Whether fly or spin fishing, in fresh, brackish, or salt water, Brays Island is an angler’s paradise. Surrounded by tidal saltwater rivers with direct access to the ocean, our community is a year-round fishery for redfish, speckled trout and flounder, with seasonal runs of cobia, jack crevalle and tarpon.
Our unique salt water ponds, which cannot be replicated today, draw many of the species listed above, including trophy redfish up to 40 pounds. Found in the rivers and waterways that surround our community, many owners set out to reel in redfish either in their own boats or with onsite boat captains Bryan and Jess.
As our resident experts, Bryan and Jess search for opportunities to get owners involved and excited about our lowcountry waterways. With that, the boating department created the first “Reel Ladies of Brays Island” event in 2014 to encourage all ladies, from beginner to avid angler, to get out on the water and fish. The one-time event blossomed a unique fishing cohort - The Reel Ladies. Limited to just seven participants each trip, the event quickly became popular, accumulating a waitlist for each excursion. All bait, tackle, rods and reels are provided by Brays, so it’s truly a relaxing day.
The Reel Ladies fishing trips are open to all women owners and guests, while the men have a dedicated fishing group of their own. The small crew, varying from event to event, offers an intimate experience on the water for those familiar (or not) with the sport of fishing. With hands-on captain attention and knowledge, many owners who have never cast before have brought home some trophies. Offering an opportunity for new and long-time owners to get to know each other, the four-hour trip brings the women together in a unique way throughout the fall fishing season.
When the Reel Ladies return to the dock, they can have captains Brian or Jess clean their catches (or do it themselves) and either bring it home for dinner, or bring it to Chef Ron to prepare however they wish. We call it “from hook to table.”