Not sure where to put this question, I have some family coming in to town this week and they are interested in harvesting oysters and maybe clams to do a roast. I have looked at the DNR maps and see that there many places to go. I have a 14 foot McKee craft that can get in shallow water but looking for advice on an area that would be “likely” to produce size edible shellfish. Not afraid to travel to bull’s bay but if I can stay in Charleston area that would be great! Any tips would be great, I have watched a few DNR youtube videos and they are informative. If all else fails we can just stop at Bowens island restaurant to get what we came for however, nothing tastes the same as getting the food yourself. Thanks in advance.
The whole folly river/creek is easy good oysters. Fast moving green water close to the ocean, which translates to a clean salty oysters. If your looking for singles/selects look at where it turns from oysters to soft mud, like at the bottom of a mound or near a tributary mouth. Picking oysters is easy cleaning them sucks and use salt water if you don’t plan to eat them right then. Un-cleaned oysters keep better, just clean them before you eat them. Barely steam to loosen the shells and shuck a pint or 2 and fry them with just flour with a little salt, use the juice to batter them. I hate shucking oysters and I’ll shuck clusters to fry or selects to make new Orleans grilled oysters.
Is it possible to harvest them in a fiberglass boat without destroying the bottom? Or do you just need an old beater to do it right?
You can use a fiberglass boat, just have to be a little careful.
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quote:
Originally posted by DFreedomYou can use a fiberglass boat, just have to be a little careful.
agreed…just use a little caution and fiberglass will be fine…
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Easy is my speed, nothing more than making an outing other then enjoyable. Looking at the DNR map area S200, S196 look similar to what 40inchreds explained. Anyone agree? I was scrolling around Google earth and some spots look like they have potential for a decent harvest.
link to the video I watched from DNR
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9Fa7mwLM9s
If you go be extremely careful as the shells can be as sharp as razors. Not good for bringing small kids. I like to use an old pair of welding gloves. I carry an old claw hammer with me and I like to break up the clusters removing all the dead mud filled shells. that way you also put the old shells back on the beds.
If you have plenty of time, get there about an hour before low tide and when it’s slack tide look around the outer areas of the bed for the big ones that have separated from the clusters.
Sellsfish had some great videos on u-tube for gathering them.
Plan on a muddy boat!! 
Although the son and I have gotten much cleaner with it.
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I’ve always go to S206W.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/shellfish/State_Shellfish_Grounds/Charleston/S206W.pdf
Specifically this area…
https://www.google.com/maps/@32.6642933,-79.9548863,360m/data=!3m1!1e3
Its just like picking corn, if they are too small just jump to another area.
I have not done much clamming. I’ve heard S201 is better for that.
There are more oysters on those banks than you could ever harvest.
I love harvesting my own oysters. Cleaning the boat afterwards is also a chore!!
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