I have not fished for Spadefish in a couple of years, but if I never catch another one, I have caught way more than my share in the past. Friday, a friend ( who has also walloped them in the past ) and I went to the Edisto Sixty for “old times sake”. It has been good to us, and it has the kind of structure the fish seem to like, specifically the old drawbridge superstructure. They will cut your line if you don’t position your boat so you are well up-current from the bridge. To me, that means anchoring and being prepared to move when the tide and/or wind shifts. That used to be standard procedure, and it was a pain in the neck to do. The good thing was it allowed several boats - both friends and strangers- to catch fish. Six or more boats anchored side by side ten feet apart could fish, and not get in each other’s way. That’s what I expected Friday. Not so.
There were six boats there when we arrived; three trolling, and three spade fishing. Nobody was anchored. Instead, when fish were sighted, all three mortared within casting range. They caught a few fish, I think, but they left no room for others.
We anchored,but not where we needed to be. In fact, we hooked several good fish on sturdy tackle, but lost all but one to the bridge.
Some will say we were too late getting there, or it was sour grapes on our part. Maybe so. But the fact is, three boats denied others the chance to effectively fish.
Is that the way it will be at all reefs from now on?
An important mindset in life is to have no expectations. When discussing fisherman…lets just throw expectations even further away from the boat. Nearly every fisherman you talk to will do things different and have a different way of seeing “best” or “right” or etc. When going to “spots” you always need a more involved backup plan or an evolutionary plan for that spot. Come up with something different than you had planned OR get in the mix and put 4 moving boats on that school of fish. Fishing is very much an “every boat for himself” mindset when offshore. The world is selfish. If you got there first, you could possibly lead by example. Otherwise, time for plan B
Just motor on over there as boat #4. Large string of jelly balls behind your boat. Hook one leave it hooked bring the fish to your boat and jump in and start shooting them with Hawaiian sling. Problem solved
How did these unanchored boats stop you from anchoring and fishing as you normally would?
If I had gotten where I needed to be and anchored, it would have interfered with them .
quote:
Originally posted by FishnBarrelsThe world is selfish. If you got there first, you could possibly lead by example. Otherwise, time for plan B
this is prolly the most concise, accurate comment I’ve ever seen on this board…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
I think the world is also getting lazy. I few I’ve been with simply think it’s too much work to anchor up. That said, an I-pilot is nice if you can afford one.
Things on the water have really changed over the years .
I’ve always done really well not anchored fishing with other boats
23’ seacraft
I can see a difference in philosophy in the responses to my post. Oddly, as much as I read about and discuss fishing, I don’t recall any mention of strong opinions of fishermen on why they fish.
Do you fish simply because you enjoy fishing?
Or do you enjoy the competitive nature of it?
I,personally, don’t like to compete with other people. The challenges presented by nature; weather, tide, the fickle nature of fish- all of these are tough enough to figure out. If I catch fish, and you don’t ,that doesn’t make me better than you. Tomorrow might bring an opposite situation.
The other extreme is those who consider themselves a failure unless they have caught the most and the biggest. They seem ferocious in the way they attack the sport.
In most of my fishing, I can avoid competition with other ( more aggressive ) fishermen, but there are a limited number of artificial reefs, and there our philosophies conflict. I am afraid what I’m seeing is no longer just a pastime, but a dog-eat-dog contest like cage wrestling.
I was one of the boats out there, not anchored. I was last to get there, and did not know anyone else personally. My experience was the opposite, and in fact I found the anglers in the area respectful and courteous. We eventually teamed up with a boat and helped each other find the fish that were deep. I even had to tell the guy initially to feel free to get close to us so he could get near the fish. Offered him our jellyballs when we left and made a new friend on the water that we may work with again one day. I guess its just how you choose to approach it. Hell I have an ipilot and didn’t even use it there was so little wind and current. Little chance anyone is going to take the time to anchor on a day like that. Sorry if we messed up your fishing.
FS, I know your boat and your reputation, and wouldn’t expect you to be any less of a gentleman in dealing with other fisherman. I,also, have shared bait with strangers, and have invited them to set up close to me on several occasions. I don’t hesitate to show them " my spot ". I guess I was making two points: The way I have always fished for spades is, I believe to try to anchor, thereby allowing room for more people to access the fish. It also allows me and my crew to concentrate on the fish.
The other point is, I think more and more people are measuring the success of their fishing by the number of fish they catch, to heck with the other guy.
Also, I can’t afford an I-pilot!
Thank you for your kind words. I was there the day before as well and was the only boat. Fish were up a little better but still pretty finicky. Managed just enough between the two days for a fish fry Saturday.