I am new to this forum due to my research on surf fishing at Edisto. I am going down to Edisto for the first time in August and I want to try my luck at surf fishing. I had a few questions regarding this adventure…
Are there generally people out there willing to offer advice/help to a newbie like myself? I listen well and take advice.
What size cast net do you guys usually throw for bait? I throw for shad here at Mountain Island lake in Huntersville, NC and was curious if I could use the same net. I am an avid freshwater catfish and black bass fisherman, just never surf fished before.
What rod/reels would you recommend for a beginner that may also double for large catfish/striper after I am done? I really do not want to use any of my freshwater reels in the ocean, soi I was thinking of picking up another reel and a 10’ rod.
tommy
Try the search feature at the top. Lots of stuff on there for any questions. Usually pretty fair surf fishing at Edisto except during a big blow when the water looks like choc milk.
You can use the same cast net you have, at the beach. 4-5’er is what I use. You can use your freshwater stuff too - just rinse off with soap and water after every trip and don’t drop it in the sand. If you have a high dollar bait caster you use for bass - bring a cheaper one, not it, just in case. Any spinner or conventional reel will work. Do a good cleaning once back home and re-oil/lube the reels and they will be fine. I use mine for both salt and fresh. Just have to keep it clean and oiled.
I like to have three rigs on the surf. A casting rod with a spoon or grub/jigs in case a school works near by. One 7’-8’ rod to fish just behind breakers and in the suds. And one 10-12’ for way out in a rod holder. Way out rod best with fishfinder rig / 4oz lead and 4/0-6/0 circle hook. Set med-light drag and park it in a sand spike. Finger mullet, or cut bait. In close rod use #2 kayle hooks on a bottom rig. Cut pcs of fresh shrimp, squid, sand fleas. If things are slow you can park the middle rig in a holder too. Get the casting rod and hook a minnow on a carolina rig or on a bucktail or jig head and cast out and reel back very slow. Try by the rock groins with the minnows or artificials.
If you want a rod you can use for fresh too, I would not go any longer than a 8’er. A spinning reel that holds about 250yds of 15# line is all you need for it. A 10-12’ outfit is great for the surf but, really too long for catfish and stripa’s. Find you a wagon of some type(surf cart) to haul your stuff and you are ready to fish. Good luck. I’ll be down there mid-July myself.
I have plenty of 8 footer rods that I use for Striper/Big cat fishing. Both spinners and baitcasters, but most of what I read said 10’ rods and sand spikes were needed. I am gonna learn as I go and do as much reading as possible before the trip. I used to live in North Myrtle, so I spend a good bit of time there visiting friends and can reuse the 10’ on trips back there. I have heard good things about Edisto, just never have had the opportunity to stay there.
Thanks again
If you ever do that again, and I find out about it…
the longer rods are mainly to get more casting distance and keep the line out of the breakers that are close in. jford hit the nail on the head.a cart to haul your equipment will save time and your back. there are also some creeks and salt ponds you may wana try on the island with some mudminnows and grubs. caught plenty of flounder just riding around with a bucket’a’minners
I catch all the mudminnows I can use in the creek behind my house on Pompano. It runs between Palmetto and Jungle and you can put a trap in at lots of places on the creek.
Walk up the beach at the park to the inlet for surfishing. It is apretty good spot.
I don’t do a lot of surf fishing, but there are plenty of very nice whiting off the beach. We usually catch all we want at the c can and on the sand not far off the beach. They should be easy to reach from the beach.
Thanks for the info guys. I do not know much about the island, but we are staying around the 600 block of Palmetto. I will map out some of the places you guys and others have suggested before I show up. Thanks again.
If you ever do that again, and I find out about it…
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If this works you should be looking at a picture of my surf fishing buggy. It has pneumatic tires, 4 rod holders and shelves for my ice chest and tackle box.
I have spent most of my life fishing.
The rest has been wasted.
Sweeeeet! That will work! Best thing you ever could have on the pier or surf. Just wheel it up and all your stuff is right there. Don’t have to do the chinese fire drill when the tide moves in on you fast.
It will be in use Friday evening - Next Friday evening at 124 Palmetto if you get a chance to stop by and say hi.
Thanks for whatever you did to show the picture. That was my first try doing that.
I have spent most of my life fishing.
The rest has been wasted.
