Fishing SC Coast--Hlton Head to Edisto, Savannah to Charleston - The Hull Truth

Cat-a-holic · 07-08-2009, 06:23 PM

I've been thinking about a possible trip over to the Fripp Island, SC area with the boat. I've been to several places in the area on beach vacations (Hilton Head, Fripp, Edisto) over the years, and once fished out and around the St Helena Sound (20+ years ago) but other than that don't know much about it. The boat is a 23' Seacat w/ twin 150s.

The whole area (from Edisto down to Hilton Head) is intriguing on Google Earth as there are a lot more undeveloped areas on and around those barrier islands than I realized.

Anybody know the area?

All (serious & semi-serious) fishing or general excursion tips welcome.

PS: Another thought was running up to Savannah or Charleston on the water and trying to park for a little restaurant/bar tour. Anybody done that?

mesndt · 07-09-2009, 12:00 PM

There are a lot of near shore and offshore areas worth fishing and if you go inshore there are endless possibilities for fish. Beaufort water front has decent bars, Hilton Head Boat house, Marshside Mamas on Dafuskie Savanah has river street, try Tubbies Tank House or One eyed lizzies or out near Tybee.

Cat-a-holic · 07-09-2009, 12:37 PM

Thought I would bump this and change the title--maybe nobody's heard of Fripp Island. Its about halfway between Hilton Head and Edisto, or between Savannah and Charleston.

Cat-a-holic · 07-09-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mesndt

There are a lot of near shore and offshore areas worth fishing and if you go inshore there are endless possibilities for fish. Beaufort water front has decent bars, Hilton Head Boat house, Marshside Mamas on Dafuskie Savanah has river street, try Tubbies Tank House or One eyed lizzies or out near Tybee.

Thanks Mesndt.

Looking at the area, and from past experience that's what I would expect on the inshore areas. I may try to find a guide to go out with me on my boat if we want to go offshore.

mesndt · 07-10-2009, 06:05 AM

I don't get out towards Fripp much but there are a lot of areas right off or close to the inter-coastal that are worth fishing. Look for creeks that have mud flats and oyster bars that boarder the I.C.
Fish them the I.C. side at high and on the way out and fish the flats and where the water drains back in around the oyster bars at low and on the way in. I've caught a lot of spot tail bass (reds), trout and flounder that way. Ive always had my best luck at these spots at low though.
Also if you go up to Charleston go to Shem creek, lots of rest. & bars if I remember correctly.

keith powell · 07-10-2009, 06:18 AM

I know the area well. We used to have a house on Fripp and I'm from Beaufort. I will be there from 7/25-8/2, if you are gonna be in the area give me a call. There are lots of areas to eat and party in Beaufort, HHI and Sav. The fishing has been good (as reported to me), If you want a Capt. to fish with you on your boat let me know, I know a few of them. It's a pretty good Kingfish and spanish area, but the run to the stream is a haul. You can do well in the 15 mile offshore range. You will need some "local" knowledge to figure out the Fripp inlet,,,, it changes alot and is marked with bouys but you have to find them in the surf. Give me a call if you'd like to talk about the Lowcountry. 937.673.6478

Keith Powell
Lowcountry Native
23T Onslow Bay coming 7/17 NEXT WEEK!!!!

captdbt · 07-10-2009, 06:59 AM

Shem Creek is the only place to tie up and step off to eat, other than the Boathouse at the inlet bridge between Isle of Palms and Sullivans Island. Otherwise you will need to take a cab. Try to time your fishing trip around May/June time frame in Beaufort and put in on the Broad River. Cobia are thick, but so is the boat traffic.
DT

Cat-a-holic · 07-10-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith powell

I know the area well. We used to have a house on Fripp and I'm from Beaufort. I will be there from 7/25-8/2, if you are gonna be in the area give me a call. There are lots of areas to eat and party in Beaufort, HHI and Sav. The fishing has been good (as reported to me), If you want a Capt. to fish with you on your boat let me know, I know a few of them. It's a pretty good Kingfish and spanish area, but the run to the stream is a haul. You can do well in the 15 mile offshore range. You will need some "local" knowledge to figure out the Fripp inlet,,,, it changes alot and is marked with bouys but you have to find them in the surf. Give me a call if you'd like to talk about the Lowcountry. 937.673.6478

Keith Powell
Lowcountry Native
23T Onslow Bay coming 7/17 NEXT WEEK!!!!

Thanks Keith. Don't have a date yet, but when we do I may give you a call.

Thanks for the tip on the inlet. It does look tricky looking at it on Google Earth. May have to use the old follow-another-boat method--that usually works unless you pick the wrong guy!

caltexflanc · 07-12-2009, 12:15 PM

Last month we visited (by car) some friends who have a place on Fripp. Very pretty. The island is private. They have a marina on Old House Creek with a good restaurant; our friends had to give their member number, but as I recall we went ahead and paid like a normal place. They are out of the country right now, so I'll ask here: is the marina open to the public? Can anyone eat at the restaurant there?

It is a beautiful area; we took a boat ride up to the Harbor River and out to the Sound via the swing bridge, plus goofing around on the Story etc. Fripp Inlet looked pretty tricky, especially when we looked at it, but St. Helena Sound inlet is pretty straight forward.

George
Hatteras 56MY
Boston Whaler Sport 130

Cat-a-holic · 07-12-2009, 08:16 PM

Thanks George. That Fripp Inlet does look tricky and it is the biggest question mark right now for the trip. I guess if its too dicy, I may look at another base camp location.

keith powell · 07-13-2009, 08:36 AM

Cat,

The inlet is only tricky the first time. The Marina is open to the public the restaurants are not. If you stay on Fripp you will need an amenities card for each adult. You can get them from your rental contact. Marina has a deli and the usual stuff. Have fun

Keeeefus

fastrack1 · 07-24-2009, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith powell

I know the area well. We used to have a house on Fripp and I'm from Beaufort. I will be there from 7/25-8/2, if you are gonna be in the area give me a call. There are lots of areas to eat and party in Beaufort, HHI and Sav. The fishing has been good (as reported to me), If you want a Capt. to fish with you on your boat let me know, I know a few of them. It's a pretty good Kingfish and spanish area, but the run to the stream is a haul. You can do well in the 15 mile offshore range. You will need some "local" knowledge to figure out the Fripp inlet,,,, it changes alot and is marked with bouys but you have to find them in the surf. Give me a call if you'd like to talk about the Lowcountry. 937.673.6478

Keith Powell
Lowcountry Native
23T Onslow Bay coming 7/17 NEXT WEEK!!!!

Keith,

We are headed to Fripp for our 3rd time next week. However, don't have any access to a boat, etc while there, but would like to do some surf fishing and inlet fishing from the shore. I have searched all over for tips or info about this. Can you provide any direction about what there is to fish for and what to use for bait and best time of day, etc? I have fished each time I've been there, but have been unsuccessfully, probably due to lack of knowledge. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.