Does anyone have any advice or experience surf fishing off the beach on Sea Pines? Figured i would just take my cast net and rod down to the beach and give it a go. Going to be down there in 2 weeks for a wedding. Staying in a family house across from the beach and figured I would do some surf fishing to pass time while the wife does all the pre-wedding festivities with the other bridesmaids.
Thanks guys.
1542 WarEagle
25 Yamaha 2 stroke tiller
I would make or buy a large “Sabiki Rig”. It’s essentially a rig with 6 small hooks on it. Take 6 pieces of dried shrimp or squid with about a 2 ounce weight and cast it directly into the surf. You should slay whiting that way. You don’t have to have a “Sea Pines Fishing License” to fish the beach but you DO have to have it for fishing the lagoons around Sea Pines. It’s only 5 bucks and is available in the CSA Security Office any time of the day. You obviously have to have a South Carolina Saltwater License to cast a rod anywhere down there, don’t let anybody tell you different. There is only one game warden in Sea Pines and I know him personally, but he’ll bust ya without thinking twice. I, personally, would fish the tidal lagoons in Sea Pines instead. Much more action. There are trout and redfish galore in there. Cast net some fresh mullet, tie it off to a popping rig, and go to town. Just A) be careful where you park, and B) be smart. 15-23" only. It’s not worth it and not good for the fishery if you take one out of that range for the table. Oh, and C) Make sure the water you’re fishing is tidal. It’s hard to tell sometimes with the locks. If it’s not… watch out for gators! Good luck man, my fiance and I both work in Sea Pines it’s a beautiful place.
218 Sailfish
Yamaha F225
Hilton Head/Beaufort
Thanks Weapon. Have you ever had much experience/success catching Bull Reds in the surf there?
1542 WarEagle
25 Yamaha 2 stroke tiller
No, I really haven’t. I mean you can always try… cut mullet on the bottom, but you know what you’re going to catch. Sharks, Sharks, Sharks, a ray and then a shark. Did I mention sharks? lol. Right on the beach that’s about all I’ve ever caught. Before I bought a boat I fished the beach extensively. I caught a ton of whiting, the occasional flounder or bluefish, but almost always sharks. Caught a 5 footer once. I’d stick to the lagoons but if you’re going to fish the beach, its always best two hours around the low or high tide. Wade out as far as you can, with your arms above your head, cast as far as you can, free spool back to the beach and put it in a rod holder and set the clicker. Don’t forget to shuffle your feet on the way out while wading, nobody likes sting ray cuts. Shark Fishing is illegal on the beach and I advise against it… but cut mullet is the only way you stand a chance of catching anything else too… so there’s the age old dilemma. Be careful man.
218 Sailfish
Yamaha F225
Hilton Head/Beaufort
Thanks man. I pretty much only fish out of my boat in Charleston…so the surf thing isn’t something I’m used to doing much of. I know i hear of guys doing well in the surf in the fall with all the bait running offshore. Oh well…i had no idea shark fishing was illegal there off the beach. Thanks for the advice though. I’ll let you guys know if i happen to get lucky.
1542 WarEagle
25 Yamaha 2 stroke tiller