What is generally being caught on squid at bottom or live bait on top at these two reefs right now?
fish
16 mitzi 40 Merc
240 0utrage 250 verado
saltwater fish
“look low and away…But watch out for in your ear.”
Pioneer 197 Sportfish
Yamaha F150
small black sea bass, toad fish, sheepshead occasionally
“look low and away…But watch out for in your ear.”
Pioneer 197 Sportfish
Yamaha F150
The guy asked a simple question and is somewhat new to the scene in this area, wrong forum to ask, but dont be pricks to him yet.
To answer your question seabass mainly with squid,maybe a trigger here or there and lots of small grunts.Try some fresh shrimp, or some live bait for a better variety. Jellyballs for the spades.
Jellyballs? never fished that before? Can I find it in walmart where I can find the shrimp and squid?
I’m new to fishing Charleston area and was thinking of taking my new wife offshore for the first time so was thinking of staying within 5nm and hitting the short wrecks. Maybe letting her catch her first saltwater fish
1996 21’ TROPHY
1996 150 MARINER
Hey florida boy,
I fish the reefs quite frequently. Haven’t been out latley b/c the weather has sucked but I am going this weekend hopefully. Go to 4KI, the kiawah reef. Also try lowcountry anglers reef which is in close proximity to the kiawah reef. Charleston nearshore is way to overfished and isn’t out far enough to get on some decent fish. Jellyballs, also known as cannonball jellies, are really big and spadefish love them. You can catch them around inlets and a lot of times they wash up on the beach. If you are going out of stono inlet just go on the backside of kiawah and you should be able to find some washed up on the beach. If not, you should see them floating on top of the water. just scoop them up with your net.
But caution, if you go out of stono inlet be careful, especially at low tide. Lots of breakers and shallow water.
As far as bait goes, if you are out early in the am, try sightcasting for spanish mackeral with some clark spoons. Also try to slow troll some live menhaden if you are able to catch some. Could pick up a king mackeral or barracuda. Live menhaden on the bottom or live finger mullet could get some good bottom fish as well. Try jigging some grubs for weakfish or big redfish.
Spadefish will be on the top of the water. They will be in schools of usually 30 or more. I rig up my jellballs on a fish stringer and let them hang maybe 5-10 feet from the boat. This will attract the spadefish if they are there. Then, this is the trick. I use about 30 pound test line and tie the smallest hook I have on the end of it. Clamp on 2-3 split shots above the line and cast the smallest piece of FRESH shrimp or Jellyball into the middle of the school. Then hang on b/c those fish will take you for a ride! Good luck to ya.
Don’t let any of these retards on this site discourage you. Go out and have fun!
One more thing, spadefish are really leader shy. Don’t use big leaders with flashy red beads and stuff. They will swim right by your bait and never give it a second thought. They are really finicky so presentation is everything.
I’m guessing you are referring the Jellyfish balls?..I’m from Florida, never called them Jelly Balls but a buddy of mine did refer to them in that manner when we went of the ThunderSHOCK(star) a couple months back. I will see what I can do. Was thinking about heading out of Charleston but it seems as if the Kiawah is about 10-15 from Charleston Harbor
1996 21’ TROPHY
1996 150 MARINER
Planning to hit one of these reefs on Saturday. Will have report with pictures Saturday night or Sunday a.m. Anyone have a suggestion of what ramp to put in at so not such a long trip to Kiawah and Anglers?
1996 21’ TROPHY
1996 150 MARINER
Hey it is a pretty good ways from charleston harbor. The fastest way would be from the folly river and go out through stono inlet. Like I said, if you don’t know how to go that way then don’t try it on your own for the first time. If you have done it before it shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
You can drive down to Steamboat landing on Edisto Island and go out from there. Nice easy ride out to 4KI and kinda scenic for your wife. Along the way you will most likely see some flippers for her to marvel over. The channel is marked pretty good also. Good luck!
About how far from ramp to reef?
How good does reef show on depthfinder. Not going out but a few times until next yrs season so not replacing old fish finder which is kind of an el cheapo garmin. How does the bottom read in this region? Does the wreck show well?
1996 21’ TROPHY
1996 150 MARINER
yeah you will see it on your fish finder. The reef is also marked by two yellow bouys.
saturday is actually looking good for offshore as of right now. here is a link to the local marine forcast. good luck and be safe.
I’m trying to find a landing that the inlet/outlet to ocean is remotely close/straight shot to 4ki…The Steamboat landing seems like it may be a 7 - 10 miles up from the ocean. Not looking at going that far…Any closer to the ocean…I’m thinking within 2 - 3 miles
1996 21’ TROPHY
1996 150 MARINER
We put in @ folly beach to go to 4ki. We find alot of bait on the way out from the landing all the way to the big water. You just need to follow the channel markers all the way out before you make the turn towards the reef. If you can get on the spadefish good you will have all the action you want.
sol legare is close also
Adam C. Hahn
florida boy, try swinging in to one of our great local tackle shops around town and skip out on the wally world gear. Most any of the guys in these shops will be more than happy to direct you to proper gear for what you want to do and will more than likely give you some great inside tips. Just a suggestion
Should be good on the gear. Been offshore fishing all my life, but if you’ve fished out of Pensacola or Destin FL (where I grew up) you know it’s a completely diff ballgame. 15 miles out you’re at the honey hole loading up on big triggers and red snapper.
What is Sol Legare?..Will check out some landings and see what’s my best option. I may end up just sticking it out on the Charleston Nearshore and then just going out from there using Unique Maps to guide me along the way and see what I can find from the 250 #'s that that chart has for the Charleston area.
I’ve heard that if you aren’t very careful and know the area that going out of any other inlet besides the Charleston Harbor can be tricky and dangerous with all the oyster beds…Thanks Campact for the tip, I may try that since I can get on some bait. If I find bait I may troll from the harbor on out to see if I can hook on some kings before I get to the hole…
1996 21’ TROPHY
1996 150 MARINER