Storm did more damage under the water

Uncertain weather often brings with it uncertainty about how to fish in a storm's aftermath. With the passing last week of Tropical Storm Hanna, many anglers are left wondering how to approach their return to the water.

One thing to keep in mind is that although we on land were spared a direct hit, damage below the water's surface might be more severe. Large weather fronts and storms sometimes change bottom structure. Reefs and wrecks are often shifted about, and live bottoms can easily become barren. Abnormal tides easily seen on the surface move silt and debris in deeper waters and bring change to shallow flats as well.

While the change may not seem dramatic, over a period of time or during an active hurricane season things can become misplaced. Heavy wave action has caused many an angler to suspect tampering has occurred with their electronics.

Any structure not anchored to the sea bottom will inevitably move to some degree. Powerful currents, tides and winds can easily change surface structures, as well. I have seen large oyster reefs devastated and sandbars once easily seen at low tide now lurking just under the surface for unsuspecting boaters. Inlets may become narrower because of shifting sands, and large feeder creeks sometimes are slowed to a mere trickle. Waters become clouded as mud and silt is washed about over the flats and bottom regions of shallow waters.

To assist you in locating a favorite spot that seems to have vanished with the tide, you'll need to do a little homework. Plot the path of the storm, and chart the area where you knew the structure to last exist. Once on the water, travel to that spot, then move in the direction of storm travel. It may be a matter of feet or it could be many yards from your last plot. Use a grid pattern once located, and mark the area well. You may have stumbled on better fishing grounds, or an area game and baitfish have abandoned, at least for the time being.

Regardless of what you may find, it sure beats many of the alternatives. And remember that if you want to fish in these conditions, you have to change your approach. Don't expect spectacular catches, in terms of size or number.

FAMILY TOURNAMENT RESCHEDULED AGAIN

The Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club will take its third crack at its 12th Annual Family Tournament. Postponed by the Fay and Hanna storm systems, the event has been rescheduled for Oct. 4.

Registration will begin at 6 p.m., with a captains meeting to follow at 7 p.m. Oct. 3 at Port Royal Landing Marina. The entry fee is $50 per boat for members and $100 per boat for non-members, which will include a membership.

Weigh-ins are from 3 to 5 p.m. at Port Royal Landing Marina. For information, call Tom Ogle at 843-521-4672 or the Port Royal Landing Marina at 843-525-6664.

BAITING SEASON HAS BEGUN

Long poles and pluff mud beckon -- the shrimp-baiting season opened at noon Friday. Recreational shrimpers who purchased a baiting license can legally cast nets over bait until the close of the season at noon on Monday, Nov. 11.

LOCAL TRENDS

Several species remain active but unstable because of recent foul weather, and muddy water conditions and tide surges are very much a part of the season and will continue for the next few weeks. With this in mind, anglers are approaching each trip with renewed vigor and optimism.

Inshore continues to be a better choice for anglers, as offshore action has slowed considerably. Because of the threat of high winds and sudden rains, many of the big boats remain at dockside. This will change over the next few weeks, when cooler temperatures and stable conditions return. Inshore activity is on the rise, and the quick dispersion of stained water has drawn anglers back to the creeks and rivers.

A notable change over the last week has been the abundance of tarpon. Apparently, the flow of fresh water along the stream and coastal inlets has provided a haven for larger silversides.

Although few large specimens have been taken, Chip Michalove of Outcast Fishing reports a 100-pound tarpon taken this week.

Other active species include sheepshead, which are taking fiddlers and mussels from bridge, pier and rock formations and are aggressive. This is a great opportunity for those finding inshore catches a bit harder when setting the hook. Trout have slowed and are holding over the less-stained waters outside larger feeder creeks. Spottail bass have shown good numbers from Skull Creek, May River and Bryan Creek, as well as the Chechessee, Capers and along the deep points into Broad River. Whiting are abundant, and fresh cut shrimp will fill your cooler in short order.

BEAUFORT FISHING TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

Standings for Beaufort Fishing Tournament, as of Aug. 25, with species, boat, angler and weight in pounds:

LARGEST SPECIES RESULTS

Amber jack: C-Spoon, Todd Bradley, 66.78

Barracuda: Sea Wolf VI, Joshua Price, 25.26

Black drum: Roll-N, Karsten Dutton, 10.58

Blackfin tuna: Artemis, Ted MaMunes, 11.00

Black sea bass: Mikes Marine, Mike Spade, 4.72

Bluefish: TopGun5, Taylor Taylor, 11.62

Cobia: Happy Dog, Tennant Houston, 50.44

Croaker: My Time Out Jr, Frank Gibson, .68

Dolphin (dorado): Tortteaser, Lovick Hornsby, 50.32

Founder: Roeme, Scott Willard, 6.82

Grouper: No Worries, Steve Roll, 15.68

Jack crevalle: Sea Wolf VI, Matthew Moore, 2.18

King mackerel: Marvs Outboard, Bernie Vinoski, 41.94

Ladyfish: 3 Capt's, Swanton Anderson, 2.62

Little tunny: TopGun5, Tom Thomas, 14.78

Red drum: No Name, Ashby West, 5.10

Red snapper: Mikes Marine, Mike Spade, 18.00

Sea trout:Mikes Marine, Mark Clifford, 4.3

Sheepshead: Miss Fripp, Frank Gibson, 8.82

Spadefish: TopGun5, Tom Thomas, 8.20

Spanish mackerel: Marvs Outboard, Sibet Copeland, 6.2

Spotted seatrout: Roeme, Scott Willard, 5.24

Spot: Sea Wolf VI, Nick Polowy, 1.32

Toad fish: Mikes Marine, Frank Gibson, 3.14

Triggerfish: No Worries, Larry Andrews, 9.11

Vermillion snapper: No Worries, Seth Andrews, 3.02

Wahoo: No Worries, Steve Roll, 53.16

Weakfish: A+B, Ben Vegar, 1.04

Whiting: Reel Control, Joe Marshall, 1.24

FEMALE ANGLER

Amber jack: Hold-N-On, Melanie McCaffree, 28.90

Barracuda: Miss Fripp, Phyllis Gibson, 14.30

Black sea bass: My Time Out III, Phyllis Gibson, 2.10

Bluefish: Sea Wolf VI, Katie Gambla, 1.96

Cobia: Foreclosure, Cindy Reid, 22.56

Dolphin (dorado): Artemis, Pam Roy, 9.18

Flounder: Artemis, Pam Roy, 4.10

Grouper: Artemis, Pam Roy, 13.36

King mackerel: Dr Hook, Marsha Vinoski, 27.56

Ladyfish: Miss Fripp, Phyllis Gibson, 1.50

Little tunny: Sea Wolf, Chris Odioso, 12.7

Red drum: Mikes Marine, Bobbie Spade, 4.14

Red snapper: Mikes Marine, Sarah Florez, 6.44

Sea trout: Froggy Daddy, Carol Curren, 2.68

Sheepshead: Sea Wolf VI, Shelbia Sasse, 2.88

Spanish mackerel: Marvs Outboard, Sibet Copeland, 6.2

Spots: Lil Looer, Holly Carslake, 0.18

Toad fish: Artemis, Pam Roy, 1.96

Triggerfish: Artemis, Crissy Hinson, 4.60

Vermillion snapper: Mikes Marine, Sarah Florez, 2.07

Whiting: Froggy Daddy, Carol Curren, 1.14

10X10 YOUTH

Bluefish: White Whale, Peter Trask, 1.84

Croaker: White Whale, Peter Trask, .12

Jack crevalle: Sea Wolf VI, Matthew Moore, 2.18

Ladyfish: Miss Fripp, Kane Thorp, 2.0

Spotted sea trout: Just Because, Zach Wilson, 1.2

Spanish mackerel: Reel Hot, Mason Coner, 4.20

Whiting: Just Because, Zach Wilson, .88

YOUTH

Amber jack: My Time Out III, Kane Thorp, 16.30

Barracuda: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 17.04

Black drum: Prez, Andrew Carr, 2.46

Black sea bass: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.30

Bluefish: Sea Wolf, Taylor Poole, 2.46

Cobia: Sea Hawk III, Wes Chesnutt, 42.66

Croaker: White Whale, Peter Trask, .12

Flounder: Sea Buyyou, Tommy Buskirk, 4.56

Grouper: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 10.86

Jack crevalle: Sea Wolf VI, Matthew Moore, 2.18

King mackerel: TopGun5, Zach Brown, 23.4

Ladyfish: Sea Wolf, Taylor Poole, 2.46

Red drum: Reel Chance, Billy Amick, 4.86

Red snapper: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 14.32

Sheepshead: Sea Wolf, Shelbi Sasse, 2.88

Spadefish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 6.16

Spanish mackerel: Sea Wolf, Hunter Pylant, 4.60

Spotted sea trout: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.34

Toad fish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 1.01

Triggerfish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.62

Vermillion snapper: No Worries, Seth Andrews, 3.02

Whiting: Reel Control, Megan Craig, .54