Anyone fish Charleston Harbor? I am wanting to fish in the ocean, but not getting good vibes with a kayak, or maybe it’s still too cold so what about the harbor? Is it a good place to fish or am I nuts? For that matter, what about shem creek? I am new here so looking for someplace to fish and hopefully catch something.
The harbor is pretty good. You just need to decide where and for what. Bonnet heads in droves out by Chutes Folly and Fort Sumter. Reds and trout there and on the flat near crab bank. Jacks during warm weather. Spanish and blues from time to time, they move about a lot which makes targeting them from the yak a bit of a challenge. Sheepshead on dock pilings. I’ve heard rumors of good fishing by the Battery, but I don’t spend much time there.
Just watch for crazy boaters and big wakes.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Would you mind giving me an idea of where to put in? I’m new here, so an explanation of the location or how to get there would be appreciated! I am planning on fishing from 11am - 3pm or so any suggestions of what to target would be appreciated. I’d be especially interested in Spanish and blues or trout and redfish. Thanks. I have a sail and plan on trolling maybe if the weather permits.
You can put in at Remleys Point near the Ravenel Bridge, Shem Creek, and on the backside of Sullivan’s Island…also you can put in at the beach at the parking lot next to the fort on Sullivans island but watch the water as there are underwater jetties that can make the water sketchy at times when the tide is moving in that area stay out from the bank enough and it wont be a problem …hope this helps
2010 Wilderness Systems Ride 135
If you put in at Remley’s head toward the mouth of the harbor. I fish the grass edge toward the aircraft carrier wth moderate success for trout and reds. Further down is the island Shutes Folly / Castle Pinkney. Further down still will be crab bank, and Fort Sumter is pretty obvious.
It’s about 4 1/2 miles from Remley’s to Ft Sumter, maybe a little more.
Swing by Haddrell’s Point and pick up a Hot Spots map. Best thing going for someone new to the area.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Thanks gents. Here’s the plan. Put in at Remley’s heading towards te mouth of the harbor. If I can find Haddrell’s Point, I’ll take your advice and pick up the hot spots map.
Thanks, by the way, isn’t this the same as a top spot map? They sell them at walmarts and there’s one on the way for me from work to the hotel I stay at.
That’s what I though, thanks. I’ll pick it up at Walmarts on the way to the hotel today. Thanks.
Be careful out there salty!
Lewis aka “elgeebee”
WS Ride 135
Jackson Kayak Cuda
Thanks Lewis I heard theres a sail regatta so need to avoid that
IN MAY WE WILL BE DONING A FEW HARBOR TRIPS
SAFETY IS MY MAIN CONCERN - NORMALLY PADDLE OUT BUT FOR A GROUP I TAKE MY 22FT PONTOON BOAT ALONG ALSO (HEAVY WEATHER MOVES IN VERY FAST IN THE HARBOR)
SHARKS WILL BE IN SOON
CAPT DAVE
FISHING KAYAKS SC
Thanks for the advice Capt. Dave. Please let me know in May when your doing a trip and the particulars. I’ll pm my cell. Thanks.
Here’s the wunderground weather forecast.
Sat
S winds 5 to 10 kt…increasing to 10 to 15 kt in the afternoon. A chance of showers and tstms.
I plan on being there Saturday around 11am. fishing until the weather permits.
I remember you saying you are new to kayak fishing and I again say do not go out there alone. Even in shallow it’s not smart to be alone but in harbor alone and you are asking for touble. Even more so when chance of storms. Here in charleston it can go from blue skies to windy thunderstorm to blue skies in a total of 2 hours.
Also sorry I missed the last weekend we were supposed to meet up. Turned out I was way too busy to make it with everyone in town for bridge run. Everyone wants to look at houses with family in town. Hopefully weekend after next.
We’re stuck between Barack and a hard place. Hide their food stamps under their working boots.
Manta Ray 14’
Actually, I’m not new to kayaking Shaun. I’m new to Charleston. I was also told by someone else he’s going, who mentioned he’s familiar with the harbor, but I haven’t gotten a confirmation back yet to be honest. I have a lot of boat experience, since I lived on my boat in the Caribbean for over a year, and actually skippered my 39’ pearson center cockpit from St. Maarten to Florida. That being said, I realize this is only a 16’ yak. I will be wearing a life jacket of course. If it gets rough, I’ll return to shore and call it a day, but thanks for the concern.
Sorry, remembered wrong. Have seen a lot of new kayakers talking about going it alone and would hate to see something happen. Sounds you are fully capable of making a decision from your experience. Didn’t mean to insult you. Best of luck and let us know how it goes.
We’re stuck between Barack and a hard place. Hide their food stamps under their working boots.
Manta Ray 14’
Not at all Shaun, I appreciate your concern. In fact, having been a boater in Florida for the past twenty years, I’ve seen my share of yahoos who go out in boats and haven’t a clue.
There’s a reason there’s safety in numbers. I’m trying to go with someone, but havent been able to secure a solid connection for the weekend, so I may have to go alone or cancel. I really want to try my sail out, so I don’t think I’m cancelling, unless of course, the weather is really unsafe.
If you want a BIG expanse of water and no (or almost no) powerboats, you could drive a few miles up 17N to Copahee Sound.
High tide is 9 am on Saturday, so there’s plenty of water. Good shot at finding some reds up there too. You’ll be able to cover a lot more water than most between the pedals and the sail.
Just be cautious of low tide or you can get stuck in the mud for hours waiting for the tide to come back in. Get out of the sound when the oyster mounds are about 2 or 3 inches above water level.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com