First trip of the season on the Bandarstick. Michael had some work done on her over the winter and she showed her appreciation. Better speed and fuel economy. Was kind of odd leaving snow here in Asheville and going fishing, but it was a beautiful weekend in C’ton. We were excited that we timed a long weekend with a decent pattern as our last several trips in the fall were busts due to the weather conditions.
On Thursday, we decided to work some bottom #'s on the Edisto Banks. Fished in 150-170 ft and the tally for the day was 3 limits of the almost extinct red porgy (there were three of us aboard), 7 vermillions, and 1 lane snapper. The lane was a first and I think we are correct on it’s ID. It looked similar to a vermillion but also had yellow lines running alongside the body and had scales that were about the size of a thumbnail. Dallas landed this as well as the only trigger of the trip. He has become the guy who gets the more unique species. Maybe he’ll let us in on his secret next trip.
On Saturday, we decided to do a combo trip after hearing some reports of good bites in the 70-75 temp. We started out at 226 and dropped lines in at 70 degree water, then headed west till we hit 73. After trolling about an hour, we had a triple on in 1100 ft but only boated one dolphin. Saw the second fish which was also a dolphin but he spit the hook after a good fight. Tried to work the area but no more takers. Decided to head towards 380 and found a distinct rip with weeds, birds, temp change, and a change in surface water pattern. Worked it for an hour without success. Decided to head back to the ledge to pick up a few more bottom dwellers and picked up 8 porgy in about 45 mins and a 40 pound amberjack on a butterfly jig that had been reeled half way up the column. After about 15 minutes of working that hog, I remembered something sellfish had told me the night before—reel up the jig slowly and the AJ’s will stay off it. Oh well. Sellsfish, thanks for the insight and also much appreciation for the
Edit–headed East till we hit 73 degree water–not west!!
Ben Miller
SOunds like you were bottom fishing in an MPA…be careful…
Polly Wanna…
glad you and michael made it out. sounds like you had a great trip.
BRAINSTORM
quote:
Originally posted by CrackerSOunds like you were bottom fishing in an MPA…be careful…
Polly Wanna…
I’m glad you know where the MPA is!
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
CD, sounds like you had a great trip as well. We still haven’t picked up the elusive wahoo, but maybe next trip.
Cracker–if we were in an MPA, then there were some other boats guilty of this as well. Tell me more about the MPA–this is only in water 100-300 meters deep (we were in 150 ft). You can troll thru these areas, but not bottom fish, correct? Or is it ok to bottom fish as long as you throw back the grouper and snapper?
Ben Miller
You were not near a MPA. Hope you did not call me a c.h. I tried to stay away but I just started fishing that area on December 4th and don’t have many, well any other spots. It was loaded with snapper that day in Dec. best was about 20#, near 100# aj, and small 36" cobia-5,and small kings but no grouper. Thursday we did about the same as you, stopped inshore and got seabass. The water on Thursday looking nasty green with thin hair like crap floating in it and 62 temp did not help. Great looking boat. Good luck, KP.
you were 20 miles south of the MPA. You can troll through the MPA, No bottom fishing at all…EVER!!! We have lost our right to some pretty nice area on the ledge. the want of a few out weigh the needs of the masses.
NMFS = No More Fishing Season
“Back home we got a taxidermy man. He gonna have a heart attack when he see what I brung him”
I lost about everything I fish to the Edisto MPA.
I should have said “may have” just be careful. I have a feeling they are gonna gig one of us. Good luck sir.
Polly Wanna…
I’m sure I’ll be the first with my old gps. I’ll let you know what the fine is.
Krabby Patti–where you in the cuddy with the hard top? We didn’t mind the company at all, actually was nice to see another boat out there. The way I look at it is that the majority of people get “suggestions” on places to fish from others, and don’t necessarily discover them “all on their own.” Not knocking those that do, actually have alot of respect for them. But when you live 250 miles from C’ton and only get a chance to fish offshore 4-5 times year, it would take years to garner a good database of unpublished spots to fish. Glad to hear it has been a productive spot for you as well.
Ben Miller
That was us. We found that area on our last trip and only anchored once. Full of big fish. We looked around this trip and found alot of good looking bottom within a few miles. Sorry it was such a slow day. That was one of the top four slowest days ever for us. If you’r in town when the weather is good and need a ride give me a PM.
Krabbi, thanks for the offer. I’ll keep that in mind. Where do you put in or keep your boat?
Ben Miller
Krabby Patti, check your PM.
I put in at Shem Creek with the rest of the bottom dwellers.