I guess stupidity is just a signs of the times

With apologies to Bill Engvall for intruding on his territory, I can't help but believe there is enough stupidity in the world to be shared. Although not intentional, many times the start of a conversation can be awkward. Take for instance the fisherman returning to the dock with a stringer of fish. On the dock was another angler who had not caught a fish. Looking to gain information on the bait and technique he asked, "Catch all those fish yourself?"

To which came the reply, "Nope, they were looking the other direction and I just scooped them out of the water." Or the fisherman who was teaching his wife how to back down the boat ramp, an onlooker stated, "She looks like she's having a bit of trouble."The classic return: "Yeah, she's a bit nervous. How about keeping an eye out in case the owner shows up?"

Fripp Island King Mackerel Tournament rescheduled

Due to a conflict with another regional fishing tournament, the Fripp Island Warm-up Tournament has been rescheduled for April 25 and 26. There will be a captains' meeting on the 25th followed by a festive cookout. This new date will give anglers more opportunity and warmer water conditions which should improve the fishing. Lines can be in the water at 6 a.m. on the 26th and the weigh-in will conclude at 6 p.m. For more information, call the marina at 843-838-1517.

HHIFFC plans Freshwater Excursion

The Hilton Head Island Flyfishing Club is offering a 2008 Freshwater Excursion on the South Holston and Watauga rivers. Contact Don Kowtko at 843-681-6338 for details and the agenda.

Beaufort Water Festival Fishing Tournament

A return to the older format, this year's event will host only one tournament. The offshore event, which was combined with last year's tournament, has been discontinued. This year's banquet will be June 8. The location is presently in limbo and will be announced at the captains meeting which will be held June 6. Weigh-in will once again be at the Downtown Day Dock and the tournament date will be June 7 (Beaufort waters only).

Brochures will soon be available at local marinas, tackle dealers and other business locations throughout Beaufort and Hilton Head. The prize distribution will be on a point basis with three points for each first place fish, two points for second and one for third. Awards will be $2000 for first place, $1400 for second and $1000 for third. In addition, there will be door prizes awarded during the banquet.

Species for this year's event will be King Mackerel, Spot-tail Bass, Trout, Flounder, Sheepshead, Cobia, Spadefish, Spanish Mackerel, Black Drum and Bluefish. Registration is also available online at bftwaterfestival.com.

Firearms Recall

There is a Ruger Firearms recall for the SR-9 pistol. Ruger has determined that some pistols manufactured between Oct. 2007 and April 2008 can, under certain conditions, fire if dropped with the safety in the off position. Contact the SR-9 recall hotline at 800-784-370 for information on having this no-charge retrofit applied to your pistol. The recall applies to pistols with a serial number prefix 330.

Youth Turkey Hunts

South Carolinians under the age of 18 can participate in youth hunting days, as long as a licensed hunter at least 21 years of age accompanies them. Previously, no one under the age of 10 could hunt wild turkeys. You can contact the National Wild Turkey Foundation's Beaufort chapter for more information on regulations and club news, events and programs by calling Mike Hoffstatter at 803-613-9042 or sending an e-mail to mhoffy108@comcast.net

S.C. Governor's Cup schedule amended

For more information, contact Amy Dukes, Tournament Coordinator Office of Fisheries Management SCDNR -- Marine Resources Division at P.O. Box 12559, Charleston, SC 29422or call 843-953-9365. You can also e-mail dukesa@dnr.sc.gov.

Other tournaments include the Edisto Marina Billfish Tournament May 14-17, the 41st annual Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament May 28-31, the Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina Tournament June 25-28, the HMY/Viking Megadock Tournament July 9-12 and the Bohicket Marina Invitational Billfish Tournament July 23-26.

Active Species

Trout are hitting minnows and shrimp from the grass and along the edges of the points. Spottail Bass continue to school in small numbers over the shallows, mud flats are preferred. Sheepshead have returned to bridge pilings and good numbers of whiting and croaker are showing from the docks and piers.

Baits for the striped bandit are small fiddlers while shrimp and small cuts of fresh fish will fill your stringers with large whiting and plentiful croaker. Flounder are moving once again along soft mud stretches which shadow the larger creeks.

There has been few offshore reports with the exception of a good concentrations of bottom fish. Anglers are eager for the Cobia run but the lack of offshore sightings and juveniles around the outer buoys is showing some concern. Water temperatures are now steady, but it will take three days of stable outside temperatures to get them moving closer inshore.

Stable conditions continue to evade us and Mother Nature remains on cue for April showers. Another week and things will begin to warm quickly. Indicators show water temperatures are on the rise, which dictates promise for an early spring run and active fishing conditions. On the less overcast days with warmer conditions there has been abundant baitfish in the creeks and rivers, good numbers are being charted along mid depth levels and with clear conditions and warmer waters surface activity should resume. All this adds up to hungry gamefish, optimistic anglers and good days ahead.

Area Ponds and Large Lakes

While waiting for the turn in saltwater activity to materialize, many fishermen are working ponds, lakes and brackish water reaches. Good numbers of largemouth bass and a variety of smaller panfish can be taken at this time. A good approach for bass has been to leave the lead at home, forget the bullet weights and the Texas rigging. Go light. By using a seven foot rod and a 6-to 8-inch black plastic worm on light weight spinning gear you may master the still water. Tie directly to the hook and rig the worm with the barb outside. Use a small bit of cork pegged at the head of the worm with a toothpick and spray on a bit of scent. The weight of the worm is enough for your cast and without any lead the worm should float just on or under the surface. By lifting your rod tip slowly the worm will skirt along the waters surface, which at this time is irresistible to a hungry bass.

Tackle Tip

Try double barrel fishing. I seldom carry less than six fishing rods with me during a trip. On those days when a pattern can be developed early, I will retire all but two of my favorite rods, rigged with lures or live baits. When fishing gets hot and heavy, I can easily cast a second rod to stay on the fish without having to re-rig another bait or change lures.

Till next week,

Good fishin'

Lee