Hey guys,

I'll be doing some surf fishing when I go on vacation to Hilton Head, S.C. in two weeks.  I typically use a rig with 2 hooks and a pyramind sinker, and my baits are usually frozen or live shrimp, squid, and minnows.  I was wondering how the fishing was in that area, and if you guys had any tips or tricks to try.

Thanks in advance!

-Aaron

"TF"

I have family in Pawley's Island and Georgetown,which are just a  few hours away. Just got interested in the surf the last couple of years though. We used the two and three drop rigs just as you described. Fresh or live bait will always beat the frozen stuff. Get a castnet and learn how to net minnows. Instead of frozen shrimp, by a pound of fresh whole shrimp. You get the idea.

You don't have to cast far from the beach. Past the breaking waves is usually too far. Right in the waves is where the fish are. You'd be suprised by what lurks right where everyone swims! Which reminds me, make sure you have polarized sunglasses and walk around the beach, you'll notice things.

If you are beach combing, and you happen upon a particularly cloudy patch of water, plunk down your bait in there for awhile. Good things can happen.

A pair of binoculars are handy too. Use it too look up and down the beach for diving gulls, bait balls, bluefish blitzes, etc. If you see action like this get on it!.

He used to have good luck around rock jetties with red and black drum.

I'm pretty sure you can't fish for sharks on shore/pier in Hilton Head, so check your regs before you try anything. I don't think your even supposed to land an accidental shark. I know you're allowed to in Pawleys. If your willing to drive a county or two over, go for a night of sharking. Read up on it and be careful if you do! This is the only time I'll use frozen strips of mullet, but I've heard a live/dead whiting or croaker will do better.

I'm no expert on surf fishing by any means but I hope that helps. Ask any questions if you got any, and don't forget the pictures and reports after! Its been a few years since I've been in the Low Country and I miss it.  

X 2. This dude knows what hes talkin about. Live bait will outfish other baits, but theres just a cost/time benefit of frozen and artificial. I fished at Oak Island in NC about a month ago and the sharks had just hatched. My buddy and I caught about 30 sharks in one day off of frozen squid and shrimp. Speckeled trout were swimming by in schools and when they did every single person on the peir would catch their limit. I'm sure things have changed now. Talk to your hotel about whats happening in the water or ask at local bait/tackle/pier shops, they are usually good to tell you whats in.

Thanks guys!  I really appreciate all of the help.  I know I saw people catching sharks at Hilton Head, and I actually caught a few small ones myself.  I noticed that people would catch them while fishing for other fish, and nobody really said anything.  I figure if you're obviously fishing for them, they'll say something, but if you catch one on accident it won't be a problem.

Thanks guys! I really appreciate all of the help. I know I saw people catching sharks at Hilton Head, and I actually caught a few small ones myself. I noticed that people would catch them while fishing for other fish, and nobody really said anything. I figure if you're obviously fishing for them, they'll say something, but if you catch one on accident it won't be a problem.

I wouldn't "figure" anything until I've read the regs. I've heard of guys getting ticketed for accidental shark. Your supposed to cut them off. I don't think you want to flirt with the chance of getting a fine on vacation.   If you hook and land a decent size shark in the daytime, it will attract all kinds of unwanted attention, so be sure to check th regs.  

Thanks guys! I really appreciate all of the help. I know I saw people catching sharks at Hilton Head, and I actually caught a few small ones myself. I noticed that people would catch them while fishing for other fish, and nobody really said anything. I figure if you're obviously fishing for them, they'll say something, but if you catch one on accident it won't be a problem.

To be completely honest I never saw anyone that would really give me a hard time about it. I am not normally a rule breaker, I'm just being honest. If you want to go as far as trying to not catch sharks (nearly impossible) then you probably need a fishing liscense. Another one is required for fishing on the shore in NC, but not for a pier. Kind of like fishing for trout. Anyway, just check your regulations. While I was at Oak Island guys were pulling 4ft and 7ft shark.

My folks just retired to HHI last year.  I've done some fishing there, and I'm looking forward to doing more.

A few words:

1) if you're staying on a plantation in HHI, don't forget your bass rod.  The plantations are chock-full of smaller ponds, and most if not all have bass in them.  And chances are you'll be the only one fishing that pond

2) finding bait in HHI was initially harder than I could have imagined.  West Marine, Boater's World and Walmart will be your best bets.  I've only come across 1 true bait and tackle shop inside Sea Pines plantation (and it costs $5 to get into the plantation if you're not a guest there).  There's also one more bait shop just before you cross the bridge to get onto HHI.  Low Country Outfitters, or something like that.

3) I've seen most of the beaches have 'No Fishing' signs and I've learned to ignore them.  The understanding I have from the locals is that you can fish from the beach without issue as long as you're not on top of swimmers, etc.  There's a good stretch of beach by the Marriott Barony (Port Royal Plantation) that's a little rockey for bathers, so you can usually fish there.  There's a public beach and parking lot right there as well.  It backs up to Port Royal Inlet, which is a rather infamous shark nursery, so just keep that in mind

4) don't neglect the brackish creeks and inlets.  You can do some fishing for flounder, redfish and seatrout in the backwaters using bass tackle

5) if you have the means, hire an inshore guide and go after redfish.  To me, that's MUCH more enjoyable than surf fishing.  It ain't cheap, but it's fun.  I'll actually be done in HHI the weekend of the 12th, and the wife and I have a guide lined up

Thanks for the advice Chris!  I did realize bait was quite hard to find.  The only place I consistently buy bait is Wal-Mart.

That's a good idea about the bass rod!  I'll have to throw that in as well.

 

The bait freezer at the Walmart on the island is quite possibly the most smelly, disgusting one I have ever come across.  The stench hits you as soon as that freezer door is cracked.  

If you can, hit West Marine.  Much cleaner, better tackle, and you'll get more advice and info on the fishing conditions, what to use, where to do, etc than the guys at Walmart.