How do I catch redfish in Folly River?

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

You’ve picked a great target in Folly River, especially as we slip into early fall. Redfish are cruising the marsh edges, oyster bars, and creek mouths where baitfish funnel along the moving water. Here’s a bass-savvy, inshore game plan to hook up, with a few saltwater twists that actually play well for folks who know how to read structure and water flow. 🎣

- Where to look and why
  - **Tide is life.** Fall tides push bait along grass and mangrove edges; fish ride those current lines. Target transition zones where deeper holes meet shallow flats, plus the edges of creek mouths. Think: current breaks, not the middle of the river. 🌊
  - **Structure and cover**. Keys are marsh edges, oyster bars, pilings, and drains. Redfish love to ambush bait as it funnels through these features.
  - **Time of day**. Dawn and late afternoon often produce, especially when the sun hasn’t warmed the water too much yet. If you must fish mid-day, look for shaded banks and deeper pockets.

- Gear and rigging (bass-friendly, saltwater-ready)
  - Rods: 7'–7'6" medium action with a stout backbone for hooksets. Reels in the 2000–3000 size range with a smooth drag.
  - Line: braided main line (15–30 lb) with a fluorocarbon leader (12–25 lb) to handle snaggy structure.
  - Lures and rigs:
    - **Topwater walking plugs** in mullet or white/mullet hues for early morning bites. A good walk-the-dog pulls big strikes when redfish are feeding near the surface. [Topwater Redfish Tips](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m873Esi5Ugo) 🐟
    - **Soft plastics on light jigheads** (1/4–3/8 oz) in shad/mullet colors. Work them along edges 1–3 ft deep, using a slow, steady crawl with short pauses to invite bites.
    - **Jigs and live bait options** for stained water: 1/8–1/4 oz jigheads with paddle tails, or a live shrimp under a light cork. If you’re using live bait, keep it within the current seams where fish are likely to wait.

- Tactics and technique (works for bass anglers shifting to redfish)
  - Cast parallel to the edge and work the lure with a *slow roll* or *stop-and-go* cadence to keep it in the strike zone as the bait sweeps by.
  - On topwater, a steady walk followed by a brief pause can trigger a late-feeding redfish; stay tight to structure and be ready for a sudden smash. 
  - If you’re targeting deeper pockets, ride the current and bump the lure along the edges of drop-offs. The key is to feel the lure contact and react with a firm hookset when you see a boil or a tail kick.

- Quick gear picks (handy options and inspiration)
  - [Bomber Lures Mullet Slow-Sinking Twitch](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JRHU7J6?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — great for getting down to 2–3 ft in clearer fall water.
  - [Berkley Johnson Sprite Fishing Hard Bait, Gold - Redfish Kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005Z7QF1Q?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — compact, flashy, easy to cast on breezy days.
  - [10PCS Saltwater Fishing Lures Shrimp Baits Set](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0965HJ5LZ?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — versatile soft plastics for slower retrieves along edges.
  - [Strike King Redfish Magic Spinnerbait](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000EZ09MK?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) — good for dirty water or stained fall water where flash helps.

- Weather note and seasonal tip (early fall at Folly Beach)
  - Weather snapshot: Folly Beach around 74°F, partly cloudy, with a 19–20 mph breeze is pretty common in early fall. Wind pushes bait along the edges and can roughen the surface—great for topwater, less ideal for ultrashallow spots if you can’t keep contact. [Video insights](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtkGbeTlOV4) and field reports from Folly River players show the best action when you stay tight to structure during these conditions. 🌤️💨
  - Weather-specific fishing tip: On windy mornings, fish the leeward edges first and use a slightly longer cast to reach the current seam without dragging your lure through heavy chop. Tie a stout leader and step up the weight a touch if the water is rising in the tide. 
  - Seasonal weather summary: Early fall in Folly River brings warming water into the low to mid 70s, gusty afternoons, and active bait fleets moving along marsh lines. The bite often peaks at first light and again toward dusk, especially when the tide sweeps bait into the mouths of creeks. Stay flexible with your depth (1–4 ft) and switch between topwater and sub-surface plastics as water clarity shifts with the weather.

- Short tip from the guide
  - Try a parallel, slow-rolling retrieve with a mullet-colored topwater for the first 10–15 casts, then switch to a soft plastic on a light jighead along the same edge to fill in when surface bites calm down. The combo keeps your presentation in the strike zone and gives you options if the bite goes quiet.

You’ve got this. With the right tide, structure, and a few well-chosen lures, Folly River redfish can be on the other end of your line before you finish your third cast. Tight lines and good scouting! 🌟

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