Hello guys. Bringing the family to Edisto for the first time (first beach trip period actually) on 8/9. It’s been 30 years since I fished Saltwater, and never around Edisto. I am sure many things have changed in 30 years. We will bring a small inshore boat, but mostly plan on surf fishing. We are staying off the St Helena inlet.
I have kids 2 & 4. Can’t do anything very serious, or very long, due to kids ages, but any suggestions to help catch anything, absolutely anything, would be greatly appreciated.
My plan was to use live something (minnow, mullet, shrimp) under popping corks on rising tide looking for oyster banks near drop offs if I can take boat out… or double surf rigs near tides changes using shrimp in the inlet.
Any guidance on artificials (I know nothing), areas (near marina?), or just any advice would be greatly appreciated.
The two kids are SUPER excited at the possibility of just seeing a fish.
The opportunity to appear even slightly knowledgable in front of the wife would be a big bonus.
Try the pond in between palmetto and jungle road. I forgot the street name but its on the 700 block. Nice little park and tons of bites for the kids. Use fresh shrimp with small hooks.
Go to botany bay and fish Jason’s lake. Its youth only and is loaded with good fish. Also botany bay has excellent surf fishing and is a just plain awesome place. Plus its all free.
Better check your map on where your staying, It wont be on St Helena!, But there is plenty of good fishing on the inshore water of Edisto. Try takeing your boat to Steamboat Landing and going to the left up those creeks. Fish the inside corners and docks around low tide with shrimp or minnows on the bottom, Should do well on trout,reds and flounder, and the water wont be to rough!Good luck!!
All good suggestions. Be a little wary with the kids at the beach. Aug is sea nettle time and it’s common to get “hit”. Hot water and use something like a credit card to remove the tentacles. Swimming is better in the creeks off your boat this time of year for that reason
Can you keep you catch off the surf at Botany Bay?
I had heard several years ago that the crab population has dwindled and it is tough these days to catch a mess of crabs. That is something that I thought the kids could do. Anyone know if there is any truth that, have the crabs become noticeably less in abundance?
quote:Are jelly fish a huge concern this time of year?
Not huge, but certainly a concern. More so than shark bite. This is jellyfish season. We don’t usually get the bad azz Portugese Man of War jellyfish close to shore. Most of the ones that sting you are very small and you can’t even see them but they will still put a hurt on you. Not likely to kill you unless you are alergic but they do hurt. Keep a bottle of ammonia and white vinegar, it is the best thing to neutralize stings.
If stung, rinse it off good with very hot water if available. Hot as you can stand. If no hot water is available use sea water rather than cold fresh water. Then vinegar, then ammonia. It’s going to hurt. Watch for signs of anaphylaxis shock. If struggled breathing, drop in blood pressure or other allergic reactions occur give benedryl and get them to a hospital right now.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Can you keep you catch off the surf at Botany Bay?
I had heard several years ago that the crab population has dwindled and it is tough these days to catch a mess of crabs. That is something that I thought the kids could do. Anyone know if there is any truth that, have the crabs become noticeably less in abundance?
You can keep what you catch surf fishing the beach. Jason’s Lake is catch and release only. Adults can fish Jason’s Lake as long as they have children who are also fishing, with them.
On the front beach the sea nettle gets pretty common in August. Just watch the tourists swimming and see if they are running out going “OW!”.
One thing that helps is to look at the way the surf is pushing (left or right). Stay away from the jetty that is in the direction of water movement. I think the nettles kinda get swept and collect there. Stay near the middle of the jettys and hope for the best. Like Larry said if you get “hit” its no big deal. It’ll hurt but no big deal.
With kids that little, fishing will be tough. I’d suggest you go crabbing with them on the beach instead. All you need is a crab line (under $5), a net with a long handle (under $10), a pack of chicken parts from the supermarket ($2) and a stick to anchor the set up in the sand. That should last you the whole trip. The kids will love it - esp the 4 year old.
