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FIELD & STREAM

Beaufort, S.C.
A Saltwater Paradise

With a population of just over 12,000, Beaufort is about as classic small-town South as it gets. Situated in the heart of the "Sea Islands," the town caters to a steady volume of tourists. There's always some sort of festival taking place (bring your appetite if you come during the softshell crab season in April, or shrimp season in fall). But there's also an authentic local culture that has flourished in connection to the ocean, rivers, and marshes for generations. Fishing-wise, you couldn't expect to cover all the flats and inshore options for redfish, seatrout, and even tarpon at certain times of the year, in one lifetime. A short boat ride past Fripp Inlet puts you in a bluewater realm of dolphin, marlin, and more. And, like in Morehead City, North Carolina, a short drive inland points you right toward some ideal bass fishing on rivers, lakes and ponds. Aside from the fishing, there's golf, boating, birding, and plenty of historic diversions.