Coastal fishermen certainly have diverse and excellent opportunities when selecting fishing targets in South Carolina. First, there are several species that offer exceptional inshore fishing that, between them, produce good fishing throughout the year. On the other hand, by going offshore, anglers can enter a whole new world of big-game fishing opportunities.

In this feature, we'll take a look at some of the best of the inshore fishing with one very good offshore fishing opportunity.

The big three of inshore fishing along the South Carolina coast would have to be the redfish, spotted seatrout and the flounder. All are highly prized and sought-after saltwater species.

But another fish that provides tremendous fishing opportunity is the whiting. Often overlooked by inshore anglers, whiting can be caught in excellent numbers during the summer and fall. In addition, as table fare, this fish certainly ranks among the best.

In the offshore category, we'll look at the dolphin. The fish is prolific and found in good numbers and excellent sizes. Moreover, right now is some of the very best dolphin fishing of the year, and good fishing will continue throughout the next couple of months.

We'll begin with the spottail bass, also known as the redfish. It is one of the most targeted species of fish in the inshore waters of South Carolina.

SPOTTAIL BASS
There are numerous reasons why this fish is the No. 1 inshore fish along our coast. They are abundant, grow to big sizes, fight hard and they can be caught on heavy, light and fly tackle. Plus, when you catch fish in the legal slot limit, they are awesome table fare.

Coordinating your fishing technique to the tide movement is the key to success for this fish. Spottail bass are caught at all stages of the tide throughout the year. The key is to use the right technique for each phase of the tide.

During a period either side of the low tide, spottail bass are often roaming the shallows looking for an easy meal. That preferred meal is apt to vary depending on the season. You can use a cast net to catch their favored forage, which can be finger mullet, menhaden and so on. A minnow trap will enable you to catch mudminnows, which also can be purchased commercially. Rig live bait under a cork and work the shallow flats.

On a rising tide, when the water is back in the grass, spottail bass often patrol the edge lines of the grass looking for a meal. Again, the live bait is an excellent choice, but you can also catch them using artificial lures.

Both surf- and pier-fishing will produce spottail bass during the summer and fall months. During the summer months, another favored way to take these fish is by sight-fishing. Looking for tailing fish on the grassbeds at high tide is the epitome of redfish angling to some anglers.

Ken Privette is a Mt. Pleasant redfish addict who focuses his fishing for reds on tailing fish whenever he can.