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Trout & Gnats
I have to apologize, I seem to have submitted the wrong spring trout article the week before last. This one was supposed to run and the other was supposed run in mid-April. So here are the secrets to trout for early spring!
For those unaware Tuesday 2-weeks ago marked the first day of spring and everyone should know that early spring in the lowcountry means gnats and spring trout! Longer days, warming water, good shell beds, and grubs or topwater plugs are all that is required for a chance at some nice trout runs. Here is the skinny on what has worked best for me over the last couple of years on the spring trout:
Click here to read this article

NOAA Fisheries’ Artificial Reef Team Completes National Plan
     The NOAA Fisheries Artificial Reef Team, in partnership with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, has revised and updated the National Artificial Reef Plan. The plan, originally published in November 1985, was developed by the Secretary of Commerce under direction of the National Fishing Enhancement Act of 1984. This Act directed the Secretary of Commerce to develop and publish a long-term National Artificial Reef Plan to promote and facilitate responsible and effective artificial reef use based on the best scientific information available. The revised version was approved on March 7, 2007, and is now available online.
     The revised National Plan provides information on the roles of federal, state, and local governments; interstate marine fisheries commissions; Regional Fishery Management Councils; and private citizens in artificial reef development. The document also provides guidelines for siting, materials, design, construction, and management of artificial reefs; and information on regulatory and permitting requirements, liability issues, and research needs. It also includes updated information on artificial reef activities and programs, and references other useful sources of information for artificial reef development. The most significant changes occur in the section of the plan dealing with materials for artificial reef development.
     The interstate marine fisheries commissions have been involved in the development and review of this document due to their extensive experience with state artificial reef management programs. Most coastal states have coordinated their artificial reef activities through the respective interstate marine fisheries commissions, and most interstate commissions have established technical advisory committees for marine artificial reef development. These committees are composed of the coordinators of the state marine artificial reef programs, as well as representatives from NOAA Fisheries, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minerals Management Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Regional Fishery Management Councils.
     Hard copies of the plan may be requested from the Partnerships and Communications Division of NOAA's Office of Sustainable Fisheries, at (301) 713-2379. For more information, read the Notice of Agency Decision or contact Christopher.M.Moore@noaa.gov .

     Rolling into Easter weekend, temps look a little chilly. All in all the weather has been fairly conducive to fishing over the past week. The trout fishing has been strong over the last several weeks. Quite a few nice fish caught on DOA shrimp up the Wando and Cooper. Check out this week’s article, I have been having luck on topwater baits on the first few hours of outgoing tide on the trout. The Redfish are hitting good on crabs and fresh shrimp as well as DOAs right now. Sheepshead fishing remains consistent at the rocks and on the nearshore reefs.
     Offshore there are scattered reports of Wahoo and Dolphin deep as well a couple of Blues. All eyes continue to be peeled for the ever elusive yellowfin. There continues to be good bottom fishing in the 90 to 200-foot range with plenty of large bsb and some nice grouper!
     Get on ‘em when you get a chance!

Tight lines…
Captain Tim Pickett
CharlestonFishing.Com