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Jarhead
Advanced Member
USA
3372 Posts |
 Posted - 11/02/2009 : 10:44:19
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ARTICLE that Bob L found on the recent spraying upon Santee. The Santee Bass Matters organization is fighting for improvements of Bass fishing on Santee and trying to get SCE&G to listen to the area sportsmen about how to improve the lake.
Helicopter, airboats reportedly sprayed poison during Bassmaster tournament
Bass tournaments on Lake Marion could be an endangered species.
Santee Cooper, the state-owned electrical utility responsible for the management of the Santee Cooper lakes, is to blame, according to lake advocates and anglers.
Joe Avin of Summerton, president of Santee Bass Matters, is making the claim after attending the weigh-in for the 2009 ESPN Bassmaster Southern Open Tournament at the John C. Land III Landing on Saturday afternoon. Santee Bass Matters is an organization Avin helped to organize in June to address the problem of the decline of bass fishing on Santee Cooper lakes.
Professional and amateur fishers alike are speaking out against Santee Cooper for the company's decision to spray vegetation poison on Lake Marion before and during this past weekend's Bassmaster tourney.
A helicopter and airboats reportedly flew over the lake during the tournament and sprayed poison on the vegetation.
The action by Santee Cooper limited the size and number of fish caught during the tournament, Avin said.
“Not only did this devastate the areas these fishermen were in,” said Avin, “it was also done during the tournament in areas where these fishermen were at, which forced them to evacuate their prime fishing areas in order not to be sprayed with the poison.”
Santee Cooper spokeswoman Laura Varn said the “vast majority of the spraying was done two weeks in advance of the tournament.”
“We did perform a minor airboat spray on Oct. 22, the first day of the tournament, in a small section of Eutaw Creek,” Varn said. “This was 18 acres out of the total of 200 acres. We have a responsibility to balance the multiple uses of the lake. This includes recreational enjoyment, such as this wonderful bass tournament, with the responsibility to properly control the crested floating heart.”
There were about 800 bass caught in the weekend's three-day tournament, compared to 985 caught in the May 2008 Bassmaster event, which was shortened to two days because of the weather. That was the last Bassmaster event Lake Marion had hosted until this past weekend.
“You can't really compare an October tournament with a May tournament,” Walker said. Fishing is typically better in October, he said.
Avin said it will be difficult luring bass tournaments to Santee Cooper in the future. The lake has hosted Bassmaster tournaments for more than 30 years.
“There are only two national tournaments on the lake this year,” he said. “I don't expect there'll be any next year. People are not going to come back. Please bear in mind, these folks had traveled from as far away as California to participate in this event. Many thousands of dollars were spent in registration, as well as monies spent in staying as long as three weeks prior in our area.”
Avin said the fishing tournament was a public relations nightmare for Santee Cooper and the Santee Cooper lakes.
“I have never heard such negative comments and voices of frustration as I did during this event, Avin said. “One participant even gave a long warning about the conditions and spraying while being interviewed on the stage. All of this was being broadcast live via the Internet.
“Again,” he added, “allow me to emphasize the utter surprise, frustration, and anger on behalf of the participants who only came to enjoy our lakes as they attempt to make a living at their trade.”
Avin estimated that the weekend Bassmaster event on Lake Marion pumped more than $1.5 million into the economy
More than 250 professional and amateur anglers participated in the tournament, the final Bassmaster Open event for the 2009 season.
Bass tournaments on Lake Marion provide an important economic boost to the local area, Avin said.
"There are only two kinds of people that understand Marines: Marines and the enemy. Everyone else has a second-hand opinion."
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RodFather
Advanced Member
USA
1290 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 11:28:19
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Santee Cooper's only concerns are generating electricity and maintaining property values around and near the lake. They could not care less if another fish is ever caught in the lake. Their eradicate Hydrilla at any cost program is proof of that. Could have been kept at manageable levels. They invision a Lake Murray situation with Million dollar homes surrounding the lake some day. Water depths will not support that kind of development. (at least currently-it will when there is no waterfront property left) Probably 90% of the people who own homes on Murray are "boaters"-not fishermen. They don't want any grass and every time the water is down they burn all stumps above the waterline. Fishing is not a priority
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bangolure
Advanced Member
USA
1680 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 14:05:27
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 Those of us that took part in this battle with Santee Cooper 15 years ago. This is a quote from Santee Cooper" We are in the power business not the fishing business". I hope that Joe Avin is successful in his battle with them. |
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stratossean
Advanced Member
4172 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 16:04:50
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I agree with what Gene said I remember the meeting that the comment was made. I wish him luck but it is going to take a really hard fight with someone that has the deep pockets that Santee Cooper has.
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BASSASSASSIN
Advanced Member
USA
1721 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 20:06:08
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quote:
Originally posted by RodFather
Santee Cooper's only concerns are generating electricity and maintaining property values around and near the lake. They could not care less if another fish is ever caught in the lake. Their eradicate Hydrilla at any cost program is proof of that. Could have been kept at manageable levels. They invision a Lake Murray situation with Million dollar homes surrounding the lake some day. Water depths will not support that kind of development. (at least currently-it will when there is no waterfront property left) Probably 90% of the people who own homes on Murray are "boaters"-not fishermen. They don't want any grass and every time the water is down they burn all stumps above the waterline. Fishing is not a priority
SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE WINDSHIELD, SOMETIMES YOU'RE THE BUG! |
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scboatservice
Average Member
USA
366 Posts |
Posted - 11/02/2009 : 20:15:15
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I was excited to see some grass returning....sad to hear that they are spraying.
Berkeley Outdoors
122 Oakley Rd.
Moncks Corner, SC 29461
843-761-BOAT (2628) |
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Wristpin
Senior Member
USA
540 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 05:27:21
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Update...Joe has State Senator John Land on his side...Interesting that SCDNR has a Pact with Santee Cooper to allow 10 percent coverage of natural grasses like cattails...Great... cattails in 3 inches of water...Go Joe Go!!!!
http://www.clarendontoday.com/Pages/102209/Outdoors/bass.html
10/22/09
Bass is what makes Lake Marion outstanding
By Terry Madewell
Part Two of Two
Terry Madewell Photo
Joe Avin, with the Santee Bass Matters group, holds up a handful of native eel grass. These native grasses make good habitat for breeding population of bass in the county’s lake. Currently, the lake is experiencing a sharp decline in fish population.
Ed. Note: Last week, we covered an important issue affecting the economic and environmental health of our area lakes, namely the loss of grassy breeding grounds. This week, officials from Santee Cooper and S.C. Dept. of Natural resources weigh in with their positions.
Not everyone agrees that the re-introduction of hydrilla and a lake-stocking program is the solution to the waning fish population on Lake Marion.
John Inabinet is the administrator of environmental resources at Santee Cooper. He noted some specific fish kills on lakes Marion and Moultrie linked to hydrilla.
“There were substantial fish kills routinely in the Pack’s and Elliot’s area of Lake Marion when hydrilla was at its height,” Inabinet said. “Also the biggest fish kill in South Carolina occurred when thunderstorms broke a huge chunk of hydrilla loose and it clogged up the generating station at St. Stephens. The dissolved oxygen became an issue both above and below the plant. But the biggest fish kill occurred in the Santee River.
“By the early 1990s, 45,000 acres of the lakes were covered with hydrilla and we felt the plant could spread to cover as much as 80,000 of our 160,000 surface acres of water,” Inabinet said. “Essentially, you can think of hydrilla as an aquatic version of kudzu. It grows out of control and very rapidly spreads.”
Larry McCord, Santee Cooper’s supervisor of analytical and biological services said treatment and control of this exotic plant is very difficult.
“We’ve tried a lot of different techniques, including different chemicals,” McCord said. “But chemicals were only good in localized areas and soon the hydrilla was back and spreading again. We worked closely with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Corps of Engineers and decided that the use of grass carp was the best option as a control measure.
“Grass carp love to eat hydrilla,” McCord said. “They will often swim right by other grasses and clean the hydrilla out and then move on to other areas without eating the other grasses. This trait did help us get control of the plant in the lake and we’ve had it under control for about 14 years. But our position has been that because of its incredible ability to spread, it’s a matter of keeping it completely under control. We don’t believe it can be allowed to grow in some areas, because of its ability to spread so quickly.”
Inabinet added that there’s nothing really magical about hydrilla in terms of fish production.
“Before hydrilla was first found here in 1982, the lakes had been a prime fishing destination for a long time,” he said. “We feel the native grasses have the potential to bring the lake back just as well as hydrilla, without the negatives.”
McCord said Santee Cooper has a written agreement with the SCDNR that they will have at least a 10 percent overall coverage of native grasses in the lake.
“This includes submerged grasses like eel grass, floating leaf native grasses such as the pads, and the emergent grasses that include cattails and water willows,” McCord said. “We reached the goal two years ago and continue to expand coverage of native grasses. We welcome the opportunity to work with groups such as Santee Bass Matters to continue this expansion.”
The stocking of fish and changing creel and size limits are issues that directly involve the SCDNR.
Scott Lamprecht is the fisheries biologist for the Santee Cooper lakes and has met with the Santee Bass Matters group on issues that directly impact the fisheries of the lakes.
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pitcher
Starting Member
USA
21 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 13:16:54
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The whole article is a bunch of nonsense. The bottom line, is SCDNR is worthless in this situation, and Santee Cooper Electric feels they don't have to answer to anyone.
Somehow, other lakes have hydrilla, and don't get completely overwhelmed with it. Here's a thought..having a big, planned drawdown every few years will help control any hydrilla in the lake, as well as having the benefits from the drawdown of having bushes and grasses grow on the newly exposed land.
They aren't grasping the fact that the economy around the lakes isn't great. Having better fishing through hydrilla will bring in fishermen not just in the Springtime, but year round. That will financially benefit the area. |
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RodFather
Advanced Member
USA
1290 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 17:25:03
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Pitcher-like you said...if it doesn't benefit S. Cooper they will not do it. Drawdowns will not benefit them. Low water levels are the last thing they want. When the water gets down to a certain point the generating turbines become inefficient. They would love to have enough water to generate electricity at St. Stephens 24/7. Even if there is no local need for it they sell it through the grid. They did not build that plant over there for the heck of it.
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Wristpin
Senior Member
USA
540 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 18:49:25
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| Anybody know how to get ahold of Joe Avin? |
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Triton186
Moderator
USA
3567 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 20:13:18
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| Bob - PM Sent... |
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On time
Average Member
USA
321 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 22:31:11
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| The "thunderstorm" was hurricane Hugo. The recommended amount of carp per vegetated acre is 3, they used between 10 and 12. They also used 5 different types of herbicide I believe it was, 2 of which were hazardous to fish and other marine life when used in recommended quantities. perhaps that is where the "biggest" fish kill came from. I got this info off santee coopers web site in the early 90s and brought it to a couple of clubs back then, but could really go no further. Santee Cooper only sees what they want to see, and only cares about profit......Clay |
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RodFather
Advanced Member
USA
1290 Posts |
Posted - 11/09/2009 : 23:14:14
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Santee Cooper used some herbicides to kill water hyacinths in Marion that was a copper formulation and was wreaking havoc with aluminum pontoons on boats that sat in the water-pitting caused by galvanic action between dissimilar metals. In the mid 90's my brother dropped his shotgun in about 7' of water near Ferguson's Sawmill (brickyard)-went back a week later with hooks and magnets and found it. On one side all the bluing was gone. Probably caused by the pellet type herbicide used. That side of gun was probably facing down. Some guessing there but pretty logical.
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Wristpin
Senior Member
USA
540 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 04:42:55
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A couple of more articles...Go Joe Go!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.theitem.com/article/20091122/ITNEWS01/711229930
The Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, the sponsor of the tournament, will award cash prizes and trophies.
Avin said Santee Bass Matters is partnering with the chamber in an effort to bring bass fishing back to the popularity it enjoyed on Santee Cooper in the mid-1990s.
"This is a benefit tournament and it's all about restoring bass fishing on Santee Cooper," Avin said. "We are hoping to release at least 20,000 fingerlings during this tournament. Keep in mind, this is the chamber's tournament, but we are working with them to promote bass fishing on Santee Cooper."
The exact number of fingerlings to be released during the tournament will depend upon cost and source of the largemouth bass fingerlings, Avin said.
All of the entry fees will go toward buying fingerlings for release during the tournament, he said. Many popular bass fishing lakes have had successful fingerling release programs, Avin said.
Tournament participants will be directly involved in the restocking effort.
"This would entail every boat leaving the landing having bass fingerlings in the boat to be released on the first stop of the day in shallow vegetated waters," Avin said. "These fingerlings should be at least four inches or longer."
Avin said his advocacy group wants to do its part in the restocking of the lake.
"We need to get a stocking program in place for at least five years, then re-evaluate after that," Avin said.
The importance of bass fishing goes beyond the interests of a few bass fishermen, Avin said.
http://www.southcarolinasportsman.com/details.php?id=994
McCord said hydrilla was first discovered in the lakes in 1982. Since then, Santee Cooper has worked to maintain control of the vegetation.
“One of many problems of this plant is that hydrilla fills the entire water column, from the bottom to a matted surface on the top,” McCord said. “It is an exotic plant, not native to our lakes. And it spreads incredibly fast.”
McCord said Santee Cooper feels it must totally control hydrilla or it will again take over much of the lakes.
“Plus, this plant uses up the dissolved oxygen and can actually be a detriment to fish populations,” McCord said. “It has resulted in numerous documented fish kills on the Santee Cooper lakes.”
The stocking of fish and changing creel and size limits directly involve SCDNR. Scott Lamprecht, a fisheries biologist for the department whose focus is Santee Cooper, has met with the Santee Bass Matters group on these issues.
“The size- and creel-limit changes proposed for Santee Cooper are biologically sound.” Lamprecht said. “Our lakes have the appropriate growth potential to support a 14-inch size limit. The same is true for the creel limit going from 10 to five fish per day.”
Lamprecht said he does have some concerns with the stocking of largemouth bass.
“We would like to see the right genetics for the fish if stocked into Marion and Moultrie,” Lamprecht said. “Mother Nature has carved out just the right genetic niche for the largemouth bass in our lakes. I would want them to stock fish that fits what our lakes can best support. We will be glad to work with them on this.”
John Land, a state senator from Manning, supports the goals of Santee Bass Matters. He said legislation regarding the proposals for the creel and size limits will be introduced in the next legislative session.
“The key is to continue working together,” Land said. “We’ve got citizens involved, and the right state agencies. We’ll all work together to get this fixed.”
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BigCheese
Moderator
USA
3995 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 15:00:58
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When enough of us make enough noise they will eventually listen.
www.jasonreinke.com
"I don't fish for a living, I live to fish" |
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RodFather
Advanced Member
USA
1290 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2009 : 23:27:46
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Hydrilla probably had nothing to do with the stringers caught year round in the early 90's.....in the heat of the summer...3rd Sat in June of 90 I weighed 6 that went 42.2 lbs...the next day Ken Ellis had 5 in a G. C. club TX that weighed 40+ lbs......things slipped a little after that...the 6 I had in June of 91 only weighed 36.6. Don't know for sure if hydrilla was responsible for killing the bass as S. Cooper would have you believe...I know I was killing them.
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Smokey Bear
Advanced Member
USA
1061 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2009 : 00:51:51
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quote:
Originally posted by RodFather
Hydrilla probably had nothing to do with the stringers caught year round in the early 90's.....in the heat of the summer...3rd Sat in June of 90 I weighed 6 that went 42.2 lbs...the next day Ken Ellis had 5 in a G. C. club TX that weighed 40+ lbs......things slipped a little after that...the 6 I had in June of 91 only weighed 36.6. Don't know for sure if hydrilla was responsible for killing the bass as S. Cooper would have you believe...I know I was killing them.
Chris, the lakes were kicking azz back in those days. I believe the hydrilla made ALL the difference.
"Well, what happen was......" |
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Wristpin
Senior Member
USA
540 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2009 : 06:14:45
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quote:
Originally posted by RodFather
Hydrilla probably had nothing to do with the stringers caught year round in the early 90's.....in the heat of the summer...3rd Sat in June of 90 I weighed 6 that went 42.2 lbs...the next day Ken Ellis had 5 in a G. C. club TX that weighed 40+ lbs......things slipped a little after that...the 6 I had in June of 91 only weighed 36.6. Don't know for sure if hydrilla was responsible for killing the bass as S. Cooper would have you believe...I know I was killing them.
Your making me sick Chris....The are numerous studies citing that lakes yield maximum biomass with 20-40 percent grass coverage...We get an agreed upon 10 percent at an undetermined lake level.
Seems like we are getting double whammied here with the fishing pressure shifting down to the river. I've never seen a place where so many TXs are won by sub 10lb bags. |
Edited by - Wristpin on 12/17/2009 08:44:24 |
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Wristpin
Senior Member
USA
540 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2010 : 05:08:38
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Received this email from Joe Avin today...Go Joe!
Hi:
Well here is our first chance at major exposure. Our group, along with representatives from The Clarendon Chamber of Commerce, will have a booth at Marshall's Marine Boat Show on the 15th & 16th of January. Everyone is encouraged to attend if possible,to lend support for the group as well as Marshall's, which happens to be a sponsor. If anyone of you have sponsors in mind, please contact and bring name along with sponsorship if possible. Hope to see you there.
Joe
http://www.santeebassmatters.net/ |
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bassman29445
Starting Member
8 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2010 : 16:32:04
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| every fish i caught in the lake came from some type of vegatation. so i think they need to let some vegatation grow and let the best of both worlds reap the rewards of some very good bass fishing on the lakes. |
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Wristpin
Senior Member
USA
540 Posts |
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Santee Bass Matters Article
