March 2008

Gulf Coast Connections

Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

Tide Predictions & Solunar Feed Times Inside!

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Just Keep Five

Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

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March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Just Keep Five

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Just Keep Five

Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

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coNteNts m a rch 2008 Volume 17 No. 11

editor aNd publisher Everett Johnson Everett@tsfmag.com

features

30

10 The Minimalist

Mike McBride

16 Legend of The Dog Lovers

Kevin Cochran

22 Lost and Found

Martin Strarup

26 Dolphins

Billy Sandifer

30 Lure junkies and out of town baits

Chuck Uzzle

departmeNts 56

64

27 Coastal Birding

executive vp Pam Johnson Pam@tsfmag.com busiNess maNaGer Shirley Elliott Shirley@tsfmag.com iNside sales - advertisiNG coordiNator Tracey Johnson

Billy Sandifer

34 Let’s Ask The Pro

Jay Watkins

38 Fly Fishing

Casey Smartt

42 Tournament Trails

Brandon Jenewein

46 Offshore

Bobby Byrd/John Cochrane

50 Conservation

CCA Texas

54 Science and the Sea

UT-Marine Science Institute

56 TPWD Field Notes

Karen Meador

60 Kayak Fishing

Scott Null

64 According To Scott

Scott Sommerlatte

68 Youth Fishing

Aaron Cisneros

72 Tech Tips

Kevin Shaw/Daniel Freer

74 Fishing products that pass the test

Everett and Pam Johnson

Tracey@tsfmag.com reGioNal sales represeNtative Scott Null Scott@tsfmag.com NatioNal sales represeNtative Bart Manganiello Bartalm@optonline.net desiGN, layout & web maiNteNaNce GRAPHICS BY DESIGN Jasmine and Jackson Gordon Phone: 361-785-4282 Jasmine@graphicsbydesign.biz

what our Guides have to say…

80

98

Jackson@graphicsbydesign.biz subscriptioN – product sales

80 Dickie Colburn’s Sabine Scene

Dickie Colburn

82 Mickey on Galveston

Mickey Eastman

84 Capt. Bill’s Fish Talk

Bill Pustejovsky

86 Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays

Shellie Gray

88 Catching up with Cliff

Cliff Webb

90 Capt. Tricia’s Port Mansfield Report

Capt. Tricia

92 South Padre Fishing Scene

Ernest Cisneros

Editorial

8

Letters to the Editor

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Subscription Rates: One Year $25.00, Two Year $45.00 E-MAG (electronic version) is available for $12.00 per year.

Order on-line: WWW.TSFMAG.COM make checks payable to: Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine Attn: Subscriptions P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983

reGulars 6

Debbie Dugan Store@tsfmag.com

* 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.

78 New Tackle & Gear

how to coNtact tsfmaG:

94 Fishing Reports and Forecasts

phoNe: 361-785-3420 Fax: 361-785-2844

96 Photo Gallery–Catch of the Month

mailiNG address: P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 physical address: 58 Fisherman’s Lane,

98 Gulf Coast Kitchen

Seadrift, TX 77983

103 Index of Advertisers

web: www.TSFMAG.COM priNted iN the usa.

about the cover

Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine (ISSN 1935-9586) is published monthly by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc., 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, Texas 77983

Cary Whitfield of Austin, Texas is our cover angler. Cary caught and released this beautiful specimen in the Upper Laguna Madre fishing with Capt. David Rowsey. Cary’s lucky bait was a “Morning Glory” Bass Assassin. The big fish weighed 7.5 pounds and taped 28-inches. Capt. Rowsey handled the photog chores.

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

P. O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983

publication may be reprinted or reproduced. *Views expressed by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine contributors do not necessarily express the views of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine.

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

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growing larger every day, we are now available in over 1500 local retailers!

We’ve got you covered! Retailers in these communities are now stocking our magazine. You can also sign up to subscribe by calling 361-785-3420 or online @ www.TSFMag.com . Reading on-line is also becoming a popular way to take our publication. Check out the FREE archived issues or purchase an E-Mag subscription. E-Mag features include easy to view pages, just like a hard copy, but with instant links to writers, advertisers and other subscriber services.

“we’re in 225 hometowns and growing!”

Alamo Algoa Alice Alvin Angleton Angleton Aransas Pass Atascocita Austin Bastrop Bay City Bay Colony Baytown Beasley Beaumont Beeville Bellville Bishop Blessing Bloomington Boerne Bolivar Brazoria Brenham Brookshire Brownsville Bryan Buda Bulverde Burleson Burnet Castroville Cedar Creek Cedar Park Channelview Chappell Hill Clear Lake Clute College Station

Conroe Converse Copperas Cove Corpus Christi Crystal Beach Cuero Dallas Damon Del Rio Del Valle Devine Dickinson Dilley Donna Eagle Lake Eagle Pass East Bernard Edinberg Edna El Campo Elgin Elmendorf Elsa Falfurrias Fentress Flatonio Floresville Fredericksburg Freeport Friendswood Ft Worth Ft. Lauderdale Fulton Galveston Ganado Gatesville George West Georgetown Geronimo Giddings Goliad Gonzales Groves Halletsville Hankamer Harker Heights

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Harlingen Hawkinsville Helotes Hempstead Hitchcock Hondo Houston Humble Hungerford Huntsville Indianola Ingleside Karnes City Katy Kemah Kenedy Kerrville Killeen Kingsville Kingwood Kyle La Feria La Grange La Porte La Vernia Lake Jackson La Marque Laredo League City Leander Leon Springs Lewisville Lockhart Longview Los Fresnos Lubbock Luling Lytle Manvel Marble Falls Matagorda Mathis Maxwell McAllen Mercedes Mesquite

Midfield Midland Mission Mt. Belvieu Mt Pleasant Mustang Ridge Nacogdoches Navasota Needville New Braunfels Nixon Odem Odessa Orange Palacios Palmview Pampa Paris Pasadena Pearland Pearsall Pettus Pflugerville Pharr Plainview Plano Pleasanton Point Comfort Port Arthur Port Isabel Port Lavaca Port Mansfeild Port O’Connor Portland Poth Raymondville Refugio Richmond Rio Grande City River Park Riviera Robstown Rockport Rosenburg Round Rock San Angelo

San Antonio San Benito San Juan San Marcos Schertz Schulenburg Seabrook Seadrift Sealy Selma Seguin Sherman Shiner Sinton Spring Spring Branch Stafford Stephenville Stockdale Sugarland Sugar Valley Sweetwater Taylor Temple Texas City The Woodlands Three Rivers Tivoli Tomball Tyler Universal City Uvalde Van Vleck Victoria Vidor Von Ormy Waco Wadsworth Wallisville Waxahachie Weslaco West Columbia Wharton Wichita Falls Winnie Woodsboro Yoakum Yorktown

Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

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texas aNGlers love spotted seatrout aNd by Now everybody has surely heard of Just Keep Five. We began using that slogan to encourage greater conservation of spotted seatrout back in 2002 during the Spotted Seatrout Work Group sessions and have been pushing it steadily ever since. I am not the author of Just Keep Five; that credit would belong to friend and well-known Rockport fishing guide, Jay Watkins.

There was much debate flowing that summer and everybody that took a fish from the water was under the magnifying glass. Recreational anglers and guides were getting hammered for using live croaker, tournament promoters were threatened with tar and feathers for the pressure they brought, and TPWD was called chicken for not cutting the bag limit while being tongue-lashed for even considering it. To top everything off, anglers were having a tough summer; even in the historically trout-rich Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay. Jay came out with a statement in Tom Nix’s Saltwater Angler that rang with a lot of meaning.

“If you think tournaments kill too many, ask the promoters to change the rules and weigh fewer. If you think keeping ten will hurt the resource, just keep five.” Jay’s message went on to ask for an end to divisiveness and bickering among sport anglers. I liked the sound of what he had to say and that’s when we started to push Just Keep Five.

Just Keep Five is still alive and well and lots of folks have adopted it.

Now I want to introduce you to another conservation slogan I’m going to be using and trying to popularize. While the basic concept behind this one has been used in other places, it hasn’t yet been applied to fishing, so far as I know. We could have went with the traditional Catch & Release theme, but that line already gets a lot of play. Our slogan asserts that our spotted seatrout are too valuable to be caught just once, so in the interest of helping guarantee that future generations will be able to enjoy this wonderful fishery, please recycle some of your catch.

If you would like to display a sticker on your truck or boat like the one shown below, visit us at the

Convention Center on March 5 through 9, 2008. We’ll have

CATC HJ

nCe TO uS

the George R. Brown

TOO GO

Houston Fishing Show at

TO D O

one waiting for you.

Stickers will also be

very shortly.

Thanks for reading and

S

SA

reCyCle!

lT W

AT e r Fi S H i n

A GM

Zi

XA

website; TSFMag.com

Te

magazine and on our

ne

available through this

G

A

good fishing.

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March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Just Keep Five

Dear Mr. Johnson I appreciate you taking the time to talk with my son and me at the Speedy Stop in Port Lavaca. You will probably remember giving me two boxes of the last month’s issue for my wife who is a teacher at Calhoun High School. She teaches freshman English and uses the magazines for creative writing assignments.

Let me begin by saying how much I appreciate the time, efforts and artistic talent that you and your staff put into each edition of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine. It stands head and shoulders above all the others as the most informative, educational as well as inspirational magazine on the subjects of saltwater fishing and coastal conservation. I eagerly await each new issue and read from cover to cover.

The trout and reds have set the hook deep in me; I’ve gotten the itch to be on the water all the time. I’ve been considering buying my first boat, and thanks to your magazine, I’ve been in touch with some really helpful individuals who are guiding me towards finding a boat that suits me and my family.

By no means am I a salty dog. Having moved to Port Lavaca from Arkansas in the early 80’s, I am doing all that I can to learn every aspect of the sport. With the help of your magazine, and several good friends who are very educated on the subject, I am making great strides toward learning the craft, as well as trying to provide a stable future in our fishery for generations to come.

Your columnists always provide entertaining and informative stories.

Among my favorites are Bink Grimes, Martin Strarup and Brandon Jenewein. Kevin Cochran makes me feel as though I am right next to him wading the shorelines. Pam’s mouthwatering recipes make the night shift at the plant seem even longer, when all I’ve got to eat is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and Cheetos.

I’m enclosing a picture of my oldest son who will be five in January. He and I have been fishing many times and I’m proud to say he caught a keeper drum not long ago. Needless to say, he too has gotten the itch to be on the water all of the time. The photo was taken a few years ago, when he was three. It was just before his bath time one evening. I heard him talking to himself from my bedroom and gave a little peek to see what was so interesting. Like the old saying goes. “Like father, like son”!

My wife has this picture among others of our three children as her screensaver. One day recently one of her students was looking at all of the pictures of the kids. When this picture popped up she said the boy giggled at first and leaned in for a closer look, then exclaimed “Hey… that’s Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine! You are definitely reaching the masses.

I do not know if the picture is worthy of the magazine, I hope you don’t

feel that it is in poor taste, but I am enclosing a jpeg image on CD in the event you think others might get a chuckle out of it. His name is Colton.

Thanks for all you do, and keep up the good work, John Herren, Jr. Port Lavaca, TX Dear John, Thanks for writing! Indeed, I recall meeting you and Colton at the Speedy Stop Store. Glad to hear the kids in your wife’s class are enjoying the magazines. We would like very much to drop copies at the Calhoun High School each month. Here’s wishing you and Colton good luck fishing this spring; hope you get some nice trout and reds and make some great memories. Good luck with the boat purchase!

Everett Dear Mr. Johnson I just subscribed to your magazine. I became familiar with it through my association with Capt. Ernest Cisneros. What a great guide he is. I have fished with him several times and not only is he a great guide, he is a great person as well.

Thanks for publishing such a fine magazine.

Jim Stratton Dear Jim, I have to agree, Capt Ernest Cisneros is a talented fisherman and a very good fishing guide. I also agree that he is a great person. Take a look at his son, Aaron, Ernest is a great father too! We are proud of all our writers, with guys like Ernest on the team, how could we not be? Hope you enjoy the magazine.

Everett Johnson Everett, I met you this past summer in Port O’Connor at Kids Fish sponsored by Speedy Stop Stores. You are a great supporter of these events and I love your magazine. I chased you down as you were leaving the Kids Fish but not sure if you remember me, there were lots of folks there.

Thanks for a great magazine, Roger Sustaire Dear Roger, The Speedy Stop Stores Kid’s Fishing event is an awesome display of a good corporate citizen (Thomas Petroleum/Speedy Stop Stores) giving back to their community. We always have a blast getting our grandkids entered and them taking them fishing and to the weigh-in party. The food is always great and the smiles on those kid’s faces is just priceless. I got to be on the weigh team and I looked into those hopeful eyes as the fish went on the scale and it was very rewarding. I’ve always believed that if you get a kid hooked on fishing he’d probably never get hooked on bad stuff. Glad to hear that you enjoy the magazine, we have a ball putting it out there!

Good fishing to you and your family, Everett Johnson

SenD yOur leTTerS TO: TSFMag, P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 8

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

9

A question arises about how much stuff we really need out there to help us catch fish, especially while wading. What is practical and what is not? We’ve talked about some of this before but let’s continue.

We certainly need “stuff” to fish with, but let’s face it; we’ve come a long way from the simplicity of a Norman Rockwell painting; where some freckle-faced kid in high-water overalls tugs against unknown monsters of the abyss with only a cane pole and straw hat.

Back to Sir Gary and his gear. Despite a passionate attempt at recordbook infamy, his day was wrought with comic tragedy, mainly due to being over-prepared for the task at hand. He backlashed twice to where he had to re-spool by dabbing his backcast into his trailing net.

Became stuck in the mud with his twenty-pound armored stingray boots that ended in a graceful reel-dunking pirouette. Stumbled after dozens

ust last week i had the pleasure of fishiNG with oNe i dubbed sir Gary Gearhead, moderN-

of topwaters that had escaped his over-stuffed lance, Sir Gearhead slid quietly over the gunwale

wading pouch while everything that could sink did.

to challenge the giants of the flats, both real

Spent several sessions untangling topwaters from

and imaginary. Unbeknownst to our chivalrous

his landing net. And had to take frequent breaks

plugger, his landing net had been ensnared by a

from being the well-dressed warrior he was. Enter

cleat, resulting in a headfirst baptizing in the very

the concept of Minimalist.

day Don Quixote of saltwater. Replete in clattering

elements he’d come to conquer. It was to be the

regalia, including seven-foot custom-built titanium

first of many gear-inspired guffaws that day.

Despite advertiser spin in those fancy “Arrogant Angler” magazines, we probably just

don’t need a huge arsenal of stuff on the water.

multiple rods, and some to carry everything

Granted, opinions are the property of the

we might need on a survival trip down the

beholder, but here are a few suggestions.

Amazon. What we do need is one small box

lureS… Again, as regards the actual lures

of proven lures, a good pair of pliers, and a

we need to carry, less is often more. The more

good stringer if you happen to be in the killing

time we spend casting and trying to decipher

mode. Speaking of stringers, a huge pet peeve

nature’s clues, the more fish we will probably

of mine is a cheap, flaccid stringer. These can

catch. I can’t tell you how many fish I’ve caught

be categorized as impractical and frustrating

while somebody is tying yet another indecisive

because you’ll waste twenty minutes back at

knot. The further I get into all of this, the more

the boat trying to untangle a tangle of fish. A

I suspect that it’s not so much WHAT we are

stringer of sufficient gauge will allow your fish to

throwing but HOW we are throwing it. A couple

remain in linear order. I would like to challenge

of topwaters, a few jigs of various weight, and

our manufacturers into designing more high-

perhaps a good spoon or two should “get it” in

performance gear as is done in every other

most cases. Please note that the Corky family of

sport. For simplicity I’m using Fishing Tackle

fishing lures is exempt from scrutiny here.

Unlimited’s single lure boxes and carry pouch.

A She Dog for when an obnoxious

However, for the true minimalist, one of the

presentation is called for; something like a

world’s greatest inventions is the Ziplock bag in

Skitterwalk or Top Dog for all-around use; a

the shirt pocket.

few pieces of preferred plastic to include light,

OTHer PerFOrMAnCe enHAnCinG

dark, and natural should cover the entire water

PArAPHernAliA... Nets are great when

column and most angling needs quite well.

and if you need them. However, nets catch

Colors can be important (especially to us), but

more than just fish. Other catches include

trying to carry the entire spectrum is asking

treble hooks and cleats, not to mention a fish’s

for information overload and indecision. If you

protective slime. Hand-grabbing your fish is not

are carrying plugs without toothmarks, unless

only macho, it’s part of the fun and challenge,

they’re for backup, you may be carrying

plus we can handle fish more delicately if we

too much.

intend to release them… something we are

WADinG BelTS, POuCHeS, eTC…

going to do more often down here with the new

There are many products on the market today

five trout limit. If you need a net, buy one of high

to help us carry “essential” gear. Some are

quality. Those rubber meshed ones seem more

designed for back support, some to carry

user friendly. I prefer a Boga Grip. It’s simple

all that armor for windmills… unless you factor in entertainment value?

Fishing is a wonderful adventure, full of expectations and dreams, but all too often we complicate this simple exercise. The gist of all of this is to carry the minimal best and leave the rest. See Joe Meyer at Fishing Tackle Unlimited if you need assistance. He fishes like we do. See

and I can land a big fish, and then cut it loose

What happened to the old days when saltwater

without ever touching it.

cured whatever ailed us? Now, in some places,

A quick but related word about those swirly-

wade fishing has nearly become a bio-hazard,

type terminal connectors I’m seeing more

especially for those who might be immune system

frequently. Yes, they are easy and can save time,

compromised. A good medicine box now seems

but if using them encourages us to constantly

critical, with bleach, peroxide, or other anti-

change lures, well…? Also, I’m seeing many

bacterial rinsing fluids onboard. Scrapes, oyster

anglers neglecting to re-tie as often as we should

cuts, and other bodily breeches should be flushed

while using them, and subsequently fish are lost

as soon as possible. Don’t mess around with salt-

to frayed line.

exposed wounds, and a strong pair of clean side-

There are actually some bulkier items of potential value to consider. We were loaned several of The Third Leg™ by Wade Easy LLC

hook removal.

Looking in the ice chest, proper fluids are critical there as well. Let’s just try to remember

posts to use while wading, hunting, etc. Clients

that beer and wade fishing go together like clown

who used them said they had fun with them,

shoes and tap dancing.

A list of essential gear is a highly personal

softer bottoms. If anything helps you fish harder, it

one; but to be truly effective in our work, the list

qualifies as practical and therefore has a place.

is probably best pared to the most fundamental

BOAT GeAr… As long as we are discussing essential carry, let’s don’t forget about the boat.

12

March 2008

mike mcbride

cutter plies is highly recommended for human

to try. You know, those little portable leaning

especially those who have a difficulty negotiating

coNtact

y’all there, and watch out for the windmills.

gadgets. Do we really need two floating nets and four tackle boxes? Did Don Quixote really need Texas Saltwater Fishing

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March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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March 2008

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March 2008

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Author’s Note: I learned much of what I know about the Karankawa Indians from a fascinating, informative book by Gary Cartwright titled Galveston: A History of the Island. I hereby acknowledge Mr. Cartwright’s contribution to the following piece. umerous warlike Native American tribes inhabited coastal Texas when Europeans arrived here. One has been more misunderstood and maligned than all others. A mostly silent, brooding people, the Karankawa Indians were as physically imposing as they were culturally enigmatic. Written accounts left by the white settlers describe them in stark terms; they were both hated and feared.

Though the Spanish, French, Dutch and Anglo-Americans are known to have been prone to exaggerate, numerous basic truths about the Karankawas were undoubtedly recorded by them. The dark-faced Indians spoke infrequently, even within their own tribal groups, and were often accompanied by tiny, barkless dogs (karan means dog, kawa: to love).

Reliably reported to have feasted on the flesh of defeated enemies, they were also said to prize basic civil virtues such as fidelity, the love of their children and loyalty to their brethren. In fact, the Karankawas so loved their kind that when someone in a family

16

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Just Keep Five

died, the survivors would mourn by openly wailing and

rest, gathering food (they never adopted any forms of

weeping three times a day for up to a year. One of only

agriculture), caring for the young, building and cleaning

a handful of studied cultures known to have practiced

the camp and cooking. When the men weren’t hunting

ritual weeping, they shed tears over many events, but the

and fishing, they mostly sat around idly, occasionally

death of a loved one brought on the severest displays.

taking a swim in the shallows or swatting at each other

Mourning tribe members would also refuse to gather

with sharkskin saps for sport.

food for a month or more.

They survived this ritualized, self-imposed ordeal

It is fascinating indeed to take a mental journey back a few centuries and imagine what it was like to live as a

only through the charity of other tribe members.

Karankawa on the mosquito-infested shores long before

Survived, that is, if there was enough to eat. The

the guns of the American Revolution or Civil War spilled

Karankawas knew hunger regularly, sometimes enduring

blood on the soil of our homeland. The middle stretch of

on roasted rats and tarantulas. Some who starved did so

Galveston Island is where we set the scene.

willingly. Another part of the difficulty they had subsisting on the coastal prairies, marshes and barrier islands of Texas was also, in effect, self-imposed.

Rather than follow the logic of wintering in the forests

In the month of October in some year in the 17th

along the rivers feeding the bay systems on whose

century, a group of thirty Karankawas arrive on the north

shores they lived, then spending their summers out in

shoreline of Galveston Bay, at a point of land now known

the breezes where the ocean meets land, they usually

by the name of their tribe. The men in the procession

did the opposite. It’s hard to understand why they chose

carry six slender, twenty-five foot canoes, dug out of tree

to live this way, but they apparently had no interest in

trunks. They slide these into the calm, salty shallows

letting others in on their motives. Although almost every

which sit in the lee of the land, under a moderate

other tribe living in Texas at that time adopted many of

northwest breeze.

the cultural elements and practices of the whites as their

The members of the tribe shove off and head for the

own, the Karankawas staunchly refused to take on any of

barrier island, some two miles distant, keeping the wind

their ways and means.

on their backs and staying atop a bar which spans the

Towering above almost all other Native Americans

bay, passing through a string of oyster reefs on the way.

and Europeans, the males of the tribe reached a full six

After entering a wide, grassy cove on the shore of the

feet. Their skin was lighter than that of other Indians, the

sandy island, they make their way to the marshy bank

tangled hair hanging to their waist scorched cinnamon

and disembark, then continue on to a group of trees

brown by the sun. Their dun, tattoed faces were framed

where they will spend the winter.

by high, wide foreheads, due to the practice of strapping

Camped halfway between the bay and the beach, in

the young to boards and hanging them from the rafters

a grove they call Three Trees, they plant themselves in

for stretching. Warriors often threaded slender reeds

the center of a wealth of available food sources. There

through slits in the skin of their chests for decoration.

are edible roots in the marshes along the bay, herds of

Some wore a breechclout, while others simply went

deer, flocks of ducks and geese. The bayous weaving

about naked as they dropped from the womb, even in

onto land from the estuary fairly teem with numerous

cold weather.

sources of protein: trout, redfish, flounder, pompano,

The females, shorter and stockier than the men, were considered unattractive, dumpy and plain by those who described them. They often wore simple frocks of Spanish moss, though a few maidens wore more elaborate deerhide skirts. Given that rival warriors often kidnapped and married them, there probably weren’t too many maidens around.

Nor were there many elderly members of the tribe to be found. Though they were known to be capable of surviving into old age, and were said to have straight, strong teeth well into their forties, tribe members who could no longer contribute to the good of the group were regularly killed. The manner in which this was done is not known. It seems certain that lots of weeping and wailing occurred in the aftermath of such events.

What is better understood is the basic way in which the tribe went about making its living. The men did the hunting and fishing and the women did all the www.TSFMAG.com

Just Keep Five

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Angler Keith Montague is no Karankawa.

He’s seen here releasing a prized catch after working for quite some time to catch it.

March 2008

17

turtles and prolific oyster beds.

But over the stretch of bitter months, the sloughs become almost barren, sometimes draining entirely after strong frontal passages. The

long minutes that stretch out toward an hour, the

of stoic resignation and emotional bravado with

patient fisherman maintains a vigil, while his loyal

which the Karankawas lived. I’m mystified by the

dog naps in the reeds.

methods of fishermen who married the patience

Eventually he spies the object of his hunt;

of the wary heron with the sharp, sure talons of

Indians use seines and traps to take a meager

three spotted seatrout move off the far end of

the osprey. The harsh climate of coastal Texas

catch from the backwaters, but more impressive

the grass bed beside which he is poised, slowly

demanded such things from them.

is a method some warriors use to take bigger fish

swimming down its edge toward where he waits.

from the slightly deeper waters of the bay.

The old fish are completely oblivious to the

state have largely tamed the land, bridged the

presence of the man, who stands as still as stone.

bays, dammed the mighty rivers and learned to

single hunter creeps along the shore of what is

At high noon, he casts no shadow, as if he’s

ride the skies on metal wings, we can not fully

now Carancahua Cove, near the site of Galveston

become one with the mud, the sea, the sky and

comprehend the kind of simple, hard life the

Island State Park. Accompanied only by a foxlike

the sun. Inch by inch, almost imperceptibly, the

Native Americans lived. Our complex lives are

dog, he crouches while approaching the end of a

taut arms of the warrior begin to rise and place the

much too comfortable to allow such insight.

narrow point projecting into the body of the cove,

potent bow into shooting position. Eventually, he’s

nearly crawling as he reaches the cool, clear

poised for the shot, having pulled the weapon to

water lapping at the shoal grass. In his right hand,

its breaking point.

the lean, tan man carries a six-foot bow made

When the trout are but a few yards in front of

from a bough of red cedar. Strung with deer sinew,

him, he releases the arrow at the fattest of the

it’s a powerful weapon, useless in the hands of a

three and hits it directly atop its wide, black head.

woman or child; only a grown man can pull it to the

The flint passes through the skull and digs deep

ready position.

into the muck, pinning the thrashing fish down. Like

A few yards from the water’s edge, the Indian can clearly see dark shapes blanketing the muddy bottom; these grass beds, he knows, are favorite

a raccoon, the hunter pounces on his prey and plucks it from the water still skewered on the shaft.

Retreating to the sand, he kneels and removes

haunts for some of the fat trout that come near

the iridescent trout from the arrow, which he

shore to warm themselves under clear skies at the

washes in the water and places in its quiver. Then

end of the cold season. Beneath a bright sun, with

he heads off in the direction of the distant trees,

stealth rivaling that of a blue heron, he remains

carrying the dappled fish in one hand, the strong

hunched over at the waist and slips almost silently

bow in the other, the faithful hound hopping at his

into the crystalline bay waters, shuffling slowly out

heels. Later, he and other tribe members shed

to the edge of the soft mat of grass, watching for

tears, then share in a feast, filling their bellies

any sign of a fish as he goes. The little mutt sits

one last time before they row back across the bay

down on the sand to watch and wait.

to the mainland and the timbered river bottoms

Then the man stops, slowly straightens

coNtact

As winter nears its end, in early March, a

Though the modern inhabitants of this

keviN cochraN

where they will spend the spring.

himself and stands fully erect, holding a stout arrow tight against the bow’s string; on the arrow’s killing end rides a honed flint tip, and on its butt end, strategically placed snow goose feathers provide stability in flight. In silence, for 18

March 2008

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21

t had seeN better days. the teeth marks that covered the lure told of maNy eNcouNters with

The Cotton Cordell Jointed Red Fin, which

you remember forever and not just because there

was also known as a “Broken Back”, was one

were a lot of fish caught, but because there were

of my favorite lures years ago and I used them

a few fish that were lost.

with great success while fishing for both redfish

Robert and I had crossed the entrance into

speckled trout and the almost rusted through

and trout. I’ll never know why we stop using lures

Cotton’s with he on the east end and I on the

hooks meant that it had been in the saltwater for

that never stopped producing for us in favor for

west. We were casting as we waded in and the

quite a while. A little red paint had been added to

the latest and greatest lures that come out every

bottom where I was wading was heavy with

the head of this lure but it had all but faded away.

year, but we do.

grass. I was sliding my feet as I moved and all

Monofilament was broken off just above the knot

The day that I lost the lure was June 8th, 1981

of a sudden I slid my foot onto something that

that was still tied to the lure’s eye. That meant that

and I was fishing with my friend Robert Glenn. We

literally lifted me up off of my feet and tossed me

the knot didn’t fail but that something had cut the

had made the run over to the south shoreline of

backwards into the water. Robert on the other

leader that caused the loss of the lure and the fish

West Matagorda Bay from Palacios in my Boston

side of the cut had no idea what was going on but

that had mistaken the piece of plastic for a mullet.

Whaler and found the waters around Cotton’s

he heard me yell and saw me going backwards

In fact, I could remember the day that I lost this

Bayou full of nervous bait and feeding fish. Before

into the water and at the same time saw an

particular lure not 50 yards from where I found it

I had gathered my gear and gotten into the water,

enormous wake headed right towards him. He

almost a year earlier. I had wondered many times

Robert had hooked up on a nice redfish using

told me that the ray was a good five-feet across

if my knot had failed or if the line had been cut.

his favorite copper spoon. As he fought the fish, I

and I’m glad that it just gave me a good dunking

made my way towards him casting as I went and

and didn’t skewer me with its barb.

hooked up with a decent trout out in a little deeper water. That morning was one of those that

That little incident shook me up a little and I thought back to a number of years earlier, not far from that place when I

22

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had stepped out of the boat and right onto

We’ve all had them; you all know what I’m

a ray that was not as forgiving. I moved to

talking about. One moment you have the

deeper water and left Robert to wade the

fish hooked and all is well and then there is

boggy slough.

simply… nothing. It leaves you feeling a little

As I moved out of Cotton’s and crossed

empty inside as you reel in your line that is no

the first gut I cast the black and gold “Broken

longer attached to a lure or a fish and for me it

Back” parallel to the shoreline and into a

signaled a good time for a break.

pod of mullet that caused bait to fly out of

As I walked back to the boat I could see

the water. The fish hit the lure almost before

Robert back in the bayou, his fishing rod

I could lock the handle on my reel. It was a

bent to the power of another redfish and for a

really nice trout and it was much bigger than

second I thought about heading back in there

what we had been catching that day. The big

to join him, but the memory of the large ray

fish tore out and across the second bar then

made the cold drinks in the boat win out over

pulled back towards the shoreline, running

catching more reds.

along the gut and coming back towards me.

When Robert got back to the boat I told

The only shell that I know of in that area was

him about the big trout and I told him about

just at the mouth of the cut and that was

the lure. He had his limit of reds and a few

where I lost the fish.

really nice trout and a bonus flounder for his

It was one of those, “Huh?” moments.

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Mother. We laughed about the ray, talked

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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23

The following March found me on the same shoreline in a little different weather. Waders were necessary that day but the weather was beautiful and we were between cold fronts. I had waded up to the shoreline to fix a broken strap on my waders when I saw the lure lying on the sand. I knew it was my lure before I bent over to pick it up and the first thing I did was check to see if my knot was still tied.

My log entry for that day reads: Caught some fish today at Cotton’s but I found the lure I lost

coNtact

about the ones that got away and then we headed back to Palacios.

martiN strarup

last year.

Later I changed the hooks out on the lure and used it a few times, but each time I did, I worried that I wouldn’t be so lucky to find it again if I lost it so I retired it to my desk.

I look at it now and then when I am at my desk and I remember the day that I lost the lure, I remember the day that I found the lure and I remember fishing with my friend.

Be safe.

24

March 2008

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enter the contest today! Go to page 59 for more details‌

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

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25

eN species of oceaN dolphiNs (family: delphinidae) are found

involve observations of these creatures and I’d like to share this very special one with you.

One late summer’s morning we were heading

moving even one of them alone.

The scene in front of us was total chaos and I instructed my customers to stay out of the water

south on the beach looking for food chain activity.

and just observe while I attempted to call the

species of porpoise (family: phocenidae) are found

The weather was hot and sticky without a hint

mammal stranding network, PINS personnel or

off of North America. Harbor porpoise are not

of a breeze and lines of heavy rain squalls were

anyone else I could reach by phone. I sat on top of

found south of North Carolina and Dall’s porpoise

moving inshore from the Gulf with short breaks in

the suburban for some time, placing several calls

are only found in the Pacific. Thusly, no true

between. The water was flat and crystal clear with

unsuccessfully. As I waited I kept constant watch

porpoise are found in the Gulf of Mexico.

only one 10-inch swell breaking the surface on the

of the actions of the dolphins in the surf and soon

in the Gulf of Mexico. Two

wade bar and not a sign of life was to be found on

realized that what we were seeing was not a mass

called porpoise and Webster’s Dictionary

the surface of the sea. Down around the 44-mile

stranding but rather was a planned rescue.

approves of such usage, but the fact remains

I noticed black objects moving in the very shallow

that it is scientifically incorrect. Dolphin normally

surf up ahead and occasional large splashes. My

pushed and driven back out into deeper water and

encountered in Texas bay systems and nearshore

first thought was that several sharks had wounded

then four adults surrounded them and denied them

coastal waters of this state are Atlantic bottlenosed

a large fish or other sea creature and had pushed

access to return to the shallow water. One large

dolphins and those most often encountered

it into shallow water to finish it off.

adult in the shallows was plainly in a stressed

In common usage, dolphins are commonly

offshore are spotted and spinner dolphins.

I hurried to the scene with the plan of

The three juveniles were literally beaten,

condition and at the point of complete exhaustion.

sightcasting to one of the sharks but upon arriving

This was the one actually stranded and the others

who dislike dolphins due to the fact that their

I was shocked to find not sharks but sixteen adult

had intentionally beached themselves in an

diets regularly include the same species that

and three baby Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins

attempt to help this individual return to the sea.

sport fishermen seek, but I’m not one of them. I

threshing madly about in water only a few inches

Their flanks and bellies were solid pink from being

made a conscious decision long ago not to pass

deep. My first impression was that we were

abraded by contact with the sand.

judgement on the worth of any of God’s creatures.

witnessing a mass stranding and I was not very

I simply have never considered myself qualified to

hopeful that my two customers and I would be

side by side, rapidly pounding their flukes up

be second-guessing the handiwork of my Creator.

able to help very much.

and down and churning the sand of the shallow

I know there are any number of fishermen

I’ve also always felt that labeling inhabitants of the

I’ve been involved in returning stranded adult

Four or five adults would take turns working

bar between the stranded individual and the

natural world as good or bad is inappropriate as

dolphins back to the sea numerous times over the

sea. After a few minutes they would be replaced

they are simply functioning in the roles they were

years and knew all too well the genuine dangers

by another group that would continue the task.

intended to fill. Some of my favorite memories

of handling these heavy and tremendously strong

When I realized what they were doing I was

Enjoying a different view of PINS while shark fishing on the Panga Feb-08.

creatures. There was no way I

utterly amazed; they were using the rapid up and

could take my totally inexperienced

down motions of their flukes to “blow” sand out of

customers in there to help me and

that section of shallow bar directly in front of the

I knew that I would be incapable of

weakened and stranded individual. They were

Eric Ozolins, fishing alone on PINS Feb 9 08, hooked up on three sharks at once. He tagged and released these two sandbars. Oz managed to land, tag and release a total of six in two days.

literally using their flukes to dredge out a tiny pass across the shallow bar.

Two big dolphins struggled to get into position on either side of the stranded individual and then worked diligently to get their pectoral fins under it. Pushing their bodies tightly against it and working in unison, they lifted the stranded one, all the while pounding their flukes for propulsion and literally bulldozing their way through the tiny pass they’d made toward deeper water.

It took three attempts from three pairs of rescuers until they finally reached deep water. The stressed individual seemed totally recovered after circling briefly and shortly thereafter they all disappeared Paul Knowles of Corpus Christi with a 47" redfish (released) that I believe weighed 40 pounds. We lost a big shark to the anchor rope. Nearshore Gulf off PINS Feb-08.

leaving only a few swirls on the calm surface of the sea and a lifelong memory burned into the minds of the three men lucky enough to have seen it all happen.

Every time someone gets on a rant

about how many fish all the dolphins are eating I remember this event and I just grin.

I remember that while I fish for a living by choice, the dolphin wasn’t given any such option and I can find no fault in him being good at what he was put here to do. I never see one frolicking in the surf on a cold winter’s day without thinking of the grandeur that is the natural world and I am glad they share this world with me.

Remaining in this fishing business for as many years as I have is a lot of work and I couldn’t do it without the help of some really great sponsors. I’m proud of my sponsors and am proud to announce that I have a couple of new ones; Sufix Lines and Temple Fork Fly Rods. Good people and awesome product.

I would like to take a second here to encourage as many as can to attend and support the benefit for Capt. Chris Phillips that is scheduled for March 30, 2008. This event will run from 1:00-5:00pm at Blanco’s on West Alabama in Houston, TX. Capt.

Chris is a past-president of Texas Fly Fishers and helped pioneer fly-fishing in Texas saltwater. Chris has been a good friend and guide to many anglers over the years and it’s time for us to band together and help out as best we can. Chris will undergo

Wingspan 47 1/2 to 50”

recovery. For more information you can contact Andy Packmore at Fishing Tackle Unlimited 281-481-6838.

You can also email to: packmore@ fishingtackleunlimited.com.

Don’t forget the Big Shell Beach Cleanup is Saturday March 8, 2008.

coNtact

surgery on February 11 for a brain tumor and will likely face a long and expensive

capt. billy saNdifer

Breeds on prairies and lakes of Canada, mid-Western states and North Great Basin South to NE California.

The ring-billed gull is a winter visitor to Texas. Present August through May on bays, in the Gulf, on beaches, estuaries and lakes. The only creature I know of that regularly

participate and be a part of helping us Removed milestone.

Boy, don’t you know them dolphin were some kind of sore from all that “road rash” for a couple of days after that rescue! Life’s A Hoot. Get You Some of It. Be Careful, Be Courteous, Be Kind.

Yellow bill with a complete black band encircling it mid-length. Yellow legs and feet.

One and all are cordially invited to achieve the Million Pounds of Trash

Length 28-21”

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.

Telephone 361-937-8446 Website www.billysandifer.com

eats Portuguese Man of War. Works bait fish alongside other gulls and terns.

28

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29

eople ofteN say that the first step to curiNG a problem or addictioN is to

Tackle Unlimited blush” is a common

admit that you have one. “Hi my

junkie and I can recite it as well as anyone.

name is Chuck Uzzle and I am a lure junkie.”

You’d think that with getting that off

The old saying, “lures catch more fishermen than fish,” is the creed of the lure I can also attest that the real lure junkie can find a new “gotta have” bait almost

my chest I could embark upon a path to

anywhere, and is never prouder than when

recovery, right? Not a chance! If there is one

he can show off a bait nobody has ever

thing I am certain of, it’s that I am not alone

heard of or much less has in their box.

in suffering this tackle affliction, it seems

One day not long ago while drifting the

almost all anglers suffer from this expensive

reef with a group of clients, I made note of

habit and you just don’t shake it overnight.

the lure colors they used as we enjoyed

Ask any guide how much tackle they carry

steady catching throughout the day. Mind

on their boat on any given trip and most will

you, the color changing continued even after

say, “too much.”

the pattern for the day was well understood.

Guides aren’t the only ones who carry

Then one of the guys decided to experiment

way too much tackle, the regular weekend

with one of his favorite baits. As the hideous

fisherman totes way more than their share

offering was lowered into the water it took

as well. I know I’ve had some fun trying to fit all the tackle clients carry into my boat, sometimes it’s down right comical and all you can do is laugh. “We got enough tackle to make Fishing

30

sentiment and it’s usually true.

March 2008

no time at all before he began to heft one good trout after another into the boat! I could not believe my eyes. Needless to say my own lure junkie status kicked up a notch and I have now become somewhat of a “hidden bait” fanatic. I enjoy finding out what

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Out of town lures may be just what you need to catch bigger fish this spring.

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particular baits are used in different places as well as finding out if they will work as well here on Sabine Lake or other local waters.

A perfect example of how different the color choice can be between lakes is found when you compare Sabine and Calcasieu. These two lakes are only separated by 30 miles and are very similar in many aspects yet the choices of colors could not be farther apart. On Sabine Lake we throw very bright colors like chartreuse and glo while on Calcasieu they throw plenty of

The “Bo Bait” that introduced me to a great angler and a new go to lure.

black/gold or dark purple with a chartreuse Howard and he told me that Bo goes

both catch fish and each one is considered a

on these trips just to see if can he

mainstay by local fishermen.

convert the guide to his favorite bait,

In the past decade I have had a couple of

I told him I had no problem saying

memorable fishing trips when my eyes were

I was converted as long as the fish

introduced to a new bait that made a lasting

kept biting.

impression on me. I found some tiny plastic

Bo’s “magic bait” was a Bass

Black baits like the Catch 2000 and Super Spook really gained popularity around Matagorda and have now spread all over the Texas coast.

worms while fishing in Colorado that I rigged

Assassin Sea Shad in salt and

wacky style and caught lots of brown trout in a

pepper with a chartreuse tail. This

backwater stream near Royal Gorge. The local

bait and/or color combination has

fishermen had no idea what I was doing, but

since become known to my friends as the

they knew I was catching fish. The first time

Watson Special or Bo’s Bait. Countless trout

I threw a Corky and caught speckled trout in

and redfish as well as flounder have fallen to

Sabine Lake would rank right up there in the

this super little bait, and there have even been

eye opener category.

some really big fish caught on it as well. Each

Without a doubt the number one memorable

time I pick up this little piece of plastic I am

trip that changed how I fish came at the hands of

reminded of how I was introduced to its fish

an outstanding angler from Louisiana’s Cocodrie

catching capabilities. This little “out of town lure”

marsh area, his name was Bo Watson. Bo came

will continue to be one of my favorites for years

and fished Sabine Lake several times with his

to come as it continually produces fish as well as

brother Howard; both of these gentlemen were

reminds me of a good fisherman.

excellent anglers and fun to be around. On one

Every bait has a story associated with it

particular trip the three of us were chasing the

and perhaps that’s what keeps us searching

birds in the late summer and early fall, we were

for more new lures. My grandfather passed

catching plenty of fish but the size of the trout

away in December and I’ve found myself going

was on the small side and we had not seen any

through his old tackle box and remembering

redfish. While Howard and I fished from the front

each story that went along with the old antique

of the boat we heard Bo say that it was time to

baits. Reminiscing over big fish that grow even

start catching some real fish and he was going to

larger every time a story is told, holding the lure

switch to what he called the magic bait.

and imagining all the fish that fell for the offering.

I paid little attention to the announcement

Memories like those are worth more than

until Bo began to reel in some beautiful redfish

anything and are also the reason I keep chasing

and several hefty trout. Now I am not one of

new lures. I may not catch any more fish

those hardheaded fishermen who refuse to ask,

with all the new tackle but any good memory

“what bait are you throwing and do you have

they provide will be worth more than all the

another?” Bo obliged and I haven’t been the

baits combined.

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chuck uZZle

coNtact

same since. After that trip I spoke to

lakes with two totally different colors of choice

coNtact

tail known locally as “LSU”. Two very similar

Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

31

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33

J ay wa t k i N s

i have a lot of people that seem to be coNfused wheN i start talkiNG about how fish positioN

but by adding some angles to our cast we can

themselves into the wind or current during

up from behind them, it’s just not realistic. Fish

present. Again with the Majek Illusion, I can

feeding periods. Fishing at angles to the wind

not in a feeding frenzy will not often give us that

see the bait and the trout that are living in the

and up-current causes some confusion to those

predator instinct bite. By casting at angles to

areas we are fishing.

that fail to see the underwater picture. If you’re

the wind we allow the lure to cross in front of

a loyal reader of this magazine you have read

the predators, which is more realistic scenario.

wind has the greatest success when working

some articles addressing this issue. The reason

This fishing tactic works especially well with

water 2½ to 5 feet in depth. At this time of year

for tackling this issue again is some recent

lures that have actions that can be caused

we need to fish areas with bottom structure

fishing patterns that have shown this tactic to be

by simply falling or moving through the water

that contains a mix of scattered shell, grass

particularly effective.

column; examples are the 51 and 52 Mirrolures,

and softer bottom. Just a thin layer of silt or

the Catch-5, Catch 2000 Jr., the Corky family,

mud darkens the bottom and helps retain some

spoons, and even topwaters.

much needed heat during the coldest of times.

I have often used this tactic while drifting the flats on windy days for redfish. Over the years I have found it to be extremely effective. The

actually use the wind or current to add a more

to trying to explain what we have happening in

realistic presentation.

our bays system right now and what we are

Game fish do not expect the baitfish to swim

I am especially fond of the Catch-5 and the

doing to capitalize on the fish we know are

I find that working my lure at angles to the

Yesterday I had my guys watch as I released

same tactics work while wading, whether it is

Paul Brown Corky during the coldest of times.

a 4-pound fish over this type of bottom. The

trout or reds you’re targeting. If the fish we are

February tends to be our coldest month along

point to the release was to show them how

trying to catch are facing into the wind/current

the middle Texas coast. As of this writing my

quickly the fish would blend into the spotted

as we work the chosen area for the day, we

water temperature in Rockport is 47 degrees,

bottom. Due to the structure being scattered,

as anglers have the tendency to start upwind

downright cold on the feet and hands. February

the fish depend on wind mostly this time of year

and fish with the wind at our backs. It is safe to

is also our best opportunity to catch that trout of

for positioning. This is where the casting angle

assume that many of us do this and catch fish

a lifetime.

starts to pay big dividends.

Shallow, cold weather trout; 48-degree water.

34

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35

a sk t h e pro

Note the clear water, the cold and lack of wind can create gin clear water this time of year.

The author with a solid winter trout.

redirect his casts farther upwind.

the boat. On large expanses of flats in higher

I did the same and within a few

than normal winds, this tactic is absolutely

casts we both stuck a solid fish.

deadly. I have seen the redfish pull up behind

Working downwind, the fish had

the spoon and turn downwind and eat the bait.

let us work through them without

Many believe that the slack in the line that

Zillion 100 SHA and a braided line such as

being presented naturally. Just

6x20 Power Pro can add a higher hook-up ratio

a little upwind and a few light

when fishing in this manner. The higher speed

twitches and cranks on the

reel allows you to crank down on the belly in

reel handle was all it took to get us on a pattern

the line faster and the Power Pro with its no-

is created by the wind is detrimental to their

that turned the day into one of the best of

stretch allows you to feel the take.

production; actually it’s just the opposite. The

the month.

Remember the fish may turn and follow the

slack in the line creates a belly and the wind

This same tactic will work down south

lure downwind for a few feet before striking.

catches that belly and literally drags the bait

along the King Ranch shoreline. Down there

After the take the fish will follow through the

forward. By lightly twitching and taking up the

you find large masses of floating grass that

strike, creating some slack. It is important to

slack the lure swims and wobbles slowly in and

have basically formed small floating islands.

get the slack out before trying to stick the hook.

out of the scattered bottom structure.

Try casting upwind and allowing the lure to be

This is especially true when drifting under

blown down under the edges of the grass mats.

windy conditions. This is easier said than done

you can actually see the silver flash as the trout

The trout will lay on the upwind points of these

but it is a “must learn” if you are going to fish in

takes the bait. It is not true that you can not feel

grass mats waiting for bait to come out of the

this manner. The next time you’re on the water

the strike when you have this belly in your line.

mats or enter them. The grass mat is sort of like

and not having much luck on your favorite

Think about it, the belly is being created by the

a wall of grass in the flat, which is what makes

downwind wade, toss a lure

angle and the wind, the line is still fairly tight so

them so productive. Place one in an area of

into the wind and see what happens.

feeling the strike is easy.

scattered potholes and watch out.

I honestly believe that the slow wobble that

This tactic works just as well out of the boat

the wind gives the bait as it pushes it downwind

when drifting flats for redfish with spoons and

is very realistic. The main thing however is the

trout with top waters. For most of my guiding

positioning of the bait. By casting at angles,

years I have fished from the back of the boat

the bait effectively comes in front of more fish

while my clients occupied the roomier front

than it would have we’d been throwing directly

end. I like to produce a little wind tack by

downwind. We are also putting the bait out in

leaving just a small portion of the prop in the

front of the feeding fish, exactly where they

water and turning the engine into the wind. This

believe it should be.

makes the boat, even with drift chute deployed,

By trying to create more natural presentations, we create more bites and more

tack slightly into the wind.

Again, by casting across and slightly upwind

bites mean more fish. On several occasion the

and allowing a belly to form in the line, I can

past two weeks I have seen this tactic work to

slowly swim the bait out in front of the feeding

near perfection. On one particular day we had

fish instead of bringing the bait up from behind

pushed through the fish trying to force feed

them. This has been a killer tactic for me during

them. After missing a good fish, I had my client

redfish tournaments that require us to stay in

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

coNtact

On overcast days, while fishing clear water,

36

I do think higher speed reels like the Daiwa

a sniff because the bait was not

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March 2008

37

c a se y sm a rt t “wiNds out of the southeast 15 to 20.” how maNy times have you pulled up

where you want it in a stiff wind and you will look ridiculous trying.

a report like that on the eve of a big fishing trip?

So… what are considered to be good core

You were hoping for, “Light and variable” but you

casting skills? That is a bit subjective, but I’ll give

got, “Gusty.” Unfortunately, steady winds are a

it a shot. An angler with good core casting skills

reality on the Texas Coast. Winds howl out of

should be able to false cast without becoming

the north for a few days and after a brief blissful

entangled in his line or having his loops collapse.

pause they catch their breath and sail back off

He should command control over the speed of

the gulf with a vengeance. It’ll drive a guy with a

his fly line, throwing both slow loops and fast

fly rod crazy. In fact, wind is one of fly fishing’s

tight loops. An angler with good basic skills

biggest obstacles and many anglers forgo

can double-haul and shoot line off the ground

fishing in windy conditions because they fear

or out of a basket. He might manage to make a

it will be an exercise in frustration and defeat

cast in the 80 ft. range on occasion, but more

you to instantly become a good caster. It

on the water. But it doesn’t have to be that

importantly, he can confidently stick a 40-footer

just takes practice. Practice your casting on

way. With a bit of practice and resolve, you can

every time. I consider each of these skills

and off the water and identify where your

improve your casting skills and sharpen your

important in basic saltwater fly casting.

weaknesses are. If possible, get at least a few

game, and winds that were once your nemesis will seem far less menacing.

There are essentially two challenges that

One of the biggest benefits of having a solid, confident casting stroke is that it enables you to

This redfish was waiting for a wind-driven meal tumbling off a large flat.

There is no magic bullet that will enable

rudimentary casting lessons. Casting lessons might seem frivolous, but they will go a long

adapt to a variety of situations. For example—

way toward weeding out bad form and tuning

the double haul allows you to accelerate the

your skills. If you are serious about saltwater

challenge is maintaining accurate, confident

fly line and punch low tight casts into the wind.

fly fishing, casting lessons are worth every

casts. Your core casting skills will be the

Commanding control over your fly line, even at

penny. Remember- with practice comes muscle

determining factor in this. The second challenge

short distances, enables you to make wide side-

memory, strength, and confidence. You reap

is to understand and recognize how fish relocate

arm casts or backhand casts (a “must” in the

what you sow and with a little effort you will

and respond to wind-induced changes in

surf). Line control also allows you to experiment

steadily improve.

the environment. Both of these elements are

with more advanced casts like the Belgian cast or

come into play when tackling the wind. The first

The second facet of successful fishing in the

important. After all, you want those hard-earned

the off-shoulder cast and it lessens your chances

wind is learning how wind affects fish behavior

casts to be landing in lively water.

of being taken out by a .22 caliber Clouser.

and location. A great casting stroke won’t

Shooting line is a basic skill that will enable you

produce fish if you are throwing flies into dead

to make very long downwind casts off the bow

water. The key thing to remember is that wind

Let’s begin with casting skills. Wind is the allmighty equalizer when it comes to casting a fly

38

you will have a terrible time trying to get your fly

rod. You might be able to fake it in the driveway,

of a boat or out of a stripping bucket. These are

will push water and create currents. Currents

but if your core casting skills are not up to par,

valuable techniques in windy conditions.

propel, disrupt, and dislodge prey, providing an

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Good core casting skills allow an angler to punch line into a strong wind.

Angler Nick Curcione has been active in the world of fly fishing for many

Wind-driven water flowing through a narrow creek is a likely place for predators to lurk.

years. He has authored several books and written many articles on the subject. What I like about Curcione’s style of

opportunity for predators to capture an easy

A 400-yard stretch of that shoreline had

writing is that he provides

meal. The trick is to learn where to look for,

yielded nothing, not even a promising head

common sense examples

and how to identify, areas where this occurs.

wake. Things looked bleak and the boat

and explanations to

behind me started looking farther and

illustrate what are at

shelter from the wind. It’s human nature.

farther away. Ahead of me, the shoreline

times complex topics. If

You know… “Find a protected shoreline.”

tapered into a narrow point and behind the

you are just starting out

If your sole goal is to spot a redfish tail

point was a wide expanse of open water.

We often have a tendency to seek

in saltwater fly fishing, or perhaps have experience but want to learn

sticking out of the water on a windy day,

Wind was pushing water around the point

then make yourself happy and go find some

and had formed a visible seam that streaked

something new, you will enjoy Nick Curcione’s book The

calm water. Who knows, maybe you will luck

out several hundred feet. I figured I might as

Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing.

into something. But a more adventurous,

well check it out. As soon as I approached

The Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing is a book

and often successful, tactic is to seek out

the seam I started spotting redfish that had

that stemmed from Curcione’s involvement with Orvis as

the froth and current… go to the places with

been attracted to the disturbed water. They

a member of their Saltwater Advisory Team in the early

movement and action.

were aggressively feeding along the seam,

‘90’s. As one might expect, The Orvis Guide to Saltwater

and those fish were a delightful end to a

Fishing takes advantage of each and every opportunity to

long dead wade.

promote Orvis products. No problem with that really- after

Often times, predators will patrol a windswept bank or shoreline where currents pile up plankton and waves dislodge bits

The point is, windy weather should not

all, it is “their” book. What surprised me about the book

of food. Small critters move in to feed on

ruin your chances for success. Practice

though was how much genuinely useful angling information

the windswept bounty and bigger predators

your casting stroke and develop an honest

I found in it. Curcione does a good job of describing when,

in turn move in to feed on them. It may

level of confidence in your skills. Continue

where, and how to fly fish for a variety of saltwater species.

seem like the most unpleasant place to be-

to refine your technique and get help from

He covers both inshore and offshore fishing, and includes

choppy, foamy, and streaked with off-color

others when you struggle. Keep your eyes

sections on casting, knot tying, tackle, and flies.

water… but it is often where the fish are. Tie

open for opportunity and don’t be afraid to

I was pleased to see Curcione include a short section

on a weedless fly and get to work. You’ll

change your tactics or take a chance. You

on fly fishing for jack crevalle. It seems that jacks are

forget about the wind when you hook your

could very well learn something that will

often passed over in literature, perhaps due to their bullish

first fish.

open the door toward more opportunity

personalities and appetite for destruction. Equally pleasing

down the road.

was Curcione’s offshore section. His descriptions of

Other prime areas include bottlenecks,

pelagic speedsters like wahoo, tuna, and yellowtails are

winds pile up and push water. Wind-driven

nicely written and he does a good job of capturing the spirit

water flows through these physical features

of fly fishing for these species.

as though it was being pulled along by the tides. Fish as though the tides were at work, because predators will be lurking nearby in hopes of ambushing tumbling prey.

I was reminded of this phenomenon last December while fishing in Port O’Connor.

It was a cloudy cool day and a brisk wind

coNtact

creeks, points, or narrow passes where

I enjoyed Nick Curcione’s The Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing. Curcione nicely summarizes the tackle, techniques, and strategies for pursuing a wide variety of inshore and offshore saltwater species. His writing is easy to follow, interesting, and informative, and it is likely to stoke your enthusiasm for saltwater fly fishing.

had picked up by noon. Around 2:00 PM, I

The Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing

found myself slowly wading down a long

By nick Curcione

protected shoreline, searching for reds.

iSBn: 1-55821-491-7

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

206 pp. The lyons Press

March 2008

39

f l y

o f

t h e

m o n t h

f i s h i ng

5

f l y

6

Done!

Many of the early saltwater fly patterns designed for catching bonefish shared a common design- they featured wings of bucktail and grizzly saddle hackle feathers tied over an inverted hook shank. Sometimes mylar

4

or chenille was wound around the shank below the wing to bulk up the fly and form the illusion of a belly. The flies rode with the hook point inverted so they were weedless and the humble coupling of hair and banded feathers created a convincing illusion of fleeing prey. These patterns were, and still are, simple no-nonsense fishcatchers and their practical designs have carried over to many of the flies used today on the Texas Coast.

Materials you will need — craft fur, Pony Lacing, grizzly saddle hackle, and Krystal Flash.

The Pony Shrimp is based on the design of the early bonefish flies. So-called because the body is built from translucent plastic Pony Bead Lacing, the Pony Shrimp is an effective redfish fly that takes only minutes to tie. It is a relatively small pattern, tied on a #4 or #6 standard saltwater hook, but it’s the perfect size for targeting

Hook: Mustad 34007 or equivalent #4 or #6

anxious redfish in very shallow water. The Pony Shrimp lands lightly

Head Cement: Sally Hansen’s Hard-as-Nails

and sinks slowly and it’s easy to cast in the wind. If a little extra

Thread: Clear nylon mono

Tail: Craft fur

“umph” is desired on this pattern, a tungsten cone head or a pair

Body: Pony Bead Lacing

Wing: Bucktail

of bead chain eyes can be added to the front of the fly. The Pony

Flash: Krystal Flash

Overwing: Grizzly hackle

Shrimp can be tied in a variety of color combinations, perhaps the best being chartreuse/white, tan/gold, or dark orange/red.

One key to tying with Pony Bead Lacing, or any plastic lacing, is

40

to make sure all thread wraps securing the lacing are tight and solid.

1. Attach a very small clump of craft

Do not crowd the eye of the hook.

Because plastic lacing is highly elastic it will pull itself free from

fur at the rear of the hook shank.

4. Rotate the hook and tie in a small

loose or insufficient thread work. The neat thing about Pony Bead

2. Tie down a 4-inch long strand of

clump of soft bucktail fibers. 5. Add

Lacing material is the way it transmits light. The lacing has a good

Pony Lacing. Make sure the thread

several strands of Krystal Flash over

fleshy look and it imparts a soft glow to the belly of the fly. Pony

wraps are tight and secure, then move

the bucktail. 6. Overlay two slender

Bead Lacing is sold in department and craft stores alongside the

thread to front of hook. 3. Carefully

grizzly saddle hackles. Hackles should

beads and jewelry-making materials. It is inexpensive and a single

wind the Pony Lacing forward and

face each other on either side of the

roll will provide enough materials for many flies.

tie it down with tight thread wraps

hook. Tie off thread and coat thread

slightly behind the eye of the hook.

wraps with cement. Done!

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41

braNdoN JeNeweiN

Gulp! uNless you have beeN liviNG uNder a rock the last couple of years, every

to them wasn’t easy as my skill at skipping baits is lacking. In fact, skipping is a technique I’ve added to the list of things to master for 2008.

day of our tournament, we Power Poled down

tournament angler knows what Gulp! is. It has

I was throwing a Killer Flats Minnow in

been cussed and discussed as not being real

the color they call boneyard shrimp which

mangrove trees on our now favorite key. I put

artificial bait by aficionados and it has been

had already drawn a few strikes, but mostly in

a 2” Gulp! peeler crab on a jighead and cast to

described as a lifesaver for some teams that

blind-casting situations. The fish I’d been sight-

the edge where our school was hiding. Fishing

can’t seem to get finicky fish to bite. Love it or

casting to were not interested in my offering.

it like dead bait on bottom, I was stunned

hate it, the bottom line is Gulp! is an extremely

My better half (no, not my wife, but my partner

when I felt the tap, tap, tap on my second cast.

effective bait that can catch fish when all

Reid) was throwing a 4” Gulp! shrimp in new

Bingo, instant redfish. We went on the rest of

else fails. If you are going to be competing

penny color. As we continued trolling around

that morning dead-sticking the edge of the

in tournaments, Gulp! better be one of your

the key, a school of 30 reds came cruising

mangroves and caught several reds, the largest

standard tools in your fish catching toolbox.

down the bank toward and around our boat.

of which was a rather disappointing 24-inches.

The school never really spooked, and I was

Anytime you’re facing finicky fish, just put it out

much better than regular artificials” group of

able to get several good casts with not even

there and let it sit. Rig a Gulp! peeler crab or

fishermen. The theory was based on the belief

a sniff from the school of spottails. Reid on

shrimp on a jig (weedless or standard) and go

that I could make an artificial bait look or act

the other hand cast out about 5 yards and just

to town.

real enough to draw a strike, so long as there

let his shrimp sit on the bottom. One red just

were fish around. That theory lasted right until

stopped just short of the Gulp! and went nose

is rigging a Gulp! under a rattle cork. In this

my first redfish tournament in Florida.

down on the bait. The red actually picked up the

application I typically use a pearl white Gulp!

I used to be in the “that stuff can’t be that

where we could just reach the edges of the

A method that works great in off-color water

Punta Gorda is well-known as a fishing

bait, holding about 1-inch of the tail in its mouth.

shrimp on a circle hook. The 2” peeler crab is

Mecca on Florida’s west coast. The redfish that

Holding it several seconds, as if to make sure it

also a great bait with this rig. This setup has

inhabit the gin clear waters of Punta Gorda are

was really something he wanted to eat, the fish

paid off numerous times in water with near zero

used to extensive fishing pressure, chumming

stroked its gills and the bait disappeared in its

visibility. Normally, making as much noise as

and live-baiting, and as such have near

mouth. Fish on! That red ended up just under

possible with the cork gets the fish’s attention.

constant lockjaw. As the story goes, “just catch

27” (Florida has a 27” limit) and was the perfect

As the fish comes over to investigate, the scent

your two redfish and be happy.”

tournament fish.

will draw a strike. After having fished with circle

Fishing around keys in Pine Island Sound,

I could not believe it; that fish should have

hooks under a cork for several years now, I

we found several schools of redfish hunkered

spit that bait, but it didn’t and that scene echoes

am a believer in the circle hook having a lower

down, safe in the outstretched arms of thick

in my head to this day. The ingredients in Gulp!

mortality rate and no gut hooking. The main

mangrove trees. The mangroves overhang the

may not be publicized, but what ever it is, it

thing to remember with circle hooks is,

water to the waters surface; creating a safe

works. Of course that night and over a

and impenetrable habitat that eats lures with

hundred dollars later at Wal-Mart, I had

abandon. The mangroves’ overhang can be up

my first stockpile of Gulp!

to 20 feet in some places creating perfect areas

There are plenty of different Gulp!

for large schools of fish to reside undisturbed.

colors, shapes and sizes. But before we

The tiny key we trolled around happened to

get to that, I want to discuss some of the

have plenty dead mangroves that allowed

techniques that have worked well for me

glimpses into the fertile zone we desired to

during tournaments.

fish. The dead mangroves were a result of

First, is dead-sticking. This has to be

Hurricane Charlie that devastated the area two

one of the most boring and unexciting

years before.

ways to fish, but it works. I’d heard

Spotting the redfish was easy as they

42

Gulp! Shrimp and jerkshad rigged weedless.

of dead-sticking, mainly from Florida

thought they were hidden under the bare

anglers, but I would not have believed it

branches of the dead mangroves. Getting baits

worked until I tried it in Punta Gorda. The

March 2008

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43

tourNameNt tr ails

A variety of Gulp! can never be a bad thing to have on hand.

Gulp! Shrimp and Peeler Crabs work great under rattle corks.

don’t set the hook. Just tighten the line and it will do its magic. A rattle cork with Gulp! and a circle hook is also a great way to rig your kid’s rods. No messing with live bait, and when the kid sees the cork go under, all they have to do is reel it in.

Gulp! can also be rigged like a standard soft plastic worm on a jighead.

A screw-lock jig will hold the bait better than a standard barb-type jighead.

The Gulp! jerkbait is a good choice for rigging on a jighead, although it is not quite as flexible as a standard rat-tail soft plastic. Another great choice is a Gulp! swimming minnow that comes with a curly tail and provides good action with just a straight retrieve. One thing to note is the swimming minnow has a short body and it takes a short shank jighead to keep the hook in the body and not get down into the tail section.

Becoming more popular with tournament anglers are spinner baits, and

Closeup of Gulp! rigged on a circle hook, peeler crabs also work well with circle hooks.

a good choice with spinner baits is using a Gulp! saltwater pogey or swimming shad

situations. Gulp! may not be the favorite bait

which both have paddle tails and seem

to fish with, but when a team needs two fish

to work better with a spinnerbaits retrieve

and the bite is tough, Gulp! should be one

and weight.

of the first things on the end of the line.

white, new penny, molten and chartreuse.

Remember, the scent is what matters most.

There is no doubt that Gulp! has revolutionized the tournament scene. It will catch fish when conditions will shut out a normal soft plastic bait. If you have never tried Gulp!, all I can say is you are putting yourself at a huge disadvantage in lots of 44

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

coNtact

As far as colors go, I personally don’t think it matters, but I mainly use pearl

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45

b o b b y b y r d & c a p t. J o h N c o c h r a N e

well, we hope some of you have beeN able to Get iN oN some of the wiNter wahoo actioN this seasoN,

outboard boats are built to handle

but the weather has been pretty tough. Making

have become very popular with the

the run to bluewater in the winter is not always

younger crowd that wants to get out

easy and it takes proper planning. You need

there quick, but are willing to give up

to have a relatively fast, seaworthy boat to get

a few amenities. Bean bags instead of

you out and back safely between cold fronts.

couches, lots of hand-grabs, goggles

This month we thought we would talk about

and slickers for the spray. Don’t get us

your boat choices and what some of your

wrong, there are some very nice

options are when it comes to big game fishing

outboards with air-conditioning and

off Texas. There are many different kinds

lots of creature comfort, but they

of boats to choose from, but the two most

can’t quite compare to the stability,

popular choices are gasoline outboard and

spaciousness and overnight

diesel inboard. In general terms, the outboard

comfort the bigger inboard diesels

option entails a fast, racing boat kind of ride

provide. Most are open, center

to cover the long distance to the deep water,

console boats with the main

with fewer amenities. The inboard diesel is a

objective of getting out there and

more conservative, usually slower choice, but

back as quickly as possible. Unless

with much more comfort and stability. Not all

you keep your boat in slings or a

outboards run out at 50+ MPH, especially if

dry-stack storage facility, you also

they want to have any fuel left when they get

have to deal with trailering and

there, but most provide a generally fast,

launching your boat.

open, hang-on, “spray in your face” trip to

multiple high-horsepower engines and lots of fuel. With the speed and increased fuel efficiency, these boats

38 CABO twin diesel Express Sportfisherman.

If you want to get off the bean

gasoline. Larger inboard diesel boats are hard

the edge. Bean bags, goggles and slickers

bag and trade your goggles in for Costa del

to beat for comfort and overnight staying power.

are standard equipment.

Mars, you will find many twin diesel models to

Some are equipped nicer than many people’s

choose from. These boats have been around

homes! We can tell you that staying overnight

consumed a lot of fuel and were not nearly as

for a long time, especially when talking about

on a nice big diesel sportfisherman when the

reliable as they are now. The motors didn’t like

venturing far offshore. In the past, they too

weather is right, is a great experience. After a

hours of trolling and they made the cockpit

were fuel burning, smelly, heavy, slower rides

day’s fishing, a hot shower, cooling off in the

a noisy, smelly place to be, but the newer

to the fishing grounds. Now, newer, lightweight,

air conditioning with your favorite beverage,

outboards are quieter and burn more cleanly

high horsepower diesel engines have made

watching the game on Sat TV while cooking

than their predecessors. Four-stroke outboards

these vessels faster and more economical

steaks in the cockpit, with a couple of lines

have taken outboard dependability, noise and

than ever. From express, flybridge and even

drifting behind the boat is pretty hard to beat.

economy to a new level. Sometimes you have

enclosed bridge models, these boats offer a

Night fishing for tuna or swordfish is a lot of fun,

to look back there and make sure the tattle-

lot that their earlier counterparts did not. An

so is sleeping in air-conditioned comfort after

tale is squirting because you can’t hear the

added bonus is the safety of carrying around

a long day of fishing. Not everyone can afford

engine running! Now, larger, more seaworthy

hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel versus

one of these battleships, but the price for the

In the not so distant past, outboards

46

Late night marlin bite. Angler in fighting chair. Gonna be a beautiful evening offshore.

March 2008

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47

Outboard running offshore.

(Top) Yellowfin tuna in the cockpit.

(Right) Outboard - fast fishing machine - showing outriggers deployed.

larger triple engine outboards is approaching

quickly to fight the fish from the bow or side

yachts. Come by and get a great deal on your

and sometimes equal to what you can spend on

of the boat, especially when the fish is close.

next boat. For more information call our office

a new or late model diesel inboard and have a

Outboards also don’t back up very well, so

at 281-291-0656 or check out our website

totally different boat. The choice is yours and

having the angler on the bow lets you point

at www.byrd-cochrane.com or

we know many friends that fish on either style

the boat in the direction of the fish and go!

www.foxyachtsales.com.

boat with great success.

The popularity of stand-up tackle and related

As far as fishing goes, both type boats

gear is perfect for the outboard enthusiast

catch fish. Most seasoned blue water fishermen

and it has revolutionized the ability for smaller

would probably opt for the diesel, versus an

boats to compete with the big boys equipped

outboard powered boat, mainly because of the

with fighting chairs, bigger cockpits and heavy

distance involved in fishing off our coast and

tackle. Outrigger technology has also come

the comfort level. The older we get, the more

a long way and most bluewater outboards

we like this option! However, the latest big

now are equipped with heavy duty riggers

outboard boats are increasingly sophisticated,

that do a great job when trolling. Electronics

well equipped fishing machines. The outboard

come in smaller packages now and are more

is also a great choice for the fisherman with a

waterproof than earlier models. Technology has

smaller budget or one that wants to take his

come a long way. Many outboards have more

boat home with him where he can work (and

sophisticated electronics than most bigger

play) with it more easily. There’s a lot to be

boats had just ten years ago.

said for keeping your boat at home or stored

Which style boat do you choose? Blasting

nearby. It’s a lot easier to maintain it at home

off with your buddies to the 100 fathom curve

or in an enclosed storage shed, than having

with your hair on fire, or, sitting back while the

to drive down to a coastal marina and work on

auto pilot takes you to your destination. Both

your boat in the water. Also, keeping the boat

options get you to the fish. If you need help

in a covered shed away from the elements is

making your decision on a boat or want to find

a definite plus. During hurricane season you

out more about big game fishing in Texas, visit

have fewer worries if your boat is away from the

us at Tops-n-Towers or come by our booth

coast, and if it isn’t you can hook on to it and

at the Houston Fishing Show, March 5-9.

get it to a safe place.

We’re always happy to answer your questions.

Most offshore fishing techniques have been

48

Sportfishing boat running offshore Texas.

Byrd & Cochrane is an authorized broker for

based on inboard boats and their equipment,

Fox yacht Sales, the Texas dealer for CABO

but these methods work well on both style

and riviera yachts. Fox has an extensive

boats. On an outboard, when fighting a fish,

inventory of brokerage boats as well and we

an angler does have to deal with the engines

will be glad to help you find a boat or sell yours.

hanging on the transom, but most learn

We specialize in sportfishing boats and motor

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

coNtact

Jou r Na l blu e wat e r

Glenn Carpenter fighting a 300 lb Blue Marlin with stand-up gear on from the bow of an outboard.

Born in Galveston, graduate of Texas A&M, Capt. John grew up fishing and diving the Gulf of Mexico. A professional captain for over 25 years, he runs a 46’ sportfishing boat out of Freeport, Texas. Capt.

John is also partners with Bobby in Byrd & Cochrane, specializing in yacht brokerage and sportfishing consulting. For more information go to www.byrd-cochrane.com or contact John at captjohn@ foxyachtsales.com.

A native Texan, Bobby Byrd began fishing at the young age of eight, when he was a deck hand on his Dad’s boat. He fished with his father in the Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas and Mexico for many years of his life. In 1995, Bobby combined his love of the water and boating into a business when he opened Tops-N-Towers, a custom aluminum fabrication business in Seabrook, Texas. For more information you can contact Bobby at www.topsntowers.com.

Contact Byrd & Cochrane 281-291-0656 Tops-N-Towers 281-474-4000 Websites www.byrd-cochrane.com www.topsntowers.com www.foxyachtsales.com www.stingercustomlures.com www.TSFMAG.com

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49

from CCA Texas

Everett Johnson - Editor

as we iNch closer to the secoNd decade of the 21st ceNtury, it is more important than ever for

accordiNG to tpw, saltwater liceNse sales are GrowiNG at the rate of 2000 new anglers per

each individual to be a good steward of our coastal resources. Saltwater

month. Sales of saltwater stamps should top the 1-million mark in 2008,

stamps in Texas now number over 1,000,000 and this correlates to the

up from about a half-million a decade and a half ago. If this continues, we

greatest pressure ever placed on our Texas coastal fisheries and habitat.

could hit 1.5-million by 2020, maybe sooner.

Opportunities abound for each individual person to do his part in ensuring the sustainability of these resources.

Fishing pressure has reached an all-time high and rising. Immediately following the banning of nets and the commercial sale of red drum and

Texas is fortunate to have two individuals that have taken the

spotted seatrout, the stocks of these popular inshore species skyrocketed.

stewardship task to the ultimate level. Capt. Billy Sandifer and Ronnie

That bounteous rise prompted many to say, “Now that the nets are

Luster are two individuals that had a vision to improve the habitat in the

gone, you’ll never hurt ‘em with a rod and reel.” And while this probably

areas they loved to fish and they made it a personal mission to see that

seemed a safe bet at the time, they had no idea how many rods and reels

their vision be carried out.

were coming.

Capt. Billy has spent many years and hours walking and fishing

Apart from the sheer number of fishermen, advances in boating and

the beaches of Padre Island National Sea Shore. His understanding

tackle technology have made us more efficient. Our standard of living has

and respect for this area is second to none. Billy’s vision is a beach

risen also. We are the best equipped generation and our pockets contain

void of society’s trash and a beach returned to the pristine state of our

more discretionary dollars. Not only do we love fishing and have great gear,

forefathers. What began as a small gathering of concerned fishermen

we can afford to fish more days.

cleaning the beach has grown into an annual event that celebrates its 13th year in 2008.

So, if you can project these trends forward, you don’t have to be Einstein to see that we might someday run out of fish. A fish killing freeze

Ronnie Luster has been a visitor and second home owner in Port

or widespread red tide could hasten the arrival of that day. Hatcheries and

O’Connor for over thirty years. His love of the bays and estuaries in and

stocking programs will continue to bolster natural production, but will not be

around Port O’Connor and Seadrift led him to approach TPWD Game

the whole answer. If we are to continue catching fish, recycling will become

Warden Rex Mayes and address the subject of the continually growing

necessary. Recycling makes too much sense to be ignored. Proof of this

numbers of ghost crab traps. Ronnie saw these traps as never ending

are the industries that have grown from the concept of using metals, glass,

killers and knew something had to be done. Ronnie and Rex organized

plastic, wood and paper more than once. We’re going to have to learn to

some of the local wardens and friends and set out, under guidelines

catch our fish more than once.

of TPWD, to remove as many derelict traps as they could. This vision

Live Weigh and

led to the current TPWD crab trap removal program that enters its 7th

Catch and Release

year in 2008. Over 25,000 derelict traps have been removed up and

fishing tournaments are

down the Texas coast in these seven years by hundreds of volunteers.

helping convince lots of

Ronnie’s vision and this program is the foundation for similar programs in

anglers that recycling

Louisiana and other states on the gulf coast.

is a viable strategy for

Capt. Billy and Ronnie are examples for all Texas fishermen. Their

conserving our fisheries.

visions ultimately led to two of the most successful conservation

My hat is off to all

programs in the state of Texas. CCA Texas fully supports these two

tournament organizers

projects and has been actively involved in several other projects in the

and promoters who

state of Texas. These projects include: seagrass plantings; the Bahia

have adopted the

Grande project; and help with the funding of studies for Cedar Bayou

Live Weigh and C&R

and the Port Mansfield channel to name a few. Each CCA member and

formats. The Speedy

fishermen in Texas has an opportunity to be a steward of the resources.

Stop Bash Series, Texas

Whether it is stopping during a trip to pick up trash, only keeping a few

Saltwater Series, FLW-

fish to eat instead keeping your limit every time, getting involved with

Redfish Series, ESPN’s

your local CCA Texas chapter to help raise funds for vital conservation

Redfish Cup, the IFA

projects across the state or getting involved with any other conservation

Redfish Tour, and all the others on this bandwagon deserve kudos for the

effort, you can be a steward of the resource as well. Stewardship efforts

efforts they are investing in the conservation of our fisheries. We are all

today will help guarantee the resource for future generations to enjoy.

beneficiaries of their recycling efforts and the contribution toward greater

For more information about CCA Texas,

Speedy Stop Bash Series honchos Cliff Thomas, Whitney Burns and Jimmy Burns viewing live trout in holding tank headed back to West Matagorda Bay.

stewardship is very powerful.

be sure to visit www.ccatexas.org 50

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Field Notes

The Aransas Bay ecosystem is located on the middle Texas coast.

bays where salinities are usually low, 5-15 ppt

many anglers due to healthy spotted seatrout

(parts per thousand salt content). In contrast,

and red drum populations. Catch rates from

shark species are commonly found in Mesquite

TPWD gill nets for these two popular game fish

This bay system is composed of two primary

Bay, Cedar Bayou, and at the southern end of

show generally increasing abundance trends

estuaries: Aransas and Redfish bays; four

Aransas and Redfish bays where the salinity

since 1983 mirrored by the same upward trend

secondary bays: Copano, St. Charles, Mesquite

range is close to Gulf of Mexico water (30-35

of recreational landings. Over the years several

and Carlos bays all on the northern end of

ppt). Salinity ranges between 15-25 ppt in the

significant changes in bag and size limits

Aransas Bay; and two tertiary bays: Mission

middle of Aransas Bay and the eastern reaches

have been applied to these species in order

and Port bays in the west and southwest,

of Copano Bay. This is ideal for oyster reef

to recover and sustain their abundance. The

respectively. The system receives freshwater

production and the fish species associated

efforts to provide quality fishing opportunities

from the Mission River that flows into Mission

with reefs, such as trout, sheepshead and

have proven to be successful.

Bay and Aransas River that flows into Copano

black drum.

Bay. Additionally, the Guadalupe River which

Rockport-Fulton, Aransas Pass and Port

There are 14 public and private boat ramps providing boating access to the Aransas

flows into the San Antonio Bay ecosystem

Aransas, the major population centers within

system. Several boat ramps have undergone

frequently contributes significant amounts of

the system, boast fishing and birding as major

expansions and renovations recently to

freshwater into the northern parts of the bay.

attractions for visitors and residents. Aransas

accommodate increasing numbers of anglers.

Bay is a favorite saltwater fishing destination for

During the last 15 years, fishing pressure

The estuary has two connections to the Gulf of Mexico. To the north, Cedar Bayou, located between Matagorda and San Jose islands, opens into Mesquite Bay. The larger and southernmost Gulf connection, Aransas Pass, separates San Jose and Mustang islands. Both of these passes are popular fishing destinations. A brief walk across the dunes at Cedar Bayou provides outstanding surf fishing for red drum and sharks and a variety of other nearshore species.

The salinity regimes within the bay system generally drive what types of fish you will find in a given area of the bay. During a normal year, Aransas ecosystem exhibits almost freshwater conditions at the western areas to near oceanic salinities to the east and south. For example, alligator gar and blue catfish are frequently caught in Copano and St. Charles 56

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GE T T ING TO K NOW A R A NSA S PA S S

has increased 10-15% each year at

t p w d

f i e l d

Not es

ARANSAS BAY BOAT RAMPS

Aransas Bay boat ramps. The most



Mission River (West Hwy 136)

popular ramps are Cove Harbor



Egery Island Marina (Bayside)

North and South, South Conn Brown



Redfish Camp (West Hwy 188 at Port Bay)



South Copano Causeway (N of Rockport)



St. Charles Bay



Goose Island State Park



Rockport Beach Park



South Conn Brown Harbor (Aransas Pass)

popular means of avoiding crowded



Ransom Channel Park (S of Aransas Pass)

boat ramps. There are many



Cove Harbor North (S of Rockport)



Cove Harbor South (S of Rockport)



South Bay Marina (East Hwy 361)



Crab Man Marina (East Hwy 361)

Redfish Bay, was the first paddling



Port Aransas Public (next to Ferry Landing)

trail marked on the Texas coast.

Harbor and Port Aransas Public.

Many boaters have begun using less popular ramps as well as planning trips on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds.

Use of kayaks has become a

public shoreline areas suitable for launching kayaks. Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail, located at the southern end of the system in

This popular destination provides an excellent and safe kayak

ARANSAS BAY FISHING PIERS 

Goose Island State Park



North and South Copano Causeway



Fulton Park



Rockport Beach Park



Rockport Harbor Jetty



Conn Brown Harbor

experience via well-marked “trails.”

Birding and fishing make a great combination in this area.

Redfish Bay, long known for its excellent fishing, has received much of the increased boating activity that has resulted in increased damage to the seagrasses by prop-scarring. TPWD responded to protect the seagrass beds by designating Redfish Bay a State Scientific Area in which it is illegal to uproot seagrasses with a propeller. A concentrated 5-year effort is under way to educate boaters regarding the importance of seagrasses and to encourage changes in their boating behavior to “lift, drift, pole or troll” in order to protect the valuable habitat.

Commercial shrimping, crabbing, and oystering activities continue in the Aransas Bay system, although on much smaller scale than decades ago. The fishery management strategy of license limitation, in some fisheries license reduction, has helped reduce the pressure on the fisheries resources, but still allow those willing and interested to commercially pursue the catches with restrictions. Seasons, size, gear, and bag limits have helped protect the fisheries. For instance, in 2001, Mesquite and Copano bays were included with St. Charles Bay as nursery area in which no shrimp harvest is allowed. Although targeted to protect juvenile shrimp, a trawling ban protects all juvenile estuarine species in the bays and prevents extensive bottom disturbance.

Most of the Aransas Bay ecosystem lies within the 185,708 acres of the recently created Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (MANERR), one of 27 such reserves nationwide. The University of Texas Marine Science Institute at Port Aransas was instrumental in obtaining this designation. One of the main purposes of this designation is to bring together scientists, landowners, policy-makers and public in the understanding and participation of decisions being made that affect the living resources, water and people of the area. This unique system truly needs to be maintained for future generations.

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alriGht folks, i wish i could take credit for this but it is the brainchild of Jeffery Boudreaux. Jeff has been a loyal reader since the early days of this publication and Jeff is also a conservation-minded angler. I think his idea for a C&R photo contest is a dandy.

Here’s how it’s going to work… We will conduct two photo contests this year. The winter-spring contest will be for fish caught January-June 2008. The summer-fall contest will be for fish caught July-December 2008. There will be a prize awarded to the winner of each contest.

Jeff has put up the first $100 toward funding the prizes and we’re going to solicit donations. The winner of each contest will receive a high-quality rod and reel combo and other fishing goodies. And what could top this? (I borrowed that line from a TV commercial.) Having your winning photo on the cover of this magazine — of course!

So here’s the rules… There will be only one winner. Speckled trout photos only; one fish per photo. You may enter as many times as you like. All photos will become property of TSF-Mag. All photos are to be submitted via electronic mail to Everett@TSFMag.com Photos will be judged on photographic quality, artistic merit, and also upon demonstration of conservation ethic. You will submit two photos… the best shot of you and your fish along with another to document the release.

Entrants must comply with all TPWD regulations. Employees, writers, and others associated with this publication are not eligible. Entrants may fish with a TPWD licensed guide, however, the guides and writers on our staff and their clients will not be eligible. Fish must be caught in Texas coastal waters.

Obviously size does matter in the fishing world, however, the biggest fish is not guaranteed to win. This is a photo contest, not a big fish contest. So remember the rules for making good photos… Use fill flash, remove the dark glasses, watch for shadows under the fishing cap, do not thrust the fish ridiculously forward to make it appear larger than it is, shoot tight, keep the horizon level, set your camera to high or fine photo quality (minimum 300 DPI) and make sure the focus is sharp! Photos made with telephone cameras will not be accepted.

Good luck, fish hard, release your catch, and practice your pitcher takin’!

Everett Johnson, Editor www.TSFMAG.com

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are you ready to test your kayak fishiNG skills aGaiNst your fellow kayakers? How about just getting out and meeting

c a p t. s c o t t N u l l

a few other kayakers in a fun environment of competition? Or maybe test your abilities to locate and catch some fish on unfamiliar waters? There are nearly as many reasons to enter a tournament as there are fishermen. Nobody will be getting rich and famous at these venues, but there are some pretty nice prizes being offered and you can’t get lucky if you don’t give it a shot.

Several kayak tournaments and series have come and gone in the past few years and I’ve sampled most all of them at one time or another. And I think they’ve made me a better and more well-rounded fisherman. It is very easy to fall into a rut of fishing within your comfort zone. You pick the place, you go when the conditions are most favorable, and you target your favorite species. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, but perfect conditions don’t always line up with available fishing days.

Tournament fishing will often force you out of that comfort zone. You’ll have to fish whatever conditions you wake up to on tournament morning. High winds, rain, and slack tides are just a few of the adverse situations you’ll likely encounter. Forcing yourself out in these

just about any conditions. But take that same

conditions and finding that you can catch fish

were preceded by lure-buying frenzies that

guy and move him 100 miles north or south and

even in the worst circumstances is great for

put a serious dent in my fishing budget. But

he is like a fish out of water. To be a successful

your fishing confidence.

once I got over there I found that my old stand-

tournament fisherman means being able to

bys worked perfectly fine. However, there

adapt to the location the event is held. To me,

also stretch your abilities. Perhaps you are a

have been other trips where I tried to force

learning new water is fun. Being successful

trout fishing guru, but the tournament calls for a

my favorite lures onto the local fish and got

on unfamiliar waters is very rewarding and not

slam of a trout, a red, and a flounder. You’ll have

skunked. I’ve also picked up new techniques

nearly as hard as you might think. It is a matter

to figure out those other two species if you hope

from locals that I’ve taken back home to

of either applying tactics you already know from

to compete. I know that when I started fishing

Galveston. The DOA shrimp is a perfect

your home waters or being open to trying new

these contests I was very weak on flounder. I

example. After being forced to use them on

methods employed by the locals. I’ve done it

caught incidental flounder and I caught plenty

the clear flats of Aransas Pass, I decided to

both ways with varying levels of success. My

during the fall run, but targeting big flounder

give them a shot in our off-color marshes on

suggestion is to be open to new techniques and

in typical bay conditions wasn’t something I

the upper coast. Now you won’t ever find me

lures, but don’t be afraid to try what you are

was comfortable with. Over time I figured it out

without a clear/gold flake DOA in my tackle box.

most confident with. A little experimentation will

and managed to win a few slam tournaments.

Again, the tournaments led me to be a more

usually lead you to figuring out the combination

Nowadays if I want a couple flounder for dinner

diverse angler with additional confidence lures

and unlocking the secrets of most any area and

I can confidently go out and target them. And if

at my disposal.

species. Just remember the basics. They’re all

Formats that call for different species will

it weren’t for the Florida tournaments I doubt I’d

60

My first trips to fish the Florida tournaments

And of course there is the biggest variable

predators and eat pretty much the same things

have ever gotten so hooked on snook fishing.

of all… location. I know plenty of great

no matter where you are. Imitate a minnow,

In short, the tournaments made me a more

fishermen up and down our coast that can go

mullet, or shrimp and you can pretty much

diverse fisherman.

out and score big on their home waters under

count on catching something.

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Photo by Dean Thomas

and individual largest trout or redfish. A side pot for the largest flounder is also available. I

Now that I’ve got you thinking about the

last year and came away very impressed with

haven’t had the opportunity to fish this one in

the way in which the directors ran the events.

the past, but I’ve heard from friends that it is

fishing, you need to know where to go to get

Another cool point to mention is that all of the

a very well run event and of course it benefits

involved, right? Several good tournaments

Simrod Outdoors events are featured on the

a very worthy cause. Additional information

have recently announced their scheduled dates

Texas Saltwater Series television show that

can be found at www.shriners-houston.org/

for 2008. There seems to be enough variety

airs on Fox Sports Southwest. For additional

sportsmentournament.html. You can also

among the formats to provide everyone an

information go to www.kayakseries.com or

contact Rudy at 281-356-6797 or Sherman at

opportunity to participate.

www.saltwaterseries.com.

713-805-6114.

Simrod Outdoors, creators of several

A new tournament series on the scene this

For those who want to try something

popular Texas-based tournament series are set

year is the Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series.

completely different there’s a tournament

to start their second year of kayak tournaments.

Jerry and Debi Book of Jerry B’s Kayak Shop

across the border in Cajun country put on by

The Texas Kayak Series consisted of two events

in Corpus Christi have developed a five tourney

the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club called

last year. The events were successful enough

series along the middle and lower coast that

Paddle Palooza V. I haven’t attended any

that they’ve expanded to three tournaments

will be breaking into some new areas for kayak

of their past tournaments, but I am familiar

this year. April 6th in Rockport, May 4th in

tournaments. I can’t recall any major kayak

enough with south Louisiana hospitality to

Matagorda, and July 20th in Rockport. You may

tournaments being held out of Kingsville or Port

bet that anyone attending will have a great

have noticed that those dates are on Sundays.

Isabel. Those two venues should make things

time. This one is set for March 15th in Leeville

The reasoning behind this is two-fold. First,

interesting for anyone vying for their angler

with a weigh-in at Boudreaux’s Motel. There

it provides anglers with a chance to pre-fish

of the year honors. The tournament schedule

are numerous categories for everything

the area on Saturday without having to burn a

is February 23rd in Corpus Christi, April 19th

from largest trout to a trash slam of drum,

day from work. And second, it is easier on the

in Port Isabel, June 21st in Port O’Connor,

sheepshead, and white trout. Check out www.

directors as the kayak tournaments are piggy-

September 6th in Kingsville, and October

bckfc.org for a full schedule of entertainment

backed onto their popular Texas Redfish Series

25th in Aransas Pass. The tournaments

surrounding the event. I think I’m going to try

tournaments that are being held at the same

follow a catch, photo, and release format with

and clear a spot on my calendar for this one.

locations a day earlier. These tournaments

individual awards for the longest trout, red, and

Whether you choose to participate as a

are set up as artificial only with the single

combination of the two. Anglers can also form

contestant in any of these events or not, I hope

largest redfish getting the top prize. It is a live

four-man teams with a separate set of awards

you’ll at least come by and hang out for a while.

weigh-in with a half pound penalty for a dead

and points going towards team of the year

It’s always great to meet fellow kayakers and

fish. Despite some initial concerns, last year’s

honors. Anglers can enter a single tournament

the weigh-ins are open to everyone.

tournaments proved that it was possible to hold

or all five, but in order to be eligible for the year-

a live weigh-in redfish tournament in kayaks.

end awards you must compete in at least four

A wide variety of live wells and contraptions

of the events. For additional information go to

were employed and pretty much all of them

www.thirdcoastkayakfishingseries.com or give

worked out. There is also a side pot for two-

Debi a call at 361-244-2161.

Galveston area kayakers have the 4th

addition to prizes being awarded at each event,

Annual Arabia Shrine Sportsmen Tournament

there will be a points system to determine the

on June 14th at Boyd’s One Stop on the Texas

individual angler of the year as well as the team

City dike. There are separate boater and

of the year based on performance at all three

kayaker divisions available with teams of up

venues. I attended a couple of their tournaments

to four anglers. Prizes will be awarded to the

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

coNtact

f i sh i NG k aya k

best five trout stringer, three redfish stringer,

reasons to dip your toe into kayak tournament

man teams to weigh their two largest fish. In

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Now that i’ve got you thinking about the reasons to dip your toe into kayak tournament fishing, you need to know where to go to get involved, right?

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c a p t. scot t som m e r l at t e if i have said it oNce, i have said it a doZeN times — i am truly blessed iN

fly fishing guide to fish the Galveston Bay behind the counter at Fishing Tackle Unlimited

Albright and Billy Pate were writing the book on

that I have the best friends in the world. Of

helping anglers from all walks of life. Another

how to catch not only tarpon, but many other

course they have all gotten the short end of the

thing that you might not know about Chris

inshore fish on fly tackle and, he brought a lot

stick with me, but regardless, they all take good

is that he was one of the driving forces that

of it back home to Texas. Since then, he has

care of me and in turn, I do my best to visit the

helped popularize salt water fly fishing in Texas

not only shared the skills and knowledge that

kindness and favors back on them by several

many, many years ago.

he learned back in the days, but also the many

fold. Recently I learned that one of my long-

You see, back when I was running around

incredible stories that came from the glory days

time friends, Chris Phillips was having seizures

the neighborhood getting a good tan while

and that they were a result of a tumor in his

wearing nothing but my underwear, Chris was

head. This information immediately led me and

down, right smack-dab in the middle of, not

a tight-knit group of friends and colleagues to

only the time, but the place where light-tackle

start thinking of a way to help Chris out.

sport fishing was pioneered — the Florida

days ahead for our friend, we decided that

Keys. He was there during the days when

we needed to first lift his spirits. Of course

luminaries such as Flip Pallot, Stu Apte, Jimmy

none of us had to make our little brains work

Now for those of you who do not know him, Chris Phillips is not only the only credible

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complex, but can often be found working

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

of fishing.

Now that you all know Chris a little better, I will get back on track here.

When we all found out about the troubled

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to figure out how to do this. It is like everyone

into the game, I threw Chris and Cory a curve

decided to have a little fundraiser to help Chris

simultaneously shouted out the same thing —

ball by asking the question that has ruined a

though the financial hardships that are sure to

fishing trip.

many good fishing trips.

come during his lengthy recovery. This event

Well, before I knew it, a date was set to get everyone together to host Chris on a big blowout fishing trip to Port O’Connor. There

They agreed; so I poled to deeper water,

will be held on March 30 at Blanco’s on West Alabama Street in Houston. It will start at 1:00 P.M. and run until 5:00 P.M. There will be a live

was only one problem… I was scheduled to be

started the motor and we were off to bigger and

and silent auction as well as plenty of raffle

on an airplane on that day. With some finagling,

better things.

items. We have some first-class auction items

I talked Cory Hawryluk, a mutual friend of ours,

We did find the bigger fish and even caught

that I am sure are going to make a few start

to take the day off and bring Chris down a day

a half-dozen of them. And, as the day went

looking at taking out a second mortgage on

early so that I would be able spend a day on

by, we all took turns on the bow and on the

their home. Please join us in helping out our

the water with him and be a small part of the

platform, enjoying the good company and

friend at an event we are now calling —

festivities. Needless to say, Cory obliged and

sharing stories. It was a perfect day and one

Chris-a-palooza.

I got to spend one of the most pleasant and

that I will not soon forget.

memorable days of the year on the water with my dear friend.

The morning of November 30 was perfect.

Now I know the above is a real short fishing

contact Andy Packmore at packmore@

story. The bigger story is — Chris is going to

fishingtackleunlimited.com

have a life-threatening operation on the day

sunrise and cloudless sky. Sure it started off

that this issue goes off to the printer. Hopefully,

a little chilly but it sure got the reds fired up.

the prayers of many will not go unanswered,

Wanting to show Chris a little bit of everything

and Chris will be in bed, recovering, while you

that my home water could offer, I decided to

are reading this.

So I ask this from you all — please say a

started. Moments later we were on plane and

prayer, chant, cross your fingers or whatever

pointed in the right direction.

the Spirit moves you to do for our friend. There

The first spot was, as predicted, a home run. Within a short time, Chris was hooked up with his first red and the day was only getting started. Several fish later and a couple of hours

March 2008

For more information please contact me by phone or via my website or

story however, it is only a small part of a bigger

Mother Nature blessed us with a beautiful

look for some pods of tailing fish to get the day

66

“Do you guys want to go find some bigger fish?” I asked.

are few that deserve less and I can assure you, he is one of the few that deserves more.

In addition to our gathering of friends and

coNtact

accor di NG to scot t

Now i know the above is a real short fishing story however, it is only a small part of a bigger story.

a couple of fine days on the water, we have

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a a ro N c i s N e ro s

Sea Ranch Marina South Padre Island

the lower laGuNa madre aNd its estimated 300 sQuare miles are home

shrimp attached to it. As soon as it hit the water,

to many species of birds, some resident and

fish. It was almost three years later that I got a

some migratory. Not only is it a huge aquarium

taste of what Port Mansfield was really all about.

for various gamefish and shelled animals, but

battle I was able to land my first Port Mansfield

Everything in Port Mansfield revolves

has also brought provisions and pleasure for

around fishing. It’s a fisherman’s paradise; just

Rio Grande Valley residents for hundreds if

like the billboard states. The west shoreline

not thousands of years. Many fishermen travel

north of Port can sometimes be like walking into

thousands of miles to chase dozens of different

a zoo. Not only can you catch fish but you also

species of fish and with hope to find paradise.

observe wildlife in its natural environment. It’s

We are very fortunate to have the pristine

not a rarity to see deer, nalgai, coyotes, snakes,

in the small community of fewer than seven

mother lagoon which I call paradise so close to

and other four-legged exotic creatures. Port

hundred people. I best remember Mansfield

home. I consider myself lucky to experience and

Mansfield is known for its big trout and many

for its extensive shorelines, deeper water, and

fish the three major destinations on the Lower

miles of undeveloped terrain. I have been lucky

hard bottoms. I have had the opportunity to

Laguna Madre – Port Mansfield, Arroyo City,

to make many trips to Mansfield and have met a

fish from the Land Cut all the way south of Port

and South Padre Island.

lot of new friends.

Mansfield, and I love it all. I always look forward

I still remember my first visit to Port

68

my line started stretching. After a ten minute

Each of the three destinations on the Lower

Port Mansfield 1999.

fish hard for a couple of days.”

There is a lot of good fishing knowledge

to visiting our friends from Mansfield, Capt. Mike

Mansfield in 1999; I was eight years old. My dad

Laguna Madre is unique. Port Mansfield is for

McBride and Capt. Tricia. It’s the only place that

had a small scooter and would frequently visit

the truly serious fisherman. It’s no trip to the

brings about a magical feeling on the inside as I

the flats north of the East Cut. He took me on

mall for an ice cream cone although I’m sure

arrive into town.

one of those trips and we happened to run into

Harbor Bait and Tackle might carry a selection

a big school of drum on the sand flats. I threw

of ice cream bars. What I should really say, “If

fishing roots began. I know I’m only sixteen

out a gold spoon that had a small piece of dead

you’re going to Port Mansfield, it’s to fish and

year’s old, but I have been around the water

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Now on to Arroyo City; this is where my

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69

h t u o y

this is where i experienced my first wade fishing trip, caught my first flounder, and got stung by a sting-ray while fishing the edge of the intracoastal.

Out of all the three places, I have spent more time in Arroyo City and have met some wonderful people. The Arroyo area contains

that they are my favorite species.

Snook are so hard to catch, and when you

more shallow back bays than the other two

do hook one, they leave nothing behind. The

destinations and being centrally located is an

areas surrounding South Padre have yielded

advantage because going north and south of the

many snook at the end of my line, and I am

Arroyo on the same trip is not an inconvenience.

proud to say that every single one of them was

since I was four. Arroyo City is where it all

I have had many memorable trips out of the

released to fight another day. In my opinion

started. At the age of five I won my first fishing

Arroyo Colorado and have seen the best that

South Padre would not be complete if it wasn’t

tournament in Arroyo City. This is where I

nature has to offer along the shorelines and

for the snook. South Padre has the largest

experienced my first wade fishing trip, caught

banks near the Arroyo Colorado River. Because

mangrove population on the Lower Laguna

my first flounder, and got stung by a sting-ray

this area has many shallow back bays, it’s a

Madre, which gives it somewhat of a Florida

while fishing the edge of the Intracoastal. This is

great place to fish off a kayak. The extensive

coastline look. The redfish and trout fishing can

the place where I have acquired the knowledge

shallow flats are home to prowling redfish and

be outstanding. Many fishing tournaments take

of fishing the extensive flats that surround the

aggressive spotted sea trout, and kayaking is

place here. The one that always gets me excited

Arroyo Colorado. This small and friendly town of

one way to get up close without spooking them.

to participate in is the TIFT Tournament that

approximately fourteen hundred people has in

Great fishing, friendly to kayaking, and the best

takes place in the beginning of August. Out of

my opinion the best hamburger (Chilly Willies)

hamburgers, this is the place to be.

all the places this fits as a family attraction get

Known for its shallow flats Arroyo City is a waders dream.

in the Lone Star State. Arroyo City is centrally

70

I love to go out and chase snook. You could say

South of Arroyo City is the number one

away that has some of the finest fishing on the

located between Port Mansfield and South

tourist attraction of the Rio Grande Valley, South

Padre Island. If your desire is to experience

Padre Island. The island’s population is a little

By now you want to know which one of these

some laid back family atmosphere tacked on

over 2,700 residents. Plus, the island keeps its

is my favorite fishing destination. Well, I’m going

with some excellent fishing, Arroyo City is the

doors open to thousands of visitors each year.

to leave it up to you to decide. I can tell you this

place to be. I remember being tugged around

This destination without a question has the best

much which ever you decide on, you will not

on an inner tube while casting a hookless

seafood around and the family atmosphere is

be disappointed. Each of these destinations

lure with a Zebco push button reel; and later

certainly there. The attractions and activities are

has their own uniqueness, and they all fit in the

spending many hours wading the edges of the

great, but the number one reason for my liking

category of paradise. But before you come, start

ICW looking for that first place flounder for the

to fish this area is that it has the only viable

some arm exercises because the fishing is great

STAR Tournament.

snook population in the U.S. outside of Florida.

in paradise.

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Texas Coast.

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SUB0308

866-680-TSFM (8736) or 361-785-3420 Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

AM EX

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71

at fibertex & supply we specialiZe iN repairiNG boats to match their oriGiNal coNditioN. If you don’t want to shell out the cash and think you can tackle it on your own, here’s a few tips on doing

up” repair used to cover up damage. Exposed

Pour gel-coat into small paper cup, add

fiberglass from a chip or scratch is only

cabosil, and stir until the gel-coat creates a

cosmetic damage. However, exposed fiberglass

peanut buttery paste. Lumps of cabosil in the

subject to UV rays (sunlight) is a recipe for de-

gel-coat means you have not stirred enough.

lamination and future structural damage.

If the gel coat will pour out of cup you have not

If you can get the original gel-coat color of

the work yourself. A steady hand and an eye

your boat this would work best. Color matching

for detail go a long way.

gel-coat takes years of practice to master, but

added enough cabosil. Stir until you have a smooth uniform texture.

even then some colors are nearly impossible MATeriAlS:

to match perfectly. Gel coat pigments are

Latex gloves, stir sticks, paper cups, artist

available at most marine supply stores if you

brush, acetone, gel-coat, MEKP catalyst,

want to try your hand at color matching.

cabosil, putty knife.

Gel-coat is a basically a pigmented resin and when catalyzed with MEKP (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) it cures hard. Most gel-coat With a mixing stick, scoop gel-coat putty

you buy at the marine supply store is finishing grade, which means it has a surfacing agent

onto a mixing board. Add a few drops of

already mixed in. Gel-coat without surfacing

catalyst and mix thoroughly. Use a putty knife to fill in the damaged area. Make a few passes

agent will never cure hard in this application.

Acetone is the most commonly used chemical

First, with a dremel tool or folded sand

over the area to work out any air bubbles and to

for cleaning resins and gel-cote. Do not use

paper, lightly “scuff” the groove of the scratch or

ensure and smooth level spread. The gel-coat

plastic party cups or styrene cups to mix

chip. Scuffing the area will help ensure a strong

putty should not be built-up too high, it should

chemicals, the cup will melt.

bond. Clean the area to be repaired with a rag

be flush with the masking tape. But definitely

dampened with acetone, removing any dust

do not under-fill the area because there is a

to thicken resin. Use a mask when handling

created from scuffing the area. Acetone is best

chance of shrinkage as the gel coat cures. If

cabosil; due it its lightweight nature cabosil

because it evaporates quickly.

you build it up too high at least you can sand

Cabosil is a light powdery substance used

can easily become airborne and inhaled. Small

it down. Remember! you don’t have a lot of

amounts may be purchased from a fiberglass

working time so work quickly.

repair shop or a marine supply store.

We can not stress safety enough! These chemicals are dangerous! Wear a mask, wear gloves, and be careful!

Minor gel-coat repairs are defined as nonstructural repairs not needing fiberglass. Types of gel-coat damages can be voids, chips, and scratches.

Shallow surface scratches can usually be

Use masking tape create a “box” around the area you plan to fill. Use two layers to form

wet sanded with 400,600, and 1000 grit wet-

the box. Additional layers around the outer

sand paper. Use a spray bottle and sand with

edges ensure easier removal after new gel-coat

long smooth strokes. Focusing on the scratch

is in place.

to obtain a classy-looking repair job.

only will develop a groove in the gel coat.

GFY (Go Fishin’ Ya’ll)

Follow up with 2000 grit buffing compound to

Continue next month!

polish it out.

Deeper scratches and chips that expose

fibertex & supply 6901 pyrenees, corpus christi, tx 78414 office (361) 991-5956 fibertexandsupply@yahoo.com

fiberglass are best repaired by those with the capability to do body work and spray gel-coat.

The repair we explain here is more of a ‘touch 72

March 2008

Join us back here next month and we’ll show you how to sand and polish the gel-coat

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

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73

e v e r e t t

a N d

pa m

Joh Ns oN

Fishing products that pass the test. every oNce if a while you bump iNto somethiNG that really

that nearly made the slot. The lake bottom here,

catches your eye and you just have to have

most inviting option.

I might add, makes for a strenuous wade, not the Getting away was easy too. Brian pulled the

one; sometimes that same product really fits a niche and becomes part of your “stuff.” Pam

Stake-out Stik and as the Power Pole came to

and I decided to pass along some of our recent

full upright we idled easily away, still in two feet

experiences as a service to readers. There are no

of water. The alternative would likely have

claims made here, just honest observations. And

included drifting up much shallower and chewing

yes, these have become part of the “stuff” we

mud and seagrass to get back underway. Stake-

take fishing.

out Stik is a good addition to any shallow water fishing boat. Stake-out Stick is available in several lengths and also a version for kayaks. Some more

stake-out stik

useful info: Stake-out Stik with a 12 foot line held our 25 foot flats boat handily and never slipped

Anybody that enjoys drifting flats for trout and reds

in 15 mph wind… it really does work! Learn more

has suffered at the mercy of the wind. Even with

by visiting www.stakeoutstick.com or at your local

a drift sock, drift speed often prohibits accurate

tackle dealer.

casting and lure presentation, especially when a fish is spotted. And in the case of a school of reds, how many shots do you get if you can’t stop?

Sure, we have Power Poles on our boats, and

berkley tec™ locking trigger Grips

after you fish with one it becomes a “must have”

anglers with comfortable fishing space. Drifting

for the ease and simplicity of anchoring in shallow

on the sock was working all the way across the

water. However, when the Power Pole goes down

Matagorda Island lake we were fishing. The wind

products to help them land their fish. Some prefer

the boat swings and the bow is the only good spot

wasn’t too stiff so we maintained a favorable

nets for the quick scoop they provide; others

left for casting. If you fish solo or with only one

speed. As we approached the shoreline, as often

prefer to keep their outfit as unencumbered as

companion this is not too big a deal. But what

happens, the water was developing some color

possible. The K.I.S.S. principle applied to wade

about when you have three or four aboard?

and bait was active. That last 50 yards before

fishing gear dictates that only the minimal amount

you hit the bank is what I like to call the “strike

of gear should go into the water. I know anglers

fish with live mullet. If you anchor from only one

zone” as this is often where the predators

who assert that the traditional hand-grab is part

point the boat is free to swing and make a mess of

are holding and hammering the bait that has

of the challenge; somewhere in between lies

your lines. If you have placed baits in potholes you

accumulated there.

another type of device to get the job done. Hence

Here’s another scenario. Let’s say you like to

often find the swing of the boat dragging the baits

I hit the switch and stuck the Power Pole while

into grass or oysters where it can hide and tangle.

Brian Little, creator of the Stake-out Stik, stabbed

Enter Stake-out Stik. We made a practice run

for the bottom. Our timing was good and our boat

Anglers who wade are always on the lookout for

the recent popularity of gripping tools.

Berkley has

with three anglers in the boat. The object was

was now lying perfectly parallel to the shoreline

been listening.

to discover whether Stake-out Stik deployed in

we hoped would give up some bites. We fished for

Their TEC Pistol

tandem with our Power Pole would provide all

10-minutes and pulled a nice slot red and a fat rat

Trigger Grip hit the market last summer with its first big splash being made at the

PowerPole and Stake Out Stik in tandem.

ICAST Show in Las Vegas where it was voted “Industries Best and Most Innovative” new tool. The minute I got my hands on it I knew I wanted to try one.

The TEC Pistol Trigger Grip is the lightest of the various gripping tools I’ve tried and the movement of the stainless steel mechanism and jaws is smooth and sure. This tool comes with a holster, but with

74

March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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Flatstalker "Micro flats Skiff"

its light weight and relatively small size I find

for grins I performed a “no maintenance” trial of

it easy to carry while snapped to a wade belt,

ten wading trips. The gripper held up perfectly,

over-the-shoulder tackle pouch or wader strap.

same smooth action, same sure grip on the

During the several months of use Pam and I have given our new Berkley grippers we

fish’s lip.

The TEC Pistol Trigger Grip makes a great

have found them to work very well. Many of the

fish-friendly landing tool for boaters too. Whether

fish we have landed and released were never

you wade or stay in the boat, you really should

touched. We simply held them in the water

attach a float. I learned this the hard way many

and used our pliers to remove lure and then

years ago… anything that can sink will end up

pulled the trigger to let them go. If a fish is to be

on the bottom of the bay if you give it a chance!

photographed, it can be lifted quickly with one

This tool is available in a variety of sizes to

hand on the grip and the other supporting

suit the needs of all fishermen, lake, bay and

the belly.

offshore. To learn more go to www.purefishing.

For maintenance, we’ve been giving the tools a good rinse in

com. The TEC Pistol Trigger Grip can be found under new products on the Berkley page.

freshwater and a quick spray of Reel Lube followed by wiping with a paper towel. Just

flatstalker "micro flats skiff" Roy Sanders has hit upon an idea whose time has truly come. Fishing the flats can be done many ways, and as can be attested by the impressive number of Micro Flats Skiffs he sold at the Houston Boat Show, his creation is gaining a wide following.

In order to understand why this is happening, you have to first understand that flats fishing is a lot like hunting; the excitement factor increases exponentially the closer you get to your quarry.

You’ve probably heard somebody describe the kick they got from archery hunting after years of hunting with a rifle. Redfish are just like trophy

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

75

whitetails in this regard and Roy’s boat provides an excellent platform for getting you there.

Stealthy approaches without having to wade boot sucking muck is one the aspects that has drawn so many to take up kayak fishing. Anglers are learning the thrill of stalking their fish without suffering a heart attack or pulled groin muscles.

And kayaks are fine, I own three. Trouble is, you have to be a ballerina or at least a decent gymnast to stand up and fish from one. Given that most of us are better equipped to imitate wounded buffalo, our butts belong in the seat, relegated to sighting only the fish that tail or wake for us.

It’s different with the Flatstalker, I haven’t met anybody yet that could stand on one. Fishing from it is a dream come true for those who live to

along in mere inches to get a crack at the shallow ones other rigs can’t reach.

Check out all the boats, options, and the dealer listing at www.flatstalker.com or give Roy a call at 361-857-7074. Tell him you learned about his boats in Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine.

tackle storage-console that comes standard.

The addition of the optional transom bracket and

can’t help but wonder how Fishbelly’s designers ever came up with the idea of stacking three paddles on one lure, but it works.

I don’t know whether it might be the vibration this lure gives off as the water rushes over the stacked paddles or maybe it’s just the considerable tail wagging you get from it, I’m not a

sight-fish. Once you get the hang of it, you can climb atop the combination battery box-ice chest-

Tri-fin Kick Shad. As soon as you see this bait you

fishbelly

fish. The proof of any lure is what fish have to say

tri-fin kick shad

and Pringle Lake seemed to like this one.

about it and the trout and reds in Shoalwater Bay

electric trolling motor just seems a no-brainer to

Take a run to your local tackle shop; the

me. Who wants to paddle or pole when you can

market is brimming with new baits. Lure makers

air temp was 40-degrees and the water was

glide effortlessly down a shoreline?

have given us some pretty amazing devices to

52-degrees. The water was murky, still clearing

It was early morning, late December. The

throw at fish and one thing is certain, they’ll all

from the effects of a flag-shredding norther. As

he equips his boats shows it. He has models for

catch a fisherman! As a confessed lure fanatic I

could be expected the fish were snuggled down in

fishing, waterfowl hunting, and even floundering.

buy and try most everything I can get my hands

soft mud under four feet of water. The best action

The hunting boats are great for transporting a

on. And while it is true that I love to fish with new

was found amid scattered oyster and what was

dog, decoys, and all your gear to a back bay or

products, it does not prohibit me from having a list

left of last summer’s widgeon grass. The bait had

cove where the ducks love to roost and feed. The

of oldies, goodies and favorites.

to be presented slow enough to dangle in their

Roy is an all-around outdoorsman and the way

flounder boat comes equipped with enough lights

One of my recent and notable lure trials

to make a Ferris Wheel jealous and you can slip

included a session dedicated to Fishbelly’s new

face, yet fast enough to avoid hanging up on shell and grass.

The conditions and requirements proved to play right into the Kick Shad’s strong suit… lots of wiggle from tiny hops and slow lure speed. We

This trout ate a Fishbelly.

had them rigged on wide-gap 4/0, 1/16 oz screwtype leadhead jigs. The bait itself is very soft and supple but held up through several bites and fights before getting chewed beyond being functional.

Now one successful trip does not necessarily earn any bait a seat in my carry box, but the Trifin Kick Shad did well enough to warrant further study. We’ve got big schools of late-winter reds beginning to patrol the shorelines of San Antonio Bay and I’m anxious to give them a look at this bait as well as some of the other new stuff that has been showing up. Keep an eye on future lure trials as we’ll be reporting further on what the fish have to say about the new baits of 2008.

The Tri-fin Kick Shad is available in 5” and 6” sizes and an array of fishy colors. To learn more about this and other Fishbelly offerings, go to www.fishbelly.com.

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March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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New Tackle & Gear eGo wade®

www.adventureproducts.com

Floatation, industry leading strengthto-weight and superior product design all come standard with the innovative EGO WADE® Net series. We can’t promise you’ll land every fish—just peace of mind knowing that you have the absolute best in

wade net design and technology for going after it. To add the EGO WADE® Net to your fishing equipment arsenal, savvy anglers visit www.adventureproducts.com.

fishbelly hawg shad Fishbelly’s Hawg Shad is the patented soft plastic lure that imitates a live minnow from its eyes down to its natural sheen and

www.fishbelly.com

color including its “swimming” action like a quivering minnow. Nothing comes as close to lifelike as the Hawg Shad. It comes in 5 sizes (2.8”, 3.5”, 5”, 6” and 9”) and 3 tail types for 2.8” and 3.5” baits (split-tail, paddle-tail and pin-tail). Larger sizes (5”, 6” and 9”) available in

fishing tackle unlimited All Pro Spoon™ Available in Gold & Silver Sizes: 1/8 oz 1/4 oz 1/2 oz 3/4 oz

800-698-6841

www.fishingtackleunlimited.com

866-871-8268 split-tail only. The 2 smaller sizes are great for drop-shotting whereas the 2 larger sizes are great for rigging weed-less or Carolina/Texas style. This lure is proven to be highly effective for provoking strikes and catching largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, redfish, sea trout, snook, tarpons, groupers, jacks, etc.

281-481-6838

If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. So we did! The All Pro Spoon features a quality finish, quality hook, great wobble action and pink skirt to attract many different species of fish!

This is a great lure to cast with the Fishing Tackle Unlimited All Pro Series Rod in an extra light action.

ocean kayak

The Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 15™ features everything the serious angler could wish for including the couch-like Comfort Plus™ seat back, a Rod Pod™, Sonar Shield™, transducer compatible scupper hole and much more. The professional kayak anglers’ choice, the Trident 15™ includes the attention 78

March 2008

www.oceankayak.com

to detail that even the most demanding consumer will appreciate, from bow hatches with the easy to open Cross Lock™ system, to the Sonar Shield’s glare reducing cover and extra long leg capacity in the cockpit.

The Ocean Kayak™ Prowler 15™ is rudder optional and as with many of Ocean Kayak™’s fishing kayaks is offered in a number of different Angler Packages to suit a variety of different end users.

SRP: $1,029 (standard); $2,439 (angler package).

Texas Saltwater Fishing

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okuma tycir low profile baitcaster Okuma Fishing Tackle announces the all new Tycir Low Profile baitcasting reel.

The Tycir utilizes Okuma’s bomb-proof drive system that has proven so popular with the VSystem, Aveon, Nemesis and Alumina series of low profile

www.okumafishing.com

reels. Additionally, the Tycir features Okuma’s heavy duty carbonite drag, 6-pin adjustable velocity control, and many features found on reels costing twice as much. The Tycir is built on a durable graphite frame.

Tycir provides performance at a price that fits any wallet.

shimano

Strike Pro announces new line of flexible swim baits. Flex Phantom and Flex X have a patented bike chain joint system to produce realistic swimming action. Like all Strike Pro lures, quality and craftsmanship are second to none.

Flex Phantom has a unique,

fish-attracting internal flasher to reflect light. Other features include ball bearing rattle and wide-gap Owner trebles for more hook-ups. The Flex Phantom comes in 13 colors and three sizes.

The Flex X, originally introduced in 2005, has been

BERKLEY® Improved Trilene® Sensation Multi-Polymer technology from the scientists at Berkley has produced a formula for monofilament unmatched in the industry. Improved Trilene Sensation has characteristics found only in monofilaments with significantly Just Keep Five

Fuji Hardloy Guides  Fuji Reel Seat  Shaped Grade A cork handles  Gudebrod thread wrapped guides for added strength  Convenient hook keeper Limited Lifetime Warranty 

www.strikepromerica.com

trilene sensation berkley

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features 3 Bearings  Quick-Set Anti-Reverse  Machined Brass Gears  6 Pin Velocity Control  Multi-Disk Carbonite Drag  Machined Aluminum Spool  Balanced Double Handle  Quick Release Side Plate for fast spool change 

www.shimano.com 877-577-0600

liGhtweiGht, seNsitive aNd durable Cantar Southwest inshore series rods feature sensitive tips for accurately casting small baits, yet are powerful enough to pull large game fish from the nastiest of structure. coNstructioN  IM-8 Graphite Construction Components

strike pro america

909-923-2828

281-304-8635

redesigned for more realistic action on slow retrieve. The Flex X comes VMC treble hooks. With minnow-like shape in two sizes and 15 colors, the Flex X may be the most versatile hard bait on the market today.

www.berkley-fishing.com

larger diameters. Improved Sensation, considered a microdiameter mono, is ultra-strong wet or dry. Most mono lines lose a little strength when wet. However, the wet strength of improved Sensation is as strong as dry original Sensation.

The knot strength proves reliable and secure when fighting tough

Texas Saltwater Fishing

712-336-1520 fish. The incredibly thin line provides longer and more accurate casts, even for lighter baits. More bites are detected with this highly sensitive monofilament yet the roughest fishing situations are no problem with the improved abrasion resistance qualities.

March 2008

79

The warmer days of March can produce solid catches of flounder.

past. We caught some of our largest flounder last year on a quarter ounce spinnerbait with a gold number three Colorado blade sporting a BLURP shad body in electric chicken or LSU. The bonus with both the GULP and the spinnerbait is that they rate high on the food chain for redfish as well. I have caught very few trout with the spinnerbait, but the redfish seldom pass it up. They, too, are very much aware of the best places to take advantage of the shad buffet!

I am not trying to sell you on the idea of targeting only flounder this time of the year on Sabine, but I had a number of fishermen asking about that bite at recent Boat Shows. If our flounder are doing their thing this month, and they should be, you will be in the hunt utilizing these tactics.

The folks with a welcomed dilemma this month could be the trout fishermen. Wind permitting, they will have to decide most mornings whether to chase numbers under small groups of gulls on the south end of the lake or opt for a more deliberate bite and pursue larger fish further north. Playing the numbers game is much simpler as the birds are either there or they or not.

Look for the larger trout on the Louisiana flats north of Green’s Bayou or those just south of the spoil islands bordering the Intracoastal canal. You can expect the water to be silted up most days by either runoff or wind, but the trout are still there and they tend to feed the best on an incoming tide.

She Dogs, Catch V’s, Corkies, and Crazy Croakers are all good choices depending on the aggressiveness of the fish. Water clarity will determine color choices, but we do well with black-chartreuse, bone-chrome, and electric chicken. Pink is another color that can really get hot as well.

When the water is especially dirty, we also catch solid trout in these areas fishing a morning glory or red shad 5-inch Assassin Shad under a popping cork. With a little cooperation from Mother Nature and a measure of tenacity, I think you will find the action on Sabine Lake worth a visit this spring!

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The warmer days of March can produce solid catches of flounder.

past. We caught some of our largest flounder last year on a quarter ounce spinnerbait with a gold number three Colorado blade sporting a BLURP shad body in electric chicken or LSU. The bonus with both the GULP and the spinnerbait is that they rate high on the food chain for redfish as well. I have caught very few trout with the spinnerbait, but the redfish seldom pass it up. They, too, are very much aware of the best places to take advantage of the shad buffet!

I am not trying to sell you on the idea of targeting only flounder this time of the year on Sabine, but I had a number of fishermen asking about that bite at recent Boat Shows. If our flounder are doing their thing this month, and they should be, you will be in the hunt utilizing these tactics.

The folks with a welcomed dilemma this month could be the trout fishermen. Wind permitting, they will have to decide most mornings whether to chase numbers under small groups of gulls on the south end of the lake or opt for a more deliberate bite and pursue larger fish further north. Playing the numbers game is much simpler as the birds are either there or they or not.

Look for the larger trout on the Louisiana flats north of Green’s Bayou or those just south of the spoil islands bordering the Intracoastal canal. You can expect the water to be silted up most days by either runoff or wind, but the trout are still there and they tend to feed the best on an incoming tide.

She Dogs, Catch V’s, Corkies, and Crazy Croakers are all good choices depending on the aggressiveness of the fish. Water clarity will determine color choices, but we do well with black-chartreuse, bone-chrome, and electric chicken. Pink is another color that can really get hot as well.

When the water is especially dirty, we also catch solid trout in these areas fishing a morning glory or red shad 5-inch Assassin Shad under a popping cork. With a little cooperation from Mother Nature and a measure of tenacity, I think you will find the action on Sabine Lake worth a visit this spring!

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81

b a y t o w N

JaNuary aNd february briNGs

is that these back bays are holding warmer water. Redfish have been the

plenty cold weather and lots of

action but you have to time it just right. You have to get out there just after

northers. Predictably, things have

the front, out in deeper water back by the river mouth and tide lines and

slowed somewhat but fishing

tide breaks. There are some solid winter reds to be caught. Use your soft

is still pretty good here in the

plastics and your 52M Mirrolures. When you slow roll the Mirrolure over

Galveston System. Trout numbers

the tide breaks, that is where the bait and the fish are. A lot of these reds

have been good, just not the sizes

are coming in at about seven pounds. It is still a grind but steady when you

that we like. We are ready for the

get that northeast wind working, you can catch some decent fish. The east

spring fling time where we can

shoreline of Trinity has still been holding the reds. They are hanging out

catch some big fish.

very shallow down around Hodges and White Herron area on the flats. It

trip saver out in the open areas of Trinity. There has been a little bit of trout

has made for some fun trips.

triNity bay Scott’s Bay, Burnett Bay, San Jacinto Bay and even the San Jacinto River are holding some

upper GalvestoN bay Sylvan beach has been the ticket for night fishing. I am not sure what is going on over there because normally we catch them during the day

fish. The trout are holding in four to seven feet of water. They are hanging

but most of the really good catches are coming at night and off the piers.

on the ledges, drop offs and scattered shell. We have been finding the reds

Usually when you catch them during the day time it is around high noon

in about two feet of water. We have been catching them on Norton sand

and we are still catching a few fish over there in the four pound class. The

eels and Norton shrimp tails. Color has not been a big factor however we

Mirrorlure 52M and soft plastics are the lures of choice over here also.

are finding that the darker colors are working better. Strawberry and black

The slow rolling Mirrorlure and Corkys are producing. As we get further

have been working very well, on a good sunny day the limetreuse baits

into March and things begin to warm up the Seabrook Flats area around

have been drawing a lot of bites. For the most part that is the way we are

Clearlake will start picking up. Moses Lake has been giving up some

doing it. Bait has not been real prevalent. When you do find the bait you

decent trout and a few reds.

can catch them here and there but you still have to work, no easy pickings.

These fish are definitely schooled but just not biting real steady, probably water temperature related. The back bays have been the best areas and

west bay This bay has been very inconsistent. If you get it right following a hard

getting out of the wind has been a key to success. Another bonus

northerly front you can find the bite out deep through the mid-bay shell.

Drifting through the tide streaks and color changes has been the spot to catch them. We have been catching them on soft plastics in dark colors again. Black, red and pumpkinseed have been the colors of choice.

east bay There has been a little bit of shoreline action going on there. It is still a little early for this area but some of the mid-bay reefs have been holding fish. Once we can get the warmer weather rolling in that is when this bay will turn on and we can catch the bigger and better fish in the shallow areas.

Right now is a kind of so-so time for Galveston area bays. March and April brings major changes and things really start kicking into gear around here. We will see fish moving up shallower and shoreline wading becomes much more productive. March is the kick-off to seeing better fish out on the flats. We are always about a month to six weeks behind south Texas, their bite is turning on right now. Right now it’s not great but we’re still catching… I can’t wait until the bays warm up, I think we have a great spring ahead of us.

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83

m a t a G o r d a

for the most part, march is the

but to our dismay it was actually a damaged

kick-off month for fishing in our

and managed to pull into a farmer’s house.

neck of the woods. Hunting

Luckily he was accommodating and even

season has pretty much dwindled

had a workshop. He allowed us to use his

except for exotics and this is the

welding equipment and graciously offered

signal that most outdoorsmen

to trek into town and buy new bearings for

will be bringing saltwater fishing

the trailer. Somewhere in the vicinity of

back to center stage. For

5 or so hours later we were headed out

many anglers, Dave Holder’s

again toward Matagorda.

axle. We hobbled along at a snail’s pace

We were somewhat frustrated but

Houston Fishing Show helps get everything started. Fishermen

knew we still had plenty of time to get to

can view what’s new in saltwater

Green’s and Cotton’s in West Matagorda

for 2008. There’s always a ton of

Bay to do our floundering that night.

tackle, guides from all over the

We pulled into Matagorda and hurried

coast, boats, motors, clothing

down to River Bend where we launched

and the seminar room to wet

the boat and proceeded on our journey.

the whistle of those anxious to

Ricky and I didn’t get too far before a

get back on the water. This is an

buzzer went off and I had to shut down

excellent time of the year to gear

my motor to a crawl. With a hot motor it wasn’t too hard to figure the source of

up, clean up, and tone up all your fishing paraphernalia.

Like it or not, spring cleaning is a must if you desire to make the most

the trouble; we had a busted water pump.

of each day on the water. Take time to go through tackle boxes and replace

At least the tide was going out and aiding our frustrated paddling back to

any rusty hooks and split rings on your lures. Throw away old plastics that

the boat ramp. We loaded the boat and headed home.

Our next disappointment came between Bay City and Wharton when

have melted in your box or become discolored and lay in a good store of new ones. This is also a good time to send off all reels to a reputable

we were stopped by a highway patrol officer. I guess the Lord had pity

establishment to be cleaned. We have some great service centers and I’d

on us that day, the officer was very kind. He had pulled us over because

like to list a few of them for you to consider: Johnny’s Sport Shop in Eagle

the light on our license plate was out. Knowing that it was working when

Lake, David’s Tackle Box in Rosenberg, The Tackle Box in Victoria and

we left Matagorda, I went back to check. The officer and I began wiggling

Fishing Tackle Unlimited in Houston.

wires and learned it was only a bad connection. His sharp eye also

In addition, go through every inch of your boat making sure all latches,

detected that the license plate had expired.

A little more grace got us through that episode with only a warning

screws, flares, and all safety needs are in order. Trailer maintenance is a grand idea as you don’t want to get on the road and have a breakdown.

ticket, whew! You can only imagine how happy I was to get home that night

Invest time to check your tires, springs, bearings, straps, and last but not

in one piece. That whole episode taught me a very good lesson about

least your license plate sticker date. Another important item to look over

equipment maintenance. I’ve learned through my many years on the water

is your motor especially if you did not winterize. It wouldn’t even be a bad

that a little preventive care is worth its weight in gold.

idea to haul it in to your dealer and have them look it over. Doing the above

March fishing around Matagorda should be a fair repeat of February.

may not completely exonerate you from problems as you head to the water

I’ve been laid up a bit due to shoulder surgery and a good case of the flu

but should get you off to a good start.

but have been keeping up with fishing patterns. Our trout should continue

I’ll let you in on a little incident that happened to me several years

holding on mud and shell. Hopefully, the last two weeks of March will bring

back before my guiding days. It was during the 1970s and I owned an 18

a warming trend but don’t get tricked into thinking we’ve seen the end of

ft scooter with a 70 hp Mercury. My East and West Matagorda Bay fishing

cold weather. We’re sure to see a few more cold fronts. Pick your times to

season basically involved the months of April through October. During

fish before and after the last of these cold fronts and you should be better

November through March I hunted ducks, deer, quail, and everything in

off. Also the bite should be best from midday to dark because of the water

between. At the time my boat was only about 3 years old and I hadn’t

temperature. Allowing the sun to warm up water surface temperatures and

experienced any trouble at all so I was fairly confident in my equipment.

activate the bait could pay off.

Choice baits such as Bass Assassins, Mirrolures, and Corkies will

A good friend of mine named Ricky from Bellville and I decided to head on down to Matagorda for our first fishing trip of the year, actually it was

remain the hot picks. In West Matagorda Bay the glass minnows should

to be a three day adventure. All the preparations were made and all our

begin showing in the usual places. If I remember correctly last year they

tackle, food, drinks, etc., were packed. We hooked onto the boat and off

began to show up about the last week of March along with a few big bull

we went. Ricky and I were really excited and with great weather conditions

sharks. Best tactics for fishing West Bay include incoming tides, shoreline

predicted and we joked about who would catch the most and biggest.

guts, and sand bars. On a low tide the reds should be found in greatest

I believe we were somewhere between Wallis and East Bernard when I looked back and noticed smoke. At first glance I thought it was my tire 84

March fishing around Matagorda will remain much the same as we saw in February. Last year Brett Caron, Glenn Hornsby and Aaron Loomis hit it big fishing a cold day with Capt. Bill.

March 2008

number in the shallow guts. Until next time - God Bless; and maintain that equipment!

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85

port o’coNNor/seadrift

becomiNG a better aNGler is somethiNG many of us

using the same lures we have always used cast after cast. We will have the lures that we know produce the best under the right conditions so we tend not to stray from those selections. Why would you?

strive for year after year. We

What if there was a better bait than those you are accustomed to

spend many hours on the water,

using… wouldn’t you want to use it? I know I would. This brings me to the

too many dollars on tackle, and

point of this article. In the colder months of the year when the weather

some of us have a hefty amount

is not cooperating I spend too much time on the couch watching more

invested in a boat rigged with

TV than I care to mention. There are not many saltwater fishing shows

many gadgets. We will read

compared to freshwater fishing but in order to get my “fix” I am willing to

several magazines and attend

watch any show as long as it involves fishing.

many seminars in hopes of

Much can be learned through watching shows featuring anglers fishing

improving our angling abilities. If

for bass. As we all know many of the lures we use today in saltwater

you are one of these people I am

originated from freshwater fishing. I could give you a long list, but I really

talking about, give yourself a pat

only want to mention a few that I have been using over the past few years

on the back. Why? Being willing to

that have definitely earned a spot in my tackle box.

listen to others recommendations

The first one is a surface crankbait made by Mann’s Bait Company

and suggestions makes you an

called a 1-Minus. This series of baits comes in three sizes and was

open-minded person and this is a

produced for freshwater fishing but as it became more popular amongst

good first step toward achieving

saltwater anglers the bait was modified by adding corrosive-resistant

success in anything we do.

saltwater hooks and is now called the Tidewater Mid 1-Minus. During a

When anglers spend a lot of time on the water we tend to fall into what I call a comfort zone. In this zone we tend to be more closed-minded by

slow retrieve the bait has a wide wobble creating a wake. Crank fast and it will dive no more than 12 inches, again, creating lots of vibration…perfect for most shallow water fishing.

John Hutson had no problem getting this red to eat this Baby 1-Minus.

This redfish was enticed by angler, Brady Cowey, using a Mid 1-Minus bait.

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Shane Hutson was fishing with a Texas Rig when he landed this redfish.

Before going any further I should mention that Mann’s Bait Company is NOT one of my sponsors. My endorsement is strictly because I strongly believe every angler will benefit from me sharing this information.

Gary and I started using this lure a few years ago while pre-fishing for a redfish tournament. We were both astonished with the way redfish just inhaled this bait. Even the tightest lipped fish couldn’t refuse this bait. Most recently I have discovered they have added a new bait to their line up called the Tidewater Waker Elite.

It is supposed to swim 1-3 inches deep and creates a wake with a loud “rippling” sound as it’s reeled. I can’t wait to try it and will write up my results once I have.

The last bait I want to mention is one that is awesome for grassy locations. The Texas Rig has been used for decades and is surely no secret to most anglers. This is a technique used for fishing soft plastic lures. It involves a leader that is first attached to a barrel swivel then threading on a bullet-shaped weight followed by an offset hook.

The hook is then inserted into the head region of the plastic lure and exits the lure about 1/4 of an inch down the body. The lure is then moved up the hook towards the shank and then rotated so that the worm is now “locked” on the shank. The point of the hook is then thread back into the body of the worm to make the rig weedless.

Gulp’s 5” Jerk Shad bait in the sardine color on one of my Texas Rigs. I got more bites and caught more fish than using one of my non-scented lures. And since this lure is weedless it can be fished in areas that are too grassy for other lures. It also works exceptionally well for tailing redfish!

I am looking forward to the weather warming up and being able to get out on the water to try out new techniques. If I find any one of them are useful and productive I will be sure to mention them in future articles.

Gary and I will be at the Houston Fishing Show March 5th – 9th at booth #528. Please feel free to stop by and say hello. We are always anxious to make new friends and look forward to talking to those that have fished with us before.

This technique has worked successfully for me for many years now but only got better when Gulp baits hit the market. On a whim I decided to try www.TSFMAG.com

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87

l aG u N a / b a f f i N u p p e r

CLIFF WEBB

the colder the better. we’ve had

without it. All we needed was the right day.

some real winter weather and

windy. Temperatures were in the fifties. We put our backs to the wind and

the good fishing is back. Early

gave it a shot. We all caught and released several good trout that ranged

winter was tough, we had a lot of

from five to seven pounds. The next day the weather was calm, clear and

brown tide and didn’t catch a lot of

warmer. Again, we all caught good trout but, not the elusive ten pounders.

The first day of wade fishing the conditions were overcast and very

Just a couple of days later, the weather turned really nasty. The

fish. Then, like a switch, it turned around and big trout started

temperature was forty-five degrees, the wind was blowing hard from the

showing up. The water conditions

north at about thirty miles per hour with higher gusts and it was drizzling.

in Baffin Bay are getting better.

The chill factor was thirty-five degrees. For me, this was perfect big

It is still off-color but, there are

trout weather. The night before, David Sikes of the Corpus Christi Caller

some areas where the visibility

Times, had called and asked if he could come along and get some big trout pictures. I’m

is about two feet.

North of Baffin Bay the water has been beautiful. There

thinking, if I bring

are a lot of good trout and redfish being caught in the

a sports writer, I

upper Laguna Madre.

usually won’t catch anything. But I said, “Sure, bring all your warm gear.

The weather will be miserable. The water temperature is fortyseven degrees.”

Everyone met the next morning in the dark and I could tell that they weren’t sure about Chuck Janke II - another nice winter Baffin trout – C&R!

the weather. I had confidence and said,

Ed Neeley – C&R on a nice Baffin trout.

In between cold fronts the weather has been warm and sunny. That’s the thing about winter here; the cold doesn’t last very long. It’s south Texas so, how bad can it be? Just cold, windy and raining. We catch a lot of nice fish when its warm and sunny but the really big trout are caught when it’s cold and nasty weather and when most people don’t go. I tell my clients, “Put on everything you think you will need then, put on some more. It’s always colder than you think.”

Early in the week I had three serious anglers come down for two days of fishing. These guys were interested in catching big trout and were prepared for whatever the weather would bring. They all had Simms wade fishing gear, which is what I use. I couldn’t make it through these winters 88

March 2008

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Hal and Cliff pose with Hal’s career best.

“you can get in the truck or get in the boat; I’m getting in the boat.” I was so pumped up I would have gone fishing by myself.

The five of us started wading and we all caught several trout between four and seven pounds. We were using two different lures and they were both working well. The Corky Fat Boy in day-glow and the Bass Assassin five-inch Shad in Texas Avocado. About one o’clock we went back to the boat. One guy had a hole in his waders and he was freezing. Amazingly he had hung in there.

We were in the boat trying to warm up when I noticed the mullet jumping more than I’d seen all day. Four of us went back out for another wade. Right away, David Sikes, caught and released a good trout. Jeff Messer caught

The big trout will come toward you and you have to reel in fast to keep the pressure on. You have to control the big ones or they will take control of you.

another one about seven pounds. We missed a couple more, then Hal’s rod bows up and he had a huge trout on. The fish was hooked down deep

pressure on them. The big trout will come toward you and you have to reel in

in the back of the throat with a Corky. She came up headshaking on the

fast to keep the pressure on. You have to control the big ones or they will take

top of the water for ten to fifteen seconds, trying to throw that lure. She was

control of you. Get a hard hook set. Now that I’m using the braided line I’m

blowing water everywhere and making noises like you’ve never heard. It was

getting more hook ups with a better feel, especially in the wind. The drag is

unbelievable and beautiful to watch.

kept tight but, not quite as tight as with mono. I use Power Pro in twenty pound

Hal drops his rod tip down and the years of fishing showed. He didn’t

test. Along with a twenty pound Seaguar Flourocarbon shock leader. So, if the

overplay the fish and didn’t horse the fish in. He landed her perfectly, without

fish is hooked on the outside of the mouth there will be enough stretch to take

a dip net. She was thirty-one inches long and weighed ten pounds! A great

a brutal head shake. I use the Waterloo HP Slam Mag; the perfect big trout

fish and his personal best. He said he’d been fishing since he was eleven

rod. It’s powerful, light and sensitive. And forget the little dip nets that look like

years old and always wanted to catch a trout that big. This day was worth the

a tennis racket. I either hand grab or use a Boga Grip.

bad weather. After that catch, we didn’t even notice the weather. But, the wet guy in the boat did, he was turning blue, so we headed back.

Coming up, I’m hoping for clearer water down south and the trout getting fatter. Even though we’ve had a slow start I think this spring will bring very

Hooking a ten-pound trout and landing her is two different things. I’ve

good fishing.

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89

m a N s f i e l d

february, as usual, was oNe of the more iNterestiNG months to fish in the Lower Laguna.

Being this far south, one day you

p o r t

couldn’t put on enough clothes and the next day you’re in short sleeves and working towards a bad sunburn. We probed waters ranging from 43 degrees to over 67 within spans of just a few days, not to mention fighting the good fight between the north and south winds.

We had some great days among some trying ones, and no matter how compelling February is for trophy trout seekers, March should bring us even more heavyweight potential.

February gave us some reliable patterns to work with despite some of the conditions we had to work in. The immediate recovery period after a strong norther was one of the most predictable. As soon as conditions moderated, especially if the sun came out, our better fish routinely moved up shallow. By shallow, I mean from calf to knee deep. Shallow water warms quickly and both predators and prey are quick to take advantage Jeff Ortloff proved that dragging a tail on bottom can pay off big.

of it. It seemed that the bigger fish were the first to move up. The pelicans were often the best indicator of where to start. Even if the bait is down and inactive, these big birds know where they are and will at least sit close to them. Use Mother Nature to show you the way every time she

darker colors. Various Corkies were also thrown with success, especially

offers. The best bottoms were soft with darker grass, especially along

when hunting big trout. However, with this February’s overabundance of

slopes that led to four or more feet.

big redfish, several of these hard to get baits would often get demolished

We have been doing well with straight and paddletail plastics,

in one day. We also enjoyed several good topwater bites, and one of the

Corkies and medium-sized topwaters. In muddier water I still have high

better ones occurred one mid-day as the shallow water warmed from

confidence in a simple paddle tail bait because of its vibration, usually in

forty eight to fifty four degrees.

Aside from aggressive feeding periods, the bite was often so subtle

Small baits fished precisely in small potholes are an early spring go-to setup.

that detection was difficult even for a pro. I truly feel that if I had not been using Suffix braid, not to mention a high-end rod, that I would have never felt many of the softer bites. One of our most productive approaches during periods of low activity was dragging a straight-tailed soft plastic on the bottom and through the grass. When fish refused to rise for a lure, as they often did, they would usually still pick up a tail sliding next to them. Again, it was all about feeling the bite and good timing on the hookset.

During March, patterns will start to change giving us many more exciting options about where and how to fish. Usually by the middle of the month we see a significant rise in overall water levels. We expect to see more fish using the flats proper and patrolling crunchy, waist deep potholes. Redfish will often move high on the sand, so tailing and clear-water sightcasting opportunities will become more common. As the levels rise, the

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Dirk Tengg, right after a strong norther, a predictable pattern.

back areas and shorelines should see an increase in large trout. Some of the heaviest fish are vulnerable during March as they feed voraciously toward their first spawn of the year, and many will still have their thick shouldered winter weight on them. Last year we had several fish go between eight and nine pounds during March, and since it appears this will be another year without a freeze, there’s no reason why we can’t do even better this year.

Of course, one of the most popular ways to target bigger trout is to be relentless with a large topwater. Shoreline structure, back water areas full of bait, and spoil banks can all produce big fish up top during spring. While a big topwater is probably the most exciting way to fish with obviously explosive results, let’s don’t forget other less dramatic but proven techniques.

Signals of early spring will be lots of smaller baitfish moving in large schools. There are many times where a large fish will turn down an aggressive presentation but snap up smaller, more delicate lures. Numerous times we’ve seen precise tail presentations outperform topwaters, and not just on smaller fish.

Target your casts to small potholes and other minor depressions. We have found that tightening the presentation and probing every small deviation can yield better results than blind banging with a topwater all day and hoping for a big one to strike. Precision casting needs to be a large part of our game plan and we should pursue it as intently as surface fishing. We can try to catch fish how we want to catch them, or we can catch them how they are more easily caught for the moment. Either way, it’s all good and we are all looking forward to clear spring tides, bait rich waters, and the lure smashing predators who rule the flats.

Here’s to catching your personal best, and yes, the Lower Laguna is still my kind of place.

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a r royo c o l o r a d o t o p o r t i s a b e l

caN you believe it? spriNG is already

baitfish and had very

here. I hated to see our winter

come alive again. Baitfish

fishing pass so fast; it felt like

will begin to migrate

it was just yesterday when

away from deeper water

we dusted off our waders and

and tend to locate and

bundled up in our warm clothing.

position themselves

I would like to say this past winter

on shallow flats for

we experienced some of the

prolonged periods of

best trout fishing I have seen in

time. Gone will be the

over a decade. The number and

cold days where you

size of trout we caught through

would be lucky if you saw

December and into February

a few mullet jumping.

was phenomenal. Our muddy

Spring always brings

wades in the cold mornings and

instant signs of new life

afternoons and sometimes into

into our bay system. And

chilly evenings were well worth

you are more apt to find

little fish activity will

the effort. The number of six to eight pound trout we caught this winter is

fish in many other places

unmatched in my log book.

in warmer conditions

In March we will continue to target many of the areas we fished in December, January, and February, but soon the water temperatures will

versus a few tight areas

Jeff Hellekson’s efforts of wading in knee deep mud payed off greatly.

in the middle of winter.

begin to rise. As the temperatures increase, so will the size of the field

Let me give you a prime example of a pattern that has occurred and

where fish can be found. During the colder months, fish were found in

what is to come. In the middle of winter, I fished someone who wanted to

fewer and tighter areas, concentrated in deeper holes or on flats with

target nothing but big trout. I knew where they were holding as we headed

easy deep water access. Come March, areas that were once void of

off in the brisk cool morning. Water temperature was right around sixtyone degrees, and the light winds were in our favor. The excitement and anticipation of landing a trophy became somewhat of a disappointment when only one nineteen inch fish was landed by noon time. I then asked my fishing partner for the day if he was willing to stick it out and wait for the bite to turn on or relocate somewhere else.

I knew they were definitely there, and there was no reason to go elsewhere if big trout were the target choice. His answer without any hesitation was to stay put.

The area we were fishing was only about three hundred yards long and not very friendly for wading. We ended up spending the rest of the day and into the darkness in this small zone.

Our efforts were rewarded with twelve trout over six pounds, the heaviest was seven and a half pounds and we had many others in the four to five pound class. The point I’m trying to make here is that in the winter months, the areas we fished were small tight areas compared to what’s going to happen in March.

Come checkout the new FTU Green rod (FTU booth) at the Holder Fishing Show - March 5th thru 9th.

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March will allow us more options. No longer will we have to stomp only in calf to knee deep

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As more anglers practice catch and release, and with the new seatrout regulations now in place, the Lower Laguna Madre should only get better in the years to come. mud; we will have the option to choose areas with a hard sand and shell bottom. Lately, potholes have been a key to our success, but come spring they will become even more important. Our vast turtle grass flats will soon come alive with perch and pinfish that use the grass to hide. Find yourself a flat that contains baitfish and potholes and chances are, you will be in for a line stretching, drag singing treat.

For the last four months we have not even come close to the dropping a line in our back bays. The winter tides and northerners tend to dump all the water out. In addition, the temperatures were too Trout still like topwaters in the middle of winter.

cold for fish to hold on flats for long periods of time. But in March it’s a whole different story. Tides will be running high again; the brown shrimp will begin to do their thing in muddy back lakes and you can bet that tailing reds will be the first to locate these crustaceans. A telltale sign

will be the laughing gulls hovering above tailing reds. Make sure you don’t overlook gulls sitting on the water. The sitting gulls have the patience to wait for a redfish to disturb a shrimp and cause it to jump; this is how the gull makes his living.

One of several nice trout that Jesse Gracia caught on topwaters.

The only unwelcome change will be the gusty winds that March always brings. March winds can quickly churn any body of water making it almost impossible to fish. Some wind can be an ally when stalking tailing reds.

Finding protective areas that keep their clarity in the windiest of conditions will be a key component in March. The Three Islands area will have the best clarity even when the south wind is strongest. Finding redfish and trout on the sand will be a common occurrence in March.

This time of year can be good for drifting the flats. Drifters can cover many miles of water in a short period of time. If you happen to drift into a productive spot, it’s always a good idea to drop a drift anchor or two. This way you can drift slowly and take full advantage of the bite.

The outlook for spring looks very promising, especially with all the big trout we’ve been seeing. As more anglers practice catch and release, and with the new seatrout regulations now in place, the Lower Laguna Madre should only get better in the years to come. Prepare for windy conditions, sharpen your spoons, and lay in a good store of soft plastics; and don’t be timid with the topwaters even in the windiest of conditions. Remember just because it’s windy above the water, does not mean it’s windy underneath.

I will be at the Houston Fishing Show at the Fishing Tackle Unlimited booth March 5th through the 9th. Come by and say hello. Let me show you some of the new FTU Green rods that are going to be showcased for the first time. Right after the show I will be traveling to Costa Rica for some snook and tarpon fishing. I’m really excited and looking forward to this trip, and I will certainly post a report of the trip in next month’s issue.

Good fishing.

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

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2008 has gotten off to a wet start. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it will push the majority of the fish that were north of the Intracoastal Waterway south.

Flounder fishing should be good all month around the cuts coming out of the marsh. Top baits for flounder include soft plastics, such as H&H Cocahoes and Gulp. Other baits to try would be live shrimp or minnows. Redfishing is still unbelievable. The best spots are still the wiers along the east and south banks. The adjacent shorelines are also good places to try. Soft plastics are your best bets with spinners, spoons, and rattletraps coming in tied for second. The big trout will continue to be shallow through the first half of the month. They will start showing up on the deeper reefs by month’s end. Good places to try are the shorelines south of Turner’s Bay, south of the Old Settlement to Commissary Point, along the east Bank and in West Cove. Good deep reefs are Long Point, Commissary Point, and all reefs in West Cove. Best lures are suspending twitch baits and topwaters.

“Nothing spectacular to report lately in the Galveston area, but fishing is okay in a variety of locations. People drifting on the west side of Trinity Bay are catching some pretty good numbers of trout and limits in some cases. Best bet over there is to drift four to five feet of water over scattered shell next to some of the primary reef systems. Bass Assassins and 52 series Mirrolures are the best baits. In West Bay, drifting scattered shell in the same depths off of Green’s Cut has been steady, though not easy. There are also some good schools of trout around Confederate Reef. Drifting shallower there is a better bet. Shallow is a key word. The tide has been low a lot of the time lately, and that’s pretty much killed the wadefishing. But as the weather warms and onshore flow becomes more common, the wading will pick up like it always does,” James says. He indicates that good places to try once tides return to normal levels will be the north shoreline of East Bay, the coves in West Bay and the east shore of Trinity, from Smith Point to the North Ridge.

Jim says that the fishing for trout in Galveston is weather dependent lately, as is the norm in Upper Coast bays. “Behind these cold fronts, it’s hard to catch trout in the morning real good. The tide gets blown out so low that you don’t have any water on the shorelines. And the water out in the middle is a muddy mess, so that’s pretty much game over. Best bet then is to fish up until dark thirty. Especially on days when the tide returns to a more normal level at dusk, the bite can be awesome. Most of those times, we’re still wading pretty far from the bank itself, out where the first little ledges start into the deeper water. Most of the trout we’re catching lately aren’t monsters, just solid fish. Not catching any small fish; they’re running from two to four pounds generally, with a few in the six pound class.

Redfish are easier. They will pile up in the ends of little drains and ditches in the marsh on the low tides. We catch them by staying in the deep water and casting into a foot to eighteen inches of water where the drains empty off the flats.”

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“Fishing has been really good lately,” Randall reports. “I love it when it’s warm this time of year. I’m standing in my garage sweating right now. We did have a little issue with the freshwater after a recent front brought some storms. It killed our bayou pattern and moved all the fish out into the bay. We have been catching them out there both drifting and wading. When wading, we are getting out about as deep as we can, since the fish are holding over scattered shell in waist deep water and deeper. We have had some flurries on Corkies in gold/chartreuse and even some topwater action, but the best results by far have been on red magic Sand Eels. I like to rig them upside down, with the hook coming out of the bright side. It’s backwards to the intended way, but I think it makes them look more like a wounded minnow. Speaking of minnows, we’ll be working the schools of glass minnows once March gets here. Usually, once the migration starts, staying in the clouds of moving minnows is an easy ticket to redfish, trout and even flounder. I can’t wait.”

Don’s report indicates that there are plenty of trout in East Bay lately. “We’ve been catching some wading and some drifting. There are fish out on the mid-bay reefs over scattered shell and mud, and both shorelines also have fish. The keys are the tide levels and the wind direction. Southwest winds have put the hurt on the bite on some days, but softer winds with more east make for clear water and open up the options. If the tides are high, wading shorelines improves; if it’s low, the boat fishing gets better. Bass Assassins in plum/chartreuse are producing for both waders and drifters. Those wading with Corkies are catching some of the biggest fish.” He looks for these patterns to hold into March, but also plans to go after the reds in West Bay more as the weather warms. “The reds are already thick over in West Bay, and that should improve as spring arrives. Low tides help on that deal because they stack the fish in the deeper guts going into and out of the coves. You can catch them pretty much however you want to once you find a good school.”

Fishing has been excellent in the area. We have been on a good trout bite for the last three weeks. We have not been on any big fish, just solid keeper fish from fifteen to eighteen inches. Most of these fish have been found out in guts leading from area bayous and marshes. They’ve been in three to four feet of water over a mix of mud and shell. The two best ways we have been catching is with corks rigged about eighteen inches over a sixteenth ounce leadhead with any type of Berkley Gulp shrimp, and quarter ounce leadheads rigged with Berkley Jerk Shad in rootbeer gold and watermelon lime. The redfish bite has been awesome as well.

The reds have been holding in guts and on mud flats in two to three feet of water.

Quarter ounce weedless gold spoons have been lethal as have bone/flash Super Spook Jrs. I look for the big trout to start staging on shorelines with a mix of mud and grass soon. Our big trout have seemed to move out with the influx of fresh water from the river. Signs that might indicate their return are slicks and nervous mullet.

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The month of February has been a great month for trophy trout. With the water temperatures mostly in the mid to high fifties, the trout were still active and aggressive. The water clarity has improved in scattered parts of Baffin Bay and this has opened a good variety of areas to fish for those elusive trophy speckled trout. Potholes with a mixture of sand and mud have been the most productive on my charter trips. Because we have had many sunny days warming up the surface water, I have been seeing a lot of mullet jumping and the trout have been suspending themselves just below the mullet about two feet deep. The MirroLure Catch 5 #CHBL, has been responsible for many trout of all sizes, including some up to 29 1/2 inches long. The Bass Assassin in bone diamond and plum/ chartreuse, and good penny Blurps rigged on eighth ounce jig heads have also been fooling many trophy trout. I’m hoping that we don’t get a bad freeze and that the water temperatures stay about the same throughout March.

Lynn expects to be fishing mostly shallow grass beds next to deeper water and a muddy bottom in March. “I like to stay pretty shallow most of the time, but I’ll also pick areas that are close to dropoffs. We’ll be throwing a lot of Corkies and Corky Devils, especially in the pearl/chartreuse color pattern. We also use soft plastics of course, throwing my old standby colors, the red shad and the plum/chartreuse.

But I experiment with limetreuse quite a bit this time of year too. I’ve had good success with that bright color in the past. Large topwaters like the Super Spook and Skitterwalk will also be in the mix at times, especially when the sun heats up the flats and the bait gets really active. Historically, we catch some of our biggest trout of the year in March, and this year sets up to be no different.” He also states that he’ll be out at the fishing show at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston from March 5th through March 9th. “I’ll be in the Port O’Connor Guides booth. You can stop by and say hello to me there.”

Blake had been on a couple of drift fishing trips prior to giving this report. “I’ll drift if the clients can’t or won’t wade, and fishing that way produces lots of fish at times. We have been catching plenty of school trout over reefs and scattered shell that way. Soft plastics are the lures of choice on those occasions. I throw my standby Sand Eels, of course. In the near future, I’ll be looking to do some wadefishing in hopes of catching bigger trout. Last year, February was probably my best month for consistently catching five to seven pound trout, with a few bigger ones. March is historically one of the best months for that too. We like to focus on sandy bottoms more as the waters warm with the arrival of spring. The big trout and the redfish seem to take to that hard bottom pretty quickly when the spring winds arrive. I like to target them with large topwaters and also Corkies.

Wading shell reefs can be productive too. I’ll be running areas from San Antonio Bay into Aransas Bay. There’s a good mix of both shell and sandy, grassy shorelines in those bays.”

Large jack crevalle usually return to the surf zone in good numbers in March and mid-month marks the beginning of shark fishing in earnest with large full-term pregnant blacktipped sharks available on cast as well as kayaked baits. Other shark species are also possible. Pompano, whiting, sheepshead, black drum and redfish continue to be present in good numbers, and although it varies from one year to the next, good numbers of speckled trout are often available when conditions are moderate. High winds, rough seas and some of the highest tides of the year are common in March and fishable days can be hard to come by. Avoid high wind and tide periods and don’t plan trips very far in advance as conditions change rapidly. www.TSFMAG.com

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Joe likes the prospects down south as we head into spring. “The water around the mouth of the Land Cut and in Nine Mile Hole is looking pretty good lately. There are already quite a few fish around down there and it should get better as the weather warms up some more. I like the multiple options the area in and around the cut presents. You can pull drifts in The Hole for redfish and a few big trout, and there’s also the drill of getting on the trolling motor and working long stretches of the edge of the ditch itself. I remember many times, all the way back to 1988, when we just went along for miles it seemed catching trout and redfish all the way. Sometimes it’s good with topwaters, but most of the time, it’s a better bet to flutter a soft plastic off of the ledge. A third option in that area is the Summer House area and north into Rocky Slough. It’s kind of similar to fishing in the cut; drifting, trolling and casting toward the rocks and dropoffs near the shoreline. Topwaters are the safest bet when casting around all the rocks, especially if the water’s too murky to see them.”

Bruce reports that the trophy trout fishing is good in Port Mansfield lately, especially when the water is on the cold side. “We’re doing the typical winter thing, focusing on drains from the marshy areas into deeper water, particularly those ditches that have dark, muddy bottoms. Still throwing mostly slow sinkers like Catch 2000s and Corkies. The topwater bite has not been really good. I just have more confidence in the sinkers right now. In March, of course, that might all change as the water warms even more.” He mentions a tactic that is allowing him to catch fish in the same general areas in different ways as the weather changes.

“When it’s cold, we are working our lures real slow over the deepest part of the drains, so that they will be close to the bottom. When it warms up, we speed up and make the action more erratic, so that the lures are barely under the surface.

And once we catch one or two of the upper slot or oversized reds, we pound on the area really hard. Usually one or more big trout are in there with them.”

After an awesome beginning, the fishing this year has slowed, with trout hard to find and reds refusing everything most of the morning. There’s a short bite right at daybreak, then things grind to a halt, just like the tide movement, so we’re staying late to top off the box using the Mansfield Maulers with Berkley Gulp shrimp in pearl, new penny, and the newest color, root beer gold. The water on the west side is semi-clear, but extreme low tides limit maneuverable space, so run in muddy areas and avoid spooking fish where the water is clear and you’ll help yourself and others. The east side, at the time of this writing, is partially covered with brown tide and there is some boat traffic to deal with. The warm weather is giving us the chance to catch reds on half ounce gold weedless spoons; you might want to try putting a small chunk of Gulp on the hook to add scent, but not so much that it makes the lure drag up to the top of the water.

Freddy says, “We can’t wait for the new spring growth that always signals the beginning of the best fishing of the year.”

Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

95

Bobbi Ingram hooked her first keeper trout in West Matagorda.

Jerry Stone tackled this 29” trout while fishing the surf in Freeport.

Rick Ulrich and son Bronson Ulrich show off their catches from a father and son bonding wade trip.

Top: Connie Lyssy hooked her first off shore fish in Port Aransas.

Left: Dana Portugal lands her career red while out in Rockport.

Right: Raymond LeaL Jr. of Garwood caught and released this 48” black drum in Oyster Lake.

Wade Schwake shows the Canadians how it is done Texas Fly Fishing Style.

Christopher Reed lands this 90# amberjack while off shore.

Christin Daniels of Cedar Creek caught and released her first black drum while out in Port O’Connor.

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March 2008

Katie Miller of Ingleside and boyfriend Ryan Elrod proudly show off Katie’s first trout on artificial, measuring at 28 1/2” and 9#.

Manuel Gomez caught and released this black drum while fishing San Jose Island.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Jake Dean of Beaumont snagged this nice red while out at Crystal Beach.

Alyssa Fisher of Galveston snagged this 24” trout in Rockport.

Right: Jay Giamalva tricked this 25” 6# trout of the Texas City Dike.

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Summer McFarlin and Annette McFarlin land a pair of reds while out in POC.

John Esley hooked a nice trout on a Saltwater Assassin while kayaking.

Ruben Delgadillo snagged his first triple tail in Matagorda.

Amy McGee tricked a nice 32 1/2” trout.

Jennifer Green lands her first triple tail while fishing in Matagorda.

Noe Villarreal and son Nicholas show off Noe’s 19” trout caught in Port Mansfield

Keil Propst caught and released this 43 ¾” red while fishing Mitchell’s Cut.

Andrea DeLeon caught and released her first sailfish while fishing off shore.

Mark Smith tricked this 8# 4 oz trout into taking his lure.

Angel Rodriguez of El Campo proudly displays a nice 27” red.

Joey Crocker landed a nice snook while at Gulf Sand Bar Island.

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

March 2008

97

CHILE PASTE 5 ancho chile pods - dried

CORN HUSKS Husk preparation: (large bag of Azteca Corn

lemon. Sautee lightly and add ancho chile paste, leave on stovetop only for a couple of minutes,

1 tsp garlic powder

Husks), rinse in hot water, cleaning thoroughly.

just enough to fuse the shrimp and chile with

1/2 tsp cumin

Soak cleaned husks in hot water for 30 minutes,

the rest of the spices. The shrimp should not be

1/3 cup cold water

longer won’t hurt. I soak overnight depending on

cooked fully, they will cook further when fi nished

1/2 tsp salt

amount of tamales to be made (one less thing to

tamales are steamed.

do in the morning).

Start by cleaning ancho chiles, remove stems and seeds, wash in cold running water.

SHRIMP FILLING

PREPARING MASA 5 lbs. Adam’s Azteca masa at room temperature

1 stick butter

1 Tbsp salt

add water, boil until softened. Drain and place

5 lbs shrimp (deveined, peeled, tails off)

1 Tbsp baking powder

softened peppers in blender with garlic, cumin,

1 tsp cumin

2 cups ancho chile paste

salt and cold water; blend to consistency of

3/4 tsp garlic powder

1 cup hot water

pancake batter. If you desire hotter tamales,

1 tsp. lemon

1 lb. lard or vegetable shortening

add one or two Cascabel chile pods. Set aside;

2 cups Ancho chili paste

Place cleaned ancho chiles in small pot,

Place masa in large bowl, combine salt,

this paste will be used in various stages of preparation.

Rinse shrimp and chop fi nely. In large pot, melt butter and add shrimp, cumin, garlic and

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March 2008

Texas Saltwater Fishing

baking powder and lard. Mix for 5 minutes to ensure ingredients are combined evenly. Mixing

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lard evenly is important to prevent masa from

rows, open end up, fi ll strainer with enough

sticking to husks during steaming. Add the

tamales to keep them standing. Place a folded

chili paste and hot water, knead as required to

kitchen towel over tamales. Pour 2-1/2 quarts

produce soft, sticky dough.

hot water over the towels, cover pot and place on stovetop. Heat to produce steam, not

TAMALE TIME

a hard boil or pot may go dry. If pot is larger

Open a husk and spread in your palm with

than burner, rotate at 5-10 minute intervals to

scratchy side against your skin, waxy side up.

distribute heat evenly. Depending size of

Tamales will not fold properly if the masa is

steamer and strainer you may have

applied to the scratchy side. Apply a heaped

to run several batches. Steaming

tablespoon of masa mixture and spread with

time is one hour. Yields about

back of spoon, like spreading peanut butter on

7-8 dozen tamales.

bread, about 1/16-inch thick.

Spoon about 1/2 tbsp of shrimp mixture in the middle of masa covered husk. Beginning with the

Serve with pico de gallo and slice of lemon!

Ummm, que bueno!

right side, fold inward, and then fold left side the same. The top part of the husk is folded back and tucked where the two sides have met.

Thanks to Mrs.

STEAMING

Carmen Zavala for

In large covered pot, place several balls of

sharing her family

aluminum foil about 2-inch diameter. The balls of

recipe, we hope you enjoy

foil will prevent your strainer basket from settling

the taste and tradition of her

into the water while tamales are steamed. Select

homemade shrimp tamales!

strainer basket that is a good fit with your pot and

— Pam Johnson

arrange uncooked tamales in standing circular

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MATAGORDA

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LOUISIANA

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