Two interesting features along the East Coast do indeed influence the main core of the Stream direction that deserve discussion. The 1st feature is Southeast of Charleston in deep water off the 100-fathom shelf break. It is a huge east-to-west oriented ridge referred to as the “Charleston Bump”. It is a series of coral seamounts towering hundreds of feet off the bottom. The Bump is easily seen and named on the Maps Unique “Charleston” map. This feature tends to deflect the Stream at times but not always, to the east before meandering back northwestward to come back along the 100-fathom break just north of Cape Fear. Sometimes the momentum in the Stream will push its way over the Bump and cover the area of the Georgetown Hole, The Winyah Scarp, and the Swansboro Hole with incredible spectacular fishing. Researchers that have studied “The Bump” suggest that the nutrient-rich upwelling occurring there plays a significant role in the life history of many species including the Blue Marlin and the Gag Grouper. It creates a counterclockwise gyre mixing Gulf water with nutrient-rich water. The 2nd feature influencing the Gulfstream occurs north of Hatteras up in Canyon Country, where the colder Labrador Current coming down from the north pushes the current eastward and eventually towards Western Europe. However, it is fairly common in the summer months for the Gulfstream to push well further northward of Hatteras before making that easterly turn. Often, these conditions will kick large eddies off to each side of the current axis as the Gulfstream begins to split into several distinct currents. Anglers fishing the Baltimore, Poor man’s, Norfolk, etc. canyon country can expect spectacular blue water fishing complements of the Gulfstream.