Fish off the coast of South Carolina have a few more hiding places after a 15-meter tug and approximately 20 large pieces of concrete manholes were added to McClellanville Reef last week.
The additions to the CCA McClellanville Reef were a joint project between the Coastal Conservation Association South Carolina and the SC Department of Natural Resources.
The reef is located 15 meters deep, approximately 13 km from Bulls Bay, between Charleston and Georgetown. The GPS coordinates for the reef are 32 degrees, 51.80 N and 79 degrees, 22.50 W.
“This is our 13th reef in a decade, part of our coastal initiative that CCA South Carolina has made to place 42 reefs off the coast of South Carolina by 2030,” said Scott Whitaker, executive director of CCA South Carolina, adding that BP America and Shimano North America, based in Ladson, were partners in the project.
“This was kind of a homecoming for us,” added Whitaker. “This was the site of the first reef deployment that CCA South Carolina did, and there are now three different deployments at that location by CCA South Carolina.”
The purpose of artificial reefs is to stabilize or increase fish populations. South Carolina has established more than 40 of these reefs.
“Many species have been overfished. By creating additional habitat, we are improving fish populations. The use of artificial reefs helps to stabilize fishing pressure. It spreads so that no particular area is overfished, ”said Robert Martore, who heads the SC’s Department of Natural Resources artificial reef program.
Martore said the McClellanville Reef, just 400 meters in diameter, is one of the program’s smallest reefs.
“It was founded in 2004 and has been the CCA McClellanville Reef since the beginning. They invested a lot of money and got some tugs when we started the reef. It is a reef requested by fishermen who fish in McClellanville who said they had no reefs nearby to fish.”
The tug that was added to the reef on March 9 was 50 feet long and had a beam of approximately 20 feet. It offers a 20-foot profile from the bottom. Martore said the tug was originally piloted from a higher level, but they had to cut through the pilot’s house to allow the boats to be released. The pilot’s house was replaced on the front deck of the tug.
The other tugs measure 105 feet and 45 feet. Martore said there are approximately 200 pieces of large manholes now in place, as well as debris from when the Cooper River bridges were removed after the Ravenel bridge was completed in 2005.
“This reef is easily accessible by the central console guys on a good day,” said Whitaker, adding that he feels that the effort to establish CCA projects on all of the state’s artificial reefs by 2030 is on track. he said these projects took place on reefs ranging from 45 to 105 feet of water.
“I think we have a chance to add between three and five more this year. We secure some of the material and are in the process of protecting the rest. We are looking at some of the most dynamic reef structures near the coast that have been deployed, if we can. make that happen. “
Information, including GPS coordinates, for South Carolina’s artificial reefs and the structure that was deployed on the individual reefs can be found at dnr.sc.gov/artificialreefs.
Summerville Walters, 3rd at Bassmaster event
Summerville bass fisherman Patrick Walters finished third in the Bassmaster Southern Open tournament fished at Harris Chain of Lakes, Florida. Walters led after the first day, but dropped to third on the second day. He ended the three-day event with a limit of 15 lows weighing 55 pounds and 14 ounces and won $ 17,760. Keith Tuma from Brainerd, Minnesota, won the event 58-13 and won $ 52,300.
America’s Boating Club
America’s Boating Club Charleston will hold a boat safety class on March 20 at the Berkeley County Emergency Training Center in Moncks Corner. Classes will also be held on March 27 and April 10 at 1376 Orange Grove Road, Charleston. Classes start at 9am and end around 4pm. Successful participants receive the Boater’s Education Card from the SC’s Department of Natural Resources. The cost is $ 25 for adults and youth ages 12 to 18 are free. Call 843-312-2876 or send an email to [email protected].
Brady Bates Redfish Open
The Brady Bates Youth Redfish Open Scholarship Tournament is scheduled for April 10 at Buck Hall Landing. The tournament is part of the Student Angler League Tournament Track. Last year’s tournament saw $ 15,000 in scholarships awarded. The tournament is free for all members of the SALTT (Student Angler League Tournament Trail). Visit salttfishing.com for information or send an email to [email protected].
Inshore Anglers Sheepshead Tournament
The Charleston Inshore Anglers’ 28th annual “Big Ed” Sheepshead tournament will be fished on the 17th. The captain’s meeting and registration will take place from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on April 15, American Legion Post 147, located at 968 Folly Road. The weigh-in for the tournament will also be held at the American Legion Post 147 from 4pm to 5pm. The entry fee to the tournament is $ 40.
Contact Kevin Mischke at 843-324-1006; Robbie Zetrouer at 843-709-0650; Nick Kvestad at 843-557-2811; or Gene Broderick at 843-224-6826