It’s no wonder why the “lowcountry” got its nickname. Sitting just above sea level, we’re tied to the rising and lowering tides every day, apparent twice a day throughout our marshes and rivers. Not only does this mean we receive stunning views of the water at high tide, but it also drives much of the nutrients for local marine wildlife.
A fraction of the 30 plus onsite ponds here at Brays pre-date Sumner Pingree and the creation of Brays Island as it’s known today. About 10 of those ponds are saltwater ponds that have been grandfathered into the property and are a treasure that developers simply could not replicate today. With that, we take on the responsibility of managing these tidally-influenced impoundments for fishing and maintaining an ecosystem important for migration patterns.
Our salt ponds adjoin the tidal salt marsh and are stocked by mother nature during the ebb and flood of the tides. When the tide pushes in, the pond gates open and fish, crabs, and shrimp all get pushed into the ponds. When the tide reaches full high, the gates close and everything is trapped. This helps foster a healthy ecosystem, resulting in the plethora of fish we find in these ponds today - up to 40 pound redfish in addition to speckled trout, flounder, black drum and even seasonal baby tarpon. These thriving ponds are also frequented by wading birds and waterfowl, making Brays Island a favorite - an important - stopover and home for many species.
Fishermen also enjoy the shallow ponds as they are able to sight fish where the fish are feeding, making them the perfect place to target big fish with a fly rod.
As a whole, the lowcountry is one of the highest tidal differentials in the country with a 9-foot difference from high to low tide. Billions of gallons of water floods in on a daily basis which support a wealth of life in the environment around Brays. With a semidiurnal tide, the marsh is the most impactful ecosystem we have in the lowcountry. It’s first a filter for the ocean and with that, becomes a nursery ground for drum, flounder, sharks, and more.
The most unique result of the tides and our surrounding lowcountry marshes is dolphin strand feeding. A specific sub-population of Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphins, distinguished by their smaller size and lighter coloration, reside only in South Carolina marshes. They have become adept apex predators and developed unique and fascinating feeding methods such as strand feeding - a learned behavior seen in only a few places in the world. We're lucky enough to have them as neighbors here on Brays!
Planning your next fishing trip? Check out NOAA’s tide guide for the neighboring Sheldon station.