Hey guys, looking for advise about camping on Capers. I will be home from Afghan in Dec and plan to go on two different trips. I have already contacted DNR and have received all of my permits and the map. Which end is the best to camp on? Which end is the best to fish from the surf? Or better to take the boat in the back waters? where is the best spot to beach park my boat? I will only be home for 30 days… I greatly appreciate any help as I don’t want to waste any of my time there trying to figure it out.
It’s been a few years since I have been out there. Me and a group of guys would camp out there every year for spring break. I prefer the south end, that is where the main dock is and most of the camping spots. Thankfully you aren’t hitting it in the summer when the bugs are insane. When we would go we would do a good bit of surf fishing as well fishing off of the dock in the backside of the island. There are a lot of little tidal creeks and lagoons as well. Keep an eye out for the gators but shouldn’t be as active if its cold. Not sure about beaching the boat, one year we took a small one with us and left the big boat at the dock and took the smaller one up a creek closer to the camping spot to bring most of the supplies up. The beach is a driftwood beach with lots of downed trees, I know they beach some of the boats that are there for the day tours on the south end of the beach by the inlet, but I don’t know about leaving it there overnight with the tide change unless its tied to a really good tree, plus at low tide there is a big sandbar that comes out from the inlet. If you look at the island on Google Earth or Google Maps you can see the dock on the western backside of the island and the trail that runs along there, follow that towards the beach and you will see a small open area just on the edge of the marsh and trees with some trees surrounding the marsh side. We liked camping there the most as it is protected and close to a lot of the trails and beach. Let me know if you have any other questions and I will do my best to answer.
Fisrt mate of DrewNichols 1989 22’ Grady-White Seafarer
North End on Prices inlet is nice. There is a small (Schooner Creek) creek that cuts into the island and is a great place to put the boat… Big sandbars come up at low tide on the north end and you can go 1/4 mile + out into the ocean on the bar.
People put tents right out at the point of the Island where it turns south…
Both inlets are open if you want to head offshore. Prices dog legs south before it opens to the ocean - you can follow the breakers. Bull Reds will be along the beaches, and Capers Reef is 25min offshore.
Thanks fellas, looking forward to a great trip. Can reds still be caught in the surf in the middle of Dec? I was also going to hit the creeks for some trout.
You might also consider a trip to Lake Murray. December is prime time for white perch and striper fishing. If you decide to try Murray, post on either the striper forum, or Midlands Striper Club forum, on this board for advice. The perch will hit minnows, worms, cutbait or my favorite 1/2 ounce Berry’s spoons. Live herring would probably be your best bet for the stripers, although they will hit the spoons if you find them in deep (20’ or deeper) water. If you decide to try Murray, Billy Dreher island is a state park with camping spots and is near the center of the lake. You can find info about it on the SCDNR web site. Good luck.
Thank’s Spoon, Im only gonna be home for a short period of time this go around and already have everything set for Capers, permits gear ect… The next time I get back I’ll have to give Dreher a visit.
Still looking for some info on reds and trout out at capers. Not looking for any honey holes just some fun fishing. Fished plenty and have caught some BIG REDS at the better known places around the jetties and in the harbor but haven’t been to any of the creeks yet or the surf. I just got my boat this past March and have only been home one time to use it. Over time I will figure out where to go and when.
Right across the inlet on the North end of Dewees there is wrecked house boat. That whole grassline has produced a good amount of trout for me. High tide fish the grass and pilings, low tide back out to where it drops off from 6 to about 12’ Zmann paddler on 1/4oz jig head. Also the creek to the left of the wreck goes back to a dyke, good trout spot. I like the southern most tip for camping this time of year. Should have the place to yourself other than ferry traffic. The creek right there goes back to a pond and holds some nice size reds although you aren’t suppose to fish from the dock. It is also one of the last places I can catch bait when the water gets real cold.
OV,
The creek on the end of Capers Island that you mentioned. How deep is the water there at low tide. I have a 14.5" draft. Just wondering if I can park the boat right there by the camp site.
