Brian Cope Features, Newsletters, Redfish, Speckled Trout

Redfish and speckled trout are prized winter catches

January in the Carolinas brings a quieter rhythm to the inshore waters, but for anglers who understand seasonal patterns, it can be one of the most rewarding times to target redfish and speckled trout.

Cold fronts sweep through regularly, water temperatures drop, and bait becomes less abundant, forcing fish to adjust their behavior.

These changes concentrate redfish and trout into predictable areas, making patience and strategy more important than covering water quickly.

Speckled trout

Speckled trout are particularly sensitive to cold and tend to gather in deeper holes, creek bends, and channels where water temperatures remain more stable.

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During January, they often stack tightly, sometimes by the dozens, especially following extended cold spells. Anglers who locate these wintering areas can experience steady action, but must also fish carefully to avoid stressing fish in cold water. Slow presentations are key, as trout metabolism decreases and aggressive retrieves are far less effective than subtle, deliberate movements.

Redfish

Redfish are more tolerant of cold but still seek out similar structures. Schools of slot-sized reds commonly hold along muddy shorelines, oyster edges, docks, and deeper flats adjacent to shallow feeding areas. On sunny winter days, redfish will often slide into skinny water that warms quickly, especially on a rising tide. Dark, muddy bottoms absorb heat and can raise water temperatures just enough to trigger feeding activity, sometimes for only a short window during the afternoon.

Watch the weather

Weather plays a major role in January success. A strong cold front can shut down the bite temporarily, pushing fish deeper and making them lethargic. Conversely, a few days of stable conditions often lead to improved fishing, especially when afternoon temperatures climb. Many experienced anglers plan trips around warming trends rather than calendar dates, understanding that winter fishing is as much about timing as location.

Lure choices

Artificial lures dominate January inshore fishing, as live bait becomes scarce and less effective in cold water. Soft plastics rigged on light jigheads are a favorite for both redfish and speckled trout. Natural colors like opening night, new penny, and white tend to perform well in the often-clear winter water. Slow hops along the bottom or gentle drags through deeper holes mimic injured baitfish and appeal to cold-stunned predators.

Suspending twitch baits are another popular option, particularly for speckled trout. These lures excel when worked slowly with long pauses, allowing them to hover in the strike zone. Many winter strikes occur during the pause rather than the retrieve, requiring anglers to remain focused and ready to react. Downsizing lures can also make a difference, as fish are less likely to chase large meals in January.

Play the tides

Tides influence winter fishing more subtly than in warmer months. Extreme low tides often expose mud flats and force fish into deeper water, making them easier to locate but sometimes harder to entice. Moderate moving water is usually ideal, providing enough current to concentrate bait without sweeping lures unnaturally. Slack tides can still produce, but presentations must be even slower to draw attention.

Ethical handling becomes especially important during winter. Cold water reduces fish resilience, and speckled trout are vulnerable to stress and delayed mortality. Limiting air exposure, handling fish gently, and releasing them quickly helps ensure healthy populations for the future. Many anglers voluntarily practice catch and release during January, valuing the experience over harvest.

Throughout January, the bite may be less explosive than in warmer months, but the solitude, clarity of the water, and opportunity to catch quality fish all make January a uniquely satisfying time on the coast.

About Brian Cope

Brian Cope is the editor of Carolina Sportsman. He has won numerous awards for his writing, photography, and videography. He is a retired Air Force combat communications technician, and has a B.A. in English Literature from the University of South Carolina. You can reach him at brianc@carolinasportsman.com.