I apologize in advance if this is a stupid question, but I’ve never fished the river that far up…
What can I expect to catch? Reds, trout or is it more of a fresh water fishery?
It’s mostly freshwater but you can occasionally find some saltwater stuff up here. I’ve seen small stripers, and the occasional redfish is rumored near the dock up around Trolley. Also has gar and mudfish/bowfin.
I honestly do not like to fish there— the river has a lot of fish that are on the caution list for mercury-- the extreme amount of tannins in the Ashley cause the fish to absorb much more mercury in the form of methylmercury, which is apparently some bad juju.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
Fished there many days and nights up in summer ville area mostly catfish but I have caught reds and flounder there! Very good cat fish in thow
Scout
PALMERS SEAFOOD
My new property is just below the freshwater dividing line across from Magnolia Plantation. The water is very fresh right now. I haven’t fished it yet, but don’t expect any reds or other SW species unless the rain susbsides. Definitely blue cats though.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
Brackish water is great! That stretch of the river holds reds, some trout, striper, largemouth, etc. At least that is what I have caught there. I haven’t targeted cats or crappie, etc but I know they are there too. The difficult thing about the Ashley is it is often very dirty. I fish artificial baits so it makes it difficult. Best times would be between big tides and an incoming when the water clears up and is more saline. Winter is generally when I fish the Ashley.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
Yea a lot of stripers but there are reds clear past the divided line I’ve caught them at the oakbrook landing
Scout
PALMERS SEAFOOD
I’ve seen a few people catch catfish, and on a few occasions blue crabs. I live pretty close to the landing and the area can get rough after dark.
- Adam
Yeah it can get rough after dark, I go there often enough. Mostly immature teenagers acting like their hyped-up compact cars mean they are badass(complete with cartoonish looking body kits and coffee-can mufflers). Other than that, and the crazy amount of bugs, it can be a beautiful place at night. You shoulda seen the full (“super”) moon a few weeks ago as it went over the treeline on the boardwalk.
What is the water discharge there? Is that sewage or just drain runoff?
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
They had an issue with sewage coming into the river 2 weeks ago, a little up river , forgot the neighborhood but pretty close to the salt water line
- Adam
That was down towards the air port. The one down at Jessen landing is coming from the sewer treatment plant there I believe. Not sure if its sewage from parking lot runoff or fecal.
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
So if a guy was interested in specifically targeting mudfish/bowfin there, what is the best tactic? I’m guessing cut mullet fillets fished around weedlines, perhaps on a popping cork/thunder rig to avoid snagging excessive tree limbs. Would potentially catch catfish as well.
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
You’ll catch more catfish and gar then your target fish having seen a great number of mudfish in the Ashley might have to run way up to where the river almost turns into the swamp up by the hwy 61 bridge
Scout
PALMERS SEAFOOD