October 2013

Only $3.95 www.tsfmag.com October 2013

TIDE PREDICTIONS & SOLUNAR FEED TIMES INSIDE!

OCTOBER 2013 VOL 23 NO 6

ABOUT THE COVER

CONTENTS

October is one of the greatest angling months of the year on the Texas coast. Serious big trout hunting comes back into the picture, redfish become easier to pattern, and the Gulf surf offers tons of opportunity for trophy angling and family fishing fun.

FEATURES

08 The Newness of Newbies... How Fun! 16 Transition Time 22 Surf Fishing How-To: A Long Term...

28 Political Correctness… Revisited 32 The One That Never Gets Away 36 October Snapper Season 42 Toby Hogan – Texas Fishing Lure...

70

Mike McBride Kevin Cochran Billy Sandifer Martin Strarup Chuck Uzzle Joe Richard Everett Johnson

32

48 Let’s Ask The Pro Jay Watkins 52 Shallow Water Fishing Scott Null 56 TPWD Field Notes Kris Shipman 60 Fly Fishing Scott Sommerlatte 62 Youth Fishing Marcos Garza 64 Texas Nearshore & Offshore Mike Jennings 68 Kayak Fishing Chronicles Cade Simpson 70 Extreme Kayak Fishing & Sharks...

Eric Ozolins 72 Fishy Facts Stephanie Boyd 103 Science & the Sea UT Marine Science Institute 104 Boat Maintenance Tips Chris Mapp

WHAT OUR GUIDES HAVE TO SAY

98

4 | October 2013

Dickie Colburn Mickey Eastman Bink Grimes Gary Gray David Rowsey Capt. Tricia Ernest Cisneros

REGULARS 06 76 92 96 98

vICE PRESIDENT PRODUCTION & ADvERTISING DIRECTOR Pam Johnson Pam@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-550-9918 NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIvE Bart Manganiello Bartalm@optonline.net REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIvE Patti Elkins Patti@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-649-2265 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Donna Boyd Donna@tsfmag.com

DEPARTMENTS

78 Dickie Colburn’s Sabine Scene 80 Mickey on Galveston 82 The view from Matagorda 84 Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays 86 Hooked up with Rowsey 88 Capt. Tricia’s Port Mansfield Report 90 South Padre Fishing Scene

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Everett Johnson Everett@tsfmag.com

Editorial New Tackle & Gear Fishing Reports and Forecasts Catch of the Month Gulf Coast Kitchen

CIRCULATION SUBSCRIPTION – PRODUCT SALES Linda Curry Cir@tsfmag.com ADDRESS CHANGED? Email Store@tsfmag.com DESIGN & LAYOUT Stephanie Boyd Stephanie@tsfmag.com Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine is published monthly.

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PRinTED in THE uSA. Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine (ISSN 1935-9586) is published monthly by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc., 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, Texas 77983 l P. O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 © Copyright 1990 All rights reserved. Positively nothing in this publication may be reprinted or reproduced. *views expressed by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine contributors do not necessarily express the views of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine.

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

EDITORIAL blessed or cursed?

Lyrics of the Oak Ridge Boys’ 1980 hit keep running through my head… ”Trying to love two women is tearing me apart.”

No, I haven’t lost my mind and begun chasing; I’m way too happily married for that sort of foolishness. However – I must confess to being totally addicted to two pastimes that compete neck-and-neck for my affections this time of year.

Late September and October bring fine weather to the Texas coast. As a fisherman I yearn for those first cool mornings that make a jacket nice but the water is still warm enough to wade wet. As a waterfowl and upland bird hunter I have waited all year training dogs, busting clays, rigging decoys, and breaking-in new boots.

So as the lyrics go… “When you try to please two women, you can’t please yourself. At best it’s only half good…”

I’ll be flipping a coin daily trying to decide which I’ll be “half good” at, second guesses becoming second nature.

I can see it all so clearly. First post-norther sunrise I’ll be sliding over the gunnel tying a topwater, wading toward the shallow bar near the front of Pat’s Bay or maybe Cory’s Cove. What’s left of the north breeze will have mullet stacked along the face of the bar much the way barbed wire stops cattle. There will be slicks and a few eager gulls. Doves and teal will be out of my thoughts as my first cast gets “swooshed” by a five pound trout. The rod will bow as she first races

6 | October 2013

across the bar and then turns back toward me. I will be gathering line frantically until she hits deeper water, plowing and thrashing, then sulking deep against the pressure of the rod. At that very moment I’ll be grinning like a big old ‘possum. But before she rolls over for the Boga a half-dozen teal will buzz me, within easy range.

Or maybe I’ll be setting decoys in the last minutes of darkness when a set of yellow eyes glint briefly in the beam of my cap light, disappear, then pop up a few seconds later. “Danged alligator’s back…better leave the Lab in the truck,” I will mutter aloud as though someone could hear. Shooting time will arrive. The first flight of the morning is all blue-wings and they’re in the spread before I can rise and swing. Instantly, they’re a blur of splashing wings. The first shot misses but I crumple a pair with the second and third. I give that ‘possum grin as I ram three shells in the gun. All is right with the world as I trudge out to retrieve, though missing my Lab. Then my iPhone pings and I debate whether to look. One of our writers texts a pic of a huge trout. “Yur missing it” stabs my heart like a dagger.

The last line of the song declares, “It’s a long old grind, and it tires your mind” I believe I’ll have to agree with that but rest assured I am going to give it my level best.

October is a great month to be outdoors in Texas.

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STORY BY MIKE MCBRIDE

It’s interesting to me

that the longer we fish

the more our priorities seem to change. Most of us go through a predictive cycle, some earlier than others, the progression usually beginning with evangelistic zeal that leads to displays of insatiable hunter-killer instinct, and eventually leaning toward a more laid-back

and appreciative “fishing philosopher” stage.

I will always be driven to challenge and conquer the best fish available and I’ve been extremely fortunate to have done that to a level many never have opportunity to experience. To summarize, trying to put a fish on the wall these days is no longer a compelling priority – replaced by elements I find more rewarding.

Introducing folks to the sport that has been my lifetime passion is now the source of a more driving inspiration. Newness in everything is key, and there are many days I’d much rather have an enthusiastic convert than a pessimistic, crusty old salt.

However, just as in any subject, there are productive methods to teach, followed by encouragement. October is a great month to try, so here are a few tidbits I’ve learned that have helped me help new recruits to have a better experience. Experience is a great word. Isn’t that what this is really all about?

The reality of teaching others to fish is that there are many great fishermen who make poor teachers, yet many average fishermen actually excel in the assignment. When you are teaching others to fish, you are by definition, a fishing guide. The main thing to remember is the goal you are trying to attain.

To me, the first “main thing” that must be instilled is confidence – so they’ll want to do it again, in a fun way, a way that encourages each trip to get better and appreciated more.

Outlining realistic expectations is a biggie. It seems that many still think it’s all about playing grim reaper and that the final measurement is made in quick and easy poundage. That only TSFMAG.com | 9

lasts so long on the inspirational side. After all, if we catch the most and the biggest easily the first time out, what’s left?

There are many milestones to achieve and enjoyment lies at each level of success. Let’s look at what I feel are some of the more productive ways to recruit new “sportsmen”. I’m going to focus on wadefishing with artificials as that’s my area of expertise, but most suggestions are transferrable to other fishing methods.

A good trip starts with good gear. Not necessarily expensive,

Sometimes the learning curve can be a little steep – LOL!

October is a good “get bit” month; lots of action at times.

10 | October 2013

but tools matched for the job. Raw newcomers don’t actually need all that much, basically just a balanced rod and reel outfit that casts well, a few simple-to-use lures, a stringer, pliers, maybe a net, and a place to carry them.

As far as rod and reel, the normal assumption is that beginners need spinning rigs because of feared backlashes, etc. That’s fine, but never discount quick mastery of a baitcaster with kids. Their eyehand coordination is such that they acquire many skills much faster than older trainees. Whichever, I’ve found that braided line is a huge advantage. The no-stretch aspect of braid makes it so much easier to work a lure, and especially to feel a bite. If the line is kept tight the fish will often just hook themselves.

If you put them on fish with a decent spinning reel spooled with braided line and a paddletail plastic; they usually can’t help but catch some.

Proper wading footwear should be given top priority.

Running shoes work, sort of, but nobody likes walking with bits of shell punctuating each step. High-top neoprene booties are cheap and will provide a richer experience.

Sting-ray guards? They likely will not be struck by lightning either first trip out, but let’s just go ahead and put them on, for safety’s sake. However, as with any new endeavor, the learning curve can be comically steep. See attached photo – you never know what you’ll see.

Concerning lures, the easiest to work are, of course, paddletail type plastic baits. Kelley Wigglers, Hogie’s, Norton, Texas Tackle Factory, etc., there are plenty to choose from that have built-in action. The key is to keep the line tight on the retrieve to feel the bite, another way that braid excels.

GULP! - Well yes, scented baits sure do work, and Berkley’s GULP is undoubtedly the best of them, but I’d rather not have the newest of new starting off dealing with hardheads, stingrays and other non-target critters.

Unless fish are extremely aggressive and hitting anything that moves, topwaters are usually poor choices for novices. However, swimming crankbaits like a Mann’s Baby 1-Minus or Heddon’s Swim’n Image can bridge that gap. So can spoons, especially weedless-style in grassy places. That way they can concentrate more on fish than fouls. Another great tool is the Mansfield Mauler or similar float. Easy to work, effective, and gives the uninitiated something to focus on while waiting for it to disappear.

Critical to encourage in a new recruit, whom you hope will want to do it again, is optimism. I don’t like that “patience” word – that you must have “patience” to be a good fisherman – to me, there’s a negative connation in that. Let’s use “high anticipation” instead.

Keep that cheerleading going. There is victory and accomplishment in each step and there are many steps to master. Everything from tying knots to threading plastics on straight, casting well, feeling a bite and setting a hook, fighting what you fooled, and then landing it. Even stringing a fish and using a measuring stick correctly are new skills to master. It’s all part of the total experience.

Redfish are great beginner fish.

One of the best teaching techniques I’ve learned is to find something they have already excelled in and then drawing easily-imagined parallels. I recently had some scratch golfers. I was pointing out fish while running, explaining color changes, grassbeds and sand pockets, and the whole time they just shook their heads and said they could see nothing. Hmmm.

“Look guys, if y’all can read a putt that’ll break three feet from thirty feet away, you can read this water.”

That evidently made sense and it wasn’t long before they were pointing stuff out to me. Cool.

Same with casting. What was first ridiculously inefficient and inaccurate became pretty darn

Never discount the younger ones.

With their hand/eye coordination they can learn faster than we do.

12 | October 2013

effective after I reminded them that a rod was just another shaft, same as a golf club, where stored energy is released with good timing.

“Look at that bait getting hammered over there,” I said.

“Where? We don’t see anything!”

“7 iron - 5 o’clock!” It helps to use what they already know plus; it’s fun.

Again, October is a great starter month for several reasons. Lots of life in the water, cooler weather, less crowded, many positive aspects between the scorch of summer and the blows of winter. What we want is a fair chance at a “get bit” trip, where opportunities of hooking-up are high. Small trout should be readily available, but big October reds can be great learning fish.

Remember that everything is relative, so any bite can be a trophy-class bite to a beginner. We don’t have to catch a 30-inch trout to be successful. Fishing, as in most worthy pursuits, involves some elements of work, and it should. It’s the progression that’s compelling, not instant easy success. Think about it guys; how many more times than once did you chase a girl that was easy? See, there’s another parallel you already know.

Find a worthy candidate and you’ll find great satisfaction in passing along what

Hey...baitcasters just aren’t all that hard!

Maulers can be a good call.

you’ve learned. Just remember that your students will mimic your habits, good or bad, so here’s a chance to help shape the future of what should be a noble sport. Plus, we can learn a lot from fresh eyes and attitudes. They will see things and ask questions about stuff we never considered, and sometimes the questions are more important than the answers. There are many years, smiles and tears waiting ahead, and we can achieve them one fish at a time, especially when we share. To repeat, isn’t that what this is really all about?

Contact

Mike McBride

14 | October 2013

Mike McBride is a full time fishing guide based in Port Mansfield, TX, specializing in wadefishing with artificial lures.

Skinny Water Adventures Phone Email Web

956-746-6041 McTrout@Granderiver.net Skinnywateradventures.com/ Three_MudSkateers.wmv

STORY BY KEVIN COCHRAN

October sunrise on the Upper Laguna Madre.

16 | October 2013

october Is a tIme of change.

Cold fronts revise Texas’ skies, replacing sweltering summer air with the crisp atmosphere of autumn. Tide levels rise and fall in response to the circling winds. various kinds of fish and other sea creatures begin their annual migrations; all of these mutations anticipate the arrival of winter.

Autumn fits into the calendar year the same way afternoon fits into the hours in a day. In the analogy, October is like the early part of afternoon, when the light of day is still somewhat bright, just starting to fade. Considering this analogy carefully can help one make better fishing decisions, taking into account the seasonal trends and how they affect the efforts to locate and catch trout, redfish and flounder.

Technically, fall begins in the latter part of September, on the day of the equinox, when the length of day and night are equal. As the days get shorter after the equinox, cooler weather becomes more common. Few things stir the restless hearts of sporting men and women like the mild days of autumn, complete with cloudless, azure skies, high barometric pressure and low humidity.

Following as they do on the heels of so many balmy, blistering summer days, this kind of “Chamber of Commerce” weather is welcome and inspiring. Significantly, the climatic change of autumn happens more slowly in the water than in the air, and upper parts of the Texas coast are affected more significantly and sooner than estuaries in southern reaches of the state. Additionally, the weather fifty or more miles inland is markedly different from the weather along the immediate coast during this transition.

Pulling up the weather history for Corpus Christi in October of 2012 and comparing it with the same period in Conroe helps make the point clear. In Corpus, the historical average temperatures at the beginning of the month are a high of 87 and a low of 69, whereas in Conroe, these averages stand at 83 and 59. By the end of the month, Corpus averages drop to 81 and 61, while in Conroe, they fall all the way to 73 and 51.

In other words, it’s normally quite a bit cooler on average in Conroe than in Corpus in the first full month of fall. Last year, the measured temperatures in Corpus in October ranged from a high of 101 to a low of 48. On 19 days during the month, the high temperature in the Emerald City exceeded 90 degrees, while the same benchmark was never reached in Conroe. Looked at another way, Conroe had 9 days with a high temperature less than 80 during the month, while Corpus had only 6.

Anglers who live inland and who more strongly feel the early effects of the cooling air of autumn might be fooled into thinking the seasonal change is happening faster in the waters along the coast than it really is. Especially in the first half of October, fishing on the coast can be much like it has been all summer. Trout, redfish and flounder don’t move far from their summer haunts while the weather stays sticky and hot.

TSFMAG.com | 17

Chris Beasley caught his personal best trout during the transitional time from night to day. Regardless of the season, early morning hours are often productive ones.

Anglers who continue to fish mid-bay reefs, looking for slicks and other signs as they have throughout the dog days will normally produce better catches of trout than those who mistakenly assume a few moderate days will stir the fish into making significant moves toward shallower areas where they will be abundant later in the fall.

Specks tend to stay put in deeper parts of the bays during the first half of October. Immature redfish, on the other hand, often school up on flats near passes leading into the Gulf, while mature ones spawn in the surf on the beach sides of those same passes. Flounder will begin to show in numbers along reefs and around the drains and muddy flats associated with marsh entrances, but will not start earnestly moving toward the ocean along established routes.

In most years, a big tide fills the bays to their brims sometime around the autumnal equinox. Especially during the first half of October, trout fishing in Texas is usually affected by the presence of this “bull” tide. Hot water and high tides can make fishing tough, especially for those of us who prefer wading as a primary method. If trout are holding along the edges of deep structures, where we can barely reach them on normal or low tides, we will lose contact with them when the tide rises, assuming they don’t move shallower.

Many times they don’t move shallow, particularly if water temperatures are steady and high. One way to adjust to the presence of a bull tide is to switch from wading to boat fishing, assuming the trout have stayed in the places they’ve preferred all summer. When using a strategy like this, it pays to remain vigilant 18 | October 2013

for signs indicating the fish are still present, like slicks, mud stirs and plenty of active bait in the area.

While a bull tide keeps the water in the bays deep, and when temperatures are mostly summer-like, the estuaries will typically be crowded with copious amounts of various kinds of forage species.

The problem of “too much bait” is most prevalent in the first half of autumn. During this time-frame, using a soft plastic in the Upper Laguna Madre, for instance, can be frustrating and frivolous.

Often, while working a worm, numerous pecks and thumps can be felt during each cast, as swarms of piggy perch and other little critters crowd around and compete for what they perceive to be an easy meal, frequently snipping the tails off the worms and rendering them worthless. When fishing in the vicinity of massive amounts of prey species like pinfish, croakers, needlefish, ballyhoo, menhaden, glass minnows and others, it can be important to try and “match the hatch” when targeting the species which feed on them. Doing so means throwing plugs which resemble fish, not shrimp.

Conventional topwaters work well during this time of transition, as do floating plugs with concave heads and those bearing propellers.

Floating/diving and suspending crankbaits are effective, both brokenbacked and straight versions. Of course, lipless twitchbaits like Paul Brown’s Original Lures, MirrOlure Catch 5s, Catch 2000s and others within this family are famously productive too. Soft plastics, which more closely resemble shrimp, will work, but they tend to attract the attention of the hordes of small fish.

During earlyautumn, schools of young adult redfish often gather around passes connecting the Gulf of Mexico to inshore waters.

20 | October 2013

Shrimp are typically abundant in Texas estuaries in autumn.

Perhaps no other sentinel of fall rings more clearly in the ears of coastal anglers than the high-pitched squealing and squawking of seagulls hovering over migrating schools of shrimp. When trout, redfish and other predators gang up beneath the traveling crustaceans, a game of life and death plays out near the surface of our coastal waterways. Below the shrimp, hungry jaws snap and silver sides slash, while above them, spread wings steady the birds whose shiny beaks remain ready to claim any prize chased out of the water and into the air.

When blustery north winds first push against the standing high tide, most of the action will be found in the coves and back lakes, but after a few strong fronts begin forcing the bull tide back out to sea and consequently draining the marshes, the action will become centered in open areas of the bays, while the shrimp make their way seaward. This usually happens during the second half of October, especially along the Upper Coast.

In stretches of bays lying between marsh entrances and passes leading to the Gulf, through which the shrimp must pass when they migrate, the deadly game predictably plays out on a daily basis in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Typical places to find working birds during the annual migration include upper portions of Sabine Lake, Trinity Bay, East and West Galveston Bays, East Matagorda Bay, San Antonio Bay, Copano, Aransas and St. Charles Bays and Nueces Bay. The search for working birds is one of the most anticipated and celebrated aspects of fall fishing for many anglers up and down the coast. The action will heat up in response to the cool down earlier on the Upper Coast than on the Lower Coast, and it will

Mature trout like this one will be caught more often by anglers working shallow waters along shorelines in the fall than by those chasing flocks of screeching seagulls.

consequently come to an end earlier too.

In parts of the Lower Coast, it is not uncommon to find birds and fish working schools of shrimp at the tail-end of autumn, whereas on the Upper Coast, most of this activity winds down before the turkeys are stuffed, baked and plated with candied yams. While the birds hover, it’s often possible to use a stealthy approach and stock up on slurping school trout. Anglers interested in catching big trout should ignore the flocks and schoolies and try to coax bites along mulletladen shorelines. In the second half of October, flounder will become more and more numerous on shallow flats adjacent to their main migration routes, as will hungry redfish, who fatten up before moving into the depths of the open ocean to live out their adult lives.

During this month of change, the harvest moon bloats the bays with a big bull tide, then Jack Frost’s winds blast the water back out again. These strong tidal swings, concurrent with dropping temperatures and diminishing daylight, serve as a kind of beginning to the end. During this time-frame, the lingering sizzle of summer gives way to the coming chill of fall, motivating fish to move and feed before wintery weather settles in. Anglers who pay close attention to the timing of the alterations and who don’t rush the return of autumnal patterns will be most successful during this tumultuous transition.

Contact

Kevin Cochran

Kevin Cochran is a full-time fishing guide at Corpus Christi (Padre Island), TX. Kevin is a speckled trout fanatic and has created several books and dvds on the subject.

Kevin’s home waters stretch from Corpus Christi Bay to the Land Cut.

Trout Tracker Guide Service Phone Email Web

361-688-3714 kevxlr8@mygrande.net www.FishBaffinBay.com www.captainkevblogs.com TSFMAG.com | 21

STORY BY Billy Sandifer

22 | October 2013

Sadly, much of this past summer season included an “unfishable” amount of sargassum hitting the PINS beach.

Here’s to hoping for a better October.

by the tIme these

words reach your door

we’ll be smack dab in the middle of the best catching of the year on PINS; barring tropical weather issues. It will be a most welcome change because overall the catching has been extremely poor this summer.

Poor conditions have ruled the day. One negative aspect will cease and within 48 hours it has been replaced by an entirely different problem.

The summers of 2012 and 2011 were relatively poor years in the PINS surf as well compared to average years.

As many of you already know I am extremely plain-spoken and honest and I require personal and professional integrity as a cornerstone in my life. I found myself canceling and rescheduling more and more trips due to cold water upwellings, high velocity winds and heavy seas and long-lasting impacts of large amounts of sargassum and other times when the surf was a “no life” zone. All at once I couldn’t get by financially any more. A bay guide can make for a calm shoreline during extended periods of high winds but a surf fisherman has to stand there and try to cast directly into it. And – the longshore drift or littoral current as it is known; prohibits keeping lures or habits out for more than a few seconds before they are washed down the beach.

Personally, I totally believe in global warming but I know some of you don’t – so how ‘bout we call a truce and agree that we are currently living in a time of accelerated climatic change. I don’t want to get into a debate about it. I just know its happening and it’s been occurring for some time. As an avid lifelong outdoorsman I see fully the changes in behaviors and habits of wildlife and fishes due to these changes, and I will have to stay open-minded to new ideas and tactics and get used to getting a smaller piece of the pie that is the bounty of the great outdoors, as patterns change.

What can you possibly do about it; you might ask? There is only one thing you can do and that is to become a better fisherman. We have fewer days with quality conditions for surf fishing every year.

Those precious windows of opportunity get smaller and smaller and father apart all the time. If you ask my wife what she thinks of the surf she’ll look you dead in the eye and say, “When the surf gets right you’ve got to stop what you are doing and get down there if you want some of it. It waits on no man and on nothing. It doesn’t wait on jobs, anniversaries or birthdays.” I wonder where she learned that.

Folks have asked me for four decades and more; “What is the best time to go surf fishing?” I always answer, “The opening day of dove season,” and then bust out laughing because I love wingshooting doves and grew up doing it. Too bad we can’t be two places at the same time.

So here is the way I see it. If you want to be consistently successful fishing the surf you have to prioritize. And, when it’s time to go you gotta’ go, and don’t spend the entire day jumping skipjacks if your goal

TSFMAG.com | 23

Red-Shouldered Hawk -Buteo lineatusDistinctive in appearance. Large tail and broad wings with heavy dark bands across both sides of tail. Translucent patch at the base of the primaries. Mostly year-round resident here in Texas with seasonal peaks as birds of more northern regions migrate through to northeastern Mexico.

Monogamous, like most raptors, and breeds here February through June. Prefers riparian forest and oak woodlands near water. Known for frequent “kee-ah” call and “sky dance” during mating. Feeds mostly on rodents, small snakes, occasionally large insects.

Jimmy Jackson photo Wingspan: 35-50 inches Length: 17-24 inches Weight: 1.2-2.0 pounds

24 | October 2013

A three pound surf speck will hit any and all of these under the right conditions, so will a twohundred pound tarpon!

is to catch a tarpon. Use your available time wisely.

And another thing; don’t waste that once-a-year three day kitchen pass camping with a bunch of drunks who are more interested in catching a buzz than fishing. I’ll do my partying at the house with my wife and some friends but when I hit that beach I am 100% fixated predator. Of course not having consumed an alcoholic beverage in twenty-two years helps with that. BUT SERIOUSLY – If you are a serious fisherman, don’t hang with a bunch of heavy drinkers. That road is not going to take you anywhere you want to go.

OK – Now for some tips. Quite often the sargassum makes the surf unfishable until you get 40 or even 50 miles down-island. I tell everyone, “You got to go to know.” So, I typically drive all the way to the Mansfield jetty taking note of everything along the way and then we fish our way back to town. This gives me the opportunity to know where the best holes, bait and food chain activity are concentrated. For the newcomers, the sun is actually south of us in the northern hemisphere and driving north with that sun at your back is just about perfect; especially for spotting shallow feeding redfish and sightcasting to them. And many of the reds are so shallow their backs are out of the water.

I mentioned the full moon in a previous segment. On average, I’d say

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NOW ON

GALVESTON ISLAND

The Friends of Padre website is a great resource for surf anglers – complete with web cam for up-to-the-minute view of conditions. And of course, I encourage all surf anglers to become “Friends of Padre.”

that ten months out of a year it kills the fishing for at least five days.

If you happen to see a seven or eight foot bull shark cruising half out of the water and stop there to fish for any other species, you’re wasting your time for they aren’t there. You can, of course, sightcast to the bull with a slab of skipjack or whiting. Cast the bait at least thirty feet upcurrent from him or he’ll surely spook.

For the one-hundred-fifty-first time – Don’t Slam Your Truck Doors!

If it’s been poor catching for a while and we get a really conducive weather forecast for the weekend, blow off the fact all those other people are going to be there and go fishing anyway. ‘Tis much better to fish when there are lots of people and fish than when there are no people or fish.

You know that mesh liner that comes in wading shorts? If you are getting an uncomfortable rash from it take a pair of scissors and cut it out of the shorts. Treat the chaffed area with Gold Bond Body Powder. An appropriate tip here is that you might want to put some undergarment under your shorts or they can be real showy. I wear

swim trunks under my shorts.

Surf redfish prefer a late-afternoon incoming tide. You can be fishless at 3:00PM and catch twenty reds by 5:00Pm. Now for my personal favorite; the “tourism bureau” weather report.

It works like this. Early in the week they’ll say it’s going to blow a gale from Friday evening through Sunday and mariners should take warning. Then later in the week they will scale down the wind forecast for the weekend because they want that Hill Country money. Come Friday morning after everyone has already made solid plans to come to the beach, they revise the forecast back to gale warnings. This has been common all my life.

If you have not taken time to visit www.FriendsofPadre.Inc. please do. We’ve done lots of work on it and are putting honest weekly reports on water and weed abundance, fishing, bird data and driving conditions. Every word of it is gospel ‘cause we will not put anything on there that isn’t. We depend on your financial support so you know what to expect on the upcoming weekends. They can save you a lot of prepping, driving and gas money for nothing.

Just in case our editor forgets to remove my phone number from this magazine or by chance you have it in your files; it’s been disconnected. Now that I am no longer guiding you have no idea how wonderful it is NOT to get 30-40 phone calls per day. Life is a hoot.

Make sure you make time to get you some of it.

If we don’t leave any there won’t be any. –Billy Sandifer

Bay anglers work in a rather static environment, encountering rather limited diversity in species and size. Not so the surf. We use a wide array of tactics for a great diversity of species, and thusly need more toys.

26 | October 2013

Contact

Billy Sandifer Retired after 20+ years of guiding anglers in the Padre surf, Billy Sandifer (“Padre of Padre Island” to friends & admirers) is devoted to conserving the natural wonders of N. Padre Island & teaching all who will heed his lessons to enjoy the beauty of the Padre Island National Seashore responsibly.

Website www.billysandifer.com

STORY BY Martin Strarup

28 | October 2013

I read about it in the newspapers.

I hear it on the evening news. I read about it on Internet chat boards and I endure conversations about it when I can’t get away fast enough. “PC” or political correctness just goes against my way of thinking and I hate to see that it is so prevalent now days in fishing.

Once upon a time it was a pleasure for folks to escape for a morning or afternoon of fishing. They’d unload their boat, hit the bait camp for a quart of live shrimp and spend the morning free shrimping for trout at the bay wells or catching fish under a popping cork over shell reefs. Or, if artificial baits were more to their liking, they’d plug for their fish and enjoy the day much the same as the bait fishermen.

Afterwards they’d bring their catch to the dock and clean them, laughing and having a good time visiting with other fishermen and sharing bits of information about how, when and where. Not so much anymore or so it seems.

NOTE: The following italicized paragraphs were written years ago…the PC police have gotten worse.

I witnessed not long ago something that burns me up still. A young couple had pulled their boat and trailer up to a public cleaning table and was carrying their cooler down to the table to go to work. We had finished filleting our fish and were washing down the area when they walked up.

They didn’t start unloading their catch, they just sort of waited around and since I didn’t notice a fillet knife in either of their hands I asked if they would like to use mine. They looked at each other and said they were just waiting on us to leave. I told them that there was plenty of room and that I just wanted to leave the table clean for them.

They looked at each other again and she finally told me that they were embarrassed to clean their fish in front of us. I asked why and she explained that they were down on their vacation from the Plano area and the day before they had cleaned a good mess of trout, redfish and flounder and some guys had looked down their noses at them and asked if they really needed all of those fillets. She went on to add that they got pretty nasty, harassing them for keeping fish.

When the morons asked what they caught them on and the answer was live shrimp, according to her, they acted like they had used dynamite. Her husband told me that he didn’t want any trouble with anyone and that they just wanted to enjoy the few days they had left before returning home.

He didn’t want any trouble? For keeping fish? He even told me that they never spoke about keeping fish around other fishermen because keeping them just isn’t “PC” these days. Really? PC… In fishing?

Just keeping five trout is good. Just keeping your legal limit is good. Just going fishing and not catching any keepers is good. Fishing with bait is good. Fishing with artificial bait is good. Floundering under lantern light and gigging them is good. But to make people feel embarrassed or to intimidate them because they caught fish and kept them, or for whatever bait or lure they caught them on is just over the top for me and folks, it is just wrong.

I love to fish with hardware. Fooling a fish, enticing a trout to hit topwater baits or soft plastics is what gets my blood pumping. I don’t usually keep all the trout I catch on each trip but I will keep a limit of ten should I feel the need to. I don’t think I’d want to hear someone tell me that keeping a mess of fish isn’t PC. For one thing it wouldn’t go over well with me and for another thing it’s just plain rude and those who know me will tell you that I don’t play well with rude people.

I’ve found that five trout do me just fine as a personal limit but the law doesn’t say that I have to do that nor does it say you have to either. It’s a personal preference and an idea that our esteemed editor turned me on to. I do that, but I won’t look down on you or tell you that you’re wrong for not doing it. Sometimes if we’re going to have a fish fry for friends and family I won’t stop boxing fish until I have my legal limit.

I know a lot of people, and I’m one of them, who can fish all morning and not catch a single fish and am TSFMAG.com | 29

30 | October 2013

now days it seems that a lot of people are not of that mindset.

I think a lot of the problem is that fishermen who look down upon or condemn those who use bait or keep their limit of fish have forgotten from whence they came.

I started my son fishing with live shrimp when he was really too young to even be out on the boat with me. He graduated to live croaker, learned to wade fish with them and caught his fair share of trout, as did I. On his thirteenth birthday he told me that he wanted to start fishing with lures; he’d seen one too many blow-ups on topwaters I was throwing and he wanted some. He’s been fooling fish ever since.

If you don’t like people fishing with live bait or keeping their limit of fish; that’s your business and you are entitled to your opinions. But that doesn’t give you the right to chastise, condemn or cause others to feel threatened for doing it their own way.

Be Safe. -Martin

Martin Strarup

Contact

still able to say that I had a great morning of fishing. But not everyone feels that way…Oh nay-nay!

Some people fish and keep what the law says they are allowed because that is their mindset. They believe, for whatever reason, that if they haven’t filled a cooler they’ve not had a successful trip. Perhaps it’s because they see the pictures of fish piled high on cleaning tables or on a boat deck, or those photographs of someone straining with a four man limit on a stringer over their shoulder, and believe that is what is expected of them. I don’t know the reason why they feel that way and it’s a shame that they do, but that’s one of the reasons why TPWD sets size and bag limits.

But are we really to the point where we are going to start giving people a hard time and make them feel bad for catching their legal limits of fish or for using live bait?

There are few places in the world these days where political correctness hasn’t reared its ugly head. It’s prevalent in the hunting world where a deer hunter is made to feel bad if he shoots a buck that is too young.

Do we have to put up with it on the bays and at the cleaning tables now?

My first and only 30-inch trout to date was pretty near DOA when I landed her one hot June day and into the cooler she went, but my son’s was alive and well when he landed his. He released her and he felt good watching her swim away, the accomplishment being enough for him without feeling the need to have the fish mounted. But I can tell you that he wouldn’t have looked down on someone for not releasing theirs. He would have enjoyed the moment with them and

Martin Strarup is a lifelong saltwater enthusiast and outdoorsman.

Martin is also a collector and dealer of vintage fishing tackle and lures, especially those made in Texas.

Email

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Ty and his dad, Ronnie Thames, making fishing memories that will last a lifetime.

32 | October 2013

STORY BY CHUCK UZZLE

If someone were to walk up and ask,

“Do you remember your first fish?” - More than likely each of us could recite a story that has been etched into our memory from many years ago with flawless detail.

That memory, along with other important ones, stands out among the many bits of information floating around in our minds. In some cases we actually mark time by reliving those memories with a simple phrase like “Do you remember when.”

Milestone memories, like that first fish, are one of the top reasons I enjoy taking people fishing. Many years ago when I first started guiding I was given perhaps the most valuable piece of advice I could ever hope to receive from good friend and mentor, Dickie Colburn. Dickie looked me straight in the eye and said, “Son let me tell you one thing, when people get on the boat to fish with you that’s not just another day on the water, that is their special day and you treat it like that because

tomorrow when you are back on the water with another group they’ll be somewhere remembering their trip. They will remember that day for a long time so you treat it accordingly and do everything you can see that it is special.” As a guide I can’t remember getting better advice and that bit of wisdom from Dickie has served me well.

One of my absolute favorite things about guiding is having the opportunity to take people out who are new to the sport, especially kids. I’ve always been of the opinion that you can take the best fishermen in the world out, a TV celebrity or some other high profile angler, and have a great day on the water with them. In a year or so you could see that same angler and ask them about that trip and it may take them a few minutes to recall the details. Now you take a kid or beginner angler on the same trip and they will recite the details of that day perfectly for many years. The importance or significance of that day on the water is not lost and often times leads to a desire for more days just like the first one.

That my friends is what we all refer to as being “hooked on fishing.”

Just recently I was able to share a day on the water with Ronnie Thames and his seven year An elated young angler old son, Ty. It’s safe to say that Ty has been bitten with his first-ever by the fishing bug as he takes every opportunity redfish; meet sevenyear-old Ty Thames. to fish with his dad in every body of water up to and including shallow puddles of water in the Wal-Mart parking lot. Ty or “T-Man” as he is called does all the right things and asks great questions for a seven year old. I knew when we left the launch I’d have to be on my “A game” if I was going to keep up with T-Man. Our ride to the marsh was filled with random questions about the fish we would see, alligators, sharks and all other types of inquiries from a seven year old’s mind. I enjoyed listening to him and explaining things that I often take for granted, which in itself is refreshing.

We finally reached our destination and Ty TSFMAG.com | 33

see from the poling platform.

Ty’s little spincaster screamed like a couple of cats fighting as the big redfish decided to head for Cuba with Ty’s cork. I went into panic mode as I tried to gain ground on the fish before Ty got spooled or broke off.

Unfortunately for Ty during the fight his drag got tightened down a little too much and the big redfish broke off and was still heading east the last time we saw it. Now what would a saltwater trip be without a story of “the one that got away.”

Although Ty was understandably disappointed at losing his fish this was a great opportunity to advance the young angler up a notch and that’s exactly I did. Instead of rigging Ty’s spincaster back up, I put him on a regular spinning rod. A couple of practice casts and soon Ty was throwing like a pro. The spinning rod set up now gave Ty a fighting chance against those better fish since the drag and line capacity was so much greater than the little closed-face spincaster he’d been using.

I am a huge advocate of using the spinning reel rig for young anglers instead of a closed-face model for all of the above reasons. It While the spinning rig in makes them better anglers and greatly improves their odds of catching the foreground may be fish. I really like to give young anglers the smaller series spinning reels the hot setup for adult like the 1500’s because it fits their hands better and is so much more anglers, the smaller of the pair would definitely be ergonomically friendly. better in youthful hands.

One of the smaller spinning reels that holds 80 to 100 yards of 6 or 8 pound mono will be perfect when you change to braid of the same diameter. One hundred yards was wide-eyed as everything was new and he of 20-30 pound-test braid that’s 8 pound couldn’t see it all fast enough. Rafts of baitfish diameter is plenty for even seasoned scattered and an occasional redfish made a anglers to catch nearly any inshore fish wake in the pond that we had entered so it that swims. It’s a terrific setup and one seemed like the water was alive. We rigged that I highly recommend for anyone, and the rods up, adjusted our course, and began especially those with young anglers. I just probing the pond for hungry reds. so happened to have an extra of those Now right here is where you can make spinning reels handy and gladly presented it or break a trip with young anglers by over to Ty so he could use it on our trip. complicating things. Our set up was simple as My day on the water with Ty and his dad we tied up a couple of Double D rattling corks was enjoyable to say the least, and we have with short leaders and 3” GULP shrimp on already made plans to do it again. According 1/8 ounce jigs. A simple and effective way to to Ronnie the fishing fever has really taken cover water that would be easy for a beginner over Ty and he is searching out new waters to to master. The rattling cork was just the ticket conquer near his house until he can get back as the first redfish of the day pounded it and to the saltwater. In all reality, isn’t that what began to give Ty a pretty good fight. we are all doing? I know I am.

After a few minutes of coaching Ty on the Enjoy your time on the water, take proper way to fight the fish he brought the the time to share it with a young angler, feisty five-pounder alongside the boat so we The author with his granddad and respect the resource for the future could land it. I slid the Boga Grip in the redfish’s on a memorable early trip; generations. mouth and brought on it on board. This was some of Chuck’s first fish.

34 | October 2013

Chuck Uzzle

Contact

Ty’s very first saltwater fish so high fives, hugs, and congratulations were exchanged as we closely examined the fish.

Ty couldn’t get enough of the redfish as he looked it over from top to bottom at least ten times. It was really cool to see how excited he was and how proud his dad was at the same time.

After that first fish we continued to probe around the marsh, watching all sorts of critters and birds while still looking for more redfish.

Ty was doing a great job casting and seemed to be very determined to find another red. I gave Ty a target to throw at on his side of the boat and he hit it like a pro. The cork settled for just a second before Ty began to retrieve line and pop the cork. On the second pop the cork was again under and this time it was a sure enough stud of a redfish that I could

Chuck fishes Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes from his home in Orange, TX. His specialties are light tackle and fly fishing for trout, reds, and flounder.

Phone 409-697-6111 Email cuzzle@gt.rr.com Website www.chucksguideservice.net

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STORY BY JOE RICHARD

36 | October 2013

Offshore anglers were

unexpectedly granted a two-week bonus

Another Gulf platform dynamited. This tends to kill and float every snapper within an acre or two. Among other fish. They’re not counted in the year’s annual harvest, of course.

snapper season from Oct. 1-14, and a number of boats will once again head offshore. One would assume the effort will be small during school and hunting season, but at least the option is there. Over the years, I’ve seen very few boats out there in October, compared to the crowded ramps and relentless effort on June mornings, even with a southwest wind cranking. October has fine weather offshore following mild cold fronts, fish are hungry, and this little opening is a welcome event.

The most memorable October snapper trip I ever had was along the middle Texas coast, where I managed two offshore trips in a single day—unthinkable on the upper coast where the runs are longer. That morning in a choppy NE wind, my crew pulled out five-fish limits of what we call “sow” snapper, by lowering jigs tipped with cigar minnows. This around a single platform, with nary a boat in sight. Limited out, despite kingfish cutting off a few mono leaders. Whoops, no wire leader in the boat, kingfish season was supposed to be over.

Back in town while cleaning fish at 1 p.m., two guys walked up and admired the stack of 10- to 15-pound red beauties on the table. They were desperate to go offshore, one of the guys was flying east the next day. I sighed, looked at the flat bay, told them to meet me at the dock at 2:30. While I went home and grabbed a spool of wire leader. We then raced back out to the same platform, almost within sight of the beach, and limited again, this time using wire with our jigs, giving kingfish some grief in the process.

This time, seas were flat calm and it was such an ice cream trip. But we had to race the sun on a short autumn day, in order to navigate Pass Cavallo, and also take the shorter marsh route back to town. I had no desire to stick an offshore boat on a sand flat in the dark. At Clark’s Restaurant I once again went after a stack of sow snappers with a tired fillet knife. Miss Amy arrived from the house and kept us going, by setting a huge pitcher of Oktoberfest beer on the cleaning table, bought just inside. What a great time, back when snapper limits were more generous, on a cool day where we never saw another boat. And Clark’s was a fine new restaurant on the water with brand new docks and more than ample boat parking.

How times have changed. Except we’ve been granted a small reprieve with an October snapper season, even if allowed only 40 percent of the bag limit from my trip mentioned above.

So, yes, I have fond memories of October snapper fishing. It’s a great thing to fish an empty Gulf in cool weather, without breaking a sweat. However. Not all October Gulf trips carry fond memories.

One autumn we boarded a partyboat with great anticipation, assuming summer’s warm water plague of triggerfish were gone, this being back when triggers were a trial and there were no snapper limits at all.

That October trip didn’t quite work out as planned; a typical NE wind for the season had the boat rolling and heaving. Up on the bow hanging on, I lowered three circle hooks deep to the bottom. Pulled up a single snapper, here and there. Finally, the stout rod took a mighty bend, I had multiple fish, they even pulled drag. This is gonna be great! It was grunt and wind as the bow rose and fell, all thoughts of seasickness were gone. Ten feet down, a suspicious brown color…On the surface, I had a triple-header of three-pound triggerfish.

Whereupon I casually leaned the rod on the rail and retched over the side. In those days triggerfish were scorned, and this was before Bonine, a cherry-flavored motion sickness pill, that mercifully appeared on the market for rough-weather days.

Bent over the rail like a jackknife. After an eternity I straightened up, finally composed myself, and muttered to the grim stranger next to me: Sorry, I don’t know what came over me.

Nothing is written in stone, when fishing offshore.

Times have changed and today a booming snapper population rules the depths.

Triggerfish have been promoted to tasty bycatch status. That is, if you catch a trigger big TSFMAG.com | 37

Red snapper on the bottom, 95 feet down.

Here you find fish of all sizes, many of them too small to mess with.

enough to clean, and their season hasn’t been closed. And for the past 20 years, I haven’t considered fishing bottom for snapper with the traditional big lead weight and heavy rod. Bigger snapper are confident enough to prowl far above bottom, while smaller fish hug structure for protection. With a daily bag limit of just two, why not use big baits, never fish below the halfway point, and go for the big boys?

If the season is closed, I’ve fished offshore all day and actually returned to port with nary a fish in the box, a shocking thing in times of plenty out there. On the same day, watched a commercial boat off Galveston cranking up strings of up to 15 snapper on each drop with their bandit rigs, lots of little fish. They target them with small circle hooks and without serious competition today from daylight-feeding triggerfish (like 30 years ago). Now, they’re free to bring up strings of almost pure snapper. Though the fish are so small…It seems like a waste, hitting those small fish on bottom that never reached maturity.

Some are thrown back with little or no effort at deflating them. Others are used as cut bait. Their small size means it will take a great many of them to fill a quota that is measured in pounds, instead of fish numbers. That’s a lot of little snapper that never reach a decent size, almost a waste of fish.

Today, only a relative handful of commercial boats are allocated 51 percent of Gulf snapper landings, an arbitrary, impractical figure set by federal fishery officials. Commercial captains are assumed to be pretty well-off at this point, selling millions of pounds of a public resource

Following a cold front, seas flatten out in October.

The weather is fine and the snapper get hungry.

38 | October 2013

These days, one might as well target bigger snapper, since bag limits are short. This often means jigging at mid-depths, above smaller fish.

each year. Those with a long history of landings are allocated a bigger piece of the snapper pie. I know of one Galveston captain who may well have landed a million pounds by now, because he was going strong back in the 1980s and was very good at dumping his 1,000 pounds trip limit dockside on a daily basis.

He did this by moving his Galveston boat to Port O’Connor, where the runs offshore are shorter. His crew was worked hard, seldom allowed ashore at Clark’s icehouse, this during January when each year’s harvest began. It was the heyday of the commercial “derby” season, which was dangerous enough during cold fronts, when commercial boat captains took their chances offshore until the quota was filled. It must have been hard to get a good crew under those circumstances, staying offshore in 12-foot seas during winter’s flu season. How many crews considered jumping ship, thumbing a ride to Port Lavaca and later, home? Probably all of them.

Since then, the commercial harvest has changed to a more leisurely, year-long pace, called Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ). These quotas can be traded back and forth among commercial fishermen and remain controversial. Ironically, it is now recreational anglers who face a derby season, starting in the windy and non-desirable month of June. At least the water is warm, if a boat sinks in rough seas. A January recreational season would be material for a new season of Deadliest Catch. October is certainly better.

The snapper population has obviously boomed since 30 years ago, but it can still be improved. Meanwhile the recreational fishery has been crippled with tiny bag limits and season(s), along with expensive operating costs.

Lots of factors adversely impact the overall red snapper population.

October means those long-sleeved, sun protective shirts won’t be terribly hot. It’s a great thing, catching big snapper without raising a sweat. This fish was judged too small, and went back.

TSFMAG.com | 39

Shrimp trawls were once the dominant negative factor, sweeping up and wasting a major percentage of each year’s snapper year class, millions of fish annually, but hurricanes and the price of diesel have cut back on a massive fleet that once rivaled that of Kubla Khan.

Even today, they still damage the snapper fishery with their incessant bottom trawling that has impacted so many marine species.

The dynamiting and removal of Gulf platforms – destructive events that floated acres of big, dead snapper – has been going on for a long time, but that may be winding down due to public outcry, rotary saws, and other lessharmful removal methods, though these methods are not as cheap as dynamite. Removing platforms by any means still removes reef habitat, however. It is criminal neglect on the part of the feds for allowing dynamite use in the Gulf.

There are illegal recreational catches, where anglers land four

40 | October 2013

Commercial guy pulls in a string of a dozen mostly-undersized snapper off Galveston. Seems like a better use can be found for these fish.

snappers each, or twice their bag limit, from federal waters, claiming them caught in state waters on a year-round basis. There are illegal commercial catches made as well: According to news reports, commercial boats have been caught with up to at least 9,000 pounds of illegal snapper, mostly undersized, hidden below decks. There is also careless catch-and-release, when smaller snapper are tossed overboard without being properly and promptly vented at the tip of the pectoral fin. In water depths beyond 200 feet, venting may not help these fish.

Anyway, we Gulf fishermen persevere in a plentiful fishery that has been cut way back since even 2006. According to Tom Hilton, in that year we had 194 snapper fishing days with a four-fish bag limit. We’re now down to two weeks with two fish. This October miniseason may be a step back in the right direction.

Toby Hogan’s early-80s shad style hard-bait lineup, no longer in production, excelled for both trolling and plugging.

42 | September 2013

STORY BY EvERETT JOHNSON

try to ImagIne cruIsIng the saltwater fIshIng aIsles

of your favorite tackle or outdoors emporium and finding not a single package of soft plastic lures hanging on the pegs.

Sound crazy? Well, if you are part of the over-50 crowd it doesn’t. Fact is, even though we have at least one whole generation of saltwater anglers born and living entirely within the modern soft plastic era, it was not always this way.

In the not too distant past, being a dedicated lure fisherman meant that you threw spoons and plugs – “hardware” as they called it.

When I sat with Toby “Hogie” Hogan for an interview, he related a comic tale that was rather common for the era of which he spoke. Coming from an outdoors family, he learned to love fishing at an early age. From Yoakum and then El Campo, Palacios was a close and favored fishing destination.

And so, fresh out of the Navy in 1968, Toby and his brother headed for Palacios. Short on cash (common plight of recently discharged servicemen), they had to decide whether to buy beer or live shrimp for bait. They bought beer.

His brother was in charge of the tackle but had failed to pack the box that held their “speck rigs” as Toby called them – tandem jig rigs that are used to this day by some fishermen, especially under lights for speckled trout. Having already chosen beer, they were in a quandary – made worse by the fact that they had no cast net.

Digging through what little gear they had, Toby fashioned some imitations of the speck rig, cutting bass worms in half and tying them

Some of Hogie’s original soft plastics, popular all across the Gulf coast, still produced in El Campo today.

TSFMAG.com | 43

A clipping from El Campo Leader circa 1980 featuring Toby Hogan.

tandem style on beat up crappie jigs. “They worked,” he said, “and that got me to thinking.”

Baby-boomers will no doubt recall toys of the 60s called “Creepy Crawlers” that were a big fad. The kits included molds and plastic resins that when mixed, poured and heated, yielded an assortment of soft, lizard-like objects. Thrifty by necessity and inventive by nature, Toby got the bright idea to make his own “worms” for speck rigs, and so it began.

Fishermen today date themselves by referring to any soft plastic bait as a “worm”, simply because the earliest soft plastics were just that – worms. Night crawlers to be exact.

The lure that made Nick Crème famous in the 50s and 60s and still being made. Another early soft plastic was the Boone’s Tout; a chubby plastic shrimp often “touted” as the original saltwater soft plastic lure, first popularized in Florida about the same time Toby got busy making baits. The term “tout”

brand baits also won the hearts of pluggers.

Many old-timers still claim the action of a “Hump” was the best they ever threw.

With nowhere to start but the only method he knew- hand-pouring, Toby mastered a technique for crafting his copy of the Hump baits in halves and gluing them together.

And while Hump used a press-fitted piece of lead billet to weight his baits and provide their signature wiggle, Toby went one better and placed a single 00-Buck pellet within a chamber – and it rattled! With Hump’s advice, the chamber location was refined for balance and proper wiggling action through countless hours of testing. Hogie’s Fishing Lures was gaining reputation.

The Hogie line continued to grow alongside the increasing numbers of anglers beginning to grasp and master soft plastic fishing skills.

Within a few years the original shrimp-tail baits were refined and lengthened, losing any

Early 80s, inside Toby’s shop.

Toby’s website features an array of his latest soft baits.

continues in use to this day to describe plastics in general, much the way any adjustable spanner is a Crescent Wrench.

Intrigued with molding soft plastic lures, Toby was soon cranking out his own versions, selling from his garage shop all that he could hand-pour. It wasn’t long before he was inundated by demand.

Working for Brown & Root by day, he spent long nights making and packaging lures – and if that wasn’t enough – he was launching a taxidermy business as well. Encouraged by a steady stream of Hogie’s Lure and taxidermy customers, he quit Brown & Root.

Toby’s next project in lure making came as the product of another early Texas lure maker’s decision to retire. Earl Humphreys, also of El Campo (must be something in the water), had built his Hump Lures into a successful enterprise and enjoyed a long run in business.

“Hump” as he was known, had created a line of hard plastic plugs that evolved to become a standard by which all others were judged in Texas. Popular with anglers who trolled reefs and rivers, Hump44 | October 2013

likeness they ever had to a Tout. Minnow-style baits were added, and then the deeper-bodied shad-baits. Then he created the Hoginar, a deep-jigging and trolling bait that commands a following on Sabine and Calcasieu to this day.

Hogie took an investing partner to help with the acquisition of high-production injection molding machinery to eliminate dependence on outside molding sources and things really began to rock. He eventually sold out his interest in Hogie’s Fishing Lures to that partner in 1984, the partner in turn eventually sold to present owner of Hogie’s Fishing Lures, Dusty Rhodes.

Toby’s original Hogie’s Lure Co., currently owned and operated by Dusty Rhodes, is still located at El Campo and continues to produce most of the original products along with designs Dusty has added. Still handmade and hand-painted – as effective as they ever were – more popular than even Toby probably ever originally imagined.

Fast forward – after years on the sidelines, concentrating on taxidermy – Toby Hogan is back in the fishing lure business!

It is evidently true that we eventually Toby’s new hybrid return to our roots. Now set up near Katy surface plug. and marketing solely online, Toby is back to “dancing with the one that brung him.” A few of his present products resemble some of

46 | October 2013

the originals to a degree, most though show his inventive nature to create something new, better, and different. And just like the original Hogie’s, Toby tests and refines the new products the old-fashioned way, by catching fish.

Testament to his abilities and recognizing the current croakercraze, Toby has used the real thing to create molds from which he is, again, hand-pouring lifelike “soft plastic croakers” among other things, and has delved into hard surface plugs that are quite unique.

Hogie also has his eye and creative fingers on the recent popularity of very life-like shrimp imitations. He is currently producing these and his own special jigs (hand-poured, of course), and several other innovative designs not yet ready for unveiling. You can learn more by visiting his website and also shop his online store at www.TobyHoganFishingLures.com.

I admire men who, with blood, sweat and tears, toil long hours to develop ideas that revolutionize our sport. Where would today’s fishermen be without the likes of Nick Crème, Earl Humphreys, Anton “Pluggin’ Shorty” Stetner, Doug English, and Paul Brown? Notably; all these men are Texans, except Crème. Like me, he got here as fast as he could!

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Introducing Shimano’s latest in comfortable and light weight footwear - the Shimano Evair Marine/Fishing shoes. The Evair features an ultra lightweight EVA material, meaning even after a full day of fishing or boating, your feet will not feel fatigued at all. Being an ‘open’ style shoe means they’re quick drying and allow your feet to breathe even in the hottest day time conditions. A non slip sole gives the wearer added confidence when navigating slippery decks.

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TSFMAG.com | 47

Beautiful 27-inch trout being played down in trout green water.

J AY WAT K I N S

ASK THE PRO

Make Memories

whenever you can This month I want to tell you a fish story. The story is true and involves my sons, Jay Ray and Ryan, and of course me. You will see why fishing has been at the very heart of everything I have hoped to teach my sons about life.

I believe I was a good dad most of the time. Divorced a bunch and seldom a good husband but with this I am still a work in progress. I was raised in a middle class Christian home. My mom worked at the school and my dad was a teacher and coach. I am certain they could not afford all that they provided for me and I have certainly done the same with my boys. The story will give you an insider’s look at the “real” Watkins fishing team. It is meant to make you aware of the possibilities available to your children by using fishing as the tool to open and broaden their lives.

The boys learned to fish at a very young age. I have photos of them fishing; actually wading, when they were five years old. We did not get to cherry pick our days. They went when I was off and I was usually off when weather cancelled clients. Both loved to fish from the start and were always eager to go with me. I have to believe that the passion I had somehow genetically passed itself 48 | October 2013

along. As the boys grew into teenagers, fishing continued to consume them. For sure, worse choices of activities could have been chosen.

If they were not wading the shorelines of San Jose with dad, they were knee deep in the lake behind the house. No one, and I mean no one, ever beat Ryan on the lake - no matter what Jay Ray might remember.

He just took to the bass fishing and fished nonstop, learning where literally every fish in the lake preferred to live and honing to near perfection methods needed to trick them into eating.

Jay Ray was a deck hand for Brad Smyth and Brad taught him plenty about all the work that comes before and after the fishing. Later on Jay Ray worked with me as did Ryan, helping me clean fish and fetching the boat after a long wade downwind. No remote Power Pole setup in those days. The time spent together created a bond, a bond that would sustain us through many difficult times.

Once out of high-school Jay Ray was dead set on becoming a guide and spending his life as I did. The week prior to his graduation we fished the Rockport Trout-

David Koch with one of two trout this day over 5-1/2 pounds.

Master tournament and won the event. Jay Ray won the largest trout for day one. We took home almost $16,500. The stage was set for us as a team. It was hard seeing Ryan not getting to fish with us due to still being in high-school. He was our best fan and pre-fished with us as well as saw us off at every event. To look back at him sitting on the dock pumping his fist for us as we pulled away still brings a lump in my throat. Little did Jay Ray and I realize that his tournament career and accomplishments would far surpass ours.

Jay Ray and I continued fishing all the trout tournaments as well as the three new redfish tournament circuits, the I.F.A, FLW and Texas Redfish Series. We struggled in the FLW events, never winning one but leading several times and making the top five several times. For some reason the fish and the man upstairs were not ready to grant us a win. We would lead an event, sometimes for two days, but end up zeroing on the final day. I have always saved my worst performances for the biggest stage.

To watch Jay Ray suffer through the disappointment of losing was devastating for me. With every defeat, his heart broke a little more, mine too. I was letting him down it seemed but in my heart I knew it was not about me. Luckily for Jay Ray, there was little quit in my upbringing. When knocked down we got up and vowed to do better the next time out.

I think back often on all the days when, as a trout fisherman, I referred to redfish as bottom grubbing, mud sucking, blank, blank carp. Guess they were having a really good time with my defeats. So the relationship repair started. I stopped dogging them and finally a year later they decided it was time to play with us again. Three major wins in one season and four top-five finishes would set Jay Ray on his way up, and me on my way out. Never had a partner that I had more TSFMAG.com | 49

50 | October 2013

dreams it is special, these moments will be etched in our memory banks and hopefully our children’s as well. Ryan and Andrew finished the season with a record setting FLW Regional win on Lake Somerville to qualify for the FLW National title that same season.

So, fishing has been our life and will continue to be until my final breathe, I think. Our fish have allowed me and the boys to enjoy the wonders of the chase. In the beginning it was all about pursuing and conquering them. Now our relation with the fish is based on a true respect, it’s a love-hate relationship of a sort. I love them when they allow me to enjoy catching them and hate not understanding why I can’t totally figure them out. I have come to the fork in the road where I ask myself, “What is it that I will leave?” Enjoy your time with your kids while fishing, for it’s not really all about fishing. Make memories whenever you can, for in the end that’s all that will be left.

I know you’re wondering where the fishing report is. Honestly, the past week or so the fish have been giving me the finger, so I had little to write about.

May your fishing always be catching. -Guide Jay Watkins

C O N TA C T

confidence in once the fish was on the line. The boy can get it done when put on winning fish.

Meanwhile, Ryan was graduating from high-school and headed to Stephen F. Austin to attend college and try out for their collegiate Bass Team. SFA at that time had just won the College National Championship. Ryan wanted SFA to win another one before he graduated; he told me the day he left for college. Ryan would not have gone to college had it not been for his love of fishing!

Ryan made the team and soon won his first team event. We got him a bass boat his sophomore year and this really got him into serious bass fishing mode. Ryan worked every year he was in college to help with expenses and still managed to pass his courses. It’s a “no pass-no play” in college bass fishing, just like other sports. Ryan had highs and lows, winning an FLW qualifier for the National Collegiate Bass Championship as a junior. Competition proved tough and he fell short in his first national title quest. His senior year, he and teammate Andrew Upshaw, put on a seminar in qualifying for the national championship and then pulled off a come-from-behind win to clinch their first and the school’s second B.A.S.S. College National Title. His voice broke over the phone as he tried to get out the words, “I did it dad; I just won the National title.”

There was a calming silence; words would have cheapened the moment. Words could never describe the complete joy I felt for him and Andrew in that moment. He had a dream, he saw that dream to completion, and that takes a ton of dedication and faith. He’ll do that now with his wife Brooke and Brodie.

When as parents we are privileged to be a part of our children’s

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

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

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

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

from atop my

poling platform....

Throughout the year there are many times I wish for a few more hours in the day or perhaps even an extra day during the week. At times it just seems like there isn’t enough time to get everything done. And then along comes the most trying month of the year. Who do we need to talk to get an extra October? I’ll gladly give up February or August to expand the finest month on the calendar along the Texas coast.

First there’s the weather. No more sweat-soaked shirts the first hour into poling and smelling like a gym locker by the end of the day. After enduring day after day of heat, humidity and seemingly incessant southwest winds; October will give us the first crisp cool mornings.

At some point I’ll have to dig into the back of the closet to find the Simms jacket for the predawn run into the marsh before the sun warms things up just right. Sure we’ll have a few windy days pre and post front, but they’ll be short-lived and more often than not the daily breeze will be light and pleasant.

My main game of chasing shallow water reds is good, and at times great, all through the year. Texas 52 | October 2013

redfish don’t really seem to care how hot or cold it gets. This past year I’ve cast to them in less than a foot of water when it was close to freezing as well as when the temps were pushing triple digits. But the first hints of fall will send them into some of the best feeding frenzies of the year.

As September comes to a close the reds have started bunching up to terrorize the maturing shrimp along the edges of the spartina grass. These little wolf packs move quickly down the shorelines constantly pushing into the grass to dislodge the shrimp. This activity will usually continue into the first week or so of October.

Once the first decent fronts start to reach the coast the shrimp will pull off the shorelines, getting ready to migrate out of the marsh. The redfish will follow suit and start to gather in larger and larger schools while roaming around in the open lakes looking to root the shrimp out of the mud. Depending on the strength of the fronts, this will often last well into November. The last two years we had awesome schooling activity into the first week of December.

WEIGHS UNDER

Speaking of frontal activity, some of my favorite days are when everyone else stays home. A really strong front can blow a couple of feet of water out of the bay. When these “drain days” occur you can bet I’ll be out there. Knowing which lakes they’ve been schooling in will tell me where to set up to intercept them as they fall out with the dropping tide. Following these early fronts the schools will head right back into the lakes to continue feasting. This in and out game will play out several times before the first really serious cold front chases the shrimp out of the marsh for good.

As cool as it is to be chasing these shallow schools containing hundreds of reds, my mind will still be wandering off to all of the other things going on. Just outside the marsh the trout will be going crazy as they pick off the migrating shrimp. Chasing the birds can lead to fast limits, even for fly anglers. A suspending shrimp pattern that lands anywhere near the melee will get thumped hard. If schoolies aren’t your thing, the cooler water will pull some bigger trout up into the shallows. The sight of a big sow in a few inches of water is something that’ll burn itself into your memory. Everybody always talks about hunting big trout during late winter and early spring, but don’t discount this time of year. They may not be carrying as much weight, but a thirty-inch trout is still a thirty-inch trout.

Along the beachfront hordes of predators are will be harassing various species of migrating baitfish. Kings, bull reds, tarpon, Spanish mackerel, jacks and sharks are all in the mix. This activity could be happening just off the sand or maybe within a mile or two offshore. Along the upper coast it tends to be best a little further out than the middle and lower coast. Quite often the feeding frenzies along South Padre Island push right into the first gut. Sight-casting to large rampaging predators while standing on dry sand is hard to beat. Every year I get photos from my buddies taunting me with that incredible fishery.

Then there’s the start of the flounder run. It appears the tighter regulations imposed in 2009 have made a huge difference. I now see more flounder on a daily basis while poling the marsh than I can ever recall. Many folks tend to jump the gun on the flounder run. The first fish caught at the traditional “run” areas tend to be the males which are smaller. The bigger females are usually still hanging back in the marsh until sometime in November. Get set up on the right drain with a good falling tide and you’ll get to see big flounder free-jumping through wads of bait.

And if all that fishing weren’t enough of a distraction, there are all sorts of critters to hunt.

Bow season is kicking off and the rut gets going along the middle and upper coast a lot earlier than many people realize. My place near Seadrift will see plenty of scraping, sparring and chasing throughout October with the peak usually occurring around the end of the month. The first fronts will also push fresh flocks of doves into the area that often go overlooked shortly after the season opener. The opening weekend for quail coincides with the last weekend of the south

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C ontact

zone dove season offering the chance to double your fun. And if you’re itching to blow a duck call the youth-only duck weekend is set for the 26th and 27th. It’s a great time to introduce them to the sport while your attention is focused solely on them having some fun. Grab a kiddo and get in a practice run for you and your dog to work the kinks out before the opener the following weekend.

The reality of October for me is that I’ll be thinking about all of that from my office atop the poling platform. October and November are two of my busiest fishing months. I’m certainly not complaining.

Putting clients on school after school of reds is always a blast. As of this writing there are still some openings on the calendar if you’d like to go see some of the best the Galveston marsh has to offer, but I can’t guarantee my mind won’t occasionally wander to the sands of South Padre Island or to that awesome little brush blind near my pond where a nice buck always lays down a scrape. Now get off the couch and soak up every ounce of outdoors you can, the DVR will hold the game for you.

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

Telephone Email Website

281-450-2206 scott@tsfmag.com www.captainscottnull.com

TEAM SALT LIFE Capt. JIMMY NELSON

54 | October 2013

built for Paragon NEW Breathable Wader 3-ply MagProof™ shell fabric technology allows upper to be lightweight with added mobility 5-ply MagProof™ shell fabric technology provides legs and seat with superior durability and breathability Every pair of waders is tank tested for maximum performance

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For that cold unexpected For plunge or taking that water pl shot under the a arm S STEPS FOR WHEN OVERSPILL OV OCCURS Unbuckle the quickquick-release k release ksuspender buckles 2

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By Kris Shipman | Coastal Expo Coordinator Coastal Fisheries Division | Austin

FIELD NOTES

VOLUNTEERING ON THE COAST You love fishing on the Texas coast, scuba diving in the Gulf, beachcombing along the shore or simply spending time on the beach. Did you know you could spend time doing all these things while supporting Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) at the same time? How, you might ask? You can be a volunteer for Texas Parks & Wildlife Department!

Last year, TPWD volunteers donated over 978,000 hours valued at $16.5 million dollars. Volunteers provide support to our state parks, historic sites, fish hatcheries and outreach programs assisting the agency in managing and conserving natural and cultural resources and providing hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation opportunities.

When people hear about volunteering at TPWD, many typically think about State Parks, but several volunteer opportunities are available with TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries Division. These opportunities range from volunteering at our hatcheries such as CCA/CPL Marine Development Center in Corpus Christi, assisting biologists in the field, or helping to conduct habitat restoration efforts along the coast. The volunteer 56 | October 2013

programs below help support Coastal Fisheries Division’s efforts to manage marine fisheries and conserve coastal habitats and water resources.

If you live near Lake Jackson, Sea Center Texas (SCT) might just be the right place for you. Sea Center Texas is a marine fish hatchery, aquarium and education center which offers a myriad of volunteer opportunities with its outreach, education, fishing and gift shop programs.

When asked why volunteers are an integral part of SCT, Connie Stolte, Visitor Center Manager, explained, “When SCT was founded; TPWD and its partners, Coastal Conservation Association and Dow Chemical Company, were committed to providing a facility that promoted conservation education opportunities that would be available for free. With limited state budgets and increased need for citizen support of coastal conservation, the use of volunteer manpower to help operate SCT is more critical than ever.”

Each month over 100 volunteers contribute around 1,000 hours of service. Volunteers do everything from scuba diving to cleaning aquariums to assisting with general office tasks. Why do so many people

enjoy volunteering at Sea Center Texas? According to Kerry B. Magee, “Volunteering at SCT gives me purpose (keeping me above ground!), and supplies me with joy and fun! As a Tour Guide I have constantly observed the wonders of marine life shown on the faces of many children as they experience observing nature. It is a joy to see their faces light up with excitement as they view the different aquariums and exhibits. Watching them have fun is contagious; we start having fun too! I also enjoy the camaraderie of my fellow SCT volunteers and staff. They are some of the best people I have ever known!”

Another volunteer opportunity occurs every February when people volunteer all along the Texas coast for the Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program. “Since the annual crab trap removal began in 2002, volunteers have been the backbone of the program.

More than 2,300 volunteers have removed 30,449 derelict crab traps from Texas waters. Without the tremendous sense of environmental stewardship

these volunteers possess, the program would not be nearly as successful or as recognized as it has become,” remarked Art Morris, Fishery Outreach Specialist and program coordinator. The problem with these abandoned traps is that they can continue to capture and kill crabs, fish and other species for years after being lost in a process called “ghost fishing”. The crab trap removal program protects our Texas fisheries by removing the threat of these derelict traps. The program also reduces potential damages and expensive boat repairs and other fishing equipment that may come into contact with them. Abandoned crab traps are unsightly. By removing them, volunteers improve the natural beauty of our Texas coast.

Coastal Expo is another great volunteering opportunity. Why does Doriann Gibson volunteer for Coastal Expo? “First, it’s my belief that we are all called to be conservators of our resources. Texas is a stunning and diverse resource that deserves each of her citizens to share in her conservation.

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Secondly, it is my desire to instill in children the love for the outdoors. Engaging them through hands-on activities at Coastal Expos gives them the opportunity to fall in love with nature. This, in turn, handles the first point. Thirdly, as a mom, volunteering with my children means I’m serving as an example and they are immediately reaping those benefits,” she stated. Coastal Expo is an educational outreach event for children and their families to raise awareness of Texas coastal ecosystems, why they are important and how people can protect them. Each year, Coastal Expo events are conducted across the state utilizing hundreds of volunteers. Volunteers get to teach kids about fishing and other outdoor activities, introduce them to the natural resources and ecosystems found on the Texas coast and Gulf of Mexico, and discuss the importance of freshwater inflows to the bays and estuaries.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department volunteer program is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in a challenging and rewarding experience. Programs throughout the state offer a broad range of volunteer options that can be tailored to fit individual talents, experience and time frames. Volunteering is a great way to experience the outdoors, promote conservation and outdoor recreation and share your passion. Jerry Eppner, a volunteer summed it up nicely when he said, “I enjoy volunteering at Sea Center Texas. It gives me a chance to share the excitement of nature along with the science and value of Sea Center Texas. As I tell my visitors, the volunteer pay grade is a little low, but the benefits of volunteering are priceless.”

If you would like to learn more about how to volunteer for Coastal Fisheries or other volunteer opportunities at Texas Parks & Wildlife, please visit: http://ec.volunteernow.com/custom/1353 or contact Kris Shipman at kris.shipman@tpwd.state.tx.us or call at 512-389-8737.

Check the TPWD Outdoor Annual, your local TPWD Law Enforcement office, or www.tpwd.state.tx.us for more information.

58 | October 2013

TSFMAG.com | 59

S C O T T S O M M E R L AT T E

F LY F I S H I N G

fly fishing on foot I will go to the grave stating that the only good reason to get out of a perfectly good boat is to put it on the trailer. However, I have come to the realization that while I still have not come up with a “good” reason, there are what I term “special” reasons that at times justify a fly fisherman’s departure from a watercraft.

Until this past summer, you probably could count with your fingers and toes the number of times I have wade-fished. The simple truth is I hate to wade-fish; period. The one exception would be surf-fishing on foot.

For some strange reason I have a fondness for that.

The reasons for my disdain for getting wet are numerous. For one, I have been popped by a stingray and have no plans for experiencing that kind of pain again. Then there are the aching feet and occasional sore muscles and joints that more often than not seem to accompany a hard day of wading. Or maybe it is the fact that, after a wade in the salt, no matter what time of year, I just feel dirty and grimy from head to toe. I’m sure there are other reasons that I could think of but...I digress.

Over the last year I have found myself fishing out of 60 | October 2013

a larger boat designed and specifically rigged for fishing the beachfront and offshore. The panga is an incredible boat for running the beachfront however it is of little of use in water less than two foot deep. So occasionally we find ourselves having to wade because the weather occasionally drives us inland. It is for this reason I have started having people bring their wading boots. Having not waded on purpose for nearly fifteen years I find myself essentially learning how to do it all over again.

Here are some of the things I have learned over the years and have had to relearn as I have taken to the shallows on foot as of late.

One of the biggest tips that I could give the wading fly angler is – slow down. If you can hear yourself moving through the water or you are making a wake with your legs as you travel forward, you are moving too fast.

Remember that when wade-fishing your vantage point is much lower than from the bow of a skiff. This makes spotting fish at a distance difficult unless they are tailing.

So naturally, you will be closer to the fish when you are able to see them, and/or spook them. Also, having

me to my next point.

One of the reasons I think that I have disliked wade-fishing so much over the years is because after wading an hour or so my feet would start aching and would continue to do so for the remainder of the day. The reason for this is because I never could find a pair of wading boots that fit my wide feet. I would have to buy boots that were two sizes bigger to wet wade and usually three or even four sizes larger if I was going to wear waders. And sadly, even getting oversized boots was not nearly enough. A couple of years ago the folks at Simms came out with some boots called OceanTeks. Finally someone introduced a wading boot that actually fits, which has made all the difference in my attitude towards wading. I can now wade all day long with no discomfort. To the point, it is important to have comfortable footwear if you are planning on wading all day long.

Also, for those times when you plan to wade all day, there are two things you can do to reduce fatigue and potential sore muscles and joints the following day. The first is to drink a lot of water before, during, and after your wade. Staying hydrated goes a long way to preventing soreness, as does stretching your joints and muscles before getting in the water. It has done wonders to make the days that I have to wade much more enjoyable and I suspect, that if it works for me it will work for you.

Be gude and stuff like that…

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given up the vantage point of the bow, whatever fly line that is out of the rod tip, drags in the water. The point is that you want to get close to the fish for the easiest possible cast. If you need to cover the water faster I suggest taking longer, slower steps rather than shorter, quicker ones.

Another thing I see often, and another big no-no, is people approaching fish that are just out of their casting range while trying to cast and pulling line from their reel as they continue to close the distance. If a fish is just beyond the amount of line you already have off the reel, you have two options; strip more line from your reel and attempt the cast from where you’re standing, or walk a little closer before making your cast. Never try to do both at the same time. More often than not, what happens while the person attempts walking, stripping line, and casting; they will be absorbed in too many things and absent-mindedly move forward too quickly, spooking the fish.

When wading, another good practice to avoid spooking fish is to always keep your feet in contact with the bay bottom, lightly shuffling your way forward. Lifting your feet (as though you were on land) can spook fish several ways, especially when the fish are extremely shallow and crawling with their backs out of the water.

When fish are dragging their bellies on the bottom, I believe they can “feel” your footsteps. Another thing that happens when you lift your feet is that the water sloshes from beneath your feet making quite the racket below the surface. By sliding your feet you can avoid the fish detecting your approach.

Walking on top of shell is yet another way to spook fish. If you are fishing around reefs it is important to cast to the shell, not from it. Nothing will shut down them down like the sound of oyster shell crunching under a pair of wading boots. Which, incidentally, brings

Scott Sommerlatte is a full time fly fishing and light tackle guide, freelance writer and photographer.

Telephone Email Website

979-415-4379 vssommerlatte@hotmail.com www.scottsommerlatte.com TSFMAG.com | 61

Robert had a ball with the black drum.

MARCOS GARZA

YO U T H F I S H I N G

fun fishing This past month my dad and I took my friends who have never wade fished before, for a day of fun on the bay.

Marce and Robert weren’t used to working artificial lures.

Before this trip, Marce had never caught a fish in his life.

We woke up around six o’clock and we were ready to leave the dock at about 6:45. We headed out into a beautiful day on the water. The wind was light and the cloud cover was just right. It was the perfect day to teach them how to work a topwater on the flats. This would prove to be the most dangerous weapon of the morning, as usual.

Our day started off by selecting teams. Marce and I were competing against Robert and my brother Daniel.

Our goal was simple, catch more fish than the other team.

We were all set up with topwaters, and we were all in the same area so that nothing would be unfair. The first 30 minutes was slow. We had got a few blow ups while I was teaching Marce how to work his topwater. Then things picked up. We started to get more and more blow ups 62 | October 2013

after walking for a while. Then the unthinkable happened, Daniel caught a fish before I did. I say that it’s unthinkable because if you knew my brother, you would know that he doesn’t really fish that hard. Anyways, Daniel and Robert were on the board. After about 10 to 15 minutes Robert hooks up on a fish. Robert got the fish to him and gets all excited about it. He pulls up about an 18 inch trout and immediately starts rubbing it in our faces. Marce and I hadn’t caught a single thing, but Daniel and Robert are catching fish like it’s nothing. After a while, the score was 7-0 and Marce and I were getting skunked.

The next area we went to was a different story though.

As soon as we got off of the boat in the next spot I was already getting blow ups. This was our chance to catch up or even take the lead from Daniel and Robert. After about 30 minutes, I had taken the lead by myself and had even strung a decent trout. The score was like 14-7 and finally, Marce had caught his first fish ever! To top it all off,

he was using a topwater. Marce then started to catch a few and then we decided to call it quits on our little competition. After that, things slowed down for a while so we decided to move to another spot.

While on the way, my dad and I had spotted a large school of black drum. We decided to take a chance and chase them down. My dad turned the boat around and we headed straight for them. While my

Marce is “hooked” on black drum.

dad was driving, I was putting gulp on jig heads so that when we shut down we would be ready. The guys got lined up and casted out into the muddy water. Marce was the first to hook up. He fought the fish for about 5 minutes and then he lost it. Marce then threw back out to try and hook another one. Then Robert hooked up and his fish put up a good fight. He got it to the boat and I netted it. We thought it was going to be an oversized drum so we measured it, saw that it was at about 28-1/2 inches, took a few pics, and put him in the Yeti. This was just the beginning of what was going to be their best fishing trip so far.

We turned back around and hit them again. Robert hooked up again and we put another drum in the box.

Robert caught a third drum and then I decided to join in. It wasn’t too long before I was hooked up and then I handed the rod to Marce. He landed him and it was a decent sized drum, plus it was Marce’s first ever. Then things picked up, Marce caught five drum in a row, he was excited that he had caught so many fish. Daniel caught two real quick and my mom, being the fisherwoman that she is, caught three drum on three casts.

We came in with one red, four trout, and three limits of drum. Not bad for their first fishing trip, huh? The guys had a blast and now they are hooked on using topwaters. I was proud to help them get hooked on artificials. I hope you all enjoyed this story and good luck to you all. Be safe out on the water and most importantly, have fun.

NEW STORE!!!

2800 W. Main St., ste. G, League City, TX 77573

www.hookspit.com

Calm sunrises on the nearshore Gulf beckon anglers to venture beyond the jetties in larger bay boats.

MIKE JENNINGS

TEXAS NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE

Preparing to venture offshore‌

on your own!

I speak to many people daily at the dock as the boats return from a day of fishing. Many of the conversations revolve around a common theme – I want to take my

boat offshore. What do I need equipment-wise and what can I catch in close?

Most of the people are wanting to venture out and

Bull reds offer outstanding sport within sight of the beach.

64 | October 2013

Single-stand platforms within short runs of the beach hold an array of gamefish for small-boat fishermen.

begin to learn, with a boat that is usually from 21 to 24 feet in length.

Many are larger bay boats. Sound familiar?

My first boat that I ever used offshore was an early-80s 21 Mako. It was affordable to operate and I could write volumes about the miles I covered and the things I learned running that boat. For some people the interest in learning offshore fishing starts aboard a charter boat like mine. For others it is aboard the typical and affordable singleengine center console.

My answers vary and touch on multiple subjects depending the person I’m speaking with, but it usually follows a few questions of my own. First and foremost I’ll ask about the boat. I’m not one of the guys who look down on someone venturing offshore with one motor but I do like to stress that once you get past that jetty there is a fine line between being a predator or becoming part of the food chain.

The boat is that fine line. Regardless of what you catch, the ability to do it and return safely has to be the top priority. Take precautions with your equipment.

One of my pet peeves is hearing somebody say, “I’m not going out very far and I have a cell phone; I don’t need anything else.”

I know what happens out there. You visit the first platform and then another, you’re having fun and catching fish, pretty soon you end up further offshore than you planned. Cell phone service is sketchy at best beyond a few miles from the beach, and in general, cellular and Nextel communication is a poor substitute for a quality VHF marine radio.

Your VHF can be an instant link to the Coast Guard and also every fisherman and boat in your vicinity. Nothing can rival its usefulness when time becomes a factor in getting out a call for help. Even handheld VHF radios work fairly well plus, they can be taken with you in the event you have to get in the water. Now I’m not suggesting that your phone can’t be useful if and when service is available, but reliable communication in time of real need deserves more than that one option. Always have a backup plan.

Your PFDs are another topic, and here again it pays to spend a few dollars more. Typical ski-style jackets may be comfortable but offer little in their ability to perform in offshore survival situations especially to someone who may be injured or unconscious.

While discussing PFDs let’s talk throw-able lifesaving devices. Do you really want to trust your life or the life of a loved one to a $5 TSFMAG.com | 65

66 | October 2013

teaching you how fish can hang to the up-current or down-current side on a given day. Look for bait working the surface and make varying approaches until you figure out how to fish it without pushing the fish down.

As you are fishing, refer back continuously to that compass on the dash and learn to use it, not just occasionally, but make yourself use it and learn it with confidence. Do this, and when for whatever reason the day comes that you lose your GPS capability, I hope my advise here helps you make it back to port – safe and sound.

There is an array of opportunity and valuable lessons to be learned within sight of the beach as you build the experience and confidence to take that first run over the horizon. Always remember that thin line I told you about, the one that stands between you and being at the mercy of the Gulf of Mexico.

C ontact

boat seat cushion? A quality twenty-four inch life ring is relatively inexpensive and not that difficult to store onboard, not to mention a lot easier to throw in an emergency.

Next up are signaling devices – flares, horns, etc. This is another area where you should not make your selections simply to satisfy the minimum requirements of the regulations. Think and double-think your safety equipment; it may well be your last line of defense against the unthinkable.

One last item that I notice many of these boats are missing is a quality dash-mounted compass. Again, it’s about having an option. I can personally attest to having to navigate home on compass alone due to a complete electrical failure in my console that took out my GPS system. It’s not always about the equipment you have on board; it may be an outside issue that causes you to lose it, and that’s where the backup plans come into play.

The best advice I can give when it comes to safety equipment, marine electronics, fishing gear, or any item that you deem necessary for a day on the water (my personal rule) is - Carry two of everything.

This has saved the day for me on more occasions than I care to count.

Once you’re comfortable with the readiness of your boat; you’re ready to fish. Make your first trips short, working the beachfront or the few oil rigs within sight of the beach. These rigs can hold lots of king mackerel, redfish and sharks when the weather and water conditions are favorable. Check out various publications available for locations of natural bottom structure such as East Bank out of Freeport or the string of live bottom between Packery Channel and Port Mansfield.

These areas are great for learning how to work a piece of bottom and

Captain Mike Jennings is a professional charter captain with more than 25 years offshore experience. Mike is the owner/operator of Cowboy Charters in Freeport TX and is known locally for running further and fishing harder for his clients.

Telephone Email Website

979-864-9439 texassportfishing@gmail.com www.cowboycharters.com

TSFMag encourages and receives literally hundreds of photos from happy and lucky anglers and we try to use as many as possible in a variety of ways, especially when youngsters, first-timers, or truly exceptional experiences are in involved.

We’ve been saving these two for special presentation, space for these is usually rather limited, none the less we believe it is true that good things come to those who wait, so here are two very exceptional Memory Makers.

Long time reader Jeff Phillips sent this one of his son Harrison’s recent fishing success: “I took Harrison down to Port Mansfield for the first time recently. He scored his first grand slam within a 25 yard radius while wading with a Bomber paddle tail jig. Thought you would appreciate the pic. By the way, we released the rest of our fish we caught throughout our trip to fight another day.” -Jeff Phillips

A notable fishing tale from reader Lasha Siegel: Hello TSFMag, My name is Lasha Siegel and I love to sight-cast reds with my fly rod.

The one you see pictured was sight-casted and caught with a baitfish pattern I tried a couple nights before, which I now dub “40-incher.”

She was laying in a grass flat in Lighthouse Cove when she took my fly. It took about 45 minutes to bring her in on my 9-weight with 12lb test line.

By the time I brought her close, we had shared quite a dance. I could barely lift her out of the water for all the excitement and fatigue and deep, intent breathing that left me trembling.

When the time came to take pictures, my boyfriend insisted I look at the camera. I must’ve said no three times while I stared down in awe of this beauty in my hands. After the pictures, I set her gently in the water. She suspended herself still for a minute then regaining her own strength, and gracefully swam away.

This day, something sprouted inside me.

I now know a little more about myself and what I am capable of.

I am thankful for this experience and the story I was given to tell for the rest of my life.

TSFMAG.com | 67

CADE SIMPSON

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

corresponding with readers Recently, I have been trading emails with TSFMag reader, David Roberts. David is a Texas kayak fisherman who first wrote to tell me about his best-ever trout from his kayak.

68 | October 2013

After trading a few emails I found out that he is also the representative of Lamar University’s kayak fishing club/ team. This was very intriguing to me so I asked him

to elaborate. Below is David’s original email message and following that you will find details and information regarding the collegiate competitive fishing he is involved in.

Via email: “Hey Cade, I’m David Roberts from China, TX, and I always enjoy reading your articles. I went fishing at Keith Lake two weeks ago and caught a 28” trout on topwater first thing in the morning. Got the blow-up, the fight, and everything else all on my GoPro, which made for a great video. This trout is the best fish I have caught in my kayak and I will never forget it. I have caught several reds bigger, but a 28” trout is unforgettable.”

As our email correspondence continued David shared his involvement and participation in competitive collegiate kayak angling.

I found it all very interesting and hope you will also.

Colleges can submit more than one team to be a part of the competition each season. Example; University of Texas Team A, University of Texas Team B and so forth. Anglers cannot cross over between teams.

There are a two separate series that colleges can enter – Bass Series or the Saltwater Slam Series. In the bass series, anglers are allowed to catch any black bass to make up their team’s scores. In the Salt Slam Series, teams can catch any of the following species to comprise their totals – redfish, seatrout, snook or flounder (anglers submitting a second fish must submit a different species from their first entry).

This was the first year for the Saltwater Series so it took a little bit of time for us to work out the kinks and give feedback from the other colleges to the people who promote and organize the events. Drew Gregory from Jackson Kayak is the guy who heads it all up with some help from his friends.

We had four tournaments this year running February into May. Our tournaments were at Bayou Vista, Texas Bayou, Anahuac State Park, and Lake Calcasieu. Since the team scores are derived by length, naturally, you tend to target redfish but we had won our tournament in Anahuac with three trout that measured 26, 25.5, and 25 inches. So you don’t necessarily have to have big redfish to win.

The series championship was held at Biloxi, MS this year. LSU won and Lamar Team 2 got second. Lamar Team 1 got third with me and my brother Blaze winning 2nd and 3rd place individual honors. The plan now is to start the new tournament season in October 2013 and have eight tournaments, with the championship sometime in May. Winners in Biloxi received three Jackson Kayaks, scholarship money, and all kinds of other great prizes. We came out really good with all kinds of stuff, Bending Branches paddles, Kōkatat life jackets, LifeProof cases and plenty of lures.

As far as starting the program at Lamar, I found out about this in January and I never thought that within two weeks we’d have enough people for two teams and be a recognized organization by Lamar. We usually hold monthly meetings and go fishing together pretty regularly.”

--------------------0---------------------------------------0-------------------So – guessing that you will feel the same – I must say that I am very impressed with David’s initiative to get the Lamar club started. Kayak fishing is a great sport and it is fun to see and learn about the different avenues in which one can participate, be it simply for recreation, or competitively. Thank you David for your detailed recap on your efforts and best of luck in the coming tournament season!

David also asked me to write about one of my biggest or most memorable fish in an upcoming article. Several fish/trips come to mind. I think I have the perfect topic for next month…

C ontact

Via email: “Cade – Simply put, it is an organization built to engage all of the college kayak fishing clubs, allow them to connect, and further, to compete for great prizes such as college scholarships, kayaks, etc.

A representative from the college registers their club at collegekayakfishing.com. Then, the club grows organically within their college. Clubs can be as few as three members, or as many as they can accrue. Once the deadline for registration has passed each year, CKF then sets the matches for each region. Matches consist of your team competing against the other schools in your division. A match consists of one Saturday of fishing from 7:30am until 3:00pm at a specified location, and against the designated team on your schedule.

Teams from each school are comprised of three anglers. Scoring is done via the catch-measure-photo release method. A team’s final “score” is essentially the number of inches they combine to land as a team. Each angler must have one fish contributed to the team’s score.

From there, two anglers are allowed to submit one additional fish. This equals a team’s final five fish score. If your team’s score is greater than the other teams, you win your match!

Telephone Email

936-776-7028 Cademan11@sbcglobal.net

Find me on Facebook to follow along in my outdoor adventures TSFMAG.com | 69

PINS bull shark tagged, ready for release.

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

ERIC OZOLINS

evolving to share

the experience For more than a decade I have spent countless nights on the desolate Padre Island National Seashore in search of the gulf’s greatest predators - sharks. Among these outings, a percentage were either spent fending off torturous mosquitoes, clearing sargassum from the Oz’s beach truck – lit up lines, or keeping warm on and ready for action. frigid winter nights. While this all sounds rather dreadful, the truth is, I wouldn’t trade my experiences for anything. The rewards of maintaining the lines throughout the night or putting up with nature’s other obstacles were well worth it on many occasions.

By choice, I have spent a great majority of trips in complete solitude. After you have been in my position landing sharks in excess of ten feet AND releasing them by yourself, only then will you understand why. It is the personal and spiritualistic encounter with

70 | October 2013

nature that sustains my thirst for adventure. With that being said, I am happy and proud to announce that I have finally reached a point in my life to evolve and share these experiences with the rest of the world.

As of September 1, I have been guiding authorized charters (via my company - Ocean Epics) on the Padre Island National Seashore in search of these great apex predators with those eager to take part.

This has been a long time coming and a decision heavily encouraged by my mentor, Capt. Billy Sandifer, who is now retired from his surf fishing business.

The majority of my charters will be shark-based, with emphasis on tagging and releasing all specimens possible for the clients. With tagged sharks, if a specimen is recaptured in the future, the individual will be notified and informed about the growth and location of their fish. Every angler on a charter that is responsible for releasing a tagged shark is in essence helping assist valuable scientific research.

This is a great unique benefit for the angler not seen on most other charters. For nearly everyone, a great angler photo of their catch in addition to the individual’s scientific data being supplied is far more self-gratifying than a dead rotting shark and set of warped jaws.

In the event that an angler’s tagged shark is recaptured, the info provided and confirmation that the fish has been alive and well in the gulf (or beyond) is simply priceless.

Coming up in October and November, we are approaching a great time for surf fishing along the Texas coast. Gamefish and sharks are in hot pursuit of the mass quantities of bait stacked up along the beaches. Every part of the food chain is present and active during this pinnacle period. In addition, the cooler weather presents a comfortable atmosphere for the beach. I will be accepting and conducting charters as often as I can during this period to take advantage of the phenomenal conditions and red-hot bite. Come December and January when conditions allow, I will be conducting trips in search of large winter sandbar sharks. These are a large, worthy seasonal shark which have never really been sought after until recent years with the discovery of this great fishery and angling technology to catch them from the surf (i.e. kayaks). Sandbar sharks are pretty much massive mutated blacktip sharks on crack and provide a very exciting battle for the angler.

So you ask, what is the reason behind my decision to become a

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New beach truck prepared for beach-shark charter fishing.

guide? I guess to start off with, it was more or less inevitable. As for timing, right now the planets and their unrelated metaphoric meaning have finally managed to line up for me. Everyone knew it was bound to happen, but when? I would like to say I was ready this whole time, but the truth is rather different.

I had to be patient and wait until the proper opportunity. As Sandifer was retiring, he tried relentlessly to get me to join him as a protégé.

While I was enthusiastic, I knew the time still wasn’t quite right. It was only until recently after I endured and dealt with personal issues that an avenue opened up and I knew for a fact I was finally ready. There are a great many people that supported and helped me make this venture possible and I owe them all a huge thanks.

Despite a new era, my feelings have always been the same. In the end, it is not about the selfish superb catches that even I have grown accustomed to, but more of a progression in sharing the experience and enlightening other’s lives and quest for adventure. While I have almost exclusively fished for myself over the years, I have at times participated in sharing the moments with others. To see someone’s eyes glow as big and bright as the full moon with a matching smile really make the effort very worthwhile for me. I really look forward to going on this fantastic journey with countless new faces and providing a memory for them that will last forever. For anyone interested in obtaining a charter, you may visit my website www.oceanepics.com for more info. Scheduling is very random at this time and I could be available a week from now on a certain day, or be booked for a weekend four months in advance, so please don’t hesitate to contact for availability.

I can’t wait to include you on this great ride!

In other news, there was a great turnout for the 2013 Bluewater Kayak Classic. Kevin Kieschnick did an impressive job handling the event for the 100+ kayakers who participated. There were many great fish caught, including one of the first non-mothership kayaked-billfish from Texas. Travis Sadler made news when he was fortunate to land and release a large sailfish from the kayak. I too participated in the event for the first time ever and was blessed with two massive king mackerel. Grand 44 and 48 pound beasts helped earn me first place with their combined total. There were also divisions for snapper, cobia, and Spanish mackerel. With the ideal weather conditions, many respectable fish were weighed-in. This has been a growing tournament over the years and with the explosion in interest of kayak fishing, it will only get larger. I look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s event!

For the past decade Eric ‘Oz’ Ozolins has been promoting shark catch and release and assisting various shark research programs. Eric offers guided shark fishing on Padre Island National Seashore. Also renowned for extreme kayak big game fishing, Eric runs Kayak Wars; one of the largest kayak fishing tournaments in the world.

Email Websites

oz@oceanepics.com extremecoast.com | oceanepics.com | kayakwars.com TSFMAG.com | 71

Photo by Lee Bray.

STEPHANIE BOYD

F I S H Y FA C T S

SAND DOLLARS Take a spin through any shell shop, and you’ll almost certainly find the smooth remains of a once-spiny echinoderm. Often mistaken for shells, the sand dollars in these shops are actually skeletons of animals closely related to sea urchins. When alive, they resemble fuzzy cookies, the “fuzz” being a multitude of small spines. Also called keyhole urchins, sand dollars are a very common inhabitant of the second and third sandbars found off the Texas coast.

Sand dollars belong to the phylum Echinodermata, meaning “spiny skin” in Greek. All echinoderms have at least two things in common: a water vascular system and pentamerous radial symmetry. Instead of blood, echinoderms have a vascular system filled with sea water.

The echinoderm moves by expanding and contracting chambers along its appendages. Radial symmetry means that the appendages radiate out from a central point, like the spokes on a bicycle wheel. Starfish are probably the most well-known example of this.

The radial symmetry in sand dollars is quite visible on the skeleton, though when alive, spines mostly cover the patterns. On top, five symmetrical petalloids serve as gills (and have a pleasant resemblance to flower petals). The five holes, called lunules, are used to pass algae, bacteria, and other planktonic foods to the sand 72 | October 2013

dollar’s mouth, located on the bottom side. Young sand dollars have notches that later develop into lunules. On their undersides, sand dollars have lots of small feet that are responsible for locomotion, burrowing, and food acquisition. If, by chance, a sand dollar is pushed onto its back, their unique body shape allows wave action to flip them back over. However, if a sand dollar happens to end up on its back in a relatively wave-free zone, it can push sand through its lunules, creating a pile of sand under its body until the body is vertical and topples back to its upright position (or it can bury itself vertically, then fall over right side up).

Most of the sand dollar’s body is geared for meal time. Tiny cilia (very fine hairs) on the sand dollar’s spines catch small bits of food, and tube feet adeptly collect larger food pieces that get caught underfoot. A teepeeshaped cone of spines on a sand dollar’s body marks a spot where captive amphipods or crab larvae, etc., are being held for transport to the mouth. Once food is caught, the tube feet pass it along grooves that lead to the urchin’s mouth. The mouth has a jaw with five teethlike segments arranged in a circle (no surprise there); this structure is called Artistotle’s lantern (so termed because it was first described by Aristotle as looking like the top of an oil lamp) and is used to grind up tiny plants and

animals. Sometimes, a sand dollar “chews” its food for fifteen minutes before swallowing, and it can take up to two days for the food to digest.

While each piece of the sand dollar’s anatomy has an actual function, some pieces have also become part of Christian symbolism. According to legend, the five lunules represent the four nail holes and spear wound of the crucifixion. The petalloids on one side represent the Easter Lily, with the star of Bethlehem in the center, and the flower-like design on the other side represents a Christmas poinsettia. If you break open the skeleton, you will find the five jaw parts of Artistotle’s lantern; they represent the doves of peace, spreading good will. Of course, this only fully works with the one species of sand dollar, Mellita quinquiesperforata.

Keyhole urchins are independent, social creatures, meaning they receive some benefit by living in groups, but don’t necessarily require a group to survive. Sometimes neighborhoods of sand dollars take up several square feet (suburban dwellings); others stretch for miles across the seafloor (urban dwellings). They spend most of their day motionless, just below the surface.

At night, they form dense feeding aggregations in offshore troughs and bars, creeping about the seafloor, chowing down on minute organic particles. In quiet waters, they’ll stand on end, partially buried in the sand, in order to filter feed. In fast-moving waters, adults fight the currents by growing heavier skeletons, and young sand dollars swallow heavy sand grains to weigh themselves down. When threatened by predators, they burrow in quick succession, like a domino effect of disappearing dollars. A pink sea star will leave a wide path of buried sand dollars as it moves across a sand dollar bed. Predators of sand dollars depend on which species you are talking about, and what part of the world you are in, but generally include sea stars, predatory snails, and bottom feeding fish, such as skates.

The life cycles of sand dollars are complex and include several stages of metamorphosis. They breed in late spring and summer by broadcast spawning. This occurs when females and males respectively release their eggs and sperm into the water. After the eggs have been fertilized they will develop into bilaterally symmetrical swimming larvae. These swimming larvae are covered with cilia and drift about as plankton for four to six weeks, feeding on tiny organisms until they metamorphosize into young keyhole urchins and acquire their radial symmetry. Many echinoderms have this metamorphosis from bilateral symmetry to radial symmetry in their life cycles. Scientists can age a sand dollar by counting the growth rings on the plates of the exoskeleton. The average lifespan is four years, but they can survive up to ten years before they come to rest in some beachcomber’s bucket.

As for the sand dollar’s role in the ecosystem, they control the populations of many small organisms and serve as food for many other organisms within the same ecosystem. They often disturb several layers of sediment by sifting for food and burrowing. Other than the popularity of their skeletons, they have little economic import for humans. As it is now, it seems we two species on the Texas coast have very little to do with each other, which is probably for the best.

May you always have a shell in your pocket… and sand in your shoes!

Where I learned about sand dollars, and you can, too!

TPWD: Frequently Asked Questions www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/fishboat/fish/ Ocean Link www.oceanlink.info/biodiversity/ask/echino. html#anchor16193848 Ocean Wild Things www.oceanwildthings.com/2012/05/7-swingingsand-dollar-facts/ Texas Marine Species www.txmarspecies.tamug.edu/invertdetails. cfm?scinameID=Mellita%20quinquiesperforata Animal Diversity Web www.animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/ Mellita_quinquiesperforata/ 74 | October 2013

Oceanic Research Group www.oceanicresearch.org/education/wonders/ echinoderm.html Legend of the Sand Dollar www.legendofthesanddollar.com/ Starfish: Invertebrates www.starfish.ch/reef/echinoderms.html Animal Planet www.animal.discovery.com/marine-life/sand-dollarinfo.htm Monterey Bay Aquarium www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/ AnimalDetails.aspx?enc=Z5SIVkZ+n+VfIl75Mb+z kw==

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Norton Lures: Sand Shad and Sand Shad Jr. Egret Baits Expands Vudu Colors The Vudu Shrimp continues to sweep the Texas coast as one of the hottest shrimp baits to ever come along. Vudu Shrimp will roll out five more colors this fall which brings the total to fourteen and climbing. "We are really excited to add these hot new colors to the mix and these colors are proven winners." says Ken Chaumont of Egret Baits.

For best results, fish the Vudu about 18-20 inches under a popping or rattling cork. Pop-pop-stop is a real deadly retrieve.

Be sure to let the shrimp settle a few seconds before repeating.

Caution: Please store your Vudu Shrimp in a separate container or bag. Do not mix with other plastics.

76 | October 2013

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TSFMAG.com | 77

DICKIE COLBURN

DICKIE COLBURN’S Sabine Scene

Sabine

Dickie Colburn is a full time guide out of Orange, Texas. Dickie has 37 years experience guiding on Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes.

Telephone 409-883-0723 website www.sabineconnection.com

We have finally accepted that we are going to fish in the wind every day regardless of the time of year, but a south-southwest gale makes things extra tough on Sabine. With the exception of Coffee Ground Cove, which is close enough to the more protected river and East Pass to warrant venturing out in the white caps, the east shoreline has seen very minimal fishing pressure over the past month.

Every pattern in the lake is behind schedule but the bite in general is still nothing to cry about for folks willing to experiment. I have never seen more trout fishermen in the Intracoastal and the Neches and they are catching fish while others write trips off due to the wind or ever-increasing cost of gas and ethanol treatment.

The good news for first time deepwater fishermen is that the bite will only get better and the size of the trout will improve through December. I have done well bouncing four inch paddle tails like the Sea Shad or Flats Minnow off the 15 foot breaks recently, but I have also caught more fish on topwaters fished tight to the bulkheads and riprap than ever before. That may well be because I overlooked that bite in past years.

We have had a few days under the gulls but that bite has not been consistent as of yet. There is still a lot

of water in the marshes and the fish have no reason to hunt elsewhere.

For the most part, any really big trout I catch this month will be a bonus as the majority of my customers

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Another solid trout caught in the deeper water of the Intracoastal.

prefer numbers over catch and release trophies. If you fall into that category, you can still enjoy a little bit of both by starting the day with a topwater at first light.

The north tip of Pleasure Island, the points of the islands bordering the Intracoastal and the shallow flats bordering East and Middle Pass are all excellent starting places provided you have good tide movement. The presence of bait certainly helps, but most of these areas have at least a little shell and that is a bonus as there isn’t much hard stuff in Sabine Lake.

Even after the topwater bite ends I will continue to fish those same areas until I am convinced they have moved or just quit biting. Usual Suspect swimbaits, VuDu Shrimp or four-inch paddletail under a cork will usually answer those two questions in a hurry.

Wind permitting, the fish will show back up on the flats between Willow Bayou and Green’s this month. It is usually a matter of whether the redfish will cut the trout any slack as they tend to pile up in those areas in incredible numbers. Topwaters provide the most exciting strikes, but most days you cannot beat swimming a five-inch straight tail; Assassin, Trout Killer or Tidal Surge Split Tail rigged on a 1/16 ounce head.

The marsh grass that Ike relocated on those flats is no longer visible but the root balls are still there and they hold the mullet year round.

When slicks are popping all over the place it is

time to start your wade or plant the Talon!

I most enjoy the teaching aspect of guiding and, while sometimes tempted, have absolutely no need to ever try to prove a point. For that reason alone, when I opt for one brand of tail over another, it is only because I have run out of the brand I was using or a specific color that only that company offers.

A prime example is two colors that have fooled fish the past couple of years better than any others during fall - Bass Assassin’s stinky pink and TTF’s bug juice. In an era when it seems any bait or color that gets hot gets immediately duplicated, these two have thus far eluded the competition. Maybe they are only exceptionally good on Sabine, but I doubt that.

While on the subject of tackle, I find myself Nice trout that fell reaching more often for my Laguna rods with for a stinky pink Sea Shad fishing the cyclone wrap. It was already a given that the river. C&R! the unique wrap generated less pressure on the wrist when fighting a fish, but the added casting distance and reduction in the frequency of wind knots were unexpected advantages. The cyclone wrap is available on their customs as well as the Liquid Series.

Predicting seasonal patterns has been a crap shoot but the catching is still good and we should be only a couple of cold fronts shy of the most fisherman-friendly time of the year. There is no better month to introduce a youngster to fishing!

TSFMAG.com | 79

MICKEY EASTMAN

MICKEY On Galveston It would be hard to imagine that fishing across the entire Galveston Bay Complex could ever be better; that’s how good it has been here lately. Trout are still being found in large schools, continuing in the same pattern they have been in for months. I’m still working deep Harlan Cooper, Galveston structure in that magical 6 to beautiful 29” 8 foot range over shell; that’s trout from Trinity Bay. where the big ones are right now. In years past, when I’ve observed this pattern holding Mickey Eastman is a full-time fishing guide out of Baytown, TX. as it has, the shorelines Mickey has over 30 years guiding nearest these structures will experience on the Galveston become our prime target area bays and is the founder areas once the water cools of Gulf Coast Troutmasters, and the transition to shallower the largest speckled trout habitat begins to occur. tournament series of all time.

As far as the outlook for our fall season, I’d say it looks Telephone 281-383-2032 extremely good for all styles of fishing, especially in East Galveston and Trinity Bays.

80 | October 2013

Populations of trout and redfish are strong and should accommodate the fall angling pressure that is sure to come as the weather continues to moderate.

As far as what we term the fall transitional period, we usually see the first signs of trout and redfish schools moving away from the deep water structure about midSeptember but so far no signs of that happening. As water cools with the arrival of early season frontal systems, shrimp will leave the marshes and bayous and the smaller school trout and redfish will start their normal foraging process as winter approaches.

Bird action will become more consistent on a daily basis and so will the shifts of morning and afternoon bird runners blistering up the bays in

Nathan Grimm, 9 yrs old, 40-inch red that weighed 28.4 lbs, caught on 12lb line! Released.

pursuit of an easy limit. Veteran anglers will lay back and watch, politely and quietly stalking and targeting bigger fish in the shallows and deeper flats, staying clear of the circus trying to work birds.

Some anglers will concentrate on primary points and guts near bayou mouths targeting the much awaited fall flounder run that is always sure to happen for the patient fisherman. It’s all about to come together for all of us that fish hard throughout the summer and pray for cooler weather that we all know is on the way, but just don’t know exactly when. It is mostly a weather-driven event and always eventually comes, just a bit later some years than others.

Once our fall transition begins in earnest the fish seem to start to gang up early along flats chasing shad balls and are therefore constantly moving. Depending on the shrimp crop, and with these drought conditions we will have to wait and see whether the shrimp migration will be strong and sustained or generally weaker and intermittent. The last couple of years have been spotty for bird working due to generally low numbers of shrimp and I cannot help but think the drought is to blame.

Fishing right now is lights out for the experienced lure fishermen and bait slingers alike. This past week was one to remember for the groups I’ve taken as several caught the biggest specks of their careers on a variety of soft plastic baits in deep water. Tidal Surge Split Tails, MirrOlure Lil’ Johns, and even some ancient Kelley Wiggler shrimptails I dug out of my tackle room. Darker colors; smoke, plum, strawberry, and red shad are all working very well for us.

Even the redfish are responding to these darker colors the best.

Pretty much double limits every day of trout and redfish can be made in a full day’s effort with solid numbers of trout over 23 inches and up to 28 and 29 inches. One particular trip this week we caught and released 12 trout over 25 inches and 2 more over 28 inches, with a box of 20 to 24 inch trout, topped off with limits of perfect mid-slot reds to boot. Like I said at the beginning, it would be hard to imagine anything better.

The bays are healthy and fall is just around the corner. Please practice catch and release, I believe it’s starting to pay off. -Capt. Mick TSFMAG.com | 81

BINK GRIMES

THE VIEW FROM Matagorda

Matagorda

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

Telephone 979-241-1705 Email binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net website www.binkgrimesoutdoors.com

82 | October 2013

Getting a hold on a fall pattern of consistent fishing can be tough, since the next change in weather could very well begin one of the year’s greatest transitions. Still, you can bet we are all anxiously awaiting the transition from summer fishing to fall fishing. That transition officially occurred September 22 on the calendar, but it remains to be seen when it happens in our bay.

White shrimp determine how successful autumn fishing can be; and, salinity levels usually determine the fate of white shrimp. “Whities” grow in the marsh during the spring and summer, with optimal brine levels around 15ppt (parts per thousand).

With the ongoing drought, you probably won’t find 15ppt in a coastal marsh anywhere in Texas right now.

White shrimp do not mature and grow in high salinity nearly as well as brown shrimp, so in periods of

drought, white shrimp crops can be below average.

That directly affects how many flocks of seagulls you see in the bays in October and November.

Normally, the in-between days of summer and fall make speckled trout a bit finicky, especially when winds blow and you can’t get to the fish. That’s when redfish take up the slack. Higher tides push reds to the back lakes where they begin schooling along shorelines. It’s not uncommon to find pods of

2-4 dozen fish with noses down and turquoise tails waving above the surface of the water.

We toss small topwaters and soft plastics under a cork (to keep it out of the shell) at those fish, sometimes with triple hookups; but, when three are bowed up with a big red, chances are lines are going to cross and hooks or lines are going to pop.

The first few cold fronts of the year have significance. Swelling fall tides push water to the back reaches of the marsh where shrimp stage before starting their trek to the Gulf of Mexico. Not until a blast of cold wind hits the coast do tides fall and shrimp begin descending out of the marsh.

Typical weather patterns seem to be later and later every year. The last few years the first cold fronts have not arrived until November, so “working the birds” has been late. However, while anglers are waiting on gulls to dive, mid-bay reefs are left alone. Fewer and fewer people wade during the fall, but there are some great fish that hang on the reefs just waiting to eat a big Super Spook or Top Dog. Most of the reefs have drop-offs from years and years of oyster dredging and the trout like to work the edge of the shell and the mud.

Most of those hotspots are on the tips of the reefs and can be reached with a solid cast.

Back to “working the birds” talk. When I first moved my fishing operation to Matagorda, we consistently caught 4-6 pound trout under the birds on topwaters. In fact, the first five years I lived here I never threw anything but a plug under the birds.

Like most “good ol’ days” stories, things have changed. The birds don’t work nearly as reliable and the fish are consistently smaller, but we still have plenty of quality fish and more redfish mixed under birds than in years past.

I still look forward to the chill of red ear lobes and all that is fall in Matagorda.

TSFMAG.com | 83

CAPT. GARY GRAY

MID-COAST BAYS With the Grays

Port O'Connor Seadrift

Captain Gary and Captain Shellie Gray fish year-round for trout and redfish in the Port O’Connor/ Seadrift area. Gary started his Bay Rat Guide Service 20 years ago.

The Grays specialize in wade and drift fishing with artificial lures.

Gary and Shellie also team up to fish many tournaments.

Telephone 361-785-6708 Email Gary@BayRat.com website www.bayratguideservice.com

84 | October 2013

Through the month of September you just never knew where you might spot my 24’ Shallow Sport any given day. On Monday we would be wading the south shore of West Matagorda Bay, on Tuesday you could spot the Rat Pack heading through Pass Cavallo to catch trout and reds in the surf, and sometimes maybe trolling or drifting the beach for tarpon or any other big fight we might find. Quite a few days we headed south down the ICW from Charlie’s Bait Camp to wade the mid-bay reefs. There was never a shortage of bent rods or fun.

I will follow a similar agenda in October but likely with fewer trout caught in the surf. Don’t be discouraged though, what we lack in trout numbers will be more than made up by bull and slot redfish. It is a nice change and we enjoy it, but with aching arms from so many reds.

Now if you’re thinking reds are only game in the October surf…think again. The beauty of the October surf is that you never know what species will show up next.

Another thing I really enjoy about the surf in October is how the water clears up and the gets a little blue hue to it. When it gets

this clear you will really get to see a lot more of the fishery. Meaning that - when you come up on birds working near the beach you will get to see what is going on under the water.

Sarah Bynum with a nice surf trout.

Meghan Wied with an awesome San Antonio Bay trout.

One year Shellie and I were on a fun trip to the gulf beach and we came upon birds working just outside the third bar. Under the birds we could see a host of predators ferociously attacking bait - trout, ladyfish, Spanish mackerel, and sharks of all sizes hitting baitfish, and sometimes each other.

We started throwing She Dogs in whatever color we had tied on or could get to quickly, and I could have probably thrown my anchor and got a bite. Anyway, after losing a few She Dogs to sharks we started sightcasting to the trout that we could pick out of the melee.

I can’t remember ever having that much fun working the birds. You would be reeling in a trout with a mackerel alongside trying to steal the plug and suddenly a shark would appear. A couple times we had sharks hit the fish we were fighting and get hooked themselves. If he didn’t bite it off or break-off quickly you were left little choice but to tighten the drag and snap the line to avoid being spooled.

Probably the coolest thing we saw that day was a pair of manta rays that swam around and under our boat. You could make them out perfectly in the clear blue water. They were huge but very gentle in the way they moved and swam around the melee that was going on.

Another trip I remember well was when I had a couple of guys from Cuero that worked in the oilfield and they wanted to wade the surf with me. I said, “No problem, let’s get it on.”

Well, while heading down the beach in all that clear water to where I had been catching fish, I noticed the guys pointing to something in the water every once in a while. I knew what they were seeing. When we got to our spot one of them asked, “Were those sharks that we saw coming down the beach?”

I said, “Yessir; but they haven’t been bothering us.” They both quickly agreed this wouldn’t be a wading trip as the sharks were larger than any they’d ever seen. Sometimes it’s better not to be able to see everything in the water.

So on that particular trip we stayed in the boat and they had a great day catching redfish, mackerel, trout, and even landed some of the smaller sharks. I just hope seeing those big sharks didn’t ruin any future wade fishing trips for the duo.

I know this is not my normal “we are throwing this lure at this place” article, but just a little insight into what you can encounter in the surf this time of year. You will still have trout on the reefs of San Antonio Bay and you can still fish the mouths of all the many sloughs and have great days – but you can only fish the October surf one month each year.

Fish hard, fish smart!

TSFMAG.com | 85

DAVID ROWSEY

HOOKED UP WITH Rowsey

Cool mornings and the smell of fall in the air makes October a special month for most outdoorsmen. We have already passed the opening date for dove season, and if you are a bow hunter you are getting ready Upper to enjoy the solitude of the hunt, without rifle shots in the background. Thanks to some good friends Laguna/ that got me interested in archery hunting I will get a Baffin chance to pursue what could be a new passion for me.

Shooting 50-60 arrows a day for the last few months has become as therapeutic as sight –fishing on the flats with no other fishermen within sight. I’m really David Rowsey has 20 years looking forward to the adrenaline rush when I knock experience in the Laguna/Baffin an arrow for the first time on some wild game. region; trophy trout with artificial October is truly a month of transition here in the lures is his specialty. David has a Coastal Bend. It’s still pretty hot, and the northern great passion for conservation and encourages catch and fronts have been too weak to get the big trout in an release of trophy fish. established pattern. Destinations north of here seem to have more success than we do here south of the JFK Telephone Causeway. For me, October is a time to prep for what 361-960-0340 I know is coming. I use this month to organize tackle, website www.DavidRowsey.com clean reels, re-hook old favorite lures, etc. As a full Email time guide, a solid month of preparation pays great david.rowsey@yahoo.com dividends throughout the long winter and spring

86 | October 2013

seasons for monster trout. If you are serious about catching trophy fish, use this time to get prepared for the hunt. You never know when you may get the call, “I’m in them, get here ASAP.” Be ready!

Fish are still migrating to the gulf in October, so there is ample time to cut them off at the pass.

Baitfish, reds and flounder will be my biggest target during October. Since TPWD lowered the bag limit on flounder a few years ago it has been amazing how consistently we catch them now (The same would be trout if common sense outweighed politics). It was not too long ago that I might only catch 3-5 per year!

Now, with minimal effort, I can catch that in a day, not including my client’s flat fish. Not having the opportunity in years past to target flounder, seeking them now has become a new favorite thing for us.

They can be as elusive as a giant trout or as willing to bite as a school of little males. October is prime time to target them as they migrate to the passes, and you can bet that we will be in pursuit.

I’m asked almost daily, “What is the best month to catch a truly large trout?”

There is no way to answer that question accurately.

My take on big trout is that the water needs to cool down to get the big girls in the right feeding pattern, gorging for winter, and seeking areas of the bay that hold warmer water temperatures. Some years it kicks off in November although the last two warm winters have pushed it back. Some of the largest trout I have ever caught have

been in December and January, and those months still produce consistently for us. Cold fronts, cold fronts, cold fronts! The earlier and more often we get them, the quicker we will specifically target the Boone & Crockett’s of the bay. If you want to insure a chance at one (or more), start looking at the calendar and booking dates.

Overall the late summer months proved to be Mike Blakely, author, singer/songwriter, on the slow side for topwater action. This should and storyteller with a nice red on his change during October. It always has in the past. first trip to the Laguna. Mike, Annie, and Stephen Fuchs were guests at my cabin Late afternoon fishing will also become more for a weekend of fishing, singing, and productive as the evening temperatures start to relaxing. A most memorable trip. If you decline; therefore, it’s not all that important to be like real western music and a good ballad, the first boat at the marina. Personally, the last two do yourself a favor and look Mike up. hours of daylight, throwing a She Dog on the west shoreline can make for a memorable afternoon. I have been doing it for years with great success, as have many other locals. It’s a good and quiet time to be on the water.

Don’t leave the launch without some 5” Bass Assassins and 1/16 oz. jig heads (Pro Elite) anytime you are after trout down here. This combo is as effective as it gets when grinding out big trout here in the Laguna. If it came down to it, I would sacrifice a finger for the last bag of them when chasing big trout. Don’t believe me? Ask Jay Watkins.

Remember the buffalo. -Capt David Rowsey

TSFMAG.com | 87

CAPT. TRICIA

TRICIA’S Mansfield Report A most refreshing season is upon us and we are certainly ready for it. The Lower Laguna is in its signature pristine shape and, barring any unforeseen setbacks coming out of the tropics, will remain so throughout the months of fall. Catches of late truly have us “fishy” folks keen for what October should Port bring. Crispy mornings and hungry fish should be on Mansfield the menu.

As of this writing I have been noticing huge aggregations of mullet forming and let me tell you; when you find them it’s definitely game on. Mullet Capt. Tricia’s Skinny Water migrate in great number to the Gulf surf for spawning Adventures operates out of each fall and I presume that’s what this is all about.

Port Mansfield, specializing in We began seeing these in late August and the wadefishing with artificial lures. first days of September, one along the King Ranch shoreline and another along the edges of the skinny grass of the East Flats.

Telephone 956-642-7298 Super-calm late-summer mornings found us on the Email King Ranch shoreline with a trout bite from the olden shell@granderiver.net days. Every cast was a hookup and more times than website www.SkinnyWaterAdventures.com not the topwater bite was phenomenal. The downside this summer was the size ratio; ten to one smaller fish was the norm most days. The entire Laguna bay system is presently full of juvenile trout, and while

88 | October 2013

that is exciting for the future, our mid-range twenty to twenty-four inchers are just not as abundant as they once were. We can speculate on the cause of the decline but that would be another story.

Windier mornings found us high on the east side fishing enormous schools of mullet in calf to knee

An incredible experience; sightcasting a trout like this with a topwater.

deep water. The reds were certainly there and occasionally so were the trout of sizes dreams are made of. On more than a few occasions the feeding and aggressive nature of these fish kept us entertained late into the morning.

In years past when this pattern was working we mostly threw smaller plugs such as Super Spook Jr, “baby” Skitter Walks (size 08), She Pups, Top Pup and Top Dog Jr. We have found this season that, with the larger mullet and skipjack schools present, the heftier presentations were usually more effective. She Dogs, full-size Skitter Walks (size 11), and Heddon One Knockers have ruled.

When the sun climbs higher and the fish became less aggressive on top, the Kelley Wiggler Ball Tail Shad and Paddle Tails in the natural “sand” color have worked very well in the ultra-clear water. Sightcasting to trout longer than the water depth kept us

Exceptional sunrises over a calm Laguna are part of October’s beauty.

enthused and a few of my clients were blessed with personal best specimens. The brown pelicans have been numerous working along the mullet schools and are really helpful locating them.

Another worthy mention, along with every other form of marine life, numerous also are the stingrays in the vicinity of the mullet rafts. In fact, if you are not seeing them you are probably not where you need to be.

Our crowds are thinning and will soon be gone and the water level should rise to its seasonal peak by the end of this month. Redfish should form into larger schools and the trout will be more aggressive in the cooler waters.

We can expect the flooded grassy shallows to hold increasing numbers of fish as the month wears on. Being diligent with topwaters should pay big dividends, but sometimes you have to drop down when surface plugs are ignored.

Late summer is ending with outstanding wading sessions and October should be epic. Hope to see you out there, and please remember you don’t have to keep them all.

Tricia’s Tips 1. New seagrass rule is in effect. Stop deeper and walk to the shallower areas.

2. Piscavore Sportswear has new ladies’ fishing shorts and I’m loving them.

3. Watch the weather this month, squalls develop quickly.

4. Lots of trash in the water this summer; please don’t be a Bay Litter Bug!

TSFMAG.com | 89

CAPT. ERNEST CISNEROS

SOUTH PADRE Fishing Scene

A rr oyo C olorado t o Port I sabel

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

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

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

Fishing on the Lower Laguna Madre is definitely on the upswing as we approach the beginning of the fall season. Redfish are showing up in their usual locales and can now be targeted successfully in more areas than in the previous months. Boat traffic is lighter and I’m happy to report that we are seeing signs of seagrass regeneration since the present decline began following the torrential rains of Hurricane Dolly in 2008 and worsened with the freshwater floods of July 2010.

Areas that have been nearly barren of grass and fish last four to five years are showing remarkable signs of life.

Through September we saw significant water temperature fluctuations due to rainfall and cloud cover. This will continue, especially as the first fronts reach the coast and hours of daylight diminish. Feeding periods will become more frequent and will be of longer duration.

In recent articles I mentioned that redfish were scattered and often unwilling to bite when located. Just when you thought you had them figured out they were gone.

September came, and we started finding them

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in significant numbers in many areas. I expect this pattern to get progressively better this month. I have noticed the bigger concentrations of redfish recently on very shallow flats near the Arroyo Colorado. On many occasions they were hard to catch because of their natural skittish behavior in extremely shallow water. With the seasonal rise in water level they will become much more willing to gobble a lure.

Here lately many mornings gave us slick-calm

The yearly trek from Dallas to the Lower Laguna once again proved worthwhile and fun for this group.

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conditions, and while this makes redfish wakes easy to spot, it makes to increase as boat traffic decreases. I say this based on what we have for generally tougher fishing in very shallow water. I am almost been experiencing; I’m predicting a banner fall and winter season always a proponent of leaving the dock as early as possible but ahead for big trout on the Lower Laguna Madre. during these calm conditions it is a good idea to let daylight set in In closing, I always like to inform you of products that I use day and the breeze to come up and put a light ripple on the surface. This in and day out, products that I truly believe in and know that they slightly delayed start can be especially helpful for anglers who prefer will stand the everyday grind. An outstanding product that has to stay in the boat and drift rather than wade. helped me land big trout and redfish in here Texas, huge snook in Another successful technique that has worked lately, especially Florida, and even a 140 pound tarpon in Costa Rica is Fishing Tackle when shallow reds seem to have lockjaw; try tying a 12lb leader to the Unlimited’s private label Green Rod. back of a Zara Puppy with a fly attached. The With lots of planning and engineering topwater gets their attention and quite often from many great minds in the fishing industry, they’ll take the fly when they refuse the plug.

Fishing Tackle Unlimited has delivered to the Trout fishing continues to be steady. We fishing world a great rod in a healthy variety are still catching and releasing trout in the of weights and actions to suit applications low-to-upper 20s range and the preferred and personal preferences. If you are looking to depth has been knee to waist deep. Similar to purchase a high-quality rod soon, right now the bigger reds, larger trout seem to be liking would be the perfect time to put a Green Rod it real skinny, but getting those wary trophies to work for you as they are running a great to bite has been almost impossible on lures. deal. When you purchase an FTU Green Rod I’m hoping as the water continues to cool and you get a set of heavy-duty aluminum fishing the water levels rises they will be become pliers free! more willing.

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If you’ve fished lately you can tell the water fishingtackleunlimited.com or better yet, visit has risen considerably over the last month. one of their two stores in Houston. It’s like Don’t rule out the less-traveled back bays to walking into a grown-up’s candy store. Best be the producer of your next personal best. fishing to all of you.

A big fan of the FTU Green Rod, Heidi hooked The windows were smaller in the previous four this redfish on a Flomingo Kelley Wiggler. months, but now we can look for that window

TSFMAG.com | 91

FISHING REPORTS

Lake Calcasieu Louisiana Jeff and Mary Poe - Big Lake Guide Service - 337.598.3268 October is my favorite month to fish. With the first few fronts, shrimp and baitfish will flood out of the marshes and river, creating a buffet for trout and redfish. Some schools of fish are mixed, some all trout, some all reds. Birds will begin picking on the East Bank, in West Cove and in Turners Bay. Fishing birds can be tricky, especially if they are hovering over keeper trout. Stealth and an awareness of surroundings are keys.

We aren't looking to catch two or three fish off each set; we want many more. It takes time and an awareness of what's going on under the water to catch limits under the right groups of birds. 98% of the time, trout and reds move against the tide. If the fish are moving against the tide, anglers trying to stay with them should do so too. This can be tough on a trolling motor, so use it sparingly. Keep the fish at the end of your cast, so they don't spook as easily. As for baits, we stick to shrimp imitations like MirrOlure Lil' Johns, H&H Beetles, SaltyGrubs, and Norton Sand Eel Juniors. Quarter ounce jigheads usually work best.

Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay | James Plaag Silver King Adventures - silverkingadventures.com - 409.935.7242 When we talked, James was catching tarpon steadily; in fact, a customer in the boat was fighting a fish about 150 pounds during our conversation! “Tarpon fishing has been great lately. I think we've hooked about five already today. But fishing for the silver kings will be

TM

92 | October 2013

ORECASTS F from Big Lake to Boca Chica

AND

winding down in early October,” he said. “We have been catching plenty of trout around the ship channel lately, in around ten feet of water.

Topwater bite's been real good this summer. In fact, I caught two trout on one cast with a SheDog the other day. Early in October, we'll still be fishing for trout mostly out of the boat, keying on slicks. The birds should start working some too. As we get further into the month, the action will probably move toward the marsh entrances, in the upper portions of the bays. When that happens, the bird action should pick up even more. And we'll start wading some too, instead of fishing the deeper water out of the boat. I hope the topwater action stays like it has been. That will be really cool if it does.”

Jimmy west - Bolivar Guide Service - 409.996.3054 Jim says October is time to shift gears. He'll be splitting time between three pursuits this month. “I'll be fishing two or three days a week, hunting two or three days. I like to fish when the weather's good, and hunt when it's windier and nastier. I'll be in the fields shooting at doves, in the marsh calling ducks and on the pond chasing trout and redfish.

It's a great time to be a guide. The fishing was outstanding at times in August, slower as September rolled around. Redfish are saving us on some days lately. I did catch one trout over seven pounds a couple of weeks ago, but mostly the fish we're catching are keepers in the fifteen to twenty inch class. Action will likely pickup again in October, and we'll start wading more of the time, targeting some of the bigger trout. When

tides are high and water temperatures are cooling down, it's a good idea to fish shallow water along shorelines in the back of the bay and around drains leading into the marshes. We'll probably have birds working over mixed schools of trout and reds this month too.”

West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas - Chocolate Bays Randall Groves - Groves Guide Service 979.849.7019 - 979.864.9323 Fishing in the surf had been hot in Randall's area on recent trips prior to the submission of this report. “The beachfront action has been outstanding on most days. Water's been staying clear for the most part, and the trout are plentiful. We'll keep heading out that way as long as we can. Sometimes, in October, the trout thin out some in the surf. When that happens, we often move to fishing for tarpon in nearshore waters, or heading farther offshore and targeting king mackerel and snapper. When fishing in the bays for trout and reds, we'll go back to targeting areas with shell and mud as the weather cools down. Once a few fronts bring the water temperatures down some, the patterns including oyster shells kick right back up to the top of the list. We should also have some birds working in the area this month.

Sometimes, fishing around the working birds is the best way to keep boxes filled up with keepers. Lure fishing will become more of the norm too as cooler weather settles in, replacing the bait most of the time.”

Matagorda | Tommy Countz Bay Guide Service - 979.863.7553 cell 281.450.4037 As usual, Tommy mentions plenty of productive options for fishing the Matagorda area in October. “If tides are really high, we'll spend some time in the back lakes along the ICW. Lots of years, birds start working over schools of reds in those areas this month. When fishing for trout in East Bay, we like to fish mid-bay reefs by wading as much as

we can. We'll start off in the mornings throwing topwaters, then switch over to Corkies and other slow-sinking twitch baits as the day wears on. Sometimes, of course, soft plastics work best, especially bright ones with pink and chartreuse on them if the water's a little murky.

Birds should start working in East Bay too, and we'll take advantage of that action if we can. On most weekends, the crowds of people trying to stay with the flocks get pretty thick. When that happens, I like wading in West Bay better. We'll work the grass beds tight to the shorelines with topwaters, Corkies and soft plastics and catch a good mixed bag most of the time. Birds will be found working over there on some days too.”

Palacios | Capt. Aaron Wollam www.palaciosguideservice.com - 979.240.8204 Fishing has finally turned back on in our local waters. The surf across at West Matagorda Beach has been on fire when we have had winds out of the north. Limits of trout up to twenty four inches have been the norm when we have been able to make our way over there. Large topwaters such as SheDogs and Skitterwalks provided best action.

Redfish have finally started schooling in back lakes and have been easy pickings. We have seen pods of fish ranging from a couple of fish up to about twenty fish working area shorelines chasing shrimp and shad. Look for white birds stalking along the shorelines, and they will help you find the fish. Floundering at night has also picked up in the local marsh, and we have been sticking some good fish on northerly shorelines when the winds are calm. Bird activity ought to start happening pretty soon; I look for Turtle Bay and Carancahua Bay to have some good late afternoon action this month when the gulls start

TSFMAG.com | 93

hovering over the migrating herds of shrimp.

Port O’Connor | Lynn Smith Back Bay Guide Service - 361.983.4434 Lynn had been catching trout and redfish along area shorelines with sand and grass, but expects patterns to change in October. “We'll transition over to fishing areas with more of a muddy bottom this month. And, we won't necessarily feel the need to stay as close to main drop offs into deeper water. The back lakes can be good this month; they have muddy, grassy bottoms. Areas around the drains leading into the lakes where there is a mix of mud and grass are good places to target too. We'll keep our eye on the horizon for flocks of working birds as well. As the shrimp and other prey species start making their way to the Gulf, the gulls should be showing us where they are. Redfish are already beginning to school up in big groups. They should be concentrated in areas around the pass in October. It's a great month to catch fish on topwaters and twitch baits, whereas the soft plastics have been more of a staple in the heat. We will be throwing Super Spook Juniors a lot, and sticking with them as long as we can.”

Rockport | Blake Muirhead Gator Trout Guide Service - 361.790.5203 or 361.441.3894 Blake says the fishing for reds has been good lately, as has the dove hunting. “In October, we'll probably switch up what we're doing a little bit, in terms of the patterns we're fishing most of the time. Lately, redfish have been pretty thick around area reefs, and we've had an easy time limiting out most days. Shoreline fishing has kind of slowed down for the trout. As the water cools down this month, I expect to shift back over to fishing shallower water most of the time. I'll key on areas adjacent to the drains leading into the marshes. Most years, the fish move somewhat shallower when the weather cools down some. We'll probably see an improvement in our trout bite too. And, I will switch

94 | October 2013

over to using artificial lures exclusively, whereas we've been fishing with bait much of the time in this heat. Topwaters usually work great in October, so we'll be giving them a try most every time out and sticking with them as long as we can. Won't hesitate to fall back on the old standby Norton Sand Eels if the blow ups stop though.”

Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay - Land Cut Robert Zapata – rz1528@grandecom.net - 361.563.1160 The weather in October is cooling off, but not the fishing and catching.

The air and water temperatures are cooling down a bit, but I think this will keep the fish in shallower water a little longer in the morning hours.

The speckled trout spawn will intensify in October, and this will translate into heavier weights on the trout. I am already seeing heavier egg sacks on the trout that have been caught recently on my charters. I’ll be using natural colored MirrOlure SheDogs early in the mornings, then switching to salt and pepper, silver phantom/chartreuse or chartreuse dog Bass Assassin Die Dappers rigged on sixteenth ounce SpringLok jigheads or live piggy perch. I’ll be fishing in two to three feet of water. The bull reds will start to gather in schools and head out to the Gulf of Mexico.

Keeping up with the schools using a trolling motor can provide hours of fun catching and releasing them, if the Power Pro and twenty pound test fluorocarbon shock leader, attached to a half ounce weedless gold spoon, are all in good working order.

Corpus Christi | Joe Mendez – www.sightcast1.com - 361.937.5961 Recent high tides have pushed clear ocean water into the area of the Upper Laguna Madre around the JFK Causeway, making for improved fishing, Joe says. “With the clear water on the flats around the Causeway, fishing gets a little easier. We are able to see the fish better when we're trying to sight-cast for them in shallow water. Lately, the action on trout, redfish and drum has been good in areas with scattered sand and grass in depths of two feet and shallower. As we get into October, this kind of

action should remain steady. We are also catching plenty of trout along deeper grass edges adjacent to Beacroft's and Emmord's Holes. Some of the trout are bigger than what we usually see this time of year. Soft plastics are the best choice when working this pattern. Light jigheads will work fine if winds are light, but heavier ones work much better when wind speeds pick up. Keeping the lure in close contact with the bottom is a big key. I'll probably continue to make short runs to do my fishing if the water stays clear up north.”

finding the best trout action lately working deeper grass beds. We have been using the smaller Rapala Skitter Walk (size 08) and the best colors have been bone and orange – never saw a baitfish either color but that’s what they like. Here lately there has been a lot of floating grass; swap the treble hooks for singles! We have also been picking up some reds up tight along the west shoreline. Occasionally you find a really solid trout or two running with them. The east side is still holding good size reds and trout. The beauty of it is you can sight-cast to them. A gold or silver spoon is good but the Kelley Wiggler Ball Tail Shad has been the most productive. The offshore reports have been very encouraging. Lots of state water snapper limits, kingfish are abundant, and also wahoo. Until next time - Tight Lines and Calm Seas!

Padre Island National Seashore Billy Sandifer - Padre Island Safaris - 361.937.8446 October is a wonderful month for fishing the surf of Padre Island National Seashore with artificials or natural baits for sharks, slot and oversized redfish, jack crevalle and ladyfish. The pompano season gets underway in earnest and peeled fresh-dead shrimp and pink or chartreuse “Fishbites” will prove deadly on them and also large whiting.

The jack crevalle will be accompanied by brown pelicans circling overhead and diving and they will be right at the water’s edge. This is the time for fly fishermen to be heroes targeting these tough game fish. Be careful about tides as we often have peculiar, un-predicted high tides in October and they can/will rise enough to greatly complicate beach travel. Cold fronts passing through will knock out fishing the day it arrives and the day following. On the second day following frontal passage the fishing will peak; that’s the day you want to be there. High velocity east or northeast wind will push the water to the dunes so be safe and get out quick or you’ll get trapped down island for a day or two.

Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Janie and Fred Petty – www.fishingwithpettys.com – 956.943.2747 Bigger redfish and higher tides make us excited about fall fishing! Recent trips are netting oversized reds and slot limits, and we’re continuing to limit on trout. The main differences between fall and summer are the availability of real estate we have to choose from and the decreased boat traffic, which both work to give us more options for success. We are throwing the Berkley Gulp! three inch shrimp in pearl white and new penny, on a Norton lock jighead, with a twelve inch leader, under Cajun Thunder round or cigar corks, working spots we’ve been unable to access for the past three months due to low water levels. Freddy says, “You know it’s white wing weekend when it rains like clock-work in the afternoon! Tough on hunters, but, always a good sign for fishing. The crowds are gone and the fish are hanging on the flats once again.” We’ll be looking for the signs that herds of reds are in the area when the wind lays and boats aren’t chasing them off the flats where we can get at them. Help stop open bay dredge disposal.

Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation: 1) Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine 2)ISSN 1935-9586 3) Filing Date 10/1/13. 4) Issue Frequency: Monthly. 5) No. of Issues published annually: 12. 6) Annual Subscription price $25.00 7) Complete Mailing Address of Office of Publication, 58 Fisherman’s Ln, Seadrift, TX 77983. Contact Person: Pam Johnson. Telephone 361-785-3420. 8) Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters: PO Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983-0429. 9) Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, PO Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983-0429. 10) Owners: Pam and Everett Johnson, PO Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983-0429. 11) Known Bondholders, Mortgagee, None. 12) Tax status has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13) Publication Title: Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine 14) Issue date for circulation data below: Sept. 11. 15) Extent and nature of Circulation: a) average no Copies preceding 12 months: 24,500; no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date 24,300. b1) Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions: avg. preceding 12 mo., 6,749; single issue nearest filing: 6,256 b3) Paid distribution outside the mail including sales dealers and carriers Avg. preceding 12 mo’s 12,246, single issue nearest filing: 11,563 b4) Paid distribution by other classes of mail Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 95, single issue nearest filing: 101. c) Total paid distribution-Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 19,090, single issue nearest filing: 17,920. d1) Free or nominal rate outside county Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 1,480, single issue nearest filing: 1,323 d4) Free or Nominal rate distribution outside of the mail Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 181, single issue nearest filing: 154. e) Total free or nominal rate distribution Avg. preceding 12 mo’s :1,661 single issue nearest filing: 1,477. e) Total distribution Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 20,751 single issue nearest filing: 19,397. g) Copies not distributed: Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 3,749 single issue nearest filing: 4,903. h) Total Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 24,500, single issue nearest filing: 24,300. i) percent paid Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 91.99%, single issue nearest filing: 92.39% . 16) Publication of statement of ownership: If the publication is a general publication, publication of this statement is required. Will be printed in the October 2013 issue of this publication. Signature and title of Editor, publisher, business manager or owner Pamela K. Johnson - date 8/24/13

Port Mansfield | Ruben Garza Snookdudecharters.com – 832.385.1431 Getaway Adventures Lodge – 956.944.4000 Fishing in Port Mansfield has been good, lots of small fish but you can usually pick up your limit of solid trout if you stick with it. I have been

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Ken Anglin POC - 24” trout

Harrison Phillips Arroyo Colorado - first wadefishing trout!

Mike Smith Matagorda - black tip shark

Adam Corpus Christi - 32” black drum 96 | October 2013

Cristian Castro Port Mansfield - 22.5” first trout!

Grace Solo Trinity Bay - 40” black drum

Randy Parker Copano Bay - 18” flounder

John Wright Corpus Christi - 30” trout

Jess Akin kingfish

Bailey Bracewell 22.5” first redfsih!

Matt Bracewell 27.75” redfish

Jay Akin 44” kingfish

Melissa Bradley San Luis Pass - 26” 5lb trout

Rob Estes Port Isabel - 37” snook CPR

Oscar Lerma, Jr. Aransas Pass - 25.25” 5lb 10oz trout

Meg Schomburg Aransas Bay - 27.75” 6lb 14oz trout

Devary McWha Port Aransas - red snapper

Noelle Lawrence Corpus Christi - trout

Darlene Luna South Bay - 28” redfish

Brandy Medus Aransas Bay - 22” first red!

Monte Rankin first big trout!

Mario Hernandez San Luis Pass - 13” first flounder

Denise Pernisi Lingerie on the Bay 2012 5th place!

Munro Nichols East Galveston Bay - first redfish!

Please do not write on the back of photos.

Email photos with a description of your Catch of the Month to: Photos@tsfmag.com

Wesley Sholders Port A - 10lb red snapper

Gage Veselka Port Aransas jetties - first black drum!

Mail photos to: TSFMag P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 TSFMAG.com | 97

PAM JOHNSON

GULF COAST Kitchen 809 Adams St. Seadrift, TX 779836 361-785-2645

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

Email them to pam@tsfmag.com or send by fax: 361-785-2844

Bubba’s Cajun Seafood was established July 8, 2009 in Seadrift – the small, friendly town with no stop lights on San Antonio Bay between Victoria and Port O’Connor.

Buford Jay Hall Jr., (that’s our Bubba) was born the son of a Baptist preacher and grew up in Ganado, TX. As a youngster Bubba spent a lot of time in Louisiana, where his dad was raised, and made his first trip to Seadrift at age nine. He became friends and hung out a lot with the “Beaver boys” at Seadrift and pretty soon had San Antonio Bay’s saltwater in his blood.

Bubba married Sylvia Corrubias; Syl for short, one of five Corrubias sisters who grew up working for their parents at Josie’s Mexican Restaurant in Port O’Connor. Sylvia and sister Eloisa bought Josie’s when their parents decided to retire and they ran it for several years in partnership. Then after marrying Bubba, and with Bubba’s desire to start his own place, it was only natural that she was a big part of it too. Eventually, as Bubba’s Cajun Seafood grew, Syl sold her share of Josie’s to Eloisa and her husband, devoting full time attention to Bubba’s.

Bubba’s restaurant had humble beginnings. Their original equipment included only three boiling pots, a microwave oven and a Fry Daddy from Wal-Mart; but they gained an immediate following among local and visiting seafood lovers.

And, if you’ve ever visited, you know the place is always busy and still growing.

Everything is prepared fresh at Bubba’s, that’s where the great flavors originate.

“Against his religion” is how Bubba expresses his disdain for using farm-raised shrimp in the restaurant. All seafood is purchased locally as much as possible, whenever in season. The catfish on their menu is “River Catfish Only” and you have Bubba’s and Syl’s word on that!

The popularity of their spicy Cajun recipes can be seen in the crowds they draw – all the way from Austin and San Antonio, even Waco. Going through four gallons of Bubba’s signature gumbo in a single day is common, usually six or eight gallons on just about any Saturday, between the lunch and dinner crowds.

Just like his insistence on using only local seafood, his 35 employees are locals as well, “Many have been with me since day one,” Bubba is proud to say. Bubba’s chief boiler and long time friend, Ronnie Gooden, is one of them.

Spicy Crawfish Spread 2-8oz packages cream cheese 1/4 cup real mayonnaise 1 tsp ground horseradish 1 fresh jalapeño pepper, chopped fine 1/2 bunch green onions, chopped fine 3 celery ribs, chopped fine 1/2 lemon (juice) – freshly squeezed 1/2 tsp Louisiana Seafood boil seasoning 3/4 lb. crawfish tail meat, chopped 1/2 tsp black pepper Pinch of cayenne pepper Mix all ingredients together and chill, serve with crackers. This spread is so good; Bubba says, “You might end up making a meal of it!”

98 | October 2013

Bubba’s offers a full menu of seafood, steaks and drinks, along with an All-YouCan-Eat Sunday Buffet.

ON THE WATER

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TSFMAG.com | 99

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Science and the Sea

TM

A Never-Ending Love Bite Perhaps it’s not surprising that a creature as fierce looking as the angler fish has pretty extreme mating habits — starting with a neverending love bite and ending in death. Angler fish have long, sharp, ferocious looking teeth, but only the females use these for eating. The males use theirs on the females.

A preserved female anglerfish with a male attached to her back. The female is about 2 inches long while the male is less than 1/4 inch long.

Credit: T. W. Pietsch, University of Washington But first, the males must find the females. Angler fish live in the darkest depths of the ocean. It can be hard to find mates in all that darkness, so males use their exceptional sense of smell to locate females. Males need the females not only for reproduction but also for sustenance. Males are tiny compared to females, and their digestive systems never fully develop.

Once the male finds a female, he bites into her body and never lets go.

His digestive enzymes dissolve the tissues between the male and the female so that the two are permanently fused to each other. The male obtains his nutrition entirely from the female. But, the male is not just a parasite that steals food from the female. He has his sperm to offer, which are transferred through his body to hers.

A single female may have multiple males attached at the same time, so she always has a good supply of sperm. And what becomes of the male? His eyes and organs deteriorate so all that’s left are his spermfilled testes.

Sex for the male angler fish starts with a bite and ends with death.

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CHRIS MAPP

B O AT M A I N T E N A N C E T I P S

Does your boat have a water pressure gauge?

Assuming the answer is yes; what does The gauges in these systems indicate pressure up to 30 psi; usually the gauge really indicate and how do near 0 at idle to 25 at wide open throttle (WOT), with a “dump valve” you interpret the readings? to release “extra” water during high-speed operation. Suzuki uses a Water pressure gauges are, in low-pressure/high-volume 15 psi system, the gauges will generally my opinion, the second-most important gauge on your boat. The show around 8 to 12 psi at WOT. tachometer is number one.

Yamaha’s spec for minimum water pressure Water pressure gauge design is relatively at normal operating speed is 11 psi. Knowing common among all outboard manufacturers, but this is important. The water pump will be at peak the method of how the cooling system works and performance when new, so watch the gauge is developed is very different. In order to supply and learn the norm. When you see it reading adequate cooling water to the powerhead, all consistently lower it is time for a maintenance outboard motors depend on the size of the water visit. An engine overheat alarm with good intakes, their position on the gearcase, and the pressure indicates other issues.

Yamaha water pressure gage amount of water available to flow through them Water pumps are very durable; they should be and water pump impeller. up to the water pump. flushed after every use and changed every year Water pumps are of vane-type design, meaning or 100 hours of shallow water operation. Flushing the impellers have rubber fingers, or vanes. When with freshwater through the intakes for five minutes new, the rubber is pliable and conforms well to the with the engine running is the preferred method. liner it rides in, thus creating the correct pressure Have a great October! and volume of flow to cool the powerhead.

Chris Mapp Close-up of water pump impeller.

Evinrude, Mercury, and Yamaha use a highCoastal Bend Marine | Port O’Connor, TX pressure/high-volume method to cool the engine. coastalbendmarine.com | 361 983 4841

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galveston tides & Solunar Table Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine October 2013

The BEST Choice‌ Any Place, Anytime!

To find a location near you, please visit us at www.speedystop.com

Tidal Corrections Location Calcasieu Pass, La. Sabine Bank Lighthouse Sabine Pass (jetty) Sabine Pass Mesquite Point Galveston Bay (S. jetty) Port Bolivar Texas City, Turning Basin Eagle Point Clear Lake Morgans Point Round Point, Trinity Bay Point Barrow, Trinity Bay Gilchrist, East Bay Jamaica Beach, Trinity Bay Christmas Point Galveston Pleasure Pier San Luis Pass Freeport Harbor

High -2:14 -1:46 -1:26 -1:00 -0:04 -0:39 +0:14 +0:33 +3:54 +6:05 +10:21 +10:39 +5:48 +3:16 +2:38 +2:39 +2:32 -0:09 -0:44

Low -1:24 -1:31 -1:31 -1:15 -0:25 -1:05 -0:06 +0:41 +4:15 +6:40 +5:19 +5:15 +4:43 +4:18 +3:31 +2:38 +2:33 +2:31 -0:09

For other locations, i.e. Port O’Connor, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi and Port Isabel please refer to the charts displayed below.

Please note that the tides listed in this table are for the Galveston Channel. The Tidal Corrections can be applied to the areas affected by the Galveston tide.

Minor Feeding Periods are in green, coinciding with the moon on the horizon, and the last from 1.0 to 1.5 hrs after the moon rise or before moon set.

Major Feeding Periods are in orange, about 1.0 to 1.5 hrs either side of the moon directly overhead or underfoot.

Many variables encourage active feeding current flow (whether wind or tidal driven), changes in water temp & weather, moon phases, etc. Combine as many as possible for a better chance at an exceptional day. Find concentrations of bait set up during a good time frame, and enjoy the results.

Te x a s S a l t w a t e r F i s h i n g M a g a z i n e l

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