We are renting a house in Palmetto Dunes in mid July for 10 days. Anybody have any info on some fishing that can be done in the lagoons and such. I will be fishing from the bank, and really have no interest in surf fishing. Basically wanting to target any species living in the lagoon system.

 

With that what type of tackle should I bring? I'm coming from Kansas and will be able to take any/all of my gear with me. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 

Text me I will send you my Buddy Deweys # near that neck of the woods and he can give you some info, keep in mind you are going to be fishing tidal waters. 

Keep in mind, there are alligators..... just sayin'  

 

but really maybe PM blackmax135 and see if he can help.  he's from nearby.

I've got a buddy that lives on a private lake out there with tiger bass in it, frog fishing heaven.

We are renting a house in Palmetto Dunes in mid July for 10 days. Anybody have any info on some fishing that can be done in the lagoons and such. I will be fishing from the bank, and really have no interest in surf fishing. Basically wanting to target any species living in the lagoon system.

 

With that what type of tackle should I bring? I'm coming from Kansas and will be able to take any/all of my gear with me. Any advice would be greatly apprecia

What are you targeting? 

^^ yeah that guy......

What are you targeting?

Bass, redfish, anything really.

I've got a buddy that lives on a private lake out there with tiger bass in it, frog fishing heaven.

That would be rough!!!

Bass, redfish, anything really.

Redfish is most likely your best bet.  I like to walk through the marsh and fish up in the creeks when the tide starts going out. You catch just about anything.  Its rough going but its normally worth it.  Just get you some fresh shrimp and a cork or do a carolina rig and fish on the bottom.  When you see something skimming the surface throw out a spook or something like a swim bait.  I don't know if there are any public fresh water ponds on the island or not.  Just remember if the water stops moving and then it starts moving again for the water that means get back to the dry land.  I really don't know much about hilton head but i fish beafourt a good bit now and its just about the same.  Id come take you fising but i no longer have a boat that i can take out in salt water. 

 

Why do people always wanna go to hilton head? 

 

Another bit of advice go to walmart and get you some skin so soft and pack it on cause the sand gnats are horrible.

Redfish is most likely your best bet.  I like to walk through the marsh and fish up in the creeks when the tide starts going out. You catch just about anything.  Its rough going but its normally worth it.  Just get you some fresh shrimp and a cork or do a carolina rig and fish on the bottom.  When you see something skimming the surface throw out a spook or something like a swim bait.  I don't know if there are any public fresh water ponds on the island or not.  Just remember if the water stops moving and then it starts moving again for the water that means get back to the dry land.  I really don't know much about hilton head but i fish beafourt a good bit now and its just about the same.  Id come take you fising but i no longer have a boat that i can take out in salt water. 

 

Why do people always wanna go to hilton head? 

 

Another bit of advice go to walmart and get you some skin so soft and pack it on cause the sand gnats are horrible.

 

 

Thanks for the info. Will M/H spinning gear do the trick for redfish? What type of line would be best? 

 

There are several ponds on the golf coarse we are staying on, I would think they would be freshwater, but I may be wrong. Don't look like they connect to the lagoon system at all. 

 

My wife's family own a house on the beach in HH. They basically do a big family vacation there every year. With us having 2 little kids and me not wanting to constantly be around the extended family we rented our own house for the vacation... conveniently located a few miles from them. 

Thanks for the info. Will M/H spinning gear do the trick for redfish? What type of line would be best? 

 

There are several ponds on the golf coarse we are staying on, I would think they would be freshwater, but I may be wrong. Don't look like they connect to the lagoon system at all. 

 

My wife's family own a house on the beach in HH. They basically do a big family vacation there every year. With us having 2 little kids and me not wanting to constantly be around the extended family we rented our own house for the vacation... conveniently located a few miles from them. 

I like mono but anything will work because most of the water is very muddy.    But thats up to whatever you like just remember they are strong.  That set up should work fine just make sure you clean it good when your done.

I didn't realize you would have access to the course ponds but i would imagine they would be fresh but ive never been there.

If it were me being that your from somewere that does not have access to salt water I  would definatly try some reds.

 

Remember this also that the people in hilton head are not like most south carolinians.

I like mono but anything will work because most of the water is very muddy. But thats up to whatever you like just remember they are strong. That set up should work fine just make sure you clean it good when your done.

I didn't realize you would have access to the course ponds but i would imagine they would be fresh but ive never been there.

If it were me being that your from somewere that does not have access to salt water I would definatly try some reds.

Remember this also that the people in hilton head are not like most south carolinians.

I'll definetly target some reds too. I plan on fishing most every morning and evening there. I'm not sure if you can fish the golf course ponds or not, but I'm sure gonna ask.

On the last comment, that a good thing or bad thing?

I'll definetly target some reds too. I plan on fishing most every morning and evening there. I'm not sure if you can fish the golf course ponds or not, but I'm sure gonna ask.

On the last comment, that a good thing or bad thing?

Bad

Bad

 

Lol, Can't be any worse than dealing with the people on Coligny Plaza in HH. One of the few times I just give my wife my credit card and tell her to go for it. 

OK, you're speaking my language now since my parents are retired there and I fish HHI several times a year.  As a matter of fact, I fished this lagoon system for the first time in April of this year.

 

First off, some perspective.  This lagoon is basically a managed trophy fishery.  The biggest trout of of there absolutely obliterates the SC state record, but for some reason that water is not eligible for the records.  In short, it's special.  Fishing from the bank can be a bit tough as it's tree-lined.  There are certainly some spots you can access, but if you can swing it I HIGHLY recommend you book a trip with Captain Stacy at http://www.palmettolagooncharters.com/. They take you out on an electric-only Carolina Skiff and basically you're pitching laydowns with live bait like you do for bass, but the payoff is an angry redfish at the end of your line.  Yeah, it's sweeeeeet!

 

If you're looking to take a guided trip on HHI outside of Palmetto Dunes, I'd HIGHLY recommend Capt Brian at Off the Hook Charters.  By now I feel like I'm part owner of his boat, so yeah, he's good

 

As far as determining if the ponds are fresh or salt, use google maps to see if you can find a direct connection to the ocean.  Alternatively just ask at the Palmetto Dunes outfitter or check-in location.  If the stories I've heard are true, some of those golf course ponds in Palmetto Dunes are the scene of some giant redfish slaying action.

 

For equipment, M/H spinning reel is fine but go with braid especially if you are also planning to try to fish wade on some flats in or around grass.  Popping corks and carolina rigs with live or fresh dead bait work well.  For artificials, walk-the-dog baits, mirrodine suspending baits and jigheads with Gulp shrimp get bit.  If you're hoofing it, get a tide app for your phone so you can at least ensure you fish at optimal times.

 

PM me if you need more info.

OK, you're speaking my language now since my parents are retired there and I fish HHI several times a year.  As a matter of fact, I fished this lagoon system for the first time in April of this year.

 

First off, some perspective.  This lagoon is basically a managed trophy fishery.  The biggest trout of of there absolutely obliterates the SC state record, but for some reason that water is not eligible for the records.  In short, it's special.  Fishing from the bank can be a bit tough as it's tree-lined.  There are certainly some spots you can access, but if you can swing it I HIGHLY recommend you book a trip with Captain Stacy at http://www.palmettolagooncharters.com/. They take you out on an electric-only Carolina Skiff and basically you're pitching laydowns with live bait like you do for bass, but the payoff is an angry redfish at the end of your line.  Yeah, it's sweeeeeet!

 

If you're looking to take a guided trip on HHI outside of Palmetto Dunes, I'd HIGHLY recommend Capt Brian at Off the Hook Charters.  By now I feel like I'm part owner of his boat, so yeah, he's good

 

As far as determining if the ponds are fresh or salt, use google maps to see if you can find a direct connection to the ocean.  Alternatively just ask at the Palmetto Dunes outfitter or check-in location.  If the stories I've heard are true, some of those golf course ponds in Palmetto Dunes are the scene of some giant redfish slaying action.

 

For equipment, M/H spinning reel is fine but go with braid especially if you are also planning to try to fish wade on some flats in or around grass.  Popping corks and carolina rigs with live or fresh dead bait work well.  For artificials, walk-the-dog baits, mirrodine suspending baits and jigheads with Gulp shrimp get bit.  If you're hoofing it, get a tide app for your phone so you can at least ensure you fish at optimal times.

 

PM me if you need more info.

 

Wow! Great info! Thanks a ton. I'll be sending a PM

8 days to go! So stoked! Anybody have any reports of the area or any pertinent info?

Pertinent info = it's hot and muggy as h*ll

Sounds pretty typical for the area/time right?

And CROWDED!

Pertinent info = it's hot and muggy as h*ll

x100 summer came early this year. Never fished HH before so good luck.

Can you take or rent a kayak? I've taken mine the last few times I went to Pawley's island. But they'll rent them at a local bike shop and meet you at the boat ramp. You can fish as long as you want then call them to pick it up. They also have up-to-date fishing reports. There is a really good creek/inlet behind Pawleys Island.

 

I went into the Myrtle Beach BPS and collected a basket full of the best looking redfish and trout baits then asked for some advice. The guy kind of smiled at my basket and walked over to a gold Johnson spoon. Got one of those and he grabbed a bag of Gulp Mullet in white. He said this would cover both species and flounder. I caught 2 keeper flounder in a couple hours. I did see small reds and one trout but no takers from them. To be honest, just that Gulp mullet on a light jighead is good enough for the flounder. Just toss it out and drag across the bottom near a dock or oyster bank. They'll tap it and you wait about 15 seconds and start reeling. 

 

If you hire a guide there are tarpon down there in the summer.

Got one of those and he grabbed a bag of Gulp Mullet in white. He said this would cover both species and flounder.

 

Yup, but my preference is chartreuse.  You can kinda tell from this pic, but then again he choked it so I took that as an endorsement of my color selection

 

Sounds like I'll be picking up some gulp shrimp and mullet! What size jig head is that?

I think it was 1/4 oz