You make the call is California a rip off for fishermen compared to this southern state.

Is the screwing we are getting worth the screwing we are getting from California as sportsmen. I have to ask what the hell the state is doing or rather not doing with our tax, license and fee monies for fisherman. My former business partner moved to South Carolina several years ago and compared to California it is a sportsman’s paradise. It is amazing that a state with a significant smaller population, just under 5 million compared to California at just under 40 million has such vast fishing resources and inexpensive recreation costs to users.

Here are some examples. This year when my partner came out to fish a tournament with me his 10 day California nonresident fishing license cost him $47.01. Yet when I went back last year my 14 day So Carolina nonresident license cost me $11.00. My California resident annual license costs me $47.01, yet his So Carolina resident license only costs him $10.00. And while my license is only good from Jan 1 to Dec 31 of the year I purchase it in, his license is good for one year from the date of purchase. While I get no discount in California for being a senior my partner in So Carolina can get a LIFETIME Senior Combination hunting and fishing license for a onetime fee of just $9.00.

In So Carolina if you are new to fishing or want to take out someone new to fishing the state has a free loaner program at 30 locations in the state. At an official Free Tackle Loaner Program site, you can borrow a rod, reel and tackle box... everything needed but the fish! FTLP sites also have helpful hints on topics such as tying knots, rigging a line, what bait to use, and other information you need to know to be prepared for your first fishing trip.

Oh and if I take my boat to a state park the entry fee is only $2.00 and if you’re a senior it is only $1.25. Most all public boat ramps are free and the most expensive ramp fee I paid was $5.00 at a private ramp and that was on the honor system with a drop box for payment.

Fisheries biologists with the DNR Freshwater Fisheries Section have been constructing structures in all the major reservoirs in South Carolina. These sites are clearly marked by buoys and are constructed of various materials. If your fishing a lake for the first time or an area that is new to you fishing structure maps are available free of charge from the DNR.

The northwest corner of the state at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains (Oconee County) has three lakes within less than an hour’s drive of each other and has over 1300 miles of combined shoreline. The lake my partner lives on (Lake Greenwood) is one of the smaller lakes at only 5 miles wide and 30 miles long. And depending on which lake you chose to fish the variety is endless (Trout, Walleye, Smallmouth, Largemouth, Spotted Bass, Striper, Hybrid Striper, White Bass, Crappie, Sunfish, Catfish and even Pike and Musky). And you can fly fish on several rivers and streams for Trout (Brook, Brown, Rainbow) in the same area.

Night time fishing is allowed everywhere and some of the best fishing is at night with a full moon as you know. And if you want a reel drag puller hook on to a Gar fish, the fresh water equivalent to a Barracuda and they get very big.

One has to ask what can California fisherman do to make things better or is it a lost cause.