Good to hear from you!
One thing we can count on, we're all getting older
I think you about summed up what happened in the Bay, the fishing died, or at least is not what it was. If it was that good people would go back. You and I know that if fishing is good, old or not, fishermen can't resist.
I've read there are some big stripers in the Santee Cooper lakes.
What about the inshore fishing for reds and things? I thought SC had a decent fishery for them?
Brandon
I read some reports from guides here who are fishing for the Reds & other coastal fish, and many of them fly fish, and they seem to be doing well. Of course, just like in the Bay, "not like it used to be" is a common theme. I also read the same thing about the lakes, and catfish, Crappies, Stripers and sometimes even the LM bass. That depends on who is commenting.
There are some big Stripers here in the lakes, and I'm sure in the rivers too, but not like the numbers that used to be in the Chesapeake and that's simply a matter of area since these rivers are not that large. The Santee where I've fished is about the size of the Patuxent in the Upper Marlboro area. Many folks here fish the diversion canals for catfish, shad when they're here, and Stripers & bass are often caught, and those are generally Stripers that are coming up from the coast. I read about them in the NC rivers near Wilmington, and even down in the Savannah River, so there's still some ocean fish moving in & out of these waters, which is a good thing IMO.
There's no commercial fishery here for the Stripers, which is also a good thing and the DNR regs shut down the fishery in the Santee system during the warmer months, with less O2 in the water, to protect the fish. Again, a good thing!
My lack of coastal fishing has mostly been having other priorities and not taking the time to drive to the coast. I can walk to Lake Marion and can fish the Santee River or canals with a short 20 to 30 minute drive.
I didn't do much fishing at all this past year. My wife had been very ill and I spent much of my time taking care of her. She passed away just this past January 10, and I'm not too sure how much fishing I'll do this year either. I'm going to try, but at the moment, my heart is not in it. That's unfortunately also one of the realities of getting older.
Jim
