April 2017 Archives - Page 2 of 4

Guide Kevin Davis searches the shallows for blue cats this month; they’re there for the baitfish migration.

Why skinny water is good

It’s reasonable to wonder why the big blue catfish flood the Santee Cooper shallows from late-March through April. The answer is simple, but it’s not the spawn — as many think. […]

When planning a major timber harvest, hunter/landowners should think about leaving some nut-bearing trees along the margins of the cuts to help feed wildlife.

Leave tree-protection zones

Jeff Burleson

From lumber and veneer to fiber, the Carolinas are home to a thriving forest-products industry, and timber harvests are common throughout the region. […]

A gobbler showing off for a hen is unlikely to leave and head off in the direction of any hen calls from birds that he can’t see.

Wait them out; great hunting is on the way

Dan Kibler

What’s the biological reason for gobblers to get “henned up” early during the annual spring turkey season? Charles Ruth, the biologist who oversees the wild-turkey program for the S.C. Department of Natural Resources said it’s just a natural thing. […]

Scott Hammond said it’s easier to ditch his blind and decoys late in the season when he’s hunting with a bow.

Run-and-bow?

Phillip Gentry

Many hunters may have, on occasion, considered leaving their scattergun at home to give bowhunting turkeys a try. Of that number, some will drop the idea right away, thinking that bowhunting doesn’t fit their preferred style of turkey hunting. […]

A great fishery for bull reds has developed in Charleston Harbor over the past several springs.

Charleston Harbor has developed spring bull bite

Jeff Burleson

A hot bite involving bull redfish is one that anglers rarely forget. While that inshore bite is typically slated for October in the waters around Charleston, guide Chris Orvin consistently finds a good bite in spring. […]

Z-Man’s Scented Crabz is one of a handful of baits that can be used during the spring to fool redfish into thinking they’re eating a molting blue crab.

Lures that imitate soft-shell crabs can tempt reds into biting

Jeff Burleson

The soft-crab season is a special time of year; coaxing a redfish to bite is at its easiest when using a soft crab for bait. Placing a fresh chunk of soft crab on a hook will lower the guard of any fish in the spring. […]

Most interactions between blue crabs and redfish will be close to the ocean and or inlets in the spring.

Head far east in North Carolina’s sounds for spring reds

Jeff Burleson

North Carolina is widely known as the home of an “old drum” fishery in the Pamlico and adjacent sounds where they spend the summers feeding and spawning. […]

Various bream species make for great spring action for paddling anglers on small ponds.

Become a pond paddler

Phillip Gentry

Spring has sprung, which for paddling anglers will means more powerboats of all varieties to contend with. […]

Capt. Dave Tilley said an anchor is the most-important piece of gear on a bottom-fishing trip.

Get your anchor down

Brian Cope

Anchors are often the cheapest piece of gear on a fishing boat, but they’re often the most important, especially when bottom fishing. […]

Venison sausage makes a perfect stuffing for half of a flattened wild turkey breast.

Stuff that turkey breast

Jerry Dilsaver

April is a special time in the Carolinas. In addition to the arrival of spring and the multiple opportunities for freshwater and saltwater fishing and turkey season, I usually feature one of Robert Cardwell’s excellent recipes for wild turkey in April. If he continues to share recipes as good as this one, it will continue for a while. […]