May / June Birding Journal Observations

The summer's saltwater soiree of fishing tourneys did not stop my birding observations, but it almost made me forget to post them! The end of April brought a bevy of neotropical migratory songbirds to view and May 1 kicked off in grand style when the first ruby-throated hummingbird of the season showed up. He was late this year to be sure, but all migratory animals seemed to be delayed by the long cold winter. Soon two more hummers were in the mix, enjoying the sugar water nectar that I put in two feeders. Other sightings included cardinal, brown-headed cowbird, male and female summer tanager, red-headed woodpecker, Mississippi kite, blue grosbeak, red-bellied woodpecker, tufted titmouse, bluebird, dove, blue jay, 5/10 FIRST Indigo bunting, mockingbird, yellow-billed cuckoo, wood stork, brown thrasher, canada goose, wood duck, kingbird, cattle egret, hairy woodpecker and pileated woodpecker.

To read my feature story on Birding Edisto Island with Dr. Sid Gauthreaux click here.

For the March-April birding blog entry click here.

PhotoByJeffDennis: A Snowy egret stalks prey across my bow

MegaDock Gov. Cup - Day Three

Benchmark takes Top Billfish Boat at the MegaDock tournament on the strength of its 1600 point total from the first two days of fishing. Reel Passion released one sail on Saturday to get to 1400 points, but finished in second place. No changes occurred in any of the meatfish divisions. A total of six billfish were released by the fourteen boats fishing on Saturday with Jabez scoring 800 points for releasing a blue marlin and one sailfish, moving them into fourth place behind Secotan. Kara Slick took the Top Female Angler honors for releasing a sailfish on Thursday from Rock'nReel, and Taylor Wood took Top Youth Angler honors for his 6.4-pound dolphin caught on Emily Bliss. A proper leaderboard can be viewed at www.megadocktournament.com.

To view blog coverage from Day Tow at the 2011 MegaDock click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Charles Youman reeled in this 24.2-pound dolphin on Friday fishing from Game On; Kara Slick accepts the City Marina MegaCleat with ease; The crew of Reel Passion and owner Billy Ingram (pink shirt) accept second place billfish boat knowing that they gave it their best effort

Megadock Gov. Cup - Day Two

Friday at the MegaDock Tourney saw fifty-three boats go fishing. Benchmark released a blue marlin to tack 600 points onto their Day One lead and continue leading the tournament after two days. Reel Passion surged into second place with a double-header release on blue marlin, good for 1200 points. Benchmark is 'fished 'out and will stay in port while Reel Passion and 14 other boats will go fishing on Saturday. Sitting in their place with one blue marlin release and three sailfish released is Secotan, the 66-foot Spencer Yacht out of Manteo, N.C. - with 1200 points. Can't Complain is in the mix with 800 Day One points because they will fish Saturday while Secotan stays in port - 'fished out.' A total of 28 billfish were released on Friday including 9 blue marlin, two white marlin and 17 sailfish. There were no changes in the tuna category but the dolphin division saw the top three leaders knocked out by Ryan Higgins and his 50.6-pound mahi caught on Miss Magnolia, Reynolds Miars and his 47.4-pound mahi caught on Reel Jim and Jonathan Rooke and his 46.8-pound mahi caught on Major Motion. The wahoo leader was actually tied when Kirkley Russell brought a 42-pound hoo to the scale from Russell Hat.

To view more blog coverage from the 2010 MegaDock click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Ryan Higgins (on left) and Capt. Tram Colket with the hanging 50.6-pound dolphin; Charles Rooke (on left) and brother/angler Jonathon with the 46.8-pound mahi mahi; youth angler Taylor Wood with his stud 6.4-pound dolphin and trophy from The Charleston Angler; Don Hammond mixes business with pleasure when recording data for his project: www.dolphintagging.com

MegaDock Gov. Cup - Day Two

Most of the Governor's Cup fleet is electing to fish back-to-back and Day One was a good one both at the scales and for release tallies. Benchmark leads with 1000 points for the five sailfish they released. One sail was handled by mate Will Thornhill who said, "The sailfish like naked ballyhoo rigged up on light tackle with a 60-pound leader and a cricle hook." Can't Complain is in second place with 800 points after releasing a sailfish and a blue marlin, and owner Mullins McCloud said, "I can't complain!" All tallied 46 billfish were released on Day One with four blue marlin (Can't Complain, Petrel, Big Sky and Big Kahuna), one white marlin and 41 sailfish. Boats with three sailfish released were Daymaker, Full Pull, Secontan and Reel Jim. Angler Kara Smith released a sailfish on Rock'N'Reel and is in the lead for Lady Angler honors. The leading dolphin is 37.4-pounds caught by John Floyd aboard Full Pull. Top tuna honors go to James Lucas for his 12.2-pound blackfin caught from Gusto IV. The wahoo leader is Carter Smith with his 42-pounder caught from Mindset.

To view more blog coverage form the 2010 MegaDock click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Carter Smith with his fine 27-pound dolphin from Mindset at the head of the MegaDock, Rodney Williams with an 8.8-pound blackfin caught aboard Daymaker; HMY-Viking (www.HMY.com) is the title sponsor for the MegaDock and reps Doug Donahue, Tom Sanders and Rob Everton offer support on the docks; Walter Reardon with a 38.6-pound wahoo caught from RamRod; The Blue Dogs 'rock the dock' at the charity auction

Megadock Gov. Cup - Day One Release Tally

Hot weather should equal good opportunity for the MegaDock anglers to catch and release sailfish. Are there many blue marlin out there to be released? Unofficially, 57 out of 62 registered boats went fishing today and released 46 billfish including four blue marlin and one white marlin. With the weather forecast for Saturday looking iffy, most fishing crews are prepared to fish back-to-back on Thursday and Friday. At the Captain's Meeting on Wednesday Tournament Manager Robbie Freeman said, "The mission of the MegaDock Tournament is to promote the sport of fishing, encourage preservation of the species, and to provide support to our maritime community by contributing proceeds to our local charities." A special MegaDock Charity Auction will take place after fishing on Thursday to raise funds for Dragon Boat Charleston, and the www.SCMemorialReef.org. The MegaDock is the only Gov. Cup event that can call Historic Charleston its address, and with that comes some parking issues. Freeman encouraged all visitors to use the free parking at St. Mary's Field, just a few blocks away, and to ride the free shuttle service to the MegaDock. Weigh-in is set for 5 until 7 each day of fishing competition.

To view more blog coverage from the 2010 MegaDock click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Check out the marlin and dolphin wrap on the Cummins Diesel yacht called the QuadZeus; Francis Johnson brought this 10.2-pound blackfin tuna to the scales fishing from Petrel on Day One; Is a state record blue marlin and a Mega-Million payoff about to happen?

Megadock Begins / DNR Bd. Mtg.

The Charleston City Marina welcomes the 62 boats that are to compete in the 8th annual HMY-Viking MegaDock Billfishing Tournament. The MegaDock is the 4th leg of the S.C. Governor's Cup Billfishing Series The Captain's Meeting and all meals take place under the Big Tent, a familiar setting for times of fellowship at the MegaDock Tournament. The event is sanctioned by the World Billfish Series and carries a Mega-Million dollar prize for the boat that weighs in a new state record blue marlin. Weigh-ins are scheduled from 5 to 7 each day of fishing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Check their website at www.MegaDockTournament.com for a webcam and leaderboard, as well as a complete list of the boats fishing the tournament. After Day One of fishing on Thursday a very special MegaDock Charity Auction will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 to benefit several organizations such as the S.C. Waterfowl Association (www.scwa.org), and Water Missions. One of the sponsors of the MegaDock Tourney is www.YellowfinUnlimited.com so be sure to stop by their booth and check out their sharp dress shirts, sun shirts with moisture management technology, and of course their very fishable visors.

At the SCDNR Board Meeting held July 7, Sam Hiott was recognized with a very special award.

Hiott is a former Board Member of the Governor's Cup Advisory Board, and he is currently Chair of the Waterfowl Advisory Committee, and a board member of the Harry Hampton Fund. Hiott was made an Honorary Lieutenant Colonel of SCDNR Law Enforcement, and received a framed proclamation and badge.

To view blog coverage form the 2009 MegaDock click here.

PhotosByJeffDennis: Yellowfin visors sit next to work by artist Larry Rackley; Lloyd Davis of Yellowfin Unlimited came from Texas to support the Governor's Cup; SCDNR Board Chair Mike McShane (in blue) awards Sam Hiott his honorary badge; The Perpetual Trophy for the Gov. Cup sits under glass at Fort Johnson while the fleet fishes for destiny and the right to add their name to its roster of Outstanding Billfish Boats

Fourth of July - Freedom to Fish

LowcountryOutdoors wants to recognize and thank the members of our armed services who serve to protect the freedoms that Americans enjoy. Not quite mid-way through summer, and with just two more Governor's Cup events left to go, it seems that the freedom to go fishing is alive and well. Yet our natural resources are not limitless and part of being a patriotic angler is to know when to release your catch for future fishing opportunities. Fostering a catch and release mentality will lead to more fishing freedoms in the future, and education of those who have not been exposed to this mindset will be an ongoing commitment for charter captains, tackle shops, SCDNR and even outdoor writers. Happy 4th of July and Good Luck fishing!!

To view past 4th of July blog entries click here.

PhotoByJeffDennis: Freedom and Governor's Cup Fishing at the Charleston Harbor Marina