Pirates Smile

Is it worth a trip to the nearshore reef/wrecks around Fripp this time of year?

Squid Row

Depends on what you want to try and catch

Pirates Smile

I am not yet at the skill level to target certain fish, I just like catching at this point. Living in the upstate puts a damper on perfecting my saltwater fishing skills as much as I’d like to. Been a surf fisherman my whole life and made my first trip down to Beaufort in my own boat this past October with some success. Only other fishing I’ve done this time of year is striper on Murray and Clark’s Hill.

Nickp1

If you just want to catch fish you can drop chicken rigs down with 2 hooks tipped with squid and catch Black Sea bass grunts and maybe some small grouper and ring tails at the nearshore structure from 1-10 miles off the beach. It should be non stop action if you can find the structure.

Pirates Smile

Are there any other fish nearshore during winter? I bought 2 trolling setups but was not planning to use them until spring. Fishing a 20 foot seahunt so distance is limited.

swater

I am in charleston but the fishing reefs should be the same,,,,,,,we catch a lot of weakfish ( limit 1 per person ), black drum, sheepshead, black sea bass sometimes reds ( cant keep in Federal water ) grunts, spiney dogfish sharks should be there now or soon. We fish gulp, fiddlers. or fresh shrimp. Water depths are 30-40 ft where we fish.

Pirates Smile

Thank you for the info.

Squid Row

Any of the tackle shops around Charleston carrying fiddlers now?

FishLife

Some big Sheepshead are around the bridges and docks. Fiddler crabs are ok, but I much prefer oysters and clams....

Pirates Smile

If I want to go out of the Charleston jetties what is the best boat ramp and is there bait near by?

swater

haddrells is the only place left in town that sells fiddlers but they have not had any in a couple of weeks now

swater

wappoo cut ramp is close to haddrells west ashley but further from the jetties than Shem creek or Remleys, Haddrells also has a shop in Mt P but it is hard to get in and out with a boat

Pirates Smile

What weather buoy should I be checking before heading out there? Lot of questions but I’m green at this.

Squid Row

Fished nearshore out of Charleston this weekend.. Sheepshead, big black drum (over limit and within slot) along with zillions of little sea bass all over the place.
Water temps 48 in harbor, 50 on artificial reef

Boats coming back in from the 15 - 30 mile range were loaded with nice sea bass and beeliners

WRT to weather.. ReefCast is the app I use. Windy is decent too.