Big drop in temps in the past few days…
https://natwebcaww01.wr.usgs.gov/nwisweb/data/img/USGS.021720710.177392.00010..20171229.20180105..0..pres.gif
quote:
Originally posted by Hookem CHSBuddy just texted me that they are seeing dead trout up the wando.
Hopefully they are not dead, but stunned. This is a quote from an NC piece related to Cold Stun research-
“All fish exposed to 3 °C (37.4 °F) water did not survive after two days with an estimated 50% probability of survival after one day. At 5 °C (41 °F), most fish survived up to five days before mortalities started to occur and by day eight estimated survival probabilities fell below 50%. Mortalities were low for fish exposed to 7 °C (44.6 °F) with survival probabilities of approximately 90% at the end of the 10-day period.”
My neighbor had a charter today and I just spoke with him on how they did. Caught zero and saw lots of stunned and/or dead Reds, Trout, Black Drum and even Sheepshead. Very disappointing glad to see that report of some catching but makes me sad for the spring. Could be a slow spring.
quote:
Originally posted by RADDADDYThis will be one of the worst kills in 50 plus years. Water temps in some major creeks will dip in the 30s.
Och… I’m afraid you are Right Radd.
We haven’t had a warm day in several. Looking at 20 tonight and high of 36 tomorrow then back down to 15 and then another high on Sunday at 37 with a night time low of 24 … then finally some relief up to 54 on Monday.
Might not need bait, but get your limit with a dip net the next couple of mornings…
Let’s pray the trout and shrimp find a deep warmer hole.
Talked to my son earlier and he put in at Shem Creek today. 0 trout and only 1 red, but he did say they didn’t see any floaters. Didn’t sound like they covered a lot of water though.
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Went out with buddy of mine in Beaufort this morning back behind Cat Island and didnt see any dead fish. Man it was chilly!!
NN
Went out of Sol Legare yesterday with my brother just for a couple of hours hitting some holes trying to see what we could find but no dice. Today we went out of Remleys Point and explored around. We didn’t see anything at all the first couple of spots but further up the river poling a big well known flat we saw several fish. Reds and sheepshead in one small group swimming together and then later we found singles getting warm and had a few chases but nothing caught. Just seeing fish moving around and even chasing was good enough for me.
Whenever we are fortunate enough to catch fish again, we ought to handle everything carefully and return them all, until the stock can recover…however long that might take? In fact, I’m going to buy one of the landing nets with a rubber basket, and bottom fish for groceries.
Are DNR/authorities likely to tighten restrictions or suspend catches as in NC?
quote:
Originally posted by Ona MissionWhenever we are fortunate enough to catch fish again, we ought to handle everything carefully and return them all, until the stock can recover…however long that might take? In fact, I’m going to buy one of the landing nets with a rubber basket, and bottom fish for groceries.
Are DNR/authorities likely to tighten restrictions or suspend catches as in NC?
I wonder what it would take to create a gentlemen’s/women’s agreement between all the inshore guides and recreational fishermen to do something on our own in terms of how many fish are kept in 2018 in order to give the stocks a chance to recover?
Would make it a lot easier if DNR instituted a catch/size limit for 2018.
2014 Key West 203DFS
quote:Good point, people policing themselves will help the Trout fishery coming out of this cold snap.
Originally posted by bonecrusherquote:
Originally posted by Ona MissionWhenever we are fortunate enough to catch fish again, we ought to handle everything carefully and return them all, until the stock can recover…however long that might take? In fact, I’m going to buy one of the landing nets with a rubber basket, and bottom fish for groceries.
Are DNR/authorities likely to tighten restrictions or suspend catches as in NC?
I wonder what it would take to create a gentlemen’s/women’s agreement between all the inshore guides and recreational fishermen to do something on our own in terms of how many fish are kept in 2018 in order to give the stocks a chance to recover?
Would make it a lot easier if DNR instituted a catch/size limit for 2018.2014 Key West 203DFS
After being released, a lot of fish die, but a lot of them live also.
Ima wait on 40 before I decide if there was a fishkill
Folks keep looking for floating fish…However a guide in NC posted pictures of dead/stunned fish and they were all on the bottom. I don’t think floating fish tells the story, yet. Maybe when they start to decompose they will float?
Someone who was guiding and very informed in 1989 when there was the last extreme cold, said this. Studies back then concluded they lost 80% of the trout. But this cold has lasted longer. As Epres said, the dead fish don’t bloat in the cold and most are on the bottom. So we can’t know yet how bad it is. Nature can be vicious.
On the other hand our trout stock was thought to be much larger versus 30 years ago. And with them spawning twice per year maybe the recovery can be good.
I searched a shallow flat and saw nothing but live fish. I looked from mud flats to the main rivers and saw only ice. Most the spots I fish are shallow and if I can see a oyster shell on the bottom I assume I would see a fish if they were on the bottom.
^^ great news!
Anyone have info on what the fish stocking situation is for CHS and the low country?
2014 Key West 203DFS
Shouldn’t the flounder be okay for the most part since most are offshore currently?
17’ Mako
16’ Alumacraft
Son ust sent me a couple of pics from today
Back of a creek north of the harbor
'07 198 DLX Carolina Skiff
DF90 Suzuki
Went and fished a harbor spot for an hour today on the incoming. I did not get a bite, but also only saw 1 dead fish which oddly was a 6-7” pompano who I guess didn’t get out of town soon enough. May post pic later
Sounds like SCDNR will be asking to release Sea Trout…
Most reasonable fisherman will not only not target trout but will not target fish where a trout could easily be caught. It’s a shame charter boats will still be fishing right where the trout are. Releasing a dead or soon to be dead fish does no good.
14’ Carolina Skiff
19’ Sea Pro