One Bluffton resident enjoys the freedom of life on the water, casting a line for red drum, bass, trout and flounder.
With easy access to inshore waters and to the Atlantic Ocean, it’s no secret that Bluffton is a great place to go fishing.
Local residents like Nancy Howes love to take advantage of good weather by getting out on the water and casting a line. Nancy’s grandfather taught her how to fish when she lived in New Hampshire, and she’s been fishing in and around Bluffton for the past 40 years.
“I’ve been fishing since I was real little,” she said. “My grandfather took me as soon as I was big enough to help carry the canoe.”
The best advice he gave her when angling for your meal?
“Pay attention. If you’re not paying attention, you could miss a good bite or a good fish.”
It’s hard for Nancy to pick a favorite catch, since there are so many freshwater and saltwater species in the area. She’s reeled in bass, flounder, trout and red drum inshore, and she loves fishing offshore with friends for cobia. Between September and December, she also casts her net for shrimp.
The bottom line: if she can’t take it home and eat it, she’s not fishing for it.
“If the fish is a good size and it’s legal, it’ll taste good,” she explained. “Trout is sweet. Redfish is good, too. It all depends on who you’re with and how you cook it.”
For Nancy, spring and summer are ideal seasons for fishing, though many summer days in the Southern heat are too hot to spend an afternoon on the water. Nancy loves the fact that fall offers “the really good” fishing, as well as milder temperatures.
Ladyfish Clothing for Women Who Fish
Whatever the season, the catch or the company, the the fish are always biting in the Lowcountry.
“It’s nice to be out there,” she said with a smile. “I love the peace and quiet. Nobody telling you what to do or how do it.”
When Hilton Head Islander Kelly Stroud Spinella couldn’t find the right clothing for female anglers, she took matters into her own hands and launched Ladyfish in April 2014.
Perfect for fishing, boating and other outdoor activities, Ladyfish offers a line of high-performance clothing designed for the female body. Popular items include t-shirts, tank tops, hats and long-sleeved Ultraviolet Protection Factor shirts.
As a bonus, the long-sleeved shirts use with an anti-microbial, moisture-wicking fabric. It keeps anglers cool and protected from the sun, even in the summer heat.
Learn more at ladyfish.com.
By Amanda Surowitz
