We will be down next week (26th - 30th), and hoping to be able to fish every day if weather cooperates. I have never been to this area, except for a brief 13 week tour of Parris Island over 20 years ago, and I distinctly remember we did not even get to see the ocean. So, I am hoping some kind souls here can provide a little local intel.
I mainly fish offshore Hatteras, which it is only a 20-25 mile run to 120’ water and usually the edge of the stream. At 30-35 miles we get into 1000’ quick. Yes, we are spoiled. I’m looking at the maps, and it just ain’t looking good for any offshore trolling for less than 55 - 60 miles out of Edisto. I got numbers for Edisto Banks, Royal Terrace, and several more in deeper water, but correct me if I am wrong that this is the edge of where the Gulf Stream begins and hopefully a nice break/line.
My brother-in-law, and the one bringing the boat, mainly bottom fishes less than 10 miles out of Destin. We’ve never fished together, but from the pictures I have seen, he don’t know much. I’ll admit, my nearshore game is weak as well, but here is what I am thinking…
1. Offshore
If mother nature cooperates, and my brother-in-law will grow some cojones, we will try to find a break/line offshore and do some trolling. The standard Hatteras 5-7 line spread generally consist of naked/dink ballyhoos, Sea Witches with hoos, Ilanders with hoos, maybe a plunger, jet, or slant nose on WWB, and a couple of daisy chained squid bodies for teasers (at least 1 is pink) trolled between 5-7 knots. We usually run Blue/White or Blue/Pink for sunny days in good blue water. We get the benefit of that Labrador Current colliding with the Gulf Stream of Cape Hatteras, so the Blue/Green line is usually well defined and those colors have paid off more times than not. What spread suggestions or colors do you recommend?
2. Trolling for Kings
Since it is so far offshore, we may spend more time closer to land looking for kings. I can count on 1 hand how many times I have trolled for
very well stated, you gave good tips for your home waters and asked the proper questions. this site is a wealth of info and hopefully some of these folks can give you some good advice. go through the recent reports and keep up on a regular basis, take note of the rigs you see in the photos.
xfernal you are out of my league. But I did learn a ton just from your questions. All you need at Edisto is a cooler of beer, some mud minnows under a cork, and no time to be home. Enjoy.
Sounds like you already have it figured out.
Some pretty good sharks can be caught in the sound between edisto and beaufort if you can’t get the BIL to go offshore that may be a option. Rigged stingray works pretty good for that.
Some of the nearshore reefs hold a good stock of large spadefish, they can put up a good fight. Collect some jellyballs on the way out for them or cut/peeled shrimp can work too.
Edisto Offshore reef sits in 85’ and you can find some good sized reef-donkeys that will put the weak on their knees ( seen it happen once ).
Lots of live bottom from 85-100 feet that will hold large BSB and B-liners if you want some good eats. The grouper will be here also, but you already know that. I suggest you get a “Top Spots” map of the area. On it you will find some good areas to search for live bottom.
Hit the AR bouys with a sibiki-rig and you may be able to catch some live bait.
Dolphin have been being caught inshore of the ledge lately, some in 120’ although not the #s we saw in early May. Still they have been some big boys being caught.
Word of caution, if going out the South end of the island, make sure to run all the way out in the channel. the sand bar that will be on your left will humble you at or near low tide. Might want to go out in daylight at low tide and take a look before trying a pre-dawn run.
Good luck!!
Sounds like you already have it figured out.
Some pretty good sharks can be caught in the sound between edisto and beaufort if you can’t get the BIL to go offshore that may be a option. Rigged stingray works pretty good for that.
Some of the nearshore reefs hold a good stock of large spadefish, they can put up a good fight. Collect some jellyballs on the way out for them or cut/peeled shrimp can work too.
Edisto Offshore reef sits in 85’ and you can find some good sized reef-donkeys that will put the weak on their knees ( seen it happen once ).
Lots of live bottom from 85-100 feet that will hold large BSB and B-liners if you want some good eats. The grouper will be here also, but you already know that. I suggest you get a “Top Spots” map of the area. On it you will find some good areas to search for live bottom.
Hit the AR bouys with a sibiki-rig and you may be able to catch some live bait.
Dolphin have been being caught inshore of the ledge lately, some in 120’ although not the #s we saw in early May. Still they have been some big boys being caught.
Word of caution, if going out the South end of the island, make sure to run all the way out in the channel. the sand bar that will be on your left will humble you at or near low tide. Might want to go out in daylight at low tide and take a look before trying a pre-dawn run.
Good luck!!
That’s good to hear about the sharks in the sound. We have a place on the water, so we may try it at night there too. I rigged up quite a few steel cables and 16/0 to 20/0 hooks. Not sure if those are really big enough, but maybe we can land a couple of stingrays and give it a try.
The jellyballs and spades was a new one on me. We will definitely give it a try. They jellyballs were thick up in NC a couple of weeks ago, I always thoug