Hello, y’all. I’m new here. I’m also #TheWorstFishermanInTheWorld. In fact, fish are never safer than when I’m floating overhead with a rod in my hand.
I grew up pulling trout out of streams regularly, and large- and small-mouth bass out of lakes when I could. I was good at it. Saltwater fishing here fascinates me with all of the variables, however, and I really am terrible.
I really look forward to learning from y’all, and plan to listen more than talk. (Ha.) I cannot promise to refrain from idiotic questions. In the meantime, I thought I’d start with a report from my first 10 months of inshore fishing:
So far, I’ve plucked a few small flounder in the Wando, a few trout from creekmouths off of the ICW and Cooper, some sharks/rays/trash from creeks near the inlets, BSB from near Drum Island, angry blue crabs from here and there, and an entertaining ladyfish that crapped all over the place (quite unladylike) from a spot near Price Inlet.
I also hit myself in the face with my own tackle box while running down the Cooper, nearly fell off the boat while urinating in Yellow House Creek with DNR approaching for a license check, accidentally exploded a feisty mud minnow on the deck under my left foot to the horror of my daughter, lost three anchors (and counting), and spent quite a bit of time skunked on the Stono and Ashley recently.
Now that y’all are caught up, I look forward to getting further acquainted and learning a lot. From stalking around here for nearly a year, I can tell that y’all are a phenomenal group of people, and I am very thankful to be a new part of it.
BTW – I know that some of the best advice coming would be to pay a guide. It’s already in the works, and it shouldn’t have taken this long.
Honestly, any day on the water with wet lines is a good day; I’d just like to get predictably decent enough so that I can engender legitimate interest from my children who, like any children, would be more inclined to enjoy themselves with a little action.
Welcome AU and WAR EAGLE! I am an Auburn Tiger also EE, 1984 and my wife is an AU EE, 1985.
I feel your pain on fishing success and think that you may have to battle me for the world’s worst title. Despite that I love the inshore experience and never regretted going out.
You’ll learn a lot from these boards and quickly figure out who the most successful anglers are and who will share their knowledge but never their spots. Like k ulmer said, thick skin can be a necessity from time to time here.
You’ve already learned a lot including the fact that fishing the coastal area is a science project due to all the variables. I think it clears up a lot quicker with frequent time spent on the water.
Good Luck! I hope that you enjoy the boards as much as I have.
AU, welcome to the site. I must say I was definitely laughing a little while reading your post. I think each of us could pull some things from what you posted as our own personal experiences. I feel I’ve seen you #theworstfishermanintheworld on FB groups local to here. Anyways, I feel that you are on the right path and just think, you are at least catching some fish. I will share a few things with you that will hopefully help you out regarding where to target some species you’re after:
The best thing I can recommend is time on the water. Now, with that said, I am going to give you some pointers I have learned over the years. My favorite tide to fish is falling into low, then the first couple hours of incoming. Once high tide comes in, I still pick up a few fish it just seems a lot more difficult. Mostly due to the fact the reds are pushing up in the grass/feeder creeks looking for food. Trout can be consistently caught as long as there is water moving. I only use artificials but here is my gameplan:
Reds: Fish structure(docks, oysters, trees etc) with jig heads and assorted soft plastics. I mostly use Zman products with Eye Strike jig heads and have great success. Fishing grass points and around oysters with deeper edges you can float a popping cork with an artificial shrimp (Vudu, DOA etc). Reds will usually be found from 5’ of water to less than a foot. Time of year and water temps will affect their location.
Trout: Look for water in the 6-8’ range. A jig had with a trout trick, paddle tail or curly tail grub with bright colors usually results in a good bite. I look for grass points/oyster bars where there is a strong current break and will throw in the edge of the current. Let it hit the bottom and lightly give two twitches up and let the lure fall back to the bottom. The trout will usually hit on the fall. Trolling is also a good way to locate trout. You can set up a couple of rods with different color lures and troll two behind your boat/kayak. Once you hook up, there will usually be more in th
Welcome to the site, and good on you for bearing your soul! We have all been there when we got started. Lots of good info here using the search feature. I’m sure you will learn a lot on your guide trip. Feel free to stop by our shop 7341B Peppermill Pkwy and I will help you all I can with advice. Please call first to make sure i’m gonna be there (843) 324-4272 - Dave
War (**()! I am also a member of your Worst Fisherman club but hey, it beats work. Daughter graduates from Auburn in May, one of my twins will probably start there in August
Optiker is right, most on this site have been there, except for me, I not only been there but stuck there and just spinning my wheels to get out ::: welcome to CF and don’t give up…keeping our line wet can only improve (our) chances to succeed…post pics to keep all informed of your progress:smiley:
You may be the 2nd worst fisherman, but you are NOT the worst. That’s me.
As for losing anchors. Not sure what kind you are using but Danforth and claw anchors can be rigged to “breakaway” so you can almost eliminate the possibility of losing one. Just Google “breakaway anchor rig”. There are a lot of great fishermen on this site and some pretty good advice. Read, listen and spend time on the water. Also, ignore that guy named Peapod.
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”, but really, who cares?
We welcome you non catchers, you will be doing a great favor to our depleted fishery after the freezing weather. However, looks to be a lean year for all the catcher’s also. Attend all the fishing seminars sponsored by Haddrell’s, and Charleston fishing. You will get all the good info. you need from some superior fishing guides. Optiker can also give you some great advice. Join a local fishing club. If you do all of this you will be a catcher by years end.
I don’t fish the Ashley and Stono anymore. I never catch fish there. Might want to avoid the Stono this year anyway. 2.5 million gallons (maybe up to 10mil) of raw sewage dumped last week in the Stono. Wando and Cooper are productive. I like Bulls Bay too but it’s a tricky area. Lots of shallow oyster beds and sand bars. Great for fishing.
Thank you, y’all, for the warm welcome. I look forward to making everyone feel better about their abilities for a long time to come. As to some of your comments:
War Da-n Eagle, FlickerFisher and jghall – we should have an Auburn outing. I am Class of 2000 (Journalism) myself, and my niece attended for her freshman year two years ago before moving back to California for family reasons. The Plains will always be my second home.
quote:Originally posted by Firefighterj80
…I will share a few things with you that will hopefully help you out regarding where to target some species you’re after…
Thank you for taking the time to do that. Every little bit helps. Because I'm still trying to figure out how daily environmental changes affect things, I never know whether a period of relative success--or, more frequently, a skunking--is an anomaly or something more. It's going to take a while for me to draw a correlation between what works and what doesn't.
quote:Originally posted by Firefighterj80
Not sure what setups you are using, but a 2500 reel on a 7' med light rod for throwing artificials is perfect. For fishing corks/structure, I use a 3000(maybe a 4000 for docks) and use a 7' medium to medium heavy rod.
I have a 3500 on a 7' medium-heavy (Penn Battle combo), running 30lb braid. I also have a Penn Fierce 2500 loaded with 20lb braid presently in need of a rod, as I broke a crappy 20-year-old Shakespeare last time I was out. I was planning on picking up a medium-light 6'6" Ugly Stik or something.
Finally, I have a cheap baitcaster on a somewhat dated 5’6" Ugly Stik, and use it to t
Hey can I join this club as well? I am more of a pinfish extraordinare.
Also from Spartanburg!
quote:Originally posted by jghall
War (**()! I am also a member of your Worst Fisherman club but hey, it beats work. Daughter graduates from Auburn in May, one of my twins will probably start there in August
post pics to keep all informed of your progress:smiley: