Been fishing inshore past three years inlet only. Sold my bay boat moved up to a 23’ cc. Plan to continue inshore thing but want to first venture to the jetties and eventually do some nearshore bottom and troll stuff. First question what charting software is best for MI area? Second I have never fished the jetties only walked out to them from the state park. Do people typically anchor in the area or drift? I don’t want to be in the way or put my family or boat in danger. A little background on my boating and fishing knowledge. I have owned boats and fished from them for over 20 years. Until 3 years ago all activities had been freshwater. Mostly tournament bass fishing. I got bored with it and took up striper fishing. Started bringing the boat to the coast on vacations and loved it. My crew consists of my wife and daughter they love to fish almost as much as me. Sorry such a long first post. I have allot more questions but they can wait. I am not looking for fishing spots I like to find them on my own.
There is a lot of traffic going threw the MI jetty so I would fish the south side. Also watch for a old man pulling a single spoon around in a cc HE WILL RUN YOU OVER!!! I don’t know if he is drunk or just stupid be he stars at that spoon not where he’s going. Good luck.
I think I saw that man or one of his relatives at the boat ramp one time. Its low tide and crowded here comes this guy in a 10’ bathtub trolling for flounder weaving in and around boats going in and out of the ramp area. Someone approaches the docks coming in from a trip and apparently snags his line. The guy starts yelling at the people in the other boat to free his line. Not down on the guy for his small boat but dang dude don’t fish in a zoo and not expect to get snaged.
I wanna also add that right now is about the best time to fish MI. The spot fleet is a few weeks away still, and its mostly locals, and local weekenders (such as myself). My brother slayed a bunch of quality Reds in a high traffic area last Saturday. End of October will be almost unfishable due to the Spot fleet.
I was thinking of getting a navionics card for my chart/fishfinder. Its a Humminbird 900 series. I have used Navionics on the freshwater lakes and like it. How are thier ocean charts? Does anyone have any detialed mapping of Murrells inlet? Wish I could get down there. Planning on doing some trolling in the flat waters this weekend though hopefully I can find a school of stripers.
The stripe is right, weekdays in MI right now are good. The spot yachts are on the way though, I think it’s gonna be on this weekend.
Navionics is what I have on my Lowrance. They also have a $15 app for your smart phone that works pretty well too. The North jetty is pretty good this time of year as well. I prefer anchoring. It’s less stressful to me. If you go offshore get some fiddler crabs and find some high structure. Sheepshead are out there too!! MI can be quite hectic. Esp. during the Summer or when someone screams flounder or spot, but it is always beautiful no matter what body of water you are privy to.
17’ Key West
“Give a man a fish, feed him for a day…Teach a man to fish, he’ll probably be in your spot next time.”
LKJ
Get the Maps Unique electronic version and download the waypoints onto a SD card and put them into your GPS. More points up and down the coast, you can add your own and keep up with them on your computer by reversing the process. Navionics has good charts but their waypoints are limited.
Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
Ok guys finally getting down to the salt water. Plan on being down the whole week during Memorial Day holiday. Would like to go out atleast one day to three mile and troll for spanish of just do some bottom fishing. My question is when looking at the weather forecasts what wind direction and speeds do I need to avoid. And which directions are more favorable. Also how does tides play when entering and leaving is there one better than the other? I am asking because I will have my wife and daughter with me and I want our first trip out of the jetties to be enjoyable. My boat is a sea hunt 234. Thanks for any advice.
quote:
Originally posted by xpigOk guys finally getting down to the salt water. Plan on being down the whole week during Memorial Day holiday. Would like to go out atleast one day to three mile and troll for spanish of just do some bottom fishing. My question is when looking at the weather forecasts what wind direction and speeds do I need to avoid. And which directions are more favorable. Also how does tides play when entering and leaving is there one better than the other? I am asking because I will have my wife and daughter with me and I want our first trip out of the jetties to be enjoyable. My boat is a sea hunt 234. Thanks for any advice.
I’m certainly no expert on fishing MI but have been boating more years than I remember 
The inlet can be down right nasty but you have a big enough boat to handle most days !!! When it’s tide against wind & waves it can stand right up . I have a much smaller boat and pick and chose my days for leaving the inlet . Your decision obviously is on you , you’ll get a good feel as you approach the inlet what your up against. Watch the marine forecast , and even if the entrance is a little choppy it can smooth right out after you break the jetties ?? Good Luck & stay safe
quote:
Originally posted by xpigI was thinking of getting a navionics card for my chart/fishfinder. Its a Humminbird 900 series. I have used Navionics on the freshwater lakes and like it. How are thier ocean charts? Does anyone have any detialed mapping of Murrells inlet? Wish I could get down there. Planning on doing some trolling in the flat waters this weekend though hopefully I can find a school of stripers.
the gold navionics chart for this area is not very good… winyah bay its ok for shipping channel and such… i have run across an island on my chart that was 20ft deep but showed an island…
down in the black river by the mouth of the bay is an island it is not on the chart at all… kinda of gives you an idea of the quality navionics is providing.
as for mi/pawleys area i cant say… but would expect similar results. if not worse. the inshore area’s change allot with tides sandbars move.
as for the offshore/nearshore… i would say its decent… it has most of the fish/chips reefs and known fishing spots marked. so its just a matter of setting the course… it will get you within 20feet of the mark iirc with the gps.
if i had to do it again i would still go navionics card only because they are basically the industry leader… so i can only imagine the mapping a lesser would produce. but i would step up to the platnium plus card(top one offered) its going to give a bit more detail all around…
my package is a lowrance hds with navionics gold card.
as for mapping… pawleys island outdoors had quite a bit 2 weeks ago… along with a great crew of guys who fish the area and can direct you and help you a little more than just handing you a product and taking your money.
THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO GUYS SORRY SO LATE ON THE FISHING REPORT WE ENDED UP FISHING 4 DAYS DURING MEMEORIAL WEEK ALL FISHING WAS DONE IN THE INLET WE DID VENTURE OUT PAST THE JETTIES ONCE TO RIDE AROUND ENDED UP BRINGING 8 FLOUNDER HOME AND ONE BLACK DRUM ALSO RELEASED A RED THAT WAS BIG ENOUGH TO KEEP. MOST FISHING DAYS WERE SLOW FOR US EXCEPT THE LAST DAY WE CAUGHT CLOSE TO 20 FLOUNDER WITH 6 OF THEM BEING KEEPERS SURE GLAD I BROUGHT THE LADY FISHERMEN WITH ME I ONLY CONTRIBUTED 2 FLOUNDER TO THE FREEZER
Nice catch.
Very impressive coming out a 23 foot boat.