Wednesday, September 02, 2015
A brief narrative on fishing from the Folly Beach Pier
Tackle: I used two rods, your 8’
Zebco heavy action spincast combo w/ 20 lb. test line and a 7’ Browning medium
action rod w/ an ABU-Garcia baitcast reel with 8 lb. test line. Because of it’s lack of sensitivity, I found
that the Zebco was best suited to “static” use; allowing the fish, sharks for
the most part, to hook themselves. The
lighter action Browning offered a more active approach. I held it and attempted to set the hook when
fish (whiting, blues, pompano) hit.
Hook Size: I found your smallest hooks
to be too large for the small fish most commonly being caught. Large hooks, heavy line and a heavy rod
combined to produce a lot of lost bait.
Larger hooks do have their place, as I will note later.
Bait: As with all fishing gear
and regalia a large variety exists to please the real and imagined needs of
every fisherman. The reality is
this. Shrimp is the main food source
present in the area and thus the best bait.
Eschew squid, mullet, chopped up whitefish and pink shrimp. The frozen “green” shrimp sold at the pier
are of acceptable quality, the head-on (or off) fresh green shrimp sold from
“the shrimp guy’s” pickup truck are better.
Tear off the head, tear off the tail, and place the hook
longitudinally, along the back, through the flesh, so that the hooks barb
protrudes amidst the shrimp’s lifeless feet.
If bait is at a premium due to cost or supply you may choose to bait the
hook sideways, in and out of the shell twice, thus better securing the bait.
“Old man told me if you use that pink shrimp you
ought not even cast your line out”
-Cracker Boy, Folly Beach Pier, July 2003
Sinkers: While a 4 oz. sinker may be necessary to
anchor a rig against the current and surf when fishing from the beach it is not
when pier fishing. I found a 1 oz.
weight to be adequate for my lighter Browning rig but continued to use the 4
oz. sinkers for the Zebco rig, however 3 or even 2 oz. would be worth experimenting
with. The advantage of using 4 oz. from
the pier is the ability to place the rod in a holder and tighten it until the
rod bends slightly, this allows for a better visual indication of activity at
the terminal end of the line. The
downside of the additional weight is a decrease in sensitivity when the rod is
actually in-hand. That didn’t sound
right…
Pier Location: During the morning and
early afternoon it is best to be at the end of the pier in the deeper clearer
water. When fishing at the end of the
pier the possibility exists for hooking a large game fish (mackeral, tarpon) so
a larger hook, especially on the Zebco rig, would be in advisable. As evening approaches fishing may be better
closer to shore, just past the surf, as fish move toward shore to feed. Periods of high tide and calm, clear water
are considered best. Keep your eyes on
the water as muddy clouds can move through making a move prudent. I also found it useful to keep an eye on
other fishermen and/or to have a member of our party occasionally walk the pier
to see if the fishing is better elsewhere.
Do not hesitate to change spots frequently.
Summary: I settled on the following
procedure. I used a 4 oz. sinker and
your smallest hooks on the Zebco. I cast
it out as far as I could, let the sinker find purchase in the sand, placed the
rod in the rod holders provided and snugged up the line. This line was mostly intended to catch
sharks, rays or, hopefully, large game fish.
My Browning was rigged with some smaller hooks a kid from Georgia gave
me and a 1 oz. weight. I would either a)
cast the line out as above and hold the line tight while waiting for a hit or
b) drop the line straight down next to the pier and slowly bounce it near the
bottom, again waiting to set the hook if I felt activity. Between addressing activity on both lines,
catching fish and checking and changing bait I was able to stave off boredom
and feel as if my fishing trip had been productive.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
719 West Ashley UP
719 West Ashley UP
I would give this unit a "B". I boasts two bedrooms with queen sized beds and a closed porch with a fold out couch that is adequate for kids but not adults. The kitchen and living room are connected by a breakfast bar and one wall is all book shelves. One full bath. There is another beach-side enclosed porch that includes a dining room table and another deck facing the ocean. Washer, dryer, dishwasher and central AC. Hardwood floors through out! This is the upstairs unit of a duplex, the only evidence of the full time summer resident(s) below us was the occasional coming and going of cars so privacy was not an issue for us. Downside was no beachside hose or shower (a five gallon bucket made for a passable foot washing station). Also there was the intermittent, localized smell of sewage in the doorway of the MBR. Most likely the unpleasant result of a venting problem. -Steve Z.
I would give this unit a "B". I boasts two bedrooms with queen sized beds and a closed porch with a fold out couch that is adequate for kids but not adults. The kitchen and living room are connected by a breakfast bar and one wall is all book shelves. One full bath. There is another beach-side enclosed porch that includes a dining room table and another deck facing the ocean. Washer, dryer, dishwasher and central AC. Hardwood floors through out! This is the upstairs unit of a duplex, the only evidence of the full time summer resident(s) below us was the occasional coming and going of cars so privacy was not an issue for us. Downside was no beachside hose or shower (a five gallon bucket made for a passable foot washing station). Also there was the intermittent, localized smell of sewage in the doorway of the MBR. Most likely the unpleasant result of a venting problem. -Steve Z.
507 West Ashley
507 W. Ashley
This was our first and so far only Folly Beach rental. It was one of only two beachfront properties available at the time for a group of twelve. This property is actually a duplex and we rented both units. Both units include a full kitchen, large dining/living area and screened in porch. The downstairs unit has three(?) bedrooms and two full baths. It was adequately cooled by a large through-wall AC unit. The upstairs has five bedrooms, one of which is essentially a finished corridor. The upstairs baths are both accessed through bedrooms. Upstairs residents enjoy the benefit of central AC. The house is set back from the beach and connected through the dunes by a boardwalk. The upstairs porch has a nice beach view. There is parking on the street side of the house for 4, maybe 5 cars. This property’s general condition was shabby and run down but not deplorable or unsanitary. Once we recovered from the initial shock we relaxed and enjoyed our stay. Initially a certain amount of time had to be spent fixing the hoses, converting the defunct gas grill to charcoal, cleaning the porches and getting the grass mowed. –Steve Z.
This was our first and so far only Folly Beach rental. It was one of only two beachfront properties available at the time for a group of twelve. This property is actually a duplex and we rented both units. Both units include a full kitchen, large dining/living area and screened in porch. The downstairs unit has three(?) bedrooms and two full baths. It was adequately cooled by a large through-wall AC unit. The upstairs has five bedrooms, one of which is essentially a finished corridor. The upstairs baths are both accessed through bedrooms. Upstairs residents enjoy the benefit of central AC. The house is set back from the beach and connected through the dunes by a boardwalk. The upstairs porch has a nice beach view. There is parking on the street side of the house for 4, maybe 5 cars. This property’s general condition was shabby and run down but not deplorable or unsanitary. Once we recovered from the initial shock we relaxed and enjoyed our stay. Initially a certain amount of time had to be spent fixing the hoses, converting the defunct gas grill to charcoal, cleaning the porches and getting the grass mowed. –Steve Z.
1723 East Ashley
1723 East Ashley
This home is not so nice. It’s very small, 2 br, 1bath. We stayed there once for a week, just Anna and I. It is very old, not updated, but it’s very cheap, very very small. The bedroom opens to the living room with a huge open window, so you have no privacy if you were to try and put 2 couples in here (which you should not). The stove and kitchen floor are very old and warped. It is way way at the end of the island. Almost near the lighthouse. If you need a getaway, I guess it’s o.k., but it’s not very plush. Bare bones, beach bum house. I give it a 60 (only because it’s on the oceanfront). I would not stay here again. Spend more money get something nicer. –Steve B.
This home is not so nice. It’s very small, 2 br, 1bath. We stayed there once for a week, just Anna and I. It is very old, not updated, but it’s very cheap, very very small. The bedroom opens to the living room with a huge open window, so you have no privacy if you were to try and put 2 couples in here (which you should not). The stove and kitchen floor are very old and warped. It is way way at the end of the island. Almost near the lighthouse. If you need a getaway, I guess it’s o.k., but it’s not very plush. Bare bones, beach bum house. I give it a 60 (only because it’s on the oceanfront). I would not stay here again. Spend more money get something nicer. –Steve B.
211 East Arctic
221 East Arctic
This home is the best we’ve stayed in there as of yet. It is 2 levels. 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom. One bedroom and one bathroom are downstairs, and 3 bedrooms and 2 baths upstairs. This house has an elevator that goes from the grade level (where you park) to the first floor. This is really nice for unloading your worldly possessions into this rental home, very nice for coolers and suitcases. This house has an outside shower. This master bedroom is on the second floor, with a walkout screened in private porch that is huge. It is above the regular screened in porch (so yes, 2 screened in porches). Outside the screened in porch, there is an outside sun deck. This home is very close to the pier, and very close to "downtown" FB. This house is very updated and nicely decorated. Has a great living room that is very open to the kitchen, 2 sliding glass doors. I give this house a 96. –Steve B.
This home is the best we’ve stayed in there as of yet. It is 2 levels. 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom. One bedroom and one bathroom are downstairs, and 3 bedrooms and 2 baths upstairs. This house has an elevator that goes from the grade level (where you park) to the first floor. This is really nice for unloading your worldly possessions into this rental home, very nice for coolers and suitcases. This house has an outside shower. This master bedroom is on the second floor, with a walkout screened in private porch that is huge. It is above the regular screened in porch (so yes, 2 screened in porches). Outside the screened in porch, there is an outside sun deck. This home is very close to the pier, and very close to "downtown" FB. This house is very updated and nicely decorated. Has a great living room that is very open to the kitchen, 2 sliding glass doors. I give this house a 96. –Steve B.
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
225 East Arctic
225 East Arctic (SB)
This home is awesome. It is 4 bedrooms, 3 baths. It has a very open floor plan. The bedrooms are on the perimeter of the house, all opening up to the central open living area, which is also open to the kitchen. The floors are all hardwoods and the home is nicely updated. The kitchen is very nice, and there is an ice maker (the kind where you can fill your cooler up every day and the thing is full the next day). Also there is a built in wet bar (or place to keep all your liquor). There is great screened in porch, and it is very close to the pier, within walking distance, about 3 minutes. Has a walkway to the beach. Out of rating of 1-100, I give it a 92. Very nice, I’ll always check and see if this one is available when I go to FB. –Steve B.
This home is awesome. It is 4 bedrooms, 3 baths. It has a very open floor plan. The bedrooms are on the perimeter of the house, all opening up to the central open living area, which is also open to the kitchen. The floors are all hardwoods and the home is nicely updated. The kitchen is very nice, and there is an ice maker (the kind where you can fill your cooler up every day and the thing is full the next day). Also there is a built in wet bar (or place to keep all your liquor). There is great screened in porch, and it is very close to the pier, within walking distance, about 3 minutes. Has a walkway to the beach. Out of rating of 1-100, I give it a 92. Very nice, I’ll always check and see if this one is available when I go to FB. –Steve B.
