Products

100L TACTICAL DRY GEAR BAG: Anglers can keep their gear safe and dry in EGO Fishing’s roll-top bag. It is made from high-performance waterproof TPU fabric that is stronger, lighter, more flexible and more abrasion resistant than PVC fabric. Its features include strong welded seams, Kryptek camo technology inspired by artillery camouflage netting, molle loops for external tool management, and a contoured removable shoulder strap system. The 29x15x14-inch bag costs about $200.

RAGE NED CRAW: This 2.75-inch soft plastic lure by Strike King boasts an exclusive tail design engineered for action. Fish will be attracted to the splash, noise and movement. Available in seven color combinations. The craw lure costs about $7 for a nine-pack.

offers classic cotton six-pocket hunting pants made from a comfortable and durable cotton-Polyester blend twill. They have large belt loops and an elastic waistband for a comfortable fit. Other features include a reinforced seat and plenty of pockets, including two large cargo pockets with button-down flaps. Available in sizes small to 2X large and in four camo patterns, the pants cost about $35.

SOLAR POWER PANEL: This compact solar panel by Hunting Made Easy (HME) is designed as a sustainable solution for all trail cameras, especially wireless/cellular cameras. The panel, which can be mounted to trees and posts, works in low-light conditions and features durable all-weather construction. It costs about $70.

a couple of twitches, a kingfish nailed the lure.

“I got really lucky and was able to land the king without its sharp teeth cutting my line,” he said.

A large mangrove snapper also was fooled by one of Perez’ lures.

The mangrove snapper was a first for the recreational angler.

“I’ve seen boaters around the jetties catch them, but I’ve never caught one myself or seen one that large,” Perez said.

Perez focuses his efforts around the end of the jetty when he’s fishing from the rocks. He goes armed for just about anything that is willing to strike an artificial lure.

The spinning setups are rigged with 50-pound braid, and up to a 100-pound test fluorocarbon leader, or an even heavier wire leader, depending on what species he is targeting.

Photo from Mario Perez

the first contact with a veteran who reaches out to us about wanting to attend a hunt or an event,” Derden explained. “He gets to know the veteran and their background, and then funnels them into the VXA program. Our number one priority is safety, and Chupp definitely puts in the time to get to know each veteran before we have them out on a hunt.”

Alex San Martino handles the social media platforms and website, and serves as event coordinator.

“Without her, we would be like a boat without a rudder,” Derden said.

When planning a hunt, Derden is mindful about the mix of veterans that he brings together.

“I always try to coordinate a hunt with vets that have some similarities, usually based on the branch of military they served in or the type of service that they did or are still currently doing,” he said. “With that being said, I do try to compose a group that has a good blend of experiences. For example, if I’m taking four vets on a hunt, I’ll try to get a mixture of individuals that are currently on active duty, as well as individuals that have both recently retired or have been out of the service for many years. We’ve found the lessons that they can learn from one another about transitioning out of the military, by sharing where they are at in their different stages of life, are invaluable.”

Army veteran Larry Sutherland recently attended a VXA hog hunt in the Corsicana area, and was able to harvest a wild pig.

“It was neat to see that there were landowners willing to give back to the com-

Veterans Xtreme Adventures focuses on building a community of support for veterans through outdoor adventures. Photo by Brandon Parscale. munity in order to allow some veterans to come hunt on their property,” Sutherland said. “It was also evident from the get-go that the experience was not really about the hunt itself, but more about veterans like myself getting the opportunity to spend time and fellowship with other veterans. When you’re sitting in a blind with other individuals who have had similar experiences as you have, it just becomes natural to open up about things that you might not talk about to others that do not have a military background. There’s no gaps to fill or things to explain, because the other veteran knows exactly where you’re coming from.” Sutherland said we are in a unique time period where seemingly everyone knows a veteran. “We all know veterans, and most of them are veterans who deployed,” he said. “We are at a crucial stage in Texas where veterans need to know about events that are providing opportunities for them to find support.”

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