Ebb & F low Summertime
By Trey Leggett
I
t’s that time again. That magical time when the kids are out of school, any kind of water activity is welcomed, shorts and flip flops are everyday wear, and some of the best fishing happens. But it’s also the time when some of the worst weather can creep up on us. Let’s briefly talk about keeping yourself and your boat protected and then what great fishing is available during these hot months. Hopefully everyone has a hurricane plan in place. You know, a place for you and the kids to go inland, making sure to remember your insurance and other important documents, pictures, jewelry, etc. What about a plan for your boat? Many folks I’ve talked with will leave their boat in dry storage at the marina or leave it on a trailer at the house. Many in my neighborhood will leave it on the trailer in an open field so trees or tree branches can’t cause damage. Of course, if you have a larger boat you can anchor in a safe place in the water with moorings, but I’d suggest reading up on the best ways of doing this first. Although it could present challenges due to heavy traffic, taking your boat with you during an evacuation is also an option if you leave early enough. The last couple of storms we’ve had left many improperly stored boats on roadways, in marshes, or lost. This isn’t good for our ecosystem since these boats usually start leaking fuel and oil eventually or do so during the recovery process. But whatever your course of action, start planning now. Now on to fishing. Summertime fishing in the lowcountry brings a wide variety of fishing opportunities for the beginner on up to the advanced fisherman. You can catch fish from the beach, a pier, a dock, a boat, or a kayak. The first fish that comes to mind is flounder. We have both the summer flounder and southern flounder species in our area and both taste good! The easiest way to catch flounder is to use a bottom weighted rig, baited with shrimp or mud minnows. Of course, you can catch the ever-favorite redfish and speckled trout during the summer, in the same areas and same manner as other months. Boat or kayak anglers can go beachside and troll for Spanish mackerel. Spanish mackerel are a tasty dark meat fish that put up a fun fight on rod and reel for adults and kids. More experienced anglers can try their hand at tarpon fishing. Although you can’t keep tarpon, they're a fisherman’s dream hen it comes to wrangling and landing such a strong and acrobatic fighter. You are likely to find tarpon more in July and August near inlets. Use medium to heavy tackle with a thick leader to get the tarpon landed in a reasonable amount of time so the fish doesn’t get too tired out and can’t revive. Be careful of those gill plates, they are razor sharp! Use gloves whenever handling any portion of
June 2018
Southern Tides Magazine
Trey with a great flounder catch! Photo by Austin Leggett
the tarpon’s head or mouth. Last but certainly not least, a variety of sharks can be caught from the beach, pier, or boat. Sharks are fun to catch, and they put up a nice battle trying to get them in. Watch out for those teeth! Even the little ones will get hold of you if you give them the opportunity. As always, think ahead and plan so you don’t find yourself in a pickle. Check your state’s fishing regulations to ensure you’re compliant. Have a great summer and stay hydrated. Stay safe and tight lines!
Trey fishes for Hobie Polarized Sunglasses, and ENGEL Coolers.
Email: info@southerntidesmagazine.com 9
