Mount Pleasant Magazine Jan/Feb 2018

110 www.MountPleasantAgents.com | www.MountPleasantBuilders.com | www.MountPleasantMagazine.com feature F acing backward, I sat huddled in the stern of our small, tri-hull runabout boat. Since it was cold – about 40 degrees – I was layered in a hodgepodge of warm clothing, clutching a thermos cup of hot tea. I peered through the hood of my sweatshirt, which was pulled tightly around my head to hold in what little warmth my body was generating. My stare fixed on the line of my fishing pole, sitting in one of the two aft rod holders, as we trolled along the creek over some shell banks. I so hoped to see the tip of that old garage-sale- procured fishing rod bend down, alerting me that an unsuspecting sea trout had taken the bait. The hum of that old outboard was music to my ears. I continued staring at that Fiberglas rod while watching the passing marsh grass along my left-hand side. My dad and brother were behind me, steering the boat and probably eating a pack of Nabs. I had received a moderate amount of ribbing about a new bait I had purchased at a local sporting goods store. Suddenly, the rod tip doubled over, and I scrambled to put down my cup, grab the rod and reel in a nice sea trout. We always bet a quarter on the first, best and biggest fish caught that day. I was up 75 cents. Inshore fishing in the Lowcountry is a year-round venture. Though most anglers spend the warmer months searching for the next bite in local creeks and waterways, By Michael M. Cochran Photos by Edward Cochran A Year-round Venture Inshore Fishing in the Lowcountry Inshore fishing in the Lowcountry is a year-round venture for Michael Cochran.