I’m reaching out for some advice here on how I can learn more about these two areas of fishing (jetties and near shore reefs). I’m originally from upstate SC so I’m only on my second year of living here and learning the waters. I don’t know anyone who regularly goes out and I’ve been itching to try this for a while. Until I go out a few times I definitely don’t feel comfortable going outside the harbor solo with my 17’ boat haha. So here I am… I’m hoping that I might be able to connect with someone out there who wouldn’t mind me tagging along to learn the ropes a bit. I’d be happy to show up with bait, beer, tackle, gas $, etc and wouldn’t expect to get any numbers out of it, just general advice and safety measures. Things like:
-How to forecast when seas will be favorable
-How to know which side of the jetties to fish
-How to get around the jetties
-How to anchor close enough to fish the jetties
Getting to the jetties is often the most challenging part. At mid tides (in or out), getting past Ft. Sumter can be the worst part in a small boat. This is also the area around the Grillage. Once you get past the Dynamite Hole on the south side and out of the channel, the waves can be fairly calm…unless the wind is blowing toward the south.
I think most folks fish close to the south side near the Dynamite Hole, but it can be a little nautical. If you want big reds and sharks, you’ll want to fish outside the south rocks and drop you baits over the ledge where the dept goes from around 10 feet to about 50 feet. Again…tides, winds and currents can make it pretty rough.
You can fish along the outside of the south jetty by going through the Dynamite Hole buoys…just stay in the area between the rocks and the breakers.
When I go to the jetties, I use 2 anchors. I point the bow into the current and drop the bow anchor, back out and away from the jetties and drop a stern anchor to keep my boat from being pushed by wind, swells or current into the rocks…it also keeps my boat parallel to the rocks. Try not to anchor your stern anchor in any rocks or rubble…you want it in sand so you can pull it up by hand pretty easily.
Never know what you are going to catch…small bsb, reds, shark, whiting, oyster toads, sheeps…I’ve caught a pompano out there. If you get to the coast and the wind is blowing pretty stiff…stay in the creeks. If the wind is fairly calm…give it a try. It’s intimidating the first few times…just be careful and use good sense.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
2007 Grady White 222 Fisherman / 250 Yamaha
Simrad NSS evo2 and
Tigertown; nothing much to add to the advice posted above , it is spot on info as far as where to drop a line… I just want to add that no matter where you anchor be sure to rig your anchor to break loose in case of a hang up especially around the dynamite hole… Another hint that I use around the jettys is to carry a couple 1/2 cinder blocks with 20 or so feet of cheap low strength rode that will break under 100 or so lbs pull… As you approach jetty rocks set stern anchor so it will keep you from getting too close to rocks , then with block anchor rode tied to regular anchor rode toss block as far as you can into rocks it will allow you to adjust boat as near rocks as you want, some times block will pull free but sometimes you’ll have to break or cut rode. I use this when i anchor up outside jetty… Where ever you anchor up near shipping channel be prepared to move quickly in case of shipping traffic…Ships wake can be meeeen…
Thanks guys, appreciate the insight here. I’ve had some of these conversations awhile back but it’s a good refresher. I still think anyone in a similar position to my own should play it safe and wait to be taken out first. I may hold off until one of my friends decides to get out there or I come across someone kind enough to let me join or follow.
