The Adventure Collective

Cast from the Old Cooper River Bridge (Mount Pleasant)

// August 18th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Charleston Fishing

With the recent opening of the Mt. Pleasant Waterfront Park, fisherman have new access to the waters of Charleston Harbor. The remnants of the infamously narrow bridge over the Cooper River have been repurposed as a fishing pier, and trout, redfish, and sheepshead are all fair game. Bring the family and drop some chicken affixed to a string, and be ready to net some blue and stone crabs. There is a $5 charge to fish from the pier.
Directions from Charleston: Take Hwy 17 N and take the first left in Mt. Pleasant. Signs guide you through another left turn into the newly opened park.

Mount Pleasant Waterfront Park: 843-884-8517 / Harry M. Hallman Jr. Blvd., Mt. Pleasant / www.mountpleasantwaterfrontpark.com

Catch Monster Catfish (Lake Moultrie)

// August 18th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Charleston Fishing

Electric utility Santee Cooper built Lakes Marion and Moultrie in the 1940s to generate power, but sixty years later, they’re best known for that project’s welcome byproduct-fish. From bass to crappie, the lakes have historically produced national record catches. Catfish take the prize. Whomever you choose amongst the many guides at the fish camps, you’re virtually guaranteed a healthy catch, and you might just land a 30+ pounder (a 109 pound blue catfish was caught this spring).
Directions from Charleston: Take exit 199 off I-26 W to Hwy 17A N. At Moncks Corner, left on to SC Hwy 6. Follow for 15 miles around lake to Hwy 45 (Trojan Rd.). Turn right and head 2 miles until you cross the canal between the lakes.

Lake Moultrie Guide Listings: www.santeecoopercats.net

Kayak Fish the Harbor (James Island)

// August 18th, 2009 // No Comments » // Charleston Fishing

The grassy marshland that lines the West Ashley and James Island side of Charleston harbor is rife with sea trout and red fish. A kayak’s silence and stealth allows anglers a closer approach to their prey than in a motorized craft. Focus on the mouths of small feeder creeks opening up into the harbor, or just troll an electric chicken lure behind your kayak and paddle along the grass line against the current. The Holy City’s profile across the water provides an excellent backdrop for photographs of you with your catch.
Directions from Charleston: We suggest putting in at the infrequently used Sunrise Park. Take the James Island Expressway to exit #2 and go southeast on Harbor View Rd. for 3 miles until it dead ends. Turn left onto Fort Johnson Rd. and go northeast half a mile, then turn left onto Wildwood Rd. to the end and left onto Wampler Dr. Stay on Wampler Dr. until you see the parking area for Sunrise Park on the right.

Surf Angling the Morris Island Lighthouse (Folly Beach)

// August 17th, 2009 // 1 Comment » // Charleston Fishing

The former Coast Guard station on the north end of Folly Beach is a favorite local escape with a maritime forest and empty beaches. Set up shop for a day of casting into the surf right where the island turns toward Morris Island and its iconic lighthouse rising from the waves. Fish shrimp on a popping cork or let a bottom rig sit with shrimp or mullet. Redfish and flounder are frequently caught as are small sharks and rays.
Directions from Charleston: Take Hwy 17 S and bear left onto Folly Rd. When you reach Folly Beach, take a left on Ashley Ave. Park when the road dead ends. From the parking area, it’s about a 10-minute walk either on the beach or the paved access road to the island’s northern tip.

Folly Beach Fishing Pier: 843-588-3474 / http://www.ccprc.com/index.aspx?nid=66

Troll the Gulf Stream (Atlantic Ocean)

// August 18th, 2009 // 2 Comments » // Charleston Fishing

Hooking and reeling in a 50+ pound fish is an incomparable thrill, especially when the experience comes after rousing yourself at 3 a.m. for a two-and-a-half hour boat ride out to the Gulf Stream. Charleston’s marinas offer a host of offshore guides and charters. Trolling attracts anything from tuna to Wahoo to Bonita, all of which will fill your freezer with delicious souvenir dinners of your trip.
Directions from Charleston: Depends on which charter service you go with.

Local Marina/Fishing Charters: Isle of Palms Marina / 843-886-0209 / 50 41st Ave., Isle of Palms www.iopmarina.com