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ABOUT THE COVER Noah and CJ Soucy joined Everett and Pam Johnson recently for a fishing adventure to the Matagorda Ship Channel jetties at Port O’Connor. Story on page 24.

SEPTEMBER 2020 VOL 30 NO 5

CONTENTS

FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

8 14 18 24

28 30 32 34 38 40 44 46 65 70

Worm Styles and Applications While Summer Persists Flush with Opportunity Fun at the Jetties: A Bucktail Tale

Steve Hillman Kevin Cochran Chuck Uzzle Everett Johnson

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

Science & the Sea Boat Repair & Maintenance

8

WHAT OUR GUIDES

HAVE TO SAY

50 52 54 56 58 60

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

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

40

REGULARS 6 Editorial 48 New Tackle & Gear 62 Fishing Reports and Forecasts 66 Catch of the Month 68 Gulf Coast Kitchen

68

58 4 | September 2020

Jay Watkins Scott Null Dr. Darin Topping TSFMag Field Staff Dave Roberts CCA Texas Stephanie Boyd Eric Ozolins UT Marine Science Institute Chris Mapp

EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Everett Johnson Everett@tsfmag.com VICE PRESIDENT PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Pam Johnson Pam@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-550-9918 NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Bart Manganiello Bartalm@optonline.net REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Patti Elkins Patti@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-649-2265 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Donna Boyd Donna@tsfmag.com CIRCULATION SUBSCRIPTION – PRODUCT SALES Vicky Morgenroth Store@tsfmag.com DESIGN & LAYOUT Stephanie Boyd Artwork@tsfmag.com SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Jen Shive Jen@tsfmag.com Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine is published monthly.

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HOW TO CONTACT TSFMAG: PHONE: 361-785-3420 FAX: 361 792-4530 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, TX 77983 WEB: www.TSFMAG.com PHOTO GALLERY: photos@tsfmag.com PRINTED IN THE USA. Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine (ISSN 1935-9586) is published monthly by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc., 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, Texas 77983 l P. O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 © Copyright 1990 All rights reserved. Positively nothing in this publication may be reprinted or reproduced. *Views expressed by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine contributors do not necessarily express the views of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine.

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EDITORIAL

CAN’T GET HERE FAST ENOUGH! I’m talking about the equinox; September 22 is the magic day when the hours of daylight and darkness become equal, which is also the beginning of gradual daily cooling. Equinox also brings a significant rise in tide levels. Just the other day I was wading a shallow flat with several buddies. As we were boarding the boat to head back to the dock at noon, one remarked he hadn’t had a bite in more than an hour. I agreed it had been quite slow. But not to worry, I consoled him; “All we need is the tide to rise about a foot and a few degrees cooler water.” It happens every year…thank the Good Lord!

We have a story in this issue about late-summer angling options. I love getting out to the surf and do it every chance I get, but the surf can be fickle. Doesn’t take but a few miles per hour from the wrong direction to churn it into a muddy mess. Pretty much anything even a few degrees west of due south can be a bummer, ditto anything stronger than about 10 mph from northeast, for some parts of the coast.

I’m a wade fisherman and never gave much thought to jetty fishing this time of year for bull reds and jack crevalle, until a friend invited us on his boat several years ago. That we found it to be a hoot is an understatement. Taking kids and newbies adds to the excitement and enjoyment.

September also marks the beginning of bird and waterfowl hunting

6 | September 2020

in Texas, and I’m really pumped about that, too. To me, a perfect day includes a morning of fishing followed by an afternoon dove shoot. We reverse the order during the early teal season. September is stacked with opportunity, no matter the order of your outings.

The federal water 63-day red snapper season ended on August 3. The best information I’ve received says we fell short of the federal fisheries’ allocation, which sparked hope for the possibility of additional fishing days. However, the same sources say that’s not going to happen.

Encouraging, though, is the level of voluntary snapper harvest reporting by rec anglers. There’s two ways to look at voluntary reporting.

Some say go fishing and keep your mouth shut. Better, to my way of thinking, anyway, is to use iSnapper and report the landings. The biggest hammer that’s been held over our heads is that rec anglers are not accountable, and the risk of overharvest is too great for longer seasons.

Yeah, I think that’s hogwash, too. So, let’s beat them at their own game.

Another bit of advice I’ve been offering several years now deals with descending devices. Red snapper allocations are buffered to include significant release mortality and the descending device is hands down the best defense against this argument. Put a SeaQualizer on your boat and use it!

September promises better fishing and the beginning of hunting seasons. Get outdoors and take a kid!

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The Waterloo HP Lite paired with a Concept TX2 is a hard combo to beat when it comes to chunking tails!

& Applications STORY BY STEVE HILLMAN

Y

ears ago we called them touts. Nowadays we mostly call them worms and tails, some refer to them simply as jigs. Some of the freshwater guys call them flukes, a generic reference to the Zoom brand. Regardless the names we choose they have proven to be the time-tested bait for catching most of our fish year ‘round, year in and year out. There are many styles from which to choose and while everyone has their favorites, certain styles are better suited for certain situations.

Shrimptails For years we used shrimptails. The two I remember using the most were made by Kelley Wigglers and Paul Brown. A couple of other manufacturers of plastic shrimp imitators were Boone and Hogie. Kelley Wigglers was acquired by Wayne and Tina Davis in 2009 and in 2014 they re-branded as KWigglers. KWigglers, Boone Bait Company, Hogie Lures and others, continue to manufacture “touts” to this day. Each brand has their own subtle differences.

You don’t see as many anglers chunking shrimptails these days but they certainly still work. I had a customer catching as many as we were on Bass Assassins the other day. Back in the day we caught lots of trout and redfish on them while fishing tidelines, slicks, and gas well pads along the Ship Channel in fairly deep water. We usually rigged them on 3/8 gumball jigs as we were normally anchored and casting cross-current.

Those heavy jigheads were necessary to get them to sink in the current. My three favorite colors were glow with chartreuse tail, strawberry with white tail, and root beer. We also caught many trout with them rigged beneath a Mansfield Mauler while drifting flats and spoils down at Port Mansfield. Shrimptails were also responsible for some of my best flounder trips here on Galveston Bay.

Clockwise from top-center: KWigglers Shrimp Tail, Hogie Superjack Shrimp Tail, Saltwater Assassin 5” Rat Tail Shad, MirrOlure Provoker, KWiggler Ball Tail Shad, Norton Sand Eel Jr., MirrOlure Split Tail Mullet, MirrOlure Marsh Minnow, SW Assassin Sea Shad, SW Assassin Lit’l Boss, Hogie Swimming Jack, Norton Bull Minnow, KWiggler Paddle Tail, Down South Burner Shad, H&H Cocahoe Minnow, MirrOlure Lil John, SW Assassin Die Dapper, Norton Sand Shad, Down South Lure, KWiggler Willow Tail, Gambler Flapp’N Shad and H2O Express Thumpin’ Mullet.

Whether we’re inserting rattles, rigging them on standard jigheads that create a horizontal fluttering action, or adding a spinner, worms are the most versatile lure in our arsenal.

Callen Ray and Haiden Hawkins with some solid reds after a morning of catching lots of trout.

10 | September 2020

Rattails A straight-tail or rattail soft plastic is what we all threw for years once the shrimptail baits faded in popularity. Working this style of lure sometimes requires a bit of finesse. During spring I like to rig them on a very light jighead (1/16 ounce) where the hook shank comes out through the split or slot of the belly. Rigging in this fashion pretty much guarantees the bait will swim straight and not spin when retrieved. The lightweight jighead aids in keeping the lure in the strike zone longer. This can be very effective when trout are suspended and feeding on smaller juvenile forage such as shad and glass minnows. I like to point the tip of my rod toward the lure while I employ a moderate to fast up-and-down whipping action before letting the lure settle a bit. I will get into a steady cadence while occasionally lifting my rod tip. All of this is done with a medium-speed retrieve. The best rod I have found for this method is the soft-tipped Waterloo HP Lite.

While rattail style plastics don’t offer the vibration of some other baits, their wormy wiggling action can prove irresistible in certain situations. In contrast to using them for shallow water springtime applications, rattails also work very well for probing deep structure due to their rate of sinking through the water column being faster than other lure shapes. Anywhere from an 1/8 to 3/8-ounce jigheads may be used for this application.

Paddletails I figured out a very long time ago that the paddletail soft plastics can be deadly when other styles tend to draw fewer bites. Often referred to as shad-body baits, they are basically swimbaits that simply require rigging on a jighead. A cast and reel technique is sometimes all that is required because the paddle-shaped tail alone can create enough vibration to entice a strike. These are great baits for kids and beginners because of this attribute. In my opinion, the more of a trout’s senses we can appeal to the better chance for success we’ll have. Besides, I’ve always ranked vibration above sight and smell when it comes to fooling most predator fish. In addition to their ease of operation, small paddletail baits are especially effective when we have to downsize to get strikes. There are days when the fish may be full because they fed the night before and they have zero interest in a big meal. But, they may chomp at the tiny morsel of a small paddletail.

The Lil’ John I have to put this one in a category by itself because it’s different than any soft plastic I’ve ever seen.

When Mike Haring of Mainstream Marketing first sent me these odd-looking plastics from MirrOlure

TSFMAG.com | 11

Travis Schneider fighting a good trout.

Hybrid Soft Plastics There are several lure styles I would categorize as hybrids. Gambler’s Flapp’n Shad and Down South Lures are two that come to mind.

Both manufacturers combine the vibration of a paddletail with the wiggle of a rattail. Academy also has a bait called the H2O Xpress Thumpin’ Mullet which resembles the Gambler. The difference is that the Academy version has a glass rattle inside and the soft plastic it’s made of is a bit tougher than the Gambler. All three of these worms are very effective. It’s almost just a matter of preference at this point because these baits will suit just about every application.

Conclusion Using soft plastics gives us greater versatility than almost any other type of lure. We can insert rattles into the bodies which can greatly increase our odds for tricking finicky trout, especially in off-colored water or low-light conditions. We can rig them weedless when dealing with heavy grass on the surface or bottom. Using an H&H Flutter Hook jighead or a Gamakatsu Superline weighted-shank wormhook allows the bait to hover horizontally in the strike zone, as opposed to the up-and-down action created when using a 12 | September 2020

traditional lead head. Soft plastics can also be rigged beneath a variety of rattling corks. The rattling and slurping noises created by reeling, jerking, and pausing, can sometimes entice trout when just about nothing else will.

Unfortunately, I was able to witness this in East Matagorda Bay this past spring. We caught a measly handful of trout that day, but the folks employing the rattle cork method smoked them. The wind was uncharacteristically calm for March and there was little to no current.

As with anything we discuss in the fishing world there seems to be a million variables and this is certainly true when we talk about chunking worms. We have to pay attention to things like salinity, current, and wind to decide which style and weight of jighead to use.

The higher the salinity the slower the sink rate. Add strong current and/or wind to the equation and we’ll need to use an even heavier head. Are you using braided line?

If so, your worm will sink slower than the guy fishing next to you who’s using monofilament. Certain colors work better in certain water conditions. What mood are the fish in? Do we need the erratic wiggle of a rattail or the pulsing vibration of a paddletail?

There have been some brilliant soft plastic lure makers through the years; the best of them are still here today and they’re providing us with the very best baits possible.

Now all we have to do is figure out which one to throw. Best of luck my friends!

STEVE HILLMAN

CONTACT

I was thinking, “What in the heck am I going to catch on something that looks like this?” It was a short, bullet-shaped soft plastic that seemed from its appearance that it wouldn’t have any action.

Let me tell you guys something!

This soft plastic twitchbait has revolutionized our industry. It casts farther than any soft plastic bait I’ve ever thrown and its erratic darting action is irresistible to just about everything that swims. The fact that it’s infused with a scientifically developed scent formula doesn’t hurt. The MirrOlure Lil’ John works great in shallow water, especially when rigged on a Bass Assassin Pro Elite Jighead – credit to Mickey Eastman and James Plaag – but it also works phenomenally well while working slicks and structure in deep water because of its rapid sink rate. One more attribute of this bait is that we can often catch 20 or 30 fish on one before it finally wears out.

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

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

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While Sum M

ost anglers show a tendency to get ahead of themselves when reacting to the changes in seasons. I’ve learned this after talking to hundreds of people and taking fishing reports for more than two decades. Inevitably, I start hearing comments which prove my point, as each seasonal transition draws near.

Late in July, certainly by the early days of August, people will begin to cite events they’ve recently experienced as proof of the onset of “fall patterns.” These people will likely do the same thing again in November, when they’ll refer to contemporaneous events as winter patterns, and then again toward the end of February, when they’ll sing the praises of the onset of spring. It’s just human nature, mostly harmless, really.

However, I’d advise any angler prone to such a mindset to consider some ways in which the premature anticipation of significant seasonal changes can hamper productivity.

In many aspects of life, wanting something to happen or to be true increases the likelihood people will just see what they want to see. Consequently, some anglers run the risk of jumping the gun with their angling plans and methods as the calendar makes its inexorable march past the middle of summer and closer to autumn.

mer Persists STORY BY KEVIN COCHRAN

No amount of wishful thinking can change a basic fact about an average Texas summer—it’s long and hot! The stifling heat wears out its welcome with many of us. A quick check of climate data for my hometown, Corpus Christi, emphasizes the point. The average daily high temperature at the beginning of October, the first full autumn month, is 88°, with an average low of 70°. Perhaps even more significantly, the average high temperature doesn’t fall below 85° until after the middle of the month.

And these numbers apply to October, not September, a month with more summer days than fall days! I don’t need to cite numbers to get anyone to realize the average weather in September in the Lone Star State feels (and actually is) hot indeed. While summer persists, many of us yearn for cooler days, also for the positive effects those declining temperatures will exert on the patterns we utilize to catch our fish. Thankfully, cool fronts do generally begin arriving with greater frequency as the calendar shifts from summer to fall a couple weeks after Labor Day. This helps explain why averages don’t tell the entire story. Every time a wind shift to the north ushers in cooler, drier air, some folks will want the welcome change to profoundly impact the fish they’re trying to catch. In fact, cold-blooded fish do react to declining water temperatures in predictable ways—in extreme circumstances, out of necessity.

But, water temperatures change more slowly than air temperatures, and September’s coldest values don’t qualify as extreme. So, a cool front which causes us humans, moving around in the air, to feel so much relief from the heat, has a far less significant effect on the fish swimming around in the water.

On average, I’d say the trout I’m targeting here in South Texas don’t really respond much in predictable ways to declining temperatures until some time in November, when water temperatures normally dip down into the 50s and stay there for more than a few hours. Certainly, in September, while they’re stuck in water ranging from Redfish like this handsome one caught by Nicole Biggerstaff sometimes strike topwaters somewhere around 80° to values closer to 90°, they with reckless abandon this month, but soft plastics get their attention more often. continue to behave mostly in the same ways they have all summer. Generally, this means some will move into cooling, shallower water overnight and remain there early in the mornings, until the rising sun causes the shallows to heat back up.

This truth doesn’t apply in some places, especially on vast expanses of shallow water with no deeper water nearby. Folks who run around on shin-deep flats, looking mostly for opportunities to sight-cast reds and a few big trout, can verify this. In places like the Laguna Madre, where many fish live on shallow flats measuring in square acres and miles, some trout and redfish ride out the hottest parts of the hottest days of the year in water barely deep enough to cover their backs.

But in most places, where shallow structural elements lie in close proximity to deeper water, the late-night cooling effect sends trout and redfish onto the shallowest portions of spoil banks, sand bars or reefs, toward the shallowest parts of flats, closer to shorelines, perhaps into back-lakes and the remote corners of coves. In the surf, it means they’ll more likely appear in the guts closest to the beach around the break of day.

This generalization certainly doesn’t always ring Soft plastics produce well in September, while summer true.

Numerous environmental factors can render lingers. Keith Schmidt prepares to land a nice one here. the truth obsolete, most notably the tide cycle. More

16 | September 2020

The captain with a fat trout caught and released on a trip made this summer.

Mostly, the catching this month will remain easiest on soft plastics, whether the angler targets trout or reds. Adjusting jighead size to depth of water, amount of current present and velocity of wind keeps the bites coming in hot water, by facilitating low and slow presentations. Sometimes, dangling a soft plastic under a cork produces better results than most everything else during this transitional time, as is the case during all months, in every season.

Savvy anglers won’t abandon the use of this tried and true method this time of year, or any other.

Keeping productivity high in September when targeting spotted seatrout and red drum in inshore waters means acknowledging the fact it’s still more summer than fall, and sticking to methods and patterns which have worked throughout the hot period. It also means tweaking things in subtle ways and paying attention to the factors which tend to improve the feeding mood of the fish, then giving them what they want when they want it. Optimally, this involves adding a few extra lures into the arsenal for a while, without throwing out any of the main ones which work well all year long.

KEVIN COCHRAN CONTACT

water welling into inshore waterways (and onto the beaches) tends to encourage this movement to the shallows, while water drawing out of the bays tends to discourage it.

Still, anglers attempting to consistently locate and catch fish in the month of September will experience better results if they acknowledge the continuing hot weather and how the heat affects the fish and the patterns useful for catching them. While the fishing this month remains much the same as it has all summer for most people targeting trout and redfish, some aspects of the efforts do change in predictable ways.

Predatory species like trout and reds generally have plenty to eat at the end of summer/beginning of autumn. During this time, our estuaries fill to the brim with all kinds of prey species, some in great numbers. In other words, the predators have lots of different things to eat, and a massive abundance of some of those things.

This metaphorical buffet can distract them at times and make it tough to trigger them into striking something crafted entirely by the hands of man.

Consequently, the importance of timing outings to coincide with stimulators which reliably improve the feeding mood of the fish becomes even more important than normal. Fishing the hours when water temperatures decline to their lowest point, targeting fish in places and during times when the tide moves the water, maximizing the effects of rising and setting moons—all these things make more sense than ever at the end of the dog days of summer, while hot weather lingers over the coastal waters. Remaining versatile with lure choice does too.

Generally, floating plugs (topwaters) work best when water temperatures lie between about 60 and 80°. We don’t see many temperatures near the bottom of that scale this time of year, but we do regularly work hotter waters, outside the upper end of the scale. It’s certainly possible to catch trout and reds on top in blazing hot water at times, but on average, floating plugs draw more attention from both species during cool snaps this time of year. Redfish, in particular, show a propensity to viciously tackle topwaters on shallow, cooling flats this month. Slow-sinking twitch baits work better on a daily basis as the temperatures decline too.

Like floating plugs, they tend to work best during the cooler weather we have this month, losing their efficacy somewhat when things heat back up. This means it’s important to try them regularly, mostly after some passing front has reduced the severity of the heat. While experimenting with either of these kinds of lures this month, maximizing productivity involves taking the abundance of prey species into account and attempting to match the hatch by experimenting with different sizes and types of lures.

A basic fact seems to dictate the need for versatility in lure choice this month. Greater variability in size and species of prey available to a predator elevates the likelihood of the predator striking at different sizes and kinds of lures within a given outing. Consequently, adding topwaters with a variety of attributes into the quiver makes sense, like tiny She Pups, shad-shaped plugs like the Spit’n Image and slushing MirrO Props, which carry twin, counter-rotating blades. Small, shiny twitchbaits like MirrOdines and MirrOminnows, also ones which sink quickly and require fast retrieves, like 51Ms, all fit the needs presented by productive scenarios this time of year. The intelligent deployment of lures with various attributes increases one’s likelihood of stirring the feeding fancy of the fish more of the time during this month of plenty.

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 361-688-3714 Email kevxlr8@mygrande.net Web www.FishBaffinBay.com www.captainkevblogs.com TSFMAG.com | 17

Flush with

Oppor

tunity STORY BY CHUCK UZZLE

A

s we flip the calendar each month it’s hard to resist letting your mind wander as you consider the angling potential the new month might hold. Very few months can compare to September when you think about potential because this is basically where it all starts for many fishermen. The long wait through summer’s dog days will be an afterthought and the good stuff is about to begin.

September will usher in all sorts of wonderful variables that will kickstart some of the most amazing fishing of the year. The seasonally high tides send water gushing into coastal marshes sets the stage for shrimp arriving in the open bay with the first hint of north wind. The super-heated water that rendered most of the back-lakes regions near lifeless will be all but a distant memory as bigger tides wash away the frustration of the summer and usher in the prime conditions we have all been waiting on.

Lots of fishing opportunity in this September sunrise.

If there is one month that shows exactly how much Sabine Lake has to offer; it would be September.

Easily, one of the most alluring features of the Sabine Lake fishery is the fact that you can catch so many different species in a relatively small area. The brackish water holds both fresh and saltwater fish in good numbers as well as quality.

It’s never been uncommon to see a stringer of fish include flounder, redfish, speckled trout, and an occasional hefty largemouth bass.

The potential for all these fish to be in the same body of water makes each strike that much more exciting because you never know who will show up to crash the party.

Speaking of not knowing who will show up; it’s really going to get interesting as the year progresses and we remain stuck in the generally dry conditions that have prevailed the past several months.

In years past when we have had dry seasons with little or no significant runoff from either Toledo Bend or Sam Rayburn, a long list of visitors can be expected. Species such as jack crevalle, sharks, rays, and even tarpon will make the trek up the river as the saltwater slowly creeps farther inland. These party crashers often show up and make their presence known in the form of screaming drags and great “one that got away” stories. Nothing gets your attention like the prospect of getting spooled and actually having to chase a fish with the boat.

In areas where lots of local anglers congregate it can be an absolute circus when someone hooks up with a stud jackfish in the middle of a small armada. The chase that ensues is like something from the Bourne Identity – boats weaving in and out, avoiding fishing lines and anchor lines. Nothing like the prospect of catching “the big one.”

It’s why we fish.

As far as big fish go and areas where people congregate; you can bet there will be some great fish hauled in at the jetties. A few very dedicated anglers will take 20 | September 2020

Brad Hankins picked up this nice slot red along a grass line.

Keagan Trahan with his first ever redfish.

advantage of the ultra-early bite before the masses reach the rocks.

Good tide changes a few hours before dawn is a winning recipe to tangle with some big fish, especially trout. There are very few strikes that are as vicious as speckled trout at the jetties on topwater plugs in the pre-dawn darkness. I used to wonder what those boats were doing, heading back to the dock as the sun was just breaking the horizon, until I got a chance to try out the pattern myself. All I can say is the reward is well worth the effort.

Now if fishing in the dark is not your favorite, don’t worry because you can still be successful during daylight hours with a just a small variation to the strategy. Topwater plugs worked in and around the rocks will still produce some fish after the sun comes up, but swimbaits will just flat wear those fish out.

There are several styles of swimbaits you can use and they all work. The conventional soft plastic swimbait with a paddletail is a great option, especially when fished on a light jighead to allow for a slower fall and more subtle presentation.

Other known producers to consider are the shallow-running crankbaits such as the Swimming Image, Mann’s 1-Minus, or any of the Rapala offerings. These plugs are really user-friendly and allow the fishermen the opportunity to probe the rocks to trigger brutal strikes from hefty speckled trout and redfish. Perhaps the greatest thing about all the swimbaits and crankbaits is that they allow you to cover lots of water in a short period of time, which definitely enhances the productivity potential.

As the transition from dog day heat to more pleasant fall temperatures progresses it is always fascinating to witness the changes in the marsh habitat. Lush grasses that began to die off in late-July and August made fishing the back lakes almost impossible as the dead grass matted up and forced fishermen to seek cleaner pockets of water. Every

TSFMAG.com | 21

Veteran sightfisher Mikey Barber takes his time surveying a back lake before casting to a redfish.

year we see this happen and every year, like magic, it seems the marsh comes back to life with the first big tide and full moon. The new water breathes life into an otherwise stagnant environment and all of a sudden the fish seem to shake off the summer doldrums and begin to eat anything that doesn’t eat them first.

It’s absolutely amazing how fast it happens.

It’s hard to describe how childishly giddy I feel as I stare into September, months of anticipation and hope are amplified to the point of a sensory overload like no other. The coming weeks and months ahead will offer some of the greatest opportunities of the year for success on the water and we should all take advantage of every one of them. The long-awaited time has finally come…and not a moment too soon.

CONTACT

CHUCK UZZLE

22 | September 2020

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

Phone 409-697-6111 Email wakesndrakes@yahoo.com Website wakesndrakes.com

TRUST A PRO WHO TRUSTS THE FROGG. Mark Robinson knows how to catch fish. The Victoria, Texas, native has caught a lot of them.

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TSFMAG.com | 23

STORY BY TSFMAG FIELD STAFF

A Bucktail Tale

T

exas summers are long and hot. Wading reefs and flats that were so productive earlier in the season lose their luster as the sun beats down unmercifully for days and weeks on end. One of the best cures for beating late-summer doldrums can be found in the surf zone, but the Gulf surf can be awfully fickle. Too many mornings I’ve set my sights on a surf trip, only to find the weatherman either flat-out lied or has no clue what we need for a good day out there. A 5 mph mistake in wind forecast can make the difference between game on and game over.

So, the surf’s muddy and rough. Now what? Turn the boat back toward Port O’Connor’s Matagorda Ship Channel jetties and have a blast jigging for bull redfish and jack crevalle.

The action can be non-stop when you time it right, and the hard pulls from these brutes are some of the best fishing fun you could ever hope to find.

Actually, we often skip the trip out to check the surf when conditions are marginal and head straight to the jetties instead for a great family fishing trip. Youngsters and newbies of all ages thrill to the challenge of fighting fish that can literally rip the rod out of their hands.

New moon and full moon periods provide incredibly strong incoming tides that produce upwellings of current as the incoming flow races across undulating bottom structure. A variety of bait species caught in the upwellings become basically helpless as predators slash through the tightly-packed schools. It’s called a feeding frenzy and locating them can be as simple as keying on gulls and pelicans crash-diving above literally hundreds of bull redfish and jack crevalle. On a recent trip we witnessed jacks rocketing skyward with ribbonfish crosswise in their jaws like skinny harmonicas. Pitch a bucktail jig into the fracas and hold on for dear life!

Hanging on for dear life!

When to go

Noah Soucy said this bull was about all he could handle.

As mentioned above, the best opportunity during summer months happens on the strongest of incoming tides. New moon and full moon periods deliver such flows and we typically motor into the middle of the channel at the inshore end of the rocks, and then let the current carry the boat toward Bird Island. Bait and gamefish busting the surface is a no-brainer; a good depth-finder can mark deep schools when nothing is happening topside.

Tackle Recommendations Never take a knife to a gunfight, or so the saying goes.

Tangling with bulls and jacks weighing 30-pounds-plus on tackle suited for speckled trout and slot redfish is a fool’s errand. Chances are you’ll have to crank the outboard and follow the fish to avoid getting spooled – even this is no guarantee. And, even if you manage to land the beast, the prolonged battle will likely render the fish too spent to accomplish a healthy release.

Tackle doesn’t have to be fancy or terribly expensive. We recommend Ambassadeur 7000 or similar levelwind reels paired with boat rods such as the 7-foot Medium-Power Tiger Stick. The Penn Slammer III 5500 paired with a 7-foot medium to heavy action rod makes a great spinning rig.

Line should be at least 30-lbs/test, monofilament or braid,

CJ Soucy landed this hard-fighting jack after a tough battle.

26 | September 2020

with at least 250 yards packed on the reel. A trace of stout leader material helps prevent breakoffs and several feet of 100-lbs/test monofilament gets the job done.

Baits and lures You’ll see anglers pitching a variety of live and frozen baits out there but we prefer jigs. Spro’s Power Bucktails weighing 2 to 4

Penn Slammer III 5500 filled with 40 lb/test Fins Windtamer, mounted on Tsunami Air Wave rod makes a great combo for bulls and jacks.

Terminal rigging includes Size 6-80lb Spro Power Swivel, 200 lb/ test mono leader, Spro Prime Snap, and 3-ounce Spro Power Bucktail Jig.

Bulls love Spro Power Bucktails.

ounces are our hands down favorite. These jigs are very durable, cast like bullets, and sink like anvils when the fish are lower in the water column.

Pitching a bucktail into a frenzy almost always produces an instant hookup and the hook almost always lodges in the corner of the mouth, where it can be removed quickly and easily. When surface activity slows you can find fish by letting the lure sink to bottom and reeling up a few turns, and then jigging up and down as the boat drifts along. You want the lure close to bottom but not bumping.

There’s lots of bottom clutter and hanging up is frustrating, not to mention expensive.

The greatest downside of natural baits is gut hooking that can kill a fish you would otherwise release unharmed. Circle hooks are the answer if you just have to throw bait.

Conservation: Handling and Releasing Redfish of the size we are targeting are the backbone of the spawning biomass and every one of them is precious. Jackfish should be treated with the same respect. The trouble with jacks is that the darned things will fight to the death on tackle that is too light for the job.

A large landing net with a long handle is an absolute must-have.

Do not try lifting them solely with a gripper device; you could tear their jaws. Fish should be handled as quickly and efficiently as possible. Remove the hooks and snap a quick photo, and get them back in the water.

We have learned the best and quickest revival technique is holding them in the water alongside the boat, with a gripper device (Boga Grip) on the lower jaw. Always hold them upright. Idling the boat forward with the fish in this position forces a greater amount of water through the gills than simply holding by the tail and sloshing back and forth. A few minutes is usually all it takes for the fish to recover and swim away in great shape. Failure to revive properly

Keeping a grip on a youngster’s PFD is good insurance against being pulled overboard.

before releasing is pretty much a death sentence.

Safety Considerations The Matagorda Ship Channel is deep – as in 65-feet and more, in places. And the currents can be incredible. I’ve seen many times when we made no headway with the boat idling in gear. You had to nudge the throttle to overcome the current. Any misstep that could land you overboard could mean your life…quicker than anybody could toss you a life vest. Large ships have the right of way at all times and their wakes are sometimes large as well. Give them a wide berth!

Certainly, all youngsters should wear a PFD at all times on the boat.

You might want to consider an adult hanging onto their PFD while they fight a fish. We’ve gone as far as tethering the rod and reel to youngsters’ PFDs to prevent the fish stealing it. Inflatable PFDs are comfortable and good insurance for adult anglers.

Keep an eye on the boats fishing around you. Everybody wants to get in on the action and a dozen boats will sometimes be jockeying to get under the birds. Use your best boating etiquette and avoid cutting off other boats and running over their lines. Running your big outboard won’t scare fish in frenzy feeding mode or holding deep; but for Heaven’s sake be courteous and use commonsense.

A typical day includes many chances to get in on the action, sometimes it’s better to wait your turn.

Great Family Fun While “jetty jerking” may not sound appealing to light-tackle purists, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. In all my years I have yet to find anything as exciting for young anglers and adults new to the sport than tangling with hard-fighting bulls and jacks. Bites are frequent and the action is often non-stop for the first couple hours of daylight. This is serious sport…even for grizzled old salts!

TSFMAG.com | 27

J AY WAT K I N S

ASK THE PRO

ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE

FOR GREATEST REWARDS Local weather reports say summer 2020 has been no hotter than previous years but it certainly feels hotter to me. Maybe forty years of baking sun has taken a toll on my body and brain. Leaving the dock in the dark and getting off the water by 12:00 or 1:00 pm has been the norm for my charters the past month or so. The redfish bite became more consistent as tides began to recede in July; interestingly, the trout bite improved as well. The bite seldom lasts very long but dropping the Power Poles in the proper place and executing a solid wading plan can yield good numbers of fairly solid trout.

During the dog days of August and September, water temperatures commonly reach the upper-80s and sometimes exceed 90° in leeward pockets and coves. These are ideal nighttime feeding areas; a pattern I have mentioned many times. I’ll take it that you understand nighttime feeding and that it becomes more frequent during dog days. Mullet gulping air on the surface is an indication of low dissolved oxygen

Mid-morning slicking over deeper structure.

28 | September 2020

content in the water (which tends to suppress predator feeding activity) and I see it more in August and September than any other months. You know to fish shallow structure and drain mouths early, and then move to intermediate depths with similar bottom structure. By mid-morning we need to be looking at deeper structure that is adjacent to shallow nighttime feeding areas.

Over the past several years I have become a big believer in working smaller areas longer and watching boat traffic, trying to pick areas where traffic might actually push fish to us. I’ll touch on the smaller areas for longer periods first.

Due to the probability of super-heated water temps by mid-morning to midday, we need to pick areas that include as many of the key factors that encourage feeding as possible. These are a good food supply and bottom structure suitable for both bait and predators to hide in. I also like to see some amount of water movement, preferably windward. I also like depth changes within the area of the bottom structure. So far I’m asking for a lot but when all these bases are covered, I have learned that positioning might be the next most important aspect of the pattern.

We must never wade through or even too close to our targeted area. Capt.

David Rowsey is a master at this and I have learned a lot from him. Ideally, we should position ourselves where the structure holding fish can be covered with our longest casts. Any closer and you risk spooking the fish you’re hoping to catch.

I cannot count the number of times I have been reeling a fish from such an area and noticed others following it. If we stand our ground and wait patiently, those followers will return to the structure where they were holding earlier. Granted, boats passing too near can blow the deal, but I still believe they will return and restage given enough time to do so. Feeding windows are very short during summer’s hottest days, therefore I believe it better to wait them out and spend our time fishing rather than wasting that first hour or two of daylight running to another spot.

I pay careful attention to every detail of bottom structure in which I am catching

fish. Not all grassbeds or potholes are created equal. At first glance it may appear that everything is the same but as we wade we should be able to detect subtle differences, sometimes as minute as the texture of the sand and the grass will vary within a given area.

For instance, here in the Aransas Bay Complex trout seem to prefer bottom structure that includes grassbeds and grassy humps; I call them moguls. The more contour the better. Locate this type of bottom near shoreline points on windward shorelines and there will almost always be fish present.

In the seagrass department we have several types in the areas I fish. I prefer the more common, shorter and softer shoal grass bottom versus the tougher, flat-bladed turtle grass. However, when wind and tides are both running high we can work lures very effectively across the tops of the turtle grass. The new Texas Customs Jighead with the lead partially covering the eye of the hook allows for a more weedless presentation; note that I said more weedless, not totally weedless. My favorite for working submerged grass is the 1/16-ounce, 2/0 hook size.

At the present time my best trout are holding tight to the grass; like in it, so I need to be able to work the lure through the grass with each cast. It’s short grass, so the lure seldom hangs up.

Heaviness on the line is usually a fish, so reel down and set the hook. I noticed today that the trout wanted it barely dusting the top of the grass before they would take it. I could not have felt the grass or the light takes from the fish had I not been using a very sensitive, high-modulus graphite rod. I prefer my custom Henri rods designed by Steve Henriksen but Waterloo and Sarge also make great rods.

Mid-bay shell reefs can also be a great option during the dog days. Trouble with the mid-bay stuff is that everyone knows about it, which leads to daily fishing pressure. Despite the pressure, these reefs can be productive and should not be overlooked.

Looking for mid-bay shell its more about the orientation of the

C O N TA C T

Wading anglers working deeper guts adjacent to prime nighttime feeding flat.

reef to the prevailing wind, preferably SE. Prime areas are the points of the reef that taper down to crumbled and scattered shell. Hard sand is even better.

I like reefs that have saddles where water flows through no matter the tide level. On the up-current sides of these saddles we can typically find the reef’s best fish. Many times this forces anglers to cast into the wind or at angles across the wind. I want my lure coming from out in front of the fish whenever possible.

Never let dirty, moving water over midbay shell deter you from fishing it. I have several areas that look and feel terrible when we get out to wade but if the water is moving through the saddle and terns or pelicans are present, it’s on. Many a time the areas I have just described saved the day, even during the hottest months.

To summarize, focus on smaller areas that we feel can provide opportunities throughout the morning hours. We can pick areas where nighttime feeders can slowly drop-off to similar structure to wait out the heat. We want to stay away from wading through our selected areas. Wade the outer edges, casting to every pothole, grassbed, and edges of grass. Allow time for fish to reload and regroup after a fish is caught. Pick smaller mid-bay reefs with saddles that always have water flowing through them during tidal movement or strong SE wind. Pay close attention to where boats are fishing and where there are none. This allows us to formulate secondary game plans during times with heavier than normal pressure. The areas getting the least amount of fishing pressure can be sleepers, never discount their potential. Focus on prime areas of structure during the early morning hours. Always allow time for a pattern to develop as you work the area.

It has taken me years to develop the knowledge that allows me to work an area with the confidence that I have at this point in my career. One literally must know why the fish are there, where they go, when they are present, and how to make them bite. Add to this the fact that I never allow my clients go to the bait bucket to aid in their success and you’ve got a serious challenge. Huge task, no doubt, but that’s what makes your success so rewarding.

Not everyone gets a trophy in this game. Allow yourself to be challenged, you might be pleasantly surprised with your results.

May your fishing always be catching. -Guide, Jay Watkins

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

TSFMAG.com | 29

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

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

YOUNG ANGLERS THAT IMPRESSED THEIR GUIDE I’ve written several articles over the years about getting your kids started on saltwater fishing. Tips about starting slow, lowering expectations, chasing non-game species and just generally letting the kids dictate the trip. All of that still holds true and if that’s the point you are at you can get on the TSFMag website and find one of those older archived stories.

But sometimes you have a kid who is eaten up with fishing. I was that kid. My grandmother would often say, “you’d fish in the toilet if someone told you there was a fish in there.” Well, maybe. This past week I had a couple of those kids that reminded me of those days. These boys were several steps beyond my skills at their age and it was an absolute blast for me to watch them work.

First up was Will, a thirteen-year-old fly fisherman. His grandfather got with me and set up the trip for Will and his dad. He let me know that Will was a good caster and pretty advanced for his age. He undersold it.

I eased into the shoreline at daybreak and as I’ll often do, picking a spot well short of where I expected to find our first fish. I like to make a quiet approach on the push pole to the intended fishing area and give the angler a chance to warm up with a few casts. When a new customer is on the bow it also gives me a few minutes Aiden even sealed the deal sight-casting a drum on artificial.

30 | September 2020

to get a feel for their casting abilities. That way I know if I need to take chances on spooking the fish because they need a closer target or if I can stay back a ways. We can usually get within chip shot range, but it is nice when I can put less pressure on them.

Will steps up onto the bow and stripped off a good bit more line than I expected, and then proceeded to lay out a nice clean loop. I had told him the fish would most likely be within a couple feet of the bank along this stretch. His warm-up cast landed inches from the dry shell. That’ll work. I knew at that moment we were going to catch some fish.

Throughout the day I was steadily impressed with this young man. He was really good at spotting fish and quick to react to the opportunity. His backhand cast was as good as his standard forehand. That versatility will get you bonus shots when the fish show up on the wrong side and I don’t have time to spin the skiff. Several times he started his backcast before I had even seen the fish. When I did beat him to the sighting and called out the location he was immediately on it and getting off a quick cast.

There wasn’t much coaching needed.

Most of these fish weren’t super aggressive; the cast had to be accurate and you needed to coax them into Aiden and PopPop with one of their many reds.

Aiden with a colored-up red!

Will’s angling skills far exceed his age!

Will wore his game face all day.

opportunity. Not my little ace. His cast was on the money and the hook-up was immediate. He pulled the fish away from the school exactly as I instructed, leaving the main group intact for a follow-up cast by his grandfather. It was a beautiful thing.

This youngster was like a sponge. Lots of good questions about the how’s and why’s of chasing redfish, but also about all the other things we saw. He was constantly peering into the water spotting rays, crabs, and jellyfish; often dropping onto his belly and reaching down to pluck some critter so he could examine it a little better. His enthusiasm was so much fun to watch.

Between Aiden and ol Pop-Pop they put up some impressive numbers. They were neck and neck in their friendly competition and, according to Aiden, they were tied at the end of the day. At the end of day two I asked him where they stood. He replied that they had caught so many fish he had lost count, but was pretty confident he had won. I don’t know about that, but he had certainly held his own.

As we stepped onto the dock and without any prompting from Pop-Pop, Aiden thrust his hand out and gave me a firm shake while saying what a great time he had. He even apologized for asking so many questions and thanked me for always answering. That part caught me off guard and I told him I was happy to do it. He continued on with, “Well, our last guide told me to shut up and sit down.” Shame on you, whoever you are. Fishing with kids like these two should be cherished and encouraged.

As we parted ways Aiden loudly proclaimed for everyone at the bait camp to hear, “Captain Scott, you’re the best guide ever.” Thank you young man, that means more to me than you’ll ever know.

C O N TA C T

eating, often requiring multiple casts to seal the deal. I get some guys out there that are technically good casters, however they lack that ability to “feed” the fish. For some folks it just comes naturally while others have to work at it. I think Will was born with it.

Needless to say we caught a good many fish. Honestly, I was having such a good time I didn’t keep track. Oh yeah, dad was no slouch either and he contributed to the boat tally, but this story is all about the kids.

The next two days were spent with young Aiden. I absolutely loved this kid. Pre-trip, his grandfather had informed me they’d bring their own gear, if that would be alright with me. They live a long ways from the coast and mostly fish for bass. No problem, people are often more comfortable using gear that is familiar to them. I always bring along a couple back-up rigs since you never know if theirs will get the job done in the salt.

The first morning Aiden strolled down to the dock toting a handful of baitcasting rigs. I was thinking to myself that I probably made the right call putting a couple spinners in the rod holders. Baitcasters in the coastal wind can be tough on grown men, much less an elevenyear-old. My worries were without merit. This boy could flat sling it. I’m not talking about the more timid sidearm sling it; he made aggressive overhand casts that fully loaded his rod and resulted in accurate casts wherever I told him to throw.

Oh yeah – zero backlashes - with the wind, into the wind, across the wind, it didn’t matter. I’d have to put him in the top five casters who have occupied my bow this year. I got a kick out of just watching him work. As with Will, Aiden was good at spotting fish on his own. The ones he hadn’t seen yet were quickly spotted with just a little coaching.

At one point we rounded a corner into a small pond and found a nice school of twenty or so reds tailing hard. The school was pretty tight, but a couple fish had separated and were leading the school.

As I eased closer I explained they were moving left to right and a cast just beyond and in front of them would be best. Over the years I’ve had many grownups freeze up at this sight and totally blow the

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

Telephone Email Website

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

TSFMAG.com | 31

B y D r. D a r i n To p p i n g | C o m m e r c i a l L a n d i n g s Te a m L e a d e r, Coastal Fisheries Division, Rockpor t

FIELD NOTES

“TEXAS-SIZED” RED SNAPPER Bigger is better and in Texas that also goes for red snapper. In fact, the average size of red snapper caught off Texas continues to increase as the population continues to rebuild, which includes a healthy population of aggressive “short” snapper. However, having a thriving fishery depends on the success of the juveniles to grow into the adult population, so protecting “undersized” fish is important. One way to do that is to minimize catching, and possibly killing (due to release mortality) those smaller fish in the first place. We need to catch bigger, “Texas-sized” snapper!

While talking to an old-timer when I was conducting research on movements of big red snapper, he said that to catch big fish, you should try to fish a big bait higher up in the water column. It was hard to believe him since I had previously caught my two biggest red snapper (~30

32 | September 2020

lbs) on the bottom. However, movement data did show that bigger red snapper moved significantly further off the reef than smaller ones, so it would make sense that they might also venture higher in the water column and, of course, big snappers have big mouths. Some of the recent TPWD Red Snapper monitoring research has really hammered that point home.

Over the last five years (2015-2019), The Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) Vertical Longline survey (VLL) has been conducted in Texas as part of a gulf-wide effort. This survey compliments TPWD’s long-term creel survey and the iSnapper (iSnapper.org) catch reporting app. This is a state/federal program of the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission that involves using commercial-style vertical longline equipment, in a standardized way, to monitor red snapper populations along the Texas coast. Three lines with 10 hooks (30 hooks total) each spaced at 2-foot intervals are dropped to the bottom near a chosen habitat, covering the bottom 20’ of water column. Three different hook sizes are used, (8/0, 11/0, or 15/0 saltwater grade circle hooks baited with appropriately-sized mackerel), to catch a wide size range of red snapper. The vertical lines are dropped for five minutes, retrieved, and all fish caught are measured and weighed. Among the data yielded by this VLL method are catch rates and mean size of red snapper.

Focusing on only the last three survey years (sampling was expanded to deeper depths the last three years), TPWD sampled 183 sites and deployed 5,360 hooks (~1,800 of each size), which resulted in catching 1,074 red snapper on various habitats and depths. Red snapper are by far the most common species caught, making up 93% of the total catch.

Natural and artificial reefs, and oil/gas platform habitats in three different depth zones (10-20, 20-40, 40+ meters) are randomly selected.

Not all habitats are created equal, thus a variety of habitat types are sampled. Artificial reefs can vary

from large cut-off/toppled platforms, ships and wrecks, to smaller, numerous concrete pyramids. Sampling also occurs on large structures, such as standing platforms, as well as the much larger natural banks that have unique relief and complexity. After sampling these various reef habitats within different depths catch patterns are starting to emerge.

So, how can anglers reduce the catch and release mortality of red snapper and shift to targeting and catching bigger fish? Anglers are already required to use non-stainless circle hooks with natural bait when fishing for reef fish, which reduces gut hooking.

Also, TPWD recommends using release devices to lower undersized fish back down towards the bottom to reduce post-release mortality. However, not catching juvenile fish in the first place would be best practice.

One obvious pattern that has emerged is that larger red snapper tend to be caught at deeper sites (Fig 1A), but not all anglers can make it 50 miles out. The results of this study also showed bigger hooks (and baits) caught significantly bigger snapper in each one of those different depth zones (Fig 1A).

Of course, big fish are occasionally caught on small hooks and small fish on big hooks but, in general, small fish are not able to bite the bigger hook and the smaller circle hooks have a harder time getting around the large jaw of big snapper.

Another way to compare catches is by looking at the catch per unit of effort (CPUE): We caught “X” number of fish with “X” number of hooks (effort). The data suggests, 11/0 hooks caught the most red snapper; however, 8/0 hooks caught more red snapper inshore (10-20 m depth zone) where smaller fish make up a greater percentage of the population (Fig 1B).

Circle hooks come in all different sizes, and these hooks do vary from other brands. The 8/0 seems to be relatively small, while the 15/0 is relatively big, but caught the largest snappers (Fig 1A shows hook sizes in cm).

Now, going back to the old-timer’s words of wisdom: Fish higher in the water column for bigger snapper. Our set up of 10 hooks positioned on gangions every two feet from the bottom provides a way to look closer at this statement (Fig 2A). In fact, the data shows that, on average, larger fish do tend be caught on the hooks higher up in the water column (Fig 2A). Small fish are caught as well, but after viewing video captured while the gear was fishing, it appears as if small fish often start on the bottom hooks and work their way up the line, which would not happen if you were only fishing with one hook. There are obviously fewer large snapper in the population, so unfortunately, there are lower catch rates on the

hooks higher in the water column (Fig 2B). However, when you can only keep two fish in Federal waters, is taking a little longer to catch your fish really an issue?

There are many management options to help fish populations; however, besides decreasing size limits (as in the commercial fishery), there are not many options currently used to minimize undersized bycatch. While nobody is mandating hook size or where you fish in the water column, anglers can use approaches such as fishing with a larger hook up in the water column to catch those “Texas-sized” keepers.

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

TSFMAG.com | 33

Dixie Jet Pro Series Gizzard Spoons are available in eleven fish-attracting colors.

T S F M A G F I E L D S TA F F

TSFMAG TESTED & RECOMMENDED

DIXIE JET –

THE LEGEND RETURNS We are frequently asked about fishing products we use and prefer. There’s tons of stuff on the market nowadays in virtually every category, and it can be tough to decide which brand, style, and model of various products might be the best fit for the types of fishing you do. We decided to begin running this presentation of tackle and related products that work for us, as a service to our readers. Hope it works as well for you.

––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– We don’t hear so much about spoons these days, except the weedless variety, but ask old salts what they threw back in the day. Any lure that worked years ago will still catch fish; but you will never know that if you don’t use them. Here’s a modern-day twist on a lure that earned a reputation long before today’s soft plastics, swimbaits, and surface plugs were ever on a drawing board.

The original Dixie Jet spoons were produced in Houston, TX from the early 1960s until the early 1970s, when the owner passed away and production ceased. More than four decades have slipped by 34 | September 2020

as spoon enthusiasts and collectors searched garage sales, the internet, and old tackle shops to obtain these fish-catching legends. Finally, thanks to Tom Murphy, Dixie Jet’s new owner, the spoons that earned legend status many years ago are once again finding their way into the hands of Texas anglers. The same attention to detail in manufacture as the originals, the same highlypolished solid marine grade brass blades, with state-of-the-art plating and painting, and VMC Round Bend treble hooks.

The Dixie Jet Pro Series Gizzard Spoon measures 3” by 1-1/4” and weighs 1.35 ounces; perfect for surf casting, even into stiff coastal breezes. It can also be used in vertical jigging around structure. Best of all, they’re still made right here in the U.S.A. The Dixie Jet Talon gets its name from the three VMC Round Bend treble hooks that grab and hold on the strike like raptor’s talons. The Talon has the same fall and flutter as the original Flutter Spoon in a heftily-upgraded size. The Talon measures 6” by 2.5” inches and weighs 2.75 ounces. Great for casting and vertical jigging, it is especially effective when slowtrolled on a Carolina rig with 1- to 2-ounces of weight placed about three feet ahead of the lure.

Kingfish, cobia, bonito, and other nearshore and surf gamefish eat ‘em up!

TSFMag writer Joe Richard covered the Dixie Jet spoons in a story that appeared in the September 2018 issue of this magazine.

Joe’s story is available free (no subscription needed) in the archive section at TSFMag.com under the title Dixie Jet Spoons Return.

Learn more about Dixie Jet products and shop online at: DixieJetLures.com

The Edge 3700 is slightly larger overall than the 3600, plenty of room for larger lures and even some tools.

Edge 3600 is perhaps the most popular size. Note the white label, use a Sharpie to identify contents, wipe it off and re-name later.

Plano Edge Tackle Boxes – Your Edge For Becoming A Better Angler Tackle storage options are a dime a dozen in today’s market but the Plano Edge Series has features that surpass any you have tried thus far. Having been in this game a long time and tried many styles and models, we say this with sincerity and honesty.

Tackle is expensive and we need to care for it properly. Being able to put your finger on exactly what you need in seconds while fishing can make you a better angler.

Several features jump out at first blush with the Plano Edge but the one-handed lid latch was a real eyecatcher for us. Next is the 100% waterproof O-ring seal. Being saltwater anglers, another huge feature is the Rustrictor™ technology that is infused into the material the boxes are molded from.

The 3700 Terminal is thinner than the standard 3700 and filled with boxes and trays to hold all the small terminal tackle items that tend to get mixed up and lost.

We ran a trial when Rustrictor™ was first introduced last year – two groups of four identical lures soaked in salt water and stored six weeks without rinsing – one group in a plain Plano box and the other with Rustrictor™. The lures in the untreated box rusted as expected. The lures in the Rustrictor™ infused box never developed the first speck of rust. How’s that for proof?

Here’s the full list of Plano Edge features you should consider when looking to upgrade your tackle storage:

• Water Wick™ divider with reusable moisture-wicking packet • Dri-Loc® O-ring seal maintains waterproofing when closed • Rustrictor™ technology delivers 360° of rust-preventative protection • EZ Label™ system for quick identification of contents • DuraView™ crystal-clear polycarbonate lid • One-handed latch design • Ventilated dividers improve airflow • Recessed dividers prevent content migration between departments • Ribbed lids and base for durability • Stainless steel pin hinges • Stackable lids and bases Learn more at PlanoMolding.com Penn Reels: Slammer III 5500 Spinning – Squall SQL 400LP Levelwind Penn Reels have been around way longer than pretty near all of us, since 1932 to be exact. Penn was founded in Philadelphia, PA by enterprising German immigrant, Otto Henze. Henze had worked several years at Ocean City Reels as a machinist prior to fulfilling the dream of owning his own company. The Penn brand has been synonymous almost 90 years for high-quality and durability at affordable prices, and that reputation remains applicable to this day.

Slammer III 5500 – First up in this little review is the Slammer III 5500 Spinning Reel. This is a tough, heavy duty reel, well-suited

The Penn Slammer III 5500 is well-suited to many angling applications.

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to a variety of applications. It handles braided line very well, which qualifies for it for bottom fishing for red snapper and other reef species. It is very capable for casting and trolling for nearshore species such as tarpon, kingfish, cobia – when paired with appropriate rods. It is also very well-suited to surf fishing.

We have used our Slammer III 5500 on numerous snapper trips and it has also performed very well on bull reds and jackfish to 40-plus pounds at Port O’Connor’s Big Jetties. The ability to deliver lures with pinpoint accuracy is a must for sight-casting when tarpon and hardfighting gamefish are hounding baitballs on the surface. Slammer III features include: • Sealed Slammer® drag system with Dura-Drag™ • 7+1 stainless steel bearing system • Sizes 3500-5500 have automatic bail trip • Sizes 6500-10500 have manual bail trip Penn Squall SQL 400LP Penn’s Squall Low Profile baitcast reels offer all the durability you would expect from Penn Reels. Don’t let the low profile deceive you, this reel is a little powerhouse, capable of whipping larger fish than you might guess at first glance. Thanks to the additional line capacity afforded by today’s high-strength braids, one piece all-metal frame, and magnetic casting brake, anglers can pitch lures accurately to large fish with confidence to land them.

Pairing with a medium-heavy fast action 7-foot rod makes a very capable outfit for a wide range of coastal angling. Features include:

36 | September 2020

Don’t let the low profile of the Penn Squall SQL 400LP deceive you; this reel is a little powerhouse.

• 5+1 stainless steel bearing system • HT-100™ drag system • Magnetic Casting Brake • Line Capacity Rings • Machined brass gears Learn more at PennFishing.com

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Wesley hooked up with his first-ever sight-casted redfish.

DAV E R O B E R T S

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

SIGHT CASTING FROM THE KAYAK Without a doubt, the most intriguing aspect of our sport are the many ways we can fish from our little plastic boats.

Everything from bass fishing in lakes and rivers; chasing reds and trout along the coast; even venturing offshore for pelagic species. Name it and anglers are doing it!

I have done my share of fishing on the coast and dabbled in checking off bucket list species across the country. I have caught sailfish and snook in Florida and have targeted smallmouth bass in Tennessee rivers. Each has their own appeal. But if the Big Man upstairs said my time is up and he would grant me just one more day of fishing, I wouldn’t hesitate with my answer.

I wouldn’t ask for my skiff, nor my tower or trolling motor; I would ask for a sunny day with little to no wind in the Texas marsh, paddling and sight-casting redfish.

When it comes to catching fish, there is not a more challenging or rewarding pursuit.

The only way I can explain it is that it’s hunting, but with rod and reel. You have to be in the proper area and once you get there, it becomes a slow stalk searching for your target. When a fish is spotted it is up to you to get into position and then you must make a perfect cast to entice the fish to eat. I have done this numerous times and my heart still races just as fast as it did the first time!

38 | September 2020

Not long ago, my buddy Wesley wanted to start fishing with me to learn a few spots and some different tactics. He told me that he had never sight-casted a redfish and wanted to see how I go about it. I eagerly told him to come along and I would try my best to make it happen. That being said, I figured I would share what I have learned and what works for me, in hopes that you may be able to put some of these tips to use and flatten your own learning curve.

Selecting Fishing Areas I think successful outcomes begin with the areas you select for sight-fishing marsh reds. I prefer smaller ponds with a single slough or channel serving as both entry and exit. These small bodies of water will often be overlooked by most anglers and the fish that inhabit them tend to be less spooky. Bottom grass is very essential as it contributes greatly to water clarity and holds plenty of small baitfish and other forage to attract our target species. Water depth is another consideration; we can only sight-cast to the fish we can see. So, depth is as important as clarity.

Necessary Gear There are a few absolute must-have items, along with

a few others that make it much easier to be successful. Quality polarized sunglasses make all the difference in the world. Without them we cannot see into the water and it is difficult to distinguish colors. Next is a hat or cap to help reduce glare and enable you to recognize the shapes of cruising fish.

Another essential item is a paddle tether or clip device. Standing in the kayak affords a better view and we frequently use the paddle as a push-pole for propulsion. Spotting a fish, we must release the paddle and grab a rod as quickly as possible. Some anglers add clips to their belts to attach the paddle for hands-free casting and others simply use a piece of cord as a tether to allow it to trail behind. Both are effective and casting is always easier with the paddle out of the way.

Author poses before releasing a beautiful sight-casted marsh red.

Stealth I cannot stress this enough! Fish do not have to see us to sense our presence. They have exceptional ability to detect sounds (noise), and even the waves of pressure from a paddle stroke or a gliding kayak can spook them when conditions are calm. The worst mistake is finally spotting a fish and then fumbling to lay the paddle down and pick up a rod.

Take your time, rehearse all your moves mentally, move slowly and quietly, and make a nice, easy cast!

I wish they were all this easy to spot!

the fish’s nose but this is not true. Plopping your lure into the tightest point of the vee will likely only cause him to kick it into overdrive as it bounces off his back. His nose is at least a foot ahead of where it appears. Lead him by an extra foot or two and hold on!

I could go on and on, simply because I love sight-casting so much. I hope that some of the things I’ve shared here will help you learn the game and land a few sight-casted fish on your own. I will leave you with one more tip an old salt passed to me when we were discussing sight-casting marsh redfish years ago…“Make your first cast your best cast.”

C O N TA C T

Spotting and Casting Spotting fish before they detect your presence can be difficult at first but becomes easier once you see a few and learn what to look for. I always tell beginning anglers that if you have to guess whether it’s a redfish it probably isn’t. Of course their color often gives them away, but not always. Certain light and background conditions may cause them to appear more like a log lying motionless in the water.

This is when learning to distinguish shapes enters the picture. It’s always easier when they’re moving, wagging their tail above the surface, or pushing a wake in shallow water.

There are several aspects to casting that are super-critical to your success. First is lure selection; the lure must be light enough to land softly but with enough weight to be able to get it there. My personal favorites are swimbaits such as the fluke-style soft plastics on 1/8-ounce twist-lock jigheads. Nothing will spook a redfish quicker than the splash of a heavy lure a few feet from its nose.

Next and equally important is casting accuracy. I always instruct beginning sight-casters to aim the lure three or four feet in front of the fish and the same distance past them. This gives you plenty of room to land the lure without spooking them and a few twitches of the rod tip to get their attention. A common mistake is aiming right at the fish and having the line settle across their back. Somehow, I too am occasionally guilty of this. Nothing will spook them quicker! It is better to be ten feet in front rather than ten feet behind.

Another bit of information you might find useful is how far in front of a “waking” fish you should aim your lure. Some get the idea that the wake produced by a fish swimming in shallow water originates at

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

Email: TexasKayakChronicles@yahoo.com Website: www.TexasKayakChronicles.com

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Story by John Blaha

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

CCA TEXAS VOLUNTEERS & STAFF

MOVING FORWARD 2020…truly a year of challenge to us all. CCA Texas members, volunteers and staff are all facing times and challenges that we have never faced before. Through it all, the energy and commitment to the organization and Texas’s coastal resources remains as strong as ever.

CCA Texas held its first ever “Cast for the Coast” virtual banquet on July 9, 2020. The participation by CCA Texas members and many from other states made this event a great success. Longtime volunteers and members stepped up to offer some amazing trips that prompted spirited bidding throughout the night. CCA Texas offers its deepest gratitude to everyone that participated in this event as a donor or buyer. With this success, CCA Texas is planning two more “Cast for the Coast” events. The first will be held on Wednesday, September 2, and then another later in the fall.

While our local chapter volunteers and staff continue to work around the COVID-19 issues, habitat work continues as well. Project updates: • Rio Grande Valley Nearshore Reef – The last deployments of reefing materials were completed March 19, 2020. Concrete railroad ties and broken concrete are being deployed in low patch relief areas of the “CCA Texas” corner. The latest effort deployed 10,000 tons of materials in the 400 acre nursery area called the CCA Nursery. This deployment will consist of 54 low-relief durable nursery reef patches. Each patch is made up with 25 tons of concrete railroad ties, 25 tons of broken concrete and 6 pallets (420 blocks) of cinderblocks. In addition, there will be 16 patch reefs made up of 250

Some of the culverts donated

by Forterra for reefing into the Sabine HI20 Nearshore reef site.

40 | September 2020

tons of concrete railroad ties each in a line north of the reef to provide protection to the nursery reef. Capping it all off will be another 1,500 tons of material placed in the SE corner of the reef site, known as the CCA Corner.

• Corpus Christi MU775 Reef Site (Packery Channel) – 800 tons of durable nursery patch reefs were deployed within the MU775 reef site. CCA Texas/BCT contributions paid for 400 tons and Friends of RGV Reef donated 400 tons. This was completed in March 2020 as part of the last Rio Grande Valley Nearshore Reef project.

• Sabine Pass Nearshore Reef – HTFT / BCT have committed $230,000 to the Sabine HI20 site. This will deploy 150 pyramids into the site and be a part of the much larger TPWD project in the Galveston Big Man and Kate’s Reef sites. The $230,000 in funding comes from: CCA Texas/BCT - $100,000; Sempra Energy - $100,000; and Cheniere Energy - $30,000. TPWD currently has the project out for bid and expects to award it in August 2020 and will be completed by summer of 2021.

CCA Texas and BCT are currently working with Forterra Pipe and Precast and have secured 543 pieces of offspec concrete pipe for reefing materials. The current work includes securing the funding for transportation, offloading and a storage site. BCT recently secured a $50,000 contribution form a local industry partner that is earmarked specifically for the HI20 reef. These funds will go along with other support from CCA Texas BCT partners to deploy the materials in the near future. If you are in the local area and would like to contribute to this project, please reach out to John Blaha – jdblaha@ ccatexas.org, or Patrick Murray – pdmurray@joincca.org.

• Big Man / Kate’s Reef Site – CCA Texas, BCT and Shell Oil Company are providing $329,000 in funding for reefing efforts in the Galveston Big Man and Kate’s Reef areas that will provide an additional 155 pyramids and 75 additional low relief modules. This additional funding will supplement a $1.5 million effort by TPWD that will deploy 845 pyramids and 180 low relief modules in these two sites.

TPWD currently has the project out for bid and expects to award it in August 2020 and will be completed by summer of 2021.

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• Dagger Island Shoreline Protection and Marsh Restoration – CCA Texas / BCT have partnered with Ducks Unlimited to create critical shoreline protection and marsh restoration along Dagger Island in Redfish Bay. This project will enhance 557 acres of continuous seagrass beds, intertidal wetlands and coastal islands in the Redfish Bay State Scientific Area through the use of a 1/2-mile breakwater and beneficial-use materials.

The construction was completed in July.

Funding for this project is provided by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation, Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries Program, CCA Texas, BCT and Ducks Unlimited.

• Oyster Restoration in Sabine Lake – HTFT / BCT have funded $200,000 to this project which will help restore historical oyster beds within Sabine Lake. This funding is being paired with $500,000 in Harvey Relief funds and is scheduled for construction in late spring to take advantage of the natural oyster spat release. Construction was expected to begin by the end of July with completion in August.

• Marsh Restoration Egery Island – This Dagger Island Project in Redfish Bay. This project was a partnership with DU and TPWD to is a currently ongoing project with protect against and restore damage done by erosion to islands protecting critical habitat.

Coastal Bend Bays and Estuaries that has received GLO leases to begin marsh grass plantings. This planting effort will take place in the early fall once tides and salinity levels have begun to drop. The success of the culvert replacements in FM 136 are already seeing results with more water flow, normal salinity levels and growth of some marsh grasses.

• Dollar Bay Shoreline Protection and Marsh Restoration – HTFT / BCT provided $50,000 to this effort from funds through Shell Oil Company. This project is ready for construction and is currently delayed due to a USACE project. USACE project should be completed by the end of August and Galveston Bay Foundation will then proceed with their procurement process. marine ecosystems. Project work and construction is expected to • Galveston Bay Foundation Headquarters Living Shoreline begin by the end of July and completed by the end of August per Restoration - HTFT / BCT provided $50,000 to this effort from update from Galveston Bay Foundation. funds through Shell Oil Company. This project will restore and While 2020 has presented challenges like never before, CCA Texas create a living shoreline of habitat adjacent to the new Galveston members, volunteers and staff remain committed to the coastal Bay Foundation Headquarters. This project will not only restore resources of Texas. and create habitat, but provide excellent community outreach for surrounding community students to better understand the local 42 | September 2020

TSFMAG.com | 43

Photo by Richard Segal from Pexels.

STEPHANIE BOYD

F I S H Y FA C T S

WAHOO

The wahoo is a large, predatory mackerel that lives in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world.

Reaching up to 8 feet and 180 pounds, this species is larger than any other non-tuna in the mackerel family.

Wahoo are also known as ono, after the Hawaiian word for ‘delicious.’ Some say the common name ‘wahoo’ derives from the Hawaiian Island name, Oahu. European explorers who first mapped the Hawaiian Islands found ono to be plentiful off the coast of Oahu, and maps of the time indicate that ‘Oahu’ was often spelled ‘Wahoo.’

Others say the name derives from the exclamation of anglers who have hooked into this extremely fast running species. The genus name, Acanthocybium, is derived from the Greek words akantha, meaning thorn, and kybion, meaning young tunny (so basically it means ‘thorny tuna’).

Also known as the Pacific kingfish, it is a highly prized recreational fish because of its speed and quality.

A long, slender mackerel with a sharply pointed head and a widely forked tail, the wahoo is a dark iridescent bluish green along its back, with 25 to 30 dusky blue vertical bars that extend down the silvery gray sides and fade rapidly after death. Jaws are elongated to form an almost beak-like snout that’s as long as the rest of the head and filled with triangular, finely serrated teeth. The gill structure resembles that of the marlin, but lacks the marlin’s characteristic gill rakers. A well-defined lateral line runs the length of the body, abruptly curving under the 44 | September 2020

first dorsal fin, and extending in a wavy line back to the tail (the lateral line is a series of sense organs which detect pressure and vibration). The first dorsal fin is long, low, and has 21 to 27 spines (hence the ‘thorny’ part of the genus name). It is separate from the second dorsal fin, which has about 14 rays. The anal fin has a similar number of very small rays. They usually grow to between 3 and 5 feet long, but the state record is just over 6 feet, 124 pounds (1987), and the IGFA all-tackle record is 158 pounds, taken off Baja California (1996). Latitude appears to influence size; average weights increase with distance from the equator, apparently correlated to cooler temperatures.

Wahoos are sometimes confused with king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, and even barracudas. They can be distinguished from the former two species by a fold of skin which covers the mandible when its mouth is closed (and which is always visible in the king and Spanish mackerels).

Barracuda have more prominent scales, larger, dagger-like teeth, and lack the deeply forked tail of the wahoo.

Wahoo live near the surface and are frequently found alone or in small, loosely connected groups rather than compact schools. They are found in the north Atlantic off the Carolinas and Bermuda, the Gulf of Mexico and off the west coast of Central America, the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian Ocean, from the east coast of Africa to the waters off Sri Lanka, the Indo-Pacific, and in the central Pacific Ocean. Wahoo move with the changing seasons,

traveling into cooler waters during warm summer months. Scientists don’t know much about their migrations, but one study revealed that a tagged and recaptured fish had traveled 1,700 miles in 6.5 months.

They associate around banks, pinnacles, sargassum, and even flotsam, and are occasionally found around wrecks and deeper reefs, where smaller fish are abundant.

Although wahoo are attracted to floating debris, their diet suggests they venture out to forage in open waters. Wahoo are powerful swimmers and aggressive predators that prey on a variety of schooling fishes and pelagic squids. They have been recorded feeding on tunas, porcupinefishes, flyingfishes, dolphinfish, jacks, herrings, pilchards, scads, lanternfishes, and many other species. It is thought that their sharp, serrated teeth allow them to render large prey into bite-sized pieces, allowing them to eat fish larger than themselves. Unlike true tunas and billfishes, this species does not have the ability to regulate its body temperature, but it is still one of the open ocean’s fastest fish.

Wahoo have been recorded swimming at speeds of nearly 50 miles per hour in short bursts. When excited – particularly when hunting – wahoo often flash different colors or display/hide the vertical bars on their sides, perhaps in an attempt to confuse their prey. Adult wahoo are only eaten by the largest open ocean predators, like pelagic sharks and billfishes.

Wahoo are fast growing and have a short life span, up to 5- or 6-years, on average. Spawning appears to occur over an extended period of time, year-round, with multiple events per year, as fish in different maturity stages are frequently caught at the same time.

During spawning events, wahoo form largish aggregations and reproduce via broadcast spawning: females release their eggs and males release their sperm at the same time. Broadcast events occur several times within a spawning season, and females produce several million eggs each year. Eggs and larvae are pelagic. The size of wahoo at hatching is 2.5 mm, and larvae seem to prefer shallow water less than 330 feet in depth. After reaching a length of about 40 inches, individuals grow at a rate of up to 1.5 inches per month. They grow so rapidly that both sexes reach sexual maturity during the first year of life – males at 2.8 feet in length, females at 3.3 feet.

Though they are considered a commercially important species, wahoo aren’t generally the primary target of the fisheries that utilize them, likely because they don’t form large schools. In the areas where they are caught commercially, they are marketed fresh, salted, spice-cured, or frozen. They are often sought by sport anglers, especially in the US and Australia. Wahoo have solid white flesh which, when cut into slices, shows circular rings. It is usually cut for steaks and fillets, and is excellent for grilling, though it has been linked to ciguatera poisoning (an illness caused by eating fish that contain toxins produced by a marine microalgae called Gambierdiscus toxicus). According to NOAA Fisheries, “U.S. wild-caught Atlantic wahoo is a smart seafood choice because it is sustainably managed and responsibly harvested under U.S. regulations.” However, the population status and fishing rate are unknown because scientists don’t formally assess wahoo populations. They assume wahoo populations are stable because the species is highly productive and widely distributed. Wahoo are managed in the Atlantic by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and in the Pacific by the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council. Both have management plans.

In the Atlantic, it is called the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for the Dolphin and Wahoo Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. The FMP is currently trying to regulate current harvest levels. In the Pacific, it is

in both the Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region FMP and the Highly Migratory Species FMP. The Pelagic FMP is working on the future framework for management in the Exclusive Economic Zone for the U.S. Pacific Islands; in the Highly Migratory FMP, wahoo are being monitored as another fishery’s bycatch. Although wahoo seem to handle relatively high fishing rates well, precautionary management seeks to maintain current harvest levels.

Where I learned about wahoo, and you can too!

Texas Marine Species txmarspecies.tamug.edu/fishdetails.cfm?scinameID=Acanthocybium%20 solandri FishBase www.fishbase.se/summary/89 NOAA Fisheries www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/atlantic-wahoo www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/pacific-wahoo FishWatch www.fishwatch.gov/profiles/atlantic-wahoo TPWD State Saltwater Records tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/fish/action/staterecords.php?env=SW&age_ group=all&list=0&browse=Submit IUCN Red List www.iucnredlist.org/species/170331/6750961 World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=127014#links South Atlantic Fishery Management Council safmc.net/regulations/regulations-by-species/wahoo/ Oceana oceana.org/marine-life/ocean-fishes/wahoo Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute biogeodb.stri.si.edu/sftep/en/thefishes/species/2212 Florida Museum www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/acanthocybiumsolandri/ Sea Port www.cport.net/product/view/wahoo Hawaii Seafood www.hawaii-seafood.org/wild-hawaii-fish/wahoo/ Fish Identification identifyfish.blogspot.com/2010/09/wahoo.html This Fish thisfish.info/fishery/species/wahoo-ono/ Merriam-Webster www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Acanthocybium Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahoo CDC www.cdc.gov/nceh/ciguatera/ TSFMAG.com | 45

Oz poses for a hurried photo he staged with his 12’-2” tiger shark while fishing solo on the PINS beach.

ERIC OZOLINS

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

A CATCH 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING One fish, above all others, consumes my angling thoughts and priorities—the tiger shark. I try to target this species on every trip I take. Most surf anglers, from beginners to veterans, fantasize about tangling with a tiger. Massive and uncommon, like rare gems, these apex predators possess a mystical aura, one which commands respect.

To battle one is an honor; landing one is among the most rewarding encounters to be had with a true beast, the undisputed monarch of our waters.

I usually put three to five tiger sharks on the beach per year. If I focused exclusively on using giant baits, those numbers would increase. Running charters discourages

Oz struggles to wrestle the big tiger and accomplish a successful release.

46 | September 2020

that, since small and medium-sized baits draw more strikes. The majority of my clients want action, not an allor-nothing slight chance at a monster fish. When fishing alone, I regularly forego running small baits targeting other sharks, to increase my chances at a tiger. I’ve landed my share, but until recently, my list had one thing missing—an authentic twelve-foot specimen. I’d come close, and felt deep down it was destined to happen.

Lately, my life has become rather complex. With my two year old daughter grasping the concept of life energetically and another child on the way, my free time is increasingly limited. I work multiple jobs to provide for my family, which restricts my personal fishing time. None of this makes me less motivated to tackle a twelve-foot tiger.

When one of my regular clients booked an overnight charter in mid-July, I turned it into a multifaceted plan. This gave me a brief window in which to wet a line, in hopes of quenching a deep thirst once and for all.

I didn’t know what to expect, as the odds were stacked against me. South Texas beaches had been awash in cold water upwellings. This is not uncommon

C O N TA C T

when early-summer south winds create powerful side-shore currents running up the beach. It’s unclear why the water Good friend and shark fishing is sometimes ten degrees colder than expected, but this aficionado, Ron Richmond, with a we know—the cold water is almost always dirty and nearly daytime PINS tiger that taped 11’-7”. lifeless. Shark activity in the chilly water runs low, with the exception of the ultra-rare dusky sharks, which we ONLY see during these upwelling events.

When I arrived at the beach a little after midnight, I set up in an inviting location which recently had been fronted by lots of the cold water. I was after a dusky for myself, having helped a customer catch one a couple weeks earlier. I caught my last about two years ago, when I landed six in a brief period. In my sharking career, I’ve landed more duskys in the Texas surf than any other angler. When I got out of the truck and stepped into the water, I could tell it had warmed up considerably; this meant the likelihood of encountering a dusky was low. Nonetheless, I set up camp to wait for sunrise.

When the sun peeked through the clouds, the surf had thankfully fallen quite calm. With hope, I began rigging up dimensions of the mature male tiger. I’d strategically parked my truck and deploying big baits and had a spread of four out by eight o’clock. on a section of beach with a sharp drop-off into a relatively deep first Unfortunately, the bite was dead, the water still dirty out to about gut. This allowed me to handle such a monster more easily, so I could 600 yards. I waited and waited, then did every shark dance I know to hold him upright and straighten him for a measurement. After some stir some action, but nothing happened. I marveled at the hard work wrestling, I was able to determine his length accurately—he spanned I’d done; I had three 80Ws bombed out 700-800 yards with some twelve feet, two inches! mighty sexy baits set in the cleaner, green water. I had a fourth 80W I clicked a couple quick photos, then recorded the release of the up-current, a hair past the third sandbar. Finally, as the evening sun tiger on video. The high tide and incoming waves helped me get all began to set, the short 80W went off, but I didn’t land the fish, which 700+ pounds of shark buoyant enough for me to drag him back out completely wrecked my tackle. After I lost it, darkness fell and I had to sea. Using every ounce of my strength, I maneuvered the beast four big baits out again, while the clean water began inching its way onto the first bar and pointed his head into the current. When we closer to the beach. made it to the second gut, I wrapped my arms around his fat body and I jumped in the truck to eat my beach dinner of Ramen noodles gave him a shove with all my might. And just like that, with a wave while listening to satellite radio. After about fifteen minutes, the truck of his strong tail, he disappeared back into the inky abyss. Upon that shook. Either a line had been cut, or a shark had picked up a bait.

When I jumped out of the vehicle, I heard the clicker start to sing. After moment, the truth hit me; I had finally landed my twelve-foot tiger, after hundreds of nights waiting anxiously. a day of agonizing anticipation, I was hooked up! A shark had picked The greatest feeling of accomplishment centered on the fact I up a whole, slightly trimmed cownose ray on a single 24/0 circle hook. had done it all myself, including releasing the shark still healthy.

I knew it was a big fish as it slowly swam off with the giant bait. I What a rare, profound and satisfying moment! Catching such a strapped into the harness and waged my war. giant tiger checked off one of the last goals I’d set for myself; he’ll Attached to a monster shark, alone on a dark beach, I reminisced be remembered forever. As will the one that got away. He took the about my old days fishing solo. The moment when the fight begins short bait and proceeded to dump an 80W. There was simply no generates the surreal euphoria which created my addiction to shark turning that fish. I truly appreciate the catch of my twelve-foot tiger, fishing. Going solo, man vs. beast, makes my adrenaline pump like no but mythical sea monsters like the one that completely destroyed other angling activity, often feeling like an out of body experience. me and my gear earlier that night are the ones that call me back for Throughout the fight, the shark made runs and slow-rolled offshore, more. In the end, I don’t think my thirst for these kinds of adventures providing a clue to its species. On occasion, I would gain line, and will ever be quenched; it burns like a raging Karankawa campfire it would run up and down the beach. Several times, the fish briefly lighting up the beach. became tangled in the floats attached to my other leaders, almost magically freeing itself every time. The trend became repetitive—I’d slowly gain 50 yards of line, then the tiger would take 20 back instantly. Little by little, I was winning the war.

For the past decade Eric ‘Oz’ Ozolins has been promoting After nearly an hour, I succeeded in pulling the brute into the guts shark catch and release and assisting various shark research and bars, and it began swimming sideways more than out to sea. After programs. Eric offers guided shark fishing on Padre Island another hour, my tiring opponent turned toward shore and rode a National Seashore. Also renowned for extreme kayak big game fishing, Eric is the owner of Catch Sharks Tackle Company. wave toward the beach. As luck would have it, this happened during a time when high tide covered the first bar with plenty of water. I oz@oceanepics.com Email ran about 50 yards down the beach and grabbed the leader. When I Websites oceanepics.com | catchsharks.com got my first clear look at my nemesis, I fully appreciated the massive TSFMAG.com | 47

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48 | September 2020

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TSFMAG.com | 49

DICKIE COLBURN

DICKIE COLBURN’S Sabine Scene

I was recently asked by a young fisherman aspiring to embark on a guiding career, “Why have you chosen to stay north of the Causeway all of these years….. especially now?”

My short answer was, “I just never felt comfortable fishing below the Causeway.” I quickly added that S ab i n e I have lived here all of my life, but I spent the first fifteen years of my guiding career on Toledo Bend.

Had it not been for another angler sharing his techniques for exploiting a fantastic flounder bite Dickie Colburn is a full with ultra-lite tackle, I doubt that I would have ever time guide out of Orange, pulled the first party on Sabine.

Texas. Dickie has 37 years I think it was the fact that his program was so experience guiding on Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes. similar to bass fishing that I was easily converted. The fact that it was right here in my backyard didn’t hurt Telephone either. Trout fishing was not even a consideration at 409-883-0723 the time as most of us were convinced they were all Website small and wormy. www.sabineconnection.com It wasn’t until word leaked out about really big trout eating plastic worms drifted over the deep reefs that I even entertained the prospect of fishing the south end of the lake. The very real possibility of catching an eight or nine pound trout on the same worms I had been PE-CS-TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING-HALF PG-7_5 x 4_875.pdf 1 5/5/20 11:57 AM fishing on Toledo Bend was too enticing to ignore.

50 | September 2020

When Mickey Eastman and his visiting Troutmasters proved that we were covered up with big trout all the way to the mouth of the Sabine River, I immediately switched gears. The big fish had been there all along and we simply did not have a clue as to how to fool them.

That longwinded explanation should serve as reason enough to never seriously consider my report as an accurate account of how good or bad the bite is south of the Causeway. I fish the jetties on occasion with friends, but it is their show from the time we launch the boat.

I can, however, report the following with complete confidence. They are still not catching the huge trout we once took for granted, but they are catching more than enough keeper trout to indicate the future could be bright. I say that on the heels of eight straight frog-strangling days of rain and if there is anything that will slow down or even kill a good bite, it is a glut of fresh water.

Hurricanes aside, I believe that we will finally see a more consistent trout and redfish bite in the main lake this month. More shad are showing up and I recently caught my first ladyfish of the summer. That’s

September is a great month for schooling reds!

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a good sign for the lake fishermen!

I anticipate better numbers of trout herding those shad and hopefully the size will continue to improve. Since catching will probably be a numbers game at best, we will target them with fourinch Sea Shads and Lil Johns rigged on quarter ounce heads fished both under a cork and blind casting.

On the calmer days, I also expect schools of redfish to start crushing these same shad on the surface. They will do it when it is white capping as well, but they are not as easy to hear or spot. They will usually eat anything you can get in front of them, but we keep a Hoginar tied on at least one rod all the time.

For years, and this month should be no different, the schooling reds on the north end track these mobile buffets daily on a line from the north revetment wall to Garrisons Ridge. That action is as likely to start in the middle of the day as it is early or late.

There is no doubt that our once incredible flounder bite has also taken a hit, but it shows signs of rebounding as well. There was a time when they were so plentiful that I used them to teach inexperienced anglers how to detect a strike. They are obviously no longer that plentiful, but I have not had a problem limiting on most trips. The bite has been more user-friendly and most of my fish have been in the sixteen to eighteen inch class.

The bait of choice has been a pumpkin-chartreuse Sea Shad rigged on 1/8-ounce Road Runner heads. I am adding a menhaden scent and outgoing tides have worked best. Marsh drains and late afternoon have been the most productive combination, when the tide is right.

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TSFMAG.com | 51

BINK GRIMES

THE VIEW FROM Matagorda

What a great time to live in the Lone Star State. Grab a rod, grab a shotgun - grab both – this is what we do. And, by the way, grab another hunting and fishing license.

Yours probably expired August 31.

M ata go r d a I look forward to north breezes that cut the humidity and mercury readings. Cooler nighttime temps do Bink Grimes is a full-time fishing wonders for coastal fishing and for captains who have been fighting the and hunting guide, freelance writer and photographer, and heat for the past three months. owner of Sunrise Lodge on Expect tides to swell and expect Matagorda Bay. redfish to fill the back lakes and grassy shorelines where they’ll Telephone readily eat small topwaters and 979-241-1705 weedless soft plastics. Bloated water Email levels also encourage large, solitary binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net trout to extend their boundaries to Website matagordasunriselodge.com the upper reaches of estuaries.

We find large schools of redfish on the north shoreline. Live shrimp, mullet and topwaters all work well. Back bay areas like Oyster Lake, Crab Lake and Lake Austin hold healthy populations. Don’t be surprised to see birds working in the back lakes on calm days as shrimp begin to leave the marsh.

If water temperatures continue to hang in the 80s, Matagorda trout will remain in a summer pattern. That means over deep shell in East Bay, where Bass Assassins, Down South Lures, MirrOlure SoftDines, Gulps, and live shrimp are best under a cork. Small topwaters like She Pups and Super Spook Jrs get blown out of the water as well.

Wading the mid-bay reefs in East Bay produces throughout the year. With higher tides, the muddy bottoms around Brown Cedar Flats hold both trout and redfish for waders and drifters. The far east

52 | September 2020

end of the bay gets really good this time of year.

Most waders forget about the seagrass beds in West Bay in September, but they still hold fish, redfish especially. Guts and cuts along the south shoreline often get overlooked. I don’t know why anglers forget about West Bay in September, but it’s a good place to get away from the crowds.

Reefs along the north shoreline of West Bay hold trout, redfish, and black drum. Shell Island, Twin Island, and all the points along the north shoreline are littered with shell. Redfish have been known to school in large numbers in late-September in these locales.

Bruiser redfish will be plentiful on the beachfront and along the jetty rocks. Cracked blue crabs and fresh pogies are a nice snack for big spawners.

Lots of tarpon were found along the beach from Matagorda to Port O’Connor in August and those same migrating schools should be there this month. Our tarpon fishery is an untapped resource, but it would blow your mind to see all the huge schools of ‘poons rolling and daisychaining so close to the beach.

Teal season runs Sept. 12- through 27 and we will be hunting the mornings and fishing the afternoons. Few things rival a dozen acrobatic teal cutting their wings over a prairie pond and dropping into your decoys. Summer rains have marsh ponds in great shape and second-cropped rice fields are being flushed as we speak.

Follow our reports on Instagram and Facebook (@matagordasunriselodge).

TSFMAG.com | 53

CAPT. SHELLIE GRAY

MID-COAST BAYS With the Grays

I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a crazy year and it doesn’t look like the rollercoaster ride will be ending anytime soon. While the powers that be seem hellbent on dividing our nation, one thing Port O'Connor that still seems to bring people Seadrift together is fishing. Never in my 18year career have I felt more needed than I have this year. My schedule Captain Shellie Gray was born has been full since mid-April with in Port Lavaca and has been clients that are begging for some guiding in the Seadrift/Port saltwater therapy and I am happy O’Connor area full time for the past 18 years. Shellie specializes that I can help them out.

With so many people working in wading for trout and redfish year round with artificial lures. remotely and many schools teaching online, the normally less-crowded weekdays have become almost Telephone as crowded as weekends, but 361-785-6708 honestly the catching has still been Email bayrats@tisd.net consistently good due to mostly Website favorable wind patterns. www.bayrat.com I try to teach my anglers all that I Facebook can while aboard 24’ Shallow Sport @captsgaryandshelliegray and hope they will be able to use those tips while fishing on their own in the future. On a recent trip with some of my favorite clients, Mark and Sheri Schmitt, they learned firsthand how to be observant to the water, not just when you’re fishing, but also when you’re moving from one spot to the next. It was while we were moving from one location to another that I noticed some “nervous” water. Now mind you this day was super calm so, honestly speaking, the nervous water was obvious to me but not to Mark and Sherri. As I came to an abrupt stop they stood up and looked at me wondering why I had stopped so suddenly.

I told them what I saw and to be on the lookout for fish as a school was likely nearby. I didn’t know at the time what species we were encountering but I was pretty sure it was black drum, redfish, or possibly even a small school of tarpon.

After coaching them a little on what to look for Mark pointed out some movement and shadows close by so we rigged up and began casting. It was only a few seconds when Sheri hooked up with a monster of a fish. After the first five minutes A great surprise and possible lifetime catch of battle with lots of screaming for the Schmitt family. drag, we got a glimpse of the 54 | September 2020

huge redfish she was battling. The only rods I had on board this day were light tackle Waterloo Salinity with Shimano 2500 spinning reels, spooled with 8-pound diameter 30-pound braided line. I kept the drag backed off because I worried the knots and leader might be weak due to having fished on oyster shell most of the morning. It was very nerve wrecking to say the least and after lots of cheering and encouraging words Sheri landed a humongous redfish fortyfive minutes later. The beast measured 46-inches and weighed approximately 45 pounds. This is the biggest redfish that has ever been brought on board one of my boats. This size of fish typically lingers towards the jetties and Gulf, not common to see them in the bay in only six feet of water. We took lots of great pictures then released that beautiful fish back to the waters she came from.

This scenario was the perfect learning experience for all of them, not just because they landed a lifetime fish but also because they now know that all the water in the bay has the potential to produce fish. You just have to be observant of all that’s going on around you.

The rest of the morning they became “aware” of their surroundings and noticed more about the water than they ever have before. Even their 12-year son, Kole, is more knowledgeable for the experience.

He was quick to point out mullet jumping, fish swirling and shrimp hopping the rest of the morning, which are all good signs that there may be feeding fish nearby.

With September still being one of the hottest months of the year, I am so looking forward to at least a little cool down in the weather.

In the last weeks of the month we usually get our first mild cool front.

When this happens we should also start seeing more schools of redfish showing up on our outside shorelines with bull reds lingering near the jetties and passes to the Gulf. If you are lucky enough to hook into a bull redfish, please remember that these fish are breeding stock and do not make good table fare. Catch, photo and release every chance you get!

Sherri’s big redfish showing her and her Waterloo Salinity rod no mercy during a forty-five minute battle.

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TSFMAG.com | 55

DAVID ROWSEY

HOOKED UP WITH Rowsey

Upper Laguna/ Ba f f i n

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

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

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

56 | September 2020

Hard to believe we are just getting into the heart of the hurricane season, after riding out Hannah in late-July. She came early, and certainly made a memorable impact in Baffin and Port Mansfield.

Owning a land cabin in the Yarbrough area, I was very concerned, as were many others, that the cabins would be a total loss. Cabins on the islands fared pretty well, considering. The floaters – not so much.

From Baffin and far into the Land Cut the floaters took a beating. Total losses in many cases. Debris is scattered for miles and much of it is in traditional boating lanes. I would highly advise not running in the dark at this time.

September is a special month for me and many Texans. The bays have traditionally quieted down, thanks to schools reopening and fall sports cranking up. The smell of burning gunpowder floats around the state as hunters shift gears to dove and teal hunting. For a few lucky ones, we get to pull out a bow and squeeze in the first deer hunt of the year. September is also my personal favorite month to partake in beach fishing for big trout.

I was so blessed to get to ride up and down the Padre Island National Seashore many days with the

legendary Capt. Billy Sandifer during this month in years past. We made many great memories in the calm September surf sight-casting big trout.

The education he gave me out there will always be priceless to me. Good times in Texas!

Tides increased dramatically in the wake of Hurricane Hannah and made for some tough fishing days. As of this writing the tides are slowly falling and water conditions are beginning to trend closer to normal. Short of another major tropical weather system coming through, September has always been a solid month in Baffin for better than average trout.

Of course, every year is different, but I like to be the optimist and reflect back on the best memories from Septembers past. Like the one when Kirk and Kelly Childress were here and we started off an epic early morning wade with many trout over 25-inches, only to be topped off by Kirk hooking up with a 4-foot tarpon. He lost the fish but the jump and memory will always be there.

Throughout the Upper Laguna and Baffin, hoards of baitfish will be starting to gather up for a push to the gulf in October. Rest assured that gamefish will be very near to them. These big pods of mullet I’m

Joey Hollenbeak enjoying a big morning on the break of a shallow flat covered in schooling mullet.

looking for are in shallow water that has a deep drop-off adjacent to it.

If things work out right, the trout will be right in there with them, but most likely, they will be on the edge of the flat and deep water…. just waiting for a mullet to venture out a little too far from its safety of the larger school. This scenario will play out all over the bay and will make for some quality fishing throughout September. In fact, I have already been exploiting this pattern since early August.

DQC International Corp., manufacturer of the 13 Fishing/Concept reels, has brought on fishing tackle legend Rapala VMC as a minority 49% investor, to reach the global market outside the USA. New models of 13 reels have recently hit the market and I’m very impressed with what I am finding in the salty conditions of Baffin Bay. The new reel models are the Concept A2, Concept C2, Concept TX2, and Concept Z-Slide. Both the A and C reels are ball bearing reels, while the TX2 and Z reels use the CZB polymer bearings. Although I have been testing each with great results, the Concept C2 is the one I seem to be using the most. Each of the reels has unique specs, but these are some of the standouts on the C2: *Hi-Tech Cast Iron Carbon Frame and Side Plate *High Spin Spool System *Extra Strong Titanium Coated Aluminum Hamai Cut Drive Gear *9 Ball Bearings *Reinforced Clutch Cam *Generation II Hard Anodized Worm Shaft There are so many reels on the market now that it becomes confusing with all the hype and reviews. This generation of 13 Fishing’s Concept reels is very legit and something I’m proud to cast every day on the water.

Remember the buffalo! -Capt David Rowsey

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WAYNE DAVIS

WAYNE’S Mansfield Report

Sitting to write this report we are just now recovering from the onslaught of Hurricane Hanna. The storm was not anticipated to be much of anything, but that was far from the case once Port the results were tallied. In short – Mansfield Hanna pretty much made a mess of Port Mansfield. Winds were clocked at 91 mph at the mouth of the Harbor, with some gusting above 100 mph Captain Wayne Davis has at the south end of the Land Cut. been fishing the Lower Most folks sustained some amount Laguna-Port Mansfield for of damage; shingles ripped loose, over 20 years. He specializes fences downed, and even complete in wade fishing with lures. roof collapses. I rode it out and was fortunate this go-round…unlike Telephone Hurricane Dolly 12 years ago.

210-287-3877 Email For the past 45 days and more I captwayne@kwigglers.com had been hunting high and low for those elusive Texas snook. I had a good run last year with the acrobatic fighters but this year had been disappointing. From late-June through the third week of July I had hooked only two and both were lost during the fight. As luck would have it, the day before Hurricane Hanna made landfall, I along with a good client finally stumbled onto what I had been hunting for. It was a good day, we hooked four and landed three; not big, but they were swimming with some giants that looked to be in the 28-to 32-inch range.

I have learned the past three years snook do not seem to be

Brett Starcish with a personal-best trout on a recent charter.

58 | September 2020

exceptionally spooky by nature as they will swim within a few feet if you’re wading quietly. They remind me of big trout we see cruising the shallows. Keep in mind, you still need to wade in stealth mode while fishing for linesiders. For the record, on this outing we moved a total of about 80 yards in three hours. A great challenge, even for seasoned anglers, but the rewards definitely outweigh the effort required.

Obviously, we have an abundance of fresh water in our bay and the fishing was tough immediately following the storm, especially in high-runoff areas near the Arroyo Colorado. Focusing fishing effort in areas with higher salinity increases the odds of having a successful day on the water. I am hopeful we do not lose too much seagrass due to the influx of fresh water. Seagrass is the foundation of the marine food chain here on the Lower Laguna, and it also contributes mightily to favorable water clarity. If you recall our seagrasses took a big hit in the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly.

As of recent we are still seeing bait which tells me we are doing OK. I did note on a few of my recent trips that I was having to fish slower than usual because the gamefish were all close to the bottom.

Whether it was in one or three feet of water the fish were low. This could be because freshwater is lighter and tends to form a layer above the heavier salt water. I suspect this was the case based on the influx of freshwater in the bay.

There have seen some good schools of redfish near the pass and those who like to drift-fish have been successful catching these bruisers. Most true schools have been too deep for wading anglers to reach, but every now and again we have been able walk into a good pod of them, which is always fun. Additionally, we have found some nice trout in the grassy shallows. A perfect example of what I am talking about is depicted in the photos where brothers; Brett, with his personal best trout fishing shallow grass, and Brian, who walked into a pretty good group of reds in a large, knee-deep pothole. Those guys worked for them, but that is what some days require.

Best baits have still been the KWigglers Willow Tails and Ball Tails, and for those finicky fish that are not anxious to chase your lure, you might consider the new “Garlic Infused” limited run KWigglers in three colors. You can find these at most tackle shops, including all three Fishing Tackle Unlimited locations.

Speaking of Fishing Tackle Unlimited, their new Green Rod has finally arrived and is on the racks in all three stores.

I’ve had a prototype in my hand over a year now and let me tell you it’s a game changer. Very light, super-sensitive and powerful, with carbon fiber split grips Brian Starcish found and black pearl recoil guides. This rod is a small school of in a class of its own! reds in a large kneeUntil next time, stay safe and be good deep pothole. stewards of the resource.

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CAPT. ERNEST CISNEROS

SOUTH PADRE Fishing Scene

As a science teacher almost 20 years ago, I recall teaching my students how seasonal weather patterns can change over a period of many years.

Arr o y o Fast forward to the present; I may not C ol o ra d o have been all that far off the mark with t o Po rt my predictions. In my lifetime it seems I sa bel that seasonal patterns have become so unpredictable that even with advanced forecasting tools the weatherman is A Brownsville-area native, working harder than ever trying to get Capt. Ernest Cisneros fishes it right. Thankfully, we have passed the the Lower Laguna Madre from Port Mansfield to Port Isabel. windiest days of early and mid-summer Ernest specializes in wading and calmer mornings are now the norm. and poled skiff adventures for September is typically a wet month snook, trout, and redfish. on the Lower Laguna due to tropical weather events. It’s also the month Cell when many fishermen head for the 956-266-6454 Website dove fields. Between the weather and www.tightlinescharters.com dove season we usually see reduced fishing pressure. Fishing success improves as long as we do not get too much fresh water in the bays.

Fishermen, especially guides who spend many days on the water, have witnessed significant changes in fish behavior and seasonal migrations. No longer do we see vast herds of redfish roaming our flats.

Today, if a school is located, word spreads quickly and they don’t stay there very long. As recent as fifteen years ago, with much less fishing pressure, we could stay on a school for weeks, even a full month.

More than ever, it has become necessary to apply some science to our fishing plans to better understand how, when, and why these fish move. Fish change their habits due to prevailing conditions and even prior fishing knowledge goes out the window. Do you want to stay in Chris Blake fooled this upper-slot red on a KWiggler Ball Tail Shad.

60 | September 2020

tune? Study your tides, feeding periods, moon phases, and seasonal fish patterns to put more consistency in your catching.

Currently, with the calmer wind conditions, locating smaller schools of redfish has been relatively easy. Their wakes in shallow water are always a dead giveaway. Having said this, it is still necessary to focus on prime solunar feeding times to get them to take our lures. The topwater bite continues to be inconsistent, which means we are relying more on KWiggler Ball Tails in plum/chart, Mansfield margarita, and the KWiggler Willow Tails in Mansfield margarita and bone diamond.

Recently, as Hurricane Hanna paid us a visit, we got a glimpse of what water levels will be like in September. Hanna’s rain and runoff coming out of the Arroyo Colorado stained the water flowing up and down the ICW. This wet season will continue and undoubtedly cause water levels to rise and stay above normal, thereby creating a much larger area for fish to roam. One of the primary keys to locating fish will be to follow the mullet as they spread over these much larger playing fields. I am going to predict that both east and west shorelines of the Laguna Madre will present lots of redfish opportunity with the higher tide levels and the bait moving higher on the flats.

Pesky little trout continue to dominate the scene just about everywhere we fish, which is a good thing for the future of the fishery. We have been concentrating our efforts in deeper water the past couple of months to locate a consistent bite but this will change in September. Higher tides will send them to back bay areas to take advantage of abundant food sources. I expect to see a big improvement in topwater action as this pattern develops.

Trout are a bit pickier than reds when it comes to salinity. Getting away from the mouth of the Arroyo Colorado and adjacent parts of the ICW where fresh water is more prevalent due to storm runoff will prove helpful. A tactic I use often in early morning to bring vicious strikes is throwing topwaters along the ICW drop-off before the boat traffic pushes them to deeper Andi Hull had a great water. We quite often find limits day wading the of solid fish during the first hour Lower Laguna Madre. of daylight…but you need an early start to take advantage.

September can be stormy with plenty of thunder and lightning and no fish is worth risking your life. Keep an eye on the weather and be aware of your surroundings. The best precaution for avoiding dangerous storms is to move quickly away from them. We will likely see quite a few days with cloud cover, which helps reduce water temps and improves the bite. I look forward to the beginning of the fall season and the best fishing of the year right around the corner. Stay safe and dry!

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FISHING REPORTS

Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay | James Plaag Silver King Adventures - silverkingadventures.com - 409.935.7242 James says the fishing in August has been typical for him, with no major changes expected in September. “The wading this time of year can be okay, especially early in the mornings, when tides are running high and there's plenty of water in the bays. Overall, though, fishing from the boat out in the middle around structures and shell reefs is more consistent. We've had lots of slicks popping and a few birds working already. Good mix of trout and redfish biting around such signs. The bird activity should pick up even more in September. And, the schooling reds should still be available out in the middle, creating lots of slicks and mud stirs to key on. Later in the month, when we start getting a few more fronts, we'll have a bunch of trout and reds in the back-lakes and coves, chasing shrimp falling out of the marshes. Of course, if catching big fish is the goal, September can be a great month for targeting silver kings in the nearshore waters of the Gulf. We have to get lucky and dodge any big storms, of course, but it can really be outstanding, right up into October.”

Jimmy West - Bolivar Guide Service - 409.996.3054 Jim says the trout fishing has been excellent at times in and around East Galveston Bay, somewhat of a struggle at others. “We've had some really good days. As long as the water's pretty clear and conditions favor a morning bite, meaning the tide cycle is right for it mostly, we've been catching limits of trout pretty easy. If the morning tide cycle gets messed up, or the wind muddies the water, it's been tougher. I find this typical when the water goes from being really fresh all over to saltier in more places. Luckily, though, the fishing for reds has been outstanding. We're keying on slicks and birds to locate big schools of fish in the open water. The majority of the fish in these schools are over the slot, but they're lots of fun to catch. The key to catchin' 'em is to use the trolling motor to get the boat out in front of the school. They'll pretty much eat whatever you throw in there once you get it right, but it's easy to mess it up, and they can start moving faster, get hard to keep up with. In September, I'll be running teal and dove hunts, fishing less.”

West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas - Chocolate Bays Randall Groves - Groves Guide Service 979.849.7019 - 979.864.9323 On trips made in the days and weeks prior to giving this report, Randall had been spending as much time as possible fishing the surf. “I will continue to make the beachfront the first priority, as long as conditions allow. In September, we usually have lots of hot, calm days, which make fishing the surf good. Normally, we have good numbers of two kinds of prey species in the surf this month—ribbonfish and shrimp. When the ribbonfish are thick, I like to throw slender topwaters like SkitterWalks, which are easy to work with fast, erratic retrieves and seem to mimic the shiny ribbonfish really well. To imitate the shrimp, I prefer full-sized Norton Sand Eels. In the surf, I usually rig them on Norton screw-lock jigheads, adjusting size to meet the conditions, meaning I use a bit heavier ones when the current is strong, or the waves are a bit bigger, to keep the worms down in the water. Of course, we'll use live bait accordingly, when the main plans don't seem right, given the conditions. We should start to see a few birds working over migrating shrimp this month in open areas of the bays and back-lakes. Overall, conditions and catching have been good.”

Matagorda | Bay Guide Service Charlie Paradoski – 713.725.2401 After a summer in which west and southwest winds reduced the options somewhat in the Matagorda Area, Charlie expects September to provide plenty of excellent opportunities for fast catching. “The fish in the surf haven't really been picked on much this summer, so we'll have tons to work with if winds get light, which they usually do around Labor Day. We've had good drifting and 62 | September 2020

ORECASTS F from Big Lake to Boca Chica

AND

wading in both East and West Matagorda bays lately. Most of our fish in East Bay have been caught over a bottom of mixed shell and mud. In West Bay, the artificial reefs are producing best. Soft plastics are producing well on the better days. Live shrimp working all the time too. The wading should only get better in September, especially for the reds. Topwater bite can be crazy in the coves on the south shorelines of both bays this time of year. And, the Colorado River is running salty. We've got plenty of fish in there right now. In the Diversion Channel too. Normally, in September, birds start working over schools of shrimp migrating toward the Gulf in those places, so that gives us another option for catching this month.”

Palacios | Capt. Aaron Wollam www.palaciosguideservice.com - 979.240.8204 Our local bays have been producing lots of fish for us lately. The trout bite has been crazy good out in West Matagorda Bay, over deep shell pads and around the rigs. We're casting live shrimp rigged about four to five feet under Coastal Corks for best results. The average size of the fish has been excellent, with lots of sixteen to nineteen-inchers coming to hand, a few over twenty inches too. The surf had finally settled right before Hurricane Hanna hit, and we were catching easy limits of trout by seven in the morning on some days.

Topwaters with some pink on them were working best, and the trout out there were ranging between about eighteen and twenty two inches on average.

The redfish have started schooling in small pods by the mouths of drains and bayous and have been pretty easy to catch on live shrimp and cut mullet in shallow water. We've been focusing on points and bars in areas like this, when tides are falling. Most of the fish we're catching are excellent eaters, in the lower end of the slot. In September, we should experience excellent catching in our area, as birds start working regularly.

Port O’Connor | Lynn Smith Back Bay Guide Service - 361.983.4434 In September, Lynn plans on fishing around shell reefs in main bays and in some of the back-lakes in the Port O'Connor area, when targeting redfish, moving to areas with mostly sand and grass on the bottom closer to the Gulf when fishing for trout. “We'll still be chasing the trout running up and down the beachfront with the tide. Normally, we head out to the surf when it's calm and we have good tide movement in the morning hours. That seems to work best. If it's a bit windier, we'll fish some of the shallow sand flats covered with grass beds in close proximity to the Pass. We are always looking for massive rafts of bait, mostly mullet, this time of year, since the trout and redfish follow them so closely. Redfish are usually schooling in good numbers in some of the back-lakes at the start of fall. We go after them if winds have the surf mucked up, or after we get done working on our trout. In either case, we'll be throwing lots of topwaters, as long as we're getting steady action on them. Normally, soft plastics get more attention as the day wears on, especially from the reds.”

Rockport | Blake Muirhead Gator Trout Guide Service - 361.790.5203 or 361.441.3894 September marks the beginning of autumn, one of Blake's favorite seasons for fishing and hunting in the Coastal Bend. “I'll be running some dove hunts this month, also hoping to hunt some teal. When fishing, I'll be targeting the schools of reds, which tend to gather up on the big flats close to the deep water leading into the Gulf. Normally, we have big schools of fish on Super Flats, around Mud Island, and on the shorelines and flats in places like East Flats. Locating the schools sometimes means finding birds working over them. I also find them at times by seeing the wakes they push as they move and chase bait, sometimes by finding slicks and mud stirs. When fishing for trout this month, I like to head out to the surf if conditions allow it. If it's windier, fishing along protected shorelines with a firm sandy bottom and plenty of grass beds

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usually produces well. This time of year, it's often possible to have the best of both the outdoor worlds, with fast and easy fishing and plenty of birds to shoot at too. Overall, it's a great time to be out on the water or in the fields.”

Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay - Land Cut Robert Zapata – rz1528@grandecom.net - 361.563.1160 This is a great month to target schools of redfish early in the mornings by driving along slowly in depths of water less than three feet and looking for the wakes the fish push as they move out of the way of the boat. This works best on calmer days, of course. Once a school is seen moving away from the sound of the outboard, it's best to try and avoid running right through them.

Best bet is to circle upwind of them and use the trolling motor to move back within casting range. Making long casts to the outside edges of the school works best, as it tends to allow for catching some of the fish without spooking the entire school. I prefer to use natural colored Bass Assassin Die Dappers on eighth-ounce Assassin Spring-lock jigheads when targeting the redfish schools, sometimes switching over to a half-ounce gold weedless spoon. When targeting trout, we'll be free-lining live croakers along grass lines, in deeper potholes or around submerged rocks. This will also produce decent numbers of redfish and flounder. Lately, we've been catching plenty of reds, trout and black drum in shallow water on Fish-bites too.”

Corpus Christi | Joe Mendez – www.sightcast1.com - 361.877.1230 In September, when bull tides and light winds often create somewhat stagnant conditions in parts of the Upper Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay, Joe prefers fishing in parts of the area where tidal movements cause the trout and redfish to bite at predictable times. “Fishing close around the bridge and in places like Shamrock Cove and East Flats can be better than it is down south this month. A strong incoming tide early in the morning will cause the fish to bite on shallow flats adjacent to deep guts. Generally, we look for giant rafts of bait on top of shallow humps and close to the shorelines of small islands this time of year. With so much food available to the predators, it pays to stay right in the midst of concentrations of bait, especially ones where there's evidence of active predators, meaning some of the baitfish are flying out of the water in ways which show they're running for their lives. Areas on both sides of the JFK Causeway hold plenty of fish at the end of the hot season, and the water holds its clarity quite nicely on most wind conditions. Early cool fronts create excellent opportunities this time of year too.”

P.I.N.S. Fishing Forecast | Eric Ozolins 361-877-3583 | Oceanepics.com Many migrations occur along the beach this month, including an invasion of dusky anchovies. Behind these little fish, predators of all types swim. Though these anchovies usually run small, about two inches in length, I've seen eightfoot bull sharks inhaling them by the hundreds. Spanish mackerel, skipjacks, trout, tarpon and other species will be gorging on all the bait this month.

Spoons will be the most productive lures overall. Topwaters will eliminate some of the smaller fish, but they can attract hordes of skipjacks at times. Catching finger mullet in a cast net will increase your chances for tangling with tarpon.

64 | September 2020

Sharks will be plentiful, mainly blacktips and the smaller bulls. At the beginning of the month, tigers will still be on the prowl. Multiple stingray species will also be present, creating danger for waders. They're especially abundant around frenzies where predators are killing lots of small fish, since they tend to feed on scraps falling to the bottom. Keeping an eye on the tropics before heading out to the beachfront also makes good sense, as proved recently by the passage of Hurricane Hanna. This storm came up fast and has changed some parts of the coastline dramatically.

Port Mansfield | Ruben Garza Snookdudecharters.com – 832.385.1431 Getaway Adventures Lodge – 956.944.4000 This is a good month for dove hunting and chasing schooling redfish around the East Cut. Most of the time, we find the reds close to oysters on the north side of the cut. South of the cut, they usually stay close to the spoil islands and the guts and gaps between them. People who fish for them there should proceed with caution while wading. The hurricane made the cuts deeper, and many are impossible to walk through. Topwaters work well this time of year, especially early in the mornings. Often, creating a frenzy of redfish fighting over them is a great way to locate the schools. Fishing around the cabins in the Saucer area can be productive too. Topwaters and KWiggler Ball-tails work well in that area. West Bay, the Weather Station and Butcher's Island all hold plenty of fish this time of year too, especially along the breaks from shallow to deep water. Birds should start working sometime soon. Normally, they lead us to small trout, but not always. On the calmer days, it's still a good idea to leave the options for fishing the nearshore waters and jetties in play. It's often possible to find roaming herds of reds out there.

Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Aaron Cisneros | tightlinescharters.com – 956-639-1941 Both the blazing summer heat and high levels of boat traffic have pushed many of our fish to deeper water this summer. We're finding good concentrations of mullet and other small baitfish in water ranging from three to five feet deep. Around these schools of bait, we're catching good numbers of trout ranging between eighteen and twenty five inches, and even more smaller ones. KWiggler Mansfield Margarita Ball Tails rigged on eighth-ounce screw lock jigheads fished slowly have worked best. Early in the mornings, topwaters rigged with single hooks have also earned quite a few strikes.

Redfish have been scattered, mostly. We're catching them best on outgoing tides. When targeting them, we're doing best in areas with deep grass beds and plentiful bait signs. Plum/chartreuse Ball Tails have been getting more bites than other soft plastics. We're expecting the action to pick up as the weather cools down. Usually, this perks up the actively level of trout and redfish in the shallows and reduces the crowd levels somewhat. Overall, fall is probably the best season of all to fish the Lower Laguna Madre, and we look forward to some faster catching in the coming weeks.

Science and the

Sea

TM

Dolphins Learn with a Little Help from their Friends Whether on land or in the sea, most young mammals learn how to hunt and forage from their parents, most often their mother. But researchers have recently discovered that dolphins learn from more than just mom.

New evidence suggests that dolphins also pick up new hunting skills from their peers.

New evidence suggests dolphins learn new hunting skills from their peers. Credit: NOAA A team of European marine biologists studied more than 5,000 encounters between Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins in Shark Bay, Western Australia, from 2007 to 2018. They identified at least 1,000 individual dolphins and observed them 42 times using a hunting strategy called “shelling.” Shelling involves the dolphin first chasing its prey into a giant empty snail shell. Then, the dolphin pushes its beak into the shell and swims to the surface with it. At the surface, the dolphin shakes out the water in the shell and the prey falls into its mouth. The biologists saw at least 19 different dolphins use shelling, but they wanted to know how these dolphins learned the skill.

The scientists had very detailed data on the individual dolphins and used the data to look closely at the social relationships, family relationships and environmental influences. The researchers discovered that shelling behavior spread among dolphins of the same age and across families, instead of always passing from one generation to the next within a family. This discovery appears to be the first evidence that dolphins learn from their peers in the same way that great apes do. If further research confirms these findings, it’s good news. It means dolphins can learn from others in their pod how to adapt hunting strategies to their environment. Having more “teachers,” with different experiences could give them skills that increase their likelihood of surviving difficult or changing conditions.

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

TSFMAG.com | 65

Chris Henderson 23.5” 5 lb - personal best flounder!

Paxton Markley Granny’s Tank - 5 lb bass

Amanda Jackson Port Aransas - 22” redfish 66 | September 2020

Carson Carroll West Matagorda Bay - first tripletail!

Nina Garrett Aransas Bay - 26” speckled trout

Aidan Mendoza Aransas Pass - 24” speck

Scott Hansen Copano Bay - 27” redfish

Karen Harriss Bayport Ship Channel - 35” redfish CPR

Angela Neal Matagorda Bay - 27” trout

Mack Ulrich Matagorda - 42” bull red

Charlie Upshaw POC - flounder

Maddy Byars West Galveston - 26.75” redfish

Photo Gallery Guidelines First come – first published!

Photos are judged on artistic merit and sporting ethic displayed. No stringer, cleaning table, or hanging board images allowed.

Digital images only. Adjust camera to high or best quality. All images become property of TSFMag. Email to: Photos@TSFMag.com Include short description of your catch with name, date, bay system, etc.

Chad Vogelsang Matagorda - trout CPR TSFMAG.com | 67

PAM JOHNSON

Gulf Coast

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

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

Frank Willis’ Shrimp Stuffed Potatoes Here’s a twist on Twice-Baked Potatoes that seafood lovers are sure to fall in love with. I have served this recipe several times and received rave reviews. As fine a compliment to a grilled ribeye steak as I have ever eaten.

INGREDIENTS

PREPARATION

6 large baking potatoes

Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare potatoes for baking: Wash and pierce with fork, coat with oil and sprinkle with coarse salt. Wrap in foil and bake one hour.

Melt butter in large sauce pan and add white wine, chicken bouillon, and Cajun seasoning or cayenne. Add shrimp and sauté until just turning pink. Remove from heat and set aside.

After baking and cooling, cut baked potatoes in half lengthwise. Gently scoop baked insides from skin, taking care to leave skin intact, and place in mixing bowl. Mash until smooth; add sour cream and one cup cheddar cheese, gently fold in shrimp with butter and wine sauce. Refill potato skins with mixture and sprinkle with remaining cup of cheddar cheese.

Bake at 350° approximately 20 minutes, or until cheese begins to brown slightly on top.

1 pound small to medium peeled shrimp (large may be cut in half ) 1 stick butter 1/2 cup white cooking wine 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided 1 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp Knorr Granulated Chicken Bouillon Dash or two Slap Ya Mama Cajun seasoning or cayenne pepper

68 | September 2020

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

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

Chris Mapp, owner of Coastal Bend Marine.

Evinrude, Suzuki, Yamaha, Mercury, Honda, BlueWave, SilverWave, Shallow Stalker Boats, Coastline Trailers, Minnkota & Motor Guide Trolling Motors.

Great Service, Parts & Sales “What can we do for you?”

Broken prop shaft.

70 | September 2020

There are many reasons a propeller shaft can snap and leave you stranded. While the possibility of a material or manufacturing defect certainly exists, the possibilities are remote. The more likely cause of such failure usually lies within the realm of improper operating practices; using the wrong prop hardware, a loose propeller bushing, surfacing the prop at high rpm from running too high on the jackplate, etc. Abuse is a strong word but definitely applicable when the outboard’s lower unit is subjected to continued operation that exceeds engineered parameters.

The pursuit of reds, speckled trout, and flounder in shallow water often leads to innocent misuse with no single event precipitating the

failure. Repeated shallow water take-offs, when the boat struggles to get on plane, and plowing across a shallow flat to reach deeper water, have a cumulative effect. We frequently see evidence of these in the amount of paint scraped from the skeg along with gouges and sometimes cracking of the skeg material.

Factory warranties will not pay for damaged gears, seals, twisted or broken prop shafts, and snapped skegs due to misuse or abuse.

Insurance companies have also become wary of such claims. The seabed and sea grasses in fertile backwater areas are also damaged when the skeg becomes a plow.

A slight change in operating technique and watching the tide charts could save an outing and help the environment at the same time.

Have fun on the water; great fall fishing is around the corner!

Chris Mapp Coastal Bend Marine & Flats Cat Boat Company Close-up view of Port O’Connor TX skeg damage.

CoastalBendMarine.com

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

Fin Tastic Coastal Charters

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Capt. Lynn Smith’s Back Bay Guide Service Port O’Connor Area

Wade & Drifting the Back Bays & Surf

Call 361.983.4434 (cell 361.935.6833) Email lynn@tisd.net (tswf.com/lynnsmith) TSFMAG.com | 71

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