As many of you know, Jessica was featured in my blog many times, and her great tips and fishing reports were so appreciated by all her followers.  Just before her untimely passing, we had been working on an article about surf fishing.  I would go by Perry’s often to see how she was doing with the article, but unfortunately due to some distractions, she was unable to get her notes completed in time for me to be put them together for my article in Waccamaw Outdoor Magazine.   When she finally finished her notes, handwritten on sheets of paper, she gave them to me, and I have kept them for the last year wishing so much that I could have published her article.  I have decided with the blessing of her father, Craig, to publish her last fishing article today.  These are her words, unedited and never before published.  I know she would be happy to share these tips with her followers, whom she adored, and without a doubt, all who loved her very much.  

Jessica’s last fishing tips

Surf Fishing 101 By Jessica Doehner – Perry

Where to go:  Anywhere you get to the beach you can go surf fishing, however, there are several areas that have become more popular with the surf fishing crowd than others.  

From North to South in our vicinity:  The entire stretch from Springmaid Pier to Surfside Pier, particularly concentrated at the stretch in front of the Holiday Inn (just North of Surfside Pier).  There is a double set of ledges running out in front of this area.  Great area overall with best results late summer to mid to late fall.  Weakfish (or summer trout/gray trout) caught with more frequency here than any other stretch.  Also great for bull reds on the spring as well as fall run.

Hot spots Garden City Beach: Most popular is an area referred to as “the Point” or south end of the peninsula approaching the north jetty.  Because you are close to the mouth of the inlet, you can get a larger variety of fish in that area.  It is a melting pot of your typical blues, whiting, spots, croakers, pompano, sharks (most frequently caught species caught off our beaches) as well as flounder, red and black drum, and even speckled trout in the late fall- early winter as they ambush the shrimp moving down the beach against the rockfall.  While the north jetty is made of angulated rocks (and not great for walking out on too far) fishing the edge where rock and sand meet at the base of the wall for the flounder to about 3′ to 5′ off base for reds and black drum can be very productive.  Rocks pile high where they touch the beach with a little dip little ways out. This is where you can slay speckled trout when the tide is up.  Lures or live shrimp or mullet fished through this dip very productive.

Pompano Specific Hot Spots Garden City Beach:  Across from Yucca Street and Pompano Drive (go figure).  Best to target these in the middle tide falling typically.

Entire Stretch of Huntington Beach State Park:  Better and better results as you approach south jetty.  Quite a walk (1 1/2 to 2 miles roughly) but very productive also.  The south jetty is paved on top and about 3/4 mile of which 1/2 sticks out into the ocean.  In addition to all the species mentioned for the north jetty, including increased possibilities of Spanish and sheepshead, as well as even kings and cobia if you are lucky enough to be in the right place late spring-early summer when the bait balls first show up.  Landing fish can be difficult at times through the rocks surrounding the paved portion but definitely a place worth venturing in terms of variety.  If the long walk is not for you, the whole stretch of surf at Huntington is still a great surf fishing spot.  I get more reports of red and black drum as well as flounder off the surf on this stretch than any other.  Fish slough to target reds or black drum or trough between sandbars (the area just beyond break) for flounder and black drum.

Pawleys Island:  Public parking at the south end of Pawleys Island (about 8 miles south of Murrells Inlet) with quick and easy access to surf.  In and around rock piles productive with a most popular spot at the north end.  While parking at the north end can sometimes be a problem, the miniature jetty scenario at the north end is a tried and true hot spot for local inlet and surf fishermen alike.  With flounder, black drum and speckled trout being the main game fish of interest.  While Hurricane Matthew has filled in the area with sand, compared to previous years, it still makes it on my list of places worth trying.

FISH ON, JESSICA!!!!!!!!!

Maggie trying her best to surf fish on the south end Garden City

Upcoming Fund Raising Events:

2nd Annual Perry’s Benefit- Saturday, November 10, 2018, at 7:30 AM – 8 PM