Hey, I just read about the state opening up Botany Bay Plantation in Edisto to the public. Does anyone know anything about this place? I’m interested in either kayak fishing or surf fishing and it sounded like it had possibilities.
Save the Fleas!
Yep, it is open to the public from dawn to dusk. That is all that I know right now.
I live on Yonges Island near Megget and Hollywood. How do get to Botany Bay Plantation? Any other pertinent info would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike.
Botany Bay: There are two launch points at the plantation…check with Bruce Rawl the caretaker when you arrive. One point is at the top of Ocela creek which terminates near the mouth of the N. Edisto at Botany Bay Island. No trailers are permitted so any yak or boat must be car-top. No boats on the two ponds just bank fishing.
About 8 miles past the waterway is Botany Bay road on the left.
Turn there and follow the signs. Good luck.
Was down last week and checked it out. 3.5 miles from the Pig. Botany Bay Rd is across from the tree in the marsh with all the junk hanging in it. Follow road down thru the oaks. At the end bare left to the gate. DNR has a kiosk at gate with maps, stickers, permits, ect… Suppose to sign in and out. Open daylight to dark. No charge. A beautiful place. Is is a car tour on the handout paper. Tells history and describes what you are looking at. Front beach is awesome. Met some guys coming out with long rod & spinner with a bucket. Said they had a few. Got a nice canoe and yak throw in spot there too. Worth the stop - going to have deer and turkey hunt there this year. Maybe dove too.
J Ford
If you’re so ■■■■ smart - why ain’t ya rich?
Whoooo - Fish ON!
My wife and daughter and I drove the “tour”. It’s a printed tour pamphlet that you read at postings along the route. It’s a nice concept - letting you take in the sights at your own pace. It’s VERY beautiful back on the property, and truth be told, it’s been recuped by mother nature, except for the odd ruin or two, but it’s very nice.
I believe you can pick up the tour pamphlet at either of the local Edisto bookstores, or get it here at SC Dept of Natural Resources:
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/managed/wild/botany/BotanyBayDrivingTour.pdf
Botany Bay Road is off rt 174 about 2 miles outside Edisto Beach.
Sis-in-law was down at the campground a week ago. They fished the surf on Botany with cut shrimp on bottom rigs for a couple hours. Landed a bull whiting and a +20" trout. Beach and bottom is much different there that down on Edisto proper. It drops off more and has some changes here and there - some standing trees in the water to the north. Not all flat and shallow. That’s two reports I’ve got of pretty good fishing from there.
J Ford
If you’re so ■■■■ smart - why ain’t ya rich?
Whoooo - Fish ON!
There is a public meeting about this property being held tomorrow at 3:30 pm at the AME Church on Botany Bay Road. DNR director Frampton will be speaking and answering questions and public concerns about the future use of Botany Bay Plantation. It will too hot to work so come by and voice your opinions.
“Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out.”
Anyone make the meeting? I wanted to go but work got in the way. Would like to now some details.
I was there. The property will be managed by DNR just like Donnelly, ACE Basin, and Bear Island. There will be deer hunts offered to public. Set days for bow-hunting only, and set days for stand hunting only. Land will be closed to everyone else during those days. Hunting will not run from Aug. 15 to Jan. 1. Cameras are on sight watching for vandals, littering, metal detecting, and shell/fossil collecting. The Edisto News editor was there so I am sure an article will be written about the discussion. Most voices of concern dealt with traffic on Botany Bay Road, litter, and tourist trespassing on neighboring private property. DNR Director Frampton answered all questions and meeting went smoothly.
“Good instincts usually tell you what to do long before your head has figured it out.”