Bottom fishing off Hilton Head Island provides a super store of fine, fresh vittles

I’m not at all sure why I waited this long to write about the oldest, largest and most remarkable grocery store right here in our own backyard. So for the delay, I apologize profusely.

But talk about variety. This store offers thousands of the finest and freshest vittles to ever hit a fork.

Directions are hard to describe because this store’s front door is around 15 miles from here. Believe it or not, the back door is at least 50 miles further away.

Did I have you going?

The grocery store I’m referring to is the incredible bottom fishing offshore here.

Honestly it is one of maybe two types of fishing where I actually reel in a fish. It’s fast paced, you never know what species you will hook and most every fish you bring up is superb table fare.

To get to this amazing grocery store, any boat from 24’ on up can load up on days when the ocean allows.

It’s easy, too.

All you need is frozen squid, hooks, 40 to 60lb. leader material, a few live baits such as menhaden or pinfish, a variety of lead weights and lots of ice and you are in business.

If variety is indeed the spice of life, then bottom fishing is proof.

The photos with this column show a few examples ofthe kind of fish waiting for you.