Headed down to Charleston next weekend to do some fishing. I’d really like to venture out past the near shore reefs and catch something besides BSB. I’ve got a Sea Hunt 211 Ultra so fuel capacity is right at 60 gal. I have good life jackets, PLB and VHF. Obviously if weather is questionable I will stay inshore.
All of that being said, what depth/temp do I need to get to this time of year to catch some other varieties of fish? Live bait vs artificial? What are some good species to target?
I am not looking for specific location info just advice. I do a ton of inshore fishing as well as freshwater this is just the first time I have had vessel I could rely on push out a little bit.
If you Are looking for a consistent variety of bottom fish, i typically need to go around 30 miles give or take from charleston around 90ish feet. Temp doesnt mean too much for me for bottom fishing. Good trolling is about twice as far. Hot spots map or equivalent will help tremendously if you buy one and enter gps points ahead of time. Squid on chicken rigs for bottom fishing and ballyhoo with sea witches for trolling will get you far enough. Only other advice is that ypu seemed to imply in your post that your dates are limited, so id have a plan b if the weather isnt right.
There’s been good reports of Kings starting to show up in 60 feet. Live menhaden slow trolled over good bottom is the ticket. If the weather isn’t right you can always sheepshead fish the jetties.
Yes unfortunately we are limited to dates. If the weather doesn’t cooperate we will stay inshore. I plan to pick up some squid. We will have some numbers plugged in and 30 miles will probably be as far as I will venture if weather is good. Guess I need to make sure I am up to date on regulations/sizes/closures. Will kings be around or is it too early?
There’s been good reports of Kings starting to show up in 60 feet. Live menhaden slow trolled over good bottom is the ticket. If the weather isn’t right you can always sheepshead fish the jetties.
Pull up numbers for y-73. When you catch a small grunt, put it live on an 8/0 circle hook and 6 oz egg sinker with three foot 100 lb leader just off the bottom and hang on.
Menhaden are scattered off the beach. Caught them yesterday morning halfway to the lighthouse in close. Reports were no birds or flickers this am. Saw a few in the waterway yesterday afternoon. Not quite thick yet but they are out there.
Headed down to Charleston next weekend to do some fishing. I’d really like to venture out past the near shore reefs and catch something besides BSB. I’ve got a Sea Hunt 211 Ultra so fuel capacity is right at 60 gal. I have good life jackets, PLB and VHF. Obviously if weather is questionable I will stay inshore.
All of that being said, what depth/temp do I need to get to this time of year to catch some other varieties of fish? Live bait vs artificial? What are some good species to target?
I am not looking for specific location info just advice. I do a ton of inshore fishing as well as freshwater this is just the first time I have had vessel I could rely on push out a little bit.
Thanks in advance for any advice!
And the wind/sea forecast looks pretty decent for Saturday on a 21’.
Menhaden and many other fish do not like going under long docks or bridges with lots of pilings they will stack up in front of one side depending on the current direction. I used to get all the bait I needed right i n front of the fort Sumter dock
