Hello, Adventurers! Welcome to the Coastal Expeditions blog! If you love outdoor activities such as hiking, paddling, exploring nature, and learning about wildlife, you’ve come to the right place! Here on the Coastal Expeditions blog, we dive deep into different habitats, excursions, conservation efforts, and nature programs. To our return readers, thank you for your support! We commend you for being committed to learning. Our site is filled with interactive maps, destination guides, and educational resources. Speaking of educational resources, The Outdoor School consists of afterschool programs, weekly camps, school field trips, and more! We offer hands-on workshops taught by highly-trained guides on wilderness skills, birding, identifying native plants, sustainability, kayaking, and camping. Basically anything you want to learn about, we teach! If you haven’t already, we encourage you to take a look around our site to learn more about our offerings. If you are an educator interested in planning a fun trip for the students at your school, do not hesitate to reach out to us!

Our last article was dedicated to a few natives of the Lowcountry. Wildlife in the Lowcountry focused on those animal species which call this place home! From Atlantic bottlenose dolphins to Loggerhead sea turtles, from green anoles to blue crabs, from great blue herons to white-tailed deer—we paid tribute to a bunch of local animals! (Most of which seem to have a color in their name…) Just like our natural flora and fauna, the animals of the Lowcountry are part of what makes this such a beautiful and vibrant place to live. If we do our part to part these animals, we’ll be able to enjoy their company for many years to come. We hope you’ll give our last article a read when you’re done here, as it’s a fun little lesson on what these animals eat, how these animals live, and where to find them!

Today, we’re continuing our animal trend! Let’s learn about a few fish species you’re likely to find swimming around in the Lowcountry’s many waterways. Winter fishing isn’t for everyone. Most of us are happy to stay inside and keep warm. However, as we’ve discussed in previous articles, spending time outdoors during the winter is good for your mental and physical health. A frosty morning out on the water might be just the thing you need to set you up for a good week and so we’ll be providing a few tips for fishing in the cold. Likewise, we’ll give you a sense of what you’re likely to catch. Fish species have their own seasonal schedule and act differently in colder months than they might when the water is warmer. Though winter fishing is more challenging, it’s certainly still possible. We hope this article is a helpful resource and you learn something new! Without further ado, let’s dive in! Figuratively. 

Winter Fishing Tips

If you’re going to fish during winter, you’ll first need to understand what fish are doing during this time. When the days grow short and the nights grow cold, fish slow down. They feel the shift in the temperature of the water. Some species will migrate south, like birds, seeking warmer waters. Other species will stay put but adapt. Certain fish species will enter a state known as “torpor”–a somewhat lighter version of hibernation–which is akin to being asleep. In torpor, fish swim slowly and do not need as much food. Some species will furrow into mud to keep warm. That said, during torpor, fish are still capable of reacting quickly when threatened or tempted by passing food. After all–they’ve still got to eat. That’s what makes fishing during winter possible (albeit harder). 

One of the biggest factors which will dictate the success of your winter fishing attempts is your choice of location. Where you cast your line is just as important—if not more important—than what you cast your line with. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will have a map demarcating the distinction between freshwater and saltwater, as well as a species identification guide. If you’re fishing out at sea, frequenting well-known spots and using an EKG finder will help you know where to fish. Try not to fish in rivers and lakes with high currents, as the current is a deterrent to fish and dangerous. 

During winter, the activity level of fish is determined largely by the weather. If you can time your sessions just before a cold front is predicted to pass through, then this is the best time to do so, as fish tend to feed around this time. Generally, a good rule-of-thumb for winter is to fish between ten a.m. and four p.m. Make sure your gear is prepped for colder temperatures. You can expect old oil or grease on your reel to harden and thicken up. You’ll want to keep your fingers, face, and neck warm. Insulated, fingerless gloves, waterproof cowls, and coveralls are good for keeping warm. Finally, there’s what you choose for bait. Your bait will depend on what type of fish you’re looking to catch, keep in mind that most fish don’t have the energy to chase after big lures. If you use a lure, try to keep it small (i.e. two to three inches) and dynamic (i.e. feathers, hair, etc.) to attract fish to bite. You’re better off using live bait—shrimp, fiddler crabs, worms—as live bait will react to the cold water and present a much more appetizing meal to hungry fish. 

Of course, the most important consideration when fishing during winter is safety. Fishing alone is a hazard. Even if you can swim well, cold water is a shock to the system. Hypothermia is a risk. Cold weather can cause our muscles to tense and cramp, as well. Make sure you always leave a float plan with someone you trust before going out on the water. Wear plenty of layers, but avoid cotton. Hand and feet warmers can be life-savers. 

Sheepshead

Sheepshead can often be found near the Charleston Harbor jetties and the jetties near Winyah Bay and Murrells Inlet. This species is plenty active during winter. Sheepshead fish feed on bivalves and crustaceans. You’ll find success baiting with live shrimp, mole crabs, clams, fiddlers, and mussels. They are known for being skilled at stealing bait with their human-like teeth, so you’ll want to use a small hook. Although they tend to stick close to existing structures–like jetties and pilings and piers–they move further out to sea during winter. 

Seatrout

Sea trout frequent shallow, south-facing bays with plenty of sun and beaches with healthy currents. You can walk right into the sea (with rubber boots on) and cast your line, so long as the waters are shallow and above four degrees. Choose the warmest part of the day, too, between eleven a.m. and four p.m. Sea trout can be shy and spook easily, so you’ll want to settle in for a still baiting session. Live shrimp is going to be your best bait, along with live fish (such as the mullet or pinfish). There are several other kinds of coldwater trout–brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout–and these might make for good winter targets, as well. 

Crappie

Despite their name, crappies are a good winter fish. You’ll want to use a lighter line and drop weight. Crappies pool in schools and stick to the depths during winter. You can use a fish finder to locate these schools. Also, dusk will probably be the best time to fish for crappies during winter, as the change in light triggers their feeding. Use live minnows as bait, waxworm, or little pieces of colorful marabou and curly-tail jigs. You need to cast in a slow and methodical manner to catch the attention of crappies and get them interested in biting. Move too fast and a crappie will simply decide the bait isn’t worth the energy. Or, worse, you’ll scare the school. Crappies have delicate, paper-thin mouths, so be light-handed when baiting the hook to avoid tearing them. 

Blue Catfish

Winter might be the best time to land a big blue catfish. South Carolina lakes are home to catfish and, while these bottom feeders tend to bury themselves in the mud during colder months, they can be enticed to leave their burrows for the right bait. Try the Santee Cooper or Lake Moultrie. According to Alan Spence, a fishing guide, “cold-weather catfish will not always be on the bottom. They will often hover around the pods of bait if suspended at mid-depths. And bait actually becomes the structure… Some anglers need to change their thinking process. Catfish don’t always feed on the bottom. Deep water can be great, but it’s not the only place to fish during cold weather.” Fish around steep ledges using live fish (e.x. sunfish, suckers, chubs) about three to four inches long. These fish can still be aggressive during winter, so be prepared for a fight. 

We hope you’ll use this resource to spend more time outdoors! As you see, winter can be the best time for fishing here in the Lowcountry! If you aren’t prepared to throw on a pair of boots and cast a line just yet, you can check out our offerings on our website to find the adventure which suits you best! Our tours are led by knowledgeable, approachable naturalists and sea captains who are eager to answer your questions! Until next time, readers. Get out there and explore! Adventure awaits!