I’m new to salt water fishing, but not fishing. Recently moved to SC upstate from mid-west. I have tried Charleston area with guide for reds & loved it. Generally fly-fish but not ashamed to use spinning rig. I’m intrigued to fish the grasses from my canoe & noticed no one mentions anything but kayaks. Why? Also am looking for launch sites and areas to fish, have picked up Top Spot map or area. Honestly I’m a little reluctant to start out solo. What minimum gear would I need? Any help appreciated.
Cumberland blue,
I am a newbie who was transfered here from the upstate. I am currently fishing out of a canoe and fly fish 40% of the time here. Full time fly fish when I lived in upstate.
You can canoe fish but it can get dicey real fast due to currents and weather. Also, canoes are not very streamlined to fight currents. Especially with a canoe, check the weather forecast. When it is right fishing from a canoe can’t be beat for room and comfort.
My son and I put in at the Wando River put in in Mt. Pleasant just north of Wando High School.
We will time the tide and weather. We put in 1-2 hrs on high tide before slack tide and fish north with tide. Anchor on slack tide and fish. Let canoe drift and anchor when we hit good place on outgoing tide. After a couple of hours we end up back at put in. End up with 4-5 hours of fishing.
The best of both worlds is a Native Ultimate 14.5 or 12. Maybe this year my wish will come true. (Sorry Disney)
Medgar
quote:
cumberland blue Posted - 01/06/2009 : 3:44:54 PM
cumberland blue Posted - 01/06/2009 : 3:44:54 PM
I’m new to salt water fishing, but not fishing. Recently moved to SC upstate from mid-west. I have tried Charleston area with guide for reds & loved it. Generally fly-fish but not ashamed to use spinning rig. I’m intrigued to fish the grasses from my canoe & noticed no one mentions anything but kayaks. Why? Also am looking for launch sites and areas to fish, have picked up Top Spot map or area. Honestly I’m a little reluctant to start out solo. What minimum gear would I need? Any help appreciated.
blue, I’ve got a yak, but would rather have a canoe for the winter months. Don’t know how long or what kind of canoe you have, but a lot of canoes do very well if you spin them around backwards(bow in the rear). I’ve got a friend that has a 14’ canoe, uses a kayak paddle and has no problem. Fly fishing out of a canoe is ALOT easier too. Even though we are both standing up…he is much more stable, can move around more, and has a cleaner deck to strip his fly line.
Mud
quote:
Originally posted by MudRoc
quote:
cumberland blue Posted - 01/06/2009 : 3:44:54 PMI’m new to salt water fishing, but not fishing. Recently moved to SC upstate from mid-west. I have tried Charleston area with guide for reds & loved it. Generally fly-fish but not ashamed to use spinning rig. I’m intrigued to fish the grasses from my canoe & noticed no one mentions anything but kayaks. Why? Also am looking for launch sites and areas to fish, have picked up Top Spot map or area. Honestly I’m a little reluctant to start out solo. What minimum gear would I need? Any help appreciated.
blue, I’ve got a yak, but would rather have a canoe for the winter months. Don’t know how long or what kind of canoe you have, but a lot of canoes do very well if you spin them around backwards(bow in the rear). I’ve got a friend that has a 14’ canoe, uses a kayak paddle and has no problem. Fly fishing out of a canoe is ALOT easier too. Even though we are both standing up…he is much more stable, can move around more, and has a cleaner deck to strip his fly line.
Mud
MudRoc: Thanks, I’ve got a Mad River 14’ Explorer. I’ve had canoes forever & when alone always turn 'em around, centers me better. I’m not agile enough to stand up & cast any longer, maybe if I had it beached I could. I’ve been pretty much a flat water (lakes & slow rivers) canoer. I’ve thought of the kayak paddle but never actually tried it. Any thing else y’all could advise on would be great like access points, techniques, timing the tides, what fish signs to look for, seasons, anything. (sorry 'bout double clutching the post reply button).
quote:
Originally posted by medgarCumberland blue,
I am a newbie who was transfered here from the upstate. I am currently fishing out of a canoe and fly fish 40% of the time here. Full time fly fish when I lived in upstate.
You can canoe fish but it can get dicey real fast due to currents and weather. Also, canoes are not very streamlined to fight currents. Especially with a canoe, check the weather forecast. When it is right fishing from a canoe can’t be beat for room and comfort.
My son and I put in at the Wando River put in in Mt. Pleasant just north of Wando High School.
We will time the tide and weather. We put in 1-2 hrs on high tide before slack tide and fish north with tide. Anchor on slack tide and fish. Let canoe drift and anchor when we hit good place on outgoing tide. After a couple of hours we end up back at put in. End up with 4-5 hours of fishing.
The best of both worlds is a Native Ultimate 14.5 or 12. Maybe this year my wish will come true. (Sorry Disney)
Medgar
Medgar: Thanks for the advise. Do you fish the creek channels, how far do you need to paddle out to find grass flat? Are you search casting or trolling the current?
blue, beaching your canoe in the mud flats and waiting for the reds on the flats,while the tide is rising, can be very productive.
Mud
canoe is lots better for fishing. yaks better for paddeling with winds and tides.
folly basser
Medgar, Where is Wando H.S.? Having trouble finding it on maps.
I’ve got a 147 Old Town guide canoe. Less than $600 at Dick’s. I love it for fishing and crabbing. IMO better for fishing. I just usually fish close to where I throw in. I have found it easier to paddle in tides/creeks than in Edisto River. All you need is a cajun anchor. Plenty of room for gear. I have a milk crate rigged up just like the ones on the yaks. Works great! Swapping ends or just sitting in the middle does ok solo. I don’t cross big open water much, which a yak is much better for. You can get a set of outriggers for about $215. You can stand up and walk around in it then - rock solid.(fly fish)We have a set on the canoe we use at our camp down on the Edisto. With the riggers you can hunt of of it too.
J Ford
If you’re so ■■■■ smart - why ain’t ya rich?
Whoooo - Fish ON!
Cumberland Blue,
The new wando high school doesn’t come up on mapquest yet. I’m not tech savy to do google earth etc. The high school is on Hwy 17 north in Mt Pleasant next to two big subdivisions (Park West and Charleston National). There is a new St Francis hospital being built next to it.
The wando river put in is north about another 3-5 miles. Brown sign on median. Turn left road will dead in at put in.
We fish all types of ways. Trolling, Searching, Fly Fishing. What ever mood we are in dictates what we do. I agree with Mudroc, wading out at low tide and fly fishing for reds is a blast.
Hope this helps,
Medgar
quote:Thanks, J Ford. I've seen outriggers & have thought of getting a set, I saw them in Cabela's mag. you know of another source. What's a cajun anchor, and what's the milk crate rig? Is it for storage. Another question: a friend told me to watch out for "pluff mud". Is it very soft mud? How do you tell if you're on firm enough bottom for wading short of getting out & sinking up to your arse?
Originally posted by jfordI’ve got a 147 Old Town guide canoe. Less than $600 at Dick’s. I love it for fishing and crabbing. IMO better for fishing. I just usually fish close to where I throw in. I have found it easier to paddle in tides/creeks than in Edisto River. All you need is a cajun anchor. Plenty of room for gear. I have a milk crate rigged up just like the ones on the yaks. Works great! Swapping ends or just sitting in the middle does ok solo. I don’t cross big open water much, which a yak is much better for. You can get a set of outriggers for about $215. You can stand up and walk around in it then - rock solid.(fly fish)We have a set on the canoe we use at our camp down on the Edisto. With the riggers you can hunt of of it too.
J Ford
If you’re so ■■■■ smart - why ain’t ya rich?
Whoooo - Fish ON!
I got a question about the Wando. It seems on google earth that the put in is at a feeder stream looking body of water that leads to the big water. Are you guys fishing in that creek, or out on the big channel?? Thanks
cb
Most of the time short grass = firm bottom / tall grass = soft bottom. And deep pluff mud is a beach to get out of.
Cajun is a 5’ x 1/2" or 5/8" stainless rod you use for an anchor. Just spear it down - pulls up easy - no splash or noise - I use some home-made ones.
Do a search on the milk crate deal. Really cool and helpful in a yak or canoe. Rod holders - tackle - tools - running light - hold all your schitt together. Just throw it in the bote with your rods & cooler and take off.
Have fun.
JF
J Ford
If you’re so ■■■■ smart - why ain’t ya rich?
Whoooo - Fish ON!
The landing north of Wando HS on the Wando is called Paradise Landing. Get directions from Charleston County Park website.
SeaPro 21 Bay Yam 150
High Tide 16 Honda 40
Key West 17’ Stealth Yam 115
quote:
Originally posted by MarshManThe landing north of Wando HS on the Wando is called Paradise Landing. Get directions from Charleston County Park website.
SeaPro 21 Bay Yam 150
High Tide 16 Honda 40
Key West 17’ Stealth Yam 115
Landing is at the end of Chandler road, which is almost exactly 5 miles north of the Highway 41 intersection.
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