During the holidays: fish and eat, and repeat!

It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas. However, the weather does not feel like it. Several days with temperatures in the 70-degree range have the trout and redfish actively feeding in the shallows. I expect that hot bite to continue until a strong winter cold front drops the water temperature. Until that time, fishing will be great. Think of it as a Christmas present from Mother Nature.

For the next two weeks, Elliott (my son) will be home from Japan. Upon picking him up from the airport, we plan to eat an Orlando’s Brick Oven Pizza and then go fishing. Over the course of his visit, we will repeat as necessary. Food and fishing. Food and fishing. Food and fishing. Well, you get the picture.

Depending on weather conditions, we will be fishing shallow inshore waters or vertical jigging bottom fish offshore. Right now, the long-term forecast looks like mostly inshore. Given the warm water and hungry fish, that is OK with me. Recently, a Z-Man Finesse TRD (Hot Snakes) has been the lure of choice for shallow water trout and redfish. Both species are holding in slight channels at the base of oyster bars. When the current is washing over the bar, it is a pretty good bet that predators will be feeding there. So, when your family gathers for food, don’t forget the fishing!

Thanks to all who expressed interest in the cold-water fishing class. Given the great response, the free fishing class will be held at the Daniel Island Library on Tuesday, Jan. 21 from 6-8 p.m. Seating is limited. Please confirm your seats with an email to captgregp@gmail.com. The Daniel Island Inshore Fishing Club will be participating in the class so there will be a lot of help available during the session on tying knots. If you want to learn more about locating and catching fish in cold-water conditions, this is the class for you.

Contact Captain Greg Peralta at capgregp@gmail.com or call (843) 224-0099.