I just moved to Capri Isle off Wappoo Rd (west ashley) and am on the Stono River. I was hoping to get some information on fishing in the Stono. Really hoping to find some easily accessible fishing areas for flounder, trout, reds or sheepshead. Coming from Sarasota and I fished every week, typically offshore though.
How is the fishing in that area of the stono?
Any spots easily accessible by kayak?
Any tips/techniques specific to lowcountry inshore?
coming from tampa area myself, a few things I discovered.
Tides are huge in comparison here. This past weekend it was a 7ft change in tides. Tampa was rarely over 3 feet. Truth be told, I never looked at tides there until I moved here.
Water clarity. People will talk about “Gin” clear water here. Gin clear water here is day after a hurricane there. 2ft here vs 10 ft in FL.
This is just my second year here so I’m still learning(I’ll always be learning). I fish the more Folly end of the stono so I’m not too familiar with that area. There’s always 'yaks at the folly boat ramp.
redfish don’t seem to be as spooky here as tampa. I would guess water clarity is the root cause of that.
I use mostly the same tackle. Do you use artificial or cut/live bait?
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
Thanks for the great reply. For inshore I’ve always used live shrimp on free-line or zmann artificial. I just picked up some DOA shrimp and Cajun thunder. Just sold my 22proline deep V hopefully looking at a skiff or flats boat in my near future. I’ve heard you gotta go far offshore for the good fish…
I’ve caught plenty of good fish in a foot of water.
Good fish is relative. My biggest red inshore was 35" right across from some docks. I consider that a pretty good fish, but I’m not fishing for dinner.
Mako 1901 Inshore-Honda 130
10% of the people catch 90% of the fish.
I’d say that is a good fish! I’ve just heard that in this area you’ve gotta go really far offshore to get Grouper or Snapper or have a flats/skiff to get the good inshore. I don’t think my previous boat would have had too many 30 mi offshore excursions in it so I’m gonna do some inshore until I can afford something with twin outboards.
You should be able to launch a kayak at the bridge on Wappoo road at the entrance to Edgewater park. You could fish up Coburg creek, or down along the docks where Coburg creek enters the Stono. Depending on the tides and time of year, redfish and trout can be caught in that area.