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History |
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Sharing a common interest in saltwater
sportfishing and the marine environment, Roy Phillips, Smyth McKissick, Ed
Holder, Jerry Harrison, Hugh Patrick, Jim Gilreath, and Goudy Miller founded the
Greenville Saltwater Sportfishing Club in June of 1992. The original mission of
the club goal stands true today: bring together Upstate residents with an
interest in saltwater fishing who desired to become better fisherman through
education and sharing of information; be more informed on the events that effect
the marine environment; support, as a unified voice, marine conservation and
sound legislative polices that positively affect our coastal waters and its
fisheries; and most importantly, promote fellowship, make new friends and have
fun. Currently, GSSC is one of South Carolina’s largest saltwater fishing clubs
with 140 active members. While most of our members reside in the Upstate, GSSC
welcomes interested individuals from outside the region who wish to participate
in the club. |
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Meetings |
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| Starting with January, GSSC meets six times a year on the second Thursday of
every other month. The meetings begin at 6:30 PM and are held at Fairway Ford’s
Body shop on Keith Drive. Guest speakers at the meetings range from inshore and
offshore experts to representatives from the boating industry to marine
biologist from the Department of Natural Resources. Along with the meetings,
GSSC host several inshore and offshore fishing outings during the year visiting
various locations along South Carolina’s coast.
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Activities |
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GSSC has taken an active position in numerous conservation issues that impact
South Carolina’s coastal environment and saltwater fisheries. Financial support
has been provided by the club to conservation organizations such as The Billfish
Foundation, The Coastal Conservation Association, The Recreational Fishing
Alliance, and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Fish Tagging
Program. Also, GSSC provides an annual scholarship of $1,000.00 to a dependent
of a law enforcement officer with the SCDNR. The scholarship is earmarked for
expenses associated with their college education.
A project that the club is particularly proud of is the Greenville Reef, which
was created in 1996 by funds raised by GSSC. Located in 85 feet of water
approximately 18 miles Southeast of Winyah Bay, the Greenville Reef stands as
the largest artificial reefs off South Carolina’s coast. With a permitted area
of one square mile, the reef features a 250’ freighter, three 150’ barges,
submarine nose cones and other surplus material created by the closing of the
Charleston Naval Yard. With assistance of the SCDNR, additional material will
continue to be added to the Greenville Reef such as the 30 M-60 Army tanks sunk
in 2001. Currently, the SCDNR reef program includes 40 man made reefs off the
coast of South Carolina. Tax-deductible contributions to the GSSC Conservation
Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Greater Greenville, are used
by the club for its conservation efforts and upgrades to the Greenville Reef. |
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Membership |
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| There are several levels of membership within GSSC including a standard
membership of $50.00, a Sponsor membership of $100.00, and a Gold Sponsor of
$200.00. Corporate memberships are available for $150.00 and for those
interested in being a member of the club but live outside the Upstate area there
is a non-resident membership for $40.00. |
