I’ve been sticking to inshore until now. I’m wanting to start venturing nearshore/offshore this season and broaden my fishing experiences.
What reefs do you guys recommend? Other recommendations?
I’ve got the Edisto 40, Edisto 60, N Edisto Nearshore and Kiawah Reefs all marked on Google Earth basedon GPS coordinates given by DNR. The Edisto Offshore is way too far out for me to consider without more experience.
I am the first to recognize my lack of experience, and I am putting safety as the top priority…so I am not taking any of this lightly. With that said, would you recommend starting at the N Edisto Nearshore, gaining a comfort level, and then working further out as the season progresses? I also want to catch some fish, obviously…so are any of these reefs worthless? Or do they all hold fish?
Thanks for any constructive responses.
Just trying to learn every bit I can about saltwater fishing…
The Edisto 60 is a good spot, there are always blk bass grunts etc. There are 3 bridge sections there that I always fish. I would suggest a reef anchor so you can drop it in the middle of a section of bridge that way you are right on top of it. I’ve never caught “large” fish there but 50-100 blk bass a day is common. Like EF said most days there are 2-6 boats in that area just remember to not anchor on top of someone.There are several “areas” there pick one nobody is one . The DNR web site has GPS numbers for all spots. Make sure you have a VHF radio on board,some cell phones work there some don’t.
Edisto 40 has fish but most that I have caught there are small.
Thanks for all the info. We will be in Edisto from the middle to the end of May and wanted to do a little near shore fishing. We have a good 18’ boat and thought if it was a good day we might venture out. We are both careful and have a VHF with the WX chanels on it. So we would keep and eye and ear open for changes. My coastal experience has been in 30’+ sailboats. I got caught in a train of thunder storms one day when it was supposed to be clean and nothing happening. That is not something I want to repeat.
quote:
Generally the rule is,,,,,If you have to ask you are not ready. It is a good rule.
I agree. I hope that I can buddy up some time or go with someone to get a little experience. The last thing I want to is get all macho and get myself in a bad situation. Going out that far is not something I take lightly at all.
Just trying to learn every bit I can about saltwater fishing…
I don’t necesarily agree with the “if you have to ask” statement. I think most of us always have at least minor questions about going out; and we certainly did the first time out. I’m not a regular offshore fisherman like most of these guys but I will venture out once in a while. The first time I went out I had 2 vhf radios (one a battery-powered hand-held), 2 gps units (one a battery-powered hand-held), a drift anchor, a good compass, 2 bilge pumps, and an emergency locator kit (required, I think) and at least some idea how to read a chart. Oh yeah, I had (and keep) a Sea-Tow membership and 2 good cranking batteries under the console. I easesd out the North Edisto and learned how to follow the bouys, keep the Banks on the right and the sandbar on the left, and was proud when I made it to the 2NE bouy. After that,it was just a learning curve. All that was when I had an old 20ft Sea Pro. I’ll still venture out to the 60 in my 17ft Sea Hunt on a good day.
Y’all pray for me. Or, as old papa Jack used to sing while picking cotton “You pray for me, and I’ll pray for you, that’s what God’s chirren 'sposed to do”
Bob
“Remember boys, we are all members of that great fraternity, the Mystic Knights of the Sea”
Pick your days and the Bay Boat will be fine. Have been to 4KI spade fishing in a buddy’s 18’ Sea Pro a couple of times, but I’m not quite brave enough to try it in mine.
I’ve been out to Edisto 40 twice and we’ve caught a mess of small black sea bass both times. A lot were too small to keep. You can catch them as fast as you can reel them up. A couple of grunts mixed in with the sea bass. The first time the waves were 4-footers and we got wet going out. This was in a 25 foot Sea Pro. A front was blowing in so we left early. The second time the waves were smaller so the ride was drier. Probably caught a hundred BSB on three poles in a couple of hours. I would like to go somewhere where they have a little size to them. Maybe we’ll try Edisto 60 next time.
E9871 - I used to go to the 40’ all the time in my 17’ Scout as long as the thunderstorms stayed away. But I have stayed out about 30 min. too long several times and got beat up bad trying to run back in. Now I have the SP 21’ Bay and take it to the 60’ and slightly beyond. I have redundant everything except engine but I do have Sea Tow. Good Luck!
