Will be making my annual trek to HHI on July, 8. Generally surf fish the beach at sunrise using a 2-hook bottom rig, or a fish finder rig. Fresh shrimp on the bottom rig, and whiting filets or head on the fish finder. Generally just catch whiting, small shark, or skates/rays.
Not sure with the high water temps what else I could catch.
Should I try lures in the surf, or would it be a waste of time? Paddle tails? Think I read someplace to wade out and fish the lures parallel with the beach.
Have never fished at night there. Would it be worth slinging a whiting head out as far as I can get it at night?
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.
Take this for what it’s worth, since I’ve never fished the surf outside of Florida. I used to use white Mirrolures w/red head for snook on the beach around Stuart, Fl. And silver spoons for when the blues were running.
Bob Van Gundy
803-727-4069
Custom Aluminum Fabrication
I’ve had similar luck with mirrolures on the gulf. I’ll be in Charleston in 3 days for a week of fishing so I will try them out and report back to you.
Mike Kamin
Thanks guys.
NIMAKDM…please post your results.
You’ll be able to catch more sharks than you can count this time of the year. You may have a chance at some jacks, or the pompano. I saw a couple saw pompano when I was down the first part of the month. Depending on where you’re going to be fishing, artificials may be a waste. You could thrown them around the rocks at South Beach though. Not sure where you’re staying, but there is some great fishing in the canals and ponds of some of the plantations. I would def bring the artificials for them.
spoons, gotcha plugs, and mirrolures all work. if you have a kayak and can spot some diving birds, you can get as many blues, ladyfish, spanish, trout, and jacks as you feel like reeling in by either casting or trolling. hook into a 24" ladyfish with light tackle and you have a fight on your hands!
No kayak. 
Have a 12’ solo canoe I use, but would not want to think about launching that thing through the surf.
Ladyfish definitely put up a stink when hooked. Its too bad only way I’ve found them to be edible is as burgers.
Mike Kamin
not 100% but a place like hilton head you may be able to rent one? if not no big deal you can still make catches from the surf on lures, especially if you see birds diving or bait being chased within casting distance
Just curious. Is surf fishing allowed on the public beaches at HHI? Haven’t been there much but from what I saw the beaches appear pretty thick with people on the sand and in the surf.
I looked up kayak rentals today. There are a couple of options.
You can fish on the beach where we stay. I always go early and pack my things up before the beach gets semi-crowded.
quote:
Originally posted by NIMAKDM
Ladyfish definitely put up a stink when hooked. Its too bad only way I’ve found them to be edible is as burgers.
Mike Kamin
Curious, how do you prepare them as burgers?
Ya know, it must be nice living in Neverneverland. Remind me to come visit you, when I need a break from reality.