Home Forums Fishing Saltwater SC surf fishing in May

We're taking a family trip to the Charleston, SC area the first week in May. What is surf fishing like just north of Charleston on Sullivans/Isle of Palms? Are there other nearby areas that might be better? I would really like to catch some Pompano but would not turn up my nose at snapper blues and red drum, or even whiting. Best baits? Terminal tackle?

I have both light and medium heavy surf rods and am filling out the reel collection to match. I plan on purchasing terminal tackle down there if I cannot find suitable components here in MI/internet.

I have not been surf casting since going with my grandfather near Vero Beach, FL when I was a sophomore in college. Any information would be appreciated.

Bill

Best bet would be to stop by one of the tackle shops and talk to the people about what's biting and what you need to catch them. Lots of things moving that time of year . You should be good for pompano, small blues flounder mullet and other pan fish in the surf and the inlet. Half day offshore could be an option also

Spanish, Blues, Pompano all in the surf with a light surf rod, high speed reel, and 1-1/4 oz Stingsilver (and/or 1 oz. Kastmaster), reel as fast as you can. I use a couple of rods in the 1/2 to 1-3/4 to 2 oz., lure rating and reel with 10 or 15 lbs braid - those lures cast like a bullet, let it drop a bit and reel fast. Those fish will run close once the water hits 68 to 70 degrees (for sure by May). I use a Penn Spinfisher VI 3500 and a Daiwa Saltist MQ 3000 - light and fast (can’t reel too fast for the Spanish, slow down and you’ll catch Blues). Lot of fun to me. I fish further north in NC, but you should have the same action. There is an inlet on the island between Isle of Palms and Sullivan’s Island that I fished several years back, Breaches Inlet, it has public parking and a jetty. There was a good restaurant right there too (Boathouse) Good luck!

Thanks for the tips. I've spoken with one of the local tackle shops and found the inlet on Google Earth. Glad to hear of opportunities for blues and pompano. My surf tackle leans towards medium heavy but I'll check my steelhead/pike rods for the suggested lure weights.