Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

5 LURES FOR BIG TROUT p. 16

Catching Texas Wahoo at the flower garden banks

TUNA

POPPING Rods & Reels for catching yellowfin p. 18

SURFBOARD SHAPER DAVID CUNNINGHAM p. 12 RED BULL YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP p. 26

GPS Coordinates to Galveston’s newest artificial reef

[Letter from the Publisher] Admiral (Publisher) Charles Milby Vice Admiral (President) Rick Clapp Rear Admiral (Editor) Mary Alys Cherry Captain (Creative Director) Brandon Rowan Commodore (Graphic Designer) Kelly Groce Sales Commodore (Director of Sales) Patty Kane

In Pursuit of Perfection

P

erfection: the condition, state, or quality of being free or as free as possible from flaws or defects.

You don’t have to sail the perfect race to win. To paraphrase Coach Lombardi, “perfection is a goal, we know full well we will never get there, but in our pursuit of perfection we will achieve greatness.”

You can’t be the perfect wife or husband. You won’t be the perfect father or business man or woman. Your job is to let go of perfection and do your very best, that’s the win. Racing sailboats takes an enormous amount of concentration and skill, but people do make mistakes. If one of the crew gets an override on the wench during a tack, you as a skipper should acknowledge it and make a mental note to do more tacks in your next practice session. You don’t have to cuss the guy out and make a big deal out of it. That only distracts the crew and slows the boat down. Sail the best you can and let the other guys make the mistakes – remember: nobody’s perfect, not even you.

Spring sailing and fishing in Texas is just around the corner, so get your gear in shape and get out on the water. Be safe, have fun and gulfcoastmariner.com is always with you on your phone. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, too. It’s the best way to stay in touch.

Charles Milby, Publisher

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine

March/April 2017

Sales Crew (Advertising Executives) Judy Gaines Debbie Salisbury Editorial Capt. David Dillman Kelly Groce Scott Jones Patty Kane Capt. Joe Kent Betha Merit Charles Milby Brandon Rowan Capt. Steve Soule Photography Kelly Groce Betha Merit Charles Milby Brandon Rowan Adam Valadez Distribution Timothy Shinkle Company Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine P.O. Box 1032 Seabrook, TX 77586

For information on advertising: Phone: 281.474.5875 art@baygroupmedia.com www.GulfCoastMariner.com

| March/April 2017 8|Snapshots

YOUR fishing and water recreation photos.

Submit photos for next issue to art@baygroupmedia.com

10|HYC Mermaid Sail Regatta

Houston Yacht Club’s women’s regatta sets sail on April 1.

11|Galveston’s Newest Artificial Reef TPWD has sunk a 371 ft. cargo ship 67 miles from Galveston. GPS numbers to the new reef are listed here.

12|Meet the Surfboard Shaper David Cunningham of Horizon Board Company.

By Kelly Groce

14|Galveston Bay Spring Fishing

These three species will be caught in numbers around Galveston Bay and the jetties this spring.

By Capt. David Dillman

16|Five Lures for Big Trout

Five time tested lures for trophy trout. These baits have led to top tournament finishes and specks over 9 pounds.

By Capt. Steve Soule

17|Offshore Fishing Time

March and April are excellent months to prep for summer.

By Capt. Joe Kent

18|Rods & Reels for Tuna Popping From budget minded to top-of-the-line, these rod and reel selections will get you on the right track for tuna.

21|Texas Wahoo

Teeth and tails: catching big Texas wahoo at the Flower Garden Banks with Bad Intentions.

Photography by Brandon Rowan

26|Red Bull America’s Cup

Team Next Generation USA races in Bermuda this June on the AC45F, which is capable of speeds over 35 knots.

28|The Galley

Recipes for delicious appetizers with wine pairings.

By Betha Merit

30|Environmental Considerations of Storm Surge Mitigation

What impacts might any structural or non-structural storm protection plans have on Galveston Bay?

By Scott Jones, GBF Director of Advocacy

ON THE COVER Anthony Carlos with a 43-pound wahoo that inhaled an Ilander. Photo by Brandon Rowan

Contents Publisher’s Letter ________________p.

6 Inshore fishing tourney schedule ________________p.

10 Saltwater Trivia ________________p.

10 Nautical Numbers ________________p.

11 Name that fish ________________p.

11 Boats for sale ________________p.

2 Houston and Lakewood Yacht Club’s Commodore’s Ball ________________p.

32 Galveston Bay Tide Tables ________________p.

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GulfCoastMariner.com

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Beautiful, clean winter surf at Matagorda. Photographed by Adam Garrison, surfer is Rodney Craft.

Send your photos to art@baygroupmedia.com

Max Conner, age 16, with a fat West Bay flounder.

Face first with a Galveston island bull red. Photo by Richard Conner.

2017 TEXAS INSHORE FISHING TOURNEYS Sisters Helping Sisters March Mix Up March 18 - San Leon www.shstexas.org Saltwater Legend Series #3 March 25 - Corpus Christi www.saltwaterlegendseries.com SpeckMasters Tournament #4 April 1 - Hitchcock www.speckmasters.com Galveston Redfish Series Castaway Rods Open April 8 - Hitchcock www.galvestonredfishseries.com Saltwater Legend Series #4 April 22 - Aransas Pass www.saltwaterlegendseries.com Redfish Roundup Tournament Series #1 April 23 - Hitchcock www.hsjaa.com/redfish-roundup Lone Star Kayak Series #1 April 29 - Hitchcock lonestarkayakseries.com Galveston Redfish Series Waderight/Baumann Open May 6 - San Leon www.galvestonredfishseries.com Saltwater Survival Series Redfish Tournament May 13 - Hitchcock www.ssskayaktournament.com

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

On-the-water action from the 2016 Mermaid Sail Regatta. Photo by Paul Francis.

Women’s Mermaid Sail Regatta on April 1

H

ouston Yacht Club is pleased to announce that on April 1, it will be hosting the Mermaid Sail Regatta for the fourth year in a row after being resurrected from the 1980s. Originally started in 1983 to encourage women to learn how to sail, it is now a regatta for women to showcase their skills.

Women have come a long way in the sailing world over the past 30 years. It is the mission of the Houston Yacht Club Women’s Sailing Association to build on this success and provide opportunities for women to improve their sailing skills.

The Mermaid Regatta schedule includes a pre-sail yoga warm-up at 9:30 a.m. for both crew and non-sailing ladies as well. The Skipper’s Meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. There will be one pursuit-style race, which will begin at 1 p.m.

One hour after the last boat finishes, there will be an Awards Banquet

sponsored by club member Babs Bukowski, one of the founders of the Mermaid Sail. A perpetual trophy will be awarded to the winner and other trophies will be awarded to the second and third place winners. There are prizes for the first four boats to register and there will be other gifts at the banquet.

To register, visit the HYC website (houstonyachtclub.com) and under the Racing Information, you will find a link to the Regatta Network. The entry fee is $50 which includes dinner for the skipper and crew and their guests.

All boats must be at least 30 feet long and the skipper and crew must be all female. A non-participating male may be on board the boat but only for safety reasons. A male boat representative may provide verbal helming guidance to a helms woman classified ABSA B1, B2 or B3 Three Person Format.

NAUTICAL NUMBERS

GPS coordinates to the new reef are: 28 26.634 N, 94 17.168 W

Galveston’s Newest Artificial Reef

T

50 The Texas state record for a Jack Crevalle fish is 50.25 pounds caught by Francis Lyon in the Gulf of Mexico on June 26, 1976.

he Texas Parks and Wildlife

Department’s Artificial Reef Program sank a 371-ft cargo vessel, named The Kraken, earlier this year in January. Dubbed the Kraken after the mythical, squid-like sea monster immortalized on film and in literature, the vessel was sunk 67 miles off the coast of Galveston to create a new artificial reef.

The Kraken began its journey in May 2016 when it was towed from Trinidad to Brownsville to be repurposed for its new life as an artificial reef 140 feet below the surface. Contractors with Cahaba Disaster Recovery LLC worked with the Artificial Reef Program to remove all fuel, oil and hazardous materials from the vessel in order to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s best management practices.

Over time, this sunken ship will become an artificial reef that attracts fish,

The Kraken prior to its sinking. Photo TPWD.

coral and other invertebrates, as well as divers and anglers. Given its location, this wreck could become a hot spot for grouper, amberjack and snapper.

“The entire marine ecosystem benefits from artificial reef projects like the Kraken,” said TPWD Artificial Reef Program Leader J. Dale Shively. “The Gulf of Mexico has only a few naturally occurring reefs so whenever we are able to add a new structure like this, the whole area benefits from the added habitat and species diversity.”

For more information about the Texas Artificial Reef Program, please visit tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/water/ habitats/artificial_reef

20 A sawfish’s snout is a long, flat blade that has about 20 teeth on each side. Their snout may be used to catch fish and has electroreceptors to detect passing prey.

Name that fish

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A. Snowy Grouper B. Red Grouper D. Speckled Hind

ANSWER: B, Red Grouper. Red grouper, like a number of other grouper species, are long-lived, slow to mature, protogynous hermaphrodites, beginning life as females, with some later transforming into males at ages 7 - 12. The season on these fish reopens in April with a minimum length of 20 inches and 2 fish per person within the 4 grouper bag limit.

C. Nassau Grouper

Sheepshead have 5 or 6 dark, vertical bars on their sides.

They are also known for their human-like teeth.

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David Cunningham of Horizon Board Company Surfside, Texas

28.95° N, -95.28° W

All photography by Adam Valadez – @adamisraelvaladez – aivaladez@yahoo.com

Interview by Kelly Groce

D

avid Cunningham is a Texas based surfboard shaper for Horizon Board Company and a flyfishing rod designer for Marshfly USA. We dropped in on David at his shaping shack in Surfside and had the pleasure of talking with him about his shaping style, philosphy and the future of Texas surfing. Enjoy.

The age old question: how did you get into surfboard shaping?

I got into board building because I wanted good quality boards and did not want to have to pay retail prices for them. Same goes for the rod building, I have always had a dilemma with purchasing things that I can learn to build myself.

Are you more influenced from surf style of the past or present?

I am most influenced from the surf style of the past. Specifically the transitional period from the late 60’s through the mid 70’s. I always admired the styles of guys like Larry Bertleman, Billy Hamilton, Gerry Lopez, and Rory Russel.

What’s your shaping philosophy?

My philosophy when it comes to shaping is following my routine/ method. Never deviate. This allows me to achieve consistency. At the core, I believe that shaper is constantly evolving, and with every board I shape I am learning more/ keeping my mind open to new ideas and concepts.

What are your most popular models?

Mid-lengths, I am working on new concepts for boards from 7-8 ft.

Fish boards will always be a big part of what I do and of course classic long board shapes.

What is unique about the boards you shape?

I think what makes my boards unique is a good blend of past and present. I have a tendency to lean towards more classic/retro outlines, with contemporary rail profiles and bottom contours.

How is your shaping influenced

by Texas?

Building boards for Texas is a challenge. I think a lot of Texas surfers fall victim to West Coast marketing strategies. I think it is important for a surfer to be honest about their ability, and the conditions they are required to perform in. With that as a guideline, locally, I am a fan of

wider outlines, slight increases in volume, and fin configurations that work in slower wave conditions.

What do you want/see for the future of Texas surfboard shaping and surfing?

As far as the future of surfing in Texas goes, I hope that surfers continue to be open minded about the boards they are using.

Currently, it’s really common to see a variety of boards in the water. This is good because it leads to progression. Twenty years ago a rider might not have been able to link to a board that was good for him because it wasn’t the cool thing or current trend. I hope this open mindedness continues. I think this is going to lead to new innovations and raise the bar of Texas surfing. As far as shaping goes, I really hope to see the younger generation get involved and I hope that the older shapers look for someone to mentor.

That’s how I learned, and without the younger guys getting involved hand shaping boards could become a lost art.

Not only do you make surfboards, but you also make your own fly fishing rods.Tell us more about that.

I have been building rods for over 20 years, I started off with conventional rods, and as I grew as an angler I became interested in flyfishing. With that I started to design fly rods for Marshfly USA. It’s been a great project between myself, Rob Schumske, and James Jackson. We have had Marshfly up and running for three years and it has been a great blend of high performance fly rods, apparel and accessories . Our main focus has been inshore saltwater rods, but we have also been engaged with some trout fisheries located in Georgia, Colorado, and the Texas Hill Country.

When you aren’t shaping, where can we find you?

When I am not shaping you can find me hunting, fishing, and surfing with my family. Texas has been a great place for me to stay balanced, I love the outdoors and there are plenty of activities to keep me occupied here on the coast.

If you are interested in getting a custom surfboard or fly rod made, feel free contact David Cunningham at: 979-201-9046 coastaldesigns@yahoo.com www.marshflyusa.com GulfCoastMariner.com

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Galveston Bay Spring Fishing

By Capt. David C Dillman Spec-tacular Trout Adventures 409-632-0924

M

arch and April

is when the majority of the fishing community wipe the cobwebs off their rod and reels, crank up their outboards and set their sights on bending rods.

Spring along the Upper Coast starts with the 42nd Annual Houston Fishing Show, March 8-12 at the GRB Convention Center. This is one of the largest shows of its kind in the country.

Everything fishing related from boats, tackle, fishing guides and marinas located under one roof. I will be there all week at the Eagle Point Fishing Camp booth #618.

On the fishing scene it all begins with the arrival of big black drum. The Galveston

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jetties, passes, Texas City dike and the Bolivar gas wells will all hold an abundance of these fish. The best baits to use are blue crab, dead shrimp and even crawfish. A medium/ heavy action rod and reel combo, utilizing enough weight to hold the bait down on the bottom, will draw the bites. These fish range from anywhere from 20 to 50 pounds.

Sheepshead will be there for the taking as well. Literally any spot along the Galveston jetties will produce these tasty fish. Shorelines with scattered shell and pier pilings should also be good. Live shrimp under a popping cork is a great method when fished tight up against the structure.

While often overlooked, they are fun to catch and offer good table fare. There is a 5 fish limit with a 15 inch minimum size.

Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

In January, my girlfriend and I visited Costa Rica for our first time.

We fished aboard “Dreamworks,” owned and operated by Capt.

Tom Carton and his Mate Jerry Carothers. We went 7-12 on Sailfish and lost a blue marlin estimated at 300 pounds. Capt. Tom has been fishing the area for over 25 years. He had the first Charter service in Los Suenos. I highly recommend him. You can find him on the web at captaintoms.com.

On the speckled trout scene look for the action to first heat up around the Galveston jetties. As we move into the latter part of March, the lower Galveston Bay area, around the causeway, Campbell’s Bayou and Sand Island will hold its share of fish. In April, East Galveston Bay and the western shoreline of Galveston Bay, from the

base of the Texas City Dike, Dollar Point and towards Moses Lake will hold good numbers of trout. Don’t overlook the shorelines around Eagle Point. Last year this area gave up excellent stringers of quality speckled trout.

Until next time be safe on the water and enjoy what Galveston Bay has to offer.

GulfCoastMariner.com

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Capt. Steve Soule’s big fish bit a pink Corky.

By Capt. Steve Soule www.ultimatedetailingllc.com

T

his is a topic that I have been asked about for many years now, and it’s always very entertaining. I’m not a guy who changes easily; not fishing tactics, nor lures, but you would never know if you looked into my wading boxes. This situation only gets worse when I’m fishing a tournament. Colors that would make a rainbow proud and an assortment of different sizes and styles of lures crowd those boxes, but in the end, there are typically only a few lures that get used.

Over the years, I have narrowed the selection some, but more importantly, I have come to realize that only a handful will come out of those boxes with any frequency.

These are the chart toppers, the time proven selections that have landed me a number of top tournament finishes and seem to consistently produce trout over 5 pounds for me.

Some I prefer in shallow water, some for deeper, some are better in heavy chop while others shine in light wind conditions. Every one of the lures on this list have produced trout over 7.5 pounds in the Galveston Bay system for me over the years, and I have no doubt that they will continue to for many more.

There is no one single bait

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that suits every condition set or scenario that you will encounter, and this list may not work for you, but it’s mine and has not changed much over the past ten years.

I’m sure that because of the fact that they are my “go to” choices, it makes perfect sense why I have caught so many big fish on them. If you don’t fish it, you won’t catch fish on it!

Heddon Super Spook Jr.

In conditions with lighter wind or I’m fishing in shallow water, my first and often only choice for chasing a trophy would be a Super Spook Jr. in bone with silver sides.

Its a small lure in the world of big trout, but that’s what makes it so deadly. Fish in shallow water are much more sensitive to noise and water movements and there are days when the subtle presentation of a smaller lure just works better. With a little practice and variation of the retrieve, you can make the Spook Jr. sound and appear large. The single ball rattle system can be worked gently for a subtle presentation across inches of water without spooking fish, or you can work it hard and achieve a wide side-to-side motion with a rather loud clicking to draw them in.

Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

Heddon Super Spook

When the chop gets a little bigger, it’s probably time for me to tie on a bigger bait. This one is in a close tie for all time favorite topwater. The Super Spook In Oakie Shad, or as I have always called it the “Jimmy Houston.” It’s a very natural color combination that works well in dirty water, but produces in clear water when others just won’t.

This is not a small top water, in size or sound, but with its natural color scheme it can be used effectively across the spectrum of conditions. Big or light chop, shallow and deep, this one does it all and I have caught more quality trout on this lure than I could possibly count.

MirrOLure She Dog

At the end of the topwater list is another that excels in choppy conditions, yet it can be deadly in both dirty and clear water. The MirrOLure She Dog in white with chartreuse back is my top choice when I feel the need to make a lot of noise. Again, it has a single ball style rattle, but it emits a much higher pitched sound than the Super Spook. I don’t necessarily turn to this one as frequently as some of the others on this

list, but when conditions call for it, I always have one ready.

The She Dog will always have a place in my boxes as this lure and color combination landed me my biggest trout to date in 2010 in Galveston.

Not a lot to the story other than a quiet afternoon, the day before Thanksgiving, on a solo mission to catch a big trout and something that day made me tie it on. I was rewarded with a fish just over 29.5 inches with an unknown weight, but this one far exceeded the 9.25 pound fish I landed just over a month later in the same spot. Moreover, two casts later I landed a 27inch trout on the same lure.

That’s enough to keep me coming back for more. One more note about the she dog family of lures; redfish get very angry over the sound and movement of this lure, so don’t throw it near them unless you are ready for the punishment they will dish out to She Dogs.

Paul Brown’s Fat Boy

When its time to probe the depths with deadly precision, I can’t help but go to the creations of Houston’s mastermind and probably one of the greatest lure designers to ever live: Paul Brown’s Fat Boy by MirrOLure, also known as the Corky Fat Boy. This lure can take some time to get a grip on, but once you do, it can be fished effectively from less than a foot to depths over 6 feet. This soft plastic

wrapped cork over wire is a baitfish imitating, seductive dancing, finesse bait that has been the demise of many giant trout. Because of the construction of the lure, the Fat Boy can be tuned to swim at different depths, diving slightly up or down with different bends applied to the nose or tail. There is an incredible selection of color offerings available now from MirrOLure, and I’m sure that all will catch big trout.

Chartreuse, gold sides, white belly ( no. 91) has always been a favorite for me.

OFFSHORE FISHING TIME IS ALMOST HERE ARE YOU READY?

By Capt. Joe Kent

N It’s not really fair to say that there is a fifth in my top five, because its a repeat of number four. The Fat Boy in pink with silver sides (no. 08) has for years been my go to for cold winter fishing.

When interviewed on stage after a tourney win about what bait choices I had made, this lure/color was a standard answer, to the point that I’m sure I sounded like a broken record. I’m sure that some people probably thought I was trying to steer them in the wrong direction, but my tournament partners can vouch for the fact that in certain conditions, I would start and finish a 9 hour day throwing this one lure. It landed me my heaviest trout that I have an accurate weight on, at 9.25 pounds, and has been the lure that led me to more top five finishes in trout tournaments than any other.

Well these are my choices and I’m sticking to them.

They may not work for every angler, and definitely not in every condition, but when its time for me to hunt big winter or spring time trout, you can rest assured I will have every one of these ready to go.

ot too long ago, offshore recreational fishing was a yearround sport. While the peak of the season is from around the Fourth of July to not long after Labor Day, red snapper and other reef fish provided action all year long.

When tight regulations began being imposed on the recreational sector in Federal Waters, winter fishing for red snapper was virtually eliminated.

While recreational anglers do have a short window of time to catch their two fish per day limit of red snapper, the timeframe usually begins on June 1 and lasts anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks or so.

The season usually ends about the time when action on pelagic fish such as king mackerel, ling and Dorado begins to get hot.

With the exception of anglers owning large vessels, those in the 45 foot and larger range, most of the offshore boats are used on a limited basis or sit up a good part of the winter months.

The same can be said of fishing equipment and tackle, all of which leads to the point of this article and this is now is the time to get prepared for the offshore fishing season.

Many offshore anglers

postpone their preparations until close to the time when they will make that first venture of the year to the rigs and other areas offshore. In doing so, often it is discovered that the boat and/or fishing equipment is in need of repairs or service.

While there is normally no problem getting the gear in shape, it usually takes much longer than it would have earlier in the year.

March and April are excellent months to address all of this and here are some suggestions on what you should look for and respond to during the process.

Let’s start with the boat.

The gasoline tank is one of the biggest problems and it is not the tank itself, but the contents. Gasoline that has been in the tank for several months should have a special treatment added before venturing out for the first time. Ethanol blended fuel is the main culprit.

Although a stabilizer may have been added before storage, over time it loses its effectiveness and water will build in the tank. This is largely due to the absorption aspects of ethanol. Water and gasoline do not mix and can cause big problems that are expensive to repair.

Check with your mechanic for a recommended gas treatment and if the gas has been in the tank for a long period of time, it may be recommended that the fuel be removed and replaced.

That is much cheaper than a

major engine repair.

If the gasoline is not an issue, one of the best ways to check out the other boating and fishing equipment is to make a trial run offshore.

March and April are the two windiest months of the year and the number of days offering tolerable conditions offshore is limited.

Regardless, a bay run is a good substitute. The main thing is to be able to open up the engines and run them at cruising speed for at least thirty minutes. During the process, check out the fresh and saltwater pumps and all other electronics.

Fuel indicators are one of the more frequent items to become stuck during storage.

Next would be the fishing equipment. Look for rust and corrosion on tackle and if suitable for cleaning, do so, if not replace. Reels and line are the two items of fishing gear than normally need the most attention. If the line has been used much or has been on the reel for two seasons or more, replace it.

Reels will need to be cleaned and oiled and if you are not comfortable taking them apart and putting them back together, take them to a professional. The cost is worth it.

You have often heard the old expression of “a stitch in time saves nine,” well nothing could be truer when preparing for the upcoming offshore fishing season.

GulfCoastMariner.com

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RODS & REELS FOR

TUNA POPPING OTI OceanXtreme M O D E L : OT I -3 1 0 6 -76 5 S

OTI TUNA SNIPER M O D E L : OT I -3 1 0 8 - 8 0 8 S

Throwing poppers and swimbaits at night can be extremely productive when fishing for yellowfin tuna in the Gulf. Tuna love flying fish and readily come up to the surface to feed. Long, specialized rods and heavy duty spinning reels are best for this type of fishing.

From budget minded, to top-of-the-line, these rod and reel selections will get you on the right track.

These are some of the highest performing, and best valued popping rods on the market today. With shaped EVA grips, new Fuji “K” series Alconite guides, and a new padded rod sock, the OceanXtreme can defeat monsters. Depending on your needs, the 40/60 or 60/80 rods are best for our size of tuna in Texas. MSRP $249

The newest line of Tuna Sniper rods are lighter, stronger, and have a faster taper for the longest possible casting distance and more control boat side. These rods have a moderately fast action, with a slightly faster tip section, shaped EVA grips, new Fuji “K” series SiC guides, and a new padded rod sock. The size 40 stripper guide and new 8’ length give this rod a balanced feel and lighter weight than pre-2012 Tuna Sniper rods.

MSRP $449.99

PENN Spinfisher V

Fin-Nor LT100 Lethal

This tough, all metal construction reel from Penn works well for tuna at a good value. Features include an anodized aluminum superline spool, five stainless steel ball bearings and a sealed drag system with 3 HT-100 washers that stays smooth during big runs. MSRP $179.95

This all-aluminum body reel from Fin-Nor could be one of the best values in high-performance saltwater spinning reels today. The Lethal 100 adds a triple-supported spool shaft, a forged brass main gear and a back-up pawl and ratchet anti-reverse. MSRP $139.95

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

SHIMANO STELLA SW Widely considered one of the finest spinning reels in the world, the Stella SW can handle the largest fish swimming our waters. This reel utilizes high quality materials and technology in every aspect, including a high rigidity aluminum body, X tough drag washers at the base of the spool, a cold forged aluminum handle and forged metal internals. This latest version of the Stella is the longest casting reel yet. Specifications for 14000 size. MSRP $1,159.99

ACCURATE SR-20 Accurate’s TwinSpin reels are machined from high-grade materials and can handle the Gulf’s largest tuna. Features include Accurate’s patented TwinDrag™ system, five class 5 ABEC stainless steel bearings and a skirted spool that reduces heat build-up and help trim weight.

These reels are designed, manufactured and assembled in the USA. MSRP $859.95

QUANTUM CABO PT

SHIMANO SARAGOSA SW

The Cabo series is built for long-lasting, fish-stopping performance - from the indestructible TiMag® bail to the multi-layer corrosion protection. This reel utilizes hybrid ceramic bearings in high-load areas. Specifications for 80PT model. MSRP $229.95

A Gulf tuna staple with excellent performance at a good price.

Improvements in the current Saragosa® include SW Concept design with X-Ship & X-Tough drag and durable cam oscillation system for better drag performance. Specifications for 10000 model. MSRP $309.99

GulfCoastMariner.com

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY BY B R A N D O N R O WA N

Anthony Carlos hoists up a 43 pound wahoo.

2017 Winter Wahoo Trip

D WATCH THE VIDEO

gulfcoastmariner.com /texas-wahoo-bad-intentions

Jerome Malone unhooks a massive wahoo after gaffing it on Bad Intentions. This fish would have easily been over 90 pounds if it wasn’t for a shark bite during the fight.

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

aybreak came and lines hit the water as Bad Intentions’ search for wahoo began at the Flower Garden Banks, some 100-plus miles out of Galveston. It wasn’t until around 10 a.m. that the reel on the shotgun line started screaming. The first wahoo to hit the deck was a healthy 43 pounds and bit an Ilander/ ballyhoo combo.

The second fish, 27 pounds, came soon after and took a orange/black jet on the right outrigger. Around 1 p.m. a big wahoo hit a purple/black jet on the right outrigger and took line out for over a minute.

Unfortunately, the fish was shark attacked during the fight and came up missing a 1/3 of its body. This partial wahoo weighed an impressive 73 pounds, meaning the fish would have weighed 90-100 pounds if whole.

Bad Intentions is a 64’ Viking located at the Galveston Yacht Basin. Call 505-577-0385 or visit www.badintentions.us to book your fishing trip or to charter the boat for tournaments.

Dr. Bob Rose, right, reeled in this huge wahoo that got sharked on the way in. The partial fish weighed 73 pounds on certified scales. Also pictured, from right, Anthony Carlos, Jerome Malone and ‘Yardstick.’

Bad Intentions owner Debbie Conway’s 27 pound wahoo bit an orange/black jet head.

Capt. Mike Bowie and Anthony Carlos with a 50 pound yellowfin tuna.

GulfCoastMariner.com

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

GulfCoastMariner.com

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RED BULL YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP

T

he twelve teams that will compete in the 2017 Red Bull Youth Americas Cup competition are breaking new ground for young sailors all over the world. They will be racing foiling catamarans and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

All of the competitors, whose ages range from 19 to 24, are getting a taste of what the real America’s Cup teams must deal with in order to compete and perform well in this pressure packed arena known as the America’s Cup sailing.

Fund raising is one of the new skills this team must acquire in order to stick around for the finals. Racing these boats is very expensive. Sails and hardware are pushed to the limits. The crews will train non-stop from now until June aiming to make the finals. All of this costs money.

Next Generation USA needs your help.

Six guys were chosen to represent our country and have a very good chance to win the regatta. Two of them, Carson Crain and Reed Baldridge, are local guys who grew up sailing right here on Galveston Bay. To make a contribution to the campaign, contact Carson Crain, cmcrain@gmail.com.

Next Generation USA

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

The Boat In 2017, the youth teams will be sailing the AC45F, a 45-footer that will fly on hydrofoils. Specifications for the AC45F indicate the boat is capable of reaching speeds of over 35 knots, or 40 mph/65kmh. The eight AC45Fs used in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup are the only such boats in the entire world.

Dates: Qualifiers: June 12 – 16 Finals: June 20 – 21 Location: The Great Sound, Bermuda.

Format: Fleet Racing, two qualifying series with six teams in each. Top four teams in each series move on to Finals Teams: Twelve teams, each representing their country will compete. All team members must be citizens of the country they represent Boats: The AC45F, a 45-footer that will fly on hydrofoils. Specifications for the AC45F indicate the boat is capable of reaching speeds of over 35 knots, or 40mph/65kmh.

The eight AC45Fs used in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup are the only such boats in the entire world.

Crew: Six sailors onboard. Ages 19 – 24 years Amenities: America’s Cup Village, Hospitality Tents, Spectator Boats, Grandstand Seating, Jumbotron Screen Viewing The Location In 2017, Bermuda’s Great Sound will form a natural amphitheater for the America’s Cup, and the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup will use exactly the same racecourse. Sailing conditions in Bermuda are typically exceptional in June, with historical wind data suggesting that there should be racing conditions 90 percent of the time.

The Teams Up to 12 national youth teams, each composed of six sailors aged 19-24, will race in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup 2017, each representing a different nation.

Six teams will race through their affiliation with current America’s Cup teams, while up to six additional teams will compete as selected by Red Bull Sport Directors Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher.

2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Teams • • • • • • • • • • • •

Candidate Sailing Team, Austria Team BDA, Bermuda Youth Vikings Denmark, Denmark Team France Jeune, France SVB Team Germany, Germany Land Rover BAR Academy, Great Britain Kaijin Team Japan, Japan NZL Sailing Team, New Zealand Spanish Impulse Team, Spain Artemis Youth Racing, Sweden Team Tilt, Switzerland Next Generation USA, USA

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By Betha Merit

S

ometimes it is helpful to have a few light food offerings up your sleeve. What better meal than a trio of appetizers with pairings of wine? Well, maybe steak and lobster with a chewy cabernet is preferable, but that is for another day.

The following food bites are high in protein, so a lovely baguette with herbed butter is a welcome accompaniment.

Note the wine pairing suggestion for each. You may prepare some of the foods ahead, and just assemble in the galley, as you like. For each recipe you can find several variations on the internet, just tweak to your desired combinations.

ANTIPASTI BITES Pair with sparkling wines like Prosecco or Cava. Serves 8 Ingredients:

• • • • • •

24 slices salami (Genoa) about 4” diameter 1 cup marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped fine 1/3 cup roasted red peppers, drained and chopped fine 2 Tablespoons pitted and chopped Kalamata olives 4 ounces chopped fresh mozzarella 1/3 cup chopped basil, save some for garnishing

Directions:

Place one salami slice in each regular sized muffin cup, so it comes up the sides. Bake at 400 degrees for about 7 to 10 minutes or until salami is crisp. Let cool at room temperature. Next, in a large bowl stir together artichoke hearts, roasted peppers, Kalamata olives, most of basil, and the mozzarella cheese. Pepper to taste.

If this mixture is made ahead, flavors meld excellently. Place the salami cups on a platter, and fill with the artichoke mixture. Garnish with remaining chopped basil.

HONEY GARLIC MEATBALLS

HAM CHEESE APPLE WRAPS

Pair with a Pinot Noir. Serves 6-8.

Pair with Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay. Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup brown sugar • 1/3 cup honey • 1/2 cup ketchup • 1/4 cup soy sauce • 3 cloves garlic, minced • 28-ounce bag cooked frozen meatballs • pinch of cayenne pepper • 1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper Directions:

Mix together brown sugar, honey, ketchup, soy sauce, peppers, and garlic.

Place frozen meatballs in a 3 to 4 quart crockpot/slow cooker, and pour sauce over meatballs. Stir so all are coated evenly. Cook on LOW for four hours, stirring occasionally. Serve with toothpicks, appetizer forks. Also great served over rice or noodles.

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard • 1 large Granny Smith or Gala apple.

Cut into 12 slices, brushing slices with lemon or orange juice to deter browning.

• 4 ounces Cheddar cheese (or Swiss cheese etc.), sliced into 1/4” thick triangles • 4 ounces thinly sliced deli ham, cut in slices to cover half the apple Directions:

In a small bowl, stir together yogurt and mustard until smooth; set dip aside. On one apple slice, center a piece of cheese; wrap tightly around middle with a strip of ham. Repeat with remaining apples, cheese, and ham. Serve with dip on the side.

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The Environmental Considerations of Storm Surge Mitigation

By Scott Jones, Director of Advocacy, Galveston Bay Foundation

O

ur area has been blessed with Galveston Bay, one the most productive estuaries in the country and the most productive in Texas. From its waters, a full third of the state’s commercial seafood harvests and recreational fish are landed, creating an economic engine of related businesses and quality of life for area citizens. The Bay is renowned for its oysters, shrimp, crab, redfish, flounder and speckled trout. The Bay ecosystem also supports a thriving ecotourism industry and people travel from all over the world to witness the resident and migratory birds that grace our shores.

The Bay area is also the home of hundreds of thousands of people, one of the busiest ports in the nation, one of the biggest petrochemical complexes on the world, wonderful medical centers and, of course, NASA. After the damage and loss of life wrought by Hurricane Ike in 2008, it only makes sense that residents, academic institutions, and government is looking for ways to lower the risk from future hurricane storm surges. The Galveston Bay Foundation supports such efforts, as long as all of

30

The Maeslantkering storm surge barrier in Holland. Photo: World66

the potential benefits and costs are fully known and all environmental impacts are openly discussed and addressed through a robust scientific investigation and review process, and the impacts are ultimately avoided or minimized.

GBF’s mission is to preserve and enhance Galveston Bay as a healthy and productive place for generations to come. Just looking at things from a purely environmental damage standpoint, we recognize that if a major storm surge were to strike our industrial complexes there could be a disastrous release of petroleum and other petrochemicals that could lead to an ecological disaster.

So, we agree that there needs to be system(s) in place to prevent that occurrence, whether it’s proper management practices and protective levees at individual plants to levees that protect a whole industrial complex, e.g. the Texas City Levee System or Freeport Levee System, to

Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

a larger regional protection system such as the Texas A&M at Galveston’s Ike Dike concept. In short, there are ways to prevent those releases on multiple scales.

However, we are also a part of the local community, living and making our living on or near the Bay, and want to be a positive voice in the discussion on how best to protect not only the environment, but also people and infrastructure. As with mitigating damages to the environment from storm surge, there are also multiple ways to protect people, homes, and businesses, both structurally and nonstructurally at a range of scales. The biggest question is just what is it we need to protect from storm surges.

It is a fair question to ask if we need to install a coastal spine like Ike Dike the whole length of the Upper Coast to try to protect every shoreline structure from High Island

structures at Bolivar Roads and, in the case of the Ike Dike, also San Luis Pass. We should note that SSPEED has also included a middle Bay gate as an option to the Bolivar Roads gate. That gate, too, also raises concerns.

Besides the release of oil and petrochemicals, the only other possible major ecological damage to the Bay related to hurricane surge will be indirect effects from the installation of these gates to water circulation, salinity, sediment transport and the movement of larval and post-larval shrimp, crabs and fish. Environmental lift gates and navigational gates at Bolivar would be open 99.9% of the time, but based on the information we have seen, the passes’ natural width would be permanently reduced by 40-50% to accommodate the footings and other structures that house the gates themselves. Thus, they would always restrict the flow and

“The Bay is renowned for its oysters, shrimp, crab, redfish, flounder and speckled trout.” to Freeport when many are already elevated and many others could be brought up to standard. Maybe a coastal spine will end up being the best answer, but all of the alternatives need to be discussed and debated in an open, transparent manner.

Getting back to environmental impacts from structural solutions, we must be aware of unintended yet irreversible damages that can be done to Galveston Bay and all it provides unless we proceed carefully, be it the Ike Dike concept, SSPEED Center’s Houston-Galveston Area Protection System concept, or the Gulf Coast Community Protection and Recovery District’s Phase 3 Recommended Actions.

GBF is concerned about both direct and indirect impacts to the Bay and its habitats, but what concerns us most is the proposed massive gate

greatly increase velocities.

At this time, we do not know what effect these gate structures will have on the movement of our critically important recreational and commercial species. If we are not careful, we could lose those fisheries and the businesses that depend upon them, and that would be an unacceptable huge blow from an ecological, economic and quality of life standpoint.

To prevent such negative impacts, GBF is asking is that all possible structural and non-structural options are truly debated and that rigorous environmental research and studies be completed upfront on the structural options that can permanently alter the Bay’s natural processes. We need complete information to make a good decision, because once huge structures are built there is no going back.

LYC flag officers, from left, Fleet Capt. Rex Bettis and his wife, Kim; Rear Commodore Tom Frankum and wife, Bonnie; Commodore Jim Winton and First Lady Cindy Winton; and Vice Commodore Ashley Walker and his wife, Stephanie.

Photo by J. Pamela Photography

Lakewood members honor Commodore Jim Winton Lakewood Yacht Club members celebrated another grand night in their history as they honored 2017 Commodore Jim Winton and his wife, Cindy, at the annual Commodore’s Ball. Other flag officers stepping into the limelight before the black-tie crowd that Jan. 28 evening included Vice Commodore Ashley Walker and his wife, Stephanie; Rear Commodore Tom Frankum and his wife, Bonnie; and Fleet Capt. Rex Bettis and his wife, Kim.

Houston Yacht Club’s Commodore’s Ball Weekend The Houston Yacht Club Commodore’s Ball was held Jan. 21, and what an event it was.

More than 250 guests attended and made this event one to remember.

“Martha and I are grateful to all who contributed to making this happen, as well as those who attended,” said Commodore Steve Gillett. The followup Commodore’s Brunch the next day capped the weekend off, with Mickey Hobbs providing entertainment.

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

HYC flag officers are, front to back, Commodore Steve Gillett and his wife, Martha; Vice Commodore Jack Yoes and his wife, Cissy; and Rear Commodore John Cardenas and his wife, Debra. Photo by Ed Matuszak.

[ B O A T S

34

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2014 Prestige 550 Fly

2004 Formula 47 Yacht

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2002 46’ Sea Ray Sundancer

2007 47’ Carver Motor Yacht

$189,500 Twin Cummins Diesels with Low Hours Bow Thruster - Cockpit A/C - Satellite TV System Very Clean Boat & Best Price in the Area Gary Hare 713-628-3080 - Texas Sportfishing Yacht Sales

$259,000 Co-Designed with BMW Designworks USA Twin Diesels with Only 242 Hours Well Equipped and Maintained!

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

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2002 Grand Banks 42 Classic

2013 Beneteau Oceanis 41

$345,000 All new batteries Dec. 2015, Westerbeke 12.5 KW Generator, Raymarine RC 530 plus Chart Plotter, Furuno RD-30 Radar, Twin Caterpillar Engines 832-561-3344 | Doug@SeaLakeYachtsllc.com

$244,000 Extremely Light Use, 4G Simrad Radar/ AIS added, All new AGM Batteries 2014, Electric fold down transom 832-561-3344 | Doug@SeaLakeYachtsllc.com

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GulfCoastMariner.com

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

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Galveston Bay Tides EAGLE POINT, TX NOAA Station Id: 8771013

MARCH Wed 3/1 02:28 AM 08:50 AM 02:56 PM 08:30 PM Thu 3/2 03:19 AM 10:55 AM 03:25 PM 08:05 PM Fri 3/3 04:15 AM 07:36 PM Sat 3/4 05:16 AM 07:04 PM Sun 3/5 06:22 AM 07:05 PM Mon 3/6 07:33 AM 07:33 PM Tue 3/7 08:45 AM 08:06 PM Wed 3/8 09:52 AM 08:31 PM Thu 3/9 10:53 AM 08:43 PM Fri 3/10 11:46 AM 08:45 PM Sat 3/11 12:31 AM 03:52 AM 12:34 PM 08:41 PM Sun 3/12 12:48 AM 06:31 AM 02:17 PM 09:32 PM Mon 3/13 02:16 AM 07:55 AM 02:58 PM 09:19 PM Tue 3/14 02:47 AM 09:15 AM 03:38 PM 09:00 PM Wed 3/15 03:18 AM 10:37 AM 04:19 PM 08:30 PM

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Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine March/April 2017

0.2 L 0.5 H 0.2 L 0.5 H

0.0 L 0.5 H 0.4 L 0.5 H

-0.1 L 0.7 H

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0.7 L 0.7 H -0.1 L 0.7 H

0.6 L 0.7 H 0.1 L 0.6 H

0.5 L 0.7 H 0.2 L 0.6 H

0.4 L 0.7 H 0.4 L 0.6 H

0.3 L 0.7 H 0.5 L 0.6 H

Thu 3/16 03:52 AM 12:10 PM 05:06 PM 07:41 PM Fri 3/17 04:30 AM 02:20 PM Sat 3/18 05:14 AM 05:42 PM Sun 3/19 06:08 AM 06:41 PM Mon 3/20 07:13 AM 07:25 PM

APRIL 0.2 L 0.7 H 0.7 L 0.7 H

0.1 L 0.8 H

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Tue 3/21 08:26 AM 08:05 PM

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Wed 3/22 09:37 AM 08:37 PM

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Thu 3/23 10:38 AM 08:56 PM

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Fri 3/24 11:31 AM 08:58 PM

0.1 L 0.9 H

Sat 4/1 04:38 AM 04:59 PM

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Sun 4/16 04:21 AM 04:44 PM

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Sun 4/2 05:39 AM 06:02 PM

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Mon 4/17 05:11 AM 05:39 PM

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Mon 4/3 06:48 AM 06:44 PM

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Tue 4/18 06:11 AM 06:16 PM

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Tue 4/4 08:05 AM 07:14 PM

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Wed 4/19 07:21 AM 06:41 PM

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Wed 4/5 09:23 AM 07:31 PM

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Thu 4/20 08:33 AM 06:52 PM

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Thu 4/6 10:34 AM 07:38 PM

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Fri 4/21 09:40 AM 06:49 PM

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Fri 4/7 11:36 AM 07:38 PM

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Sat 4/22 10:41 AM 06:35 PM

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Sat 4/8 12:55 AM 05:11 AM 12:31 PM 07:33 PM

0.8 L 0.9 H 0.5 L 0.9 H

Sun 4/23 12:16 AM 04:48 AM 11:39 AM 06:17 PM

0.9 L 1.0 H 0.6 L 1.0 H

Sun 4/9 01:04 AM 06:48 AM 01:20 PM 07:23 PM

0.7 L 1.0 H 0.6 L 0.9 H

Mon 4/24 12:15 AM 06:37 AM 12:37 PM 05:55 PM

0.7 L 1.0 H 0.7 L 1.0 H

Mon 4/10 01:24 AM 08:06 AM 02:09 PM 07:07 PM

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Tue 4/25 12:37 AM 08:06 AM 01:37 PM 05:30 PM

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Sat 3/25 12:19 PM 08:44 PM

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Sun 3/26 12:49 AM 05:04 AM 01:04 PM 08:24 PM

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Mon 3/27 01:05 AM 06:44 AM 01:49 PM 08:03 PM

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Tue 3/28 01:35 AM 08:14 AM 02:35 PM 07:40 PM

Tue 4/11 01:47 AM 09:17 AM 02:59 PM 06:40 PM

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Wed 4/26 01:10 AM 09:31 AM 02:49 PM 04:52 PM

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Wed 4/12 02:11 AM 10:26 AM

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Wed 3/29 02:13 AM 09:45 AM 03:22 PM 07:15 PM

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Thu 4/13 02:37 AM 11:38 AM

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Thu 3/30 02:56 AM 11:26 AM 04:15 PM 06:40 PM

Fri 4/14 03:07 AM 01:04 PM

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Sat 4/29 03:22 AM 02:46 PM

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0.2 L 1.0 H 0.9 L 1.0 H

Sat 4/15 03:41 AM 03:06 PM

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Sun 4/30 04:17 AM 04:14 PM

-0.1 L 1.4 H

Fri 3/31 03:44 AM 01:36 PM

0.1 L 1.1 H