Do you guys have an idea of which way you’ll go once you launch from Mingo? High tide is ~10AM. I might try to go but I’m supposed to be somewhere from 2-5pm so I’d go to Mingo early in the AM.
The entrance is marked with a Kiawah-style sign. As Dave said, when you first turn in the launch area will be on the right but the kiosk where you need to sign in will be to the left.
Fishing has been good around James Isl when I’ve been able to get out. Might be hard to talk myself into the drive to Kiawah early on Sunday morning. Weather looks good though if you don’t mind a little rain. (rain is much better than wind imo)
More than likely head back under the bridge and fish the mud flats and channels back towards the Stono (Old Dock Road area?)
Me and Henry got there around 11:30…when the reds and trout wouldn’t play back in the creeks, I came back to the bridge and tried for some sheeps around the pilings. I managed to hook something that doubled the rod over and ended up breaking off on the pilings. I did catch a toadfish…that’s been my luck lately.
You caught one more fish than I did. My son and I headed up river and worked hard but never managed so much as a bite. I have never seen so many oyster mounds and mud flats. Wish I had brought my oystering tools, could have taken home some nice ones. Still, it was a beautiful day spent on the water and as I had never been there before, we had a good time.
Sorry I couldn’t make it out to this one yall! Kiawah is probably my ultimate favorite place to fish. God seems like he loves oysters when you come back there.
Dfreedom, if you wanna come back down here soon, kayaks or boat u cab out yall on some fish back that way.
Hunter P. Hames
11’ Tarpon 100
19’ Sea Fox 125 merc
I may have to go out there one of these days and see the oyster situation. Have to look at the oyster maps to see where is ok to collect.
I wimped on the driving and just went out from Sunrise Park on James isl. Caught 5 or 6 fish, all trout and redfish and all over minimum size but most of them just over. I did keep the two larger trout but the biggest was about 17". Special for me, is that this is the first time I’ve ever fished entirely with artificials so I was happy with my success. I was on the water by 8 and off around noon. Short trip.
Lewis, I bet you had a big sheep that broke you off. What were u using for bait?
“…u cab out yall on some fish back that way.”
Hunter, your typing provides wonderful opportunities for puzzle solving!
Showed up with Lewis as we car pooled and he graciously agreed to give me a ride. No fish, but had a good time on the water nonetheless. He caught a huge croaker under the bridge. I had to pull out the harpoon it was so large, at least 1 ounce. Haha Still more than me. LOL I had one bit the entire day and missed it.
Lewis, I bet you had a big sheep that broke you off. What were u using for bait?
I was using fiddlers…I was using a carolina rig, fishing straight down next to a piling. I noticed the line started moving away from the piling, and I set the hook - and it was on! It shot back and forth and then toward the piling and snap - broke off… I was sad.
It was great getting back out on the water with everyone. I was really excited to see some new faces and some of traveled some very far distances. THANK YOU!!! I have never fished that area before and I would really like to go back. There was a lot of amazing looking water in that area and with some time spent I bet it could really produce some nice fish. I spent the first few hours poling around looking for fish but to my shock i saw nothing but mullet. I moved out further from the bridge towards the back side of the island and finally got into some deeper water. I started picking up trout on just about every cast ranging from 14-17 inches. I met up with Dolphin at that point and we headed back into another oyster bay. We finally found some small schools of reds with about 30 fish in each. I managed to pick up 2 small 18-19 inch reds and Dave picked up a nice 23’ fish too. Looks like he won the bet! We picked up several more trout on the way back as the sun was setting.
Good job guys! I really wanted to make this one but the truck is having cooling problems and decided on local church instead… we will see how that works out:)
lost@sea thanks for sharing the pics! J.P. and I were skunked all day till the very end. One of the docks near the takeout ramp had some trout feeding on artificial and live shrimp. I got to see the dolphins chasing fish up on the mud banks (tide was low) and feasting on them (couldn’t make out what kind of fish in the chaos). I was surprised we could get trout activity with that going on!! It was great to meet some fine folks and see all the different kayak/fishing configuration. I felt wholely inadequate (not the first time) with only two rods.
Many go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.
Can’t remember the other guys name in the Hobie PA. He got caught in the shallows (after landing some reds in a foot of water) and broke off half of his peddle drive (broken cable). Even with half a drive, he kept up with us paddlers and fished all the way back to the dock. He had a good day and caught 6 reds, and 3 keepers.
Many go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.
I guess I should have followed Dave around all day, he apparently knew where the fish were. Oh well, despite not catching anything, my son and I had a good day on the water on a beautiful day in an area I had never been to. As my son is nearing finishing high school, I find myself getting a bit wistful thinking about him going away to college. Makes me a bit sad, he is a great kid and I am thankful he enjoys spending time with me.
I really enjoyed meeting some new folks and hope to get together again soon.
We picked up several more trout on the way back as the sun was setting.
