January 2011 - Cape Romain

 
We are still finding the large schools of resident redfish in the ICW and creeks around Bulls Bay but finding them is one thing, getting them to bite in this cold is another. Various soft plastic baits like gulps, exudes and black and gold clouser flies are still working well, However the best results we had this month were on Tube Baits juiced up with Pro Cure. Tube baits are perfect for rigging weedless when fishing around grass or oyster beds, and the hollow body allows the pro cure to really hold inside the bait. Tube Baits also have great action when fished slow which is what how you want to be fishing this time of year. My preferred color in the ICW is a Rootbeer with Gold Flakes, and a Smoke Silver for the clear water in the Creeks and Bays.
January is a perfect month to get out and scout new redfish spots and I was able to get out a couple of days and do just that. My scouting trips usually start in Google Earth and I’ll try to find a creek or a flat with all the signs of redfish habitat.... Shallow Mud/Oyster Flats with deeper water nearby, small feeder creeks and hard bottom/oyster lined creeks. I try to pick the bluebird days with a midday low tide which will make spotting redfish easier. Being creatures of habit, I can usually expect to find them in the same general area year around.