Hey guys, My names is Darrell and I live in Hickory NC. I make a couple of trips a year to the inshore waters of NC. I fish from a kayak mostly trying to catch Red Drum, and trout.
I have been thinking for some time about trying my hand farther south, I found Johnson’s Campground on the Sampit while looking at the SC coastline on Google Map.
I was attracted by the rental Cabins and the fact that is was right on the water. I am not familiar with any of the waters down that way and would appreciate any advise. My main question would be fish species in the area, tidal influence and whether or not the boat traffic would be heavy enough to deter kayak fishing.
I can trailer the yaks to a different spot, or I am open to staying somewhere else. I also liked the images of the area around the Buck Hall but the better half would prefer a cabin to a tent.
Please end a PM or email if you prefer not to post on the open forum. And if there is anything I can help you out with in the NC foothills please ask.
I don’t think I’d go to Sampit. It could be ok , but the hat river has some industrial plants on it. I catch bait on that river and fish it some, but will not eat anything that comes out of it.
When u fill your live well, the water is a funny color.
Go South towards McClellanville.
I have lived in Georgetown my whole life. The Sampit river is checked be DHEC on a regular basis. The fish are fine to eat out of there and that same river dumps directly into Winyah Bay. The fishing out of Johnsons Marina from a kyak should be great . I fish that section of the river all the time. Reds are the main fish on that end , Good luck
Really depends on time you plan to devote to fishing. Sampit is a small river with low boat activity and is good for reds and catfish. Buck hall opens up to a lot larger area of creeks and flats. In either location there can be as much as a 5’ tide. I’d be more inclined to fish the Sampit by kayak but would want a boat to be able to cover a larger area at Buck hall.
I’ve had a camper at Johnson’s for 4-5 years and fishing in the Sampit for me is primarily red fish. The Sampit is much like the Wando in that it has no natural flow except tidal flow. The water is mostly brownish because of the tanic acid it contains. When Gtown was a sailing port the ships used to load up on Sampit water because the tanic content would keep the water drinkable longer. Just like any fishing, I’ve had good days and bad days in the Sampit. But what I like about it is there is not much boat traffic and you can always get out of the wind. Hope this helps…BTW during shrimp season it gets very crowded and the cabins are for the most part taken…
Fishing is a prefectible art…in which nevertheless, no man is perfect – Gifford Pinchot
Key West Sportsman 1720
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200 “Kemosabe”
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Thanks for the replies and advice, I checked it out, but I have missed my window for a cabin at Edisto and possibly at Johnson’s for the time I was thinking about. I won’t get days pinned down till next week which may be too late.
Limitout: I was primarily thinking about Redfish, they have become my favorite fish. Thanks for the information about the river!
BUCKHALL has a very nice and clean campground with great access to Bulls bay and the intercostal waterway there is nice fishing too as well as cape romain…but that’s a bit further down…the campground has tent and camer areas with fire pits and grills. There’s a shower house and bathroom, dock and fish cleaning areas near the ramps. Boat traffic there is a lot less in charleston area. Have you thought about looking into renting a small camper? Someone at work said they rented a small pull behind one about the size of their truck and it was less than they thought it would be…but I can’t remember where they said they rented it from. Wish I could be of more help…oh yeah…the buck hall campground has a on the premesis caretaker to keep things In order.
