Coastal South Carolina fishing
Apr 30, 2021 20:42:44 #
Apr 30, 2021 22:41:53 #
Deep down in the threads from yesterday a fellow angler, Jesseredfish, asked a specific question about fishing on Hilton Head Island and I posted the following reply...
It is not really talking about any exciting catches or techniques so much as just some general information that others could benefit from since the current question is about SC surf fishing....
I just returned from spending week on Hilton Head Island. The focus of my trip was to play some golf, fly a collection of parafoil and sled style kites, bike ride the beaches at low tide and spend some time kayaking.
Although I am an avid fisherman, the purpose of my visit was vacationing with my wife so fishing played a very small role in my schedule last week. That being said, I did bring a single simple rod and spent some time bottom fishing in the surf from shore near the Coligny Circle Beach vicinity. Had one large fish break me off and then tended numerous small bites from some sort of pesky shoreline fish that were too small to hook up with. Also spent some time fishing at the small park located in Sea Pines at the South end of the Island at the end of the bike trail. They require that you obtain a special "extra" fishing permit to fish the surf within Sea Pines besides the non-resident 14 day South Carolina permit that you would need to fish elsewhere. I did not realize that while I was fishing at that shoreline park, and I did spend about a half hour with a line in the water there and caught nothing anyways. That particular water corridor appeared very productive to me, and I observed 4 porpoise/dolphins herding small fish close to shore for a feeding frenzy right next to the water line! They looked like seatrout to me...about 15 to 18 inches in size. Very fun to watch! Depending on tides, the fishing access all along the beach simply requires you to be willing to be fairly mobile and continue advancing your bait a good distance offshore as the water comes in or out. I do very little surf fishing so to be sure I am a mere novice at it. I also rented a kayak from the folks at Salt Water Marsh Paddlers located at the Old Oyster Bar on Marshland Road. My plan was to go after Redfish in those weed areas located between Shelter Cove and the end of the Bay, but the tide was moving swiftly and it was very windy so I just ended up paddling around. I did see a couple of fishermen in Shelter Cove itself, and at the right tide level, that spot might even be accessible from shore. I also spent some time fishing in a small inlet on the ocean side of the Island near what is called Burke Beach. Look for the Exxon station just down the road from Bubba's Cabin and you'll figure out how to get to that spot. It looked very fishy, and I spent about a half hour there using shrimp, but again, no bites. I always tried to fish about an hour before and after the "slack tide". If you are really serious, you can also rent a small boat and then your opportunities may increase by being able to move around quickly on the big water.
For some local gear and your license, check out Bubba's Cabin Lowcountry Outfitters at 612 William Hilton Parkway (Route 278) and Blue Water Tackle on the Southerly tip of the Island located within the Sea Pines region next to the Salty Dog Cafe. I scooped up my license at Bubba's and bought bottom fishing tackle and frozen bait (small mullet and shrimp) at Blue Water Tackle.
Bubba's will rent surf gear for about $40.00 per day...or $50.00 for 2 days. I pondered doing that, but decided to just use my own small rig. In hindsight, I wish I had brought along one of my larger fishing rods that would have allowed me to cast farther out into the surf.
If I ever went back there in the future I would probably just gear up for surf fishing and cast chopped fish chunks out there for whatever was cruising by and keep it all simple instead of trying to rove around the island. Of course you can also connect with local charter/guides if your budget allows. Off the Hook Charters came highly recommended by the owners of the condo we rented, and I think they operate out of Shelter Cove.
Good luck in your pursuit of fishing, and enjoy the Island!
It is not really talking about any exciting catches or techniques so much as just some general information that others could benefit from since the current question is about SC surf fishing....
I just returned from spending week on Hilton Head Island. The focus of my trip was to play some golf, fly a collection of parafoil and sled style kites, bike ride the beaches at low tide and spend some time kayaking.
Although I am an avid fisherman, the purpose of my visit was vacationing with my wife so fishing played a very small role in my schedule last week. That being said, I did bring a single simple rod and spent some time bottom fishing in the surf from shore near the Coligny Circle Beach vicinity. Had one large fish break me off and then tended numerous small bites from some sort of pesky shoreline fish that were too small to hook up with. Also spent some time fishing at the small park located in Sea Pines at the South end of the Island at the end of the bike trail. They require that you obtain a special "extra" fishing permit to fish the surf within Sea Pines besides the non-resident 14 day South Carolina permit that you would need to fish elsewhere. I did not realize that while I was fishing at that shoreline park, and I did spend about a half hour with a line in the water there and caught nothing anyways. That particular water corridor appeared very productive to me, and I observed 4 porpoise/dolphins herding small fish close to shore for a feeding frenzy right next to the water line! They looked like seatrout to me...about 15 to 18 inches in size. Very fun to watch! Depending on tides, the fishing access all along the beach simply requires you to be willing to be fairly mobile and continue advancing your bait a good distance offshore as the water comes in or out. I do very little surf fishing so to be sure I am a mere novice at it. I also rented a kayak from the folks at Salt Water Marsh Paddlers located at the Old Oyster Bar on Marshland Road. My plan was to go after Redfish in those weed areas located between Shelter Cove and the end of the Bay, but the tide was moving swiftly and it was very windy so I just ended up paddling around. I did see a couple of fishermen in Shelter Cove itself, and at the right tide level, that spot might even be accessible from shore. I also spent some time fishing in a small inlet on the ocean side of the Island near what is called Burke Beach. Look for the Exxon station just down the road from Bubba's Cabin and you'll figure out how to get to that spot. It looked very fishy, and I spent about a half hour there using shrimp, but again, no bites. I always tried to fish about an hour before and after the "slack tide". If you are really serious, you can also rent a small boat and then your opportunities may increase by being able to move around quickly on the big water.
For some local gear and your license, check out Bubba's Cabin Lowcountry Outfitters at 612 William Hilton Parkway (Route 278) and Blue Water Tackle on the Southerly tip of the Island located within the Sea Pines region next to the Salty Dog Cafe. I scooped up my license at Bubba's and bought bottom fishing tackle and frozen bait (small mullet and shrimp) at Blue Water Tackle.
Bubba's will rent surf gear for about $40.00 per day...or $50.00 for 2 days. I pondered doing that, but decided to just use my own small rig. In hindsight, I wish I had brought along one of my larger fishing rods that would have allowed me to cast farther out into the surf.
If I ever went back there in the future I would probably just gear up for surf fishing and cast chopped fish chunks out there for whatever was cruising by and keep it all simple instead of trying to rove around the island. Of course you can also connect with local charter/guides if your budget allows. Off the Hook Charters came highly recommended by the owners of the condo we rented, and I think they operate out of Shelter Cove.
Good luck in your pursuit of fishing, and enjoy the Island!
May 1, 2021 06:22:19 #
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