When do kings start showing up around charleston?
Cliff
2006 pioneer 197 SF 150 4s
Not soon enough for me. Should be early with the warm temps.
A wise man once said “Do as I say not as I do” Good advice when I tell you that.
Today. Teaser caught one in 80ft. trolling. It was a small one, but one is all it takes.
Tight lines, Robert.
Robert Olsen
Robert your daddy Ernie caught a 75lb wahoo On Friday it was a pig. We caught 2 wahoo and 8 dolphin,the yellowfin is broke In.
I’ve personally wanted to kingfish here in charleston the past few summers but haven’t had much luck or encouragement about others getting them here. People talk about getting them trolling off the beaches, off the tips of the jetties, or the shipping channel, but I have rarely if ever seen a posting in the “king mackeral” or “offshore reports” sections of this forum for 2010-2012…and I look every week in the summer when the water temp is up. Either no one is catching, or no one is reporting.
There kings haven’t been on the beach in the last couple of years. Most fish are in 50-100 ft. all throughout the summer. Targeting them at the jetties is difficult because there are too many variables that go into finding and catching them there. Our coastline is different then up in Myrtle Beach. It is 25 feet right off the beach about 200 yards up there and it is 10 ft. here. Most fish are going to be deeper than 20 ft. That is why Folly Pier only catches a few each year and the northern piers in Myrtle Beach and NC catch 100s.
I suggest go to live bottom in 60 ft. to target them in May-Oct. There are a few here now, but not in any numbers. Find bait and you will find fish.
I fish a lot of tournaments. If I catch some at the jetties, I personally will keep it to myself. Just for the period near a big tournament. Most of the fish you catch nearshore will be over 15lbs.
You have to go and fish. They are thick in the shipping channel each year, but they are only there for a few weeks. It is hard to catch them in any numbers within 10 miles of shore.
On my charters we catch them consistently in 50-90 ft. That is where I would start.
Hope this info helps.
TIght lines.
Robert Olsen
Good info.
Cliff
2006 pioneer 197 SF 150 4s
Knot at Work is dead on. For kings its a combo of water temps, structure and bait. It always has to be a good mixture of those 3 things if you wanna do really good. North of Chucktown from Georgetown up, we seem to be able to catch some hogs along the beach in the 30 ft plus range. Sixty feet does seem to be the magic number though. Don’t concentrate on the public wrecks. Find yourself some good live bottom.
what’s the best way to find “live bottom” off of the depth finder? thanks guys!
That’s right you find it with your sonar… Take a good half a day and ride around marking live bottom locations on your GPS. Then go back another day and fish em.
2007 Scout 221 150 Yamaha 4 stroke
Maps Unique chart has all the public wrecks along with a lot of live bottom areas
-Wishes Charlotte was 3 hours closer to the ocean…-
I have one for charleston
Cliff
2006 pioneer 197 SF 150 4s
Every time I go to a live bottom on the map there is never anything there. I don’t see anything on the screen and no fish on the bottom. Any tips?
Bigfishin do you have a color bottom machine or black and white? Most live bottom shows up no more than a color change on the screen. Unless it’s some large structure artificial or a ledge it won’t jump out at you with a black and white screen.
Wet Saw
99 Triton Sea Flight 22
07 Yammie 150
quote:
Originally posted by bigfishinEvery time I go to a live bottom on the map there is never anything there. I don’t see anything on the screen and no fish on the bottom. Any tips?
yes- i’m sorry to say this but you need to learn how to use your fish finder. even a cheap one will show the live bottom and fish if used properly.
everything you need to know is in the owners manual, online, or available through hiring a quality fishing guide.
with a mid priced finder- used properly- an angler can watch a fish eat the bait.
OUR GOVERNMENT HAS BECOME THE ENEMY OF FREEDOM.
I don’t ever see a color change or fish the couple times I have gone to live bottom. Thanks for advice
Good info thanks.
Cliff
2006 pioneer 197 SF 150 4s
If u don’t see a color change ever you need to adjust the sonar. Without a manual it will be tuff. As far as not seeing fish sometimes they hold tight to the bottom and u don’t mark them. Go to one of the artificial reefs and when you go over the structure there it should have the same type color change as the live bottom. The live bottom just won’t be as pronounced as the reef will be.
Wet Saw
99 Triton Sea Flight 22
07 Yammie 150
If you’re not seeing a color change or fish or anything at all, your sonar is not adjusted properly. Phin and Sellsfish posted a lot of info maybe 2 or three years ago about how to fine tune your sonar. I suggest you PM one of those guys and ask for help.
The first thing to do is turn all the “auto” stuff off and manualy adjust the finder for your conditions.
Thanks