IOP fishing Report from Tina Brookshire Vaughn

Social media seems to have taken over the way we do things as a society today. This form of communication has helped many a business, website, cause, and charity-you name it, the internet and social media have now become a way of life. Especially due to the fact that almost everyone around is using a Droid processed phone or I-Phone. It’s almost to the point that we can’t escape computerized communication.

With that said, I have had good and bad experiences with social networking sites over the years; mostly positive experiences, but some issues have occurred in the past that have left a bad taste in my mouth. In the long run, the pros outweigh the cons. An example of a pessimistic experience turning into a positive experience is as follows: I had made a statement on a networking site one day that seemed to upset a “friend” I didn’t even know. This person seemed to upset a few of my other friends as well (to put it lightly), but the first person to defend my point of view was a young lady named Tina Brookshire Vaughn. Someone who didn't know who the hell I was, defending me and putting her own name on the line was respectable and an honorable thing to do. Social Networking at it’s best.

Since that experience, I contacted her to give big props for her justification of my post. During my contact with her, I asked her for some pictures of her fishing adventures and some brief reports, just the basics, because I knew she fished, and was out of state in South Carolina. I figured since she had taken the time to put some pictures up on the web previously, what would it hurt to email me some? Knowing those earlier pictures were somewhat old, and that the site needed fresh material, she was going to get with me the next time she had the chance to fish and come up with a timely story.

Recently receiving a message from her was a surprise. She had a nice fishing report for me with some good pictures; I was stoked and there is more than one reason why. First of all, Tina resides in an area of South Carolina very close to the Isle of Palms, roughly twenty minutes from Charleston, which is a vast barrier island region with tons of inlets and creeks, full of big fish. I wanted a few east coast reports from up north that were close, or at least somewhat close to my home state of Maryland. It’s a different style of fishing. Putting an out of state report up on TBII gives a breath of fresh air; this provides anyone reading from Tampa a different perspective on fishing. Second, Tina seemed be an experienced angler; from marshland fishing to deep water fishing, Tina seemed to have done a variety of stalking fish throughout her life. Third, being a young, single mom gives her the “average” angler status, a working mother and angler that rarely gets to fish like many of us. I knew she is limited on time, but when she gets out fishing, she will try to send me pictures of the beautiful waterways, scenery and of course the fishing of the pristine Isle of Palms.

Well, after the explanation of where Tina appeared from, I have to share the report I was given.

Fishing in early January with her friend Hunter Allen, Tina got into a nice batch of redfish, ranging from little rats that needed to grow up, to decent sized brutes that got the adrenaline going.

Tina and Hunter were fishing in somewhat warm weather; fifty five degrees outside (at least warm for those in South Carolina), with a water temperature of about forty five degrees. Schools of redfish were at their disposal on the mudflats and inlets near the Isle of Palms. The skies were variably cloudy with winds up to, or possibly a little more than 10 knots, which is not too bad. The two of them were in Hunter’s 17 foot HPX V, using various artificials such as the GULP! Jerk Shads on Flutter hooks, Loomis rods and Shimano spinning reels, and even some fly gear for Hunter to cast.

The end result was over a dozen redfish or so, and a few of them were of good size. None were brought home for dinner; these two were at it for the sport, not just “meat fishing”, which is very respectable. I’m sure they want to keep their little piece of paradise up there stocked for years to come.

Hopefully Tina will find the time to get out and fish more often; all of us know the healing properties of fishing, or even just being in a boat, enjoying our beautiful surroundings…plus, I need a new fishing report from her sometime soon... :)

A big thanks goes out to Tina and Hunter for hooking me up with this report. Tina didn’t have to do this for me-my website makes no money, it’s not one of the more “popular” fishing resources in the area and she is not getting paid. It just goes to show that some people out there are genuine, and don’t mind taking their time to do a favor for another. I only know a few people like that, Tina being one, and I am being completely honest. Thanks Tina!

In case you didn't know, just like myself, here is where the IOP (Isle of Palms) is...  

Brad