Taking a vacation to the Charleston area Oct 4-11. Looking to bring the 'Cuda with me for some kayak fishing. I’ve been looking at two different rentals with docks providing access to marshland. One is in IOP (Morgan Creek) and the other is Seabrook Island (Bohicket Creek).
Anyone have an opinion as to which will be better for yak fishing for reds/trout/flounder in Oct.? I’ve read some negative reports on this forum recently about Seabrook Island and declining fish populations. I just want to be able to catch some fish with my dad and brother who have never experienced inshore fishing from a yak.
Not asking for anyone’s spot (I’ll take specific info if you offer!) just a general opinion of the two areas. Any help is greatly appreciated.
There is A LOT of tide/current in Bohicket. Not to much else to paddle to, there are a few side creeks, but not much else. IOP area opens you up to less tide and a lot more options. More pressure, but also more water!
I appreciate the insight. I could almost tell from bing maps that bohicket was more of a small river or creek compared to IOP. I would assume a lot of people fish docks in bohicket due to its shape and limited creek options.
I think IOP will be the place for me. This will be my first time fishing a marshy creek type of area and I’m looking forward to it. I normally fish open flats in FL in the yak and so this is a whole new adventure. Any other pointers or basic info I should consider before hitting the water?
I appreciate the insight. I could almost tell from bing maps that bohicket was more of a small river or creek compared to IOP. I would assume a lot of people fish docks in bohicket due to its shape and limited creek options.
I think IOP will be the place for me. This will be my first time fishing a marshy creek type of area and I’m looking forward to it. I normally fish open flats in FL in the yak and so this is a whole new adventure. Any other pointers or basic info I should consider before hitting the water?
Thanks again.
I fish the ICW up and down the back of IOP and Sullivans and the many side creeks. I’d be happy to meet up with you at your place or at the inlet or the small launch at Station 26 on Sullivans one day if you like? The end of that week offers some nice early morning high tides. PM if you’re interested. Good luck.
Usually fishing upper Wando flats and creeks and ICW north of CH. Kayak or surf (mainly SI).
There are powerful 7’+ spring tides running all that week, so it will be tough paddling against the current in the creeks and rivers. Could be a concern if you lack local experience (as I do too). On morning trips you can exploit the turn of the tide, but you need to know when that happens in a particular stretch of creek.
Friars - thank you. Have you fished much in the morgan creek area? i will spend some time in there because it’s easily accessible (so long as there is fish). Once I get situated down there and figure out the area I’ll pm you if there is a day we can meet.
Davidsin - I checked the tides and saw the high water levels but never thought of difficulty in paddling. i usually fish open water (flats) so the creek current is something i’ve never experienced. i appreciate the warning. i sure hope it’s manageable. I was initially excited about the high tides because I thought it might give me a shot at some tailers in the grass but now i’m starting to second guess that…
Friars - thank you. Have you fished much in the morgan creek area? i will spend some time in there because it’s easily accessible (so long as there is fish). Once I get situated down there and figure out the area I’ll pm you if there is a day we can meet.
Davidsin - I checked the tides and saw the high water levels but never thought of difficulty in paddling. i usually fish open water (flats) so the creek current is something i’ve never experienced. i appreciate the warning. i sure hope it’s manageable. I was initially excited about the high tides because I thought it might give me a shot at some tailers in the grass but now i’m starting to second guess that…
Don’t worry too much about the tides. Dewees Inlet will control the flow of the creeks in that area in terms of the tides. I recommend some way to position yourselves, like an anchor or stick it pin. The falling tide can be rather quick but it’s not invincible and you’ll be with others.
I’ve launched from the IOP marina ($5/yak) and fished the other side of the ICW quite a bit. There are some nice small creeks and flats only paddlers can get to. I have fished Morgan Creek on the marina end and it can be quite busy to fish from a kayak. Lots of docks that can be fished during the week (slower times) for reds and sheepshead and trout. If you mean the area along Wild Dunes, no I haven’t fished that much. It looks like a nice area from Google Earth and if you’re staying way up the creek that way, it wouldn’t take me much to scout it out. If you want head across the ICW to Eagle Island or Gray Bay, PM me.
Great day on the water. We went up around IOP and caught a bunch of trout and reds. All just a hair under slot but overall great time. One of our phones went for a swim so here is the pic I got…
I had disappointing luck last week in Morgan Creek behind Wild Dunes. I fished 4 days and managed 2 overize reds, 1 slot red, 15-20 small trout, and several nice flounder. I was hoping for more redfish action but I guess I should be happy with what I got.
All fish except 1 oversize red were caught on z-man paddler. other red was caught on live shrimp. i couldn’t buy a bite on trout tricks or z-man shrimp. all fish caught on dead low tide as the high tides last week turned the creek into a raging river any time other than dead low or high. very tough conditions when the water was moving as quickly as it was.
