Hilton Head

[KyCam]

I am heading down to hilton head next week for spring break.  I wan to do some fishing, but don't even know where to start.  Any tips on shore fishing, deep sea fishing, bait, or anything at all would be great.

[nickb]

I've shore fished one time. I used shrimp on a 12 inch wire leader.  If you're going to buy stuff to fish the beach, ask the people working there what to use.  I went to get my license at wal-mart, and I asked the cashier what I might need, and she helped me out a bunch.

[Chris at Tech]

My folks retired to HHI a few years ago, so I've got some tips

Where are you staying?  Perhaps I can provide some more details relevant to where you'll be

1) you have both freshwater and saltwater at your disposal.  If you're staying inside a plantation, there are ponds with bass everywhere.  Just keep your eyes open for gators -- I'm not joking

2) lots of the beaches have signs that say 'No fishing'.  Even the locals ignore these -- as long as you're not fishing on a beach crowded with swimmers, you'll be fine.  I also recommend not fishing on a beach too close to a hotel/resort.  The staff doesn't alway like that.  If you end up on such a beach, just be sure to walk ~50 yards or so past the end of the property.  

3) if you can swing it, I HIGHLY recommend booking an inshore guided trip.  These are not cheap, but I think they're worth it.  These trips are much better than booking trips on party boats, IMO.  For a guide recommendation, PM me

4) there are some lagoons with brackish or salt water that allow you to catch saltwater fish in a freshwater-looking setting.  You'll need someone more knowledgeable to identify them though

5) there are next to no baitshops on the island.  There's Walmart and Boaters World/West Marine for frozen bait, and 1 baitshop I know of in the Salty Dog shopping center

6) be forewarned -- the area where Port Royal Sound meets the Atlantic is a known shark nursery.  If you fish there, just have the right equipment and tools

[KyCam]

Thanks for the info.

I think I am staying in a condo right next to coligny square. I have stayed down there once before and have seen all the gators around there. I don't know if fishin is so important to risk getting bit, at least in the ponds.

I am planning on just going to walmart when I get down there and picking up a bigger rod and reel combo for cheap. I have a ugly stick with a abu garcia spinning reel that would probably hold up, as long as I didn't catch anything to big.

In Coligny, I know there is a small place where you can buy frozen squid, and I am sure walmart will have something also.

[Chris at Tech]

Thanks for the info.

I think I am staying in a condo right next to coligny square.  I have stayed down there once before and have seen all the gators around there.  I don't know if fishin is so important to risk getting bit, at least in the ponds.

As long as you're not completely oblivious to your surroundings, you'll be fine.  Just be aware, and pick an open area to fish and not some swampy, out of the way area

[KyCam]

Just to let you know, I did do some fishing, although it was with a charter, but still a lot of fun.  Everyone caught quite a few fish called whiteing.  I tried fishing from the beach but the tide wouldn't cooperate and everytime I got situated the water would wash all my stuff into the ocean, so I just gave up.  But it was still a good time and appreciate the help.

[Sam]

Ky,

Do what Chris at Tech says. Be watchful of the alligators, especially the ones with offspring.

Look for snakes, too.

Wear long pants and shoes when you fish the ponds.

Take pics and post them when you get home.  

[KyCam]

Well i'm already back now but don't have any pics.  Too busy trying to catch some fish to worry about pictures.  But i did have my camera with me just in case I caught a big one.

[Keeganb78]

So I'm going to HHI again, last year I went and couldn't catch anything at all, (pond fishing) I probably spent 2 days fishing and walking to different pond for about 8 hours and nothing,

any tips at all

[Rodney Smith]

Anybody ever fish in the ponds at the Shipyard Plantation?

[Megastink]

I can't speak for the freshwater fishing there. But, my wife and I honeymooned at Hilton head April/May 2016. We hired Hilton Head Adventures to guide us for Redfish, Specks, and Triple Tail. We came across a few sharks and he tried to put us on them. 

 

If you could rent a boat of even being your own, it's easy fun to hunt reds. I'm a bass guy myself, but good Christ, I could fish for reds the rest of my life!

[Fishing_FF]

On 8/26/2017 at 4:52 AM, Rodney Smith said:

Anybody ever fish in the ponds at the Shipyard Plantation?

 

Some of the grounds keepers said there are some nice size fish in various ponds around there. I forget which timeshare we stated at in Shipyard Plantation, but I checked out a bunch of local ponds. 

 

Unfortunately, we went a couple weeks after Hurricane Matthew. Everything was blocked, and if it wasn't, I was chased off while crews worked near by. Never got to to fish.....but we got comped a week due to various inconveniences. I'll try again when we return.

[Koz]

On 8/26/2017 at 4:52 AM, Rodney Smith said:

Anybody ever fish in the ponds at the Shipyard Plantation?

 

I haven't fished in Shipyard but there is good fishing in Hilton Head Plantation and in Sea Pines. You can pay a daily gate fee in Sea Pines and your best bet is to bring or rent some bikes to access the lagoons. If you drive to them you won't be able to find a place to park, and if you park on the side of the road security will make you move your car.

 

Biking would also be a great way to cover a lot of ground in Shipyard. If you don't have your own there are rental places everywhere that will pick up and drop off bikes for you.