Hilton Head Island

[ocuyler]

Hey,

I'm headed to Hilton Head for the Easter break with the boat in tow (1000 miles each way).

I'd like to do a little cruising (Charleston, Savannah) and a little inshore fishing. Can anyone give me any tips or thoughts on cruising OR fishing in that area?

Thanks,

Otto

[ March 24, 2003, 10:25 PM: Message edited by: Otto Cuyler ]

[Mark]

Otto,

As far as fishing, the Savannah River is a pretty good place to catch good sized (25-35#) jack crevalle from late Spring into early Summer. They aren't hard to spot on the surface and will readily take a popper if it is in front of the lead fish in the school - that lead fish part is important. These are about your best chance to pull hard on a fish within a reasonable distance from the dock. (have a bottle of Advil for your back the next morning).

There are a few wrecks that aren't out too far that could yield some bottom fishing if that is your thing. I don't participate in that endeavor, so you may want to contact some tackle shops in the area to get a better idea of when that is going on.

Much of the inshore fishing around the areas you mentioned (Hilton Head, Charleston, Savannah), centers around redfish that are swimming in about 6"inches of water and best pursued in a flats boat. The nearshore area will have sporadic king mackerel and maybe some spanish mackerel. The run to the gulf stream in SC and GA for the glamour species is about a 70 mile run each way, so the day is largely spent boat riding rather than fishing. I'm not sure when your trip is but it may be a bit early for the tarpon.

I believe there are several other members on the site that can add some info on the area as well.

Depending on what route you are taking, you may want to stop off in central NC (around Harkers Island) for a day or two. The run to the stream is much shorter and the wahoo/yellowfin/blackfin/kings are now biting......just a thought.
mark

[Howard Hill]

Otto,

I fish Hilton Head Is often and will be there the last half of Easter week. If our schedules permit maybe we can run out together one morning.

Depending on the water temp the cobia fishing can be outstanding in Calibogue Sound (north end of HHI). This is pretty easy fishing, they average 15 - 25lbs (each year several 40+ fish are landed) are excellent fighters and excellent table fair.

The offshore fishing can be sporadic depending on the temp. As Mark indicated, the stream is a 65-70 mile run. Sometimes, dolphin, tuna and sailfish are caught about 50-55 miles offshore around a navy rader tower called R-7 or any good eddys or weedlines. There are some great artificial reefs. Got to the DNR website

http://www.dnr.state.sc.us/etc/fishing.html

great info on reef locations (GPS #'s) and summer fishing info. Also, check out

http://www.charlestonfishing.com/

Look under Forums / Hilton Head & Beaufort Area

to get an idea of what's going on. Things are a little slow right now but should pick up dramatically by Easter if the weather stays warm.

I've got a bunch of numbers and other info I'll be happy to share with you. Drop me an email at:

lhhilljr@bellsouth.net