Need Help, Christmas Trip

[goosejetski]

Hi. So I will be going on vacation for a week right around Christmas. I will be staying on an island near Charleston, SC. I am from WV and the bass fishing here is about over for the winter. My home lake/river is currently in the high 30s. Alright, back to the vacation. So this island has a large golf course with a bunch of freshwater ponds right near the ocean. And the weather in the winter is supposed to be really nice. I went earlier this year and fished for around and hour and caught two bass around 4 pounds. So my question is, what should I bring to fish these ponds around this time of year? The ponds are a little stained and don't have much aquatic vegetation. I think the bottom is mostly sandy and there are tons of bluegills and what I would assume are tilapia. Any help with this type of fishing would be greatly appreciated and I am very excited to see what happens!

[N Florida Mike]

I think @Koz had some experience in that general area. You might want to send him a pm.

[Koz]

While I fished mainly in the Beaufort County area of the SC Lowcountry, there were times when I coached baseball in the Charleston area and I brought some fishing gear along. Fishing there was comparable to where I fished.

 

The number one bait that worked was a 3/8 ounce white spinnerbait. Fish it with no trailer year round except during the pre-spawn. Then add a white paddletail trailer.

 

Just like anywhere else, bass will slow down here in the winter. Water temperature is always relative to the region. So your next best winter baits are going to be a wacky rigged Senko or a jerkbait.

 

A good third options is a black/blue 3/8 chatterbait with a blue speed craw trailer. Fish this with a big lift and drop action. You don't have to let it hit the bottom, but bring it up near the surface and let it fall. On some lagoons in the winter, this is the only bait I need.

 

If you've had 4 or 5 days of warm sunny weather and get a little wind on the water, break out a 1/2 ounce white or sexy shad buzzbait - no trailer. Just realize that with any topwater there's a good chance you will attract an alligator, even in the winter. Just keep your head on a swivel and scan the water while fishing.

 

Please let us know how you did on your trip.

[Chris at Tech]

Those ponds could be brackish, which means they could also hold redfish, trout, flounder, black drum so a gulp shrimp is also likely to be a player.

[TnRiver46]

Edisto island? 

[goosejetski]

24 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

Edisto island? 

Close... Kiawah

13 hours ago, Koz said:

While I fished mainly in the Beaufort County area of the SC Lowcountry, there were times when I coached baseball in the Charleston area and I brought some fishing gear along. Fishing there was comparable to where I fished.

 

The number one bait that worked was a 3/8 ounce white spinnerbait. Fish it with no trailer year round except during the pre-spawn. Then add a white paddletail trailer.

 

Just like anywhere else, bass will slow down here in the winter. Water temperature is always relative to the region. So your next best winter baits are going to be a wacky rigged Senko or a jerkbait.

 

A good third options is a black/blue 3/8 chatterbait with a blue speed craw trailer. Fish this with a big lift and drop action. You don't have to let it hit the bottom, but bring it up near the surface and let it fall. On some lagoons in the winter, this is the only bait I need.

 

If you've had 4 or 5 days of warm sunny weather and get a little wind on the water, break out a 1/2 ounce white or sexy shad buzzbait - no trailer. Just realize that with any topwater there's a good chance you will attract an alligator, even in the winter. Just keep your head on a swivel and scan the water while fishing.

 

Please let us know how you did on your trip.

Thanks for the info, I will be packing a small box with lures so I will make sure to add these lures. Also, I'll let you know how I do.

10 hours ago, Chris at Tech said:

Those ponds could be brackish, which means they could also hold redfish, trout, flounder, black drum so a gulp shrimp is also likely to be a player.

I think I saw some ladyfish in these ponds but I'm not sure.

[TnRiver46]

21 minutes ago, goosejetski said:

Close... Kiawah

Thanks for the info, I will be packing a small box with lures so I will make sure to add these lures. Also, I'll let you know how I do.

I think I saw some ladyfish in these ponds but I'm not sure.

I see people fishing the golf course on edisto, they are usually set up in chairs chilling. I always try the salt when I’m down there though

[goosejetski]

11 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I see people fishing the golf course on edisto, they are usually set up in chairs chilling. I always try the salt when I’m down there though

Fishing the surf on Kiawah is amazing, a long strip of squid has caught me many over slot reds and some big stingray in the past few years. And the fish are in the shallows and you can catch them right at your feet.

[TnRiver46]

15 minutes ago, goosejetski said:

Fishing the surf on Kiawah is amazing, a long strip of squid has caught me many over slot reds and some big stingray in the past few years. And the fish are in the shallows and you can catch them right at your feet.

I rarely catch anything haha. I’ve only been in early June