Catfish, stripers were the main species caught
Last week, Berkeley Electric Cooperative treated their employees who are military veterans to a day of fishing on the Santee Cooper lakes. About a dozen fishing guides deployed from Canal Lakes Resort, each with a handful of former soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines.
“This is something we do each year to honor our veterans and show them how much we appreciate them,” said Leisa Stilley. She’s the public relations guru with the co-op, and caught her share of fish while fishing with Capt. Daryl Smith, one of the fishing guides who volunteered their time for the event.
Catfish were the main target species of all the anglers, but stripers were also in the mix. The prize catch of the day was a 46-pound Arkansas blue catfish caught by one of the veterans. Several other fish that ranged anywhere from a pound up to 35 pounds were also brought back to Canal Lakes, where volunteers cleaned and bagged the fish. Every veteran left the event with fish cleaned and ready for the fryer.
And while those fish were being cleaned, another crew from Berkeley Cooperative had set up a lakeside dining area behind Bell’s Marina. Here, the veterans were treated to a fish fry. They were served fried catfish, cole slaw, hush puppies, French fries, and deserts to make their day complete.
Capt. Charles King of Capt. KingFish Charters was another volunteer fishing guide for the event. One of his anglers, Nick Grant, caught a couple of stripers, including one that measured over 26 inches in length.
“It’s a great cause. I enjoy supporting the veterans with a fishing trip as my way of thanking them for their service,” said King.
Father and Son Outdoors TV was also on hand, getting footage for an upcoming television show. Click here for more information about Father & Son Outdoors TV.
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