Lowcountry Fly Fishing Trips

When Is The Best Time Of The Year To Fly Fish The Lowcountry?

Summer Fly Fishing In The Lowcountry

Summer (June-September) is prime time for what many anglers come here to experience—flood tide redfishing. Consistent warm weather and frequent high tides bring redfish to the flats to feast on fiddler crabs, where they cruise, back, and tail in less than a foot of water. The spartina grass flats create challenges for fly presentation but allow anglers to get close to these feeding redfish, either by boat or on foot, making summer redfishing accessible to anglers of all skill levels.

Summer also brings tarpon, nearing the end of their northward migration. Fly anglers target these giants as they roll, occasionally finding them cruising or resting near the surface in backcountry basins. Juvenile tarpon may also be found in local ponds and lagoons during summer.

Big jack crevalle are also in the Lowcountry, creating intense baitfish chases in the backcountry basins and nearshore waters. These hard-fighting fish are known for striking anything that resembles a meal, giving anglers a true test of strength and tackle.

Fall Fly Fishing In The Lowcountry

As temperatures cool from October through early December, fish school up to feed heavily before winter. Redfish often form large schools in the backcountry, chasing baitfish along the creeks, shorelines, and mudflats. Fall tides are generally lower than in summer, with north winds sometimes pushing water levels even lower, making fall primarily a low-tide game for targeting schools of redfish in shallow waters.

Just offshore, schools of albies migrate southward, following baitfish through the Lowcountry. Fly fishing for albies is exhilarating as anglers race to get their flies into the frenzy. Albies are fast, and the chaos doesn’t end until the fly line is securely on the reel, avoiding any tangles along the way.

Winter Fly Fishing In The Lowcountry

By mid-December, the Lowcountry has entered winter, with cooler water temperatures. While fishing opportunities are more limited, dedicated anglers can still enjoy great catches. Winter windows of stable weather offer chances to target inshore redfish and trout, which can be spotted on low tides and occasionally on high tides. Trout fishing involves blind casting into deeper pockets, while black drum, sheepshead, and flounder can also be pursued during winter’s more stable days.

Spring Fly Fishing In The Lowcountry

Spring brings new vibrance to the Lowcountry as spartina grass greens up and baitfish, shrimp, and crabs return to the shallows. Redfish begin tailing on the grass flats more often, making spring an exciting time to catch them. By April, large cobia arrive in Lowcountry basins to feed and spawn, with some exceeding 60 pounds. These cobia can be seen near the surface, and while they aren’t overly selective, they offer great sport when hooked on the fly.

Tripletail also make an appearance in the spring. These ambush predators are often spotted around structures but can also be found on the flats during flood tides. Tripletail are a good target for newer saltwater fly anglers as they aren’t especially challenging to catch on the fly.