Island Moon
June 17, 2011
A7
Birds and Beach Bits
Dr. Tom
(aka On the Rocks)
Flats Etiquette
By Jay Gardener I don’t even know where to start. Things have been moving pretty fast lately, loyal readers. Speaking of loyal readers, for some odd reason I happened to glance at the top of my folder and this gripping edition of Birds and Beach Bits aka On the Rocks marks two years I’ve been writing this drivel. Wow. Time really does fly. Thanks for reading and if you guys have any questions or boos for me shoot an email to jaygardner@scientist.com and I’ll try to make something up that sounds reasonable or maybe even write about it if you send cool photos and a cash donation. Just kidding about that last part. Snapper Tagging Well folks lately I’ve been blessed with several exciting opportunities to go do some fishing. And I mean the kind of fishing that gets me excited. Research fishing. What’s that you say? Where you go all the way out there and fish and don’t keep anything? Let them all go? Crazy, I know, but its’ for a good cause. At one point in my collegiate career I thought I was going to be a fisheries biologist. Life had other plans for me. But I digress. So last time had me out with the TAMUCC/Harte Research Institute Fisheries and Ocean Health lab (headed up by Dr. Greg Stunz) tagging some snapper for Judd’s PhD study. This week’s adventure had me on a boat headed out to tag sharks for Philip’s Masters thesis study. It felt like a super secret mission as we headed out to a structure that I have only studied about and dreamed about but had never had the opportunity to visit. In addition, also on the boat was one of my heroes, Capt. Billy Sandifer. Hallowed Ground I barely made the boat last Monday and we headed out into virtually calm seas with high expectations. After a long chug, we were at the hallowed fishing grounds. The crew deployed some receivers to “listen” for internally tagged fish, and we proceeded to fish for sharks. And we fished. Then it got dark. And we fished some more. Then we moved. Twice. Aaaand, you guessed it. No sharks. But it was a really great time fishing and visiting and laughing with everyone on board. We got to see the miles of Sargassum headed into the local beaches along with literally thousands upon thousands of small crabs swarming all over the place out there. I picked one up off the deck and it appeared to be either a Gulf crab or lesser blue crab (similar to the blue crab, as it has swimmerettes and swims very well). I’m not sure what caused it, but there is a bumper crop of those things this year (as anyone that has visited the beach lately can tell you). We watched squid bomb around in the lights of the boat and pick off anchovies, and ribbonfish schools do the same. It was a National Geographic evening in any event. Tarpon On The Rocks The night finally ended with no sharks tagged, and we headed back into the dock. We all pitched in and quickly got the boat unloaded and re-loaded all the equipment and coolers in trucks and got it all headed back towards town. Although I had been up most of the night with only 4 hours of sleep on a small bench, I was in Port Aransas at 11:00am with the rest of the day off. Despite being tired and feeling battered, I somehow figured it would be a good idea to walk to the end of the south jetty. I had my little ultralite rod (with 6lb test) in the back seat and figured I would take it and a few lures along and mess with the little mangroves and what-not that hang out at the edge of the rocks. On the way out I was hearing reports of jackfish near the end. I actually got excited about hooking a jackfish and getting spooled on my ultralite as I was planning on respooling (I know, NOT environmentally friendly there Jay). I picked my way out to the end, and as I’m standing there, I start to see tarpon roll. Man, that gets my
blood pumping and I can’t resist. These are 6 footers I’m throwing at! Fat chance buddy! I have no takers and move to the surf side, and on my first cast, POW! I get a hit right next to the rocks, and miss it. I rubbed my eyes; could that have been a…..nah. Third cast POW! Hook a solid fish that immediately comes out of the water. Tarpon. 4 foot class. I almost laugh, and relax because I figured this would be a really short fight as he would throw the hook or snap my line or spool me out. I played along, and got 6 more jumps out of him. The other guys out there were screaming. I had patience, held my rod high, and can’t believe it, but 25 minutes later, landed the tired fish having only 75 yards of 6lb test. Sheesh. Anyhoo, a few pics and back in the water. Thanks Ernest Politte for the photos by the way. I was elated. I immediately walked off the jetties, got in the truck, and went and soaked in the pool. Epic end to a great trip. Good times. Shark Tagging So since we didn’t tag any sharks on the boat, the researchers decided that tagging pup sharks from Bob Hall would be the next best thing. Easy enough, right? Lots of reports of pup sharks being caught in the area. So the team loaded up and headed out ready to rock and roll, errr, I mean do some tagging. The manager (Barnacle Bill himself) was gracious enough to let the researchers on the pier gratis to do their work. Incidentally, Barnacle Bill has done wonders with that pier. I suggest you drop by and check it out. The fishing pier is also much cleaner, Scott Cross’s crew did a bang-up job with the new railings, and the place is different than it has been in the past. I digress again. Sorry, guess I do that a lot. Road Kill Willie Anyhoo, the crew had talked to the crowd, and sure enough, a few small pup sharks are caught and tagged and released successfully. Yea! The first night the team got internal tags in four of the 7 candidate sharks. I say “candidate” sharks, because while they wanted pup sharks, Road Kill Willie caught two sharks that Dr. Stunz said they looked like they had just been born. I agreed with him. Road Kill blames the size of the sharks on the instructions not being clear enough. They said small sharks, right? I say he did better than me; I didn’t catch anything other than bait. I had such a bad night that I had a bluefish bite into my hand. I screamed like a little girl and stabbed it in the head four times. Thankfully no one saw that exchange except God, although I think the people next to me heard me scream. Then I ripped my shorts from top to bottom. It was all in the name of science though, LOL. Tags So if you catch a shark and it has a tag in it, that’s NOT the STAR Tournament. It’s the HRI Fisheries and Ocean Health lab’s tag. PLEASE immediately and carefully note the tag number, get a quick measurement, and return the shark to the water. If you “accidentally” kill the shark, please get the same information and contact Phil at Philip.Jose@tamucc.edu He would greatly appreciate the information and may have some prizes for you. Well folks, that’s not all. Things have been really busy and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. But I want to share with you all a simple message because it has been really evident in my life recently. We are all blessed by our friends and family, and we need to cherish them and our associations in our lives. Our associations with others make our lives richer and fuller, and we can get so much more accomplished as a team. Be thankful of your friends and the adventures you have together, because in the end, that’s all you really ever need. See you all on the sand!
I have been lucky enough to steal a few days on the water recently and it spawned the realization that our waterways are being used by more and more folks these days. Some of these guys are unsure of how to treat other fisherman and boaters and so I decided this week to touch on courtesy on the water as relates to fishing. Locally we have anglers with many years of experience on the water and it shows when ramps get crowded at places like Bluffs Landing or Bird Island. These experienced anglers are able to put in and take out vast numbers of boats quickly efficiently and with out clogging up the facilities. On the other hand if you visit marinas that get more tourists and less experienced anglers you will see a logjam at the Marina with tempers flaring. Flats fishing is varied some guys are sight fishers and fly fishers requiring large expanses of undisturbed shallow water and others fish bait in deep water right next to each other. Fishing channels and navigation routes by definition puts you in boat traffic. The following observations are some rules that I try to follow and think about when I am on the water. When you get to the ramp have a plan. Your boat should be ready, loaded, fuel bulb primed. Plugs should be in. If you have partner and your trailer does not have rollers unhook your strap and have everyone on board. Back in, dump it, crank it, and move out. Don’t load your boat in the ramp or leave your boat floating in the ramp. When you park your trailer do not block other vehicles and trailers. Observe no wake signs and realize if you run a heavy deep V boat that running at 1/2 throttle throws an even bigger wake. Boats moored along no wake channels are damaged by heavy wakes as is the property over time.
When you park at a marina do not block fueling areas.
Try to familiarize yourself if navigating new areas. This is extremely important in our shallow water environment. The lost boater is often responsible for hostility on the water. It happens to everyone but researching your area ahead of time helps. Do not get angry if you park in a navigational area and boaters come by you out of necessity. If there is more than one way in and out take the unoccupied channel even if it is a little out of the way.
Do not run shorelines where wade fishers like to ply their craft. Keep your distance from other fisherman especially in shallow environments. There are differing opinions but 300 yards is a good minimum in shallow shoreline areas and flats. Do not cut off other anglers drifting; always pass them with as much distance as possible on the upwind side.
Do not pull your boat in front of an angler poling a shoreline. This will bring out the term pot licker (defined as person who can not find their own fish and therefore attempts to fish next to an angler that might be on fish) from the man poling the skiff. Lastly, if you see stranded boaters at least go and see if they need assistance such as calling for help. You do not necessarily have to waste your day on the water but at least helping them get assistance is the right thing to do. Next time it could be you. I highly recommend subscribing to Tow Boat Us or Sea Tow, they are worth their weight in gold when you need them. Remember the golden rule treat your fellow anglers the way you would want to be treated. Be safe, Doc Tom,
City to Offer Lifeguard Art Camp 2011 Certification Training “Mastering the Arts” at Courses the Art Center June 21 During Summer 2011 – July 28 The City of Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department will offer Lifeguard Certification Training Courses during Summer 2011. Students must be at least 15 years old and pass the pre-skills test. This course teaches the duties and responsibilities of lifeguards to prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies and procedures to carry them out in a professional manner. Course certifies participant as an American Red Cross Lifeguard. Course includes certifications in CPR/AED for Lifeguards, Lifeguarding/First Aid, Oxygen Administration, and Bloodborne Pathogens Training. Lifeguard candidates must attend all sessions to achieve certification.
Registration Now Open Registration is now open for the Art Center’s 2011 summer fine art camp running for six weeks, June 21 – July 28th. “Mastering the Arts” will teach children ages 7 to 15 years art techniques that mirror the work of master artists in morning and afternoon sessions. Activities will change weekly and be taught by experienced art instructors. WHO: The Art Center of Corpus Christi’s 2011 Summer Art Camp for children ages 7-15
SKILLS: Swim 300 meters continuously (100-meter front crawl, 100 must be breaststroke, and remaining 100 can be a combination of front crawl and breaststroke). Swim 20 meters: retrieve a 10 lb. brick from the bottom of the pool, swim 20 meters back to wall with brick and exit the pool without the use of steps or ladder in less than 1 minute 40 seconds.
WHAT: “Mastering the Arts” will include six weeks of fine art activities that teach techniques of master artists including Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, and more!
REGISTRATION: Cost is $150 per participant per session (includes training manual and pocket mask). There will be a $25 late fee applied to persons who register after the registration deadline. Registration will be offered at City Hall (1201 Leopard St.), 3rd floor, Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department from 11am–4pm, as well as at the pool the session will be held.
Week 4: Mosaics
SCHEDULE: SESSION I will be held June 16, 17, 21 & 22, 2011, from 9am–6pm at Parker Pool. SESSION II will be held June 23, 24, 28 & 29, 2011, from 9am–6pm at the Natatorium. SESSION III will be held July 21, 22, 26 & 27, 2011, from 9am–6pm at West Guth Pool.
Week 1: Painting and Color Week 2: Printmaking/Collage, learn abstract technique Week 3: Clay and Hand Building Week 5: Groovy 60’s Art Week 6: Self Portrait Painting WHEN: June 21st – July 28th, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. or 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. WHERE: The Art Center of Corpus Christi 100 Shoreline Boulevard Corpus Christi, TX 78401 Secure your spot today and become a “master artist” at your community arts center. To register call Tanya Estes at the Art Center, 884-6406 x 206.
SESSION IV will be held July 28, 29, August 2 & 3, 2011, from 9am–6pm at Oso Pool. For more information, call the pool or 361826-3460. For more information about the wide variety of programs and services offered by the Corpus Christi Parks & Recreation Department, visit www.ccparkandrec.com. We invite you to LIVE. LEARN. PLAY!
Doc’s restaurant hosted over a hundred fisherman for a tournament last Friday.
The Michael J. Ellis Beach & Seawall sign is ready and will be unveiled June 18th at 11:00 a.m.
Desire fresh food?
Real, Satisfying food prepared just for you from fresh ingredients Huge Vegetarian, Vegan & Gluten-Free Friendly Menu Fresh Non-veg stuff too.
Tango Tea Room
505 South Water Street 361-883-9123