Winter weather could be good news for anglers
For the most part, this winter has been unusually warm. Subsequently, the water temperature is above normal. However, this is about to change. This week, the extended weather forecast is calling for a series of powerful cold fronts to move through the Lowcountry. To coin a phrase from a popular television series, “winter is coming.”
Over the next few days, the water temperature is going to drop a few degrees. Anglers should not be discouraged. This is actually pretty good news. Trout and redfish will become more predictable and easier to catch. Trout will gather in deeper areas of the creeks and redfish will form large schools in the shallows. So, finding fish should not be much of a problem. Getting cold fish to strike a lure can be a little more difficult.
In cold water situations, I recommend a smaller profile lure that is worked very slowly along the bottom. My favorite is the Z-Man TRD on a 1/6-ounce NedLockZ jig. If it is windy or the current is strong, I switch to a slightly heavier 1/5-ounce jig. A hard snap and long pause retrieve are typically very effective. The fish will often strike the lure during the long pause. Experiment with the length of the pause. The fish will tell you what they want on that day.
If fishing in the cold is not your thing, the Charleston Boat Show is this weekend. I will be there. You can never have enough boats!
Contact Captain Greg Peralta at captgregp@gmail.com or call (843) 224-0099.