that in November more and more fish should move up the river where they can be caught on free-lines, planer boards, and by throwing double rigs at schooling fish. Look for the birds and like clockwork expect good numbers of fish to be above Black’s Bridge by about Thanksgiving.
Crappie: Captain Brad Taylor reports that typically in November fish will be relating to the channels, but they will also be using brush as stopping points as they follow the schools of bait. The best bite is likely to be up the rivers on jigs and minnows.
Catfish: Captain William Attaway (803-924-0857) reports that November is usually one of the peak months for catching catfish on Lake Murray. Anchoring with cut bait in the river channels is the best pattern.

Santee Cooper
Bass: Captain Brett Mitchell (803-379-7029) reports that when it finally gets cooler in November fish will start to follow shad into the backs. In addition to soft plastics, swimbaits and crankbaits will produce in shallow water. The topwater bite will also persist until temperatures really drop.
Crappie and Bream: Captain Steve English (843-729-4044) reports that this November the bite should continue to improve around mid-depth brush. Both lakes will produce good numbers of crappie vertical fishing with minnows, and as temperatures finally drop bream will get tighter on the brush where they will eat crickets.
Catfish: Captain Stevie English (843-709-8138) reports that in November fish will generally move deeper as water temperatures cool. Drifting in deep water with cut shad should be the best pattern.

SALTWATER FISHING TRENDS

Charleston
Inshore: Redfin Charters (843-277-5255) and Captain Rob Bennett (843-367-3777) report that warmer than usual weather conditions mean that most of November should fish like October typically does, and the excellent bite for inshore species such as trout and redfish should last at least through the end of the month. Catching fish in the creeks is as simple as fishing live shrimp under a popping cork around oysters, drops and grass lines. As we approach December redfish should start to group up in tighter schools, and they can get a little more finicky. Trout are unlikely to slow down until it gets very cool.

Beaufort
Inshore: Captain Tuck Scott with Bay Street Outfitters (843-524-5250) reports that when temperatures finally drop in November fish will eat more and more aggressively, in large part to store up reserves since they are about to lose their bait supply. Shrimp and baitfish will become more and more scarce, while crabs will eventually go into hibernation. For the first part of the month there should continue to be good tailing activity for redfish, and on low tide expect to see fish chasing shrimp on the flats. The trout bite will get better and better this month, and fish will be caught around the mouths of creeks in moving water. Shrimp under a popping cork should be hard to beat.