Beaufort SC Fly Fishing

March 2026 – Fly fishing report for Beaufort, SC.

March madness on the flats

March is one of my favorite months to fly fish and guide on the flats here in Beaufort, SC. The best things about March are:

  • Foggy mornings
  • The water is still very clear
  • Pleasant afternoon air temps
  • Rising water temperatures create fish activity
  • Reds are breaking into smaller schools as the month progresses
  • Trout are using the flats after a long winter

2026 was a great March for fly fishing, it’s one of my favorite times of the year and this year exceeded my expectations. Every year I look forward to March as we move from the winter pattern to spring.

A man sitting on a boat holding a large fish, wearing sunglasses and a blue cap, with a sunny sky in the background.
A beautiful March 2026 redfish landed on a 6wt.

Is spot burning real?

A man sitting on a boat holding a large fish in one hand while resting a fishing rod in the other, with a clear sky in the background.
A March 2026 redfish landed on the fly.

Fishing to me is about getting out there and exploring. I have always tried to limit the background information in my images so that the locations are not identifiable. This month, I tested my artistic abilities by drawing over the most beautiful marsh settings to ensure these fish are not harassed by the entire world wide web. In a future segment, I will dive into spot burning.

Fly tying

Dealing with clear water means, for the most part, I am launching more natural patterns for reds and trout. However, March Madness on the flats offers something unique, which is sight casting to Longnose Gar. As temperatures rise, the longnose gar move onto the flats in large numbers. They are easy to entice on the fly with the correct action imparted to the fly. The fly below is made from rope and conventional fly-tying materials. When they attack it becomes stuck in their bonny toothy mouth.

A colorful fishing fly with a bright green front and a long white tail, resting on a green surface.
A longnose gar fly made from a white rope and some regular materials.
A man holding a long fish, likely a sturgeon, while standing on a fishing boat in a calm body of water surrounded by tall grass.
A longnose gar sight casted on the fly in March 2026. After landing, the fly is removed from the fish’s mouth, and it is safely released.

Equipment spotlight

6wt you say, for reds?

This month I am going to highlight my Sage Maverick 6wt paired with a Tibor Backcountry and Cortland redfish line. This is a great setup; it’s one of my favorites. I got this in 2024, it replaced a different 6wt setup. How and when I use it for reds and trout is specific.

Pros:

  • Super light and casts like a dream
  • Has enough backbone to land redfish
  • 6wt line lands much softer than 8wt line, making this ideal for flats fishing spooky fish.
  • It’s great for freshwater fishing also. I got to take it on a smallmouth trip, and it was wonderful.
A person holding a silver fishing reel with colorful line, featuring a black knob marked with the name 'Tibor' and the word 'BACKCOUNTRY' at the base.
My Tibor Backcountry reel spooled with Cortland redfish line.

Cons:

  • There are no cons with the hardware that I have found.
  • The only consideration I employ is when to use this rod, for example, I use this a lot in the fall and spring.
  • I tend not to use the 6wt on reds in the hot months because it can take me too long to land the fish in the grass, and I want to land them and get them back on their way.
  • Heavier lines are easier for me to cast in a high wind.
A man sitting on a boat, holding a large fish, with fishing gear visible nearby and a clear blue sky in the background.
A March 2026 redfish landed on the 6wt.

In closing, the 6wt is a great multi-species tool that you can use both inshore and in freshwater. Having it on the boat has been great, many anglers have been able to enjoy it. As time permits, I will write an article about my self-guided smallmouth on the fly trip, which was very fun.

A freshly caught fish lying on a rocky riverbed next to a fly rod and reel.
A person holding a large fish while standing by a body of water, wearing sunglasses and a colorful shirt.
Three colorful fishing flies with orange and red materials placed on a wooden surface.

March 2026 Inshore fishing gallery from Beaufort, SC.

A man sitting on a boat holding a caught fish while wearing sunglasses and a cap, with a calm water background.
A man sitting on a boat holding a large fish, likely a redfish, with fishing gear beside him and a clear sky in the background.
A freshly caught fish lying on a boat deck next to a fishing rod and reel.
A person standing on the bow of a boat, looking out over calm water under bright sunlight.
A girl fishing from a small boat, focused on her fishing rod, with water reflections in the background.
A person holding a fish above a body of water, with a reflective green surface.
Three fishing rods with reels resting on a white boat seat, with one rod displaying a blue reel and two others exhibiting circular reels with varying designs.
A person's hand holding a fishing net over water, attempting to catch a fish.
A fish swimming near the surface of the water, creating ripples and splashes.
A person sitting on a boat, holding a large fish with a fishing rod beside them, under a sunny sky.
A young boy proudly holding a large fish while standing on a boat, with a calm water background and clear sky.
A view from a boat in fog, showing still water reflecting a muted scene with sparse reeds in the background.
A bottle of San Pellegrino sparkling mineral water sitting on a white surface, with a blurred natural landscape featuring tall grasses and a calm body of water in the background.
A young boy wearing a colorful shirt happily holds a large fish while sitting on a boat in calm waters under a clear blue sky.

Looking forward

Spring can be both difficult and rewarding. As we move into April and May, get ready for the return of the tailing action in the grass, a variety of seasonal fish species’ arrival, and beautiful weather. We are blessed to fish in Beaufort, South Carolina. Pass on the great sport of fly fishing and be a good steward of our natural resources. – Capt. Randy

Feel free to contact us for any questions or to schedule a guided fly-fishing trip in Beaufort, South Carolina.

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Beaufort SC Fly Fishing

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading