What We’ve Been Seeing on the Water
August temperatures surprised us—it wasn’t just the classic Lowcountry heat we are used to. We saw average temperatures in the 70s most days and a recorded low of 61 degrees in the middle of the month! This provided much relief – to anglers and fish – that was widely unexpected.
Most Active Species:
Redfish
Flood tide redfish activity remains solid. Fish are tailing aggressively in the evenings, especially on the front side of new and full moon cycles. Smaller crab patterns in natural or dark tones (think olive, black, and purple) are key. Water clarity is variable, so bring a few color options. On the low tides, reds are still in small schools and cruising edges—perfect for sight casting when the light is good.
Migratory Species
Tarpon and Jack activity seemed to have peaked over the past month with some solid fish moving in and out of the sounds. Be prepared for these fish to trickle out of our area – especially if temperatures continue their cooling trend.
Tripletail are still showing up around crab trap buoys, channel markers, and floating debris. Mid-day sight fishing on slack tides with minimal wind gives the best visibility. Shrimp or crab imitations continue to produce. These fish should be around all month (October can be incredibly underrated as well.)
Shop Tips – What’s Working
Flies:
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Redfish: Small natural or black/purple crabs for tailers then size up for low tide cruisers.
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Tarpon: Black & red, purple/black, or white/grey baitfish patterns with strong profiles.
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Tripletail: Realistic shrimp or crab patterns.
Gear:
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Redfish: 8 or 9 wt rod, floating line, 16–20 lb fluorocarbon leader.
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Tripletail: 8 wt with floating line, 20 lb leader.
Sun protection and hydration are must-haves. Don’t let the change in weather catch you off guard. Conditions can still be hot and intense—plan for water/shade breaks.
Looking Ahead – September Fly Fishing Forecast
September marks the seasonal shift. Mornings are a touch cooler, big shrimp and baitfish are stacking up, and the fish are responding. Here’s what to expect:
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Redfish: Look for full day fishing possibilities.
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Tarpon: Still a possibility through early September – especially on warmer days.
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Tripletail: Numbers may taper as we approach the end of their summer pattern—but they’ll stick around through the month.
Fly Shop September Prep List:
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Stock up on fall shrimp patterns for redfish.
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Start tying for cooler months—think shrimp and baitfish patterns for clear water winter reds.
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Light Jacket or Vest can be critical for early morning runs when there is a chill in the air.
Final Word from the Shop
August in Beaufort brought some much needed relief from the heat but also reminded us why this fishery keeps us coming back. With the right tides and gear, the opportunities for sight fishing are still excellent. September will bring a welcome cool-off and more stable conditions for technical fishing.
Whether you’re chasing reds on a flood tide, hoping for one more shot at a silver king, or just enjoying a quiet morning on the flats—now’s the time to make every session count.
Need help dialing in your fly selection or planning around the tides? Swing by the shop—we’re happy to get you dialed.
