| Every year, Hilton Head visitors and residents enjoy a | | | | not fishing in designated swimming areas, and should |
| variety of pastimes, including tennis, golf, sunbathing, | | | | also avoid catching sharks. If a shark is caught, it must |
| surfing, sailing, and more. Another of the great | | | | be released immediately. Those who prefer to fish |
| pastimes on offer is, of course, fishing. Hilton Head | | | | offshore can of course use their own boat, rent a |
| Island fishing is so much more than a casual fishing trip | | | | boat, or use one of the charter boats offered by Hilton |
| to a lake or river. The nature of the island means that | | | | Head Island's fishing companies. Some of the charter |
| enthusiasts can enjoy fishing in lakes, lagoons, | | | | boats go a limited distance and there are some |
| estuaries, and even the deep ocean. Saltwater fishing | | | | specialized charter boats that emphasize catching |
| is predominant, but even within that category | | | | sharks (which is legal offshore). Other charter boats |
| fishermen have a number of options, from land-based | | | | head a full 70 miles offshore, taking passengers to the |
| angling to deep sea fishing from a charter boat. Those | | | | Gulf Stream for a first-rate deep sea fishing |
| not interested in the sport per se can also go crabbing, | | | | experience. |
| catch shrimp, or collect oysters so long as they follow | | | | In addition to the extensive saltwater fishing available, |
| all local and state regulations. The local fishing scene | | | | Hilton Head Island also offers angling opportunities at |
| has enough to satisfy any enthusiast. | | | | some manmade freshwater lakes, most of which are |
| First things first, however; you won't be doing much | | | | part of the drainage system. There are some |
| local angling if you are over the age of 16 and don't | | | | freshwater lagoons as well as brackish lagoons that |
| have a South Carolina state fishing license. If you don't | | | | can be fished also. It is legal to fish any lagoons or |
| have one, you need to get one, or almost any fish you | | | | lakes located within a private Hilton Head community |
| catch will be considered illegal. Several locations on | | | | without a license, but it is a good idea to check |
| Hilton Head Island are allowed to grant fishing licenses, | | | | community policy before angling. Fishing at any other |
| including Wal-Mart and True Value. You may not want | | | | location requires a state license. |
| a long-term license if you are a South Carolina visitor, | | | | The local area's fishing has a great deal to offer any |
| so the state also offers short-term licenses for | | | | enthusiasts, from freshwater lakes and lagoons to |
| vacationers. | | | | estuaries, Calibogue Sound, and of course the Atlantic |
| The vast majority of island fishing is in the saltwater | | | | Ocean. Whether you prefer to fish onshore or off, |
| areas. Onshore opportunities include fishing from the | | | | there is something for every fisherman here on Hilton |
| beach, a dock, a pier, or the bank of an estuary. Those | | | | Head. |
| that chose these locations should make sure they are | | | | |