Oysters In The Beaufort

Oysters

Beaufort's Treasure In The Mud

As one looks out over the Beaufort bay, they see a beautiful body of water. Seven hours later, they see a completely different sight. As the water withdraws, it gives up huge sections of mud mounds, and on these mounds, lay a treasure for thy mouth.
Oysters... As far as you can see. Millions of them.
And the beauty is, collecting oysters for food is probably the least expensive of all types of fishing. And if you have never eaten a fresh oyster, well... you haven't eaten an oyster!

Actually you don't "catch" oysters. You pick them, right out of the mud. Special gear required, just a pair of heavy canvas gloves and some heavy old boots, military one work really well for this. The only picking gear you need is a bucket. That's it. You just go out there, wade through the mud and get them and put them in the bucket. It is a lot of work walking in this mud, it's called gumbo mud. Its thick and does not release your feet without somewhat of a fight. I guess this is natures way of making it not to easy pickings. So if you have health problems, let someone else do it for you.

Do not collect oysters after a heavy rain storm, because they can be contaminated.
Always check new beds out with authorities at the Fish & Wildlife Department
just to make sure that bed has not been closed.
To check bed closings call :
(843)740-1590 or web address at page bottom

EMS117 : Beaufort Oyster Danger

Oysters are razor sharp, and even with gloves, they can make a very nasty and deep cut, sometimes without you feeling it.
Make sure you grab an ouster from the side, not the top. Also, when wading into the mud, always have someone on the shore who can summon help in the event you get stuck or exhausted.
That mud WILL be covered with 6 to 9 feet of water shortly.

The most popular is roasting or steaming over a fire. This is the way the locals do it. They build a bonfire, then when it's burned down some, and the embers are hot, they take a piece of tin or other non gavalnized metal and lay it on top of the embers. They lay the oysters on that, and cover with a piece of dampened wet burlap. Just let them steam until desired, usually 15 minutes or longer if desired. Be careful chewing them, you just might find a pearl. ( a real one ).

Oyster Roast Party...
All around the Beaufort area in the fall, oyster roast parties are the norm. With lots of people, beer, volleyball and buckets of oysters, it's the party of all parties.
There is nothing like it, and can be a fantastic way of meeting up with your friends from yesteryear...
and even make some new ones.

State License & Regulations

License	YES : Marine Recreation Stamp - Resident & Nonresident same.
Limit	YES : 2 U.S. bushels per person per day
Season	YES : Sept 16- May 14 - can be shortened or extended by State.

Shellfish maps are available free from the SCDNR.
To check current regulations:
SCDNR Regulations