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rodcrafter@islc.net
I have a problem with open water. I need a target, something to bang my lure or bait against. It goes back to my younger days when I had visions of being a Major League Baseball pitcher. There was always something to throw at, and the object of your pitch could just as easily be a rock, which on more than one occasion got me into a heap of trouble.
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It didn't take me long to realize that speed wasn't everything and control played a major factor in determining where the coach placed you. I started at first base, migrated to shortstop and ended up in center field. I had the arm but long before "wild thing" became a moniker, I had a few mishaps of my own. Little League has a way of molding you for things to come.
Now, as far as fishing goes, I still have a pretty good arm and now hit the mark with the aid of a fishing rod. This aiming stick suits me better than the round ball, and for the most part, has kept me out of trouble. Over the years I have honed the my skills, mainly with a bait casting outfit. But my fly fishing is still a challenge, as it should be.
When the fishing was slow, I would spend hours in the backyard tossing a plug at various objects and challenging myself. If you want to improve your skills, drop the lid of your mailbox and try to hit 10 in a row. Do this before the cars run over your line and you have accomplished both speed and accuracy.
Fishing the Grass
Here's a target worth your time, and the time is right. Large spottail and big gator trout have moved into the grass and are anxious to hit your offering. That is provided you have the skills to reach them among the rip rap. Tide movement and winds play a major role in your casting and more often than not, you will fall short of your target. But there are a number of tricks that will help you get into the common ground and get the attention of your quarry. Use the grass as your target.
If you notice swirls along the edges of the grass, your odds have improved greatly. Getting in position without spooking the fish is the secret. Try to figure out the direction the fish are heading, move to an area ahead of the fish and drop anchor from the bank about 10-15 feet or secure your boat in the grass. I usually do this with a set of battery cable clamps.
Cast to the edge of the grass a good distance in front of the fish, bump your lure off the bottom a few times and then let it settle. You will usually get a strike on the fall, so be prepared. If using a topwater lure, cast to the grass edge and let it set. When the fish are nearly on the lure, twitch your rodtip a few times and leave it alone. If using live bait, simply toss it close to the grass and let the natural action of your bait do the work. With fresh cut or recently thawed frozen bait, use a float and cast to the edge of the grass adjusting the depth to match the area.If you happen cast into the school, simply leave your bait dead in the water. If the school isn't spooked and stays in the area, your chances of a hook-up are increased. Let your bait sit.
If fish are in the grass, it is best to find small clear drops or patches close to the school. But make sure there is a run for the fish to move. Simply casting into the grass will only break off your line and you will scatter the school to areas unknown. Stealth plays a major role when fishing the grass. Sound travels faster and louder in their dense environment that it does on the surface.
Locate areas that have cuts and points. If you find a tapered bank close to deep water, you are in a prime spot. There will always be firm discussions and heated conversation on which tides are best.
Granted, your chances are greater during the first two hours of each turn, but don't let that limit your trips. I have found fish on both the low and high tides and the incoming as well as the outgoing stage. During the fall, when fish hit harder and are anxiously in search of a food source, most species will generally be available as long as other predators or the weather does not drive them to other areas.
Once you have developed a pattern, repeat the sequence for better results. Subsequent trips may require another approach, but once a technique works don't be anxious to experiment. Do so only when things slow down and you are sure the fish are looking for something different.
Best areas
Points and cuts of river bends with tapered ledges or drops which are part of feeder creeks off main waters are the best areas. It's a bonus if the spot is joined with mud and shell banks over active oyster beds. The main rivers and inlets along our waterways are full of promising spots. The secret is locating which spots are holding fish. I have fished these waters and used these tactics since 1964. You may need to vary the technique a bit but the method can be used to catch fish. Take it for what it's worth, don't get caught up in habit. Increase your chances and be more versatile.
Best baits
Natural -- pinfish, shrimp, mud minnows and finger mullet. Artificial -- gold spoons tipped with white or chartreuse feathers, gulp and DOA bait imitations, topwater prop lures in white, white/green or white/red. Weights -- better suited for 1/4- or 1/2-ounce. Other active species include whiting, shark, flounder, sheepshead some ladyfish and small blues.
Deep water
The blue/green waters with no horizons beckon during the fall when prime migration seems to dominate deeper waters. During the period, the majority of wreck and reef structure at the 50 and beyond mark will hold action for bottom fish as well as those wishing to troll or drift fish. Opportunities are available for wahoo, snapper, grouper, black drum, bluefish, triggerfish and large sheepshead.
The occasional surprise catch will often await those making the trip, and when it does, things just seem to get that much better for all on board. Such is the case for Mark and Jeremy Siote this past week. The two brothers, wanting to get in a bit of bottom fishing, headed out from Skull Creek to try their luck at the wrecks and near-shore reefs. Enroute, Mark sighted a lot of surface action and the birds were working over a large plot of water. Rigging up and placing their rods in rod holders, they drifted into the area. Both hooked-up and the battle was on. Jeremy cut the engines and the battle begin with neither angler making any headway until a half hour later. Mark said they must have drifted five miles from the area and they were anxious to boat these fish and get back over the action.
It was about this time that Jeremy noticed something odd. When his fish wasn't running and he was reeling in line, Marks rod was bent and his fish was taking line. And the opposite was true for Mark.
Not wanting to surrender to the obvious, Jeremy let things run for awhile enjoying the look on Marks face when the fish seemed to be hugging bottom and wouldn't budge. Finally, Jeremy shouted to Mark from the other side of the boat, "Are you making any headway?"Mark replied,"I can't figure out what this is, it is either a large stingray or a huge shark."
Jeremy came back with, "No, it's mine."
At first, Mark thought Jeremy meant one of those floating explosive devices, at which time Jeremy said, "No, Mark it's a mina fish. My fish."
The two had become entangled somehow and had caught each other's line. Did I mention the Siote brothers were Italian? Hey, take it for what it's worth. This is the place for fishing tales and if you would like to verify the story, drop me an e-mail and I will give you the details on how to get in touch with the duo. This is how it was told to me and we all know stranger things have happened.
Fripp Island Inshore tournament results
The tournament was a great success which not only filled coolers, but also raised $900 for Camp Rainbow. The camp is a getaway for kids with cancer and rare blood diseases.
The Owen Perry Memorial Fishing Tournament was held November 7th at the Fripp Island Marina. A great fall day greeted the fisherman and women with great catches of Redfish and Trout. All participants felt privileged to help a charity that helps kids. Stovall Walker and Stuart Mitchell brought home the largest Red Drum weighing 5.06 pounds. 2nd place was Huch Hutchinson and the Sonderman Family at 5 pounds. Largest Winter Trout was Hamp Manning and his boys weighing in at 2 pounds and at2nd place was Pat Perry with a 1.08 pound Trout.Winner of the Red Drum with the most Spots was Hamp Manning and his sons with 13 spots. 1st place with the largest other species divisionwas a 2 pound Sting Ray caught by Danny Robinson and Steve Kennerson. Lewis Turner Marina Director wishes to thank his staff for a great Tournament also West Marine for their prizes and Chef Dee Doolittle from Augusta Ga. for a great Captains Dinner. The next event will be the Annual Kid's Thanksgiving Tournament to be held November 28th at the Fripp Island Marina and is open to all kid's with an adult sponsor. For more information call 843-838-1517.
Fish Fever FLW Team
The Fish Fever FLW team finished strong and won Land O' Lakes Team of the Year honors. After winning the first event in Sarasota, Team Fish Fever went on to a third place finish in Venice, La., a fourth place finish in Orange Beach, Ala., and finished in 14th place in the final event at Wrightsville Beach, N.C., to secure the points race.
Marc -- "Wow, that invitation turned into something really special! It was actually a history in the making story,Shawn and Ed Mechella have already won the same honor on the Southern Kingfish Associations trail in 2002. The are the first team to have won both. It was a thrill and an honor to be a part of Fish Fevers winning FLW Team."
Captain Marc Pincus -- Team REELIN, Crew Team Fish Fever
Note: Capt Marc also fished with Team Young Guns in the SKA pro tour this year and finished 9th overall in the points race. He hopes to take his experience and get Team Reelin back on the pro tour in 2009.
Top Counties for Quail and Rabbit
Survey results for the 2007-08 hunting season show Georgetown, Clarendon, Calhoun, Lee and Richland counties were the top five counties for quail, while the top five counties for rabbits jumped per hour were Saluda, Fairfield, Chester, Newberry and Hampton, according to biologists with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Small Game Project.
Through intensive field observations, South Carolina quail and rabbit hunters maintained detailed records of their hunting excursions throughout the year and provided the data to the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Small Game Project for analysis. Hunting data compiled included the number of quail coveys flushed, covey size, number of rabbits jumped, the dates and counties where hunts occurred, and the amount of time expended in pursuit of these species.
Tackle Tip
While preparing this column, I got a call from my old fishing partner David Pointer. David was on Hilton Head with some of his relatives and in need of a few "secret lures" we often use this time of the year for trout and spottail. Since I know he reads the column and I wasn't able to get back with him on the phone, I will include these secret lures at this time.
• Smithwick Pencil Poppers: Dual prop thin bodied lures also known as Devil Horse. Colors: White/yellow, yellow/black, and white/ chartreuse.
• Mirro-Lure: Mid depth divers in green/silver fleck, brown back/green belly, blue/chartreuse.
• Electric Chicken: Sea shad yellow
• Salty Dog Grub: Silver fleck, green fleck and smoke.
David, Let me know how you make out since the boat will be crowded and we can't seem to connect.
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