Fishing the Marsh Wear Ladies Redfish Tournament with Hannah Trotter

This weekend I had the chance to guide Hannah Trotter in the Marsh Wear Ladies Redfish Tournament, and it was everything you’d want from a Lowcountry event—great fishing, tough conditions, and even better camaraderie on the water.

Fishing Conditions:

Both days of the tournament our best chances for sight fishing redfish were on the low and mid tides. During those windows, we had the most action and solid shots at fish. High tide and flood tide, on the other hand, gave us mostly floaters, with very few tailing fish in sight.

The floaters were classic tournament redfish—showing up close to the boat, hovering just long enough to get your heart rate up, and disappearing before a cast could land. Wind also played a huge factor in being able to get that first class where it needed to be. A couple of times we had fish eat right at the boat but just wouldn’t come tight, or they’d charge at us so aggressively it was nearly impossible to keep a hook set. That’s fishing, and it kept things exciting from start to finish.

Hannah was unbelievable out there. Fishing solo in tough, windy conditions, she showed grit and patience that paid off and got us on the board. Sight fishing redfish is tough enough, but doing it under tournament pressure, with the wind pushing you around, is next-level. She handled it like a pro.

More Than Just a Tournament

One of the things that makes the Marsh Wear Ladies Redfish Tournament so special is the atmosphere. Most anglers out there aren’t professionals—and that’s the beauty of it. It’s about fun, camaraderie, and introducing new people to an incredible sport.

The prizes reflect that spirit, too. Sure, there’s some cash on the line, but the focus is really on outfitting anglers with great gear and giving everyone who participates a chance to walk away with something useful. The real reward is the community it builds. You meet new people, share stories, and celebrate the love of fishing together.

A huge thank you to all the folks at Marsh Wear for putting so much effort into this event and making sure it stays about more than just the competition. Their vision for this tournament is what keeps it special and keeps bringing people back year after year.

Looking Ahead

I hope this tournament continues to grow while keeping the same vibe it has now—welcoming, fun, and free from the over-competitiveness that can sometimes overshadow fishing tournaments. It’s a perfect entry point for anyone curious about redfishing, and it shines a light on the supportive community Marsh Wear has built.

At the end of the day, it was about good people, good fun, and chasing redfish in the Lowcountry—exactly the way it should be.