We are heading to Hilton Head from July 7th to 14th, & I am determined to catch my 1st saltwater species on the fly from the beach & have several questions.
I have a 9’ 7wt Orvis TLS with a Lamson Radius reel & a 9’ 6wt Sage VT2 with a Battenkill Barstock…neither outfit is saltwater outfitted. Is it safe to use them in the salt? Cleaning recommendations?
Suggested flies? Keep 'em simple as I’m not yet what you would call a decent tyer.
At this time of year is it even worth trying? I’ve heard the water is “bathtub warm”. I’m guessing very early, very late, & possibly at night.
I am not planning on targeting a specific species, anyone know what may be available?
Rinse the rod and reel off in fresh water, under a hose or faucet. Don’t blow alot of pressure on it, just a good rinse out. When your finished for the week, soak it in some warm water at home and agatate a little bit with your hand to free up any final specs of dirt.
I’m heading down there in August. I was told to fish the surf. I believe there are Drum and Specs there during the summer months. Could be wrong about the species but I would bet you’ll find fish.
I don’t know any specific flies, but Clousers are usually good to try almost anywhere. If you want, PM me with your snail-mail address and I’ll send you a few.
PS - don’t forget to say AAARRRGGGHHH a few times as you approach the surf. It’s what any pirate would do.
I used to do a lot of fishing in the salt creeks at the next resort island to the north of Hilton Head (that’d be Parris Island).
Seriously, if you have a boat and go out in the Broad River in July August the Cobia will be in to spawn – lay out a chum bag and drag your flies through the slick. If you are in the creeks, anything on the bottom should work - crab flies, shrimp flies, clousers… will all work for specks and spottails (puppy drum).
The bugs can be tough - sand fleas and mosquitos. Wear long sleeves, and the best bug deterrent when you are back in the salt marsh is Avon’s “Skin so Soft” – it’s real oily and the bugs can’t bite you through it.
Where you stay will determine the areas available to fish and the type of fishing you can get in to. The island is broken up in to numerous plantations and all have restricted access.
All of the lagoons in the plantations are fishable, some are fresh, with bass and gills but most are salt and you never know, from flounder to reds to tarpon. The lagoons can be the most productive and most fun to fish. The outfits you have will do just fine and small clousers will work well. Use rust/orange colors as well as the tried and true white/chartruse.
Just off the island is Lowcountry Outfitters, stop and see Travers and he will help you out. Great selection of local flies and knowledge as well as guide service.
The surf is very low, the beaches are protected by an offshore reef, and very fishable but hit and miss.
Wow, I haven’t visited the salty board in a long time. Well Tuber did ya have any luck on the Salt? Last I heard you had ran over inland to Jim’s for some fresh water. The gators was there too I heard…lol Susan and I got married and headed down south as well. we went to Myrtle Beach for a week. I just got to Jealouse when I found out you and Jim was enjoying all that nice warm weather and sunny Beaches. i didn’t fly fish in the salt so I was wondering how ya did? Maybe get some pointers from ya…
Tim,
I’m gonna give you a boot for not tellin’ me you two got married!..CONGRATS!!..Two great folks hitched.
I didn’t do “squat” in the salt, but I gave it a shot. Too many closed areas at Hilton Head, & I guess I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but I had fun. Hatch was a great host, we had fun with the gills, but too much wind to get to his “honey hole”…maybe next trip, and there WILL be a next trip!
Mike
I’m heading down to the outer banks in mid to late August and must admit that I’m glad you did not set the bar too high. I expect I’ll be able to match your catch count in the salt and probably do no better, but I must admit that it is fun trying even knowing that its almost a certainty I’ll come up with zero.
Jed,
WHERE in the Outerbanks? They are definitely going to fish better than Hilton Head. Look for deeper holes just off the beach, and, depending where you will be, I may be able to give you a “heads up” on a spot or two in the sound(s).
Mike
I tried my darndest to be a true pirate and hi jack this thread earlier with letting Mike know me and Susan got married. Oh well guess it didn’t work, maybe I’v lost alot of my pirateness or didn’t have any to begine with. At any rate looks like Susan, myself, my 13 yr old and and Susan’s sisters son (also a 13 year old) are heaeded up to the Potamic/ Cheasapeak bay arera for a weakend stay, we are taking fly rods and will try the salt fly thing. Theres a Bay called Monroe Bay I think I’m gonna try and cast a fly into. Either way this little trip looks like it’s gonna be interesting. We are gonna pitch a couple of tents and just hang out. I’ll let everyone know how it goes cause I know all ya’ll will be on the edge of your seats just waiting for this update…lol aaarrrggghhh Ok now for my coffee…aaahhh…
Jed,
Try the sound behind the Bodie (pronounced body) Island Lighthouse very early am. There were always nice sea trout & flounder back there. In addition to clousers, take some lightly weighted streamers for mid depths. There are also LOTS of jellyfish floating through, so either wear waders or cast from the little dock. There is a path just southwest of the lighthouse.
Tim,
We expect a full report on a separate thread! LOL
Mike
Grub,
Congratulations on your marriage. Susan must be a great woman to be willing to marry a pirate like you.
Susan,
Well… Grubbs a pirate and you know pirates. May he live up to expectations (especially if they are not too high)
Congratulations to both of you. Marriage worked for me and if you get half the pleasure from your marriage as I do from mine it will be a sucess. But rather than 1/2 I wish you twice the success I have.
(I’m planning for our 30th anniversary in May).
