Salt Collecting in South Carolina?
#1
Posted 24 April 2022 - 09:24 AM
#2
Posted 24 April 2022 - 11:28 AM
From a quick glance at the DNR site it seems as if taking your gear would be worth it - but keep in mind that I do not live in South Carolina and am not a lawyer, Park official, Game officer etc.. I also failed high school honors Trigonometry.
They have some terms for nets, like 'hand held sein', 'skimbow net', and 'drop net' that I am not familiar with - it seems as if every state has slightly different net terminology.
These are the general Saltwater Regulations for the state:
https://www.eregulat...ral-information
These are the general Freshwater Regulations for the state:
https://www.eregulat...ing-regulations
These are the Nongame Freshwater Regulations and Approved Methods for Nongame Fish for the state:
https://www.eregulat...methods-devices
https://www.eregulat...its-by-location
South Carolina also recommends the use of this app(I have never heard of this app before, let alone used it):
#4
Posted 26 April 2022 - 08:36 AM
In the link above for the SW regs, I don't see anything that prevents you from collecting fish (non-game finfish) using a dip net or seines like the ones we used. They seem concerned about gamefish, shad and herring. All along the SC beaches, they sell small hand dip nets by the thousands every summer at every beach store. If you're using a larger dipnet like the "Perfect Dipnet", I don't see anything in the regs that tout them as being illegal. I would say that the two most important things that you need to do is buy a SW fishing license, and make sure not to keep any gamefish caught with a net of any size, and don't keep any protected species. It seems that the non-game fish regs apply to catching and selling, and if you're just keeping them for personal use, I don't see that as the same thing.
As for the artificial reefs section, as long as you aren't collecting on those specific reefs, I'd say you're OK. My guess is that they're offshore a bit and you'd either need to dive or snorkel, but, I'm not familiar with their locations. There probably is a map on-line somewhere that identifies them.
Hilton Head: It’s illegal to remove, harm or harass any live beach fauna (sea turtles, sand dollars, conchs, starfish, etc.) You could get fined $500. I'm not sure that applies to fishing, and what we do is a form of fishing. But, to be safe, maybe better to limit collecting in the Sound. In the Hilton Head Laws section, they define the beach locations basically as the Atlantic coast starting from Fish Haul Creek South around to Braddock Cove. They don't mention anything about wildlife in the sound, but probably wise to use your judgement.
Here's a link to the Hilton Head Island code: https://library.muni...EWAREARAR_CH1BE
I can't find any info on-line showing any restrictions beyond the state SW regs specific to Lady Island. It appears that area is not along the ocean, so I don't think that the "beach fauna" applies there. Still, you might want to stop into a bait shop and ask if they know anything.
Oh, I'd also be careful at State Parks, not so much for fish, but rather with regard to invertebrates.
I'm not a lawyer though either.
Kevin Wilson
#5
Posted 26 April 2022 - 08:58 AM
#6
Posted 27 April 2022 - 07:56 AM
Sounds like a fun trip. I think it should be pretty salty there, and you should find a variety of species in the area. Maybe you'll find more blennies. There are crested blennies, striped blennies, feather blennies, freckled blennies, and maybe seaweed blennies. There's apparently a whole bunch of goby and sleeper species. Skilletfish are there too. Also, looks like mollies and several killies and sheepshead minnows too. I'd bet you'd find some pretty good variety. I'm looking forward to your report and some pics of what you keep (when you get them in your tank)! Good luck!
Kevin Wilson
#7
Posted 27 April 2022 - 08:02 AM
Mummichogs and striped killifish are abundant in that area. If you find some brackish creeks on the island, they will also have sailfin molly, sheepshead minnow, marsh killifish, and, potentially, rainwater killifish. The most likely goby candidates are naked and freshwater. I agree with what Kevin said above. You need a saltwater fishing license and you are allowed to use dipnets. I have been doing it for 20+ years with no issues.
I have never collected on Lady Island but I have extensively on Hilton Head. I suspect the habitats will be similar.
Dustin Smith
At the convergence of the Broad, Saluda and Congaree
Lexington, SC
#13
Posted 11 May 2022 - 07:45 AM
Just from my experience, a lot of the bait shops along the SC coast that sell "mud minnows" for bait are striped killifish (Fundulus majalis). But that is generally from Edisto up to Myrtle Beach. I'm not sure what will be sold as mudminnows south towards Savannah. Although distribution is patchy, I've found some rainwater killifish, bluefin killifish, and sheepshead minnows in lot of detention ponds, ditches, or other excavated areas around developments and neighborhoods in those coastal areas. I can't speak specifically to Hilton Head / Lady Island.
Willie P
#14
Posted 16 July 2022 - 11:31 AM
#16
Posted 21 July 2022 - 09:32 AM
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