Pawleys Creek Area

Going down to PI next week and carrying my 20’ CC. Don’t know much about this area except I’ve fished in Murrell’s Inlet several times (always heard that is overfished). Want to target the normal species, flounder, reds, and trout. Going to have my grand kids with me. Does the creek behind PI hold any fish ? Does the inlet (I think called Midway) hold any fish ? I would prefer to stay out of the Georgetown area. Anyway any input would be appreciated. Thanks !

If your 20’ boat is anything other than a flat bottom skiff, it will limit your travels around PI…especially at lower tides. It can be done, but use caution. Lots of shallow water in the area. Also, be careful launching your boat. Some of the ramps do not extend really far into the water before the concrete ends. You can pull an axle off if your trailer falls off the back of the ramp.

Does a bear…? Yes, it holds all the species mentioned and can be good fishing. Not only is there a lot of shallow water but the tidal current really rips. I’ve always been there in smaller crafts. You might consider borrowing or renting a Jon boat or Kayaks for this trip.


16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120

Thanks for the input…I do have a trolling motor, so that should help some. Also I think I’ll put in in MI and drive around to dock boat at house we are renting for the week.

You might be a little too large for the creek other than at high tide or so depending on how much water you draw. If you do, you might want to stay around the North boat ramp up to the mouth and just make sure you stick close to the jetties…there’s a big bar if you swing out too wide.
Best part though…you’ll see where to steer clear of at low tide since most of the water is gone at dead low.

16ft War Eagle 648MV/ Johnson 50HP

Thanks Salmonale…I draw 13 in or so and I am staying 8-10 houses from the inlet side. I was hoping to be able to dock my boat there for the week but now I’m not sure. Google earth does show a ramp just 2 houses up from me. Sorry, I flat just don’t know this area. I was hoping to maybe drift at mid tide for some flounder in the middle of the creek and maybe anchor out in the inlet and fish on the bottom for some reds mid to low tide.

quote:
Originally posted by upstateciddawg

Thanks Salmonale…I draw 13 in or so and I am staying 8-10 houses from the inlet side. I was hoping to be able to dock my boat there for the week but now I’m not sure. Google earth does show a ramp just 2 houses up from me. Sorry, I flat just don’t know this area. I was hoping to maybe drift at mid tide for some flounder in the middle of the creek and maybe anchor out in the inlet and fish on the bottom for some reds mid to low tide.


What people who live here are trying to tell you is that you have too much boat to safely and easily navigate in the creeks on PI. Rent a jon boat from PI Outdoors and go out at low tide to see the bars. Or rent a kayak and enjoy a paddle. You can get around in your boat at high tide but when it swings if you are in the wrong place, make sure you have plenty to eat and drink, you’re going to be there a while.

If you want to fish your boat then, go down to Georgetown and head out to Winyah. Just be careful there as well, places there can get shallow too.

Mark
Pioneer 222 Sportfish Yamaha F300
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.

“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne

Would never consider putting a boat that large in the creeks at Pawley’s. Can it be done, yes, only on higher tides. Can it be disastrous, absolutely. Was trout fishing down there years ago and watched a guy in a boat about the size you are describing get sideways near the mouth of the inlet (low tide, probably two feet of water at most) and roll his boat. Coolers everywhere.

Take the others advice and rent a jon-boat or yak. If not stick to Murrells or Winyah.

“Choose my bluest tape and unlock my car, An honest tune with a lingering lead has taken me this far”

Guys, I think he said in his 3rd post, that he was going to fish MI and dock at the house they are staying at. Did that change?

Upstate, look up the public boat landing in MI if you don’t know where it is, because that is where you should put in. Don’t leave anything valuable in your vehicle if you are leaving it there. Better to have someone drop you off and get them at your dock.

If you have a good map app on a phone or something, use it to get to your dock, if you need to. Study it first.

Or spend $6-7 on a laminated map of MI that they sell at the local bait and tackle shops. Actually you should just do that anyway probably because they have some well known but still good fishing spots marked out on there, in addition to being a great aid to find your way around. It goes without saying, but scout at low and incoming, you should be good to go.

Guys I think I’ve got it… you’re trying to keep me out of trouble and I appreciate that. I’ll stay out of Pawley’s creeks. I’ll just fish around MI, maybe ride out to one of the reefs and float some live bait. I’ll just put in at the public landing. I rented that house thinking I could dock for a week there but I guess I didn’t do my homework. My grandkids can at least catch some muddies off the dock. One question I had statoyak, is the parking across the street from the public landing conducive to vandalism during the day? I’ve used that a couple of times but it’s been 10 yrs or so.

Dad, let’s stay in deep water. Don’t want you to mess up MY boat.

quote:
Originally posted by upstateciddawg

is the parking across the street from the public landing conducive to vandalism during the day? I’ve used that a couple of times but it’s been 10 yrs or so.


Have heard of numerous break-ins through the years in that lot unfortunately.

“Choose my bluest tape and unlock my car, An honest tune with a lingering lead has taken me this far”

Yeah. Things were real bad at the MI boat landing parking area three or four years ago.

It may be better now but I wouldn’t take any chances or provide any extra temptation for the bastards. Don’t leave anything of value in your vehicle or your trunk even, for that matter, if you have a button to remotely open it.

I do the big city thing of leaving my glove box open so people can easily see there is nothing worth stealing. Even had a friend who speaks Spanish write me a note saying there was nothing to steal, to go along with the English version (edit, it went something like: nada de valore para robare or something, lol). Got a lot of laughs from it but was never bothered.

I’ve heard of problems at every boat landing I ever used. I’ve personally never witnessed it at the MI ramp but it pays to be careful. Fortunately, there is usually plenty of traffic there and an unofficial golf cart shuttle running back and forth from ramp to lot most days.


16’ High Tide Flats (Green) w/Yamaha 90
Wilderness Ride 135
Wilderness Tarpon 120