Has anyone taken oysters while they’re out kayak fishing?
I know with the salt water license we’re allowed to take oysters (from designated areas) but I never have. Does anyone have any advice on what to look for (I don’t want any dead oysters) and any methods to bringing some oysters home?
If I’m having a slow day on the kayak I’d like to bring something home for lunch!
If we knew what we were doing it wouldn’t be called research.
Work smarter, not harder!
I have done so once since I was actually near some that were in a public area (and I wasn’t catching anything). It is still too warm for me to harvest my own, I like to wait for there to be a good chill in the air. I am far from an expert (there are others here way more knowledgeable than me) but, I look for big, single oysters rather than clumps. If I find a bigger one with empty or smaller clumps on it, I will knock those off and leave them on the oyster rake as new oysters need structure to attach to. A small chipping hammer or something like that and a pair of gloves and a bucket is all you really need. I use an old roofing hammer.
http://kayakfishsc.com/2011/12/time-for-an-oyster-roast/
Here you go.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Well that is a lot better than what I said. I knew someone would come along with better info.
Great tips guys, and the pictures help!
I think I’ll wait a bit before trying to get any oysters but good to know after a day of kayaking I could be able to have something to bring home to the family!
If we knew what we were doing it wouldn’t be called research.
Work smarter, not harder!
That’s an article that I wrote for Coastal Angler. I post the articles to my blog after the magazines come off the shelf.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Awesome stuff Too Busy
I’ve actually read quite a few of your blogs and seen the videos. They’re definitely inspiring me to get off the beach and on the kayak. I haven’t actually taken the kayak out yet but I’m working up to it.
If we knew what we were doing it wouldn’t be called research.
Work smarter, not harder!
The yak is the most fun in the creeks, rivers and marshes. The yak is the best tool I’ve found for chasing reds in skinny water.
Not much point in going beyond the breakers here compared to Florida.
Who’s Ready for a Sleigh Ride? www.KayakFishSC.com
Here is a video that DNR just posted to their youtube channel
How to harvest and cook oysters
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPk_kFPYpwE&feature=BFa&list=PL277DC3937CEEAE01
Perfect now I feel ready to grab some oysters. Anything to look out for? I’m sure open shells but anything else? Has anyone ever grilled oysters?
The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.
Very informative, just might have to pick my own shells this year
Bragging may not bring happiness,
but no man having caught a large fish,
goes home through the alley.
-Anonymous
I harvested a bucket full earlier this year in Bulls Bay. It’s worth it to check that the shells are closed, and make sure that you give them a good wash when you are home. You’ll be surprised at how many tiny crabs hide in those crevices (cue the jokes…)
The oysters can be “steam-grilled”, which to me is a great way to cook them. Place a disposable aluminum pan either on the grate or down by the coals (indirectly) and fill it with water. If the grill is closed, you will get a nice mixture of smoke and steam in there that gives the oysters some smoke flavor without drying them out.
Can anyone recommend a close launch point to access the area marked in the Mount Pleasant? I’ve always wanted to grab some oysters to take back home but always got too lazy after trying to catch some reds all day. Hopefully I’ll set aside a day just for oystering.
Bamayakker… those little crabs are the bonus meat 
I love our local clusters, they can have those gulf selects
“Paddle faster boys… I hear banjo music!”
SC Chapter Coordinator- Heroes on the Water
http://www.HeroesOnTheWater.org
Charleston Director- SCKayakfishing.com
Tarpon 160os
Be aware a lot of those crabs are Stone Crabs under the oysters.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/crabregs.html
“It is unlawful to possess any stone crab body live or dead.”
quote:
Originally posted by penfishn around every bend theres the promise of a treasure that can only be caught and seen in a blink.. and in your minds eye..and sometimes if youre lucky..in a picture..its there for just a minute...then gone..but hopefully once youve seen it it will remain in your heart forever. Theres nothing like the "Smell" and sounds of the creek. Its not just one thing that makes it familiar..its all of it.