April 2020

DRIFT FISHING STRATEGIES & TECHNIQUES

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April 2020

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April

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ABOUT THE COVER Larry Higgins of Alvin, TX is our cover angler.

Larry was fishing for trophy trout recently with Capt. Wayne Davis at Port Mansfield when he landed this ten pound redfish. The big red fell for a KWig-glers lure in water little more than a foot deep. He says it put up a very determined fight.

APRIL 2020 VOL 29 NO 12

CONTENTS

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

10 16 22 26

32 36 40 44 48 52 54 58 84 87

The Reasons I Drift Consequence of an Extremity Winter in the Rearview Mirror Getting Right with Ling

Steve Hillman Kevin Cochran Chuck Uzzle Joe Richard

26

Let’s Ask The Pro Shallow Water Fishing TPWD Field Notes Kayak Fishing Chronicles TSFMag Conservation News Fishy Facts Extreme Kayak Fishing & Sharks...

Plastic & Water Don’t Mix Boat Repair & Maintenance Science & the Sea

40 WHAT OUR GUIDES

HAVE TO SAY

64 66 68 70 72 74

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

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

REGULARS 8 Editorial 62 New Tackle & Gear 76 Fishing Reports and Forecasts 80 Catch of the Month 82 Gulf Coast Kitchen

82

74 6 | April 2020

Jay Watkins Scott Null Owen Fitzsimmons Dave Roberts CCA Texas Stephanie Boyd Eric Ozolins Tyler Thorsen Chris Mapp UT Marine Science Institute

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Everett Johnson Everett@tsfmag.com VICE PRESIDENT PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Pam Johnson Pam@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-550-9918

THE SCIENCE OF STAINS MADE SIMPLE Keeping your boat looking great is easy when you know the basics. Those basics include four common types of stains that can be frustrating if you don’t know how to remove them. This handy guide will help you properly identify and remove each of the four basic stains, and keep your boat looking like new.

It’s the science of stains made simple!

NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Bart Manganiello Bartalm@optonline.net REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Patti Elkins Patti@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-649-2265 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Donna Boyd Donna@tsfmag.com CIRCULATION SUBSCRIPTION – PRODUCT SALES Vicky Morgenroth Store@tsfmag.com DESIGN & LAYOUT Stephanie Boyd Artwork@tsfmag.com SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Jen Shive Jen@tsfmag.com Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine is published monthly.

Subscription Rates: One Year (Free Emag with Hard Copy) Subscription $25.00 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: 361 792-4530 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, TX 77983 WEB: www.TSFMAG.com PHOTO GALLERY: photos@tsfmag.com PRINTED IN THE USA. Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine (ISSN 1935-9586) is published monthly by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc., 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, Texas 77983 l P. O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 © Copyright 1990 All rights reserved. Positively nothing in this publication may be reprinted or reproduced. *Views expressed by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine contributors do not necessarily express the views of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine.

Periodical class permit (USPS# 024353) paid at Victoria, TX 77901 and additional offices.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc., P. O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983.

THE STAIN Dirt, grime, gunk, muck. Fish blood, food, drinks. These are your surface stains.

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THE STAIN Black shoe marks, rub rail and bumper scuffs, marks left from dragging hoses and equipment.

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EDITORIAL

PRAYING FOR EVERYBODY’S SAFETY… & GETTING BACK TO FISHING

Springtime is usually a happy season filled with great expectations, but my thoughts are a complete jumble this morning. Fishing is way down the list. Somehow our world has been jerked inside out and flipped upside down in one fell stroke by a tiny bug. A bug that doesn’t look nearly as dangerous as the dreaded H1N1 flu pandemic of a decade ago on one hand, but the other hand is filled with so many unknowns, not the least of which is fear.

Almost overnight our country is being rattled to the pillars of its foundation. Elections have been postponed. Economic indicators are sinking and soaring, and then sinking even deeper. Schools, businesses, offices, factories and even churches are closed. Major league sporting and entertainment events are shut down. People are afraid to leave their homes. My local grocery looks to have been invaded by a horde of locusts. Let’s hope it’s overreaction but better to err on the side of caution if we must err at all.

Where all this will end is a great mystery and much is at stake. Of course the health and safety of all our people is everybody’s greatest concern and we are willing to make sacrifices to help accomplish this.

My most sincere prayer is that this horrible nightmare will pass soon and America can get back on her feet and back to business.

In his inaugural address to the nation during the darkest days of

the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt encouraged Americans by saying, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Perhaps a big dose of those words would be good medicine for all of us right now.

Though fishing may be taking a back seat for a few weeks, there’s lots of good fishing to be had for those who can get on the water and enjoy it. Unusually mild winter weather brought an early spring to Texas bays. March is supposed to be a tough month for catching as winter slowly fades to spring but, here in the middle of the month, it almost seems the dreaded transition of seasons and fish patterns never quite happened this year. The past several weeks have been almost balmy compared to prior years and the fish seem as happy as the anglers chasing them.

Looking ahead, if your young ones are out of school due to the Covid-19 scare, taking them fishing would be a great time for family entertainment and bonding. What better way to avoid social crowding than a day of fresh Texas air and a tug on their line?

My final thought here is for everyone to use common sense, take every precaution practical to avoid infection, and pray for our country.

America is the greatest nation ever in history. We are blessed with the finest health care systems staffed by the most capable medical professionals. We will rise to this current challenge and come back bigger, better, and stronger than ever!

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Justin Brown tricked this healthy trout while drifting off of a shoreline drop-off (ridgeline) while casting to nervous mullet. More than 90 legalsized trout were caught on this trip!

T he Reasons I

DRIFT STORY BY STEVE HILLMAN

W

hen I was a teenager and on into my early twenties, I believed the best way to catch trout was to wade fish. One of my fondest memories was standing on a small J-shaped reef not far from where I grew up casting a chrome and blue Jumpin’ Minnow along the edges of rafting mullet. The sights and smells of my experiences on that little reef are forever etched into my mind. Once I started guiding I had to learn how to fish from a boat because most of my clients either were not willing or simply didn’t have the proper gear to jump out of the fiberglass. As the years have gone by I’ve realized that drift fishing, at least here on the Upper Texas Coast, has often become more productive than wading. My true love is and will always be wading, but I also love to get bit.

So why has drifting become a higher-percentage play over wading in parts of Galveston Bay? The bottom landscape of shorelines, especially in Trinity, East and Lower Galveston, has drastically changed over time. Erosion, subsidence and habitat loss are the main culprits. Some changes are naturally occurring while others are man-induced. For years, there were stretches of shoreline laden with live oysters and clams. There were ridges and sandbars that almost stuck out of the water on low tides but are now two- to 3-feet below the surface. Silting and erosion from storms and ship traffic have taken their toll. Quite a few small reefs near the mouths of bayou drains have either shrunk in size or have been completely covered in silt. Small islands across the bay are now reefs, many of which can only be noticed when waves break over them during very low tides.

Moguls, troughs and potholes along shorelines bordered by spartina (cordgrass) have become flats absent of the bottom undulations in which prey and predator fish alike took center stage on Mother Nature’s playground years ago.

Most of the primary habitat in the form of live oysters tends to be away from shorelines and out in four- to 10-feet of water in the areas I’ve mentioned. As a result, the heavier bait concentrations are found more in open bay waters compared to years past. It is

well documented that live reefs serve as the main habitat for many marine organisms that make up the base of the food chain in our bay system and many other coastal estuaries. For the record, seagrasses rank number two behind live oyster reefs with regards to marine life support and West Galveston Bay has seen a very positive comeback in that category.

There are many other reasons we choose to drift rather than wade.

I’ve had some days in the past month or so where we experienced post-front bluebird sky conditions. The high barometric pressure, clear water and low tides were not conducive to wade fishing the shorelines. Calm clear water creates a special kind of challenge when it comes to tricking trout with lures, especially big ones. Other than wading during late afternoon or early evening hours, drifting over deeper structure such as oyster reefs on days like this is usually a much better plan. The deeper water will provide a comfort level for the trout, thus making them more cooperative. Finding a patch of off-colored water out deep, created by high winds the day before, will further enhance our ability to apply such trickery using silly little plastic things with hooks in them. Throw in a few flipping mullet and we’re in business for sure.

Sometimes excessive boat traffic along shorelines will push fish out deeper. I witnessed this recently in Matagorda as there were countless boats pre-fishing for a tournament and burning shorelines while looking for fish. All of the conditions were right for wading that day but we caught the majority of our fish drifting just outside of ridgelines in water barely too deep to wade. Live oysters and color streaks aided in our ability to capitalize on the shoreline shenanigans.

In my opinion, there is an art to drifting, it involves positioning your boat in a way to give everyone onboard the best possible shot at capitalizing on a school. Setting up properly on a dirty streak, slick, or group of birds requires accurate observations of wind and current.

Successful maneuvers most likely involve stealth-like use of your trolling motor. Sometimes it pays to momentarily keep your distance in effort to key in on all of the moving parts before making your move.

Of course, I’m certainly not saying that wading is a fruitless effort.

TSFMAG.com | 11

Lord knows we continue to enjoy many days catching countless numbers of trout, reds and flounder along our shorelines. I’m just saying that those days seem to be fewer than they were say, 15 or 20 years ago. By the way, April is one of the better months for wading as shorelines will be flooded with higher tides and millions of juvenile forage species such as glass minnows and shad. High winds will also necessitate jumping overboard on many spring days as well.

Looking beyond spring we’ll be getting into the time of year where fish can hold tight to the shoreline early and then ease out deeper as the sun gets higher in the sky. We will see this pattern even more as we get deeper into the summer months when water temperatures rise late in the morning and on into midday. Slicks and bait concentrations will point the way to our success.

What lies beneath the surface of the waters we fish is ever changing.

Decades of scientific research tells us that our average water

temperatures are higher, sea levels are rising, and that we’re losing hundreds of acres of coastal shorelines every year. We can debate and discuss the many possible reasons but everything I’ve researched and personally witnessed throughout the years tells me that there’s some validity to most of these claims.

Trout follow a seasonal pattern every year but is that pattern the same as it was a decade ago? How about 40 years ago? The short answer is no. Why are there so many schools of oversized redfish that reside in our bays year-round compared to years past? Where are the giant rafts of mullet we used to see? Things are different these days.

Does “different” mean that things are bad or worse? Not at all. But, I believe it’s a healthy exercise to observe the changes that have taken place whether or not we can agree about the causes.

There are efforts being made to help reduce shoreline erosion as well as enhance habitat. The Galveston Bay Foundation and several

Ronnie Weil tricked this beautiful speck on a day when wading should’ve been better but shoreline traffic had something to say about that.

Trout was released, of course.

A pretty CPR trout caught on a MirrOlure Purple Demon Lil’ John.

12 | April 2020

Todd Aiken always seems to trick a good one or two.

This one was caught while drifting over hard shell then released after photo.

Jack Cibulski caught this healthy trout drifting over shell during a time when wading should’ve been good but wasn’t.

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JB with a solid CPR speck!

other organizations continue to work diligently on this front. Within the past year, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department regulatory changes have taken place with regards to limits on spotted seatrout and other recreationally and commercially harvested species. Grant money continues to come into the state to help fund oyster reef restoration. I certainly wish things could move a bit faster with regards to the reef restoration but it’s my understanding that there are some shortages of prime substrate material such as river rock. Overall, things are moving in a positive direction and there are many changes that will ultimately improve our estuaries. In the meantime, you can find me drifting slicks along a drop-off somewhere because I felt like there was a reason for it on that particular day.

CONTACT

STEVE HILLMAN

14 | April 2020

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

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

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EXTRE

of an

EMITY STORY BY KEVIN COCHRAN

W

hile crowded around a backyard picnic table, people ready to dig into a steaming pile of boiled crawfish will likely refuse to eat even a bite of quiche. With eyes and nostrils full of such piquant dreams, why would any red-blooded picnicker taste a baked-egg pie?

Sometimes, folks crave specific foods, and they close their minds and mouths to other fare.

Fish behave in much the same manner, in some situations. While out on the water, I’ve witnessed the consequence of extremely focused appetite many times. When trout and redfish focus intently on a forage species of a particular type and size, especially when the abundance of the forage runs high, catching them can prove quite difficult.

Like the time I watched hungry herds of redfish corralling button shad on the sand flats behind San Luis Pass. At least a half-dozen groups of several hundred bronze bullies prowled purposefully through the shallows. When they spied a school of shad, they’d gradually increase their cruising speed, pushing a wide wake forward, like a prologue to coming events.

As they sped up, the wrinkle on the water steepened, and shad began to burst through the front of the wave, shooting into the air like silver sprinkles. Then, the heads of the reds appeared, mouths agape, gulping shoals of shad for several yards, one replacing another in sequence, until they decimated the hapless school in their sights. About the time one herd finished a foray and disappeared, another would emerge a short distance away, repeating the blitz.

As I watched, amazed, the copper-colored hordes swam right by me, tickling my legs as they passed, as if oblivious to my presence. Though they fed with supreme intensity, well within my reach, catching one proved difficult at best. After much trial and error, I did pull a couple from the fringes of the schools, using red soft plastics, after failing to entice a single bite with a small spoon, which mimicked the size and shape of the prey nicely, but seemed to get lost among the innumerable shad.

The details related to those two strikes would suggest the strategy of presenting some lure which contrasts the hatch a distance away from the center of the focused activity works best, but this certainly isn’t always the case. In many other instances involving hyper-focused schools of marauding predators, earning a strike requires placing a lure which effectively matches the hatch directly in the line of fire.

When I lived in Bayou Vista, I witnessed this many times in the canal behind my house while watching frenetically feeding specks dart from the shadows at the edges of the orbs of submerged lights into their brightest portions, adeptly snatching small minnows or shad. When the abundance of these tiny fish ran highest, the trout became nearly impossible to trick, and the few strikes I did earn came only after I placed lures which beautifully imitated the size, shape and movement patterns of their prey close above the glowing bulbs, right in the bulls-eye of the attack zone.

I recall trying the opposite approach and throwing larger soft plastics and spoons, which at other times almost always urged bites further from the lights, only to become frustrated when the predators ignored them completely, while slurping up their favored food source with apparently reckless abandon.

Similar events have played out on the bays, during daylight hours; I’ve seen plumes of glass minnows spraying out of the water in numerous parts of coves around me, indicating the presence of feeding fish, likely a mix of trout, redfish and flounder. In many cases, despite my successful attempts to place a variety of lures in close proximity to the fountains of harried prey, I made many casts for precious few bites. Sometimes, I caught nothing at all. Similar tales related to me by others add to my awareness of situations like this.

Recently, I received a call from Ari Schwartz, my old Troutmasters partner. He wanted to tell me about something he’d experienced while fishing at night in a shoreline cove in West Galveston Bay. “We were wading, not catching much. It was real quiet for a while. Then we started hearing all this noise in the marsh behind us. Eventually, we couldn’t stand it, so we trolled in there and started looking around with the Q-Beam and found a huge school of reds attacking bait repeatedly. I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.

“Were they hard to catch?” I asked.

18 | April 2020

“Fishing in the presence of copious amounts of forage generally enhances a lure-chunker’s odds for success.”

“Scott Benzman with a typical solid trout caught on a trip made with Captain Kev recently.”

TSFMAG.com | 19

“Actually, they were,” he answered. “When we were able to cast the lure right in the middle of a really big herd, we’d usually get a bite. But if we were off just a bit with our cast, we had no chance. And, once the herds thinned out to smaller pods, we basically stopped getting any bites at all. I think we wound up catching five or six.”

His anecdote fits my script, and reminds me of other tales he’s recounted on numerous occasions, including nights on which he heard multiple loud crashing noises and slurps on flats around him, without catching much. I suspect, in those cases, some version of a hyper-focused feeding event played out, and hungry predators ignored what he offered, like folks at a clam bake refusing to nibble on a rice cake.

For me, these stories reveal multiple morals. At a basic level, they emphasize something I regularly say about what I call the “feeding circle” of predatory fish. Ironically, the most excited feeding level rides right next to the least one, at the top of the ring. Strangely, in some circumstances, ravenous fish behave somewhat like sated fish, confounding anglers’ attempts to catch them.

Hungry, cooperatively feeding groups of predators supremely focused on a single source of food don’t eat much of anything else, and for some period of time, distracting J.P. Dafonte with a splendid thirty-incher caught in early April while fishing with the Captain. them from the apple of their collective eye becomes extremely difficult. The intensity of their focus shrinks their on tight and wait for a fight. At other times, catching trout and cones of influence temporarily, though they possess ample appetite. redfish becomes exceedingly difficult, when they gather in groups Especially when the amount of available forage runs high, these and obsessively focus on one food source, like a bunch of backyard actively feeding fish remain difficult to catch. crawfish boilers.

In such a case, the schools of predators essentially swim into a gray Most of the time, though, these predators prove somewhat easy area on the feeding circle, one which narrowly separates the optimal to catch on artificial lures thrown in the right places and presented in bite-attitude from the minimal one. Eventually, their bellies bulge, and effective ways, considering the variables in play at the moment. The they cross over a fine line, becoming nearly impossible to entice into importance of this one element in the equation doesn’t really change. taking another bite.

In almost all situations, including ones in which the targeted fish This scenario complicates the ramifications of a regularly accepted feed aggressively and ones in which they don’t, the choices anglers truth. Generally, finding a large number of predators competing for make about what to throw, where to throw it and how to present it food in close proximity to one another makes catching one of them profoundly affect the number of bites earned. easier, compared with the attempt to catch a cruising loner. However, I suspect many folks fall into a kind of trap when confronted with if small pods of predators cooperatively attack a single, abundant food the sometimes confounding consequence related to highly-focused source, catching one of them might become nearly impossible. These predators actively cooperating to target a single, abundant item on facts tempt some lure-chunkers to say things like, “The bite was really the metaphorical menu. If they incorrectly assume the situation will tough; we had too much bait in the area.” make the fish easy to trick, and lose sight of the importance of lure I don’t agree with such an assertion, as a rule. The presence of ample choice, casting precision and presentation, they may wind up feeling forage in a place normally increases the odds of productive efforts for like someone trying to peddle celery sticks at an all-you-can-eat artificial enthusiasts. This is most true when a variety of forage species barbecue buffet. inhabit the space, and when predators compete for them, as opposed to cooperating to take them.

In a useful way, planting oneself in the midst of copious amounts of forage makes the job of determining the specific locations of Kevin Cochran is a full-time fishing guide at Corpus Christi (Padre Island), TX. Kevin predators easier. The movement patterns of the prey species blow is a speckled trout fanatic and has created the cover of killers lurking within close range. Huddled, hurried herds several books and dvds on the subject. of bait indicate fear of imminent attacks, providing a blueprint for Kevin’s home waters stretch from Corpus anglers to use when making casts. Sending lures directly into the line Christi Bay to the Land Cut. of fire generally increases the odds of earning strikes.

TROUT TRACKER GUIDE SERVICE In rare instances, trout and reds attack almost anything they see, Phone 361-688-3714 like hungry teenagers unleashed on a pizza buffet after frolicking Email kevxlr8@mygrande.net Web www.FishBaffinBay.com all afternoon in the neighborhood pool. Such cases grossly simplify www.captainkevblogs.com things; toss some lure toward the fish, start reeling it in, then hold

CONTACT

KEVIN COCHRAN

20 | April 2020

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Winter in the STORY BY CHUCK UZZLE

I

f you are like me, warm sun on your face promotes a big case of spring fever.

The gradual change in the weather from winter misery to the promise of spring is just enough to drive anglers crazy with thoughts of getting on the water. The surprisingly consistent fishing that we have enjoyed on Sabine and Calcasieu for the first several months of the year were almost unprecedented - downright incredible at times.

The combination of willing fish and mild spring temperatures so early in the year only spoiled us, we were all living a dream and nobody in their right mind wanted to wake up.

But, wake up we must and that nasty noise you keep hearing is not the snooze alarm, it’s the wind roaring through the trees and tearing up the bay. Hopefully we have seen the worst of the wind and the months ahead will bring calmer seas and more fishable days.

Several of my most recent trips on the water have been solo adventures without a fishing rod and accompanied only by my second-best girl, a black lab named Sally. I truly love these days because it helps me switch gears from ducks to fish without missing either one. Springtime offers some of the best opportunities to see ducks in their full plumage before they make their way back north. The blue-winged teal migrating back up from Mexico are usually the stars of the show, especially when I’m scouting the marshes of Sabine and Calcasieu for redfish. The small groups of birds work low and fly through the maze of islands like little fighter jets, making just as much noise with their wings as their calls. The drakes are painted up like a brand new decoy and easily identifiable, they drive my dog nuts waiting for a shotgun to go off and the opportunity to fetch one. To see birds in the air and fish in the water at the same time is what really gets me going, the best of both worlds right there in front of you.

TSFMAG.com | 23

On one such outing I made a loop through some of the marsh ponds I hunted this past season. Making my way in I passed a line of wade fishermen standing like statues on an expansive flat. I swung my skiff wide of their position and made my way into the marsh.

The lake that was churned up from wind and runoff gave way to beautiful clear marsh with barely a ripple on the surface.

As the skiff settled off plane and everything calmed down I climbed up on the platform. Much to my surprise a group of redfish were milling about as if they had no idea a visitor had made his way into their pond. I waited and watched for a few moments until they eventually disappeared.

For an early spring day it was quite an eye opener; we normally don’t see fish like that in the marsh until late April or May. Calcasieu will usually crank up a little earlier than Sabine but it appears they both may be a little ahead of schedule this year.

Those waders I told you about will certainly vouch for the fact the winter pattern for redfish has been about as constant as you could ever hope for, in fact the numbers of redfish in both Calcasieu and Sabine appear to be as high as anyone can remember. After seeing what the marshes look like and having experienced some excellent days wading this year I have a great feeling for what is in store.

So, spring and early summer mean different things to different anglers. Some dream only of flat seas at dawn, cobalt-blue prop wash, and an endless Gulf of Mexico to explore and enjoy. Others fixate on rushing across the bay in search of hordes of squawking gulls covering fleeing baitfish herded to the surface by schools of hungry trout and redfish. Still others look forward to the quiet

24 | April 2020

especially if you are running past them towards a flat Gulf of Mexico.

Every stretch of water in our area will have something to offer as summer draws nearer with each passing day. From the marshes to the gulf, take your pick and enjoy the whole thing. Also, don’t forget to take the kids, school will be out soon and the best fishing companion you could ever hope for will be chomping at the bit to get out on the water.

CHUCK UZZLE

CONTACT

solitude of anchoring on their favorite stretch of water with a livewell full of fresh bait, a cooler filled with cold drinks, and their best fishing companion in the seat next to them. All the above sound inviting and each group would be hard-pressed to change their tactics because, in their world, their way of going about it is just right and that’s what fishing is all about.

And then there are folks who attack their sport with a passion that borders on obsession. Tournament anglers fit into this category since they know no boundaries when it comes to chasing their quarry.

These folks study charts, maps, and graphs like a college student preparing for final exams. In a very short time these “machines” can decipher nearly any body of water and know it as well or better than the locals. It’s amazing how good some of them are. I am continuously amazed at how they consistently find fish on foreign water and they prove it at every tournament.

Now that we are out of winter’s shadow and into spring there will be plenty of different programs to choose from and all of them will produce at times. I really like the fact that there will be so many places to fish that the crowds will tend to scatter, unless of course the wind forces everyone to hide in the same calm location. Yes, there will be a pile of folks on the jetty but that’s not always bad,

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 wakesndrakes@yahoo.com Website wakesndrakes.com

TSFMAG.com | 25

Dale Fontenot deals with a tired ling.

He prefers using striper jigs and nonspin reels. Photo by Pete Churton.

Getting Right

Ling

with

A

STORY BY JOE RICHARD

pril means the annual arrival of cobia (ling) on the Texas coast. These brutes prowl the entire Gulf of Mexico, traveling alone or in small packs, some of them big enough to resemble six-foot bull sharks. I’ve only seen one ling of that size, easily a hundred pounds, and it gave me pause enough that I didn’t even make a cast. We were young in those days, but knew how hard a 50-pounder would fight until gaffed, before it tried to wreck our boat’s interior. Our first attempts to subdue them involved fire extinguishers, later graduating to a Louisville Slugger bat, and finally a single-shot .22 rifle. Aside from one bruised hand, it’s a wonder we weren’t seriously hurt.

We lived in Port Arthur at the time and fished out of Sabine Pass, within a pistol shot of the Pelican State, which has even more of these fish. Steering even slightly to the east put us in America’s most bountiful population of ling.

These are unusual fish, swimming right up to inspect the boat, sometimes lingering for an hour. Even when hooked on the bottom, they’ll swim up to the surface and have a look, to find out what the problem is. In doing so, they may be gaffed within minutes and yanked aboard “green,” where they can create all sorts of mayhem and destruction. This landing technique requires an experienced gaff man and a clear spot on deck to land the fish.

Last time we tried it, about five years ago, the fish came thrashing aboard and we all ran for the bow while the ling went nuts back near the motor. Our boat was a 22-footer and had trolling rods standing in the center console rod holders. As I ran past, a pair of big treble hooks snagged the back of my shirt, ripped and then held tight, while the ling slammed around only feet away. Somehow he missed my ankles, while I considered ripping the shirt off. Once things quieted down, friends cut me loose from those hooks.

Tackle

really jetty gear with 20-pound line.

We have our favorites. On the day my shirt was ripped, a ling In our early years, we used any gear that was available, but soon followed a hooked snapper up from the bottom and began circling learned that using the right tackle for the situation really did matter. the boat. (The late) Mike Cichowski tossed out a green twister tail For instance, trout spin gear around the oilrigs was a complete waste worm, which was promptly inhaled. But the fish lunged around the of time. Instead, hooking the fish with a stout rod and easing the motor and cut the light line. Still that fish kept circling the boat with boat away from the rig ASAP was the ticket, since these fish will dive through structure when possible. We also learned that it doesn’t take a a green worm pinned to its lip. And of course wouldn’t touch another lure. So, I tied a 2/0 J-hook to my own trout rod, adding a finger-sized fine, lever drag reel to handle a fish that, when hooked, seldom fights strip of blue runner fillet. Then I tossed 4-5 similar pieces to the ling, more than 30 yards from the boat. which hesitated at first but then became greedy, eating all of them.

We have caught many ling over the years with an assortment of Presented with the last piece with a hook attached, he stopped and tackle: sturdy 4/0 reels and short, stiff rods for bottom fishing; longer, stared from inches away, but couldn’t help himself, and sort of… stiff rods with something like the Ambassadeur 7000 reel for casting sipped it in. I set the hook and the fight was on. That 30-pounder was bait way out there; medium spin tackle (30-pound line) with jig or soon in the box. I needed a new fishing shirt, anyway.

12-inch rubber eel for quick casting without a backlash; and then the Matching tackle with your surroundings is the key. For instance, that baitcaster reels on seven-foot rods we used to call trout tackle, but is medium spin tackle will cast an eel without a backlash, if you’re close to an anchored shrimp boat. Cobia often make only one pass by a fishing boat, before heading back for cover or shade. Backlash a bait-casting reel under stress, and the fish is soon gone. Or worse, a fish grabs your bait when the reel won’t turn. And that could be the only ling you see that day—they’re not exactly plentiful—nothing like they were in the early 1970s, when we saw schools of 50 fish on the surface, each weighing from 30-60 pounds. So, you want a quick-casting, accurate rod of medium strength, if there is little structure and plenty of open water. You will need finesse to catch them with that line class, and enough mobility to scoot around the boat, following the fish.

I’ve seen people freeze in one spot, their rod bent to the water, ignoring all advice until the line broke.

It should be noted that serious ling fishermen along Florida’s Gulf Panhandle (paralleling Interstate-10) all seem to use quality spin tackle. They’re either camped Bruce Churton releasing another Double-header on ling. On this day we out on the numerous fishing piers along the beach, ling. These fish grow to more than caught and released 20. The sturdy landing up to 1,600 feet long that always seem to reach clear 100 pounds. Photo by Pete Churton. net helped. Photo by Pete Churton. green and even blue water. These guys can spot ling migrating west along the beach, and will fire off a 2-3 ounce locally-made, finely-wrapped lead-head jig a country mile, using rods with oversized guides for minimum friction. And 25- to 30-pound line.

Meanwhile, a steady parade of boats with towers cruise along that beach, their anglers also equipped with no-backlash spin reels. Their casts are shorter, and they’ll toss live baits (eels and pinfish) though not as far as the pier guys. The boat guys are in safe, open water, but the pier guys, once their fish are pulled close, have to steer their fish through barnacle-covered pilings right underneath, which is no easy task.

Contrast that with my friends in Beaumont, Pete Churton and Dale Fontenot, who have forgotten more about ling than most people will ever know. They fish out of Sabine Pass and carry an assortment of rods, pretty much expecting to see ling on every offshore trip from April through September. They never kept count but after more than 40 years out there, they’ve racked up a hefty number of ling. Besides carrying the 28 | April 2020

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Thousands of cobia have been tagged and are tracked out of Mississippi, thanks to Dr. Jim Franks. Here’s one caught off Port O’Connor. Photo by Pete Churton.

Another ling caught with an eel, ready to be unhooked and released if it will just settle down. Photo by Pete Churton.

right tackle, there’s no panic, they keep cool when ling appear, throwing big spoons and jigs, fishing the entire water column, hooking fish from the bottom to surface.

Their biggest ling was an estimated 90-pounder that was tail-roped aboard and then released. They fished up to 50 miles offshore where the water is still only about 75 feet deep, with lots of oil rigs and several snapper rocks, and little fishing pressure. I doubt they ever fished a rig that had three boats tied to it. Their closest inshore ling rigs were called the Sadler Rigs, within sight of the Sabine jetties. (Former Port Arthur mayor Bernie Sadler tried to annex those rigs in the 1970s, thus the nickname.) During summer, back then when jetty action turned lame because of murky water, I’d sometimes venture out to the Sadler rigs in a jonboat, catching and releasing ling up to 40 pounds.

Catching ling doesn’t require expensive tackle, but carrying a variety certainly helps. Match that gear with the situation and stay calm. And remember to follow that fish even if you have to dance around the boat; hooking a trophy ling is no time to freeze up or get brain lock.

JOE RICHARD

CONTACT

Joe Richard has fished the Gulf since 1967, starting out of Port Arthur, but his adventures have taken him up and down the entire coast. He was the editor of Tide magazine for eight years, and later Florida Sportsman’s book and assistant magazine editor. He began guiding out of Port O’Connor in 1994. His specialty is big kingfish, and his latest book is The Kingfish Bible, New Revelations. Available at Seafavorites.com

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30 | April 2020

TSFMAG.com | 31

Michael Laskowski Jr and Jay, all smiles over Junior’s great fish.

J AY WAT K I N S

ASK THE PRO

DON’T LET THE WIND

RUIN YOUR DAY As winter gives way to spring, savvy anglers begin to contemplate frequent weather changes and how they will relate to fishing patterns. Warming air and water temperatures kickstart the migration of bait species back into our bays from the gulf. If you had opportunity to fish the Lower Laguna Madre during January and February, you are probably aware how few truly cold days we experienced. I actually had a group that fished without waders in January.

Despite the unseasonably warm temperatures, the majority of the forage species will remain in the gulf and deeper bay waters until the bay water temperatures reach more comfortable levels. Nature knows and seldom makes a move too early. It is also true that some of the bait populations remain in the bays year round, just another way Mother Nature covers all her bases.

March and April can be described with one word – WIND! I have often said that wind can be our friend, but there can also be too much of a good thing. Here

32 | April 2020

in Rockport, daily sustained SE winds of 20+ mph are not uncommon. Wind can be even stronger prior to the approach of late-season frontal systems. Developing strategies to deal with them is critical to our success.

The older I get and the more fishing pressure we see, the more I realize how important the brain game is.

Part of my personal brain game is learning to view wind as a positive. It stacks bait along windward shorelines, that in turn attracts gamefish. To take advantage of bait concentrations, I look for tight guts that lie parallel to windward shorelines that provide ambush points for predators. Many times these guts have scattered grass in the deepest parts and along the edges of the adjacent bars. This is money when you find it and definitely deserves your attention.

The same can be said for a series of guts that lie perpendicular to a shoreline. In most instances these are formed over years of tidal movement and/or ship and barge traffic. The large wakes of passing ships and barges

Mike Laskowski with gorgeous fish while fishing with Michael Jr. and Jay.

also create what I call manmade tides that are capable of sparking brief feeding periods and therefore very worthy of your attention when they occur in the area you are fishing.

Small submerged points, extensions of larger points that jut from shorelines, are also a favorite target when strong SE winds force water to flow over and around them. Each point can hold one or two of the shoreline’s best residents. For the record, I am not a fan of throwing large, noisy surface lures in such areas but strong springtime wind muffles the clack and clatter and can sometimes be very effective.

I also look to barrier island shorelines and the accompanying parallel guts when the wind is blowing along the shoreline, not perpendicular to it. These guts are typically at least a foot deeper than the sandbars that separate them. We sometimes see a series of five or six such guts, each successively deeper as distance from shore increases. This type of bottom contour provides travel corridors for bait and predator alike. The increased depth within the gut provides a sense of security to both populations. Remember that predation comes from above as well as below the surface for all fish, so many times they congregate in slightly deeper and darker water that is in close proximity to shallow feeding areas. We also know that wind stirs bottom sediments that add “color” to otherwise clear water, which in turn increases our chances of tricking gamefish.

I also target areas where remnants of last summer’s grassbeds have survived the winter’s cold and voracious wintering waterfowl.

Submerged grass is structure, structure needed to attract and hold both bait and predator. Blending into the bottom contour is an instinctive behavior and is essential to locating fish. I am always amazed at how many anglers fail to pay attention to the types of

Hunter Neill with PB trout.

structure available in the area being fished. I‘ll quickly turn to shallow shell points and grassbeds surrounded by deeper guts formed by erosion, especially when the tide is moving. Moving water is the key to these areas and even though the wind definitely moves the water, there is no substitute for a moon-driven event.

Reef chains that separate major bays include many deeper guts and channels carved by tidal currents. I am definitely a fan and have written in past articles of fishing these features during periods of water movement. Once fish are located in such areas it is imperative to hold your ground and not push forward and spook the bite. Areas such as these will continue to reload – meaning that fish will move and down the gut and eventually come within angler’s reach – so long as the angler will fish patiently and allow it to happen.

Marsh drains can also be productive places to target on windy days. We frequently see anglers working only the end where the drain meets the bay but over the years I have learned that the opposite end where the drain reaches a back lake can be equally productive. This is especially true during springtime when tides are higher on average and flows between the bays and the lakes is stronger. When Cedar Bayou was open we experienced tremendous fishing in these backwater areas but that is a sore subject at present and I’ll just leave it at that.

Another great game plan for windy spring days is available on the shallow grass flats south of Rockport. These normally air-clear waters become havens for small baitfish during the spring. Flooded mangrove islands and areas of grassbeds with potholes hold truly large numbers of trout, reds, black drum and occasional flounder. SE to ESE wind is definitely your friend when applying this strategy to your TSFMAG.com | 33

34 | April 2020

And, of course, I am big fan of soft plastics and there are lots of fine products on the market today. I prefer the MirrOlure Lil John XL and 5-inch Provokers along with the tried and true 5-inch Bass Assassins.

One can never go wrong in our waters with Plum, Cajun Croaker, Watermelon-Red Glitter, Geaux Gleaux, Opening Night, and Roach. I rig these lures on Texas Custom’s 1/16 or 1/8 2/0 Screw-Loc jigheads. I really love the custom painted watermelon-red and black-gold heads but I also carry chartreuse and pure silver in my wade box.

Don’t fight the wind this spring, learn to let it help you catch more fish. Think positive and react to the day’s conditions. The fun is in the game we play with the fish, the challenge they present, and the reward we gain from tricking them. As always, keep a few if you need them and release the rest.

May your fishing always be catching! -Guide Jay Watkins

C O N TA C T

fishing game plan. In the spring of 2019 Jay Ray and I made a living in the flats of Estes and Redfish Bay when many opted to stay at home.

Our key to success was locating areas of sandy to dirty water in the flats and putting our guys out in these areas and then crabbing our way across the flat, giving the fish every opportunity to see or locate our lures. Texas Custom’s Double D Series proved to be deadly over the shallow scattered grass and sometimes shell bottom.

Finally, there are the mid-bay reefs that get little to no pressure during early spring. On those rare occasions when winds suddenly stop, we can jump out on the big water and work deeper shell reefs that have had almost zero pressure since fall. I seldom catch truly large trout on these mid-bay structures but three- to four-pound fish sometimes show and make for a tremendous day for those lucky enough to be there during this small and unpredictable period.

So, what lures are we throwing during springtime? During periods of cooler water temperatures, and even pre-frontal conditions, I will still throw Custom Corkys and Custom Soft-Dines when looking to attract fewer but larger trout bites. Our water stays really clear even with strong SE winds so clear-water color patterns such as Pistachio, Bay Mistress, Pure Silver/Black, Spots, and Pearl Harbor are go-to numbers in the suspending and slow-sinking categories.

Texas Custom’s Double Ds have totally proven themselves in my book. Yes, my name is on the bait, but for the record I was against that part of the deal. Fishing the Double Ds; I bang it down to about 14-15 inches with erratic rod tip action and then allow it to stop and suspend. At this point you need to be holding on because this is when the strikes typically occur.

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

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

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Dan’s big last-minute bull.

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

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

LOOKIN’ FOR

LOUISIANA BULLS A couple weeks back I set my sights on our neighbor to the east, hitched up the Sabine skiff, gathered some fly gear and started driving. I love my home waters, but every once in a while I get the tug to go play in someone else’s backyard. Good friends Dan and John were able to break free of their responsibilities and meet me there for a week of chasing bull reds in skinny water.

Over the last several years I’ve made my way to Grand Isle, Louisiana to guide for a month or two. I didn’t go last year and heard some reports that the fishing had fallen off from previous years. I was a bit uncomfortable with booking up a bunch of trips into uncertain waters this year and decided it would be best to just go exploring a bit.

When this crew gets together the weather almost always craps out. It is uncanny how we can flip a forecast from gorgeous to dammit, just by hitting the booking button on a beach house. The plus side to going with these guys is they won’t let the weather stop them unless it gets totally silly. Poling a skiff and flinging flies in 25 mph winds isn’t exactly ideal but as Dan is fond of saying, “I’ll fish that.” And so we did.

The first morning dawned slick calm with scattered clouds, but a promise of quickly rising winds by late morning. We made a run to an open shoreline where I’ve

36 | April 2020

always found fish hoping to take advantage of this little window. I knew full well this spot would get wiped out for several days with the predicted blow. Any west wind really jacks with the water clarity in most of the areas I fish over there, but this favored area really takes it on the chin.

The water clarity wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t horrible either. Fish were spotted. Casts were made. Laughs were had. Nothing was hooked.

The wind followed the script and crept higher throughout the morning. The problem with a west wind in this area is the incredible amount of marsh erosion it causes. There are about thirty miles of deep, wide open bay water allowing for quite a bit of wind fetch. We always hear about how much marsh Louisiana is losing annually and it sounds bad. Seeing it in person is shocking at times. In the few years I’ve been fishing this area I’ve watched entire large islands completely disappear. Places that were once sheltered lakes are now open coves.

Three years ago I ran across some college students placing PVC markers in a grid on a marsh shoreline. I stopped to chat with them and found they were working on a graduate project regarding the erosion. The first line of markers was placed about two feet into the cord grass.

This year those poles were four to five feet out into the

water. According to one study I read, over the past 25 years, Louisiana has been losing a football field an hour on average.

Of course hurricanes and such skew that number, but it is still staggering to observe firsthand.

Back to the fishing. We moved around quite a bit and hid from the wind the rest of the day. The constant west wind pushed the tides higher than predicted as well as mucking things up. I eventually gave up on the outer bay shorelines where the bulls tend to hang and headed into some back lakes. I knew our chances of finding the bulls we were after were slim, but we’d have to be satisfied with the 25-30” fish usually found in such areas. On a normal tide these places are treacherous minefields of oysters. With the exaggerated high, we were able to pole places I’ve seldom ventured.

As we rounded a point of marsh I spotted a ghostly shape gliding through the murky water. John had the bow and made a perfect cast. The fish ate with gusto ripping into his backing. I wasn’t really sure of the size when I first saw it, but when that thing wallowed up top it became clear this was a monster bull, not at all what I expected way back there. A nervous battle among the scattered oysters ensued with the fish doing pretty much what he wanted for a good while. Somehow John managed to keep the rod high enough to clear the obstructions and the bull eventually conceded. A beautiful 42” red caught on the fly in about a foot of water. Doesn’t get much better.

Over the next couple days we battled through the wind, heavy overcast, scattered rain showers, high water, and murk to scratch out a few fish here and there. Most were huge black drum that we found tailing in some backwater areas around shell. Conditions led to blowing out a lot of reds right under the bow that we never saw.

Day four was a complete washout as a front blew through with 35 mph winds dropping lots of rain along with the temperature. It was a good movie day. Knowing how volatile the weather can be this time of year we always figure on getting blown out at least a day or two. The forecast called for dropping winds and clear skies the next three days. Deal.

Behind the front there was still plenty of wind early, but towards dark it slicked off and the tailers started showing.

We had a pretty good session the last couple hours of the day. Nothing huge, but plenty fun. There were positive vibes for our final two days as the weather folks promised light winds and clear skies.

And it actually happened. Dead slick and blue skies.

Conditions allowed for a run out to “the islands.” I’d told the guys about this place but they’d never been with me when it got calm enough to make the run. It’s a ten mile run across wide open water, not something you care to do in a poling skiff with 20 mph winds.

The run couldn’t have been any smoother. We slid into a big cove and started poling. Crap. Dead water. No reds, drum, sheepies, or even bait. Sure was hoping I hadn’t oversold this place. And then we found them. The super low tide had everything on some scattered reefs in the middle of the cove instead of tight to the shorelines. No true bulls, but plenty of upper-slots and just-overs.

John with one of our “average” fish.

Talked Dan into holding a slimy “big ugly” in his lap for a photo.

John’s biggest of the trip.

TSFMAG.com | 37

C O N TA C T

Another “average” red for Louisiana.

The final day dawned perfect once again. There was no debate on where we were heading, right back to the islands. After a satisfying morning session I asked if they’d like to keep on enjoying these solid fish or swing for the fences with another long run to some even more distant island in hopes of pulling off some bulls before the ride home.

It was a gamble as this place requires clear water to produce and after the whacky weather I wasn’t sure what we’d find. The answer was immediate and we were off.

We arrived on the expansive sand flats with just a sliver of an island separating us from the Gulf of Mexico. The water was clear and shadows of large fish were moving in all directions. Perfect. Except they were all big old drum. Dan got one that pushed the tape to 36 inches. Fun, but not what we were shooting for. Dan still hadn’t picked up a true bull on this trip when his turn on the bow came back around.

I told him it wasn’t quite the bottom of the ninth with two outs, but the closer was warming up. So he steps to the plate and jacks a walkoff. Forty-three inches of gorgeous bronze bull redfish. Best fish of the trip. High-fives, grip and grin photos and a clean release.

The long sunset run back to the dock had a very satisfying feel.

We’ll be back.

38 | April 2020

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

Telephone Email Website

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

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Image 1. A Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) in breeding plumage. The “plumes” give it a shaggy appearance and are used during courting to attract mates. This species is listed as Threatened in Texas.

By Owen Fitzsimmons | Webless Migrator y G a m e B i r d Pr o g r a m Le a d e r, T P W D

FIELD NOTES

PROTECTING OUR ISLAND NURSERIES In the spring of 1920, biologist T. Gilbert Pearson set out on the “Jim Duke,” a boat owned and operated by the Texas State Game, Fish, and Oyster Commission (precursor to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department) to find and document waterbird nesting colonies, or “rookeries.”

Pearson spent weeks travelling through Aransas and Matagorda Bays, eventually heading south to the remote “Laguna de la Madre.” His report of the journey is one of the first to describe nesting activity on islands we now know as Second Chain, Dunham, Dead Man’s, North and South Bird, and Green. Pearson observed thousands of pelicans, herons, egrets, spoonbills, and other species nesting practically on top of each other in dense colonies.

It must have been an incredible sight for a man who, just 20 years earlier, witnessed the near-extinction of these birds in North America.

In the late 1800s, it became extremely popular in the U.S. and Europe to use plumes, the extravagant breeding feathers found on many waterbird species, to decorate ladies’ hats (image 1). The plume trade grew so lucrative that, at one point, plume feathers were worth more than their weight in gold. To meet demand, plume hunters raided rookeries and killed thousands of adult birds 40 | April 2020

with each visit, leaving the eggs and chicks starving and defenseless. By the early 1900s, plume hunters were killing an average of 5 million birds a year, primarily along the Gulf Coast, and nearly a dozen species were on the brink of extinction. Pearson, who grew up in Florida where he developed a lifelong passion for waterbirds, helped convince President Theodore Roosevelt to issue an executive order in 1903 that established Pelican Island, Florida, as a federal bird reservation, giving birth to the first National Wildlife Refuge in the US. The rapid designation of four additional National Wildlife Refuges, along with the adoption of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, effectively ended plume hunting.

Despite almost a century of protective legislation, waterbirds in Texas still face serious challenges today. Of the 25 species of colonial waterbirds that nest in Texas, over half are experiencing drastic population declines.

The number of breeding pairs of black skimmers, for example, has declined by 75% over the past 30 years in Texas. Currently, threats like coastal development, sea level rise, and habitat loss are negatively impacting breeding waterbirds, but one of the most immediate dangers they face is human disturbance. The steady

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rise in recreational and commercial activity in our coastal waterways increases the chances of bird-human interactions.

February marks the beginning of the annual waterbird nesting season in Texas. Throughout the spring and summer, these birds work diligently to protect, feed, and care for their eggs and young despite exposure to storm events, brutal heat, and relentless winds. With hundreds or even thousands of nests concentrated on each island, it is particularly damaging when a rookery is disturbed. Birds view humans much as they would a raccoon, coyote, or any other dangerous predator.

When humans approach too closely, parents flee the nest, leaving eggs and chicks exposed to the intense summer sun and undefended Image 3. Yellow signs are posted around rookery islands across the Texas coast. against opportunistic All access to rookery islands is restricted predators like gulls and from February through August to prevent disturbance to nesting birds. grackles. Every disturbance is harmful, and even a single disturbance can cause a colony to completely abandon an island and give up reproduction for the year, which can quickly lead to population declines.

Research indicates that ground-nesting species like terns and skimmers are typically more sensitive to disturbance than some of the larger waterbirds, which often nest in shrubs and trees.

Depending on the species, suggested buffer distances around islands range from 50-300 yards. To ensure you do not violate any of the federal or state laws that protect nesting birds from disturbance, a simple rule to follow is to fish, swim and play from at least 50 yards away. If nesting birds notice you or begin taking flight at any distance, you are too close and should immediately move away from the island.

Nesting activity is not always obvious so it may be difficult to recognize an active rookery. However, nearly every rookery island on the Texas coast is posted with yellow signs (Image 3) that identify the island as a rookery and restrict access during the breeding season, which runs from February to August each year. When you see these signs, be sure to keep your distance and give the colony plenty of space. It is also imperative to keep dogs and other pets off rookery islands and to be mindful when wind or kite-surfing (imagine how scary a kite flying overhead looks to a bird!). Since each disturbance can have drastic consequences for a colony, simply staying at least 50 yards away during the February to August breeding season can greatly improve nesting success.

42 | April 2020

Image 2. An active rookery in Redfish Bay, Texas. A closer look reveals young Great Egrets (Ardea alba) and Great Blue Herons (Ardea Herodias).

The plume trade ended over a century ago, but it is more important than ever that we protect our colonial waterbird populations. These species are an integral part of life on the Texas coast. They fill critical ecological roles in coastal ecosystems and help bring in millions of dollars a year to the Texas eco-tourism industry. Anglers, boaters, and paddlers can have some of the most significant, positive, and immediate impacts on nesting colonial waterbirds by helping spread the message to fish, swim, and play from 50 yards away.

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

TSFMAG.com | 43

DAV E R O B E R T S

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

FLY FISHING HAWAII When it comes to fishing destinations, Hawaii comes to mind for anglers in search of large billfish and other pelagic species. Rightfully so, this chain of Pacific islands has produced some of the largest marlin landed anywhere in the world. However, an aspect of these islands that is often overlooked and little known to most anglers is their fly fishing.

Hawaii is one of the best kept secrets in the world for trophy bonefish; Oio in the native tongue. On the island of Oahu there are only a handful of flats that can be wade fished but rest assured there are plenty of fish to target. On top of chasing Oio, there is also a number of giant trevally that swim in the same waters. Fishing opportunities like these mixed with one of the most beautiful places on earth make it hard to pass a chance to visit.

Back around Christmas I called one of my friends to check up on him and see if he was going to be in town for the holidays. Since college he has been traveling the world and for the past year he and his wife have been living in Hawaii. During our conversation he mentioned that he wouldn’t be making it home this year but I had a place to stay if I ever wanted to come for a visit.

Considering his offer, I thought when will I ever have a chance to go to Hawaii and have someone show me around and keep me away from tourist traps. I called him 44 | April 2020

a week later, gave him the dates and said I’m on the way.

The time came and I had my bag packed with my 8-weight and a box of flies. I have never been bone fishing so this was going to be a completely new experience. I jumped on the plane and settled in for the eight hour flight. Staring out the window at the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, I am astounded that the Polynesians found these tiny specks of land more than 2000 years ago.

I finally landed and met up with my buddy. The next few days we explored Oahu, an incredible place with uniquely beautiful geography and scenery. The time finally came for fishing and I hired a local guide to take me on the flats to try for my first Oio. I met Jacob at the boat ramp just after daylight and we hopped in his skiff. I looked down and noticed a beefy 12-weight outfit with a large colorful fly tied on. I assumed it was for trevally and asked what are the odds we would see one. He assured me it is not an everyday occurrence but he carried the rod for a reason. We arrive on a flat and hopped out. He gave me a quick rundown of where I needed to cast and how to strip the fly. I’ll be the first to say that I’m by no means a professional fly angler. In my experience with guides I’ve learned to be humble and do exactly as they say as they are the experts.

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46 | April 2020

I only managed to land this single bonefish but it was an amazing experience.

North Shore surfer; these people are amazing athletes.

Waimea Canyon; Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

C O N TA C T

The weather wasn’t cooperating. We had rain clouds blocking the sun and the wind had picked up. No worries. It wasn’t long and I spotted a tail waving in the air. We made our way toward the fish and tried to get in position for a good cast. As quickly as the fish appeared it also vanished, so we continued on. The scene replayed for the next four or five sightings with Jacob assuring me I’d get a shot soon. I looked up once again and spotted another tailing fish coming directly at us. I placed my fly directly in its path and waited for the command to begin stripping. I did exactly as instructed and watched as it showed interest for a few seconds, stopped right on top of it, and then spooked away. We had a good laugh and I was shaking from the adrenaline and excitement of what just happened.

Moving forward, I had a few more shots, some fish that didn’t want to cooperate and some that I completely blew. My redfish mentality had me casting just in front of them and Jacob patiently reminding that I needed to lead them by at least ten feet.

We finished our wade and decided to try poling a shallow reef. Jacob pointed to a fish and I made a long cast. He lost sight of it and just when we thought it was gone I felt a thump. I made a strip set and line whipped through the guides like I’d never experienced, nearly to the backing in a matter of seconds. She made a few more good runs but eventually I got her close and into the boat. My first Oio! We made a few quick photos, sent her back, and commenced the high-five routine. That one fish was more than worth all the missed shots and frustration.

We returned to the flat for another wade and before long we spotted a huge tail waving above the surface.

We both knew this was my shot at a ten pounder. The fish was right on a drop-off which made it tough to see clearly, so I took my best shot and hoped. After a few small strips I felt the thump and my line took off again.

After a short, hard run my line hit the reef and broke.

These things happen but I have always found the “one that got away” stories as much fun as the ones I land. We didn’t have much time remaining and called it a day as I had a flight to catch.

That was one of the most fun and frustrating days of fishing I have ever experienced. I am completely hooked and fully understand why fly fishing for bones is so popular. On top of fishing and staying on the islands, we made a few hikes, ate some great food, and went to the famous North Shore to watch the surfers. I also got to visit Kauai, another small island to the west of Oahu. It was an incredibly beautiful place with colorful flowers, large ancient mangrove-like trees, and Waimea Canyon, which is often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

It takes a long flight to get there but I would heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys traveling and fishing. The sights, beaches, and food alone are worth the journey. Throw in world-class fishing and you have one heck of a vacation.

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

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(Side Scan Sonar Image) This 400 ton pile of concrete railroad ties creates a complex habitat for fish of many year classes and rises approximately 12’ off the Gulf of Mexico seafloor. Photo by Dr. Richard Kline.

Story by John Blaha

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

CCA TEXAS APPROVES FUNDING FOR HABITAT, RESEARCH & EDUCATION Habitat CCA Texas State Board recently continued there never ending support of habitat restoration and creation by earmarking $2.5 million for habitat restoration and creation projects along the Texas Coast. These are funds raised by local chapters across the state and will not only provide monies for these projects, but also as leverage to raise more habitat funds from public, private and government funding sources. This commitment is possible because of another record breaking year in fundraising. This record effort is driven by dedicated and tireless volunteers across the state. At the end of 2019, CCA Texas and Building Conservation Trust (BCT), CCA National’s habitat program, have funded 40 projects for a total of $7.6 million.

The first two projects to be funded out of the $2.5 million are nearshore reefing efforts in the Rio Grande Valley Reef and the Corpus Christi MU775 reef site. The Friends of Rio Grande Valley Reef (FRGVR) have been a great partner for CCA Texas and the recreational fishing community. Their efforts continue to impress, and CCA Texas has funded another $250,000 for habitat creation in the Rio Grande Valley reef and the Corpus Christi MU775 reefing site, working with FRGVR. The MU775 site is located between Packery Channel and Port Aransas and holds pyramids, concrete culverts, the Kinta, and will now be home to concrete railroad tie patch reefs.

48 | April 2020

This $250,000 in funding will place approximately 400 tons of the materials in the Corpus Christi MU775 site (Packery Channel) and 4,200 tons in the Rio Grande Valley reef site. In addition, FRGVR is donating another 400 tons of materials to the MU775 site that will provide much needed low relief nursery piles and research opportunities along the middle Texas coast. The success of a diversified habitat within the RGV reef site has proven to be effective as a habitat that not only holds fish, but raises fish for each year class.

CCA Texas and BCT are both actively seeking habitat projects up and down the Texas coast. They are currently working on oyster restoration efforts in the Upper Texas coast and well as more nearshore reefing opportunities in the Upper and Middle coast sites. Partnerships are key to these efforts. The coming months look promising for fresh new projects and the HTFT and BCT committees look forward to making existing partnerships stronger and forging new partnerships along the way.

Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation Research and Fisheries Management have long been cornerstones of CCA Texas efforts. CCA Texas was one of the original funding partners in the creation of the Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation (CSSC) at Harte Research Institute (HRI), located on the Texas A&M Corpus Christi Campus. The State Board renewed that commitment to this world class

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research facility by signing on to an additional 5-year $500,000 critical to determining seasonal migration corridors, understanding donation. These funds will support angler engagement as well as the relative value of different habitats, and identifying release research in three key focal areas: practices that maximize fish survival.

Artificial Reef Research – There is a growing body of scientific evidence showing the positive contribution of artificial reefs to recreational fisheries. Nevertheless, there are still numerous science gaps on how these structures are used by sportfish and how best to create artificial reefs to maximize the goals of the reefing programs.

CSSC Tagging Initiatives – Using state-of-the-art electronic tags and an expansive acoustic array known as the Texas Acoustic Array Network (TexAAN), CSSC conducts both fine and broad-scale studies of movement, habitat use, and discard mortality on a variety (Side Scan Sonar Image) Low relief 100 ton patch reefs placed throughout MU775. Photo by Dr. Richard Kline. of inshore and offshore sportfish. These studies are

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HRI researchers provide valuable scientific data that influences policy, management, and conservation efforts. Photo by Lisa Laskowski Photography.

Inshore Habitat Assessments – A major focus of CSSC is researching sportfish use of estuarine essential fish habitats and the vital role they play in sustaining marine populations. For example, over the last decade, CSSC studies have examined impact of tidal inlets such as Cedar Bayou. Evaluated oyster reefs as essential fish habitat, and assessed flounder nursery habitat, among others.

The partnership is an important part of the CCA mission to “conserve, promote, and enhance the present and future availability of the coastal resources for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public.” The scientific findings of the CSSC are important in influencing policy, management, and conservation efforts. This model continues to be successful and will be an important part of these efforts in the future.

TPWD Summer Interns - CCA Texas has a long history of supporting TPWD internships. With new flounder hatchery facilities coming online at the CCA Texas Marine Development Center and Sea Center Texas, TPWD requested two additional interns to help at these facilities. One summer intern was approved for each facility for a total cost of $13,000. This additional funding brings CCA Texas’s total commitment for Summer Interns at Coastal Fisheries to 17 interns at a total cost of $110,500 for 2020. This program continues to provide valuable experience for future marine biologists and an opportunity for TPWD to have important and onthe-job training experiences.

For more information about CCA Texas, please visit www.ccatexas. org or contact the office at (713) 626-4222.

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Photo by JudaM from Pixabay.

STEPHANIE BOYD

F I S H Y FA C T S

THE THREE KINGS - PT 1 South Texas has three coexisting kingfishers in the winter, when the medium-sized belted kingfisher arrives to join the small green and large ringed kingfishers.

Belted Kingfisher Megaceryle alcyon Found throughout most of North America at one season or another, belted kingfishers are the only member of their family to be seen north of South Texas. In winter, they migrate to areas where the water doesn’t freeze, so they have continual access to their aquatic food sources. They can be found in almost any waterside habitat – the edges of small streams and ponds, large rivers and lakes, marshes, saltwater estuaries, mangrove swamps, brackish lagoons, and rocky coastlines; they seem to require only clear water for fishing. This medium-sized bird has a bushy crest, white collar, and a large, black, dagger-like bill. They are blue-gray above and white below, with fine, white spotting on the wings and tail. Males have one blue band across the white breast, while females have a blue and chestnut band. Their gray legs are short, and their tails are medium length and square-tipped. Among the nearly 100 species of kingfishers, the sexes often look alike. The belted is one of the few in which the female is more brightly colored than the male.

Belted kings live mostly on a diet of small fish, usually those less than 4-5” long, though they’ll also eat crayfish, frogs, tadpoles, aquatic insects, lizards, young birds, small mammals, and even berries. Clear water and an unobstructed view of prey are essential for successful hunting. They typically search for prey from a perch, 52 | April 2020

though they may hover above the water instead. When the kingfisher spots something tasty near the surface, it dives with closed eyes, and grabs the prey in its bill with a pincer motion. Returning with its prize, it pounds the prey against a perch before swallowing it head-first.

They will also dive into the water to avoid being eaten by hawks. As nestlings, belted kingfishers have acidic stomachs that help them digest bones, fish scales, and arthropod shells. But by the time they leave the nest, their stomach chemistry apparently changes, and they begin regurgitating pellets (which accumulate on the ground around fishing and roosting perches). By studying these pellets, some information on seasonal diets can be determined without collecting birds or directly observing their foraging behavior.

This kingfisher is often first noticed by its wild rattling call that sounds like a heavy fishing reel. They are almost always solitary, except when they pair up during the breeding season. Males (and occasionally females) establish territories, which usually conform to the shape of the stream or shoreline. If one suspects an intruder in its territory, it may land on a perch and heave its body up and down with its crest elevated, or fly back and forth along the water, rattling noisily until the intruder leaves.

If threatened, it may scream and spread its wings, while raising the patch of white feathers next to each eye.

Wintering birds are present in Texas from late August to early May. During the breeding season (late March to mid-July), belted kingfishers are found throughout most of North America at elevations up to 9,000 feet. In Texas,

Photo by PublicDomainImages from Pixabay.

they breed primarily in the Pineywoods, Post Oak Savannah and Blackland Prairies, Rolling Plains, and Edwards Plateau regions, where they are uncommon summer residents. Belted kingfishers are monogamous within each breeding season but form new pairs every year. In courtship, the male brings fish to the female and feeds her. They nest in burrows that they dig into soft earthen banks, usually adjacent to or directly over water. Both sexes participate in excavating a burrow and typically choose a section of bank devoid of vegetation or lined only with herbaceous vegetation rather than trees (where roots might impede excavation). Excavation usually takes 3 to 7 days to finish, but may sometimes take up to three weeks. The completed burrow extends 3 to 6 feet into the bank, sloping upward so that rainwater won’t collect inside, and ends in an unlined chamber about 10 inches in diameter and 6 inches high. Throughout the breeding season, a layer of undigested fish bones, fish scales, and arthropod exoskeletons may accumulate. They sometimes nest among bank swallows, and even occasionally share burrows (the swallows dig out small rooms along the tunnel walls), but kingfishers usually inadvertently drive the swallows away just by their constant comings and goings during excavation. Five to eight eggs are laid in the nesting chamber. The female incubates at night; male incubates during the day. Young depart from nest 27 to 29 days after hatching and are fed by parents for about another 3 weeks.

People used to shoot and trap kingfishers, especially near fish hatcheries and along trout streams (to prevent them from eating fish), but hunting has since been outlawed through migratory bird laws.

Compared to other fish-eating birds, belted kings seem to be relatively unaffected by environmental contaminants, possibly because their small prey items accumulate only low levels of toxins, due to their low trophic levels. Though they are still common and widespread, from 1966-2014 their populations declined by an estimated 1.6 percent per year according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey, resulting in a cumulative decline of 53 percent. Their populations are limited by the number of earthen banks available for nesting, so some populations have grown and spread thanks to human-made sand and gravel pits. However, they are sensitive to disturbances, and may abandon territories when people begin frequenting the area.

Join us nex month to meet the other 2 kings!

TSFMAG.com | 53

Creative capture of a finetooth shark during release.

ERIC OZOLINS

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

PHOTOGRAPHY - 2.0 Several years ago, I wrote an informative article discussing the art of photography and how to use various photographic techniques to creatively document fishing and outdoor adventures. The piece, published here in Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, inspired a lot of positive feedback. Recently, I received a few emails asking me to revisit this popular topic.

Since the dawn of modern technology, people have yearned to capture moments in time in photographs.

Today, large populations of people are engrossed with social media. Our lives are truly intertwined with and affected by handheld devices and computers. While many try to avoid the black hole of binary zeroes and ones, the fact is most of us participate in or at least acknowledge Oz’s young daughter Aurora and family pet Trigger at the Big Shell Beach Cleanup.

54 | April 2020

our presence within the digital realm.

We live in a world in which the capabilities of digital devices have reached epic proportions; new products provide ways to improve quality, compared to the tools we used in the past. So many aspects of our society now revolve around digital media. Its most valuable contribution may well be its enhancement of our ability to almost instantly document key moments in our personal journeys. Both digital photography and videography have become staples in the lives of many, though some of us who live and work in the great outdoors haven’t assimilated the technologies as completely as others.

To them, I’d say this: the digital world is upon us and moving forward, its cloak will only engulf us more completely. There’s no reversing the process, so we should embrace it. The best thing we can do is utilize the technology to try and make things better. This means exploring our creative selves when it comes to our personal photography.

This new age digital era seems to dull the minds of some of society’s zombies and remind us of an old episode of the Twilight Zone, but it has also provided benefits to anglers. Facebook and Instagram are just two of the useful online destinations where individuals can post and share photos taken on their outings. Pictures of landscapes, people, the fish of a lifetime –billions of images are shared daily around the planet.

Because of advances in the quality of digital devices and the images they capture, more and

more people want to photographically record the moments when While phone photos are not as good as those taken with the latest they catch a prized, impressive fish. Many want to encapsulate the and greatest DSLRs, many people can’t recognize the differences in raw nature of the event, while the fish still lives . Taxidermy is not quality at a quick glance. yet extinct, but the craft now runs a real risk of going the way of the I find one feature of the new smart phones quite useful—the dinosaurs. Outdoorsmen have learned to treasure sharp, poignant panoramic mode. Basically, the software in the phone takes several photographs as much or more than a mounted fish.

The simple truth about the impact of digital photography relates to the way the superb quality of the devices extend the boundaries of what’s possible. Vivid photos record life with a clarity never seen before, and anglers are eager to capture the best photos they can. This is no easy or guaranteed task. Even with the best equipment, one really needs to make good use of several related skills to maximize potential.

The physical context in which one captures an image affects its quality. The best photographers take their surroundings into account; they consider Shot from PINS beach; a phenomenal arcus lighting and framing. Lighting provides the cloud formation approaching the coast. most important ingredient in any photographic masterpiece. The best photos are almost always taken with adequate amounts of light. Clear, sunny days usually lead to proper levels of exposure.

Bright light saturates colors and makes them look vivid in the images.

Even today’s most advanced digital devices struggle with performance in low-light conditions.

Lack of light creates noticeable “noise” within the pixels. While low-light conditions present challenges to photographers, capturing sharp, clear images is still possible in such situations.

Properly framing the subjects within photos is another critical element of excellent photography. Proper framing starts with making sure the horizon in the image lies on a level plane. This helps balance the elements in the photo. Of course, some use their gifts of artistic Learning to work with low-light expression to break this rule for creative effect, conditions to capture the dorsal allowing an uneven horizon line to enhance an fin of a released sandbar shark. image attractively.

Another old photography basic is the ‘rule of Underwater photography is another thirds’. This involves mentally dividing an image way to capture amazing images. using two horizontal and two vertical lines, evenly spaced within the frame, like those on the grid used for Tic-tac-toe. To many people, an off-center composition looks more pleasing to the eye, more natural than one where the subject resides exactly in the center of the frame. Placing the subject slightly off-center can really bring photos to life; images of fish and wildlife definitely benefit from this practice, regardless of what kind of device a photographer uses to capture them.

There are many different cameras on the market today; they do many different things.

Today’s thousand-dollar smart phones utilize advanced technologies to capture images of depth and quality unthinkable just a decade ago.

TSFMAG.com | 55

C O N TA C T

photos captured in a straight horizontal line and digitally stitches them together to create one seamless image. This application works well for capturing landscapes or weather phenomena. I’ve used this process to take dramatic photos of some ominous cloud formations being pushed over the beach by strong cold fronts.

Action cameras like the GoPro provide other ways to capture fun and exciting moments in the outdoors. Many different versions are available; the latest ones sport some pretty amazing technology. They vary in price from the high-end GoPro brand to generic knockoffs which still provide great quality at a fraction of the price.

The best attribute of these cameras is their versatility. They can be mounted or placed just about anywhere, and most are waterproof. For an angler, these are extremely important issues. Action cameras have become almost essential gear for kayak fishermen, who love their small size and weight. Another great function of these devices is their ability to do time-lapse photographs. They can be set to take a photo every half second until the user stops the sequence. This works well for obtaining underwater photos or action shots. I use this function regularly, then grab the best photos out of a bunch.

All these useful, effective devices allow folks to maximize use of the most important aspect of a photographer’s processes— creativity, which can transform a simple project into digital art.

Lining up the camera to take the best advantage of available lighting and considering how the subjects fit the frame can provide satisfying results, but sometimes, thinking outside the box to use atypical angles or positions helps one generate more artistic images.

Getting low to the ground and taking shots with a wide-angle lens can make photos look larger than life. Ultra close-ups or macro shots of things like a fish’s eye or the spot on the tail of a redfish can communicate intimate meaning.

Obviously, great photos attract attention on social media sites.

Sharing our own moments and vicariously viewing those of others have now become integral parts of the outdoor experience for many anglers. One positive outcome of this is the way the instantaneous documentation process encourages people to practice catch and release more frequently. In this way, digital photography provides tangible benefits to conservation efforts. The tools that mesmerize society also help protect our resources.

With creativity at the helm, beautiful possibilities abound. Many think of the digital age as a double-edged sword, with both negative and positive aspects. Certainly, modern digital technologies provide ripe new opportunities for those of us who choose to get out, have fun and capture photographs creatively. It’s no wonder we’re eager to share them on social media!

56 | April 2020

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

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STORY BY T YLER THORSEN | PHOTOS BY JACOB AUGS

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

25TH ANNUAL FRIENDS OF PADRE – BILLY SANDIFER BIG SHELL BEACH CLEANUP Saturday February 29, Leap Day, dawned with clear skies and temperatures in the upper 40s. The tide was fine and we found ourselves with perfect conditions.

No northeast winds or frontal system to push the tide toward the dunes, so we were set with a plan. This time we would send the first groups farther south than ever before with Clay Wernli’s crew headed all the way down to the 45-mile marker.

A new record of 1500 volunteers showed up and together we removed 60 tons of trash from 33 miles of beach – more than half of the 62 miles that comprise Padre Island National Seashore south of Park Road 22.

Billy would have been proud although those that knew him well also know he would never have said so. He

58 | April 2020

would instead have said, “We got half the beach, but y’all missed a half mile near the blah-blah mile mark.” Billy’s way of reminding us that we can always do better for our beloved PINS beaches.

We’d like to thank Leon McNinch and the Ruth Parr Sparks Foundation for their continued support. For the second year our point man representing Yeti, Kurt Obersteller, came in huge with Yeti products – water bottles, cups, and 500 Yeti hats. Kurt also led a group of Yeti campers cleaning the north end of the beach. Thanks also to Curtis Mai and Sharkathon for their generous donation toward this year’s commemorative t-shirts created by Jacob Augs of Augs Art and Design.

Our media partners came through again. Many thanks

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TSFMAG.com | 59

to Big Frank Franklin and Sam Eulenfeld of K99 and 1360 KKTX for their promos and the public affairs podcast promoting this year’s cleanup. Thanks to KZTV’s Action 10 News Coastal Living Program for featuring us on the February 28 program. Thanks to Everett and Pam Johnson of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine for getting the word out all across Texas.

Thanks to Dale Rankin and our own Jay Gardner for their coverage in the Padre Island Moon. Ron Henne Jr., thank you for running our ads in the Saltwater Angler. Thanks also to Corpusfishing.com for highlighting us on the forum and the Weekend Outlooks.

Thanks to Katherine and Daniel Dain of the Corpus Christi area Domino’s locations for the generous pizza donation. They have been with us since the early days, as has the Corpus Christi CCA chapter who furnished the swag bags and Wienerschnitzel chili cheese dogs. Thank you John Blaha.

Thank you to HEB in Flour Bluff for providing the troops down-island with snacks and supplies. Thank you to Michael Laskowski Sr. and his wife Lisa of Trac-Works for the donation of work gloves.

We’d like to thank these partners in conservation for their sponsorship this year – The Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, Coastal Bend Audubon Society, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, and the Ekstrom family who spearheaded our plastic recycling effort that resulted in 1.5 tons of recyclable plastic.

Thank you to NuStar, Value Bank, Texas State Aquarium, Melvin Schneider, Security Service Federal Credit Union, The Bait Bucket, Steve and Donna Gregory, Federal Steel, Graf Plumbing, and Gambler Specialties whose donations make all things possible.

I would like to conclude with a shout out to all the people behind the scenes whose efforts are so invaluable to us. Without them none of this would be possible: Padre Island National Seashore personnel; our intrepid section leaders who organize the troops down island – Clay Wernli, Mel Schneider, Don Kraeft, Ricky Torres, Eddie Collins, David Williams, Rolland Hyatt, Brad Tabor, Troy Adler/Greg Stanford, Reagan Arnold and the Citgo Crew - Sean Curless/Casey Sanger, Bill and Will 60 | April 2020

Bray, Dr. Tony Hein, Chris Cherry, Steve and Donna Gregory, Logon Connor, James Clark, Shawn Queeney, Eric Ozolins/Scott Nelson, Tim and Jennifer Merchant, David Webb, Russell Weir, Jay Gardner, Tyler Thorsen, Patrick Sciantarelli, and Jeff Wolda in the Friends of Padre Command Vehicle.

Back at the Malaquite Visitor’s Center, these friends worked their magic setting up the t-shirt and survey card stations and helped with the after party cleanup – Matt Snowden, Willie Rivera, Scotty and Jennifer Groza, Angela Prado Austin, John and Karen Botter, Dree and Sagan Baxter, Reagan Pape, Gaby Garcia-Paredes de Berry, Cliff and Courtney Johnstone, Val Chilton, Kimberly Prowse, Grace Santana Hawley, Rachel Schmitt, Blake Purcell, Jeremy McCulloch and Friends of Padre President, Aaron Baxter.

Until next year, it is very appropriate that we sign of with some of our founder’s famous bylines, as only he could say them… “Life’s A Hoot. Get You Some of It.” “Be Careful, Be Courteous, Be Kind.”

–RIP Capt. Billy L. Sandifer!

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TSFMAG.com | 61

NEW Starbrite Premium Restorer Wax Restore Faded Gelcoat in One Easy Step Gelcoat becomes oxidized and faded after years of weather and UV exposure. Traditional restoration requires rubbing compound, wet sanding, and then polishing. A one-step alternative is Starbrite’s new Premium Restorer Wax. Designed to produce professional grade results, even by first-time users; Premium Restorer Wax safely removes medium to heavy oxidation when applied by hand or with a buffer. Premium Restorer Wax also contains special polymers and UV inhibitors to seal and protect the restored surface from stains and fading. After the gelcoat has been cleaned and restored with Premium Restorer Wax, an annual application of Starbrite Premium Marine Polish will help keep the boat looking its best.

For more information, go to www.Starbrite.com or call (800) 327-8583.

Power-Pole Travel Strap The Power-Pole Travel Strap is an ideal accessory for anyone who owns a PowerPole Shallow Water Anchor. It works with all sizes of Blade or Sportsman II models to secure your anchors during travel and storage. The heavy-duty nylon strap with D-Flex strap buckle and hold-tight Velcro keeps your Power-Pole anchor from shifting and jostling during transit which can loosen the anchor’s hardware. www.Power-Pole.com

Piscari Agglomerated Cork Agglomerated cork is the best fishing rod grip you’ve never fished. Made from natural cork, it is everything you love about fishing with a cork grip and none of the things you don’t. It is recycled natural cork material, ground up and combined with a polyurethane glue to make a consistent and beautiful cork surface. As a natural cork product, it maintains all waterproof characteristics, and conquers high heat and moisture environments.

Over time, fishing conditions cause fill to come out of inclusions in a normal cork grip, but agglomerated grips will stay true to form cast after cast.

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62 | April 2020

P R O D U C T S

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Phantom series features Kegan 316 stainless guides, FUJI ECSM reel seat, and EVA stealth (split) grip handle. Lure weight rating is 1/8 – 1/2 ounce; line weight 6 – 14 lbs. www.WaterlooRods.com #mightaswellfishthebest

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TSFMAG.com | 63

DICKIE COLBURN

DICKIE COLBURN’S Sabine Scene

Of late, both fresh and saltwater anglers have benefitted from Mother Nature’s latest game plan. Toledo Bend has been very low since early 2019, but quickly filled back up due to three weeks of non-stop rain in late February.

S ab i n e The long run of reduced water flow in the river and fewer local rains jump started salinity levels in Sabine Lake and the trout responded favorably to the Dickie Colburn is a full change. The absence of any real winter time guide out of Orange, weather has also played a role, but there Texas. Dickie has 37 years may be a price to pay for a warmer Gulf experience guiding on Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes. come August or September.

The Sabine Game Reserve opened Telephone to fishermen March 15th and that 409-883-0723 anticipated event greatly expands Website the playing field for Sabine Lake www.sabineconnection.com fishermen. For the most part, that is basically a shallow water bite, but depending on the water level, trout can be caught as well as reds, flounder and bass.

Prior to the advent of redfish tourneys, the massive Reserve was exploited only by area anglers running light rigs with no need for a GPS to get them home again. Tower boats, the internet, the GPS, and cell phones have not only increased the traffic, but contributed to the damage of many of the pristine back lakes via “burning” the grassfilled sanctuaries in search of a pair of winning redfish.

Even if you elect to fish only the shoreline adjacent to the mouths of the bayous and cuts exiting the Reserve, there is still no more promising place to start your search than the mouth of a cut. You may have a short bumpy ride getting there, but the east shoreline will provide miles of protected water most days.

If you are the first to arrive, check out the mouth first for what may be the fastest bite of the day… if by chance you are blessed with an outgoing tide. Now that the Reserve is open, fewer anglers will compete for that coveted patch of real estate.

We expect to catch a variety of fish and for that reason we depend on a three-inch Usual Suspect, or either of the four-inch Assassin Sea Shad, Gulp Curly Tail, or Lil John rigged on a 1/4- ounce head to make it happen. The smaller offerings work much better and adding a scent only enhances your catching!

Should you arrive a little too late or find yourself between tide changes, Plan B may well prove more productive than Plan A. Most of the bait exiting the marsh runs the shoreline or seeks out the tightest grass on the nearest flat. Hungry predators are well aware of this habitual mistake.

We will initially start tight to the 64 | April 2020

Redfish two at a time is enjoyable.

shoreline with the afore-mentioned lures as well a spoon or topwater. If we haven’t found the fish in a fifty to hundred yard stretch either side of the cut, we will start making long drifts in three to five feet of water. When you catch a fish or miss a strike…plant your Talon or Power Pole immediately.

Now that catching an eight- or nine-pound speck is a rare occurrence, we are no longer tying on the same lures we have counted on for years. Corkys and Catch 5s have given way to smaller crankbaits and plastics that swim well on an 1/8-ounce head. Maybe it’s just me…but I have never been a big fan of fishing a Corky out of the boat anyway.

Someone in my boat is usually drifting with a tail or Vudu shrimp under a cork, but our best bite lately has come when swimming a five-inch paddle tail like the Assassin Die Dapper or Down South baits threaded on a 1/6-ounce jighead. I can fish with confidence most days with red shad, bone diamond, chicken on a chain and purple/chartreuse. Once again, we add scent to everything but our topwaters.

This will be our first legitimate shot at springtime fishing with daily expectations Cork and tail is of a consistent trout bite since Harvey. The never a bad choice. big trout remain a mystery for the most part, but persistent local anglers have experimented enough throughout this tough stretch to know where to start their day for the big ones.

We are currently catching more oversized redfish than slot fish, but no one is complaining – thanks to the “pull” factor. Very few folks are targeting reds, but the same lures fished in the same areas work well.

I am fishing with three kids tomorrow…… the oldest of the three is 82. You are never too old or young to enjoy the next bite!

©JASON ARNOLD

IF WE SAVE THE SEAGRASS,

WE SAVE THE FISH. Seagrass is critical to good fishing. Marine organisms depend on it for survival—for food, shelter, and oxygen. But boat propellers are destroying Texas seagrass, which is seriously impacting saltwater fishing in the coastal shallows. When boaters do not lift their propeller in shallow water, the prop cuts and uproots the seagrass beds—leaving long barren trenches or “scars” that may take years to heal ... if ever.

Stop Prop Scarring – Lift, Drift, Pole, Troll

PROP SCARS

It is ILLEGAL in Texas to uproot seagrass with a propeller.

Avoid damaging seagrass – lift your prop!

When in shallow waters, lift your motor and drift, pole, or troll through it. After all, there’s nothing like a redfish on light tackle in shallow water. Let’s keep it that way!

For more information visit:

www.tpwd.texas.gov/seagrass

TSFMAG.com | 65

BINK GRIMES

THE VIEW FROM Matagorda

M ata go r d a

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

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

66 | April 2020

My best big trout day of 2013 occurred in the month of April.

We released a 30, two 28s, a 27, a 26 and a 25 - all while drifting.

That same day in 2014 another 30-incher was released from my boat.

That’s right; we were fishing from the boat.

Where we fish in April is determined daily by changing winds and water temps. If winds blow harder than 20 knots, we roll to the back lakes in West Bay and work redfish. If winds are more friendly, we work the middle of East Bay for springtime speckled trout.

THE

SOURCE ULTIMATE FOR THE

CUSTOM ROD

1000’S OF BLANKS, I have caught some heart-pounders on the edge of East Matagorda Bay on an incoming tide.

COMPONENTS AND TOOLS Those big trout stage in the deep water just waiting for a swollen tide and rafts of mullet to pour over adjacent mud flats littered with shell.

TO CHOOSE FROM! Our bays are in awesome shape. Wade a back lake and there are little shrimp everywhere. Wade a bayou and watch all the little crabs scurry away. When the bottom of the food chain thrives, the top of the chain thrives. Our catches in Matagorda prove it.

FEATURING Our winter fishing was great this year. March was just as good. Fish were where they were supposed to be and in good numbers. That’s why I am so optimistic for April.

The question that pops up every April is, “When will the glass minnows show up?” Glass minnows are really just bay anchovies - little white, silver flashes that swim in herds that get swarmed by hundreds of brown pelicans, trout, and redfish. When the fish go off and gorge on the big balls of minnows along the south shoreline of West Bay it is a sight to behold. I have had redfish swim between my legs blowing minnows out of the water and happy trout literally jumping out of the water just a few feet away.

Some of the best wading happens on the afternoon incoming tide. Get a good night’s rest, get up, read the paper, eat a little breakfast, and head out. Take your time and wait for the tide OFFSHORE TO INSHORE, to usher the minnows to the grassy shorelines of West Bay. We like to throw Down South Lures, BASS TO REDFISH, Bass Assassins and MirrOlure Lil Johns. Topwaters are a blast as well with Super Spook Jrs. and She EVERYTHING YOU NEED Pups getting the nod most often on light tackle.

FOR THE ULTIMATE Redfish along the north shoreline of West Bay should be a mainstay. As tides rise reds hang CUSTOM ROD! around the reefs and tight against the grass trying to root out small shrimp. Back lakes like Oyster and Crab lakes are go-to spots for anglers tossing live shrimp under a Mid-Coast popping cork.

Never overlook the north shoreline of Palacios including Turtle and Tres Palacios bays. There are SEE US AT OUR NEW LOCATION: 13831 Southwest Freeway piles of shell along the shoreline that hold all kinds of fish in April.

Sugar Land, TX 77478 April kicks off another 26 weeks of the Texas Insider Fishing Report on Fox Sports Southwest. I 281-201-2141 will give the weekly Middle Coast Report and highlight the coast from Freeport to Port Aransas.

For daily reports of our catches, follow us on Instagram @matagordasunriselodge and on 12800 Gulf Freeway 10303 Katy Freeway Facebook @binkgrimes.

Houston, TX 77034 Houston, TX 77024 713-827-7762 281-481-6838 Check out Sunrise Lodge video: http://vimeo.com/m/58631486

TSFMAG.com | 67

CAPT. GARY GRAY

MID-COAST BAYS With the Grays

Port O'Connor Seadrift

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

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

March fishing in the Port O’Connor-Seadrift area has My approach to drift-fishing backwater areas been on fire. As a matter of fact, fishing has been great includes great reliance on my Minn Kota I-Pilot troll all winter except when Old Man Winter would sneak in motor to make adjustments to the angle of the drift on the coattails of a strong front and shut it down for rather than drifting purely at the mercy of the wind. a couple of days with strong north wind and generally Also, rather than cranking the outboard to circle back miserable conditions for fisherman. Based on what we for another drift, I prefer to leisurely troll back. Doing have experienced thus far in early spring, I think the fishing should continue to be great through the month of April.

My clients and I have been using many different techniques to trick our quarry. I always get some groups that do not want to wade, so we make long drifts in larger backwater areas that were holding lots of mullet – lakes such as Panther, Contee, Pringle, and a few others. I like these larger bodies of water due to the fact that we can get in and set up long drifts without Double hook-up for backwater drift anglers. spooking so many fish as often happens in smaller lakes.

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troutsupport.com 68 | April 2020

Success on backwater wade trip.

this seems to keep the fish from dispersing from the area once they are located.

An aspect of drift-fishing some anglers do not seem to understand at first is the requirement to adjust the speed of your retrieve to compensate for the forward speed of the boat. What I’m saying here is that you will need to retrieve your lure faster than normal to keep the lure at the desired depth. We try to work our lures at a speed that occasionally bumps bottom and dredges up grass every once in a while. Generally speaking, if you’re not down in the grass you probably won’t get as many strikes as your buddy that is catching a little grass.

We have better success on the drifting trips throwing soft plastics such as Bass Assassins Sea Shads rigged on 1/8 ounce jigheads. The paddletails on these lures seem to “call” the fish in better than others with rattail shapes. I’ve had some guys go up to 1/4 ounce jigheads but they would have to work their plastics very fast to keep it in the strike zone and thereby pass up a lot of potential strikes. A good rule of thumb is to go as light as you can on your jigheads but still be able to get the casting distance and be able to “feel” the lure during the retrieve.

We also have good success with the MirrOlure MirrOdine XL in the CFPR color (chartreuse back, pearl body, silver luminescence) and Soft-Dines in the 126 color (purple back, crushed pearl, orange throat). These are slow-sinking twitchbaits that can be worked with great success from a drifting boat.

Topwater action has been just OK at best on calmer days, not steady enough to keep them tied on for very long. Seems like there is always that one guy in the group that says he only wants to throw topwaters and I always tell them that if that’s your confidence bait then go with it. They soon learn why we recommend the paddletails.

We work the same backwaters on wading trips and this usually plays in our favor as we are able to work the areas more thoroughly at the pace we choose – not the speed the wind pushes the boat – which means we can target potholes, edges of grassbeds, and windward shorelines without disturbing the fish.

We tend to stick with the paddletails when wading given that the majority of anglers can work them effectively. There are many styles and brands available nowadays but here again I’m very partial to the 4-inch Sea Shad on 1/16 ounce Assassin jigheads. Two colors have earned go-to status; Purple Chicken when water conditions call for lighter colors and Magic Grass for darker situations. Carrying more than these two colors usually ends up with anglers spending too much time switching baits when the bite slows down.

During April we expect to see more bait moving from the backwaters to the front beaches of the main bays and the game species will follow. Needless to say this is where we will be focusing our efforts as we see that movement developing.

Fish hard, fish smart!

TSFMAG.com | 69

DAVID ROWSEY

HOOKED UP WITH Rowsey

Upper Laguna/ Ba f f i n

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

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

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

70 | April 2020

Sitting here with an unplanned day off due to strong southerly wind, I am reminded there could be more of these to come in the fool’s month of April.

Undoubtedly, April is one of the most productive months of the year in terms of the average quality of the trout, and also the numbers you can expect to catch. I guess that’s what keeps us pushing forward during these traditionally windy spring months.

A lot of good comes from the strong southerly winds this month. The number one thing for me is the approach of springtime tides and the strong currents coming toward us from down south. In a year where we have dealt with a lot of tainted water in Baffin, the new push of gulf water will give us a good cleansing that we always look forward to every year. Of course those higher water levels also bring an abundance of baitfish and fat trout hot on their tails.

The Land Cut, south of Baffin, will be the first to show signs of the movement of fish coming through.

Although I do not fish the Land Cut that often, the chatter around the marinas from the bait guides is all I need to hear to know that the push has begun. The southern end of Baffin, Rocky Slough, Yarbrough, and

the nearby spoil islands will promptly load up with new baitfish and where I will doing a lot of hunting for these stout tide-runner trout and their unusually large mothers.

There is a big push every year, some better than others, but it always happens. We experienced an epic push of water and monster trout during the event during 2005. Hard to believe it was fifteen years ago, as the memories are still so vivid in my mind. Having a permitted cabin just south of Baffin, good friend Mike Buchwald and I went for an extended weekend to catch some good trout that were starting to push through. To say our timing was perfect would be an understatement, as it stands to this day as one of the best three-day stretches I have ever had in Baffin.

As we got into the water on Friday we landed right on top of them. Mike had the hot hand that evening catching a personal best over 8-pounds, a 7-pounder, and several over 6-pounds. I was wrecking them pretty good, but was catching more in the 4- to 6-pound range. Saturday rolled up on us and we flew out of the cabin that morning to fish until dark. We finished the day with some very impressive numbers of trout

from 3-pounds to over 9-pounds. Little did we know that Sunday would be the best day of all.

We had pretty much sore-mouthed every trout in the complex it seemed like, and our bite had begun to slow.

Out of frustration we went for a cruise to a new area looking for more bait and fresh lips.

The sheer numbers of mullet flickering on the surface was impressive in itself, but what we walked into was completely mindboggling. We stepped off into a bite that was almost every cast for hours, and these were not small fish. They were hitting topwaters to the point that I was getting paranoid about passing boats seeing the explosions from a distance. As crazy as it sounds, we actually switched from tops to Bass Assassins in attempt to be more discreet about what we were up to. The lure Warming up on the flats, change didn’t matter. on a cold spring day.

They kept eating and got even bigger.

When all was said and done, we tallied up all our fish of 6-plus pounds over that incredible weekend. The final score was two over 9-pounds, four over 8-pounds, four more over 7-pounds, and a whopping twenty-three that topped 6-pounds. Mind you, we caught countless trout between three and six in the process. I’ve been blessed to have some huge catches since then, but that April weekend experience is one that will never be forgotten.

Signing off, I need to get on my soapbox about conservation. This is the time of the year that the trout are full of roe and about to spawn. I’ll challenge all fishermen, especially guides, to be mindful of this and practice catch and release as much as possible. Killing everything you catch is not feasible nowadays. In fact, we are long past it. Keep what you will eat as fresh, educate your friends and clients to do the same, cherish the resource, and insure your livelihood (guides).

Remember the buffalo! -Capt David Rowsey

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TSFMAG.com | 71

WAYNE DAVIS

WAYNE’S Mansfield Report

Port Mansfield

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

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

72 | April 2020

Greetings from Port Mansfield. We’ve had a mild winter, no doubt. A couple of cold snaps but nowhere near the long stretches of chilly temperatures like we have experienced in years past. But all that is about to be over, save for a late norther or two, and we’re looking spring dead straight in the eyes.

We had some exceptional days over the past couple months for quite a few lucky anglers. A large percentage of my wintertime clients come from various coastal states hoping to find a Lower Laguna trophy and I enjoy learning how they fish for speckled trout in their respective home waters. Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and South Carolina all have trout, but rarely do they see one over five or six pounds. An eight pounder in their waters is a rarity to say the least.

Setting out on trophy trout quests, I tend to concentrate on areas where big females are known to stage. Over the years I have identified several such areas and have learned the nuances in each of them. I’ve spent hundreds of hours in these zones and have witnessed things come alive, go dead, and come alive again. Having said that, I’ve also learned (or at least I think I’ve learned) when to move to a

Dave Fladd came all the way from South Carolina hoping for one big fish!

totally different area. Of course, a variety of factors can play a part in these decisions; boat traffic, wind, barometric pressure, air temperature, water temperature, water level, water clarity and the presence of bait, to name a few. I work through the “fishing equation” and make the best call and then go with it.

As of recent we have stayed shallow, rarely have I waded in water deeper than my thighs the past month and a half. I’ve come to love shallow water wading tactics; mostly because of the rewards it has to offer.

A great example is good friend and client Larry Higgins seen on this month’s cover. We were fishing in muddy water, just over ankle deep and the winds were howling up to 30 mph with occasional stronger gusts.

What was most amazing was that we were catching redfish and trout, with some reds more than ten pounds. It’s like they would hit your lure out of nowhere and then a massive wake from the fish would appear in the choppy, muddy water. We did this for well over an hour, until basically it was time to leave. The lure of choice in these conditions was the Captain Wayne with a skinny water KWigglers 4-inch paddletail. We red in some pretty murky conditions. simply used this bait because of the water clarity and high wind – this bait gives the angler the edge under these diverse conditions because it puts off so much vibration as you pull it through the water. I find myself using these same tactics time and again when the conditions are as described.

As March comes to an end and April rolls in we can expect trophy trout season to wind down somewhat. There might still be a shot at a thirty-plus fish but March usually gives us the heaviest weights. A few years back I caught a nice thirty-one-incher in April but it had grown noticeably slender and not a butterball.

We can also expect high winds from the southeast to dominate across the LLM but we can use that wind to our advantage by working current lines and windward points. Don’t be shy of off-colored water. If those two scenarios don’t play out, consider leeward points and shorelines. If the water level is high I’ll also be exploring the back bays, concentrating on shorelines and small drains.

The KWigglers Willow Tail Shad and 4-inch paddle tail will be the baits of choice while fishing knee-deep and shallower. Preferred rigging is with 2/0 black nickel jigheads in 1/16 or 1/8-ounce.

When working windward points I’ll likely opt for the Ball Tail Shad on the 1/8-oz jighead. Best colors have been Plum-Blue Metal Flake with chartreuse tail, Strawberry Cool Tip. Just lately the Flo Mingo has been hot.

In closing I would like to thank the RGV Chapter of CCA Texas for recognizing myself and Captain Ernest Cisneros and our Empty Stringers Catch and Release Program and bestowing Conservationist of the Year awards for our efforts. We have been pioneering this program going on four years and to date we have released approximately 8,000 “keeper” fish back into our bays.

What an honor for doing something that just feels right and makes sense all at the same time. Our success in this would not be possible without great anglers who willingly participate and great sponsors who support the cause. We hope this trend can continue.

TSFMAG.com | 73

CAPT. ERNEST CISNEROS

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

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

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

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

74 | April 2020

This is a fishing magazine but even so I am going to use a hunting analogy to make a few points. I used to be a deer hunter. I was a lousy shot, couldn’t hit the side of a barn, and never practiced to improve my shooting. On top of that I suffered terribly from buck fever, even when shooting at a doe. I probably had my eyes closed when I got lucky on the few I knocked down.

Now, if that might describe your own fishing, don’t feel alone. Even fishing guides go through slumps, possibly because we become complacent, being out there so many days. My hunting success was poor because I didn’t try very hard. Let this be a lesson and you can become a better fisherman.

There are targets in fishing, the same as hunting, and these are areas that consistently hold fish. To be successful we have to first figure out what’s holding them there. Favorable water temperature, food availability, favorable depths, maybe lack of boat traffic? Whichever the case might be, recognizing these factors allows us to zero in on them.

The main reason I prefer wading over drifting is the ability to read variations in bottom consistency and structure with my feet. One of my favorite big trout spots that has produced dozens of trophy fish over the

years is a great example. Had I not waded it I would have never discovered this long, muddy pothole.

Deer hunters look for tracks, rubs, scrapes, and use game cameras to identify productive areas. Why should fishermen be any less diligent?

Last month I discussed how fast we should wade the areas we fish. I now want to point out the importance of being observant of everything going on around you.

Where is the bait within the water column? Are the birds feeding, and where? How is the tide affecting the movement of fish in and out of a particular flat? What effect is the wind having on water conditions and bait activity? These are things you should consider when trying to get your line stretched.

April is one of our windiest months and frequenting leeward shorelines becomes essential. The edges of muddy streaks will provide excellent fishing opportunities. Small shrimp will become plentiful and we’ll see increased bird activity. The water will warm considerably, the tides will rise, and hopefully we will be able to ditch our waders later in the month.

Trout action has been steady and improving by the day. Lots of three to four pounders with occasional fives and sixes; a few that weighed eight-plus. Our

Dan Ward celebrated his birthday with a whopper of a trout.

best trout baits continue to be KWigglers Ball Tails and Willow Tails, not much topwater action yet. When targeting trophy fish I recommend focusing on shallow grass littered with potholes that are holding lots of bait. Keep track of the tide and solunar predictions and prepare for a grind. Fish patiently; wade slowly and cast repeatedly to every pothole and piece of structure in sight.

Having luck on your side helps but sometimes we just have to make our own.

Redfish have been plentiful and rising April tides will push some schools into remote back bay regions. There will also be reds congregated along ICW spoil islands and ridges between spoil humps. The sand-grass transition line on the east side of the Laguna Madre traditionally holds good numbers of redfish in springtime.

There was a time, maybe ten or twelve years ago, when finding reds rooting bottom and tailing in springtime was quite common. Flocks of gulls hovering above them was the giveaway. Nowadays, probably due to increased boat traffic in shallow water, we see this less frequently, but it still happens. So, for me, wind blowing 20- to 30-mph can be a window of opportunity, especially in late afternoon when the shallows become very murky. Reds can find shrimp in dirty water the same as we find the snooze button with our eyes closed. When the flats turn muddy enough to discourage other fishermen you can have it all to yourself.

Springtime gales are nothing to take lightly. Every year around this time we hear of boating mishaps occurring because fishermen miscalculate the dangers of crossing deeper parts of our bays in rough seas. Check the weather before you go and remember that it’s better to anchor up and wait for the winds to calm before attempting a questionable crossing.

Just because the wind is blowing doesn’t mean big trout won’t eat. How many meals do you miss on windy days? Get out there and hunt them up. You might be only one shot away from landing a trophy fish!

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FISHING REPORTS

Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay | James Plaag Silver King Adventures - silverkingadventures.com - 409.935.7242 James had been catching good numbers of solid trout, with plenty weighing between three and five pounds, on trips made in the days and weeks prior to giving this report. “We're able to catch our limit most days lately. We still have a bunch of fish out in the middle right now. We've been catching good in three to five feet of water, in places with mud and shell on the bottom. Lighter winds improve the odds of catching out in the middle. We're starting to wade more, and we've had some good trips wading spoil banks, shorelines and in the coves. We're catching a little bit bigger trout on average in some of the coves, and some really nice flounder, but it's been more hit or miss than the fishing out of the boat. That should change as we move into April. Wading usually improves dramatically this month. We're throwing topwaters some lately when wading, but catching better on Double Ds and Catch 2000s and MirrOdines. The best ones have some pink, yellow and silver on 'em.

We're using soft plastics more when we're fishing out of the boat.”

Jimmy West - Bolivar Guide Service - 409.996.3054 Jim had been catching limits of trout fairly easily when fishing on days just before we talked. “I've been doing the same basic thing most of the time all winter, putting the trolling motor down in the bayous and throwing soft plastics. We've got plenty of fish and it's pretty easy to limit out on that pattern, but we're not seeing many big trout. There were some big trout coming out of upper parts of Trinity Bay recently, but just a couple days ago, the river authority increased the amount of water they're releasing at the dam. This will cause the water in most of Trinity to turn fresh for a while. That's good news for people who like to fish parts of Upper Galveston Bay like Seabrook Flats and areas around San Leon and Dickinson Bay. It should also send some fish around the corner and into East Bay. As water temperatures warm up and stay in the sixties most of the time, we'll have fish in more places. We should be able to wade shorelines near drains and around patches of shell and catch some bigger trout if we don't get too much wind and rain.”

West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas - Chocolate Bays Randall Groves - Groves Guide Service 979.849.7019 - 979.864.9323 Two main patterns work best for Randall in April: chasing slicks and chasing schools of glass minnows. “I'll be looking for slicks popping over grass beds and reefs, for the most part. We have lots of button shad in the bays this month. They're oily, and when the fish eat them, they throw a lot of slicks. Because the shad are small, we often have to down-size our lures somewhat to get the attention of the trout and redfish. I like to throw red magic Sand Eels or needle gar Bull Minnows, rigged on quarter-ounce jigheads, for the most part. We're also doing well on topwaters lately, with the smaller ones like Spook Juniors outperforming the larger ones like SkitterWalks. White ones with red heads have been working well. As we move into April, if we get good numbers of ribbonfish moving into the bays, the bigger plugs might start working better. We should see glass minnows this month, so I'll also be watching for liar birds diving repeatedly in an area. They usually help us locate the migrating clouds of minnows. When we find those, the catching usually comes pretty easy.”

76 | April 2020

ORECASTS F from Big Lake to Boca Chica

AND

Matagorda | Tommy Countz Bay Guide Service - 979.863.7553 cell 281.450.4037 In April, Tommy likes the patterns available in West Matagorda Bay better when winds are up, in East Bay when winds are light. “We have so many protected pockets of water on the south shoreline of West Bay,” he says. “Normally, tides run pretty high this time of year, so all the coves are full of water. That allows the fish to spread out some, compared to when tides are really low, and they're concentrated in the guts, but they're still fairly easy to locate around shell patches and grass beds in shallow water, often tight to the bank. We do well on both trout and reds throwing topwaters early, then switching to dark soft plastics on light jigheads as the sun rises higher. If winds are light, we head to East Bay more often. Wading some of the big mid-bay reefs and throwing topwaters is usually a good idea. Wading the coves can produce some big trout, along with schooling reds. If we're fishing out of the boat, we'll usually catch good numbers of trout throwing soft plastics and keeping them in touch with the bottom. In some years, we've got a good many birds working this time of year too.”

Palacios | Capt. Aaron Wollam www.palaciosguideservice.com - 979.240.8204 During the last month, fishing has remained steady and productive in our local bays and rivers. Trout have been biting pretty well on area shorelines, in places with mud and shell on the bottom, in about three to five feet of water. Best way to catch them has been using three-inch Gulp! shrimp rigged about three feet under popping corks. The bite on Paul Brown Lures and topwaters has just started to become more consistent, with bone-colored lures working best. Fishing for redfish has been consistent in back-lakes and marshes and in the rivers. We've been fishing backwaters well up the rivers, throwing quarter-ounce copper and gold spoons. The fish have been really loving the old, proven lures. Fishing at night off the seawall and from lighted piers has produced lots of keeper specks and even more sand trout. Glow and pink speck rigs have been working well there. April predictably brings us a run of glass minnows, and lots of shrimp move into the bays, so it's a great time to look for diving pelicans and hovering gulls. When trying to locate fish under the gulls, it pays to figure out which way they're moving before chasing them.

Port O’Connor | Lynn Smith Back Bay Guide Service - 361.983.4434 Lynn expects a variety of options to have excellent potential in April in the Port O'Connor area. “I'll still be targeting the big trout this month.

We usually have decent numbers of them in the back-lakes, especially if we get strong bull tides that stay high for a while. We also do well wading the sandy, grassy shorelines outside the entrances to the marshes and lakes this month, especially if tides are low or going out.

Strong tide movements also improve the potential for catching on the reefs. A steady tide coming in during the morning hours usually means good catching somewhere around the reefs. We throw a lot of topwaters this time of year, also slow-sinking twitch baits like Paul Brown Lures and SoftDine XLs. One of the big keys to catching in the middle of spring is locating big concentrations of bait. It might be

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rafts of mullet or schools of smaller fish. We're already seeing a good many glass minnows in the bays. April is a prime month to catch trout and reds around the migrating clouds of minnows. April is great, with lots of options which provide plenty of places to hide from spring winds.”

Rockport | Blake Muirhead Gator Trout Guide Service - 361.790.5203 or 361.441.3894 Blake loves fishing the Coastal Bend bays during the month of April.

“We've got so many shorelines which offer protection from winds of all different directions. April is typically a pretty windy month, but we do great on both trout and redfish, most years. Our fish like to stay shallow most of the time, along shorelines with a mix of hard sand and lots of grass. Staying within close range of the bank usually means catching bigger trout and plenty of redfish. Fishing in the corner of Corpus Christi Bay in East Flats can be great when it's windy this time of year; water clarity holds up well in there on strong southeast winds. We do have fish on reefs this time of year too. We're able to get at some of those fish when conditions are pretty windy, in bays like Mesquite and Carlos and St. Charles, which have shell in pockets of protected water. The main-bay reefs in bays like Copano, San Antonio and Aransas bays produce best when winds are light. Both trout and redfish bite topwaters on a pretty consistent basis this time of year, so that adds to the fun.”

Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay - Land Cut Robert Zapata – rz1528@grandecom.net - 361.563.1160 April is a great month to fish for big trout, since the first peak of the spawning season means most of the fish will weigh more than normal, as they're often full of roe. This month provides an opportunity for someone to catch the next state record trout. Accordingly, anyone fishing Baffin and the ULM this month should make sure their braided and fluorocarbon lines are in good shape, and that their hooks are sharpened. The trout bite aggressively this time of year, and it's a good time to fish with natural looking topwaters like SheDogs, and MirrOlure Catchs 5s, as long as we aren't plagued by too much floating or suspending grass in the water. I do keep my old stand-by Bass Assassin Die Dappers in sand trout, plum/chartreuse, trickster and chicken on a chain rigged on sixteenth-ounce Spring-Lock jigheads at the ready, and use them some most every day. I'm normally fishing water about two feet deep with a sandy, gravelly bottom, along grass edges and potholes, close to rock formations. When wading, I always wear my ForEverLast Ray Guards; we have plenty of stingrays in the bays during the warming weather of spring.

Corpus Christi | Joe Mendez – www.sightcast1.com - 361.877.1230 April tends to be a windy month in the Corpus Christi area, but fishing is normally excellent, Joe says. “If winds crank up on a daily basis out of the southeast, fishing in areas close to the JFK Causeway and in Corpus Christi Bay sometimes works better than fishing in Baffin and in places around the Badlands and Penascal Point. The water in the extreme upper parts of the ULM is crystal clear right now, so it holds up better to heavy wind. And, in parts of Shamrock Cove and East Flats, hard onshore winds improve the fishing. On the other hand, fishing in the Land Cut is also typically good this month, and areas just north of the mouth of the cut, places like Summer House, Rocky Slough and The Gutters, also produce well historically in April. This is a great month to sight-cast slot reds and big trout in super shallow water. They're easiest to see when they pass over bright, sandy bottom, so it pays to work areas with ample potholes when searching for them. We like to target them with paddletails rigged on light jigheads, mostly, using a fairly simple, straight retrieve.”

78 | April 2020

P.I.N.S. Fishing Forecast | Eric Ozolins 361-877-3583 | Oceanepics.com After a mild winter, spring is well on its way. This means many species should soon invade the surf. Perhaps the most anticipated are the jack crevalle, which rank among the strongest fighting fish of all. They usually arrive with a flourish, charging after schools of bait and chasing their prey onto the beach. Most specimens run about twenty pounds. Live mullet work best to catch them, but if they're visible cruising in the waves, they'll often take large spoons and topwaters. Red drum will continue in the surf and will also readily take mullet. Black drum and sheepshead will be present, easiest to catch on shrimp or Fish-bites. If the water is clear, especially down south, a run of bonito, which is what many people call little tunny, may occur. These members of the tuna family have been around all winter, feeding almost exclusively on small fish. Using small lures is often the only way to entice them into striking.

Plenty of sharks also arrive along the beach in April. Blacktips and bulls will be plentiful, feeding on an array of fish. This is also a prime month for scalloped hammerheads, which prefer smallish baits like whole whiting.

Port Mansfield | Ruben Garza Snookdudecharters.com – 832.385.1431 Getaway Adventures Lodge – 956.944.4000 We normally start off early in the mornings this time of year throwing topwaters or floating Paul Brown Lures, either originals or Fat Boys. In place of those, we sometimes try Kwiggler Willow-tails or Ball-Tails in Mansfield Margarita or jalapeno popper colors, rigged on eighth-ounce jigheads. In the afternoons, topwaters sometimes work well. On some recent days, I've used my them all day. Normally, though, the Willowtails and Ball-tails work better as winds ramp up and floating grass becomes a problem. Areas like the Saucer, West Bay, the Pipeline and the submerged spoil banks south of town are productive places to try in the mornings. For those headed north on days with light winds, areas like Century Point and the oak mottes south of Little Bay are smart starting points. On the east side, the Weather Station, Butcher's Island and Wagner's and Dubb's bars deserve a look. In places like those, I like to target fish in potholes in the grass, also in the muddy streaks stirred up by rafted mullet. This time of year, locating fish means finding jumping and flipping mullet. Shrimp fleeing from predators by jumping out of the water also provide great evidence of feeding fish.

Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Aaron Cisneros | tightlinescharters.com – 956-639-1941 Late cold fronts have prevented our spring patterns from kicking into full swing. Trout fishing has stayed consistent, with good numbers of solid fish from three to about five pounds biting on most trips. The main areas producing a steady trout bite have been places along the ICW, like sand bars and spoil islands. Best depth has been about two to three feet. We're throwing Kwigglers Willow-tails in dirty jalapeno, rigged on eighth-ounce screwlock heads mostly, but we've also had good luck on Ball-tails in Mansfield Margarita. Redfish have been biting aggressively when the tide rises and fills coves and back bays. Bone Spook Juniors work best for me at this time of year; the reds have been attacking them lately. We sometimes switch to SheDogs and SkitterWalks on windy days, rigging them with single hooks when floating grass becomes an issue. Winds usually blow this month, but normally show down when May arrives. The patterns we fish should become more predictable as the weather warms and becomes more consistent. This should bring topwaters into play more of the time, and should mean improved action on shallow shorelines and flats.

Pictured is five-year-old Luke Land fishing to his young heart’s content on a bright, full moon morning last August. Luke’s father, Wade Land, explained how it all came to be.

“Luke loves to fish but he is too short for wade fishing. So we borrowed Mom’s bar stool and it worked out great. He landed four flounder and more trout than we could count!”

Family time together on the water and bonding is what fishing is all about, and we salute young Luke for his fishing prowess and his Dad’s ingenuity in finding a way to overcome his height disadvantage. Maybe this might serve as inspiration to other young fathers hoping to get their youngers involved in fishing. ~Editor

TSFMAG.com | 79

Jaxon Cuellar Corpus Christi - 19” first trout!

Taylor Huber Aransas - redfish

Jeff Johnson Contee Lake - 28” redfish 80 | April 2020

Kenzie Mariscal Galveston - 13” first flounder!

Nina Garret Padre Island National Seashore - 42” personal best bull red!

Karen Karner Laguna Madre - 38” 35 lb black drum CPR

Danny Kanak Dewberry Island - 26” redfish

TSFMag

Catch of the Month

PHOTO CONTEST Beginning with the March 2020 issue, TSFMag will be running a monthly photo contest.

Winners will receive a Yeti Rambler 18-oz bottle.

Brandon Kingcaid 5th Lake - 24” redfish

Kitana Mariscal DemiJohn Island - 19” redfish

Email your catch & release photos to photos@tsfmag.com for a chance to win!

Include "Contest" in the subject line.

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Matt Sharpe with son, Zane Trigger San Bernard River - flounder

Trey Seadrift - first Texas Slam!

Faith Nickols Garcitas Creek - trout

Micah Powell Seabrook - 37" bull red

Port Mansfield Flounder CPR TSFMAG.com | 81

PAM JOHNSON

Gulf Coast

Got ideas, hints or recipes you’d like to share?

Email them to pam@tsfmag.com or send by fax: 361 792-4530

Randy VanderNaillen’s Shrimp Salsa Appetizer at a barbeque, casual dinner, tailgating, at the deer lease, or at the beach? Everybody loves this recipe. It’s a little time consuming to put together but you’ll reap the rewards when everyone is Oohing and Ahhing after the first bite!

SHRIMP INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

2 lbs. medium shrimp – peeled, deveined, and cooked in seasoned water

Combine shrimp, tomatoes, avocados, jalapenos, green onions, cilantro and lime juice. Shrimp can be chopped or left whole.

4-6 small Roma tomatoes – diced 3-4 small avocados – peeled and diced 2-3 jalapenos – seeded and diced (leave seeds in for more heat) 6 green onions – white and green part finely sliced 1/2 bunch cilantro leaves – rough chopped 2-3 limes – squeeze juice 12-oz bottle Louisiana Fish Fry Cocktail Sauce 1/3 cup ketchup Salt and pepper to taste Tortilla chips

82 | April 2020

Mix cocktail sauce and ketchup, fold gently into mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Refrigerate at least one hour and serve with thick tortilla chips.

TSFMAG.com | 83

S P O N S O R E D B Y C O A S TA L B E N D M A R I N E

C H R I S M A P P ’ S R E PA I R & M A I N T E N A N C E

SPRINGTIME MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST Spring has finally made its way to problems or electrical failures that can be tricky to diagnose. Having a Texas and daylight savings time is battery switch on the boat to turn power on and off is a good tool to always welcome. The rush to get promote battery longevity. boats ready is in full swing and I Finally, the last items on the pre-season list are the engine’s cooling Chris Mapp, owner of wanted to touch on the maintenance/ water system, lower unit gear lube, and engine crankcase oil. Installing Coastal Bend Marine. repair items that are consistently at a new water pump may be out of your skill set yet changing engine oil Evinrude, Suzuki, Yamaha, the top of the list as boats come out and filter before season is relatively easy and a good practice. We also Mercury, Honda, BlueWave, SilverWave, Shallow Stalker of winter storage. recommend sampling the lower unit oil, as well as pulling the prop, to Boats, Coastline Trailers, The number one spot on the list check for fishing line wrapped on the propeller shaft.

Minnkota & Motor Guide goes to pumping out old fuel because Light-colored, milky, or very dark gear oil are telltale signs that it is Trolling Motors. the boat has set up for an entire time for a lower unit lube change. Fishing line balled up behind the prop Great Service, Parts & Sales season and/or the fuel was not treated can rupture seals and, when reinstalling the prop, don’t forget to apply “What can we do for you?” adequately when the boat went lube to the shaft and install a new into storage. There are sources of cotter key or lock-ring – whichever non-ethanol fuel available and I want to caution about buying the is appropriate for your outboard. smaller containers in stores like we see marketed for weedeaters Thank you and have a great and such because it could be premixed with two-stroke oil. spring season!

The number two spot goes to old, weak, or rundown batteries and dirty connections. Almost everything on boats and motors Chris Mapp today are dependent on electrical or electronic circuits and having Corroded and dirty battery chrismapp@coastalbendmaine. connections invite a host a strong and reliable power source is essential. A good power com – Coastal Bend Marine-Port of electrical problems. source with dirty or corroded connections can lead to intermittent O’Connor, TX – 361-983-4841

84 | April 2020

WITH G A M E E E R G ET F H A SE! C R U P Y P O C HARD -month receive a 12 Order today and gn up 5.00. Hurry and si e rate! $2 r fo on ti ip cr subs the sam and/or friends at family members

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TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING HOLES GUIDE SERVICES M ATA G O R D A B AY Speckled Trout / Redfish

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Saltwater Fishing Clinics TROUT REDFISH FLOUNDER

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86 | April 2020

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Science and the

Sea

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Hitching a Ride on a Shark Anyone who has tried to hitch a ride on a moving train knows it’s all about getting a really good grip. This is exactly what remoras piggybacking on larger fish need to do. Now scientists understand a little better how they do it.

Remoras use a strong suction disc to latch onto other sea animals.

Credit: NOAA Remoras are fish that use a strong suction disc on their head and back to latch onto sharks, whales and other large sea animals. In this way, they get a ride over longer distances than they can swim themselves, saving energy as they go. And along the way, they can nibble on their host’s food scraps, bacteria, parasites and waste. But to reap those benefits, remoras must first “catch” their ride on a much larger and faster swimming animal. A team of biologists has discovered a sensory system within a remora’s suction disc that appears to explain how remoras hitchhike so successfully.

The suction disc is actually a highly modified fin that has a series of plates surrounded by a fleshy lip. Within the fleshy lip are complexes of small touch receptors: concave bumps like tiny umbrella tops that each cover three chains of sensory nerves which extend through the disc’s skin layers. Based on observations of similar structures in other animals, biologists believe these sensors respond to touch and to the force of the water on a remora when it is attached to a fast swimming fish. Being able to sense this force tells a remora that it needs to tighten its grip so that it does not slip backward.

But those previous observations were primarily on some unusual land animals, such as the platypus and echidna. Remoras are the first known fish to have such a tactile-sensory system, hinting at how much more scientists have to learn about various ways fish can sense their environment. In fact, the biologists found these sensory structures on eight different remora species, and those that attach to faster fish have almost twice as many receptor complexes.

www.ScienceAndTheSea.org © The University of Texas Marine Science Institute

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