Southern Inshore Fishing: Push Poling for Redfish

The winter chill has settled on the Carolina inshore saltwater creeks but some determined anglers seeking redfish have not been deterred.

"I've been studying charts for weeks as I have been planning a trip to fish North Inlet in Georgetown county," said Captain Mark Dickson of Shallow Minded Fishing Charters. "This week the weather and tide got right and my usual fishing partner Mark Stacy and I loaded up the Phantom and headed south. We were met by my longtime friend and local guide Fred Rourk of Sweet Tea Charters and he graciously showed us how to safely cross Winyah Bay and gave us a heads up on where to fish."

Captain Dickson uses Gulp baits to catch redfish in the winter, often attached to ¼ ounce jig heads.

The scenery is spectacular this time of the year, although not as many boaters are out on the water taking advantage of the opportunities as cold weather has chased them inside.

"It was a beautiful ride across the bay and thru tight winding creeks before we hit the fishing grounds," said Dickson. "It did not take us long to make ourselves at home and start 'sore mouthing' the local redfish population. It is simply amazing at how many fish that we caught and saw in a day's time and what is even more incredible is that we never saw another boat all day."

The fishing was so good Captain Dickson returned immediately, and he brought another friend.

"Day two we invited Captain Kyle Hughes from Ocean Isle Fishing Center to come down and join us," Dickson said. "He was there bright and early and after a quick breakfast we launched the boat and pointed her down the bay. After the long ride it only took us a few minutes to find the fish and the fun began once again."

For catching winter redfish Captain Dickson uses a stealth approach. Instead of tossing an anchor or maneuvering with a trolling motor, he quietly uses a long push pole to get his boat into place for casting to redfish.

"I took the duties on the poling platform while Kyle and Mark made quick work of a half dozen nice redfish in the 24-26 inch range. Mark deemed it the 'Stalk'em and Stick'em trip' as this was sight fishing at its finest and a trip that I will not soon forget. By the days end we had easily caught 30 plus reds and witnessed some of the prettiest country that SC has to offer."

For more fishing tips and articles see my blog A Dash of Salty and my website Surf and Salt.