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dave bodle
Good Catch Consider fishing as a hook on your next group offering in South Carolina
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ccording to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service report, the 2006 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, there are nearly 30 million anglers more than 16 years of age in the United States. The creative tour operator will find numerous ways to tap into this market and South Carolina is just the place to begin. Although South Carolina ranks 26th in population, it is No. 8 in angler spending and in the top five states in non-resident fishing destinations ranked by retail sales. Both saltwater and freshwater anglers have discovered
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an abundance of fishing opportunities in the Palmetto State. South Carolina is blessed with bountiful fishing from the mountains to the coast and beyond. The best place to begin is the websites of the South Carolina Association of Tourism Regions (scatr.com). If there’s fishing in the region (and there most likely will be), these local organizations will have all the information. Years ago my grandson and I were gathering background for a story in a series titled “On the Road with Dylan and Pop-Pop.” One of our stops was in
the Capital City & Lake Murray Country region. This area is home to some major fishing tournaments, including a stop on the televised Bass Masters Elite Series. The good folks at the tourism office arranged for us to do a morning of fishing. Already four days on the road, I did not cherish the idea of getting a 9-year-old out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to be at the dock by 6:30. We arrived on time and were at our fishing spot on Lake Murray at 7:00. By 8:30 we had our limit and were unable to get the bait out of the water quick enough! We both August 2011 27
Santee Cooper Tourism Region
South Carolina’s Santee Cooper Country, home to Lakes Marion and Moultrie, holds a number of fishing records.
South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism
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South Carolina’s Atlantic coast offers a variety of group fishing options.
had a great time and still cherish some wonderful memories. Off I-95 is the Santee Cooper Country region, home to Lakes Marion and Moultrie. Due to its easy access and natural abundance this area is a hot bed of fishing opportunities. A quick look on its website gives a complete listing of
ONLINE EXCLUSIVE For travel ideas in South Carolina’s Thoroughbred Country tourism region, log on to http://leisuregrouptravel.com/?p=24407.
United States Coast Guard-approved guides. You’ll see where they are located and the type of fish you can expect to catch with them. Other than fishing license, sunscreen and a cooler of drinks and snacks, your guide will supply everything you’ll need. However, be ready for some action because the Santee Cooper Country lakes hold a number of fishing records. With 30 million people fishing, you might just be able to fill a tour that includes, lodging, fishing and meals.
Although most lake guides accommodate only four to six passengers on a boat, multiple guides can be used to accommodate a larger group. A more realistic option is adding fishing to any South Carolina itinerary. Shopping or a museum tour might not be for everyone. A morning of fishing just might attract a few extra passengers. Of course, a fishing component is a perfect addition to any multi-generational tour. Closer to the Atlantic Ocean, numerous fishing opportunities can be found in all coastal tourism regions. The Lowcountry & Resort Islands, Historic Charleston region and the Myrtle Beach Area & Grand Strand provide everything from rivers and marshes to surf, pier and deep-sea adventures. On Hilton Head Island the 70-foot Captain Hook party fishing boat specializes in group outings of more than 20 passengers. Most group hotels can make all the arrangements. The Holiday Inn will even provide a cook-
Myrtle Beach Offshore Gaming ishing charters are not the only vessels sailing from one South Carolina port. A ruling by state legislators now allows local counties to approve gaming vessels to sail from their deep-water ports to international waters. The Myrtle Beach area has the only two such gaming ships. The Big M Casino is a 186’ vessel with slots, blackjack, roulette, craps and Let It Ride and 3-card Poker. A buffet is included
SunCruz Casino
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SunCruz passengers enjoy gaming, entertainment and buffet dining.
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in the cost of every cruise. The cruises depart twice a day, Tuesday through Sunday. With a passenger capacity of 600 the 237’ SunCruz Casino ship is a casino that just happens to be on a ship. There are 320 slots, every imaginable table game, and a poker room featuring Texas Hold ‘Em and a sports betting lounge. A buffet with every cruise and entertainment in season adds to the experience. SunCruz sails twice daily Tuesday through Sunday and evenings only on Monday. SunCruz Casino welcomes groups and recently introduced a $60 Value Fun Book for groups of 10 or more. Tiered pricing is honored and a complete group package is available. Both ships are located just minutes from North Myrtle Beach at the Little River, SC fishing village.
Ample coach parking is available at each dock. Both casinos offer transportation from most area hotels. The hour sail into international waters provides a relaxing time to enjoy the scenic beauty along the Intracoastal Waterway and buffet. The three hours of gaming starts when the slots are turned on and the live dealer table games begin. —Dave Bodle
LeisureGroupTravel.com
South Carolina Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Hickory Knob State Resort Park rests alongside Strom Thurmond Reservoir on the Savannah River.
ing demonstration with your catch on their outdoor deck. The Charleston region offers offshore fishing in the Atlantic. Both Matt Galvin of Coastal Yacht Charters and Captain Rich Harris and wife Theresa of Reel Deal Charters are happy to work with groups. In the Myrtle Beach area from Georgetown to Murrells Inlet to Little River, there’s something for everyone’s fishing interest. The easiest option to arrange might just be pier fishing. Most likely there’s a pier close to where
you’re staying and it has the equipment you need. A South Carolina fishing license is not required on private fishing piers. In Murrells Inlet, the Inlet Sports Lodge offers a variety of fishing packages for small to mid-size groups. Standard fishing packages and a new fly-fishing package await the serious recreational fisherman. The luxurious lodge includes fish preparation stations to clean and package your catch for shipping. Outdoor grills are available, or simply leave the cooking to the staff.
Try trout fishing on the Middle Saluda River at Jones Gap State Park. LeisureGroupTravel.com
Captain Dick’s in Murrells Inlet and Little River Fishing Charters offer a variety of options. Half-day charters, gulf stream excursions and an overnight fishing trip provide a menu that can be tailored to your time and budget. Regardless of where you drop a line, there is likely a South Carolina state park (southcarolinaparks.com) nearby. They’re perfect for a “catch and cook” addition to your itinerary. Imagine turning your catch over to an executive chef, allowing him to prep your dinner while you return to your hotel for some much-needed rest. Converge at a state park pavilion that evening for a cooking demonstration and dinner. A wonderful dinner, followed by roasted marshmallows and an abundance of fish stories, makes for a great ending to a South Carolina fishing excursion. LGT Obtain South Carolina visitor guides and itineraries – and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly – at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info August 2011 29
Kristi Driver, Group Travel Manager kdriver@nccommerce.com 919.733.7413
From outdoor recreation and unique lodging to arts and culture and more than 100 wineries, the charming small towns
and vibrant urban locations of North Carolina offer something for everyone.
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