Many people visit Palmetto Dunes Resort each year for its three treasured golf courses, 24 impressive pickleball courts, beachfront hotels, or its famous fried chicken from the General Store. One of the resort’s longest amenities, the 11-mile lagoon system, should be added to any summer to-do list. Its storied history, beauty, and tranquility encourage residents and visitors to slow down and enjoy its natural habitat.
In the late 1950’s, Dr. Per Brunn, a world-famous hydrologist from Denmark, was enlisted by the Palmetto Dunes Resort to develop the lagoon to help with major drainage issues. Prior to the lagoon’s construction, the resort was on low-lying land that was constantly waterlogged and home to a completely submerged beach at high tide.
Dr. Brunn and his team mapped out the 11 miles of the lagoon’s perimeter that exists today and workers spent more than a decade digging up approximately 2 million cubic feet of soil to create the lagoon’s shape. Dredged soil was relocated to the banks of the lagoon to build up the resort’s elevation and to construct beach dunes. The new sand dunes significantly widened and elevated the beach to cut down on flooding and erosion. The project was completed in 1967.
Today, the peaceful lagoon runs throughout Palmetto Dunes and is home to alligators, fish, turtles, and 40 varieties of birds. Loosely shaped like a figure eight, the lagoon shorelines are lined with overhanging trees, golf course views, privately owned docks, and a combination of natural habitats and manicured lawns. The waterway is shady, calm, and tranquil and encourages visitors to take a deep breath.
Since the peaceful lagoon is a well-protected space, kayaking is a popular way to explore the waterway. Hilton Head Outfitters rents single and double kayaks along with three-person canoes; suggested routes can take one to two hours to complete.
Electric powered engines are allowed in the lagoon only on boats with a top speed of 5 mph. No wake is allowed, which helps protect the shorelines and wildlife. Palmetto Dunes Security patrols the lagoon for safety concerns.
Captain Trent Malphrus has spent the past three decades helping families create magical fishing memories in Palmetto Dunes.
Fishing in the Lagoon
Captain Trent Malphrus, owner of Palmetto Lagoon Charters, runs the only fishing charter company within the 11-mile saltwater lagoon. He has spent the past three decades helping families create magical fishing memories in Palmetto Dunes.
As an avid fisherman, he loves every day he gets to spend on the water, which is a good thing considering he averages 250 to 300 days each year on a boat. “My dad got me hooked on fishing as a very young kid,” he said. “It’s something I haven’t been able to shake out of my system, no matter how much I fish.”
Malphrus’ goal is for everyone to feel relaxed and enjoy their time out on the water. “This is a great first-time family fishing trip,” he said. “For me, teaching with a positive attitude means that anybody can go out and do this. My clients, especially my little kids that started with me 15, 20, 25 years ago, they’re amazing fishermen now.”
Captain Trent shows off one of his bigger catches, a Black Drum.
He guides anglers of all ages to catch (and release) a variety of saltwater fish year-round in the lagoon’s serene setting. “This lagoon is one of the most unique fisheries in the country,” Malphrus said.
Unlike most local saltwater bodies, its water levels do not fluctuate with the tides. Even though water levels remain the same, the lagoon is flushed monthly, in sync with the full moon cycle, through tidal gates to help balance the lagoon’s salinity level.
Malphrus’ boat is equipped with a trolling motor and is perfectly rigged for small fishing groups. Rods and reels are ready to go, along with fresh or cut bait, depending on the targeted species. Trips range from two to four hours with popular catches including red fish, black drum, flounder, tarpon, speckled sea trout, and blue fish. He is quick with re-baiting a line and expertly casting to the best fishing spot to keep charter customers prepared for as much action as possible.
CH2 writer Brooke Peck tosses in her line, hoping for a bite on a chilly morning in March.
Since he has been fishing the lagoon for 30 years, Malphrus knows the waterway like the back of his hand. He can easily predict where the big red fish like to hang out (under a tree near Alexander’s) and where the big black drums swim (in “the jungle” near Queens Folly).
On a recent fishing excursion, Malphrus took CH2’s Maggie Washo and Jevon Daly to explore the lagoon’s peaceful habitat. Everyone was impressed with his expertise on the lagoon. They also enjoyed the calmness of being on such a protected waterway.
The peaceful lagoon that runs throughout Palmetto Dunes is home to alligators, fish, turtles, and 40 varieties of birds.
“I think Trent Malphrus is one of the most knowledgeable local captains that you can book for an excursion,” Washo said. “He is entertaining, knows exactly where the fish are, and has a quiet sensibility about him.”
Another passenger recalled memories of fishing as a child with her grandfather. “On one narrow section of the lagoon, the tree canopy was hanging close to the boat and the water was very shallow,” she said. “I spotted a huge black drum that was casually checking out the water’s edge. Rays of sunlight were shining on the water and highlighting the fish’s shape. It was a special highlight of the lagoon’s unique habitat.”
A Great Blue Heron nicknamed “Stretch” is one of the Malphrus’ biggest cheerleaders. Stretch is always close to the dock to greet fishing groups as they arrive and when they return. Sometimes he flies along with Malphrus’ boat to check out the fishing action, not so secretly hoping a fish might show up for him.
The CH2 crew joined Captain Trent Malphrus on a lagoon fishing expedition in Palmetto Dunes on a particularly chilly morning in March. From left to right: Brooke Peck, Trent Malphrus, Jevon Daly and Maggie Washo.
In Shore Fishing with Captain Trent
When Malphrus is not navigating the Palmetto Dunes lagoon, he’s taking groups on in-shore fishing trips from Shelter Cove Marina on a 24-foot bay boat. Throughout the year, anglers have consistently caught red fish, speckled sea trout, and flounder. Bigger fish make their way to Lowcountry waterways in the summertime. Sharks, tarpon, cobia, jacks, king mackerel, triple tail and Spanish mackerel are more common catches during the warmer months.
Malphrus recently added an 18-foot Silver King to his fleet at Shelter Cove. “I’m super excited to offer fly fishing again because that is my passion,” he said.
Hilton Head Outfitters is located on the water and serves as the departure point for kayakers and those fishing with Trent Malphrus in the Palmetto Dunes lagoons.
Fly fishing can be done year-round but Malphrus gets especially enthusiastic about king tides. “The most exciting thing about the tailing tides is it’s all visual,” he said. “For most fly fishermen, blind casting is not their most favorite thing to do, but to visually be able to see your target adds a new dimension to flats fishing. That’s why people love it so much.”
For more information about Malphrus’ fishing charters, visit palmettolagooncharters.com or call (843) 301-4624.
Captain Trent Malphrus poses with one of his many blue heron buddies, Stretch.
