Georgia Fish Art Contest seeks young entrants
Is there a budding young artist in your family? Students have the opportunity to win prizes and recognition while learning all there is to know about Georgia’s fish species, behaviors, aquatic habitats and conservation by competing in the Georgia Fish Art Contest now in progress.
It’s a part of the international Wildlife Forever State Fish Art Contest and contestants may choose to apply in just the state contest or in any of the additional award categories or both. More information: www.statefishart.org.
To enter, young artist create an original illustration of their chosen fish from the official fish list. Contestants must complete the Georgia-specific entry form. Entries are due by March 31, 2021. They can be submitted by e-mail to FishArt@WildlifeForever.org or by mail to Marion Baker, Go Fish Georgia Education Center, 1255 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069. The Georgia entry form can be found at www.statefishart.org.
There are four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-17.
• The Augusta area’s bass fishing corps has lost three of its members in Robert Abernathy Sr. (died July 4), Gene Williams (died Oct. 15) and Ron Brown (died Oct. 26).
Abernathy, who lived in Modoc, S.C., was an avid fisherman and golfer who served as a volunteer at the Masters Tournament for more than 20 years. He also was an honorary member of the Augusta Bass Club in which he had been an active member.
Williams was a longtime member of the Westside Bass Club. “Gene was a great ambassador for our sport,” said Robin Whisenant, president of the Clark Hill Committee, the sanctioning body for several local open team bass tournaments. “With his family’s permission, we would like to show our respects by dedicating the Clark Hill Memorial Open Team Bass Tournament on Dec. 5 in Gene’s honor.”
Brown, 70, who lived in Lincoln County, was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. He was a avid bass tournament fisherman and professional fishing guide on Clarks Hill Lake. He was a founder and chief executive officer of the Fish for Life Foundation and initiated the construction of the Tommy Shaw Weigh-In Station in Wildwood Park.
He also created the “Legends of Clarks Hill” which recognizes those who have made a lasting impact on fishing at the lake. Whisenant pointed out that “Ron conducted the annual ‘Toys for Tots’ bass tournament until his health issues made it too difficult and he asked our committee to take it over.
“We want to dedicate this year’s ‘Toys for Tots’ tournament in Ron’s honor,” he added.
FISHING REPORT
Capt. David Willard, U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, full-time professional fishing guide specializing in hybrids, stripers and trophy largemouth bass. Boat phone: (706) 214-0236. Residence: 1 (803) 637-6379. www.crockettrocketstriperfishing.com – Surface temperatures are in the low 70s and the lake is clear. We’re finally getting past the full moon phase which caused a very light bite, so light, in fact, that my clients had to hold the rods in their hands to detect it. Jim and Joan Caddell from the Atlanta area caught 3- to 5-pound hybrids, white perch and lots of Kentucky spotted bass. Their day on the lake was chilly and foggy with a northeast wind of 12 to 15 mph, but they said they enjoyed catching them and, when they got home, frying them. November is usually a great month to fish and action usually peaks aro0und Thanksgiving.
Capt. Eddie Mason , U.S. Coast Guard-licensed, full-time professional fishing guide specializing in hybrids and stripers. www.masonsguideservice.com. Cell phone: (706) 829-0428. Residence: 1 (803) 637-5395. We are fishing mid-lake on the humps near the main river channel, fishing 10 to 20 feet down in 35 feet of water. I am still fishing live blueback herring on downlines, but chumming with cut bait and drumming on the deck. That noise seems to attract their attention. Last Wednesday, Tim George of GIT R BENT Guide Service joined me for a two-boat trip for a group called The SLV Girls. This fantastic group of ladies all live in Savannah Lakes Village. Thanks to Janie Clark, Ginny Voss, Nancy McGinley, Mary Ann Charles, Linda McClintock, first mate Linda Dodd and Jacquie Errico. We filled up an ice chest with fish and had a grand time. Last Saturday, I took out Brian Garrison from Alabama and Charles McDuffie from Missouri. We caught a limit of stripers and hybrids.
Capt. Ralph Goodison, Fripp Island, 1 (843) 986-4070 – We’ve had some of the best fall fishing around Fripp in several years and we’ve also been spared from hurricanes. We also have been free from any pandemic cases. Here’s what’s happening fish-wise: The inshore bite is on for red fish, black drum, flounder, whiting and spotted sea trout. Near the shore around the dry dock tire/Fripp reef, fishing is excellent for black sea bass, with some spadefish, bluefish and Spanish mackerel and king mackerel fishing fair. The deeper waters around the 6HI buoy are producing black sea bass, triggerfish and grunt and trollers are picking up some nice kingfish. Weather permitting, the Gulf Stream area has produced king mackerel, some small bull dolphins, a few wahoo, black fin tuna and swordfish.
Miss Judy Charters, Capt. Judy Helmey, 1 (912) 897-4921. www.missjudycharters.com 124 Palmetto Drive, Savannah, GA 31410 – My fishing report today is a carbon copy of last week’s, with a few exceptions. I believe grouper have moved closer to shore around isolated wrecks and artificial reefs in 50 to 60 feet of water. Last week, I caught some in 80 feet, but noticed the farther out and deeper I went, the bite slowed. Here’s a tip for those who want to fish for them: Use bait fish like sand perch and rock bass which grouper don’t see much of. Also, use 100-pound test leader because to get them up and out, you’ve got to strum the lines with your fingers. The noise and vibrations startle the fish. Our spotted sea trout bite is fantastic with the cooler weather that arrived here late last week. I predict the serious bite will last until the end of December and perhaps even beyond.