New to Charleston, CO fly fisherman

[exCOflyguy]

Hey,

I've lived in Mt. Pleasant for a couple of months have finally settled in. Now, the fishin' jones has kicked in overtime and I'm ready to throe some line. I lived in ss CO for a couple of years and fell in love with fly fishing for 18 inch cut throats and rainbows. Before that I was a bass fisherman and now I'm ready for the big sea. But first things first. I wanna start out just surf fishing and piers and docks. Anyone care to give me some good places to start. I have a relatively basic knowledge to get started but bait tips, rigs, etc... Anything that could help. I'm getting a new Ches. Bay Retriver puppy this weekend and can't wait to take him out with me. Thanks in advance guys...

[b3butner]

Hey,

I've lived in Mt. Pleasant for a couple of months have finally settled in. Now, the fishin' jones has kicked in overtime and I'm ready to throe some line. I lived in ss CO for a couple of years and fell in love with fly fishing for 18 inch cut throats and rainbows. Before that I was a bass fisherman and now I'm ready for the big sea. But first things first. I wanna start out just surf fishing and piers and docks. Anyone care to give me some good places to start. I have a relatively basic knowledge to get started but bait tips, rigs, etc... Anything that could help. I'm getting a new Ches. Bay Retriver puppy this weekend and can't wait to take him out with me. Thanks in advance guys...Be very careful with your new pup. Sharks like them also.

[Railroader]

Welcome exCO...

Spend a little time reading and exploring the vast knowledge bank that is PierandSurf...there are literally thousands of tips and advice you can use.

The best way to learn is to just give it a try and teach yourself...You will find a bunch of people around the surf and piers that will give you specific info for the various places. Don't think of it as "just" surf, pier, or bridge fishin'....I've caught more, bigger, and better fish this year than several of my friends who have boats....

I, too, am a Bass fisherman, and one of the things I like the most about fishin' the salt is the laid back attitude and friendliness that you will experience from the folks you will run into.

There is almost NONE of the "nose in the air" crap that is so prevalent in Bass and Trout waters.

My big tip is DO NOT use any bait that you would not eat yourself.....leave the stinky bait-store stuff for the tourists. Believe it, I've seen it proven too many times....Also, you will get more shrimp, squid or whatever for your dollar if you buy the food quality stuff. :cool:

Someone will chime in and tell you about your area, and if you get down St. Simons, Jekyll or Jacksonville way lemme know, and maybe I can help.

Have fun, and again, welcome!

RR

[Railroader]

Be very careful with your new pup. Sharks like them also.

That's a FACT.....watch it!

[exCOflyguy]

never really thought about the sharks... he should be ok around the inlets and rivers right? also, anyone know any good river spots to cast some salt water flies?

[clinder]

right on railroader :cool: everything you need is already here all you gotta do is look!!!!! co fly you can spend hours readin threads on this site with all the info you need to catch just about anything that lives in your waters. somethin new around every corner. take your time start simple and let instinct do the rest.post some reports on what you catch what bait and wat kinda rig lookin forward to readin about your progress.all my rigs are handmade from experience.just like tyin a flie with a secret color hackle for your favorite trout hole!!!!only comes wit time ma friend.good luck happy fishin and welcome aboard mate.

[Railroader]

never really thought about the sharks... he should be ok around the inlets and rivers right? also, anyone know any good river spots to cast some salt water flies?

When you get into the inlets and rivers, not only will you have to think of sharks.....but gators too...I have a friend who is an avid, lifelong duck hunter, and over the years he has lost several dogs. Gators love dogs.....if there are any in your area,(call your game warden office) keep Rover OUT of the water. :cool: :cool:

[clinder]

Yall Got Gators Walkin Around The Streets In Your Neck Of The Woods Railroader. Been Their And Seen Em!! Specially At The Damn Comin Outta The Swamp Where The First Drops Of Water Come From To Start The Swannee River Just About 17-20 Miles East Of Fargo In The Show Nuff Swamp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You No Speakin Of That Place It Used To Be Some Great Bluegill And Redbreast Fishin In That River Down By Fargo Ive Seen Many Many Many 1- 2 Pound Plus Bluegill And Redbrest Caught In Their. Heck Ive Caught Whole Coolers Full With A Friend From Their. But The Peat Boggs In The Swawp Go Through Long Cycles And The Tannic Acid Levels Are To High In Their Now For Any Good Fishin.have Been Now For About 5-6 Years. Maybe In 5-10 Years The Acid Levels Ill Die Down Some And The Fish Will Come Back That Far Up The River Like They Used To In The Summer When That River Can Be Navigated On Foot. :) One Thing For Sure U Dont See Many People Fishin Their ,they Cant Find It, And If You Do See Someone You Can Be Rest Assured You Probally Already No Em. Used To Love Pullin A Big Devil Horse In That River And Watch A 3-5 Pound Jack Fish Launch A Friggin Assault On It. Let Me Tell You Friends You Wanne See A Mean Fresh Water Fish Go Jack Fishin In The Swamp.... They Got To Be The Fresh Water Equivalent To A Salt Water Cuda!!!!!!!!!

[johnnyleo11]

Hey exCOFlyguy,

I just got in tonight from Boulder and wow, is it pretty up there. I can't say it was pleasant walking in to the humid air at Charleston International, but I'm back home.

Your fishing jones hit you at the right time. The water is going to start cooling down some and the bite will be back on for larger species. Right now, everything that has been caught are smaller fish and sharks.

I live on Johns Island and frequent Folly Pier every once in a while. It should be a little easier to park in the pier parking lot now that the summer tourist season is coming to an end. You didn't say what gear you have available to work with, but it seems like you only have freshwater gear. You can use your bass rods for the smaller fish here using double drop down rigs with shrimp, squid, or fishbites. From you saying you're used to fishing for trout and bass, you don't seem like the sit and wait kind of guy. A lot of pier fishing is dunking bait unless there is a school running through and then you can toss lures.

[Big Worm]

JL, did you get to fish?

[johnnyleo11]

I sure didn't. We had two-a-day practices from Sunday to Wednesday, walk throughs on Thursday and Friday, then the tournament on Saturday and Sunday. To be honest, I was was too tired to go fishing. I really didn't want to have to toil with bringing a rod and gear with me. I didn't break any fingers during the games, but I did break my nose. Like breathing up there when running full sprints wasn't hard enough, trying spitting up blood when doing it! It really was beautiful to be on the foothills with the Flatiron Range in the horizon. Almost wants me to leave the beach! Nah, maybe for just a trip.

[exCOflyguy]

You said the fishing is about to get better with the cooler season getting here in SC. Well in CO the cold will really hit hard in about 2 more months and unless you want to wake up to 5 new feet of snow on the ground each morning I wouldn't suggest it. We southern boys aint used to that much snow. The winter brought me back to the south and to the beach at that :D