Beaufort Freshwater Fishing

The Beaufort area is surrounded with salt water rivers, marshes and tidal creeks. Who would ever think around these parts there would also be a fresh water system, let alone fresh water fishing. There are quite a few lakes and ponds in the area of Beaufort and Hilton Head, but an even larger area is just north of Beaufort. It's a river called the Combahee (pronounce it as Cum-bee).
This river changes to salt water (the salt line) around the bridge going to Charleston, at the Beaufort County line on Hwy 21.

The Combahee River is famous for its red water panfish known as red breast. The river also holds some very nice size Largemouth Bass. I spent a lot of my younger days out there,
bass fishing and taking pictures. The scenery is breathtaking, as the nature there is much like it was more than a century ago.

EMS117 : Beaufort Thunderstorm Danger

The Combahee is a very winding river, so visibility of the sky is very limited. Approaching thunder storms are very hard to spot, so keep your ears open. It's not a pleasant time being in one. Also, when under tree limbs, keep a watch out for snakes,
they do lay up on the branches, so be watchful.

The best type of boat to use on the Combahee for bass fishing is a smaller style boat,
like a 12'-17' with a short shank motor. The further up the river you go, the more narrow and shallow it becomes, plus there are a lot of submerged logs and stumps in that region.
But, that is where the big bass are, lurking under those stumps. Although I've caught a lot of bass even down to the saltline, the fun one's are up stream.
There are plenty of coves that hold some really nice bass along the way.

You know your in the right area when the water changes color, a musk brown, yet clear. The color comes from all the leaves, and believe me there are plenty of intelligent bass there. Most have been hooked several times, and know how to play the game. So...
if he throws the hook, it's not your fault he's smarter than you.

The most popular baits are really everything under the sun. But in general, plastic worms work very well and so do plugs. I've always preferred fishing with the floating plugs, only because I get a great rush seeing that monster hit the plug and just tear it apart, all in mid air. It must be a hidden emotional thing or something. Some folks use real worms,
it will just take a little trial and error.

For bream and red breast, worms and small minnows work very well. Some of them are quite large for panfish, and they all fight well. They are quite colorful
when first brought out of the water.

The Combahee holds other types of fish, such as the striped bass, or stripers as know here. They get quite large, and put up a heck of a fight. Most people catch them more towards the salt line, although they have been caught further up steam.
They will hit worms, plugs, spoons and cut bait.

Another poplar fish there is the catfish, particularly the government cats. They are caught bottom fishing usually towards the middle of the channels and the sand bar lines. These cat's can easily weigh well above 20 lbs., and some are monsters. They don't fight like a bass, but do give a good tug. Most common baits are cut bait, shrimp and stink baits. They do taste good at dinner time, and one fish can serve many dinner guests.

No matter what you fish for, or even if you catch any, the beauty and serenity of the Combahee River is quite refreshing, particularly in the early mornings when the mist is coming off the water. It's one of those few places where you can't just go once.