I’m thinking about launching from Moultrie on Saturday. Never been offshore in a kayak so I’m going to take it slow and cautious. I’m very comfortable in my kayak and very safety concious. I was thinking about leaving on the tail of the outgoing tide (4pm), fishing for a few hours and then ride back on the incomming (7pm). Does this sound like the best option? Is anyone else interested?
Man I would love to go if I wasn’t going down to Georgetown. I am in love with the Flounder and I cant seem to find them in charleston. (Limited by my kayak) So I have thrown in the towel and am headed to familar waters where I know I can gig some.
In talking to others about putting in at the fort. You are doing the correct thing. They say to put it at the end of the outgoing and ride the tide back in. I have been told the current gets pretty bad in there.
I was planning on doing the same thing but on sunday. I tried to go once on a saturday and it was packed with people fishing from the surf and I couldn’t find a parking space.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Benjamin Franklin
Malibu Stealth 12 with Lowrance Mark 4 Fishfinder/GPS
Perception Access Angler
I looked at Sunday too. But, low tide is later in the afternoon. I definitely want to be off the water before dark. Now that school is back in session, coupled with a 4pm launch time it shouldnt be overly crowded on Saturday.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
If tide is right very early am is best
Afternoon wind, thunder showers and the water gets much rougher in the afternoon
Monday, Tuesday and even wed next week early am looks like the right time and much safer also - If any one is interested in one of those days I may join them
Capt Dave
That late in the day, you’ll have a hard time finding a parking spot at one of the launches. Best to go early in the morning before the crowd shows up. Be careful out there…
Thanks for the info guys. One thing is for sure, I’m not pushing any limits or getting too far out of my comfort zone. If it looks too hairy out there I have no problem turning back or changing plans and putting in at 26th st. As of now, the forecast is calling for very light winds (<5mph)and small seas (1ft)offshore. Thunderstorms could be a possibility and I will certainly monitor things as saturday grows closer. I appreciate all the input from everyone.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
I may join you. What are you fishing for? What king of gear? I dont think i want to go to far out in the afternoon, no jetties just yet for me.
Probably not going to the jetties, Just going to experiment and get a feel for offshore. Going to target spanish and whatever bites. Hopefully not oyster toad’s etc.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
How did your trip go?
It went ok. It was mostly expirimental but a good way to test the waters, so to speak. We initially launched from Moultrie around 3:30. (Low tide was 5:12) It drops off fairly quick and the current was still going out rather fast. It didn’t take much to move us toward the buoy. We tried paddling against the current to guage our ability before venturing out any furthur. We got beat up a little bit in the chop so we stayed closer to shore to give the tide some time to go out. By 4:30 it had settled down and we ventured straight out toward Sumter. I was expecting a sharp drop off but it was consistantly between 60-70ft deep. We couldnt locate much live bottom so the fishing was slow. I did mark a ton of bait near the surface. Most likely schools of Manhaden. Boat traffic wasn’t much of an issue. We could see them coming well in advance and had time to make some distance and hit the wakes on the proper angle. I did find a small trough with a patch of live bottom and managed to catch a nice BSB. 12.5" so back he went. Around 6:00 we saw a freighter heading out. We decided to head back in and waited at about 30ft for his wake to give us a ride. It wasn’t as big as we expected but still fun. We fished the rocks for a bit and hit the beach about 6:45. Overall it was a good experience. We tested the waters and always stayed within our comfort level. I wouldnt hesitate to do it again and try a better spot with someone who’s done it before.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
Sounds good. I was going to give it a shot sunday but the wind was terrible.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Benjamin Franklin
Malibu Stealth 12 with Lowrance Mark 4 Fishfinder/GPS
Perception Access Angler
Sounds like you guys had fun. I see people anchored up at the first buoy in boats every time I head out. There are some goods spots on the approach to the north jetty, but beware the currents are very strong near the mouth of the harbor. Be careful, I went out with a group of experienced anglers not long ago and we paddled against the current on an outgoing tide. It took a lot longer to get back than we expected.
Chris
Chris, we planned the trip around the tides so we didn’t have to fight that current. I’ve been out to the spots you mentioned on my boat and have caught everything from large redfish, blacktip and spinner sharks, BSB’s and the dreaded monster toadfish. I think we’re going to give the crab bank a try this Saturday.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
Is crab bank the island in front of shem creek?
quote:
Originally posted by J.P.Chris, we planned the trip around the tides so we didn’t have to fight that current. I’ve been out to the spots you mentioned on my boat and have caught everything from large redfish, blacktip and spinner sharks, BSB’s and the dreaded monster toadfish. I think we’re going to give the crab bank a try this Saturday.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
Yes, just outside Shem creek. Not sure how good the fishing is but it’s worth a try.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
Cool, where would yall put in?
quote:
Originally posted by J.P.Yes, just outside Shem creek. Not sure how good the fishing is but it’s worth a try.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
We will put in at the public ramp on shem creek. It’s a nice easy paddle to the mouth of the creek and a short jump to the bank. I’ll post what time we are meeting once my buddy confirms.
If two wrongs don’t make a right, try three.
I’ve fished near the front and back of crab island a few times but I’ve actually done better in Shem creek itself. Along the docks at high and falling tide seems to be good for flounder. On one trip I caught 3 flounder between 18 and 22 inches on a carolina rig with MM. Beware low tide and boats near crab island. At low tide their isn’t much water out there and the boats fly right beside you as they exit shem creek. Saw a few kayaks and paddle boarders flip.
“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Benjamin Franklin
Malibu Stealth 12 with Lowrance Mark 4 Fishfinder/GPS
Perception Access Angler