Charleston fishing report for the week of September 24, 2026. This is the week Lowcountry fly and light-tackle anglers wait for. The full moon on Saturday is producing the big fall flood tides that push redfish up onto the grass flats, where you can see their tails waving in the spartina. Add in bull reds at the jetties and sheepshead on the structure, and it’s a great week to be on the water.
What’s Hitting
This week, redfish are the story, and the flood tides are the reason. On the highest tides, the reds are pushing up onto the spartina flats to feed on fiddler crabs. Bull reds are at the Charleston Harbor jetties and along the beaches, and speckled trout are feeding in the creeks and along the grass edges. Sheepshead are on the docks, bridges, and pilings, and flounder are active around the creek mouths and inlets.
Where to Find Them
The flood tide flats are spread throughout the Charleston area, from the ACE Basin to Bulls Bay. For bull reds, fish the Charleston Harbor jetties and the beaches of Folly and Sullivan’s Island. Trout are in the creeks and along the grass edges in areas like the Stono River and the Wando River. Sheepshead are around the Ravenel Bridge, the Folly Beach Pier, and the many docks in the area.
Tides & Conditions
The key to the flood tide fishing is the height of the tide. Look for tides of 6.5 feet or more to push the water up onto the flats, and plan your trip around the peak of the high tide. Water temperatures are in the upper 70s. Keep an eye on the tropics this time of year.
Tackle & Tactics
For flood tide redfish, a fly rod with a crab or shrimp pattern, or a light spinning rod with a weedless soft plastic or a small spoon, is ideal. Make a quiet approach and cast just ahead of the tailing fish. For bull reds at the jetties, a cut mullet or a live menhaden on a heavy setup. For sheepshead, a fiddler crab on a small, strong hook fished tight to the structure.
Local Intel This Week
There are many public boat ramps in the Charleston area, including the Wappoo Cut ramp, the Remley’s Point ramp, and the Folly River ramp. The Folly Beach Pier is a great option for shore anglers. Fish are concentrating on the flood tide flats and at the jetties. Check current South Carolina Department of Natural Resources regulations, slot sizes, and seasons before keeping fish.
This Week’s Tip
When fishing the flood tide, look for the tails of the redfish waving above the grass. Get downwind of the fish and make a quiet, accurate cast. Let your fly or lure sit until the fish finds it.
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