April 2026 — Charleston / Lowcountry SC: Cobia Peaks, Redfish on the Flats. April is a spring month with water in the 50-60°F range — striped bass spring migration peaks (Chesapeake spawn, OBX surf, Raritan Bay); spring tautog. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — April 2026
Primary targets this month: Cobia, Redfish, Speckled Trout, Sheepshead.
Cobia
Peak cobia migration. Sight-fishing along the beach, around the Charleston Harbor jetties and nearshore reefs in spring (April-May), Edisto Beach, and the offshore wrecks, and following stingrays in clear water. Need calm seas (1-2 ft) and sun overhead. 4-6″ bucktails (chartreuse, white, pink), large soft plastic eels, or live eels and pinfish. Cobia often follow first refusals — make a second cast.
Redfish
Redfish in the Charleston Harbor flats (Crab Bank, the Stono River, the Wando River backwaters), Mount Pleasant marshes, Folly Beach surf and inlet, Edisto, Bulls Bay, and Bohicket Creek. Cut bait, gold spoons, and soft plastics on light jigheads.
Speckled Trout
Trout holding in the grass flats and creek mouths of Charleston Harbor, the Stono and Wando, Bulls Bay marshes, Hilton Head approach, and the inshore creeks. Live shrimp under a popping cork, soft plastic jigs in natural colors (root beer, new penny, opening night).
Sheepshead
Sheepshead are present around the Charleston Battery seawall, the Cooper River bridges, the harbor’s barge wrecks, dock pilings of Mount Pleasant and Folly but more scattered than during the winter spawn. Fiddler crabs and live shrimp on light tackle.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 50-60°F. Striped bass spring migration peaks (chesapeake spawn, obx surf, raritan bay); spring tautog. Charleston has a major tidal swing (5-6 ft) — the marsh fishery is entirely tide-driven. Falling water out of the marsh creeks concentrates redfish at the mouths; rising water spreads them across the flats. The first two hours of the outgoing tide universally produce best on the inshore. The harbor jetties run hard on outgoing.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Striped bass migration. Watch water temperatures — 50°F triggers the spring run.
- Pre-spawn tautog peak. Best blackfish window of the year — wrecks and rocky structure.
April Outlook
Peak spring migrations — cobia (Gulf/SE), striped bass (mid-Atlantic), spawning movements everywhere.
Regulations Reminder
Redfish: 18-27″ slot, one per angler per day (verify FWC zone-specific rules). Seatrout/Speckled Trout: FL: 15-19″ slot, 3 per day (verify zone). TX: 15-25″ slot, 3 per day. LA: 12″ minimum, 15 per day (verify current). Sheepshead: 12″ minimum, 8 per day (FL). Cobia: 36″ fork length, one per harvester (FL state waters — verify current rules). Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Haddrell’s Point Tackle (Mount Pleasant, 843-881-3644); The Charleston Angler (Mount Pleasant + downtown); Folly Beach Bait & Tackle; Charleston Outdoor Adventures.
Public Boat Ramps: Wando Landing (Mount Pleasant), Shem Creek (Mount Pleasant), Folly Beach Boat Landing, James Island County Park, Edisto State Park, Battery Park (downtown).
Charter Fishing: $500–$800 inshore (marsh redfish, trout); $700–$1,100 harbor/jetty (tarpon, cobia); $1,200–$2,200 offshore (Bump, deep).
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