Someone mentioned that he’d be happy if someone netted all the blues and flatheads on the Edisto and transported them to the Santee-Cooper system to make happy those upset by the reduced numbers of those fish in those lakes. Is there a significant presence of cats in the Edisto? I need a place to take my wife where she will catch a lot of large (>12") fish quickly.
The introduction (whether intentional or not) of the flathead catfish into the Edisto system has caused a loss of numbers of certain native species; namely, the bullheads or “squealers” and the redbreasts. Flatheads prefer live prey and in places where they are found, the native species have declined. That being said—catch all you can. Problem is—they prefer the small fish we’re trying to save. I’m hoping the large amount of rain we’ve had this year has benefited the native species. From what I’m seeing right now, it has.
I didn’t realize the Edisto had a decent flathead population, I may need to give it a shot. Is it anywhere near normal levels yet?
“Sire, it belongs in truth to the Church of God, in whose name I speak, to endure blows and not to inflict them. But it will also please your Majesty to remember that she is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.”…Theodore Beza
You can use live bait on limb lines and trotlines in the Edisto between Hwy15 and Givhans. This is a special rule just to help get rid of the flatheads. Somewhere along there is where some jackazz put them in.
I haven’t seen a bullhead in 10 years down there. Mostly channels and a blue or flathead every once in a while. The problem is you are not suppose to eat catfish from the Edisto except blues which you hardly ever catch.
J Ford