Last week I ran into a long time friend of mine Trey King. Trey grew up on James Island and has been fishing here in the lowcounty his entire life. I had met Trey through my brother Andy and while I was in high school Trey and I got to know each other as we worked together at John’s Rod and Reel. Since then we typically run in to each other several times throughout the year and enjoy exchanging fishing stories.
I had seen Trey about a month ago at the boat ramp and he said he was headed out to Dynamite Hole to try for some large Reds. I had explained that my girlfriend and I were heading the same way, but that we were going to fish the other side of the channel to stay out of the crowd and possibly have a shot at a Tarpon. After catching bait we both ended up at the Hole about the same time. Trey anchored between two other boats on the ocean side of the rocks close to the red nun buoy. I also anchored on the ocean side but was on the other side of the channel. There was steady 15 knot south west wind blowing against the outgoing tide that day producing a steep 3-foot wind chop at the hole. My girlfriend and I set up and fished for a couple of hours but did not do any good. On occasion I would look over to see if Trey or any of the boats around him were hooked up, but due to the distance between us it was difficult to see if they were having any action.
Last week when I saw Trey I asked him if they had done any good at the hole that day. Trey rolled his eyes and responded, “I guess you did not have your VHF on that day.” He went on to say, “We were anchored in front of the rocks with two other boats less that 50 yards away. The anchor broke loose and the wind started blowing us toward the rocks, we attempted to crank the motor, but it would not start. Realizing we were going to end up on the rocks I yelled for help to the two other boats, but they just sat back and watched. I tried calling you on the radio thinking you may be able to release your anchor and come over to render assistance, but