Three years go, I fished a 75 foot live bottom area. The fishing was great! The sonar stayed lit up like a Christmas tree. Last year I approached the area and saw a large commercial fishing boat that turned and headed north east when I got within 4-5 miles. When I reached the area, my sonar was blank and there were no fish. The fish came back over a few months. I headed out towards the same numbers about four weeks ago. Again, I saw a large commercial fishing boat, 150 feet, anchored 2-3 miles away. And once again no sonar and no fish. He pulled anchor and headed north east again. Several other areas were also denuded of aquatic life. All I can figure is purse seining or something close. Can Sellsfish tell me if this is legal? Seems to me that someone is raping our resources while the recreational anglers are punished for overfishing.
Bottom trawling was outlawed decades ago. They are a hook and line fishery (except for BSB traps). And it doesn’t explain why you don’t mark bait anymore.
My experience is that shallow water spots (less than 90’) come and go
quote:This, and I've noticed some seasonality as well. I've got spots that light up in may and barren by July. Once we had a friendly competition, and I checked out some spots just 1 week in advance, hoping to save time later. Looked totally different on the sonar just a week later, but still holds fish much of the time now.
Originally posted by natureboyMy experience is that shallow water spots (less than 90’) come and go
Some get covered with sand ---- some un cover
quote:I don't doubt this one bit and have heard the same (although have not personally witnessed it).
Originally posted by natureboySome get covered with sand ---- some un cover
In the scenario that I spoke of though, I was able to mark solid structure (ledge in particular) even when barren.
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejquote:I don't doubt this one bit and have heard the same (although have not personally witnessed it).
Originally posted by natureboySome get covered with sand ---- some un cover
In the scenario that I spoke of though, I was able to mark solid structure (ledge in particular) even when barren.
Not starting an argument(promise), just asking out of curiosity and to learn others inputs, as I’ve heard DNR guys talk about low relieve live/hard bottom areas getting sanded over and it taking a bit for live bottom to return and fish to populate it heavy again. I still have a time finding shrimp returns in “deep” holes so I;m no expert sonar reader, but I’ve heard about divers seeing good hard bottom with fish, diving it, doing well and returning much later to the same area to find it lightly silted over and very little fish. Bottom still shows up the same minus fish returns… how much sand is needed to cover a hard bottome to make it not appear “hard”?
When we had the huge sensation of following Mary Lee I heard several people and DNR wondering how many Great Whites are off our coast and just how much and what they are eating. Pure specutlation on my part put I wonder just how much influence a few big girls would have trying to fatten up over a small consentrated hot spot reef? Studies show they will eat up to 11 tons a year…
As I said, I don’t doubt it. I just can’t speak to any personal stories for reference. That being said, I know where a large pipe is offshore and sand is up to the top on one side. Also, I imagine that beach restoration, storms and hurricanes can move a lot of sand around. There are stories in Florida where a hurricane changed the position of a ship laying on the bottom. Also, I think on active reefs, fish keep some of these structures uncovered by burrowing out sand from potential hiding places.
Also I don’t know much about white sharks except that one washed up on the beach of Morris Island several years ago (13’). If I recall, stomach was fairly empty but had scales from redfish which school up in the 40-50’ depths in the winter. Most of the sightings that I recall were during winter ,but DNR had one on a reef cam in July one year as well.
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejAlso I don’t know much about white sharks except that one washed up on the beach of Morris Island several years ago (13’). If I recall, stomach was fairly empty but had scales from redfish which school up in the 40-50’ depths in the winter. Most of the sightings that I recall were during winter ,but DNR had one on a reef cam in July one year as well.
It would be interesting to know just how much and what species they target. I’ve heard that Schooling red fish are a target as well. ? Been a few Dolphins chomped in half found around otter Island. Had to be something big to do that. You’d think with as much as they are studied and as much attention as they draw, more would be known about them. I’ve seen what Sulcataman has mentioned about a hot spot becoming barren only to become a hot spot again. I know some fish move around, but you wouldn’t think most all would leave only to return in short order.
Every body discredits it but i saw one in the stono about 14 to 15ft like a year or 2 ago in the stono. I was drift fishing tarpon and saw it on the surface and got close enoungh to see the caudal fins. 100%.
Some migration patterns are every other year or every few years and they can also change by a few weeks. The longer the animal lives usually the longer they can go on a pattern. Theres tiger sharks that only visit the Bahamas every 3 years.
Another “mystery boat so it must be evil” threa, but I’m with Skinnee and NatureBoy on this one. Now for some humor.
I was at the Battery and Sullivans Island beach several times over the summer. I saw a lot of boats in the Harbor that were several miles away so they must have been charter boats. They were anchored! I fished those areas this past week and didn’t catch a thing. All I figure is that they were dynamite fishing or similar. Seems like those charter captains are raping our resources while people like me are being punished. Even though they were doing something highly illegal, I decided not to immediately call the Coast Guard.
Sea Hunt 207CC,Yam F150
Carolina Skiff (old school model)17’ Suz D50
Some of the explanations provided by you guys make some sense. That said, we do have some foreign fishermen coming into waters off our coast. I don’t trust them to follow all the rules and have never seen the Coast Guard offshore checking them out. It did not look like any long line boats I have ever seen, much larger. Never see them actually fishing, just turning and heading away.
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
Oldemancharters@gmail.com
286 Seafox/Twin 300’s
quote:I'm pretty sure that the original intent of the Magnusson Stephens act was to ban foreign fishing vessels from our EEZ. So, if you are truly seeing foreign fishing vessels in the act of fishing, then you may want to report them as I think that would be a violation of international law.
Originally posted by sulcatamanSome of the explanations provided by you guys make some sense. That said, we do have some foreign fishermen coming into waters off our coast. I don’t trust them to follow all the rules and have never seen the Coast Guard offshore checking them out. It did not look like any long line boats I have ever seen, much larger. Never see them actually fishing, just turning and heading away.
Olde Man Charters
843-478-1538
Oldemancharters@gmail.com
286 Seafox/Twin 300’s
Just as likely a NOAA or DNR research vessel,although it is possible to seabass trap vessel could be inshore.Actual commercial fishermen want nothing to do with sporties and go out of their way to avoid recreational boats for the most part.
For real a Foreign vessel coming to fish in 75 feet of water maybe he got one of those secret maps from the Phin guy.
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejquote:This, and I've noticed some seasonality as well. I've got spots that light up in may and barren by July. Once we had a friendly competition, and I checked out some spots just 1 week in advance, hoping to save time later. Looked totally different on the sonar just a week later, but still holds fish much of the time now.
Originally posted by natureboyMy experience is that shallow water spots (less than 90’) come and go
Its not uncommon for vegetation to slightly change throughout the year but also depends on what your seeking. Structure is always a good thing and usually holds some sort of life in or around it. I usually plan my trip before I leave dock with a few targets in mind and head to the next spot if I am not marking fish.
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38 Fountain
enough lines on my boat to knock out charlie sheen.
I’ve seen baitfish look like structure also.
What? Speak up can’t here you due to the ringing in my ears.
quote:Several years ago, I ran over a mark with a flat top that dropped straight down on both sides. I was 100% convinced that it was a new wreck. Put my dive gear on as fast as I could and flipped over. It was nothing but a big school of cigar minnows. Still scratching my head on that one. It was almost a perfect geometric box 10 feet tall.
Originally posted by livebaitdoaI’ve seen baitfish look like structure also.
What? Speak up can’t here you due to the ringing in my ears.
I’ve seen shallow water bottom numbers come and go with water temp changes just somthing to keep in mind
Mahi Magic
Charleston SC