tight lines: lowcountry fishing

SEA TURTLE HOSPITAL TOURS: 1p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays and the S.C. Aquarium Hospital, 100 Aquarium Wharf. $8 ages 2-11, $16 adults, $14 seniors 62 and older. Behind-the-scenes tours of the aquarium offer visitors a look at the efforts of the staff as it cares for sick and injured turtles. Reservations recommended. 577-3474.

COASTAL GUIDE: March 5, 7 p.m., Baruch Auditorium, 284 Calhoun St. in Charleston, Robert Lunz Group of the Sierra Club monthly meeting. Geologists Miles O. Hayes and Jacqueline Michel will present material from their recent book, "A Coast for All Seasons: A Naturalist's Guide to the Coast of South Carolina." Free.

BOAT & MARINE SHOW: March 21, 10 a.m.-5p.m. at Freshfields Village, free. All proceeds benefit Dragon Boat Charleston. Call 843-768-6491 or visit freshfieldsvillage.com.

BIRDING IN THE ACE BASIN: March 23, 9a.m. to 1 p.m., Donnelly and Bear Island Wildlife Management Area. Speaker Pete Laurie will lead tours through a variety of habitats. Register through the online calendar at www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/NERR/seminarseries . Online registration is available 30 days before each scheduled event.

Fishing events

SAFMC MEETING: The South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council will meet March 2-6 at 371 Riverview Drive on Jekyll Island, Ga. Topics include interim rule/closure for the red snapper fishery and the federal fishery ecosystem plan. Visit www.safmc.net.

COASTAL CAROLINA BASS ANGLERS: Coastal Carolina Bass Anglers is holding a series of open tournaments on the Cooper River March 3, March 11, March 18, March 25 and April 1. Registration begins at 7 a.m., blast-off at 8 a.m. and weigh-in at noon. The entry fee is $30 per team with $10 big fish pot. Contact Mike Brock at (843) 991-9097.

CATCHING TROUT WITH ARTIFICIALS: March 5, 6 p.m., Haddrell's Point Tackle in Mount Pleasant, with Capt. Jeff Yates, free, call (843) 881-3644.

SCSSA 2009 SCHEDULE: The 2009 South Carolina Saltwater Sportfishing Association opens its season with an oyster roast from 6:30-9:30 p.m., March 6 at the Charleston Maritime Center. Tournament dates are: Early Bird, May 2; Members Only, June 13; Wahoo Tournament, July 18; and Sailfish Tournament, Aug. 7-9. Contact Laird Staley at (843)906-5523 or e-mail laird3@comcast.net.

SPRING FLING OFFSHORE FISHING SCHOOL: March 7, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., The Charleston Angler in Mount Pleasant, free, call (843) 884-2095.

HILL'S LANDING SPRING FLING CATFISH TOURNAMENT: The Hill's Landing Spring Fling Catfish Tournament will be fished March 7-8. Participants can weigh five fish each day. The entry fee is $150 per team if received or postmarked by Feb. 28, and the late entry fee is $175 per team. Call (843) 753-2731 or visit www.hillslanding.com.

INSHORE FISHING TECHNIQUES: March 10, 6 p.m., Haddrell's Point Tackle in Mount Pleasant, with Capt. Peter Brown, free, call (843) 881-3644.

TECHNIQUES FOR COBIA FISHING: March 10, 6:30 p.m., The Charleston Angler in West Ashley, with Capt. John Irwin, free, call (843) 571-3899.

SAFETY AT SEA: March 11, 7 p.m., Barton and Burwell in Mount Pleasant, www.pelagicnavigator.com , free, (843) 216-3711.

CABELA'S KING KAT TOURNAMENT: The Cabela's King Kat tournament trail will return to the Santee Cooper lakes March 14. The tournament weigh-in will be held at Black's Camp. Tournament hours are 6:30 a.m.-3 p.m., with a five-fish limit per team. Call (270) 395-6774 or visit www.kingkatusa.com.

SPRING FLING INSHORE FISHING SCHOOL: March 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., The Charleston Angler in West Ashley, free, call (843) 571-3899.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CAST NET: March 17, 6 p.m., Haddrell's Point Tackle in Mount Pleasant, with Capt. Jamie Hough, free, call (843) 881-3644.

SPRING FLING BASS AND INSHORE FISHING SCHOOL: March 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., The Charleston Angler in Summerville, free, call (843) 871-9362.

KITE FISHING TECHNIQUES: March 24, 6 p.m., Haddrell's Point Tackle in Mount Pleasant, with Capt. Chris Wilson, free, call (843) 881-3644.

ROFFS OFFSHORE SEMINAR: March 25, 7 p.m., Barton and Burwell in Mount Pleasant, with Dr. Mitch Roffer, (RSVP required), free, (843) 216-3711.