December 2006

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

DECEMBER 2006

Gulf Coast Connections

vo l u m e 16 N o . 8

IN ThIS ISSUE…

Ben Beaty has been at it again!

Ben’s art has become a Christmas tradition with us and we hope you enjoy the “Fishing Santa 2006” he has created. Check out those elves; I’d say they found the bite too!

Merry Christmas!

(Illustration by Ben Beaty)

10 “Los Plasticos”

Mike McBride

14 Time-honored Traditions

Kevin Cochran

18 A few Christmas suggestions

Bink Grimes

22 A Wasted Day?

Martin Strarup

24 Red tides

Billy Sandifer

26 North to Alaska Part 2

Everett Johnson

30 Let’s Ask The Pro

Jay Watkins

22

34 Fly Fishing

Casey Smartt

38 Tournament Trails

Brandon Jenewein

40 Offshore

Bobby Byrd/Capt. John Cochrane

44 Conservation

CCA-Texas

48 Science and the Sea

UT-Marine Science Institute

50 TPWD Field Notes

Norman Boyd

54 Kayak Fishing

Scott Null

58 According To Scott

Scott Sommerlatte

62 Youth Fishing

Aaron Cisneros

66 New Tackle & Gear

GCC Staff

30

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Order online at: www.gulfcoastconnections.com Or make checks payable to: Gulf Coast Connections Attn: Subscriptions P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 * Subscribers are responsible for submitting all address changes and renewals by the 15th of the prior month’s issue. The U.S. Postal Service does not guarantee magazines will be forwarded.

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SEND US YOUR LETTERS, QUESTIONS & COMMENTS!

68 Chuck’s Sabine Scene

Chuck Uzzle

70 Fishing Galveston

Mickey Eastman

72 Capt. Bill’s Fish Talk

Bill Pustejovsky

74 Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays

Gary Gray

76 Catching up with Cliff

Cliff Webb

78 Capt. Tricia’s Port Mansfield Report

Capt. Tricia

80 South Padre Fishing Scene

Ernest Cisneros

SEE OUR CENTERFOLD FOR GCC’S SOLUNAR OLUNAR TABLE T REDICTIONS AND TExAS TIDE PREDICTIONS 82 Fishing Reports and Forecasts 84 Photo Gallery–Catch of the Month 86 Gulf Coast Kitchen 91 Index of Advertisers

vISIT US ON ThE WEB AT WWW.GULFCOASTCONNECTIONS.COM

Texas Saltwater Fishing P.O. Box 429 Seadrift, Tx 77983 Office: 361-785-3420

EDITOR AND PUBLIShER Everett Johnson

ADvERTISING Tracey Johnson

everett@gulfcoastconnections.com

Ph: 361-785-3420 or 936-520-3146 Fx: 361-785-2844

BUSINESS MANAGER Pam Johnson

tracey@gulfcoastconnections.com

pam@gulfcoastconnections.com

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

SUBSCRIPTION – CIRCULATION Shirley Elliott Ph: 361-785-3420

© Copyrighted 1990 All rights reserved. Positively nothing in this publication may be reprinted and reproduced. *Views expressed

by GCC contributors do not necessarily express the views of GCC.

86

shirley@gulfcoastconnections.com December 2006

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Unbelievably, another year has somehow slipped by and Christmas is only a few weeks away. I can remember back 50-years when 12 months seemed like a century. I wish they still did; just think how many more fishing trips we could cram in!

Christmas is such a special time. All the family and friends and food and gifts; it is no doubt the happiest time of the year. I wish somebody could invent a potent that would keep everybody in the Christmas spirit for 365 days. That would be truly awesome.

Pam and I have big plans for the festive season; we’ve got everybody coming in for Christmas and cast and blast adventures here on the bay, and then we’ll head out to Sonora because rumor has it there are deer galloping all over that big pasture we leased. It should be a lot of fun.

I would like to encourage everybody reading this to do something a little different this year. I was chatting with Capt. Lynn Smith the other day and he said he was planning to give himself a Christmas gift unlike any he had ever received in his life. Lynn said his gift to himself this year would be to make the Christmas holidays extra special for the family of a Texas serviceman serving in Iraq. Now in case you are not aware, the pay that an enlisted man receives is barely better than what he would get on welfare.

I thought about Capt. Lynn’s plan for a couple of seconds and the beauty of it overwhelmed me. What a wonderful and thoughtful gift. And what makes it even more special, as you are enjoying your holiday feast and unwrapping gifts with loved ones, you will experience the joy of knowing that you are helping the family of some brave serviceman walking a patrol out there in the desert enjoy theirs a little better too.

According to Lynn, all you need to do is contact your local Texas National Guard Armory. They keep a list of service families who have requested assistance and will coordinate your donations. I like the idea so much that I’m going to sign up myself; I want one of those for Christmas too!

And now for the big news about this publication… your January magazine will be sporting a completely different look… we’re upgrading to slick paper and a brand new printing process. The newsprint pages on the inside of the magazine will be a thing of the past. It has taken us 45 months since we made the jump from free issue to single copy sales, but we’re finally going to take the big plunge. We hope you enjoy the upgrade in quality.

Drum roll please… we have one more announcement. You have no doubt noticed that our cover has been changing. The old title, Gulf Coast Connections has been shrinking, being replaced a little at a time by Texas Saltwater Fishing. So come January it will be official, our old name will be laid to rest. This is the only 100% saltwater fishing magazine in Texas, and its name will soon reflect that fact. I want to say many thanks to all our wonderful supporters without whom this would not be possible.

So there you go folks; you are now up-to-date with everything we have going for the Holiday Season and I’ve given you a super gift idea that you can give to yourself and the family of a serviceman. Please remember that freedom comes at an awful price these days, and some of our Nation’s finest will sleep on cold sand this Christmas Eve as they make that purchase for us.

Remember them in your thoughts and prayers.

Merry Christmas, and May God Bless Us Everyone!

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Send to: Gulf Coast Connections, P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 779 3

r hnson – Edito Mr. Everett Jo ns io ct ne Gulf Coast Con 9 42 x Bo P.O. s 77983 Seadrif t, Texa enberg son, t at the old Ros Dear Mr. John ol employmen ho sc inal gh ig hi y or m d of the ol It was during my first copies up ed regular ck a pi I en at e th e then I’ve be nc Si Academy stor .

C C G e ow from t version of th publication gr folded newsprin I’ve seen your . er ad m re d an on yer e transiti fro newsstand bu , I’ve noticed th so Al y y. er da ev to rs is t it azine cove infancy to wha phy. Your mag so ne’s ilo yo ph er ng ev hi e fis ed to improv fishing facts to and can be us ng hi fis st oa C e. aspect of Gulf d amateur alik e water, pro an th on e nc rie expe e d timers and th ories of the ol st e th y it. It jo of en e to see mor I particularly d I would like an n, tio e that fic ur at ng hi standard fe sprinkling of fis its, to create a rm pe g of e in ac kl sp rin , if a larger sp would be nice old timers, with e th g lost in of s be le re ta e of fishing lo showcases th te the thought ha I , is a . el in fe I ed g, ix m tdoor writin fishing fiction rs. Fictional ou de el r ou of g with the passin within itself. dying tradition spiration for ve been an in ha s er rit w of fine stable You and your

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

my own pursuit in wr iting. I would cons ider it a great hono your critique of the r to have enclosed story.

With that said, I jus t ask that you and your family conside request in your tho r my ughts and prayers.

Thank you for your Keep up the good

time and I hope to

hear from you soon .

work.

Sincerely, Berry Appling IV

Dear Berry,

Thanks for the kin d words on the ma gazine and also fo the story you includ r ed.

I have read it and enjoyed it, I think it is worthy of publishing. We ge t quite a few gues t pie ces and run them on a first- come ba sis as space perm its .

Look for yours to appear soon.

Good luck and go

od fishing!

E Johnson – Edito

December 2006

r

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

It’s InterestIng how small mental snap shots of past adventures, even if seemingly insignificant at the time, can occasionally replay themselves as something entertaining and informative for tomorrow.

About 25 short years ago we were throwing MirrOLures into the gently rolling swells of the Pacific; hoping to hook some of the same angry roosterfish that the locals were battling steadily. It was near the Mexican town of Playa Azul, and despite having all of the latest store-bought accessories, we were being schooled by natives using hand-carved wooden paddles for reels. You’ve seen the technique, possibly at a jetty near you.

After watching curiously through the morning’s episode, one of the locals finally offered a few words of advice.

“Senor,” he said with a wide silver-toothed grin, “Mexican fish are not stupid like Texan fish. They are not fooled by those false things you bring.” As he turned to reset his hand-held line his parting salvo was “No les gustan los plasticos,” or rather, “they don’t like those plastics.”

OK — fair enough, and granted, only a few of those roosterfish liked our particular ‘plasticos’ that day; but there’s more.

For years I tried to analyze that small moment in time for whatever it might have been worth. Quite simply, that guy and his amigos flat owned us that day.

They hauled in fish after fish while we hardcore urbanites struggled. If I pretend to have any snap or humor in me at all, he also has a little ownership in me for tomorrow. Here’s a few assorted ‘pictures’ taken that day from the lens of a stranger in a strange land, and perhaps how they might apply when fast-forwarded to Port Mansfield, year 2007.

When in Rome: There is no doubt that there is little which can replace local knowledge when it comes to fishing. In earlier years I personally thought I could take what I thought I knew to most anywhere and do well. Then I moved down south, and after fishing almost every day, quickly learned more about what I didn’t know.

We’ll use Port Mansfield as a small example, and because we entertain experienced fishermen from all over, we get to see just how tight regionalization can really be. Every body of water is a little different, and what works there doesn’t always work here and vice-versa. For example, the Laguna is not a mullet-based fishery for trout in my opinion. When it comes to forage, we have many diverse species living in this grassy environment, and those magnum-sized lures we throw farther north aren’t always the best choices for here.

It’s far too easy to stick with what we know, but our comfort zone may not be where we want to stay either. I’ve actually hit control-alt-delete and put up several gallon baggies of big plugs that just don’t seem to get bit here like they do only a few miles north. Whether it’s a trip just down the road or to another coast line, it may be wise to consider what the locals are thinking. One trick is to check the neighborhood tackle stores and see what is stripped off of the racks, or, see what is kept

These are what I learned to call “plasticos” from native fishermen in Mexico.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

sometimes as we pile out of our boats today, or more exactly, as we did yesterday.

In typical ‘advanced’

Essential gear means different things to different folks.

fisherman fashion, I had yet another group who brought so

strongly in stock… or, walk the beach for a bit

wonder what the ‘natives’ who have a good deal

much ‘stuff’ with them that it

before you get embarrassed.

more at stake think about the whole thing.

actually impeded their fishing much more than it enhanced

It’s always interesting to me how people who fish for food only take what they need,

it. After tripping over tackle

years ago, “Mexican fish are not stupid like

while some in the sport ranks believe it’s OK

boxes, meshed bags, cleats

Texan fish,” can get downright philosophical.

to take it all. Showing off, as has been written

Worthy prey: That statement from 25

and clod-hoppers, the chore

We know fish are not really smart; they are

and as we do, is really just the idiot’s version of

of getting into the water to wade wasn’t nearly as

just instinctively reactive, so perhaps that

being interesting. Let’s try not to do that.

entertaining as watching the group trying to get back in.

toothy-grinned piece of tanned machismo was politely questioning our intelligence, not

Minimalist. OK — enough of the serious

Among the inventory were over-sized landing

the fish’s. However, there was actually an air

stuff and on to the humor-be-us part. In looking

nets, pull-behind styrofoam shark nets, sting-ray

of respect in his translation. They did accord

back on those local experts, I can’t help but see

protection resembling Neal Armstrong moonraker

their prey a certain reverence, and as much

the precise gear they had to work with and the

boots, fanny packs, butt packs, chest pouches,

fun as we have in the recreational sense, these

fine fishing apparel they chose to model.

three pole holders, back braces, etc., and all of it

The gear was probably thirty-pound line

wrapped tightly around over-stuffed waders. No

wrapped around an artistically carved piece

wonder they were whining because wading was

of seasoned one by six. Their official fishing

‘taxing’ after a couple of hours, not to mention the

there is a large difference between wanting

clothes were probably the same ones they wore

numerous backlashes they had by snagging some

to catch a fish to mount and needing a fish

to work on their palapas. No wading belts, no

of that stuff on a back-cast.

to eat. I wonder who might be more intense.

quick-dry clothes, no stringers, no stainless

guys were fishing for much more than that. It’s called sustenance.

Despite the intensity level we try to assign,

Essential gear means different things to

However, when I think of how we have evolved

pliers or Boga Grips. As a matter of fact they

different folks. All I can say is that I couldn’t

as ‘privileged’ fishermen, only to slap fish up on

were bare-footed, and when a fish was landed,

compete with a hand-carved chunk of wood that

they buried it in sand to keep the varmints off

day in the Mexican surf, and I don’t think I saw

of it until it was time to take their catch home.

them trip either.

nails for ego-enhancing photo-ops, I also have to

We’re talking extreme minimalism here, and it’s hard not to laugh at ourselves

What’s the moral in all of this rambling? There may be at least three. One is when we travel, …CONTINUED ON PG. 12

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

11

…CONTINUED FROM PG. 11 take what we know — but go to know more. If applicable, listening to our guide may be a reasonable option, possibly even above listening to our own ego. Two, is let’s try Another “plastico” used by the native fishermen in Mexico.

not to forget why we fish, what we are trying to get out of it, and that it’s really not all that serious where life and death is concerned. Three, is that although we have the privilege of buying a lot of wonderful stuff to help us be better fishermen, we can’t actually buy what we are looking for.

It’s humorous, but you know it’s true, that the less fish we are catching the more stuff we buy. Yes, we like ‘stuff’ too, but I’d like to challenge some of the accessory manufacturers to keep their R & D department inspired and keep looking at better ways to streamline some of this ‘essential’ gear. If people are tripping out of my boat, and the Playa Azul guys don’t need it, we’re not quite there yet. I’m not in Mexico either, but I sure am thinking about it.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

13

Winter is a season

for decades. Throughout the holidays and soon

filled with fine traditions, from the spiritual ones

after the lights are unplugged and the smoke

filling family dens and dining tables to sporting

from the firecrackers clears, a set of beloved

ones that play out in wide open, wild places.

outdoor traditions climbs to its own crescendo.

Christmas comes at the beginning of winter;

time of year. The fish are fat, their frames

quarter settles in. While the holidays are

supporting weight in anticipation of the spawn

here, lights shine from the eaves of decked

to come in spring, and they feed at predictable

out houses, churches resound with smiling

times, making them relatively easy to locate

choirs and fireworks splash the night sky with

and catch on artificial lures. The crowds of

booming colors.

anglers jockeying for position on the water later

In small towns across south Texas, the spirit

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Trophy trout enthusiasts like me love this

as the bells ring in the New Year, the cold

in the year are mostly absent, as fair-weather

of Christmas and hope for the New Year are

fishermen wait for warming winds, rising water

celebrated in the same ways they have been

temperatures and the return of live shrimp and

December 2006

biggest fish within range of anglers willing to wait out the inevitable lulls in action. Fishing in winddriven drizzle when it’s fifty degrees is not for everyone, but those of us obsessed with catching wallhanger trout will be out grinding in weather like that.

Other sporting folks will load airboats and johnboats with decoys and dogs and head for marshes in places like St. Charles Bay, Redfish Bay and the flats of Shamrock Cove just south and west of Port Aransas, setting up spreads to trick our “winged winter Texans” within shotgun croakers to the bait stands.

range. They’ll blow into fluted, hand-carved calls

We lure-chunking trophy seekers will be

to imitate seductive feeding chuckles and urgent

sharpening hooks on our favorite plugs, sealing

turning pleas, maintaining a constant vigil on the

leaks in our neoprene waders and donning

horizon, scanning for flocks of fleet birds which

the gloves that take the sting out of gripping a

arrive on swiftly beating wings.

stainless steel steering wheel on frigid morning

A few energetic people will combine duck

boat rides. We’ll pull up the hoods on our

hunting and fishing into “cast and blast” outings,

waterproof jackets and turn our backs to chill

all-day celebrations of the bounty of these

winds, content to make lots of casts for a few bites

wetlands, hunkering down in marsh blinds and

if necessary, knowing that this season holds the

taking aim in low light, then drifting and wading

best potential for receiving a double-digit gift from

warming flats when the sun climbs higher and the

the fishing gods.

birds stop flying. Perhaps such outings should

We’ll make forays to the flats on sunny days

be called “blast and cast”, as the fishing always

between passing cold fronts. Big specks move

follows behind the hunting! Those who partake

shallow in the wake of these fronts in order to

in this tradition treasure the rare opportunity to

warm up, seeking soft muddy bottoms and dark

experience fast wingshooting and productive

grass beds, which act almost like blankets when

shallow water fishing on the same day in such

heated under bright skies.

relatively small areas.

Damp, dreary days behind Pacific fronts can be productive too, and are most enjoyable to

The biggest concentrations of ducks in local marshes and on the open bays will be here

those who relish the solitude of relatively deserted winter bays. The sloppiest weather can bring the December 2006

…CONTINUED ON PG. 16 Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

15

…CONTINUED FROM PG. 15

Kevin with a Boiler Bayou fat girl in Jan ‘01.

after the turn of the new year, though some will be most wary of hunters. A greater variety

bags, dreaming on the night before a hunt.

Late season is a good time to take a trophy

the local mall; they are both priceless and free. A jolly man in a fluffy red suit does not deliver them.

of birds will be found in the northern reaches

whitetail down here, especially if the winter’s mild

Mother Nature provides them to patient sporting

of the Coastal Bend, with redheads, bluebills

and the rut starts late. If the rut ends earlier, only

people who participate in time-honored traditions

and pintails dominating the air further south.

the stealthiest, wisest and luckiest of hunters

that thrive here in our coastal wonderlands.

The Laguna Madre holds nearly all of North

will find the big boys moving around in the light

America’s redheads in late winter; they paint a

of day. Either way, many folks in this part of the

dark streak across the sky when rising en masse

state will partake in the rituals and traditions

to avoid trophy trout hunters boating to Baffin

surrounding the hunt for whitetails, whether they

and back.

are pursuing a trophy or just hoping to harvest a

The sight of thousands of ducks swirling

cull buck or a doe and put some venison in the

skyward in all directions around the boat takes

freezer. Deer hunting brings out an ancient spirit

those of us who love the outdoors to a cherished

in some folks, reminding them of their cultural

and familiar place in our minds, as does a

heritage and rekindling a predatory instinct

glimpse of the tall tines of a trophy whitetail

mostly dormant in this crowded, urbanized

sneaking through tangled brush on the King

world in which we live. Stalking the senderos in

Ranch shoreline.

search of Muy Grande on a brisk winter morning

Last year, pictures surfaced on the internet,

warms the souls of many Texans as much as

showing a monster specimen allegedly killed

the campfires they kindle in the evening to warm

among the shadows in the mesquite scrub on

their feet.

that famously vast place. The old buck was

It is possible to adorn life in this cold season

reported to weigh two hundred and twenty eight

with ornaments other than the kind made of silver

pounds and on his head he carried a fourteen

and gold. Magnum specks are as fat as they will

point rack which was claimed to span a full thirty

be all year and are known to bite plastic plugs

four inches. Sprouting one from each main

regularly. Handsome, mature drake mallards,

beam, a pair of seven inch drop tines pointed

wigeon, shovelers and pintails are wearing

down. Though the measurements and location

full mating plumage. Monster bucks sport rut-

are now known to be part of a hoax, many south

sharpened, polished racks and might foolishly

Texas hunters believe bucks of that magnitude

run within rifle range of shrewd hunters who wait

are out there somewhere, having seen them

in the right places.

while fitfully tossing and turning in their sleeping 16

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

These kinds of gifts cannot be purchased at December 2006

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

17

Story by Bink Grimes

WadErs – I do not know what I did before breathable waders. Well, I do know — sweat! I haven’t worn a pair of neoprene waders in six years. When it is chilly, I dress warm underneath.

I wore breathables in nine degrees three years ago and was not any colder had I worn neoprenes.

Hodgman and Stearns (who purchased Hodgman) are the popular brands. Simms and Orvis are good, too, but more expensive.

EvEry yEar I am told that I am

favorite since 80 percent of the time I throw plugs;

easy to buy for when it comes to Christmas gifts.

however, when I do throw worms or tails, it does

“Just get him something that has camouflage in it

the job as well. You can’t go wrong with any of the

or will catch a fish,” says my adorable wife Shelly to

brands listed above. They are all good.

anyone in the family asking for holiday ideas, rolling her eyes as she mutters the words.

Likewise, there are sleighs of things the outdoor

electric filet knife (my favorite is a Black and Decker bread knife found at Wal-mart for less than $10), a NuMark wading belt or Do-Net, a wading net, a

brands because I rarely use anything but Shimano.

our Savior’s birth.

Other great choices are the Curado, Calcutta

be happy to see under the tree Christmas morning.

needed in abundance in the tackle box. A good

Shimano series. I really can’t comment on other The Chronarch 50 Mg remains my first choice.

most fishers also hunt, here are a few things I would

hooks, weights, line, corks and swivels are all

rEEls – The most popular line of reels is the

enthusiast would enjoy from St. Nick this season of I know this is a fishing magazine; however, since

aCCEssorIEs – Bass Assassin jig heads,

Why not go in with the wife of your husband’s favorite fishing buddy and purchase a gift

BaIts – An angler can never have too many

certificate for a guided fishing trip. I sell about a

surface-running topwater plugs for water-thrashing

half-dozen of these every year. The trip can be

rods – A new rod is something every

bites. She Dogs, She Pups, Top Dogs, Top Dog

angler can use. Castaway, Waterloo, American

Jr’s, Super Spooks, Super Spook Jr’s, Corkies,

Rodsmiths, Shimano and Lone Star are popular

Yo-Zuri’s, and Spittin’Images are all reputable

brands in Texas. The 6’2” Castaway Titanium is my

choices. On the soft plastic scene, Bass Assassins,

taken anytime and normally carries a validity date of one year. I am sure any guide would be happy

Nortons, Hogies, Trout Killers and Stanley

Johnny’s Sport Shop in Eagle Lake and purchase

PolarIzEd GlassEs – A good pair of

a gift certificate. I have a running line of credit from

polarized shades are priceless. Maui Jim, Costa

three years of gift certificates; and, if you have

Del Mar, and Ocean Waves are the most popular.

ever been in Johnny’s, you know Mike only sells

The makers have refined their shades to the times

the good stuff. If Eagle Lake is too far from your

and the fashions, so there are many sleek frames

home, Academy, Gander Mountain, Bass Pro and

out there that will double as a good pair of driving

Cabela’s are also good choices.

or active sports glasses. If you have never worn

Guns – One of the easiest gifts to give is a

polarized shades while fishing, you are missing

firearm. It is the gift that keeps on giving throughout

another world underneath the surface.

a lifetime. Whether it be a Benelli, Browning,

ClothEs – Everyone loves fishing shirts that

Remington, Winchester or Mossberg shotgun or

come in a kaleidoscope of bright colors. Polyester breathable shirts like Under Armour’s line are

and non-marking boat shoes or sandals would be welcomed, too.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

certificate to put under the tree. know what to get me, they call Mike Grigar at

made a splash, coaxing results much like live bait.

in the boat for a wet day. A pair of non-skid

to do it. My wife’s creative self makes up a nice When all else fails and my loved ones do not

Wedgetails are most popular. Berkley Gulps have

of rain gear like Frogg Toggs can be stowed

of wading boots (ForEverLast or Hodgman) are all good choices.

and Citica.

showing on boats and in the field. A good set

new cooler, a spool of fishing line and a new pair

rifle, any “smokepole” will surely please. If not a gun, then maybe a new scope for your whitetail hunter. A pair of quality binoculars serves well for the hunter and angler.

KnIvEs – Any outdoor enthusiast cannot have too many blades. Brands like Gerber, Spyderco

December 2006

some of the popular brands. My favorite is the waist-length Widgeon Parka by Columbia. It has an outside shell that zips out for mild days and an inner liner that zips in for frigid mornings. deCoys – My wife will disagree since an 18wheeler full of decoys pulled into my driveway and unloaded 44 boxes of decoys as I was writing this piece. However, you can never have too many decoys. Avery’s Greenhead Gear and G&H make quality duck and goose decoys. Texas Hunting Products, makers of quality goose hunting gear and the best decoy bags on the market is a quality choice. and Old Timer are good. Throw in an all-purpose tool that has files, blades and screwdrivers and you have a mini tool box in the palm of your hand. I have one in my tackle box and hunting bag.

Cold Weather Clothing – This falls in the “can’t miss” category. Anything camo is good and can be used on a boat as well. Gloves, toboggans, shirts, pants, boots, hats and jackets make great gifts. About jackets, a heavy, warm, insulated, waterproof parka is a must for the avid hunter and fisher. Columbia, Remington and Browning are

aCCessories – Flashlights, duffel bags, game straps, calls and gun slings are great stocking stuffers. Avery makes the best waterfowl hunting bags. I have a sling called “The Claw” that does not slip while lugging my gun on my shoulder.

Illusion, Hadel, Rich-N-Tone, Glynn Scobey, Morwhistle, Duck Commander and Wingsetter are calls I have used.

If nothing else, give your loved one a hug or kiss or both and tell them how much they mean to you. Everyone needs some of that.

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

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21

I heard a frIend of mIne

Texas at 4:30 in the morning. That means that

have in El Campo so they saved a little money by

complaining the other day about how he had

he probably got out of bed around 4:00 or maybe

doing that, and they got to enjoy the ride down

“wasted” his time last weekend. It seems that my

even 3:45. He gets out of bed every morning

there in a new Suburban, so that had to have

friend went fishing with a few guys and the west

during the week at 5:00, so he lost an hour,

been a great ride.

wind was blowing and the bays were off-color

maybe an hour and a half of sleep that day. They

and they didn’t catch many fish. He complained

drove to Port O’Connor and that’s 82 miles from

my suggestion), and none of them had unloaded

that he had gotten out of bed early and that he

El Campo, so they drove about an hour and a

there before, so that was a new experience for

lost sleep that he really needed. He complained

half during which time I’m sure that they talked

them. They talked to some folks there who told

that he had spent $50.00 of his own money and

about everything from what the market is doing

them what he had heard about who was catching

that he might as well have thrown it into the bay

to who’s cheating on who around town. So he

what, where, when and what they were catching

for all the good it did him, “I would have been

got to spend an hour and a half carrying on

them on. They were able to enjoy a boat ride in

better off staying in bed!”

conversations that wouldn’t be politically correct

a fine almost new Mowdy that belongs to one of

What do you folks think? Did my friend

to carry on in public. I’m sure they told jokes and

those boys, and that’s a fine boat to run in the

“waste” his time? Would he have been better off

poked fun… I’d bet that was a fun ride to the bay,

back bays of Port O’Connor.

staying in bed? Yes? No?

knowing those guys as I do; I’m sure my name

Let’s break it down a little, shall we? Let’s have a look at this fishing trip that “wasted” my friend’s time.

From what I was told, they left El Campo,

22

They unloaded their boat at Clark’s Marina (at

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

They were able to slip into the cool early

came up a few times as well and I can only hope

morning water and wade some really nice sand

that they weren’t too hard on me.

flats while watching the sun spread daylight

They stopped for gas in Port Lavaca and paid about 10 cents less per gallon than they would

over the bay. They were able to see the gulls, spoonbills and the pelicans fly. They saw

December 2006

porpoises jump and feed and they were able to

my friend did anything but “waste” his time. I

watch those magnificent and intelligent animals

think that the money he spent was a lot less

enjoy the water.

than what he would have spent at Wal-Mart or

He told me that they saw thousands of ducks

at some mall in Houston or Victoria. I think that

flying in and out of the marsh… How many

there are a lot of people who have never seen a

people get to see something like that?

porpoise in the wild or who have been fortunate

They all got to eat lunch in Port O’Connor and enjoy the great food there, as well as the

enough to see the sun come up over the bay while actually wading and fishing in it.

So I don’t think any time was “wasted” and

hospitality that the management there offers.

I ate fast food the day they fished and had a

I’m quite certain that I would have been much

hamburger that I received from a girl who couldn’t

happier on that trip than I was stuck at home

make change nor hold a conversation. I think all

doing yard work. What’s that old saying? “A day

she said was “Thanks, come back again.”

spent fishing is better than a day spent in the

They all got to spend another hour and a half

office?” And for my friend, here’s a little saying

on the return trip to El Campo and again were

my Grandfather was fond of using, “Get up and

able to have a great conversation with out the

get going… people die in bed!”

usual interruptions by kids, wives or bosses.

I don’t know about you folks, but I think that

December 2006

Be Safe

?

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

23

Every time we get a red tide bloom folks begin asking what causes it; my reply is always the same, “we get the red tide when it stays too hot and too still for too long.” There is plenty of info available but in the final analysis that is probably as good an answer as any. If you want a more technical explanation you can read the various pages available on TPWD’s website.

The red tide was present on PINS from October 3 through 23 of this year and did its typically effective job of killing lots of fish and making beach users miserable. I am always shocked when I see the number of fishes and the diversity of species that this natural phenomenon kills. Add to this the stench of the decaying fish and the respiratory irritation the aerosol brings and what you end up with is one of the least desirable of coastal experiences you are likely to encounter.

Decomposing hardhead catfish are washed back and forth by the tides and the tires of many unknowing beach drivers fall victim to their spines.

The majority of these flat tires will be sidewall punctured and therefore not be repairable. But one of the benefits of living as long as I have in this eco-system is not to be too distressed by it all.

Walter Naylor of Austin with a PINS redfish.

Overexposure to the aerosol effect of the red tide over a period of many years has made me strongly allergic to it so I wear a gas mask when I am in affected areas and I don’t charter when an event is in progress. Instead, I take a timeout and allow the event to run its course.

Paul Knowles and a 5-pound speck from PINS on Oct 2, 2006.

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In a relatively short time frame the high tides of fall push the dead fish up along the fore dunes and smooth out the fore beach and make for some of the best driving conditions of the year. Live bait and lures once again receive jolting strikes from redfish and jack crevalle and the red tide becomes a vague memory even though it is only 5 days behind us. I stand in awe of the wonder of the Natural World and how quickly it heals and goes on as if something that I thought so shocking had never happened at all. Awful cool stuff.

There has been a war going on in Corpus Christi for some time over the City Council’s proposal to close 1.3 miles of public beach to vehicular traffic. The closed area would begin immediately to the south of Packery Channel. This action was initiated to satisfy the requirements of one developer who wanted the beach in front of his PROPOSED development to be “traffic free.” It has taken a tremendous amount of effort by concerned citizens fearing this will lead to more beach closures to get enough signatures on petitions to have this issue included on the November 7 election ballot. Due to their direct efforts a second item was also placed on the ballet stating that from now on a vote by the citizens would be necessary to close any other beaches within the city’s jurisdiction. The proposed amendment to close the beach failed in yesterday’s election and the amendment to require a vote by citizens before any beaches could be closed was passed.

An organization called BAC (Beach Access

Trash begets trash. We used the pic of the PVC pipe structure last month that was abandoned down the beach; now it looks like other trashy people want to leave their mark too.

Red tide is a killer.

December 2006

Coalition) with the aid of the Surf Riders.org

coming back to that ol’ one liner that my high

phone. Just make sure

spearheaded this tedious and time consuming

school biology teacher passed on to me in my

the information is correct

task and I would like to personally thank all of

youth and that I have passed on to you in previous

before doing so. I come

these hardworking volunteers who have given

articles. Adapt, migrate or die is the story of the

from a time and culture

so freely of their time and efforts to bring this

history of life on planet Earth. As circumstances

where “nobody likes a snitch.” Guess what? That

important issue to the attention of residents and

change, so must we all if we are to continue to

is another of those behaviors and attitudes we are

to insure citizens will have a vote in the future

exist. And so it is concerning the future status of

going to have to change if we are going to survive.

whenever our local beaches and their usage

the beach driver. If beach drivers are to continue

Poachers are thieves are stealing from all of us

are being challenged. I would like to especially

to exist, then they are going to have to modify past

and speeders and those driving dangerously

thank Mr. Johnny French, who has fought tooth

behaviors and one of these behaviors is that they

and/or in the dunes are not only endangering

and nail for these issues to be on the ballot. He

are going to HAVE TO SLOW DOWN.

those around them as individuals but they are also

also did a wonderful job of keeping the saltwater

The vehicle and driver involved in this collision

endangering our continued rights to utilize these

fishing community informed throughout the whole

apparently exhibited some dangerously unsafe

precious areas. Protect your beach use rights by

process. Congratulations on good work well done.

driving behavior while traveling through camps

reporting violators.

There was a head-on collision on the beach

located farther south prior to the accident and

You know it occurs to me frequently that I am

100 yards south of the pavement’s end on PINS

in at least one case exhibited some real bad

an ol’ time story teller and a fishing guide and I

on October 29. A rented SUV pulling a jet ski

manners to go along with it. Had Park Rangers

would sure rather be writing about fishing and

on a trailer at excessive speed in broad daylight

been notified by cell phone at that time they may

experiences we’ve had recently than writing the

drifted across the beach front near large camps

well have intercepted him before the collision

type material in my past two articles but the reality

and hit longtime beach fisherman, Allen Ricketts.

took place. Get the license number and a vehicle

of it is that it must be done and who else is there

Allen was headed down the beach in his pickup,

description and report speeders and other

to do it. The Gulf Coast Connections crew is the

luckily no one was seriously injured but the

dangerous and inappropriate behavior to 361-949-

only outfit I know of that realizes how important

potential can instantly be realized. Sooner or

8173. Cell phones will typically work from atop

it is to attempt to get the message across and is

later vehicles are going to slow down on PINS

most of the tall fore dunes all along the beach.

willing to give me the space to do it. Heck, winter

one way or another. Personally I wholeheartedly

You may have to try several times or even from

is upon us and I’m supposed to be telling y’all to

hope it is through our own efforts and not those

2 or 3 different locations but usually you can get

move the lure s-l-o-w-l-y in every paragraph. Ha.

of regulatory organizations.

a call out. If I am in the area, feel free to stop me

Happy Holidays and remember life is a hoot if you

and I’ll be happy to a make a call on my satellite

let it be. Be Courteous, Be Careful, Be Kind!

It’s interesting to me how so many things keep

CAPT. BILLY SANDIFER

Billy operates Padre Island Safaris.

His specialties are fishing for sharks to specks in the Padre Island surf and bayfishing for trout and redfish from a poled skiff.

Interestingly we saw lots of red snapper dead on the beach.

Contact Billy Sandifer Telephone 361-937-8446 Website www.billysandifer.com A gas mask reduces respitory irritation during red tides.

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

25

Part Two We left off last month as we were winging over Cook Inlet headed to Big River Lakes. The Beaver made a perfect landing in typical Alaskan weather for early September; foggy drizzle with a 50% chance of heavy stuff, the mercury had settled to a numbing 48 degrees. The ceiling was probably less than 1000 feet… break out the breathable waders and slicker jackets. Fingerless fishing gloves are a good idea too.

We taxied across the lake and deplaned onto a small makeshift dock. Through rain spattered binoculars we could make out another boat working a marshy shoreline with four anglers aboard. Two of them were battling heavy fish. I think the weatherman should have gone ahead and said 100% chance; the heavens opened like a waterfall as we were unloading our gear.

Despite the downpour and less than balmy temperatures, we eagerly stowed gear in the aluminum boat and took a seat while our guide cranked the outboard and headed us toward something I wasn’t expecting. The main lake he told us was nearly twenty feet deep as we skimmed over the emerald green surface, but the cove he motored into became very shallow and gin clear. Cutting the motor he poled us toward a streak of colored water that was roiled by wakes we would associate with redfish in Texas.

Firing a fluorescent pink Vibrax spinner a yard in front of a wake brought an instant thump… Fish On! Now an eight pound redfish can put up a dandy fight on light tackle; no doubt about it. But let me tell you; a twelve-

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

pound male silver gives the whole shallow water angling experience another meaning. These guys are bad to the bone and we wrestled them until our arms ached!

The area was filled with standing the silver spawn was well underway at Big grass and choked with reeds and other River Lakes. Note the reddish color, these fish were soon to die but still plenty game. aquatic growth; perfect spawning grounds, and nearly impossible to thread a bucking salmon through. The fish the story because he was either running out were plentiful and the hookups frequent; of spinners or tired of tying knots. But hey, break-offs and straightened hooks, though, you have to trust your guide. were our nemesis. Landing every third or The guide was right, we soon had fish in fourth one is a decent average. threes and fours following our lures from The really unique thing about this fishery behind boulders and rising from tangles of is that the fish we were hooking, despite sunken logs. After landing at least a dozen their violent strikes, were not feeding. apiece we leaned our rods on the gunwale Salmon, at this stage of their spawning and opened a Thermos of black coffee and process, have already given up eating as dunked oatmeal raisin cookies while our they are preparing to die soon after they companions for the day continued the battle. lay their eggs. The strikes, we learned, Pam used the package the cookies came in were instinctive. Buzzing and ripping the to keep the rain off her camera. Even in the spinners right at the surface was the key, it cold rain I felt a snooze coming on. Alaska is seemed the disturbance was what set them indeed a fisherman’s dream come true. off. You have no idea how badly I wished A ruckus in the boat jarred me from my I’d brought a She Dog or a Super Spook. If drowsiness; a large black bear had wandered that little spinner could get them going, out of the woods and decided he too wanted just imagine what a big obnoxious topwater to do some fishing. His fishing spot was less might have done. than 20-yards from where our boat rested After two hours of near non-stop against an old spruce snag. Don’t you know mayhem, our guide suggested we might the memory stick would be full? By the time want to try the other end of the lake. “A we got it swapped and wiped the raindrops clear stream runs in through a huge gravel from the lens, he had his fish and was deposit and the fish just love it there. You headed back to wherever bears relax and can watch them whack the lure right under eat. Too bad, he was a good specimen, and the boat in eight feet of water,” he urged. the salmon flopping in his jaws would have Leaving this spot seemed ridiculous and I made an awesome photograph. couldn’t help but think he was embellishing Sleep came early and day four dawned

December 2006

much clearer but not one degree warmer.

The plan for the day was motorboat fishing on the middle section of the Kenai River. We were happy to see the sun and we actually fished the better part of the day in fleece jackets and then shirt sleeves, but the early boat ride was the type that makes you sit backwards, snuggled into your jacket. Even the memory of it makes me shiver.

Our guide was every bit the river man as Eric was the master of the sea up at Seward.

Billy is barely old enough to order his own beer, but don’t let that fool you. He grew up on the Kenai and cut his teeth fishing from the boats tied at his grandparent’s dock.

That’s how he met the Bergs. Before they got their own place, Rod and Randy ran their charters from Billy’s folk’s camp. I got a kick out of his story — pestering them as a small boy to take him along as a deckhand on king and silver trips.

Billy was on his twenty-something day straight. He said he hadn’t missed a day in nearly a month. The second silver run was fast approaching its climax and a river guide has to make his living while the fishing is good. His plan was to run every charter the Bergs could bring him before the fish played out. Then he’d get plenty time to rest up and maybe do a little sheep and moose hunting before winter set in; talk about a great life!

This kid was awesome. All those days in a row had filled his memory banks with the kind of stuff it takes to keep clients on fish. As soon as our rods stopped bending he’d move us. Every cove and every stretch

of slack water he took us to was at least as good as the ones we’d already fished. His knowledge of the fish and what to throw at them was impressive. We landed dolly vardon, rainbows and heavy silvers from sunup until well into afternoon. We caught our best rainbow of our Alaskan adventure with Billy. We couldn’t have asked for a better trip. And even though we’d landed a mountain of fish, he never once suggested we might want to call it a day. Finally, we cried uncle.

Back at camp, our neighbors were at it again, sitting in the moored boats and chunking baits into the current. Flashes of silver told of the thousands of fish making their way upriver. The action wasn’t frantic, but steady enough that we fooled with them until it was almost dark and the fillets were simmering in the pit. There is nothing quite like a day on the Kenai followed by three glasses of merlot and a belly full of halibut and cobbler to get you sawing logs.

Day five dawned clear and what a plane ride we had. Our destination was Lost Lake for rainbows and a short hike over to Crescent Lake for grayling. Our pilot gave us more than our money’s worth, circling and gliding above every jagged peak and talus slope along the way. At each bank of the Beaver we were greeted with Dall’s sheep, mountain goats and black bears. We would have been happy to remain aloft all day, but we were in Alaska to fish.

These lakes are situated on a divide.

The water from each goes its own direction

December 2006

and the fisheries are separate. There are no grayling in Lost Lake and there are no rainbows in Crescent. The bar our plane taxied to was awash in crystal water running down from the snow pack and the rainbows feeding there reminded me of a hatchery I visited as a boy, except these fish were wild.

Our guide set Pam and me up with light spinning gear and Berkley Gulp grubs on tiny jigs. I had no idea rainbows in Alaska had already learned about Gulp baits. The other couple who were along broke out their fly gear.

Pam and I took off wading down the bar, fishing and landing rainbows to three pounds like we’d been doing it all our lives.

The fly guys got busy with their long rods and soon found the pattern the fish wanted.

Everybody had a ball with them. The best of the day’s catch taped an honest 24 inches and showed a feisty disposition.

Having worked our way at least a halfmile down the shore, and with our Gulp lures chewed until they wouldn’t stay on the hooks, we were most pleased to find a spinner and small spoon some hapless angler had lost in a large overhanging bush.

Happily re-armed, we fished on until our guide whistled us back to a shore lunch of smoked salmon and croissant rolls washed down with hot chocolate. Yeah, we had it tough up there!

The trek to Crescent Lake was pleasant.

Hiking in our waders got the blood flowing back to our feet. Mountain lake water in

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

27

Alaska is cold, even when you’re wearing two layers of fleece and wool socks.

Grayling are a curious fish; at least they seemed so to us. They are hard-bodied compared to rainbow trout and feel very muscular, almost like a mullet in your hand. Grayling have the largest scales of anything we caught in Alaska. They have a huge dorsal fin and forked tail that no doubt contribute to their fighting ability and speed. Their small mouths reminded us of bonefish.

We spent nearly an hour without a bite until we worked into a small cove where a hatch was emerging. Dimples on the surface sent our fly-casting companions digging for large moth-like dries and we began shallow jigging our spinners, bringing them to the top and letting them flutter down only a foot or two before flicking them back to the surface… Bingo, it was on!

The drone of our taxi climbing through the mountains and skiing toward us brought an end to the action. We were anxious to get airborne and back to the cabin for another fine meal and our beds.

We dined on pan sautéed rainbow and grayling along with stir-fried veggies and garlic toast. A couple cognacs and it was lights out at Bergs Landing.

Our final day was spent in a drift boat on the Upper Kenai. The drive to Cooper Landing takes about 40 minutes. Drift boats, if you’ve never seen one, are not ordinary craft. Both the bow and the stern are pointed and turn upward; kind

28

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

of reminding you of an El Pescador, like we see around here; except on both ends. I would have to assume these river drifters learned long ago that both ends have to capable of slicing through choppy rapids, as even skilled oarsmen get twisted around at times.

The Upper Kenai is an incredible fishery, known for all the species that come up from the ocean to spawn, as well as those that call the river home. Our targets for the day were rainbows, dollies and silvers. Our tackle was light spinning gear. Spinners work well here, as do small spoons and some twitch baits. Many of the salmon have already spawned and when their eggs are drifting in the current, a glass bead rigged above a tiny egg hook is a killer. The trick is to sort through your colors until you find the one they like. The eggs, depending how long they’ve been adrift, grow pale in color, changing from dark red to light orange. You can throw the wrong one all day and never get a bite. Our guide held the first rainbow we caught head-down and massaged its stomach until it gave up a couple eggs it had recently swallowed. He dug around and matched the color and we soon found plenty bites.

The scenery along the Upper Kenai is nothing short of awe inspiring. It is sometimes difficult to put your camera down long enough to fish. We saw bald eagles soaring on the thermals and resting on rock outcrops and snaggly tree tops. There are lots of bears, and some are the dangerous brown kind Alaska is famous for. It is a good

idea to carry binoculars and a telephoto lens to capture all there is to see. Dall’s sheep can be spotted above the timber line on most every mountainside.

Our guide did a fine job of getting us safely downriver and we had another super day of catching. We did well on rainbows and dollies during the early part of our day and the silvers were plentiful near the landing where we took out. The Upper Kenai is definitely a “must do” if you want to experience everything this river has to offer.

Returning to our cabin and packing for our departure was one of those happysad things. For six days this had been our home; six days of having our senses and our imaginations fueled by the continuous wonderment of what we might encounter next. Maybe you are thinking we hit just right, but I don’t believe that was the case.

We endured some literally horrid weather to make the fishing happen. There had been too many good things strung together; nobody can be so constantly lucky. I’m chalking it up to being in an awesome place and in the care of a first-class outfitter and great guides. Fishing with Rod and Randy Berg’s Rod-n-Real Alaskan Fishing Charters set us up for a trip of a lifetime.

When we were up at Seward to fish

December 2006

Resurrection Bay with Eric, Pam got the bright idea that we needed something to do Sunday morning as our flight did not depart Anchorage until late afternoon. Wandering through the town like true tourists we happened into the office of an outfit that takes people on nature and glacier tours.

Now I have to tell you, this was all her idea. She didn’t exactly have to drag me screaming and kicking, so we’ll just say it wasn’t my first choice. Let me tell you I picked a winner with that redhead. We capped our Alaskan adventure with a glacier cruise aboard one of the Kenai Fjord Tour catamarans. You could never grasp the enormity and magnificence of a glacier until you are motored to within a couple hundred yards of one of these colossal beasts. I use the term beast because it is moving and it makes noise as if it were alive. Prior to this experience, I had heard people talk of the glaciers groaning and creaking as they slide ever-so-slowing into the sea, but what actually goes on across the face of a an ice field like the Aialik Glacier is just flat too much for words.

Should you decide to give Rod and Randy a call to schedule an Alaskan dream fishing adventure, save a day for the glaciers, even though it wasn’t my first choice, it is the perfect finishing touch for your adventures in The Great Land!

December 2006

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29

coast and found their noisemaking ability to be very attractive to fish. The spoon can be fluttered along the bottom, creating sound and vibration, as well as that telltale “dust puff” whenever it touches a soft bottom that makes the bait look so different noisemaking devices placed in the lures realistic. we purchase today? Someone asks this question What all of these lures have in common almost everyday; and it has become so common are rattle chambers which create varying that I sometimes pose the question to my fishing levels of noise. There are so many clients before they even get the chance to ask it. companies now making such a wide variety The reason is simple; rattles work and we need of noisemaking lures that choosing one can higher or lower volumes of rattle for different be hard. My recommendation is to choose a weather and water conditions. lot of them.

I along with many other well-known guides Any serious saltwater angler should have been very fortunate to work with the L&S Bait Dangling a soft plastic under a cork can be just always have at his or her disposal a wide the ticket for fish that will blow up on a topwater Company over the years helping them develop and varied arsenal of baits that make some but won’t take it. Like a surface plug, the cork their line of saltwater lures. L&S is better known makes the noise and surface commotion to type of noise.

Every manufacturer has his to fishermen as the manufacturer of the famed attract them. The soft plastic hanging in their own proprietary system which creates a Mirrrolure line. This company has deep roots in face is often more than they can resist. little higher or lower pitched rattle. “Clack” the saltwater lure business. I still have some of the is a better word when describing the noise original 51 MR series that we tested and all of my replace the cork if it should become damaged by some of these lures make. Whatever your choice, original Top Dogs. feeding fish that are not on the line. Many are the there is a time and place for each and every one.

The original Top Dog has spawned the Top Dog times when one fish is hooked and the dragging Some of the noisemakers we use to catch fish Jr., Top Pup, She Dog, Poppa Dog, He Dog and cork is completely inhaled by yet another feeding are actually separate components of a system we She Pup. There are also the suspending series; fish in the school. put together ourselves. The rattling cork is a good Catch 2000, Catch 2000 Jr. and the Catch 5 lures.

I prefer the cigar-shaped corks because they example and has been a mainstay for bait anglers The newest of the suspending twitch baits from L&S cast better with my lighter tackle. For years I used and lure enthusiasts alike for many years. Today we Mirrolure are the 19MR and the 17MR series. All of the Mauler rigs with great success but have gotten can find them in just about every size, shape and these lures contain noisemakers. away from them for a while. We should never forget color that one could imagine. Rattling type corks John Nemire of Nemire Lures is making one those tactics that once worked so well. There are are employed to add surface activity as well as of the best rattling spoons on the market today. I so many lures we use to throw that caught fish, yet noise. The combination of these two factors draws have used these spoons in just about every fishery somehow we have managed to forget about them fish to the area where we have our bait. along the entire Gulf as others became available. So many lures, so The Mauler type cork has been a popular little time. float rig for both bait and lures anglers along On any given day, reaching back into time for the middle and lower Texas coast for years. the lures and rigs of yesterday may well make the Sid Walsh gave me my difference between success and defeat. I saw first Mauler rig almost 20 friend and fellow fishing guide Cliff Webb catch a years ago. The mauler great fish on a mauler rig for us on a tough day a had real glass beads few years back in water that looked like a chocolate and a heavy stainless milkshake. It was his knowledge that put him in the steel wire to create a area where the fish were, but it was the noise of the terrific sound, and cork that brought the fish to the bait. through the quality Again, many companies make rattling corks and of these components Mauler-styled float rigs so you have lots of choices. was a very durable Likewise we should also remember that we can product. Today Bass add noisemakers to our soft plastic lures as well.

Assassin makes a fine Rattle implants (worm rattles) are available in most cork of the Mauler style all tackle stores and they can be found in a range of called a Kwik Cork. This tones and volumes of noise they create. Some are Here’s a nice assortment of noisemakers. From the topproduct has a nickel made of glass, some are made of plastic, and some clockwise: Rapala’s Skitterwalk, Mann’s Baby 1-Minus, Mirrolure’s titanium wire with beads are made of aluminum. It is more work and cost for Catch-5, Mirrolure’s Top Dog, Pradco’s Spittin’ Image. that allows the angler to

Why are there so many

30

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

31

downright dirty, almost chalky, I will choose the 83-series She Dog. Mirrolure calls these the High Pitch series.

This bait is loud and offensive, but it works in the nasty stuff for me. For day in day out usage, the 84-series Top Dog Jr is hard to beat. It has a more subtle clack that seems work best for me most of the time. When I get real skinny and the water is clear and calm, Rattles are everywhere these days; John the 74-series Top Pup Nemire’s Red Ripper spoons have rattles and we sometimes insert rattles in our is the better choice if favorite baits that don’t have them. we need to stay on top.

The clack is a sharper yet lighter noise, which the angler, but that noise, no matter how slight, can appears to spook less under these conditions. be the difference between getting strikes and not.

When chunking suspending type plugs, I like You notice that I have stated that noise CAN the 22-series Catch 2000 Jr and the 5M-series be the difference between strikes and no strikes.

Catch 5. We also do well with the Tsunami Big Boy Noise at times, can also spook fish so the ability to and Corky rattling series baits. I employ these lures observe and interpret the situation of the day is of when fishing scattered mud/shell/grass, whenever extreme importance. there is a presence of LOTS of baitfish. I like to get Now that we have mentioned some of the the baits under the rafts of actual bait and the noise noisemakers available to us, let us talk a little about created by the lure draws the fish to it. When there where and when one should use noise-making are hundreds of choices we need not necessarily tactics. Right off the bat I think of off-colored what imitates the baitfish the closest, but put water conditions. These conditions are typically something out there that is different and draw them accompanied by high winds; both high wind and to that. It could be that the difference is what the dirty water would give us good reason to use a lure predator singles out. that makes some noise.

For shallow, calm, clear stuff with little structure, I like the 94-series Top Dog lures in the offI believe we have to go small and away from colored stuff and the chop if I am throwing top clacks and over to clicks. The smaller 19-series waters. Most of you know that topwater baits are Mirrominnow and 17-series Mirrodine can achieve not typically my go to bait on a year ‘round basis this desired noise along with a smaller meal offering. but I do throw them during the cooler months of NEVER think that big trout and big reds only eat big the year. The 94 series has a deeper clack and for bait. I believe the current State Record spotted sea me it works well under the above conditions. If it is trout and a documented 15-pound class fish were both caught on baits 4 inches or less in length!

When fishing shallow, off-colored water, I like to throw Bass Assassins, 5-inch or 7-inch, rigged on a Mustad Tru-Turn hook with a rattle inserted into the plastic. This is a great setup for stalking big trout. I have seen many times when the lure with the rattle totally outperforms those without. Jigheads with rattles such as the Rockport Rattler have also proven to be effective under these 32

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

types of conditions.

As for the rattling cork and the Mauler type rigs, these should be used when feeding conditions or water conditions warrant. Dirty water is an obvious condition where they work well. These rigs are also effective in good water conditions when the fish are attracted to the surface commotion and noise, but not to the point to where they want to come to the surface and eat.

Let me try to clear this up for you a little. You are wading a shoreline throwing your favorite topwater. The water is clean and you have a considerable amount of bait activity over your chosen structure. Pushes, pops and even massive blow-ups are being encountered but hook-ups are almost non-existent. To me this is the ideal time to rig up a Mauler rig and duplicate the noise and surface commotion of a topwater that draws the fish within striking range, but now that fish has a soft plastic bait sitting right in front of him.

It is also worth mentioning that one might want to select a rod with a little more backbone when throwing any of the rattling cork rigs. The weight and, more importantly, the water resistance created by the cork, are going to require a heavier stick.

You’ll find the heavier stick helps deliver solid hooksets when the need arises to overcome that weight and resistance. The new Waterloo MAG 3 is a highly sensitive 6’6” stick that delivers a punch when the money is on the line. The Waterloo HP Slam and HP Slam Mag in 6’6” will also perform beautifully with these rigs.

The cork thing works, harder on our arms and back, but it works. I know of a good many FLW Redfish teams and Redfish Cup teams that put this strategy to winning use in last year’s events when the conditions warranted this technique. Noise is not everything all the time, but it has been a proven fish attractant. The next time you find yourself on the bay and the fish seem to be in a major funk, MAKE SOME NOISE and see what happens.

December 2006

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33

I broke my first fly rod

back in 1979. It was an 8 ft. Garcia 6-weight, out of the package barely a week. A slippery cypress root on the banks of Onion Creek near Austin took me and the Garcia down one afternoon while I was putting the stalk on a trophy sucker (believe me, Onion Creek was a world class sucker fishery). I shook off the slimy scuff marks but was horrified to see the rocks had left my new fly rod looking like a folded tent pole. I was devastated. And so, from those humble origins my long and fruitful career in fly fishing and fly rod breaking began.

Over the years I’ve caught my share of fish, and broken more than my share of fly rods. I’ve busted them in car doors, on ceiling fans, and in the forks of trees. I once magically broke a fly rod while pulling it out of the carry case, got it fixed, and on the next trip crushed it under an Igloo cooler… that poor rod. I lost a handle off one rod to black mold, and a friend’s brittany pup chewed the handle off another during a dove hunt. One unfortunate 7-weight got body-slammed by a Tpost driver in the back of a ranch truck (that one was just plain ugly).

At least I’ve never broken anyone else’s fly rod (as far as they know), and lately my track record seems to be improving. This is due in part to today’s tougher tackle, but it’s mostly due to years of heartbreaking and expensive mistakes that taught me the importance of correctly handling and storing my stuff. So, let me share with you a few equipment storage lessons I have learned the hard way, beginning with the simple rod tube.

aren’t too cumbersome and offer a good Rod tubes balance of convenience and protection. Carry are a fly rod’s cases do have some limitations though. One best friend disadvantage is that if you step on the padded and worst pouch end that shrouds your reel, you could enemy. Made break off the reel handle or damage the reel of aluminum, seat. And, because a fly rod might come in and plastic, and Damage to cork grip from out of a carry case many times during the course reinforced abrasive edges of poly of a day, sand and other abrasive materials can leather or nylon, tube rod holders. find their way in to the lined tube where they the purpose of vibrate against the rod and damage its finish. a tube is to provide protection for fly rods during The biggest risk to the rod, though, is when it transport. They do this quite efficiently. But there is being slid in or out of the carry case. If the are several pitfalls associated with tubes. First, ferrules are slid at an angle, or if the rigged fly is most rod tubes are round, so if a good-intentioned inadvertently pushed inside the tube, they can angler pulls them out of the truck and sticks them snag on the liner and pinch the rod causing the on a boat, the tubes rattle and roll on the floor tip to snap. Trust me… it can easily happen. like an empty bean can — all day long. And, the Still, carry cases are versatile and work well for round tubes are a slip hazard. Tubes bundled their intended purpose. From the carry case we together, or tubes with square outer shells solve move to the third type of protective device — the some of the noise and slip problem. But the fly rod holder. biggest problem with most tubes is that they are Fly rod holders come airtight. They trap moisture. Moisture in all shapes and sizes but sealed in a rod tube will quickly mildew, they are not all created soften, and corrode the components of equal. When considering a fly rod. For this reason, NEVER store purchasing a fly rod a damp or dirty rod in a tube, even holder, think first about for a short period of time. And, if you what sort of punishment, choose to keep fly rods in a tube for an vibration, bouncing, and extended period of time, open the cap rotating the fishing vessel and make sure the tube can breathe. will be subjected to. For Otherwise, your eyes and your nose example — a Scotty rod may be in for an unpleasant surprise The Scotty fly rod holder is a great choice when you finally pop open the top. holder — safe, reliable, and indestructable. for a kayak, as is the rod The rod tube’s easy-going cousin holder built by Tite-lok is the carry case. Carry cases started and carried by Creative Feathers Studio. But, showing up about 15 years ago. I love them. neither is the best choice for safely securing a While a rod tube can only handle disassembled rod to a vehicle bouncing down the beach all day fly rod ferrules, a carry case allows an angler long. Padded, magnetic, T-bracket rod holders to store a broken down fully rigged rod/reel/line designed to secure rods at the base and midway combo without having to unstring and unscrew up the ferrule work better for super-rough vessels everything. Their design makes carry cases like beach vehicles. Believe it or not, a square handy for pond-jumping, extended float trashcan with a padded rim works pretty well too. trips, or fishing from a boat or vehicle that Most premium flats boats come equipped is not equipped with fly rod holders. They (Left) Corrosion damage due to poor cleaning and moisture trapped in a sealed rod tube.

Fly Rod Storage Cases (from left) PVC rod tube, cordura covered rod tube, aluminum rod tube, single carry case, double carry case.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

(Right) Milk crate fly rod holder — simple, effective, and highly underrated.

December 2006

with built-in rod holders. Run-of-the-mill boats do not, so an aftermarket holder needs to be attached. Boat-mounted fly rod holders can get a bit tricky too. Some designs, like inexpensive plastic tubes modified with deep slits in them, seem like an easy solution.

But, the slits have a tendency to eat away at the base of the cork grip on large rods. And, when these holders are mounted on the side of a console, care should be taken to ensure the rod ferrules have ample clearance and do not rattle against the grab rails. iFly manufactures a nice fly rod holder that will safely hold most rods, even big offshore rods. The iFly unit is a tube with a wide and smooth channel cut in it to accept the reel seat. It has a rotating upper sleeve that surrounds and secures the ferrule.

Next to a safe appropriate design, consider ease of use. Is the rod holder convenient and accessible? How difficult is it to add/ remove rods to the holder? Do the fly rods mounted in the holder get in the way of casting, driving, paddling, or moving around the vessel? Will the tips of the rods bang against low overhead objects or do the rods stick out where they can be easily snagged and pinched by a mangrove or boat dock? These are the types of questions you should be asking yourself before you start drilling holes.

No doubt, rod tubes, carry cases, and fly rod holders can protect and extend the life of your tackle. But you should keep in mind each piece of equipment is designed for a particular purpose.

Recognizing this early on will help you spend more time fishing and less money on repairs and maintenance.

Boat-mounted fly rod holders fabricated from slitted poly tubes.

‌CONTINUED ON PG. 36

Choosing the right book to learn how to tie saltwater fly patterns can often be confusing. Some books are merely pattern catalogues, others include recipes, and a handful focus on specific techniques or materials. Tying Contemporary Saltwater Flies, by David Klausmeyer covers it all. Tying Contemporary Saltwater Flies showcases a huge variety of saltwater patterns and illustrates through brilliant photographs how to tie many of them, including shrimp, crabs, squid, epoxy baitfish, and more. Klausmeyer’s clear color plates bring out the art and beauty of saltwater flies and his careful attention to detail unravels the mystery behind many tying techniques. Whether you are a beginner or experienced fly tyer, I think you will find Tying Contemporary Saltwater Flies enlightening, useful, and highly enjoyable.

Tying Contemporary Saltwater Flies

By David Klausmeyer 152 pp. The Countryman Press. $45.00 December 2006

ISBN: 0-88150-524-2 Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

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…CONTINUED FROM PG. 35

This month’s fly is a simple

legs, monofilament, dubbing, and a piece of clear plastic sandwich bag.

but lifelike shrimp pattern that is a

throwback of sorts to a time when saltwater fly tying was not dominated by epoxies,

Although Art’s Shrimp is easy to tie, the finished appearance of the fly is really impressive, so it is a pattern that beginning tyers can master quickly.

super glues, and luminescent materials.

The fly, Art’s Shrimp, is credited to noted fly tyer and writer Art Scheck. Scheck has been tying his shrimp pattern for years and it has a design basic to many crustacean patterns- large black eyes, ribbed

When submerged, Art’s Shrimp really awakens.

Best of all, it catches fish! Art’s Shrimp is a good choice for fishing around shallow channel drops and edges, over grass beds, or under lights at night. With the addition of a mono weed guard (not shown) Art’s Shrimp is also effective on the

carapace, and tentacles (features fish key on). The materials used in the fly are also basic and readily available — rubber

flats. Good colors include light brown, olive, chartreuse, pink, and white.

7

5

8

6

9

Hook- Mustad 34011 or equivalent long shank #8 through 1/0 Thread- Clear nylon mono Eyes- Burned 60 lb. mono colored with black nail polish Antennae- Round rubber or flat silicone legs Head- Craft fur or synthetic dubbing Ribbing- 20-30 lb mono Body- Dubbed craft fur or synthetic dubbing Shell- Clear plastic film (report cover or sandwich bag) colored with perm markers 36

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

1. Attach small tuft of tail material. 2. Attach burned mono eyes and 2 rubber legs to top of hook shank. 3. Attach mono ribbing material on bottom of hook shank. 4. Form a dubbing loop and spin in body material. 5. Palmer the dubbing loop to front of hook but do not crowd the eye. 6. Cut a slender tapered section of clear plastic film and shade with marker. 7. Tie in colored film behind eye. 8. Carefully spiral the mono ribbing around body and toward hook eye. Secure mono, tie off thread and cement head. 9. Pick out body fibers using Velcro hooks or bodkin needle.

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37

give the fish one last mighty pull. Quickly Al got

barb of your She Dog’s treble hanging on to old

the net and tried to get the fish into it. Covering

yellow mouth.

the fish’s head with the net, the two wrestled the beast into the boat and heaved a sigh as it hit the

It was a typical Monday and two buddies at work were describing their big weekend. Craig and Al started early Saturday morning leaving their homes in Bay City and East Bernard with bait collected from perch traps on Friday afternoon. The South Texas duo planned a day of “catfish huntin” on the Brazos River.

After setting numerous limb lines in the morning, the pair came back and found a limb at their favorite spot pulling harder than a toddler at Toys ‘R’ Us. The boys proceeded to pull up the tugging fish and instantly realized that this was no ordinary fish, it was THE fish. Al scrambled to get the net while Craig untied the line. The fish headed for deep water and started pulling the boat towards the center of the river. Craig took several wraps of line around his hand and began to pull the beast from the river’s muddy depths.

After 20 minutes of tug-o-war, the water’s surface began to boil. A massive tail arose and sent a shower of water into the boat. Drenched, Al yelled for Craig to muster all his strength and

johnboat’s deck.

The two warriors suddenly felt sadness for

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

is nothing more than people fueling their

the old fish and with a quick glance in each

ego, I agree that there is a part of me that is

other’s eyes, knew what to do. The two quickly

competitive and wants to pit my skills against

lifted the fish and put it back into the water. As

others and relive my “victory” on Monday

the fish swam off, the duo gave each other a high

morning. If that is ego, I have it.

five and realized they had just released the fish

Let’s face it; we live in a competitive society.

of a lifetime and had etched into their minds a

We grow up competing on little league teams

story to share again and again.

and as we get older we root for our kids on their little league teams or for our favorite pro teams.

Now I don’t tell this story because I am going to start fishing the Catfish Cup next year, but it made me think about the reasons people fish,

American society is competitive. From work to leisure, competing is the American way.

Now it has been a while since I have been on

different types of fishing and the reasons we

a sports team and I am not sure I could compete

keep going back to the water. From bank fishing

very well anymore in the traditional sports.

with a cane pole to fly fishing from a poling

Earlier this year after volunteering to umpire

skiff everyone has their favorite way to fish. No

my son Connor’s little league game, 5 innings

particular fishing type is better than another

of “umpire squat” left my legs so sore, that I

because everyone has their own view of what

could not even step up on our Xtreme’s casting

they like the best. Personally, I grew up wade

platform for 3 days.

fishing and learned to love being in the fish’s

Fishing on the other hand is a sport in which

environment. There is nothing like landing the

I am confident and can actively participate. I

big one at close quarters when you see only one

do not have to sit on the sidelines and root for

The perfect fish during prefishing will only add up to frustration if they are not there on tournament day.

38

I also admit I enjoy tournament fishing.

Having heard people say tournament fishing

Don’t lose sight of what is most important in your quest. Take time to be with your family and let them enjoy time on the water with you.

December 2006

Getting a TV crew on your boat will get you a few minutes of fame.

Sometimes weather really makes one question, “Why are we out here doing this?”

my favorite team (The Fightin’ Texas Aggies),

1 hour left on Day-2, our bite

but I can be in the game. Seeing how well I

started. We quickly caught a fish

do against others pushes me to do better and

and I wanted to move over to our

try harder. Taking time to ensure every detail

second spot to pickup another

is laid out prior to tournaments: retying knots,

fish. The spot was a short idle

respooling reels, checking all items on my boat to

away, but to save time I decide

fuels my desire? Well if it is; so be it, at least I

ensure that a breakdown is eliminated is a ritual I

to get on plane. Just as the boat was getting on

admit it. I love the competition and being able to

have come to look forward to.

plane, it ran upon a reef. Now this was not just

be the best at something even for a short moment

your ordinary get out of the boat and push kind of

of time will make me continue to work for my 15

stuck, it took us over an hour to move our boat 5

minutes of fame.

For me, tournaments are not just about leaving, catching two fish and coming home.

yards. Needless to say, we were DQ’ed on Day-

Tournaments are about finding the RIGHT fish

2. After that, I vowed never to be late again.

and getting them home. Last year, I made two major mistakes. In my first Redfish Cup

Making it to the top can be shortlived, but worth the work.

Are tournament fisherman any different that most other fishermen? Based on my buddies’

This year in our first Redfish Cup in Florida,

story and others that I have heard, I would say

tournament, I was fortunate enough to make the

we made a 60 mile run north of Clearwater. I

no. Down deep we are competitive and want

Top-5 and fish on Day-3. That day, we had 2

have always been told to catch two fish and be

to be able to say we are the best at something

fish die and those dead fish cost us 2nd place

happy in Florida. The first day we had our two

even for a short period. I believe most

and $5000. I had learned a valuable lesson in

fish early and as it came time to leave, we decide

fishermen would enjoy tournament fishing and

fish care.

we had to try one more spot to upgrade our

the competition and camaraderie it brings. For

Later in the year, in the FLW Galveston

fish. That extra time pushed us too close to the

2007, fuel that competitive desire and admit you

Tournament we had made a long run and were

edge and we were late to weigh in. Something

would like to try a tournament. Sign up for one,

fishing a lake littered with oyster reefs. Our

I swore not to do again. Our team had started

try to grab your 15 minutes of fame and don’t

bite was at the end of each day and with about

the first day of the first tournament in one of the

be afraid to admit you like it. There is nothing

toughest places to fish by DQ’ing our two fish.

wrong with that.

My frustration level was very high after only one day of fishing in 2006 and I will have to admit that in 2006 I had more lows than highs.

So here I sit at the end of the year and wonder why I put myself through this. Why continue the frustration and work for a few minutes of limited fame. Well the answer is in the catfish story. Just like my catfishing buddies who take pride in their catch and telling their story, I admit to wanting to win and share my story. I freely admit to There are very few teams that are consistently at the top.

Mike Shimek and Kurt Koliba are one of those teams.

December 2006

enjoying the competition and enjoy the feeling of doing well. Is it my ego that Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

39

Have you tried using

One particular detail is important here and that

if the 250 fish limit is reached. Current federal

circle hooks on natural bait for billfish? Well

is the term non-offset. Offset circle hooks did

minimum size limits for billfish are; Blue Marlin

if you haven’t, you might want to start. New

have a tendency to gut hook some fish, so the

99 inches lower jaw to fork in tail (LJFT), White

regulations from the National Marine Fisheries

offset hook was removed. No offset or kirbed

Marlin 66 inches LJFT and Sailfish 63 inches

Service (NMFS), Atlantic Highly Migratory

circle hooks may be used, only non-offset hooks

LJFT. Spearfish may not be retained — release

Species (HMS) Management Division’s new

such as the Mustad 39960D. Many fishermen

only. With the increase in the popularity of tag

Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) will require

have been unwilling to try circle hooks because

and release practices among marlin fishermen

the use of non-offset circle hooks in billfish

of the fear of a poor hook up ratio. However,

and the trend to release smaller billfish in most

tournaments effective January 2007. The rule

through the efforts of captains like Ron Hamlin in

tournaments, hopefully this quota will not present

only applies to vessels when they are deploying

Guatemala, new rigging and angling techniques

too much of a problem. In designing the rules

natural baits (live or dead) or natural bait/artificial

were developed that have circle hook catches

for our tournament, the Texas Legends Billfish

lure combinations (such as a ballyhoo rigged

on par with J-hooks and the bonus is that it’s a

Tournament, we recognized the importance

behind a lure). Only HMS permitted vessels are

lot better for the fish. Ron was one of the first

of tag and release many years ago and in the

affected, but if you are fishing for billfish, you are

captains to exclusively use circle hooks on his

past eight years we have only weighed two

required to have an HMS permit, so basically

boat and his success has prompted many other

blue marlin. We pioneered the concept of a

it affects every boat fishing a tournament.

captains to follow his lead.

video release format so billfish releases could

All vessels fishing recreationally for and/or

Another regulation affecting marlin fishermen

retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory

will be the limiting of

Species (Atlantic tunas, Sharks, Swordfish and

marlin landings to 250

Billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the

marlin per year. This will

Gulf of Mexico must obtain an HMS permit. For

also be effective January

more information on HMS permits go to www.

2007 and it is our

nmfspermits.com, the cost is $22.00 per year.

understanding it includes

be verified and fishermen could feel confident

blue and white marlin. If

40

The new circle hook ruling has come into

landings (bringing to the

play after several years of research documenting

dock) of marlin near the

the survival rates of tagged billfish using circle

250 fish limit, NMFS may

hooks vs. the traditional J-hook. Studies found

increase the minimum

that fish caught with circle hooks were much less

size limit to decrease the

likely to be gut hooked and their survival rate

landings. Landings may

was much higher than the J-hook caught fish.

be completely prohibited

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

December 2006

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41

entering a big money tournament without

that, and it should work for billfish too. We

weighing a fish at the dock.

were skeptical at first, but there is a growing number of fishermen enjoying success with this

– an electronic newsletter informing you of the latest HMS-related actions www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/ hms/newslist/

What does all of this mean? Well, if you

technique and I think all anglers who release fish

are just fun fishing, the circle hook rule doesn’t

want that fish to live to fight another day. Natural

apply to you. It’s only required during a

bait fishing with circle hooks is a way for us to

tournament and it’s only required when using

achieve this goal.

live or dead bait. Lure fishing is not included because lure hook-ups rarely deep hook fish,

If you have any questions about the Texas

plus it wouldn’t work on most conventional

Legends Billfish Tournament or would like to

lures. The circle hook concept requires the fish

learn more about big game fishing in the Gulf of

to hang on to the bait, trying to swallow it. As

Mexico, give us a call at Byrd & Cochrane

pressure is put on the hook by the angler, the

281-474-4000 or go to our website at

hook slips in the fish’s mouth and it eventually

www.byrd-cochrane.com.

ends up hanging in the corner of the jaw, where it does little harm to the fish.

When lure fishing most billfish will grab a lure, but quickly let go once they have figured out its not real, not enough time to allow a circle hook to do its thing.

So, you don’t have to throw away all of your hooks and run out and buy new ones just yet.

However, you may want to enter a billfish tournament one day and it would benefit you greatly if you were already familiar and confident fishing with circle hooks. You may want to start experimenting with different hook sizes and rigging techniques to see how they work. We all know it works for tarpon, there’s no argument about 42

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

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43

As 2006 comes to a close,

CCA Texas would like to thank all the members, sponsors, supporters and especially all the volunteers that have worked so hard to make 2006 a great year. 2006 has been a year of record fundraising, an all time high membership (51,700), continued chapter growth, hard

fought battles on the legislative front and continued funding of essential projects and research.

describing proper handling techniques for spotted seatrout release.

• Approved additional funding for water quality equipment for

southern flounder spawning studies by TPWD.

• Approved funding for tripletail research studies phase I & II to

be done by University of Texas Marine Science Institute.

• Approved funding for a marsh erosion abatement project with

the Galveston Bay Foundation.

CCA Texas membership & fundraising banquets enjoyed another great year due to a tremendous effort of local volunteers, supporters and donors. Your support and donations are the fuel that keeps CCA Texas on the move. Along with a great year in fundraising, CCA Texas’s membership experienced continued growth to reach a new high at

• Approved the partial funding for 12,000 copies of Saltwater

Fishing in Texas handbook to be published by TPWD.

• Funded TPWD summer intern for the Corpus Christi field

station

• Was at the forefront of the LNG battle that saw Louisiana Gov.

51,700. This growth was the result of increased renewals, new members

Kathleen Babineaux Blanco vetoed a liquefied natural gas terminal

and STAR tournament entries. Chapter growth continued in 2006

proposed by McMoRan Exploration that would have utilized open-

with new chapters being formed in Tyler/Longview (the Piney Woods

rack vaporization technology just 16 miles off Louisiana’s coast.

Chapter), Lufkin/Nacogdoches (East Texas Chapter), University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas Tech, Texas Christian University and Texas State.

CCA Texas continues to fight the good fight to conserve our coastal

• Was at the forefront of the LNG battle that saw ConocoPhillips

withdraw a permit application to operate an open-loop liquefied natural gas terminal 11 miles south of Dauphin Island, because

resources for future generations on a legislative level and for resource

Alabama Gov. Bob Riley remained firm on his pledge to protect

related projects. Your dollars spend at events and donated directly

the marine resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The result was the a

to CCA are crucial in the success of CCA Texas. Legislative battles

commitment and victory for conservation.

continue to be fought in Texas on fresh water inflows, LNG projects,

• Filed a motion for summary judgment that asks U.S. District

inland fisheries issues, offshore fisheries issues, habitat enhancement

Court in Houston to order the National Marine Fisheries Service to

and law enforcement. Projects in 2006 include the continued support of

establish significant regulations on shrimp trawl bycatch to recover

TPWD game wardens with enforcement equipment, habitat restoration

Gulf red snapper stocks.

projects, research and education grants, and fisheries management.

Without you, the member, sponsor, donor, volunteer and supporter, this great success would not be possible. From the volunteer leadership and staff of CCA Texas have a great holiday season and

For more information about CCA Texas, please visit www.ccatexas.org

wonderful fishing.

Did You Know

in 2006 CCA Texas on a state and national level…

• Funded TPWD coastal game wardens with over $35,000

dollars in equipment in the battle to enforce game regulations in the coastal waters of Texas. This equipment included night vision, radios, GPS, magnifier lenses and video cameras.

• Added an additional graduate scholarship to the marine

science curriculum at Texas A&M Corpus Christi, bringing the total to four at institutions in the State of Texas.

• Funded water quality equipment for southern flounder

spawning studies by TPWD.

• Funded the printing of 25,000 copies of brochures

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Field Notes

1) spotted seatrout and red drum, 2) no preference, 3) spotted seatrout, 4) red drum, 5) spotted seatrout, red drum and flounder, No, that’s not my Christmas wish list; it’s the top five responses to the question, “What kind of fish were you fishing for on today’s trip?” That’s one of the questions Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) staff ask on angler surveys (Figure 1). These particular data represent non-charter private boat anglers who fished in bays and passes. Nothing too surprising here; trout, reds and flounder, the “grand slam”, are the most popular bay fish along the Texas coast. These top four responses represent 92% of all responses from this type angler.

From these same angler survey data it can be seen that the three fishes most often targeted are indeed landed in large numbers (Figure 2). Tops in coastal landings are spotted seatrout. That’s expected because of their popularity and a 10-fish bag limit. Second are red drum (three fish limit), followed by sand trout (no bag limit), Atlantic croaker (no bag limit), southern flounder (ten fish limit), sheephead (five fish limit), and black drum (five fish limit). No surprises here either, most of these species are seen regularly at the cleaning tables.

What is not immediately recognizable in the survey data is what many of these fishes have in common.

Four of the top five ‘species sought’ responses are occupied by spotted seatrout and red drum, members of the same family, sciaenidae (sci-an-a-dee; from the Greek sciaen meaning “sea fish” and the Latin idae used to denote family names), the drum or croaker family.

Similarly, five of the top seven fish seen during angler surveys are from the same family; spotted seatrout, red drum, sand seatrout, Atlantic croaker, and black drum. Even more surprising is the proportion of all landings represented by these five fish: 74%! In other words three out of every four fish landed from Texas bays by non-charter sport anglers are sciaenids.

Bone remains found in Indian middens indicate that red drum, spotted seatrout, Atlantic croaker, black drum, 50

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

and other species were also enjoyed by native Texans thousands of years ago.

Sciaenidae is definitely the first family of Texas saltwater fishing.

There is more to this family of fish than can be seen at the cleaning table. H.

Dickson Hoese and Richard H. Moore, authors of a popular fish identification text, list 19 members of the sciaenid family occurring in our area. Of these 19 species 4 are apparently very rare in state waters, and the TPWD database contains only

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Spotted seatrout are the number one target species of recreational anglers in Texas.

16. In addition to those in our area already listed above, this family includes silver seatrout, southern whiting, Gulf kingfish, northern whiting, sand drum, banded drum, silver perch, star drum, cubbyu, reef croaker, spotted drum, and jackknife fish. The last three species are not present in the TPWD database of fish that have been collected during sampling. Photos and descriptions of many of these fish can be seen online at www.fishbase.org or in the Hoese and Moore text (H. D. Hoese and R. H. Moore. 1998. Fishes of the Gulf of Mexico: Texas, Louisiana, and Adjacent Waters. Texas A&M University Press).

Despite being present in our area several of these sciaenids are seldom seen by anglers because of their size, where they live, or their rarity. These include spot, sand drum, northern whiting, star drum, banded drum, cubbyu, jackknife fish, reef croaker, and spotted drum.

Some of these species are so uncommon many biologists seldom see them. Spot are common in the bays and move out in the fall with Atlantic croaker and southern flounder. Star drum and banded drum are common in the Texas Territorial Seas (Gulf state waters – from the beach out to 9 nautical miles), and in bays near passes and jetties.

Finally, there is one member of the family found in Texas freshwaters, the freshwater drum, or gasper goo. “Goo” are native to North and Central America where they are found in both rivers and lakes.

Other prominent members of this family not native to Texas waters are found on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Weakfish, a close relative of spotted seatrout, inhabit the waters off the east coast while corvina, another close relative of spotted seatrout, can be found off the eastern Pacific coasts of the United States and Mexico. Both of these species are prized sportfish. Corvina have also been introduced into The Salton Sea, a saline lake in southern California, and in Calaveras Lake near San Antonio. They are no longer found in Calaveras Lake but The Salton Sea remains a destination for anglers seeking this fish.

You have now been introduced to the sciaenid family tree. In the coming months and years, as you pursue your favorite catch, make it your business to become familiar with as many varieties of sciaenids as you can. They are an important piece of the ecological puzzle in Texas bays. And, although sciaenidae is a large family with more species in our area than any other family, it is only one family; there are many other family’s that contribute to the rich marine endowment we Texans enjoy. The more you know about this environment and its inhabitants, the more enjoyable your trips on the bay will be. Enjoy your holiday fishing and be safe on the bay.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Well, I’ve spent the last week

and a few days roaming around south Florida doing some kayak fishing. The Everglades were beautiful as usual and Captain Charles Wright is still in charge of that wonderful backcountry paradise for kayakers. The gators along Highway 41 were enjoying the warm midday sun. And the tarpon at Robbie’s were eating out of the hands of the tourists. Just another day in paradise.

Tonight I’m sitting on Little Torch Key at the edge of the water looking across Pine Channel. I thought maybe I’d have a few rum drinks and get a little Papa Hemmingway going for this month’s story, but alas the fishing on the full moon has been a bit tough and the weather hasn’t exactly cooperated either. So, there really hasn’t been much in the way of epic fishing adventures to talk about. We’ve caught plenty of fish and had a wonderful trip, but the fishing has been secondary to just being here.

What has blown me away about this place is the richness of life on the bottoms of these flats throughout the Keys. It is absolutely incredible.

Everywhere you look there is some sort of grass or other vegetation as well as sponges, corrals, and sea anemones. I’ve been to many places in

The Stars and Stripes crew that pitched in with Galveston Bay Foundation for the sea grass planting project.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

the southern latitudes and nothing I’ve seen has compared to this place in bio-diversity. I spent a couple hours either side of noon today just drifting along with my polarized sunglasses on staring at the bottom. I saw the familiar tropical species of fish and invertebrates and many more that I had no idea what they were. The lush stands of eel grass stretch for miles looking like an underwater St. Augustine lawn.

All of this got me to thinking about my home waters of Galveston Bay. I sure wish we could have just a fraction of the bottom life that makes the Keys so special. I know that isn’t a possibility due to the limitations of climate and other factors, but I do believe it can be better than what we currently have. Luckily we have people like Bob Stokes and Vanessa Mintzer working to get things done through the Galveston Bay Foundation.

The Galveston Bay Foundation (GBF) was established in 1987. Their stated mission is

to preserve, protect and enhance the natural resources of the Galveston Bay estuarine system, and its tributaries, for present users and for posterity. These are worthy goals when you consider that Galveston Bay is home to the third largest port in the United States, is bordered by the fourth largest city in the U. S., and has more than half of the country’s petro-chemical plants along its shores and tributaries. When you think about it in those terms it seems a miracle that there is any life left in this bay. Yet she stands strong as one of the most productive estuaries in the world. Pretty amazing.

And the coolest part in all of this is that you can help. The Galveston Bay Foundation is always looking for new members, volunteers, and monetary contributions. It doesn’t require a huge commitment of your time or money to make a difference.

For example, a couple weeks ago I went along to see the seeds of an idea come to fruition in the kayak community. Mike Morosko runs a kayak tournament series in the Galveston area known as The Stars and Stripes.

The series has been running for two years and has grown in popularity to the point that Mike wanted to give something back.

He came up with the idea of a proam tournament in which some of the more successful tournament anglers would pair up with some less experienced kayakers. The (Top) The first proceeds would then go to a local job was to charity. Quite a few of the “pros” harvest the sea grass, stepped up to volunteer and it everybody was appeared that there were plenty still relatively of “ams” eager to participate. The clean. only thing needed now was a beneficiary. I had some limited interaction with the GBF previously and suggested that Mike might want to contact them. It was a perfect match and everything got to rolling along.

On September 16th, the first Stars & Stripes Charity Pro-Am took place. The event was hosted by Fishing Tackle Unlimited in conjunction with a kayak demo day weekend at the store.

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The kayak armada ready to launch.

FTU upped the ante by providing a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 160i as a raffle prize.

Eleven pros and thirty-three amateurs teamed up for some serious fishing. Okay some of the teams weren’t as serious as others, but they all had fun. In the end, the team of Jim, Josh, and Will led by Jason Bryant was victorious. Their two redfish totaled just over 9 lbs. Good enough to earn the amateurs some nice paddles from Adventure Technologies (AT Paddles).

The following day Mike and his crew fried up all of the tournament fish and sold plates at the demo day event. Between the raffle, entry fees, and fish fry; almost $1400 was raised for the Galveston Bay Foundation’s sea grass restoration project.

Fast forward to October 29th. Not only did the tournament raise money for the project, but a good many of the participants also volunteered to help plant cord grasses in an area of the Pierce Marsh off of Highland Bayou. This marsh has The author’s daughter Randi Null hard at work.

been under an intense restoration program for several years and is a shining example of what can be accomplished in other areas.

The morning started with a trip to the EcoCenter near Baytown. This is where the grasses are raised in shallow ponds. Did I mention they’re mud-bottomed ponds much like our upper coastal marshes? The volunteers soon found out just how muddy as they harvested the clumps of grass and placed them into huge buckets to be transported out to the restoration area. An hour or so of hard labor yielded fifteen tubs of grass that were then trailed to the boat ramp at Highland Bayou. Randall Hill volunteered not only his time, but also the use of his brand new boat to motor the tubs out to the chosen location.

The rest of the crew brought their favorite kayaks and set off on what turned out to be quite an adventure. The tide was blown out from the norther that had come through a couple days earlier. This left the mud flats nearly exposed and cut off any hopes of paddling all the way to the planting area. We stopped on a levee about 300 yards from where Randall and Bob Stokes were off-loading the tubs of grass. It looked like an easy walk from there, but it turned out to be one of the most hilarious sights I’ve witnessed in quite some time. Adults and kids were crawling,

Is this man displaying astonishment or signalling for help?

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Planting the levee; not many clean shirts left.

sloshing, sinking, and sort of swimming across nearly waist deep mud. Every single one of them had a smile on their face and a With an eye toward the great attitude. future... kudos to Mike In the end Morosko’s Stars and Stripes the group team and GBF for getting them started early. planted sprigs along a levee/ island for several hundred yards, thus setting the stage for a bright future in this healthy and diverse marsh. All around us were levees in various states of growth from previous plantings.

It was very encouraging to know that this type of work is taking place and to know that there are hundreds of others volunteering to make the bay system a better place.

Thank you to all who participated whether you simply bought a raffle ticket, led a team of amateurs, or slugged your way through one helluva mud pit. There are simply too many people to mention and I know I’d miss someone.

Suffice to say, you are all winners in my book. Again, thank you.

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Angler as subject.

Since I started writing

and away from the angler. If your goal

for GCC I have always encouraged

is to capture the angler with his catch,

readers to participate by emailing me

all that is necessary is to balance

ideas or topics to discuss. Over the

out the image as I have done in the

months the list has grown and I recently

example.

realized that it has been a while since I have tackled any of the subject matter so — this month I am going to take

Fill the Frame

Fish as subject.

Next, it is important to fill the

something from the list. One of the

frame. This can be accomplished

most requested topics is — tips on how

two ways. Either move closer to the

to take better fishing pictures.

subject or use a zoom. I always opt for the first method. I always try to

Well before I get to the tips, let me

get as close to the subject as my

give you just a little information about

minimum focus point will allow. By

cameras. So many people think that

doing this it allows your camera to

you need an expensive SLR (single

meter the subject better, making for a

lens reflex) camera to take good

better exposure, and it also produces

pictures and I am here to tell you, that

sharper images.

just is not the case. Many of the images that I have had published over the years have been captured with your

Frame not filled properly.

Eliminate Clutter So many good pictures are ruined

run-of-the-mill 4 mega-pixel digital point

because there is just entirely too

and shoot cameras.

much going on in the frame. To avoid this — always position the subject

Since digital imagery has become

in such a manner to avoid capturing

commonplace, point and shoot

clutter such as soda cans and potato

cameras have come a long way. In

chip bags on the console or any other

fact, if all a person is interested in is

distracting elements.

maybe blowing the occasional shot up to an 8X10, a 2 or 3 mega-pixel camera capable of shooting only jpeg images

Use a Flash Use your flash… even during the

is all that is needed. Now, with that

middle of the day. For many, this is a

being said- here are a few very simple

concept that cannot be grasped. “Why

pointers to help you better preserve you

would I use a flash during the middle

memories from the water.

of the day,” they ask. The reason

Frame filled correctly.

is because when the sun is high it Pick a Subject The first tip I offer you is to pick a

58

creates the worst kind of shadows — the kind that hides the smiling face

subject. To do this you must first decide

of a happy angler. As a rule I use a

— what is the subject? Is it the fish or

flash all day long unless I intend on

the angler? If the fish is the subject,

shooting a silhouette. To do this you

make it the focus of the picture by

must override the auto flash setting

centering it up and bringing it forward

that most point and shoots have and

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59

Cluttered background (engine and rod).

Should have used a flash.

Uncluttered background makes a better image.

turn the flash on. Also, most point and shoots have a low strobe output so getting close to the subject is very important for a correct exposure.

Anyway, hope to have given you all something to help you bring back some great memories from your next trip to the coast.

Merry Christmas and the best of tides.

(Shown Right) Bringing all 4 tips together to create the perfect fishing photograph.

gulfcoastconnections.com

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not so long ago my dad commenting that it was too cold for me to join him on winter outings.

Staying behind was bad enough, but hearing how successful the trips were just made me wish I was old enough to join the crowd. Who knows

I recently completed my freshman football season, and I am proud to say we did

As I got older and the time came for me to be

of opportunities to put some punishing hits on my opponents, but I also endured some as well.

Before every practice and game we had to strap on our gear. Gearing up with the right equipment such as padded pants, shoulder pads, and a helmet were requirements to lower the chance of an injury.

As winter looms all along the Texas Coast, most fishermen will have put their fishing gear away to collect dust somewhere in the garage.

But for me and those that just can’t stay away, there will be plenty of opportunities to enjoy

included on winter trips, I was more than eager to get out there and experience everything that I had missed. Getting out in the elements was certainly better than staying home and watching someone catch the fish. I now was doing the catching and enjoying every minute of it.

I can say that my biggest fish caught have come during the cooler months of the year. It’s during this time of the year where my dad and I get to spend time and have the opportunity to fish with friends such as Capt. Mike McBride and

Yes, the water temperature drops the proper equipment is essential in having a comfortable day on the water. By now my waders have come down from the attic and have been put to use on several occasions. I remember last year we didn’t start wearing our wading gear until the third week of November. This year it came a little earlier. By the first week of November, the

Bay arise through invites from friends. Each time I fish new areas with people like Capt. Ram

dad behind me complaining about his tooth ache.

Rodriquez, Marcus Arredondo, and Ruben Pena

However, I kept walking while waiting for that

to name a few, I gain so much from observing

one fish to come out of nowhere. And she did.

them fish.

I felt my line tighten up; about thirty yards out

I vividly remember my first trip to Baffin;

leaps this huge trout. She danced several times

the water was cold enough for us to wear our

out of the water each time flaring her gills and

waders. There were five of us including my

splashing water everywhere. Talk about my dad’s

dad and his terrible tooth ache. I went with the

pain going away ever so quickly. After some

expectation of Baffin being all that its reputation

exciting but nervous moments, she came to my

holds. I was not disappointed on that day.

grip. It was certainly the biggest trout I had ever

The weather was not

some big fish days. I still remember

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Fishing for winter reds is where Luis Salinas wanted to be.

caught. She weighed in a little over eight pounds.

nice to us. It was windy as

What a day to remember. This experience added

Baffin is known for. I got

to my willingness to get outdoors even on chilly

off the boat and headed

and windy days.

down a shoreline with my

A bright eyed redfish found Aaron’s plastic irresistible.

(Bottom) This trout had some extra weight around the belly.

other areas of the Laguna Madre such as Baffin

considerably during this time of year, so wearing

certainly bring anticipation in me to attaining

When the water is cold gearing up is part of the plan.

Capt. Trisha. Also, other opportunities to fish

some of the best fishing of the year.

I am sure to say that cooler temperatures

while wishing I was out doing the thing instead of watching someone else catching fish.

really well. Playing linebacker gave me plenty

wearing of waders was a necessity.

how many fishing shows I viewed during this time

Since that moment, I have enjoyed the winter

dad in tow. The bite was

months. They have truly been good to me. You

near stagnant, and the

too can experience what the cold season brings,

water was in bad shape.

but remember you must gear up with the right

I had a Baby Minus-1

equipment before heading out. Always wear

tied on hoping a fish

layers of clothing. If the day happens to warm up,

would hear the sound

you can always remove clothing. To you young

and vibration of the

folks like me if you don’t own a pair of waders,

sub surface lure in the

then I suggest waders should be at the top of

chocolate colored water.

your Christmas list. It will certainly be a gift that

Walking and continually

will bring lasting memories. God Bless and Merry

casting, I could hear my

Christmas to all.

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63

“Stewards” “It means a whole lot of a good thing, which in our case means a lot of beautiful fish which He is willing to share with us. Of course, He

A light north breeze ruffled

the clear bay water along the lee side of Grass Island as Poppa Jim and the boy slowly stalked the edge of a shell reef. They had arrived just before sun up, so there had been plenty of time to open both thermoses, one for the old man and one for the boy. Poppa’s had straight black with some chickory; Josh’s was straight chocolate with marshmallows. The hot beverages helped cut the dawn chill of what was looking like a beautiful Christmas Eve morning. The front had passed several days before, leaving behind clear skies, crisp mornings, and tides that were starting to fill up after the post-front lows.

Josh had been looking forward to this morning since school had let out. Poppa had promised this fishing trip if he made his grades, and makes his grades he did! What Josh didn’t know were the promises Poppa had to make to Uma so that they could both be released from chores at the house.

This was to be Josh’s first wade-fishing trip in the winter. He had waded with Poppa the previous summer, and before that Poppa had pulled him along in an inner-tube contraption that allowed him to fish the same water. Now Josh had on his first pair of breathable waders, which were an early gift from Poppa. What Josh didn’t know was that the waders were a lady’s petite, the only size that would fit him at his age, but that was Poppa’s secret. Underneath the waders, he was layered up with warm fleece pants and wool socks; perfect for this mid-winter day with the predicted high temperature in the 50s. Now if the fish would only cooperate!

“Poppa, do you think we will see any reds?” asked Josh with that are-we-there-yet interrogative all children seem to be born with.

“I believe there is a good chance we will when the sun warms this reef and shoreline, and then maybe we can share in God’s bounty,” answered Poppa.

“What’s bounty mean?”

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

expects us to be good stewards of that bounty.”

“Do we steward fish with a Shimano, Poppa?” queried Josh tail just above the water’s surface. He made a

with perfect innocence.

“No Josh, a steward is like a quail hunter who

perfect cast, going just beyond the tail. With a

has sense enough to know that you don’t harvest

great swirl, the red took the plastic and raced

every bird in the covey, but leave two or three

away, making the Shimano drag squeal. Josh’s

pair to be seed for the next year?

eyes were wide as he whooped “Look Poppa, fish on! He’s a giant red!”

As Josh thought about stewards and seed

Poppa Jim watched the boy proudly as

birds, he and Poppa slowly waded up the shoreline. The sun’s rays were now slipping

he fought the bronze torpedo. Looking at the

above their shoulders and penetrating the

child’s beautiful expression as he played the fish

shallow, chilled water. Baitfish were starting

assured him that this boy was definitely a chip

some activity as the tide began to drop out of

of his Grandpa’s fishing block. Josh was able to

the back lacks and feed into the small reefs and

handle several mad-dashes the red made as he

grass beds along the shoreline. The young one

came within shadow-fall of the boy, and finally the

was throwing a Mansfield Mauler with a tequila

22” red fatigued and laid slightly akilter. His hand

gold Norton Sand Eel, and Poppa was using a

net slipped under the red, and Josh whooped,

cigar float with a gold spoon.

“He’s mine, look what a great fish Poppa!”

“I agree; that fish is beautiful. Look, it even

“Say, Poppa, do you think we could fish

got two extra spots.”

tomorrow morning?” said Josh with a sly grin.

As Josh admired the fish, his brows furrowed

“We could open presents later.”

“Well, you have almost got things in the right

slightly and he asked, “Don’t we have some red fillets at home?”

order, but not quite.”

“We do indeed. We’ve got all the reds on a

“Where did I go wrong?”

half-shell that we can eat for Christmas dinner

“You are forgetting that tomorrow I

tonight, and several extra in the freezer.”

am celebrating.”

You know Poppa; I believe we ought to let

“What are you celebrating, a new rod

this fish go. Maybe I can catch him again

and reel?”

later today.”

“No,” replied the gray-haired grandfather.

“Son, that would make me proud to see you

“I am celebrating God’s greatest gift to man.

do that.”

God gave us his Son, the most precious gift

With the decision made, Josh carefully

ever given.”

“You mean Jesus, don’t you Poppa? When

removed the Sand Eel from the red’s tough lip,

he was born in the stables and put in a manager.”

and then lowered the net to release the fish. As

“That’s right. And did you know that when

the bronze beauty slowly swam away, a big grin

he grew up, some of his favorite people were

appeared on Josh’s face. “Come on Poppa, let’s

fishermen? So you can see we have something

go catch him again. I bet we can!”

“You go ahead Josh, I’ll be right behind”

even more important to celebrate than

replied the old man who was now smiling

fishing tomorrow.”

“That’s saying a lot, Poppa.” And with that, Josh spotted a slowly waving triangle of bluish

to himself. It seems another steward was developing just fine.

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65

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December 2006

Cape Lookout Lures Flatsmaster Cape Lookout Lures has announced four new colors for the Flatsmaster weedless spinner spoons.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

67

Gray skies, low tides,

anything spiritual about a

falling water temperatures, and

Fat Boy, blah blah blah”

crowds that have now left the easy

and so on because it’s so

bite that was to be had in November.

tired and overdone. Here

Boat ramps that appear to be ghost

are a few of my hints that

towns and all-day trips with no

haven’t been done to death

mention of the sun wrapped up neatly

in print. I truly believe that

in thoughts of big trout and hungry

instead of spending all day

redfish. This is the beginning of

out on the water flailing

the stretch of months that will earn

away at fish who don’t want

you a big fish and saltwater badge

to eat, you can maximize

of courage. This also is the time to

your efforts by playing the

recognize and realize the potential for

solunar tables and feeding

both a trophy fish and a catastrophic

times. How many times can

fishing trip. Many wonderful memories

you think about fishing for a

are made by fishermen in the winter

long stretch like 6 or 8 hours

months, especially those who know

only to have the bite last for

and understand the patterns that lead

30 or 45 minutes? Why not

to success. There are a few anglers along the Texas gulf coast that have

concentrate your efforts into

reached near mythical status with their exploits during the harshest of

fishing key times and fishing

times, they have pictures and mounts to prove that fishing in the winter can

them well?

be a once in a lifetime experience when all the factors come together. Now

Pick out a period from the feeding and solunar tables, get to your

with all the fluffy hero stuff out of the way let’s see just what kind of fun we

chosen area an hour or so before the feed starts, and fish it thoroughly

can have this month.

during those times. Here is another one that pays big dividends for those

Here on Sabine Lake and Calcasieu Lake, December is a bonus month; we can never count on consistent fishing during this time because

winter warriors; do more scouting on slow days.

If you were to talk to some of the really good big trout fishermen you

the weather and water run off are just too unpredictable. For arguments

would find out they spend more time than you know just looking instead of

sake we will figure this as an average year and try to cover the fishing

fishing. These fishermen also spend plenty of time probing the bottom in

opportunities from that standpoint. If we are not just drowning in run off

search of hidden treasures like small patches of shell or other fish holding

from heavy rains both lakes should be as clear as in the summer months,

structure. I have watched oyster boats on Calcasieu in the winter and found

this presents a different scenario for most local anglers. Winter fishing in

reef structures that I had no idea were there. Other anglers drag pieces of

these conditions calls for flexibility when it comes to the sizes of your baits,

pipe behind there boat while drifting or on the trolling motor so they can

in these clear conditions it makes great sense to downsize your offerings.

hear when they run over some hidden shell. Still others take pushpoles or

Topwater favorites that are proven producers in water like this are the Top

dowel rods and probe the bottom this way looking for that one area that

Pup, Skitterwalk Jr, Spook Jr, and the Spittin Image. Both big trout and

will produce for them in the future. Yes I know that the odds will eventually

redfish will beat a path across a reef to inhale one of these lures; the small

pay off if you just stay on the water and pay your dues, but why waste all

size makes it especially effective for both species.

the time in between when you can make experience the payoff on a more

Now we more than likely will still have a few shrimp left around and there will be scattered schooling activity no doubt, this where a crankbait

frequent basis.

Well now there you have it, a few little tricks that can lead to better

can prove flat out tough to beat. Lures like the Hoginar, Rat-l-trap, and

winter fishing. Of course now the obvious still holds true that you need to

classic spoon enable you to cover plenty of ground from longer distances

be safe during these months because if you get into trouble there are fewer

and work the schooling fish without getting too close and busting them

people out to help you. Remember the water is cold and even the best

up. The other advantage to the crankbait is the redfish benefit, few baits

swimmer and most well conditioned athletes are no match for hypothermia.

produce as consistently on big redfish as the crankbaits mentioned

Let someone know where you are and when you will be back because

previously. Also it’s so much easier to fish these lures in windy conditions

that could be the difference between a funny fish story and a tragically

than other baits and you can bet December will bring you some wind.

sad memory. As for me, I will be somewhere enjoying either the fishing or

Now as for chasing big trout in the winter you could be like Forrest

hunting this month, trout or reds, ducks or geese take your pick because I

Gump and pick from one of the gazillion articles written on the subject.

love them all. Wait a minute? What about striped bass? Another great option

I vowed several years ago that I would not write another story filled

for another article down the road.

with buzz words such as “big girl, Susie, shuffle, grinder, mud shell mix, 68

Capt.Johnny Cormier and a healthy Calcasieu redfish taken in some clear winter water.

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

69

Trinity and East Bays

so it makes lure fishing a little tougher than normal. But other than that

I would say in general that

we have started coming out real good over the last few days. When the

fall fishing has been less than

winds are down and in-between these fronts we are catching a lot of

we expected; October started

good quality fish. As far as boat fishing goes, Trinity Bay is the best bet,

out pretty good and then turned

working the birds and drifting the reefs. For wade fishing, East Bay is the

spotty on us. Then we got

best bet on into December. That is pretty much the way I fish this time

clobbered. We had an incredible

of year. Before a front when you have a pumping south wind I will go to

27” of rain in a seven day period.

East Bay and wade fish, working the protected shorelines and behind the

It started on a Wednesday and

reefs. The soft mud bottoms hold warmer water and naturally the bait will

lasted straight through ‘til the

congregate here. After the fronts go through and we start getting calmer

following Wednesday. Naturally

days I will come back up and fish Trinity out of the boat. I mostly just

we have received just tons of

bounce back and forth whichever way the wind sends me.

runoff but things are starting to come back around. Most of the

Upper Galveston Bay

runoff is layering into Trinity Bay,

We don’t talk much about Upper Galveston Bay but it has been

right now the surface looks bad but underneath it is real clear. The sunlight is not able to penetrate

holding some pretty good fish around Sylvan Beach especially since the San Jacinto River flushed like it did. A lot of reds and trout are holding over there in the pier pilings from Morgan’s Point to Happy Harbor to Have a Good Day Bulk Head and all those old spots. There has been some decent bird action out deep. I have been fishing the pier pilings with Mirrolures and Corkies and those kind of slow sinking lures in the mornings. Keep your eye on the sky out deep and you can easily find 4-5 schools of birds working. If the birds you locate are working over good fish that should be about all you need to get a limit of trout.

West Bay I do not know what is wrong with West Bay. There are some fish down there but reports I’m getting say it hasn’t been easy. It is just not that good yet, I think that December and January will be better if we can get some real cold weather and if it gets any fresher up here it is going to drive a lot of fish down south to West Bay. For the most part the key to that bay’s success is cold weather because a lot of those fish get up there in those marshes and up in the canals and beach houses. When you get a good hard-blowing front with your tides dropping, the fish will also drop out of the canals. However, as soon as it comes back in, the fish go right with it.

Overall, we are looking forward to a fairly good winter here in the Galveston System. It’s hard to tell right now though; if we do not get anymore rain we will have a great winter but that’s all up to Mother Nature and the weatherman. All in all I think we will be alright. I have had some real good catches the past few days. We still have lots of fish… we just need the weather to cooperate and we will get to it.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

71

With cold fronts showing almost weekly now and our early winter pattern in full swing, lateNovember and December fishing prospects are looking better each day. Cold fronts can be harsh, but for a fisherman they can also be a blessing in disguise.

Temperatures dipping into the 40’s have definitely put our fish on the move. Looking back over recent weeks we’ve had some good catches and although we haven’t had many big trout showing we’ve been finding decent numbers of good solid keepers. You can plan on seeing some bigger fish coming in as we creep into December.

By mid-December, most if not all of the shrimp will be out of our bays and settled in the gulf. Past records indicate to me great fishing for big trout the last two weeks of November, as well as, into the first two weeks of December. Possible reasons for this, I believe, are throwing more big top water baits like Corkies and Mirrolures and fishing ankle to knee deep mud. With the shrimp out of the bay, fish still have to feed and the only thing left is mullet, eels, and small fin

Capt. Bill’s winter arsenal.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

fish. This is why mullet imitation plugs are so deadly during this season. As you can see in the photo, these are lure picks that work well for me on big fish.

Wading mud and shell doesn’t sound too exciting I suppose, but if you are truly Dr. Wayne Brueggen and Chuck serious about Newcomb with some very nice East catching quality Bay specks, fishing with Capt. Bill. trout put your boots on. Watch for jumping mullet as you cast your Corkies, Mirrolures, or Bass Assassins.

Plan your fishing times, if possible, before a cool front hits or a couple of days after. Monitoring the barometer is also very helpful in determining fishing times. Anything below 30-inches of mercury is good. Usually before a front the pressure drops and the fish will feed.

While the front is blowing in can be a good time to fish, but after it hits and high pressure sets in, the fish will normally get the lockjaw. That’s why I say fish two days after the front because by then the pressure has stabilized, the water has started to clear up, and the south to southeast winds will usually be in place once again.

At times, my clients will want to fish strictly from the boat. In these cases I will be using much the same tactics as when I wade meaning that I’ll still be keying on mullet. Let your eyes lead you to slicks and jumping mullet as you drift over areas known to contain scattered shell and mud. Look for streaky green to off-colored water and try to make long drifts of half-mile or more whenever possible. Long drifts on the first pass through an area and drifting well away from the structure that is holding fish will improve your chances for success on a second drift.

Using your big outboard motor over these reefs can wreck the bite.

Picking out your baits is always a personal choice but I recommend Bass Assassins on 1/4-ounce leadheads in 10W40, plum and chartreuse tail, and roach pattern. Mirrolure choices that look good to me are the 808, STTR 21, 52 MR704, and 51 MRCH. Any of these baits are good choices and my personal preferences for this time of year.

Whatever you decide, wading or drifting, be safe on the water and God Bless.

December 2006

December 2006

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73

Fishing here on San

Antonio Bay was on fire the entire month of November and should stay consistent until we get our first real cold snap. Our cold fronts in November were coming in steadily about once per week. The frequency and severity will only increase in December, which brings me to the topic of this month’s article.

Pre-front fishing is one of the key elements I will have on my mind now through the next couple of months. I try to mention this every year about this time because it is such an important factor to consider when planning your next trip.

Every angler knows that tide, water temperature, and moon phase can affect our fishing success. However there is another factor that often gets overlooked; atmospheric pressure. Although atmospheric pressure can’t be predicted with charts, like tides and moon phases, it still has a major influence on fish behavior.

Think about it. How many times have you enjoyed a red-hot bite before an approaching storm or frontal system? And how many days did it take for the fish to turn back on after the passage of that storm or front?

During pre-front conditions the atmospheric pressure is fluctuating rapidly. A falling barometer means that clouds and precipitation are likely.

Rising pressure signals that clear sunny weather is to be expected. Usually, right before a storm, the atmospheric pressure will rise slightly and then steadily drop — only to rise again once the storm passes.

I watch the weather reports daily but this time of year I can just about predict what will happen next by paying attention to the wind patterns.

I know the closer a cold front gets the stronger the winds will blow from the south or southeast direction and the barometer will start to drop. This becomes noticeable for those of you with achy joints and healed broken bones but for others it usually goes unnoticed. We have evolved into staying mostly indoors and using air conditioners so we do not notice the difference in pressure as much as other animals.

Animals along with fish are still feeling what our ancestors felt during the falling barometer or pre-front conditions. They sense this change and adjust, usually changing their feeding habits as well. During this change of pressure I find that fish will feed more aggressively just before the front. I will even try to plan customer’s trips around these conditions if possible.

One reason for their behavior change may be because redfish and speckled trout have larger air bladders compared to other fish like dorado and king mackerel so they will feel the effects of the changing air pressure more. I believe the fish feel the weight of the “higher pressure” pushing on their organs during this phase and tend to slow down. I am not saying that the fish stop feeding all together, but you might find it harder to locate and entice them to feed.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

What to expect when the front nears? As changing weather approaches, the skies will become dark with low, dense clouds and the winds will start to increase in strength. During these high winds you may have to find refuge in back lakes or other protected areas. The water will start to become off-color due to the winds but this is usually to your advantage.

When you find a color change like this it is a great ambush site for feeding redfish and trout. I consider this water coloration to be structure, much the same as guts or reefs. Also, with the wind creating so much surface commotion and noise, you will find it easier to get within striking distance of your prey.

Locating baitfish is still an important element when fishing before the passage of a frontal system but you may have to look more closely as baitfish tend to be more subsurface and less active in the cooler water of winter.

The baits you will find me using during these conditions in December may be completely different than the baits I will be using in January or February due to colder water and air temperatures and seasonally lower tides than you will find in the latter months.

My number one lure for pre-front conditions is the “bangedy bang” Mirrolure She Dog and the colors I choose to use are based on what the weather conditions are that day. On rough pre-front days with heavy cloud cover, high wind, and off-colored water, I will stick with a color that is easy for me to locate and monitor while working the lure in choppy water. I like the GCRBO (Halloween) and CHPR (chartreuse/pearl/chartreuse) and #11 (red head, white back and belly). Again I choose these colors because I can easily see them at the end of a long cast and observe my retrieval easier in visually poor conditions. Remember old momma speck won’t mind an easier target as well.

If I am consistently getting blow-ups but no hook ups I will switch to a 5-inch Saltwater Assassin on 1/16 oz Assassin jighead. I normally use Texas Roach, pumpkinseed/chartreuse and morning glory. Another lure I have added back into my everyday arsenal is the once popular Cordell Brokenback. The colors I have had the most success with are the gold or the red head/white body. You can work this lure with many different retrieves but the way I work it is by reeling the lure just fast enough to make a V-wake but not so fast that the lure goes below the surface of the water. The lure wobbles nicely when retrieved in this slower manner making it look just like a crippled fish swimming on the surface.

The key to catching during these conditions is to focus on points and coves. The coves in back lakes concentrate baitfish and are the best producers this time of year.

Curtis Blackshear reaping the rewards of fishing during cooler temperatures.

December 2006

Here is another type of “red” you will find on one of our Cast & Blast trips.

There are risks when waiting to fish until the front approaches. The weather can turn treacherous in just a matter of minutes. Pay attention to the low dark clouds looming to the north of you. Rain usually precedes the fronts but not always. It is important to leave before this point. If you get too caught up in the “catching” you might find yourself in some dangerous gusty north winds.

As mentioned, there are numerous factors that influence fish behavior, and any one of them can make the difference between success and failure. The best strategy is to plan your fishing days around the best conditions. Unfortunately that won’t always be possible but at least now you can also blame the barometer if you come home empty-handed!

Fish hard, fish smart!

December 2006

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75

These last couple

We fished topwater all

of weeks we’ve had some cold

morning and there was

fronts and the water temperatures

some action, just not a lot

are finally starting to drop. The

of hookups. It was really

water clarity has been good which

windy with high atmospheric

helps when using lures. I’ve seen

pressure on us. All during

birds working the south shoreline in

the day we saw a bunch of

Baffin Bay.

jackfish just tearing up the

I’ve noticed that the larger the

water behind us, they were

flock of birds the smaller the fish.

after mullet. These jacks

I’m finding the larger fish up shallow

fed constantly and looked to

on the shoreline with small groups

be 15 to 20-pound class as

of birds around them. Say, ten to

they rolled and exploded on

fifteen birds and some of them

the surface.

sitting in the water. It’s real easy

Bryan Kost and Scott Weems threw their lures into a school of jackfish; unbelievably they managed to hook the same fish!

Eventually, Bryan and Scott decided they’d like to give the jacks a try and

to spook these big fish off, so shut

cast right into the frenzy of blow ups. They both hooked up immediately and

down the motor way before you get

their lines just started screaming. I pulled the sea anchor and got on the trolling

near the birds and drop the trolling

motor; following in the direction they were going, hoping I could keep up and

motor down and begin at a very

get the fish stopped before they could strip the reels completely bare of line.

slow pace toward the birds. Keep your drift anchor ready in the boat. When

I noticed that both of their lines were going the same direction and they

you ease up enough to make the birds fly, position your boat where you can

were close together. I said, “Hey, these fish are following each other around”.

drop the sea anchor and drift right through where the birds were. Make your

Come to find out that the same fish had taken both of the lures. He had eaten

casts in this area and drift all the way through before you fire up your motor.

both plum chartreuse Bass Assassins. After several minutes of rodeoing we

This last week one of my good friends, Bryan Kost and his long time

finally got him in and he was a monster. With their curiosity satisfied, Bryan

friend, Scott Weems from San Antonio came down to fish. The conditions

and Scott announced they’d had enough jackfish for the day. We spent the

were not that good. We had just had a lot of rain and the tide was extra high

rest of the day targeting some nice trout on top water .

with a lot of fresh water runoff. The fish had been spread out everywhere.

The next day, Mike Black and his son Clayton were onboard. They

We had a strong southeast wind, so I decided that we would make the run

came down for two days of fishing, which is a good way to do it if you are

down to the Land Cut. We worked the edge of the dropoff with the trolling

able. This time of year the weather changes daily and we had a dense fog

motor and drift anchor; casting toward the shallow edge.

that morning; the pea soup kind where you can’t see anything. You can’t tell where the water stops and the sky starts. I finally got down to my destination, about thirty miles down south of Marker 37. When I turned off the motor the fog was thick and it was very calm; like a mirror. I really couldn’t see the shoreline, but I could hear it. I headed to it with the trolling motor.

I could hear all the pops and slurps and slaps of fish activity working up the surface, the fish were hungry and feeding. As I continued easing toward the shore, sure enough there were baitfish everywhere. We began by casting topwater lures and bite was immediate; we caught one after the other. The three of us caught over sixty fish, mostly trout in the twenty inch range and redfish that were twenty-eight inches and larger. We cast topwaters out of the boat all day. The fog stayed on us until about 1:00 p.m. and the fishing stayed hot until then. It was one of the best days so far this fall fishing season.

On their second day the weather changed; it was bright and sunny with light winds. We used topwaters early, the fish were blowing up on them, and

Clayton Black tricked this Laguna Madre redfish with a Super Spook.

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

the action was good. We had a few good hookups, but not like the day before.

John Crossley with a nice Laguna trout.

I’d rather have a foggy day over a sunny day anytime.

At the end of the week a couple of great fishermen came in from Houston. The southeast wind was blowing hard, which is normal before December 2006

Rob and Ryan Holliday during a good trip with Capt. CR Webb.

Clayton Black scored this beautiful trout in the fog.

the approaching cold front. I knew it would be challenging; that’s what makes it fun. This time of year no two days are the same. We worked hard and I tried every pattern, shallow grass beds, shorelines, deep rocks, shallow rocks and drop offs into channels. After fishing all day we managed to have some decent fish. John did catch a nice twentyfive inch trout. He sent me an email to say thanks for all the hard work and here’s what he wrote, “A reminder — it’s called fishing, not catching, and we’re anglers.”

More cold weather is on the way and it’s going to improve the fishing as the fish begin their move to the deeper waters. The Intracoastal Waterway always pays off in December. Work the lure a little slower and if it’s real cold weather, work it even slower yet. During the months coming up, the trout will begin to gorge to get their winter fat. Soon the trout will be their heaviest of the year. I enjoy winter trout fishing, it is some of the best.

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

77

Fall was exactly

was infectious

what it was supposed to be

and it was once

down here in the Laguna Madre,

again a reminder

especially out on the shallow

of why I wanted to

flats. Redfish smashed topwaters,

be a fishing guide

waved their tails in the morning air,

in the first place.

cruised just beneath the surface

Superspook Jr’s

in ultra-clear knee-deep water,

are a good call

and intercepted well-placed casts

when redfish are

like the hungry predators they are.

feeding on shrimp,

Top it off with sights and sounds

and the explosions

of a sky filled with incoming ducks

were electrifying

and geese and it’s a setting like

to say the least.

no other. The trout weren’t too bad

We all caught fish.

either and we all enjoyed watching

True to full moon

them get heavier as the water

fishing though, the

cooled down. It is winter now and

morning’s stirring

some techniques and tactics will change. But, before we talk about that,

session slowed

let’s look at a typical fall trip I had recently to give us insight into fun fishing

to a grind as we

paired with realistic expectations.

switched to pulling

We were pleased to take a group of Texas Lady Anglers recently,

soft plastics through

(Top) The bite was very delicate, but these girls learned how important it is to detect the slightest signal.

(Bottom) Sometimes enthusiasm catches fish better than anything else.

and although their skills ranged from just getting started to expert, their

deeper potholes

enthusiasm, preparedness and expectations were all that a guide could

and sandy strips.

ask for. Imagine driving up to a big bay house filled with four boats

Being very patient and trying to feel the soft bite was the key.

worth of Lady Anglers eager to see what the Laguna had to offer. Capt.

Capt. Mike McBride worked a waist-deep pothole pattern as well, and

Danny Neu, Capt. Mike McBride, Capt. Arlen Smith and I were eager to

his crew concentrated on throwing tails low and slow near the grassy edges.

show them. Danny had already gotten the jump on us that afternoon with

Our twenty-nine inch trout girl, Susan, discarded extra gear throughout the

five of the girls who showed up early. Typical of fall, you just have to go

day, which included her landing net. Learning how to hand grab a fish was

regardless of conditions and good things can happen.

as exciting to her as hooking it. TJ Huelsebusch hooked redfish throughout

With north winds over twenty-five mph and water looking like a bottle

the day, a first for her on lures. Typical of full moon days, you really had to

of Yoo-Hoo chocolate milk, Susan Laneri set the hook on a twenty-

coax them and even then the bite was a delicate tap. The Lady Anglers

nine inch trout. She is an experienced bass angler but this was her

were being schooled on the importance of remaining attentive to even the

first saltwater fish on a lure. Talk about a confidence builder; and for

slightest signal.

the guides too! This shows us once again we can’t be scared of a little

Capt. Danny’s and Capt. Arlen’s boats had similar fun results, as they too

weather. The fish do not leave; we just have to muster the courage to

proved that enthusiasm catches fish more than anything else. This group had

throw our lures where they should be, even if it looks horrible. Such is

it, and we are all proud to see what steps the Texas Lady Anglers have taken

fishing during the switching winds of autumn and early winter.

to continue getting the most out of what fishing has to offer…and having one

The next day, when all of the girls got to participate, held better conditions but was still a typical slow full moon bite. Yet, these girls

heck of a time while doing it too!

With winter now upon us it’s time for all of us to take advantage of

caught fish because they wanted and fully expected to, and that’s how

what the cold season has to offer. Besides the fish, we left fall with some

we all should catch them. Several of the group surpassed a few major

tremendous dove hunting in the afternoons. Now the duck and goose

milestones, something else we should all strive for regardless

populations look serious, so in-between chasing our big winter fish, it looks

of experience.

like some good gun play may be in order as well.

In my boat, after checking a few promising spots with marginal results,

We look forward to more predictable big trout patterns after the water dips

we found quite a few redfish hanging on a knee deep flat. It looked

into the fifties a time or two, and based on what we saw last year, this may

like topwater time and it was. Everybody within five miles heard from

be one of the best years ever. Areas where we will catch them will depend on

Michelle as she encountered her first ever topwater red. Her jubilation

conditions, but they will mostly all be near guts and contours leading quickly to deeper water. Like Susan above, we can’t be scared of a little weather if

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Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

December 2006

we really want our personal best trout.

Our redfish look to be in good shape also, and despite common theories, all of the bigger reds do not leave the bays when it gets cold. Some of our best and biggest catches last winter came from not only We can’t be scared — some of our best winter catches come during inclement weather.

warming flats but also frigid guts and depressions during inclement weather.

We have surpassed yet another year without a freeze or disrupting hurricane, so this winter looks to be everything it is supposed to be as well. The Laguna has it all, so with some dedication and enthusiasm, such as the Texas Lady Anglers brought down, it might also be your year to pass some major milestones.

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

79

I frequently get asked,

of sleep means you can

to fish down here?” My immediate

be good to wade for a few

response to this question is,

more extra miles. Another

“You need to come down and

good thing about fishing

experience what December has

in the winter is the mild

to offer.” Instantly this response

temperatures that allow you

is followed by a second question,

to fish all day and not get

“Why is December one of

exhausted by the energy

your favorite months to fish?”

sapping sun.

December is the ideal time to be

Although our winters in

on the water. It’s when fishing

Deep South Texas are mild

becomes red hot catching. It’s the

for the most part, at times it

time of year where fish’s girths

can get down right cold and

are enlarged putting them on

windy. This brings vividly

the chunky side of the scale. In

to memory a winter fishing

addition, winter heightens your

trip that I guided last year

chance of catching a trophy size

with a group that I now call

trout in the Lower Laguna Madre.

By this time of the year, our bays have significantly emptied of boat

the “No mas group.” They traveled from as far as Dallas

traffic. Everyone is either hunting or thinks it is just too cold to fish. But

to experience what winter

allow me to let you on a little secret. Wintertime is the ideal time to be

fishing was all about. I recall

on the water. If you truly want to experience plenty of redfish and trout

Rick Pipen, the contact

action and you don’t mind a slower, more subtle bite, you’ve got to

person, commenting on the

experience firsthand what winter is all about.

phone, “We are all hardcore

If the current mild winter patterns continue like we have had the past

fishermen and excited to

few years, look for the fishing to be superb. If it’s anything close to what

get out on the water.” The

we experienced last year, you’d better have plenty of reel grease on the

evening before the trip

ball bearings. Winter time is when the fish become very predictable in

the wind was howling

between the mild cold fronts that happen to make it down our way. Cold

over thirty miles per hour,

snaps will move fish to deeper water, but as soon as the temperature

and it didn’t look like it

begins to rise and the sun’s rays fill the blue bird skies, our flats will once

was going to slow down.

again fill with masses of baitfish. Lurking not far behind are the hungry

Later that evening I got

redfish and gluttonous trout looking for their first good meal in days.

a call from Rick; he and

Finding flats that have immediate access to the ICW or deep water guts

the “no mas group” were

and channels that have a muddy bottom are excellent places to start

discouraged about our

early in the morning. As the day continues to warm up, look for the fish

chances of going fishing

to move shallower into the flats. Keeping an eye on the presence and

the next day. I remarked

behavior of bait fish can be one of the more critical points when trying to

to Rick, “I thought you

experience a successful day on the water.

said y’all were hardcore.”

What is it about December that makes it one of my favorite months

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Getting an hour or two more

“When is the best time of the year

After a few convincing

to fish? Is it the cold brisk wind on my face that makes my eyes watery

words, they all agreed in

as we head out for an adventure, or is it the sensations of cold knees

giving it a shot. The next

that I feel through my waders the minute my legs are submerge in the

morning I told them I was

cold water, or could it be the tranquility that occurs above the water in

going to fish them from

between the passing of cold fronts? It’s all of these things and more.

sun up to sun down or until

In the wintertime getting an early morning start is not all that critical.

they said “no mas.” We

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

(Shown Top) Anicieto Alonzo displays a beautiful winter specimen.

(Middle) Despite harsh conditions Marty Owens put his baby minus-1 in the right place.

(Bottom) Greg “no mas” Schoenemann scores a personal best trout.

December 2006

woke up to winds

and decided that they had enough. Greg Schoenmann,

blowing in excess

a member of the group had just caught a personal best

of twenty five miles

trout, and after landing it, he walked back to the boat and

per hour. Heading

yelled out “no mas.” Consequently, that is how their name came. The sun

north of the Arroyo

had yet to set, and they practically had to drag me off the water. They got

we later jumped out

firsthand experience about the great opportunities and excitement that winter

of the boat at the

fishing brings.

first signs of some

Rick Pipen leader of the “no mas” group hauls one in.

This fall things started off slow for us, but the winter is more than making

decent looking

up for it. Big trout have started to show up. A sure bet to find one is in or

water. Our prospects

around spoil bank areas, flats with scattered potholes, and guts leading

did not look good

off the ICW. As I mentioned previously, redfish can be found around flats

and there was not

adjacent to deeper water; however, as soon as the flats begin to warm up,

a boat in sight. If

you can bet to find redfish prowling the shallows for their next meal. Find spoil

all the wind-driven

areas with a firm bottom and begin to explore this winter. The rewards are

commotion occurring above the water on that day was an indication

one cast away. Pay close attention to the movement of the bait and certainly

of what was happening below the water, it certainly would score a

keep an eye out for bird activity. Remember, birds fish for survival, plus they

day to remember.

are better fisherman than we are. I will be leaning more towards throwing

We were able to fish four areas that held some decent water despite the winds blowing over thirty miles per hour by mid-morning.

Three of those areas held plenty of fish willing to take plastics worked

plastics this time of year, but you can bet I will have a topwater handy if the occasion arises.

I recently read a bumper sticker that said, “Some traditions just can’t be

on a slow retrieve. The trout bite was exceptional; we caught many

told; they have to be experienced.” That conveys exactly how I feel about

trout over twenty two inches up to 28 plus. The redfish were ever so

fishing in December.

eager to pounce on a TTK II. With each hour passing by and the bite

December without a doubt provides some of the best fishing of the year.

seemingly getting better, I reminded the group that we were going

If you come, you won’t be disappointed. May you have a blessed and

to fish until sun down. Slowly the group started to show their fatigue

Merry Christmas.

Dear Billy, Congratulations on your award. We admire your devotion to the cause of coastal conservation. For as much leadership and work as you have contributed for so many years, we think it is well-deserved. Your beach cleanups, your writings and lectures, the way you encourage others to respect the marine eco-system, the legion of disciples you have recruited and trained; these are the shining deeds that qualify you and set you apart. Congratulations, again.

You are an honest and humble man Billy. We know that if it was up to you, you would slip away into the Padre dunes like a crafty old coyote, avoiding the limelight and notoriety of being selected for this award. But this award Billy, it is a gift from people who admire you and admire what you stand for. So please suffer us for a while — for we believe that holding you up will surely encourage others to follow in your steps, and that will be a good thing.

Your friends, Everett and Pam Johnson

December 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

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December usually signals the beginning of the “big trout season” over here on Calcasieu Lake. It will be interesting to see what effect the floods we had in this area during October will have on the big trout. Bird fishing should be winding down by the middle of the month with most shrimp having left the lake. Then the fishing should begin to heat up on the reefs in water depths of less than six feet.

Commissary and Long Points both should hold some pretty hefty female trout.

Soft plastics will be choice baits when used on lighter jigheads (eighth ounce or smaller). Some impressive trout will no doubt be caught on topwaters this month, but it is also one of the better times for the slow-sinking twitch baits (Catch 2000, Catch V, Corky and Corky Devil). Shallow-running lipped crankbaits such as Storm’s jointed Thunderstick will also be a must in the tackle box. The redfish have really made a showing since the flood. Best places will continue to be in and around Grand and Lambert Bayous on the south end of the lake.

After two major floods and two modest cold fronts, the water in Sabine lake is high and muddy with visibility of less than a foot. In spite of that, the fishing cannot get much better. Massive flocks of gulls are dining on shrimp from daylight to dark from East Pass all the way to the Causeway. December will see more of the same non-stop action once the marshes are blown empty and the last of the shrimp are forced into the lake. Any lure is a good one when the trout and redfish are as active as they are right now, but we have done best with pumpkin/chartreuse, glow/chartreuse, and bone diamond in smaller tails like the Assassin Sea Shad.

She Dogs and the Top Dog Jr. in bone or pearl/chartreuse have been deadly for both trout and redfish. If you have the constitution to turn your back on the melee in the open lake, we are also having one of the best flounder runs in several years.

The bayous and main lake points are holding limits of flounder up to three pounds.

Shrimp-tipped plastic tails have been the best producers in glow or chartreuse.

James says that the weather in the Galveston area has pushed back the fall run and made for some tough days on the water lately. “First off, the water was warmer than normal for a long time and then when we started to get some fronts to cool it down, they were coming so close together that the wind was blowing all the time.

It’s east one day, northwest the next, and then back to south again, sometimes all in one day. There are good numbers of trout in the middle of East Bay, but it has to be calm to get on ‘em. Trinity is still kind of fresh after all the rain. West Bay, in the area closer to the pass, is full of small trout, but it’s hard to find many keepers.”

All this is set to end, he predicts. “There are still lots of shrimp in the bays with this high tide and warmer water. I bet you a hundred dollars that we have working birds all the way to New Year’s Day. About the middle of November, when the water finally gets cool enough to make a difference, it will bust wide open, and it ought to last for a month and a half or more.”

Jim says that the fishing in East Bay is wide open lately, especially on the calm days between passing fronts, as opposed to the lower coast, where windy days immediately after the front seem better. “When the wind lays and turns, we are just hammering the fish,” he reports. “There are bunches of trout and redfish on the shorelines, some really shallow. We are throwing lots of topwaters and Mirrolures, 82

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

though we do switch to soft plastics when we get into the bayous themselves.” He predicts the action on both quality and numbers of fish will continue throughout December. “We really just got into a fall pattern, because it stayed warm for so long, but now it’s classic fall fishing, about as good as it gets.”

Duck hunting has been good too, he states. “We are getting limits or near limits on most every hunt. In the last week or so, I had 8 really good hunts out of 9.

Mostly, we are killing the typical marsh ducks: gadwall, teal, pintails and spoonies.

We had some tremendous flocks of geese arrive on this last full moon too.”

Randall was catching fish on topwaters when I talked to him. “We have a plague of little fish over here right now. It’s not been uncommon to catch two hundred in a day, but the percentage of keepers is weak. Best bite has been on a chartreuse Skitterwalk and a clear glitter/chartreuse Sand Eel. And you better have a trolling motor, too, because the pattern has been birds and controlled drifts in other areas with reefs. I burned up my trolling motor one day, but the guys with Gulf Coast Trolling Motors over at Fishing Tackle Unlimited bailed me out in a hurry. They are good people!”

He says he’s ready for the shrimp to flush out of the bay. “Once these shrimp are gone, we’ll be more consistent on the better trout. The other day, we had one good session on some three to five pound fish, but it’s hard to get to them with all these dinks around. In December, we should start to have better luck on some big fish, both wading reefs and muddy pockets and by drifting scattered shell.”

Tommy says that the weather has been a little funky in the Matagorda area this fall, making for some tougher than normal excursions. “We have some birds working over here right now, but we’re still not at the peak of the activity. We’ve had a lot of stronger than normal east winds, and just a lot of wind in general, so it’s been hard to stay with the flocks and the water’s been off color quite a bit too.”

He expects the remainder of November and December to be better. “We still have a lot of shrimp in the bay, and as the water cools even more, it will hold its clarity a little better when the wind blows. We’ll be fishing East Bay shorelines some in December, wading muddy guts with mullet plugs, Corkies and large Sand Eels for big trout. When the tide is real low, I like West Bay for redfish better. The few deep guts in the coves over there really stack up with fish when the tide is blown way out.

The Colorado River can be good in December also, as long as it’s not too fresh.

Some years, we catch more fish in the river than in either bay, including some of our biggest trout.”

Fishing continues to be good in our area. Cooler temperatures have bait fish migrating and working flocks of birds over reds and trout have made for some exciting fishing. The best producing lures under the birds have been dark tails such as Texas Redkillers in plumkin, plumtreuse, and red shad rigged on quarter ounce leadheads. The best topwater plug has been green/chrome ShePup and tiny trout Superspook Jr. Redfish action has been unbelievable. The old spottails have been schooled up in back bays, chasing shrimp under birds and they’ve been annihilating topwaters. Bone Skitterwalks and chartreuse TopDogs have been the reds’ favorites. The size of both the trout (eighteen to twenty four inches) and reds (twenty four to twenty seven inches) has been consistently awesome. December fishing hot spots should include the deep shell pads off Palacios Point and the entire seawall area from Grassy Point to Spree’s Corner. Top lures should be Corky Fatboys in pearl/chartreuse, glow, and pearl/black.

December 2006

to semi-clear water. Then I’m drifting or wading while looking for trout, reds or black drum. Sight casting has been the game since the beginning of September, and it’s been absolutely great! The redfish and black drum have been in less than eighteen inches of water and the trout have been slightly deeper water (two-three feet), with Lynn says the action on both trout and redfish has been good lately in POC. redfish mixed in as well. In areas where there’s not too much floating grass, I’ve “We have been catching lots of fish on the shorelines. The reds have schooled up been using bone colored Top Dog Jrs. and She Dogs and the trout and redfish have nicely and are aggressive. We’ve been able to find them tailing on most trips. They been tearing them up! Many of the trout have been between eighteen and twenty are running a nice average size, with good numbers stretching toward the upper three inches, with quite a few being over twenty five. In the shallower water, the reds end of the slot. They have been liking the topwaters too. The trout have been of and drum have been hitting pearl colored Exude RT Slugs and Gulp Shrimp. good size also, with decent numbers up to twenty two and twenty three inches.

The best way to catch them lately seems to be with dark soft plastics, particularly Joe says that he’s been catching some fish in various locations lately, but that plum/chartreuse and red/white ones.” the catching has not been as hot as earlier in the year. “A couple more cold fronts In December, he plans to focus more on shallow mud flats adjacent to deep would probably perk things up some,” he says. “There are some fish up shallow, on open waters. “We’ll switch over to more slow sinking plugs in December, throwing the King Ranch Shoreline and in the front of Baffin too. We have caught some quality lots of Corkies and Catch V’s and 2000s. Also, we will typically leave the dock a fish on some recent outings, especially on the days when the floating grass allows little later and fish into the afternoon. On lots of days, we’ll see the action pick up us to use our TopDogs more of the time. I’ll continue fishing across from Bird Island on those shallow flats after the suns heat them up all morning.” some as we get into December, and also put in some more time in the front of Baffin and in the Meadows.”

Fronts in this area tend to blow clear water from the Laguna into the mouth of Blake reports that the season for cast and blast trips is off to a loud and Baffin. “When the north wind blows the tide in, the mouth of Baffin can get really productive start. “We have tons of ducks in our marsh back lakes right now. I am good in late fall and early winter. You’ll see some big trout coming up onto those using the airboat and hunting early, then fishing my way out. The redfish are not muddy flats in that area. As we get closer to Christmas and the start of winter, they too hard to find on most days, though with the high tides we had last month, even can really stack up around there. I’ll be chunking Exudes at them when they do.” in the shallowest lakes, it can be a bit of a challenge. Throughout December, I’ll be roaming the same lakes on St. Joe Island, frequenting the blinds and muddy holes in the far corners of the marsh.”

Bruce reports that the fish in the Mansfield area are already moving into areas He mentions that he sometimes finds the reds stacked in the deepest, muddiest that normally are populated a little later in the year. “We are already seeing trout parts of the marsh in December, especially if the weather’s cold. “This is the time over solid grass on the east side where we normally don’t find them until December. of the year when I start to use Corkies more. I like the pearl/chartreuse one on the There is a lot of bait in the bay compared with recent years and the fishing is set nicer days, and the purple/white one when we have a darker sky or off-colored water. up to be outstanding this winter. We will be looking for our big trout this month in Of course, the old standby at the start of winter will still be the purple/chartreuse and the drains that run from the deepest holes into shallow backwater areas. Those pumpkin/chartreuse SandEels. Those and a box of steel shot shells!” that have a muddy bottom and some dark grass will be best. We like to throw the Corkies, Catch V’s and 2000s at ‘em this time of year. Topwaters, too, of course, on the warmer days. We will be fishing what we call “gentleman’s hours”, leaving There is excellent potential for surf fishing every year during December and the dock after a daylight breakfast and staying on the water a little later into the in this atypical year the chances for good catches are greater than normal. As of afternoon.” Offshore fishing continues outstanding, he reports. “We’ll see some early November, our annual fall run of a wide variety of game fishes continues in a bigger snapper up shallow when it gets cold. Look for some impressive catches to “stop and go” fashion at best and some species have not yet appeared at all. Large be made offshore in December, on both conventional tackle and on flies.” masses of large Spanish mackerel and jack crevalle may well be feeding in the surf zone through mid December. Good numbers of slot and oversized bull reds are expected. Pompano should delight bottom fishers using fresh, peeled dead shrimp Tailing reds and oversized snook--fishing doesn’t get any better than this! and the whiting which moved offshore at the onset of the red tide event should Welcome to winter fishing on the Lower Laguna Madre. start moving back in. It will be interesting to see if there is a return of our traditional With the time change, we’re leaving the dock an hour earlier, which gives us a winter speckled trout fishery on 51M Mirrolures this month as water temps drop. nice head start on the daybreak bite. You’ve got to love this season, with its northers Trout populations locally seem to have been “re-writing the book” all year and the blowing through and riling fish into a frenzy of feasting. We’re limiting in a few hours winter surf could well be included as a chapter in that book. Beware of periods of then turning back as many reds as we can for the rest of the day. Then for a couple NE winds as they push up the tide and make driving the beach difficult. of days after the passage of the front, the fish are stuffed and don’t eat much.

The cold fronts have not cooled the water enough to move the fish into deeper water yet. The water temperatures are favorable for fish to roam around in three feet of water or less. I’ve been targeting two and a half feet of water or less and much of the time less than eighteen inches. I’ve been looking for bait fish in clear December 2006

Gulps are working great, but the way fish bite during the peak of each norther, you could throw plastics or spoons with the same success. A 32 inch snook inhaled a new penny Berkley Gulp 3-inch shrimp pulled quickly on top behind a red Mansfield Mauler. Freddy says, “The bay grasses will begin to go dormant and the water temps will drop, and we’ll be hunting big trout and reds, working our lures slowly, in holes that are about 18 to 20 inches deep for the rest of the winter.”

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Recipe submitted by Eric Phillips Prepared and photographed by Jackson Gordon Basic brine ingredients: (sufficient for 4-pounds of salmon fillets, adjust for smaller batches)

1 lb. crabmeat 2 cans shrimp or 1 lb. fresh shrimp 2 c. chopped celery 1 green pepper, chopped 1 can mushrooms, drained 1 can sliced water chestnuts 2 oz. almonds, slivered or sliced 1 med. onion, chopped 1 pt. mayonnaise (not salad dressing) 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce Mix all ingredients 24 hours before serving. Cover and refrigerate. Top with buttered bread crumbs and bake 30 minutes at 400 degrees. Serves 8-10.

1/4 cup salt 1/8 cup Tenderquick/meat tenderizer (non MSG) 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup soy sauce or teriyaki 1/8 cup lemon juice 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 TSP garlic powder 3-4 whole cloves (optional) 2 pints water 3-5 large jalape単o peppers Add all ingredients to large blender and mix/chop well. This will fill a 5-6 cup blender. Pour the brine over the salmon. Let soak 16-24 hours in a plastic or glass bowl. Refrigerate and place a weighted plate on top to keep fillets submerged.

When ready to cook, pat dry with paper towels and add to the smoker.

Smoking method: 8-16 hours of warm (never hot) smoke.

Smoking for 8-hours leaves fillets moist. Smoking for 16 hours dries fillets. Favorite smoking woods: alder, apple, hickory, cherry, mesquite. Check moisture content and cooking progress often. You may modify smoking times to suit personal tastes.

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December 2006

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