From May 18, 2000</font id=blue>
When you think about it, a freshwater bream fights pretty dog gone hard for it’s meager size. They usually turn their broad body sideways in the water making it difficult to get them to the boat. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to fight and catch a 10-pound bream? Every summer Dad, Andy and I go after the monster bream. Only where we fish there are no lily pads, cypress stumps, or bullfrogs. There is, however, plenty of structure (mostly old tugboats and barges). The monster bream I am referring to is not a bream at all, but the Atlantic Spadefish. The structures I am referring to are the South Carolina Artificial Reef systems installed by the Department of Natural Resources. Coordinate information for the South Carolina Artificial Reef system is provided on the CharlestonFishing.Com homepage.
I find fishing for Spadefish to be fun for several reasons. Spadefish put up an awesome fight on ultra light and light tackle, the rigs costs less than 15 cents to make, and Spadefish have a nice flavor and can be prepared a number of different ways. While fishing for Spadefish you can also enjoy good success floating live baits for King Mackerel and Cobia or bottom fishing for many different types of fish.
South Carolina biologists began studying these fish some 25 to 30 years ago. Through studies and research they have determined that Spadefish feed primarily on the various types of jellyfish, and subsequently devised a method to tap into this fishery. The most common bait for Spadefish is the jelly ball. Jelly balls are a form of jellyfish found off the coast of South Carolina. The balls can be found floating just below the surface, usually along the edge of tidal currents. Anglers scoop up these balls with a dip net and put them in a 5-gallon bucket. Three to four moderate sized jelly balls will be ample bait for three fishermen. When handling jelly balls anglers should use caution. Though the jelly ball’s sting is extremely weak, usually not even st