Labor Day 2014

Labor Day is right around the corner and beautiful weather is coming with it! After one of the hottest weeks in recent years, highs in the 80s sound wonderful. This weekend will be the perfect time to practice all of your newest yoga moves on paddle boards and find more dolphins and other wildlife in the small creeks behind Folly on kayaks. The butterflies and dragonflies are in their migration period in South Carolina, and the marsh is fluttering with the quiet sounds of their wings. The strand feeding has been incredible lately as well. Late summer and fall is the best time to see the dolphins various feeding techniques.

Don’t forget our next Full Moon Kayak Tour on Saturday, September 6^th at 7pm. This will be one of the best full moon paddles of the year with slightly cooler temperatures and less of a chance of afternoon showers.

Derek and Susan, his outfit was perfect for paddling

This summer has been a blast. Our crew of 12 was a fantastic group of hard, dedicated workers who helped bring a lot of tourists and locals into the heart of the low country. Derek used his hard earned skills and paddled across a lake to ask for his girlfriends’ hand in marriage and luckily she said yes! The famous Rick Watkins is back in town for one month from Mammoth, CA to lead you on a kayak tour. He was conducting Bird surveys and looking for Willow Flycatchers, a Californian endangered species, in Tahoe National Forrest. You can be sure he will identify all of your favorite birds while out on the water!
 

Lori and John on their engagement Kayak Tour

School is back in session now in the South, but our rental livery is still ready to tour the estuary. In fact, we are open to do kayak tours all year round! During Thanksgiving week, feel free to give us a call. The Samson I will be carrying Dolphin and Morris Island Tours out near the legendary Lighthouse, and Kayak Tours will still be paddling through the small creeks as well. Be on the lookout for the dates of our annual gear sale which will be launching in early November.

Can't wait to see you all there!
Anna and the COA Crew

June Full Moon Tour - Summer is Here!

Our next Full Moon Tour is this Thursday, June 12th at 8pm! This two hour tour paddles through the estuary, winding through small creeks, while passing birds, dolphins, and mysterious sunken boats.  This guided kayak eco-tour is $45 per person.

A collection of Morris Island Shells

June is a fabulous month in the estuary. The black skimmer has been gracing us with it's presence for the last few weeks while gliding over the surface of the water, scooping up small fish with it's larger lower bill. The cannonball jellyfish can be seen all over Charleston, washing up on beaches and floating through our waterways. The loggerheads like these jellies as an excellent supplement to their already balanced diet. Don't worry, these jellies don't sting!


COA wants to extend a warm welcome to a few new staff members really completing our team here on Bowens Island. You can be sure to have a fun time on the water with our talented Dolphin whisperer, Alex, who calls the dolphins out on tour. Molly studies Opera at school when she's not rock climbing or kayaking, and is excited to lead you on your next adventure through the estuary. Luke is our SUP specialist and can show you all the best tricks while out on the water, even when paddling backwards or standing on his head. George, Will, and Pri are our landing coordinators and they are excited to put you out on your next rental. Whether you are here to go kayaking or paddle boarding, these guys will help you out with full paddle instruction and will go over a map with you before they get you out on the water.
See you on the water soon!

Captain Red Fish Wild Bill’s Fishing Report!

Red Fish!

Sheepshead!

Within the past few weeks the bite has picked up for sheepshead, red fish, and trout. With rising water temperatures, we should start seeing the fish moving into the grass to spawn and feed. When fishing bottom structures and pylons use jig heads with live minnows and Carolina rigs with mullet. Using live bait such as shrimp, mud minnows, menhaden, and even croaker will help you set that hook. Popping corks with live shrimp and mud minnows along the grass line are starting to prove effective as well. 

   

As far as sheepshead fishing, fiddler crabs are going to be your main source of bait over the oyster meat. Due to the rising water temperatures and the spring season, the fiddler crabs are beginning to grow and mature which is making them a tastier treat for the sheepshead. Look for that black and white striped fish inshore off dock pilings and other hard surfaces in the water. Hope to see you out here soon!

Trout!

If you would like additional information on techniques or tackle, Charleston Outdoor Adventures will be happy to help. If you would like to book a chartered fishing or kayak fishing tour, call COA at (843) 795-0330.