So after living down have for about 2 years, I am finally buying a boat(17’ skiff/flats). I only live about 10 minutes from the Herbert Jessen ramp off of Dorchester. If I were to use that ramp, how far would I have to run before I would get into redfish/trout waters? Would it be better to put in at Leeds?
Also any tips for a newbie in saltwater would be great. I have done several charters since I moved here, so I understand the basics, but as far as knowing what is a good spot to try and fish, and stuff like that, I am unsure. Plus my charters have been more in the harbor than up in the rivers.
I would love to be able to use the less used ramps, as Leeds and Wappoo Cut seem to be very crowded on the weekends.
There’s plenty of good redfish/trout/black drum spots all along the Ashley. From the train trestle on down to the harbor you can find places where they hang out depending on tides and time of year. It’s been reported by others on this site that above the train trestle up towards the plantations there are reds. UP there you are starting to get into brackish water. Your question about boat launch areas is a common one. I don’t think there are any landings that are not crowded on weekends. Too many people around here anymore and not enough landings. Good luck!
TRUE INFO THERE FROM SEATONIC , ONE OF THE BEST DAYS I HAD FOR REDS WAS ABOUT 100YDS UP RIVER THE I-526 BRIDGE AND GOOD SIZE SPECKS AND BLUE CATS ON UP NEAR THE RR TRESSEL .
George McDonald
US Navy Seabees,Retired,
MAD, Charleston Chapter
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
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Thanks for all the info. I can’t wait to get in the water and start learning the area. Ever since me and my wife moved here, I have said I need another boat. Sorry to everyone for being another one of those guys that moved here from another state and hogging the ramps and water. lol Gotta do what you can to survive when you get laid off from a closing steel mill though. At least I’m not from Ohio…
We might be neighbors, I live really close to Jessen Landing also.
Reds and Trout - two different answers. There are decent numbers of reds in the Ashley, sometimes almost up to Jessen. Trout, man, trout are tough in the upper Ashley. There are a few here and there but they generally like salinity and clear water and up there you have neither. We only fish artificials and generally make a few exploratory trips out of Jessen in the Fall when the water clears and the algae dies off giving more water clarity. To find trout, we hit a few spots where we know they sometimes hold and keep going down, down, down till we find em. Lately, you would have been much better off launching at Leeds to find trout, I’ll put it that way. I did get into one of the better bites I had all year in terms of average size in the Ashley however.
The Ashley is a fickle *****. There are fish there and a side benefit of very little pressure, but as a for-example, I live 5 min from Jessen but I go elsewhere to fish usually. Believe me, I wish it was more productive and I’m not just yanking your chain.
Thanks for all the info. I plan to launch out of Jesson at least the first few times I take the boat out. New engine has to be broke it, and I figured that would be a good area to do it. Run it for a while, stop and fish and do it again. I’d like to make it to the railroad bridge just to see it.
Just be careful when trailering the boat, if you can, try to do it near the tide change. It’s IMO the hardest landing to trailer at in the area when the tide is running , second only to Live Oak landing at Edisto.
