Time to reach out to the readers

Overseeing a bit of homework this past week, I managed to catch up on a few e-mails from readers. The weather was too perfect to stay inside, so I moved to the back porch. At the time, I didn't think my presence would distract anyone until one of the painters remarked that I was humming. Life is good when you are enjoying the task at hand, you carve out your own little section of the world. I lay no claim or ability to sing -- or, for that matter, even carry a tune -- but for the moment, the time was mine and these were the mails that brought out my less-than-harmonic vocals.

• To the teacher who corrected me on my use of fish, I stand corrected and reply:

What is the plural of fish? Fish can be both singular and plural. Singular refers to two or more specimens of the same species. Plural refers to two or more specimens of different species.

• To Ronnie Taylor: The best time for flounder -- With the cooler months, flounder tend to move more often, making them more accessible to anglers. Biologists state this is due to the species seeking limited temperature fluctuations. Most flounder at this time can be found along tapered banks and shelves close to deep water. Deeper waters offer more stable temperatures.

• To George Szymans: Inexpensive and easy handheld GPS -- I strive to refrain from endorsing products. It's too much like free advertising. However, the one I use is the Garmin GPS 72. It is inexpensive, runs approximately 12 hours on two AA batteries and can store hundreds of waypoints (my last count was 372). It fits in your palm and locates satellites quickly.

• To Kevin Shumacher: Line Twist -- From your e-mail, I suspect the root cause of your continued line twist is that you are too eager to land what isn't yet yours. You never reel in line when the fish is running and your drag is singing. Doing so creates line twist, and the undo strain can easily break your line. An old standby I often repeat is "When he takes line, you don't. When he don't, you do."

• To Cherry Michaels: Bioline -- Bioline biofilament is a retreat from the traditional petroleum-based fishing lines. Unlike monofilament, which has a limitless life span in the environment, Bioline is biodegradable over a period of years and is reduced in the elements to a safe concentration of carbon dioxide and water. I found a number to call if you would like to contact them directly: 866-445-4923.

KINGFISH CHAMP

Kudos to John "Gumbo" Deloach of "Stray Dog" for his recent win during Captain Woody's Kingfish Tournament, with the largest King at 24.9 pounds.

BEST BETS FOR THE WEEKEND

Spottail bass, trout and flounder should be your top targets. Favored spots are Mackays, Skull, Johnson and Station creeks. Shrimp would be the better bait to use. Hook your shrimp in the tail using small Kahle hooks.

Offshore, bottom fishing is beginning to show, provided the winds are calm and waters are showing a slight chop. Reports have come from the North Hole and the wreck of the Gordon of exceptional bottom fish holding close to the structures. Mixed bags are the norm and large fish are available for those venturing a run.

TACKLE TIP

If you are interested in purchasing a used boat, CARFAX for Boaters is a source that might save you a bit of wallet slack and misery. It is similar to the service used by the auto industry. Check it out at boathistoryreport.com. It may provide you all the right answers.

BEAUFORT FISHING TOURNAMENT STANDINGS

Standings for the Beaufort Fishing Tournament, 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