History of the Folly Beach “Tree of Love”

2022-12-16T09:34:12-05:00

History of the Folly Beach “Tree of Love”

If you have ever taken a stroll down Folly Beach during the holiday season, you probably came across a Christmas Tree at the 2nd Street Beach Access and you may have wondered who put it there. The answer is a lovely couple named Vanessa & John Oltmann.
Coined the Folly “Tree of Love” in honor of the amazing love and support from the close-knit Folly Beach community, the Oltmanns place the tree yearly after Thanksgiving to mark the beginning of the “Coastal Christmas” season. This special tradition for locals and visitors to enjoy and appreciate began in 2016 with a Christmas tree from Mama Jean’s at 112 E Ashley Ave, and with help from some “elf friends”. ‘Twas the beginning of a very beautiful celebration.

“We never imagined such a small gesture could bring so much joy,” says Vanessa.

While it has received much love and appreciation from its visitors, this “Tree of Love” has also been through hard times but has triumphed over all. In 2021, it was unfortunately removed from its position and thrown into the ocean. Once it was spotted, the town notified the Oltmanns and they immediately rescued it, washed the sea salt off of the tree, and salvaged all of the decorations they could. They placed the tree back in its rightful spot and it reigned unharmed over the beach throughout the rest of the season.
Now donated annually by Mama Jean’s Christmas Farm, the tree is planted in the sand and decorated with shells and ornaments gifted by the sea & the Folly Beach community. At the end of the season, each ornament is carefully removed and saved for the next year’s tree.
Next time you pass by the tree, the Oltmanns have a special ask for you to keep in mind. Whether you are a local, visited your whole life, or are joining us for the very first time, please feel free to add an ornament that represents something special to you. The people and their moments are what make Folly Beach so extraordinary, and the “Tree of Love” is just one way they show it.

December Fishing Forecast

2022-12-13T10:27:18-05:00

December Fishing Forecast

Charter Fishing in Folly Beach! December is one of the best months for fishing inshore for Redfish and Speckled Trout. These fish feed heavily in advance of our short winter, and now is the time to boat large numbers of quality fish. We typically focus on fishing large schools that gather around shallow creeks and river bends, using live shrimp and minnows that are still abundant in our waters. For the angler that likes more of a skill-based fishing charter, we can target those fish with a variety of lures. We will cast soft plastic swim baits and crankbaits. In my opinion, nothing is more fun than feeling the fish attack your lure as you are working the bait past them. When you feel the fish inhale your bait a swift hook set will get you connected and ready to do battle! On Calm days we will venture to our nearshore reefs to fish for Sheepshead and Weakfish. Both these species gather in large numbers to intercept bait fish as they begin to head to deeper waters for our short winter. We will also expect to see large Black Drum ranging from 10 to 30 lbs. at those reefs. When those tough fish inhale your bait you need to lean back and lift your rod back to turn their heads away from the rocks or you may lose them to the rocks. As always it’s best to book in advance online but feel free to text or call with questions or to book directly with us. Our weather cancellation policy is more liberal in the winter and late morning start times are more common. I would love to see you on deck this winter so let’s get you out there to enjoy some of the best fishing Folly Beach has to offer!

We are looking forward to fishing with you!
Captain Kevin Blair
843-696-423

To Book Captain Kevin Blair

Upcoming Events on Folly Beach

2022-12-14T17:52:57-05:00

Upcoming Events on Folly Beach

Plan your next winter getaway to Folly Beach, South Carolina, and join us for our fun and exciting annual events. We have something for everyone!
Want to experience something unique? 🤔 Ring in 2023 with our infamous Flip Flop Drop & Fireworks Show on Saturday, December 31st. Drop a ball on New Year’s Eve? Not on Folly. Watch the giant pair of glittery flip-flops descend to mark the stroke of midnight and enter into the new year with a bang!
Love to laugh? 🤣 Continue the fun with our hilarious Bill Murray Look-a-Like Polar Bear Plunge & Costume Contest on Sunday, January 1st. Plunge into the (not so) cold Atlantic while dressed as your favorite Bill character.
A bit of a foodie? 🍽 Treat your tastebuds to our delicious Taste of Folly Festival & Cocktail Contest on Saturday, January 14th. Eat and drink your way through Folly and enjoy live music, street vendors, and more!
Prefer the classics? 🌊 Close out the Folly Festival Season with our longest-running annual event, our Sea & Sand Festival on Saturday, February 25th. Sea & Sand is a weekend affair with something for everyone including a street festival, a sandcastle-building competition, and more.
For more information on our annual events and to plan your next stay on Folly Beach, please go to VisitFolly.com.

November Fishing Forecast

2022-12-13T12:00:45-05:00

November Fishing Forecast

Charter Fishing in Folly Beach in November is hard to beat. This is the time of year our inshore Charters can boat big numbers of Redfish, Speckled Trout, Black Drum, and several other species. The Redfish and Speckled Trout eagerly chase down mud minnows and shrimp cast under a float rig. If you want to cast artificial baits on them smaller swim, baits by Z-Man will yield solid results without the complications and cost of dealing with live bait.

Nearshore reef fishing is also great this time of year. Black Drums and Sheepshead can be found foraging around rock piles. We drop shrimp, clam strips, and Fiddler Crabs directly along the structure to entice these fish to strike. When they do, an immediate hook set is required to gain control of the fish before they swim back into the structure for safety. Weather and conditions permitting we will also pursue big schools of Weakfish that have taken up residence at the nearshore reefs. If we are lucky schools of Bull Reds can be found cruising about a mile off of Folly Beach and Charleston. In summary, there is no shortage of game fish to target this time of year so don’t be caught sitting on the couch. Call or text to get on the schedule and let’s go fishing!

We are looking forward to fishing with you!
Captain Kevin Blair
843-696-423

To Book Captain Kevin Blair

Toby’s Spooktacular Sweep

2022-12-13T13:33:52-05:00

Thank You to Everyone Who Participated in Toby’s Spooktacular Sweep on Sunday, October 30th!

It was a chilly & rainy Sunday afternoon but that didn’t stop over 100 volunteers from joining us in costume for Toby’s Spooktacular Sweep last month!
These participants walked across the island from the County Park to the Lighthouse to pick up debris off the beach, roadways, boat landing, and so much more.
The total amount of debris collected was an outstanding 10,133 items. Recorded by our amazing participants and inputted into the Litter Free Digital Journal by the South Carolina Aquarium, this data helps us keep track of how much litter debris is on our island, bring awareness to litter issues, and find solutions.
Thank you to our 18 volunteers who manned our 9 stations across the island to greet the participants, collect debris and data, and more importantly, share Toby’s amazing message. A HUGE thank you goes out to the Sweep Dragon and Folly Beach Chair Company for picking up our debris and disposing of it, and to all of the restaurants that offered amazing discounts after the sweep.
We couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you. Toby is so proud of you all for helping him keep Folly clean!

Winter 2022 Fashion Must-Haves For A Beach Vacation

2022-12-13T13:34:26-05:00

Winter 2022 Fashion Must-Haves For A Beach Vacation

What sounds more relaxing than a fun weekend getaway with no crowds and comfortable, cool temperatures? Whether it’s a romantic getaway, a family vacation, or a trip with the girls, figuring out what to pack can be time-consuming. Here are some must-haves in women’s and men’s fashion with a touch of southern charm for a Folly Beach winter.

Women love to show off a good outfit, and our winter season is perfect for flaunting stylish trends! The temperatures during this time of the year are not very harsh and for this trip, so kiss your numerous oversized and thick layers goodbye. For a warm, comforting, yet casual look, velvet pants are great and easy to style with a classic long sleeve or layer with your favorite oversized coat. For simple walks or days out on the town, an oversized sweater with a cozy pair of denim wide-leg jeans is excellent to pair with your favorite beanie! If you’d like to add some spark, bring a timelessly fashionable tote, convenient for also holding your essentials on your trip. For nights at an elegant dinner, a silk shirt layered with a blazer or trench coat will keep you looking and feeling warm, comfortable, and classy. A maxi dress or maxi skirt are effortless trendy choices to pair with your favorite cardigan. Perfect for our laid-back beach town!

For men, or wives who want to dress up their husbands, loose-fit denim jeans with a long sleeve and boots or sneakers are great for a casual look on Folly. Men wear layered pieces such as hoodies, oversized coats, flannels, and zip-ups which is a stylish and practical addition to a chic outfit. On the other hand, we all know every gentleman, at one point, will run into a situation where it is not socially acceptable to wear a hoodie and jeans. For a quick trip to downtown Charleston for a classy dinner, slim-fit denim jeans or khakis paired with a sweater or button-down are great for a sophisticated look. Boots or moccasins are great to squeeze into your suitcase for those dressier nights.

Now is the perfect time to book your winter trip. We look forward to seeing you here on your next vacation to Folly Beach, South Carolina!

October Fishing Forecast

2022-10-10T14:22:38-05:00

October Fishing Forecast

Fall fishing on Folly Beach is simply the best of the year. The waters around the inlet and Lighthouse are teeming with Bull Redfish, and the creeks and points are holding Speckled Trout, Flounder, Black Drum, and Redfish of every size. Bait is typically plentiful and the weather is most often dry and comfortable. If you allow your guide to choose the target species, you will likely have a productive, fun day on the water.

On our last few charters, we have been successfully targeting Bull Redfish just off the beach and Speckled Trout inshore. The Bull Reds have been eating Mullet, Pinfish, and Blue Crab while the Speckled Trout have responded to Mud minnows, Shrimp, and artificials. Along with the Speckled Trout, we have been catching Flounder, Black Drum, and plenty of inshore Redfish so a mixed bag has more often than not been the rule of the day. Follow me on Instagram for the most up-to-date charter results. You can also book directly online or simply call or text 843-696-4231 for information. Let’s get out on the water together!

We are looking forward to fishing with you!
Captain Kevin Blair
843-696-423

To Book Captain Kevin Blair

September Fishing Forecast

2022-10-10T14:23:10-05:00

September Fishing Forecast

Charter fishing in Charleston and Folly Beach has been good as some cooler weather has seen water temps drop by 5 degrees. We fished just off the beach recently and there were large schools of Mackerel and False Albacore mixed in with some big tackle busting Jack Crevalle. This is no surprise to me as September is typically a great month to go fishing. Big Bull Redfish are piling into the inlets and Jetties, False Albacore and Spanish Mackerel are chasing baits a mile off the beach, and big sharks are lurking around the sandbars. Just inshore Flounder, Black Drum, Speckled Trout and keeper Redfish are feeding in our tidal rivers and creeks on live shrimp, mud minnows and all our favorite artificials by Z-Man. Bait is abundant so a few quick throws of the cast net and we have full live wells. There is a feeding frenzy that begins in September and continues through the end of the year. Shorter days and the sudden influx of bait signals to every fish that it’s time to eat as much as they can before the water cools down. Let’s get you out there to enjoy it with us! Call, text or book online. See you on deck!

We are looking forward to fishing with you!
Captain Kevin Blair
843-696-423

To Book Captain Kevin Blair

August Fishing Forecast

2022-08-12T15:12:23-05:00

August Fishing Forecast

Folly Beach fishing Charters have been good recently as weeks of good weather and calm conditions provided some excellent fishing conditions. There is plenty of fun to be had for anglers of every age and skill level. Bait is flush in the system and now through the end of December we typically experience the best fishing of the year. The big Bull Redfish run is in full swing and should stay fairly consistent through the middle of October.

Bull Reds are currently hitting on Blue Crab, Menhaden, Mullet and cut Bluefish. We have been fishing around structure and deep drop offs. Shark fishing has been a crowd pleaser as these predators hug the beaches and prowl the inlets in search of an easy meal. Black tips and Spinner sharks have been chasing Menhaden and live Mullet. Inshore Speckled Trout, Flounder and Redfish remain a favorite target. We have been casting assorted live bait such as finger mullet, mud minnows and shrimp to our inshore fish while some schools of inshore Redfish seem to favor cut baits.

Deep Sea trips are finding King Mackerel, Triggerfish, Cobia, Snapper, Grouper and Amberjack for anglers that want to venture farther off the coast. Text me at 843-696-4231 for a quick response to your questions or book online 24 hours a day. See you on deck soon!

We are looking forward to fishing with you!
Captain Kevin Blair
843-696-423

To Book Captain Kevin Blair

July Fishing Forecast

2022-07-14T09:27:03-05:00

July Fishing Forecast

Folly Beach fishing charters have been enjoying great catches lately! Deep Sea fishing charters have been catching Cobia, King Mackerel, Spadefish, Mahi Mahi Sea Bass, Triggerfish and too many species to mention. Inshore and Jetty fishing charters in Folly Beach have been on a consistent Redfish and Speckled Trout bite. We are also catching some nice Flounder and Spanish Mackerel. The shark bite and Bull Redfish bite has been good around the inlets, sandbars and deeper water just inside the harbor and inland waterways. We have some Tarpon showing up in the area and though we haven’t landed one yet we have had a few hookups. Live and fresh cut bait such as shrimp, mullet and menhaden have been the most dependable baits inshore during our trips but a proficient angler can still do well with plastics and hard baits. If you have questions or would like to reserve a date text, call, email, book directly online here at https://www.charlestonfishrodbendingcompany.com/book-online/ . We are looking forward to fishing with you!

We are looking forward to fishing with you!
 Captain Kevin Blair
 843-696-423

To Book Captain Kevin Blair

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