Hey guys I recently purchased my first boat and I am looking to do some nearshore fishing. I have been out to Edisto Banks, Southwest Banks, and a few bottom spots about 40 miles out with a buddy of mine. Im not looking for your secret spots, but just a few that I can hit up so I can get the skunk of the new boat.
I plan on trying out the Charleston nearshore reef and Capers reef, has anyone had any luck recently with one of these reefs? Also I keep finding random articles stating that guys are picking up Vermilion Snapper 9 miles off the coast, is there anyone that can verify this?
Thanks for any help y’all can provide.
I accept PM’s as well, again not looking for your “SECRET SPOT” just something close to getting me on some fish. I don’t care if the fish are to small to keep!
Seafox 209 Commander
Any of the nearshore reefs (Charleston Nearshore, Capers, Charleston 60, Kiawah, Edisto 40) hold plenty of small fish and can be really good for spade fish during the summer. You can get the numbers from the DNR website or buy a top spots map.
Olde Man Charters
Black fish banks/live bottom area just a few miles past the Charleston 60
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
Thanks sulcataman and Long Enuff, I am looking forward to getting out there. I know the weather has been crappy, but do you think a 21’ CC will be alright in 2-3ft seas?
Seafox 209 Commander
Learn the local weather and how different patterns effect the ocean/waves. 2-3 foot seas from the SW at 9+seconds is not the same as 2-3 foot seas at 6 seconds from the NE. The former being pretty much flat seas and the latter being choppy and probably worsening conditions. Learn your boat(how it handles waves, know any flaws or weaknesses, safety equipment, and how fast your particular boat can safely travel to safety in a variety of conditions). Single motor is more risky than a twin. 2-3 is probably doable, but it look at all the factors. Look at the forecast for the whole week and see what might make conditions worse or get you in trouble if you have a worse case scenario situation. As most people here will tell you, just know your limits and don’t get ahead of your experience/comfort level. As far as fishing the nearshore reefs and live bottom, maps unique will open up a lot of starting points to explore. Its pretty hot right now so a lot of bigger fish have probably moved to more deeper water with a more stable cooler temperature, but you should still be able to find enough fish to keep you busy(spades, flounder, reef donkeys, weakfish(bummer of a limit though), maybe some beeliners and black sea bass, triggers, maybe a kingfish).
Hey reaper. I’ve got the 246 commander. If the wave spacing and direction is right, I can handle 3-4’. I’m taking a charter out Sunday and hope for good conditions. Planning to bottom fish 90-100’. Heavy rigs and large live bait.
Olde Man Charters
I hit the y73 reef a couple of weeks ago. It’s within 40 miles of the Buoy chain. It’s a sunken oil tanker. Lots of B-Liners, AJ’s and Sheepheads.
Thanks for all the info guys, I have been keeping my eye on the weather and trying to learn it the best I can. I have been using NOAA’s graphical forecast website to determine waves and weather, but I can’t seem to find reliable information on the currents. Do y’all use the links from charlestonfishing.com or do you have your own preferred sites to utilize?
Seafox 209 Commander