Welcome to your latest April 2025 Beaufort, SC Fishing Report: Recap! April brought an exciting shift in pace for fishing in the Lowcountry. With warming water, clearer skies, and more fish on the move, this month delivered everything from redfish on fly to non-stop nearshore action.
Weather & Conditions:
- Average Air Temp: 65–85°F
- Average Water Temp: ~75°F
- Water Clarity: Thanks to a drier month overall, water clarity remained solid, with a mix of clear to stained depending on location and tide stage.
- Tide Swing: ~ 7 feet
- Average Wind: ~ 5-15mph
Top Catches & Fishing Highlights
Redfish remained the staple inshore catch, but nearshore fishing stole the show—especially for families. Every trip to the nearshore reefs and wrecks resulted in well over 100 fish. There was a strong mix of black sea bass, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel. It was nonstop action, and a perfect setup for introducing kids to saltwater fishing.
A standout moment this month? Landing a 7-foot lemon shark on fly.
We’ve also started to see some early-season tarpon and plenty of sharks rolling through. It’s clear that summer species are waking up and moving in!
Fly Fishing Update
Fly anglers had a strong month in April, especially when sunlight was high and winds dropped low. Sight fishing for redfish was productive throughout, with fish responding well to fly colors matched to their surroundings. Black flies worked best on wide-open flats along the main river, while orange patterns found success deeper in the creeks.
As fish transitioned to feeding on larger bait like mullet again, we shifted back to using larger flies for a more natural presentation. When conditions lined up, the fly bite was lights-out.
Light Tackle Update
For light tackle anglers, April offered a consistent bite across a variety of species. Cut crab was the go-to bait for redfish, especially on calmer days, while white or gold paddle tails on jigheads drew strikes when casting around structure or current seams. Topwater lures at sunrise added a visual thrill, though no single strategy outperformed the rest—it was more about adapting to the moment.
April marked a clear seasonal transition with sharks, bull reds, triple tail, and even a few early tarpon making appearances. This shift brought new energy to each trip, especially as sharks became a major focus during family-friendly outings thanks to their abundance and size.
With more bait in the water and temperatures climbing, fish are getting more aggressive, and patterns are starting to shift toward those classic warm-weather rhythms. It’s only going to get better from here.
April gave us a glimpse of what’s coming: more bait, more heat, and more species showing up inshore and nearshore. Whether you’re casting flies to crawlers on the flats or bending rods nonstop offshore with the kids, this month had a little something for everyone.
Stay tuned for the May Forecast—it’s shaping up to be a great month for chasing tarpon, tailing reds, and more.
Book your next fly/light tackle fishing trip here in the beautiful waters of Beaufort, SC!
For the latest tide updates in Beaufort, SC, visit NOAA Tide Predictions
Check out other Beaufort, SC Fishing Reports!