Charleston Red Drum Feeding Cheat Sheet

Pressure • Tide • Temperature • Time of Year

■ Fall (Sep–Nov)

Typical Pressure: Variable (≈1008–1026 mb)

Water Temp: 65–75°F

Behavior: Feeding heavily before winter; best overall season.

Feeding Notes:

• Pre-front drops (<1010 mb) create explosive bites.

• After fronts (≥1020 mb), fish slow down until pressure stabilizes.

Best Conditions:

• Rapidly falling pressure (1005–1010 mb) before fronts

• Flood, mid or low tides

• Use big flies or topwaters around active bait if not sight fishing

■ Winter (Dec–Feb)

Typical Pressure: High and stable (≈1022–1033 mb)

Water Temp: 45–60°F

Behavior: Schooling tightly in deeper creeks and holes; spooky on calm, high-pressure days.

Feeding Notes:

• Bite slows after cold fronts (clear skies, >1026 mb).

• A warming trend after several cold days sparks great mid-day action.

• Falling pressure (1012–1018 mb) = active fish before next front.

Best Conditions:

• Barometer steady or slightly falling (≈1012–1019 mb)

• Midday sun warming mud flats

• Slow, small flies or shrimp/crab presentations near structure

■ Spring (Mar–May)

Typical Pressure: Moderate (≈1012–1020 mb) with frequent swings

Water Temp: 60–75°F

Behavior: Breaking up from winter schools, spreading onto flats.

Feeding Notes:

• Responds strongly to pre-front pressure drops (<1012 mb).

• Consistent pressure brings predictable sight-fishing.

Best Conditions:

• Slightly falling barometer (1008–1015 mb)

• Incoming tide with rising temps

• Shrimp patterns, crab flies, or light soft plastics

■ Summer (Jun–Aug)

Typical Pressure: Low but stable (≈1007–1012 mb)

Water Temp: 80–90°F

Behavior: Early and late feeders; sluggish mid-day.

Feeding Notes:

• High heat and stable pressure = consistent short feeding windows.

• Afternoon storms cause sharp pressure drops → strong pre-storm bite.Best Conditions:

• Low and steady or slightly dropping (1005–1010 mb)

• Dawn/dusk flood tides for tailers

• Topwater, mullet patterns, or spoons