Kayak Fishing Hilton Head

To the South Beaufort / Hilton Head
1

Good Day All,

I’ve been going to Hilton Head Island for the over 15 years with my family. I finally bringing my fishing kayak down the week of the 18th and need a little direction into where the best places to launch and fish are. I’m bring both fly and spinning gear setups and would like to target tailing reds at some point. We are staying in Sea Pines so maybe that will help…

Also, any advice on gathering oysters or clams?

Thank in advance for any helpful info!! :sunglasses:

Tight Lines-

2
quote:
Also, any advice on gathering oysters or clams?

Don’t. The season is closed from mid May until the end of September. The old Low Country rule is any month with an “R” in it, but SC DNR has slightly different ideas.

Lots of good fishing in that area. Cast netting shrimp should be good. Don’t pick oysters and clams until Sept. 30. Advice, read the rules. Lot of game wardens around HHI :wink:

Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper

3
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker Larry
quote:
Also, any advice on gathering oysters or clams?

Don’t. The season is closed from mid May until the end of September. The old Low Country rule is any month with an “R” in it, but SC DNR has slightly different ideas.

Lots of good fishing in that area. Cast netting shrimp should be good. Don’t pick oysters and clams until Sept. 30. Advice, read the rules. Lot of game wardens around HHI :wink:

Capt. Larry Teuton
Swamp Worshiper

Capt. Larry,

Thank you for the updates! I definitely would steer clear of illegal activities…

Any suggestions on jump off points?

4

Mayla,

If you are staying in Sea Pines you can put in at the South Beach marina (as long as it is not dead low tide)and fish the Braddock Creek area or paddle out to the mouth and stay along the right shore line and head up Baynard Creek.

The few times I have been out this summer I found few reds, however. I only caught one last week. It was a nice 28" one but most of what I caught were small trout and flounder. Some days I can get a decent number, other days only a couple, after working hard at it.

As for the fly rod and tailing reds, I know there are guides that take people out to the flats around the Baynard Creek mouth at Calibogue Sound but I have not seen many reds lately. I talked to a local fisherman last week who said he does better with the fly rod at Pinckney Island than anywhere else. He works off a paddle board and said the flats are more solid out there and he can get off the board when he spots fish for easier casting.

Having fished over there, from the main boat launch, I suspect he is going left off the ramp and around the southern tip to access the flats on the east side. However, you may be able to turn right (opposite the boat launch coming from HH) on to the island and find a spot close enough to launch from the road (I have not checked this out recently) if the tide is high enough. You will want to start an hour or two before high tide and get the fish as they are coming in to you with the tide. It is hard to spot them once the water is more than 8" - 12" deep.

It could be a bit of a paddle to get around the point but it may be the only realistic way of getting there.

5

The tides for that week don’t look good for tailers. Not enough water to cover the grass flats. Try fishing around Pinckney Island, lots of fish over there.

oc