Do any of you have any tips, advice, numbers for navigating stono inlet? Is it passable at high tide?
very passable at high tide, passable at low as well but can be a little trickier especially if it is a full moon tide. tip #1: stay away from white water. I personally think the maps and or numbers are useless considering how much that inlet changes. when transversing the inlet stay closer to the Kiawah side, I usually stay about 100 yards off of th e beach from the Kiawah side, the bird Key side gets very shallow. Don’t be impatient and try to take a shortcut, had a guy behind me once and he decided to pass me and cut off the corner. Next thing you know he is in about 6 inches of water, I went out to 4KI fished for about 4 hours and when I came back by his boat was high and dry so he was going to be there for a few more hours until the tide raised.
Treat the green #5 can as a red, you’ll see a big sandbar on your port side. Continue south, quarter to a half mile, until you pass that sandbar and turn due east. That will get you out any tide.
Coming from the south into the inlet, how would you approach? Keep the Kiawah beach how far off the port side?
I always hug the Kiawah side coming in, meaning about 75-100 yards off of my port. You need to follow someone out one day that is familiar with it and keep the track on your GPS.
quote:
Originally posted by cdt2316I always hug the Kiawah side coming in, meaning about 75-100 yards off of my port. You need to follow someone out one day that is familiar with it and keep the track on your GPS.
been running that inlet for 35 years- stay 100-200 yds off kiawah beach and go slow antil you’re past the breakers when going out.
this has always worked regardless of channel, markers or whatever.