Famars fine guns adds U.S. focus

Tim Ross with FamarsUSA at Bray's Island

NEW Famars gun cases

An example of world-class Famars shotgun engraving

Wonderful wood accents a Famars firearm

Famars fine Italian guns, known for master engraving work, has opened it first-ever office in the United States in Rhode Island. The new FamarsUSA will focus not only on their guns, but on a line of gentleman's knives and the accessories required for a sporting lifestyle. Tim Ross and David Rodin represented FamarsUSA at a recent shooting expo in the Lowcountry, and were skillful in sharing how the new company vision is playing out in 2012.To view my feature story on FamarsUSA visit the Internet at Charleston Mercury.

Lowcountry Fishing Report - 5/16/2012

Fishing Report for the Coastal Lowcountry of South Carolina:

Capt. Johnny Crislip and a Charleston Cobia

Charleston Inshore Report: Scott Hammond at Haddrell's Point West actually got out of the store and into the boat for a 'heat check' of the inshore fisheries and found that the fishing is hot! In only a few hours of fishing a live shrimp under a cajun thunder float, 22 trout were handled. The action came in a spot with hard bottom, 4 to 5-feet in depth, and with a steady washing current. Three redfish, two flounder and a sheepshead beat the trout to the shrimp along the way, and Scott verified just what all his customers had been reporting - it's time to get on the water! Use minnows, shrimp, mullet or menhaden to target redfish now, and anglers are locating them along heavy structure at low tide levels. Gulp baits, Z-man shads and DOA baits are also very productive this time of year. Some bluefish and Spanish mackerel can be found around Castle Pinckney already, and keep an eye out when the tide and wind serve to trap bait against the shore - that is always a great opportunity to troll through for marauding toothy fishes! Don't forget to check the inlets for flounder, using a slow-drift method. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Haddrell's Point.

Bart Manley from the Market Street location of The Charleston Angler begins, saying with water temps consistently in the 70's, the inshore bite is at the point of no return! Redfish are all pretty active now with a lot of live bait pushing in the estuary to give them reason to celebrate. Now is a great time to target redfish or trout by fishing a live bait under a popping cork, such as a mud minnow or a shrimp. The flounder bite has been smokin' hot and Bart says to go with the 'fluke killer' rig. On the fly fishing front, the tide tables indicate that later next week the tailing redfish will be available for those wanting to break out the LONG-rod, and to fish fly patterns with some copper flash to them. Bart says not to overlook the fun of crabbing, and that putting out a trap or even a chicken-neck is a great way to gather a seafood supper. For all the latest seminar information visit the Internet at Charleston Angler.

Captain Johnny Crislip with Tighten' Up Charters out of Toler's Cover Marina tells us that the fishing has been nothing short of excellent. (He usually backs up this claim daily with a post on his FB page.) He reports bait such as finger mullet and menhaden already in large numbers this year, and his shrimp boat friends reported seeing the FIRST tarpon of the summer too!! Flood tide fishing for redfish sees Crislip using EP crab pattern flies, EP swimming mullets and various shrimp patterns. If the wind does not allow for fly-casting he has been scoring with Gulp shrimp, Zara spooks or blue crabs rigged on a one-ought circle hook. Fresh bait can make all the difference, so Crislip advises putting some focus on netting bait whenever they present themselves - keep it fresh! Cobia fishing has been really good this year, but these finicky fish can refuse to eat at times, so Crislip's Pro Tip is to be ready with at least four different types of bait; he likes two live bait options and two jig options. To fish with Capt. Johnny Crislip give him a call at 843-532-9238.

Charleston Offshore Report: Bart says that mahi and wahoo reports have been strong as of late, and to continue to slow troll jigs as the water heats up. Anglers are looking South for cobia, and slow reports have given way to more consistent ones. He recommends casting Hogy jiggn' baits in dark colors at the brown cruising fish. Of course, don't forget about the live eel option, which is always a favorite for this blogger. What could be more slippery than live eels in a five-gallon bucket - NOT MUCH!

Scott reports that the wind has been an enemy here lately, particularly on Saturdays, but all of the offshore anglers who ventured out into the Atlantic ocean report that the action is wide open, and the fish box is hard to close! Joseph on the Game Day reported back finding quality dolphin in as little as 130-feet of water - which is in perfect range for center-console anglers. Greater numbers of mahi are being found on out to 1600-feet though, and that is the realm of the sportfisher fleet. Wahoo are still consistent along the ledge and on temperature breaks, so use the latest intel to locate blue water. Blue marlin reports have been strong off the coast with numerous boats having close encounters such as Can't Complain, Prowess and Sadie Beth.

To view past Fishing Reports for the Coastal Lowcountry click here.

2012 Atlantic Cup: Mare is first to New York City

Campagne De France in Charleston Harbor

Details on the French sailing duo

Mare sailing in front of the Mare Atlanticum container ship

Details on the winning team

Last Friday May 11 the 2012 Atlantic Cup got underway about 7 p.m. inside Charleston Harbor, sending fourteen competitors into the ocean to race northward to New York City. Then the ocean winds delivered the fleet into port at New York City in the dead of night, with the Mare sailing team (#115) crossing the finish line at 1:20 a.m. on Tuesday May 15. The two-man crew was heard over the radio saying that NYC at night was a very cool place to finish the first leg of the race. No Doubt! Finishing in second place at 1:41 a.m. was Campagne De France (#101) who sail double-handed with a man and woman crew. Finishing third is Bodacious Dream (#118) at 2:16 a.m., followed by Gryphon Solo II (#106) at 3:13 a.m. The fleet will be heading up to Newport, Rhode Island for a second leg of racing. This race is a carbon neutral event or more race information visit the Internet at Atlantic Cup.

To view past blog entries about the Atlantic Cup click here.

Maserati Sailing Team sees record slip away

Maserati under sail in the ocean

The sleek Maserati sailing vessel that was moored at the Sea Breeze marina in Charleston for a time, has conceded that the record from New York to Lizard Point, England is safe. The crew reported more than halfway through their challenging 2925 nautical mile journey that light winds have replaced the strong winds that already propelled them through the Newfoundland waters that are still frigid and containing icebergs. Former Around Alone skippers Giovanni Soldini and Brad Van Liew head up this veteran racing crew, and to view past blog entries about the Velux 5 Oceans Race click here.

COLD and tough conditions at sea

New York (May 14, 2012) - "We didn't make it; the barometer has started to rise." With these words Giovanni Soldini, on board Maserati, said that the New York-Lizard Point record attempt has definitely faded away. After blasting through the first 1,500 miles of the course, at speeds which averaged more than 20 knots and placed Maserati ahead of the existing world record, the weather models changed and destroyed their charge to the finish line.


There was nothing left to do for Giovanni Soldini and his team. Once they entered the weak winds after rushing through Newfoundland's icebergs and fog, the "virtual" advantage of 200 miles on Mari Cha IV (a 140 foot maxi yacht which set the North Atlantic speed record in 2003 in 6 days, 17 hours, 52 minutes, 39 seconds) got thinner and thinner.   

Many boats have tried to break the challenging North Atlantic record. In 1999 Giovanni Agnelli's Stealth had to abandon due to technical problems. Virgin Money, a 90 foot monohull helmed by Richard Branson, abandoned in 2008 due to a huge storm with waves 40 feet tall that damaged the boat and hurt the crew. In 2010 ICAP Leopard 3 (skipper Chris Sherlock, owner Mike Slade) ended up in a dead calm zone caused by high pressure just 350 miles before the arrival at Lizard Point.

Photos courtesy Brad Van Liew

2012 Savannah River Classic - Allendale

Mike and Jordan Oglesby with their winning lunker bass

Johnny Sanders shows me his wigglers and grubs

John and Harper Rice with Bartow and Bart Keller

Latham Boone of Red Bluff Lodge

The 4th edition of the Savannah River Classic (SRC) challenges anglers to target freshwater fish and is based out of Allendale. The weigh-in is held at a fine facility, which used to be an S.C. Welcome Center before SCDOT divested it to Allendale County. This year's tournament benefits the Lower Savannah River Alliance (LSRA) which works to bring neighboring counties in both SC and Ga. together to raise awareness about the natural resources associated with the state-line tributary. Twenty teams from the Allendale area competed on May 12 under sunny skies, calm wind conditions and comfortable temps. In the future, the SRC would like to invite anglers from Georgia to compete for the annual braggin' rights, and for the great prizes offered in the tourney. Youth angler participation was very good as Allendale families are raising their kids right - with an appreciation for the outdoors. Congrats to Latham Boone for winning the youth panfish division, continuing his mastery of both fish and game! Bartow Keller won the youth catfish division with his 1-pound 6-ounce cat. Jordan Oglesby won the youth bass division with a lunker that went 6-pounds and 7-ounces, which also helped him take the youth aggregate title. Father Mike Oglesby had another super Savannah River bass at 4-pounds 3-ounces to win the adult bass division, and claiming the adult aggregate title, allowing this father and son team to clean up the 2012 SRC - Congrats!! Alan Stanley won the adult panfish division with a 12.2-ounce crappie and the adult catfish winner, Rick Gooding, also caught the biggest fish of the day when he dredged up an 11-pound 2-ounce river cat.

To view past blog entries from the Savannah River Classic click here.

2012 Atlantic Cup sets sail from Charleston

Race Start for the 2012 Atlantic Cup in Charleston

Race Director Hugh Piggin and Julianna Barbieri

The second edition of the Atlantic Cup sailing race departed Charleston Harbor on May 11 under brisk winds and moderate temperatures. The Atlantic Cup fleet of 15 racing boats had been in Charleston for a week of preparations and festivities that included a skipper's party at Midtown sponsored by Pabst Blue Ribbon. Race Director Hugh Piggin is from New Zealand, and he was in charge of the Atlantic Cup HQ at the Maritime Center while the starting line was laid out. The start time was delayed a few minutes while some shipping traffic was allowed to clear, and then a fabulous race start occurred at 6:25 p.m., while the VIP balcony attendees waved and cheered on their favorite team. These 40-foot boats will be race double-handed (two-person crew) all the way up to Rhode Island, with one stop in New York to conduct some time trials. The sailboats will spend a few days on the open waters of the Atlantic, and their progress can be tracked on the Atlantic Cup website. It did not take long for peril to appear when the sailboat named 40 Degrees snapped its mast in Charleston Harbor during their very first tack! A hush came over the crowd for a few minutes until it could be confirmed that the crew was ok, and just like that they wee headed back to the marina to make repairs. The first Atlantic Cup had just four entries, while the 2012 edition grew three-fold with the addition of several racing teams here from Europe!

40 Degrees lost their mast and is out of the race

A patron from Rhode Island and PBR's Jeffrey Woytal

Sarah DeMarco and friends at the VIP party

To view past blog entries about Charleston Race Week click here.
To view past blog entries about the Charleston To Bermuda race click here.
To view past blog entries about the Velux 5 Oceans Race click here.

2012 Redfish Lodge CCA Summit - Day Two

What's better than one trout?

Pat Murray, Ted Venker and Matt Paxton of CCA and Bruce Culpepper

Time to FISH !!

The Coastal Conservation Association's Habitat Program is firing on all cylinders over in the Gulf waters off of Texas and Louisiana. CCA has great leadership from their general counsel Bob Hayes, and they have chosen wisely when it comes to project partners like Shell Oil. Rest assured that CCA is active in Washington, D.C. as well, ever mindful of how quick the whitecaps can kick up in political waters. With 2012 being a Presidential election year, politics are in focus for CCA, and their team of advocates will be watching to make inroads for marine conservation where possible. Here in South Carolina, Senator Jim DeMint could be a strong leader for for fisheries as his committee will decide reauthorization of the Magnuson Stevenson Act in the year 2013, and Congressman Jeff Duncan is outspoken on the behalf of sportsmen. Day Two at the Redfish Lodge did allow for a bit more angling and those who ventured into the windy waters were able to wrangle some more trout, flounder and redfish to complete the grand slam on what was a terrific summit of sharing optimism concerning the future of recreational fishing.

Trout in front of the Redfish Lodge with Craig Nyhus

For more blog entries on the Redfish Lodge click here.