| The locals go nuts over a little fish called "spots,", | | | | previous history with fishing for spots, we can |
| and the long anticipated spot run finally came and | | | | expect the next several weeks to be like these |
| went. Spots showed up in great numbers on | | | | past two-lively, then slow again. You just never |
| October 12th, and for about 6 days merry | | | | know! We have seen some nice catches beyond |
| mayhem ruled on the pier. Anglers stood shoulder | | | | spots, too-king mackerel, black drum, red drum, |
| to shoulder, lead weights and spot rigs flying | | | | blue fish, and some Spanish mackerel. |
| through the air. Absolutely everyone caught | | | | At the same time that the spots kept the anglers |
| spots, whether they were fishing for them or not. | | | | hopping, Saturday, October 25th brought our |
| One group of 5 fishermen proudly boasted | | | | adults and kids for the "Take a Kid Fishing" |
| catching over 700 spots between them, and | | | | Tournament, hosted by the Myrtle Beach |
| individual anglers who grumbled that they only | | | | Chamber of Commerce. Held from 8 am to 12 |
| caught a few realized too late that those big | | | | noon, the event saw a large attendance, despite |
| catches came to those who were standing in the | | | | the damp, windy weather. Each child received a |
| right location on the pier where the huge schools | | | | goody bag with a "Take a Kid Fishing" tee shirt |
| of spots happened to be at a given time. | | | | and many other items donated by area |
| Meanwhile, back at pier "central," which is the bait | | | | merchants, plus at mid-morning each received a |
| and tackle shop at the front of the pier, a | | | | snack, soft drinks, and water. Although the fish |
| dauntless but harried, efficient but tired pier crew | | | | tended to remain in the water rather than allow |
| answered over 300 telephone calls per day during | | | | themselves to be caught, the kids had fun, and |
| this period, with nearly each call beginning with," | | | | the adults delighted in helping kids experience the |
| Are the spots biting yet?" Always the same | | | | joys of fishing. |
| question, too! Some of the callers included | | | | By the way, the Cherry Grove Pier has a |
| demands for weather predictions, wind direction, | | | | resident celebrity: Pete the Pelican! Because he has |
| specific time predictions for the first spot to latch | | | | discovered the luxury of receiving free fishy |
| onto a hook, and so on. One caller even asked | | | | hand-outs from people fishing along the pier, he |
| Ronnie how the fish were biting last week, | | | | has adopted the pier as his "turf," so to speak. He |
| exactly when they were expected to bite next | | | | usually sits near the end of the pier and enjoys |
| week, and which specific dates he, the caller, | | | | posting for pictures for the customers and even |
| should arrange for his vacation so that he could | | | | allows being touched now and then if the daring |
| be certain to catch fish. Ronnie's answer, | | | | human agrees to move slowly. Fast movements |
| perfected over time, suited the caller: "Mr., last | | | | cause the pelican to peck the offending hand. Just |
| week is history. Next week is a mystery, and if I | | | | as soon as the fishing weather moves from a |
| could answer your third question, I would be in | | | | balmy breeze to raw bone-piercing chill, we will |
| Las Vegas right now." | | | | probably see this self-appointed pier monitor drift |
| After that busy week, the spots had moved on, | | | | off with his pelican mates to find warmer shores |
| and spot catching was not so prolific-none of the | | | | and wait to return to Cherry Grove next spring. |
| record numbers that we saw the previous week. | | | | So, on behalf of the friendly staff at the Pier |
| However, what makes angling, certainly life at | | | | (Larry, Steve, Ronnie, Annie, and Mike), we |
| Cherry Grove Pier, exciting is that you never | | | | encourage everyone to come out, warm or less |
| know from one day to the next what will happen. | | | | warm. It's just great to hang out here at the pier, |
| Just as soon as the spots stopped biting, they | | | | whether you are fishing or not, but the fishing is |
| started again. This past Saturday proved to be | | | | the greatest in the area, plus we have quick, |
| one of the busiest with record-number catches | | | | efficient, and friendly service, with perhaps some |
| exceeding the previous numbers. Based on | | | | side tips on fishing if you really need them. |