Hot fishing for those who can deal with hot weather

Here is a yanking strategy for landing Big Fish: When he pulls, you don't. When he don't, you do. Reel-in when you can!

Area Trends

Cooler temperatures are predicted for the weekend, with cooler being somewhere around a two- or three-degree drop. The oppressive heat seems to have arrived a bit early this year. We bypassed a good bit of the April showers and went straight to the winds in May. Now we're in the second week of June and we have already hit the range for July.

Ain't Mother Nature full of surprises? There's no telling what lies ahead for August, but the fish are cooperating and those anglers wishing to wipe the sweat from their brow are reaping the rewards.

Active Species and Best Bets:

The Broad River around the turn at Red Bluff and the shallow flats along the run to Broad River from Grays Hill is an excellent area to find Trout. Pigeon Point, Little Capers and Jenkins Creek is also showing good results.

Spot-Tail Bass are now tailing the flats in Port Royal, along Ribbon Creek and a good many active oyster drops in Archers Creek. The Beaufort River just south of the cut to Pigeon Point landing along the shell banks has shown large schools of Spot-Tail andsome good trout activity as well.

Cobia activity has slowed in the Broad River but picked up again at the Combahee Cut, Morgan River and from the outer Buoys and Channel Markers. Most fish being taken are at the surface and these cruisers will take large white lures. Stay in the shadows of the boat or any cover as much as possible for better results.

Flounder: Some of the best flounder action has occurred this past week. Drifting and trolling mud minnows behind small spinners has been the preferred method. A few anglers have done well from the grass islands along the Chechessee and some large flounder have been taken from Lucy Creek. A few good starting areas are the points and small feeder creeks.

•• Whiting: A bit of fresh cut shrimp, a few hooks and a long limber rod is all that is needed to catch whiting. The landings are holding large numbers as well as the docks, piers and bridge pilings.

Sheepshead: The act of frustration has returned but the efforts continue. Large and active best describes this species and those with the will and the reflexes know well the returns at this time. All the major bridges have been reported as holding large numbers of the bandit. While fiddler crabs are abundant, alternative baits have shown as well. Cut or strip oyster pieces, clam and mussel and small cuts of shrimp have all been on the menu.

•• Shark: Blacktip are abundant, hungry and give little preference to baits with the exception that it must be fresh. While any trip will just about guarantee a few shark on the hook many anglers target the species specifically. For some they are chosen for others they are a by-product of a day on the water. With few exceptions shark are excellent tablefare and blacktip is one of the most popular.

On the big water

While trips aren't as numerous for the individual, charter boats have reported good runs to the deeper waters. Active among offshore species are Dolphin, King Mackerel, Spadefish, Wahoo, Spanish Mackerel and a few reports off bottom structure for Blackfish, Snapper, Grouper, Triggerfish and Drum.

S.C. Governor's Cup

The second tournament in the 20th season of the South Carolina Governor's Cup Billfishing Series took place at the 41st annual Georgetown Landing Marina Billfish Tournament. Wallace Jenkins, Billfishing Series program coordinator for S.C. Department of Natural Resources said the weather conditions were excellent for offshore fishing.

"Ricky Ferdon and all of the Georgetown Landing Marina staff once again were top notch and a great time was had by all," Jenkins said.

Amy Dukes, series tournament coordinator for DNR, added that a total of 53 boats participated in the tournament with 34 billfish releases including 21 blue marlin, four white marlin and 98 sailfish. No billfish were landed.

First place for Outstanding Billfish Boat was awarded to "Roulette," owned by Richard Pingree and captained by Mike Glaesner. The crew caught and released a sailfish on Thursday and three blue marlin and one white marlin on Saturday for 2,300 points.

Second place for Outstanding Billfish Boatwent to "Dem Boys," owned by Tommy Hancock. The boat caught and released two blue marlin on Thursday for 1,200 release points.

Third place for Outstanding Billfish Boat went to "Overspray," owned by Foster McKissick and captained by Mike McClamrock. The crew caught and released two blue marlin to earn 1,200 points.

The Outstanding Dolphin & Top Female award went to "El Tejano," owned by John Hill and captained by David Redd. Angler Kathy Baxley landed a 59.9-pound dolphin to earn top honors and secured her position to win top female angler in the tournament as well.

The Outstanding Tuna award went to "Due Course," with a 14.1-pound blackfin tuna caught by angler and boat owner Richard Gaton. The boat is captained by Jamie Brown.

The Outstanding Wahoo award went to"Artemis," owned by John Darby and captained by David Copleston. The angler was Canty Smith with a49.4-pound catch.

Second place for Outstanding Female Angler went to Jenny Walker on "Frenzy" who caught a 48.6-pound Wahoo. Third place for Outstanding Female Angler went to Becca Hancockon "Dem Boys" for her 31.8-pound dolphin catch.

The Outstanding Youth Angler award went to Lauren Leasure for a 31.1-pound dolphin catch aboard "Summer Girl." Lauren was the only youth angler to receive an award at the tournament.

Remaining tournament dates and contacts for the 2008 S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series are:

• June 25-28, Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina Billfish Tournament, contact Deidre Menefee, (843) 345-0369

• July 9-12, HMY/Viking MEGADOCK Billfishing Tournament, contact McKenzie Estes, (843) 278-4920

• July 23-26, Bohicket Marina Invitational Billfish Tournament, contact Deidre Menefee, (843) 345-0369

Tackle Tip

Do the Math: During these times when fuel is at a premium, keep your prop tuned. Properly matching your prop to your boat and motor will make a huge difference in performance.

Just as proper inflated and matched tires on your vehicle will improve mileage and add to your driving pleasure. A properly matched prop makes the same statement in boating. Look at the formula: A 13 1/4" x 17" prop means it is 13 1/4" in diameter and will move your boat forward 17" for every one revolution.

Amismatched or damaged prop will cost you fuel. If a new 13 1/4" prop will move your boat on the water at 30 mph and you notice a drop in speed or an increase in RPMyour prop has become damaged. A mere 3 mph loss in speed dictates a loss of one in every 10 gallons of fuel, a 10 percent decrease in fuel economy. That's not very efficient or costly.

'Till next week,

Good fishin'

Lee