Competition between northern and southern Beaufort County anglers

I feel soooooo bad for our southern brethren below the Broad River. I never realized what a disadvantaged group of anglers they are. Imagine no worms, no cane poles, few crickets, and a lack of buckets to sit on!

Hard for us northern anglers with our abundant resources to imagine such harsh conditions.Why, we even have boats to fish out of!It's a wonder how they will ever catch a fish. They need encouragement. Wonder if an extra ration of corn pone would help.

They need hugs and nurturing.I asked members of the Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club what they thought of our rebel angling buddies and all of us were certain that they would be able to catch mud minnows out of a bucket.Well, almost all of us.

Nick Russell said he just wasn't sure.

So to all you anglers in the Hilton Head Sportfishing Club, get out there on the water and prove your spunk. We will lend you all the steel hooks you need.

You can discard the ones fashioned from oyster shells and fish bones. You can do this. Tight lines.

-- Captain Tom Ogle, President, Beaufort Sportfishing and Diving Club

Fripp Island King Mackerel Warm-up Tournament

The tournament will be held Friday and Saturday. By rescheduling the event, the new dates will give fisherman more tournament opportunities, warmer water and weather. Friday there will be a captain's meeting followed by a festive cookout. Fishing starts at 6 a.m. Saturday and the weigh-in at Fripp Island Marina will close at 6 p.m. For more information, call the Marina at 843-838-1517.

How Much is Enough?

I was once sued by my fishing partner. It wasn't because we failed to catch fish. If that were the case, it would be a weekly affair. No, I was sued due to an accident on board. Although not directly at fault, the incident did happen on my boat and he had every right to claim injury. For some, this would have finished the relationship, but just the opposite was true. I had a good policy and a great agent.

Boat insurance is not to be taken lightly. Check your policy and know your limits. Like car insurance, all policies are not created equal. Check your "cruising limits."

Today, with tournament angling being so lucrative, there are policies which will cover your entry fee should you break down enroute to the event. How likely is it that you would be able to replace your fishing tackle? Does your policy cover expensive electronic equipment?

Many anglers assume they are adequately covered until they have a claim. Be sure you know the difference between actual cash value and agreed value.

If you are trailering your boat and an accident should ruin your day, does your boat or automobile policy cover the damages? If your boat is on a trailer in your yard and is vandalized, does your homeowner policy cover the loss or the boat policy? If your boat is in your garage, again which policy covers the loss?

And finally, what about towing, on the water and on the road? Do you have roadside assistance? Do you have towing if you lose a prop on a shell bank?

These are questions many fishermen reluctantly ask themselves after the incident and usually it ends up with, "Why didn't I think of that?"

Don't get into the season without adequate coverage, a loss could be catastrophic. Be informed, read your policy and be sure you have the coverage you need for the type boating you enjoy.

Gearing-up

The big question remains constant: When will the Cobia arrive?

Water temperatures continue to fluctuate but are holding close to the 63 degree mark.This is a good sign. A warming trend like that of this past Thursday, which raised waters close to shore to 65 degrees is even better.

And anglers running outside during mild winds have indicated some drops with temperatures at 67 degrees. Along that great migration route Cobia have set up camp, they tease us with an occasional sighting and surface break along the outer buoys. One thing is guaranteed at the time that first Cobia is taken, another migration will begin. This one will be of boats and anglers tired of the wait and ready for the season to begin.

Ponder this

It may be that the Cobia run marks the opening of the fishing season for many anglers, I look forward to its arrival. For while other anglers jockey over fishing spots and treasured waters, I have more room on the water for myself. Spottail Bass are less likely to spook off the flats, Trout seem to cooperate more, sheepshead are more easily taken and shrimp are more plentiful. It's like everyone has left the dance early. The waters are less crowded while everyone is in pursuit of Cobia. It's a welcome change and one I find very rewarding.

I fish for Cobia, but my passion is more tuned to less restrictive conditions. There is plenty of water which mirrors that of the broad river. Many I have shared with others, some I hold closely guarded. My method is to fish early tides, keep only what I need and release the rest.

I do not need to catch the largest or the most. Iam satisfied to have been part of the battle and I enjoy the pursuit. Frankly, I don't catch as many as I once did but this does not make me any less of a fisherman. The opportunity to share the time with others and watch their reaction on that first catch is reward enough. Fishing is not a limited access sport, but without proper stewardship it may become another we take for granted.

Till next week,

Good Fishin'

Lee