Crystal Coast Chapter of CSO

[Harry]

Here you go guys.

[redneckredfishr]

Thank you Harry,
012
I'm offically signed in!

Gone fishing,
Will

[Harry]

Dave is something like this what you had in mind?

[Skiff man]

Test post

[Slot-Machine]

Great idea guys. now lets get togther and fish or 012

Wes

[Dave]

Talk about quick - Harry, you've outdone yourself once again :o The new board looks great 012

As promised, here are the general concepts and organization of the Crystal Coast Chapter of Carolina Skiff Owners (CCC/CSO).

DEFINITION: For the purposes of this chapter, the Crystal Coast is defined as the area in North Carolina that reaches from Cape Lookout to Emerald Isle, including the waters surrounding Beaufort, Atlantic Beach, and Morehead City, plus the Neuse River and its tributaries.

INTRODUCTION: First let me tell how this got started… A thread on the Welcome/Introduction board titled “Where is everybody from & what do you do??” got me thinking about trying to form a chapter that is regional in scope in order to maximize our ability to zone in and read/contribute to a specific fishing area. I was particularly encouraged when I read a string of several posts by CSO’ers, all from this general area. The timing was perfect as I learned that Harry was already poised and ready to introduce “regions” to the CSO website. We mulled over a few ideas in the past day or two and viola, Harry came through in lightening speed and here we are, up and ready to go.

There are many forums dedicated to fishing, with reports given for ‘bout every area in the country. The problem however, is that these forums (by necessity) cover a lot of territory, I think partially due to the many types and sizes of fishing vessels the readers and contributors own and operate. Here at the CSO forum, we have the advantage of focusing on those of us who own the very durable and versatile Carolina Skiff. We don’t have 30+ foot Fountain tournament offshore racing boats, quarter million dollar offshore cabin boats or even 100 K CC’s capable of weathering 8 foot seas, nor do we have commercial guys trying to solicit “clients” to take out in their million dollar sport fishing yachts. Might be one or two of us that own or have owned these type vessels, but that’s not our niche here on this board, and quite frankly, it doesn’t provide us much help to read about their fishing prowess or successes throughout the year.

It’s my opinion that Carolina Skiffs are primarily used for fishing the inshore and nearshore waters, with a few hardy soles venturing offshore in the right sea conditions. I personally like to do all of the above, but unfortunately, with the increasing price of fuel, I (and I suspect many of you) don’t always have the time or financial resources to venture all over the country just to sample some often unproductive and discouraging fishing trips, if it can be helped. Like most of you, I enjoy the whole boating experience, and sometimes I just go out to be “on the water”. But – most of the time, I’m after something to pull my line and so, what really makes me happy is catching fish to bring back for the table, to at least partially justify my expensive hobby.

A few points I’d like to focus on for those contemplating participation in the CCC:

1) In as much as the CCC is part of the CSO, we will remain inclusive (not exclusive) of the CSO - you gotta be a member of the CSO to join our chapter. You do not, however, have to join the CCC to participate in any boards at the CSO, including the CCC fishing board. No membership dues will be required to become a member of this Chapter, and participation is strictly voluntary.

2) Aside from general membership in CSO.com, all chapter members are strongly encouraged to remain (or become) active participants in the CSO forums.

3) CCC participants don't have to live on the Crystal Coast of NC to become an official participant of the CCC and receive chapter exclusive benefits (see “BENEFITS” below).

4) Detailed fishing information specific to the CC area may (or may not) be volunteered to the greater population of the CSO, but "we" will not seek to keep information secret to any forum member asking general or specific questions posted to the CSO website. The detail and thoroughness of information offered at CSO.com will be left up the each member's discretion - as is the case now.

BENEFITS inclusive to participants of the CCC:

Communicate and network exclusively with other CCC participants and Carolina Skiff Owners that know and fish in the general area or areas that you prefer (or desire) to fish.

Have the opportunity to attend monthly meetings where participants can exchange ideas and experiences with other CCC participants and Carolina Skiff Owners, at a pre-determined location here on the Crystal Coast. Among other things, it is intended the primary purpose of these meeting is to provide reliable “scoop” on the fishing in and around the Crystal Coast, with emphasis on helping/teaching one another how to become more successful.

That should get us started.

HOW TO JOIN:

If you’d like to become an official participant, please send me an email at derhart@ec.rr.com with a Courtesy Copy (CC) to Harry at webmaster@carolinaskiffowner.com Please put in the subject line “Request Participaton In The CCC-CSO. In the body of the message, please provide the following information:

Your alias (as used on the CSO). Your (real) first name, primary email address, city and state where you reside, and the make and model of skiff and make and HP of motor on your skiff, (if you currently own one). Be prepared for a follow-up email from me, acknowledging your membership and asking additional (voluntary) personal information.

I'm always open to questions or suggestions. Thanks to all and I hope to see and/or talk with many of you soon.

Dave

[Slot-Machine]

1stSgtUSMCRet,

Sent you a PM

Wes

[Dave]

Sorry about the screw-up guys. Had the most important thing wrong - my email address has been corrected to read derhart@ec.rr.com

Thanks for the heads-up Will and Wes.

Dave

PS - You didn't jump the gun Will, I'm just to damn slow 004

[Harry]

Nice Club write up Dave....

I'm still trying a couple of things to get some added recognition to your club.

You see the test post Skiff Man made?
That was a name I made up. I want to put the words Crystal Coast Club of CSO under the user name like on skiff man.
I'm working on making up a special user group for your club. Anyone in your club will be put in this user group and have this title next to there name, to be easily identified as being in that group. They will have access to all boards just like a regular user.

Still having trouble getting the bugs worked out, but I will get it.

Let me know if there's anything else you need.

Harry

[Dave]

Thanks Harry, it’s a little difficult for me to put something out that doesn’t read like a military directive – I civilianized that sucker as best I could.

Yep, I seen that post – figured it was you but didn’t catch the line under the user name – pretty cool. Would this be a good time to ask you change the name “Club” to “Chapter”. No big deal but “Chapter” has a better ring (to me) than “Club” and I think it defines a closer tie-in to the CSO than stating it’s a “club”, which to me sounds more exclusive.

Please don’t feel like you have to get all this up right away. You’ve already got us started and I appreciate all you’ve done so far. I’m hoping we’ll get some interest from the folks that live outside our general area but like to come down and fish here – hint, hint. Not to mention any names but there’s a new moderator and at least one post-op guy who used to come down our way to stir up the waters near and around Morehead City. What’s up there Mike, how you gitten along there Bob… we’re gonna need some brains in this outfit, ya know 012

Dave

[koolj]

This should be a fun thing - Thanks guys

[o2bfishn]

I'am in Dave,

First time I've been at the desk in 5 days. sounds like a great idea you got, CCC of CSO. 012

I'll be in touch, shortly.

o2bfishn

[Dave]

Outstanding o2 - glad to see you back on the mouse again. 012

I await your request with baited (as in "cut shrimp") breath, my friend ;D

Dave

[TooTall]

OOOOHHH!!!! This sound great!!! I know what is a yankee know about these waters, but 30 years ago my favorite spot for speckled trout was behind Hammocks state park near Swansboro.
So I just went upstair to find my old dusty chart tubes with all those old pencil marks... now i just have to remember what the marks mean.
Do any of you guys get up to the Cape when the Spots are running hot and heavy?
My old fishing buddy Milton Gillette from Swansboro knew thses waters like the back of his hand.
I remember this time we wanted to catch some trout but camp lejeune was blowing up the world and the fishing was off so Milt said hey lets call it a day and run over somewhere and they was every bay scalloper in the area working this part of the bay. We were in his boat so he had a smalll drag and he work an area about 300 yards away from the pack. in ten mineuts we had our limite and heading to the front porch.
So can I come and play?? 010

[Harry]

You got it Dave, Done ...

[Dave]

TooTall, if your talkin’ about joining the Crystal Coast Chapter - you bet you can - just follow the instructions in the long post above (look for the paragraph in bold that reads "How To Join") and I'll getcha signed right up. Even though you probably won’t make it down for the meeting, you’ll likely meet and make some close buddies and we’ll keep you up to speed with a periodic newletter. Whatdayagot to loose? Stay with us long enough and we might vote you in as an honorary Redneck 011

I usually try the Emerald Isle or Swansboro areas for the spot run. The cape has a lot of good fishing in the general area and I used to go out there for the gray trout and sea mullet runs but this year the speckled trout were laid in pretty heavy out and around the cape rock jetty. Most of the gray trout and sea mullet I caught this fall was in the Morehead City area.

I know what you mean about "just have to remember what the pencil marks mean". I found some old grease charts with all my ancient LORAN numbers and a whole lot of small alcohol pen writing on it and I'm having the same problem trying to remember what exactly some of those marks mean. Some of my old "favorite" GPS numbers are on the map but so far, I haven't been able to convert them to GPS. Guess I'll havta get out and find a few of them spots all over again and mark them with my GPS.

Dave

[Dave]

Hey thanks Harry - Notice I wrote "Crystal Coast Chapter" in my last post. I'm already with the program :D

Dave