|
|
Post by cmascitell3437 on Jul 25, 2012 6:53:46 GMT -5
Has anybody done any shrimping with a cast net? I am going to the Hilton Head area the first week in Nov. and see that the shrimp season is in. Only thing is if your not a resident it costs $500.00 for a license to bait em. so that's out unless someone knows a way around it? Anyway, I'm OK with throwing a cast net just don't know what to look for or where to go. Maybe rent a small Jon boat and look for some deep hole Shrimp. Also the crabbin should be good too. Any tips would be appreciated. Cliff
|
|
|
|
Post by CorneliaGale on Jul 25, 2012 9:40:16 GMT -5
Was some articles on frying pan tower a little while ago on catching shrimp with a net. go to www.fryingpantower.com and take a look. |
|
|
|
Post by cmascitell3437 on Jul 25, 2012 12:04:32 GMT -5
Thanks, I'll give it a look
|
|
|
|
Post by dodman on Aug 2, 2012 19:38:44 GMT -5
We lived in Beaufort, SC for a few years in the mid-90's. It's the same area and waters as Hilton Head. I shrimped a ton. Use a cheap net. You'll be throwing into all kinds of oyster shell, and they're razor sharp. Also, don't need a heavy net....you'll generally be throwing into some pretty shallow water. Wider the net the better though, but back then we always just threw 4-5' Wally World specials. The tidal fluc is fairly big down there...up to 5-6'. At mid to high tide, the shrimp will be dispersed in the spartina grass and you wont' get them. Find some feeder creeks off a larger one, and head back an hour or so before low tide and start throwing....they'll basically be trapped in the water and out of the grass until the tide comes back up. Dead low's your best, and yes you may look up at the creek mouth and see "dry" oyster on it, and yes you'll be stuck until the water starts coming back in. It is an absolute and absolutely filthy, muddy blast. We'd just rack the nets out in the boat, and on the way out pull the plug to drain, then clean the shrimp up. Or get one of those plastic bushel tubs to rack the net out. Blue crabs will come in the net sometimes, too...a fresh feisty blue crab is up for a fight and he'll lay your fingers right open.  Toss some shrimp in the cooler, toss others in the live well. As the tide comes in and the shrimp disperse, head out, rig up some popper corks and tear up some specs and redfish (they're spottails or bass down there in the Low Country) against the grass. Fantastic inshore fishing there, and you might even get into some tailing reds. Nov is a great month for it all. Don't bait without a license. They're looking and they'll slam ya. We're maybe planning a trip in a month...it's a terrific place to fish and shrimp! |
|
|
|
Post by cmascitell3437 on Aug 7, 2012 6:44:28 GMT -5
Dodman, thanks for the info, it's very helpful. do you know if i can rent a small boat down there? I don't plan on baiting since the cost of the license is to much, How long would you think it takes for the tide to turn around, in other words how long will i be stuck there? I'm sure i will have more questions for you if you don't mind me picking your brain from time to time. Thanks again. Cliff
|
|
|
|
Post by CorneliaGale on Aug 7, 2012 10:26:48 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by dodman on Aug 7, 2012 18:04:32 GMT -5
Hey Cliff...you *may* end up in a creek that goes too shallow to get out at dead low. There are also tons and tons that'll have plenty of water to make it out. I didn't mean to imply that you'll be stuck at low in most of them. The creeks tend to have large oyster mounds at the mouths, so they'll be shallower there than in the backs. Anywho, within an hour of dead low you'd prob be able to make it out if it DID happen. But maybe just cruise around on day 1 and scout them out if you can at dead low....that'll give you a better idea of what's up. Check the tide charts. The difference between low and high down there is huge, so it makes a world of diff if you can see it at dead low...mud banks, bars, and big oyster beds everywhere that're hidden at high. Check the area at low for safety the first day if nothing else. Since the tidal fluc is big, it also translates into some ripping currents in some areas mid-tide.
As you scout the creeks the shrimp will be snapping out of the water as the engine spooks them...so that's also a good way to figure out where they're thick.
I'm not aware of anywhere to rent boats down there, maybe google it up. On various work trips I've looked for boat rentals and they tend to be scarce and $$$'s when you do find them! You'll be inshore in creeks, so a 14' skiff type boat would be enough. You'd need a gas engine given the tide/currents though...trolling motor alone won't cut it.
The area is SO expansive with creeks, rivers, flats....you're talking hundreds of square miles of spartina marsh...that it can be over-whelming going blind. Maybe pop for a guide on the first day? That's what I did when I was there...worth their weight in gold in a new, big area like Beaufort/Hilton Head! The shrimping, specs, and redfish can really be fantastic.
|
|
|
|
Post by cmascitell3437 on Aug 17, 2012 6:43:05 GMT -5
DODMAN, I AM LOOKING FOR A SMALL BOAT FOR TIDAL CREEK FISHING AND SHRIMPING. WHAT HORSEPOWER MOTOR WOULD YOU RECOMMEND? I DON'T HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY, BUT I AM THINKING A BOAT CAN BE FOUND FOR A GOOD PRICE ON CRAIGSLIST OR EBAY. FOUND A FEW BUT I AM NOT SURE WHAT HORSEPOWER TO GET. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP. HEY IF SOMEONE OUT THERE HAS A BOAT, LET ME KNOW!
|
|
|
|
Post by catsnstripers on Aug 29, 2012 10:18:26 GMT -5
My boats coming up for sale this winter. Idk if it will be by nov or not. But its a proven tidal creek fisher!
Dod pretty much said all you need to know for shrimping. I cant think of anything to add. We use to do it with a cast net down in murrels inlet SC. I belive i had an 8ft, lite weight net. I could use that light weight net wading to, down in pawleys Island ( i belive that areas call owls creeks). Fold it up on my shoulders and sling it afar. We'd also seine shrimp as well, that was always fun. I had a 25ft seine, 5ft tall. A person in both ends and we'd walk up the creeks. IT had a sock in the middle that the shrimp would get trapped in. Most fish would be able to swim out. Flounder and rays wasnt so fast. Crabs to. So be careful before you would reach your hand into. We'd rake clams. and of corse FISH!
oooooooh man whats id do to live at the coast.
|
|
|
|
Post by yellowdog on Aug 30, 2012 6:55:36 GMT -5
Not to derail the thread, but what are you replacing your boat with?
|
|
|
|
Post by catsnstripers on Aug 31, 2012 10:05:35 GMT -5
Bigger is better... thats the american way
|
|
BentRod
Global Moderator
Posts: 2,252
|
Post by BentRod on Aug 31, 2012 10:15:41 GMT -5
I'll take that trailer big hammer!
I like shrimp! Good luck Cliff!
|
|
|
|
Post by cmascitell3437 on Sept 2, 2012 15:41:11 GMT -5
I am not replacing my boat, just looking for something safe and lite to haul down there! I may just buy a trailer for my boat instead. Still weighing the options. Since I've never been down there, what do you guys think of my boat in those waters?
|
|
