ECFC History

The first meeting of the East Cooper Fishing Club took place on February 5, 2007, in the Lighthouse Church in Mount Pleasant. The attendance was amazing. More than 50 people showed up and many volunteered to help get the club started. Since this first meeting, the club has grown steadily. The ECFC Forums (see link) have become a very popular tool for communication. Using the forums, ECFC members hook up for fishing trips, share information on "what's hot and what's not", and discuss club-related events. At our monthly meetings, we invite local captains/guides that provide helpful tips and insight into fishing techniques and tactics. We had had "special appearance" of guide Mike Waller who provided the audience with helpful advice about how to catch more (and bigger fish), and Captain Ben Floyd for a seminar on inshore fishing techniques. At this well-attended meeting, members learned from Capt. Ben some new techniques that should (!) allow them to catch more tailing redfish.  He also "disclosed" some of his secrets to catch more trout.  Another memorable seminar was the one by Capt. Ralph Phillips. During his very entertaining talk several secrets of fishing artificial baits and lures were revealed. Ralph also introduced the membership to the use of a rod with a so-called Tenessee handle for greater sensitivity when fishing for trout. During the July 2nd, 2007 meeting, Capt. Eddie (ECFC member), educated a large crowd (10 new members signed up that night!!) on near-shore fishing tactics and techniques. He provided a captivated audience with a lot of information on how to find, anchor on, and fish near- and offshore structures. Many other guides and members have since given seminars on fishing techniques and tactics, on save boating practices, and on boat maintenance.  The ECFC is blessed with having a number of very skilled and weathered members.  In particular the seminars by members Capt. Eddie and Daniel Nussbaum are of a very high standard.  In addition to the seminars focussed on fishing, we also have, on a regular base talks about related issues.  Thus, we have had representatives from SeaTow, the Coastal Conservation Association, and Hanckel Marine presenting on a variety of issues.  Finally, associates from local tackel shops visit our meetings with the newest tackle and bait items (often offering it to ECFC members at reduced prices!)