Live Bait
From Joe Buongiorno
There are various schools of thought on fishing. Some people prefer live bait, others
prefer cut bait or artificials. The majority of regular fishermen on Kiawah favor live
or cut bait and believe it is the most productive way to fish. The bait is procured
locally and is what the fish are currently chasing in their natural environment. The
primary types of bait that are used consist of the following: live mud minnows; live
finger mullet; live shrimp; live menhaden; cut or chunk mullet and, cut blue crab.
While some bait is available at Bohicket Marina and in the Kiawah convenience
store, it is usually frozen and not as desirable. Fishermen on Kiawah prefer to catch
their own bait and use different methods depending on what they are targeting.
Mud minnows are caught in minnow traps placed strategically around creeks on
the island. Mullet, shrimp and menhaden are typically caught by throwing cast nets
where these fish congregate based on tidal flows. Blue crabs can be caught in crab
pots or by using long handled nets in ponds, creeks, and spillways around Kiawah.
Bunting Bathing
From Becky Krantz
Peering through the plantation shutters
of our bedroom window I noticed a
male painted bunting sitting on top
of our patio fountain. I took 23 quick
photos as it bathed with glee in the
bubbling water. He finally shook the
water from his feathers and took flight.
WINTER/SPRING 2019 • VOLUME 41
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