Beaufort County, South Carolina, is a warm sub-tropical area. It is located on the coast between Savannah, GA, and Charleston, SC. The region is known for hot, humid summers and mild winters. Fly fishing is available all year, with each season offering unique opportunities.
Beaufort, SC offers some of the country’s most unique fly fishing opportunities.
Nearly half of Beaufort County, South Carolina is salt marsh or tidal river – over 200,000 acres. Within this environment, many opportunities exist for the fly fisher. You can spend time on the flats in search of redfish. Or you can venture out into bigger water looking for cobia or jacks cruising the surface.
The weather in Beaufort, SC makes for a great fishing destination.
The weather in Beaufort, SC is great, with an above average amount of sunny days per year.
Summer (June-August):
- Summers are hot and humid, with average high temperatures in the low to mid 90s.
- Expect occasional rain showers, especially in August, which is the wettest month.
- Beaufort is a great place for beach lovers during the summer, with opportunities for swimming and boating.
Winter (December-February):
- Winters are mild, with average highs in the low to mid 60s.
- The weather is generally pleasant, making it a popular destination to escape colder climates.
Spring (March-May) and Fall (September-November):
- These seasons offer pleasant temperatures and are ideal for outdoor activities.
- Fall is generally drier, with November being one of the drier months
The fish species that can be targeted on the fly inshore in Beaufort, South Carolina.
In order of our personal preference!
- Red drum – red drum are number one! They are the most magnificent gamefish ever! They are present and will eat all year round.
- Speckled trout – are by far one of the most fun and aggressive fish when presented with a fly. In the spring and the fall, they are abundant.
- Cobia – Cobia are here inshore mainly in the spring and early summer. You can even catch small ones all the way into the fall.
- Jack Crevalle – Small to large jacks start showing up in late spring. Catching them on the fly can be a blast.
- Tarpon – Tarpon are here in numbers from mid June until the water cools off sometimes into October. These are the largest and most well educated of the bunch.
- Sharks – There are many sharks here from spring to fall. Bonnet head and Lemon sharks will take a fly and do not spook easily. You can cast at them till your arm falls off or they eat the fly.
- Spanish Mackrell – Spanish show up from late spring and can be exciting when you get on a topwater blitz.
- Others: Sheepshead, Black drum, Lady fish, Flounder, Blue fish, Puffer fish, Sea robins, Whiting, Silver perch, Longnose Gar. These fish can be caught here as well on the fly. However, they are more of an incidental catch or a special situation.
What are the best aspects of fly fishing in Beaufort, South Carolina in each season?
Winter (December-February):
- Clear water sight fishing for reds on the flats
- Speckled trout is good in shallow water until the water drops below 60 degrees F.
Spring (March-May):
- Flood tides for tailing reds starts up again
- Speckled trout
- Cobia and Jacks in late spring
- The sharks return
Summer (June-August):
- Flood tides for tailing reds
- Big migratory fish (sharks, jacks, tarpon)
- Early morning topwater
Fall (September-November):
- Flood tides for tailing reds continued.
- Speckled trout fishing can be very good mid – late fall.
- Big migratory fish are around into October
- Hands down our favorite time of the year to go fishing the Lowcountry of South Carolina!
What kind of fly fishing equipment is right for Beaufort, South Carolina?
Overall, most fish can be caught and landed on an 8wt with a floating line. If you plan to fish the surf pack an intermediate line as well. If you want to fish big game like sharks, tarpon, or jacks, upgrade your setup. A standard selection of flies work well here like gurglers, clouser’s, deceivers, seaducers, etc.
We usually target reds with 8wt, speckled trout with 6wt-8wt, and larger fish with 11wt’s.
For redfish in the grass, use flies that are lightly weighted with bead chain for example. In shallow water on oyster beds, the same flies can be effective. Make sure they contain weed guards! Colors that they can see in muddy water like black and purple work well. In the winter more natural colors are preferred.
Leader choice is personal, but 12-20 is suitable for redfish. We often use a heavier tippet for casting larger patterns and providing abrasion resistance. Redfish are generally not sensitive to line.
What is the top way to fly fish in Beaufort, South Carolina?
The best way to fly fish in Beaufort, South Carolina, is to hire a knowledgeable guide. Alternatively, you can use your own boat. A guide will take you out on a flats skiff to help you find fish. You can also fly fish from the surf or by walking the flats. Walking requires understanding the marsh’s dangers, including where it’s safe to walk. Usually, walking the salt flats is best at specific tides and during warmer months. Check out our article on three fun ways to fly fish in Beaufort, South Carolina for more information: Explore three exciting methods to experience the salt flats of Beaufort, South Carolina.
How should I prepare for a fly-fishing trip to Beaufort, South Carolina?
To prepare for a fly-fishing trip to Beaufort, South Carolina, the number one way is to practice your casting. Your fishing guide will do their best to put you in a situation where you are in front of redfish. Casting accuracy is important as well as sometimes casting into a light breeze. The saltwater environment is all around you. A fish can pop up on a flat where you do not expect to see it. The ability to make quick accurate casts can sometimes make the difference. Redfish have a narrow zone of awareness when they are feeding, putting that fly in the zone is critical.
You will want to pack polarized sunglasses and appropriate clothing. Bring a long-sleeved shirt with a hood. It’s also helpful to have long pants that are convertible or light. Sometimes in the spring and fall, the bugs are very bad, and staying covered makes the experience more enjoyable. Often, when the bugs are biting, the fish are also biting. Staying comfortably in the area is key.
Bring a positive attitude and be ready for an adventure. Some days the fish just won’t bite, and that’s out of your control. Even on tough fishing days, you’ll discover new places and learn new things. You can’t catch great fish while sitting on the couch, so get out there and try your best!
What types of wildlife might I encounter while fly fishing in Beaufort, South Carolina?
Snakes and Aligators are rare to see while fly fishing. From time to time, they are known to make an appearance.
Birds are encountered on every trip. Beaufort is home to some wonderful wading and shore birds. You may have a chance to see oystercatchers wading on an exposed oyster bar. You might also see sanderlings and ruddy turnstones scurrying about. We have a nice migration of warblers in the early spring. In late spring and summer, we have birds that arrive from wintering in tropical regions. For example, we see the painted buntings arrive to the area. Other notable birds that can be viewed are rosette spoonbills, bald eagles, egrets, and herons of various kinds. We may hear the distinctive call of a rail coming from within the tall spartina grass. In the winter, many species of waterfowl arrive. They spend the coldest months of the year in our marshes. Loons are among them. Their song is a delight to the ears.
Dolphins are active year round and are usually seen on almost every trip.
During the late spring through fall, many sea turtles use the area for feeding. They also use it for nesting. It is not uncommon to see their head pop up out of the water as they investigate what you are. The loggerhead is the most common turtle seen on open water. Within the marsh our resident diamondback terrapin turtles are very active in the warmer months.
In the summer months, you may see a manatee or a group of them slowly working the grass line. In some cases, they may enter onto a flat where you are fishing for redfish as the tide comes in.
Various mammals use the marshes for food and shelter. We regularly see whitetail deer, mink, and raccoons on our trips. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to have an encounter with the playful otters of the area.
What are the tides like in Beaufort, South Carolina?
Beaufort has what is known as a semi diurnal tide. Typically, we see two high tides and two low tides per day. The tide range is considered significant with a range averaging over 7 feet. This means that the water level changes dramatically over the course of the day. During the new and full moon period we see a tide range that is higher. Areas of the marsh and flats, which have not had water on them, become flooded. Redfish especially use this phenomenon to their advantage in search of food, most notably small crabs.
Check the latest tide prediction here: Tide Predictions – NOAA Tides & Currents
What’s a good place to stay in Beaufort, South Carolina?
Most of our guests stay in downtown Beaufort, SC. You can walk to a number of nice restaurants. You can sit by the water at Henry Chambers waterfront park. You can also do some shopping.
Other great places include renting a beach house on Harbor Island or Fripp Island.
How should I get to Beaufort, South Carolina for my fly-fishing adventure?
If you are flying you can land at Hilton Head airport, Savannah Airport, or Charleston Airport. Our favorite is Savannah. It has a number of good flights. It is still small enough to be easy to navigate. It is only a 45-50 minute drive to Beaufort, South Carolina. Charleston Airport is also a good option that is a little bit further of a drive.
If you are taking a road trip, we are not that far from I-95.
What else should I check out while I am in Beaufort, South Carolina?
The food! Fish, shrimp, blue crabs, oysters are all good options.
Take a walk on one of our fabulous beaches.
Swing on a bench over at Henry C. Chambers waterfront park.
Visit historical sites and the port royal maritime center.
Take a walk on the cypress wetlands boardwalk in Port Royal, SC.
Take a horse drawn carriage tour of downtown.
Check out one of our festivals.
About the author
Captain Randy Klimek is a fly fishing guide and light tackle fishing guide based in Beaufort, South Carolina. He offers clients the experience of sight fishing for redfish in the beautiful Lowcountry marshes. He is CPR/AED/first aid certified. He is a USCG licensed captain who is fully insured. Randy is the owner of Lemon Island Fishing, LLC. He loves to spend time with his family and serve in his local church.
