The Trawler Spring Vol II 2022

Georgia fisherman on Miss Lia has good eating on the way with his big Dolphin caught off Fripp.

FRIPP HAS BEEN DISCOVERED AND SO HAS ITS BOATING AND FISHING

Contributed by Captain Ralph Goodison

The last few years we have seen an explosion of new owners and guests to our beautiful island. Not only have they found it has a great beach, golf courses, tennis and pickleball, and great housing and amenities, but it also has a huge estuary behind Fripp and 1.6 million acres of the ACE Basin, one of the largest areas of undeveloped wetlands/ecosystems on the east coast. With all that we have great fishing, boating and nature at our back door.

Yes we all have found out Fripp Island is a special place.

Spring has brought us great fishing and as we move to summer our fishing is some of the best in the Carolina’s. We had a short soft-shell crab season and the important horseshoe crab season is on now and fishing is good.

INSHORE: Fishing is good with catches of Blackdrum, Summer Trout, Whiting and Shark. Sheepshead are still here and Redfish are fair. Maxwell Bridge and Wardle’s Landing slowed a bit but Blackdrum, Whiting, Trout and Redfish.

Captain George on Miss Lia with his crew had a banner day off Fripp Island.

NEARSHORE: Drydock, Tire/Fripp Reef and 6HI; Good catches of Black Drum, Blackbass, Sheepshead Trout and Redfish. Some Trigger and Red Vermillion. Cobia season in the 3 mile limit looks good and opens May 1 - 31. Opening of Red Snapper season has not been announced yet by SCDNR.

DEEP WATER and STREAM: Dolphin are hot, Wahoo have slowed but Black Finn Tuna are still being caught.

FRIPP ISLAND MEMORIAL DAY FISHING TOURNAMENT Some of the best fishing of the year will greet our fishermen at the Fripp island Memorial Fishing Tournament, The 2 day tournament kicks off Thursday May 26th with registration and captains meeting 6:00-7:00 followed by a Low Country cookout by Chef Doolittle. Fish days are Friday and Saturday May 27 and 28, with weigh-ins each day 4-6 PM. An award ceremony following Saturday weigh-ins for the largest Dolphins and Wahoo. If fishing is canceled either day a make-up will be Sunday with an awards ceremony to follow. For more information call the Marina at 843- 838-1517.

The boating and fishing are here and the Marina and Ships Store can supply most of your boating and fishing needs including baits and a great deli. Excursions is a rent a center from boats, golf carts, bikes, to great excursions on Fripper. Lewis Turner and Jeff Pickney will have all hands on deck to enjoy our beautiful island.

REMEMBER “ FRIPP ISLAND IS NOT PERFECT BUT IT IS DARN CLOSE”

First Cobia of the season. Caught offshore past 3 mile limit. Cobia season opens May 1-31 inshore to 3 miles offshore.

Too big to keep. It was fun catching this Redfish on Miss Lia.

Jan is planning to fry this trout for dinner. I bet it was good!

Redfish almost as big as the young fisherman.