2024 Georgetown Blue Marlin Tourney - Genuine Risk Wins

Glazed weighed-in a 70-pound Mahi

You got to love when a plan comes together, and Team Genuine Risk from Murrell’s Inlet came away with the Georgetown title after just three years of competition. A field of 72-boats ensured that this competition would be a challenging tourney for anyone to win. The Genuine Risk, a 62-foot Viking sportfisher was proven to be sound in its billfishing tactics, and they also capitalized on an exciting sailfish double-header right before Lines Out on Day One. They rode that hot hand and decided to fish back-to-back days, a decision that put them in the lead for good.

The South Carolina Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series holds five tournaments in 2024, and Genuine Risk is currently in second place overall after the Georgetown Invitational. Owner Derek Nobles plans to fish Genuine Risk in the upcoming Carolina Billfish Classic in Charleston and the Edisto Marina Invitational. Derek Nobles has experience in fishing circuits from his past days of being a King mackerel tournament angler. It wasn’t until about three years ago that he and wife Stephanie decided to switch to a bigger boat, and to tackle offshore fishing for blue marlin.

“We fished Day One approximately 55-miles out from Winyah Bay, following sea surface temperature charts to an area with 80-degree temps in about 700-feet of water, “ said Nobles. “The grass was very scattered, and that has been a trend this year, so we decided to troll and ended up releasing a sailfish around noon and a blue marlin about 12:30. Tournament rules define Lines Out at 3 P.M. and we were fortunate to get a double-header on sailfish literally just before that time. We were able to release both sails, and we had four GoPro cameras filming to document the timing for the Rules Committee.

“I’ve known Capt. Wilson since high school, and everything clicked at Georgetown with him at the helm,” said Nobles. “Glenn is a heck of a fisherman and we have more to accomplish this year too. Other crew included Iain Rhye, Will Morrow, Drew Hannah, Andrew Laythrom, Kenny Crafton and my daughter Skylar Nobles. Our Day Two started out great with a blue marlin release at 8:50 A.M.  followed by another blue marlin release at 11:30 A.M. and had two sailfish releases after that Our margin of victory was 200-release points so we needed all of those fish. Look, this tourney is a hard one to top for us since we are local, and we are grateful to experience getting a win here at Georgetown.”

To view past blog entries from Georgetown click on 2015 -  2013- 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009

To read the entire story click on Trilogy Outdoors / June

To view past stories inTrilogy Outdoors click on Santee Big Cat -   Pheasant Tower Shoot -  Release Over 20 - 2023 Hawk Watch -  Kiawah Bird Banding -  2023 Crappie Camp -  Early Birds of September -  SCDNR Salt Fishing Clinics -  Silver King Makes Big Splash - S.C. Mahi Series - 2023 Yawkey Wildlife Center - 2023 Hammock Coast Birding Festival - 2023 Lowcountry Oyster Festival - 2022 Sea Turtle Season - Navigating an S.C. Public Draw Deer Hunt - Crappie Camp - Blessings of a Sporting Father

2024 Gamekeeper / Spring - Reforestation After Clearcut

Double-truck page layout. (Click for larger view)

One could argue that when farming for wildlife, the first planting in the equation for long-term goals is a pine tree seedling. Hunting for game in mature pine woods, or hardwoods, is a luxury that does not last forever, since timber cutting will crowd this field of dreams. Whether the decision to execute a clear-cut took years, or just a few days, once that cut is made the clock for reforestation starts ticking. Firebreak Maintenance, Site Prep, Prescribed Fire and a Planting Crew will all be in the works and Gamekeepers are wise to rely on a forest professional for oversight.

The number one reason for a clear-cut is that the trees have reached maturity and revenue is needed to ensure that other year-round needs are met such as barn upkeep, animal feeding, mowing and more. It is likely that a thinning operation preceded the clearcut decision, in order to space out revenue intake, but eventually the Lorax needs calling, and a fresh start is the best option. After all, the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, but the second-best time is to plant some trees is today.

For more Farming For Wildlife stories click Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Magazine.

To view past blog entries from Gamekeepers click on 2024 Predator Control - 2023 Wild Turkey Decline - 2022 Managing Duck Impoundments - 2021 Regional Wood Duck Study -  Fall 2021- Summer 2021 - Winter 2020- Spring 2020 - Fall 2017- Spring 2016 - Winter 2016 - Fall 2015 - Summer 2015 - Spring 2015 - Winter 2015 - Fall 2014 - Summer 2014 - Spring 2014 - Winter 2013 

2024 Gamekeepers / Spring - Predator Control

Automation aids managers practicing trapping 
to benefit ground-nesting birds

The emphasis on trapping to benefit wild game species began when coyotes began to infiltrate the Southeast more than a decade ago. When hunters saw the first coyote in their favorite hunting spot, it set off a fire alarm for many and led to a scramble to find a trapper. Today, it’s wild turkeys and quail that are the game species in decline, and it turns out that ground-nesting predator control can be a key to helping them recover. Varmints, critters, furbearers, and other names allude to this army of egg-eaters armed with teeth, claws and the natural ability to find their prey.

Jason Hewett is owner of Private Land Management Co. in S.C., and he spent years managing large tracts of land for ground-nesting birds like quail. “You’ve got to understand the relationship between predator and prey when varmint trapping,” said Hewett. “We are always managing for habitat improvements, which increases prey numbers, and an uptick in predators is a part of that equation. Which means any intense trapping effort is likely to remove a large number of predators, but be prepared for similar numbers in the years to follow too.”

For more Farming For Wildlife stories click on Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Magazine

To view past blog entries from Gamekeepers click on 2023 Wild Turkey Decline - 2022 Managing Duck Impoundments - 2021 Regional Wood Duck Study -  Fall 2021- Summer 2021 - Winter 2020- Spring 2020 - Fall 2017- Spring 2016 - Winter 2016 - Fall 2015 - Summer 2015 - Spring 2015 - Winter 2015 - Fall 2014 - Summer 2014 - Spring 2014 - Winter 2013 

2024 Santee Big Cat Tourney - Catastrophic Failure Repeats

Click on Image for Larger View

The two-day tournament out of Black’s Camp on March 15 – 16, saw Team Catastrophic Failure defend their 2023 win at the Santee Big Cat Brawl, winning the heaviest aggregate category in back-to-back years. Captain Brad McCall and crew’s two-day total weight was 216.65-pounds, giving them the First Place payday of $15,000. Their single-heaviest catfish weighed 73.95-pounds and was also good for 2nd Place Biggest Fish. The Santee Big Cat Brawl is the local tourney that is so well run that it has the feel of a national event, with Santee Cooper Country and Mad Katz Rods as the title sponsors. 

The 136 boats fishing in the 3rd Santee Big Cat Brawl came from 14 states to compete for the braggin’ rights, with the Santee Cooper Lakes being known to hold lots of large catfish. Arkansas Blues, Flathead and Channel Cats are all legal to weigh-in, but tourney rules stipulate they must be kept alive and then released back to the lake immediately after weigh-in. The weather on Day One was warm and calm, and the format allows teams to weigh-in three catfish per day, so the Day One weigh-in was a 3-hour marathon for weighmaster Mark Coburn. Coburn is a fan-favorite and knows how to keep things rolling along with a mix of catfish knowledge and down-to-earth humor.

            

Among the very first catfish weighed in on Friday came with a boat load of anticipation since Team Larry and Evan from North Carolina had brought their monster Cat to Black’s Camp that morning, stashing it in the large aeration tanks available there. The talk on the dock had this whopper catfish being a 100-pounder, but when the scales were applied, they weighed-in an 82.85 blue cat that went on the claim the Top Spot and $6800 as heaviest catfish at the 2024 Santee Big Cat Brawl. Angler Larry Godwin was fishing with a large shad head on the bottom using a Santee Cooper rig when the big cat bit at 9:15 that morning, giving him an exciting 30-minute fight. Captain Evan Martin said they fish out of a 2007 G3 17-foot Angler V boat, and that they also won 2nd place Biggest Catfish here in 2023.

To view the entire story in Trilogy Outdoors click on April / May Issue

To view past stories from Trilogy Outdoors click on  Pheasant Tower Shoot -  Release Over 20 - 2023 Hawk Watch -  Kiawah Bird Banding -  2023 Crappie Camp -  Early Birds of September -  SCDNR Salt Fishing Clinics -  Silver King Makes Big Splash - S.C. Mahi Series - 2023 Yawkey Wildlife Center - 2023 Hammock Coast Birding Festival - 2023 Lowcountry Oyster Festival - 2022 Sea Turtle Season - Navigating an S.C. Public Draw Deer Hunt - Crappie Camp - Blessings of a Sporting Father

2024 Turkeys For Tomorrow Field Day at Medway Plantation

Chip Byrd with PLM sets prescribed fire June 7

Turkeys For Tomorrow (TFT) is a conservation group out of Alabama that is building grass roots efforts across the Southeast. Set up as a 501c3 organization three years ago, their mission is to address the drastic reduction in wild turkey populations. TFT partners with S.C.-based Private Land Management (PLM) to hold a Habitat Field Day on June 7 in Goose Creek at Medway Plantation. 

To read the feature story in the Post and Courier newspaper click on Tideline. 

Turkey poults in Spring of 2024

The hot and sunny weather did not deter private landowners from attending the field day, where any shade and a breeze were welcome. Field Tour stops included a trapping demo, viewing of both brood and nesting cover, a prescribed fire demo and a hack and squirt demo. The 8 AM start time allowed Jason Lupardus and Pete Daugherty from TFT and Jason Hewett and Chip Byrd from PLM to address attendees, before heading into the field.

To view past blog entries on wild turkeys click on 2020 Turkey Season Changes - 2016 Turkey Season Changes / Tideline

To view past stories in Tideline click on Carolina Ladies Billfish Classic - Paddling For Pups Photos - 2024 Atlantic Cup - Silvopasture Forestry - Beidler Forest 50th Anniversary - Charleston Race Week Photos - Southeast Shorebird Festival - ACE Basin Day Photos - Santee Big Cat Brawl - Carolina Marsh Tacky Association - SEWE Photos - Five Birding Hotspots

2024 Carolina Ladies Billfish Classic - Inaugural Event

Team Buddy Rowe Wins First Place! 

Daymaker and crew fished on June 18

The Charleston Harbor Resort and Marina is set to host a Ladies only offshore fishing tournament on Tuesday, June 18. This event will piggyback on the already established Carolina Billfish Classic which competes June 20 - 22. Lady anglers are not uncommon on the sportfishing boats that head offshore looking for billfish and meatfish, but the Ladies Only format for June 18 will be sure to turn heads. If any billfish releases are recorded, then special pink flags will fly on that boat’s outrigger, and the weigh-in from 4 to 7 will also double as a fun best-dressed fishing team contest.

To view the feature article in the Post and Courier newspaper click on Tideline.

To view past blog entries from the Carolina Billfish Classic click on 2015 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010

To view past stories in Tideline click on Paddling For Pups Photos - 2024 Atlantic Cup - Silvopasture Forestry - Beidler Forest 50th Anniversary - Charleston Race Week Photos

Original Artwork by Bryn Roff on auction
at Party With a Purpose to Benefit
Share Our Suzy SOS

 - Southeast Shorebird Festival - ACE Basin Day Photos - Santee Big Cat Brawl - Carolina Marsh Tacky Association - SEWE Photos - Five Birding Hotspots

2024 Paddling For Pups - Animal Lovers Of Edisto

 To view 2024 Photo Gallery in the Post and Courier newspaper click on Tideline

Click to view 2023 Paddling For Pups.

 

Animal Lovers of Edisto Canine Rescue is excited to announce the 2nd annual “Paddling for Pups” event! This FREE, family friendly event will take place at Bay Creek Park on Saturday, June 8th, 2024 from 10am-4pm!

 

This fundraising event benefiting Animal Lovers of Edisto Canine Rescue will feature kayak and paddle board races, doggie contests, trainer demonstrations, live music, food trucks, and vendors! Leashed dogs are welcome and may participate in contests at the owner’s discretion. Please clean up after your pets. Interested vendors may contact Amy (843-708-7664).

 

Contact Us: 

 

Want to know the latest Animal Lovers news? See dogs available for adoption? Learn about upcoming events? Check out our website: www.animalloversofedisto.com or find us on social media (Facebook and Instagram - search for Animal Lovers of Edisto).

 

For more information about fostering or adopting one of our rescues, or for any other questions, please send an email (EdistoALOE@gmail.com) or call (854-766-7867). 

 

To view past stories in Tideline click on 2024 Atlantic Cup - Silvopasture Forestry - Beidler Forest 50th Anniversary - Charleston Race Week Photos - Southeast Shorebird Festival - ACE Basin Day Photos - Santee Big Cat Brawl - Carolina Marsh Tacky Association - SEWE Photos - Five Birding Hotspots