Some advice on chasing spottails in high-water conditions

I don't presume to know all there is to know about fishing. To say so would only instigate another tirade by readers that I have truly fallen off the deep end.

What I do know is that everyone has an opinion, and the majority thinks theirs is correct. Relating to my own state of infirmary, I am no better or worse. I will try anything once, sometimes twice, just to prove I didn't make a mistake the first time. And until something better comes along that produces better results, I will continue down my path of fishing prowess. After all, I believe in giving the fish a fair chance.

This week's contribution to optimism and personal futility? Making that initial cast to spottail bass during high tide or flooded conditions.

There are some requirements. You must know the direction the fish are heading. Feeding fish and the majority of gamefish will turn into the current. All species favor an easy meal over one that requires exertion and wasted energy. Many times a school of gamefish, especially spottail, will move along the edge of a structure in one direction, then reverse and head back. This is particularly true if they have located a food source. Present your offering in a manner that appears natural and unassuming.

Refrain from making a large splash with hard-body lures or heavy sinkers on oversized lines. For most of my presentations, I will cast approximately 3 feet in front of the fish in what I presume to be their intended path of travel. Doing so allows my lure or bait to settle and be in their line of sight as they arrive. Remember this above all else: You are looking for feeding traits, not reaction or defensive strikes.

Some say, "Think like a fish."

I say, "Don't be stupid."

If you could do that, you would be playing golf or some other sport with a round ball. Fishing would no longer be of any interest. You would be among the elite, the know-it-all self-proclaimed pros of the fishing world. Those talented, assuming individuals fish for money and numbers and have long forgotten the true meaning of the sport. Just be observant and watch the school for a minute or two. They can move with or against the tidal flow and current, so don't force any assumptions.

As the fish move, they will be searching the bottom for small food sources such as baitfish, crabs or shrimp. As these baitfish scatter, spottail will move with the majority. On occasion, some separate from the pack. These are your targets, and they strike almost instinctively. If they locate something not to their liking, they become more aware and move back to the school. It is your job to ensure your offering is as natural as possible, is a food choice of the species and doesn't show cause for alarm. If any of these three items are considered a threat, the entire school will act on the urges of a single fish and you may have to wait some time before another opportunity comes along.

I swear by quarter-ounce baits and quite often will tie on plastic grubs. The best colors are pink, chartreuse or white in solid or combination patterns. I like bucktails as well and prefer darker colors such as deep browns and oranges. I occasionally will color or shade my lures with a marker. Adding parallel lines or a solid color to the head can make a big difference. I try not to set limits on versatility. One of the best lures for spottail bass are spoons. Any color will work, as long as it is gold. Silver may cause an attraction but gold will bring the strikes.

My preference for terminal tackle is six-pound monofilament line, a fluorocarbon leader in 12- and often 18-inch lengths. I free-tie my lines directly to the lures I am using, with the exception of a spoon plug. With all others I have found that the use of a surgeon's knot eliminates the need for a swivel and line twist is minimal.

Well, there you have it -- my personal approach to fishing for spottail during times of high tide or other periods where high water may cause you to look at a change in your technique.

This same method can be employed during normal water conditions with mixed results. I use what has worked for me in the past, and like I mentioned earlier, I have yet to accomplish the impossible task ofthinking like a fish. Besides, I think Brad Pitt may have coined the phrase in "A River Runs Through It" and he gets paid better.

OUTDOORS CALENDAR

September is anything but slow in the Lowcountry. Here are some events, tournaments and meetings on the agenda:

Shrimp baiting season: The 2009 shrimp baiting season will open at noon on Sept. 11 in South Carolina waters. Recreational shrimpers who purchase a shrimp baiting license can legally cast their nets for shrimp over bait during this season, which runs through Nov. 10. The practice has remained the same since the current laws were passed in 1988. Resident licenses cost $25 and non-residents licenses cost $500. The catch limit is 48 quarts of shrimp measured heads-on (29 quarts heads-off) per boat or set of poles per day, and each boat is limited to a set of 10 poles.

Beaufort Sail and Power Squadron's boating safety course: The six-week course begins Sept. 15 at the Town Hall in Port Royal. The week following completion of the classes, the squadron will host a class on local waters, free to those enrolled in the course.The cost of the course is $60. The first class will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 15. An updated and revised manual will be used this year. For more information, contact John Satterfield at jsatter@islc.net or call 843-838-6629.

Captain Woody's King Mackerel Fishing Tournament:The tournament will take place Oct. 24 at Palmetto Bay Marina. The cost is $225 per boat and payouts will be for first, second and third places. There will be a captain's meeting at 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 at Captain Woody's on Hilton Head Island. For more information, call 843-785-2400 or 843-757-6222.

19th annual Fripp Island Kingfish Tournament: The summer is coming to an end but the opportunity for a great tournament with great fishing is on tap at Fripp Island Marina.

Fishing starts at 6 a.m. and weigh-ins start at 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the largest and second-largest kingfish, aggregate weight of two kings and first and second place largest Spanish mackerel. For more information call 843-838-1517.

Free Labor Day boat inspections:In an effort to keep state waterways safe during the Labor Day holiday weekend, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division will be conducting courtesy safety inspections at public boat landings.

Boating safety and enforcement officers will perform a quick inspection for required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registration. Those not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections. Instead, they will be given an opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat.

To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call 1-800-922-5431.

10th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day: Want to learn more about fly-tying, bass fishing, archery or hunting safety? Wouldn't it be great if you could learn about all these things in the same day, and in the same place-for free?

All of this and much more is possible at the 10th annual National Hunting and Fishing Day.

The event is Sept. 26 at the Cohen Campbell Fish Hatchery in West Columbia. It is free of charge and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information call803-256-0670 in Columbia.

Shellfish season opening dates:The 2009-2010 season for harvesting oysters and clams will open two weeks later than usual on Oct. 1.

The delayed opening is based on public health recommendations from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. In the spring of 2009, DHEC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration confirmed two cases of Vibrio parahaemoliticus illness in South Carolina resulting from oyster consumption.

Vibrio parahaemoliticus is a bacterium that may cause gastrointestinal illness; however it is usually not life threatening.

Warm coastal waters create higher concentrations of the bacterium and September is one of South Carolina's warm water months, as are June, July and August.

Beaufort Year-Round Fishing Tournament

Standings in the Beaufort year-round fishing tournament (species, boat, angler, weight):

OVERALL

Amber Jack: My Time Out, Ralph Worrell, 62.22

Barracuda: Full Tilt, Travis Plair, 34.9

Black Drum: Simpler Times, Chris Kozma, 10.58

Blackfin Tuna: Holdin On, Mike Perry, 29.38

Black Sea Bass: Mikes Marine, Ralph Worrell, 3.16

Bluefish: Sticker Shock, Kym Harrington, 2.56

Cobia: No Name, Roy Talley, 69.5

Croaker: Capt. Worrell, Ralph Worrell, 0.42

Dolphin (Dorado): Kelsea, Tim Ferris, 34.82

Flounder: Lil Loo-er, Kristin Kirby, 5.32

Grouper (All Legal Species): No Worries, Joshua Martin, 20.28

Jack Crevalle: Hammer Down, Chris Bates, 29.72

King Mackerel: Happy Dog, Jason Ward, 38.7

Ladyfish: Captain Bo, Amber Von Harten, 2.8

Little Tunny: Top Gun 5, Ross Holquist, 13.5

Red Drum: Reel Contol, James Vincent Sr., 4.74

Red Snapper: No Worries, Joshua Martin, 29.76

Sheepshead: Little John, John Mucha, 10.96

Spadefish: Happy Dog, Ross Holquist, 10.4

Spanish Mackerel: Miss Match, John Gould, 6.08

Spotted Seatrout: Seas So Shallow, Steve Roll, 5.6

Spots: My Time Out, Frank Gibson, 0.32

Toadfish: Holdin On, Brian McCaffree, 2.38

Triggerfish: No Worries, Steve Roll, 11.26

Vermillion Snapper: No Worries, Mike Sackman, 5.12

Wahoo: Top Gun 5, Taylor Thomas, 26.64

Weakfish: Capt Worrell, Ralph Worrell, 1.2

Whiting: No Name, Chris Long, 1.18

FEMALE

Amber Jack: Happy Dog, Alice Houston, 44.86

Barracuda: Sticker Shock, Kym Harrington, 21.2

Black Drum: Foreclosure, Lauren Graham, 3.16

Black Sea Bass: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 2.18

Bluefish: Sticker Shock, Kym Harrington, 2.56

Cobia: No Worries, Caitlin Sackman, 32.6

Croaker: My Time Out III, Phyllis Gibson, 0.36

Dolphin (Dorado): My Time Out III, Phyllis Gibson, 19.2

Flounder: Lil Loo-er, Kristin Kirby, 5.32

Jack Crevalle: Froggy Daddy, Carol Currin, 3.04

King Mackerel: No Name, Maci Dean, 24.96

Ladyfish: Captain Bo, Amber Von Harten, 2.8

Little Tunny: Top Gun V, Lauren Graham, 10.08

Red Drum: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 4.52

Red Snapper: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 19.6

Sheepshead: No Worries, Debra Coffeen, 7.0

Spanish Mackerel: Miss Fripp, Patti Brown, 3.26

Spotted Seatrout: Froggy Daddy, Carol Currin, 2.38

Spots: Capt Worrell, Betty Worrell, 0.24

Toadfish: Froggy Daddy, Carol Currin, 1.42

Triggerfish: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 2.64

Vermillion Snapper: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 1.22

Weakfish: Capt Worrell, Kelly Childress, 0.74

Whiting: Foreclosure, Lauren Graham, 1.04

YOUTH

Barracuda: Sticker Shock, Kaitlin Kindwall, 23.4

Black Sea Bass: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 2.08

Bluefish: Sticker Shock, Allison Kindwall, 1.26

Cobia: No Worries, Caitlin Sackman, 32.6

Croaker: Capt. Worrell, Jack Worrell, 0.4

Dolphin (Dorado): Tort Teaser, Kipper McIntosh, 19.94

Jack Crevalle: Sticker Shock, Kaitlin Kindwall, 0.86

King Mackerel: No Slack, Dillon York, 16.94

Ladyfish: Capt. Worrell, Jack C. Worrell, 1.48

Red Drum: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.86

Red Snapper: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 15.76

Spanish Mackerel: Sea Wolf, Alex Pompei, 4.12

Toadfish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 1.68

Vermillion Snapper: My Time Out, Kane Thorp, 1.1

Weakfish: Capt Worrell, Tyler Childress, 0.6

Whiting: Foreclosure, Lauren Graham, 1.04

10x10 YOUTH

Bluefish: Miss Fripp, Kane Thorp, 0.76

Croaker: Capt. Worrell, Jack Worrell, 0.4

Flounder: Seassoshallow.com, Steve Roll, 1.94

Jack Crevalle: Capt. Worrell, Tyler Childress, 0.7

Ladyfish: Miss Fripp, Kane Thorp, 1.64

Spotted Seatrout: Capt. Worrell, Tyler Childress, 0.82

Spanish Mackerel: Miss Fripp, Kane Thorp, 1.9

Spots: Capt. Worrell, Tyler Childress, 0.2

Toadfish: Capt. Worrell, Tyler Childress, 1.3

Whiting: No Name, Chris Long, 1.18