Ladies and Gentleman,
I’m writing to inquire about creeks, rivers, or any general salty body of water where it would be safe to use a flat bottom, aluminum Jon Boat ( 14’ with 55-lb thrust trolling motor only). I have no real knowledge of the creeks around Charleston and the ones I am familiar with move too swiftly to safely navigate. Any information on where I could put my boat in and get some saltwater action ( or at least a nice day on the water ) would be greatly appreciated.
If there is a landing on the creek, you could put in during flood and time it so the returning tide would bring you back should you have issues like a dead battery. There is such a landing on 17 out past Limehouse. I don’t recall the name. Also, there is a landing on Toogoodoo that is in productive water. In short, just use the current to your advantage.
O.C.
“Junk always sounds best.”
Like Old Cat said, use the tides to your advantage. I used to launch my kayak about 2 hrs before a tidal change. Ride it out, then ride it in.
13ft Whaler with 25hp Johnson
If you’re lucky enough to be fishing, you’re lucky enough.
Copy that, OC and Surf. I don’t know why that hadn’t occurred to me. I appreciate the advice and a tip for a place to start! Looking forward to hitting the flood tide.
That’s why they call it fishing, not catching…
Why are you wanting a flood tide so bad? This time of year isnt when you want to be fishing them. In a few months time, the reds will be tailing good on the flats( or so I’ll read on here). In the winter you want to fish the schools of redfish on a low tide. But now the water temp is getting back up a little. Fish for Redfish and Trout around creek mouths with oysters and docks with structure. Fish for Sheepshead around the bridges and growth encrusted docks. In your case I would launch everywhere except Remleys, Wappoo Cut, and the terrace ramp. Watch the weather, wear your life jacket, and you should be ok
14’ Skiff-“Redfish Reaper”
I would look for a small gas motor. That trolling motor battery will only last so long. Then you are in trouble. Besides you are going to have to register the boat anyways regardless.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
Just eager to get the boat in anytime/anywhere really, Yak. I appreciate the tip from you as well. I looked at some gas motors, Oops, but I don’t want to compromise the mobility and portability that comes with having a lightweight aluminum boat. It’s perfect for 2 people to snatch out of the back of the truck and jam! I guess if I could find a nice/cheap 2 horse (if those exist) it wouldn’t be so bad…
That’s why they call it fishing, not catching…
My girlfriend and I built up a 15 foot Jon boat and mounted a 55lb thrust foot controlled trolling motor and we can easily be out and about fishing for around 6 hours and have yet to have the battery go out on us when fully charged. We do push pole a fair amount though. We typically put in at the Copahee ramp.
Wow! How cool is that?! Did you build the deck yourself? What’d you use for the rod holders in the rear? I have an odd passion for tricking out jon boats. Im trying to get mine up to par. I put some big-rig marker lights on the bottoms of the benches to put off some light for night-time fishing. I’m making a bamboo push pole this weekend, but it would be a lot easier to use if I had a stable deck.
That’s why they call it fishing, not catching…
I love the lighting idea! We are going to have to work on that when we get some time. Building a custom cooler atm to fit in the back hatch. Yes, we built all of the decking out of 3/4" marine grade plywood/aluminum and carpeted with cut loop outdoor carpet from Lowes. The rod holders are 1 foot aluminum corner (one on each side of the gap) with 1.5 inch gaps cut out and pvc bolted to the aluminum corner. The aluminum corner supports that back hatch/platform so we can pole from it so it worked out nicely!
There are actually two additional rod holders in front of the tackle box on either side of that panel facing outward at an angle. Nice to use for some extra space or to troll with two rods on the side and two off the back.
A small closed, semi-closed body of water or not too far down a creek would be okay. As soon as you enter open waters as far as I am concerned is preregistration for a Darwin award. Knowing how quickly weather can come up, a trolling motor is going to be useless against a stiff breeze. You can easily be blown further into open water and risk capsizing depending on the sea state or best case just way far away from where you started.
Iain Pelto
Sea Hunt Triton 160 w/ 90 ETEC “JB3”
Native Manta Ray 14
If you want to ride a liittle you can put in at the chehaw landing in Wiggins. Down past jacksobourough. Its a small creek with plenty of structure just to the left of the landing.ive been told there are some good trout there. I haven’t really fished around the. Landing much. I fish further down stream.
Price’s bridge would be good also.the tides at both places are reasonably tame
I’m not sure where you are located, but the Copahee sound is perfect for a Jon boat with a trolling motor. We have caught red, trout, shark (as large as I would like to catch on a jon), flounder (gigged and on a hook) all without incident. Had a storm front roll in on us (as can bee seen in that picture) and easily made it back due to the reed cover. When it’s dead low sometimes I will get out (while she sun bathes) and walk the boat back to the ramp (maybe 40 yards) as the water level drops to about 6-12" in some places but a flat bottom Jon boat easily will float along. Usually pretty deep at the ramp.
Im not sure where your exact location is, but try putting in at Crazy Sister Marina or somewhere around there. Murrells Inlet has a lot of good creeks and plenty of areas where the tide wont leave you stranded.
I appreciate all the good information. I’m in North Charleston. If the current does pick up I can ALWAYS throw out the bank anchor. Now to get the deck built in my boat!
That’s why they call it fishing, not catching…
Getting into the shallows with a flooding tide, be wary, because when you realize you are too shallow and stuck, it is too late if you are past the high tide time. Winds and weather systems can also alter the tide level based on geography, but the tidal charts don’t consider the weather and may be less accurate. The only rescue on the pluff mud is usually a helicopter or air boat or waiting for hours for the next high tide. Walking and pluff mud, don’t do it, you will sink past your knees and risk being trapped for a later drowning.
Our area just had 1 person killed and 1 hospitalized from a night time jon boat fishing trip, I won’t ever understand that dangerous maneuver.
Please be careful out there, enjoy the fishing and the scenery.
quote:
Originally posted by boatflyGetting into the shallows with a flooding tide, be wary, because when you realize you are too shallow and stuck, it is too late if you are past the high tide time. Winds and weather systems can also alter the tide level based on geography, but the tidal charts don’t consider the weather and may be less accurate. The only rescue on the pluff mud is usually a helicopter or air boat or waiting for hours for the next high tide. Walking and pluff mud, don’t do it, you will sink past your knees and risk being trapped for a later drowning.
Our area just had 1 person killed and 1 hospitalized from a night time jon boat fishing trip, I won’t ever understand that dangerous maneuver.Please be careful out there, enjoy the fishing and the scenery.
Is this in reference to going out on a jon boat at night?