OutdoorSC.com

Last week while visiting my favorite take-your-money-and-hide tackle dealer, I was confronted by a group of visitors of a more northern persuasion. They wanted to know where they could get a book on the vocabulary of the south. At first I thought the inquiry was of a sarcastic nature but this was soon sidestepped when in earnest and without hesitation the question was posed once again.

While explaining the often-imitated but never mastered southern dialect to our visitors, I was reminded of how lost I felt in similar circumstances. The occasion was New York City, Hell's Kitchen to be exact. I was one of six chaperones to a group of 45 eagerly impressed and equally confused Christian Youths. But time prevailed and all returned to the land of salt shores and no-see-ums with shared respect and satisfaction.

Some of the words in question from the group were elementary. Broken down, the terms became a bit more clear and I once again walked away knowing I had greatly improved the lines of communication for those of a less commanding respect for the English language as it was meant to be heard. Let me elaborate a bit more with some examples.

• Sittinaspell -- Taking a break.

• Ennahow or (innaha) --Isn't that right.

• Ri-cheer -- This very place.

• Meer -- Come here (not to be confused with mear meaning mirror or looking glass).

• Gweet -- To go eat.

• Bobwarfants -- What keeps the cattle in the pasture.

These were a few of the many that had our visitors in a quandary. I finally broke it off when the giggling started and I asked where they were from. To them, I'm sure it sounded something like, "Whurr y'all from, ya gottsta be from uptheroad. Me I'm from richeer and ain't looking to go no further down the road."

They replied "Mister, you da-bomb," and left. I later found out that da-bomb meant ultra-cool or totally awesome, I think.

Best Bets

• Inshore: Spottail Bass, Flounder, Trout, Sheepshead and plenty of shark. Preferred areas are scattered rocks, shell rakes both active and inactive, rises along grass edges and sandbars. Good depth presently is 8- to 12-feet of clear, unstained water.Be aware without intrusion as many spots are closely guarded secrets among veteran anglers. A bit of observation from afar will easily point you in the right direction and show better choices if your returns are not up to your expectations. And when all else fails, ask directions.

• Offshore:While I have not witnessed any large accumulation of jellyfish balls offshore, the presence of Spadefish in large numbers is getting a lot of air time via radio and phone. Spanish Mackerel are hitting silver spoons with a vengeance and the popular Clarkspoon is topping the list of needed hardware.

Good numbers of bluefish and some huge Bull Dolphin have been taken from the floating grass beds which have marked the deep water this past week. High winds and storms have grouped big islands of debris and grass which invites Dolphin and other gamefish to the dinner table. These groupings hold numerous small baitfish seeking refuge and sanctuary from larger predators. The Betsy Ross has shown marked improvement for bottom fish such as Snapper and a few large grouper while tripletail and blackfish remain high in numbers. Wahoo are hitting lures pulled with teasers for those with the resources to continue the troll.

Note to Anglers

Fishing tournaments are common along the coast and our waters hold their fair share of events. Anglers and sponsors like to associate themselves with those that maintain environmental awareness, respect for the species and angler safety. The majority of tournaments which are readily recognized will have an official weighmaster, a tournament director and a rules committee. In addition, the SCDNR Boating Safety Office will have been informed. For an official marine event form, contact SCDNR at 843-953-9378.

Each year tournaments come and go. The best survive the challenge and remain among the elite. If you would like to share your fishing tournament with readers or simply wish to notify others of an outdoor event, contact me. Ours is a huge expanse of wonderful opportunity to be shared and enjoyed by everyone respectful of its limitations. I can be reached at rodcrafter@islc.net.

$500 Reward

Dave Harter, president of the Hilton Head Reef Foundation and Hilton Head Island Sportsfishing Club is offering cash to any anglers that catch fish with satellite tags.

"The pop off satellite tags used on our local cobia cost the Hilton Head Reef Foundation about $4,000 apiece plus satellite time expenses," Harter said. "If you catch one of the fish that was recently tagged, the foundation can offer you a reward. If you want to release the fish, write down the tag number, report it to us with the catch location information and we will write you a check for $500.If you want to keep the fish just cut the tag loose, protect the computer portion and call us.The reward for the undamaged tag of a kept fish is $300."

The number to call is 843-795-7524 or go to www.reeffoundation.com for the latest updates.

Tackle Tip

The spines of many fish can inflict painful wounds and can become infected quite easily. Shrimp also have "horns" which can be equally damaging to tissue and may need a doctor's attention. Don't take a chance on a lengthy recovery when all you wanted to do was fish. If you receive such a wound, Adolph's Meat Tenderizer is a temporary fix from the pain and should be part of your fishing arsenal. It will take out the sting of minor puncture wounds from fish spines, jellyfish and shrimp horns. Another old remedy is, if you are spined by a saltwater catfish to rub the belly of the fish over the puncture. I tried this once and it worked but I punctured myself twice more while trying to hold the flopping fish. Be careful and remember, "You can't walk back."

Till next week,

Good fishin'

Lee