Winter Fishing in Georgetown SC

Many anglers in Georgetown give up on fishing for the winter, and who can blame them? South Carolina winters are usually cold, windy, and rainy; a duck hunter’s paradise. However, there are still sunny days in December, January, and February that make for an incredible angling experience. Plenty of Redfish, Speckled Trout, and Flounder spend their winters in the marshes surrounding Pawleys Island and Georgetown. Any angler willing to brave the cold winter boat ride to the fishing grounds will be surprised at the great fishing available to them.

Very few spots that are productive in the summer, work in the winter months. This makes fishing this time of year seem overwhelming at first glance, but a few key points can help an angler double their catch in the winter. A lot of the redfish, speckled trout, and flounder move off shore this time of year in search of food and warmer water, but there are still plenty of fish that stay inshore. These fish are usually found in the inlets and are often in larger schools than typically found any other time of year. These schools usually hunker down around structures in areas with less tide to swim against in hopes of conserving heat. Fish get cold too, so don’t expect to see a ton of surface activity. A large splash will cause a fish’s internal temperature to drop, but could also expose fish to predators who are also on the hunt.

Once you find these large schools you are in for an exciting day. These fish are hungry and looking for the easiest meal possible. This is the perfect scenario for any angler wanting to test and improve their fishing skills with artificial lures. Not only are these fish in large schools, the water is typically clearer this time of year too. This is caused by bacteria, algae, and other microorganisms unable to survive the colder temperatures. Winter fishing in Georgetown is perfect for any angler wanting to get into saltwater fly fishing, because of the water clarity.

Stealth is also important with Trout and Redfish this time of year. Try not to make much noise or allow your watercraft to throw up much wake on the bank you are fishing. These fish aren’t as quick as they are in the fall and spring and, like it was mentioned earlier, are hypersensitive to predators. Loud noises or crashing wake could cause a school of fish to stop feeding until they feel the threat is gone. Casting as far as possible is also a good idea. Working lures slowly along the bottom is a very effective technique.

A fish’s survival in the cold water depends a lot on their slime. A fish’s slime is how they fight disease and stay warm. Unless you are keeping fish for dinner, it is imperative to handle fish as carefully as possible. This is true year round, but keeping as much slime on a fish as possible upon its release in the winter could decide whether that fish survives the day. I know it’s cold, but be sure to wet your hands before grabbing any fish this time of year.

Good luck and stay warm this winter!