2018 Edisto Dolphin Slam - Reel Escape Lady Angler Wins

Angler Laura Addy wins the 2018 Edisto Dolphin Slam

 with husband Bryan holding fish

Landon Siegler from the Hot Jelly,
with 2nd place 20.3-pound mahi

The weather forecast held true and a small window of warm weekend weather allowed for the first tournament of the saltwater fishing season. A fleet of 34 boats headed out for bluewater in the predawn morning of April 28 to find out if the dolphin were biting. This is the fifth year of the Marina at Edisto hosting this tournament, providing a steady early season date for local anglers to plan for, and attracting plenty of dockside onlookers cheering on anglers weighing fish.

The heaviest dolphin weighed-in at 29.4-pounds, giving Team Reel Escape the 2018 Dolphin Slam title. Female angler Laura Addy added her lady luck to their crew of six anglers, reeling in the winning dolphin and claiming the Lady Angler honors too. Husband Bryan Addy and wife Laura are based in Batesburg, but keep their 30-foot Grady-White fishing boat down at Edisto, and their fishing season off to a great start by winning the $4080 first place prize. The lady angler prize is a new rod and reel combo, plus a gift certificate to the ship’s store.

Second place went to angler Landon Seigler fishing on the Hot Jelly team with a dolphin weighing in at 20.3-pounds. Their fishing team went 6 for 11 on dolphin strikes and ended up with enough for fresh fish tacos all this coming week, and the second place prize money of $1360 will help Kevin Verbugge and crew get back offshore sooner rather than later. The third place mahi was 20.1-pounds, reeled in by Forest Morgan on the Half Chain boat, and good for $680 in prize money. The first place youth angler goes to 11-year old Drake Roberson for his 15.6-pound dolphin reeled in while fishing on the Double Shot with Capt. Charles Yeomans and his father Kevin Roberson.

Youth angler winner Drake Roberson,
with father Kevin and 15.6-pound mahi

To view the entire feature story in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries on Migratory dolphin off S.C. click 2016 - 2015- 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 - 2007

To view past blog entries from 2018 at Edisto click on Grits Cook Off 

To view past blog entries from 2017 at Edisto click on Edisto Music Festival - Lions Club Bingo - Business of the Year - Jim Bost Tourney - Summer Activities

To view past blog entries from 2016 at Edisto click on Jim Bost Memorial - Dolphin Slam - Cobia Tourney - Spring Shorebird Synergy - Bovine Bones on Beach - Edisto River book - 2016 Edisto Billfish Tourney 

2018 Birding Journal Observations - March / April

Orchard Oriole on April 30

After average temperatures in March, the Lowcountry enjoyed cooler and windy conditions in April, including a 40-degree morning on April 30. The cooler weather pattern didn't have much of an effect on bird migration though, according to my past ten years of birding links, but it has felt like an extended Spring of birdwatching which is always pleasant. Spring birding for neotropical migratory songbirds is the equivalent of watching the Super Bowl, you want to keep a sharp eye out for the highlights during the biggest event of the entire year.

Some of the first sightings for migratory species in 2018 include:
March 8 - Swallow-tailed kite
March 22 - Blue-gray gnatcatcher, Parula warbler
March 27 - Yellow-throated warbler, Ruby-throated hummingbird
March 30 - Ruby-crowned kinglet
April 11 - Summer tanager, Whip-poor-will, Blue grosbeak, Barm swallow
April 22 - Painted bunting, Indigo bunting
April 26 - Gray catbird
April 30 - Orchard Oriole, Red-headed woodpecker

Other birding observations from March / April 2018 include chipping sparrow, red-bellied woodpecker, mockingbird, bluebird, white-throated sparrow, cardinal, Carolina wren, dove, cormorant, downy woodpecker, osprey, wood stork, great blue heron, red-tailed hawk, white-throated sparrow, tufted titmouse, white-breasted nuthatch, brown thrasher, brown-headed cowbird, towhee, Carolina chickadee, blue jay and wood duck.

To view past Birding Journal Observations from March / April click 2017 - 2016- 2015 - 2014 - 2013 - 2012 - 2011 - 2010 - 2009 

To view the latest Birding Journal Observation click on November / December 2017

To view Field Notes and Photos click on December 2017 - September 2017 - January 2017- December 2016 - June 2016 - February 2016- December 2015 - October 2015 - September 2015 - August 2015 - July 2015 - June 2015 - February 2105 - October 2014 -  September 2014 - August 2014 - June 2014 - March 2012 - February 2012 - October 2011 - September 2011