Im new to the area, moved from California. I did a lot of kayak fishing fishing in the ocean catching yellow tail and halibut, but due to my living situation I had to sell the yak. Im a pretty experienced angler, just don’t know where to go or what the fish bite out here. Can anyone point me in the right direction or at least a good tackle shop. Im stationed on Parris island in Beaufort.
Thanks,
Austin Tight Lines!
If anyone wants to fish tomorrow give me a holler!
Beaufort Boat and Dock Supply in Port Royal can hook you up with the gear that you will need. The salt water lagoons on PI hold some monster redfish as well as flounder. Get in touch with the PI Rod&Gun Club. Those guys will be more than glad to help get you pointed in the right direction.
oc
Hi Austin;
Welcome to the Lowcountry. It’s a shame you had to sell the yak with all the creeks around here.
You have some great fishing right aboard PI. Go out towards the golf course, keep your eyes to the right for a small fisherman parking sign on the right as the first greens come into view. Park and follow the greens to a creek by the 13th hole. Lots of downed trees provide forage for Reds, Trout, Sheeps head, Black drum and whiting.
Second it on Beaufort Boat and dock supply.
If you’ve caught yellowtail (pacific) from a kayak you’ve done something. That’s no joke. They are one of the hardest pulling fish in the ocean. A 20 pound yellow will make you think you’ve hooked a VW.
And they are a good eating fish.
Kayak fishing here is probably the best way to get to wiley reds. long casts with mud minnows or fiddler crabs is a good way to go. That type of bait will stay alive without much trouble in a kayak. A popping cork with a 18 inch leader is a good starter also. Z man artificial shrimp are good also. If you think you’re moving your bait to slow, slow down more.
Thank you all for the guidance. I’ll give the golf course a shot tomorrow! Hopefully ill have some pictures to show for it
quote:I hear that! this YT was 25 lbs pulled me around for 15 minutes till I got the gaff in him!
Originally posted by AfishianadoIf you’ve caught yellowtail (pacific) from a kayak you’ve done something. That’s no joke. They are one of the hardest pulling fish in the ocean. A 20 pound yellow will make you think you’ve hooked a VW.
And they are a good eating fish.
Kayak fishing here is probably the best way to get to wiley reds. long casts with mud minnows or fiddler crabs is a good way to go. That type of bait will stay alive without much trouble in a kayak. A popping cork with a 18 inch leader is a good starter also. Z man artificial shrimp are good also. If you think you’re moving your bait to slow, slow down more.
Austin.
Welcome to SC , you’ve already ^^^^ received very good info on local
fishing, I just want to add being, I assume, active duty, keep
watching the forums . I will start publicizing the 2016 MAD
Charleston fishing event to be held Nov.12, 2016…
To learn more about MAD check out the link in my signature below.
You can also go back to late Nov-Dec 2015 and see some of the after
event posts…
Welcome aboard!!!
[http://www.militaryappreciationday.org
When you see “Old Glory” waving in the breeze, know that it is the dying breaths of our fallen hero’s that makes it wave.
author unknown
Oyster cracker I heard the ponds on PI were closed last year . Lots of big fish in them . I think it was because of pollution
I DONT HAVE A BOAT
BUT LOVE TO FISH> HINT
quote:
Originally posted by APOBOyster cracker I heard the ponds on PI were closed last year . Lots of big fish in them . I think it was because of pollution
I DONT HAVE A BOAT
BUT LOVE TO FISH> HINT
If I might jump in, actually the ponds have been closed for several years now. Was told that “Elevated Mercury” was the culprit. Sadly they may never be opened. Huge shrimp, doormat flounder, and some huge reds live in there.
quote:
Originally posted by austin.mchalekThank you all for the guidance. I’ll give the golf course a shot tomorrow! Hopefully ill have some pictures to show for it
Hi Austin, nice running into you yesterday. I must have tired the yearling trout out as they stopped biting.
Today I went to that spot I told you about yesterday. Caught these two (18", 16.5") A fella showed up and was fishing about 30 yards from me and he caught three with one of them being bigger than my 18" from what I saw. I was too far away to see what he was throwing but it looked pinkish.
Wow! I had no idea that the PI ponds were closed. I guess high levels of mercury is a valid reason. Any chance of catch and release?
oc
quote:
Originally posted by oyster crackerWow! I had no idea that the PI ponds were closed. I guess high levels of mercury is a valid reason. Any chance of catch and release?
oc
No one is allowed down on the docks, they are boarded off. No parking signs line both sides of the causeway. Some folks tried to push for just catching bait etc but it never got anywhere.
Once in a great while I see folks fishing the opposite side where the culverts run but that side is lined with pluff mud and Oyster rakes so it is pretty much float fishing.
quote:
Originally posted by digger54If I might jump in, actually the ponds have been closed for several years now. Was told that “Elevated Mercury” was the culprit. Sadly they may never be opened. Huge shrimp, doormat flounder, and some huge reds live in there.
Say it aint so! I’d love to see the research on the “elevated mercury”. Mercury is naturally occuring. All reports on high mercury level fish get my curiosity rolling. I personally think there is some scamming to it.
I’ve caught some monster flounder and a few over slot reds out of those ponds. Shame.
“If Bruce Jenner can keep his wiener and be called a woman, I can keep my firearms and be considered disarmed.”
quote:
Originally posted by austin.mchalekIm new to the area, moved from California. I did a lot of kayak fishing fishing in the ocean catching yellow tail and halibut, but due to my living situation I had to sell the yak. Im a pretty experienced angler, just don’t know where to go or what the fish bite out here. Can anyone point me in the right direction or at least a good tackle shop. Im stationed on Parris island in Beaufort.
Thanks,
Austin Tight Lines!
Welcome!! if your living situation changes, get another yak! Lot’s of difference between here and California, but once you figure out what you want to target, we have some great fishing!
If you had a 25# yt you’ve done something most have not! Dang that had to be a fight! I “little” 28" spottail whooped my butt in a yak.
“If Bruce Jenner can keep his wiener and be called a woman, I can keep my firearms and be considered disarmed.”
quote:
Originally posted by Fred67[quote]Originally posted by digger54
I’ve caught some monster flounder and a few over slot reds out of those ponds. Shame.
“If Bruce Jenner can keep his wiener and be called a woman, I can keep my firearms and be considered disarmed.”
I first fished/shrimped those ponds back in the late 70s when you had to do a balancing act on the concrete culverts. I was lucky enough to have been stationed nine years in Beaufort on and off until retiring here in 2003. The enjoyment my family and I had and the friendships we made at those ponds had been a factor in my retirement plans so you can imagine our disappointment.
I’m not privy to the EPA testing results nor the decision to close the pond. But it is really tough to drive by those ponds as frequently as I do remembering the good times and the fishing potential there.
quote:
Originally posted by digger54quote:
Originally posted by Fred67[quote]Originally posted by digger54
I’ve caught some monster flounder and a few over slot reds out of those ponds. Shame.
“If Bruce Jenner can keep his wiener and be called a woman, I can keep my firearms and be considered disarmed.”
I first fished/shrimped those ponds back in the late 70s when you had to do a balancing act on the concrete culverts. I was lucky enough to have been stationed nine years in Beaufort on and off until retiring here in 2003. The enjoyment my family and I had and the friendships we made at those ponds had been a factor in my retirement plans so you can imagine our disappointment.
I’m not privy to the EPA testing results nor the decision to close the pond. But it is really tough to drive by those ponds as frequently as I do remembering the good times and the fishing potential there.
Hear ya digger, and thanks for your service!! I remember going with mom to the commissary and stocking up on grub. Remember the green cardboard milk cartons? Mom would buy a ton and freeze them. Never tasted the same after thawing them out. 
Good thing about Beaufort, ton’s of fishing spots just waiting for you!
“If Bruce Jenner can keep his wiener and be called a woman, I can keep my firearms and be considered disarmed.”