Im a newbie, so be nice. I enjoy fishing, but have never owned a boat. Ive done a few offshore and inshore fishing trips and have sailed in the ocean numerous times. We have been thinking about getting a powered boat for a long time so I could spend time with family, kids, and friends down here at the coast. Instead of golfing for six hours with my kids/friends, why not take them fishing? The folks have a place in Rockville which is where we will keep the boat. It being a buyers market, and after some serious research, we finally bought a 04 Wellcraft 210 CC Fisherman with a 200HP Yamaha. It has an 18 upper draft, 24 lower draft, a hull with a 25 degree deadrise. I felt like this is a good overall boat for what I want to do. Part of having fun on the water is also being safe and well informed. I know how treacherous Charleston, Edisto, and Bohicket can be which is why Im actively taking boating safety classes online and joining Power Squadron. I dont intend to take this boat EVER outside the site of land. Thats what a commercial charter trip is for (outsource that kind of risk to a professional). I have a long way to go to be an educated captain. However, in addition to being educated, I need some direction and want some experienced help when it comes to fishing. Things like: bait, rigging, tackle, equipment, whats running and when, good spots and maybe places to avoid, where I should go fishing for mackerel, snapper, etc. I also want to do some more sport inshore fishing for drum, etc. Any good anglers, buddy boating locales, bait and tackle guys, etc., that dont mind helping me join the club. Also, is there such a thing as hiring an angler to go with me on my boat? Thanks in advance.
Hey rodojo. If you never intend to take the boat out of sight of land, then you are going to be somewhat limited on the fishing “offshore” or “near shore.” Most of your productive spots for catching grouper, snapper, and such are going to be further than that. The bottom slopes really gentlely from the beach out into the ocean around here. It doesn’t get deep quick at all. To hit 60 feet even, you have to get out of sight of land.
You can, however, catch various Mackerel and such in sight of land. But given the plethora of species out there, again, you are limited staying in close with regard to what is possible to catch by traveling a little bit.
As far as “inshore” fish, I have a boat similar to yours, and I can tell you that you will be able to get back into a lot of areas, but you have to really be aware of your tides and how you got in and out of where you are. You will not be able to get into a lot of areas because the better portion of the “back waters” are really shallow. But, this time of year, fishing along grass lines, docks and such are well within your reach. Hit the few hours just before and after low tide around docks and structure with some live bait and you’ll find Red’s.
To quantify this, I’m not what most would call “experienced” and probably talking out the side of my head here. But this is what most on here have told me and what I’ve experienced in my short few years fishing the waters around Charleston.
Thanks for the info. NEVER is a strong word. Presumably the boat we purchased will allow me to go out further on a calm day. I guess as long as I’m prepared and have a good plan with experienced hands on board, maybe go buddy boating, the possibiliy of going out further would certainly be something I’d do. It will just take time before I’d be comfortable doing that.
Yeah, that’s what I did when I started fishing in my 22’ boat. I would go on short bottom fishing runs out to like 5 to 10 miles at first. Then I went to the Charleston 60, and so forth. Like you said, I did it this way to see what the boat could do and how comfortable I was in each situation. I’ve built up to where I’ve spent the last 2 seasons going out looking for dolphin and wahoo and such. Boats like ours can do it. The question is whould you? The ol’ addage of “picking your days” usually gets a laugh on this forum from some, but in boats our size you really do have to do that. You have to be sure of how your boat handles in different conditions, what kind of safety gear you have on the boat, what kind of eletronics, and so many other factors. For me, I’ll say this, and remember this is just me (someone who is kind of new at this too), if the forecast is worse than like 3 feet at 6 to 8 seconds with winds greater than 15 knots or so . . . . I have a hard time talkind myself into going out. That being said, I’ve gone in perdicted 4’ at 10 seconds before with little to no winds and just climbed big hills of water all day with no problems. It is all based on the situation, and the risks you are willing to take knowing how your boat handles and what the reward will be for taking that risk. The great thing is that from this point on to like end of September or October time frame, you only have to go like 30 miles or so to be able to catch most of your offshore fish. Definitely in the reach of boats like ours. But again, taking baby steps first and understanding what you are dealing with is the smart way to do it. Heck, I still feel like that’s what I’m doing each time I go out.
Sounds like a smart approach to the sport. Start with small steps, to see what you are comfortable with, and what the boat seems to handle well. Start by working around the jetties, for sheepshead and a few little sharks that can be thrown right back. When you are 100% comfortable with the rocks, then head somewhere close, like the Charleston Near Shore or 4KI (BSB, Sheeps, Spades). Again, when you are 100% comfortable, pick a good calm day and head to the Charleston 60. Same critters as 4KI, but you will be able to walk from boat to boat (almost) so help is never far away. I have seen a Whaler 13 at the CHS 60 before, so you won’t have the smallest boat in the crowd.
You can never have too much safety gear on board. 2 VHF (minimum). A contract with Boat US OR SeaTow!!! Primary and backup GPS. At least 2 compases. An EPIRB or even a SPOT (wwwDOTfindmespotDOTcom). Pick your days well, don’t rush the process, and you will be fine.
========
PS: If a fly lost it’s wings, would it be called a walk?
Sorry Bud but a 210 Wellcraft does NOT have 25 degree deadrise (maybe at midships not at stern). Prolly more like 21. Hopefully the seller didnt tout that.
