Been going to Edisto for ~10 years and I’m yet to visit Botany Bay. Determined to take the family there for a day next week.
Question is regarding the surf conditions. Is it “rougher” there than Edisto? Can’t remember if I read that or if I am imagining it. I don’t carry anything bigger than a 3 oz pyramid and don’t want to get out there and find out the current is too strong.
Thanks in advance.
No, its pretty much the same. More bottom structure (marl, old building structures), lots of shells - beautiful place. It’s a hike to get out there. 1/2 mi walk
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Was there a week ago, 3 oz was fine just past the breakers. Needed 5 0z to hold further out. The beach itself is nothing like Edisto. Large mud areas, trees in the water, bits a roots that snag you up, shells that make getting a sand spike in, difficult.
On the high tide, getting a cart back to the trail head is a chore. Best to be there when the tide allows you to see what is there.
Closed on Tuesdays too.
Thank you for your help. I will take that all into consideration.
cool place to fish and explore. not really a good place for swimming.
Sorry but a few more questions…
Was thinking about taking the kids fishing at Jason’s Lake. Is it the pond labeled Greenway Plantation Pond on google maps or am I looking at the wrong body of water? Will we pass by it on the way in? I can’t tell if we will be coming in on Botany Bay Rd or Rabbit.
Does the catch and release policy apply to the surf as well? I don’t plan on keeping anything but I want to be sure before keeping my catch for cut bait.
You have to come in and follow the tour road to get to Jasons Lake. Only it is catch and release and I think for kids only - not sure on that part. Anyone can fish surf and keep what you want by std regs. There is a nice canoe/yak throw in on Ocella Ck -
J Ford
Don’t think you can use slot regulated fish for bait unless they are
in “slot”, but then you’d want to keep them to eat.
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"Is it the pond labeled Greenway Plantation Pond "
YES.
You have to enter at the sign in kiosk on Botany Bay Rd. Then follow Botany Bay Rd till it intersects Rabbit Rd, and turn left to get to Jason’s Lake.
Follow Botany Bay Rd until you see the gate on the left side of the road, where the kiosk is. I don’t think you can access Botany Bay from Rabbit Rd.
Keeping fish from the surf is OK. Adults can fish at Jason’s lake BUT they can only do so if they have a youth that IS fishing with them.
Regulations for Botany Bay:
Area open during posted hours only No camping allowed.
Area closed on Tuesdays to all general public access, except activities designated by SCDNR.
Area closed to all general public access during selected scheduled hunts.
Beach access is by foot or bicycle only.
No horses or dogs allowed on causeway or beach.
Fishing is allowed in Jason’s Lake Friday, Saturday and Sunday; Adult/Youth catch and release fishing only.
Shorebased fishing, shrimping and crabbing allowed only on the front beach.
Individuals 16 years or older, fishing from property must possess a valid saltwater fishing license.
Alcohol prohibited.
Horseback riding by permit only.
All terrain vehicles prohibited. ( DNR volunteers use ATVs to access beach for turtle research )
Non trailered watercraft only.
Metal detectors prohibited.
No person may gather, collect, deface, remove, damage, disturb, destroy, or otherwise injure in any manner whatsoever the plants, animals, ( except lawful hunting ) fungi, rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts or ecofacts including but not limited to any tree, flower, shrub, fern, moss, charcoal, plant remains, or animal remains.
The collection of seashells and other artifacts by any individual is prohibited. ( There is a $470 fine )
Also - Jason’s Lake is Brackish water. There are saltwater fish in it.
Thanks again for all the help. Definitely going to check out Jason’s Lake and try to put the kids on something decent.
Fished Jason’s Lake one evening last week. Only managed a couple of small reds but the kids enjoyed it. Will probably try a different location and/or tide if we return next year. Fished the surf at Botany Bay one morning and caught a few whiting and a couple of rays. Check it off my list. May have caught more if the wind had not been whipping. Beautiful place but not somewhere I feel the need to visit every year.
The fishing was actually better right down the street from where we stayed. Kept a few nice whiting almost everyday and cooked them all at the end of the week along with a couple of big trout. All in all it was a good week. Thank to all for your advice. Very jealous of all of you who get to frequent the beach. Don’t take it for granted.