December 2018

December 2018

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ABOUT THE COVER Great hammerhead caught August 30, 2018 from the surf of Padre Island National Seashore by TSFMag contributor, Eric Ozolins. This hammer took a whole stingray bait in the midday hours. Measuring 10’-1” the healthy female was tagged and successfully released. Photo by Alexis Anthony at 7 months pregnant, still helping “Oz” get ‘er done on the beach.

DECEMBER 2018 VOL 28 NO 8

CONTENTS FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

8 Finding New Water 14 Lookin’ Back 18 Don’t Get Too Comfortable 22 Back to the Future 28 Did I Really See That?

33 48 52 54 56 58 60 62 64 68 95

Steve Hillman Kevin Cochran Martin Strarup Chuck Uzzle Joe Richard

Holiday Gift Guide Let’s Ask The Pro Shallow Water Fishing TPWD Field Notes Kayak Fishing Chronicles TSFMag Conservation News Fishy Facts Inshore | Nearshore | Jetties | Passes Extreme Kayak Fishing & Sharks...

Plastic & Water Don’t Mix Science & the Sea

28

Jay Watkins Scott Null Tyler Schacht Dave Roberts CCA Texas Stephanie Boyd Curtiss Cash Eric Ozolins Everett Johnson UT Marine Science Institute

48

WHAT OUR GUIDES

HAVE TO SAY

72 74 76 78 80 82 84

Dickie Colburn’s Sabine Scene The Buzz on Galveston Bay The View from Matagorda Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays Hooked up with Rowsey Wayne’s Port Mansfield Report South Padre Fishing Scene

Dickie Colburn Caleb Harp Bink Grimes Gary Gray David Rowsey Wayne Davis Ernest Cisneros

REGULARS 8 Editorial 70 New Tackle & Gear 86 Fishing Reports and Forecasts 90 Catch of the Month 92 Gulf Coast Kitchen

92

76 4 | December 2018

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HOW TO CONTACT TSFMAG: PHONE: 361-785-3420 FAX: 361 792-4530 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, TX 77983 WEB: www.TSFMAG.com PHOTO GALLERY: photos@tsfmag.com PRINTED IN THE USA. Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine (ISSN 1935-9586) is published monthly by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc., 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, Texas 77983 l P. O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 © Copyright 1990 All rights reserved. Positively nothing in this publication may be reprinted or reproduced. *Views expressed by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine contributors do not necessarily express the views of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine.

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PART# 41001

EDITORIAL

A GREAT CHRISTMAS GIFT How many times have you heard something described as the gift that keeps on giving? Well, that’s exactly what this is about. This is the gift giving season and everyone has special people on their Christmas list. The gift I’m about to describe is unique in that it would be as great for any fishermen in your life as well as a perfect gift to enjoy yourself.

I call it the gift of becoming a better angler and it has several sides to it. Let’s look first at the category of fishing tackle. Can you imagine anybody in their right mind trying to enter a John Deere tractor in the big race at Indianapolis? Of course not. So then why do so many anglers insist on handicapping themselves with cheap tackle?

A quality rod and reel, the best waders and jackets, the best lines and lures, all contribute mightily to our ability to catch fish. So, let me simply sum up gifts in this category by saying that if you want to become a better angler you need the best tackle and gear – the things that connect you to fish – should be the very best you can afford.

Next is learning to use that tackle to up your game. So many times I see anglers who cannot cast a lure accurately enough to hit the side of a barn from the inside. Do major league sluggers continue to spend time at the batting cages? Take that as a clue.

I spent a day years ago with Jay Watkins and Cliff Webb on Baffin

Bay and it was a grind. Despite being in high-percentage time frame of mid-February the three of us landed one solid fish. Cliff heard a swoosh off to his left, reeled his Corky Fat Boy to the tip of his rod with blinding speed, and sailed it directly into the vanishing suds ring where a hapless mullet had just gone to Heaven. The cast produced a feisty seven-pound trout. Luck? No way.

Get out in the yard with that new rod and reel, set up some targets, and learn to cast like Cliff Webb. Do not wait until you’re on the water.

Next is fishing instruction. Many years ago I thought I wanted to become a golfer. I played one day with a man who was almost good enough to be a pro. When I asked him how I could go about improving my game he offered two suggestions; get some lessons and always try to play with golfers who are better than you.

Applying his advice to fishing, my suggestion is to find a fishing guide who, more than just helping fill an ice chest, will agree to a full day of one-on-one training, maybe several days if you can afford it. A day spent with a good teaching guide could be worth years of hard knocks, especially if you want to become proficient with lures.

I pray your holiday season will be merry and joyous. God Bless and Merry Christmas!

PEACE OF MIND. Everybody knows having a Power-Pole anchor on your boat gives you the kind of boat control you need to catch more fish. But did you know that dual Power-Pole anchors lock your boat into position, allowing you and your fellow anglers to have the best angle to cast to the fish – regardless of wind and current? That’s a peace of mind no other boat control can offer. For complete details go to power-pole.com.

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Ramey with a 5 lb. flounder he caught while fishing away from the crowds. We caught lots of fish that day but this one put us over the top!

STORY BY STEVE HILLMAN

H

ere we go again – another day with adverse conditions. It seemed like it would never end with more than a week straight of rain and wind. Off-color water caused by excessive fresh runoff and 20+ mph winds were the common theme for what seemed like eternity. Haley had driven from Wimberley and Chris is so busy these days that he doesn’t get to fish very often. After about a 15 minute discussion we decided to give it a try. I went to an area that has always paid off for me in years past even though the timing was somewhat premature based upon historical patterns.

Obviously, our choices were limited because of the conditions.

As we idled towards the leeward shoreline there were terns diving along a steep drop-off. Several small slicks emerged beneath the keen-eyed forked-tailed fish finders. I knew it was going to be showtime with such promising signs and it was!

The first drift yielded four nice trout and several smaller ones. We were ecstatic to get on a patch of fish all by ourselves in such adverse conditions. Each drift along this hard shell ledge yielded fish. We then hit some other areas nearby which consisted of long and narrow reefs. These reefs had breaks in them in which tidal current was flowing. These cuts were money! What a great feeling to be all by ourselves in subpar conditions catching quality trout and reds! Yay! I love my profession! Well, not so fast.

The next day I went to the same area and, low and behold, there was another guide there. There were only two people that saw me the day before so somebody obviously ran their pie hole. I also found out that one of the guys who lives along that particular stretch of shoreline put a video on Facebook showing birds working. Within three days there were more than twenty boats in this tiny locale I’d been calling home for more than thirty years. I could’ve stayed and fished with countless boats in that small area, but playing bumper boats just isn’t my bag. Game over. Let the new guys have it!

Once again, as has been the case more often than not, it was time for me to find other areas to fish.

It’s frustrating knowing that I’m leaving fish only to let the “bent pole brigade” take over while I put in the time and gas to find something else. It seems to be the world we live in is more about instant gratification every day. What’s even worse are the dead fish photos they post on social media when they were two weeks late to the party.

I was a new guide once upon a time but when I started there weren’t fifteen or twenty other guides coming out of the woodwork every month. Furthermore, I respected those who came before me.

Everyone has a right to make a living but many of the new guys have full-time jobs and seem to be doing it just to feed their egos…not their families. If you took away their cell phones and live wells they wouldn’t be able to guide successfully. Harsh words but very true.

I was talking to a very good friend of mine the other day and we were discussing the added pressure on areas we’ve been fishing for years and how there aren’t many secrets anymore. He said he was dealing TSFMAG.com | 9

Twenty-seven inch redfish caught while boats were blazing past us to get to “the good spots.” Notice the boat wakes.

Derek Dezell didn’t mind fishing uncharted waters on this day!

10 | December 2018

Ramey with his red to complete the Texas Slam!

with the same thing in his part of the bay. I asked him, “What should we do?” He told me that we just have to learn to deal with it and get used to fishing around other people. Well, I’m sorry, but that’s just not my style and I will find something else to do for a living if it comes down to that. Fishing around a few other boats wouldn’t necessarily bother me especially if they displayed proper etiquette. If they used more common sense then it wouldn’t be so bad but cutting off our drift and then leaving the area like Dale Earnhardt Jr. does not qualify as common sense...or courtesy to fellow anglers.

It’s not that I don’t like people. I love almost everyone on dry land. The problem is that a lot of these fellas don’t fish enough to stay on a consistent pattern. Instead, they call their buddies when it’s time for them to run a trip; to learn where the fish are. I witnessed it in a recent corporate tournament. As I was cleaning fish I overheard some of them talking about where they caught their fish. It just so happens that most of them caught their fish on the same half-dozen wells. One guy told me that there were up to four boats on every well. Well…that’s sad!

So what do we do when the areas we’re fishing become too crowded? There are likely other areas of the bay holding catchable numbers of fish that receive less pressure. If we do our homework we can stay one to two weeks ahead of the sheep. They will eventually find you, but hopefully you’ve found something else to fall back on by then. There are always risks associated with leaving fish to find fish but I’ve found that it’s typically just a one day experiment at the most. Within a couple of days I can usually establish a reliable pattern in a new area.

There are some textbook areas to focus on this time of year.

Winter trout are typically going to be concentrated in areas with shell and mud bottoms. Washouts through narrow reefs are high percentage plays as well. Color changes are always a solid bet. The turbid water not only serves as an ambush point but it will also absorb more solar energy because of suspended clay particles. Bait and trout will be drawn to color changes like a magnet. Try casting into the clear side of the color change for the best results. MirrOlure Provokers rigged on 1/16 jigheads are deadly when fishing streaks. More than likely, birds will still be working over bay-departing white shrimp by the time this magazine hits the newsstands and mailboxes. These birds over structure are money this time of year!

Think outside the bay. The Intracoastal Waterway can offer some of the hottest action during cold periods. Nearby deep water provides safe refuge for trout. Adjacent structure provides habitat for forage species and our target species.

Barge traffic aids in water movement and the creation of color changes. Some of my best wintertime fishing days have come from “fishing the ditch.”

If an area you were fishing becomes too crowded, try to find another with similar characteristics. It may not produce as well but that’s okay as long as you catch enough to justify the effort.

And you may very well catch a big trout that hasn’t seen a lure in a while. Just have enough discipline to keep your mouth shut because fishing without a bunch of boats nearby is much more fun. Loose lips sink ships!

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It was a banner day for Ramey! The funny part is I hadn’t even planned on fishing this area. We were forced to because of boat traffic.

I find myself going back to areas I haven’t been to in years. Such areas became popular at one time causing me to leave. There are a few areas that pop into my head immediately that were all the rage for a year or two then became forgotten once the fish left for a year or two. Fish leave areas due to environmental changes and fishing pressure. Hurricanes filled in guts. Droughts killed oysters and other habitat. Hurricanes placed thick blankets of silt over oysters, floods killed habitat but accelerated forage proliferation, etc. I can go on and on but knowing how nature influences fishing areas will keep you ahead of the curve. It’s funny how fishing spots tend to run in cycles. Sometimes our “new water” is actually old. Being observant, taking chances and finding new areas will keep you ahead of the game. Enjoy it while you can because the googans are coming!

CONTACT

STEVE HILLMAN

12 | December 2018

Steve Hillman is a full-time fishing guide on his home waters of Galveston Bay. Steve fishes the entire Galveston Bay Complex, wading and drifting for trout, redfish, and flounder using artificial lures.

Phone 409-256-7937 Email captsteve@hillmanguideservice.com Web www.hillmanguideservice.com

TSFMAG.com | 13

STORY BY KEVIN COCHRAN

O

ver time, my experiences as a competitive angler helped me forge a life as a professional fishing guide. Nothing accelerates the learning curve like competition, at least for people who hate to lose. I remember details from some tournaments vividly and looking back on them helps me glean meaningful concepts, some of which I rely on to this day.

Heading into the Troutmasters Classic of 1999, my partner Ari Schwartz and I had good luck on several scouting trips spent on Sabine Lake. Details pulled from that year’s fishing log prove it. On November 13 of that year, Ari, I and one other angler caught 34 trout, with 21 keepers, up to 28 inches. Nine of those measured at least 20 inches, with three stretching the tape to at least 25.

The next day, we fished with another angler, catching 12 trout to 25 inches, with six keepers, including a pair of bigger ones from the same spot where they bit the previous day. On the 18th, I and one other angler managed just five trout, but three of those measured between 23 and 26 inches. I caught all of those, again in the familiar location. Two significant details emerge from the study of the strategy elements recorded for those dates.

All the big trout (23-28 inches) came to hand while we waded near the south end of Stewt’s Island, most biting topwaters in the morning hours. Best numbers of fish, almost all two and three pounders, bit soft plastics tossed from the boat into mud streaks close to subtle points and drains on the Louisiana Shoreline.

Predictably, given the format for the Classic, which allowed us to fish anywhere we wanted, Ari and I headed to Port Arthur on the morning of November 20th, each hoping to catch five jumbo trout in the next thirty hours or so. Not surprisingly, we started the event wading the south end of Stewt’s Island. Unfortunately, we caught nothing in a couple hours of sustained effort, standing in the shallows where the big trout had bitten regularly on recent trips.

When we both ran out of enthusiasm for the spot, we climbed into the boat to discuss an alternative plan. In a fishing partnership, defining roles generally pays dividends. In those days, I served as captain of our team, since I had the freedom to do more scouting and we usually fished from my boat. I liked making decisions, but I knew better than to tune

Ari Schwartz eventually earned a reputation as a patient, astute, accomplished tournament and trophy trout angler. On one memorable night, he earned just eight bites in thirteen hours of effort, catching six of the fish, four of them big trout, including one weighing 6.5 pounds, an 8 and two at 9.25, the longer of those measuring 32 3/8 inches!

out my partner, who often generated our most productive plans.

After a short conversation, I idled the boat away from the island’s shoreline into deeper water, then planed off and headed north and east, toward the tip of Rabbit Island. As we approached, we could see other anglers lined up, wading where we intended to fish. Without fully contemplating my actions, I maintained my course, steering the

Russ Roberts used a soft plastic to trick this handsome five pounder on a hot day in October, during a sluggish bite.

16 | December 2018

The author remembers catching numbers of fat trout like this one in Sabine Lake back around the turn of the century. The grainy image was captured by a cheap disposable camera popular in that era.

bow toward the coves at the edge of The Sportsman’s Paradise.

Temptation, the wispy waif, whispered to me, “Take the easy fish schooling on the shoreline to the east.” My steadfast partner could not hear the witch.

He rightly complained, “If we go over there, we’ll catch three pounders at best. And that ain’t gonna cut it in this event. We need to go back closer to where we caught those big ones the last few times and grind it out.” Though I almost succumbed to the weak urge to play it safe and get my five trout by working the mud-streaks, I knew my buddy had it right. Those fish would not win us the trophy.

So I executed a wide turn and headed back to Texas. Eventually, I anchored the boat on a shallow sand flat extending north from Pleasure Island, and we jumped back out to wade. Both of us felt throwing topwaters in the warm, calm conditions would offer the best chance of hooking and catching five trout measuring at least 25 inches, our dream outcome for the event.

Ari shuffled north while I made my way slowly south, both of us walking the dog with large floating plugs. About thirty minutes into the wade, fish began blowing up in the sediments stirred by my passing. Looking down, I could see the water just starting to move. A check of the tide chart for that day reveals low tide occurred not long after 7:00 AM. High tide would happen around 2 PM. At about 11 a.m., I could feel a rising tide roll in. Then, the first fish blasted off on my lure.

A long, thick trout leapt completely free of the water trying to take my Super Spook, but the hooks failed to connect us for a fight.

I shouted an obscenity, and like a rookie, stopped fishing, bowing my head in disgust and losing focus. While I stood still, feeling sorry for myself, I heard a sucking noise when the same or another trout opened its wide mouth and snatched my plug from the surface. Ari made a bee-line toward me while I subdued and strung the predator, which wound up measuring over 26 and a half inches and weighing six and a half pounds.

In a short-lived, vigorous flurry, we managed to entice numerous loud blowups close to where the first fish bit, and I caught five qualifying fish in the next hour, while Ari strung four. Though I missed several other noisy attackers and lost a ridiculously fat one close in front of us, I knew I had a chance to win the top prize.

When the bite ended, we walked over to where most of the fish had tackled our lures and realized we’d stumbled onto a patchreef lying at the edge of the sand flat. Later, we’d learn other accomplished anglers already knew about the structure and fished it regularly. I still wonder why no one had claimed it earlier that morning. Despite dealing with pea-soup fog, we fished the spot hard for most of the remaining hours of the event but couldn’t ignite a second salvo from the school of mature fish.

If I could go back and do things over again, I’d change one choice significantly. I’d switch lures more quickly after the bite on topwaters subsided, and repeatedly throw slow-sinking twitch baits and soft plastics at the reef, in attempt to scratch out a few more bites from those big fish. These days, my awareness of the effectiveness of such a strategy feels almost like instinct, thought it did not back then.

I did replace my smallest trout with a slightly bigger one, working the shallows closer to the revetment rocks, and weighed a five-fish stringer of 22.09 pounds, good enough for 9th place in the event. Ari stayed stuck on four fish, but still finished in a respectable 18th place, out of at least 200 contestants. Despite my higher finish, I give my old sidekick much of the credit for what we did.

KEVIN COCHRAN CONTACT

Luck played a significant role in our success, but good fortune often arises as a residue of adequate preparation. Without Ari’s insistence on sticking to the strategy of wading and staying close to where we’d caught a number of quality trout leading into the event, I’d likely have weighed a smaller sack that weekend. None of the fish we caught qualified as a trophy trout, but the importance of the truths revealed by our story increases proportionately with the size of fish targeted.

A thorough analysis of these events leads me to several poignant conclusions. At a basic level, the most important concept I find relevant to the story of our performance relates to the need for grace under pressure. I daresay panic has no redeeming value in any scenario or context. In competition, panicking leads to flawed decisions, while calm commitment to a plan frees the mind for a focused effort.

When we left the dock on Saturday morning, we should have done so with backup plans already in place, ones which involved wading areas near the spot which had produced best for us on the days leading up to the event. Because we attempted to achieve something difficult, we should have anticipated things not working out easily, fully expecting to subtly tweak our plan.

This brings up a second meaningful concept—clearly understanding one’s goal or goals for an outing allows for designing and executing commensurate plans. If we’d intended simply to “get our qualifying fish” – in this case five measuring at least 20 inches – on the day in question, we’d have started with a different plan, likely one focused on fishing the mud streaks. But, because we knew we needed and wanted to catch big fish, we had to adjust our strategy accordingly. Catching a few big trout generally proves more difficult than catching higher numbers of smaller ones, elevating the importance of commitment to the task.

Ari and I would have had an easier time committing to our plan if we’d known more about the variables impacting our performance that day. We had limited experience on Sabine Lake, and worked off cryptic paper maps in our quest to learn as much as we could about the bay.

Today, we could use Google Earth and other resources to learn details

about bottom topography and other, related issues.

Knowing the precise locations of all the reefs and areas with scattered shell lying in close proximity to the tip of Stewt’s Island would have given us a better chance of generating legitimate back-up plans. This relates to an all-important concept—the person with the most complete knowledge of the bottom topography of the bay has the greatest chance at success. In addition to awareness of structural features, complete knowledge of an estuary includes the way environmental elements like temperature, wind speed and direction, salinity level and tidal movements affect the fishing throughout the body of water.

In those days, we certainly grasped Baffin Bay and the ULM continue to produce the importance tidal movement plays better than average in a place like Sabine Lake. Fish living in numbers of trout like locations where water moves on a regular the one the captain basis tend to snap their jaws voraciously holds here, which bit a MirrOlure Provoker on a during certain parts of the cycle and warm October outing. become tight-lipped during others.

Most likely, we struck out early at Stewt’s because we fished it at the end of the outgoing tide and during the slack lull before the tide turned and gushed back in.

Luckily for us, we found ourselves in one of the most productive spots on the lake when the incoming flow ignited the bite. Given the tide chart for the day, we should have expected a tough bite early, and should certainly have been fishing with maximum focus later in the morning, when the tide cycle became more favorable to catching. The smartest anglers use all available resources and attempt to maximize the effects of stimulators like turning tides, weather changes and a rising or setting sun or moon.

Almost all angling skill is learned behavior, not instinct. Some of us have more inherent talent or aptitude for fishing than others, but none of us entered this world equipped with the skills of a polished angler.

We acquire skills when we generate ideas, test plans, analyze results, then repeat the processes.

In some ways, fishing for big trout resembles aspects of other sports. In baseball, sluggers strike out more than singles hitters.

In golf, long-drive champions find the fairway less often than tour players. In basketball, three-point bombers miss their mark more often than post players. In the trophy trout game, anglers seeking to savor a whiff of the rosy wreath handed out at the victory parade sometimes feel the spray of the skunk.

Kevin Cochran is a full-time fishing guide at Corpus Christi (Padre Island), TX. Kevin is a speckled trout fanatic and has created several books and dvds on the subject.

Kevin’s home waters stretch from Corpus Christi Bay to the Land Cut.

TROUT TRACKER GUIDE SERVICE Phone 361-688-3714 Email kevxlr8@mygrande.net Web www.FishBaffinBay.com www.captainkevblogs.com TSFMAG.com | 17

STORY BY MARTIN STRARUP

“

T

hrottle back and ease up just past that old post straight ahead,” my friend Keith instructed me. “There’s a really nice reef here that I rarely see anybody fishing and it can hold some really nice trout.”

I put the boat into a good position about a hundred yards from the reef as Keith indicated and dropped the Power Pole. Keith then handed me and Sterling our wading belts as he grabbed his and said that he couldn’t believe that I had never fished this reef with him. My reply was that I never knew it existed. The surface of the water looked “nervous” and several heavy swirls made it look even more promising. As we separated and began moving toward the reef I wondered how I had never learned about it.

Granted, I was in unfamiliar territory. I had fished this end of the bay before, just not this particular location. I had no idea that only two or three feet below the surface there lay a pile of oyster shell about twenty feet wide and a hundred or more yards in length. The bottom dropped off of the north side to about five feet and the incoming tide flowed from those depths and rolled gently across the crown of shell. It was perfect.

The trout slammed into the Spook Junior and peeled off as much line as the drag would let her have. She danced, shook her head and pulled deep several times before she’d had enough and came to hand. Keith was working a Trout Support lure rigged weedless and the fish seemed to like the slow retrieve that he offered them. He flashed a satisfied smile as he strung his third fish of the morning. Sterling was on fish as well, tossing his favorite plum and chartreuse Norton Sand Eel. They were both ahead of me numbers-wise but as long as the trout were showing interest in my topwater I felt that I was obliged to keep throwing it.

The sunset during the ride back to the boat ramp was nothing short of spectacular.

If there is one thing I’m guilty of, it’s that I tend to fish places that I know hold fish. If someone tells me that I should try this spot or that and it is some place where I’ve never fished, I tend to accept their recommendation with a grain of salt and usually head to a place that I know. But on that reef with my son and my friend, I came to the conclusion that the places that are best known to me may not always be the best places for me to fish.

The lure landed in the middle of a pod of finger mullet and the trout hit it with a vengeance almost before I could lock my reel.

Keith held up his stringer and made a slicing motion across his throat to signal that he had a limit before I could get the trout on my stringer. I reluctantly turned away from that productive little reef and met him halfway back to the boat.

Sterling was already in the boat with his limit. “We have what we need for the fish fry, what say we Of course Sterling never rubbed it in that Keith’s fish were all solid keepers, perfect call it a day?” That was fine with he had once again out-fished his Old Man. for the fish fry we’d been planning. me, but I hated to leave that new place so soon. Then again, I knew that I’d be back there again when Too often we get into a habit of concentrating on one spot, limiting the conditions were right. ourselves to one particular area because it usually holds fish. Now We enjoyed a marvelous sunset on the ride back to the boat ramp that’s not entirely a bad thing, but in fishing, as in life itself, diversity and it brought memories of other great days in other spots on the bay. can be a wonderful thing.

I thought about some of my favorite places to fish and wondered how When we continue to hit one place trip after trip, we get to know we would have done at one of those spots. It would have been very the lay of the land, so to speak. We learn which way the guts run and hard to have done better than what we did. We were in the water, we how deep they are, and we learn the tiny nuances of the bottom were on fish, the fish cooperated and we strung what we wanted to structure. We can usually figure out where the fish will be if they keep. It would be very hard to improve on that. are indeed there to begin with, and we learn all of this through Besides, I have a brand new spot to add to the list of my favorites. familiarizing ourselves with the area.

I just have to remember to go there instead of one of my other So getting familiar with a particular piece of ocean front property “favorite” spots. isn’t a bad thing at all. But limiting ourselves to a few spots, over and Be Safe. -Martin over, and not exploring and learning other areas that can be used as back-up locations can certainly lead to empty stringers and frustrating days. In other words, don’t get into a rut or comfort zone when fishing.

I set the hook on a decent fish and she pulled hard and deep on me. She took plenty of line as she worked her way down and didn’t act like a trout at all. I figured that a red had worked its way into the bait school that was crowding the reef and the sudden surge and the Martin Strarup is a lifelong saltloss of several more yards of line seemed to confirm that suspicion. water enthusiast and outdoorsman.

The fish found what it was looking for as my line went slack when it Martin is also a collector and dealer of vintage fishing tackle and lures, cut itself free on the sharp oyster shell. I uttered a few choice words especially those made in Texas. to no one in particular and was reaching for a different lure when Keith held up his Trout Support lure and pointed at it with one of those know-it-all grins. I shrugged my shoulders and found one Email Trouthunter@swbell.net to match the one he was nailing the fish with, got it rigged on the worm hook and tied it on.

CONTACT

MARTIN STRARUP

20 | December 2018

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STORY BY CHUCK UZZLE

L

ike a sprawling casino dinner buffet, Sabine Lake offers a little something for everybody during winter. There are very few times during the year when you have as many quality programs to choose from with as little risk of making a bad decision.

All the standard patterns are in play – chasing birds, hustling flounder, wading flats for big trout - all these and more will be in full swing and producing excellent opportunities for those willing to confront less than ideal weather conditions when Mother Nature gets in a sour mood.

Fortunately for the diehards, the throngs of fishermen that ply Sabine’s waterways during warmer months will thin significantly as many folks spend days in deer blinds or are just plain content to wait for balmier weather. For me, this time of year holds a special place on my list of things I love to do because it’s actually where I got my start in saltwater fishing. It has also provided me with the confidence to know that I can catch fish in places most folks don’t even think about.

My first “real deal” saltwater experience came more than thirty years ago when my neighbor Chris Gunn and I bundled up like “Michelin men” and took off for the Sabine River. Chris was a veteran angler who loved to fish the Sabine, especially in the wintertime when the redfish were ganged up.

The 17-foot aluminum boat offered little in the way of a break from the elements unless you actually laid flat on the floor. A coin toss usually determined who stayed warm and who got the unenviable task of driving the boat. The ride down the river culminated at an intersection where the old river made a big bend near Conway’s Bayou and the old ship graveyard.

That deep pool held all manner of aquatic life, big redfish, black drum, largemouth bass, stripers, and the occasional speckled trout. Our primary target was always redfish and our weapon was always the trusty Rat-L-Trap. We cranked those baits until we couldn’t crank anymore. The object of the drill was to cover as much water as possible and it didn’t make any difference what depth…fish until you got bit and then do your best to repeat the depth and speed of the retrieve.

As the seasons wore on we perfected our techniques and began to concentrate on deeper water, usually around some type of structure. The deep water pattern paid big dividends and we enjoyed some outstanding days on the water despite the terrible conditions. The thump of a wideTSFMAG.com | 23

Small crankbaits and swimbaits are incredibly productive in the winter while probing deeper water.

Big redfish are not known to be very kind to your tackle…be prepared!

shouldered redfish at near freezing temperatures was unmistakable, even to seriously numb hands. Once we located the fish we generally were able to catch several more from the same area as they were quite predictable.

I still remember my first redfish, an aggressive nine-pounder that smashed a gold “Trap” and forever changed the way I thought about fishing. To this day I still fish some of the same water where I started and the patterns still hold true, those fish gang up in deep water and only those who go looking for them will ever find them.

Deep water fishing is something of a mystery to most inshore saltwater anglers. Once they get into about 8-foot depths most of them begin feeling lost and start looking for a shoreline

A modified drop shot rig, used for vertical presentation on suspended fish. Length between baits can vary depending on situation.

somewhere to beat up on. The shallow stuff is great and everybody wants to “get ‘em in the skinny” if they can, but sometimes that just doesn’t happen.

The biggest problem that most anglers have to overcome when fishing deep water is developing confidence. The shallow water approach has been so hammered into our psyche that we almost don’t know any other way to go about chasing fish. But believe me when I say this, “If you can master deep water you can fish without crowds more often than the folks who stay shallow.” Now if that doesn’t get your attention I don’t know what will.

Several techniques can be employed to fish the deeper stuff. None are very difficult to grasp and the month of December is a perfect time to try them.

Start by taking advantage of your electronics to locate a break in the depth or some type of underwater structure that offers fish a place to get out of the current and ambush prey. Crankbaits like the Rat-LTrap and Hoginar are perfect for probing these areas. The crankbaits are easy to feel and stay in contact with, even at increased depths.

Another good method comes from the world of bass fishing – the dropshot Vintage photo of Chris Gunn with a Sabine striper. Chris was very instrumental in getting the author “hooked” on saltwater fishing.

24 | December 2018

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26 | December 2018

enjoy them as well.

This time of the year will certainly bring us our fair share of cold weather and that will make for some excellent opportunities for those who dare to brave the elements. Take special care to wear warm clothing and a PFD at all times. Hypothermia is no joking matter and if accidents could be predicted they would never happen. Think about that.

Take care, be safe, enjoy December’s angling opportunities, and have a great holiday season.

CHUCK UZZLE

CONTACT

rig. This rig consists of a soft plastic rigged several feet above a weight. The hook is tied on with a Palomar knot and the depth of the weight is adjustable. Feeling the strike is made much easier because the weight is located below the lure. The presentation is made by allowing the weight to descend vertically to a productive depth and then simply shaking or quickly raising and lowering the rod tip.

As an alternative to a standard dropshot rig you can also use a jighead rigged with a soft plastic instead of just an ordinary weight or dropshot weight. Old timers will tell you it looks like a “double rig” or “speck rig” but its made to fish vertically instead of being cast into schools of feeding fish and then retrieved horizontally. This works particularly well when fish are suspended over deep shell, a situation that challenges the angler’s ability to fish deep without hanging up on the oyster or clam shell that litter the bottom.

Just about anybody can catch fish when the conditions are ideal during these last weeks of the year because it’s almost stupid easy at times. What separates true anglers from average fishermen is when the weather turns bad or the wind cranks up and forces you to seek an alternate plan. The methods previously mentioned are tried and true for this part of the coast but I’m confident they’ll work in just about any location if given a chance. Trust me though when I say that it’s not always easy and some patience is required.

Once you actually experience some success using a deep water technique you will no longer worry as much about picking the perfect day – you have a new weapon in your arsenal. Having the confidence that you can find fish in a wider variety of scenarios will certainly allow you to not only spend more days on the water but to

Chuck fishes Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes from his home in Orange, TX. His specialties are light tackle and fly fishing for trout, reds, and flounder.

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STORY BY JOE RICHARD

Whale sharks easily reach 30 feet and more.

These harmless giants show up each summer off the Texas coast.

M

ost Gulf fishermen, if they live long enough, see some odd sights out there over the years. Strange things seldom photographed until the advent of Smartphones suddenly made photographers of everyone.

Shrimpers working the Gulf for years see all sorts of odd critters brought up in the nets, and also shark feeding frenzies. Sometimes there are so many sharks, they climb over each other’s backs to get at the goodies. One shrimper even told me he was never going back out there at night after seeing strange lights in the sky.

I can recall some highlights over the years, along with my fishing buddies, and thought I’d share a few.

One day we were offshore 20 miles, heading back to Port O’Connor. Earlier,

acting on a tip, we’d been further out there looking for a whale shark reported at Rig 669, sitting in clear blue water. We’d tied to the rig but saw no shark, even after snorkeling for an hour. The big brute was gone, just gone. After fishing, we then headed inshore and after a few miles noticed the blue/green color change up ahead. Closer, and I saw a shark fin sticking out of the water to port, and another to starboard. Was it two sharks? It took several moments to realize it was the same fish, so I chopped the throttle back to neutral just as we passed between the two fins. Bang! The big outboard’s lower unit was knocked out of the water, as we crossed right over the shark’s back. In neutral, we all looked astern as a huge whale shark, now fully awake, began thrashing its tail. It took a few moments for it to pick up speed, before it sounded like a submarine making a crash dive. Our nephew was impressed, but disappointed he wasn’t able to swim with one. We waited around for a few minutes, but never saw it again.

Longtime friend Dale Fontenot of Vidor has been fishing out of Sabine Pass since about 1960. He says the strangest thing he ever saw out there, was an acre of “sow” red snapper weighing from 20 to 25 pounds, feeding on the surface, moving along slowly. “Feeding like a school of bass at Toledo Bend,” he said. He couldn’t see what they were feeding on; there were no jumping baitfish. Every jig and spoon they slung at the school resulted in a hookup. It was hard work and a reminder to always carry casting rods when offshore. Dale says it was 20 years ago and may have been September. If so, we can surmise it was a school of big fish ready to begin courtship, gathered up for their annual spawning ritual that happens each September.

On another trip, Dale and his longtime fishing buddy Pete Churton spent the night way off Sabine Pass, tied to a production platform in about 300 feet of water. Right at sunset they were catching kingfish, and cranked a typical schoolie king alongside the boat. To their shock, a massive kingfish of six feet, at least 75 pounds, came from nowhere and chomped down on the small king, chewing on it right in front of them. They said there was no chance it was a barracuda.

On yet another trip in 60 feet of water, Pete saw a 30-pound kingfish skyrocket and land on a small production platform, slamming on the catwalk before finally flopping back in the water. (You know the kings are biting, when they’re jumping 10 feet up on the platform.)

Another kingfish story: One day the Port Aransas partyboat La Pesca was anchored offshore and they noticed a disturbance far away on the glassy Gulf. It looked like a school of baitfish approaching.

The commotion drew closer, heading right for them, and the captain realized it was a massive school of kingfish jumping and feeding on something. As the school drew near, the captain ordered everyone inside, which must have been difficult, with so much action about to happen. In the cabin they watched as kingfish flew past the windows and heard others thumping into the hull. When the storm of kingfish had passed, all ventured outside and found seven or eight kingfish still flopping on deck. These were schoolie kings of about 15 pounds, nothing big. But potentially dangerous when airborne.

Getting hit by a jumping kingfish—now that’s a serious WTH moment, and I consider myself lucky to have survived that very thing. I was treading water next to the boat, 50 miles off Galveston

Greater hammerhead sharks grow to 18 feet or so, and they’re lurking out there in the Gulf.

High-flying kingfish with hapless prey in his mouth. Kings can easily jump into a boat and sometimes onto offshore platforms.

Pete Churton, a veteran of many kingfish, climbed down a vertical ladder on the rig, and snatched this hooked, sizeable king as it swam by.

30 | December 2018

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32 | December 2018

Waterspouts are impressive to watch, but you really don’t want to get caught up in one while boating. Photo by Joey Mole.

tree. It was the first of our eight-day paddle across 19 lakes. That same morning the guys, who’d made the trip many times, had discussed offering up tobacco to the Chippewa gods, when we set up our first campsite. At the time it sounded hokey to me. But you can bet it became a top priority that first evening. People die on those lakes every summer from sudden windstorms.

One day we’d climbed aboard a tiny gas platform off Johnson Bayou, Louisiana. It was a hot August day in 1976, the movie Jaws was in theatres.

We had our choice of many shallow water platforms, and could catch several trout at each of them, doodlesocking gold spoons near bottom about 20 feet down. We looked up from our work and there, about 60 yards away, see this orange buoy cruising by, half-submerged, heading east. It had to be a commercial longline buoy from further offshore, broke off by something huge. Was it a bluefin tuna or a big mako? We scrambled after it, abandoned our tackle and trout on the rig, jumping down into my 15-foot Thunderbird and took after it. Caught up with it, eased closer and dragged that 36-inch buoy into the boat. We got you now! Tied the one-inch yellow poly rope to the boat’s centerline bow cleat.

However, whatever was down there towed my boat along without slowing at all...I put the 70-horse Johnson in full reverse for minutes on end until the boat was shaking, but our forward progress never changed, we kept cruising along at the same three knots. We tried everything but nothing worked, it was always three knots straight ahead. After a tough half hour (my buddy had rope burns from coiling that fine expensive rope in the boat and then having it ripped back in the water), I finally looked up at the horizon and there, a half mile away, was a 150-foot oil company workboat with a small crowd of people gathered on the stern. They were watching these two idiots in a little boat, wrestling with their seismic tow buoy.

JOE RICHARD

Joe Richard has fished the Gulf since 1967, starting out of Port Arthur, but his adventures have taken him up and down the entire coast.

He was the editor of Tide magazine for eight years, and later Florida Sportsman’s book and assistant magazine editor. He began guiding out of Port O’Connor in 1994. His specialty is big kingfish, and his latest book is The Kingfish Bible, New Revelations. Available at Seafavorites.com

CONTACT

at a weedline, making underwater photos of hooked mahi. I had my mask off, talking to the guys up in the boat.

Someone above me skated a jig across the surface, ready to make another cast.

A kingfish jumped at the jig but missed, flying a good 15 feet through the air, striking me on the back of my neck. I was stunned by the impact and blinded by the splash, but somehow my neck was only red without even a scratch. It was time to get back in the boat.

In June 1983, we’d launched our 14-foot Monarch at the fish pass just south of Port Aransas. It was already sanding in, and we had a difficult time launching; we literally had to carry that boat to the water. Cranked up the 15-horse outboard and idled around the north jetty and stopped about 70 yards off the beach. It was a flat, calm day with lime green water. Over on the beach, guys were shoulder deep, throwing plugs for trout. Nearby, perhaps 20 yards away, a trout floated upside down; somebody had released it. A lazy fin circled the trout, a fin about four feet tall—so tall that it drooped. At first we thought it might be a manta ray’s wingtip, but then there was a swirl and the trout was gone. Alarmed, we realized the big shadow was headed our way. Passing slowly beneath us, the hammerhead shark was longer than my boat, and we sat very still until it was gone. His hammer appeared to be five feet across. It isn’t every day a great hammerhead comes calling only a few feet away, with only a paperthin layer of aluminum between you, and him.

Back in the early ‘70s during summer, three of us were recruited to fish on a commercial snapper boat named Defiant, docked at Rainbow Bridge Marina near Port Arthur. The weather looked sketchy but we headed out anyway. One mile short of the Gulf, inside the Sabine jetties, a tremendous waterspout appeared from the west, crossing the channel ahead of us and hitting an outbound Texaco tanker that couldn’t maneuver. The tanker actually swerved 10 degrees to port, from the high wind’s impact. Our captain stopped the boat long enough to watch the waterspout cross the east jetty rocks, and then we proceeded. Our trials and tribulations were many on that threeday trip. We eventually returned in a tremendous midnight storm, our boat’s transmission stuck in forward gear. That following winter, Defiant broke in half while being towed in by the Coast Guard.

I’ve also seen a waterspout form under a pure blue sky, which was very strange. We were paddling in Canada across a lake, when the water 30 yards directly ahead began churning white for no reason. It looked like a school of baitfish feeding on the surface, but then whitewater rose up into the sky in a vortex…By then we were paddling in reverse; the last thing we needed was overturning with all our camping gear in deep 40° water. The waterspout twirled a hundred feet high and we must have been slack-jawed. It then headed to starboard, reached the shoreline and struck a big pine tree, giving it a good thrashing. It looked like a 50-mile an hour gust hitting that

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PUMPED FOR CORKY SEASON! I want to thank everyone that reads my articles and takes time to email or call with comments. I do not consider myself much of a writer but I am pretty confident in my ability to get my points across as a speaker and teacher.

My writing is really just field notes of what I see on the water each day. I don’t use big words; I don’t even know many big words. But I believe our editor understands that I write the way I speak and accepts this. Simple works for me and allows me to focus on the where, when, why and how of fishing.

Water temperatures dropped nearly 15° with our first real front in mid-October, along with more rain. The much cooler weather pattern definitely got us into our Simms waders and jackets. I’ve tried them all and there is nothing better than Simms.

Unseasonably cool temperatures and NE wind has persisted for ten days. The unusually high tides receded a bit but we still need to lose more water to help with the mixing of fresh water with salt water in the Aransas Bay Complex. Fishing is still good most days despite the higher tides and abundance of baitfish. Colder air temperatures will lead to colder water temperatures and this will result 48 | December 2018

in a diminishing bait supply. The decreasing availability of bait will lead to increased search and aggressive feeding from our resident trout and red fish.

I call this a feeding-up period and the prelude to what I call Corky season. For the record, I do not consider myself an expert on Corky fishing. I use them about 100 days out of the year when the conditions feel right to me. I cannot always tell you why I will switch from time to time during the day in the winter months from a Custom Corky to Bass Assassins, MirrOlure Lil John’s, Provokers, to a Soft Dine and now the New Double D lures, but I do. I just have to “feel it” in order to have confidence that I have the right lure for the weather and water conditions of the day.

The mere mention of the Corky gets the most serious of bay anglers excited. It’s to trout fisherman what the rut means to South Texas deer hunters. In my younger years I honestly did not throw the Corky very much. I was convinced that I could catch just as many big trout on soft plastic. Truth is, I caught lots of big trout on soft plastic but, then again, that was about all I was chunking at the time.

What makes a 10-pound trout so worthy is the basic

scarcity of them – the same as a 170-plus low fence whitetail. There just aren’t many of them roaming around and the ones that are have become well educated. For me, a trophy is any fish over 8.5 pounds that measures 30-plus. I have always felt that weight overshadows length but that’s just me. Truth be told, a 30-plus trout is hard to find and the age of that fish definitely supports its trophy status.

“Trout that live 8- to 10-years of age can reach the 30-inch mark,” says Dr. Greg Stunz of the Hart Institute. He also states that, “A trout in the 32-inch class could be as old as 10 or 12 years, but this would be exceptional.”

This time of year offers the best opportunity and success ratio if it is a trophy fish you are interested in chasing. The science shows that a trout must live an unusually long time to attain the 30-plus category. Simply put, we can’t have mature bucks if we shoot every 4-1/2 year-old ten point. Please release these magnificent fish and allow their genetics to live on and maybe even give someone else the chance at catching her.

So, you want to fish with a Corky? The first thing to understand is what kicks off the much-anticipated “Corky season.” I believe it could be the relative scarcity of smaller baitfish that triggers this lure’s appeal to trout and reds. Reds can certainly be Corky wreckers but where they are found can also be holding some really big trout. Never be hasty to change lures or leave an area simply because the reds are demolishing your precious Corkys!

As water temps steadily decline during winter, smaller bait of all species migrate to the Gulf or to deeper waters of our bays. This leaves mostly larger mullet in the primary shallow feeding zones. Trout can and will definitely eat larger mullet but would prefer smaller offerings if

Potentially dangerous front approaching! Fish through it only if you have safe run home.

available, and this where a 3- to 4-inch shad imitation really comes into play. Through observation, I believe that our bigger trout stay within the ranks of larger mullet for camouflage, waiting on one they can swallow more easily to make a mistake.

Working the Corky is more than just throwing it out there and reeling it back in, and it’s not always about a mind-numbingly slow presentation. I learned this from Cliff Webb, definitely one of the very best Corky-fishers in the business. Cliff and I made some incredible memories of double-digit fish together but I will not go into detail here.

My first Corky Fat Boy lesson from Cliff came in my home waters in the middle of February. Ryan and Jay Ray and I had pre-fished this area and located some heavy 27- to 28-inch fish. Problem was they were holding in soft mud potholes that were surrounded by heavy clumps of live oysters. Large mullet were schooled over the soft mud potholes between clumps of oysters. We caught them but had trouble with landing due to the tall shell clumps as the fish exited the potholes on the hookset.

When I took Cliff to the area he immediately told me that we could catch these fish on Corkys better than tails. Well, he said he could and he did.

It was crazy how aggressively he worked the bait over the shallow shell and then paused the lure briefly to flutter down into the muddy potholes, only to rip it out of the pothole and move to the next. He literally caught a half-dozen or more six-plus pounders before I had a bite on my trusted Bass Assassin.

I tied on a Fat Boy and began trying to imitate Cliff’s presentation but I wasn’t getting the speed or action right. Cliff eased over and looked at my rod and told me it was my rod not me, and that he would bring me the right rod for tomorrow’s trip. I had a hard time believing the problem was my rod.

Cliff showed up the next morning with a 6’6” All Star Titanium Medium-Light action. With a little instruction on the finer points of the aggressive presentation without moving the lure too far forward, followed by short pauses in the cadence, I was ready to go. Within a few casts I had a six-pounder eat the Corky on the pause. To say I was hooked was an understatement.

I still employ the same basic presentation on my Corkys. I seldom work the bait as slowly as some Mid-winter warming trend; solid trout for Jay believe necessary. The old saying that, “If you think on Fat Boy from shallow you’re working it slow enough, slow down even sand shoreline. more,“ does not work well for me except in very cold and deep water where we must allow it to sink to the depths at which the fish are holding and feeding. I get after it aggressively in shallow water and it seems to work for me.

For the record; I like to put a slight bend in both the head and tail of my Fat Boys most of the time. This is done by pressing it into my cupped palm with just enough pressure to create a gentle bend.

I think the rod action and power we choose play major roles in lure action and also the ability to control the vicious headshakes of large trout. Jay Ray and I prefer the 6’6” Medium Light action with moderate power and rodmaker Steve Henriksen’s rods are outstanding. Jimmy Burns at Waterloo makes a great one as well.

TSFMAG.com | 49

50 | December 2018

baits with the gold or silver holograms allow me to have lures suited to whatever the conditions might be. Gold for overcast and dirty; silver for clear skies and clear water is my general rule. Honestly, the gold holograms are good in all conditions. On days following fronts with high atmospheric pressure, the smaller Soft-Dines in the same custom colors seem to really shine.

Worried about the bigger redfish tearing up your Corkys and SoftDines while waiting on that trophy trout? Enter the Texas Customs New Double D by MirrOlure in all the same custom colors as the Custom Corkys and Soft Dines. MirrOlure means quality and the Double Ds are double tough, I promise you. Check them out at Waterloo Rods Pro Shop in Victoria and Johnny’s Sport Shop at Eagle Lake. Tackle Town in Rockport, Roy’s Bait and Tackle in Corpus Christi, and Marburger’s in Seabrook will have them in stock very soon.

Pumped for Corky season? I am, and I hope to see you around the docks very soon!

May your fishing always be catching! -Guide Jay Watkins

C O N TA C T

Mud is not always the trout magnet some believe it to be. The mud thing is more about the availability of zooplankton and tiny copepods that mullet feed on during winter and you probably already know my beliefs on locating a reliable forage supply to find trout.

Yes, we catch lots of wintertime trout over mud and mud can be warmer on sunny days. But it can also be quite cold under heavy cloud cover. The point is that trout will always follow the mullet and the mullet are always going to stage most reliably in areas that provide the best food source.

To prove the point further, I have caught plenty of big trout on hard sand in sub-50° water temperatures, as long as the air temperatures were rising above the water temperature. McBride, Miss Tricia, and I have had many a late-night conversation about the mud thing. Throw in J.D. Whitley’s fifty years of big trout experience and someone needs to be taking notes. That someone is me!

The Custom Corky Fat Boy is my favorite of the famous Corky family because of its shad-like shape. Shad and other similarlyshaped finfish are a staple food for trout in every bay system. And as I stated earlier, the Fat Boy represents a familiar forage, especially when presented amongst outsized mullet that trout would be less than anxious to attempt to eat. This might help explain why they go after it so aggressively.

While off-the-shelf Fat Boys and other Corkys will definitely catch fish, my favorites by far are the Custom Corky Fat Boys and Custom Soft-Dines created by Lowell and Dee-Dee Odom. I love the gold hologram series and the custom color patterns that have been developed for clear water as well as the dirty stuff. The clear-bodied

Jay Watkins has been a full-time fishing guide at Rockport, TX, for more than 20 years. Jay specializes in wading yearround for trout and redfish with artificial lures. Jay covers the Texas coast from San Antonio Bay to Corpus Christi Bay. Telephone Email Website

361-729-9596 Jay@jaywatkins.com www.jaywatkins.com

2018-TX-CTTR-trout.pdf

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L&S Bait Company • 1415 East Bay Drive • Largo, Florida 33771 • Tel 727-584-7691 • www.mirrolure.com

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Having the right equipment makes your day that much better.

C A P T. S COT T N U L L

S H A L L O W W AT E R F I S H I N G

HINTS FOR SANTA Soon there will be decorations adorning our homes as the Christmas parties and family gatherings fill our lives. I love all of the festivities, but the gift buying thing always gives me anxiety. I never know what the heck to get all the ladies in my life. I’m sure they feel the same way about us even though I always feel like outdoorsmen like us should be easy to buy for. Apparently I am incorrect on that.

Several years back my ladies all demanded a Christmas/ birthday list from me. I guess having a birthday thrown in three days before Christmas puts a little added stress on them. The list thing takes away some of their holiday stress and also ensures I don’t end up with ties, sweaters and shirts that I’ll never wear.

So every year around the first of November I start thinking about things I’d like to have for my outdoors adventures. I’ll start them off with some small odds and ends, then maybe a few moderately priced items. I’ll generally throw out a good many ideas because I do kind of like being surprised. Then Never hurts to just for grins I’ll put in a stock up on extras big ticket item with the of your favorites. suggestion they could 52 | December 2018

all go together and I’d be happy unwrapping just a single grand birthday-Christmas present. They’ve never taken me up on that, but it doesn’t stop me from trying. And to make them laugh I put in the “if you win the lottery” idea.

Hey, you never know.

The list works for us, but a friend of mine has another tack. He takes his fishing magazines and just circles items from various ads for several months and leaves them all

I recently put a new Hummingbird Solix unit on my Dargel and love it.

The sidescan technology and clarity of fish recognition is amazing. It has been a real game changer for me. The various big name electronics companies have all recently stepped up their game with similar technology. Do some research and pick one that fits your style of fishing.

Another piece of equipment that has seen a lot advancement recently would be trolling motors. The new MinnKota Riptide Ulterra is pretty dang cool. Hit a button and it deploys automatically. I was recently on a friend’s boat and he had just installed one. He backed the trailer down the ramp and just let the boat slide off into the water. I was a bit confused as his boat floated away. He stepped out and started playing with the remote. The trolling motor deployed and he drove the boat right to the dock. I’m not certain my level of trust in electronic equipment would allow me to do that, but I’ll admit it was pretty Don’t send your wife down this dang cool. These units aisle shopping for your Christmas also have all sorts of gift without specific instructions. high-tech capabilities like connecting to your Humminbird unit and working together to hold you on a particular spot or following a predetermined route. They’ve also got Bluetooth allowing you to run them via your smartphone. Put one of these on your wish list and you’ll be a happy fisherman.

To round out your list think of all the gadgets and tools you use or would like to have out on the water. A new pair of sunglasses, an upgraded pair of pliers, a new Boga Grip or maybe a new tackle bag. Our stuff takes a lot of abuse in the saltwater environment throughout the season. Take a minute and do a quick inspection of your tools to see which ones could use replacing or upgrading.

Something I did for my dad a few years back was stock up his tackle box. None of us ever have enough lures, right? I went down the aisles of Fishing Tackle Unlimited and picked up multiples of the staple lures I know he uses. Even if there’s no room in the box, it never hurts to have some back-ups on the workbench. Realizing that your favorite lure is missing from your wade box the night before a trip is easily remedied when you have a cache of them.

I’ve always thought the true tackle stores should have a gift registry for us tackle junkies. The ladies do it for weddings and baby showers and it would make things a whole lot easier on everyone involved. Oh well, if all else fails there are always gift cards I guess.

Gift giving aside, I hope you and yours are having a wonderful holiday season full of hunting, fishing and family. Merry Christmas and I’ll see you guys next year.

around the house hoping his wife will notice. Or you could fold it open to this article and have your lady “find” it. Whatever works I guess. I think any method is preferable to them wandering around a tackle store and having a salesperson who doesn’t know you pick out your gear. Even the best shop isn’t clairvoyant.

Rods and reels are an obvious crowd pleaser but come with a risk.

You can’t just say you want a new reel and send your non-fishing spouse into the tackle store with no idea. That’d be like her just asking for a new purse and sending you into the…well, wherever you buy purses. Be specific with the type, make and model you’d prefer as well as where it can be found.

Same goes for rods. You don’t want to have to act all happy about a big surf rod if you’re throwing Corkys. There are so many good brands available and we all have our favorite. Length and action are obviously important tidbits of information. The simpler you make it the more likely they are to follow through and the greater the chance you’ll be grinning on Christmas morning.

If your budget is in a higher bracket than mine you might want to think about upgrading some of the big ticket equipment on your boat.

C O N TA C T

Tarpon as they appeared on the new Solix.

Capt. Scott Null is a devout shallow water fisherman offering guided adventues via kayak, poled skiff, and wading.

Telephone Email Website

281-450-2206 captscottnull@gmail.com www.captainscottnull.com

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Figure 1. Artificial seagrass meadow in the rearing ponds.

By Tyler S chacht | Natural Resource Specialist, Perr y R. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Center

FIELD NOTES

A “WILD” APPROACH TO

STOCK ENHANCEMENT Stock enhancement is a fisheries management tool used mechanisms are quickly learned or modified with early to help supplement wild fish populations by introducing experience (a.k.a. the school of hard knocks). hatchery-reared fish into the wild. Texas Parks and Wildlife Behavioral conditioning, the ability for fish to “learn” to Department (TPWD) utilizes three marine fish hatcheries respond to predatory threats, is of particular interest to to spawn, rear, and stock red drum, spotted seatrout, and stock enhancement programs because of the potential southern flounder fingerlings (~1.5 inches) into Texas for improving behavioral mechanisms of hatchery-reared bays. Stock enhancement programs, like TPWD, strive to fish before being released into the wild. In the case of the propagate fish similar to their wild counterparts. Although hatchery-reared red drum, some lack of predator awareness hatchery-reared red drum are spawned from wild caught may be caused by inexperience with structural habitats and broodfish and have strong natural instincts, their ability to potential predators in the rearing pond environment. detect and avoid predators when first released into the wild may be somewhat compromised due to lack of life experiences.

Before hatchery-reared fingerlings are stocked into the wild, they spend their early life stage (first 30 days of life) in an artificial environment (open, unvegetated rearing pond).

During this early life stage, behavioral mechanisms (i.e. habitat recognition, foraging, and predator-avoidance) are developed. Though their wild counterparts do experience a Figure 2. Before the ponds were great deal of predation-related filled, artificial seagrass mats mortality during their early life were laid throughout the ponds. stages, antipredator defense

54 | December 2018

In the wild, red drum spawn in coastal waters near passes Figure 3. Pulling an ichthyoplankton and inlets where currents carry fertilized eggs into estuaries (i.e. tow (or ich tow) to sample the pond. seagrass meadows, oyster reefs, and marsh). After hatch out The round chambers in the pond are (~1.5mm), the ability of young red drum to evade predation is the predator exclusion cages or PECs. often related to the available habitat during this early life stage.

When a predator threat arises, many avoidance mechanisms are behavioral in nature, including the ability to hide in a habitat refuge. Fish react to predators based upon visual, chemical, and mechanosensory cues with responses often learned and modified with each threat. Taking a “Wild” approach to hatchery rearing procedures by using artificial habitat structures in the rearing ponds could be the next step to optimize stock enhancement programs.

As a graduate student, I worked with TPWD to develop a research project to evaluate the use of artificial habitats (seagrass, Fig. 1) and predator stimuli in a set of red drum rearing ponds. The goal of the study was to condition fish through the use of artificial habitat and predators during the rearing process stocked with larval fish, and reared to fingerling size (~1.5 inches) to ultimately reduce predator-related mortality and improve survival after release into the wild. The study was conducted at the CCA Marine following standard hatchery operating procedures.

To determine whether behavioral mechanisms were improved Development Center (MDC) in Corpus Christi. during the rearing process, three additional 1/2-acre ponds were used At the MDC, three 1/2-acre ponds were used to set up the to represent a “Wild” scenario. These “Wild” ponds contained artificial “Experimental” pond design. The first pond was used to represent a seagrass throughout the environment and free-roaming predators. normal rearing environment at the hatchery, an open, unstructured After 30 days, the three “Experimental” ponds were harvested pond (Control Group). and fish from each pond were counted and moved into the “Wild” The second pond was set up by deploying artificial seagrass mats simulation ponds. After a short exposure period to free-roaming throughout the environment (Fig. 2, Treatment 1). predators in the “Wild”, ponds were drained and the remaining red Lastly, the third pond was set up using artificial seagrass and also drum were counted to calculate survival rates. Study results show that included predator exclusion cages (PEC) (Fig. 3, Treatment 2). The as habitat complexity increased, survival of hatchery-reared red drum PECs were used to prevent predators from free-roaming the pond increased (Fig. 4). The study suggests that hatchery-reared red drum and devouring the red drum but also providing the “presence” of a survival rates may increase by having structured habitats in the rearing predatory threat during the rearing process. Pinfish were used as the ponds as a means to improve behavioral conditioning and reduce predator, as pinfish are known to prey upon red drum during their predation-related mortality. Use of artificial habitats in hatchery ponds early life stage in the wild. is a viable option for future red drum fingerling production.

With the addition of habitat and predators, the ponds were filled, Studies have shown that hatcheryFigure 4. Three trials were conducted during the study. Eac trial included a Control reared red drum have survival rates Group, Seagrass Group (Treatment1), and a Seagrass+Predator Group (Treatment 2). ranging from 0.28% - 17.65% (average = 4.6%) after being released into the wild. Because there are many factors affecting fingerling survival (i.e. time of year, fingerling size, release site habitat, etc.) considerable variations can occur between stockings events. Combined with other fishery management tools, stock enhancement has proven to be a significant tool in managing Texas’ red drum fishery. By taking a “Wild” approach to stock enhancement, survival rates of hatchery fishes released into coastal waters could significantly increase.

Check the TPWD Outdoor Annual, your local TPWD Law Enforcement office, or tpwd. texas.gov for more info.

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DAV E R O B E R T S

K AYA K F I S H I N G C H R O N I C L E S

SNOOKTOPIA 2018 - DAY 2 & 3 Picking up where I left off last month; I’d finally made it down to Johnathan Dickenson State Park and put in a full day of fishing. I was on the water from sunup to sundown and managed a few small snook on topwaters and a decent one on my glide bait. The first day was in the books and I was champing at the bit to hit it again the next day.

I passed a restless night even though dog tired from a full first day on the water. We were all up before daylight but it was not because of the alarms we had set before going to bed. An early morning storm had moved through the area and the lightning was hitting very close to camp. Most of us chose to seek refuge in our vehicles; that’s how close it was. Around 0800 the lightning stopped flashing and I decided to ease out for a few hours. It was mostly a repeat from the previous morning and only produced a few small fish.

Midday, we all headed over to a local restaurant to meet up and visit with everyone that had gathered for the event.

We swapped fishing stories from the past few days and then devised a plan for that evening. Half the group decided to fish pier lights while Bart, Ben and I were anxious to get some live bait and head to another area. As evening was approaching we started our paddle out to the spot and 56 | December 2018

along a rock wall I spotted a tail. Thinking it was probably a sheepshead I didn’t pay much attention until I noticed a yellow-green tint. I realized it was a snook and yelled at Bart, who was closer to it at the time.

All three of us scrambled to grab a rod and I managed to make the first cast. I threw my Keitech swimbait just in front of the fish and set the hook as soon as I felt the thump. As quickly as I reared back on the rod I was dodging the lure – not quite quick enough.

We continued our paddle across a cut and anchored just off the bulkhead. While I was getting my live-bait rod ready a small group of large snook came barreling

C O N TA C T

down the wall, chasing bait. I have NEVER heard or seen anything as aggressive as those snook. It sounded like bowling balls were falling from the sky!

I fumbled for any rod I could get my hands on but they were gone before I could make a cast. After the commotion passed we got our lines out and the wait began. Long story short - we decided to paddle back to camp at 0100 – the action up to that point was only a few halfhearted bites on the live baits. However, where I had missed the tailing snook earlier, I landed one on topwater pretty close to the same area.

It was a much better fish than the ones I had landed that morning.

We made it back to camp without incident and it was lights out

with hopes to give it one more solid effort in the morning. Sleeping late was easy and most of the group was up and around by 0900.

That’s when we learned the guys who fished the lights had enjoyed some success.

Bart and Ben decided to pack up and head back home; that had been their fourth night of fishing well into the morning hours and home was calling. I had a few things that I needed to take care of that day that required internet service so I headed to town. My plan was to get on the water later in the afternoon and hit the pier lights as darkness approached.

No sooner than I sat down, Bart called and said his brother was looking for someone to fish with that night. I figured since I was by myself and fishing unknown waters, my best and safest bet was to join Donald. I gave him a shout and planned to meet him at the ramp.

He had just recently purchased a boat and was anxious to give it a baptism by snook. We launched and spent the rest of the afternoon trying to catch mullet for the night ahead.

We got to our spot right at dark, anchored up and tossed out a couple of baits. It wasn’t long and I had my first bite. The drag screamed on the hookset but only for a second. The hook didn’t hold.

No worries. I baited up again to wait for another bite. Thirty minutes passed and I began to feel my mullet getting nervous, and then a solid thump. I gave it a few more seconds this time, and when I set the hook the fight was on. I got a few good runs out of her and she hit the measuring stick at just under 32 inches – a perfect slot snook!

Donald and I high-fived and celebrated finally getting a good snook in the boat, and on the last day, at that.

We continued fishing and it was soon Donald’s turn. Setting the hook, we knew instantly he had a better snook on the line. She made a few good runs and gave a spectacular headshake at the boat but we still managed to land her. Donald’s snook measured 38 inches.

We made a quick photo and released her back into the water. As the night went on we missed a handful of other fish and around midnight, I hooked into a four-foot barracuda. We took that as a sign to call it a night. Finally, on the final night, we accomplished what we had come for!

The next morning I packed up and headed to St. Augustine to meet Bart for one more round of fishing. He is a kayak guide there and told me the tarpon were in the land cut. I arrived and we made a few drifts until it got dark, and never found any tarpon. We did however pick up a few nice bull reds. Meeting up with Bart proved to be a really cool pitstop and a perfect last ditch fishing effort. We loaded up and I gave him thanks for the invitation and all the hospitality he and his brother have extended to me. Without a doubt, they are great people, great fishermen, and I am thankful to have met them.

Once again, my trip was unbelievable and I cannot wait until next year. Hopefully everything will line up perfectly for me and I will be able to get back down that way. Until then, I’ll be dreaming about pitching lures into the mangroves and the scream of my drag being tested by big snook!

Dave Roberts is an avid kayak-fishing enthusiast fishing primarily the inshore Upper Coast region with occasional adventures to surf and nearshore Gulf of Mexico.

Email: TexasKayakChronicles@yahoo.com Website: www.TexasKayakChronicles.com

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Large blocks such as these create great high-relief structure.

Story by John Blaha | Photos by Lisa Laskowski

T S F M A G C O N S E R VAT I O N N E W S

REEFING BEGINS

IN SABINE HI20 NEARSHORE SITE Much like the rest of the Gulf of Mexico, the waters off of Sabine Pass have seen many rigs and platforms removed due to government requirements, which require their removal once they are no longer producing or maintained sites. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s (TPWD) Artificial Reefing Program is working with Coastal Conservation Association Texas (CCA Texas), Building Conservation Trust (BCT), CCA’s national habitat program, and others to help replace these marine habitat-rich structures with other artificial structures.

Much of TPWD’s work up and down the Texas coast has been within Texas state waters through the nearshore reefing program. CCA Texas and BCT have been active participants in TPWD’s Artificial Reefing Program, contributing over $1.6 million to date. These project sites include: Rio Grande Valley Reef; Port Mansfield Reef; Corpus Christi Reef; Port O’Connor Reef; Matagorda Reef; Freeport/Vancouver Reef; Galveston’s Big Man and Kate’s Reefs; and Sabine HI20 Reef.

Sabine HI20 is the latest site to see materials deployed.

CCA Texas and BCT partnered with TPWD, Shell Oil Company, Sempra Energy, Music City Chapter – Coastal Conservation Association, and Friends of Sabine Reefs to make the first deployments into the Sabine HI20 site. In early October, a 120’ x 30’ x 6’ barge was deployed at the site. In late October and early November, a barge load of large granite blocks and other concrete materials were deployed, providing new habitat to approximately 40 acres of the 160 acre site. These 58 | December 2018

deployments are the first of several planned into the HI20 site that will provide important habitat for fish species in the area, and an easily accessible nearshore fishing site for recreational anglers on the Upper Texas coast.

“The Texas coast has seen the removal of the majority of the oil and gas platforms that provide critical habitat for fish and other marine species,” commented Robert Hickman, CCA Texas Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow committeeman. Hickman continued, “The deployment of the barge load of granite blocks is an exciting time for CCA Texas members on the Upper Texas coast, and it is because of these local CCA Texas member’s efforts that CCA Texas and Building Conservation Trust are able to lead the way in these types of projects to create and restore marine habitat.”

The removal of oil platforms in the Gulf removes acres and acres of fishery habitat. The Bureau of Safety and

Miscellaneous concrete blocks ready for deployment in HI20 Reef Project.

Another load of high-relief blocks headed for HI20 site.

Barge sinking – this 120’ by 30’ barge now rests within HI20.

Ships and barges make excellent fish-attracting structure when properly prepared for reefing.

Environmental Enforcement (BSSE) states that as of April 15, 2018, 532 platforms previously installed on the US Outer Continental Shelf have been reefed in the Gulf of Mexico. These structures can provide a home for 12,000 to 14,000 fish, according to a study by the Coastal Marine Institute and 2 to 3 acres of habitat for hundreds of other marine species. Although the Rigs to Reef program is established and has been successful in some respects, the more recent push by the federal government and companies themselves has been for

complete removal.

In many instances, this has also been dictated by the condition and location of structures, but the overriding factor has been the federal government policy and push for complete removals.

At one time, the 12 oil blocks off of the Texas Gulf coast held approximately 1,800 standing platforms. To date, there are approximately only 270 platforms left. On the Upper Coast, the Brazos and Galveston Blocks contained approximately 260 platforms.

Today only 22 platforms remain within these two blocks, illustrating the loss of habitat and the need for restoring and creation efforts.

CCA Texas and BCT are committed to helping restore and create nearshore marine habitat. We look forward to projects in the near future at sites up down the Texas coast with the next focus in the Galveston area.

For more information about these efforts, contact John Blaha at jdblaha@ccatexas.org or visit Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Artificial Reef program website at https://tpwd.texas.gov/ landwater/water/habitats/artificial_reef/.

CCA Texas and BCT Receive Conservation Wrangler Award CCA Texas and BCT (Building Conservation Trust) recently received the Conservation Wrangler Award from Texan by Nature.

Texan by Nature seeks to bring business and conservation together through select programs which engage Texans in stewardship of land and communities.

The organization’s Conservation Wrangler program recognizes innovative and transformative conservation projects across the state of Texas. Each Conservation Wrangler project positively impacts people, prosperity, and natural resources.

Building Conservation Trust, CCA Texas and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department have partnered to restore a 27.7 acre oyster habitat in Sabine Lake. The habitat has been damaged over the years by sedimentation from construction of the Sabine-Neches Intracoastal Waterway and ship channel. This habitat restoration benefits the recreational angler industry, local small businesses, and the local economy. In addition, the project is restoring degraded habitats, creating new habitats, advancing the science of coastal habitat and marine fisheries conservation, fostering habitat stewardship, and educating coastal communities on the value of conservation.

CCA Texas and BCT are proud to be recipients of the award along with five other great projects that positively impact people, prosperity, and natural resources in the great state of Texas.

TSFMAG.com | 59

Image from the Biodiversity Heritage Library.

Digitized by the Field book of giant fishes. www.biodiversitylibrary.org

STEPHANIE BOYD

F I S H Y FA C T S

MOONFISH

The moon can never breathe, but it can take our breath away with the beauty of its cold, arid orb. ~ Munia Khan Most people have heard of the sunfish – the world’s largest bony fish, resembling a floating blob with fins.

Fewer people know its (very distant and only superficially similar) cousin, the moonfish. Also commonly called opah, moonfish are large, disc-shaped, vibrantly colored inhabitants of the sea. The body is a steely blue on top, melting into green with silver and purple iridescence on the sides, a rosy belly, and covered head to tail in silvery spots and tiny, smooth scales. The fins and jaws are a brilliant scarlet, contrasting strongly with the body.

Large eyes are ringed with gold. The mouth is small and toothless. Moonfish commonly reach four feet in length (or diameter, in this case) and 150 pounds, though they can grow a fair bit larger. Although traditionally 60 | December 2018

recognized as one of only two species in the family, Lampris guttatus is now thought to consist of five distinct groups that differ in geographic range, genetics, morphology, and meristics (countable traits, such as the number of fins or scales). L. guttatus continues to reference our local Gulf of Mexico moonfish, though. The other (original) species of the family, Lampris immaculatus, refers to a rare species of the southern oceans. The genus name, Lampris, is derived from the Greek lampros, meaning brilliant, clear, or light; the Latin species name, guttatus, means spotted. Previously, the species name was the Latin regius, meaning king. So the moonfish has been demoted from the King’s Light to brilliant spots.

Opah are found wordwide in subtropical and temperate seas, apparently avoiding equatorial waters. They live from the epipelagic zones down through the bathypelagic.

Epipelagic zones are where enough light reaches for photosynthesis. Bathypelagic is the dark, cold, deep sea

(but not the deepest sea because there’s the abyssopelagic below that, and the hadopelagic even below that). The mesopelagic resides between epi- and bathypelagic; it’s the twilight zone. In the Western Atlantic, opah are found from Canada south along the U.S., Bermuda, the Bahamas, throughout the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, and along South America to Argentina. They appear to be extending their range and increasing their prevalence in areas where they have previously been less common, such as the Mediterranean. This is likely due to warming water temperatures as a result of climate change.

There’s nothing about a moonfish that says ‘fast-moving predator’ – unlike the streamlined torpedoes that are sharks and tuna. By contrast, the moonfish looks like “a big startled frisbee,” with flippers taped to the sides. But they are surprisingly swift swimmers, flapping their pectoral fins in the same way penguins ‘fly’ through the water. They hunt mainly mesopelagic fishes, crustaceans, jellyfish, and squids. Lots and lots of squids.

Fish that inhabit cold depths like the meso- and bathypelagic typically tend to be slow and sluggish, conserving energy by ambushing prey instead of chasing it. Naturally, scientists assumed the moonfish would be the same. But L. guttatus has a major advantage: endothermy. Moonfish are warm-blooded. Other fish, such as tuna and white sharks, have regional endothermy, the ability to warm specific regions of the body, but the opah is the only vertebrate outside of mammals and birds known to circulate warmed blood throughout the body. A team from NOAA Fisheries’ Southwest Fisheries Science Center, led by Dr. Nick Wegner, made the discovery.

Upon dissecting a moonfish sample, Wegner recognized the presence of unusual blood vessels in the gills. He had seen this type of intricate tangle of red and blue blood vessels before. They’re the retia mirabilia, Latin for ‘wonderful nets,’ and they’re the secret behind the heating system of tuna and white sharks. In those fish, the retia mirabilia are located in the swimming muscles and act as a counter-current heat exchange, similar to a car radiator. Veins that carry warm blood away from the hot muscles are interwoven with the arteries that carry cold blood in from the gills. But the muscles producing heat are the only body parts that stay warm; the heart still runs cold. In contrast, the opah’s retia mirabilia are in its gills – so the cold blood coming in from the gills is warmed by the hot blood coming up from the heart (the bulk of the heat being generated by its unusually large pectoral muscles that are being used in continuous swimming). Whereas a tuna or shark isolates its warm muscles from the rest of its cold body, the opah isolates the cold gills from everything else. Thus, the entire body core – the swimming musculature, visceral organs, and the heart – are warmer than the surrounding environment.

Whole-body endothermy provides the moonfish with distinct advantages – increased swimming speeds, faster reaction rates, sharper vision, etc. – over its slower, cold-bodied prey, especially in the relatively deep and cold environment. In addition, unlike many other predators, moonfish do not need to return to surface waters to warm between feeding bouts, allowing them to continuously forage at depth. The NOAA team attached temperature monitors to moonfish and tracked their dives to 1,000 feet below the surface. Dr. Wegner found that their body temperatures remained steady even as the water temperature dropped sharply, maintaining an average muscle temperature about 5 degrees Celsius above the surrounding water. Opah don’t burn as hot as a bird or mammal, but they certainly outperform other denizens of the deep.

Moonfish are typically an elusive and solitary fish, though they sometimes school with tuna or billfish. Not much is known about their life history. They live their whole life cycle in salt water. Spawning occurs in the spring, probably. Their planktonic larvae lack any dorsal and pelvic fin ornamentation. The hatchlings later undergo a rapid transformation from a slender to deep-bodied form, usually complete by 10.6 millimeters. The difference between the sexes are noticeable in the pectoral girdle (basically the chest). In sexually mature males, the girdle is thick and concave, with a deep, abrupt angle. The female’s girdle is narrow, convex, and has a more gradual rounded angle.

Though it is not fished commercially through much of its range, moonfish is considered a good food fish and caught in low numbers as bycatch in Gulf of Mexico longline fisheries. Hawaii is an exception and boasts a major fishery. It is marketed fresh and frozen and also prepared as sashimi. The flavor is said to be distinctively rich and creamy, a cross between tuna and swordfish. Raw flesh ranges from dark red to orange to pink, and turns white when cooked. The texture is firm and fatty with large flakes. Happily, neither the commercial fisheries nor the bycatch represents a major threat to the global population, so moonfish are currently categorized as Least Concern by IUCN Red List.

There is something haunting in the light of the moon; it has all the dispassionateness of a disembodied soul, and something of its inconceivable mystery. ~ Joseph Conrad

Where I learned about moonfish, and you can too!

IUCN Red List www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/195038/25 FishBase www.fishbase.de/summary/1072 NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center swfsc.noaa.gov/index.aspx?Division=FRD&id=20067&ParentMenuId=100 FishWatch www.fishwatch.gov/profiles/opah Sci News www.sci-news.com/biology/science-opah-lampris-guttatus-warm-bloodedfish-02805.html ABC Science www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2015/05/15/4235761.htm Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/212278/overview LiveScience www.livescience.com/50836-warm-blooded-moonfish-photos.html National Geographic phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2015/05/14/meet-the-comical-opah-theonly-truly-warm-blooded-fish/

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CURTISS CASH

I N S H O R E | N E A R S H O R E | J E T T I E S | PA S S E S

CONVERSATION FILLS GAPS

WHEN FISHING SLOWS On the boat every now and then, the catching slows down and the conversation turns to catches of past.

Many such conversations begin with questions that cover a wide range of topics. What is the biggest fish you’ve caught? What is your favorite fish to catch and eat? What is the craziest thing that happened on a charter?

These are all fair questions and excellent conversation topics to help pass the time. These questions are especially fitting for this month’s article as we are now in what I call the off-season lull. Interests trend toward hunting more than fishing this time and my charter schedule slows accordingly. So, with little fishing taking place, I thought maybe we could dig into some of the common topics that get hashed and rehashed on the boat.

For me it isn’t always the biggest catches that are the most memorable. Certain circumstances dictate whether a catch might qualify as more memorable, maybe the first of a species or possibly a particular bite. I’ll start off with listing a combination of fish sizes and special fishing circumstances or accomplishments. My top five favorite “invite them to dinner” species…sans the tarpon, of course. I absolutely love chasing tarpon but this a total catch and release fishery.

Sheepshead fall into a category all of their own. Tricky to catch and being difficult to clean keeps these fish plentiful. Sheepshead are a cold weather fish of sorts, though they are available year ‘round. Our season, if you will, runs November through April with the peak of catching coming from mid-February through March.

I once had a customer catch a 13-pounder while midsummer tripletail fishing. I was very excited for his huge catch considering his S.T.A.R. tournament winning possibility. Luck would have it that he forgot to enter that year. Spot of bad luck for sure!

Tripletail are a unique species to fish for and also very tasty on the dinner plate. Due to increased popularity in the last few years they are becoming less common in Matagorda Bay. I don’t fish for them as often as I once did but still enjoy the chase on a calm day. Live shrimp seems to be their favorite meal. We release the large ones for stock replenishment and keep the 20-inchers. Displaying a great affinity for structure, tripletail are also very strong fighters. Pound for pound they could easily rate as one of the toughest we encounter in the bays.

Cobia or Ling I consider one of the most highly-prized catches. Angling for them can be quite a challenge or stupid easy. Sometimes they are on the surface, tight to structure, or maybe unseen while holding on the

62 | December 2018

bottom. Somedays they will eat anything and others they will ignore it all. The only bait I’ve never had them pass on is a fresh eel.

Speckled trout garner a level of respect like no other inshore species on the Texas coast. Many anglers believe themselves (or others) unworthy unless and until they attain the “dirty-thirty” club. Personally I’ve never hit that mark; measured in a scant half-inch shy a couple of times.

Getting in that club doesn’t concern me much anymore.

Releasing a 28-incher occasionally in my home waters is good enough for me.

Redfish, like trout, have a huge following. Good fighting, decent on the plate and available in good quantities – what more could you want? I’ve seen them in many sizes but the true jumbos are the least common.

A dozen or so years ago I had a “one time fun time” customer catch one that was stout. She stretched 52 inches, looked like it had swallowed a basketball and was thick all the way to the tail. After a round of high-fives a quick measurement and photo, she was released no worse for wear. Afterward the fisherman declared that he wanted to catch a really big one someday. “One worth bragging about.”

Tarpon are known far and wide as the ultimate gamefish. They start showing on the Texas mid-coast in May and frequent our waters into November. I’ve been present with several catches in the 200-pound range but the smaller ones are my favorite. My fondest personal catch was a 48-incher sight-casted with a topwater lure using 6lb mono line.

Day in and day out I would have to say my favorite fish to catch is the one on my customer’s line.

Crazy Happenings The more time you spend on the water the greater the possibility of witnessing incredible happenstance. Add to your sea time a mixed bag of interesting and even unusual companions and just about anything might happen.

By and far, the wildest and most ignorant incident that occurred on my boat involved a crazed redneck wearing cutoffs ala Daisy Duke, a 9mm autoloader handgun and a bull shark. Years back I had a regular client who booked lots of charters, I’ll call him Gary. There was never a dull moment with this guy. He’d showed up to the dock with a different party each time to join him for what he liked to call “inshore big game” charters.

Gary’s partners in crime for the day this incident

C O N TA C T

occurred were interested in catching a sizeable shark. Story goes that the proprietor of their hometown watering hole, upon learning of their upcoming fishing trip, put forth a crazy offer in the form of a dare. He would have the shark’s head mounted by a taxidermist and hang it above the bar for all to see, but there was a caveat. The illustrious Mr. Duke would have to ride it. There was some talk of Mr. Duke riding a shark throughout the day but I didn‘t put much stock in it. Who would do such a thing?

We fished long and hard for that one big bite that finally came at day’s end. The 7-footer put up a good fight all the way to the boat. I tail roped it and lashed it off to the gunnel so I could clear the deck for the catch to come aboard. As soon as I turned my back I heard POP-POP! Little did I know Mr. Duke was packing a pistol in the pocket of his

incredibly short cutoffs.

Lots of hollering and high fives ensued soon after said shots were fired. Thinking the worst was over I resumed readying the deck and getting cutlery laid out for processing.

A moment later I heard a splash and turned to see this guy wearing only Daisy Dukes and a straw hat in the water crawling onto the back of the bull shark. For the landlubber that he was this evidently sounded like a good idea.

Never mind the fact that the likelihood of one of the 9mm slugs mortally wounding the shark was quite remote.

Well the shark was far from dead, mildly stunned at best. All hell broke loose once Mr. Duke latched on to the dorsal and wrapped his thighs around the shark’s midsection. Mr. Bull Shark wanted no part of whatever was strapped on his back.

Lots of thrashing ensued while the whole time his shipmates loosened the tail rope for a proper buck-off.

Mr. Duke held on for his life trying to keep away from the business end. His intended 8-second ride turned in to a couple of minutes and his injuries showed it. Inner thigh to kneecaps were a bloody mess and he was in a great deal of pain.

This sounds like a hold my beer story but there was no alcohol onboard that day. No seriously threatening injuries other than enormous humiliation. I hope for Mr. Duke’s sake that the shark head is mounted above the bar for all to see. You just can‘t make stuff like this up.

Capt. Curtiss Cash offers charters in the Port O’Connor area; specializing in fishing the bays, passes, jetties, surf and nearshore waters. Species targeted include speckled trout, redfish, flounder, tripletail, black drum, bull reds, sharks, snapper, kingfish, ling and tarpon, when seasonally available.

Phone

361-564-7032

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A large tiger took a huge bite of this cownose ray but missed the hook.

E X T R E M E K AYA K F I S H I N G & S H A R K S F R O M T H E S A N D

ERIC OZOLINS

A YEAR TO REMEMBER Fishing the surf is an odd combination of peaceful relaxation and a true primal experience. Mixed within the fine grains of blowing sand is a whole new dimension to become engulfed within. I often use the term “surreal” to describe the Texas coast where land meets the mysterious Gulf of Mexico. It is no wonder so many outdoors folks take to the surf for recreation. Some anglers throw plugs tirelessly into the morning surf for slob seatrout while others cast flies at frenzying jackfish.

Other adventurers, like me, kayak oversized baits far offshore for sea monsters.

Last year’s disaster they called Harvey took an extreme toll on our entire coast. In addition, an exceptionally cold winter seemed to never end. At the beginning of the year the outlook for 2018 seemed bleak. January and February were much colder than normal and the surf became virtually dormant. Surf water temperatures in the 50s more than two months relocated large populations of normally shallow roaming fish to warmer offshore depths. When it seemed that we were lost for hope, a light appeared at the end of the tunnel as a March warming trend developed. When April rolled around, the surf game 64 | December 2018

changed dramatically for the better. Little did we know 2018 would turn out to be one of the most incredible surf fishing years on record.

There are many factors that can influence the quality of surf fishing and our ability to access the fishery; quite often more than one will be in play at any given time.

First and foremost, for shark anglers in particular, would be the amount of sargassum coming ashore. While this nuisance weed provides habitat for a tremendous amount of marine organisms, from an angling standpoint, less is better. Sargassum wreaks havoc on the ability to keep casted or kayaked baits in operation. Fortunately we saw virtually no sargassum throughout 2018 and more people took to the surf than in recent memory. And with this, greater numbers of anglers put more fish on the beach.

Social media contributed in large amount as reports and photos of fishing success circulated widely.

Other factors that affected our waters was uncommonly abundant rainfall and runoff. Here in South Texas, during late spring and again in late summer, we received weeklong rain events that delivered as much as 10 to 20 inches locally. Two such events within a relatively short span of

Relax, we’ll take care of the details!

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time is extremely rare. During the latter event, areas of the park road on Padre Island were completely under water for days. While this might be normal inland it was a mindblower on North Padre. Rainwater has to go somewhere and the runoff interestingly combines with offshore or longshore currents to create coldwater upwellings. This changes the structure of the entire surf fishery.

One direct result of the major coldwater upwellings this past summer was the presence of the dusky sharks. Dusky sharks are typically more of an offshore pelagic species that prefer cooler water.

When the runoff shut down most of the traditional surf bite, the dusky sharks appeared with a vengeance.

Prior to 2018 there have been but a handful of mature duskys landed from Texas surf (less than a dozen that I can confirm). Next to makos, they are probably our rarest surf sharks. This summer I was lucky to land five, while putting Alexis on one of her own. This is such an incredible specimen to see in the shallows. My largest this year taped nearly 11 feet – exceeding the current state record.

We may never see another year in our lifetime with a dusky window as explosive as what we encountered.

With surf fishing across the board being very good, it was by far the shark fishing that took center stage.

Big shark activity ignited predictably in June with the migration of cownose rays along the Coastal Bend. Countless thousands of cownose staked claim and gorged on the abundant coquina clams, which in turn attracted great numbers of sharks to the surf zone.

From June through September we saw more big sharks landed than any year in modern history.

Many very notable landings contributed to change the landscape of Texas shark fishing and perhaps the most notable was Ray Cedillo’s great hammerhead that taped fourteen feet. This impressive catch came on a whole cownose for bait utilizing a genuine Catch Sharks precision leader. Many other great hammerheads between 10 and 12 foot were landed throughout the summer. Alexis and I both had hammers over 10 feet and soon after I ended up hooking a giant that completely dumped a large shark reel packed full of braided spectra.

Hammerheads are a very cool species and though while visually impressive, they are actually quite fragile. The larger the hammer, the harder to accomplish a successful release. Fortunately all our 66 | December 2018

Author Oz releasing a daytime tiger on PINS.

Oz accomplishing a successful release of a large hammer.

big hammers were released without problems this year. The large circle hooks we have been using help ensure a corner-of-the-mouth hookset, thus making removing the hook quicker and easier.

Large bull sharks showed in late spring and were caught up and down the Texas coast. While hard to verify, some catches were claimed to exceed 9 feet, which is spectacular. What really got people excited though was not the bulls or hammers, but the tiger sharks. Tigers are the most dominant apex predator we have in the gulf. They will eat virtually anything. They are beastly in size and power, and thus do what they want at will. For an unknown reason, whether prey abundance or water salinity, the tigers were thick in the shallows. Tiger sharks were caught far up the Texas coast where they traditionally had never been. This was doubtless due to a period of Caribbean-like water clarity near Galveston. Further south around Corpus, the tiger sharks

C O N TA C T

were extremely thick during August. While the month of August is usually the optimal month Large dusky from PINS surf released in great shape. to target them, this year was simply amazing.

While the majority of tigers averaged 8- to 9 feet, some monster specimens exceeding 12 feet were caught this summer.

Whether you gauge fishing success by the copious landings of pompano, stellar surf trout, or mammoth sharks, 2018 was certainly one for the record books . We just barely dodged a catastrophic red tide and avoided tropical systems that developed into anything more than heavy rain. We saw unique species and sharks of all sizes. But even with the success surf anglers enjoyed this year, a huge question remains. What will 2019 bring for us?

As noted before, we will not know until the time actually comes. The only thing to expect here in Texas is the unexpected. While some may think that we perhaps peaked with an all-time high, I think there lies a chance that things will get even better. Regardless of what the future brings, you need to appreciate when things are good. And when they are really good, you MUST jump on the opportunity to get on fish. It could disappear just as quickly as it materialized.

For the past decade Eric ‘Oz’ Ozolins has been promoting shark catch and release and assisting various shark research programs. Eric offers guided shark fishing on Padre Island National Seashore. Also renowned for extreme kayak big game fishing, Eric is the owner of Catch Sharks Tackle Company.

Email Websites

oz@oceanepics.com oceanepics.com | catchsharks.com

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P L A S T I C & WAT E R D O N ' T M I X

Everett Johnson

PUTTING PLASTIC IN A BETTER PLACE Welcome to the tenth installment of Plastic and Water Don’t Mix. Since the March 2018 issue of this magazine we have been encouraging coastal anglers to become more aware of the hazards of plastic debris in our coastal bays and waterways. It wasn’t until recently that I personally learned of the potential risks and hazards of micro-plastics entering the marine food chain. (Thank you Stephanie Boyd; The Plasticene Era – Parts 1 and 2, January and February 2018.)

Micro-plastic is term that describes microscopic bits of various plastic compounds, a natural byproduct of plastic decaying and partially bio-degrading in the environment.

Many forms of plastic debris appear to disappear but, in reality, it never really goes away. It merely changes its shape and size and remains for a very long, long time.

What happens is that as sun, waves, and sand wreak their obvious tolls on plastic debris and reduce it to tiny particles that are still plastic. So tiny in fact that they mix with algae and plankton and are ingested by organisms

that feed by straining such nutrients from the water. Some of these organisms are shrimp and oysters – two of our most popular seafoods.

But there’s more to it. Finfish of various species also ingest micro-plastics, sometimes directly from the water, as in the case of filter-feeding mullet, and also through a process known as bio-accumulation.

Gamefish depend on shrimp and mullet for daily nourishment – hence the micro-plastic particles bioaccumulate upward through the food chain. And then successful anglers eat gamefish…

Better plastic management is everybody’s responsibility and should be practiced in everyday life as well as during fishing trips and other excursions to Texas waterways.

This can begin as simply as making sure your plastic wastes are disposed of properly. So many times I see boats being trailered from bait camps and other boat launches and as soon as the rig accelerates to highway speed, all manner of debris begins flying out of the boat

The Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup and Port Mansfield East Cut and Beach Cleanup have removed thousands of tons of litter from Padre Island beaches.

68 | December 2018

Brennan Larson decided he’d seen enough litter scattered along the shoreline of a popular bank fishing spot and did something about it.

(right) Yeti generously donates many products to the outstanding volunteers who help make TSFMag’s Plastic and Water Don’t Mix a success.

and from the uncovered bed of a pickup truck. Bag it during the trip on the water and deposit it in a trash can or dumpster when you reach the dock!

One of the most disappointing sights I observed this past summer was a plastic ice sack filled with empty drink containers lodged in the concrete rip-rap of the Port Mansfield harbor. Whoever bagged it nearly got it right, but obviously failed to dispose of it properly.

And then there is debris that washes onto Texas beaches from faraway places where people just don’t give a damn for the health of our oceans. We didn’t do it but we can darn sure do something about it.

This is where volunteering to participate in a beach cleanup project comes into play and my hat is off to all who donate of their time and resources to do this. Beach and shoreline cleanups come in every imaginable format and size.

In the first installment of this column we featured young Brennen Larson of Seadrift, TX who took upon himself to collect a pickup load of trash, mostly plastic, from a popular bank-fishing spot along FM1289 in Calhoun County.

Kudos are also due Houston angler, Brian Adams. Brian fishes San Luis Pass and was appalled by the trash he found there – and did something about it.

The Friends of Padre and their annual Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup, the granddaddy of all beach cleanups in Texas – maybe in

the whole world!

Miller and Kathie Bassler and their Port Mansfield East Cut and Beach Cleanup – another Texas-sized all-volunteer effort that does such a fine job.

The many local Texas Adopt-A-Beach campaigns, especially Rhonda Cummins and her crew that have labored loyally nineteen years to remove debris from beaches of Matagorda Bay between Port Lavaca and Port O’Connor.

Also worthy of mention is GrassHole Outfitters, a local company involved in the fishing apparel business whose goods are manufactured of recycled plastic fibers spun into polyester cloth – each shirt contains six recycled water bottles!

As well, let us not forget Costa del Mar, the founder of Kick Plastic, and manufacturer of incredible fishing eyewear, for generously helping sponsor this column.

And finally Yeti, the Texas company that has totally reshaped the world of ice chests, drinkware for the outdoors, and beyond.

Yeti generously donates many products that we distribute to the outstanding volunteers who help make TSFMag’s Plastic and Water Don’t Mix the success it has been.

Let’s all promise to practice better plastic management as we close out 2018. That would be an awesome Christmas gift to our wonderful coastline and all the creatures that inhabit it!

Bright and early Saturday morning June 23, Brian Adams and his all-volunteer crew hit the San Luis Pass beach running with rakes, shovels, trash bags, and desire to get the job done.

East Cut and Beach Cleanup crew 2018 – Billy Sandifer said it best…You are my heroes!

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NEW

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Combined with the superior HDR drive that features cast

aluminum outdrive and transmission cover; this motor takes hunters into the future and wherever they dare to go. www.MudBuddy.com

Shimano GLF Inshore Rods Shimano’s GLF inshore rods includes four casting and four spinning rods in the right actions and power to target speckled trout, redfish, flounder and other coastal species.

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All GLF series rods retail for $89.99 http://fish.Shimano.com 70 | December 2018

P R O D U C T S

Fishing Tackle Unlimited - Stilt Houses of Texas Just in time for Christmas! Few people have traveled the entire Intracoastal Waterway in Texas by boat. Fewer still have knocked on the doors of the homes found along that path. Outdoor photographer Tim Romano and author Michael J. Medrano have done just that. Stilt Houses of Texas takes you on a photographic adventure to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Texas coast.

Jump aboard the skiff and explore the wildlife and

inhabitants that dare to call this area home. The splendor of this environment has been captured through the lens, a unique and often fabled coastline.

Pull up a chair, grab a drink, and enjoy the journey. You’ll

long for the chance to visit this neighborhood and then you too will say… only in Texas. www.FishingTackleUnlimited.com

H&H Lure Company – Flounder Pounder Flounder Pounder, created in Texas, is the ideal saltwater soft plastic for flounder fishing. The unique tube and internal hook-lock system allows for the angler to interchange between double or treble hooks. The weight forward design of the Flounder Pounder lure allows the bait to slice through currents and enter the fishes’ strike zone. Lure performs best when fished with a jigging motion under a popping cork. Flounder Pounder is produced in 3 styles; The Original, Split Tail Tube and the Curly Tail Tube. www.HHLure.com

Fuji Rod Components - New Corrosion CONTROL Frames Fuji’s new Corrosion CONTROL™ guide frame offers saltwater anglers excellent corrosion resistance at 1/3 the cost of titanium. Corrosion CONTROL™ is a series of eco-friendly metal treatment steps resulting in a matte finish guide that is 7-times more corrosion resistant than untreated stainless steel. For most anglers, that equates to the ”life of the rod.” While ”CC” guides can’t match Titanium for weight savings or 100% corrosion resistance, they will be a huge step forward for any angler looking for reliable long term service and unmatched performance on affordable rods. Best of all, Fuji has rolled out the new process on its flagship K-Series Tangle Free guide frames with ALCONITE® and new (very economical) FazLite™ rings. Available in Matte Silver and Matte Dark Grey. info@anglersresource.net www.AnglersResource.net TSFMAG.com | 71

DICKIE COLBURN

DICKIE COLBURN’S Sabine Scene

S ab i n e

Dickie Colburn is a full time guide out of Orange, Texas. Dickie has 37 years experience guiding on Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes.

Telephone 409-883-0723 Website www.sabineconnection.com

I was recently digging through plastic containers that I still hadn’t unpacked since Harvey’s visit hoping to find a few more packs of bone diamond Sea Shads when I stumbled up on something of much greater importance.

Wedged in amongst a pile of folded hand towels and assorted caps was a weathered box of loose corks that I thought to be a casualty of the flood.

My wife knew the whole story behind them and had miraculously taken the time to add them to the “Keep Dry” list.

These weren’t just any old popping corks. These were original Mansfield Maulers that Capt. Bob Fuston sent me back in 1985. I was guiding full time on Toledo Bend and part time on Sabine Lake at the time he sent them asking me to try them out on school bass.

I sent him a note saying they didn’t work for me and he asked that I give them a try on Sabine Lake rather than sending them back. He said that he designed them to help his customers more efficiently fish tails in the pot holes in the grass.

In truth, at that time I had never heard of Bob Fuston and his Red Bandana Charter Service, wasn’t really sure as to where Port Mansfield was even located, and even

less sure as to how to fish his Mauler with no grass.

A year later, a client that regularly fished with Fuston and was astounded that I had not heard of him, told me how he rigged it and suggested that I give it a try when fishing under the birds.

The rest was history. Ninety percent of the time, regardless of the time of the year, at least one person in my boat is fishing with an improved version of his Original Mauler. Titanium wire that won’t bend, a slightly larger oval cork for more buoyancy, clipping the top swivel to prevent line twist and adding weight to the bottom loop of the wire to make it easier to cast were minor tweaks that made it even more effective.

I could easily fill this magazine with the reasons for the changes as well as experiences that I have enjoyed over the years fishing upgraded versions of his original Mauler. I have even had clients that couldn’t catch a cold wreck magnum trout while fishing a Fat Boy under the Mauler, of all things. The upgrades also enable us to fish a tail rigged only on a 3/0 worm hook underneath it with great success.

No single lure or technique has had a more profound effect on my saltwater fishing than Fuston’s Mauler. As soon as I realized that I had been helped

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©2018 EAGLE CLAW FISHING TACKLE | DENVER, COLORADO | EAGLECLAW.COM

72 | December 2018

out by an icon of our profession, I packed away the corks, his brochure and a short note that he had written and vowed to never fish with one of the originals again. I am glad my wife knew the whole story!

Our redfish and flounder catching has benefitted from a pair of decent cold fronts, but the trout fishing continues to be a challenge.

A reminder of a game changer for me! Luckily, they survived Harvey’s devastation.

Most of the shrimp and baitfish are now in the lake and deeper bayous and it remains a mystery as to why the trout aren’t right behind them.

The most consistent approach, at least on the north end of the lake, has been wading shallow flats close to deeper water and staying put on an outgoing tide. She Dogs, MirrOdine XL’s and five-inch Assassins rigged on 1/16 ounce heads have all been productive choices.

While we are still not seeing any big trout, the average size has improved. The single biggest challenge has been catching fish in the same area two days in a row!

A lot of the trout under the birds are undersized fish, but slot reds are running with them as well. I don’t believe there is a better lure for hunting schooling reds than a Hoginar or Rat-L-Trap when they are not blowing holes in the surface, but they will hit virtually anything when they go ballistic.

The unexpected bonus on Sabine Lake thus far has been the flounder fishing. Numbers have never been a big problem, but we are seeing a lot of fish in the four pound-plus class right now.

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www.GetYourMojoOn.com TSFMAG.com | 73

CAPT. CALEB HARP

THE BUZZ on Galveston Bay

Galve s t o n

Capt. Caleb Harp has fished the Galveston Bay System since childhood and, now a charter captain and fishing guide, he uses his knowledge to enable clients to enjoy the excellent fishing the area offers. His specialty is the yeararound pursuit for trophy trout and redfish with artificial lures

Telephone 281-753-3378 Website harpsguideservice.com

74 | December 2018

As most of you probably already know, the upper portion of the Trinity River basin experienced exceptionally heavy rainfall back in October, which kind of put a new spin on the freshwater inflow situation. Although we didn’t experience nearly as much rain locally, the rivers and tributaries north of us got slammed and, like always, “you know what” runs downhill. By no means is this abnormal, in all actuality this might be the new normal. Four years in a row the dam at Lake Livingston has recorded 80,000 cubic feet per second discharge, or greater. Luckily, the river and lakes have receded quite a bit and things are starting to shape up for the better. This flood wasn’t nearly as bad as the 2015, 2016 or Harvey floods but it did interrupt a few programs that were producing nice catches for anglers in Trinity and parts of East Bay. Prior to the little flush, Trinity was actually in pretty good shape and the fishing was improving in the back. Redfish were plentiful in the back of Jack’s Pocket and around any kind of shell in 1- to 4-feet of water on topwaters and paddletails. The trout bite was beginning to turn on drifting old clam shell beds and there were actually a few good groups of birds that had keepers under them. If the freshwater will get

away before too long, this pattern will stay true until the water temperature drops too low come January.

Trinity can be a phenomenal bay to fish during the winter months. The whole north end of the bay is composed primarily of mud/shell, which is exactly what you want to key on during the month of December. The bayous that stretch out from the deep Trinity River delta create a rich estuary with plenty of forage and current, as well as deep water getaway whenever the tide drops out after a front. Focusing on these deeper holes this time of year is important because as soon as the sun pokes out the fish will come out and start feeding aggressively.

West Bay has been good for anglers fishing shell reefs in 3-4 ft of water and wading mud on the south shoreline. Mullet are going to be key this time of year in West Bay so when you’ve got the bait, you’ve got fish. You just have to be patient. The harder it blows, the better the bite will be because it’ll streak up the water. West Bay can get too clear this time of year so any color difference will help out a lot.

East Bay has been good for anglers working bayous and drains whenever the tide is up. As the cold fronts because more frequent the very back of the bay will

Capt. Thomas Francis says the trout are running to the small side but a ton of fun when it’s every cast on topwaters.

be a better bet. Mullet is key here as well so keep your eyes peeled.

Redfish action has been good in the marsh on higher tides.

Wade fishing during winter has always been more consistent for finding numbers of trout. You don’t have to fight wind direction and velocity nearly as much as fishing from the boat. Having said that, though, there are a few situations where drifting can be a much better plan. Take for instance some of the areas in Tabbs Bay and other bays going up toward the San Jacinto River, and also in the back of East Bay near Oyster Bayou. The mud in these places will have you sinking to your waist and that just doesn’t work. So here’s two instances where drifting will always trump wade fishing.

Nobody likes hanging $9 Corkys on shell where you cannot wade up and get your lure back.

Equipment is probably more important in winter than any other season. The fish don’t just jump in the boat; you have to work for them. You need equipment that works hard for you, not against you.

Leaking waders and jackets won’t cut it on cold days; that’s why I always buy Simms gear. Yeah, it’s expensive, but it lasts far longer than any other brand I’ve used.

That same strategy applies to rods. A good high-modulus graphite rod is going to help you feel those softer bites this time of year and whenever you’re throwing a Corky or a twitch-bait like the new Jay Watkins Series Custom Double-D by MirrOlure. You need a fast tip with some real backbone in the mid-section. The Waterloo Ultra Mag is perfect for these applications.

Stay safe and only keep what you need. -Caleb

“We contracted the construction of the TSFMag office building with Farrell Jackson. Jackson also built my son’s bay house here in Seadrift. We were completely satisfied with both projects…a professional and trustworthy contractor.” ~ Everett Johnson Editor/Publisher, Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine

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TSFMAG.com | 75

BINK GRIMES

THE VIEW FROM Matagorda

M ata go r d a

Bink Grimes is a full-time fishing and hunting guide, freelance writer and photographer, and owner of Sunrise Lodge on Matagorda Bay.

Telephone 979-241-1705 Email binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net Website matagordasunriselodge.com

76 | December 2018

There was a time when December scared anglers off to Down South Lures while drifting, and there are usually deer camps and duck blinds for fear of cold boat rides redfish everywhere. and chilly fishing. You remember? Back when it was Our trout really start to eat lures a lot better in cold in December?

December. MirrOlures, topwaters and Bass Assassins Weather patterns lately have resembled early are our go-to baits. Prepare for winter solstice tides October instead of late December. Water temperatures to pull fish from the shorelines and deposit them in might dip in to the 50s early in the month, but with deeper water. Large schools of trout hang near dropafternoon highs in the low 80s, water temps rise in the 60s-70s on some Brrrr! That looks cold; but shallow flats. At the time of this writing the redfish were still hungry. in mid-November, the high for the day climbed to 88° and my morning duck hunt was actually warmer than at least half of my September teal shoots.

December is a great month in Matagorda. Birds didn’t really begin to work regularly in East Matagorda Bay until early November and with the lack of cold fronts that action could continue to near Christmas. I’ve seen it before during a mild fall, nearly 10 years ago.

The shell in Matagorda has been and is still full of fish. We normally work on solid 2-4 pound trout on Bass Assassins and

offs scattered with mud and shell.

When the tides are so low, redfish congregate in the holes and guts.

We run shallow-draft boats and work the back lakes as they drain.

The edges of the Intracoastal can be just as productive with a piece of mullet or crab. We like working the edges of the Intracoastal with a trolling motor and tossing along the drop. It has paid off for most of the year, especially on those windy days when the bay is blown out.

October rains have had the Colorado River flowing profusely for most of November and hopes are a dry December will allow the winter hotspot a chance to return to its normal clean and green. The Not all December days are bone-chillers. There’ll be plenty of shirtsleeve days, too.

river and Diversion Channel are great spots to “bass fish” the banks with topwaters and soft plastics.

Last year in early December, the day before the second opener of the South Zone duck split, we caught easy limits of trout on Bass Assassins and Down South Lures. You may remember it as the day it snowed. Schedules for our December mornings will consist of waterfowl hunting most mornings and fishing the afternoons. The first split of duck season in November was a good one, even with above normal temperatures and an overabundance of water.

I get emails every year around this time asking for ideas for outdoorsmen and women for Christmas. I always say to call your favorite guide and buy a gift certificate for a hunt or fishing charter for the coming year. It’s a great gift; and, the anticipation of the trip and the conversations that go with the planning are often just as good as the trip.

Get out with the family and do something together. Put your phone down and look people in the eyes and talk, but more importantly, listen.

Merry Christmas to everyone. Thank the Lord for blessing us with our bays and marshes that give us pleasure and provide so many memories.

Follow our reports daily on Facebook and Instagram.

Bink Grimes binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net | 979-241-1705 Sunrise Properties, LLC, Broker Voted Top 50 Charter Captains by Saltwater Sportsman Magazine www.matagordasunriselodge.com Check out Sunrise Lodge video: http://vimeo.com/m/58631486

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CAPT. GARY GRAY

MID-COAST BAYS With the Grays

Port O'Connor Seadrift

Captain Gary Gray is a full time guide, born and raised in Seadrift. He has been guiding the Seadrift/Port O’Connor region since 1986. Gary specializes in year ‘round wade fishing for speckled trout and redfish with artificial lures.

Telephone 361-785-6708 Email bayrats@tisd.net Website www.bayrat.com Facebook @captsgaryandshelliegray

78 | December 2018

The thermometer on the back porch reads 85° this afternoon, which causes me to ponder the rollercoaster of weather we’ve been experiencing.

Friday was warm with strong south breezes due to the approach of a cold front. My clients were catching solid trout with the occasional redfish mixed in. The bite was steady but I kept thinking about the cold front that was due early Sunday morning.

Would we be able to find a good bite in the protected back lakes during a blowing norther? The back lakes had been okay but not nearly as productive as the main bay shorelines. Hence my concern on what would happen when the norther arrived.

The early prediction for Sunday called for northerly gusts of 15 mph when the

front arrived and was supposed to settle down to a sustained 10 mph, still from the north. North wind that light would hopefully allow us to continue fishing San Antonio Bay’s south shoreline. I kept my fingers crossed.

Well, the weatherman was wrong again. As a safety precaution, we went to a protected back lake and waited for the norther to roll through. Lucky that we did; the front came in around 30 to 35 mph with lots of rain.

We had been catching fish up until the front hit but the wind and rain got so bad we just waited it out in the big Shallow Sport X3.

This scenario is going to play over and over until Luke Overholt from winter finally sets in. When Oklahoma with his first slot redfish. that happens the water temps will drop low enough

Make sure you are in protected waters when a cold front hits.

to move the majority of the baitfish into the warmer waters of the back lakes and the reds and trout will follow them.

Fishing Matagorda Island’s lakes during winter requires that you use all your senses. I tell my clients to think of it the same as hunting…except you can’t see your quarry. Not normally, anyway.

Even though we cannot see the trout and reds we’re seeking, there will be clues as to where to aim your Bass Assassins and MirrOdines. First thing to look for is mullet flipping; better still is when they’re jumping and/or skipping frantically. When I see a mullet break the surface I do my best to cast to the exact spot as quickly as I can – even if it’s a good ways off. Quite often the reward is an instantaneous strike as soon as it hits the water.

When the water temps drop seriously low, like in the 50s, bait activity on the surface can become almost nonexistent. That’s when we have to rely on birds – gulls, terns, pelicans, ospreys, all of them. Even shorebirds at the water’s edge can provide valuable clues. Bird’s eyes are much keener than ours; they never miss a subtle subsurface flash or swirl.

Wading back lakes means trudging muddy bottoms, but this is where “the mother of all trout” lives this time of year. Move slowly with a skiing stride. It’s less tiresome and a lot quieter. If you can hear yourself wading the fish can also hear it. Like I said, more like hunting.

Wintertime lure selection includes my trusty Bass Assassin 4” Sea Shad and 5” Saltwater Shad.

Another favorite is the MirrOdine XL. And don’t forget the original slow-sink and floating Corkys.

Color selections vary day to day. Stop by the Waterloo Pro Shop, Jimmy Burns has all the Custom Corky colors in stock.

What about rods? I tell my clients that popular bass rod actions are generally not well-suited to saltwater, especially for Bass Assassins on light jigheads. Take the group I’ve fished the last six years, all hardcore bass anglers (in the beginning) who have evolved to become hardcore saltwater anglers. I let them try my Waterloo HP Lites and Ultra Mags during successive trips. Long story short – they now all use the Waterloos.

Last thing I need to mention is braided line. You need it. Saying that, I realize that braid has its quirks and some anglers experience a steeper learning curve than others. But I will also tell you that I have caught fish using braid that I would not have caught using monofilament.

The ability to feel even the slightest tick at the end of the line from a cold water trout is braid’s greatest attribute.

Part of the hatred of braid stems from improper casting brake settings. Try this trick that helped during my own conversion from mono. I engaged an additional brake in my Lew’s reels. Once I got used to the feel of casting braided line I slowly loosened everything up to improve the casting distance. I really couldn’t go back to mono now that I have mastered its quirks.

Fish hard, fish smart!

TSFMAG.com | 79

DAVID ROWSEY

HOOKED UP WITH Rowsey

Upper Laguna/ Ba f f i n

David Rowsey has over 25 years in Baffin and Upper Laguna Madre; trophy trout with artificial lures is his specialty.

David has a great passion for conservation and encourages catch and release of trophy fish.

Telephone 361-960-0340 Website www.DavidRowsey.com Email david.rowsey@yahoo.com @captdavidrowsey

Excuse the shameless plug but if you are looking to catch a giant trout in Baffin or the Upper Laguna, now is the time to get on the books with me. I can’t guarantee everyone will stick a lifetime trout but I can guarantee you will be guided to where they live and have a better than good shot at her. Let’s go!

Wow, December got here quick! I’ll have to admit that I have been stomping through muddy pastures, chasing blue quail in the West Texas, arrowhead hunting, and chasing Hill Country deer with my bow more than fishing lately. My extracurricular pursuits have left me feeling guiltless as the combination of high fall tides, excessive runoff, and a surge from Hurricane Michael left us with some pretty uncomfortable wading and fishing conditions. In addition, high water just scattered the hell out of the fish. It was a good time to get out and enjoy God’s wonderful creations he blessed us with in Texas. As December rolls in, I’m already back in business building up close and personal relationships with big trout.

Water temperatures are now in the mid-60s, great for productive fall/winter fishing. I really like those numbers after cold wind has arrived and dropped the temps in the lower 50s. The trout just seem to like that

range and have a tendency to be especially active.

That’s all great, but not enough to make the larger ones congregate.

I am often asked about water temperatures and what I consider ideal for trout. That is a bit of a loaded question as it depends on your goals and/or what you are looking to accomplish. Low to mid-60s is probably my favorite range for productivity, while mid-50s would be my top choice for focusing solely, on big, big trout. Reminder to readers, I am speaking only of this area, and have caught big trout in every water temperature imaginable down here. These numbers are only personal preferences.

Writing the preceding paragraph I flashed back on an old memory. I was maybe 23 at the time and had read an article by one of my heroes, Capt. Jay Watkins. It must have been about this time of year as Jay’s whole article discussed water temps and the importance of monitoring them during the cooler months. I immediately hit the pool store and found a thermometer I could attach to a stringer. For years I checked that thing like a new guide on Facebook.

Turns out, Jay was spot on. Finding areas that were just a degree or two warmer in winter was a game changer.

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80 | December 2018

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More on cold water – As I have grown into my late 40s something odd has started to occur within my once youthful body. I get cold much easier than I did just a few years ago. Obviously, I can’t let that slow me down so I have become smarter about layering my clothing and Simms products are top of the line in this category. They have tons of options but a few must-haves for me are the UltraWool Core top and bottom (very light, warm, and wicking), Midstream Insulated Pant w/PrimaLoft, and the Downstream Insulated Jacket. These items have made once-cold days very comfortable again. Another tip I learned from some north Louisiana duck hunters years ago was to wear boots two sizes larger than normal. This allows for additional layering and more importantly the ability to wiggle your toes to increase circulation. Makes a huge difference!

Enough about keeping warm in cold water, let’s talk wintertime lures and presentation. Not a day goes by that I am not asked about the widely-famous Corkys, now Paul Brown Originals by MirrOlure. Like most of you grinders, these are go-to lures for me, especially the Fat Boy. The ability to rip this lure through the water or run a slow “walk the dog” is always enhanced with its slow descent into the strike zone. This is a serious confidence lure for me and many other large trout enthusiasts during the cooler months.

The MirrOdine XL and XXL work similarly to the Fat Boy; however these are hard baits that offer lots of flash. I tend to use the “dine” mostly in off-color water where the flash can shine. Last but not least is my favorite 5” Bass Assassin. By far my meat and potatoes lure, year ‘round. When trout are cold and have their heads buried in mud and grass, this lure on a Pro Elite 1/16-ounce jighead will get in their face like no other.

Remember the buffalo! -Capt. David Rowsey

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TSFMAG.com | 81

WAYNE DAVIS

WAYNE’S Mansfield Report

Port Mansfield

Captain Wayne Davis has been fishing the Lower Laguna-Port Mansfield for over 20 years. He specializes in wade fishing with lures.

Telephone 210-287-3877 Email captwayne@kwigglers.com

82 | December 2018

Greetings from Port Mansfield. We were excited with the couple of cool snaps during late October and early November that helped bring our water temps down.

If you haven’t already done so you need to make sure your Simms waders are ready for the season. The day before the first cool front arrived I slipped on my 10-year-old G4s and went to a buddy’s swimming pool and walked around in it for about 30 minutes. No surprise – I found zero leaks!

Water levels remain high and have only fluctuated about six to eight inches on any given norther.

However, as fronts become more pronounced we should see water levels recede more and more as we move into winter. Water temperatures have dipped as low as 61° but recovered quickly into the low 70s as soon as the sun came out. Our gamefish seem to like the cooler temps, staging regularly along grass lines associated with sand flats. Even more exciting, the larger trout have been found off the grass line and up on the sand until the sun gets high. The primary key in this scenario is having some amount of bait present. You don’t need a ton, just enough to keep it interesting.

Jason Shook shows off a nice 28.5-incher that pulled the Boga to 7 pounds.

Jason was using a KWiggler Ball Tail Shad.

As the northers push Travis Fite was all across the coastline we smiles landing will invariably encounter this 27.5-incher some high-pressure on a KWiggler bluebird days. These can Willow Tail Shad. be challenging for even the most persistent and experienced anglers.

Beautiful days do not necessarily mean you will catch fish. It is often quite the opposite but I’ll save that for another article.

On a recent trip we found an overwhelming amount of bait and my anglers were catching trout and reds on a regular basis. This was the day a weak norther arrived; we had a light, cool north wind with overrunning clouds and slight drizzle.

The next day we awoke to calm conditions and a blue bird sky. We went back where we’d been the day before and as I was approaching the sweet spot I could see bait just below the surface as my 24-foot Shallow Sport Classic slowly settled off plane. Setting the Power Pole I did not see any bait activity. I recognized that the high pressure had “pushed” the bait down. We managed a few fish but it was a grind. We did our best with what Mother Nature presented us.

Since my last writing we have stumbled on some of those larger trout that were so hard to find back in late summer. We have not found a bunch but enough to give us a boost in confidence and even for some a shot at landing one or two. Our largest so far as been a little over seven pounds at 28.5 inches. You can tell winter is approaching because their girth is increasing. Our reds have not been scattered as widely as they were and we are managing some decent catches. Most fish have been holding in less than waist-deep water but there have been some good catches coming for drifters working out in four to five feet of water over deep grass beds.

We have not quite established a strong pattern on the big trout yet because the water temperatures fluctuate as much as 12° during a day of fishing. We had four trout over 23 inches on one wade recently with others coming unbuttoned during the fight. I recognized the water temps hovered around 64° while we plugged away for these bigger trout. The next day water temps were up around 70° and the big trout we were on the day before moved out. Coupled with the water temperature increase we were now on a blue bird sky day with the barometer on the rise. When you are faced with a similar scenario, adjust your game plan by moving out a little deeper or working a ledge or cut that is close to deeper water.

The KWigglers Ball Tail Shad and Willow Tails in Bone Diamond, Flo Mingo and Tide Runner have been the best for us. As temperatures continue to drop remember to slow your presentations accordingly. Doing this will increase your bite ratio and hopefully your catch ratio as well.

As for topwaters – we are still tossing One Knockers when the floating grass is not too bad and having some success. Just remember to slow down your retrieve and allow your topwater to pause on occasion, you might encounter a welcoming explosion when your lure is just floating.

Until next time, stay safe and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. As always, please remember to practice catch and release with those larger fish, we need them to stick around and spawn for generations to come.

The owner of Diamond J, James Rosalis, was a partner in Circle J Enterprises at the time our office and son’s home were built by Circle J. Workmanship and attention to detail were both excellent!

– Everett Johnson, Editor/Publisher, Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine

TSFMAG.com | 83

CAPT. ERNEST CISNEROS

SOUTH PADRE Fishing Scene Arr o y o C ol o ra d o t o Po rt I sa bel

A Brownsville-area native, Capt. Ernest Cisneros fishes the Lower Laguna Madre from Port Mansfield to Port Isabel.

Ernest specializes in wading and poled skiff adventures for snook, trout, and redfish.

Cell 956-266-6454 Website www.tightlinescharters.com

Hard to believe we are about to say goodbye to 2018. If I was asked to summarize the year’s fishing in the Lower Laguna with only one word it would be UNPREDICTABLE, capital letters for emphasis. This is not to say we had a bad year, in fact, it wasn’t even close to being our worst year, if you rate it by the numbers of fish caught. However, it was indeed unpredictable when it came to finding them.

The unpredictable weather we experienced the past eleven months had a lot to do with ever-changing fish patterns. We did experience lower redfish numbers than in previous years, but the number of big trout we caught was higher than average. As we roll into December, I would say that fishing in the second half of the year has definitely been better than the first half. I am also happy to report that recent catches have generally been fair to good on any given day.

December can be mild and pleasant down here but a really gnarly norther can definitely disrupt fish feeding patterns and cool things

Scott Buyajian and his KWiggler Willow Tail found this massive redfish cruising in knee deep water.

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down for a few days. Fishing can be exceptional right before or during the frontal passage, but as soon as the skies clear and high atmospheric sets in the bite will become very tough, even when you’re standing in the midst of them. It usually takes two to three days after a cold front for fish to get acclimated and resume their normal feeding routine. There may be exceptions but this a good general rule.

Water temperatures are currently ranging between low-60s after a strong front and then rising to near 80° during prolonged warming periods.

Naturally, with chilly weather, everything in the bay moves a bit slower. Fish tend to hold on Capt. James Hagan led or near bottom; evidenced by Matt Bowen to this nice mud puffs as they scoot away. flounder caught on a Baitfish also tend to stay lower KWiggler Ball Tail Shad. in the water column, especially of chilly, overcast days. With no surface activity we rely on birds – ospreys, brown pelicans, and even the lowly cormorant – to show us where the bait is. Water temperature and depth play important roles in formulating fishing plans during winter.

Redfish landings have been on the upswing since the temperatures dropped. I must say though; the numbers are still below the surpluses of past years. I expect continued improvement as water temps continue to decline. I also expect the reds to congregate on eastside sandflats and in muddy west side backwaters following frontal passages if the tide does not fall too sharply.

A noteworthy point – finding them doesn’t always mean they are going to eat readily. I have observed over the years that it’s usually the third day after the front before they resume normal feeding. Being that the tides will drop considerably this month, look for redfish to roam deeper holes, potholes near deep water, and spoil humps along the ICW, on low-tide days.

Topwaters can and should work when the reds stage in shallow water, more often though, we’ll be throwing KWiggler Ball Tail Shads and Willow Tails. Plum-chartreuse and Mansfield Margarita are hard to beat. Once again, look for the mud boils they make when spooked and also the wakes created as they roam shallow water.

Shifting focus to trout, December is the beginning of what we call trophy season here on the Lower Laguna Madre. The month may not produce many double-digit specimens but we definitely begin to see patterns emerging where schools of larger trout begin to form. If history repeats itself, December is a good month to find lots of four to six-pounders from the flats of South Padre to the southern end of the Land Cut north of Port Mansfield.

Weather and water temperature always dictates the patterns. Prime locations will vary from spoil banks, grass flats littered with potholes, flats near the ICW, deeper holes within a flat as the tide drops, and sand flats during warming trends. The numerous old oilfield cuts can also attract and hold lots of heavy trout. Small topwaters such as Super Spook Jr will be effective some days but our go-to baits by far will be the KWiggler Ball Tails and Willow Tails. Turtle Grass, Mansfield Margarita, Bone Diamond, and Plum-Chartreuse are my favorites.

On another note, I am excited to have been invited to speak at Fishing Tackle Unlimited’s Annual Inshore Expo, held at their Katy Freeway Store on December 8th from 10 am - 4 pm. Come by and say hello and receive some giveaways from Simms, Power Pole, and KWiggler products.

December is a great month of family gatherings and gift giving. I pray all my friends in the fishing community will enjoy a wonderful Christmas Season. God Bless and be safe on the water.

TSFMAG.com | 85

FISHING REPORTS

Lake Calcasieu Louisiana Jeff and Mary Poe - Big Lake Guide Service - 337.598.3268 December is traditionally a great month for trout and redfish. Redfish will be the target species most days during the month. They can be found schooling on the banks adjacent to bayou mouths, weirs, small drains, as well as under birds toward the middle of the lake. The weirs are always a great place to start your search. When fishing them, tidal movement is important. Most of the time, outgoing tides will be more productive than incoming, but either tide will work as long as there is some sort of water movement. On strong northerly winds and outgoing tides, conditions become somewhat treacherous at the structures, so use caution when anchoring. The fish will hang steady in extreme currents throughout the entire winter. Heavier jigheads become necessary when currents are strong, but mostly we stick with quarter-ounce heads and Gulp! swimming mullet. Low water is also a key to catching redfish in the winter. In order for the redfish to leave the marshes and shallow flats, the tides need to be low. This pushes them to main-bay shorelines and the mouths of bayous. See all of you out on the lake soon.

Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay | James Plaag Silver King Adventures - silverkingadventures.com - 409.935.7242 James had plenty of good things to say about the fishing in his area when he gave this report. “We've been slammin' 'em pretty good lately.

I've been concentrating on fairly deep water in the bayous, catching fast, easy limits of trout, up to about five pounds. Other guys have been wading and catching about the same. Water's been warm, and it's fresh in lots of places with all the rain. Some people are catching in small areas in the Upper Bay, but Trinity's a mess, and many of the fish have been pressured closer to the ship channel. In wet winters, fishing in West Bay can be really good. I'll be transitioning over to more wading in the near future, working shallow, muddy flats, also drifting areas in four to six feet with a mix of mud and shell on the bottom. We've been catching well on slammin' chicken Sea Shads and the rat-tailed Bass Assassins in the same colors, also on purple Lil' Johns. In December, I like to throw 51 and 52M MirroLures in colors like pink/gold, chartreuse/gold and Texas chicken, workin' 'em slow and steady for best results.”

Jimmy West - Bolivar Guide Service - 409.996.3054 Jim will be doing some duck hunting and fishing as the year nears its end. “Fishing has been really good. We've been catching our fish out of the boat mostly, working areas along the south shoreline and in the marshes. The freshwater flowing out of the rivers has the fish squeezed into fairly small areas. The guys who are wading are doing even better most of the time. It's been steady. Lots of solid trout up to about five pounds and decent numbers of reds too. Topwater bite has been okay at times, but the soft plastics are working better most of the time. We've got plenty of ducks too, right now. Hunting has been pretty easy. In fact, I'm about to put some waders on and head out to put out a few duck decoys. Sometimes, when the weather changes dramatically, we lose some of our ducks. Other times, the weather blows new ones in. So, it's kinda hard to predict exactly how it will go in December, but signs point to easy shooting right now. And as long as the water keeps flowing fast down the rivers, fishing will be good.”

West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas - Chocolate Bays Randall Groves - Groves Guide Service 979.849.7019 - 979.864.9323 86 | December 2018

ORECASTS F from Big Lake to Boca Chica

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December brings the end of the shrimp migration, which does provide some fast fishing at times, but general results improve after the crustaceans leave the bays for the winter. “Our fishing gets better after all the shrimp are gone. We can target fish with lures that imitate fish and get plenty of bites, and we catch the bigger trout more often.

Lately, we've been doing best on pink Skitterwalks. The topwater bite has been consistent, especially on the warmer days. As it gets colder, the consistency of the bite on them will become less good, but the best topwater days of all usually happen on warm days in the coldest months. When temperatures are lower, we normally fish out of the boat in water over four feet deep in places with a mix of mud and shell on the bottom and throw soft plastics. Normally, we favor Norton Sand Eels in both the full-sized and junior versions, in colors like cayenne and red magic. We do best on most days rigging them on three-eighths-ounce jigheads and fishing them in close contact with the bottom.”

Matagorda | Tommy Countz Bay Guide Service - 979.863.7553 cell 281.450.4037 Tommy wanted to send a clear message to the fishing community when he made this December forecast. “Never write off the fishing in Matagorda in December. People tend to do it, but it's a big mistake.

If weather patterns stay warm, we sometimes still have working birds in December. If it's colder and the tides get really low, several other productive options come into play. We like to drift open areas of East Bay, where the bottom has a mix of mud and scattered shell. When fishing this way, I throw MirrOlure Marsh Minnows on three-eighths-ounce jigheads much of the time. Of course, wading the shoreline areas of East Bay in the vicinity of drains leading out of the shallow waters on the peninsula can produce monster trout for patient anglers throwing slow-sinking twitch baits like Paul Brown Lures and LeLes. Wading the same kinds of areas in West Bay can be great for redfish, especially on extremely low tides, which concentrate the fish in guts. They are easiest to catch on soft plastics on sixteenth-ounce heads and weedless gold spoons.”

Palacios | Capt. Aaron Wollam www.palaciosguideservice.com - 979.240.8204 Redfish are plentiful right now. We have more reds in our locals bays, bayous, and creeks than I have seen in a long time. Equinox tides have pulled fish far into the marsh in places that are usually dry land.

Pumpkinseed and pearl DSL lures have been working, since there are hordes of shrimp in the backwaters. Schools of 10-15 fish are roaming shorelines chasing shrimp and mullet, and at the mouths of drains on falling tides. The trout action has been a little slower due to all the freshwater we had. Night fishing at the local piers on South Bay has been the most consistent. Flounder gigging has been picking up as well, with lots of solid fish coming to the boats. December should be a great month along the Palacios Seawall and in the local rivers. The Seawall from 1st street to the harbor has scattered shell on the bottom, and fishing is hot when bait is present. The rivers offer some of the best fishing around as the water starts to cool off. Fishing ledges and dropoffs in these winter holes can produce some solid trout and reds.

Port O’Connor | Lynn Smith Back Bay Guide Service - 361.983.4434 December is a great month to target the bigger trout in the Port O'Connor area, Lynn says, and he'll be out there trying to get his share.

“While north winds are blowing strong soon after the fronts, fishing will

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be tough. But once the weather turns the corner a bit after a front, fishing for the big trout can be really good.

On low tides, in cold water, fishing is best outside the mouths of the lakes, along main bay shorelines, or in some of the deepest parts of the lakes and drains. Once onshore winds return and the tide levels come back up while the weather warms, the shallow parts of the lakes become better places to target the big trout.

Of course, since it's cold, the best time of day to catch fish is generally after lunch. Dusk can be the best window of all, so I don't usually leave the dock until late in the morning, then fish all afternoon. We like to throw slow-sinking twitch baits most of the time during December. On the tougher days, we will switch to soft plastics like the Down South Lures in colors like watermelon red.”

Rockport | Blake Muirhead Gator Trout Guide Service - 361.790.5203 or 361.441.3894 “We've got really high numbers of ducks out there right now, all kinds of 'em. The duck hunting has been and should continue to be really good,” Blake reports. “In December, I'll be running as many cast and blast trips as I can, taking the air boat into the backwater areas and hunkering down in the blinds early. When we're able to shoot our limits of ducks, we'll fish our way through the rest of the outing. Normally, fishing for reds in the back lakes is good. I'll know that when I'm running around in there setting up for the hunts. When the water gets really cold and the tide drops out, the fishing for both trout and reds gets much better around grassy areas on main-bay shorelines. Lately, with the weather pretty warm for this time of year, we've had a really steady bite on topwaters. I'll throw them in December too, when I see lots of mullet jumping around us, but soft plastics like Norton Sand Eels work better most of the time as the year winds down. On the toughest days, we wind up pulling out the Gulp! split-tails and throwing them.”

Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay - Land Cut Robert Zapata – rz1528@grandecom.net - 361.563.1160 With the hunting season in full swing, it has become quiet on the water with light boat traffic. The cooler air and water temperatures are slowing the fish a little, but not like they will during January and February. The fish will move into three to four feet of water overnight, particularly during cold nights. As the sun rises and warms the shallower water, the fish will move up into less than three feet of water. Lately, the Bass Assassin Elite Shiner in colors like meat hook, Houdini, mama’s 14K and salt & pepper/silver phantom rigged on sixteenth-ounce Spring Lock jigheads have been producing many slot-sized redfish and trout. If there is much floating grass, use the Assassin Kwik Kork rigged with Assassin Shrimp in colors like drunk monkey, bone diamond or electric chicken on a sixteenth-ounce jighead and about fifteen inches of twenty-pound test fluorocarbon leader. On warm, sunny days, drifting in the shallows and sight-casting for reds, trout and black drum with shrimp-flavored Fish-Bites on a sixteenth-ounce jighead will prove to be much fun.

Corpus Christi | Joe Mendez – www.sightcast1.com - 361.877.1230 Fishing productively in the Upper Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay in December demands versatility, Joe says. Cold weather patterns favor certain kinds of fishing, while warm weather dictates other tactics. “If the weather is warm and sunny, we do well making long, controlled drifts and targeting trout, reds and black drum in shallow water, casting at them after we see them. The water in the lagoon is really clear right now, so that will be a good tactic as long as we have warmer than normal weather. If the cold fronts push water temperatures down into the 50s, and they stay below 60 for several days, fishing along the edges of the ICW and channels which connect to it will provide better results. Another good pattern for the cold weather is fishing the deepest edges of the grass beds fringing both Emmord's and 88 | December 2018

Beacroft's Holes. Wading the north shoreline of Baffin Bay also produces nice catches during cold snaps in December. Folks fishing that way do best with slowsinking twitch baits and soft plastics rigged on very light jigheads.”

P.I.N.S. Fishing Forecast | Eric Ozolins 361-877-3583 | Oceanepics.com Surf fishing during December can be unpredictable. An early-arriving arctic front could limit opportunity, while prevailing warm weather could provide stellar fishing. Redfish and black drum will be available. Over-sized reds will be feeding on mullet, whiting and crab.

Black drum will feed mostly on crabs and other crustaceans. Pompano action will be good on calm days with clear water. Shrimp and Fish-bites will work best. Winter isn't the most consistent time to catch trout in the surf, but we may see some surprising results. Trout will be best on calmer days with clear water. Slow retrieves of suspending lures will produce best. The majority of shark species will leave the shallows, except for mature sandbar sharks. Whiting, sheepshead, and small rays are prime offerings for them. Note – sandbar sharks are federally protected and must be released. Anglers desiring to harvest a shark could target the Atlantic sharpnose for table fare. Other possibilities will be Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle. Be wary of weather and driving hazards!

Port Mansfield | Ruben Garza Snookdudecharters.com – 832.385.1431 Getaway Adventures Lodge – 956.944.4000 Fronts will be arriving more frequently in December, leaving shorter windows to fish. The good news is that fishing can be outstanding between the fronts. Fishing up north behind a front can be very productive as trout and reds usually stack between the west shoreline and the ICW. There will be some good topwater days but soft plastics, FatBoys, and Paul Brown Devils will produce better on average. Productive Brown Lure colors are pearl/chartreuse, pearl/ pink, pumpkinseed/chartreuse and chartreuse glow. I also recommend the KWiggler Willow Tail Shad on sixteenth-ounce heads or their new weedless hooks. Recommended colors in this lure are Bone Diamond, Pink Flamingo, Turtle Grass and Texas Roach. Another great spot between fronts is the Saucer area behind the cabins. For short runs, try Community Bar and the Weather Station. On really cold days, I do well in the deep water along the ICW and East Cut. The bite can be soft, maybe more like a “heavy” line than a thump, so stay vigilant while working slow.

Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Aaron Cisneros | tightlinescharters.com – 956-639-1941 Fishing has improved significantly with the recent decline in water temperatures. Our most productive trout bait of late has been the KWiggler Ball Tail Shad in plum-chartreuse on 1/8-ounce jigheads. Our go-to technique for keeper-size fish has been working potholes just off the ICW and they seem to prefer a moderately fast presentation.

There are lots of smallies but be patient, there’s plenty of solid fish in the mix. Redfish are holding on shallow grass flats on incoming tides during warming trends behind the fronts. On receding tides they retreat to adjacent deeper guts and potholes. Reds are loving smaller topwaters but floating grass remains a problem – single-hooked plugs are still the ticket. I look forward to the winter pattern developing and the grass problem going away. As water temps continue to decline, look for both trout and reds to move toward deeper water with mud and shell bottoms. Warming trends will send them temporarily back into the patterns described above. What we are seeing thus far in November is very encouraging and we expect December will be even better. Come on out and see for yourself!

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Casey Shaver Portland - 25” first keeper redfish!

Megan Vrana Bolivar - 33” redfish

Analeigh Turner Bolivar - 32” redfish

Bo & Samantha Weichel Galveston - black drum

John Falavolito Galveston - 40” black drum CPR 90 | December 2018

Ember Soto 23” personal best flounder!

Nate Vrana Bolivar - 33” redfish

Richard Remschel Freeport - 25” personal best speck!

Lincoln Patterson Sargent - 17” first keeper trout!

Peggye McDonald POC - 26” first trout!

Cooper Pennington 27” first keeper redfish!

George “Champ” Molandes Crystal Beach - black drum

Summer Young speckled trout

Beau Martinez North Padre - speckled trout

Wilsie Hanzik 38” black drum

Emma Turner blacktip

Joel Lozano Laguna - 27” 8.5 lb red

Bill Becker, Willie Becker, Lauren Becker, Kristin Jendrzey, Kevin Gibson - 60 lb white marlin CPR

Daniel Cendrick Galveston - kingfish

Lydia Escochea Yellow Cabin - 30” first red!

Freddy Sanchez Aransas Pass - 47" drum Debby Brady Texas City Dike - 36” sand shark

Cesar Ferrino SPI jetties - 34” crevalle jack

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Black & Blue Oysters

Craig & Barbara Huggins thank you for sharing your family’s favorite oyster recipe!

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

Oysters Blackening Season Blue Cheese

Place oysters in half shells, I used ceramic baking shells. Sprinkle each with blackening season and top with blue cheese.

Place on bottom shelf in oven and broil until cheese bubbles and begins to brown.

Remove and serve.

Oyster Caviar INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

1 dozen fresh oysters 2 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp white part of leek chopped 2 Tbsp finely chopped shallot 2 Tbsp of oyster liquor ¼ cup heavy cream ¼ cup half-and-half 3 Tbsp mascarpone cheese ¼ tsp salt ¼ tsp white pepper Crème fraiche for serving Small jar of Caviar Chop fresh parsley to garnish

Melt butter in pan and add leeks and shallot, sauté for two minutes. Add oyster liquor, heavy cream, half-and-half, mascarpone cheese, salt and pepper. Continue cooking about two minutes.

Place an oyster in baking shells. Spoon prepared sauce over each oyster.

Place on bottom shelf in oven and broil until liquid begins to bubble and brown.

Remove from oven and spoon a dob of crème fraiche on each oyster, place a few caviars on oyster and sprinkle with parsley.

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Science and the

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Kidnapping Pays Off…for the Captor When two unrelated species help each other, their relationship is symbiotic, or mutually beneficial. When one species feeds off another, the feeder is a parasite. But some species find a different way to take advantage of another without consent: kidnapping.

An amphipod carrying a large pteropod. Credit: Alfred Wegener Institute / Charlotte Havermans Scientists have recently learned that amphipods, small crustaceans popularly called scuds or sideswimmers, will do whatever it takes to avoid becoming a predator’s meal—even abducting another species for use as their own personal defense weapons. Several amphipods have been found toting around tiny sea snails, called pteropods, like backpacks, apparently because predators don’t find the sea snails very tasty.

Kyle Nethery

Amphipods range in size from one millimeter to one foot, though most are less than half an inch long. They look a little like a cross between a shrimp and a flea, and most are scavengers that are the prey of birds and fish. Pteropods are less than a quarter inch long and emit unpleasant chemicals to deter predators. Amphipods have no such secret weapon, so they exploit pteropods by carrying them around. As a result, cod icefish pass them by for meals.

PESCADO PARK

But this isn’t a symbiotic relationship where the pteropod benefits from palling around with an amphipod. In fact, the pteropod likely starves to death while the amphipod holds it hostage, preventing the pteropod from hunting. Scientists have identified two different amphipod– pteropod species pairings, but they don’t yet know if these are typical pairings or how many amphipod or pteropod species end up in these arrangements. They also don’t know if predators other than cod icefish avoid the pteropod-carrying amphipods—or whether an amphipod would accept a ransom to release a pteropod.

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