South Carolina has created its second inshore artificial reef with funds from a fee increase in the state’s recreational saltwater license. Located in St. Helena Sound, the new reef is 300 yards in diameter and composed of concrete habitat modules that were coated with oyster shells to simulate natural development of an intertidal oyster reef.

Concrete modules ready for deployment.

“When we went to the legislators to increase the saltwater license from $5.50 to $10 in 2002 we tried to focus the new money on areas beneficial to inshore anglers—red drum enhancement, oyster bar restoration and inshore artificial reefs that are accessible by small-boat anglers,” said Jennie Davis with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.

The first inshore reef, deployed in March in Winyah Bay, has already proved successful with anglers reporting good catches of spot, croaker, seatrout and flounder.