Let's clear up the lines of communication

I received an e-mail from a reader who stated he was a bit confused. It seems some of the terms used in my columns have a few anglers scratching their heads. I wish to apologize and promise to do better in the future. I have been at this for many years and may often use terminology that can be interpreted differently. Often, this is attributed to the reader being new to the sport or coast and not well versed on our Lowcountry dialect. Allow me to clarify:

• Surf reaches: The area along the beach that can be reached easily by casting your line. That area of the surf that can be waded effortlessly. In essence, the area of the surf that is most easily fished.

• Outer drops: Any area of shoreline or bottom that is at the far point from flat or unproductive waters. If you are fishing offshore wrecks or reefs, it is the area along the perimeter. If you are inshore, it would be the deepest water available in the vicinity.

• Tapered banks: A productive area usually associated with shallow water. In the surf, this would be the area sloping away from shore. Along the grass edges of main creeks, this would be similar but not necessarily at the shoreline. If fishing the sandbars, you would be fishing the slope as it moves from the sandbar into deeper water.

• Ditch lines: Either man-made or a natural occurrence in tidal waters. A ditch line refers to any extended rut or deep cut along the bottom. Ditch lines are found along feeder creeks that lead to main bodies of water. As currents leave the shallows, deeper cuts are formed along the bottom. In the surf, wave activity will force huge mounds of sand to be deposited in certain areas along the bottom. Depending on the wind, currents and tides, these areas often cause a type of ditch that can be a productive fishing area.

Tidal waters provide some of the best fishing imaginable. In regions of the coast where tides reach the 6-foot mark during low or high exchanges, bottom structure and conditions change often. Storms play a major role in this phenomenon and veteran anglers are aware of the potential these conditions provide.

As much as I savor those moments on the water, I also realize if fishing is your goal, why not catch fish? This seems a fairly rudimentary assumption, right? But to do so requires a bit of homework on your part. The following may be of some help in your endeavor:

BEST BETS: TROUT, SPOTTAIL

With water temperatures dropping into the mid 70s last week, many game fish are beginning to migrate to different areas within their comfort zone.

Trout are moving into the shallows more often and are foraging for food in preparation for the cooler months ahead. The better catches have come at the turn of the tide, both during high- and low-water conditions. Baits vary as much as anglers, but most productive presently are live shrimp and finger mullet. Artificial also has moved up a few notches, and trout do not seem as selective. Favored among the majority are Gulp baits, DOA shrimp and Mirro-Lures (black back, silver body), and small grub baits. A good technique at this time is to paint your jig heads bright colors and fish shrimp or mullet on the hook. Many anglers favor the use of popping corks, while some will opt for the more traditional bobber variety, but both will work. Productive trout areas at this time are grass edges, shell banks and oyster beds as well as rock structures close to deep water.

Spottail bass are plentiful and filling the slot in the 22-inch range. Although bass are on the move, don't look for them to leave the shallows any time soon. Fishing a low tide just as the sun is warming the surface of the water poses excellent opportunities for anglers. During these low-water periods spottail will school in the deeper waters just off the flats and wait for the tides to dictate their movement. As the high tide drops, they will travel the breaks and ditch lines from the creeks into deeper waters. During each stage of the tide they will be spread over a larger area than they would normally, appearing to signal other fish whenever a food source is located. When this occurs, they will group up into tight schools and the tailing begins.

Spottail bass have an excellent sense of smell. With this in mind, the use of natural baits is almost a certainty. Cut fresh bait, shrimp and mullet are excellent choices. However, don't overlook the use of artificials in your pursuits. Often, schools of bass will abandon burying their noses in the mud and look towards the surface. When this happens, nothing in your arsenal dictates success more than a topwater plug. In my experience, you can't beat anything white. Some say light colors resemble the belly of baitfish. All I know is that when things slow down with stink baits, artficials work wonders in white.

Among my favorite bass lures: Heddon Tiny Torpedo in 1/4 and 1/2 oz., Gold weedless spoons, Zara Spooks, Mirro-Lures.

FLY ZONE

Fly fishing poses an entirely different concept and every fly fisherman will swear by a certain type fly, hook size or dressing. New to the scene this year is a spin-off from a tried-and-true fly used in the early 1960s. Back then it was often referred to as "The Hooker." Today's version is known as "The Slider." For those of you who like to tie your own, as I do, here is the formula -- Hook: Mustad 3407 DT #1 to 2/0; Tail: Brown Marabou and Gold Flash; Body: Palmered Tan Hackles and Orange Deer Body Hair; Eyes: Bead Chain Eyes. A double weed guard is a necessity when fishing shallow waters and weed lines.

GEAR UP

With cooler temperatures ahead, water conditions will be more stable. When the tides get lower and the waters clear up during cooler months, fishing becomes more of a challenge for anglers. Sight casting becomes the norm and tossing lures or working a fly dictates precision casting. This is the time to change your gear to match the season, and downsizing is the answer.

Anglers using spinning gear generally won't have much trouble getting the long-distance casts often needed. Incorporating a 7-foot, medium-fast or fast-action rod is a good choice. Using tackle in the 8- to 10-pound range for spinning will allow more casting distance and accuracy. Fly fishermen often will switch to an eight-weight, 9-foot rod teamed with a weight forward, floating line and a 9-foot leader.

Regardless of your preference, early predictions call for a cooler winter this year, with its arrival earlier than last year. Team up now and get in your practice shots while fish are abundant. When things slow and you need to be more selective, you will be that much ahead of the game.

WAL-MART FISHING LEAGUE

The Mountain, South Carolina, Savannah River and Volunteer Divisions of the $8 million Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League will visit Lake Norman, N.C., on Oct. 22-24 for the 2009 Regional Championship.

Anglers can register for the tournament online at FLWOutdoors.com or by calling (270) 252-1000. On-site registration will be held Oct. 21 from 4-6 p.m. at the Central Piedmont Community College-North Campus located at 11930 Verhoeff Drive in Huntersville, N.C.

In BFL competition, boaters supply the boat and compete from the front deck against other boaters. Co-anglers compete from the back deck against other co-anglers.

The winning boater and winning co-angler at the All-American will advance to the no-entry-fee Forrest Wood Cup in Atlanta in 2010. This event is the most lucrative tournament in all of competitive bass fishing. In all, the BFL offers weekend anglers the opportunity to qualify for three no-entry-fee championships. Plus, the top 40 boaters and 40 co-anglers from each BFL division may move up to the Stren Seriesú for 2010 while All-American champions have the option to advance directly to the FLW Tour.

TACKLE TIP

As much as I hate to spend money, there is one thing every angler should not be without: Polarized fishing glasses. Whether your choice is prescription or off the rack, this is one item you will find indispensable. In recent years prices have skyrocketed, but even the less expensive can be an asset to your fishing.

If you are a flats fisherman, you know first hand the importance of polarized glasses. Glare from the surface of the water will hinder your potential to make intelligent choices. They don't just block the sun's rays. Whether fish are in the holes, over grass, structure or dark bottom, polarized glasses give you a much clearer picture of what lies beneath the surface.

Like that credit card commercial, don't leave home without them.