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4
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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CONT ENTS
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Everett Johnson Everett@tsfmag.co com Everett@tsfmag.com
F EBRUARY 2010 Volume 19 No. 10
GENERAL M MANAGER Pam Johnson
FEATURES
18
Pam Pam@tsfmag.com
10 Plugging for Science 14 Should I Stay or Should I Go? 18 Latest in the life... 22 Bodie, Redfish, and Cold... 26 A Winter One-Two Punch
Mike McBride Kevin Cochran Billy Sandifer Martin Strarup Chuck Uzzle
DEPARTMENTS
10
19 28 30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 46
Coastal Birding Science and the Sea Let’s Ask The Pro Fly Fishing Offshore Conservation TPWD Field Notes Kayak Fishing According to Scott Youth Fishing Every Man’s Offshore
BUSINESS / ACCOUNTING MANAGER BUSIN Shirley Elliott Shirley@tsfmag.com ADVERTISING MANAGER Pam Johnson Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-550-9918 Ads@tsfmag.com
Billy Sandifer UT-Marine Science Institute Jay Watkins Casey Smartt Bobby Byrd/John Cochrane CCA Texas Jennifer Bauer Scott Null Scott Sommerlatte Aaron Cisneros Ruben Villarreal
NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Bart Manganiello Bartalm@optonline.net CIRCULATION SUBSCRIPTION – PRODUCT SALES Betty Newberry Cir@tsfmag.com ADDRESS CHANGED? Email Store@tsfmag.com DESIGN & LAYOUT GRAPHICS BY DESIGN Stephanie Boyd Office: 361-785-4282 stephanie@graphicsbydesign.biz
WHAT OUR GUIDES HAVE TO SAY
32 42
54 58 60 64 66 68 70
Dickie Colburn’s Sabine Scene Mickey on Galveston Capt. Bill’s Fish Talk Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays Hooked up with Rowsey Capt. Tricia’s Port Mansfield Report South Padre Fishing Scene
Dickie Colburn Mickey Eastman Bill Pustejovsky Gary Gray David Rowsey Capt. Tricia Ernest Cisneros
REGULARS 06 50 52 72 74 76 80
76
Editorial TSFMag Spotlight New Tackle & Gear Fishing Reports and Forecasts Catch of the Month Photo Gallery Gulf Coast Kitchen Index of Advertisers
production@graphicsbydesign.biz Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine is published monthly. Subscription Rates: One Year (Free Emag with Hard Copy Subscription)
$25.00, Two Year $45.00
E-MAG (electronic version) is available for $12.00 per year. Order on-line: WWW.TSFMAG.COM MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine Attn: Subscriptions P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 * Subscribers are responsible for submitting all address changes and renewals by the 10th of the prior month’s issue. Email store@tsfmag.com for all address changes or please call 361-785-3420 from 8am - 4:30pm. The U.S. Postal Service does not guarantee magazines will be forwarded.
HOW TO CONTACT TSFMAG: PHONE: 361-785-3420 FAX: 361-785-2844 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.
ABOUT THE COVER Jesse Casares is our cover angler with a footballfat 29-inch speckled beauty that pulled his Boga Grip scale to ten pounds. Jesse was fishing the Lower Laguna with Capt. Ernest Cisneros. Kudos to Jesse for practicing CPR!
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Times Inside!
Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
5
Mother Nature’s
Wrath
It has finally come to pass, we’ve been beating the odds for almost a decade and a half but it appears as though our luck may have run out. Mother Nature reminds us once e again who is in charge with her cold shoulder. History says the Texas coast receives a deep freeze every seven years or so and this would have made our twentyfirst winter without one. It is Sunday evening, January 10, and Texas A&M’s monitoring station just north of the ICW in San Antonio Bay has been reporting seawater temperatures at or below 42º F for more than 48 hours and likely will not rise above this mark until some time tomorrow. Readings taken in the Seadrift harbor have indicated even colder temperatures in the shallows. My biologist friends at Coastal Fisheries say there is no magic temperature that will produce a fish kill but bad things start to happen when the water temp falls below 42ºF. The extent of the fish kill, especially our coveted seatrout, will not be known for several days as many fish succumb and sink, not to be seen until the water warms. Concerned anglers and duck hunters are reporting dead fish in the Matagorda Island lakes and I expect the same might be true anywhere between Galveston and Corpus Christi where fish, especially trout, were trapped in shallow water. This is bad news anyway you look at it for our mid-coast trout fishery. I have yet to receive reports of dead or cold-stunned redfish. Coastal Fisheries will be surveying the situation and we should receive more definitive information mid-week. I have written about the mid-coast seatrout decline in this column several times over the past year. I have been encouraging greater conservation through catch and release with our “Just Keep Five” campaign since 2005. And even though that slogan graces the lower margin of the pages of this even this issue, (some pages already gone to the printer); I think JK5 is done, faded into obsolescence as a tool to encourage conservation. Reducing bag limits on Texas’ most popular saltwater gamefish is not an easy task or it would have been enacted seven years ago. Ask Hal Osburn. As Director of Coastal Fisheries in 2002, Hal embarked on a novel concept of pro-active fisheries management he called Spotted Seatrout Work Group. By advising the public of the early signals, Hal hoped to stave off a more serious decline. I remember Hal saying, “the greater the spawning biomass before the freeze, the greater the number that will survive, and the best scenario for quick recovery.” The general fishing public didn’t understand Hal’s message, and when a legion of outdoor scribes ripped it to shreds it crashed and burned. So here we sit, almost eight years later, with a declining fishery dying or at least struggling in icy water. What can we do? For openers, I am calling for even greater conservation of spotted seatrout. Until we can understand the full impact, I say, “Just Keep None!” That’s right; we can all munch on something else for a while. Fried trout is being removed from the menu here at the Johnson Ranch and I’m asking you to join the team. I have great faith in TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division from Austin all the way through the staff at each field station to make a good decision here. They’re going to be out there gathering data over the next several days and then crunching numbers for several more. God forbid their findings will require emergency conservation measures, I’m praying it won’t come to that. But should they find reason to entertain reduced bag limits and schedule public scoping meetings to discuss the matter, I implore that you attend and listen carefully. Our midcoast spotted seatrout eatrout fishery needs your helping hand.
6
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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Plugging for Science We awoke this past Monday morning
Well, help is here. Dr. Greg Stunz
of interest is that both Greg and Megan
to an oppressive blanket of fog, dense
and crew are literally wading into the
can claim first rights as CCA scholarship
enough to smother any hopes for
possibilities of unraveling the mystery.
recipients, and both have continued their
launching early unless you had some
Greg is an Endowed Professor at
paths to benefit all Texas anglers. That’s
of the same stuff between your ears.
the Harte Research Institute and an
your generous grassroots contributions
However, the mission, as it was, was not
Associate Professor of Marine Biology,
returning at measurable worth. Laura is
going to wait for an excuse as wimpy as
TAMU Dept. of Life Sciences. Funding
a different study and we’ll get back to her
only having a rock’s throw of visibility. So,
comes from both Harte and TAMU along
later. But first, let’s get back in the water
with strange gear but familiar enthusiasm
with a sizeable contribution from CCA.
with these scholastic fish heads.
aboard, Dr. Greg, Megan, Laura and
Additional assistance comes from the
I set out on an obscured heading with
Rotary Club of Corpus Christi, the Harvey
ridiculously thick morning, we could hear
a taco in one hand a handheld GPS in
Weil Sportsman Conservationist Award.
other boats running in blind circles and
the other. When it comes to fishing, I’m
The goal is to initiate a state-of-the-art
other nervous sounds emerging through
not sure which is more inspiring, the
tagging program to track movements
the white-out. Onward through the fog,
thrill of discovery or the glory of capture.
of estuarine sport fishes, specifically to
and in about thirty minutes, we had
Hopefully, this trip would include both.
determine if separate stocks of spotted
safely cut our way into a little area where
We called it, “plugging for science,” and
seatrout exist in the Gulf of Mexico and
certainly no one else would dare venture.
the end result has potential to yield an
the upper and lower Laguna Madre.
As we idled out of the harbor on that
Wrong! Human shapes suddenly
absolute revelation for all trout fishermen
appeared, then a ghost ship of Of course Megan only strutted a little.
along the coast. If there ever was a debated-to-death subject among trout fishermen, the tide
sorts, and then out of the soup came a sarcastic voice, “It’s OK Mikey, you can come on in.”
runner theory would qualify. You know,
It was, and in this situation
when every spring, those hard-bodied
could only have been, some
fish push in through the surf to invade
of the old devil-may-care
the bays with some serious line stripping
Troutmasters from winnings
attitude. It has always been a topic of
past; Dr. John Gill, Tansel
speculation, not only about when and
Basci, and Dr. Jay Wright of
where, but also why.
eleven pound trout Florida
Most old salts pride in their ability to
fly-fishing fame. Go figure.
tell a resident bay trout from one coming
I’m trying, but we should all
from the Gulf. The bodies of surf-run fish
be convinced that no spot or
seem much stouter and we speculate
condition is safe any more.
this comes from surviving the demands
Anyway, after exchanging
of nearshore currents and evading toothy
some potlicker talk, my crew
predators. Most fishermen have their
bailed into a little knee deep
own theories about timing, whether the
trough that we hoped would
movement is temperature or photo-period
be holding some of the larger
driven, but most all remain firm that these
Greg has some other heavy hitters
trout we needed. The transmitters being
fish exist. All but the scientific community,
in his boat, Megan Robillard, Fisheries
used are about as big as a fat thumb, so
that is. To date there has been no data
Research Coordinator, and Laura Bivins,
we needed some girth to accommodate
aside from what is commonly termed
marine biology master’s student. In fact,
this high dollar chunk of plastic. The
anecdotal, meaning information coming
this project is actually led by Laura, who
area was full of juvenile trout, but Megan
strictly from fishermen that has not stood
among other credits has completed some
was the first one to hook up with a real
the scrutiny of scientific method.
innovative studies on Florida snook. Also
fish. Another cool thing about this group
10
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
strutted a little with her personal best. After the releases it was time to head to the Mansfield Channel to install the receivers. Enter Laura again. The water was about 52 degrees when she slipped into a wetsuit for the required dive. It’s all for
A fish of decent girth is required to tote the sounding device.
science, but we all heard her sputter something like,
If you catch one of these, please don’t eat it.
“I hate my life,” through blue
is that they conduct all their studies the
lips following the initial plunge. She wants
for trout wearing streamers that say,
sporting way, i.e., wading with rod and
to know what the big deal about Texas
“Internal tag, please release.” Seriously,
reel and throwing topwaters and Corkys.
trout is anyway, being that she is more
if you catch one, please don’t eat it. Just
Her fish went just over six pounds, a solid
used to catching thirty pound snook.
document the when and where and call
candidate for a good return. Greg soon
When the second device was set she
the number on the tag. The information
stuck a four pounder on his obsessively
sputtered something about deserving her
gained should be big and could shed
thrown “secret” topwater. (He’s going to
master degree right now.
light not only on tide-runners but the
throw it whether he should or not.) We
With the receivers in place, they now
value of coastal passes as well. So
caught a few more worthy of surgery, but
should “ping” movement of trout through
say the scientists among us who can
for the most part the fishing was foggy as
the Land Cut, Mansfield Pass, and Upper
actually work topwaters pretty darn well.
well. We didn’t exactly have a trophy day,
Laguna Madre complete with time and
Let’s all be excited to finally clear this
but none the less, the plan worked.
date stamps and other valuable data. We
tide runner fog.
should certainly know more than we do
Links to learn more:
precise incisions to insert the transmitters
now, which will be valuable information to
and filling out the required paperwork.
better manage precious stocks.
Never mind the smack talk about who caught what, and of course Megan only
The next phase is going to be tagging winter trout in the surf, and somebody
The water was about 52 degrees, but hey, it’s all for science.
http://harteresearchinstitute.org/staff/ stunz.html, http://fisheries.tamucc.edu/, http://www.vemco.com/products/ receivers/vr2w.php.
proposed the Dream Team to make
Mike Mcbride
it all happen, which may actually turn out to be more of a scream team. Billy Sandifer is the only animal I know who has routinely caught ten pound trout in the surf during winter, so along with
Contact
Laura did her surgery thing, making
Greg’s crew, myself, Capt. Tricia, Jay Watkins, David Rowsey and perhaps even our editor, EJ, the plan is to combine efforts to stick the data needed for this excellent study. With Billy’s guidance I imagine this crew will catch them if they are there. There might also be some interesting fodder for the next article from one of us. Trust me; there will be no smack talk there either.
Mike McBride is a full time fishing guide based in Port Mansfield, TX, specializing in wadefishing with artificial lures. Contact Skinny Water Adventures Telephone 956-746-6041 Email McTrout@Granderiver.net Website Skinnywateradventures.com/ Three_MudSkateers.wmv
In the meantime, please watch Just Keep Five
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
11
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February 2010
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
13
Should I Stay or Should I Go? A ssteady tead te adyy breeze bree br eeze ze snapped sna napp pped ed my my shirt shir sh irtt while whilile wh e I idled idle id led d toward towa to ward rd the the
Ie xpla xp lain ined ed tthe he ssituation itua it uati tion on a nd d irec ir ecte ted d my clients clilien ents ts to to follow follllow fo ow explained and directed
day’s first anchor site in the pre-dawn darkness. Tentatively, I
my lead; we worked slowly, mostly at an angle to the breeze,
set the Power Pole down, unsure if the water along my targeted
slightly downwind, casting our small topwaters straight with the
grass edge would remain adequately clear despite the wind.
wind to better cope with the floating grass that lay in parallel
Waves slapped the transom, occasionally spraying mist.
rows. Our inherent tendency, if the bite turned out to be
At least an hour would pass before I’d get a good look at the
slow, would be to allow the strong breeze to push us through
grass line, even if the water was holding relatively clear. If the
productive water too quickly, and we’d spook the fish we were
wind mucked it up too badly, identifying the edge might become
trying to catch.
impossible. We’d have to approach the area cautiously, probing for the target corridor mostly by my feel and memory.
I kept a close eye on the group while we repeatedly cast toward shore, unable to see whether we were contacting the
Ideally, we’d stand in a nearly barren, sandy gut running
narrow zone of prime potential. For the first hour or so, none
perpendicular to the wind and cast downwind, onto a grassy
of us had a blow up. I preached patience, and each time the
flat extending from shore. Most of the fish had been snuggled
guys started forward, I warned them to move sideways to the
tight to the subtle edge where the grass drops off into the gut, or
wind instead. Several times, I stated the importance of making
among shallow potholes on the shoreline side of the gut.
every cast to a slightly different spot and stressed the need for creative, variable presentations. Trout approaching thirty inches were likely right in front of us. In four of five previous stops there, I’d caught at least one trout twenty eight inches or longer. My staying power was therefore high, but I was beginning to wonder if the wind had changed things too much when I saw one of my clients hook the first fish. “Did you see that?” he asked. “I was ripping the rodtip real hard to get grass off the lure when she blew up!” “Good fish?” I asked, smiling with relief. “Pretty good, I think,” he nodded. Then a tall sheet of windswept suds erupted between us. “Trout or red?” I asked, fearing it might be the latter. “It’s a big trout!” he answered, and I started toward him to document another “picture fish“. The events leading up to that catch remind me of some relevant points related to one of the most critical components of successful lure fishing--the choice of whether to stay put or move when the fishing starts off slow in a spot. Most of the time, if I start off the morning fishing a spot on which I haven’t had recent success catching big trout, I’ll make a move within the first thirty minutes if the bites don’t come easily. That quick first move is a basic strategy; I want to see if things look the same (and whether bites are easier to obtain) at another spot before too much of the prime daybreak bite potential is lost.
John Gill caught this thirty inch trout on his second bite of the day, nearly two hours into the fishing. Numerous jumping mullet prompted us to make a short move from our original spot.
But, when I’ve been catching big trout most every time I stop at a spot and the weather and tide levels are stable, I’ll be more stubborn in standing my ground and waiting for something to happen. In the story detailed above, my client proved such
14
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
good fishing or the long-
waders who aren’t catching where they
term history of the spot,
originally intend to fish. Some of those
referencing the conditions
people fail to accept the truth of what’s
of the moment. I’d prefer
preventing them from catching fish; fish
to start off every day
are present within a reasonable distance
fishing in a place where
of where they parked, but they aren’t
I’ve caught numerous big
doing the right things to catch them.
trout recently, but doing
Wandering off in search of fish on foot
so isn’t always possible,
without changing plugs and presentations
especially when weather
makes little sense to me in most cases.
conditions change rapidly.
I rarely park in a place unless there’s
Once I’ve decided to
This thirty inch trout attacked a pearl/pink FatBoy cast repeatedly into shallow potholes adjacent to a Baffin Bay shoreline.
a sweet spot in close proximity, one I
fish somewhere that I
believe should be holding fish. If I decide
haven’t had a recent run
fish are present in that sweet spot but we
of catching big trout,
aren’t yet catching, I’ll plant my feet and
one of two things will
change what I’m doing to try and make
need to happen in order
those fish take a bite. I won’t race off
for me to stay put for
across the bay like a greyhound.
more than an hour or
Having the patience of a heron
so. Either we’ll catch
is helpful when trophy trout fishing;
fish easily, preferably big
greyhounds are better off at the track,
ones, or I’ll see ample
chasing rabbits! When wading, I won’t
signs indicating fish
rush around in circles like a numbered
are there, most notably
mutt, but I also won’t stick to the ground
a strategy right that day, in spite of the
plenty of nervous bait and/or slicks. If I
like a slug, waiting for fish to show up
strong winds threatening to negatively
decide to stay when we aren’t actually
in a spot without a recent track record,
alter the spot.
catching fish, I will begin to methodically
unless I perceive real and tangible
change what I’m doing in order to make
reasons to do so.
regularly make the right decision of whether to move or stay put when they
something happen. It’s important to systematically change
find the fishing in an area to be slow.
presentation styles (and/or type of
Making the right choice means properly
lure) after deciding to stay put in a spot
assessing whether fish are present
and wait out a slow bite. Anglers who
or not. Many factors influence my
successfully alter their strategies will
perception of the likelihood of fish being
eventually catch fish more often than
in a spot, including the way I chose the
those who stubbornly refuse to adjust.
spot in the first place. Sometimes, I stop and fish because I
Several variables should be considered when making these changes, including
see signs indicating the presence of fish
the depth, clarity and temperature of
while passing close to an area. Such
the water, time of year, wind speed and
signs might be slicks, nervous bait, mud
both recent and long-term experiences.
stirs or even birds hovering over the
Randomly experimenting is less likely
water, standing on the shoreline or in the
to be effective than a thoughtful and
shallows nearby. The first stop of the
specific plan. Staying put and changing
morning will usually not be made after
presentations and lures is most of the
such observations, since I’m often putting
time more productive than covering
the Power Pole down before dawn, when
greater distances with the same plug
it’s impossible to see.
worked the same way.
I make the choice of where to start a day of fishing based either on a recent run of Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Kevin Cochran
Contact
Consistently productive wadefishermen
The tendency to wander far from the
Kevin Cochran is a full-time fishing guide at Corpus Christi (Padre Island), TX. Kevin is a speckled trout fanatic and has authored two books on the subject. Kevin’s home waters stretch from Corpus Christi Bay to the Land Cut. Trout Tracker Guide Service Telephone 361-688-3714 Email KCochran@stx.rr.com Website www.FishBaffinBay.com
boat is a mistake I see made daily by Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
15
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
17
Latest in the life of an adrenalin addict Decades ago I fished expensive
very real complication as well. My federal
all of them are not negative in spite of all
Dacron line on the largest reels made in
permit stated that I could use an inflatable
the negative press they get on internet
order to be able to fish shark baits father
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message boards. I called NPS on PINS
offshore than other shark fishermen could
I COULD NOT have customers in the
to inquire if there had been a change
from the beach. There were no kayaks
inflatable. I knew right off that would create
in policy about me being able to have
back then and it would take hours to row
more trouble than it would ever be worth.
each bait far offshore in a one man vinyl
In late summer and fall we can often see
life raft. Dragging them back in was even
large schools of tarpon and other game
tougher than getting them out if you didn’t
species breaking the surface within sight
get a strike and if conditions allowed I’d
of the beach. I could just see pulling an
paddle out to the floats on my leaders,
inflatable along the beach with gung-
cut the leaders off and put them in the life
ho customers and then telling them we
raft with me so I then had to only crank
couldn’t go chase the fish of their dreams
in line rather than heavy sinkers and big
three quarters of a mile offshore. And I
hooks plowing furrows in the sea floor all
couldn’t afford to purchase an inflatable,
the way back. As time went on I bought
motor and trailer; the money just wasn’t
a used 14’ Zodiac with an outboard on
available. So, I just filed it away in the old
it and it sure made life easier and the
“wouldn’t it be nice” category we all have
enterprise more practical. Still it was not
and went on doing the best I could with
without lots of problems and for a guy
what I had and being thankful for it.
just sportfishing with no return on money
Many of my customers are more like
spent it proved expensive. BUT, this
family than clients and Dr. Rollin Sarradet
tactic caught big fish; more than I’ve ever
of Austin and his family have been
caught before or since.
treasured friends and fishing pals for the
When I started guiding on PINS 19
Rocky Guerra of Roy’s Bait and Tackle with the 16/0 rigs he built for me, time to go fishing!
better part of two decades. Unexpectedly,
years ago I considered investing in
Rollin e-mails me and wants to know if
an inflatable and an outboard but the
I’d be interested in a twelve and a half
customers on an inflatable as my last
overhead involved in operating a guide
foot Sea Eagle inflatable with a 25-hp
few annual permits had not stated such
service on PINS leaves very little in the
Yamaha and a trailer. He’s been doing
as earlier ones years ago had. After
way of profit margin and there was another
some upgrading lately and the inflatable
checking they advised me that they
Sharkathon organizers recently donated $2,000 to Friend of Padre, $500 to Harte Research Institute and $2,000 to NPS PINS. 18
February 2010
no longer had any
couldn’t understand why that restriction
utility to him and if I
had ever been in effect but that it was
can use it he’d bring it
not in effect now and all I had to do was
down and give it to me.
insure the inflatable and bring them the
Against my arguments
info and I was good to go. I bought 2 16/0
he said he’d rather
Penn Senator reels and had Roy’s Bait
see me be able to get
and Tackle replace worn parts bringing
some good out of it
them to tip-top condition. Roy custom built
than to just sell it and
me two Jawbone 8655 8.5 foot rods that
not long afterwards he
have some give in them instead of those
delivered it.
old back breaking tree trunk rods we used
There’s been lots
years ago. Every single piece of hardware
of changes on PINS
on the rods was specifically handpicked
under the newest
for it’s effectiveness and durability. Roller
administration and
guides were not used as they wear badly
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
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when running baits with an inflatable and
“cowboyish.” To take children or those
require constant maintenance. Instead
in poor health on such outings would
we chose Batson Forecast High Frame
be to do them an injustice and possibly
guides with high test zirconium inserts.
endanger them. I can assure you we’ll
Toughest material on the market. Roy
be wearing life jackets. There are other
Guerra did a superb job of wrapping both
issues to work out. One big one I’ve had
the guides and the decorative wraps. I’ve
problems with for years is that prime time
owned many a shark rod but these are the
dates are the stock in trade of a guide. So,
finest I’ve ever seen.
customers reserve a date but have one
We then put 2,500 yards of Momoi Blue
particular type trip in mind. Then short
Diamond Braid on each reel with 130
term conditions make that particular type
pound test Big Game mono for backing.
trip impossible although it’s fine for other
Each reel has at least 2,900 yards of line
types of fishing and my customers want to
on it. My guess is these twin 16/0s are the
cancel that date leaving me high and dry
only ones ever rigged in this manner. Sure,
without a charter and to re-book a second
I know all about getting cut off, abrasion
date. I’ve lost as many as five prime dates
from sand bars and the other problems
to one customer without ever getting his
involved but I learned a many a trick over
charter completed. I go way out of my way
the years which I hope will help with that
to be fair to customers but I’ve got to figure
and the potential of these rigs is mind-
out how to stop this as it’s impossible to
boggling. There are other issues as well;
make a living like that. I have much more
not the least being that rod, reel and line
of a problem than other guides with this
weighs 16 pounds 14 ounces but before
issue as most guides specialize in one or
folks start up with how it’s impossible to
at the most two types of charters while
fight a large fish with a rig weighing that
I offer a wide variety of services. It’ll all
much it’s appropriate to realize people
work out. Life’s a Hoot; get out and get you
were doing it when I showed up on P.I.
some of it.
BILLY SANDIFERʼS
Coastal Birding Black-necked Stilt -Himantopus MexicanusSlim wading bird, very delicate in appearance, with strikingly long red legs and a needle like bill. Black above with white below. Western and South Eastern U.S. to Peru. Lives in grassy marshes, mud flats, pools and shallow lakes. Some remain in our area all year but it is more common in summer as it breeds here. Usually seen in small groups wading and foraging shallow water.
Length: 14” Wingspan: 29” Weight: 6 oz
fifty years ago and some have been doing it ever since. The largest fish I ever personally caught was a 746 pound
If we don’t leave any there won’t be any. - Capt. Billy L. Sandifer
Tiger that picked up a bait I’d placed 2,000 yards off the beach. I weighed 152 for everyone but the inflatable will certainly be a blessing for laying baits with smaller sized rigs as well. And there’s so much additional potential for the inflatable. The ability to fish inshore rocks for snapper in
Capt. Billy Sandifer
Contact
pounds at the time. These big rigs aren’t
state waters and running and gunning on surface feeding game fish are the two that will probably be of the most interest but I have several other scenarios in mind as well. And obviously I can’t think of having any better odds at getting a Beach Winter Mako than with these long rigs. I’ve got to get all of this figured out in my mind but I anticipate these trips will be available by the time you read this article. I am going to be selective when booking customers for charters onboard
Billy Sandifer operates Padre Island Safaris offering surf fishing for sharks to specks and nature tours of the Padre Island National Seashore. Billy also offers bay and near-shore fishing adventures in his 25 foot Panga for many big game and gamefish species. Telephone
Photo by Jimmy Jackson
361-937-8446 Website www.billysandifer.com
the inflatable as obviously this is a bit Just Keep Five
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
19
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February 2010
21
Bodie, Redfish, and Cold Water Sharks Smoke from the driftwood fire rose up and circled around
The coffee pot began percolating, the hot coals next to the fire
Bodie’s ancient Stetson as he added another chunk of wood
working as well or better than any gas stove, and Bodie pulled out
to the blaze. It was cold and very still; the full moon lit the early
two beat up, stainless cups from his bag. Using his coat sleeve as
January night like a giant Q-Beam. A meteor streaked across the
a potholder, Bodie grabbed the hot handle and poured two cups of
sky, a giant tracer fired from an unseen gun in space, mocking the
steaming coffee. “Coffee’s ready, Tommy,” Bodie told his friend who
moon’s bright glow.
nearly standing in the fire, staring back into the saltgrass. Tommy
Bodie’s friend and fishing partner, Tommy Meyers, ran into the
moved closer to Bodie and gratefully took the steaming cup.
camp and dumped an armful of driftwood next to the fire. “I thought
“Did you bring cream and sugar, Bodie? I can’t drink coffee
I heard a rattler while I was picking up wood, Bodie. Maybe we
if there’s no cream and sugar you know, just can’t do it, tastes
should cut our trip short.”
horrible if you don’t use cream and sugar,” Tommy whined.
“It’s too cold for snakes, Tommy. You probably just brushed some dry saltgrass or something,” Bodie said.
“In my bag Tommy; help yourself,” Bodie sighed. Tommy rummaged through Bodie’s bag and found a Ziploc containing
“Well it sounded like a rattler,” Tommy insisted, “and I could
packets of sugar and creamer, a welcome surprise.
hear something sneaking around in the grass like it was stalking me or something, so it could have been a cold weather rattler,” he
“Can I have a honey bun Bodie? There’s a couple in your bag!” Tommy pleaded.
muttered to himself. Bodie smiled at his timid friend’s nervousness; Tommy just didn’t like being out in the dark.
22
February 2010
“Help yourself, but make sure you leave me one for later,” Bodie said. “Didn’t you bring any food, Tommy?”
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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“I got some sardines in mustard
your gear, Tommy. Those fish can’t be long
no need for head lamps, and together
sauce, some cans of those vie-ennie
in getting here as fast as the tide is moving
Bodie and Tommy slid their feet along the
sausages in bbq sauce that I like, some
in!” Bodie whooped.
sandy bottom, feeling the cold water as it
cans of beanie weenies, some dried
“Maybe we could just get in the
squeezed their waders against their legs.
sausage from deer season three years
boat and sort of drift with the tide,
Tommy started casting, reeling his soft
ago, and crackers if you want some,
Bodie. That way we wouldn’t have to
plastic bait back slowly to him. After doing
Bodie,” Tommy proudly offered.
wade and get all cold and stuff,” Tommy
so about ten times, he announced, “Well,
suggested hopefully.
they didn’t show up tonight, Bodie, so I
Ugh, thought Bodie. “Maybe later Tommy Boy.” Sipping coffee, Bodie
“Nah, a boat will spook them, and if
guess we might as well go home right?”
walked the narrow strip of sand to the
it’s as big as that pilot claimed, we’re in
water’s edge where he had jammed a
for a night of catching that doesn’t come
“They’ll be here when they get here and
stick earlier. Lit up by the moonlight, Bodie
around very often, so get ready,” Bodie
not before, so stop wasting casts, and
could see that the stick was now quite wet.
told his friend
don’t be complaining about a sore shoulder
Tide’s coming in, Bodie thought to himself.
Pouting, Tommy started pulling on
“Give it time, Tommy,” Bodie grinned.
from empty casts either.” Tommy cursed
Just then, something rammed him from
his waders, and after falling twice (and
under his breath since that was going to be
behind. “What are you doing, Tommy?!
three more times while trying to put on
his next excuse for a nice warm bed back
You almost knocked me into the water!”
his wading boots), he finally succeeded.
at his house.
Bodie yelled as he wrung spilled coffee
Bodie was already on the shoreline with
out of his coat sleeve.
his rod and reel in hand, waiting not quite
subtle but noticeable, quite wide, and it
patiently for his friend. Realizing he was
was coming fast. “They’re coming Tommy
you in case you saw a cold weather rattler
20 yards from Bodie, who offered him
Boy! Cast out ahead of the school and let
or something,” Tommy finished lamely.
safety from things that go rattle in the
your lure sit for a while before you work it
Bodie gave his friend a narrow-eyed look
night, Tommy sprinted towards his friend
back. Let’s not to spook them before we
that made Tommy flush in embarrassment,
and fell on his rod breaking it in half.
get hooked up,” Bodie instructed. Both
then headed back to the fire with Tommy
“Dang it! Bodie, I broke my rod and didn’t
watched the school of fish move towards
right on his heels.
bring another one, so I’ll just sit in the boat
the mouth of the channel, stirring up the
and let you get the fish,” Tommy lamented,
bottom as they foraged for whatever they
sounding a bit too relieved.
could find along the way. They both cast
“I, uh, well, thought I’d better go with
Refilling his cup, Bodie thought about the school of redfish the helicopter pilot had seen as he flew over a channel
“No, you’ll go to the boat and get one
They both saw the wake. It was
slightly ahead of the moving wake and
the day before, the same channel that he
of my spares and you’ll do it pretty dang
slowly twitched their rods, hoping the fish
and Tommy were now camped on. Mr.
fast, too,” Bodie said. Tommy recognized
would find their lures.
O’Connor had hired the helicopter and its
that tone and hurried to the boat, only
pilot to help Bodie and his crews gather
tripping once in the process. He grabbed
cattle into working pens and trucked to a
an expensive, seven-foot Laguna with a
new pasture. When the work was done,
new Calcutta reel on it and carefully made
the pilot told Bodie that he had seen a
his way back to where Bodie waited. Bodie pointed with his rod, “The fish
channel, covering at least a good acre
should come in right over there Tommy,
of water. Bodie asked the pilot for more
where the sand bar dips down to about
details and found that he knew exactly
three feet. There’s more than enough
the place the pilot spoke of. The pilot told
room for both of us to stand on hard
Bodie that he would be happy to take
bottom and not crowd each other, so let’s
him up in the chopper but Bodie declined
spread out some.”
the offer, telling the pilot thanks but he
“You ever hear of cold water sharks
knew the area. Besides, the helicopter
cruising around here, Bodie?” Tommy
was costing his boss a lot of money and
asked.
not for finding fish. Now, Bodie hoped the
Tommy inched slowly away from his friend,
with the tide tonight.
careful in not moving too far.
Just Keep Five
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Martin Strarup is a lifelong saltwater enthusiast and outdoorsman. Martin is also a collector and dealer of vintage fishing tackle and lures, especially those made in Texas.
“No” was all the reply he got, so
school would be moving into the channel “Better get your waders on and grab
Martin Strarup
Contact
huge school of fish moving through a
…to be continued.
Email Trouthunter@swbell.net
With the bright moon, there was Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
23
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A Winter One-Two Punch It is always the hope of fishermen to
at least a dozen black drum over 40
do battle with a mighty fish, a giant of
pounds caught by clients using live
epic proportions that will live forever
shad or cracked crab. Let me say this,
in memories. For most folks who do
a drum that size is a real deal workout
not regularly frequent offshore waters,
any way you look at it. For nearly every
your choices of really big fish are rather
person who catches one that size it’s
small. The occasional redfish of 35 to
the biggest fish they have ever caught
40 inches are often the biggest boys in
on a rod and reel and a proud day for a
the neighborhood next to alligator gar or
guide when they can put people on the
maybe a big catfish. You can add a pair
biggest catch of their career.
of names to the list of heavyweights that
The really big fish are normally found
routinely make a name for themselves
closer to the jetties, along the ship
during this time of year though, black
channel, and out in the gulf. On a run
drum and stripers.
out to the lake recently I stopped to
While the dedicated legions of big
watch a fisherman do battle with one
trout anglers are waist deep on a
of these giants. Slow powerful runs
shallow flat, there a few folks taking
kept the rod bent nearly double as
advantage of another bite that offers
the beast worked the drag system for
up a real opportunity to tangle with a
more than 20 minutes. My clients and I
monster. The jetty systems that line the
were amused by the fight and shouted
channels become a highway for some
encouragement and congratulations as
very underrated and oversized fish as
the fish was finally brought to the boat.
big black drum congregate in the deep
Perhaps the best comparison of what
holes there that have eroded over time.
happens when you tie into one of these
Under normal conditions black drum
giants is hooking a runaway fork truck.
with a switch. Hooking and landing a
can be found in respectable numbers
They won’t outrun you but you just can’t
fish in the 40 to 50 pound class is real
most of the year. Generally speaking,
stop them.
treat for any fisherman, especially those
the drum that are found on the north
Big black drum can be caught on a
of the inshore persuasion. Big fish like
end of Sabine Lake and in the Sabine
variety of baits, shad, mullet, or shrimp
these don’t come around often so take
River usually run anywhere from 12
are good options but the best bet is
advantage of the opportunity.
to 20 inches. During winter is when
crab. Big black drum are suckers for
the big fish show up. While fishing the
a piece of crab fished on or near the
punch is another hard pulling specimen
Sabine River and Intracoastal Canal
bottom. Popular rigging for this method
that receives little pressure due the
in January and February I have had
consists of hooking a 1/4 of a whole
places where they normally reside.
26
February 2010
Now the other member of this 1-2
crab onto a 3/0 or 4/0
Striped bass are a welcome diversion
live bait hook that is
for local fishermen during winter and
tied to a 1/2 ounce
early spring. Many anglers only find
weighted Carolina rig
these brutes by accident as they probe
with 18 to 24 inches of
the river for redfish. It wasn’t until the
leader. Some fishermen
last five years or so that we really got to
beef up their tackle by
pattern these fish and become proficient
using 20 to 25 pound
at catching them. Most of the ones
test monofilament and
we caught were strictly by accident
heavy rods; use your
while chunking crankbaits along the
own discretion and just
shorelines and at the mouths of the
remember what they say
marsh drains while targeting redfish.
about chasing a bear
The toughest ones by far to catch are
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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stripers crushed my lure. For this time of the year there are few fish I would rather chase and still fewer who fight as well as the stripers do. The striper and the black drum are not high on the “flashy” or “sexy” list but they rarely fail to impress those who catch them. The sheer size of these fish and the strength with which they pull can be a real eye opener, especially if you are one of those who dismiss these fish the ones that suspend in the main river,
as inferior or not worthy of your time. I,
any fish suspended is a tough target
along with a whole host of other anglers
and these are just exactly that. By
will be glad to tell you how much fun and
relying on good electronics anglers can
challenging these fish are to catch. They
position themselves and make a proper
are a tremendous option and alternative
presentation by casting up current and
to the species you target every day
allowing their bait to fall into the face of
and can certainly provide plenty of
the fish.
excitement. In the coming weeks if you
Another great option is to fish with
are looking for a challenge, do yourself
a heavier jig or swim bait and fish
a favor and check out winter’s 1-2 punch
vertically or by slowly trolling, freshwater
of black drum and striped bass, they just
anglers refer to the technique as
may surprise you.
“strolling”. The tried and true method of fishing live bait scores some big fish as well and live mullet, shad, or techniques mentioned will catch big wintertime stripers but the most exciting has to be the topwater plug. Stripers will occasionally school and break the surface making them ideal targets
Chuck Uzzle
Contact
crawfish are tops on that list. All the
for surface pluggers. The strikes are violent. Dickie Colburn and I found the stripers mixed with speckled trout one day under the birds in the Sabine River of all places. All the trout were solid but the stripers stole the show as they peeled drag and gave great fights. Stripers love low-light conditions so the crummiest overcast days play right into their hand as they prowl around looking to ambush their next meal. I have spent
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. Phone 409-697-6111 Email cuzzle@gt.rr.com Website www.chucksguideservice.net
some great days in less than desirable conditions with a smile on my face as Just Keep Five
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
27
Science and the Sea
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Deep-Diving Unicorns of the Sea The Arctic-dwelling narwhal is undoubtedly best known for its long, lance-like tooth. But this curious looking whale also stands out when it comes to diving. Each fall, narwhal populations travel north to wintering grounds, where they spend about six months gorging on halibut and other prey. Getting to the bottom-dwelling halibut in these frigid seas brings out the narwhal’s amazing diving ability. In complete darkness under thick pack ice, narwhals dive straight down to depths of at least 2,600 feet – sometimes reaching depths of 4,000 feet or more – making them one of the whale world’s deepest divers! To cope with the tremendous pressure at these depths, narwhals have flexible rib cages that compress as water pressure increases while they descend. Narwhal muscles, like those of other deep-diving whales and seals, are packed with myoglobin, a protein that boosts their oxygen-carrying capacity so they can dive for 25 minutes or more on a single breath. These deep dives under the ice can be risky. Narwhals depend on small openings in the ice for access to air, but sudden temperature changes sometimes cause these cracks to freeze over before the whales surface. But warming Arctic temperatures have scientists concerned about narwhal survival. Loss of sheltering sea ice could leave narwhals more vulnerable to killer whales, and unpredictable temperatures also could disrupt the narwhal’s food supply. Researchers are tracking narwhals to learn more about their habits and to gauge their chances of survival in a changing Arctic.
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February 2010
TM
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
29
JAY WAT K IN S
Ask the Pro February is typically
will be holding trout of the size and weights
period may last two days or more. And
our coldest ďŹ shing month.
that many dream of this time of year. One
thus, monitoring weather conditions, water
For many it is a time to
mullet pushing or ďŹ&#x201A;ipping over a soft muddy
temperature and bait location becomes
reďŹ&#x201A;ect on past seasonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
ďŹ&#x201A;at can signal the start to a fabulous day
critically important to your success.
experiences and look
on the water, yet after thirty-plus years of
Over the past three weeks our weather
forward to the coming
doing this I am still amazed at the number
has been controlled by steady low pressure
of spring. However, for a segment of the
of anglers who continue to ďŹ sh areas with
working out of the PaciďŹ c southwest. When
Texas saltwater community, February is
NO BAIT PRESENT only because the area
these systems collide with colder air from
the favored month to pursue a lifetime best
has produced good results in the past.
the north our area receives rain and heavy
trout and the popularity of this pursuit has
Without the presence of bait your
cloud cover for several days. With water
brought ďŹ shing pressure in some areas that
chosen area will likely not produce. I spend
temperatures in the mid to lower 50s it can
has to be seen to be believed.
the majority of my time looking for bait
become difďŹ cult to get some of the bigger
activity, in fact; I use my GPS to mark areas
ďŹ sh to pattern. This is especially true if the
feeding habits and locations become a
holding bait from day to day. My reasoning
air temperature and water temperatures
little more deďŹ ned. Mud ďŹ&#x201A;ats with varied
behind marking the bait is simple, the bait
are about the same. Mature trout simply
structures of grass, scattered shell or rock
moves depending on weather, water and
opt for staying along deeper drop-offs and
that lie adjacent to deep water can become
tidal conditions â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and when the food source
eating only when they absolutely must. By
havens of ďŹ sh activity during warming
moves the gameďŹ sh follow. I am a ďŹ rm
positioning ourselves near fast warming
trends and prior to frontal assaults. For the
believer that trout never stray far from the
shallows on the day the sun pops out
most part the smaller baitďŹ sh will leave the
bait this time of year. They simply stage
and air temperatures rise above water
shallows but some larger mullet and shad
nearby, eating when needed, and then
temperature we dramatically increase the
remain. These â&#x20AC;&#x153;one meal wondersâ&#x20AC;? as I
doing nothing for long periods. Depending
odds of getting a shot at a truly special ďŹ sh.
call them are the keys to locating areas that
on the size of baitďŹ sh eaten, the no-feed
After a few months of cold weather trout
One of the absolute biggest trout I have
' (
)
! " # $ $ %!! &
' ( * +* *, -./ 0 1 2
30
February 2010
' ( $ ' & & ' & ! & ' ) & ! $ ! & & ' ( ! & ' % $ ' * +, $ !
!"# $% & ,+, * - . / 0121+
Texas Saltwater Fishing
$ 3 # $
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
A SK THE PRO
Trout of this class will be our targets as we seek to take advantage of February’s warming trend patterns here in Rockport.
ever seen was during a winter warming trend after a bitter three day storm that dropped the water temperature into the
temperature variances during the day are
40s. I was unable to get that fish to eat
always a controlling factor and monitoring
anything I threw as she moved slowly
bait location and movement is something
from one pothole to the next. She had two
you simply must become good at. Your
large fish with her but she was by far the
approach to the fishing area also requires
largest of the trio. I swear she had to have
great attention to detail. You can’t crowd
been twelve pounds or more and the other
the area. Mature trout feel your presence; I
two appeared to be ten pounders. I know
promise. Working from “outside-to-inside”
they all look bigger in the water and the
is my preferred approach. If the fish are
big ones always seem to escape but, trust
holding on structure near the shoreline I
me, these fish were all monsters. To this
approach from as far offshore as I can, and
day I continue to slip in and work this small
vice-versa if they are holding deep. Always
section of shoreline every time the mercury
remember to give the area a wide berth and
drops into the freezing range and is followed
you’ll being doing yourself a really big favor
up by a bright sunny day. Who knows,
in the odds department.
maybe her DNA is still swimming in the fish that currently reside there.
May your fishing always be catching! Jay Watkins
decent numbers of what I call solid fish have started to show. My pre-front bite has been much better than my warming trend pattern but I expect the warming trend pattern to strengthen as the fish become more acclimatized to prevailing cold weather. Catching larger trout on a consistent basis during late-winter requires extensive local knowledge. Minor changes in bottom contour that you can almost ignore in other
CONTACT
Locating numbers of large trout in the Rockport area has been hit and miss but
Jay Watkins has been a fulltime fishing guide at Rockport, TX, for more than 20 years. Jay specializes in wading year-round for trout and redfish with artificial lures. Jay covers the Texas coast from San Antonio Bay to Corpus Christi Bay. Phone 361-729-9596 Email Jay@jaywatkins.com Website www.jaywatkins.com
seasons become critically important. Water Just Keep Five
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
31
FLY F I SH IN G D EPART M EN T
C A S E Y SM ART T
Aleene’s Fabric Fusion Every now and then
drops of Aleene’s on a white sheet of
Aleene’s, and put them back on the
I come across an
paper to test how long they took to
turner. The next morning, I removed
unusual material at a
dry and how tough they were once
the flies and was thrilled with how
craft or department
they hardened. To my surprise, the
they looked. The Aleene’s on each fly
store that looks like
drops dried in several hours. They
had shrunk slightly from its original
i might i h work k ffor tying flies. Most of it
shrunk slightly as the water in the glue
volume, but the flies were smooth and
these non-traditional materials end
evaporated, but the solids left behind
translucent… exactly like traditional
up disappointing me because they
were crystal clear and extremely
Surf Candy flies.
really weren’t intended to be dunked
tough. They weren’t glassy-hard and
in saltwater and chewed on by fish,
brittle, but more like clear plastic or
but sometimes one turns out to be
vinyl. I was impressed and ready to try
genuinely useful and definitely worth
Aleene’s out on some flies.
writing about. A few months ago, I stumbled onto an unusual bottle of glue in the sewing dept. at Wal-Mart. The glue was called Aleene’s Fabric Fusion, and the label on the bottle said, “Non-toxic, permanent, dry
Next, I tried Aleene’s as a substitute
cleanable, fabric adhesive.” Upon
for epoxy on beaded eyes for shrimp
closer inspection of the bottle, I noticed the glue was clear and syrupy
patterns. Traditionally, these eyes are The first flies on which I used
made by stringing pairs of tiny glass
(like epoxy). I was intrigued because
Aleene’s were Surf Candy patterns.
beads (usually black/red or black/
most water-based glues are milky and
The body portions of these flies
orange) onto a strand of monofilament.
runny, and I had never found any that
are traditionally made by soaking
A drop of epoxy is placed on each pair
could hold up to the kind of soaking
synthetic-fiber flies with epoxy and
of beads, fusing them to the mono and
and abuse inflicted on saltwater flies.
rotating them on an electric turner
optically blending the beads together.
In spite of better judgment, I tossed a
as the epoxy cures. The epoxy
The result is a wonderfully lifelike
bottle of Aleene’s into the cart. A few
penetrates the fibers and creates
crustacean eye that can be used on
days later, I started experimenting
a juicy translucent appearance.
shrimp and crab patterns. I strung
with it.
Surf Candies are relatively easy
up a few sets of eyes and placed
flies to make, but the epoxy stinks,
a large drop of Aleene’s on each
it’s messy, and I pity the poor guy
where I would normally place epoxy.
who accidentally gets it in his eyes.
Several hours later, each had dried to
Unfortunately, besides expensive UV-
a beautiful finish. I couldn’t help but
activated acrylic resins, epoxy has
wonder what was in this stuff.
thus far been the only adhesive that
To answer that question, I got online
really works for these flies. I tied up a few raw Surf Candy patterns, coated them each with a liberal glob of Aleene’s, and stuck The first thing I noticed when
32
them on a turner. An hour later, I
I squirted some Aleene’s onto a
removed them and was quite pleased
toothpick was that it looked EXACTLY
with the result. The Aleene’s had
like epoxy. It was viscous, crystal
penetrated the fibers of the fly and
clear, and it rolled and sagged easily
smoothed out to a shiny, clear finish.
and pulled up a copy of a Material
around the pick. But unlike epoxy, the
The fly bodies were translucent and
Safety Data Sheet for Aleene’s Fabric
Aleene’s had no noxious fumes and
fishy-looking. I stuck eyes on each
Fusion. It turns out the adhesive is
did not require any mixing. I put some
of the flies, added a second coat of
a water-based polyurethane. It has
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
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needed with a few
glue for him/her to use. It has the same
(slightly heavier than water),
drops of water. Best
consistency as epoxy, without the nasty
and it conforms to the ASTM
of all, there are no
side. Likewise, if you spend much time
D-4236 standard as a
fumes and cleanup
working with epoxy or other adhesives, I
nontoxic material.
highly recommend you pick up a bottle of
Aleeneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s is just slightly
Aleeneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and experiment with it. You can
tough and will not crack or
ďŹ&#x201A;exible, which is good
ďŹ nd it at Wal-Mart and most craft stores.
discolor. I had several Surf
because it wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t crack.
A 4-oz bottle costs around ďŹ ve dollars.
Candy ďŹ&#x201A;ies that turned milky
However, this makes
Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s great stuff. As always, if you have any
after accidentally staying
it unsuitable for the
questions, feel free to contact me or visit
closed up in a wet box for
standard rigid spoonďŹ&#x201A;y
my website at www.caseysmartt.com.
several weeks, but that was
made from epoxy-
an extreme condition and
coated Mylar tape.
a mistake on my part. So
For this reason, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t
far, I have used Aleeneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
consider Aleeneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
Fabric Fusion in all sorts of
to be a complete
applications. It works great
replacement for epoxy,
as a protective coating, an
but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s close.
underlayment, a penetrating
If you have a
resin, or a general adhesive.
youngster learning
VIDE
O
It can be
to tie ďŹ&#x201A;ies, Aleeneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
thinned if
would be a great
CONTACT
is a snap. Dried
The dried glue is super
Casey Smartt has been ďŹ&#x201A;y ďŹ shing and tying ďŹ&#x201A;ies for 30 years. When he cannot make it to the coast he is happy chasing ďŹ sh on Texas inland lakes and rivers. Phone 830-237-6886 Email caseysmartt@att.net Website www.caseysmartt.com
Check out Caseyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Fly Fishing Video Library at www.TSFMag.com
SASHIMI JERKBAITâ&#x201E;˘
SASHIMI JOINTEDâ&#x201E;˘
SASHIMI PENCILâ&#x201E;˘
SASHIMI MINNOWâ&#x201E;˘
The color schemes and patterns on the Yo-Zuri Sashimi lures actually change colors as the angle of view changes. Most baitďŹ sh will change colors to blend into their environment or signal that they are in distress; these are the ones that gameďŹ sh key in on to eat. These new highly-detailed lures mimic that color changing behavior, attracting your favorite inshore predators â&#x20AC;&#x201D; redďŹ sh, seatrout, and more. The winning combination â&#x20AC;&#x201D; YoZuri Sashimi Luresâ&#x201E;˘ and Yo-Zuri H.D. CARBONâ&#x201E;˘ Fluorocarbon leader. - (- ( $(" 3 (- +( -$)( & - (- ( $(" Just Keep Five
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
33
FLY FISHING DEPARTMENT
a speciďŹ c gravity of 1.08
O F FSHO R E
BLUEWATER JOURNAL Don’t Forget the Captain BO BBY BY RD & C AP T. J PHN CO CHR AN E
A new decade is
down to one thing. You can’t beat having a great captain
upon us and as we look back over the years, offshore
on board. And without one, all the information, gadgets and
fishing in Texas has come a long way. From the early days
technology in the world won’t help when problems arise. So,
of navigation by compass and sextant to later devices
captains, take pride in your work and learn as much as you
such as Omega, Loran and GPS satellite navigation
can about all aspects of your boat. Keep maintenance logs,
systems, finding a vessel’s position on this planet has
make sure your craft is seaworthy and always be ready for
become much easier. In addition, integrated electronics
anything that might happen. Boat owners, give your captain
systems, fuel efficient/high horsepower propulsion,
the support and necessary tools that he needs to operate
global communications and an information mega-source
and maintain your vessel in top condition. You will catch
called the internet, has revolutionized the sportfishing
more fish, have less break downs, be inconvenienced much
industry. The sport of offshore fishing has become much
less and have a much better time on the water. Good luck
more sophisticated with computer programs and internet
and good fishing this New Year.
websites providing more information than ever before.
Don’t Forget! It’s time again for the winter wahoo
Technology has really changed the face of sportfishing as
run on the deep rocks offshore. This time of year it is
a whole and has made it more efficient, faster, safer, and
tough to find calm enough seas, but when you do, it can
more productive.
be very rewarding. Many of the fish will average over 50
This new technology is an immense
lbs and the bite can be quite intense. Pick your weather
accomplishment and the future holds great promise of even more inventions and ideas that will surely change the way anglers go about fishing in the future. But some
Never, ever, discount the value of a seasoned captain!
details of fishing are perpetual and cannot be changed by machines and gadgets. “You can’t catch ’em at the dock…” Nothing compares to experience. You can talk about fishing all you want, but you need to spend a lot of time on the water. A good captain on board can fill that requirement. Information and technology is great, but a captain’s instinct is also critical for success. Knowing how to interpret all this new data is a challenge. Side Scan Sonar is a great tool, but it takes experience and savvy to operate it successfully. Safety is a big issue when you are well offshore and there are many new devices for sending out emergency signals and transmitting coordinates. However, nothing can take the place of a prudent captain when it comes to how safely a vessel is operated and maintained. Experience, equipment maintenance, systems knowledge and evaluating risks all play a big factor when you are navigating offshore in marginal weather or at night. Confidence in a knowledgeable captain to get you through these obstacles with flying colors is what makes it all worth while. The captain is the one responsible for everything and everyone on the boat, whether he is an owner/operator or a professional captain. So in this day and age of great advances in technology, science and data, it still comes
34
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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Just Keep Five
we are the exclusive Texas dealer for
red and all black, as
CABO Yachts. Come by and get a
well as blue/silver. Of
great deal on your next boat. For more
course, the ballyhoo is
information check out our website at
always a great choice,
www.foxyachtsales.com or you can
usually skirted or behind
contact John Cochrane at captjohn@
an Islander lure. As
foxyachtsales.com.
OFFSHORE
black/purple, black/
for tackle, four 20-30 two-speed reels spooled with 50lb test line will and head out the night before for an
work great. Consult your local tackle
early morning arrival. This is prime
shop to help you get rigged up right.
time for the best wahoo bite. The
One other thing about wahoo fishing;
deepwater rocks around the Flower
when the bite is on, try to conserve
Gardens and to the east provide the
our resource. It’s tempting to load the
perfect location for these bluewater
boat, but you will do us all a favor if you
speedsters. Concentrate on drop-offs
only keep a reasonable amount of fish
and edges around 150-200 feet of
to eat and release the rest. For more
water while trolling deep swimming jigs
information about wahoo fishing off the
and a weighted ballyhoo. Some of our
Texas Coast or to just talk about fishing
favorite lures are Strike Pro Wahoo
and hunting, come by the Fox Yacht
Hunters and similar lures by Yozuri
Sales - Seabrook Office at Tops-N-
and Braid. Rapala Magnums are also
Towers. At Fox we have an extensive
a good choice. We like dark colors like
inventory of brokerage boats and
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Texas Saltwater Fishing
CONTACT
pound-class rods and Born in Galveston, Capt. John Cochrane has been a professional captain for over 25 years. He concentrates his fishing efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, promoting big game fishing and billfish research. A native Texan, Bobby Byrd has fished the Gulf of Mexico since he was eight. In 1995, Bobby combined his love of fishing and boating into a business when he opened Tops-N-Towers in Seabrook, Texas. Contact Fox Yacht Sales / Seabrook 281291-0656 Tops-N-Towers 281-474-4000 Capt. John Cochrane 409-739-4817 Websites www.byrd-cochrane.com www.topsntowers.com www.foxyachtsales.com
February 2010
35
CONSERVATION PAGE
BROUG HT TO YOU BY. . .
Everyone Can Be a Marine Conservationist As the saltwater fisheries see more and more pressure
as the respect between a parent and child. Respect for
from the recreational fishermen, lively discussions
the resource can be shown in many ways - including
often break out among individuals as to who is the true
obeying all bag and length limits, doing as little damage as
conservationist and why. There are many “groups” or
possible to the habitat by avoiding grass beds and other
“types” of fishermen in the world of recreational fishing,
natural structure when running your boat, keeping litter in
and each has their own reasons for choosing the way
the boat and removing any that you might see, releasing
they fish and approach the sport. We are often blinded
some “keeper” fish when you have plenty in the freezer
by our own reasoning and often tend to shun the thoughts
or really do not plan on eating any for a while, or simply
and methods of our peers that approach fishing in a
taking the time to slow down, look around and see if there
different way.
is anything out of the ordinary about your surroundings,
If one was to do a method survey at a busy boat
and if so, what is it and what can be done.
ramp at any given time, he or she would most likely find
Give back to the resource by stopping and taking the
many types of fishermen, including live baiters (shrimp
time to walk a shoreline without your rod and reel and pick
and finfish in general), dead baiters, and artificial bait
up litter and debris when you are out on a trip, take part in
fishermen (including jigs, top waters, suspending baits,
an organized cleanup effort in your local area or the area
etc.). In between all of these different types of fishermen, you might find those who are happy to catch anything they can, those that want to “limitout” every time under the provisions of current bag and length requirements, someone who simply wants a few fish
you enjoy fishing, help out with
We are often blinded by our own reasoning and shun the methods of our peers.
to eat, the trophy hunter, the
community projects in your area, or ask yourself and your peers what can I do to help make an area better. Help conserve the resource by teaching others the importance of respect and giving back, volunteer for a children’s function to
species specific fisherman, and the guy that just wants to
help educate the younger generation the importance of
be on the water.
the resource, or volunteer to help with a conservation
So who is the true conservationist out of all these
organization so that important legislative and fisheries
groups? In reality, true conservationists come from all
management battles can be won and conservation
these groups. Each individual has his or her own set of
projects can be completed.
skills, desires, and reasons for choosing how they fish and
In the end, no one type of conservationist/fisherman is
why they fish. No one group of fisherman is any less of
better than the other. We all want a viable and sustainable
a conservationist than the other as long as they respect,
resource for our generation, our children’s, grandchildren’s
give back to, and help conserve the wonderful resource
and all future generations to come. Be respectful of the
that we have available to us.
resource, get involved and make a difference.
We often talk about respect in all aspects of life, and respecting the resource is as important for a fisherman
36
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Other conservation news and events
www.TSFMAG.com
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CCA Texas Contributes $10,000 to Nueces Bay Marsh Restoration Project
towards phase one, which will restore approximately 30 acres. Contracts should be awarded by the end of
Total contribution to grow to $20,000
February and actual movement of dirt for
through secured matching grants
the restoration project should begin in March. CCA Texas / HTFT and CBBEP will also host a volunteer grass planting
from throughout the state to take part in
Project. This project, under the guidance
a hands-on effort to enhance and restore
of Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries
Texasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coastal habitat.
Program (CBBEP), will eventually restore
â&#x20AC;&#x153;CBBEP looks forward to partnering
approximately 150 acres of lost marsh
with CCA Texas and HTFT on this
along Nueces Bayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Portland Causeway.
project and we look forward to working
In addition to these funds, HTFT is also
on other projects together in the future,â&#x20AC;?
currently going through ďŹ nal approvals
commented Ray Allen, CBBEP Executive
for a $10,000 matching grant from the
Director. Allen further commented,
Fish America Foundation, pushing the
â&#x20AC;&#x153;This donation will help restore lost
total contribution and funds secured to
marsh that is important to the health
$20,000.
and sustainability of this part of Nueces
This restoration project will consist of multiple phases and these funds will go
Bay and provide opportunities for all recreational ďŹ shermen to enjoy.â&#x20AC;?
Upcoming events February 18th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Texas State Chapter Annual Banquet (Location TBD, San Marcos, TX) February 25th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Four Corners Chapter Annual Banquet (Community Center, Midlothian, TX) February 25th â&#x20AC;&#x201C; San Bernard Chapter Annual Banquet (Riverside Hall, East Bernard, TX) Be sure to check the CCA Texas Events Calendar at www.ccatexas.org.
Suspending Twitchbait MirrOdineÂŽ 17MR-EC 2-1/2" Long, 1/4 Oz.
for the Nueces Bay Marsh Restoration
Suspending Twitchbait MirrOdineÂŽ XL 27MR-BKGCH 3" Long, 3/8 Oz.
of event allows volunteers locally and
t /BUVSBM #BJUGJTI 1BUUFSO t 'FBUVSFT -PX 'SFRVFODZ 'JTI $BMMJOH 3BUUMFT t 1SFNJVN )PPLT BOE )BSEXBSF t 5SBOTQBSFOU -VNJOFTDFODF 'PJM t 4JYUFFO 1PQVMBS $PMPST t (SFBU GPS 5SPVU 3FEGJTI 4OPPL 5BSQPO BOE 4USJQFE #BTT
recently approved $10,000 in funding
The Record Setters ÂŽ
27MR MirrOdineÂŽ XL â&#x20AC;&#x201D;17MR MirrOdineÂŽ
day in late spring at the site. This type
BIG Fish On MirrOdines! 27MR MirrOdine 17MR MirrOdine
CCA Texas Executive Board and Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT)
- 4 #"*5 $0.1"/:ÂŽ 0GGJDF
XXX NJSSPMVSF DPN 0/-*/& $"5"-0( "7"*-"#-&
Just Keep Five
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February 2010
37
F I ELD
N OT E S
Mapping a New Path By Jennifer Bauer | Fish and Wildlife Technician Dickinson Marine Laboratory | Oyster Mapping and Restoration Project When most people think of a job as a fisheries
myself, Jennie Rohrer, Bill Rodney, and David Westbrook.
technician, they generally think that means working
The main objective of the program is to map and identify
with fish. When I started with Texas Parks & Wildlife
submerged habitat in Galveston Bay, Sabine Lake
Department (TPWD) I did just that; I identified, measured,
and the nearshore Gulf of Mexico. With this baseline
and counted fish collected in sampling gear and brought
information it will allow us to assess impacts resulting
in by anglers. Now, however, I am a fisheries technician
from hurricanes, vessel groundings, oil spills, etc. At the beginning of the Oyster Mapping and
Figure 1. The survey vessel, R/V Karankawa, with the side scan sonar fish (yellow) mounted on the side.
Restoration Project, we compared different habitats and organisms found within Texas’ estuaries and determined that monitoring oysters would be the best indicator species to evaluate habitat changes over time. The reason for choosing oysters as our keystone species is two fold. First, oysters are an ecologically, recreationally and commercially important aquatic species that provides nursery, refuge and foraging habitat for numerous fish and invertebrates. Water filtering capabilities of oysters also make them a valuable species in our bays. Second, oyster reefs are a permanent structure on the bay
that works with a different type of fish, a sonar fish. I was not expecting to work this close with complex technology, but
Figure 3. A side scan sonar display of oyster reef habitat. Oyster reefs appear lighter, while muddy areas appear darker.
when the opportunity arose to learn a new technique to assess habitat changes over time, I was excited to become a part of it. The opportunity to start this new program was given to TPWD via a grant from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) with funds from a congressional appropriation to provide aid for fisheries disaster relief and recovery from Hurricanes Rita and Katrina. Now, the Coastal Fisheries Division of TPWD has an Oyster Mapping and Restoration component made up of
38
February 2010
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FIELD NOTE S
areas, like mud, appear darker (Figure 3). Once
Figure 2. An underwater video image of oysters collected on a ground truthing trip.
multiple images and ground truthing data are collected, we can begin to distinguish oyster reef complexes and other habitat types as well as identify objects of interest. Following Hurricane Ike, our side scan sonar images were effective in assessing habitat changes. Passage of the storm and retreating storm surge led to significant sediment transport in Galveston Bay, resulting in widespread impact to oyster habitat. On average we found a 60% loss of oyster reefs throughout Galveston Bay caused by storm surge derived sediment and debris. Estimates in East Galveston Bay, however, show an 80% loss of oyster habitat (Figure 4). Interestingly, the images do not only reveal negative impacts from Hurricane Ike. For example, oyster reefs near the Houston Ship Channel were scoured by retreating storm surge, resulting in higher elevations of reefs relative to the surrounding bay bottom which will expose oysters to better water flow over the reef and the
bottom making them susceptible to fast moving waters from
phytoplankton upon which they feed. The images have also
natural disasters that can lead to sedimentation or scouring
allowed us to determine the best methods for assisting in
of oyster reefs. Changes in oyster habitat can be detected
recovery that include helping with debris removal and aiding
with images created by our new side scan sonar system,
in current and future oyster reef restoration projects.
a Teledyne Benthos C3D (Figure 1). This sonar allows us
With the success of the Oyster Mapping and Restoration
to not only detect changes to oyster reefs, but also map
Project thus far, we hope to eventually expand the project
shallow water habitats and determine water depths and
to survey the entire Texas coast allowing improved damage
bottom contours.
assessments for the entire state. Although we do not wish
Side scan
Figure 4. A comparison of an oyster reef (highlighted blue) in East Galveston Bay before (left) and after (right) Hurricane Ike. Approximately 88% of this reef was buried by sediment after the storm.
sonar creates
for more hurricanes,
an image of
technology has
the bay bottom
better prepared
based off the
us to assess
absorptive
damages and
and reflective
aid in a quick
acoustic
recovery that
properties of
will not only
each habitat
benefit the
substrate.
oysters, but
Unfortunately,
everyone who
side scan sonar
uses the water.
can not indicate whether an area is mud, sand, oyster shell, rocks, etc. Using a variety of ground truthing methods, including oyster dredges, sounding poles and underwater video (Figure 2), we can identify different bottom types. As a result, we have concluded that dense areas, like oyster
Check the TPWD Outdoor Annual, your local TPWD Law Enforcement office or www.tpwd.state.tx.us for more information.
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
39
K AYAK
F I SH IN G
First Fishing Kayak Every year around this time I start getting
C AP T. SCOT T NULL
c calls and e-mails from folks about to jump into
frills kayak for under $300 or you can drop close to four grand for the Surfango. The most popular range is $800 to $1200.
kayak fishing. Most have been thinking about it for quite a
You can outfit a top-line kayak and be ready to start fishing for
while and have done a bit of research on what boat to buy
around $1500, very affordable when you compare with even
and are trying to narrow down their choices. Others have no
the most economical powerboat.
clue and simply ask, “What’s the best kayak for fishing.” That’s a tough question these days as there are so many
So with all these choices and options available, how do I answer the question? I begin by asking a few questions of
fishing-appropriate kayaks on the market. Back when I
my own. What kind of fishing do you plan to do? Where do
started it was merely a matter of choosing narrow and fast
you plan to fish? What is your budget? And lastly, how big a
or wide and slow. To say the choices were limited would
fella are you?
be an understatement. Since that time the manufacturers
The answer to the first two really need to be honest.
have responded with a myriad of kayaks aimed squarely at
Different conditions and styles of fishing require different
the fisherman.
models. Everyone gets into this sport with thoughts of fishing all sorts of places, they want to do it all. Being honest about where you will spend the majority of your time will result in getting a kayak that is best suited for what you will truly be doing. Being less than honest will result in a boat that is right for a style of fishing you might only do occasionally and will not suit the majority of your trips. If you are planning on sticking to the marshes chasing reds fairly close to the launch point; I tend to steer towards the wider and more stable models. These might not be as efficient or easy to paddle, but a kayak that is stable
Demo days can be of great assistance to first time buyers.
enough to stand up in is a valuable tool in that environment. If the angler is looking at
With so many choices it can be quite confusing to those first tinkering with the idea of fishing from a little plastic boat. Fishing kayaks
Surf kayaking is best approached in a boat designed for the job.
now come in lengths from ten to sixteen feet and widths from twenty-eight to a whopping thirtyeight inches. You can choose to paddle or pedal and there are even models factory-equipped with electric trolling motors. At the end of the spectrum is the motorized Surfango with a 9.5 hp jet drive engine allowing you to zip along at over 30 mph and then paddle into your honey hole. Along with increased variety, the price range has also increased dramatically. In the past most of the acceptable models were within $100 of each other, so cost generally wasn’t much of a factor in the decision. Now you can pick up a no-
40
February 2010
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things add up in cost of materials, they also require more man-hours to assemble. For me, quality equals durability Hobie’s Pro Angler offers extreme stability for flats fishing along with pedal-power to help get you there.
and I’m pretty tough on my equipment. I expect it to work as designed and withstand the everyday abuse of fishing in saltwater without failing. That last question, “how big a fella are you?” often gets a laugh. But it is an important factor. A really big guy in a fairly small boat will seriously affect the paddling and
K AYAK FISHING
use stainless bolts and nuts. Not only do those little
stability. Also, a person who is undersized for the boat they choose can have issues because the kayak sits too high on the water and is adversely affected by wind. Most manufacturers express some sort of weight capacity in their literature for the various models. The problem is that there is no industry standard regarding this issue. While one company may list the maximum weight for their boat to perform at an acceptable level, another may list paddling longer distances or fishing the open bays; I’ll lean more
their max as the point at which the boat will remain safely afloat.
towards the longer, narrower boats that are much more efficient
Listed weight capacities can be little more than a general guide.
and tend to track in a straight line much easier when faced with
You’ll also have to keep in mind that your gear can add a good
a crosswind. Fishing the surf is best done in a kayak designed
deal to the total.
with a more upturned bow and increased stability to allow safe
While I can generally help somebody narrow down their search
launching and landing in rough conditions. Don’t get me wrong,
to a few models by answering these questions, the only real way
all of the available models will take you fishing. However, if you
you’ll know what kayak fits you best is time on the water. Most
buy a surf boat because you might occasionally hit the beach
kayak specialty retailers have rental programs that will allow you
but will spend most of your days in the marsh, you aren’t getting
to take a boat out on the water for a day or two. Many of these
the most for your money.
shops will also apply that rental fee towards the purchase of your
And speaking of money, the
kayak if you end up buying from them.
next question that needs to be answer is about the budget of the buyer. As stated above,
Rental fees are cheap and well worth it if Dean with red – Kayak fishing…gotta love it!
they keep you from making an expensive mistake. If you can’t do the rental, at
you can get into this sport
least attend one of the many kayak demo
on a slim budget or you can
days that are held each spring. I just
spend a little more and get real
spoke with three of the major shops in
quality equipment. One of the
Texas and each have plans for demo
questions I get all the time is
days in March or April.
in regards to the price of the
Once you’ve picked the perfect kayak
various boats. As with many
you can begin considering accessories,
other things, you get what you
but that’s a whole other topic for another
pay for. The lower end boats will
article. Good luck and welcome to the
use cheaper or thinner plastic
kayak fishing addiction.
and have fewer amenities while
CONTACT
the higher priced boats use better base materials and have more features. Also, the method for attaching eyelets, footpegs and other hardware will affect the price. Less expensive boats will use rivets as connectors
Capt. Scott Null is a devout shallow water fisherman offering guided adventues via kayak, poled skiff, and wading. Phone 281-450-2206 Website www.letsgofishing.net
while the higher priced boats
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
41
ACCORDING
TO
SCOTT
C AP T. SCOT T SOMM ERL AT T E
Bright Horizons
As I sit here writing this February column shortly after celebrating the New Year, I realize that I (and many other anglers) am, in fact, celebrating the end of 2009 rather than the beginning of 2010. You know what I’m talking about: a bad economy coupled with severe drought conditions and followed by torrential rains. All in and all done, the year 2009 was kind to very few of us, but as the old saying goes, when you’re at rock bottom, the only place you can go is up. So to get this New Year started off with a bang, I am going to focus on what I believe to a big bright horizon with lots of possibilities. For example, let’s take a look at the very first day of 2010. Outside of being
windy and cold that morning, it was as pretty a day as I can remember. Of course, being the day after New Year’s Eve and all, I slept in and missed the sunrise. There was no way I was going to miss the sunset over the bay, too, so a new fishing buddy and I launched the skiff and set off across the bay to witness the end of what I hope to be the first of many beautiful days this year. This particular day even ended great as we had the opportunity to cast a bucktail to a small pod of fish just as the sun was hitting the horizon. The first fish of the year is always a special moment for me and to share it with a new friend means even more. The point being, that after all the awful
The first fish of the
year is always a special moment for me and to
share it with a new friend means even more.
42
February 2010
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great fishing we all hope for. As for the rotten economy, well it has hit us all in some way or another. In many cases, it hit people so hard that they couldn’t afford to fish as much as they normally would have. However, if you believe everything you hear on talk radio and TV, the economy is getting better, albeit very slowly. Again, I have high hopes, not only for the many people in the fishing industry that have taken major hits to their incomes, but to everyone out there because simple economic principals dictate that we need to make money to spend it, and you have to spend money to go fishing. So with 2009 behind us, it’s time to focus on all the good things to come in 2010. I think the cards are stacked in our favor because as I said earlier, when you are low as low can get, the only place to go is up. For all us fishermen out there, it’s going to be a spectacular year with bright, sunny days where the only thing to do is pick a point on the compass, point the bow to the horizon, and go fishing. Here’s to you all in this upcoming year! Wishing you the best of tides, the fairest of winds, and all the great stuff like that!
ACCORDING TO SCOT T
weather we’ve had, I am hoping Mother Nature gives us a break this year and allows us to reap the benefits of all the harsh conditions she’s dealt lately. That’s right folks; the drought is over! (For now.) I mean, let’s face it; the prominent weather pattern in Texas is one giant drought interrupted by the occasional torrential flood, which is exactly what we got this past fall: lots and lots of rain! None of us got to fish as much as we would have liked, but it goes without saying that we needed every bit of rain that fell. Thankfully, as of late, we are seeing fewer and fewer big green blobs on the radar, and the salinities in most of our Texas Bays have dropped to a more normal level or, in some cases, at little fresher than normal levels. Let me tell you, this is good news for our bays. This last year, most of our bays experienced hyper-saline conditions causing detrimental effects on the nursery areas that are necessary for rearing shrimp, crabs, and baitfish. The saline deprivation also created unfavorable growing conditions for habitat necessary to sustain what little forage did survive the higher salinities. At no time was this more apparent than when the autumn months arrived, but the fish never moved into the shallows to hunt the numerous white shrimp that should have been there. I have high hopes that we’ll receive some appropriate rains this year to help the bays start producing the crustaceans and food fish that are so important to the
Capt. Scott Sommerlatte is a full time fly fishing and light tackle guide, freelance writer and photographer. Telephone 979-415-4379 Email vssommerlatte@hotmail.com Website www.scottsommerlatte.com
Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
43
YO UT H
F I SH IN G
TEXAS SALTWATER THROUGH
If Fish Could Talk A ARON CISN EROS
Recently, when my friends and I were out wading,
best comedians. I think I’ve even heard the catfish at the
bottom and took a splash in the frigid bay waters. We all
cleaning table chuckling from time to time. Personally,
turned just in time to see him flopping like a fish out of
I’ve witnessed many legs split between the boat and the
water. Boy, did we have a good laugh, even though we
dock, resulting in very wet, and very surprised fishermen.
knew our trip was going to be cut short. As we made our
If the fish in those waters could talk, we would certainly
way back to the boat, one of my friends made a comment
die of laughter.
to us that stuck. He said, “I wonder what the fish thought
What would fish say to the angler that owns more lures
he was.” We continued poking fun at my friend even as
of different colors that rivals the amount of handshakes
we hurried back to the dock. While we packed up, he sat
and photos Mickey Mouse gives in a year? Also known as
on the ice chest, shivering uncontrollably, and thinking it
the pack mule fisherman, this angler knows it all, has a
was not funny at all.
theory for everything and anything that lives in the water,
Every fisherman has his fair share of funny stories to
44
Busy boat docks can rival the funniest jokes from the
one of my friends lost his balance in the not-so-friendly
and carries the whole fishing department on his waist and
tell. If there is ever a time when you are feeling a little
shoulders. To fish it’s all the same as a cane pole, small
depressed, grab a lawn chair and sit yourself around
amount of line, a bobber, and some live bait. Though this
noon time at the busiest boat dock where fishermen are
excessive spending is all in the love of the sport, I’m sure
coming and going. I guarantee you’ll get a few laughs.
fish would agree that we own far more equipment than we
February 2010
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YOUTH FISHING
YOUTHFUL E YES
If fish could talk...
need. With all our boating and fishing
monster trout! The trout had hardly
shows coming up, displaying the latest
any spots on its back. I managed to
technology and equipment, perhaps
nervously hold her for a second, and
fish are having their own watery
that’s when she fell out of my hands.
conventions, with seminars such as
The hook came off, and she swam
“How Not to Get Caught” or “When
away with a smirk. If she could’ve had
to Jerk on the Line of the Jerk.” If fish
her say, it would’ve probably been to
could only talk….
continue my chase for the rest of my
Fishing dates back to prehistoric times and has certainly offered countless fun filled moments for
life and remember that fishing should always be fun. Fishing at all levels has brought
anglers of all ages throughout time.
many families together. It has allowed
Fish would probably taunt us, if they
sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers
could, to continue our pursuit of
to enjoy the outdoors. It has brought,
happiness through this sport because
and continues to bring, life-long
they know that we won’t always win,
lessons to all who are exposed. Yes,
despite the latest equipment we
fishing with the cane pole underneath
possess. I’m convinced that every
the old bridge has become more
fisherman has a story to share about
expensive with all the trinkets and
the one that got away. I will always
gadgets that are offered today, but
remember my own. It was by far the
it has brought immeasurable value
biggest trout I have ever seen or
to those who have experienced the
hooked, of course. I estimated her at
sport. Most certainly, if fish could
around the 31-32 inch mark. It was a
talk, they would tell us to continue the
clear blue-sky day, and I was working
chase because who wouldn’t like the
a mud flat that had lots of bait. The
attention and all the laughs we give
redfish were thick and easy to catch,
them? Plus, if they’re like us, they
and on another bite where I thought I
might like to see their photographs in
had yet another redfish, I horsed the
magazines. Ha!
fish in. As the fish got closer, I saw a Just Keep Five
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
45
E V ERY
MAN ’S
OF FSHO RE
Striking Yellow Gold - Part 1 Who would
to a 5-foot length of fluorocarbon
you are at chunking, so small
have guessed that
leader (60, 80 OR 100#). These
modifications, such as adding a
by designing a
are tied to either a circle hook or
small pea-sized egg weight above
spar-type oil rig
live bait hook that is deployed in
the swivel or rubber core sinker
tto d ill in i very deep water, ocean drill
a manner that keeps the chunk
above your chunk rig can increase
engineers would contribute to blue
moving continuously for about a
your chances. Also, if you change
water fishing like never before.
minute. Then the line is reeled back
your hook from a thin wire diameter
The Nansen and Boomvang spars
in so more chunks can be dropped
to a thick wire diameter, you’ll have
first gave us this opportunity. The
over, so your chunk rig can again
all the extra weight you need to
Nansen Boomvang spar area
be dropped back into the chunk
get a bite. One of my own personal
is accessible for most offshore
line and let out. A ball bearing
preferences when I’m chunk fishing
anglers from Galveston all the way
swivel is used in the chunk rig
for yellow fin tuna is to throw
down to Port Isabel. Due to the fact
because it helps take the twists out
some silver glitter with my chunks,
that the Nansen Boomvang area
imitating small
receives lots of fishing pressure for
fish scales. This
its yellow fin tuna from party boats,
keeps the yellow
yachts, and center consoles, fine-
fin curious about
tuned methods are needed for a
what’s going on
successful trip. The four methods
further up the
of attack for the yellow fin tuna
chunk line.
chunking, jigging, top waters, and
The setups
stick/jerk baits. All of these methods
I like for this
are very successful but require the
method of
right rod, reel, and line to achieve
Selection of proper leader material, hooks and swivels will enhance your yellowfin success.
the goal of enticing a yellow fin tuna into a strike. The first method is CHUNKING. Chunking involves cutting black
2-speed reels, such as the Shimano Tiagra 16, Talica 16, TLD
fin tuna, bonito, or skipjack tuna
20 or 30 2-speed
with or without the skin into 1-inch
of your line. A note: when you use
reels, Daiwa Saltist 40 or 50
cubes and establishing a chunk
fluorocarbon leader material that is
2-speed reels, Avet LX 6/3 or HXW
line. The advantage you gain with
pretty light, such as 60#, it’s a good
2-speed, or Accurate B2 30 or 665
skin still attached is being able
idea to double over the
to hide the knot under the skin,
leader material when
so the yellow fin can’t see it. The
tying the swivel and
chunk line is basically a series of
hook on. That way,
chunks thrown over the side of
there is more surface
the boat about every 20 seconds
area on the hook and
to draw yellow fin tuna in close.
swivel eyes, so a long
When you arrive at either Nansen
fight doesn’t result in
or Boomvang spars, keeping the
a lost fish due to the
chunk line going all night is a must
eyes cutting through
to increase your chances of drawing
the leader material.
in the yellow fin. Dropping your
(Leader material is
chunk rig in the chunk line consists
inherently un-stretchy.)
of using anything from a small, ball bearing swivel (150# or 200#) 46
fishing are small,
February 2010
Carrying a range of jig styles and weights is the best way to find the bite.
The current can affect how successful Texas Saltwater Fishing
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knife jigs or butter fly jigs are very popular, but I still also
reels are 6 to 6 ½ feet long and have a mono rating of 30
suggest candy bar style and diamond jigs, especially when
-80# test. Spectra backing to a mono top shot is required
everyone else is using butter fly jigs. A different kind of fall
due to the limited mono line capacities these reels have,
or flutter might be all it takes to draw a strike.
but even so, they sure are lighter than other reels that carry much higher mono line capacities. The second method I would like to elaborate on is Manufacturers now offer a dazzling array of reels applicable to yellowfin angling.
names such as Jerry Brown, Power Pro, Momoi Diamond
JIGGING. Jigging
braid, and Sufix Performance Braid (a very thin, super
involves tying on
strong version with little to no stretch). The introduction of
various sizes, colors,
specialized jig rods for vertical jigging has really changed
and weights of lures
the offshore fishing rod market. Both the small, light-
to discover what the
weight rod (that feels like the weight of a bay fishing outfit)
yellow fin tuna wants
and the jig rod (that is almost the same diameter as bay
that particular night. I
fishing outfit) are starting to become the norm. Many rod
don’t recommend only
manufactures offer these as a model to take down serious
one type of jig, color,
fish like the powerful yellow fin tuna. Traditional jigging
or weight because
methods of letting the metal jigs fall and racing them back
of variables such
up to the surface is still popular, but new methods such as
as the current. For
walking the dog vertically are gaining in popularity.
instance, if you only
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One of the key components that makes vertical jigging so effective is spectra line, which is sold under many popular
The next two methods of attack on yellow fin tuna will be
have light jigs, they
TOPWATER LURES and STICK/JERKBAITS. Remember to
won’t get deep down
keep the chunk line going and take various sizes of metal
in the water column
jigs to account for the current (or lack thereof). All these
when the current is
different methods have been developed because until
running hard. I know
you’re out there, you won’t know what the fish wants.
Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
47
E VERY MAN ʼ S OFFSHORE
wide spool 2-speed. The rods that match well with these
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
49
TSF
MAG A ZIN E
SPOTL IG HT
TSF M AG A ZIN E SPOTL IG HT
Gulf Coast Marine
50
Gulf Coast Marine at 10121 S. Padre Island Drive in Corpus Christi, TX has been a family-owned business since 1954. Founded by Bill Holmes Sr. and now with Billy Holmes Jr. at the helm, Gulf Coast Marine takes great pride in offering their customers what they call, “guaranteed fastest possible service in South Texas.” Billy says his father founded the business on great service and customer relations and the tradition continues. “It’s been our trademark for as long as we’ve been in business. We have families who have been buying boats and all their service work for three generations and we are very proud of these relationships.” Gulf Coast Marine offers the most extensive selection of boats and outboard motors in one location on the Texas Coast. The brands and models cover the full spectrum of fishing boats from shallow lagoon to bluewater. Their sixteen bay service center staffed by factory-trained technicians is equipped with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment for all the outboard brands they carry and a test tank to troubleshoot difficult engine performance problems under load. To support the service center, Gulf Coast Marine maintains a $1.0 million parts inventory. Billy Holmes says, “The outboard service parts network in this country is not nearly advanced as the auto parts industry where you can get almost anything overnight. Waiting days or even a week for parts to get a customer back on the water is unacceptable, so we stock a large inventory for all brands to be able to deliver world class service.” The list of boat brands currently available at Gulf Coast Marine includes, Blue Wave, Everglades, Glacier Bay, Gulf Coast, SeaArk, Shallow Sport, Shallow Stalker, Shearwater, Sterling, Striper, TwinVee Catamarans, UltraCat and World Cat. Their outboard lineup is equally impressive with Evinrude, Johnson, Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki and Mercury. Chances are if you are looking for a boat and motor combination to suit your personal fishing application you can find it at Gulf Coast Marine! February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Receiving manufacturer’s Customer Service Awards is a blue-chip indication that assures prospective buyers they will receive excellent service after the sale and Gulf Coast Marine has garnered their share, including a host of platinum level prizes. Billy Holmes counts two of the industry accolades they have received as very special, the Boating Industry Association’s Top 100 Dealers Award and the very first presentation of the prestigious R. J. Doherty Award. Stop by their store or visit online at www.gcmboats.com to learn more about products and services offered. Clicking the service tab on the home page will allow customers to schedule service appointments and also order parts. Gulf Coast Marine 10121 S. Padre Island Drive - Corpus Christi, Texas 800-622-2449 2009 Striper Walk Around O/B
2007 Everglades Boats 243cc
2008 Sea Hunt BX19
2005 Shallow Sport 21V
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Layering For Comfortable Winter Wade Fishing Winter wade fishing requires good gear…period! Winter waders face water temperatures that range anywhere from 60º to 45º and unless you are dressed correctly it can be downright miserable. It may not feel too bad at first, but trophy trout rarely come on the first cast. What we’re talking about is a cold boat ride to kick things off and then getting belly deep water and working very slowly for several hours at a stretch, all for one big bite. Layering with garments made from fabric that wicks body moisture under breatheable waders is the best setup man has yet to invent. I learned this to be true after too many years of cold weather wading in cotton and neoprene. Duck hunting had to be even worse than fishing as scurrying around in calf deep muck to set the decoys and then hustling after downed birds is a workout. Settling steamily into the blind to await the next flight brings on a world-class case of the cold clammies as your body temperature returns to normal but the body moisture created by the exercise cannot escape. I remember peeling my waders when the hunt was over and thinking they must have surely sprung a leak. Proper layering begins with underwear and Simms offers some of the best with their Waderwick line of tops and bottoms. What we need to accomplish here is covering ourselves in layers that keep us warm and dry without restricting mobility and making us look the Michelin man. Waderwick tops and bottoms are made from material that stretches and also possesses exceptional insulating properties. Of course as their name implies, they wick body moisture too. Next comes fleece tops and pants and Simms offers these Just Keep Five
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garments in a variety of styles and weights and the Simms Guide Series are my personal favorite for the really cold days. In addition to being made from two-way stretch 300 series fabric for warmth and comfort, Guide Series pants actually have pockets and a zippered fly. Nothing aggravates me more than pants with no fly and no pockets. The tops are of half-zipper style at the neck with a zippered chest pocket. The lining of both tops and pants is soft velour for warmth, comfort, and as you might guess, it wicks moisture. Not every fishing day that starts cold ends that way. Thank God for afternoon sunshine. This is where layering really shines. Long about midday we often find it necessary to shed a layer. Being able to ditch any combination of four garments under our waders and wading jacket makes it easy to adjust to rising temperatures. One thing we haven’t covered is a plan for keeping feet warm and Simms has you covered with a full line of liner socks and heavier boot socks in a range of styles and weights. I have seen so many winter waders who try to make do with their summer gear in winter and that usually does not work too well. I recommend oversize wading shoes for wintertime as cramming extra layers into your summertime gear will likely leave your feet pinched. Pinching and general tightness of wading shoes will reduce blood circulation and if the pinching doesn’t take you back to the boat early, freezing feet will. Be smart when you shop. Slip on a pair of heavyweight socks and waders before trying on shoes. As a general rule, I go up two sizes. They are not only more comfortable and my feet stay warmer, they help me glide over soft mud – kind of like skis. Gray-bearded fat men need all the help they can get in this department!
Where to find Simms Fishing Products: Angler’s Edge – 5000 Westheimer – Houston Backwoods Equipment – 2725 W 7th St. – Fort Worth Cabela’s – IH 35 – Buda / 12901 Cabela Dr. – Fort Worth Fishing Tackle Unlimited/Cut Rate – 12800 Gulf Fwy / 8933 Katy Fwy – Houston The Tackle Box – 3305 N. Ben Jordan – Victoria Gruene Outfitters – 1629 Hunter Rd – New Braunfels Johnny’s Sport Shop – 101 Boothe Dr. – Eagle Lake Living Waters Fly Fishing – 2111 Sam Bass – Round Rock Rockport Tackle Town – 3010 Hwy 35 North – Rockport Roy’s Bait & Tackle Outfitters – 7613 SPID – Corpus Christi Seaworthy Marine – 102 South Fulton Beach Rd. – Fulton Sportsman’s Finest – 12434 FM 2244 – Austin Tackle Box Outfitters – 6330 North New Braunfels – San Antonio Tailwaters Fly Fishing – 2416 McKinney - Dallas
Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
51
NEW Tackle Fleece For Cold Weather Wading
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American Rodsmiths is pleased to announce the release of the ALL NEW Team Series™ Inshore Rods for the 2010 fishing season featuring American Rodsmiths latest fishing innovation… The V17 PRO TOUR GRIPS™. Designed in a partnership with golf industry leader Winn Grips, the NEW V17 Pro Tour Grips™ are designed to provide a secure grip and exceptional comfort while fishing, even when wet. In fact, tests have proven that the wetter they get, the better they get.
Simms tops and bottoms are designed to keep the wading angler comfortable in the cooler water temperatures we face in the coming months. Simms new Guide Top and Pants feature 300-weight two way stretch fabric which offers excellent warmth, breathability and mobility. Lofty velour interior is soft and warm with lifetime wicking performance. The tops feature 1/2 zip front and one zippered check pocket. Bottoms feature zippered fly, adjustable drawcord waistband, zippered back pocket and sideseam pockets. Top and Pants retail for $99.95.
The Wiley X Zak frame is incredibly rugged yet remarkably light. Wide temples and wrap-around shape give an aggressive style while blocking side light and wind.
AVAILABLE JANUARY 2010 at a dealer near you. For more information, contact American Rodsmiths, or email Americanrodsmiths@ yahoo.com
52
February 2010
SIMMS
Wiley X Active Series Sunglasses: Zak with Blue Mirror Polarized Lenses
American Rodsmiths V17 PRO TOUR GRIPS™
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Like Wiley X eyewear, the Zak07 is certified OSHA-grade occupational eye protection with high velocity impact resistance (ANSI Z87-2). Blue Mirror shatterproof polarized lens is a green tint to boost contrast between different shades of vegetation. Blocks 100% of harmful UV rays. Advanced 8-layer lens construction.
As a leader in providing the U.S. Armed Forces with protective eyewear, Wiley X delivers combat-proven technology and performance. Lifetime warranty against defects. MSRP $126. 800-776-7842. www.wileyx.com
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& Gear ForEverlast Hunting & Fishing Products, Inc.
Texas Tackle Factory
Waterloo Rods
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www.TexasTackleFactory.com
www.waterloorods.com
ForEverlast will introduce in 2010 a Generation II or G2 series of products improving several of our current products designs and introducing some very unique new items to our selection while keeping the same great value in place. The first makeover will be with our very popular Ray Guard Shields by which we have added black protective edging to all edges of the guards to increase longevity of the product and for extra protection we have added an extra armor shield out front to guard against rocks and other underwater objects over the shin area. G2 series products will be available at your favorite tackle shop or visit us on the web at www. foreverlast. com for more information.
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There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to pry a limit of toothy flounder or speckled trout off a nylon stringer after a long, tiring wade. TTF’s new EZ Slide stringer was designed to let you work smarter, not harder. This 15-foot long, heavy-duty nylon stringer is coated in TTF’s EZ Slide sheath material. When you’re ready to offload your limit, just remove the EZ float stopper and let your catch slide effortlessly into the
Jimmy Burns of Waterloo Rods says, “Our new blanks are smaller in diameter and lighter, making them the hottest new rods on the market.” Waterloo Rods have always maintained the highest quality and craftsmanship. Built in the USA and made of the finest components including titanium guides and best graphite materials on the market. If you want to fish with the best, Waterloo Rods are for you.
livewell or onto the cleaning table. And for just $19.99 at www.TexasTackleFactory.com, this stringer is EZ on the wallet, too!
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
53
DICKIE COLBURNʼS
Sabine Scene DICKIE COLBURN 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
While we can only hope that the fishing on Sabine in 2010 will match what we enjoyed this past year, it certainly has not disappointed over the past month or so. It may have been even better thus far due to less runoff from the lakes and surface temperatures that climb
into the fifties on most days. This is not to say that you should load up and head in this direction expecting an easy outing as any given trip can still be more akin to casting practice than catching. The good news, however, is that when it is good it is very good! More so as a matter of choice than any other factor, I
54
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
will spend most of my fishing time on those flats adjacent to the ICW or those bordering drains on the Louisiana shoreline this month. Both are confidence areas in that they hold good concentrations of small mullet with the safety of deeper water nearby. Do not eliminate any lure in your box that you can fish slowly and still keep suspended off the bottom. The key word is “slowly”. A Corky Fat Boy or Devil, a Catch V, and the MirrOdine XL are hard to beat right now. Everyone has their own confidence colors, but I will trust my outings to pink, pearl-chartreuse, electric chicken or bone. When swimming 5-inch tails like the Assassin Shads or MirrOlure soft mullet rigged on a 1/8 ounce head, I will add pumpkin-chartreuse and red shad to my arsenal. We seldom fish deeper than five feet with the most productive bite usually taking place in depths of 2 to 3 feet of water. During the colder hours of the morning we do a little better at the five foot mark. Tidal movement is always the most critical factor for us, but I never pass on the warmer hours of the afternoon. I know that most of you still cannot force yourself to give this a try, but I continue to have clients that hate the Corky
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Even the worst of weather hasn’t slowed the redfish bite.
do as well or better than I do by fishing it under a Bass Assassin Kwik Cork. The deadliest combination for me is a 4-inch Corky or Fat Boy fished on 18 to 24-inches of leader under the oval shaped cork. The rig has the added benefit of the noise factor and the lure remains in the strike zone regardless of how inattentive or cold they may get. For some reason, at least here on Sabine and Calcasieu, it also attracts more redfish than fishing the same lure in a conventional manner. There is no question that this rig is easier to fish with a spinning rod. I prefer a seven foot CastAway SLS7-X rod combined with US Reel’s 230SX spooled with 20-pound Power Pro. I also use 20 to 30 pound monofilament for a leader rather than fluorocarbon. Not unlike my inability to explain why I continue to abandon certain lures that worked well in the past, there is no good reason for not targeting the oyster reefs on the south end of the lake from now through the month of May. For years, that was the only area we fished in the winter and we caught a world of big trout. When all else fails, I invariably find myself returning to the reefs and wondering Just Keep Five
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SABINE
why I don’t fish them more. There is obviously more to it than simply tying on a jig and drifting until you break it off on the shell, but that is a good place to start. The trout have everything they need to survive even the coldest of days. Depths range from 3 to 22 feet over shell, there is a good exchange of bait which includes sand eels on each tide change, and the salinity level is consistently healthier than any other area of the lake. There are days, even certain hours of each day, when the same suspending lures and shallow water techniques work on the reefs, but the fish that stack up on the deeper breaks are the main reason for running south. Bring along lots of jig heads as you will leave the lake lighter and include at least one pack of every color plastic that you own. It is critical that you control the speed of your drifts and tracking them on your GPS enables you to easily repeat a productive trail. The catching can be so incredible when you get everything right that you will wonder why we ever leave it as well!
Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
55
Roys Bait & Tackle - Corpus Christi - 361-992-2960 and other fine retailers in the Texas area. Endorse d By Cpt. Ste ve Utley
Port Mansfield Annual FishingTournament July 22-25, 2010
Mailing Address: Event Center:
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Phone Number: Fax Number: E-mail Address: Website:
www.TSFMAG.com
956-944-2354 956-944-2515 pmft@granderiver.net www.portmansfield.us
www.reactionstrike.com / kris@reactionstrike.com
Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
57
MICKEY
On Galveston Howdy, Capt. Mickey here, we finally got the holidays behind us and it’s time for me to try and offer a little fishing recap and a fishing forecast that might come true. The way the weather has been of Contact late I could probably throw Mickey Eastman’s a dart and be about as Guide Service accurate. So let me kick Telephone 409-883-0723 everything off here by saying I hope all are well and keeping warm here in the New Year and I hope you get to enjoy lots of days on the water in 2010. Winter is taking an unusual toll on the coast as we Mickey Eastman is a full-time fishing guide out of Baytown, TX. Mickey has 26 years guiding experience on the Galveston area bays and is the founder of Gulf Coast Troutmasters, the largest speckled trout tournament series of all time
seem to be getting one of those old-fashioned winters. We’ve had major weather issues, with all the rain, fog, cold weather, and winds. We really had a flurry through most of the month of December. As things have gotten colder and drearier, you’ve just had to pick your days, and the bite was usually slow. Everything has been slow: West Bay, East Bay, Trinity, all the big three. However, West Bay had a little bit of shine to it about the middle of December. There was a lot of small and mid-size fish up to about three and four pounds caught drifting on the reefs and on the streaks in the middle. Really, West Bay’s been the most consistent of all our bays, which sometimes happens at this time of year when Ol’ Man Winter gets serious on us. Once that water stays in the 50s a long time, West Bay tends to produce a lot more consistently. Burnett Bay, the
Advanced Trophy Trout Tactics is a 65- minute instructional DVD which offers detailed advice on how to catch big trout on artificial lures. To preview and/or purchase, visit www.fishbaffinbay.com, or call 361-688-3714.
“I received the DVD and give you an A+ on all segments.” ~Steven Copeland
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February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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little bay back upstream here from Trinity, has also been loaded with little fish, and lots of boats are drifting out there catching anywhere from fifteen to thirty trout a day, sometimes full limits for everybody, but no size worth crowing about. A few fish have been in the fivepound class, but mostly they’re all “just keeper” stuff. Trinity Bay has finally gotten rid of all that fresh water it accumulated; it turned over just at the end of December. There has even been a little bird action from the spillway back towards Fisher’s Reef in about eight or nine feet of water, where the greener, clearer water was. The river’s finally gone down, and regular tides are returning. We’ve had a northeast wind and really above-normal tides all season, but now the waters have salted back up significantly, so it’s not looking too bad for the rest of the season if we just get some good weather. There’s a front blowing in now; as I write, it’s gale-force winds here out of the west-northwest. We’re going to lose a lot of water, and this is going to be about a one-week set back, but that’s just part of the winter game we have to play. East Bay’s been yielding a few really good trout along the north shoreline behind these fronts. There’s always that one-day window when you can squeeze in behind the front and work that north shoreline. There’s not a lot of fish, but there have been some nice ones in the 28 to 29-class being caught over there and that’s something you can crow about. You have to really work hard for those fish, though. Mostly 51MR Mirrolures and Corkys have been doing the trick in about three feet of water. It’s really hard wading; you just have to put in your time and pay your dues, and some good fish will come out of it. In the last few tournaments around here (we had a couple during December), the fish were really nice, so that’s a good sign for the spring coming up. Hit your good weather trends behind these harsher fronts when you can and concentrate on deep shell in
ou get a West, East, and Trinity Bays. If you good warming trend that lasts a few days and that high pressure moves off, those fish will really slide in shallow, kind of like they do over at Calcasieu and Sabine. For the most part, though, your fish are going to stay in that 4-8 foot range where they can snuggle down in that mud right at the edge of the shell. We haven’t really had many warm, sunny days this season so far, and that’s hurt us, but that’s the way it goes. The good news is that we’re saving fish while we wait. A lot of pressure has left the bays, as we’re not hitting them as hard. That’s good news for this coming year. Maybe there’ll be a couple double-digit trout from one of the nearby flats in March or early April. Keep your lures ready!
If you get a good warming
trend that lasts a few days and that high pressure
moves off, those fish will really slide in shallow.
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
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February 2010
59
CAPT. BILLʼS
Fish Talk As we have heard many Bill Pustejovsky is a full-time guide at Matagorda, TX. Bill fishes year-round for trout and redfish in all the Matagorda Bays. Wading and drifting for trophy trout and reds are his specialty. Telephone 979-863-7353 Email CaptBill@ GoldTipGuideService.com Website www.goldtipguideservice.com
properties
times, “History repeats itself,”
during our cold
and never were any words
winter months
more applicable to our trout
mainly because
fishery. Habit and routine
all our fish at
are the manner in which
this time are
we predict and focus upon
feeding on
upcoming fishing trends.
finfish and
With that said, February is
eels and have
historically classified as Big
been for over a
Trout Month of the Year. This
month. Their
title not only pertains to East
bodies have
and West Matagorda Bays
adjusted to
but to each bay system on the
the cold water
Texas Gulf Coast. Fact is, Jim Wallace caught the state record
by now and
trout, 13 pounds 11 ounces, in Baffin Bay on February 6, 1996.
they have
He happened to accomplish this feat throwing one of the best
established a
big trout baits around, the standard Corky. This bait has magical
feeding pattern.
60
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Wayne Brueggen with a big red fish caught while drifting East Matagorda Bay over shell, Chickenon-a-Chain Saltwater Assassin.
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MATAGORDA DA
You’ll be
Fishing for big trout is not
able to toss
everyone’s cup of tea. Chances are you
a few other
may fish all day with only a few bites although
baits such
they will more than likely be good ones. You just never know,
as Broken
you may hit the lottery and meet up with a massive school of
Backs and
big trout, 25-inchers and up, out for recess and on a feeding
Saltwater
frenzy. Big trout do run in schools and they do have lunch
Assassins
break although this time of year you may also find a little
but the main
fasting going on.
focus will be
Boat fishermen, don’t worry because there will be opportunity
to pinpoint
for you as well. Drifting scattered shell and mud in East
the feeding
Matagorda Bay can produce quality trout while requiring you to
patterns.
look for slicks and streaky off-colored water to find your treasure.
Here are a
Remember to make long drifts and use plastics on 1/8 ounce
few tips that
lead heads. Fish your bait slow. If you are not getting hung up
may come in
on the bottom shell or feeling shell then you are fishing too fast.
handy:
Slow it down a bit. I hope this will help you to catch more fish. I have a motto for catching big trout in February, “Fish early, fish
Mike Hilliard also found the reds willing.
1. Fish 3-4 days before
late, fish shallow, fish artificial.” Until next time, God Bless…Capt. Bill
and after a full moon or new moon because of tidal flow. 2. Fish muddy flats with some shell around with deeper water, say 3-5 feet, close by. Start shallow while slowly working your way deeper. 3. Normally the bite will not happen until well after sunup as this gives the surface water temperature time to warm up a bit. Bait will begin to move and so will the fish. Not saying to delay trying your favorite spots until daylight because nobody has perfect foresight, however odds are it won’t happen until later in the day. Hardcore trophy trout wade fishermen are determined and they start fishing at first light and will stay with it until dark. 4. My choice is an 8 lb test diameter braided line because it is more sensitive to light strikes. Also, I recommend using a 20 lb test fluorocarbon leader in clear water. 5. Check for the presence of baitfish. A good rule of thumb says, “No bait, no fish.” 6. Erase all distractions. Your mind and eyes need to stay focused on the water. Wear stingray guards, the water may be cold but why take the chance? More critical in winter than any other season, wear high-quality polarized sunglasses to detect subtle subsurface bait flashes and fish movement. Take my advice; you will be able to stay focused while not having to worry so much about stingrays or tired, smarting eyes. The sun’s glare can wear on you as the day progresses and you may miss big trout swimming right by you. That in itself is enough to get your heart and adrenaline pumping. Just Keep Five
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
61
Special Moments Dear TSF Mag, Here are a couple pictures of me and my two girls, Ashley and Taylor, with a redfish from the weekend. We were watching the whooping cranes in Rockport when they decided to fish… Love the magazine! Bill Huber
Dear TSF Mag, My son, Joseph Helms, 5 years old, caught his biggest redfish to date.,27” 7lbs, in Port O’Connor. Joseph has been fishing as soon as he could hold a pole. He’s always ready! Jeremy
Dear TSF Mag, My 11-year-old son, Cameron, is a devoted reader of your magazine. He insisted that I send you a picture of his biggest redfish yet. It was caught on December 31 with Capt. Johnny Watts out of South Padre Island and measured 28 inches. Thank you! Roel Trevino
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February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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Editor’s Note:
Email from Raymond Butler:
Freeze events on the Texas Coast can prove highly detrimental to gamefish stocks and spotted seatrout are notoriously vulnerable. It has long been understood that fish seek warmer environs during freeze periods and this usually means refuge from the chill in deep harbors and canals. During the freezes of 1983 and 1989, towboats operating in the Intracoastal Waterway were thought to worsen an already bad situation. Concerned anglers watched as coldstunned fish were churned in the prop washes, greatly reducing survival potential. A significant misconception has emerged that TPWD possesses the authority to order a halt to barge traffic; however, this is not true. The following email and article will explain this. TSFMag salutes Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association and its member companies who willingly place conservation of coastal fisheries ahead of profitably during these unusual events. Kudos! E. Johnson-Editor
Hello Mr. Johnson, As a subscriber and fan of your magazine, I thought your readers might be interested in the event that took place this past weekend. I am also the Executive Director of the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA). Our association was formed back in 1905 in Victoria, for the purpose of building the Intracoastal Waterway across the Gulf region. I worked closely with Dr. David McKee of TAMU Corpus Christi and CCA-Texas Corpus Christi Chapter on this initiative several years back and we had an opportunity to try it out this past weekend. I also spoke with Robby Byers, of CCA, on Friday as we were implementing a “simulated drill” of the stoppage. The simulation wound up being the real thing on Saturday afternoon. We had one or two bumps in the road, but for the most part it worked, even starting on a Saturday afternoon. Sincerely, Raymond Butler - Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association
Voluntary Tow Stoppage in Laguna Madre The Texas Laguna Madre is a unique and fragile ecosystem. The average water depths of the Laguna are two to three feet, except for the Intracoastal Waterway that is maintained to depths of nine to ten feet. Prior to the construction of the Intracoastal Waterway, especially that portion known as the Land Cut, parts of the Laguna Madre had become hypersaline from lack of freshwater inflow and poor circulation of seawater from the Gulf of Mexico. Though created to stimulate commerce, the Intracoastal Waterway has proven highly beneficial to the ecology of the Laguna Madre and, today, the water in the Laguna is home to the clearest water and one of the most productive gamefish ecosystems anywhere. When strong northers blast into South Texas, we see rare occasions when the water temperature endangers gamefish and the future fish crops they bear. This temperature appears to be around 42º Farenheit. Biologists have learned that when water temperatures in the shallow expanse of the Laguna fall to these low levels, fish head for the safety of deep and warmer waters such as the Intracoastal Waterway. They also become very lethargic during these times and can not easy escape predators or the wash of our towboat wheels. As a result of our work several years ago to address certain threats to the GIWW in the Laguna Madre, GICA fostered a relationship with the Coastal Conservation Association, the Gulf Coast’s main sportfishing advocacy group. That partnership began as an adversarial relationship over dredging practices used to maintain the waterway. After many Just Keep Five
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discussions and meetings, we found common ground where both associations could help one another to keep the waterway functioning for both recreation and commerce. We found that during these rare times of extreme cold, the barge industry might assist in reducing gamefish mortality by voluntarily stopping transits of the Laguna Madre. GICA brokered this idea among our members and most all seemed to favor a brief stoppage of commerce in order to help. We had the opportunity to try this concept out for the first time ever during the weekend of January 9-10 2009, during an extremely cold period in South Texas. Support for the idea was strong among our members. American Commercial Lines, Blessey Marine Service, and Florida Marine Transporters actually stopped or held tows for the requested period from Saturday January 9 through Monday morning January 11. Additionally, AEP, Cenac/Teppco, Brownwater Marine, and Kirby Corporation all responded favorably, indicated they would support a voluntary stoppage of traffic if they had equipment in the area. We don’t foresee this event happening more than once or twice in a year, or for it lasting over 72 hours at most. We thank everyone who actually made economic sacrifices ($7000 per day, per tow) and those who agreed to help in the future. We hope this innovative partnering effort serves to build a stronger bond between our industry and the sportfishing community, with the common goal of keeping the GIWW maintained and productive for us all. ~ Raymond Butler
Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
63
MID-COAST BAYS
With the Grays CAPT. GARY GRAY Captain Gary and Captain Shellie Gray fish year-round for trout and redfish in the Port O’Connor/Seadrift area. Gary started his Bay Rat Guide Service 20 years ago. The Grays specialize in wade and drift fishing with artificial lures. Gary and Shellie also team up to fish many tournaments. Telephone 361-785-6708 Email Gary@BayRat.com Website www.bayratguideservice.com
Well, old man winter
The water temperature during the last few days of fishing
finally caught up to us. We
has been fifty-one degrees in the open bay, and forty-six to
had snow and a few nights
forty eight degrees on the flats. Typically the back lakes would
with temperatures below
be warmer because of the muddy bottoms absorbing the
freezing during the last
sunlight; however, due to the overcast skies the lakes were
two months and as I write
not as warm as the open waters.
this article the weatherman
February fishing should be a lot like January was. I will
is telling me that we will
be spending the majority of my time in the back lakes of
have temps in the twenties
Matagorda Island. I like the back lakes for a number of
for the next three to four
reasons this time of year. The muddy bottoms of these lakes
nights. I fished the last two
warm faster due to the darker bottom when the sun does
days and the temps in the
decide to show itself. This warmer water attracts baitfish such
mornings have been in the
as mullet which is one of the major food sources for larger
thirties. There is something
trout. The back lakes of Matagorda Island also offer some
not right about slipping
protection from the hard winds associated with cold fronts
around on a layer of frost
this time of year. During extreme cold snaps you could drift
while loading my rods into the boat in the wee hours of the
or troll motor deep water areas such as the Victoria Barge
morning. It would seem a little more normal to be loading my
Canal and the Army Hole fishing the drop offs. Another plus
decoys and my shotgun.
64
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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P ORT O ʼCONNOR / SE ADRIF T
Matagorda Island back lakes should offer lots of opportunity in February.
for fishing the
reef concentrate on that area. The
Victoria Barge
trout are usually hanging where the
Canal is that you
shell meets the mud. Another important tant
will be protected
factor to remember, and I always mention ention it
from the north
when talking about reef fishing, is to make sure that you and
wind due to the
your buddies stop and plant your feet as soon as you get a
high manmade
strike or get a fish on. If everyone holds back you should be
embankments
able to stand in one spot and keep catching until the fish sense
located on the
something is wrong and move off. When this happens, start
northerly sides
fanning your casts and moving slowly down the reef until you
of the canal.
start catching again. I have been throwing anything from the 4” Bass Assassin
When the weather allows
Sea Shad (paddle tail) in pearl and roach, and the 5”
I like fishing the
Saltwater Shad (rat tail) in pearl and pumpkinseed, to
many reefs in
the MirrOlure Catch 2000 Jr. and the MirrOdine XL in the CFPR color. I have been rigging the
San Antonio Bay this time of year. Before
soft plastics on 1/16 oz. Assassin
beginning a wade on a February will be chilly. Dress warm!
reef you need to make sure that you have
jigheads. The slow fall of the light jig helps keep the bait suspended in the strike zone for a longer period.
bait in the area. During colder periods when
No matter what lure you decide
the water temp is in the
to throw make sure you work it
forties the bait will be
slowly this time of year. When I am
subsurface, when this
fishing the reefs this time of the
occurs look for swirls,
year I always tell my customers
ripples, flashes or any
that if you are not hanging up on
other kind of sign that
shell occasionally you are probably
there is bait present.
fishing too fast.
Birds such as pelicans in
Fish hard, fish smart!
the area or in the water nearby are another good indication that there is bait present. Once you have established you have bait in the area then you will need to wade the reef very slowly and fish the drop-offs of the reef or if there is a cut through the
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
65
HOOKED UP WITH
Rowsey DAVID ROWSEY
If you are a deer hunter, you
February will establish some different patterns that were not
David Rowsey has 20 years experience in the Laguna/ Baffin region; trophy trout with artificial lures is his specialty. David has a great passion for conservation and encourages catch and release of trophy fish.
are familiar with the rut and
always available in December and January. Southeast winds
how normally wary bucks
warming chilled winter waters will be the beginning of it all. As
lose their minds for the
the water temperature rises, the larger trout will be more inclined
chance to procreate. Trophy
to get on the shorelines and away from the deeper waters that
trout fishermen are much
has made it necessary to fish out of the boat at times. As a
like big bucks during the rut
guide that spends 99% of his time wade fishing, this pattern is
when February rolls around.
much welcomed.
Telephone 361-960-0430 Website www.DavidRowsey.com
They disregard the buddies
February will also bring the opportunity to test our abilities in
they have been hanging
many other areas than those that hold us captive on north wind
out with over the past ten
conditions. Shallow flats, spoil islands, Baffin’s south shoreline,
months; they forget about
King Ranch and Padre Island shorelines will all now come into
eating and willingly face the brunt
play. Having more real estate to work in is a blessing for us as
of the elements, all for the chance of that trophy connection.
the bay becomes more pressured by the kickoff of tournament
Chattering teeth, cracked lips, bright red noses, and speech
season, the arrival of many non-local guides, and everyone else
starched with expletives as they explain the sometimes strong
that owns a boat and just loves to fish. As long as we are all
winds are standard fashion for February grinders on Baffin Bay.
courteous, there is plenty of room for all. Running boats 200300 yards off the shorelines and upwind of drifting or anchored
My charter books this winter look like a ride on a roller coaster through December and January. I have cancelled numerous
boats is a good place to start. February and on into March will be a pretty similar pattern.
days due to bad north wind and water temperature dropping
I will spend the vast majority of my time with 5” Bass Assassins
into the 40s. Yes, I will fully admit that fishing has been on the
in potholes, regardless of whether I’m in Baffin or the Laguna.
tough side so far this winter, but here comes February to the
Once we locate active fish, we will try them on an assortment
rescue. Of all the months that we cut through the water in our
of Corkys. Typically, we will pull the largest trout out on the
Simms waders, February has established itself as the month to
Corky but, so often, they want it down low in the grass, and
be on the water for landing a giant trout. For me, it was always
bounced along the bottom and, for this, the Bass Assassin on
late March to mid May, but Jim Wallace’s new state record in
a 1/16 oz. jig head reins supreme. The topwater bite will also
February of 1996 made this short month jump to the top of
play a major factor in locating fish in February. There is no lure
everyone’s list as the time to get it done down here.
more fun to fish, but it is not always the best choice for a giant trout during this month. My personal preference is for southerly
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February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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Just Keep Five
UPPER L AGUNA/ BAFFIN
nd is practicing catch and release. The trend er crowd catching on, especially for the younger getting into the game. Giving the trout over 20” the chance to swim again and reproduce is not only a good feeling but it needs to be done for the health of the fishery. My number one goal when I first started guiding was to have a platform to encourage people to fish for sport and love of the game versus the thrill of the kill. Helping and teaching aspiring lure enthusiasts how to be successful with all types of hardware is very rewarding, but nothing tops when they put it all together, land a trophy-class fish and say, “Easily my personal best. Let’s get a quick picture, and let her go.”
If you have done it with me, any other guide, or
on your own, you have my admiration and most sincere thanks. Fishing is a discipline in the equality of men. For all men are equal before fish. - Herbert Hoover Set ‘em Loose Capt David Rowsey Bill Sengelmann’s smug smile says he likes big trout!
Boats’ Boats’
wind directions or calm conditions on the backside of a warming trend. Trust your instincts and surroundings to determine your best lure choice, and be willing to give all of the aforementioned lures a chance at glory during this time of year. Bait activity will be the major player in determining whether your lure choice
New Houston New Houston Dealer Dealer
should be subsurface or on top of the water. In closing, I would like to say thanks to all of you who are
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
67
TRICIAʼS
Mansfield Report I think we can all agree;
not only with this 3O-incher but a big 29 and several trout
Capt. Tricia’s Skinny Water
so much for that mild El
between 25 and 27 along with a good showing of thick-
Adventures operates out of
Niño winter the weather
shouldered reds. His success was typical for the period,
Port Mansfield, specializing in
folks had predicted. If
working concentrations of baitfish during norther recoveries
wadefishing with artificial lures.
global warming is truly in
with Corky Fat Boys and tails. More than anything, however,
effect you wouldn’t know
Dirk’s goals were met by keeping his line in the water and
it around here as we have
being confident that good things will eventually happen for
been stuffing lots of extra
those who want it bad enough.
Telephone 956-642-7298 Email shell@granderiver.net Website www.SkinnyWaterAdventures.com
layers into our waders.
For whatever reason, we just haven’t seen a good
With weeks of mid-50 water
topwater bite in quite some time. The best areas for trout
temperatures plus steady
recently have been near waist deep shoreline drops and a
bone-cutting north wind and plenty rain, little of the past
few showing shallower along this
month qualified as ideal for fishing much less catching. Dedicated grinders managed to eek out a few notable catches, though. With any luck February will bring more of what we
effort anchors Dirk Teng’s dedicated exclusive the in hip ers mb his me ity. ern frat er” “Thirty and Ov
all want and expect this time of year. Even with the miserable weather excuse, fishing pretty much sucked for several weeks. Traditional patterns either didn’t work or were marginal at best. Who knows why, could have been the unusually high tides or maybe the unfortunate red tide event. Fortunately for us though, most things in nature go through their normal cycles and what a relief it was to see everything suddenly be “on” again just as soon as the tides dropped and the water cleared. After weeks of dismal results large schools of redfish seemingly appeared out of nowhere and some excellent trout were right there behind them. It was just another of life’s little lessons; no matter how good or bad things are they will certainly change. Pictured here is Dirk Teng with his own brand of luck changing. He came down for nine days of fishing with one
type of structure. Scattered redfish
lofty goal in mind - to finally join the “Thirty & Over” trout
have been in there with them, but during any extended
fraternity. Dirk was realistic enough to know that the best
warming period they have been schooling up both on the
results come from effort spent and his adventure paid off
shallow grass flats and also in classic muddier back-water
68
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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Just Keep Five
P ORT MANSFIELD
If the bait is not visible
as much as contrast. Either brights or darks when the water is
on the surface we trust
en “off” and more natural offerings when ne. The the water is clear seems to work fine.
our bird friends to show
main thing is to get on them in the first place, then figure out the speed and depth. Even more important is fishing
us the way.
whatever you choose to throw with confidence. Ask Dirk. Hopefully topwaters will back into play soon. Fishing with
areas. Where did they come from? This past week we even
plastics is always practical, but it’s hard pass the experience
found large concentrations of reds milling up high in the
of raw power unleashed at the surface.
sand, which normally would be spring or summertime stuff.
We look forward to visiting with friends and clients during
Strange indeed but, then again, nature goes through her
the Houston Fishing Show March 3-7 at the George R.
cycles and we just have to be there when it all happens.
Brown Convention Center. It’s the show to attend, so please
As usual for this time of year concentrations of baitfish
plan to stop by the Fishing Tackle Unlimited booth for all
show us where to start. If the bait is not visible on the
of your gear needs and perhaps trade a few stories. In the
surface we trust our bird friends to show us the way.
meantime, layer up with Simms wader wick liners, fleece
Fishing-1O1 says to always rely on nature more than store
pants, and windproof jackets. It’s hard to be confident
bought maps.
when you’re cold, so if you are as serious as Dirk is, gear
Mullet will be big on February’s menu so larger profile
up like you mean it. There’s a 3O-incher waiting for you.
baits will make sense, especially in off-colored water. I like
Never mind the reds. They’re just there to pull your arms off
to use larger paddle tails when the bite is slow as they offer
between big trout and February is one of the best months
a lot of action at slower speed. Color doesn’t seem to matter
for that to happen.
E E R F S H T N O G ET 3 M AG! M E E E R F S U PL
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
69
SOUTH PADRE
Fishing Scene At present, the Lower
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
nasty, cold weather, what most fair weather fishermen would
Laguna is producing lots
call harsh conditions. In doing so, I have learned many
of smiles for anglers who
lessons on cold weather fish behavior. On one recent outing
dare to brave the elements.
I was scouting for an upcoming trip. The day was cold and
Since the beginning
drizzly; not another soul was out. The first two hours had me
of December we have
wishing I had stayed home. Not a sign of life could be seen
experienced outstanding
on the surface or beneath, not even the pesky, trout eating
catches of big trout. The
dolphin were around. I continued my efforts tracking through
numbers of trout caught
the cold water in deep mud hoping for that one big bite.
between three and seven
Suddenly it crossed my mind, “Think like a predator.” That
pounds and a few bigger
thought provoked my mind and I actually started to visualize
have been right on track as
the bottom structure of the area, keeping in mind the tidal
recorded the last few years.
flow, water temperature, and water level. I can positively
Our trout population looks really healthy but the redfish
say that this led me to discover where fish might be holding
have been hiding from us. However, our efforts have been
and, lo and behold, it turned out to be a pretty good day. My
geared more towards the trout. We are truly enjoying the
point here is that in order to experience success we have to
reduced boat traffic and the abundance of open water nearly
think out of the box at times. It’s not always going to be as
everywhere we go.
easy as starting up the boat and go fishing. The signs are
I try to make it a point if the opportunity arises to fish
70
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
there if you have been paying attention to not only what’s
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Just Keep Five
ARROYO COLOR AD O TO P ORT ISABEL EL
on the surface but also what is not. Sometimes all it takes is
producers, especially when the tide is moving. The fish
one swirl, one six inch drop, or a mud bottom versus a hard
will usually be holding near bottom in about three to four
sandy bottom. Be vigilant like a predator would; that’s if you
feet and the bite will often be a soft tap. Other areas worth
want to go to the next level. In all honesty I have learned
looking at will be muddy flats near deeper water. This time
more about fish behavior on tough days when the fishing
of the year fish will leave the warmth of deeper water to
was slow versus the days where the fish were just jumping
feed on the flats between cold spells. A muddy flat that
on our hooks.
has a channel nearby makes the odds even better because
The tides will continue to run low through February,
a channel means there will be more tidal flow. Our best
so look for deeper pockets with mud bottom to be good
producers of big fish have been areas such as the one I just mentioned. The bigger fish we are catching have been stationed in muddy, and I mean muddy, potholes. Working a Corky Devil through the bottom of these potholes has produced some nice, thick-shouldered trout. Adding a split shot near the split ring allows the lure to sink faster and remain low on the retrieve. Despite the general shallowness of the Laguna there is structure that can make a difference in finding fish, even on cloudy days in the middle of winter. I personally carry sunglasses for cloudy and sunny days. I highly recommend the Costa 580 lenses in the copper and grey coloration. Costa lenses are made of glass and very durable, and the protection they offer is unbeatable. I like my glasses to completely wrap around my eyes and the sides of my face for maximum protection from sunlight and the Eliminators are my top choice. Costa Del Mar does offer many styles and lenses for every individual so be sure to checkout their web site and get every advantage on those fish. In closing, this is the month where the trout will really put on weight. As previously mentioned our trout population is in really good shape for now and hopefully for the future as well. If your dream is to catch a trophy-size fish, you will have a good chance of making it a reality in February. Don’t let the weather keep you off the water, get out when
We’ll be looking for more of these in February.
Just Keep Five
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
you can and make it happen.
February 2010
71
Fishing Reports and Forecasts From Big Lake to Boca Chica BROUG HT TO YOU BY...
while without a bite, then about thirty minutes before dark, everything changed and we caught several solid fish right around dusk.”
Lake Calcasieu - Louisiana Jeff and Mary Poe - Big Lake Guide Service • 337-598-3268 February is a great month to catch big trout. Catching them can be difficult, but with patience and persistence, it is possible. If salinities in the lake are high, look for trout to be farther north in the estuary. If salinities are lower, look for them to be closer to the Gulf, in places like Joe’s Cove, Washout, Nine-Mile Cut, and West Cove. Good baits to try are Corkys, Catch 2000’s, MirroOdines, Catch 5’s, and Jointed Thundersticks. On warm, sunny days try your favorite topwater. Work all of these baits very slowly. Look for pretty water and bait and the fish should be around. Our flounder run usually kicks off around Valentines Day. With salinities and water temperatures the way they are this time of year, trout are sometimes hard to come by. Flounder and redfish, on the other hand, are usually biting. For flounder, try fishing the same cuts you would for redfish, just fish them on an incoming tide to catch flounder. Try Norton Sand Eels and H&H Grubs. If the bite’s a little tough, tie on a Gulp and that should get you a few more hits.
Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay James Plaag - silverkingadventures.com - 409 935 7242 Despite the cold weather, fishing has been good for James in various locations lately. “The fish are biting in the upper reaches of the bay, Burnet and Tabbs Bays. Over there, the key is to catch the bite right at dusk. We’ve also had some decent wadefishing in East Bay. Caught about a dozen nice trout over that way the other day, most on white/ gold and pink/gold MirrOlures. The best bay lately has been West Bay, though. There are tons of small trout out in the middle. The mud streaks are holding fish, but you can also find schools in the clear water too, if you find clumps of shell or schools of bait. You’ll cull through lots of dinks for the keepers, but the bite is steady. Out there, of course, the soft plastics work best, also the MirrOlures. Wading West Bay has also been good when the tide is right. We’re catching some better quality trout, up to about six pounds, mostly on Corkys, a few on MirrOlures. If this cold snap is as extreme as they predict, look for the upper part of West Bay to stay good through the end of winter.”
Jimmy West - Bolivar Guide Service - 409 996 3054 Jim predicts excellent fishing in February in his area. “We’re seeing the fish really fall into a true winter pattern with all this cold weather. When it’s like this, I like to fish the deep holes and drains when the tide is low. You’ll catch a combination of trout and redfish when fishing that way. It’s important to fish real slow and keep your lure in contact with the bottom, since the fish will often be just sitting on the bottom when it’s like this. On the other hand, when it warms up, and the tide comes in, and the breeze is blowing a little from the south or southeast, wading for trout is a good option. Seems like the fish will get up and prowl around during these conditions. I like to throw MirrOlures and topwaters when wading for the trout, especially if there’s a decent amount of mullet jumping around. Fishing late into the afternoon is often much better when wading this time of year. Just the other day, we fished for a good
72
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas Chocolate Bays Randall Groves - Groves Guide Service - 979 849 7019 - 979 864 9323 Fishing has been decent on recent outings, Randall says, and the action should get better as we get into February. “Lately, we’ve been catching our fish by working our lures really slow and sometimes keeping them ticking along the bottom. On the better days, you can catch them on slow sinking plugs, working them at a snail’s pace, but on the other days, you have to actually drag the worm along the bottom to get the bites. Best color in either type of lure has been something with pink on it. We’ve caught some on pink Corkys and also on the hot Baffin magic Norton Sand Eels. As we get into February, it typically warms up some and we start looking for our fish in the middle over mud and scattered shell. The trick out there is to locate the bait. We often do that by keying on the water turkeys and pelicans. They’ll often show you where the schools of bait are and that will also be where the trout are hanging out. We’ll likely catch some of our biggest trout of the year this month in the mud streaks while working this pattern.”
Matagorda Tommy Countzi - Bay Guide Service - 979 863 7553 cell 281 450 4037 Fishing is bound to be productive in the Matagorda area in February, given the options available, Tommy says. “Of course, one of the primary goals around here in February is to catch some big trout in East Bay. We’ll focus on mostly the south shoreline and throw slow sinking lures like Corkys, sometimes the floating versions of those. Keying on areas with lots of bait and a little color in the water is critical, as is patience. This is a game for people who are willing to grind all day for a few bites. If the water is nice in the river, that’s a great option too. There, we like to dredge or troll if it’s windy, just letting the lure out behind the boat and waiting for a bite. Using braided line and a three eighths ounce head tipped with something that wiggles will bring more bites. It it’s calmer, we troll around and throw at the edges and dropoffs with the same lures. A third option presents itself this time of year too. When the tides are at their lowest, West Bay can be on fire for the redfish. Look for them to stack up in the drains on the south shoreline.”
Palacios Capt. Aaron Wollam palaciosguideservice.com - 979 240 8204 Fishing has been absolutely on fire here in the Palacios area. Trout have been in their normal wintertime places, and when you find them, you find bunches. We found a gut out in front of a bayou on the south shoreline of West Matagorda bay yesterday that was loaded with sixteen to twenty inch trout. We caught fish for over three hours without ever moving a step. We caught them on pumpkinseed/chartreuse Bull Minnows and Bass Assassins in plum/green and chicken on chain. www.TSFMAG.com
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Some big trout, up to twenty seven inches, have been caught in the back of some bayous on Corkys in pearl/black and on ED specials. These fish were caught over mud bottoms in water depths of three to five feet with the lures worked very slowly. Redfish have not been as plentiful as the trout, but are still around in some locales and quarter ounce gold spoons have seemed to be the best lures for them. With what looks to be a continued cold winter, the focus should be on finding the bait. Find bait and you should find the fish.
Port O’Connor Lynn Smith - Back Bay Guide Service - 361 983 4434 February is big trout time for Lynn. “This is the time of year to focus your efforts on catching the big trout,” he says. “I like to use a strategy that gives me the best chance to do just that. We’ll leave the dock later, say around ten o’clock, most days and fish late into the afternoon. Finding bait is the most important key this time of year when on a hunt for sow trout. The bait is much easier to find when it’s active, which usually means during the middle of the day into the afternoon. I’ll key on areas with muddy flats which lie adjacent to drop offs into deep water. What deep means will depend on where I’m fishing. Sometimes, deep might mean four or five feet; at other times, it might mean fifteen feet. Looking at the big picture and selecting spots within an area that are close to some of the deepest water around is the key. Then focus on the shallow, muddy flats close by, especially those that are protected from strong north winds. We’ll be throwing mostly slow-sinking twitchbaits like Corkys and Catch 2000s and working them slow.”
Rockport Blake Muirhead Gator Trout Guide Service - 361 790 5203 - 361 441 3894 With duck season ending, Blake will begin to place most of his focus on catching trout in February. “Usually, this is a great month to catch some trout and some big ones at that. I like to fish around mud and shell throwing lots of slow sinking lures like Corkys. Of course, I’d rather catch my fish on topwaters than any other way, and I’ll give them a good try as long as there’s lots of bait around, but Corkys and other plugs like that are more consistent. On the toughest days, it pays to pull out the old Sand Eels too. I’ll be looking for schools of big trout in bays like St. Charles and Mesquite, also Corpus Christi Bay. Usually, when it gets really cold in the winter, the bays with lots of mud and shell are best come February. The outlook for trout fishing is improving around here. I’ve had some reliable reports of some really good catches lately. As we move toward the end of winter, the patterns will be established and the potential for catching some of the biggest trout of the year will definitely be there.”
Padre Island National Seashore Billy Sandifer - Padre Island Safaris - 361 937 8446 Typically, February has lower tide levels than earlier months making for easier traveling along the beachfront but beware of strong NE or E wind as they often push water level to the dunes. Slot and oversized redfish, black drum, lots of whiting and pompano are the main target species using bottom fishing techniques throughout the month. Fishbites and fresh, dead, peeled shrimp combo proves deadly on all of these species all year long. There are more sheepshead in the surf in February and March than other months as well. The past few years, speckled trout fishing is better in February than other winter months although I do not expect high numbers. 51M and 52 M Mirrolures are my bait of choice and will out-catch live bait at this time of year. Sandbar, blacktipped and occasional bull sharks are caught in February and there is always a chance at a winter mako. Occasionally little tunny (bonita) will come within casting distance of the shore. Use jigs and small silver spoons or Mann lures for these fish.
Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay - Land Cut Robert Zapata - rz1528@grandecom.net - 563 1160 Well, we have been having a real winter this year! The water Just Keep Five
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temperatures have dropped to the lower fifties and even the upper forties at times. This means that we need to work our lures very slowly along the bottom, because the fish being cold blooded are going to most likely be sitting on the bottom and moving very slowly themselves. Muddy bottoms will warm faster than hard bottoms and this is the type of area that the fish will be staying in, especially when the weather is at its coldest. Because the fish are not very aggressive in cold water temperatures, the best way for us to fish this time of the year is to wade. If we stay on our boats, we will wind up working too fast through the water where the sluggish fish are sitting. If we do get several days of warm sunlight, the fish will move into shallow water (two to three feet) and on these days we can fish while drifting on our boats. The water in much of the Laguna Madre is clear, so use natural colored lures and rig them on either eighth or quarter ounce jigheads.
Joe Mendez – www.sightcast1.com - 361 937 5961 Joe says the style of fishing in the Corpus Christi area will likely depend on the weather in February. “With all this cold weather, fishing the channels is productive. The fish pull off the flats and fill up the channels. Fishing out of the boat using the trolling motor and/or drift anchor to stay in position to keep the lures in contact with the edges of the channels is the key. I like to use heavier than normal jigheads for this drill, up to three eighths ounce or even heavier at times. Often, the fish will hug tight to the main dropoffs, and the heavier heads allow you to keep the lure in the strike zone and feel the bite better, especially if it’s windy and the current is strong. On the other hand, if the weather warms up like it has the last few winters, there will be a lot of fish to be caught on shallow flats. As of right now, the water in lots of places is clear, so sight casting opportunities will be there if that happens. Using paddle tails and lighter jigheads will be more effective if targeting fish on skinny flats. Swimming the lures slowly in front of them is critical.”
Port Mansfield Terry Neal – terrynealcharters.com – (956) 944 2559 Winter fishing can be tough at its best and trying to predict what is going to happen is almost impossible. We have had some colder weather this year than what we’ve experienced in several years. So, is that a good or bad thing in terms of the fishing prospects? It is really good in several ways. For the fish, it acclimatizes them, so they are more ready for really cold water temperatures, should it get even colder. Don’t get me wrong; it doesn’t make them bullet proof, but it gets their system ready to slow down. Some folks think our fish can migrate to deeper waters. Doing the math makes me wonder; the Land Cut to the Gulf is 20 miles, Arroyo to Gulf is even farther. All they have time to do is find the deepest hole they can within reach and go into survival mode. Lately, when the weather breaks, there are trout being caught and a few redfish. Remember to move your bait as slow as possible. Offshore boats have been catching red snapper, but there are no size to them. Remember to keep only what you can eat and release the rest.
Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Janie and Fred Petty fishingwithpettys.com – (956) 943 2747 It seems…the worse the weather, the better the fishing. That certainly is the case this year so far. When we’ve had wind and tide movement, we’re catching some awesome trout, averaging two over 26 inches every trip and even the 20 to 25 inchers are fat and healthy. The reds are fighting like devils and we’re seeing plenty of oversized ones mixed with slot fish in the shallow potholes. Both of our target species are hitting the Berkley Gulp shrimp under Cajun Thunder cigar corks. Usually the glow or pearl white work best, but occasionally we’ll get results, especially on trout, with nuclear chicken. Freddy says, “With the grass beaten down and the silt left from dredging and the brown tide, it’s easy to see where reds have taken off from, by the puff of mud they leave behind in the murky, shallow water. Fish a little slower and use the larger, round Cajun Thunder corks when the temperature drops and fish are cold or move out to deeper water. Give them a little more time and don’t set the hook as hard as usual.”
Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
73
Catch of the Month! All upcoming Photo Galleries are now online! Check out when your photo will appear in the magazine.
Hunter Welch Galveston Bay - 39” redfish
Ian Hook Laguna Madre - black drum
Dana Weidemann San Bernard River - 30” redfish
Todd Moore Port O’Connor - 28” 7lb trout
Paul Nicolosi Port Mansfield - 26” 6lb trout
Coltin Mercer Port O’Connor - 39” 29.5 lb redfish 74
February 2010
BK Newsom Baffin Bay - 28 1/2” 8lb trout
Ryan Malone Pure Oil Channel - 21” trout
Gary Cloud 27” speckled trout
Nisha White Bastrop Bayou - 31 1/2” redfish
Trevor Durrett Shoalwater - first redfish!
Jaime Guerrero Laguna Madre - 32” redfish
Todd McIntosh Clear Creek - 8lb redfish
Pam Jordan Aransas Bay - first redfish!
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Esther Garcia Port O’Connor - 28” black drum
Kristi Jureka 27 1/2” speckled trout
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BROUG H T TO YOU B Y. . .
Braeden Clark 18” first redfish!
Sara Boenig Copano Bay - 30 1/2” redfish
Clarissa Leal South Padre - 24” first trout!
Paul Carson Rockport - ling
Kelly Bull Port Lavaca - 28” redfish
Kammie Clark First Fishing Trip - 23” redfish
Bobbie Bartlett St. Charles Bay - 28” trout
Norman Burns Port O’Connor - Texas slam Armondo Casarez Jr Port O’Connor - 38 1/2” bull red
Ryan Luna Bird Island - 23” speckled trout
Josie & Neely Burrier South Pass Lake - first redfish!
Colleen Blockhus Galveston Bay - 37” redfish C&R
Please do not write on the back of photos.
Wesley Boedeker, Easton Power, Steven McIlwain Powderhorn Lake - redfish Just Keep Five
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Email photos with a description of your Catch of the Month to: Photos@tsfmag.com
Amy Wallace Corpus Christi - 29” redfish Texas Saltwater Fishing
Mail photos to: TSFMag P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983
February 2010
75
GULF COAST
Kitchen
PAM JOHNSON Got ideas, hints or recipes you’d like to share? Email them to pam@tsfmag.com or send by fax: 361-785-2844
Shrimp Tortilla Soup From the kitchen of Barbara Ann Skala
k
This hear ty and delicious version of tortilla soup makes a great appetizer or entrée and leftovers are even better! Spices and amount of chopped jalapenos can be adjusted to deliver as much zip as your taste requires.
1½ pounds medium shrimp 2½ cups chopped onion 1½ tablespoons paprika 1 cup chopped cilantro 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 or 3 finely chopped jalapenos 1¼ teaspoons white pepper (depending personal taste) 1½ teaspoons ground oregano 6 cups chopped tomatoes 1 tablespoon salt (or to taste) 3 cups tomato juice 2 tablespoons garlic powder 1 pound Monterey jack 1¼ teaspoons sugar cheese shredded 12 corn tortillas 3 medium avocados, diced 2 cups peanut oil 1 large bunch green onions or scallions, finely chopped Peel and devein shrimp and set aside . In small bowl, combine paprika, cayenne and white pepper, oregano, salt, garlic powder and sugar and set aside. Cut tortillas into 1/2 inch strips . In 4-quart Dutch oven or other heavy pot, heat oil to just below boilin g. Fry strips until golden brown; drain well. Allow oil to cool, remove all but 3/4 cup. Return pot to heat; add scallions, onion, cilantro and jalap eno and sauté until the onion is just transparent. Stir in tomatoes and reserved spice mix and simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add tomato juice and three cups of water and simmer another 10 minutes. Add shrimp and cook five more minutes or until shrimp are pink and done . To serve, place a layer of tortilla strips in bottoms of soup bowls. Ladle in soup, top with shredded cheese and avocado.
76
February 2010
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Cajun Redfish with Red Pepper Relish The inspiration for this recipe came from Chef Denise at HEB -Plus in Victoria, TX. HEB -Plus Stores carry a full line of Adams and Roberts Reserve prod ucts. Preparation Time: 10 minutes Cooking Time: 15 minutes Serves: 4 Fresh redfish fillets (1 ½ -2 pounds) 2 Tablespoons Adams Reserve Caju n Rub 1/4 Cup Roberts Reserve Roasted Red Pepper & Onion Dip Relish* 2 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil Season Fillets with Adams rub on both sides; let stand 5 minutes. Heat large skillet over medium-high heat for two minutes. Add oil and continue heating until it just begins to smoke. Cook fillets in skillet 2 ½ to 3 ½ minutes per side in separate batch es, not crowding, until lightly browned on each side. Right before serving, top each fillet with 2 tablespoons Roberts Reserve relish. Serve immediately. *Variation: substitute Roberts Reserve Roasted Pineapple & Habanera Dip or Pineapple Coconut Mango Tequila Sauce.
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MATAGORDA
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USCG Licensed Captain Stan Sloan 78
February 2010
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Texas Saltwater Fishing
February 2010
79
INDE X OF ADVERTISER S For more information about these advertisers visit: http://www.texassaltwaterfishingmagazine.com/contact_advertisers_product.html
BOAT ACCESSORIES Blackhawk Specialty Fabrication 66 512-392-1767 www.blackhawkspecialtyworks.com Boat Lift Distributors 54 800-657-9998 www.liftboat.com Fibertex & Supply 70 361-991-5956 www.stiffypushpoles.com Gulf Coast Trolling Motor 76 281-481-6838 www.FishingTackleUnlimited.com House of Fiberglass 57 361-853-2541 www.houseoffiberglass.com LB Outfitters- Stake Out Stick 57 409-718-7694 www.stakeoutstick.com McClain Trailers 31 713-675-0440 www.mcclaintrailers.com South Texas Trolling Motors 66 361-939-8970 www.southtexastrollingmotors.com Specialty Aluminum Works 16 361-575-1477 www.specialtyalworks.com Stick It Anchor Pins 59 941-815-6875 www.stickitanchorpins.com Tops-N-Towers Cover, 1 281-474-4000 www.topsntowers.com
BOATS, KAYAKS, OUTBOARDS Anchor Marine of Texas Cover, 1 210-599-1415 www.anchormarineoftexas.com Bernie’s Boats 17 361-573-7809 www.berniesboats.com Busha Boat Works 13 979-245-3369 www.bushaboatworks.com Coastal Backwater Marine 67 409-927-1462 www.coastalbackwatermarine.com Coastline Marine Cover, 1 713-614-2057 wwwcoastlinemarine.net Dargel Boat Works 9 800-749-2628 www.dargel.com Flatstalker Boat 60 361-813-8040 www.flatstalker.com Gulf Coast Boats 8 713-477-7119 www.gulfcoastboats.net Gulf Coast Marine Cover, 1, 6 361-937-7800 www.gcmboats.com Kroll’s Marine 61 281-342-4461 www.krollmarine.com LMC Marine Center 2 281-209-boat www.lmcboats.com Majek Boats 4 361-991-3102 www.majekboats.com Mt. Houston Marine 44 281-447-7689 www.mthoustonmarine.com Ron Hoover RV & Marine Centers Solunar 409-935-7101 www.RONHOOVER.com Sail & Ski Center 21 512-219-2705 www.sailandski.com Shallow Sport Boats Cover, 1 956-233-9489 www.shallowsportboats.com Shoalwater Boats 12 361-983-4134 www.shoalwaterboats.com Texas Marine 70 409-832-2027 www.texasmarine.com
80
February 2010
The Sportsman
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BUILDER AND BUILDER PRODUCTS Building Products Plus 43 832-628-0987 www.buildingproductsplus.com D & P Coastal Marine Contruction 979-332-0090 www.piersdecks.com
65
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Yeti Coolers
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GuideLine Polarized Eyegear 510-848-4700 www.zoomeyeworks.com
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FISHING RETAIL LOCATIONS Academy Sports + Outdoors Ins Back Cover 281-646-5000 www.academy.com
Back Cover FISHING PRODUCTS (RODS, REELS, TACKLE, ETC.) Fishing Tackle Unlimited 281-481-6838 www.FishingTackleUnlimited.com American Rodsmiths 1 25 Fish-N-Hunt 7 713-466-7849 www.americanrodsmiths.com 713-856-8003 www.fishandhunt.com Brown Lures-JB Outdoors 45 Roy’s Bait & Tackle 8 281-961-4399 www.brownlures.com 361-992-2960 www.roysbait-tackle.com D.O.A. 60 Speedy Stop Solunar Solunar 877-362-5873 www.doalures.com 361-582-5100 www.speedystop.com EZ Drainer 54 Tackle Box 65 281-224-9766 www.EZdrainer.com 361-575-8700 No Website Fishing Tackle Unlimited Rods 4 281-481-6838 www.FishingTackleUnlimited.com MISCELLANEOUS ForEverlast Hunting & Fishing Products 28 Cove Harbor Marina and Drystack 30 361-798-1530 www.ForEverlast.com 361-790-5438 www.coveharbormarina.com Kevin Cochran Video 58 TSFMag Subscription Form 69 361-688-3714 www.fishbaffinbay.com 361-785-3420 www.tsfmag.com MirrorLure 37 727-584-7691 www.mirrolure.com PLACES TO STAY Livingston Lures 27 Baffin on the Rocks 79 210-316-1792 www.livingstonlures.com 361-592-3474 www.baffinontherocks.com Luresafety Wrap 64 Classified:Bentley’s Intercoastal House Rental 79 713-203-2829 www.luresafetywrap.com 361-983-4660 (none) Marine Taxidermy 54 Floating Cabin Rentals 78 281-736-4982 www.marinetaxidermy.net 361-937-0868 www.captaincarl.com Mud Hole Tackle 64 Serena Residences 29 407-447-7637 www.mudhole.com 866-241-4022 www.serenaresidences.com Pier 30 47 The Inn At Clarks 79 979.233.3130 www.pier30fish.com 361-983-2300 www.theinnatclarks.com Reaction Strike 57 317-938-5414 www.reactionstrike.com REAL ESTATE / RENTAL REC Components 47 The Oaks at Bentwater 20 860-749-3476 www.REC.com 361-790-0001 www.oaksatbentwater.com Rods by Pepper 67 Bill Richter 67 409-737-1136 (None) 210-787-6918 www.pbase/billrich/condo Russelures Solunar 281-723-0721 russelure@yahoo.com TOURNAMENT / EVENTS Salt Water Soul 58 Bash Tournament 35 409-771-7565 www.saltwatersoul.net 361-582-5100 www.speedystop.com Simms Fishing Products 3 Bluff’s Landing Marina Bait and Tackle 49 406-922-1233 www.simmsfishing.com 361-937-7100 www.bluffslanding.com Strike Pro America 21 Houston Fishing Show 56 409-938-7400 www.strikeproamerica.com 713-899-1361 www.houstonfishingshow.com Texas Tackle Factory 20 Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce 57 361-575-4751 www.texastacklefactory.com 956-642-7357 www.portmansfield.us Third Stone Software 49 Saltwater Sportsman Seminars 77 888-361-2221 www.thirdstonesoft.com www.nationalseminarseries.com (none) Wade Aid Enterprises 65 Texas International Boat Show 48 888-923-3243 www.wadeaid.com 561-842-8808 www.TexasInternationalBoatShow.com Waterloo Rods 12 361-573-0300 www.WaterlooRods.com Wiley X Eyewear 24 800-776-7842 www.wileyx.com
Texas Saltwater Fishing
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GALVESTON TIDES & SOLUNAR TABLE Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine FEBRUARY 2010
The BEST Choice… Any Place, Anytime!
To find a location near you, please visit us at www.speedystop.com
TIDAL CORRECTIONS Location Calcasieu Pass, La. Sabine Bank Lighthouse Sabine Pass (jetty) Sabine Pass Mesquite Point Galveston Bay (S. jetty) Port Bolivar Texas City, Turning Basin Eagle Point Clear Lake Morgans Point Round Point, Trinity Bay Point Barrow, Trinity Bay Gilchrist, East Bay Jamaica Beach, Trinity Bay Christmas Point Galveston Pleasure Pier San Luis Pass Freeport Harbor
High -2:14 -1:46 -1:26 -1:00 -0:04 -0:39 +0:14 +0:33 +3:54 +6:05 +10:21 +10:39 +5:48 +3:16 +2:38 +2:39 +2:32 -0:09 -0:44
Low -1:24 -1:31 -1:31 -1:15 -0:25 -1:05 -0:06 +0:41 +4:15 +6:40 +5:19 +5:15 +4:43 +4:18 +3:31 +2:38 +2:33 +2:31 -0:09
For other locations, i.e. Port O’Connor, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi and Port Isabel please refer to the charts displayed below.
Please note that the tides listed in this table are for the Galveston Channel. The Tidal Corrections can be applied to the areas affected by the Galveston tide.
Minor Feeding Periods are in green, coinciding with the moon on the horizon, and the last from 1.0 to 1.5 hrs after the moon rise or before moon set. Major Feeding Periods are in orange, about 1.0 to 1.5 hrs either side of the moon directly overhead or underfoot. Many variables encourage active feeding current flow (whether wind or tidal driven), changes in water temp & weather, moon phases, etc. Combine as many as possible for a better chance at an exceptional day. Find concentrations of bait set up during a good time frame, and enjoy the results.
Te x a s S a l t w a t e r F i s h i n g M a g a z i n e l
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