June Fishing Report

June brought hot temperatures, mostly calm mornings, and a few scattered afternoon storms, making it a prime month to get out on the water. We saw consistent action both inshore and offshore, with a solid mix of species and a few standout days that kept rods bent and clients grinning.

Here’s a breakdown of what we saw last month across the Charleston area:

Inshore Bite

Redfish:

The redfish bite was steady throughout June. Fish were schooled up on lower tides and cruising the grass edges during flood tides. We had great success with live shrimp under popping corks and cut mullet or mud minnows on the bottom. Morning and evening tides produced the best action, with a mix of slot and over-slot fish caught.

Sheepshead:

The sheepshead were keyed in tight to structure—bridge pilings, dock posts, and oyster-covered rocks were the hotspots. Fiddler crabs and shrimp on small jigs or Carolina rigs did the trick. Clients who had never fished for sheepies before got a real kick out of their bulldog runs and head shakes.

Black Drum:

Black drum made a strong showing around deeper holes and dock pilings. We found most of them hanging in slower current with shrimp or blue crab chunks on bottom rigs. Plenty of fish in the 3–8 lb range, with a few double-digit brutes sprinkled in.

Flounder:

Flounder action was hit or miss early in the month, but by mid-to-late June we started seeing more consistent bites. Finger mullet and mud minnows fished on jig heads near creek mouths and drop-offs produced the best numbers. A few doormats hit the deck as well, making for some great take-home fillets.

 Offshore Report

Cobia:

Cobia made their annual push through nearshore waters and offshore wrecks. Most fish were caught free-swimming near surface structure or hanging around the sharks. Live eels, menhaden, and bucktail jigs all had their moments. We had several days where doubles and even triples were hooked up!

Spadefish:

Spadefish action was excellent around nearshore wrecks and reefs. They were thick around jellyfish and eager to eat small pieces of jelly, squid, or shrimp on light tackle. These fish provide an awesome fight on light gear and are great fun for families and new anglers.

Sharks:

Blacktips, Atlantic sharpnose, and a few big black tip kept rods doubled over near shore. Fresh cut bait soaked on the bottom in deep holes or chummed up to sight fish on fly, both produced nonstop action. It’s always a highlight for younger anglers and makes for a wild time when you hook into one of the bigger ones.

Grouper & Snapper:

We had solid bottom fishing days when the weather allowed us to push deeper. Gag grouper, red grouper, and scamp were pulled from hard-bottom areas in 80–120 feet. Red snapper showed up in good numbers ahead of the short season window. Vertical jigs, live pinfish, and cut squid did the heavy lifting.

 Final Thoughts

June was one of our most productive months this summer—strong tides, warm water, and a good mix of species made every trip a little different. Whether you were chasing tailing reds in skinny water or dropping bait on offshore structure, there was no shortage of fish to target.

As we roll into July, the bite is staying hot. If you’re thinking about booking a trip, now’s the time. We’ve got some great tides ahead and plenty more fish to catch.

 Book your next charter today with Ace Outdoors Charleston and let’s get on the water!

Tight lines,

Captain Austin