Hello:
I am spending the first week of August on Sullivan’s Island. I bringing my 22’ deck boat with me. I have been out with guides the last two years but this will be my first venture with my boat. Will likely launch at IOP as it is close to the house…
I used the search function but did not find any general newbie info. I’ve boated all my life, but in lakes in KY but not in the salt. I would appreciate any insight to the ICW and fishing around IOP…
Stay between the channel markers. The ICW is very shallow in some areas. At low tide sand bars and other structures are easy to see but it will be more crowded with less water. During higher tidal stages, sand bars will be hidden slightly underwater so be careful if you get out of the channel.
There are a lot of “NO WAKE” zones, so be mindful. This time of year there is a lot of traffic, especially on the weekend. If you venture north to Capers Island, be careful when you leave the ICW headed towards the ocean. There aren’t channel markers and you can run aground. I’m sure there are others with more experience and info that will help.
Have a great vacation and be careful ! 
Jack Taylor
What Jack said X2 , key is ; if you don’t know ; go slow or don’t go… grounding out is a real pain in the azz ,even worse if it happens on a falling tide:frowning_face:
be careful and have fun 
George McDonald ; Board Member ; MAD Charleston
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown
My main rule of thumb is “Don’t hit anything hard!”
Seriously, it pays to study Google Earth and/or Navionics and learn where the shoals are in the area you’ll be cruising. If possible, make the first trip at lower tides so you can see and take note of obstructions. The amount of tidal change takes a lot of new boaters to the area by surprise. It’s not usual to see them stranded on sandbars where they stopped to spend an hour swimming and found they couldn’t get off so take plenty of fluids and sunscreen.
The tides also reek havoc on those that haven’t practiced loading their boat in strong current at the ramp. People get stressed, damage boats and hurt feelings. Have a plan for assistance from boating partners and try to pick times that are less crowded.
In general, common sense rules and you obviously have it because you’re asking your questions here. So, I know you’ll be fine. Have fun.
16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120
Thanks for the replies. The lake I boat on is big… 120 miles long and over 1200 miles of shoreline. We can get 3-5’ waves on the main in a storm… That said it is 50’ deep 15’ off the shore and there are no tides. I have studied and understand navigational markers. But as gail wins mentioned, I don’t want to ground the boat. I got grounded boating near Apalachicola, Florida 20 years ago and it was a PITA and I was 20 years younger…
I assume you want avoid launching and retrieving during low tide? Any other tidbits anyone can think of? I know that one day we want to run out to Fort Sumter. Was planning on letting the crew out at the beach and then anchoring in deeper water bow out and wading/swimming to shore. Heavy anchor on bow to take any waves and smaller anchor off transom to hold position…
What I am bringing south with me…
Why no Pic?
tried to load pic from different computer and it worked… go figure…
Plan your first trip to end at high tide. This will ensure rising water while you are out, but also will let you take out at the time with least water movement.
As dead low and dead high tide are also considered slack tide as the water isn’t really moving.
Also understand that high tide at charleston harbor isn’t at the same time as high tide on a creek at IOP.
You might also consider a boats us or sea tow membership as an insurance policy.
Nothing like being your captain.
bcr
quote:
Originally posted by MobyHello:
I am spending the first week of August on Sullivan’s Island. I bringing my 22’ deck boat with me. I have been out with guides the last two years but this will be my first venture with my boat. Will likely launch at IOP as it is close to the house…
I used the search function but did not find any general newbie info. I’ve boated all my life, but in lakes in KY but not in the salt. I would appreciate any insight to the ICW and fishing around IOP…
What kind of trailer you got? Dropping a painted steel trailer in salt water may be asking for trouble…
quote:
Originally posted by MobyThanks for the replies. The lake I boat on is big… 120 miles long and over 1200 miles of shoreline. We can get 3-5’ waves on the main in a storm… That said it is 50’ deep 15’ off the shore and there are no tides. I have studied and understand navigational markers. But as gail wins mentioned, I don’t want to ground the boat. I got grounded boating near Apalachicola, Florida 20 years ago and it was a PITA and I was 20 years younger…
I assume you want avoid launching and retrieving during low tide? Any other tidbits anyone can think of? I know that one day we want to run out to Fort Sumter. Was planning on letting the crew out at the beach and then anchoring in deeper water bow out and wading/swimming to shore. Heavy anchor on bow to take any waves and smaller anchor off transom to hold position…
The Wild Dunes ramp is protected from currents as it is protected on each side by retaining walls. This ramp is good at all tidal stages and should not cause you any issues. Just check the tides for your trip and remember there is approximately 6’ of change every six hours.
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
Oldemancharters@gmail.com
286 Seafox/Twin 300’s
quote:
Originally posted by Bluewaterbeaux[quote]Originally posted by Moby
What kind of trailer you got? Dropping a painted steel trailer in salt water may be asking for trouble…
Boat came with a painted steel. picked up a galvanized venture with disk brakes just for this trip… Selling the painted steel…
why can’t I get a picture to load? I’m well under the size limit…
Since you’re in that area, I would be especially careful between the IOP connector and Ben Sawyer at low tide. I haven’t been down since the fall and they were finally dredging that area then, so it may be better now, but there was always boats getting stuck there.
Also, just out in front of that restaurant at Breach Inlet is very low at slack tide.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Thanks striperskiff
Are you meaning the main ICW from IOP to Bridge or the connector section that gets you to open water?
In the ICW, just remember to keep red on the right when southbound, red on the left if northbound. Any marked channel from the ICW to the ocean, the rule is red, right returning from the ocean, or red left outbound.
quote:
My main rule of thumb is "Don't hit anything hard!"
Mine too! If you are going to hit something, hit it going real slow!
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
I know this is a fishing forum, but are there must see things that we should put on the agenda while we are down there with the boat?
quote:
Mine too! If you are going to hit something, hit it going real slow!
That isn’t near as exciting on a Youtube video.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
quote:
Originally posted by MobyThanks striperskiff
Are you meaning the main ICW from IOP to Bridge or the connector section that gets you to open water?
The place that I would see boats get stuck is in the main ICW, right around the first 4 way intersection just south of the IOP connector. Like I said though, they were dredging it last fall, so hopefully it’s better now.
The other place I was referring to is on the bypass between the IOP connector and Breech Inlet. It’s fine from the connector until you almost get to the inlet. That whole area around where boats are docked by the restaurant gets very shallow at low tide.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
quote:
Originally posted by striperskiffquote:
Originally posted by MobyThanks striperskiff
Are you meaning the main ICW from IOP to Bridge or the connector section that gets you to open water?
The place that I would see boats get stuck is in the main ICW, right around the first 4 way intersection just south of the IOP connector. Like I said though, they were dredging it last fall, so hopefully it’s better now.
The other place I was referring to is on the bypass between the IOP connector and Breech Inlet. It’s fine from the connector until you almost get to the inlet. That whole area around where boats are docked by the restaurant gets very shallow at low tide.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Striperskiff - The dredging project in that stretch of the ICW has been completed. It seems to be better. I went through their on a negative tide a few weeks back and did not have any issues, or see anyone stuck. Then again, I’m usually paying attention to what I’m doing and am aware of that area.
The area in front of the boat house restaurant on breach is still tricky at low. I have found the bottom their a few times going real slow.
As it always works took the boat out the past weekend and it was missing horrible. Assuming I get her fixed, what would be a good place to beach and swim near IOP?