Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Field Notes and Photos - June 2015

Carolina Wren nest with speckled eggs
Field Notes is a column I began eleven years ago in the Charleston Mercury newspaper, but as the amount of newsprint space in the 'salmon sheets' has diminished, so has the space for my nature photography. Now when I have a fresh batch of observations I share them via Lowcountry Outdoors.

To view past Field Notes click on February 2105 - October 2014  September 2014 - August 2014 - June 2014 - March 2012 - February 2012 - October 2011 - September 2011  
Caterpillar on parsley,
 Black Swallowtail Butterfly




Black Racer - They doesn't stop when confronted!
Goslings on the move
Surprise bluebird nest in farm equipment

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Aluminum now part of 2015 Ford F-150

The 2015 4 x 4 Supercab is perfect for year-round farm duty
When the 2015 Ford F-150s rolled out at auto shows and dealerships, the public learned that aluminum was now a part of the frame composition. Adding few tweaks to the look of the exterior body helps to present the entire package as new, and I was able to test drive a 4 x 4 Supercab version of this truck in the striking Blue Flame Metallic color. This F-150 may be lighter with the new aluminum, but it is the same height and size dimensions that keep it feeling like a full-size truck.

Supercab Doors Open in opposite directions
The 2.76-liter V6 Ecoboost engine powers this model of the F-150 that spans a whopping 145-inch wheelbase. Driving the car in both town and country I found that the truck’s size was similar to many other trucks and SUVs on the road. While on the farm, the truck offered no resistance when cruising around the edge of cornfields, or crossing freshly plowed dirt and dust that is waiting for rain and fall food plot plantings.

Dashboard console controls
A heat wave has gripped the Lowcountry for more than a week now and the Ecoboost engine comes with the Auto Start-Stop feature as standard. This engine with 325 horsepower and 375 pound of torque allows towing capability of 8,500 pounds and payloads of up 2,250-pounds. The way the Start-Stop feature works is that when the vehicle comes to a stop, and one’s foot is on the brake, the engine shuts off to reduce fuel usage. As soon as one’s foot is lifted from the brake pedal the engine starts back up.

To view this article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report - 6/24/2015

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:
Golden tilefish, not to be confused with sand tilefish
Inshore Report: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West shares that scorching air temps have jumped water temps well into the 80's, and fisherman are having best success inshore during the mornings and evenings. The topwater bite at dawn and dusk is worth trying, but the overall bite during mid-day has dropped off considerably. Flounder continue to take live minnows and jerk shads fished in 3 to 8-feet of water along rock edges and creek mouths. Reds are hanging out in the shade underneath docks right now, with cut mullet and Gulp! shrimp being hard to beat. Trout are still taking live shrimp or a Vudu shrimp fished 3 to 4-feet below a popping cork along shell rakes and drop offs with hard bottom. Sheepshead have been seemingly hit and miss, with one day hearing reports of 20 to 30-sheepies, but the next day only a meager few are caught. Spanish mackerel are thick of the front beaches and inlets right now, providing great fast action when casting clark spoons and small silver casting spoons underneath a frenzy of diving birds. For the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Offshore Report: The dog days of summer may have slowed the dolphin bite to only a few fish here and there, however the past week has seen some solid wahoo reports coming in from 130 to 250-feet of water. In addition to the wahoo on the trolling side, a fair number of sailfish and white marlin are being found along temperature breaks in 400 to 1200-feet of water. Bottom fishing continues to produce plenty of table fare with vermillion, triggerfish, and sea bass. Occasionally a few golden tilefish can be landed too, like the photo submitted by Capt. Pete Loy. Numerous large red snapper are also being caught, but their is no keeper season for them presently. Live pinfish, cut squid and cigar minnows have all produced solid bottom catches when fishing over live bottom areas in 65 to 110-feet of water. The king mackerel bite is expected to begin to peak heading into July and late summer while slow-trolling over live bottom areas in 50 to 90-feet of water.

To view past Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Reports click here.

To view my story about fishing with Blair Wiggins of Addictive Fishing TV click here.

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Florida Visit with Addictive Fishing TV Host

Blair Wiggins #ShowYourMogan
If it’s June, then the heat is on down in Florida, and the rainy season, with afternoon thunderstorms crank up by July. Heading down to Jensen Beach, Florida I was able to meet up and go fishing with Blair Wiggins, host of Addictive Fishing TV show. We weren’t filming on this day, but we were testing out some artificial baits from his main sponsor DOA Lures. It was back in 2010 when Wiggins was filming in Charleston that I first saw him in action, and this most recent trip gave me added perspective of the angler known as the Mogan Man.

June 21 at Mt. Pleasant store opening
The term Mogan is a nickname for a large fish, and it’s a cross between sayings like “Monster” and “Biggan.” Captain Blair Wiggins was a professional guide for many years in his home state of Florida, and then went on to be successful on the redfish tournament trail by winning the FLW Championship in 2006. Fast forward to today, and Wiggins has become so well known that he has signature fishing rods for sale. For a look inside the Addictive Fishing TV show check out this segment filmed with local guide Champ Smith.

When the fish weren't biting, we had two youths in a john boat
motor next to us and shout a HELLO as fans to Blair,
who of course invited them on board to make a souvenir photo - TRUE story!
On June 8, when we motored from the Stuart inlet to fish a spot known as the Hole In The Wall, Wiggins utilized a rootbeer DOA baitbuster to fish in the tide that was flushing out. I had caught a snook in this same location two years earlier, but this time it was Wiggins who got the strike and reeled in a 35-inch snook, also known as a Linesider for the lateral black line running down the side of its silver body. Wiggins knows how to pose a fish for a few photos, and we made sure not to keep it out of the water very long, since we understand that the best way to protect our marine resources is to set an example and practice catch and release tactics.

To view more of this feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view the latest Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report click here.

Saturday, June 20, 2015

2015 Carolina Billfish Classic - Final Results

Wahoo and Mahi - what could be finer in Carolina?
A fleet of 28 boats went fishing on Saturday at the Carolina Billfish Classic, and Reel Passion was able to release a blue marlin to pad their Day One lead. Angler Michael Runey was on the rod Saturday, giving them three blue marlin releases in two days, and they clinched back-to-back wins in the 2015 S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series.

Saturday also saw two new meat fish leaders for wahoo and dolphin, while no tuna were weighed in. The heaviest dolphin was weighed in by angler Jason Watkins fishing onboard the Sea Tiger and he gave credit for his 46.2-pound mahi to his fellow mates on the boat. Russ Parker told me that he had to work on Friday and could not fish, so he made the most of his one day offshore on Saturday by snagging the top wahoo that weighed 38.2-pounds.
Reel Passion crew and family members

To view past blog entries from the Carolina Billfish Classic click 20152013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010

Official Results for Carolina Billfish Classic:
First Place Billfish Boat:
Reel Passion - 3 blue marlin released - 1800 pts
Owner: Bill Ingram
Captain: Gary Richardson
Russ Parker and the top HOO
Second Place Billfish Boat:
Three J's - 2 blue marlin and 1 sailfish released - 1400 pts
Owner / Captain John Spencer
Third Place Billfish Boat:
Caramba - 3 sailfish and 1 blue marlin released - 1200 pts
Owner: Bob Faith
Captain: Dale Lackey
Outstanding Dolphin:
Jason Watkins: 46.2-pounds
Boat: Sea Tiger
Owner / Captain: Jerry Smith
Outstanding Wahoo:
Russ Parker: 38.2-pounds
Boat: My Three Sons
Owner: Hunter Edwards
Captain: Michael Mattson
No tuna landed
Sea Tiger's winning mahi mahi
First Place Lady Angler:
Jean Hood - 1 blue marlin released - 600 pts
Boat: Compromise
Owner: Robert Hood
Captain: Larry Branham
2nd Place Lady Angler:
Marry Hoover: 14.6-pound dolphin
Boat: The Moover
Owner / Captain: Mark Hoover
First Place Youth Angler:
Graham Rogers (12): 1 sailfish released - 200 pts
Boat: Rascal
Owner: Norman Pulliam and Foster McKissick
Captain: Mark Rogers
Second Place Youth Angler:
Bridget Hoover (14): 37.4-pound wahoo
Boat: The Moover
Owner / Captain: Mark Hoover
Third Place Youth Angler:
EJ Nettles (13): 34.0-pound dolphin
Boat: Solid Surface
Owner/Captain: Aaron Nettles


Friday, June 19, 2015

2015 Carolina Billfish Classic - Day One

Youth angler E.J. Nettle (navy shirt) and his leading wahoo
A week-long stretch of scorching and near record heat draped over the Lowcountry leading up to the third leg of the Governor's Cup Billfishing Series. The Carolina Billfish Classic is based out of Toler's Cove Marina which is in Mt. Pleasant on the causeway to Sullivan's Island. The format for the 2015 tourney was modified to utilize only two back-to-back days of fishing on Friday and Saturday. A total of 28 boats went fishing on Friday and found a nice ocean with very little chop and the fishing was very good with nine blue marlin released, one white marlin released and six sailfish released.

Harry Hood and his mahi from Compromise
The Reel Passion released two blue marlin to charge into the Day One lead with a total of 1200 release points. Second and third place are tied on released points, so it is the time of release that determines who is ahead. Caramba is in second place with one blue marlin release and one sailfish release, while the third place boat is the Pertrel. It is worth noting that there were many more blue marlin seen in the bait spreads today, and multiple boats reported close encounters that did not result in a hook up or a lengthy fight. At least one grown blue marlin was spotted, along with a good number of smaller blue marlin.

The Carolina Billfish Classic allows for boats to fish out of their home ports, so several boats are fishing out of Georgetown Landing Marina. One of the Georgetown boats is the Mirage, and they ended up weighing in the leading dolphin after Day One with a 40.1-pound mahi caught by Carroll Campbell. Back at Toler's Cove it was the Bad Becky from Edisto that weighed in a 39.6-pound mahi, finishing under a half-pound behind the dolphin reeled in by the Mirage.
Crew from Russell Hat with a nice HOO

In the wahoo category it was 13-year old E.J. Nettles weighing in the heaviest wahoo at 34.0-pounds caught from the Solid Surface. E.J. Nettles is also leading the Outstanding Youth Angler category with the same wahoo. Second place youth angler is 11-year old Harry Hood with a 9.0-pound mahi. The Outstanding Lady Angler after Day One is Jean Hood, fishing aboard Compromise, for releasing one blue marlin worth 600 release points. Congrats!

Day 1 Unofficial Results for the CAROLINA BILLFISH CLASSIC:
First Place Billfish Boat:
Reel Passion - 2 blue marlin released - 1200 pts
Owner: Bill Ingram
Captain: Gary Richardson
Sea Tiger's 28.2-pound wahoo
Second Place Billfish Boat:
Caramba - 1 sailfish and 1 blue marlin released - 800 pts
Owner: Bob Faith
Captain: Dale Lackey
Third Place Billfish Boat:
Petrel - 1 sailfish and 1 blue marlin released - 800 points
Owner: Harry Johnson Jr.
Captain: Thomas Wynne
Outstanding Dolphin:
Carroll Campbell - 40.1 pounds
Boat: Mirage
The 40.1-pound dolphin brought in by Mirage
Owner: Bill Monckton
Captain: Homer Rachels
Outstanding Wahoo:
EJ Nettles - 34.0 pounds
Boat: Solid Surface
Owner: Aaron Nettles
Captain: Andy Nettles
No tuna landed
Outstanding Lady Angler:
Jean Hood - 1 blue marlin released - 600 pts
Boat: Compromise
Owner: Robert Hood
Captain: Larry Branham
Outstanding Youth Angler:
EJ Nettles, age 13 - 34.0 pound dolphin
Boat: Solid Surface
Owner: Aaron Nettles
Captain: Andy Nettles
Second Place Youth Angler:
Harry Hood, age 11 - 9.0 pound dolphin
Boat: Compromise
Owner: Robert Hood
Captain: Larry Branham

To view past blog entries from the Carolina Billfish Classic click 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010


Thursday, June 18, 2015

Yawkey Preserve Legacy Shines Bright for South Carolina


Georgetown Lighthouse on North Island

Just South of Georgetown is an enclave of wildlife habitat protection that is known to few, but heralded by conservation leaders as important on a landscape scale. The Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Heritage Preserve is in the managed lands program of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources as of 1966 when the late Tom Yawkey willed it to the Palmetto State. Only a few areas in North America enjoy the level of wildlife diversity found on the property today due to Mr. Yawkey’s estate planning and vision of providing a sanctuary for migratory species like shorebirds.
            
Rice culture was practiced in the impoundments
The Yawkey Preserve boundaries are considerable, composed of 31 square miles of pristine habitat. Which includes North Island, South Island and Cat Island with 24,000-acres uplands and wetlands and a full 14-miles of untouched front beach that hosts several hundred nesting sea turtles annually. Due to specific requests in Yawkey’s will forbidding general public recreation and visitation, this area will always remain a wildlife sanctuary. Understanding that money would be required to maintain his wishes, Yawkey left a large general fund in place to administer future management, research and education undertakings.
            
Vast pristine uplands are managed with fire
The Winyah Bay area associated with Georgetown has a rich maritime history, and North Island was the seaside summer home to many rice plantation owners. On June 12, 1777 the now famous Frenchman Lafayette landed on North Island in order to execute a visit to Charleston via land, rather than risk capture by the British at sea. He met with General Howe and General Moultrie before moving up to Philadelphia for an audience with Congress.


Simple slideshow message rings true today
The SCDNR property manager at the Yawkey Preserve is Jamie Dozier, who can also relay some of the history of the property. “There was a total of six rice plantations that operated at this location, and General Edward Porter Alexander helped to consolidate the holdings in 1878,” said Dozier. “Alexander was a three-star Confederate General who was in charge of Lee’s artillery during the Civil War, but who went on to become a railroad baron who focused on political endeavors. His invited guests for waterfowl hunting included President Grover Cleveland.”
            
After Alexander’s death in 1910 the Yawkey family began acquiring his holdings and other parcels. Tom Yawkey’s grandfather was a timber tycoon from Michigan who owned thousands of acres of white pines in the Midwest, and his son Bill Yawkey went on to develop mineral and natural gas projects in the energy sector form the same land. Bill Yawkey adopted his orphaned nephew Tom Yawkey in 1909. Upon his death 1n 1918, he left an inheritance of millions of dollars and his S.C. lands to Tom Yawkey, who in turn made the Yawkey Preserve a pillar for wildlife conservation in South Carolina.

To view this feature article in the newspaper click on Charleston Mercury.

To view past blog entries about coastal conservation in S.C. click ACE Basin.


Wednesday, June 17, 2015

2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid drives to Golf Hall of Fame

Great driving 2015 Avalon Hybrid zips to Florida
There is easily room for two sets of golf clubs
The 2015 Toyota Avalon Hybrid is a sports car and a sedan rolled into one. Even when the motor is running it is quiet, and this Limited Model has all the features that allow drivers to enjoy their driving experience. I decided to Tee Off towards St. Augustine, Florida and visit the World Golf Hall of Fame. Driving down I-95 from South Carolina, the 2015 Avalon Hybrid performed like a hot knife through butter when sluggish traffic was encountered. The 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine and hybrid synergy drive system give this auto both the power and the performance to make a long drive seem easy.

Side View shows Sporty looks
The hot Florida sun was no match for the climate control system in the Avalon with its three-zone controls and of course the ventilated front seats are a MUST! The EnTune premium JBL speakers lets the satellite radio play true, and the navigation and back-up camera systems help the driver to keep a sharp eye. With a hybrid you can expect good gas mileage, but this Avalon hybrid barely sips the gas and it is rated for 40-miles to the gallon. You might even get more mileage when on a straight stretch of open highway!

The color scheme on this auto is listed as Ooh La La Rouge Micah, and it carries a price of $45,578. The dynamic radar cruise control and pre-collision system work together to decrease one's cruising speed as you approach slower traffic. If someone is in your blind spot and moves to make a lane change then a warning light goes off inside the side rear view mirror. A special phone charging station is handy and the dashboard offers a multitude of displays, but I especially liked the distance to empty feature. Again, a little gas goes a LONG way in the Avalon hybrid and you might find yourself wanting to keep filling it up so that you can keep driving it more.
I rolled 10,000-miles on the trip

To view past blog entries from the BMW Charity Pro-Am on the Web.com Tour click 2015 - 2014.

To view past blog entries for the RBC Heritage click on 2015 - 2014 - 2013

To view past blog entries from The Masters click on 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2009

To view past blog entries from the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island click on 2012



Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report - 6/16/2015

 Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:
Charles Rooke displays a bright mahi for lady angler
Inshore Report: While the temperatures on land are soaring towards our first 100-degree temperatures in four years, the waters of the Lowcountry still offer a simple measure of relief for those who are able to get in a little time fishing. Sharks are in the news and anyone throwing out some cut bait right now should get a strike. Warmer than usual water in the surf zone due to lack of rain and clouds over several days has increased the number of shark sightings along the East Coast - FYI.

Tailing tides have returned in a big way recently and those wading the grass flats for spot-tail bass are hoisting their toads for digital photos at a brisk pace. The flounder bite is still going strong, while the trout bite is tapering off, but a D.O.A. shrimp fished near creek mouths with oyster bars can be a great lure to prospect for both fatties and specks. Channels of water that are influenced by the Atlantic are beginning to fill up with species that visit in summer like Spanish mackerel and even some triple-tail. When you see the clean green water in the nearshore waters, then its time to slow troll for king mackerel, and it can't be too much longer until the first tarpon are caught off the S.C. coast!

Offshore Report: The billfish bite continues to be great in 2015 for S.C. anglers, and if anything the prospects for bluewater fishing is only getting better in late June with the addition of a few more white marlin and sailfish into the mix. The blackfin tuna remain present, but anglers have to switch to specific tactics to target them that don't usually result in billfish strikes, so less effort is made for tuna. A few wahoo are still being scared up, especially along the ledge, and plenty of dolphin can still be found when weediness and temperature breaks are located. The photo today came from angler Brandon Dodson after a day of charter fishing in late May aboard the Blue Boy with Captain Grant Bentley. And don't forget that June 18 - 20 marks the third leg of the S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series at the Carolina Billfish Classic.

To view the latest Lowcountry Saltwater Fishing Report click here.

Monday, June 15, 2015

Charleston Race Week - 20th Anniversary in 2015


My photos from the 2015 Platinum Anniversary of Charleston Race Week

Open to all sailboats from 19 to 80-feet in length, Charleston Race Week has become the largest regatta on the East Coast over the past 20 years. Multiple inshore courses and offshore courses are navigate for three consecutive days in April, and the Charleston Harbor Marina is home to all the onshore action.
            
Table of Contents Page image
A positive attitude helped buoy the 2015 Race Week since the event was somewhat weather-challenged with light winds on Day One and Day Three, and most of Day Two being canceled due to no wind. All of which meant that Day Three was pivotal when deciding the winners, including the Melges 20 National Championships.
            
June 2015 cover image
Sailboats from Europe, Mexico and Canada were present, but for the annual Palmetto Cup award the Charleston-based J/122 Teamwork was the winner. Owner Robin Team sails with a crew largely made up of his own family and are perennial supports of Race Week. Continuing with the family theme, Team Dog Party from Canada sails with three brothers as a part of their 7-man crew on their J-88 boat. For more information visit the Internet at www.CharlestonRaceWeek.com.

To view this magazine article and photos click on All At Sea.

To view past blog entries from Charleston Race Week click on 20152014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

Friday, June 12, 2015

2015 DOA Outdoor Writers Festival - Day Two

Black Grouper caught on DOA Shrimp
The wind had been steady for days, and the assembled group of outdoor media and fishing guides enjoyed that while dining on a fresh shrimp dinner on Monday night. But by Tuesday morning the wind completely dropped out and the water was once again flat and that opens up lots of options for anglers, including heading to the front beach to track down some cruising tarpon. The DOA lures tackle box of options can handle this type of challenge of targeting something large or small, since they have a new size 2.75-inch shrimp to compliment the most popular 3-inch shrimp and the oversized 4-inch shrimp.

 River Palms Video - Mike Peppe, Sue Cocking and Ron Presley
I tied on a 3-inch holographic DOA shrimp and headed out from a local boat ramp with Capt. Mike Conner to cast under a few docks. The tide was falling and the water depth was favorable for this approach, letting the trolling motor keep the bow of the boat within range for me to make a few casts. It did not take long and I had my first fish when a juvenile black grouper lunged from under a dock and ate my offering. There is such a wide variety of species available in the Indian River Lagoon that I had never before caught one of these fish, and after a quick photo, the grouper was released to grow up. In fact, the entire DOA event is strictly catch and release only. I did hook a nice snook under a dock and had a brief battle, but when the leader parted I was left with some frustration - but that's fishing. A small 5-pound jack crevalle caught in the channel served to finish up our fishing day.

To view past blog entries from the DOA Writers Event click 201720152014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 -2010 - 2009


Capt. Mike Conner casts to a dock

Manny and Chandler with Tailin' Toads


Thursday, June 11, 2015

2015 DOA Outdoor Writer's Festival - Day One

The 2015 DOA jam band and fishing friends
Spencer from Shimano and
Capt. Mark Nichols are old friends
The 16th annual DOA outdoor writer's festival at a fish camp along South Florida's East Coast offers a wide mix of media input, from jump drives to hard drives, as well as hands on time with DOA fishing lures and the fish that chase them. Of course the annual event takes place under the umbrella of DOA lures but Captain Mark Nichols is the driving force to keep the event going strong. Grabbing the microphone at the Chickee Hut shortly after his guests arrive, Nichols always speaks about his longtime sponsors like Shimano reels, Trokar / Eagle Claw hooks, Costa sunglasses, Humminbird / Minn Kota, Engel Coolers, Tailin' Toads and Hoo Rag. He also tips a cap to those writers that are no longer able to attend. For those that are present, I can relate that they feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude towards Nichols and the fishing guides that help our endeavors to get on some fish!

With the rainy season in S. Florida not quite in effect, the temps were holding at 90-degrees and the wind was steady on Day One. Fishing with Captain Blair Wiggins of Addictive Fishing, and we darted from River Palms to the Stuart Inlet Jetties at dawn using his 24-foot Team Skeeter bay boat. We saw a few large snook in the water but were unable to attract a strike, while another guide was nearby and reported the same lack of action. After the sun cleared the horizon we moved on to the popular hole in the wall fishing spot where I yanked a snooklet from in 2014, but this time it was the Mogan Man's turn and he snagged a beautiful 35-inch linesider on a rootbeer color DOA baitbuster. Visiting writer David Sikes of Texas was in a nearby boat and was able to make some photos, and a notable part of this DOA event is the spirit of cooperation that is present.
A wading Blair Wiggins chats with guide Rufus Wakeman

Blair Wiggins shows me his Snook - photo by David Sikes
Heading over to the fish under the Roosevelt Bridge is was angler Sam Root's turn to reel in a fish, snagging a spotless sand trout that ate a rootbeer color 3-inch DOA shrimp. The fishing was slow and that just allows for the anglers to talk about past fishing exploits and Wiggins shared that he had filmed a TV show here before, and I recalled how Capt. Nichols took me over to fish a marina wall near the bridge that no one else much seems to fish. Which reinforces my belief that Capt. Nichols and other local devoted anglers have fished every inch of the Indian River Lagoon with DOA lures in search of the best fishing spots, and attendees like myself benefit greatly from that experience. We tried several other proven fishing spots this day, but the fish just weren't biting, and it's worth noting that the area still suffers from a lack of marine grass and habitat loss that is limiting the carrying capacity of the estuary. Locals report that recovery of the fishery is ongoing, but not at a rapid pace.

To view past blog entries from the DOA Writers Event click 20142013 - 2012 - 2011 -2010 - 2009
Jack Crevalle caught on DOA holographic shrimp




Sam Root with sand trout on rootbeer CAL