Fishing and Crabbing Tips for Harbor Island
General Fishing Information
While we mostly fish with soft plastics on a 1/4 oz jig head, you may find it easier to use frozen shrimp or cut mullet rigged on a simple Carolina Rig. Both baits can be purchased at the Walmart on your way to the island.
Any rod and reel with 10-15 lb line will work fine. In fact, we use freshwater rods and wash them well when we leave. For tackle get some 1/0 size circle hooks, some swivels and some barrel weights that are 1/4 oz….Walmart should have all of that…but the Grayco hardware or the tackle shop right before you get on the island will have all of that for sure. To create a Carolina Rig, see the photo at right. Put a barrel swivel on your line, then tie the swivel so that the sinker can slide up and down the line. Then tie your hook onto a 18” leader line of 10-15lb monofilament onto the opposite end of the swivel. Hook the shrimp or mullet and toss them straight out or down to the right side of the dock in the middle of the current.
Most of the trout and redfish will be out in the main current…the flounder usually lay in the mud closer to the dock. If you really want to catch fish, the absolute best time is right at daylight when the wind is really calm…especially if that time of day coincides with anything other than high tide.
Make sure you know the size and creel limits for the various species of fish and have a valid SC Saltwater fishing license. Check the SC DNR Website here.
Example of a Carolina Rig
Fishing and Crabbing Tips for Harbor Island
Fishing Spot 1
Fishing Spot 1
Fishing Spot 1
You can see this spot from the front door of the house. Its to your right across the street and about a 200 yard walk. The best spot is to the left at the intersection of the 3 channels.
Fishing Spot 2
Fishing Spot 1
Fishing Spot 1
This fishing and crabbing dock is located toward the beach about 600 yards from the house. The best spots depend on the time of day, tide and year but fish are always caught here 12 months out of the year.
Fishing Spot 3
Fishing Spot 1
Fishing spot #3 is in the Harbor River at the north end of the island. To get there, go to beach access #7 as shown on the map above and walk to your left. There is no one best spot but this area is a good place to catch bull redfish in the fall. A carolina rig with mullet or shrimp is a good choice here. Big redfish love cut mullet.
Fishing Spot 4
Fishing spot #4 is located at the south side of the island where it intersects with the ocean and Johnson Creek. To get there, use the beach access #1 and walk to your right. The beach can be very large here at lower tides. This spot can be good at anytime of year. A carolina rig with shrimp or mullet. is a good choice. Note that you may have to increase your sinker weight if the current is strong.
Crabbing Tips
Picking (shucking) Your Crabs
There are several ways to catch Blue Crabs, but here are the most popular. For equipment we recommend talking to the folks in the fishing department at Grayco. They are friendly and always willing to help.
Hand Lining — This method is done by tying a piece of bait (like a chicken neck) to a line and throwing it about 10 feet out into the water. When you feel a crab tugging, slowly retrieve the line until the crab is close enough to catch in your net.
Crab Traps — This method involves placing bait (normally chicken or oily fish like mullet) in a trap and placing the trap below the surface of the water. Traps can be checked every few hours, or at least once a day. Pro tip, check your trap at mid to high tide for less mud and mess.
Make sure your crabs are at least 5" from tip to tip to be legal to keep.
Picking (shucking) Your Crabs
Picking (shucking) Your Crabs
Watch this video to learn how to pick or shuck your crabs for eating. Keep in mind you'll need to boil your crabs for about 15 minutes and let them cool before you shuck them. Simply bring a pot with enough water to cover your crabs to a boil and add some Old Bay seasoning (about 2 tablespoons). Drop the live crabs into the boiling water.