Colder weather leads to great times out on the water. Of course, weather conditions from dreary cold fronts to rain can affect fish behavior. That is why it is important to understand how weather can play a significant role in the outcome of your Hilton Head Island fishing trip. To help prepare for what Mother Nature has in store on the day of your inshore / nearshore or offshore trip, we’ve put together a list of the most common colder weather patterns and tips on how to use it to your advantage.
Falling Barometer: In our opinion, one of the best times to be on the water is when the barometer starts to fall. While the pressure theory is still under debate, many serious anglers swear by it as it seems to trigger bursts of feeding activity.
Though if the barometer starts to quickly rise after a major cold front, the rising pressure can cause fish to travel in loose groups as opposed to tight schools so that’s where our experienced anglers can help you change up strategies to have a successful day.
Cold Winter Weather: This can be one of the toughest fishing conditions Mother Nature can present. In this scenario, seek outside weed lines of 15 to 18 feet as they may hold groups of predator fish. We find that casting and trolling are also good techniques for fishing in cold weather.
Gusty Winds: If the conditions are safe, windy conditions actually make for really good fishing off Hilton Head Island. These rocky conditions tend to move larger fish from offshore deeper water into more shallow areas.
Cloudy and Overcast: Cloudy skies reduce light penetration leading predators to go on the prowl, especially in shallow water. As a general guideline, ideal lighting at noon on a cloudy day is just as good as light levels experienced early and late in the day in clear weather. Under these conditions, large baits tend to work best particularly in shallow feeding flats.
Rain: Don’t let a little rain scare you off the water! A light rain is actually a great time to go fishing as reduced light conditions trigger feeding behavior with a large majority of fish. Our charter provides almost everything you need, but we do recommend that you bring some rain protection like jackets and foul weather gear just in case.
No matter the conditions, inshore / nearshore and offshore chartered fishing trips with Hilton Head Charters are always a fun experience! Our custom charters are sure to be a hit with your small group. In general in winter we catch Redfish, Sea Bass, Flounder, Sheepshead, and Speckled trout.
For more information or to check availability, please give us a call at 843-816-4150.