Boating trips Carolinas

[1650CC]

I am looking for any information on good places to go on a short day or two boating trip on a small powerboat. Anyone know of any in North or South Carolina? Thanks....

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

i heard Fontana Lake was nice for trout. Haven't been there, but my bro-nlaw goes there once/yr, and he taught highschool Ag and now sells Purina feed, so he probably has best of contacts... but then again, he always goes with a local. he's had some scary, boarhog camp stories to tell though. sounds like a very primitive (the kind i like) area.

 

[ebbtide176]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

i meant to also add that i work out of Atlanta, and i've got some clients that say Lake Hartwell is a very clear and uncongested lake... HTH

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Santee Cooper is easy to navigate and in places has wonderful lake beaches and campsites as well as good places to anchor and sleep aboard. If you go put out a line or two for cats you may get a nice suprise. If you want to talk more about it let me know my e-mail is fishbusters@hotmail.com<br />Also the Edisto and Cooper rivers are also nice.

 

[trollhole]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Okay, I will apoligize first for my comments I'm about to say. First Lake Hartwell is the most poluted lake in South Carolina. They write weekly articles in the paper warning people to not to eat any fish that you catch. The PCB levels are so high that it will take 100 years before you can eat anything out of that lake and at that maybe 1 fish a year. Also every Island on Hartwell is covered in trash from stupid rednecks who camp out there cutting down trees and spreading broken beer bottles everywhere. Furthermore in the summer it is so full more jet skis than you can shake a stick at.<br />Second Santee is not a place for beginners who don't know the lake. It way to many stumps in it for a beginner to navigate through. Though it has great fishing.<br />Now that I have said my peace hear is what I recomend. First Lake Jocasee in S.C it is the cleanest, least crowded and most beautiful lake in SC. Crystal clear water, waterfalls that fall into the lake, and good fishing. It also sits in the middle of the mountains in a valley and yes it's big.<br />Second is Keowee which is right below Jacasee has all of the above lake but just in a little flatter setting.<br />Third would be lake Norman in NC I've heard a lot of good things about that lake.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Actually Santee is marked from about where the river comes in to the dam on the lower lake. The old riverbed is tree and stump free and runs close to several nice if sometimes crouded islands. It can be dangerous to tear across either lake especially the upper one but if you stay in the markers you are fine. Also the lower end of the upper lake has a cleared navagation area. all you need to do is look at a lake map and you will see that. Any lake you visit can be trouble if you have never been there but if you use caution you should be fine. <br />Also did I mention the Edisto river in my first post if not I should include it but only if the water is up a little.

 

[dc_electricity]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Have to say that I agree w/ trollholle on choices of lakes. Jocasee is a very clear, beautiful lake. And Keowee is second. More traffic in Keowee, but like it just the same.

 

[Siemers_d]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

I have to agree on lake Jocasee. Next to the Gulf coast it's the most beautiful water I have ever seen. I plan on making that one at the top of my lakes to boat on. It'll be worth the 3 hr trip.

 

[trollhole]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

I go there every Sunday. Thought the lake is down 22ft its still beautiful. Kind of makes you feel your out west with all the big rocks exposed. Cannot wait for Oct to come that's when its time to put up the swim trunks and bolt on the downriggers to do some trout fishing!<br />

 

[meant2be]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

I live in North Carolina so here it goes....<br />Jordan Lake: Army Corp. of Engineers resevoir. Large lake with multiple state parks for camping and boating. Mainly used by family boaters, but has good fishing. Central Carolina south of Raleigh (US1).<br /><br />Falls Lake: Army Corp. of Engineers resevoir. Large winding lake. Main water supply for the Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill). Tends to run low and is plagued with Jet skis. Good fishing. Northcentral Carolina north of Durham (I-85).<br /><br />Harris Lake: Carolina Power resevoir for Nuclear plant. Great fishing (a little weedy). Public access boat launches. No parks. Central Carolinas northeast of Sanford, near Jordan Lake.<br /><br />Kerr Lake: Army Corp. of Engineers resevoir. Monster lake in the North central part of North Carolina and Southern central part of Virginia. Known for its' fishing. Quite a few marinas and parks. Due to the size can be a little rough for smaller craft when windy. North of Durham off I-85.<br /><br />Cape Fear River: Inland section. Stretch known as Dam to Dam (Haw river from the Jordan lake dam to the Cape Fear Buckhorn dam)about 6 1/2 miles. Great fishing and fantastic non-stop skiing/wakeboarding. East of Sanford access from SR42.<br /><br />Cape Fear River: Wilmington, NC. Good access to the coastal area, but filthy. Good places to tie up in Wilmington and catch a meal at dockside restaraunts.<br /><br />See "Ewwwwwwh Awwwwwwh" posting for Nuese River<br /><br />Still exploring North Carolina. Lake James in the mountains is next. "In my mind I've gone to Carolina" and stayed. <br />

 

[jeff_nicholas]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Speaking of Santee...You can splash at Santee State Park on Lake Marion, take the Diversion Canal into Lake Moultrie, then drop 80 feet at the Pinopolis lock to the Tailrace Canal. Then right into the Cooper River and on to Charleston. Talk about a variety of boating pleasures and sights...from Lake Resorts, to the monstrous Pinopolis lock, to awesome river front homes, serene stretches (some w/ alligators), rice paddies, submarines (including maybe an easy side trip to see the Hunley), the South Carolina Aquarium, Patriots Point including the aircraft carrier Yorktown, and the ever charming majesty of the Charleston Battery...<br />I never tire of that area.<br /><br />But getting back to North Carolina, there's a couple places I've only heard about:<br />Can anyone report on Lake Lure (near Chimney Rock) or Lake Summit (near Tuxedo)?

 

[meant2be]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Several years ago I took my kids and their friends to a place along Fontana Lake in western NC. It is just outside of Bryson City. There is a trail that runs the complete northern shore of the lake over to the dam called "Lakeshore Trail". <br /><br />If you want to get away from it all, this is the place. Many years ago there was a plan to build a road along this trail. Construction began, but was cancelled when the Great Smokey Mountains National park was established. The whole northern section of the lake was deemed parkland. <br /><br />From Bryson City you travel on a paved road to a 1/4 mile tunnel. This road has been named "The road to nowhere" You park at the tunnel entrance and leave civilization behind when you enter the tunnel. When you reach the other end the road ends and wilderness begins.<br /><br />This had to be some one the most beautiful areas I have ever hiked, camped and fished in. There are multiple creeks (some large enough to require relying on nature to supply the bridge - fallen trees) along the trail that lead to the lake. This is mountain hiking, up and over many ridges.<br /><br />We saw many deer, several bears and other wildlife. You can also access it from the lake on a boat. The movie "Nell" with Jody Foster was shot here for the scenes of her home.<br /><br />This is truely "getting back to nature". No facilities, no power. We toted our food and camping gear with us. Took some coolllddd baths in the creeks and took care of business like the locals.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Nick sounds like you have done the trip. Personally i have never taken a day or two and made the whole trip all at once but if you believe a local the Santee tour from Santee St Park threading your way down the old river to the harbour is a way of seeing a lot of intresting things most people will never see. I am not sure but I think at the weapons station on the cooper rivier they still will not let you through so you would have to pull out at bushy park and drive down to the harbour say remleys point and re launch to get the full effect.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Just a post for anyone reading this. There is a navy base on the Cooper river and depending upon many varriables they are doing everything from extra patrols to closing the river in that area. If you plan a trip you may want to find some way to check what the status of that area is on the day you plan on boating through. I don't know how you can find that info out as the other day without warning they closed the main road that runs through the area of the base with the PX and such leaving only the long way around for those w/o a military pass to get to work (plants on the other side of the base area) it is back open now. I can only assume that the river was closed as well and I don't have a clue why it was done.

 

[Paul Witt]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

My vote goes to Cape Hatteras and the Pamlico Sound. Great fishing, beautiful scenery. Hatteras Inlet.....stripers, drum, speckled trout, blue fish.......<br /><br />I'm ready for spring.....

 

[mrmargaritaville]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

If you don't mind a little salt water (just flush thoroughly after boating) trailer your boat to Charleston. Greatest place in North America-alot to see and do, especially from the water. Traveling up and down the intercoastal out of Charleston is a blast (I prefer down).

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Once agian the Cooper river is closed they had opened it back up but now that it is war they closed about 5 miles of it around the base. They are allowing traffic to pass here for one day but you have to apply and be escorted through. This allows those that store a boat upriver to make it down and vise versa. They intend on doing this on a regular (monthly or less) basis based on the need and number of applicants but for just a trip the river is closed.

 

[offshoreclassic]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Seems everyone forgot to mention one thing.<br />GAME WARDENS <br />S.C has about 100 times more than they need.It is nearly impossible to go fishing without being harrased by them.<br />They are worse in the coastal areas.

 

[Fishbusters]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

Realy I have been checked like 4 times in 15 years. In fact the last time I was checked I had to ask the warden to please check my license because no one ever does and I would hate to think I get one every year for nothing. He and I were talking fishing and how things had changed over the years and such and he was about to leave w/o ever asking if I had one. BTW this guy pulled up using his trolling motor stayed a short distance away and never checked the wife's license and most likely would never have checked mine if I had not asked. He had checked a couple other boats actually pulling up alongside and asking for thier licenses. Many many times I have been out and never saw a warden or were passed by them as they checked others in the area. I think our wardens are a little overworked and very understaffed considering they have both salt and fresh water to deal with as well as varrious hunting seasons running from August trough April. Admittedly they do tend to hang around where a lot of people go and usually check for violations more in crowded areas but that is thier job and just like police officers you don't usually find them patroling a quiet country dirt road.

 

[Jack Walters]

Re: Boating trips Carolinas

If you enjoy exploring Carolina waters, you may enjoy my website. Photos and text and links about neat places I have been to. It is a work in progress so if you like it Bookmark it and/or join.<br /><br /> http://groups.msn.com/CarolinaJetskiExplorer <br /><br />Don't be put off by the "jetski" part of the name. I'm just to old to paddle.