I caught a couple of small trout, and several decent whiting, near the Paige Point boat ramp on Huspah Creek (off the Whale Branch River). I have not ventured very far up the creek past the boat ramp. What’s it like up there----navigable waters? How’s the fishing past the ramp?
Some good fishing above the landing, but better be careful at low to middle tides. There are a lot of areas in and around what would seem like the middle of the creek that are dry during low tide. I don’t fish that area this time of the year but do pretty well in November & December with trout & reds.
War Eagle 115 yamaha 4 stroke
Check out the area on Google Earth. Change the imagery date on the date slider to 1/28/11. This will give you a clear, nearly low tide view. Google maps “satellite view” also has a good view, but not a low tide view. That will give you the best idea of the real channel, which can be hard to find on the water in places. I’ve been about 1/2 way up Huspa a few times, but it gets really shallow past Huspa Plantation on low tide. I’ve heard of some folks going all the way up to hwy 17, but my guess is that was on the incoming tide when there is less chance of getting “stranded”.
A last resort, when you are on the water and unsure of the channel, is the old advice to “just follow the crab pots”. If you don’t see the wire crab pots sticking out of the water, then you probably have enough water to run on plane. I agree the fishing is probably better there in the fall.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Thanks for the ■■■■■■■■ Blackhawk and Spec. I have just moved to the Whale Branch and have been riding up the various creeks to check things out for fall fishing. The Huspah looks like it should hold some fish, but I was very nervous about the skinny waters above the Paige Point ramp.
I do my “prospecting” in unfamiliar areas offplane and on dead low tide. That way if you hit something going slow or get stuck, it is a short wait for the tide to “rescue” you. This lets you know where you can and cannot go. Google Earth can eliminate a lot of areas and save time.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Whale Branch, what kind of boat do you have. Do you have previous experience in the salt?
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
I have a 22’ Sea Hunt BX bay boat. Not a lot of time on salt water. I have spent most of my time in the main channels of the Whale Branch and Beaufort rivers. Have ventured a couple of miles up/down the Coosaw and Broad. Got a nice GPS/depth finder, so on each trip I have tried to spend some time at mid-low tide, taking it easy, nudging closer to the banks and going into the entrance of the creeks,and laying down some tracks to follow this fall. Still trying to get used to the big tide swings.
PM sent.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
dangers of exploring on a falling tide
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Rich Chesser
Panga Marine 18
Look at the bright side. That keeps the boat from rocking so bad! It also makes it easier to catch fiddlers. And,… he will be the first on the flat when the water comes back in! There’s always a sliver lining…
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
Been there, done that; only 2 things makes it more miserable
100 deg. or h-ll of a thunder &lightning storm .
[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
Yep, my Grandpa used to call such situations “bought wit”. Like a telling a child not to touch a hot stove or telling a new boater the dangers of skinny water plus a falling tide - you tend not to forget lessons when you experience the consequences.
spec
1980 Skandia 21 w/ '93 JohnRude 150 gas drinker
I think the stake out stick is redundant 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker LarryI think the stake out stick is redundant
Not if he oversleeps:smiley:!
NN
Man that’s a big Lowrance to be at the beach
Big screen for blind people like me:frowning_face:
[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