Brian Cope

W ith fall colors painting the treetops of western NC, it’s tough to think of a better place for anglers to chase after trout than Wilson Creek, which sits at the base of the Grandfather Mountain Escarpment.

C atching catfish at Lake Marion, the Upper Lake of Santee Cooper, isn’t a problem any time of year for Capt. Kyle Austin of Kyle Austin Guide Service (843-209-3726), but he said October is one of the most enjoyable months to do it.

During a hunt in Georgetown County, SC during the Palmetto State’s 2026 alligator hunting season, Heather Hatfield killed a 10-foot, 9-inch gator that weighed 316 pounds.

Capt. Jason Wolfe of Wolfe’s Guide Service (803-487-3690) said with the cooling temperatures we’ve had in late October, it’s the perfect time to break out the umbrella rig for stripers on Lake Wateree.

I’m sure most of us would love to have someone send us a check for doing nothing more than sitting in a deer stand as often as we want, but for most of us, that’s not going to happen. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make a little money, or even a full-time living by doing something that’s a part of our outdoor passion.

J oel Boykin of Bishopville, SC doesn’t mind hunting from a climbing stand, but what he really loves is hunting on the ground.

T wo hunters from Madison County, NC killed two trophy bucks during the last month of the 2025 deer hunting season. In a county not known for producing big bucks, the two deer killed by Aaron Ball and Gary Frisbee really stand out.

F or many anglers, fishing is about more than catching fish. It is about spending time outdoors, enjoying the challenge of fooling a wary bass or redfish, and making memories on the water. For some, the experience becomes even more rewarding when they use a fishing rod they built with their own hands.

Carolina Sportsman TV joined Capt. Kyle Austin with Kyle Austin Guide Service for a day of catching catfish on the Santee Cooper lakes.

W hen the calendar turns to November, Capt. Travis Bradshaw of Pigpen Guide Service gets more excited than usual about the crappie fishing on Jordan Lake.