Charleston fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. October is a prime month for Lowcountry anglers. The marsh is full of shrimp, the redfish are schooling, and the water is cooling. The new moon this weekend brings big tides, which means the reds will be in the grass.
What’s Hitting
Redfish are the headliners, with fish schooling on the flats and pushing up into the flooded spartina on the high tide. Speckled trout are in the creeks, flounder are staging for their fall migration, and black drum and sheepshead are around the docks and the jetties. Bull reds are at the Charleston jetties, and whiting are in the surf.
Where to Find Them
The marsh creeks around Shem Creek, Wando River and Folly River are prime for reds on the rising tide. The Charleston jetties and Breach Inlet hold bull reds and flounder. Folly Beach Pier and the surf produce whiting and sharks. The docks in the harbor hold sheepshead and trout.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend brings king tides, which flood the spartina grass. Reds push up into the grass on the high tide and are easy to spot, and fish the dropping tide in the creeks as the water drains. Be careful in the marsh as the tide falls quickly.
Tackle & Tactics
Live shrimp or mud minnows under a float work for trout and reds. Cut mullet or crab works for the bulls. A paddle tail or a gold spoon is excellent for reds in the grass. For flounder, drag a jig along the bottom near the creek mouths.
If the tide is not cooperating, fish the deeper holes and bends in the creeks. At low water, the reds gather in these deeper pockets and can be caught with a slow-moving soft plastic or a piece of cut bait fished on the bottom.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Remley’s Point in Mount Pleasant, the Folly Beach Pier, Shem Creek Park, and Bowens Island. Fish are concentrating in the creeks, the grass and the jetties. Check current South Carolina DNR regulations and seasons before keeping any fish, as slot limits apply to redfish.
This Week’s Tip
On the big tides, look for tailing reds in the flooded grass. Cast a small weedless lure or a live shrimp past the fish and drag it into the zone.
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