Last Updated on January 13, 2026 by Eric Bonneman
From the jetties at Murrells Inlet to the broad flats of Edisto, each stretch of South Carolina’s coast has its own seasonal tells—little signals that let you know things are shifting. Up around Winyah Bay near Georgetown, those early redfish schools tuck into the rice field drains when the tide’s just right, while the trout prefer the deeper bends off the main channel.
Pawleys Island fishing, well, it fishes smaller and tighter, especially in winter, but those winding creeks come alive fast when the bait trickles back in. Myrtle Beach has some surprisingly productive pockets when you know where to look between the boat traffic and open water edges.
Down around Cape Romain and Bulls Bay, the landscape changes and so does the fish behavior. You get bigger tide swings, more remote terrain, and fewer second chances on the cast. Charleston, as always, gives you options (structure, grass lines, shell points) and Kiawah fishes like its own little world, with redfish that stay shallow longer than you’d expect and trout that hang on drop-offs like they own them. Each spot plays by its own rules, but once you learn the language of a few, you start to pick up on what they all have in common.
December wrapped up on the chilly side, with water temps dipping lower than usual across most estuaries. That extra cold pushed early-season trout and reds into tighter schools, stacking up in deep creeks and holding still in sun-warmed shallows. January’s kept that cool trend going, with a few warmer stretches teasing a shift, but most mornings have stayed crisp. The inshore action is steady for those willing to adapt, and while nearshore life hasn’t fully kicked into gear yet, it’s all lining up for a stronger ramp as temps climb. If February stays on the mild side, spring could start building momentum right on time—or just a couple weeks behind.
But long term? The patterns hold. The bite adjusts, the fish reposition, and if you’ve got a feel for what to look for, you can stay ahead of it. If you fish the coastal waters of South Carolina regularly—or plan to—it pays to know how each season affects what’s biting, where to look, and how to fish it right.
January – March: Cold Water, Clear Shots
Inshore
- Redfish school tight and don’t move far when it’s cold. You’ll often spot dozens of them belly-down on mud flats or tucked in shallow bays around midday.
- Speckled Trout stack in creeks and deeper holes—if you’re not catching, slow down and go lighter.
- Flounder are sparse, but a few hang around deep docks or muddy drop-offs.
- Sheepshead stay glued to hard structure. Barnacle-covered pilings are gold right now.
- Black Drum and Stripers both show up in tidal rivers—especially after rain bumps salinity around freshwater lines.
Nearshore
- Blacktips, bonnetheads, and sandbars are still around, but sluggish.
- Weakfish, Spanish, and the odd early King Mackerel may nose in by March if water climbs above 64°F.
- Early Cobia showings happen some years, but it’s all about water temp windows—keep expectations in check.
April – June: The Push Begins
Inshore
- Redfish stay active in marsh creeks and around oyster points, with better topwater action starting mid-May.
- Specks move up onto grass flats. Early mornings can get rowdy.
- Flounder start making real appearances—especially around current seams, docks, and sandy cuts.
- Sheepshead and Black Drum both stage heavy around jetty rocks and pier pilings.
- Striped Bass pull upriver if you’re working estuary transitions.
Nearshore
- Spanish Mackerel and Bluefish blitz bait schools off the beach.
- Kings arrive in serious numbers by late May. Reefs and wrecks hold the early waves.
- Cobia becomes the nearshore target. Keep an eye out on rays and channel markers.
- Atlantic Sharpnose, blacktips, and bonnetheads fill in fast.
- Hammerheads and bulls follow the bait.
July – September: Summer Heat, Big Moves
Inshore
- Redfish cruise shallow edges early and late—think oyster rakes and narrow guts.
- Specks go deeper mid-day, but early topwater is hot.
- Flounder pick up heavily near inlets and tidal drains.
- Tarpon arrive—especially in August. Bait-heavy creeks and nearshore drop-offs are key.
- Sheepshead keep biting around structure, but you’ll work harder for them mid-summer.
- Mangrove Snapper show up around docks and seawalls in clear water.
Nearshore
- King Mackerel are everywhere from live bottom to buoy lines.
- Spanish stick close to bait schools.
- Jack Crevalle and Tarpon move just outside the breakers.
- Sharks are active across the board—bulls, spinners, hammerheads, even the occasional tiger.
- Pompano show up more often than folks expect—especially near sandbars off the southern islands.
October – December: Fall Feed and Schooling Patterns
Inshore
- Redfish begin schooling again in shallow water. This is sight-fishing season.
- Speckled Trout hit a fall peak. Float rigs, soft plastics, and MirrOLures all produce.
- Flounder stage near inlets on their way offshore—fall run can be excellent.
- Black Drum and Sheepshead return to shallower hard structure.
- Striped Bass come back into tidal rivers, feeding aggressively as temps drop.
Nearshore
- Kings remain active into mid-November, especially with a mild fall.
- False Albacore rip through bait pods near rips and eddies.
- Bluefish school thick some years, tapering into December.
- Sharks start thinning out as water drops below 70°F, but sandbars and smaller blacktips often linger.
What South Carolina Inshore Fishing Is Like
Fishing inshore here isn’t about endless casts into nothing. It’s about knowing where the tide breaks, when water temps shift the bite, and how to line up against wind and current. You’re hunting in small spaces—against marsh cuts, grass points, and oyster seams that only pay off when you fish them smart.
Redfish don’t give second chances. Trout will nose a lure and vanish if your angle’s off. Sheepshead will inspect your crab offering like a diamond appraiser. The wins feel earned. And when it all comes together—a tight loop under a dock, a soft bite on a cold morning—it’s some of the most satisfying fishing on the coast.
Nearshore Fishing – A Step Outside, A Lot More Power
A couple miles off the beach, the rules change. You’re trolling live bait past bait schools, chasing birds over blitzing mackerel, or posting up near reef structure with heavy gear and wire rigs. You’re not in bluewater, but you’re not sheltered anymore either.
Kingfish crush light tackle. Cobia cruise right under your boat and vanish if you hesitate. And for South Carolina shark fishing charters? Well, our local sharks will test your drag and your resolve. And then there’s that wild-card moment when something unexpected smokes a bait and leaves you speechless. That’s nearshore fishing.
Best Times for Fishing South Carolina
South Carolina’s seasonal patterns are dependable. The trick is knowing how to read each one as it hits your stretch of coast. That’s where local knowledge from experienced fishing guides can make or break your day. If you want to fish these waters right—whether it’s winter redfish on foot, summer tarpon from the boat, or reef kings on the troll—you’ll want someone who’s out there more days than not. Someone who follows tides, water clarity, temp swings, and bait movement week to week. That’s Captain Jordan Pate and the rest of the experienced fishing guides at Carolina Guide Service.
With Carolina Guide Service, you’re not just getting a ride and some gear. You’re getting a season’s worth of experience compressed into one trip. And when the fish are only eating a certain bait, in a certain bend, on a certain tide—you’ll be there.
Book it right, fish it smart, and give yourself a shot at the kind of fishing trip that leaves you with stories to tell.
So, when’s the best time to fish South Carolina? The short answer is: You’re already in it. Now go make it count!
Click here to reserve your fishing charter with Carolina Guide Service online—or call us at 843-814-7900.