Big Saluda 12/1

Went out with my 5 y.o. son to fish the last hour of daylight Saturday. Checked two holes and didn’t mark anything but bait. Decided to go back in a cove and we caught 3 keepers on planers and freelines. Fish were caught in about 5’ of water. Would have never even went in the cove but saw a few birds working way in the back. My boy had fun but he wants to catch an orca next time.

One strange thing I have never seen. While getting ready to fillet I noticed something in the side of a 22" one. Pulled it out and it was a very thin 3/4 inch tooth. it was about the thickness of a finish nail. I meant to keep it and take a picture but it got lost in the carcasses. Another odd thing, all three fish had empty stomachs. there was some digested fish stew, but no sign of fish parts. I always check to see what they are feeding on.

They will often regurgetate their stomach contents during the fight. Most stripers I fillet have empty stomachs; however, one time I found a 12 inch carp in the belly of a 20+ pounder. I’ve even found perch and small catfish in some good sized fish in addition to the usual forage-- even crawdads in the spring. They are opportunistic hunters indeed!

Xpress HB-22
175 Yammy Jammer