Ride to Jetties

Hey guys. Do anyone know about what month us it when the weather break and rides out to the jetties are cruise alongs. Meaning the water is like glass with no big waves. Everytime i come down the harbor is kind of rough. Havent made it to jetties on a calm sea yet…

I’m by no means the most experienced, but I’ve made that trip enough times to provide some insight…

There’s not really a time of year where that trip is considerably better or worse, but there is a A LOT more traffic on the water during the warmer months, and the increased traffic can really stir up the harbor. So I’d say get out there early, before the traffic picks up, and/or plan your trips in the cooler months when the yum-yums are off the water. Hope this helps.


“I’m not a hundred percent in love with your tone right now…”

Watch the wind reports Gonefishing, when the wind lays down the harbor does too. When you get a good day to go out there keep an eye on the tide while there too, sometimes when the tide changes so it is bucking the wind the swell can stand up a bit. For example an east wind with an incoming tide may be pretty manageable but tide turns and starts outgoing against the wind can make for an uncomfortable ride in. “Pick your days” I know that’s hard coming from up the road. Good luck.

2005 Sea Hunt 212 Triton
“Head East”

Don’t go on weekends, there is to many people when the weathers nice and it turns to chop. Be careful at the jetties, waves can push you off anchor or swing you toward the rocks and watch for big wake from sport fishers, yachts and freighters. I would also recommend studying up but there are a few main spots like dynamite hole the ditch, the bend, and the tips of the jetties. In the harbor there is the grillage which is by the buoy by Sullivan’s island, and also Fort Sumter and Castle Pinckney that are popular spots, along with the flats by plum island and I’ve heard of good sheep head fishing on the bridges on the Ashley river end of the harbor. Then on the Wando river there is the coal shoot which looks like a old train track or wood bridge that burnt down and there is good fishing around that also. I hope this gives you more options for when you go and the jetties are rough.

Best advise I’ve heard about the jetties is set the anchor and keep the motor running for about 10 mins. I’m pretty sure I read that here from this forum! If you don’t break loose in about 10 mins or so, you’re usually good to go. Also I would make it easy to release the anchor with a float just in case you need to let go of the anchor quickly.

I take my 16’ flats boat out there often in some rough conditions. It’s really not as bad as you think, just be smart about it.

typically the worst part of the jetties is just getting there…between Ft. Sumter and the mouth of the jetties is usually the worst of it, especially when the current and wind are against each other…

The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org

quote:
Originally posted by Bonzo72

typically the worst part of the jetties is just getting there…between Ft. Sumter and the mouth of the jetties is usually the worst of it, especially when the current and wind are against each other…

The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org


That’s exactly what I was going to say. You can have a nice smooth ride through the harbor but you get to that narrow spot between SI and Ft. Sumter and it can get pretty bouncy.
Also, if you’re going to the outside of the S jetty, be careful going through Dynamite Hole, that gets rough and there’s shifting sand bars, just watch were the water is breaking.

2014 Key West 203DFS
1987 Landau

quote:
Originally posted by 16bayfisher

Best advise I’ve heard about the jetties is set the anchor and keep the motor running for about 10 mins. I’m pretty sure I read that here from this forum! If you don’t break loose in about 10 mins or so, you’re usually good to go. Also I would make it easy to release the anchor with a float just in case you need to let go of the anchor quickly.

I take my 16’ flats boat out there often in some rough conditions. It’s really not as bad as you think, just be smart about it.


Great advice. I was out there late yesterday and had to quickly fire her back up after “setting” anchor a couple of times.

Thanks guys.Writing these notes down as i read them. You all gave some valid points and info. Hope y’all info help me and fellow fishermen navigate thru the waters. Thanks again…