Anglers asked to release Spotted Sea Trout (SCDNR) (Charleston, Beaufort: fit in, buying)

[Capt Rick Hiott]

April 27, 2011
Anglers asked to release Spotted Sea Trout

Back-to-back cold winters have decimated spotted sea trout and the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is calling for fishermen to voluntarily practice catch and release to protect the remaining spawners until September.

DNR sampling from nine South Carolina estuaries shows a consistent and dramatic decrease in the number of spotted sea trout, the lowest population recorded in 20 years. DNR continues monthly monitoring of sea trout and other recreationally important species to document status and trends abundance and size.

Most fish sampled were below the legal limit of 14 inches. Trout spawn from spring throughout summer in South Carolina.

After a similar cold-related kill in 2001, it took trout five years to fully recover. Current legal minimum size limit and creel of 14 inches and 10 per person per day remain unchanged

[cape_fisherman]

The cold will do it. They are in dire straights up in North Carolina as well.

I remember a stretch of mild winters a few years back. We were catching specs up to 32" long. Now that's a wee bit on the fun side when using 6-8# test.

The big one's wouldn't even fit in one of those rubber fish nets. Those things don't have a dish deep enough to keep them inside. One good flop and they're back in the water. Our second day of fishing came only after the purchase of a conventional net...a big one (we had gone for years using just the new style rubber nets).

I vividly remember the day we caught that 32", 8# trout. The smallest specs that day were 3.5#...and there were a very good number on our hooks that trip.

[elkeater]

Hi,
My wife and are moving south from West Yellowstone MT. I am an avid fly fisherman and will release all that I catch!! Where on the Sc coast would you suggest is the best place to live if I wanted to fish for red fish a few times a week??? I read the article you speak of today in the Beaufort gazette!! I am not opposed to a drive of a half hour or so to get to where I could launch a boat. Seeing that the closest walmart to me currently is 90 miles!! Really any fishing info would be great. I only fly fish and plan on buying a boat when I arrive. If you by any chance plan a trip to Montana soon I will treat you to a day of rising trout!!

[Capt Rick Hiott]

If you only fly fish here in Charleston,,,,You will be missing out on 80% of the fishing we have to offer here.

The best fly fishing is in the winter for the smaller red drum in the shallow water flats.

This is what you can catch with bait in the summer.....

And yes,,,Thats a 46" red drum (Redfish)

[OleTomCat]

What bait did that fish use to catch her?

[Silversides]

Is there a fish in that picture??

Lol, nice catch!