With daylight savings behind us, Fall is officially in full swing here in Charleston. Even though it may be getting darker earlier and the temperatures are beginning to drop, there’s still something great that comes with the colder temperatures; Oysters!

Charleston’s coastal location makes Oyster Roasts a fall/winter- long event, with some serving up only the best of the best. The events also usually include music, vendors, and other fun activities in addition to just eating oysters.

Here are just some of the many pearls in Charleston when it comes time to get shuckin’:

Fall Oyster Roasts at Bohemian Bull 

• Every Thursday from 6-9, head to Bohemia Bull for their annual oyster roast! For just $15, enjoy all you can eat oysters with daily beer specials while listening to great local musicians. 

Palmetto Society Oyster Roast

• The 14th Annual Palmetto Society Oyster Roast is on November 16 and begins at 7pm on 375 Meeting St Downtown. Not only will there be plenty of oysters, but there will also be a plethora of food trucks, local beer, entertainment, and raffles. With tickets at $40 a pop, you won’t want to miss this.

Oyster Roast At the Washout

• Wednesdays are rockin’ at The Washout. Enjoy live music by Brady Smith and Dale Baker while savoring delicious oysters. The fun begins at 6pm! 

Cistern on the Half Shell: A Lowcountry Oyster Roast 

• The College of Charleston’s Alumni Weekend Oyster Roast will take place on Saturday, November 23rd from 12-3pm. The Cistern Yard will be filled with past alumni, student organizations, live music performed by The Bluestone Ramblers and of course, Clyde the Cougar! Tasty Lowcountry oysters, incredible chili, hot dogs, chips and fixings will all be on deck! Tickets can be found at http://bit.ly/CofCFAW19OR 

Shuckin’ For Surfers Oyster Roast

• Loggerhead’s Beach Grill will have their first oyster roast of the season on Saturday, November 30th from 1 – 5pm! Enjoy live music by Teresa “Sweet T” Parrish from 2:30 – 5:30pm while your spoiled by all you can eat oysters & BBQ for just $20! Bring the family out for a delicious day of fun for jus $20 – a portion of the proceeds will benefit Warrior Surf Foundations.  

Low Country Oyster Festival

• Set to be held on January 26th this year at Boone Hall Plantation, the Low Country Oyster Festival is not one to be missed for any local oyster connoisseur considering it’s actually the World’s largest oyster festival. Named one of the top 20 events in all of the southeast, this charitable fundraiser has something for everyone. Between oyster-related contests, activities for the kids, and all the food and drink you’d want to consume, you’re going to want to put this on the calendar. You can purchase your tickets for $17.50 now or pay $25 on the day of the festival. 

The world is truly your oyster this season with these local events!

The Charm is Catching On 

We are so excited to announce that Folly Beach has been featured in Trip Advisor’s “12 Charming Small Towns in the South!”

If you, like most, are a lover of Folly Beach, then you know our little beach town’s got something special. The article reads, ” For a small town, Folly Beach sure knows how to have a good time!”

To read the full article on Trip Advisor, click here. 

November Fishing Forecast

November is here and Folly Beach charter fishing has switched gears for fall fishing. That means we are spending more time casting artificials baits as fish have grouped up in typical late-year fashion. We have experienced our first cold front now and our waters are cooling down. Our fish take that as a sign that it’s time to fatten up for winter, so overall expect good fishing in Charleston and Folly Beach.

Deep-Sea fishing and nearshore fishing charters will focus on reefs as Snapper, Sea Bass, Bonito, Black Drum, and Bull Redfish hover on a structure just off the beach. Jetties and rock piles will hold schools of Sheepshead, Weakfish and other species as predators gather around to ambush schools of baits migrating south. Depending on water temperatures this activity can last through the end of January.

Inshore fishing charters will focus on Speckled Trout and Redfish in the creeks as those fish also group up in current breaks to gorge on shrimp and minnows. Most times we will fish with live bait and soft plastic baits on light tackle. This doesn’t mean that those fish are small though as it’s common to catch Redfish well over the 10 lb mark. Hope this report helps you get ready for some of the best fishing of the year! Let’s get out there together! You can check our availability and book your fishing charter directly online right from our website.

Captain Kevin Blair

Charleston Fish Rod Bending Co

www.charlestonfishrodbendingcompany.com

https://www.facebook.com/charlestonfishrodbendingco?ref=hl

843-696-4231

Halloween on Folly

1. Loggerheads Annual Halloween Party & Costume Contest

Annual Folly River SUPer Scary SUP Race

King Tides

As Charleston locals we are accustomed to the high tides, but have you ever heard of King Tides? The term ‘King Tide’ is a non-scientific term used to describe extremely high tides. In Charleston, the average tide is about 5.5 feet, but during a King Tide, it can reach 7ft or higher. These tides occur when the moon is either new or full and is closest to the earth in its monthly orbit.

Effects of King Tide can vary, sometimes these tides can go un-noticed but other times they are extreme and cause damage. They are known to cause coastal erosion and flooding in low-level areas and can hinder day-to-day activities if roads are shut down.

Environmentalists are asking people to start documenting King Tides to show the impact of the tides over time as these are a glimpse of future everyday water levels. They also say that highlighting King Tides can be crucial in potential sea-level rise impacts and identifying flood-prone locations. 

For more information on King Tides or how to help document them check out https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-04/documents/king_tides_factsheet.pdf or https://www.scdhec.gov/environment/your-water-coast/ocean-coastal-management/coastal-zone-management/coastal-hazards/king.

National Seafood Month

October is National Seafood Month, and the Lowcountry is the best place to celebrate. Charleston is known for the mouth-watering restaurants that are found on every street corner. Folly Beach has plenty of delicious restaurants to shellaborate throughout October! 

We’ve gathered some of our favorite restaurants that are guaranteed to quench your seafood cravings while also offering a fun and welcoming atmosphere for visitors and locals alike.

Pier 101

Pier 101’s prime location on the Folly Beach Pier seems almost too good to be true…Luckily, their seafood lives up to the hype. Pier 101 offers only the freshest seafood options (as they should, given they’re literally on the water) and switches up traditional seafood preparations by putting their flare on their menu items. Pier 101 allows you to enjoy your seafood this National Seafood month while sitting on the sea, How can you beat that?!

Snapper Jack’s

Snapper Jack’s motto “Come for the food, stay for the view” couldn’t be any more true. Their seafood and raw bar menu offer something for every type of seafood craving, while their rooftop has the best view in Folly. All we know is, after your trip to Snapper Jack’s, you’ll be left wondering if the food or the view was better.

Rita’s Folly Beach

Whether you’re craving shrimp, salmon, oysters, or a fish taco, Rita’s has their seafood recipes down pat. Their location is unbeatable, located only a few steps away from the beach and Folly pier. 

The Crab Shack

Not only is The Folly Beach Crab Shack named one of the top 10 seafood joints in South Carolina, but they also offer a unique and beachy atmosphere for all their visitors. They have live music and entertainment almost nightly, and their daily Raw Bar and Crabby Hour specials are unbeatable. When you come to the Folly Beach Crabshack, you’re in for a tasty, authentic experience that’s bound to impress even those who don’t necessarily love seafood.

We hope this list of restaurants helps you to narrow down your choices this National Seafood Month! No matter where you chose to go, you really can’t go wrong.

October Fishing Forecast

Fall fishing in Folly Beach is something you simply shouldn’t miss! October usually provides a reliable bite and ample opportunity to catch multiple species that live inshore, nearshore and out in the Deepwater. Our Deep Sea charters have been catching Vermilion Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, King Mackerel, Sea Bass and plenty of other bottom fish. Be ready to put your back into it as all these fish will try to head back to the reef as soon as you set the hook. Nearshore fishing charters have been successful targeting big Redfish, Black Drum, Bonito and Spanish Mackerel just off the beach. These drag peelers will require patience and a perfect cast, but once you get your bait it in front of one these feeding fish you will have your hands full.  Inshore fishing charters in Charleston has also been good with Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder hugging the grass lines and oyster beds in shallow water searching for minnows, crabs and shrimp.

Captain Kevin Blair

Charleston Fish Rod Bending Co

www.charlestonfishrodbendingcompany.com

https://www.facebook.com/charlestonfishrodbendingco?ref=hl

843-696-4231

 

October Fishing Report

Fall has arrived with cooler weather and shorter days. But don’t put your boat away just yet because we’re about to have the best fishing of the year! Fishermen can continue to find success with live bait but artificial lures should become increasingly effective. Take time to get out on the water, you won’t regret it.

Redfish have been eagerly eating live and cut bait fished on the bottom. Mullet are pervasive in our waters and can be easily netted while frozen bait can be used as a second choice. We’ll rig the bait on a size 3/0 circle hook paired with a Carolina rig. You can use this setup under docks as well as on the flats. Just put the rod in the holder and wait for the reel to start screaming as the fish hook themselves.

Artificial lures have begun to really work for trout and the traditional paddle tail design has been great. I’ll use a 1/4oz. jighead and tie a loop knot to give the lure even more action. Vary your rate of retrieve as you search for fish. To make your lure even more seductive, try putting a piece of shrimp on the hook. You can use pieces of frozen or live shrimp and it will put a scent trail on your lure that is hard to resist.

Even as artificial lures become more effective, don’t stop tossing those popping corks. Mud minnows, live shrimp and artificial shrimp have been working well when suspended about two feet below the cork. Redfish and trout alike will eat these baits as they pass by suspended in the water column. Corks have been most effective when fished along grassy banks at mid and high tide.

With the lower temperatures, redfish are beginning to form bigger schools. These large schools make for excellent sight fishing and happy fly fishermen. On clear days, you can see these packs of redfish swimming in circles with their golden backs flashing in the sun. Take your time when approaching the schools and when you make your first shot make sure to cast to the edges so as not to spook the school.

See you on the water!

For over a decade, Capt. Geoff Bennett has operated Charleston Charter Fishing providing light tackle charters. Clients choose from a full menu of artificial and live bait fishing options with charters tailored to their desires. USCG licensed and insured, Capt. Bennett is committed to providing a safe and enjoyable charter to anglers of all skill levels and ages. For more information, call Capt. Bennett at 843-324-3332, visit his website at www.charlestoncharterfishing.com or email him at [email protected].

Falling in Love With Folly

September 23rd was the official First Day of Fall, although it may not feel like that quite yet on Folly Beach. While residents of other cities around the country find comfort in their big sweaters and chunky scarves, Folly residents reside in their beach chairs and tank tops for as long as they can. However, don’t be confused, Pumpkin Spice Lattes and Carved pumpkins are still seen throughout the Lowcountry. Though the summer is over and the Carolina sunshine will soon be replaced by the chill of the ocean in the Winter, spending the transition months on Folly Beach is not a bad way to embrace Fall. We’ve got some fun ways to embrace Autumn while you Fall in love with Folly! 

Go shark-tooth Hunting

Shark tooth hunting is a fun activity that gets everyone engaged! Shark teeth can be found on the shores of Folly Beach every day; with the weather beginning to cool down, it is a relaxing and fun way to get out everyone outside. You can bring your friends, your partner, or even go alone. If you’re the competitive type, you can even make a game out of it! If you’re new to shark tooth hunting, check out this guide in the link below to get you started:https://www.follybeach.com/finding-shark-teeth-on-folly/

Go to Community Yoga 

Fill up your Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 10-11am every week with community yoga at Folly River Park (or the library during inclement weather). Despite your level of practice and expertise, the class is open to all those looking for a tranquil hour of activity. The class is a love based donation class, which suggests $10 donations. Just show up, be respectful, be present, and your work is done! For additional info on Folly Beach Community yoga, visit the link below:

https://www.cityoffollybeach.com/event/community-yoga-2/?instance_id=7572.

Head to the Farmer’s Market 

Folly Beach is all about supporting local businesses! Every Monday from 4-8pm in Folly River Park is the Folly’s Farmer’s Market. Grab some fresh produce to start your week off right while supporting your community. The market has a medley of vendors from produce, clothing, and jewelry! The Farmer’s Market is also implementing a potluck dinner on October 7th from 4-8pm. Visit FollyBeachFarmersMarket.org for more info. 

To learn about more events to keep you busy this Fall, check out Folly Beach’s calendar and website:

https://www.follybeach.com/activities/