February 2007 by Texas Salwater Fishing Magazine

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

F ebruary 2 0 0 7 Vo l u m e 16 N o .10

in this issue… 10 On the Hard Stuff Again

Mike McBride

14 A Fine First Glimpse

Kevin Cochran

20 Five Locales to Fish When Winter Turns Cold

Bink Grimes

24 The Haddon Cup Part I

Martin Strarup

28 Understanding Long Shore Drift

Billy Sandifer

32 Let’s Ask The Pro

Jay Watkins

36 Fly Fishing

Cliff Webb is our cover angler this month and Cliff is showing off a 31-inch, 9.5 lb trophy that he caught in Baffin Bay recently. Cliff decided to release this magnificent fish so that she could live to fight another day... awesome!

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Advertising Please direct advertising inquires to: tracey@tsfmag.com NE W ! or call 361-785-3420 EMAIL

Send us Your Letters, Questions & Comments!

Casey Smartt

Brandon Jenewein

42 Offshore

Bobby Byrd/Capt. John Cochrane

46 Conservation

CCA-Texas

50 Science and the Sea

UT-Marine Science Institute

52 TPWD Field Notes

Larry McKinney

58 Kayak Fishing

Scott Null

62 According To Scott

Aaron Cisneros

68 The Lore and Legend Part II

Raymond “Kutch” Albrecht

72 Chuck’s Sabine Scene

Chuck Uzzle

74 Mickey on Galveston

Mickey Eastman

76 Capt. Bill’s Fish Talk

Bill Pustejovsky

78 Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays 80 Catching up with Cliff

Gary Gray

Cliff Webb

82 Capt. Tricia’s Port Mansfield Report 84 South Padre Fishing Scene

Scott Sommerlatte

66 Youth Fishing

Capt. Tricia

Ernest Cisneros

Editorial

70 New Tackle & Gear 86 Fishing Reports and Forecasts 88 Photo Gallery–Catch of the Month 90 Gulf Coast Kitchen 95 Index of Advertisers

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P.O. Box 429 Seadrift, TX 77983 Office: 361-785-3420 © Copyrighted 1990 All rights reserved. Positively nothing in this publication may be reprinted and reproduced. *Views expressed by TSFMag contributors do not necessarily express the views of TSFMag. Texas Saltwater Fishing

40 Tournament Trails

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Editor and Publisher Everett Johnson everett@tsfmag.com NEW ! L EM A I Business Manager Pam Johnson pam@tsfmag.com NEW !

EM A I

February 2007

Advertising Tracey Johnson Ph: 361-785-3420

Fx: 361-785-2844

tracey@tsfmag.com NEW !

L EM A I Subscription – Circulation Shirley Elliott Ph: 361-785-3420 shirley@tsfmag.com

NE W ! L EM A I

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

I would think by now most

everybody with more than a casual interest in Texas saltwater has heard; all is not well down on the lower Texas coast. TPWD’s population sampling effort of recent years says that spotted seatrout numbers are sagging under the pressure of recreational fishing. The commercial harvest of this popular species ended a long time ago, so we can only conclude the guys who once claimed we couldn’t hurt ‘em with rods and reels simply could not guess how many rods and reels there might be one day. On page 52 in this magazine, we are pleased to have Dr. Larry McKinney’s assessment of the fishery and explanation of a proposal for regionalized management of the spotted seatrout resource. Dr. McKinney is the Director of TPWD Coastal Fisheries Division. The proposal to implement regionalized management plans in the Lower Laguna Madre would mark a new era; all prior plans were based upon one set of regulations that applied to the whole coast. Even a beginning salt might spot the vast differences between a river mouth estuary like Sabine Lake and a hyper-saline system such as Baffin and the Lower Laguna Madre. Common sense should be enough to justify the change. The concept of regionalized management, though new to saltwater here in Texas, is really nothing new in the world of resource management in general. It has been used extensively in Texas freshwater fisheries and nearly all wildlife species for a long time. Other state’s agencies have built pretty near all of their marine fisheries management schemes on regionalized concepts. So why if they are seen to work like a charm in so many other areas are there so many factions hoping to derail the plan? Somehow the opponents of regionalization have convinced themselves that they will no longer be able to have fun or justify a trip to the coast if bag limits are cut. One of the more common arguments is founded on an attempt to shift blame from overfishing to water quality, alleging that agricultural fertilizers reaching the bays are the real culprit. Others protest that it isn’t fair to cut limits until the channels and passes are restored. Even more surprising are saltwater fishing guides who believe a reduction in the bag limits will take away their livelihood. I guess they are hoping that no matter how many we take there will always somehow be plenty more. To these opponents of regionalization I would say, a bag of four, five or six is surely better than a day spent catching none; which is where we could be headed if we cannot apply the time-honored “stitch in time” remedy here. I would further cite the growing popularity of Catch and Release and “Just Keep Five” within the saltwater community. To the guides especially, I would also like to say you are selling your clients short, there’s far more to a day on the water than a bulging sack of fillets. If all you want to do is sell seafood, get a job at HEB, they offer paid vacation, health insurance and retirement. Unless this is the first time for you to read this magazine you are probably well aware that many of us here would vote readily for more conservative trout regulations, and not just for the Lower Laguna. I believe our editorial position on this matter has been one of the cornerstones of our success and we remain staunchly dedicated to it. I heartily encourage that you read Dr. McKinney’s work and also to follow up by reading Part II that will run next month. I would also encourage that you go online and visit: www.supportregionalization.com.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Send letters to: TSFMag, P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983

liott, ls? Dear Shirley El any of my emai u have received yo anks if g rin de ug ing thro h. Th I was won if they are com ow kn e w en so back u have be a Please email magazines; yo d an s irt sh e ing us th long year. again for send ng through this tti ge lp he d an great suppor t raph: ys in the photog mes of the gu na e th e ar e Her w, TX chtrup - Mosco 1LT Dane Bro Antonio, TX Nar vaez - San SGT. Fernando ’ Connor, TX zales - Port O SPC Brian Gon ria, TX ssmore - Victo SPC Patrick Pa Lavaca, TX Mueller - Port ew th at M C P S ntonio, TX Molina - San A SPC Rodrigo Brian Gonzale

Dear Texas Saltwate r Fishing Magazine staff, I would just like to send a big thank yo u to all for the maga you’ve sent to our zines APO AE address. I am distributing them ar post, to our 1SG’s, ou nd in our operations ce nter in the barrack in the medical clinic s an d . My soldiers, sailo rs, airmen and ma do not regularly de rin es ploy, but, they prov ide a service that is the US and the UK vital to . We have a very sm all population of all services, NSA em four ployees, UK Minis try of Defence, and (UK) civilians. They GCHQ all come here and work hard for at lea to three years away st two from home and fam ily without complai make me proud on nt. They a daily basis. From all of us at Me nwith Hill, I wanted to again say thank your suppor t. Grea s for t Magazine! Cheers! JOHN S. KASPER , CPT, MI Deputy Senior Miss ion Manager, CHAR LIE Shift Menwith Hill Station , N. Yorks, UK john.kasper@menw ithhill.us.af.mil 011- 44 -1423 -776-70 0(b) 940- 5566(g) “Fish or cut bait”

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

It was three-thirty in the morning, and there like a Popsicle in the

mud I stood, convinced that life would soon be

These are lures of legend.

disabled by loosing all ten fingers and perhaps even a few toes to frostbite. Even though I had just managed to paw yet another seven-pounder off of three sets of deeply engaged treble hooks, I remember asking myself one simple question: “Fool… What are you trying to do here?” I knew the simple answer and so did many others. I was plugging for big trout. Whatever self-imposed hardships came with it, well, it was fishing for the extreme reward and that’s just the way it was. It was winter MirrOlure time, and we were only following the lead set by many weathered faces before us. Now, after a several year hiatus from throwing the original 51 series MirrOLure, I stumbled into the old stash and am proud to report that it’s “Déjà vu all over again.” Hard baits and hard weather… it’s time.

MirrOlures I haven’t thrown them in about four years, convinced they sank too quickly for Laguna work and had far too many barbs to negotiate thick grass. But, in a search for the passion that brought me, tying knots on them during the past two weeks has produced fish reminiscent of the old days. The old days of throwing hard plugs such as Bingos, and then later MirrOlures, was an important piece of history that helped shape trout fishing along the Texas Coast into what it is today. Not insignificant was the character development of the groups of men who threw them. That’s what men did in the winter for big trout. They stood, they cast, and they threw MirrOlures because it was the only lure to throw if you were serious about what you did. When you walked into a line-up of old salts

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

back then there was a certain sense of mystical

colder it was the better, and there is probably an

parked in one of the local’s

magic. Beyond that, there was certainly a strong

entire museum of old plugs still down there stuck

spots you might as well

sense of protocol that seems missing today. If

on that reef. Again, long casts, a count-down of

have insulted their mother.

you showed up with the wrong color, it suggested

about eight, and then slow clicking the shell on

It was in this bay where we

that you were not privy to up-to-date local

the bottom brought some of the heaviest fish

learned to count the lure

knowledge and were simply cast off as another

I’d ever seen. If you didn’t have the right color

down as it fell about one

intrusive wannabe. If you had the wrong reel,

for the day you missed it all, and there were a

foot per second. When you felt it ticking through

which was anything but red, you were treated as

certain few locals who were extremely adept at

suspended schools of mullet, you knew you were

such and not fully allowed to pull up parallel and

casting where you couldn’t see what color they

close to the strike zone. You moved and kept the

reach the strike zone.

were using. Horrible rubber waders with ball and

plug at that level until you got bit, and that was

To me, there’s little can compare with the

chain boots, shiny yellow slicker suit tops, and

probably on top of one of the many little shell

magic of plugging in winter; that sudden stop

a bone-cutting East wind was what you wore.

tow-heads that others already knew through

of the lure and the delayed, heavy headshake

It was more of the deep and slow lesson, and

years of probing. We learned that when the bite

from a serious trout who just realized the error.

the old red Ambassador with a five-to-one ratio

was off, ripping it hard would draw strikes, even

MirrOlures catch fish, big fish, and five decades

helped. A few of the old men helped too, if you

in extremely cold water. We learned to use the

worth of their stories are legendary. Instead of

could call a chewing out being helped.

current to sweep the bait over structure or near

punishing ourselves with another boring “howto” attempt, perhaps a small sample of a few

Galveston Bay Academy

typical stories might allow for some intuitive

There was no place where cliques of

old crashed out pilings. We learned not to walk anywhere near someone already bowed up, or your truck which you parked in the wrong

reading between the lines instead. For me, I was

MirrOlure chunkers were more tightlipped than

place might be covered with fish guts when you

a relative late-comer to the ‘the line-up’, but the

in Galveston Bay proper. Back then there were

returned. Many three to six pound fish went on

introduction which got me into all sorts of trouble

several but highly protected drive-up spots when

ice in those years, courtesy of plugs, pluggers,

later in life started around Corpus Christi Bay.

the wind was light or out of the Northwest. If you

and long hard wades.

Thou shalt not tread here.

Getting serious farther south.

“Of course you ain’t catchin’ nothing boy!

In the setting described at the beginning

Look at that outlaw lure you’re using, and look

of this piece, the memory of which

at that reel, and how do you expect to reach the

started this whole nostalgic visit, we

trough with them low-cut waders you’re sportin’?

were throwing MirrOlures deep into a

You ain’t near ready to come out here, so you

February darkness. The anchor was

just need to move on down there a ways ‘til you

fast where it had been for two days,

are.” It was one of my first lessons in the pith

another forty-eight hour session

helmet pecking order. On any given winter day

of high anticipation; throwing and

with even marginal conditions, you could see

waiting for a retrieve to be

lines of older men standing in well-placed and gentlemanly order, all throwing MirrOlures into

A winter MirrOlure fish on the famous (at least to us) “Pink Chicken.”

a distant gut and waiting for schools of trout to swim by. Many stringers quickly approached the new limit of twenty and everybody tried to copy what the heaviest hitter along the line was doing, and there was always one. I wanted some of it, and quickly learned how deadly the red-topped TT28 could be, about long casts and low retrieves. Most importantly, I learned patience, respect, and the beginning of the new word — “grind”.

Blue Hole In Offatt’s Bayou, near where Moody Gardens now stands, the lineup of serious men in waders was equally as intimidating and the catches impressive. The February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

A good loop knot, makes it be all that it can be.

The famed B&L Corky bridges the gap between a MirrOlure and a soft plastic.

stopped cold by a beast of mythical proportions.

typical winter stack-up scene, trout pulled up to

We watched the entire process, from morning ‘til

feed and lay vulnerable on pieces of structure.

morning, and even though the fish never moved,

Here it was on nearly every small waist-deep

the retrieves and catch ratios ran the complete

grass patch for one-half of a mile. In the beginning

gamut several times throughout the period. That’s

they wanted it slow and just above the string,

when you learn to be a fisherman; you stand

but later they moved up high in the column and

where fish are and learn to catch them through

wanted it ripped fairly hard. I counted about sixty

the swings of the day. That particular night I

landed on my rod and my co-conspirator had that

remember hearing the Grim Reaper circle me with

many or more. We killed zero however, as we

a scythe made of ice. The occasional sound of a

were just plugging for fun and not needing to keep

reel whirring in the distance lent a small measure

a dead score. Nothing big this time, but we did

of comfort. It suggested that my partner was still

have some nice twenty-fours and twenty-sixes.

alive, so perhaps there was hope I could make it until the sun brought light, heat, and hopefully

It’s February and the magic is again upon us.

some sort of directional solace. However, we

The illusion would not be complete for a Texas

knew what we had and that any moment the

trout plugger without a little of the hard stuff; hard

suffering would be justified. It was, and although

baits to go with hard weather. Of course we’ll still

it doesn’t happen very often these days, we each

be using a lot of Corkies for serious work, they

had over twenty trout per day exceeding seven

conveniently cross the gap between a hard and

pounds. A few were larger. It was plugging.

soft bait, but the MirrOLure just re-earned its way

MirrOlure magic in Mansfield. Yesterday we threw the lure we affectionately

back into the box. There are still legends left to be made, this lure will still be a part of it, and I am as excited again as the kid who tried to infiltrate

dubbed the “Pink Chicken” MirrOlure. It was the

that old salt lineup. This time I may do some of the

day after a serious norther, but the winds quickly

chewing however. Are you ready? See ya there!

died and the sun shone by mid-morning. In a 12

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Back in the early 1990s,

muddy streaks of water over

When the weather warms up for three

I was living in a canal home off Highland

scattered shell in deep parts

or more days between fronts, especially if

Bayou, next to Jones Lake. My love for

of the open bay near Green’s and Mecom’s cuts

southeast winds fill up the shallow coves on the

saltwater fishing was not new to me then,

catch plenty of trout. Soft plastics and Mirrolures

south shoreline of this long, narrow bay, the story

but my desire to catch trophy trout on

are the plugs of choice for anglers hoping to

is much different. Warm February afternoons,

artificial lures was in its fledgling stages. Situated

pluck limits of keepers out of the streaks.

the experts claimed, offer optimal opportunity for

as I was on the shores of West Galveston Bay,

But for those who place a priority on catching

making big trout take a swipe at a plastic plug. As

I was in a place where I could satisfy my newly

a trout over about four pounds, such tactics are

the warm waters flood into the numerous pockets

found urges.

not necessarily the best way to go about getting

and enclaves fronting the marshes of Galveston

a fix. If the tide is really low or the water really

Island, some trophy trout will follow schools of

to catch a giant trout, West Bay is home to

cold, all of the fish, including the biggest ones,

mullet in there, appearing in predictably muddy

impressive numbers of specks. One of the

will likely be out in the middle, and on those days,

and quiet corners of the coves, bringing their

optimal seasons to contact these fish, I’d read,

the chances of finding more than an occasional

appetites with them.

is the second half of winter. Drifters focusing on

whopper are not particularly good.

Though it‘s not the best place in the state

As I said, back then I knew all this from reading the accounts of others who told of finding the big sows in just such places, but I’d never really experienced it for myself. One year, I was

Kev releasing a seven pounder caught 12/21/06. She and Kev both seem to sense the sweet relief!

more determined than ever to be in the right place at the right time and find out exactly what all the fuss was about. I’d caught thousands of smaller trout and a few big ones (mostly by

(Right) Warren Young trying to get a handle on an eight and a half, the struggle is stressful to him and potentially harmful to the fish he is hoping to release. 14

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

accident), but I was determined to target, locate

little farther west. The coves I want to look at are

and catch some whoppers while wading and

over there anyway.”

chunking large plugs. And as the proper weather window

Idling across the shallow bar at the mouth

We crossed over Carancahua reef and

of the little bay, I could see

found another muddy spot out in the middle of

that the cove was split in the back by a sandy

approached, I played hooky from school and

the bay. Probing the bottom with soft plastics,

point dissected by an old fence. I could also see

talked my neighbor into accompanying me on

short hopping them off scattered oysters lying

many mullet jumping around in all corners of the

what I assured him would be a memorable foray.

on the mud, we began to get strikes with some

protected pocket, which had filled nicely with the

“It’s all coming together tomorrow,” I said. “We’ve

regularity and caught, played and kept some nice

incoming tide and the help of the onshore wind.

got a new moon and the weather’s been warming

eating-sized trout.

for two days already, with another warm day

“Look at all this bait!” I said with a smile.

“Just like you said we would,” Richard grinned

“Wonder why they’re so nervous and jumpy?” I

predicted tomorrow. Not only that, but the tide

as he popped his jighead loose from the lip of

laughed then, not really sure that I was seeing

is already back up since the last front and the

a seventeen incher and plopped it on ice in the

what I wanted to be seeing, but certain that I

southeast wind is supposed to crank tomorrow

cooler beside a handful of others. He turned to

wouldn’t let Richard know that I had even the

afternoon while the tide rolls in.”

make another cast into the clearly visible color

slightest doubt in my mind as to what was about

change from which we were catching our fish,

to happen.

“We’ll drift the mud streaks in the morning and catch some trout to eat, then when it’s good and warm and the tide starts to come in,

“I’m going to pull up by that point and walk

but I had other plans. “Yes, and what else did I say? It’s almost

into that back corner over there,” I told him. “I bet

we’ll find us a cove with a lot of bait and wade

two o’clock now and I’m going to go over there

you it’s muddy and it looks like it might be just the

in there and whack a few big trout,” I said with

on that shoreline and put my hand on a big old

right depth for an old sow trout. All the articles

confidence. “You watch, I’m going to catch the

fish. There’s no time like the present to catch a

say to fish in crotch deep water or less if you

trout of my life tomorrow! And I’m going to catch

trophy,” I told him. I could tell, however, that he

want to meet a monster.”

it on a topwater lure!”

was somewhat skeptical of the fact that I could

Richard Madden, my neighbor, had been

He seemed unconvinced and unmotivated,

execute the more difficult part of the day’s plan.

saying he would wait and watch me before

fishing the coast for many years and had caught

He wanted to continue drifting and working on

walking all the way into that secluded corner on

more trout than I, but he seemed buoyed by the

his limit.

a whim. “Whatever you say,” I warned him, “but

swagger in my voice as I told him what I’d do. He

But I hadn’t taken a day off and gone all

when you see me waving, you might want to

smiled and agreed to go along for the ride. We

the way out there to catch a school trout. I was

didn’t leave the house at the crack of dawn the

bound and determined that the trip would play

next day; we slept in and eased our way into the

out exactly as I’d said it would, so I cranked

sandy pasture into the far corner of the little

outing, and found ourselves searching for mud

up the old 88 Johnson and motored toward a

pocket and could see a subtle dropoff running

streaks well after the sun came up.

marshy point that sticks

adjacent to the shore. A gut ran down the

The first few drifts we made close to Green’s Cut were unproductive, but I was unfazed. “Oh

head over that way!” I studied the shallows as I walked over the

out into the bay in front of a large cove.

well,” I mused, “I guess we’ll have to find ’em a

Wade Hedtke is giving this fat 26 incher another lease on life.

John Gill with a gorgeous thirty incher caught January 10, 2006.

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

middle of the cove within a cove and played out

the vicinity of my steadily moving plug and then

releasing her to live again. I

at the mouth of the marsh proper. Stealthily, I

came the powerful pull of a fast and heavy fish.

also caught another beauty

slid into the water in the southeastern tip of my

At first, I was sure I had a redfish on, given

of about twenty six inches after convincing

chosen corner of paradise and began to inch my

how hard the fish was pulling and the fact that

Richard to walk over and join me. We chuckled

way forward.

she didn’t come out dancing with her head

and shared a high five over that second fish,

shaking in disgust at the turn of events unfolding

which ate my Super Spook within a few feet of

Super Spook within a few feet of emergent grass

under the sun on a warm winter afternoon. But

where the first one had. Rich seemed confused

on the other shoreline and working it back toward

as I pulled the fish closer, I could see her regal,

when I bent over to release her.

the middle where the gut cut a slightly deeper

silver silhouette just under the surface of the

path through soft mud. Alternately, I cast straight

trout-green shallows, and I let out a shriek of

down the bank on my side of the pocket, walking

delight that seemed to mute the noisy onshore

the dog down the edge of the gut.

wind. I swear that old fish looked more like a king

“It makes me kind of sad to see how her color’s

mackerel than a trout to me; I’d never witnessed a

all faded now that she’s dead.”

Repeatedly, I cast across the flat, placing my

I’d made at least thirty casts among the leaping mullet and mud boils and had just started to actually question whether the whole plan

prize like that in skinny water at such close range. I coaxed her over and reached out to grab

“You’re going to let it go?” he asked, and I looked up smiling, nodding in affirmation. “Should have let the first one go too,” I said.

More than any other fishing experience I’ve ever had, that day clarified what I love most

would work when in an instant, my life was once

her, but she wasn’t done putting up a fight, to

and sent me on a long journey that has not yet

and forever altered. Out of the corner of my eye,

say the least. On a short line and against more

reached an end. The first of many memorable

I glimpsed a frothy eruption of white salty foam in

drag pressure than I would ever apply now, she

February encounters I’ve had with trophy trout,

shook and flopped around violently near my

that outing fueled my desire to dance with the big

knees, splashing water in my face and sending a

girls like none before or since.

surge of adrenaline through my core. Eventually,

confidence with fishing intelligence and make a

hand around her fat, dappled shoulder, marveling

dream come true. I also realized that the best of

at how pleasantly she stretched and filled the

these dreams ends after I’ve had my way with

palm of my hand and at the majesty of the colors

the right rare fish and held her loosely in my

mixing in reflection on her back and sides.

hand, but not in a death grip. I began then to

I raised my captive triumphantly to show my neighbor who sat watching from what seemed a half a world away. He gave me the thumbs up, but did not immediately climb over the gunwale to join me in my private corner of the bay. I will report the facts as they were; I strung and killed my first twenty eight inch trout that day. The desire to show her off to family and friends overwhelmed any thought I might have had of

Note the satisfaction displayed on Hector’s face, and also the Boga Grip to minimize injury to the fish. Hector Saucedo plays a seven pound speck.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

I learned that it’s possible to combine

she rolled on her side and I managed to get my

February 2007

appreciate the sweet relief of catch and release.

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Freezing wind chill

then another from 5-12, then another from 12-25

chartreuse, morning glory, plum and glow/

readings send most Texans into the closet for

feet. Use your electronics to find the breaks and

chartreuse are the colors of choice according to

a firearm or jacket, not a graphite rod. There is

the bait and the fish will not be far behind.”

Capt. Mark Talasek.

Galveston Bay Complex

usually work,” said Talasek. “These fish are not

“Anything that flutters or wiggles its tail will

something about cold weather in Texas that send images to the brain of camouflage, webbed-feet and tall antlers, not speckled trout and redfish. The

The Spillway in Trinity Bay is always a

aggressive; the bite is soft and requires a sensitive

misconception that falling mercury readings are not

wintertime haunt due to the warm water discharge

conducive to coaxing speckled trout and redfish

created by the power plant. Trout and redfish

leave many Texas bays barren of boats; however,

seldom turn down a fresh peeled shrimp or live

ticket. With light winds, Raymond Shoals, Five-

the experienced plugger knows fish, like humans,

mullet. Drift the reef in front of the Spillway with

Mile Drift, Cleveland Reef and the Tripod Reef hold

congregate in chilly weather. And, where you find

slow-sinking Corkies, Catch 2000s and 51M

specks and reds. Best bets for success are Bass

one, you will probably find many gregariously

MirrOlures.

Assassins, Trout Killers, Stanley Wedgetails and

gathered in the nearest channel or deepwater

Galveston Bay’s Offatts Bayou is a traditional

rod and concentration.” In East Matagorda Bay, mid-bay reefs are the

Sand Eels. A DOA Shrimp under a popping cork is

structure trying to escape the frosty chill of Old

spot for winter waders. The Blue Hole in the bayou

Man Winter. Fishing is simplified — find a hole or

drops to 20 feet, and waders work their red shad,

sudden elevation change, and you will most likely

black or plum soft plastics on the dropoff and

better for redfish. Waders work the guts of Green’s

find fish — lots of them. Here are five locales in

score large trout. The colder the better for Offatts;

Bayou, Cotton’s Bayou and Middle Grounds and

Texas that get hot when the weather turns cold.

and, many a trophy trout has come from the deep

find hordes of redfish willing to hit gold spoons and

waters when frost is on the ground.

soft plastics.

Sabine Lake

The Flood Gates in Moses Lake near Texas

deadly, too. In West Matagorda Bay, the lower the tide the

“It’s a no-brainer,” said Capt. Bobby Gardner.

City is another deep water haunt for trout and reds.

“Those redfish get in the guts and you can catch

bottom, especially when the floor is composed of

Best bet for success is a natural offering, though

them every cast. They are a beautiful red color in

mud. The mud acts as an insulator to hold in the

many trout fall victim to glow Corkies and Bass

the winter.”

heat that it absorbed during the sunshine part of

Assassins gingerly worked under the lights at night.

the day. The bottom of the bay or river channel

Rat-L-Traps and white or pink 51M MirrOlures,

floor runs from 10-50 feet deep, and does not

Crazy Croakers and Catch 5’s are great go-to baits

exchange tides and currents as readily as the

as well.

In winter, deeper water is much warmer on the

surface. Therefore, the basement provides a constant thermostat. Trout and reds like constants. On Sabine Lake, the Neches and Sabine River hold trout and redfish trying to stay warm. Sleep

Matagorda Bay/ Colorado River Rivers adjacent to bays on the middle

in and wait for the sun to warm the water a few

coast are also strong winter players during the

degrees, then try a Bass Assassin, Norton Sand

daytime hours. Yet, often they are overlooked

Eel or Trout Killer bounced on the edge of the river.

because anglers are not patient to fish slower and

The deeper holes produce with a Carolina-rigged

methodically bounce their shad or shrimp imitations

live shad.

along the bottom.

“The shad is the ticket during the winter,” said

River fishing is like taking a page out of the

Capt. Chuck Uzzle. “The wind may be blowing 25

bass angler’s play book. As the sun comes out and

knots from the north, but we can hide from it in the

heats up during the day, the fish move close to the

rivers and catch lots of trout and reds.”

bank and hang on the drop offs. Troll or drift in the

Uzzle said he likes to work the breaks in

deep and launch topwaters, buzz-baits or crank

the river where eddies form and funnel bait in

baits toward the shallows or any structure present

the current.

(broken limbs, stumps, grass). Patience is a virtue.

“The fish gang on the break and elevation changes. One break goes from two to five feet, 20

Texas Saltwater Fishing

A quarter-ounce jig head keeps the bait on the bottom. Fire tiger, salt/pepper, pumpkinseed/ February 2007

Sometimes the best way to fish a marsh drain is from the bank.

Being boat-bound isn’t all bad, work the sandbars and the flats at the mouths of bayous.

Port O’Connor In Espiritu Santo Bay and San Antonio Bay, midbay reefs are the ticket, as long as oyster farmers

Expect redfish to hold deeper when the temps drop, slowretrieved Catch-5’s from Mirrolure will draw strikes.

Coastal Bend/ Laguna Madre Estes Flats is a rally point for herds of redfish.

The mouths of Contee Lake and Pringle Lake are

As the name implies, the hole is deep and

good on a falling tide. Corkies, Catch 2000s and

allows chilly fish a chance to warm in the deeper

soft plastics are best bets for success. A Carolina-

water. Cracked crabs and cut mullet are the

rigged finger mullet seldom is turned down.

baits of choice.

of winter anglers in Texas.

Nearby, the Lydia Ann Channel is a

40s and lower than low tides persisting, wading

thoroughfare leading to the Gulf of Mexico in

shorelines for trout is out of the question. Some

which trout and reds cruise to and fro. The flats

shorelines that are waist to belly deep during

adjacent to the channel, namely Super Flats,

normal tides are reduced to mud flats or ankle

harbors an undulating bottom that is perfect

deep water in the winter. Where do the fish go?

structure for winter fish. For pluggers, a sunny

They head to the deepest part of the bay and find

afternoon session produces large trout. Live-

structure; the middle is normally the deepest and

baiters toss shad, mullet or shrimp, if they can

the structure is most often shell.

find it.

Why shell? With water almost nonexistent on

On the south side of the Padre Island

the shorelines, baitfish have no other alternative

Causeway in Corpus Christi, the Humble

but to find shelter and refuge from predatory

Channel and Emmords Hole are solid locales.

specks on the only structure available — deep

Baffin Bay’s Tide Gauge, Penescal Point and

shell. Deep shell in most bays from Sabine Lake to

Rocky Slough consistently hold healthy trout

Corpus Christi is six to ten feet.

and reds. The Land Cut, a 25-mile manmade

“Mullet gang on the shell in the winter,” said

“Fish deep and fish slow,” that is the bluster

Rockport’s California Hole adjacent to the

have not drug their cages on the shell that day.

Obviously, with water temperatures in the

After winter blasts moderate, coastal anglers find trout stacked in guts and in muddy areas with scattered oyster shell.

channel cut through a land mass to render

Capt. Lynn Smith. “There are hundreds of reefs

barge traffic, is a cozy haven for trout, since

out there; if you keep hopping from reef to reef,

it is the only deep-water structure in the

eventually you will find solid fish.”

Laguna Madre. February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Haddon’s Place was jumping for a weekday afternoon. Both pool tables were busy and the quarters were laid out along the rails of each, put there by players to insure they had a chance to play the winner. A sign on the wall behind the bar let everyone know that the 15th Annual Haddon’s Open Trout Fishing Tournament was starting the next morning. Eloisa the bartender had already changed out two 16-gallon kegs and it looked like it might be a 4-keg day. They hadn’t had a 4-keg day since Bodie Allen had caught the big trout that now hangs over the bar. Fishermen from all over the state had paid their entry fee to compete for cash and prizes but most of them had their eye on the coveted Haddon Cup. The Haddon Cup wasn’t really a cup at all but that’s what everyone called it. 24

Texas Saltwater Fishing

In reality it was a nickel plated brass cremation urn that old man Haddon had picked up somewhere in Louisiana at a flea market and due to the size and the ornate decorations on it he thought it would be a good trophy to give to the winner of a trout fishing tournament he planned to start. Of course the old man never told anyone what the cup really was or else the winners might have thought twice about having that particular trophy sitting on their mantel for a year. Over the years, the various winners of his tournament were presented the “Cup” and had their names engraved upon it. Bodie Allen’s name was on the cup eleven times and to everyone who fished the tournament, he was the man to beat. Bodie had been busy at the Lazy C ranch the February 2007

past few weeks. Mr. Connor the owner had bought 1500 acres that bordered his place. Bodie being the foreman of the Lazy C had crews building new fence and water well crews working over three different wells. Every morning before daylight, though, and at the end of every hot day, tired as he was he fired up the outboard on his boat and hit some of his favorite spots for some pretournament fishing. As Bodie eased the throttle back to let the boat settle down he noticed the nervous water at the opening of a narrow slough about 50 yards head of him. The slough had been named Reprobate’s Slough years before after an old redheaded fishing guide that use to haunt the area. He shut the motor down; slipped the anchor over the starboard side and grabbing only a rod and reel with a pearl/

chartreuse Skitterwalk on it, he stepped into the warm water. If Bodie’s ears were burning because someone was talking about him, then the hair on the back of his neck should have been standing up from the pair of eyes that were staring at him through binoculars. “I told you that we’d get plenty of ideas of where to fish if we followed this guy. He’s a good friend of my brother Tommy and according to my brother he pretty much stays on big trout all year long. All we have to do is decide which spot we like the best and beat him to it on the morning of Haddon’s tournament and collect the prize money and then get the heck out of this one-horse town.” Tommy Meyers was pretty excited and he was celebrating at Haddon’s Place with his third mug of beer. His brother was in town from North Texas and Tommy had talked him into fishing Haddon’s tournament. Tommy adored his older brother Vince and didn’t get to see him very often these days. He was only a little disappointed that Vince had brought a friend of his along for his visit. Tommy had hoped that he and his brother could fish the tourney together but since he always fished it with Bodie and Vince had brought his buddy, Tommy had offered to let Vince use his boat for the tournament. Bodie cast his lure ahead of a pod of baitfish and was walking it back when he saw some shrimp bust out of the water over a shell reef that ran next to a waste deep gut. He was watching the spot where he had seen the shrimp and was reeling his lure in fast when he felt resistance on his line and heard the explosion at about the same time. The big fish ran from the shallow slough and out to the deeper water of the bay taking drag as she went. Bodie knew she was a very good fish and let her have all the line she wanted. The trout pulled deep and then ran parallel to the shoreline and Bodie began to gain line back on his reel. After a while the combination of rod and reel won the tug of war and the well-fed trout was found itself in Bodie’s strong right hand. The Boga Grip scale said 8 pounds and that thought Bodie might be good enough to get his name back on Haddon’s Cup. Bodie removed the hooks and slipped the big fish back into the water watching as the fish swam at a leisurely pace back into Reprobate’s Slough. “Holy Cow, did you see the size of the fish that hick just caught,” Vince asked his friend. “I mean that fish was HUGE and I’d be willing to bet my last dollar that there are always big fish in that slough,

I mean why else would that rube fish there?” “We catch a fish like that and the prize money will be ours. And believe me when I say that I did bet my last dollar; I used what money I had left to pay the entry fee.” Vince’s friend snickered, said something about just getting some more money from Tommy, then suggested that they get back to town and to Haddon’s Place before the redneck saw them. Bodie watched the boat as it made its way towards Little Margie’s Cut. He lowered his binoculars and smiled. He had first seen the boat two days ago and knew the boat by sight. He’d had a feeling about Tommy’s brother the first time he met him at Haddon’s. Vince Meyers had bought beer for the table three times but left without paying his tab. Tommy picked up the check and made excuses for his brother but Bodie knew better; he’d seen plenty of guys like Vince Meyers in his lifetime. Tommy waved at Bodie as the big man walked into Haddon’s Place. There were so many people in the bar and Tommy was so short he didn’t know if Bodie would see him but the big man smiled and made his way through the sea of yellow, blue, red and white fishing shirts to a table near the bar. “Did you hear that Eloisa had to tap a third keg of beer Bodie?” Tommy asked excitedly. “Yelling over the sounds of pool balls clicking, the voices of folks who must have learned to whisper in saw mills, and the juke box playing “Ain’t Living Long Like This” by Waylon Jennings. Bodie said “That’s a huge helping of beer for sure Tommy Boy; do you think they’ll get to four?” Tommy blew beer out of his nose and dropped his beer mug snorting and sputtering and trying to get air back into his lungs “Get to four?” Tommy asked through the beerinduced tears. “Heck Bodie they only tapped four kegs in one day one time, and I don’t know if Eloisa even has that many kegs in the place!”

announced that the drawing for positions was about to take place. In Haddon’s Open Trout Fishing Tournament, poker chips with the tourney logo on them were imprinted with numbers. The chips were drawn from a large box by the captain of each boat and the number on the chip represented the order in which the boat would leave the harbor the next morning. The tournament allowed for two men to fish from the same boat but the weigh-in was on an individual basis. Bodie being the current champion was the first to draw and the red chip he pulled from the black box had the number 5 stamped in it. And so it went until Vince Meyers drew his chip and pulled out number 3. A loud cheer went up from the crowd and Vince and his partner were giving high-fives all around. “Tommy, do you have Reprobate’s Slough programmed into your GPS?” Asked Bodie. “Sure I do Bodie, but you know that nothing much goes on there these days, but why do you ask?” “No particular reason Tommy I was just thinking about trying there first thing in the morning unless you have some other spot in mind?” Tommy didn’t and he sure wouldn’t have a better spot than one that Bodie had in mind so he said, “Nah, I guess if that old slough was good enough for old Red then it should be good enough for us too.” Join us again next month and we’ll see how it all turns out for Bodie and his friends in Part - II of HADDON’S CUP!

Pam the waitress came by the table and set two more cold mugs of beer down for Bodie and Tommy. “Some crowd, huh boys?” She asked. “We have more entrants in this year’s tournament than ever before and the prize money is going to be huge!” Tommy’s eyes got as big as bait bucket lids at that bit of information and asked Pam how much first place was going to pay out. Pam said that they figured first place would pay out right at $2000.00 and beer once again found its way out of Tommy’s nose and he snorted and sputtered as always until Bodie slapped him on the back and kept Tommy from choking to death. A loud squealing noise filled the bar as Eloisa fired up the house band’s microphone and February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Many of my customers

hire me the first time hoping to gain a better understanding of the surf zone and how to spot high potential “fishing holes” scattered along the miles of winding and diverse shoreline. My daily goal is that when we’re through, they walk away with a greatly increased understanding of this complex and dynamic eco-system and the habits of the creatures that live there. At some point during most days I will laugh and tell them that my job security lies in the fact that regardless of how well I teach them today, and how well they absorb the lesson, the next time they come to the beach everything is very probably going to be different. In reality; to really understand the surf it must be experienced firsthand during a wide variety of conditions and during different seasons of the year. One of the first things I tell them is that the potential for a good catch is controlled by the tide and the wind they encounter on any given day. It is appropriate that I do this, but to go immediately into greater detail would serve only to overwhelm and confuse a novice. But as regular surf fishers know, there is another very important factor present each day and that is long shore current or drift. Littoral or long shore drift is the wind generated movement of water and sand along the shoreline. It is totally independent of the tides. To simplify; when the wind blows from the north the current runs south and vice versa. If the day is calm the current moves very little and the harder the wind blows the faster the current runs. Several consecutive days of high velocity wind from the same direction will create current capable of destroying existing “holes” and turns the nearshore gut into a featureless ditch running parallel with the shoreline for miles. 28

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Beach fishers say, “all the holes have blown out.” Typically at this time, the current will move at a velocity that makes it extremely difficult to keep any bait or lure from being swept along with it very quickly. The upside for those of us fishing in the Coastal Bend of Texas is that the angle of the shoreline is constantly changing as we travel along the beach. Thus; some stretches of shoreline are impacted much more dramatically by a particular wind than others. So, while the nearshore gut may be featureless and the water of the surf muddy for miles, one may continue south several more miles and run into a stretch of clean water with numerous high potential holes present. Notice that I said “may” and not “will.” I’m often tickled when fishing alone far down the beach in Caribbean-like water, knowing that most everyone else drove to the end of the pavement and took one look at very poor water conditions and went home to watch the ball game. On the other hand, the surf may be totally blown out and muddy from end to end as is often the case immediately behind the gale force winds of an incoming cold front. The truth in most cases is that the only way to really know what the water is like along the entire beach front is to go look. There is no quick fix. Neither should we use the word “always” when it comes to the dynamics of the surf. Last weekend the current south of the Big Shell ran hard and fast into a 20something mile per hour north wind for two days while the current north of Big Shell ran to the south. This happens when an offshore Austin Wolda (age 11) of Bulverde, TX. closing out 2006 with a black drum from a rough surf on 31 Dec 06. February 2007

current impacts the beach and over rides the littoral drift in velocity. I’m sure all of this is confusing to some of you but it may well help somewhere along the eternal learning curve. The more we understand these dynamics, the more effectively we can interact with them. The bottom line for surf anglers goes like this… The stronger the current, the more difficult fishing becomes. Current determines which species we fish for and how we’ll fish for them on during any given day. Personally I am a grinder, a dedicated lure fisher. As current speed increases my choices dwindle quickly and my last chance selections are limited to Rat-L-Traps, heavy

Big Shell Cleanup 2006 — A bunch of volunteers gettin ‘er done!

Winter tides have pushed trash high up on the beach front; this should aid cleanup efforts.

bucktailed jigs, swim baits and Spooners. Bottom fishing with bait is quite often more productive during periods of excessive current. Shark fishers are often successful casting baits when it is impossible to hold bigger baits placed further offshore. Setting baits at a 45-degree angle into the current will help them stay in place. Enough surf lessons, let’s talk about the 12th Annual Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup. We are scheduling this year’s event for March 10, 2007. We have moved the date back one week from the traditional first Saturday of March this year in hopes of gaining increased participation by saltwater professionals who are tied up with other commitments on the first Saturday. The Houston Fishing Show at the George R. Brown Convention requires their presence and hopefully this date change will

allow them to attend both the show and the Big Shell Cleanup. This grass roots, one of a kind, once per year event, is the only citizen organized beach cleanup that takes place in the 4-wheel drive area of the Padre Island National Seashore. Efforts this year will be targeting beginning 16 miles south of the pavement to as far south as time and energy allows. Any and all are welcome to participate in this hardworking but spectacular event and it affords volunteers the opportunity not only to make a difference in the appearance of a unique wilderness area but also to actually see the results of their efforts as they drive along miles of pristine beach on their way back to civilization at the conclusion of the event. What better way for families to share a day in the Great Outdoors together and what better way to teach their children the importance of a clean environment than to participate in such an event? Volunteers, 4-wheel drive vehicles and utility trailers (not too large and in good condition) are needed. Volunteers without 4-wheel drive vehicles are also welcome and will be given transport into and out of the work area. Often, Tyler Thorsen and I receive inquiries from companies wanting to sponsor the event in some way. This is appreciated; but the reality of it all is that what we need are willing volunteer workers, vehicles and trailers. Companies are most welcome to send some employees and equipment to the event. People are what make this event work though; not financial support.

Mr. Paul Knowles of Corpus Christi removing a long section of abandoned fishing line from an old vehicle buried near the Port Mansfield jetties – Jan 9, 2007.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the Malaquite Pavilion parking area no later than 7:00 am Saturday 10 March. Volunteers will return to this location by 2:00 pm. Drinking February 2007

water and snacks will be available during the event but feel free to bring a sandwich if you think you might want one. Trousers, a hat, longsleeved shirts, rugged footwear and gloves are recommended. Event T-shirts will be handed out at Malaquite and refreshments will be furnished at the pavilion following the event. This event is a genuine hoot; y’all come on down and be a part of it. Be Careful, Be Courteous, Be Kind.

Big Shell By The Numbers

(Running totals: 11 cleanup events) Volunteers - 2,073 Trash removed - 804,920 lbs (402.46 tons)

CAPT. BILLY SANDIFER

Billy operates Padre Island Safaris. His specialties are fishing for sharks to specks in the Padre Island surf and bayfishing for trout and redfish from a poled skiff. Contact Billy Sandifer Telephone 361-937-8446 Website www.billysandifer.com Texas Saltwater Fishing

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Here is a question

I am asked a lot… “When is it time to leave and when is it time to stay?” As with most fishing, the FINDING part of the exercise is the most critical. It is often said that most anglers can catch them when they are dropped off in the right area, but finding the right area is the key. Having said that, once located, what is it that makes us stay or go from an area we feel is holding fish? Since it is big trout time, let’s focus our answer on trout in excess of 7-pounds. As is always the case, you need to locate the proper bottom structure and baitfish. This is always important but never more so than the winter months. Add suitable water temperatures for the time you are fishing and you are off to a good start. Mud is the key this time of year, find mud with scattered grass, shell, rock or subtle bottom changes and you will find the warmer water. Where you find this you will also find the bait, and where we find food, we will find trout. From previous writings from both me and many other trophy trout hunters across our state, we know how we should approach the area, the speed by which we wade or drift, the lure selections, and the patience with which we should carry out all of these procedures. There are endless methods and thoughts regarding which is the most productive. It is all easy to work with when strikes are being received and fish are being caught. However, what about the area that

holds everything you know to be right but nothing is happening? Are the fish not feeding or have they just not yet found this area? I have a certain mindset this time of year that keeps my judgment from being clouded during the slow times when chasing big trout. Slow times are inevitable. Trout of the proportions I am looking for represent only a fraction of the trout population. They live in areas where food, proper structure and suitable water temperatures make their lives easier. The pursuit of trophy trout is not about a hard day’s work; actually, it’s more like “the easier the better,” in my book. What I am saying is, once you have located ALL of the necessities that big trout require, you are in the right place. Sometime during the day, someone will eat something. It may happen exactly when and where you expect or it might come at a time and place that is quite unexpected. I am a stickler for believing in your area. My advantage here is that on just about any of the big trout areas I frequent this time of year I have had some extraordinary results at one time or another. Also, I have the luxury of matching the conditions with my fishing efforts. When the conditions are right, I stay most of the time. My guiding chores at times have built bad habits, habits that can result in leaving an area that holds the potential for a big day, simply because the ego says to go get some bites. If we let ourselves get into this mode of operation, misses will become more frequent and frustration sets in. Many times as a younger tournament fisherman I left fish that might have won for the

Recognize this? It is the swirl left from a huge fish on an extremely windy and overcast winter day. I remember this was the only fish I had seen evidence of in this area all day. She would have been worth staying all day for had she hooked up. 32

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Nice fish caught mid-morning in the same area as the photo to the right. February 2007

face-saving ‘something to weigh’ alternative. Hero or zero is my strategy now days. Although I must say, it is certainly easier said than done. OK so we’re staying; now the work starts and the mind control games begin. Let’s talk about we’re going to fish this spot. I try to NEVER put my body where I think the fish are holding. If I believe the trout are shallow, I want to approach from the deeper edges. The opposite would be true if I felt inclined to believe that the fish had staged out deep. Never do I feel comfortable getting too close to my targeted sweet spots within an area. I will actually fish and walk way around these areas when I believe the fish to be there. Too many times I have worked an area for an hour or so, and then moved back into the original area that I felt the fish were in, only to kick a slick or actually see the fish easing off. You must learn from these occurrences and train yourself to never penetrate your strike zones. You might decide to leave and come back later; however there is no guarantee another angler might move in. Worse, in your absence other boats may run through the area blowing your bite for the rest of the day. If you are not there to witness it you will never understand what happened. Staying is sometimes protecting. Traylor Island and our springtime trout run are a good example of this. I have two trout that the boys and I have been trying to catch for two seasons now that are usually in this one given area. The bait is thick, water clear and the structure ideal. Many times, one of the boys or myself has made the long cast and hooked a nice trout or big red only

The rewards of staying put in the right area. Note the weather conditions.

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

to have the two big fish follow them off the flat and slowly disappear into the depths so close by. This is a perfect example of the fish being there but us not being able to trick them into feeding yet. If I did not have the local knowledge of KNOWING these fish are in this area I would probably be quick to leave despite all the signs pointing to this being a perfect area. The night gig does not work either, I have tried many times. Oh, they are still there, my airboat connections on this end see them on a regular basis. When big fish are not feeding, they are typically not moving either. I know this from my sight-casting education with large trout. One that is sitting motionless in a pothole is not nearly as likely to hit my offering as is one that is cruising and weaving from one pothole to the next. When water conditions will not let us see the lack of movement, we have to surmise that the lack of bites is from general inactivity; and inactivity should lead you to a slower, more patient, dissection of your area. On my best days, I find myself tuned in and making repeated, deliberate casts into my area. When strikes come scattered and infrequent you can bet the fish are scattered and not moving much at all. I use the following illustration when trying to explain to my anglers what I believe is going on. — Let’s say your chosen area is about the size of a basketball court. Most of us have an idea of the dimensions of a basketball court. Stand outside the perimeter about 15 yards

Texas Saltwater Fishing

and imagine there are a dozen trout randomly scattered within the confines of the court. Blindfold yourself. Now begin casting and see how many tries it takes for you to get the lure close enough for the fish to see it and react to it if it so pleases. Now put the trout in motion and see if your odds are increased. It is reasonable to believe that the movement of the fish would increase your chances. Try standing at center court and blind casting. Is your bait falling into your designated area or are you casting beyond the fish? Also, remember that you had to walk through fish to get to center court. One spooks, they all could spook, not a chance you should be willing to take in my opinion. It only stands to reason that you would want to keep your lure where the fish are and yourself far enough away to not alert them as to your presence. Now let us say after half a day of fishing with little to no action your mind is wanting you to make a move. That move should not be in the boat; it should be to the closest deep-water refuge the trout have adjacent to their preferred feeding grounds. If your area was chosen based on true knowledge of trout habits, you are going to need a deep access. When it gets calm and clear and highpressure sets in, your fish are going to seek deeper, darker water. I have proven this factor many times in my long career as a guide. This is where the stealth approach that you set forth to begin the day pays off. Limited and quiet

February 2007

movement throughout the first half allows the deep and dark pattern to develop. Fish that move in and move out on their own accord are much more likely to cooperate than those that have been alerted to our presence. A slower more thorough probing of the deeper water with your lure of choice will be required for this operation, but the results, especially later in the day, can be profound. If you know me at all, you know I have had some big catches in the toughest of times. This is not due to me being any better of an angler than anyone else is, it is my mind overpowering the instincts to move. My belief in the area that I have chosen to spend my day also plays a major role in my commitment to the area. My dad always told me that the longer I sat in the deer blind without seeing a buck the better my odds were getting. Granted I was set up on a scrape line and feeding areas as well as bedding areas were all nearby. Your lure choices and color patterns will be solely up to you. I believe one should work lures he or she has the most confidence in and lures actions that fit the area. I am simplistic when it comes to my lure choices. It is easy to get too much stuff; this can lead to way too much indecision on the angler’s part in a situation where simply fishing what you fish best will work best. In some areas, rocks or scattered clump shell over the mud bottom requires the use of a suspending lure or topwater; it simply stays fishing longer for you. Other bottom structures afford us the luxury and ease of delivering a soft plastic offering bounced off the bottom. No matter what you throw or when you choose to throw it, there is a bait in your box that will work. In answer to the oft asked question — “Should we stay should we go?”— I cast a firm vote for staying. Good things come to those who are smart enough to wait.

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Although there is no substitute

for time spent fishing, over the years I have found one of the most rewarding and challenging facets of fly fishing doesn’t take place on the water. It happens at the bench — the fly tying bench. Fly tying gives anglers the unique opportunity to sit down at the bench and put their imaginations in motion. At first, the tools, techniques, and materials seem overwhelming and the learning curve is steep. But do not be intimidated. Challenge and discovery is what makes tying flies so much fun and there will never be enough hours in the day to learn it all and still have time to go fishing. If you are new to fly tying or are considering learning to tie, there are two patterns in particular that can be great learning platforms for you — The Clouser Minnow and the Wooly Bugger.

or salt water. And, you will gain an understanding of tools and materials that will hone your tying skills and lead you on to more challenging patterns. Lets look at each of these patterns, and the core skills they require to tie. We’ll start with a Clouser Minnow. A Clouser Minnow consists of belly and back fibers (generally bucktail, sometimes synthetic hair), a little bit of flash material, and lead or bead-chain eyes. It’s a slim, linear fly designed to have a sleek “fast” profile and an up-down jigging action in the water. Tying a Clouser requires 4 simple steps — eyes, belly, flash, back. But, the devil is in the details.

Slim, linear, and scant, the Clouser Minnow is a lesson in economy and balance.

The most common error that beginners make when tying Clousers, or nearly any fly for that matter, is that they overload the materials. Bulky clumps of materials tend to slide away from the thread under tension and pop loose. They stick out and sometimes crowd or shroud the eye of the hook, and form gangly uneven heads. Flies with overly bulky materials also absorb lots of water making them difficult to cast and sluggish to retrieve. With Clousers, and most flies, remember — less is more. Learning to tie smooth, even heads on a Clouser carries over to nearly every other pattern.

The tying bench — a place where imagination becomes reality.

The Clouser Minnow is a simple weedless baitfish pattern that is easy to tie and absolutely deadly on the water. No fly box is complete without a selection of Clousers. The Wooly Bugger is a crustacean/insect pattern widely used in fresh water and equally effective (although oddly less-renowned) in salt water. If your quarry dines on shrimp it will also eat Wooly Buggers. These flies each require different skills and materials to tie, but neither pattern will frustrate you with its complexity. I will confidently wager that if you learn to tie these two patterns proficiently, in various sizes and colors, you will have armed yourself with flies for nearly any fly fishing venue you may encounter in either fresh 36

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Perhaps more important than the overall bulk of the fly, is the relative proportion of back and belly fibers. When comparing the volumes of back and belly fibers, the back should be somewhat bulkier. Because bulk creates resistance, a bulky back relative to the belly keeps the fly upright during the retrieve. With a pattern like a Clouser Minnow, designed to ride with the hook point oriented in a weedless upright position, this is a key feature. Otherwise, you’ll be snagging oyster shells and grass all day long. A second error commonly made when tying Clousers is that the barbell or bead-chain eyes February 2007

are not leveled correctly and not securely fastened to the hook shank. When looking head-on at a Clouser, and other patterns with barbell eyes, the eyes should be level and positioned on the belly side of the hook shank when the hook is oriented in the “pointup” position. A small winding of thread and drop of cement should be placed on the hook shank at the point of contact just prior to wrapping the eyes. To correctly wrap the eyes, use a series of figure eight wraps followed by several circular lasso wraps to pull the figure-eights up tight. Follow these wraps with a second drop of cement. The cement saturates the thread and makes contact with both the eyes and the hook shank, ensuring the eyes will not break loose or twist around the shank. When tying Clousers remember — don’t overload the materials, proportion the body, and firmly anchor the eyes. These principles can be applied to Crazy Charlies, Cactus Charlies, and countless other baitfish and shrimp patterns. Whereas the Clouser is a slim, linear, darting fly, the Wooly Bugger is a slow-moving, pulsating fly. Its hairy segmented body creeps and crawls in the water. The body of a Wooly Bugger consists primarily of chenille and hackle that has been wound, or “palmered,” around the hook shank. Palmering material is a tying fundamental, as old as fly tying itself, and it accomplishes 3 things — it covers the bare hook shank with material, it provides a leggy appearance to the fly, and it creates a segmented look. Wooly Buggers and many other shrimp and crab patterns incorporate palmered hackle feathers, chenille, and spun fibers to create legs and segments. When you tie a Wooly Bugger the order of material placement is important. First, you must remember you are generally working from the rear of the fly forward. Materials should be layered beginning with the inside (underbody) and ending with the outside (hackle), When tying a Wooly Bugger the order of materials is weight (lead wire, or bullet head, or bead, etc…) first, tail next, then underbody and flash, and finally hackle. You will find materials with high tensile strengths, like chenille and leach yarn, palmer easily because you can really bear down on them while winding toward the eye. Hackle feathers, however, are more delicate. Hackle

requires steady even tension as it is palmered forward. Too much tension breaks the hackle fiber, and not enough leaves a loose and unsightly wrap. Additionally, hackles are by nature spindly and difficult to grasp, always wanting to pop free from your fingers at the worst moment. A pair of hackle pliers (a nimble tool that pinches and holds the end of the hackle feather while you wind) will help you keep a good grip on slippery feathers and wind them evenly. As each material reaches the eye, it should be wound down tightly with 3-5 thread wraps, and snipped clean. A small drop of cement should be applied to the thread wraps. This ensures they will not unravel when subjected to use and abuse later on. The eye of the hook should remain clean and free of little overhanging fibers and excess cement. These obstruct the eye of the hook and cause the head of the fly to build up into bulky mess. It takes a bit of practice, but you’ll soon be forming smooth, clean bodies with balanced volumes of materials. Your palmered fibers will Spiraling materials, also known as palmering, on a be snappy and evenly spiraled. These principles will carry over to countless Wooly Bugger is a fundamental tying technique used on many other crustacean patterns. shrimp and crab patterns. The techniques used to tie

…Continued on pg. 38

If you’ve ever fly-fished you might have heard of a fellow named Bob Clouser. If not, perhaps you know of his famous baitfish pattern — the Clouser Minnow. The Clouser Minnow is one of the most widely used and highly productive flies in existence. There is at least one Clouser Minnow stuck in nearly every fly box in the country, and for good reason — it will catch fish. Though Bob Clouser is best known as the creator of this baitfish pattern, he has made many other significant contributions to the world of fly tying and angling. In his recent book, Clouser’s Flies, Bob Clouser gives readers an in-depth look at the history and development of his unique fly patterns, which range from small benthic imitators like hellgrammites and crawfish all the way up to foot-long baitfish patterns. Bob also provides in-depth descriptions of how to fish each of his flies, and he shares some of the tricks he uses to consistently draw strikes. The full color plates in Clouser’s Flies are beautifully photographed and the stepwise instructions for tying Bob’s patterns are easy to interpret. When browsing through a compilation of Clouser’s fly patterns, one notices a single trait they all share — simplicity. There’s no fluff, no bonus features, and no complicated delicacies in Bob Clouser’s creations. They reflect both form and function, demonstrating his insightful understanding of predator and prey. It’s what I like to call, “The economy of skill.” Whether you tie your own flies, or just have a thirst for learning more about angling, I think you will enjoy Clouser’s Flies. Clouser’s Flies By Bob Clouser 174 pp. Stackpole Books. $39.95 ISBN: 978-0-8117-0148-8 February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

species. It became one of the first well-known

the “open-water” category of fly patterns. They

and widely acclaimed saltwater fly patterns, and

are bold flies and not typically tied with a weed

it’s just as effective today as it was then.

guard. Deceivers are great flies for probing

The success of the Deceiver is due to

channels and passes, and casting at offshore

several key features. First, its basic design (what

brutes. Likewise, Deceivers are good flies for the

makes a Deceiver a Deceiver) consists of a

surf, where predators with big appetites cruise

bucktail collar tied over a broad but tapered tail

along relatively smooth sandbars.

formed from hackle feathers. The coupling of

Long before most of us

combination of colors. Lefty says his favorite

elliptical profile similar to a small fish or minnow.

color combo is chartreuse/white. Other

were old enough to sling a fly rod, Lefty Kreh

Put simply, a wet Deceiver looks like a fish.

productive color choices include olives, yellows,

was whipping up on all kinds of big tough

Secondly, Deceivers are easy to cast for their

blues, and grays (my favorite). Pink/red combos

fish in all sorts of far away places. His go-to

size and the materials resist fouling on the hook

(shown) can be effective in off-color water or in

pattern was a fly he called Lefty’s Deceiver.

shank. Third, Deceivers can be tied in nearly any

the surf. To save time, prismatic stick-on eyes

In the hands of Lefty Kreh and other early fly

size, ranging from scant #8 flies for little lips all

can be substituted for painted eyes, although I

fishing pioneers, the “Deceiver” tricked stripers,

the way up to foot-long offerings for billfish.

still prefer the durability and vintage mystique

tarpon, bluefish, barracuda, and countless other

I generally consider Deceivers to fit into

1. Tie on 2-4 hackle feathers on either side of the hook shank. 2. Move the thread forward and tie on a small clump of red flash material on the bottom of the hook shank. 3. Tie on a small clump of bucktail on either side of the hook just behind the eye, forming a collar on the sides and bottom of the shank. 4. Tie on several strands of Krystal Flash or Flashabou over the shoulders of the bucktail, extending the fibers slightly beyond the tail feathers. 5. Tie a darker clump of bucktail on top of the hook shank and tie off thread. 6. Coat thread wraps with cement, then paint eyes with paint pens or model paint. When paint dries, apply a second coat of cement over head. Done.

Hook: Mustad 34007, Tiemco 800S, or equivalent #6 through 3/0 Tail: Hackle feathers Belly: Bucktail Thread: Clear nylon mono Back: Bucktail Body Flash: Flashabou or Krystal Flash Craft fur (dubbed) Gills: Red Flashabou or Krystal Flash Eyes: Painted Head Cement: Sally Hansen’s Hard-as-Nails 38

Deceivers can be tied in an endless

these two natural materials creates a full-bodied

Texas Saltwater Fishing

of paint.

…Continued from pg. 37 Clouser Minnows and Wooly Buggers are fundamentals of fly tying. Mastering the ability to evenly apply materials, provide smooth clean thread wraps, and proportion flies correctly is key to the appearance and performance of all flies. Practicing these techniques will ensure your creations look good and last long. You’ll pave the way toward more challenging patterns, and hopefully catch a lot of fish along the way! February 2007

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

tied at the point of the bend. At the bend, there

spinnerbaits and more common to freshwater.

can either be just an offset or an actual loop

The willowleaf blade is long and narrow with a

on to which one ties their line. One end of the

flat cross section and has very little vibration and

wire is rigged with a standard jighead and soft

lots of flash. It rotates the fastest, in the smallest

plastic worm and the other end is rigged with the

arc, has the least vibration and runs the deepest

else, I sit down and make my New Year’s

spinner blade. The designs normally have one or

of the blades. This type blade is mainly used in

resolutions. I have several that are related

two blades. Just to make a point on the wire size,

clear water situations where the fish are going to

to my family and some for work. Then I also

there are many sizes and types. When fishing for

see the flash and react. Some setups will use a

have a couple of special resolutions, ones that

big redfish, don’t skimp on wire size. BOOYAH

Colorado with a willowleaf mounted behind it in a

are related to fishing, and ones that I actually

makes a heavy duty spinner (Samurai Blade

tandem configuration.

may keep. Last year one thing I resolved to

spinnerbait) with thick wire and a jighead that

do was to use spinnerbaits more consistently

is securely attached to the wire frame. Another

willowleaf and Colorado blades. It features the

and in more situations such that they would

good choice is a titanium wire spinnerbait such

narrow width of the willowleaf and the round

become a permanent weapon in my tournament

as the TERMINATOR Watts Brother’s spinnerbait

shape of the Colorado blade. The Indiana

arsenal versus a “fun” bait to use when I was in

which is heavy duty and does not bend after

blade rotates faster and in a smaller arc than

Louisiana. Spinnerbaits have been gaining fans

catching more than a few fish.

a Colorado blade and its shape makes it more

Each year, along with everyone

along the coast based on their success and use

Spinnerbait blades come in a variety of sizes,

weedless than other blades. This blade is

in other states and from the freshwater world,

shapes and colors and are designed to produce

a good cross between the two extremes of

but they still are not one of the top baits that

vibration and flash. Colorado blades are the most

vibration and flash. Most inline spinners will

most anglers would think of using day to day. So

common blade used in saltwater applications.

have this type blade.

for 2007, I am proposing that everyone give a

The Colorado is a round spoon-shaped blade

spinnerbait a try during your fishing forays.

that is designed for heavy vibration. The

is less rounded than the Colorado blade and

blade rotates in a slow wide arc and runs the

resembles a turtleback. It rotates faster and in a

shallowest and loudest of the spinnerbait blades.

tighter arc than the Colorado blade and makes a

used in saltwater angling, the “in-line” spinner

When throwing a spinnerbait with a Colorado

slapping sound.

and the “safety pin” type spinnerbait. The in-line

blade, it is very easy to feel the vibration through

spinnerbait is basically a straight wire frame with

the rod, especially with braided line. This blade

a treble hook or single worm hook at one end

is a good choice for murky

and several beads, a weight and a spinning blade

or off color water where

at the other end. For saltwater applications, the

you want the fish to feel

most common and useful setup has a worm hook

the bait.

There are two main types of spinnerbaits

rigged weedless with a paddle or curly tail soft

A second type of

plastic. The safety pin type spinnerbait is the

blade is the willowleaf

more common style bait and is designed with a

design. This blade is less

wire frame that is bent 90 degrees with the line

common for saltwater

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Last is the Oklahoma (turtleback) blade which

As far as colors run, the big three are copper, gold and silver blades. More often than not, I will

Safety pin type spinners with Colorado blade.

Inline spinner with Oklahoma blade.

The Indiana blade is a cross between the

February 2007

go with a gold color when searching out redfish in almost all water conditions. I have also had good success with a copper color, especially when the water is a little “fresh” and tea colored. Ok, so enough of the pieces and parts of spinnerbaits, when can I use them and how? Well that is the good thing, spinners can be used in almost all situations that you are using any other artificial bait. For shallow water applications

Spinnerbaits should be part of an anglers regular arsenal.

(1-2 foot) you can use a safety pin spinner or an in-line spinner. The in-line spinner rigged weedless is a good choice when working grassy or matted grass areas. For deeper waters, normally safety pin type spinners are the choice with different sized jigheads. Waters less than 3 foot, I will normally rig up the spinnerbait with a 1/8 oz. jighead and waters deeper than that use a 1/4 or 1/2 oz jighead. If I had to have one spinnerbait for all around use, it would be a safety pin type rigged with a gold Colorado blade, 1/8 oz. jighead and a purple/chartreuse (LSU) Texas Red Killer. I have had good luck with this combination over the last year and it seems to work well in all water conditions.

Booyah Samurai Blade spinnerbait with heavy gauge wire.

As far as retrieves, the simplest technique is to simply cast out and retrieve the bait. Move the bait at a moderate pace to keep the blades vibrating and just under the water surface. This retrieve is great for covering a lot of water when searching for fish. It is also good for beginners

Combination Colorado and willow blades.

and kids as it easy for them to just reel in the bait while it provides plenty of action to attract fish. Slow rolling is most often used to fish deeper water or when working shallow water when wanting to barely keep the bait moving. For deeper applications, cast out, let the bait sink and slowly reel in the bait to keep it along the bottom. Using this technique is where braided line shines because you can feel the blade starting to spin. Many times a quick jerk is needed to get the blade spinning at the beginning of a retrieve. For shallower applications, you cast out and retrieve the bait with just enough speed to keep the blades spinning. When you and the redfish are in the mood for some pseudo topwater action, Waking the bait will fill the bill. Waking is where you cast out and start your retrieve with the bait and keep it moving fast enough to run just under the surface creating a wake or bulge with the bait. This works best when the fish are actively feeding.

Different styles of blades.

Last, an effective tactic can be to stop the

is off color, the vibration and slow speed will

bait and let it fall and flutter. The spinner creates

draw strikes. It is an easy bait to use and once

plenty of action when falling and this technique

you land a couple and gain confidence, new

can be used with a traditional jigging motion

techniques and tactics will not be far behind.

while retrieving or letting the bait sit on the bottom and popping it off the bottom when a fish is nearby. Popping it off the bottom works great when reds are cruising shallow. Throw the bait ahead of the fish and when it gets close, give it a gently jerk. The spinner looks like a crab jumping out of cover and not many spottails can resist that easy meal. Spinnerbaits may seem like “something those crazy bass guys use”, but I guarantee if you give it a try, you will be hooked. For 2007 make a resolution to purchase a few spinnerbaits and give them a whirl. Especially when the water February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

It’s no secret that February

is not the hottest month for big game fishing off Texas. As we have said before, the winter weather keeps most offshore fishermen in check. If there is a window of calm weather you can run out to the deep rocks and the wahoo fishing can be phenomenal. This is when the big wahoo show up and are concentrated on these rocks, but you have to be ready to leave on any day at any time when the weather permits. It’s a 100+ mile run and there is not a lot of room for error. You need a fast boat with plenty of fuel and you must keep a watchful eye on the weather. This time of year many of the fish will average over 50 lbs. with some pushing 100 lbs. If you catch it just right, you can really load up with these fish and multiple hook-ups and double-digit catches are common. Under conditions like this it’s hard to stop putting fish in the boat, but be practical and only keep what you are going to eat. Releasing some of these fish after you have plenty will help keep this fishery going, so you and others can enjoy it in the future. Big, deep running lures like the Strike Pro Wahoo Hunters, Yozuri Bonitas, big Rapalas and other big swimming lures are very popular for this kind of fishing. Heavy jets and straight running lures can also be deadly, especially when put in front of a ballyhoo. Live and dead baits can de drifted, but the sharks and barracuda may have a lot of fun with you, if you’re not careful. Wahoo like the edges of rocks around 100 to 200 ft deep. If you get too shallow the barracudas will let you know. If a 100+ mile run in the dead of winter is

Texas Saltwater Fishing

not your idea of fun fishing, then you do have some other options. If you can trailer your boat, you might want to head east and hit Venice, Louisiana for some yellowfin tuna and wahoo. It’s still cold and you have to watch the weather, but the runs are much shorter and the fishing can be fantastic. If you don’t want to trailer your boat, there are plenty of charter boats that can put you on the fish. This is the time of year that the “Lump” turns on and big yellowfin tuna are caught a mere 17 miles from the jetties at the Southwest Pass of the Mississippi River. Going further east you might want to try the Florida Keys or even run over to the Bahamas, only 50 miles east of Miami, for some great wahoo action. Unless you own a big sportfisherman that can travel long distances, your next option is to hop on a plane and enjoy a fishing vacation. Taking a break from the winter weather and fishing some tropical location can be your best choice this time of year. There are many destinations to choose from, so we picked a few of our favorites for this time of year. Panama: This is prime time in Panama and we highly recommend Tropic Star Lodge. Big black and blue marlin, striped marlin, sailfish and tons of dolphin are common. This secluded hotspot is a world-class destination. They are booked well in advance, so call now and you (Top) With a little planning, your boat could be anchored in a tropical paradise this winter. might get in for next year. Their website is www.tropicstar.com. Another Panama (Middle) View of the docks at Tropic Star Lodge. option is “Hooked on Panama.” Texan Rex Hudson of Shallow Sport Boats has set up (Bottom) Deborah Maddux with her catch at Tropic Star Lodge. this operation down there and is gearing up to February 2007

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

We call this Caribbean bycatch, not exactly what we went for but we’ll surely take it!

Landing a sail can bring awesome displays of speed, power and attitude.

accommodate fishermen. Check them out at www.hookedonpanama.com. Costa Rica: One of the most popular destinations for fishing in Central America, this country has fantastic fishing on its Caribbean and Pacific coasts. The Caribbean side is well know for tarpon and snook, the Pacific side for marlin and sailfish. For tarpon and snook try Rio Parisma Lodge at www. riop.com. For the pacific side there are a myriad of charter boats to choose from. We suggest looking for a charter boat at Los Suenos, one of the finest resorts there. Anglers here enjoy calm seas and an abundance of fish in a beautiful tropical setting.

These are just a few of the destinations you might consider when you want to get away from it all and take a fishing vacation. When booking a trip try to get references from the charter boat or resort operator. You can find out what to expect and how good the operation really is. It will also help you determine what tackle you may need to bring with you. Some operations have great tackle, others not so good. You may also be able to trade out tackle for some portion of your charter. For other charter boat/resort options we suggest the International Game Fish Association at www.igfw.org. Look under membership discounts for fishing operations all over the world. By becoming an IGFA member you can get a discounted rate. We also use the travel department at Fishing Tackle Unlimited in Houston, to book other great fishing trips.

Mexico: On the Caribbean side, Cancun/ Isla Mujeres off the Yucatan Peninsula is a great place for sailfish. Several Texas boats along with many others from the U.S. will travel there this time of year. The sailfish bite can get ridiculous there at times, with catches of 30 sails or more in one day, on one boat. On the Pacific side of Mexico you can mainly count on striped marlin and sailfish. Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta are our favorite choices. All of these places have plenty of charter boats to choose from. One of the advantages to these places is the short jet flight from Houston.

We are looking forward to the Houston Fishing Show at the end of this month, February 28 – March 4 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. That’s also a great place to book a fishing trip, buy some tackle, learn some fishing techniques and see what’s new in the world of fishing. Come see us at the Tops-NTowers booth and talk about fishing. You can also come by and see us at our new Fox Yacht Sales – Clear Lake office located at Tops-NTowers on Nasa Road One in Seabrook. We are the exclusive Cabo and Riviera Yacht Dealer in Texas and also have an extensive inventory of

This secluded hotspot is a world-class destination.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

brokerage boats. For more information call our yacht sales office at 281-291-0656 or check out our website at www.byrd-cochrane.com or www.foxyachtsales.com.

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Thanks to a great effort and commitment

buyback program. “Reducing shrimp effort is one of the most important

from many volunteers and members from across the state of Texas,

things we can do for the conservation of Texas’ bays and estuaries,” said

2006 was another banner year for CCA Texas. Volunteers and members

Will Ohmstede, Chairman of CCA Texas. “This monetary commitment by

once again stepped up to the plate to continue a longstanding tradition

CCA Texas will remove dozens of shrimping licenses from Texas bays.”

of conservation in the great state of Texas. CCA Texas contributed

CCA Texas also supported law enforcement with $52,779 granted

$1,141,467 to important conservation projects throughout the year. These

to TPWD game wardens. “We (TPWD) are actively involved in the

dollars were raised by 50 local chapters and thousands of volunteers and

enforcement of red snapper regulations in the Gulf of Mexico, interdicting

members across the state.

vessels that are moored or returning to Texas with red snapper,” says

Perhaps the most significant contribution was the approval for

Captain Rex Mayes, Region IV TPWD Game Warden. “It takes specialized

funding of the $700,000 CCA Texas Marine Larvaculture research

equipment to catch people who are operating illegally. They often come in

facility to be located on the University of Texas Marine Science Institute

during the night and we often have addressed them in the open seas. CCA-

in Port Aransas. One of the primary objectives of this facility will be the

funded radars, GPS units and night vision equipment really help us level

increased production of high-quality research on marine fish larvae that

the playing field.”

is essential to ensure healthy populations of fish for the future. “UTMSI

In addition to the projects above, CCA dollars raised by CCA Texas

has a proven track record and is a world leader in marine fisheries

members and volunteers have also helped fund the following projects

studies. This facility will be key in gaining a better understanding of the

in 2006:

life-cycles of many recreational species,” said CCA Vice President and

• $20,000 granted on an annual basis for a student in graduate studies

Director of Conservation Pat Murray. “It stands to forward marine science

at Texas A&M, Texas A&M Galveston, University of Texas Marine Science

research and hatchery science to levels we have only dreamed about.”

Institute and Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

CCA Texas also pledged $200,000 to the Texas shrimp license

• $20,000 in funding for a tripletail study to be completed by TPWD and UTMSI. • $13,875 for equipment to be used by TPWD for flounder studies • $5,760 funding for TPWD summer intern program • $5,053 funding for informational brochures on proper handling and release methods for speckled trout when catching and releasing. • $4,000 funding for TPWD saltwater fish identification booklets to be distributed for public use. Thanks to all who helped make 2006 such a successful year for conservation. Let’s work together to make 2007 even better for the conservation of our coastal resources. For more information about CCA Texas, be sure to visit www.ccatexas.org.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

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Field Notes

The spotted seatrout (SST) fishery

of the Lower Laguna Madre (LLM) sustained by miles of remote and relatively untroubled seagrass meadows deserves its world class reputation. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) fishery monitoring data tells the tale. It was routine in the late-80’s to mid-90’s for gill net catch rates (one of the primary means by which TPWD assesses adult fish populations) in the LLM to be twice and on occasion three times that of any other Texas bay. That is not the case today and that is the reason TPWD fisheries managers are worried and looking for an answer.

there as populations in all other Texas bays have steadily increased. The idea would be a significant departure from the historic approach of keeping bag and size limits the same for a particular species coastwide in Texas. Statewide regulations certainly has simplicity for both law enforcement and ease of understanding by anglers as an advantage but is it flexible enough to meet today’s management challenges? The short answer is no and the situation in the Lower Laguna Madre is an example of why a regional management approach deserves strong consideration by the TPWD Commission.

The idea of establishing special bag and size limits for spotted seatrout in the Lower Laguna Madre is one of those possible answers. The idea has been the focus of a series of scoping meetings held by TPWD’s Coastal Fisheries over the summer, fall and early winter of this year. The concept of a “regional management” approach that would set unique bag and/or size limits for SST in the LLM was proposed for consideration because of concern about declining populations

This is part one of a two part series on the SST in the LLM that will examine the rationale behind the proposal. Part I will focus on the fisheries science upon which the recommendation is based and will also explore environmental issues related to the proposal. Part II will focus on the implications of regional management, including socio-economic considerations and will outline the range of options being considered along with their pros and cons.

(Left) TPWD biologist working gill nets. (Right) Author with under-sized spotted seatrout from LLM. 52

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Part I: Regional Management of Spotted Seatrout in the LLM – The Science The TPWD Coastal Fisheries monitoring program is widely acknowledged as the best of its kind in the world. A recent peer review by an independent panel of nationally recognized fisheries scientists reaffirmed that status. Its comprehensive nature and 30-year record makes it a powerful management tool. The outcome of management decisions based on this database over the years has proved effective and the result has been the restoration of a recreational fishery to levels not seen in decades. The monitoring program is robust enough to support a regional management approach and maintain the sound science base for decision-making that Texas anglers expect. The case for a regional approach to managing SST in the LLM is a strong one based on three sets of data derived from the monitoring program: overall population trends; spawning stock biomass; and, fish mortality. Population Trends. TPWD Coastal Fisheries routinely and systematically monitor population levels of sportfish by the use of gill nets in the spring and fall. This “fisheries independent” data is an objective means of collecting information on adult fish populations. It tells us what is present in the bays, both in size and abundance. When used in conjunction with our “fisheries dependent” methods such as creel surveys of individual anglers, which tells us what is being landed; we have a very powerful dataset of the overall state of a fishery. The population trends for SST along the Texas coast have shown a remarkable recovery since the freezes of the mid to late 1980’s. Galveston, Matagorda, and the Upper Laguna Madre (Figures 1, 2 and 3) illustrate the statewide trend seen in all bays except the

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

LLM. Figure 4 shows the LLM trends overlaid on the statewide trend. The spotted seatrout fishery in the LLM has always been in a class by itself but there has been a steady decline in gill net catch rates since the mid-80’s. Annual variations can sometime mask that trend but in the last several years the trends have literally been coming to a point, a point where for the first time ever SST populations in the LLM were lower that the statewide average. Spawning Stock Biomass. Spawning stock biomass (total weight of mature females within a given area) is a relatively straightforward means of assessing the reproductive output of a fish population. For SST those are mainly fish of two to five years of age and sixteen to twenty-four inches in length. Some younger fish can also contribute to spawning as fifty to seventy per cent of females are sexually mature at age one. Females typically produce from 250,000 to a 1,000,000 eggs per spawning event and may produce from 2.5 million to 25 million eggs in a season, with larger females producing more eggs than smaller individuals. Multiple spawning events within a protracted spawning season (SST spawn from April to September) is a typical reproductive strategy for a highly adaptive estuarine species. It is a strategy that helps assure the species takes full advantage of the available habitat’s carrying capacity and buffers survival in the face of catastrophic events like freezes, red tides and even manmade disasters such as oil spills.

Figure 1. Spring gill net catches of spotted seatrout for Galveston Bay, 1985 to 2006.

Figure 2. Spring gill net catches of spotted seatrout for Matagorda Bay, 1985 to 2006.

Another significant characteristic of SST life history in assessing the management implications of spawning stock biomass is the fact that SST show great “site fidelity” to the bay system where they were born. In contrast to red drum which will school up in the fall and move offshore to form spawning aggregates, SST typically spawn within their home bays or passes immediately adjacent to them. Tagging studies have found an average movement of only ten miles for SST and about a third of tagged fish were recaptured near the tagging site. This adherence to specific bay systems is especially conducive to regional management approaches. Because of these life history characteristics an assessment of spawning stock biomass can be an important indicator for management action. Figure 5 illustrates the disturbing trend in spawning stock biomass for LLM spotted seatrout. This data was generated as part of the recently completed stock assessment for SST in Texas, the first review since 2000. Because of their reproductive strategy we are not seeing any obvious impact of reduced spawning biomass at present. Recruitment into the LLM spotted seatrout population remains good overall, as indicated by bag seine data collected as part of our monitoring program. There are two concerns. If the decline in spawning stock biomass continues at the current pace we will reach a point where recruitment is adversely affected and recovering from that condition would require management actions of a dramatic nature, far more severe than any we are now contemplating. Secondly, and 54

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Figure 3. Spring gill net catches of spotted seatrout for Upper Laguna Madre, 1985 to 2006.

Figure 4. Spring gill net catches for spotted seatrout — statewide summary and Lower Laguna Madre, 1985 to 2006. February 2007

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

of immediate concern is the ability of SST to respond to catastrophic events in the LLM like a severe freeze. Spawning stock biomass relates directly to recovery time following such events. Every decrease in spawning stock biomass means a longer and more uncertain recovery of the population. The present spawning stock is significantly lower (about 50%) than in the mid80â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when the LLM was recovering from a series of severe freezes. Fish Mortality. Both gill net and creel data allows a fishery biologist to assess size class distribution of a fish population, although creel data can be influenced by minimum or maximum length limits and also by angler preferences. This information can provide insight into fishery mortality and what is causing it. If fish of a particular length (i.e. age) disappear from the population and that can be related to a specific factor(s), it can help direct effective management action. In Figure 6, length frequency data for SST in the LLM was summarized for the period 1985 to 2001 and 2002 to 2005. Those periods were chosen because the last significant SST regulations were adopted in 2002 and that seemed an appropriate break point. One problem noted by such an analysis is with 18 inch and greater classes of SST. Beginning with that length class, fish have been disappearing more rapidly in recent years than in the previous sixteen year period. To a fisheries manager this is a classic indicator of increased mortality due to fishing pressure and regulatory action to alter bag and/ or size limits can be an effective management tool to rebuild these larger size classes. Regional Management of Spotted Seatrout in the LLM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Ecosystem The comment has been made that before we make any regulatory changes in the LLM we need to address environmental problems that may be affecting the fishery. The Coastal Fisheries Division of TPWD does use an ecosystem based management approach in meeting its fisheries responsibilities. If we cannot successfully answer environmental challenges the carrying capacity of the LLM will diminish. The practical and most immediate impact being that TPWD would be relegated only to allocating a continually shrinking resource to our angling constituents through the use of bag and size limits. That is the only regulatory authority available to TPWD. However, it does not mean we are without tools to address 56

Texas Saltwater Fishing

ecosystem health. Environmental Challenges. The Lower Laguna Madre is a unique marine ecosystem, one of largest hypersaline lagoons in the world. The 185 square miles of seagrass meadows support a recreational fishery of world class reputation. Although it remains relatively isolated the impact of coastal development is more and more evident. Changing land use from ranching to intensive farming, coastal housing development, and wastewater discharges from municipal, industrial and aquaculture facilities challenge ecosystem health. TPWD has worked diligently with other state and federal resource agencies to address these issues over the 20+ years of my tenure at TPWD and we will continue to do so. In this arena TPWD has no regulatory authority to mandate actions that would directly benefit fisheries. That is the purview of other agencies like the TCEQ and GLO. Both of those agencies do give great weight to such concerns but they must balance other demands as well. TPWD remains a leader in addressing long term environmental concerns both here and all along the coast but we do so

with two caveats. One, TPWD can only influence these broader regulatory processes within the authority granted by the Texas legislature and two, solutions to environmental issues of ecosystem scope can take years to effect. TPWD does its best to assure these efforts work in concert with our regulatory authority but we will never hesitate to act to address issues of concern where we can be effective. SST is one of those issues. Ecosystem Health. It is important to note that while there are significant and even unique environmental challenges the Lower Laguna Madre is today a healthy and productive marine ecosystem. The most direct indicator of that condition may be found in the very database that has generated concern about the condition of spotted seatrout in the system. Coastal Fisheries collects a broad range of information as part of the monitoring program. Gill nets are just one of many including bag seines, trawls, water quality and habitat data, as well as, angler (creel) surveys.

Figure 5. Spawning stock biomass of spotted seatrout Lower Laguna Madre, 1985 to 2005.

Figure 6. Length frequency distribution of spotted seatrout Lower Laguna Madre 1985 to 2005. February 2007

That data allows our biologists to analyze population trends for a variety of species. Taken together they give an indication of ecosystem health. Some species are more sensitive to environmental change than others but a significant change in water quality or some other factor that had ecosystem-wide impact would most likely be reflected by downward trends in many species. We do not see any such evidence in our data. There are some ecosystem level water quality / quantity issues about which we have concern and we are working to address them. There is no doubt that these concerns, if realized, can affect the long term health of the LLM and may be doing so at a level we cannot yet discriminate. However, none of these can be related to the SST issue at this time. The LLM possesses a wide diversity of fish species. Changes in diversity can be a very strong indicator of ecosystem health. We have seen a total of 63 different fish species landed by anglers in the LLM over the past 5 years in our creel survey, and our gill nets have caught a total of 69 different finfish species during the same time period. Across the broad range of possible

indicator species for which we have trend data some are up, some are down and for some we cannot tell. It is the normal condition one would expect for an otherwise healthy ecosystem Water Circulation in the LLM. Red drum illustrates a key point about the overall health of the LLM, especially water circulation and presents a telling contrast to SST. Over the last several years the LLM has been a hot spot for anglers seeking red drum, with record numbers being caught. This trend should continue in the LLM as TPWD data indicate continued high numbers of red drum entering the fishery. Interestingly, the health of the red drum fishery sheds light on a concern about water circulation in the LLM and most particularly the impact of the diminished Mansfield channel. Adequate water exchange is a key element to ecosystem health in the LLM. Before the Intercoastal Waterway and manmade channels such as the one to Port Mansfield, much of the LLM was extremely hypersaline and did not support a sustained fishery. In contrast to much of the river-influenced Texas coast, inflows into the LLM can come in the form of seawater which

February 2007

was often less saline than that of the Laguna. Greater and more dependable water exchange has produced better fisheries. Red drum spawn offshore, in contrast to SST and adequate water exchange through passes is vital to success. The condition of the red drum fishery in the LLM indicates that water exchange, at least for ecosystem health needs, is adequate and not a limiting factor. If Regional Management â&#x20AC;&#x201C; What? The analysis of existing data makes a strong case for management action(s) to reverse the downward trends in both overall population and especially spawning stock biomass of SST in the LLM. The question is what specific actions make the most sense. There are a number of options and all have their pros and cons. Part II will focus on those issues. Part II will appear in the next edition of Texas Saltwater Fishingâ&#x20AC;Ś

Texas Saltwater Fishing

The explosion in kayak fishing along the Texas coast came about with the introduction of the sit on top (SOT) kayak. This style of craft is by far the favorite of the coastal kayak anglers and with good reason. The SOT affords kayakers the ability to enter and exit their boat with ease. You also have the ability to move about rather freely in the open and unrestricted cockpit. There’s a laundry list of positives for the SOT style of kayak, but that isn’t what this article is all about. This month I’d like to get you thinking about a SINK. Now sink and boating aren’t usually two words you want to hear in the same sentence, but in this case it makes sense. A sit-inside kayak is often referred to as a SINK, although purists would prefer us to use the term “decked boat”. Prior to the introduction of SOTs the SINK ruled and in certain parts of the country they still do. The reason our northern counterparts are holding on to their SINKs is the colder air and water temperatures up north. As most of you know, staying completely dry in a SOT is next to impossible. There are some models that are “drier” than others, but let’s face it, we’re sitting inches above the surface of the water dealing with wind, waves, and splashing fish. In the winter this situation requires us to wear waders and rain jackets in order to stay warm and dry.

Not that this is a particularly bad thing, but the SINK offers us another option for staying dry while kayak fishing in cold weather.

hatches on the deck. An added bonus of these compartments is the flotation they provide should your cockpit become swamped.

The first thing most people think of with a SINK style boat is the image of some guy rolling over and flipping himself back upright with a tricky paddle move. Sometimes it’s hard to get folks past that image of kayaking. While it is fun to learn, Eskimo rolls aren’t something we strive for in kayak fishing. An unplanned rollover while kayak fishing will result in a floating garage sale of equipment, dunked reels, and a few items that’ll require scuba gear to recover. The only exception I can think of to this rule is a friend who goes by the nickname of “Pogo”. Kurt is an accomplished kayaker who paddles beautiful handmade wooden kayaks and delights in shocking his kayak fishing buddies by occasionally taking a spin to cool off on a hot day. I’m guessing he has to strip-clean his reels after every trip.

While the majority of SINKs share the above traits, they fall into three separate categories; recreational, recreational/touring, and full touring. Touring kayaks are long narrow boats usually between sixteen and eighteen feet. They are designed more for speed than stability and require a bit more paddling proficiency to maintain an upright orientation. A full touring kayak is not really suited for the kind of kayak fishing most of us enjoy. It is simply too tippy for the average paddler to use as a platform for fishing. They are great for a multi-day camping/fishing trip where you use the kayak to transport your gear to a base camp and then spend your time wading. Perhaps that’s a topic for a future article. A rec/touring kayak is designed more for day use and light overnight camping. It is, as the name suggests, a compromise between a full touring boat and a recreational kayak. These boats fall into the twelve to sixteen foot range. They are somewhat wider and more stable than full touring boats. The Wilderness Systems Tsunami line is a good example of rec/touring kayaks. I’ve fished from the fourteen foot Tsunami several times and feel perfectly secure in doing so. The biggest advantage of using this boat is the ease of paddling long distances. Most any

All SINKs have several traits in common. As the name implies, you’ll be sitting down inside the boat’s cockpit. Inside the cockpit you’ll find a built-in seat and adjustable foot peddles. The higher priced models will have seats that are fully adjustable and extremely comfortable while a budget model may only have a plastic seat pan. Most of these kayaks will also have bulkheads within the hull to create dry storage areas in the stern and sometimes in the bow. These compartments can be accessed through Author practicing Tyler Tanton enjoyed fishing in this SINK... as if you couldn’t tell from his smile, that’s his first winter red!

rolls in a Tsunami.

The authors Tsunami rigged to fish.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Mikaela with first keeper red, caught from the front seat of a tandem.

Joe with a nice red.

boat in this category will outrun any of the fishing style SOTs on the market. The downside is in the somewhat restrictive cockpit. There isn’t much room to move around during a long day of fishing. If you plan on crossing large open water and paddling extended distances to reach the fish you might want to consider this style of kayak. The kayaks we’re most often looking at for fishing fall into the recreational category. These are usually between ten and fourteen feet in length with large open cockpits. This eases the fear some people have of becoming trapped in the boat should it overturn. In fact the cockpits openings are so large that even a skilled kayaker would be hard-pressed to stay in the boat long enough to complete an Eskimo roll. If you should happen to overturn in a rec kayak, something that is pretty hard to do, you’ll simply fall out of the cockpit. The reason I say you are unlikely to flip one of these is due to the extra width and stability designed into them. While a touring kayak may only be twenty-one inches at its widest point, a recreational style kayak will be around twenty-eight inches. Twenty-eight inches is not considered to be all that wide for a superstable SOT, but a SINK doesn’t need to be any wider because your center of gravity is much lower. The additional width also allows you to move around and get comfortable while seated in the cockpit. This comes in handy during a long day of fishing. A further advantage to the added room is gear storage. You can keep an amazing amount of fishing gear, drinks, and snacks within easy reach inside the cockpit. Most anglers who paddle SINKs leave the cockpit open, but on cold windy days you might want to consider adding a spray skirt to your rig. Spray skirts come in a variety of materials from lightweight 60

Texas Saltwater Fishing

water-resistant nylon to fully waterproof insulating neoprene. The type of skirt you chose depends on what you intend to accomplish. For the typical recreational kayak, a rather loose-fitting lightweight skirt intended to keep splashing water from finding its way into your lap is all you’ll need. For extremely cold weather or rough conditions you might want to obtain a tighter fitting fully waterproof skirt. Not only will this style skirt keep you dry, it will also trap your body heat inside the cockpit. Add a dry top to the waterproof skirt and you’ll remain surprisingly comfortable in the worst conditions. Fly fishermen get an added bonus when skirting their cockpit. The smooth material stretched across the opening acts as the perfect stripping basket. Other than choosing a skirt, outfitting your SINK for fishing is quite similar to setting up a SOT. Add a couple of rod holders, mount a GPS or fishfinder if you choose, and maybe a cleat or two for securing an anchor rope. As with my SOTs, I prefer to mount my accessories behind me while keeping the front deck clear of obstructions. One thing to keep in mind when setting out in a SINK is the accessibility of your gear. If you are accustomed to keeping everything in the open tankwell of your SOT, you’ll need to plan ahead. It is rather difficult to access the internal storage compartment from the cockpit while out on the water. Be sure to put those things that you need within easy reach unless you’ll be in an area that allows you to exit your kayak when necessary. An item you will

Joe Winston in a recreational style SINK.

February 2007

An example of a rec/touring kayak.

want to keep within easy reach is a large sponge for removing any water that might splash into the cockpit. A handheld bilge pump is also a good idea should you find yourself needing to remove a large amount of water. They are cheap and easy to use. While I tend to use a SINK only for cold weather fishing, there is nothing wrong with paddling one year-round. I’ve got several friends who simply prefer fishing from a SINK. They feel the advantage of staying dry and comfortable outweighs the open and exposed cockpit of the SOT. One final note on SINKs. Anyone who knows me knows how I feel about tandem kayaks for fishing. I don’t really like them. Two adults sitting four feet apart with seven foot rods chunking lures festooned with treble hooks is just asking for trouble. The exception is when taking a kid fishing. There are several great models of tandem sit-inside kayaks that fall into the recreational category. These are wide open boats similar in design to canoes, but more stable and easier to paddle. Having your young child within easy reach in the front seat of the kayak allows you to work with them on their fishing skills. I can’t think of a better way to put a youngster on a pile of tailing reds than quietly paddling them into position for an easy cast.

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Just the other day I was having dinner

at a friend’s house and started poking fun at and giving his wife a hard time about the $400 that she had spent on a couple of outfits and a new pair of shoes that she had purchased recently. She of course defended herself in that this was the first time she had gone shopping for herself in months if not a year. “Yeah, but when you find something you like, price never seems to be an issue,” my buddy jabbed. “I could probably fish for a month on what you spent on those outfits.”

The minimalist approach may apply to boats, it does not however apply to rods, reels and lures.

The whole conversation started out jokingly and in good fun, but quickly turned serious when my friend went out back to get the steaks off the grill. Suddenly his wife disappeared and then reappeared carrying a very official looking notebook. When my buddy returned all he heard was his wife going through all of the receipts for the last month. “… $159 for fishing lures, $175 for a fly tying vice, $60 for fly tying materials, $395 for a Gore Tex rain coat, $500 for a fishing rod, $375 for a fly reel. Oh, and here are two more reels for almost $400, boat gas for $63, and here is the one that gets me the most… $450 for a fishing guide…” she said looking at him. “I thought we bought a boat to avoid you having to hire a fishing guide.” Then all of a sudden she shifted her gaze to me. “I don’t know what you’re laughing about, this is your fault!” The only defense that I could come up with to defend myself was, “… huh?” “I guess I should have seen it coming… you know, monkey see, monkey do,” she added and the discussion was over.

A two or three day trip may require another whole day of planning what to take and another to get it all packed. You can never have too much!

The whole point of the story above is — people who play in the outdoors like gear. I mean, let’s face it, anglers in general have so many goodies to choose from, just open one of the latest mail order catalogs that I know you get and you will see what I mean. And, with all the choices in gear and tackle out there, it is pretty easy to accumulate (not to mention spend a month’s salary on) enough stuff that the planning of a two or three day fishing trip can sometimes justify a whole other day to go through and organize it all in preparation. But that of course, is a lot of the fun. Well, sometimes. I have always preached and practiced the minimalist approach to fishing, hunting and photography. I only take what I need for the day, no 62

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

more, no less, however, that does not mean that I do not have drawers, bags and shelves filled with crap that I do not need and that make my life a living hell from time to time. In fact, not too long ago, I was looking for a piece of camera equipment for a small shoot that I was planning. I looked here, there and everywhere both far and near and never found the darned thing. Well, much to my dislike, I made due without it and was actually planning on ordering a replacement for about $60 when, low and behold, I found it down at the fish camp nearly two weeks later in a gear bag labeled ‘spare reels and extra line’ when I was looking for a fresh spool of Power Pro. Camera equipment mixed in with fishing gear, go figure huh? But, despite all the grief I cause myself with all of the ‘gear’ I accumulate, I still cannot seem to have enough. Between fly fishing outfits, fly tying stuff (I am keeping that in a buddies shed), spinning gear, rifles, shotguns, hunting clothes, decoys, cameras, etc., I cannot keep from buying something new to add to the pile. Heck I was just in the garage a few minutes ago looking at several green lights hanging on the wall that I got several years back and I do not even like to fish under the lights. I am telling you — it is a disease that there is no cure for and I have it bad. Just ask anyone who knows me. Heck, right now I am not only wanting to go out to garage and tinker with it all, but I am having a hard time keeping my hands off of the L.L. Bean catalog sitting next to my computer.

With so many colors to choose from, how does an angler choose which one to use?

Anyway, I am getting hungry so I think I am going to grab a bite to eat at the pizza place. Did I mention that it is next door to the Academy store. Best of Tides

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

I never expected that my winter break would keep me so busy, yet alone work my first job ever. Recently, I was walking the aisles of our local Academy Store when the manager of the fishing department stopped me and asked if I would like to help out with their kids’ fish day. My immediate response was yes, although I still had to get an approval by my parents. The thought of having my first job even if it was only for one day was very exciting. My job would be to assist young children at a catfish pond that would be set up in the store’s parking lot. After getting the green light from my parents, I was off on an early Saturday morning. I was a bit nervous as my mom dropped me off, not knowing what to expect. Yet, the Academy personnel, some of whom I already knew, were very helpful in putting me at ease. They gave me my instructions, and almost immediately I experienced some eagerly and anxious kids ready to catch their trophy freshwater catfish. My job was to make sure the hooks were baited, net the fish that were caught, and take the fish off the hook. I was able to assist many kids on their catch, and it was a great learning experience for me. There was one little girl that stands out in my mind. She was close to giving up as time was about to expire when all of a sudden this oversize big whiskered catfish decides to take her bait. In all the excitement she displayed, she

yanked the rod so hard that one of the eyes popped out of the rod, but I was quick enough to net the overgrown rubber like catfish before it broke her off. Afterward, her parents took pictures of her holding her trophy catfish. What struck me the most was the joy the little girl had on her face. Her face was gleaming, and her smile was from ear to ear. It certainly brought back fond memories of my younger years. It’s funny how the older we get it takes bigger and better fish to bring out a smile in us. This little girl could care less what bit at the end of her line; whatever came out of that body of water was enough to make her day. It was a pleasurable experience, and I hope to continue to be a part of events like this one because it feels good to see young children enjoying the sport I love. So in between my day at work, duck hunting, and some grinding days of fishing with my dad and his clients, including washing and preparing my dad’s boat for the next day. I never really got to take a break like most of my friends. No sooner was it time to make our annual trek to the Houston Boat Show. I have been a visitor to the show for the past couple of years, and every year I enjoy it more than the previous year. This year was no exception; the numbers of boats on display were remarkable. There were boats for every water hobby you could think of. I truly enjoyed walking around and looking at every display, but the best part of the show was meeting new people and seeing old friends. Spending time with friends like Capt. Ken Sabin, Capt. Aubrey Black, and Capt. Ruben Garza is always a barrel of fun, even if the fun is at my expense. Listening to some of the stories and experiences from the Texas Lady Anglers was very entertaining. I also spent a great deal of time at my sponsor’s booth, Laguna Rods, chatting at length with Jode Shupe and Jeff Neu. It was very enlightening. If you have never checked out a Laguna, I can personally say they are remarkable rods and tough to beat. Attending a boat show can be very exciting and educating even for us young individuals. It’s a good place to meet people and keep up with what’s new. It seems a Boat Show A proud dad and winning angler along side Academy fishing department manager Rolando Galvan.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

The author thinking it over — financing it or cash?

(Middle) 2007 Houston Boat Show - a group of young ones waiting patiently for a bite. (Bottom) Jode Shupe and author at the Laguna booth, Houston Boat Show January 2007.

can bring out the best in everyone from the joy in purchasing a new boat to buying that trophy catching lure. As you walk, you can see people greeting others, and it’s not uncommon to hear of big fish stories being told. It’s funny though, out on the water everyone seems to take on a transformation of putting on their serious face. The Houston Boat Show is the beginning of many shows to come. They are fun for all ages, and most have a fish pond for the kids to enjoy. If you are looking for a great way to meet new people, see old faces, buy some fish catching lures, purchase a new rod, or even looking into buying a new boat, a boat show is a good place to start. At the end of February, I will be attending the Holder Fishing Show for a couple of days, I am really looking forward to the show, and I hope to see you there.

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Raymond “Kutch” Albrecht

We got us a 12-foot Yellow Jacket boat, one

wouldn’t get off work until Friday afternoon. We’d

of the best available at that time and a new 12-

load up as early as we could and take off but I

horsepower motor. The boat and motor both

don’t ever recall making it to Bob Hopper’s place

cost right at $200 apiece so Raymond bought

before dark. Back then there were lots of ice

the boat and I bought the motor. We split the

plants around and that’s where everybody went.

trailer right down the middle too, so we was

Our iceboxes weren’t near good as we have

equal partners on the whole outfit.

today so the ice was the last thing we’d get. Then by the time we’d stop at a few joints it was

Raymond “Kutch” Albrecht

We still fished some with Mother and Dad,

always dark when we got there. Many a night

but with that boat, me and Raymond could

I navigated down there and we’d be looking

was born June 28, 1925 in Victoria, Texas and

really get around and we did. We began running

for their campfire and lantern. We never had

has fished the Texas coast for almost 76 years.

across San Antonio Bay and up into Welder’s

nothing but a compass to run by, but we knew

Kutch’s parents loved to fish and they began

Flats and we always found good fishing back up

the bay good as anybody and even if we got

taking him along on their trips to San Antonio

in there. We started going over to Steamboat

turned around a little bit we always got in safe.

Bay when he was only six years old. Kutch has

Pass and wading all of the First Chain of Islands

remained an avid angler and hunter his whole

area. Before long we were loading up extra gas

life; the only time he didn’t fish and hunt was

cans when we left and running all up around

lifetime. I can remember back when the net

during his service years in WW-II with the U.S.

Bayucos Island, Grass Island and Farwell Island

fishermen were still working, those guys really

Navy, but he got back to it as soon as the war

and then out to Pass Cavallo. We fished hard in

made a haul. We’d see them in front of the lakes

was over. Kutch’s fishing career spans a period

those days and sometimes camped right where

like Contee and Pringle and down a little ways

when technology and manufacture of tackle,

we were when it got dark.

further south by South Pass Lake; they knew

boats and motors changed at an amazing rate. In the beginning, things ran at a different pace

Fishing has changed an awful lot in my

when to be there and how to set those nets. I Right after the war was when pretty near

don’t know how they brought all those fish back.

and folks approached the sport much differently

everybody gave up pole and line fishing and

than we do today. Kutch was kind enough to sit

started using the new level-wind reels like the

down and tell us his story, and last month Part

Shakespeare Service. Dad got one and Mother

you know. The commercial fishermen used

I ended as he arrived home from the Navy and

took one look and said she wasn’t interested

them and so did the sportsmen, everybody did

he and a friend partnered to purchase a new

in fishing with that new-fangled thing, but after

it back then. I did it too and we’d have several

fishing boat and 12hp outboard motor… let’s go

watching him landing trout after trout and having

hundred feet of lines out every night. I used

listen to some more of his story!

all that fun she finally gave in.

to cut 30 or 35 yaupon stakes on the way to

Trotline fishing was really big back then too

the bay just to hold my lines. We kept what Mother was as good a fisherman as any I’ve

Like I told you last month, I couldn’t wait to

ever seen and very competitive; she was never

begin to guess how many loads I sold at 25-

one to be outdone. I can only remember beating

cents a pound.

her a few times catching trout with shrimp and

get home. The war was over and I’d had enough

popping corks and I don’t know if Dad ever beat

of life aboard ship; I was ready to get back to

her. I think he started coming close and that

unfortunately lots of those fish went to waste.

fishing. Mother and Dad still had their old 14-

was when she changed her mind about those

The lines would have a fish on every hook and

foot wooden boat and their five-horse Sea King

new-fangled fishing reels. They used those old

for whatever reason the fisherman who set the

they’d bought before I left in ’43 and I started

Service reels right up into the late 50s when

line never came back to get them. When the tide

right back fishing with them but I sure wanted

Dad’s health began to fail and they finally had to

fell they would hang there and rot on the hook.

to get one of my own. It was kind of tough to

give up fishing. I used them about that long too.

scrape together enough money to do it all on my own so me and Raymond Adcock went partners on a brand new boat, motor and trailer. 68

we could eat and sold the rest. I couldn’t even

Texas Saltwater Fishing

I have seen some incredible catches, and

Plastic was brand new right after the war Mother and Dad would be down at Carroll Island for a day or so and Raymond and I February 2007

and somebody figured out if you put it on a trotline hook and let it flutter in the current it

would catch fish. It was so good in fact they eventually made them stop using it and then they went to other things. I mainly used mullet and perch and caught plenty. Several wash tubs filled with gutted and gilled trout and chipped ice was nothing for a night’s fishing back then, but most of the trout

were small, very few of them would have been legal today.

Mother and Dad taught us never to waste a fish and we never did. We always took plenty of ice and no matter how many we caught we gutted and gilled them and chipped ice over them. I’d say at least half the time we’d plan to go for two or three days and end up cutting the trip short because we had every box filled and iced down and didn’t want our fish to spoil and go to waste. I honestly believe that getting the gill net fishing and trotlining for trout and redfish stopped was the best thing they ever did. Lots of folks made their living at it and most everybody made a few bucks when they could, but fishing is way bigger business and supports far more people today than gill netting and trotlining ever did. I think anybody that was around and fished hard back in the 40’s and 50’s would agree that sportsmen are catching way bigger fish than we did back then. The redfishing in San Antonio Bay was always good, from the time I was a kid until right now. I don’t think there is a better bay around for redfish. I can remember catching lots of reds, and big ones too, down there at Carroll Island even before I went to the Navy. But the trout fishing is different. I don’t think I ever caught a trout bigger than 20 or 21-inches growing up; we caught tubs full of them but mostly 12 to 14, or maybe 16-inches. I remember seeing a gill net one time in front of Contee Lake that had a bunch of trout around 25 or 26-inches and they were the biggest I ever saw. The man running the net complained he was having a bad day but it looked pretty good to me. I see guys bringing in trout now-a-days at 28 and 29inches, we never had anything like that back then. We were talking there about boats and motors a minute ago and those big trout in that gill net just reminded me of a funny story that happened right about that same time. I think it was around 1947, I’d been home from the service a year or so and me and Raymond Adcock had bought that new Yellow Jacket. Mother and Dad finally had that old 5-horse Sea King pretty well used up and they went in and got them a 16 horse Mercury. Dad and I got to clowning around and I asked him how fast he thought the Yellow Jacket would go if we put his motor on there with ours. Well, we did, and I don’t know how fast it went but it seemed pretty fast to us. I took mother out in it and we went fishing. On the way home we knocked a hole in it and had water spraying everywhere. We fixed the boat and had a good laugh but that was the last time we put two motors on it. Come on back next month for Part III of Kutch’s story! February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

American Rodsmiths H3 Titanium Series

Honda BF90 and BF75 4-stroke outboards

The H3 TITANIUM Series Rods were introduced by AMERICAN RODSMITHS in 2006. The first ever fishing rod to actually have titanium fibers integrated into the rod blank. These 87 Million Modulus graphite/ titanium hybrid rods are very light, very strong and extremely sensitive.

Honda Marine’s all-new BF90 and BF75 4-stroke outboards provide powerful acceleration and best-in-class fuel efficiency in both fresh and salt water. Inspired by Honda’s top-selling Fit automobile, the duo’s 1.5L, 16-valve, inline 4-cylinder engine features Multi-Port Electronic Fuel Injection for easy starting regardless of weather conditions. Honda’s patented BLAST (Boosted Low Speed Torque) system advances ignition timing for explosive acceleration, while a Lean Burn Control system adjusts the air/fuel mixture for maximum fuel efficiency. Performance is further improved with Honda’s exclusive VTEC™ (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control – BF90), which provides outstanding torque and fuel efficiency at higher rpm.

New for 2007 are casting models: H3T-WL (6’5” Wader Light) H3T-WM (6’6” Wader Medium ) H3T-MW (7’6” Magnum Wader)

The New H3 Titanium Spinning Models feature the new MAXIMUM CONTACT Spinning Handle, with direct contact with the rod blank. Never has a spinning rod been more sensitive. New for 2007 are spinning models: H3T- TSSL (7’0” Trout Special Light ) H3T- TSSM (7’0” Trout Special Medium) www.americanrodsmiths.com

Tru-Tungsten Redfish Stealth Tru-Tungsten has just released its new Redfish Stealth. Developed and promoted by Ray Vanhorn, the redfish stealth has some definite benefits for nailing redfish as well as other species of gamefish. Since tungsten is about ½ the size of lead it has a much smaller profile that is super accurate and enters the water with practically no splash. Not only is it accurate when casting to a target but casting distance is also increased. The head design allows a stand up presentation so reds can pick up this bait easily. Attached to the head is a hitch hiker copper coil to hold your favorite plastic in place. A bleeding bait hook which is plenty strong for the biggest red is also employed. Available in white, chartreuse, and red the bait will be offered in 1/4oz size. For prices and info visit Tru-tungsten.com or inquire at your local sporting goods dealer.

Bass Pro Inshore Extreme bait casting reel Having trouble finding the perfect gift for the fisherman in your life? Bass Pro Shops presents the new Inshore Extreme bait casting reel. This sleek, low-profile reel is constructed from a one-piece aluminum frame and features a 6-pin centrifugal braking system, titanium nitride coated zirconia line guide, and a high-speed 6.3:1 gear ratio. MSRP: $99.99 Combo price: $149.98

www.basspro.com

www.tru-tungsten.com 70

Texas Saltwater Fishing

www.honda.com

February 2007

Beavertail Skiffs In the shallow water skiff market, Beavertail is becoming a force that’s impossible to ignore. In terms of design, quality, and performance, their boats represent the epitome of what a technical skiff should be. They’re deadly quiet on the flats, a pleasure to pole, smooth riding in a chop, and impeccably finished. You can’t ask for more. And, frankly, even if you did ask, you wouldn’t find a better skiff on the market. But perhaps what’s most impressive is that this small company in Avon, Minnesota offers these outstanding skiffs at a price that is unmatched. Whether it’s the feature loaded B2, the simple and elegant Bare Bones, or the highly anticipated Osprey center console model, Beavertail will build you the flats boat of your dreams. Fully rigged packages starting at $17,950. www.beavertailskiffs.com 800-413-0020

Sufix Elite Sufix Elite sets the standard for monofilament performance With its exclusive J7 Micro Resin formulation, Sufix Elite ultra-premium monofilament dominates in every fishing performance category. Elite provides a superb balance of flexibility and suppleness for maximum manageability, control and handling. Its suppleness affords excellent castability while still affording excellent abrasion resistance. Elite boasts controlled stretch and exceptional knot and tensile strengths. It has incredible shock absorbency and excellent recovery and can take the hardest hits of the biggest gamefish. Elite is also very durable. The Sufix Advanced G2 Precision Winding process lays line precisely on an extra wide spool virtually eliminating line memory during the manufacturing process. Lack of memory makes putting line on the reel a snap because there’s no transfer of memory to the reel. This greatly improves casting distance and accuracy and makes for tangle-free fishing. www.sufix.com February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Cooler water and air

temperatures along with overcast days conjure up a recipe for the coastal plugger and big fish are the main course on the angling menu. These conditions dictate a different approach and a different mentality from the rest of the year. Some things are obvious, slowing down and paying attention to water temps and tides go without saying. The more subtle approach and bait presentation are also high on the list. At this time of the year many folks revert to slow sinking plugs in order to entice sluggish fish to bite. The slow sinking plugs like Corkies, Catch 5, and others take a little time and patience to master. Another option that is a little more user-friendly is the jerk bait. Many saltwater anglers rarely use these highly effective plugs, but the ones who do often swear by them. I really became a firm believer in how good these plugs work on a late winter trip to Calcasieu. “Man can you believe this water? This is beautiful,” said Capt. Johnny Cormier of Orange. Indeed it was beautiful; three feet deep with a mix of heavy oyster and sand that was inhabited by plenty of redfish and a lunker trout or two. As we idled along studying the bottom we began to see fish darting away from the boat, most were redfish. “Let’s get out and wade this” said Cormier grabbing for his gear. “Hold on a minute, let’s see if we get one of these out here to bite” was my reply. As Johnny found his wading belt a stout redfish found my offering, a Bill Lewis Slapstick. Needless to say we never made it out of the boat as the redfish continued to chew us up. Occasionally we would move a hundred yards or so until we found more fish but the pattern and the results were the same.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Some of Chuck’s winter favorites.

On that particular trip Johnny and I both tried different options for catching those redfish, a few other lures worked but they always had some kind of drawback. A Corky stayed hung in the shell just like the soft plastics on a jig head. The topwater offerings were refused and you just couldn’t cast lighter baits in the wind. The solution was the Slapstick, a diving twitch bait that floats when not being pulled. The Slapstick at rest sits with the head above water and the tail straight down much like a person treading water. Once pulled or retrieved the Slapstick dives to about 2 or 3 feet maximum and rattles like all get out. It will also back up when you run it into structure such as shell, this little pause as it floats back near the surface usually triggers violent strikes. This plug is very castable even in the wind and that rates high on the “user friendly” scale. The first time I really started throwing the Slapstick was several years ago; Ken Chaumont who fishes Calcasieu with the best of them turned me onto the plug, since then the Slapstick has become a mainstay in my box. Other plugs that fall into this category would be the Storm Thunderstick, Smithwick Rattlin Rogue, and Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnow. A simple retrieve is all that is needed and the plug will do the rest, the results will speak for themselves. On those days when you just can’t get a fish to come up and eat topwater this is the next best thing. Also the fact that most of these plugs float saves you some grief as well when you break off against unseen obstructions like shell. These plugs will usually float to the surface where they can be reclaimed and put to use again. Rig these lures with a loop knot and you can double the action or wobble that is built in to these shallow running plugs. The seductive side to side movement is difficult for even finicky fish to resist. The jerk bait is an often overlooked weapon in the saltwater fishing arsenal but during winter this plug can really shine. Give one of these lures a chance and you will be amazed at how easy they are to fish and just how productive they can be under the right circumstances. February 2007

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Trinity Bay: Despite

all the fronts and bad weather, believe it or not, fishing is still good. There are a lot of redfish running shallow right now. When you get these warming trends between fronts and get a northeast or easterly flow, Trinity Bay is yielding a lot of limits of reds in knee deep water. We are catching them on various baits; gold spoons, soft plastics, topwaters and Corky’s. I recommend a soft plastic so you will not tear up all of your good baits. We are pulling out some nice trout mixed in with these reds. Some are weighing in the 7 pound class, not a whole lot of them, but they are there. Redfish are the bonus in the skinny water right now. Way out in the middle of the bays we are working streak lines. Streak lines occur when the tide

current starts moving over the reefs, stirring bottom sediment and creating streak like color changes in the water. We are catching a lot of good trout drifting the streak lines and the best depth currently is about 6 feet of water. It has paid off very well with the past couple of warming trends and we are looking forward to the same patterns happening in February. Again this is happening mostly in Trinity Bay. Upstream, back bays like Tab’s, Bennett and San Jacinto are also holding a lot of fish. They are even catching them in the San Jacinto River up by I-10. Most of the fishing up there is drifting and the trout are being caught on soft plastics, color is not a key factor lately. Upper Galveston Bay: Fishermen hitting Sylvan Beach and Seabrook Flats are catching good quality fish on Mirrolures and soft plastics. They have been working the pier pilings in between the fronts. The best wind conditions are anywhere between a northwest to a due west wind, and we have been pulling a lot of those lately behind the passing fronts. The key right now is to wait until after the front and the water warms back up to the 55 – 60 degree range. That is when the fish are going bonkers! This pattern should prevail on into February. All of these places are going to hold fish. I have learned over the years that if the fish have not left these areas by now they are probably going to stay through to spring. East Bay: Fishing patterns right now are running very similar to what we discussed in Trinity. Working over deep shell is paying off pretty good, so is drifting in about 4-6 feet of water. During these fronts the bait is down, but once the sunshine is back out and the water warms back up the bait will come back to the top. That is how we are keying on finding these fish. Fishing the streaky areas with the mullet in it is the plan. Believe it or not, there are still quite a bit of shad in the bays. A lot of the fish we are catching have shad in them. It appears that the bait is here to stay. The shrimp are scarce but the shad bait is what the trout are living on. Keep an eye on the back end over there by the refuge and tide gates and behind Rollover Pass. That has been paying off real good both before and after the fronts. If you fish the south side on a pumping south wind before the fronts and wade fish all that back there, it is sure to pay off. You will catch them with Corky’s and Mirrolures. They are both working very well. West Bay: Again the same type of pattern is occurring over here as well. We have mostly been drift fishing. From north and south of Deer Island to Greens Cut area, over all of that open bay shell. It is holding a lot of fish. Fish with soft plastics and drift the streaks, you will need the tide either incoming or outgoing, you need movement — period. The water streaks and the bait gets in there and naturally the fish are going to it. That is what we have been keying on in there also. Overall I’d say that since this time of year can be pretty bleak, we have been lucky and the fishing has held up nicely this year. We had a great December and a decent January so far. It is looking real good. As long as we keep getting these breaks between fronts where it can warm up we are going to continue to do real well.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Going back in

original than a replica. For example, if you shoot a big whitetail you don’t

ranks as the best fishing year

fishing so I personally don’t have a problem with a fisherman catching a

my records and memories, 2006 experienced for at least the past several. Up and down the coast

our reds and trout populations are flourishing. In fact, I believe there are more reds and trout in our bay systems than there ever have been. These thriving populations of trout and reds are doing so mainly thanks to the Texas Parks & Wildlife regulations that hit the table a couple of years ago. Allowing fishermen a 10 fish limit with trout at least 15 inches while keeping only 1 trout over 25 inches and 3 reds between 20-28 inches per day total bag catch has without a doubt pampered these two species of fish. In addition, we are noticing more fishermen using the catch and release method with their big trout than have in the past. This is a very good thing and I applaud those that have reached that level of fishing maturity, including myself. Think about it… How many big trout does a person need to mount

get a replica made, you get the real thing. Same thing goes for me with 28-32 inch trout and having a skin mount made to hang in the house, office, or wherever he/she chooses. Here again one or two big trout in a period of years I’ve come to conclude should suffice the itching. Our bays are in good shape now and if we all work together we can keep our fisheries that way and even improve them. Let me explain why I personally won’t be mounting any more big trout. I have been fishing since I was knee high to a grasshopper with no limits on trout for the most part of those years. I’ve probably mounted at least 20 trout 28-32 inches during my fishing career. Yeah, you can call me stupid but I also know a lot of other fishermen have done exactly the same thing. Those days are over and to be honest with you I couldn’t feel any better knowing that I can catch a 30 inch trout, hold her in my hands, carefully slip the hook out, and watch her swim off with her eyes looking right back at me. Folks, that’s when my personal fishing maturity knocks at my door and says “I’m here”. With all that said, the next couple of months have come to be known as “big trout” months. Think about what you are doing when you stumble upon those big fish. One thing for sure if you hook onto a big trout and the lure or hook is down deep while she is bleeding out of her gills and down her sides keep her and mount her because she will surely die if you try to release her back into the water. Fishing for me pretty much winds down the middle of December and

over 28 inches? Let’s take a look at this. Skin mount trout to me look more

starts back up around February. Like I’ve mentioned before, you are going to have some good fishing days in between, but those days are just not “bankable” enough for me and personally I need some time away from fishing to do things like hunting which is now a great passion of mine. Anyway, when I do get back on the water in February I will be in East Matagorda Bay wading mud and shell while looking for mullet. Normally, because of the cold water, the bite will be slow until midday when the surface water temperature has had a chance to warm up a bit. Afternoon fishing is more than likely a better bet because of that reason. I’ll usually start out the day with Bass Assassins until I get some bites then switch over to Corkies or Mirrolures. On a good sunny day with strong tidal movement, I might use big topwaters as well. Don’t forget to plan your fishing trips 4-5 days before a full or new moon and 4-5 days after for your most productive times because of the flushing of tides. Drift fishing in East Matagorda Bay could also pay off. Try to fish mud and scattered shell and look for jumping mullet, slicks, and offcolored to streaky clear water. Bass Assassins and the 52 Series Mirrolures will work best. Looking for another good year… hope like the last. See you at the Houston Fishing Show in the George R.

These are the largest trout Capt. Bill has taken out of East Matagorda Bay; top 32” and 11 lb-4 oz, middle 32” and 11lb-1oz, bottom 31” and 10 lb-3 oz. 76

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Brown Convention & Exhibit Center February 28 – March 4.

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

As I sit down to write

We headed to one of my usual winter haunts where we had been doing

this month’s article on a beautiful,

very well on redfish and large trout over the past few weeks whenever the

light-winded Tuesday, I can’t help

conditions were right. Luckily, that day’s conditions were exactly what we

but think about the poor people out

needed again. The water temperature had risen from a frigid 50 degrees in

on the bay duck hunting and fishing

the open bay to a warmer 54 degrees in the muddy back lake area we would

during these conditions.

be targeting.

Seems everybody I run into

While running into the area I observed many scattered redfish, and by

asks, “Why are you not out on the

their wakes, all seemed to be keepers. Mullet were also plentiful all along the

bay; the weather is perfect?” I start

flat. I was thinking to myself that the fish gods were smiling.

to respond, “Yeah…good for a

Since my group was not equipped or experienced at wade fishing in such

picnic” but I don’t go into it because

a muddy place, we opted to stay in the boat. If the weather had been clear

I will have to start my spiel about

and sunny we would not have had as much success staying in the boat.

how hard it can be to conceal

However, with the overcast, we were able to get closer to our quarry without

hunters on a shoreline and how the

being detected. We also had a good wind-driven current going for us that day

ducks are harder to decoy on blue

due to the higher winds.

bird days. Or maybe I could go into

The plan today would be to drift ‘til we saw or caught a fish, then Power

how difficult it is to sneak up on

Pole down and hopefully get another. We would repeat this method ‘til we

Ol’ Momma Yellow Mouth in 12” of

covered our designated area thoroughly.

water with mud up to the top of my ForEverLast stingray boots. Y’all can have the pretty days

I am not sure who hooked up first, but the second hookup came almost simultaneously. Unfortunately by the time I retrieved the net out of storage the first two reds had escaped just as quickly as they’d been caught. After

and I will take the windy overcast

questioning my guys and ribbing them about not being able to handle a

days at this time of year. Don’t get

“Texas Red,” I found out they had decided to tighten the drags because the

me wrong I love those sunny picnic

reds were pulling so much line and they wanted to bring them in quicker. I explained that you seldom win a tug of war with a solid red using light tackle

days too, but not when I am expected to produce. One of my cast & blast trips in January proved my point precisely. David

because they will either pull the hook or break the line. They agreed and we

Myers and son along with two other friends came all the way from Alabama

went back to casting, hoping more reds were milling about in the same area.

for two days of hunting and fishing. David told me over the phone while

David asked what kind of fish were jumping out of the water and splashing

booking the trip that he has been trying to shoot a redhead duck for 3-years

around us. I told them they were mullet and that something, probably redfish

now with no luck; the other guys joining the trip had never caught a redfish. I

and/or trout, was making them nervous; a good sign. We continued casting.

told him that we have numbers of redheads in our area and he sharply said,

Within minutes one of the guys had the first redfish come to the net and

“Well that is what all the guides have said over the last 3

it was a real beauty at 26-inches. Now everybody got

years and I haven’t got one yet!”

serious and it turned into a competition between the four of them.

This year we had very large concentrations of redheads so I told him once again that I was confident he would get the opportunity to shoot the ducks that have eluded him these past few years and the redfish should be no problem either. The day started out great in my opinion. The weatherman had called for clear skies and light winds but luckily for me he was wrong. When I launched my Shoalwater Cat at Charlie’s Bait Camp amid the many hunters getting ready for blast off, we had 12 mph northwest winds and heavy overcast, almost foggy conditions. The moon was full, so the conditions could not have been any better for concealing the big, bright saucer that hung above our heads. We had a successful hunt with everyone getting their much-desired redheads and many other varieties to boot. We headed back to Charlie’s around 9:30 that morning to exchange our shotguns and decoys for rods and reels. 78

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Overcast conditions make for a great hunt and good fishing! February 2007

A beautiful backlake trout; check out that weather in background.

We were about an hour

get any better than this!” Boy, that is what every guide

trip and the ‘Bama boys

loves to hear his customers say!

had boated 8 reds before

If the skies had not clouded back up and concealed the Rat Pack on this

the winds of change came

particular flat I would have been forced to relocate to another area. The spots

upon us. My Shoalwater Cat

I target when fishing on clear, slack wind days in the wintertime are deeper

pivoted around slowly on

areas such as the Intracoastal Canal, the famed Army Hole and channels

the Power Pole to a different

leading to major back lakes. The deeper water of these areas helps conceal

direction and the sun broke

your boat from your targeted quarry.

out of the cloud cover to

Note the situation is a little different when wade fishing away from the boat

reveal a beautiful picnic

but you still have to be more stealthy when wading into your fishing area as

type day.

the fish can hear and see you better on calm, clear days due to no surface

It was like turning a No clear sky this day, perfect for flounder fishing.

finished out their limits and said, “This day could not

and a half into our fishing

switch off for the fish and

commotion and clearer water conditions. In the month of February I still carry the same assortment of lures in my

the feeding frenzy stopped.

ForEverLast wading bag that I carry all year. The only thing I do differently

Previously concealed by

is change out to more natural colors. I will use a lot more pearl, pearl/

overcast skies, now the Rat Pack was no longer camouflaged and could

chartreuse, salt & pepper silver phantom and pumpkinseed. I will have lures

be seen easily by the reds. In this hush, hush scenario I was not about to

that cover every level of water depth that I will be fishing such as Mirrolure

use my trolling motor and risk spooking the reds anymore so there we sat

She Dogs, Catch 5 and Catch 2000, Corkys, Crazy Croakers by Tidal Surge

motionless in a sea of nervous baitfish for about 30 to 45 minutes making

and Saltwater Assassins rigged Texas style on a 1/16 oz Assassin jighead.

one cast after another.

Shellie and I are getting geared up and looking forward to the New Year.

Just when we thought we were done for, the fish gods smiled once

We will be at the Holder Fishing Show at the end of February so please feel

again. The wind slowly switched around to the west then to the southwest

free to stop by our booth #528 and say hello. We are always anxious to meet

bringing with it a very thick fog from offshore. Almost immediately after

new customers and look forward to talking to those that have fished with us

we were engulfed by the fog the fish started biting again. My customers

before. Fish hard, fish smart!

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

This time of year

with cold fronts coming through regularly, the water temperatures drop and the fish move down deep to grassbeds or muddy bottoms. Then a little sun light will come through and warms up the flats and the fish will move up shallow. Be flexible and prepared to fish all depths of water. One day you will be fishing the deep channels, the next day it will be five feet of water on the edge of a channel, and then the third day you’ll be wading in one foot depths. Last week I had a very nice couple come down from Minnesota. The weather was cold and misting rain. The air temp was about 40 degrees. I told them to be prepared for the weather. Being from Minnesota, I thought they are going to think this is warm, it’s only forty degrees. Well, they said they had never been so cold. I had to lend them my extra jackets. We’ve got that damp cold and you add the wind and it goes right through you. They did not want to wade so I found a deep channel maybe a half mile long that had some nice fish in it. We cast the Bass Assassin “SLURP” and just bounced it off the bottom a couple of times and let them sit still and the trout would hit it. They would actually pick it up sitting still. If you moved it too much you wouldn’t get them. It was continuous action. We caught and released a lot of trout some were too little but most were good size and even some five to six pounders. The gentleman was a fishing guide in Minnesota, he said, on a good day they would catch three fish. So

The Minnesota tag team fished with Cliff on a cold day in December. 80

Texas Saltwater Fishing

they were ecstatic with the kind of action we had. The next day the guys from Academy came to shoot a TV Show. They said that they couldn’t wade with the camera equipment which left us no choice except to stay in the boat. Everybody knows that for drift fishing you need some wind; we had just enough to move the boat — no more. If there hadn’t been that little breeze we’d have had a long day inching along with the trolling motor. We fished hard all day long throwing Bass Assassins and we caught fifteen fish, all good trout up to six and seven pounds. I knew there were some good fish in this area by the way the baitfish moved and all I could think all day was if we could wade we would hammer them. We were lucky to catch what we did out of the boat and get the show done. It should be on the Outdoor Channel in March. The next day my good friends from Houston came down; Greg Woodard and Scott Cannon, our nickname for Scott is “Sea Biscuit” because he wades like a race horse. He can really cover some ground. These two guys are excellent fishermen and they came prepared. We went back to the same little cove. It had really been a grind the day before with that TV show so I was pretty tired, and moving kind of slow, Sea Biscuit was a hundred yards away before I got out of the boat. Greg had already hooked up with a good trout and I saw Sea Biscuit hook up too. As I started wading I looked back at Greg who had just landed a twenty-nine-inch trout. I walked to Greg to take a picture. After that I headed toward Sea Biscuit and asked how he was doing. He said, “Oh Man, I‘ve got to go back to the boat and make a phone call” and he wades back to the boat and left me standing right where he was and I cast my Bass Assassin and caught this beauty, a thirty-one inch trout. Sea Biscuit said, “I can’t believe I walked off and left that trout.” That’s the way it happens sometime. Murphy’s Law — as soon as you leave they are going to bite. The same thing happened to me, too. Several years ago Jay Watkins and I were working a spot for hours and I had caught only one fish and it weighed eight pounds. Natured called, so I walked to the beach and that’s when Jay hooked up with a double digit trout. I knew it, just like that big buck, as soon as you get out of the deer stand that’s when that big buck is going to walk out. It’s hard to stop because you know that one more cast could be the big one. Sea Biscuit did take a great photo for me, Thanks Scott! A couple of days later I had some good fishermen come down who had a combination of trips from the Coastal Conservation Association. They had just fished with Jay Watkins and Bill Pustejovsky and I was their last trip. These guys had already fished with the heavyweights so I was hoping we could have a good day. It started out kind of slow; we didn’t get a bite at the first place we stopped, the second place we caught some really nice fish. We were all catching two pound trout talking about catching a thirtyinch trophy trout. One of the gentlemen who raises deer was saying that for enough money you can buy that trophy buck; but you can’t buy a trophy trout you have to catch them. They are true trophies. That’s when his rod just bowed up. He’s got a big fish on, I could tell from the way the fish was fighting it was a big trout. She would stop and make that head shake and she came around to the back of the boat and we could all see her, she’s a thirty-inch-plus monster. I grabbed the dip net and I’m ready with it and she comes around again; what looks like a black banana comes shooting out of her throat and the fish goes off one way and he reels February 2007

This is the one that was swallowed and then spit out right at the net.

in this fourteen-inch trout as we watch the huge fish swim away. He had actually hooked the smaller fish with the leadhead and the big one swallowed him whole. She spit him out right at the net. All she did was have it down her throat and she was not hooked. All we have is a picture of the trout that was swallowed. There are two big gashes on this trout as he was sucked down. Then we let the little one go, he’d had a rough day. He said “No one is going to believe this,” but this does happen, especially this time of year when the big trout are targeting a big meal. This is one of my favorite times of year. Match your lure to the bait. There are a lot fewer shrimp and perch in the water. All I’m seeing is big mullet, so I concentrate on casting big topwater lures and slow sinkers. I’m throwing the new X-Rap Surface Walker from Rapala; this thing weighs an ounce and a quarter. I’m also throwing the big Corky’s that weigh over an ounce. You’ve got to throw these lures with a rod that has some backbone. I’m using the Waterloo 6’-6” Ultra Mag. It’s got a good stiff backbone and I can chunk these heavy lures far and then when I get a bite with the big trout I can crank back hard and get some hooks into them. This rod has just enough give too. When the fish starts throwing his head, it doesn’t throw the lure out. Your drag system on the reel has to be perfect. It will make a difference. This is for monster trout, we’re not talking about a lot of hits, just the one or two big ones a day, when the trout are keying in on the giant mullet. February is always good and March should Greg Woodard with 29” trout. be explosive. We start getting powerful southeast winds in between cold fronts; this puts lots of oxygen in the water on the shallow flats. The trout still has the winter fat around the tail and backs, plus the chance of having just eaten a mullet weighing a pound, and even the beginning of roe production. The fish are possibly at their heaviest weight of the year. You’ve got a good chance of catching your trophy trout this time of year. February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Winter is one

of the most exciting times of

the year for the dedicated bay fisherman. While all seasons display their unique character, everything just seems to be bigger during the colder months. With almost no crowd, the water becomes a vast arena of seemingly endless choices and unbroken horizons. The weather also seems to be bigger in many respects, and so do the fish as they respond to the harsh challenges of nature. We feel especially blessed here in Port Mansfield. While more northern locations are reeling from the blows of blustery cold fronts, South Texas recovers quickly and we are soon back in skinny water with light jackets and high expectations. If January was any indication of what February will have to offer, the winter of 2007 promises to be one for the logbook. After the relatively strong norther during Christmas, January started off with much the same fanfare as the fireworks of New Year’s Eve. We had a good showing of trout on our nearshore grass beds immediately after the blow. Remarkably, catches of forty to sixty fish per fisherman happened more than once. Even when there was not a strong feed the fish were thick enough that the catching remained steady.

The fish seemed to move up and down the water column between the comfortable blankets of grass and the energy being baked into the surface by the sun. It was important to constantly gauge the depth and speed of your lure at all times. Many lures worked well, everything from soft plastics to suspending hard baits, and of course Corkies. Dark, light, and bright lures all seemed to produce given good placement and a good feel for a delicate bite. The bite was not always soft; topwaters accounted for some of the most exciting sessions we had, even if short-lived at times. Apart from what many assume during winter, some of the more aggressive feeding periods occurred near first light. Most of these fish were a solid seventeen to twenty-one inches and sported shoulders thick with winter weight. There were also many groups of undersized but aggressive trout willing to hit larger lures, which is an encouraging sign for upcoming years. As did many in other bay systems, we also caught enough magnum-sized trout to help fuel everybody’s passion for that fish of a lifetime. Some of the most productive water for trout of all sizes was thigh to waist deep over small dark grass beds. The big reds were a different story. Redfish are hearty and determined creatures. As soon as they get the green light of moderating weather, they will pull right back to the shallows they love. Plenty of small forage was available for them on the sand and grass lines such as small shrimp and crab. They could often be found rooting and grubbing the bottom in good numbers, but at times were also eager to pounce on topwaters in explosive displays of competition. Muddier troughs bordering clear water with visible bait were strong signs to stop and fish. Many of these fish were upper slots to oversize in length. When the right groups were located, their aggressiveness rivaled any inshore encounter at any time of the year. In the immediate wake of strong cold fronts, looking for them in the nearest deeper trough or contour change was also highly productive. February should offer more of the same with a slight twist. Colder water during the first part of the year stages fish in predictable areas but the conditions during February can often be more “survival based”. As of this writing we haven’t seen water temperatures dip into the upper forties or even low fifties yet, but when that occurs patterns will become more consistent, especially for big trout. As with many other winter aficionados, we will devote a lot of time to stalking that personal best fish. Some of our best chances occur when fireplaces are crackling and late morning goose-down comforters are hard to leave. Large fish will often concentrate themselves in sheltered areas during the coldest period of a norther, making the needle in the haystack easier to find. It’s the typical cold water “stack-up” scenario, and often where you find one you will find many. Simply put, “The colder the water, the easier it is to find concentrations of fish.”

We will devote a lot of time stalking that personal best fish in February. 82

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Last February brought excitement with each successive cold front. For the first few days after the norther we could move with them from deeper February 2007

Many of the redfish we found in January measured upper-slot to oversize.

Tricia loves her Devils from Brown Lure Co. (www.brownlures.com)

holes to the warming shorelines with a certain amount of regularity. When you find them, they are often willing to eat what we offer, sometimes voraciously in anticipation of the next front. It’s all about timing and the routine cycle of survival where eating plays a large role. We need to be there when they eat, and when the feed is on the lure we are throwing usually matters little. However, there are times when you simply have to being throwing the right one and I am growing increasingly fond of the new soft plastics by Brown Lures of Corky origin. Their original Devil has been very good for me, especially the dark strawberry blue and hot pink depending on water clarity. These lures snuggle up well to the jig head and don’t seem to spin as much as other eel-type designs, they are also very durable. They seem to be something fish want to eat, and when the bite has been slow, hopping this lure through grassy humps has been a blast. One thing that needs a quick mention is proper dress for winter work. Cold water demands the same respect as the fish we are seeking. To fully enjoy the experience, high quality gear is essential to success and comfort. There are several good products on the market dedicated to cold water, and manufacturers such as SIMMS make it possible for guides in Alaska to function and survive extremes that we don’t see. The discriminating angler would do well to check into their line of products, especially the under garments designed for breathable waders. Comfort is everything and so is safety; these folks understand what we need. Here’s wishing you good fishing, and may February bring you the fish you are looking for.

February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Traditionally, February is

the most unpredictable and coldest month of the year for us. We were very fortunate to escape a deep freeze in 2006 and let us hope that February 07 will not bring us what we fear dreadfully here on the Lower Laguna Madre. Despite the cooler temperatures of January, our fishing fared really well. January presented us with good times and outstanding catches in the comforts of our wading gear. February should continue to bring the same success we have been experiencing. During February much of my effort will be focused upon magnum trout, just like lots of other anglers up and down the coast. But quite often, you will also find me chasing another exciting species; Centropomus undecimalis, the common snook. I find it amusing when fellow Texans first learn of the possibility of catching a snook in Deep South Texas. Their stare is that of disbelief, and some have me repeat the words just to make sure they heard correctly, “We do have snook in Texas.” Without a doubt, summertime snook have my complete attention, but I also chase them in the winter months. I will admit it’s not the same as throwing topwaters at angry spawners, but winter snook fishing keeps me tuned up for what is to come. My greatest satisfaction comes from teaching clients new methods or techniques that improve their catching abilities, and along with this comes the opportunity to put an angler on their first snook. When I am able to assist someone with that first fish my smile will stretch from ear to ear. On a few occasions I think I have gotten more excited than the lucky angler. Targeting winter snook is totally different than fishing for snook in summer. In the winter I use techniques that a bass angler would use on their favorite lake. I not only look for bait activity on the surface, I also concentrate on points and underwater structure that might hold a snook waiting for its prey. Contrary to what some people might think, snook usually travel in numbers, so when the bite is on, you better be prepared- this is no time to be pulling out backlashes or getting your lure stuck on some underwater structure. This is why I instruct my anglers to bring an extra rod and reel ready to be used. In the wintertime we are throwing subsurface baits and on occasion when the conditions permit, a topwater can draw some winter snook up from the depths of their holding places. Soft plastic baits are the number one choice; light colors seem to do better than dark. Corkies are also a good choice and have been very successful in fooling snook. Crankbaits such as the Baby 1-minus and Rat-L-Traps too have done their share of enticing winter snook to come out of hiding. I mentioned before that it brings much pleasure to be able to put someone on their first-ever snook. Whenever the word snook is mentioned, a recent account always comes to mind, a story of Tommy Rice whom I now A snook’s razor sharp gill can call a friend. Tommy had definitely put a plates are one of many reasons lot of effort into catching a snook, numerous our landing ratio is low. 84

Texas Saltwater Fishing

February 2007

Tommy Rice, who inspired this story, displays his long-awaited trophy snook.

Robert Morris was all smiles when he caught his first snook this winter.

Jeff Hellekson releasing his first winter snook which measured 28 1/2 inches.

Winter wading for snook can be 32 inches of fun.

times in fact. He had made three trips to Florida but his efforts all went unrewarded. It wasn’t because there weren’t any snook around, and it certainly was not Tommy’s lack of fishing ability; I can attest that he can hold his own on the water. Yet each time he sought that elusive snook, the weather conditions were not favorable. This past summer I had the pleasure of fishing two days with Tommy and friends and we were on some big snook. The first day everyone but Tommy caught snook. He was using the same bait and placing it in the same general area as the rest of us but to no avail. At one point everyone was either getting blow-ups or hook-ups, but not Tommy. After watching all this activity but not being in on it, Tommy decided he’d had enough. He went back to the boat to collect his wits. To make the story short, he caught no snook the first day. The second day began as a mirror-image of the first; everyone was catching but Tommy. Frustrated, he went back to the boat to get a bottle of water; I threw where he’d been casting and landed a thirty-two inch snook.

February 2007

I could tell he was now beyond frustration. Doubt was beginning to settle in so I offered a few words of encouragement. I told him his snook would come and that he was sure to enjoy the most spectacular fight of all. About thirty minutes went by and as hoped Tommy was more determined than ever. The moment that had been eluding him finally became a reality. When he hooked up on that energetic linesider, we all stopped fishing and watched the fight. It almost seemed that snook had a purpose in Tommy’s life — to never give up on your dreams and desires. His snook put on a show, jumping completely out of the water eight times and displaying impressive acrobatics. I believe we were more nervous than Tommy. Eight minutes seemed like eternity until he got hold of it with his Boga Grip and everyone was able to breathe a sigh of relief. The snook was finally his and a trophy at that, measuring thirty-one and a half inches. A few days later I received an e-mail from Tommy. It was then that I realized just how bad Tommy Rice had wanted that snook. Tommy also shared that he documents every fishing trip for his grandchildren to read and enjoy. What a treasure! Our winter snook fishing has been outstanding thus far; even in the chilly water they have not disappointed as they display their awesome fighting abilities. I have mentioned before in a previous article, “To catch a snook, you must be more persistent and stubborn than a snook,” and only those that have had the experience of catching one know what I mean. If you can leave the big trout alone for a couple of days this winter, you might want to head on down and give winter snook a try, you just might become as addicted as I am. Perhaps you will be the next angler with a snooky smile on your face.

Texas Saltwater Fishing

“Fishing has been outstanding over here recently,” Jeff says. “We were really catching them good until the heavy rains, both trout and redfish. Now it’s mostly redfish in the fresher water, but as soon as the saltier flow returns, we will be on some big trout too. We like the suspending baits when the water is warmer and saltier. We’ll throw the Corkies in pearl/chartreuse and pearl/black, any natural color. And we like the Catch in gold/chartreuse and green/gold/chartreuse. We also have good luck on floater divers like the jointed Thunderstick, especially the black/gold one.” Most of the best fishing if the water gets saltier will be in the north end of the lake. “From Commissary Point north will be the best place to focus if the salinity level goes up. On the south end, West Cove will be the hot spot. The redfish are everywhere, and they have been for a while. That shouldn’t change. We should also see a flounder run develop somewhere from the middle of the month on. We catch a lot of good eating sized flounder this time of year.”

December fishing on Sabine was even better than advertised, but an incredible amount of rain the first week of January has made it very tough to predict how fishing will play out over the next month or so. Both Toledo Bend and Rayburn rose sharply and with the rivers already full, we have very little room for any more rain. If we can avoid constant runoff through the next month or so, we can look forward to dealing with our largest trout of the year. The prime areas will

for easy catching. Then we got that five inch rain in Chambers County and the back of East Bay’s fresh right now. Elm, East Bay and Oyster Bayous all flooded and the back end is totally sweet. I heard of at least six big trout over 8 pounds being caught in that area before the deluge, so I’m sure some big fish will be coming out of there once the salty tides return.” He expects to be doing a lot of wading in February in search of big trout. “We hope that the return of higher tides and salty water will move those big fish right back to where they were. Key will be to find the schools of bait and be persistent with the old standby plugs, Mirrolures and Corkies.”

Randall was on the water with Bob Norton of Norton Lure Co. when I talked to him. “We are trying the new shrimp that Bob has come up with. It’s got legs and it humps up when you pull it in. Looks just like a shrimp swimming in the water.” Fishing has been steady in the west end of the Galveston Bay system, he says. “The fresh water messed us up a little, but as long as you can get to the six foot depths, the numbers fishing is good. There are a lot of fish still stacked up deep. Our best fish have come while we were wading shallower water though. Finding mud streaks and schools of mullet along shorelines that are shallow enough to wade is the key there. I like it when the tide is high, that way there is more water on the shoreline flat and the fish move up there too. I’ve been throwing a quarter ounce head when the tides are low and a three eighth ounce head when the tide is higher.” In February, he says he’ll be wading as much as weather and tide allow. “Fat tides are ideal for finding the big trout.”

be the 2-5 foot flats bordering drains on the east side of the lake as well as the flats on the lake side of the islands on the North end. Tidal movements and bait are always key factors, but as a rule, the afternoon hours are much more productive for us this time of the year. Soft plastic suspending baits like the Corky, Crazy Croaker and Rubberback are popular choices, but my “go to” lures have been the Catch V and Catch 2000. There will also be those days when you cannot take a bone/silver Spook or Top Dog away from the trout.

James is still amped up about the recent run of fishing in the Galveston Bay complex. “It was about as good as I can remember. From about Thanksgiving until the turn of the new year, it was just on fire. Didn’t matter which bay you went to or what you threw, the fish were everywhere. I was using mostly 52 series Mirrolures, and catching lots of fish on them. We averaged about 45 fish a day for that whole period of time. Best big fish day we had was on Bass Assassins, though. We caught 14 over 5 pounds, up to 6 3/4, all on the last two passes of the day. We’d gotten off the Mirrolures because the darn redfish were eating them up and keeping us from catching the trout.” He plans to start trophy trout hunting in the very near future. “I will rest up for a couple of weeks, then I’m going trophy hunting. We’ll be throwing lots of Catch Vs and 2000s, and rigging seven inch Bass Assassins on weighted worm hooks. I bet I catch more big trout on that than anything else, truth be told.” Jim has been doing a lot of duck hunting in recent months and a little fishing too. “Duck season was excellent and the fishing’s good also. We were out last week and caught a bunch of nice trout. Then yesterday we had 36 reds and 10 trout. The reds were really solid, up to 26 inches. Left ‘em biting to go after the trout. These fish were really stacked up in some deep holes and ditches, making 86

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Tommy predicts excellent fishing in a variety of locales in February. “The west end of East Bay is great for drifting this time of year. Focusing on mud streaks and using relatively heavy jigheads are keys. I like a quarter ounce head. I’m throwing the Norton Sand Eel in glow/chartreuse a lot. Using braid line helps too; the bite can be light. Keep it low and slow.” He also mentions ample wading opportunity in East Bay. “After cold fronts, the wading can be good for big trout. We like all the suspending baits. Topwaters will work too, especially on warm afternoons when the water temps inch over the sixty degree mark. We’ll focus most of our wading effort on the muddy guts in the south shoreline coves.” He also mentions that the river can be good. “If the river clears, it can be best of all. Move up to a 3/8 ounce head and feather it off the ledges.” If the tide is low, he says, get to West Bay for the reds. “We catch a lot of reds in West Bay on low tides this time of year. Find the guts in the coves and you’ll usually find easy limits of the old rubber lips.”

Fishing has been steady in the area for small redfish and speckled trout. Low tides have fish ganged up in deep holes in the rivers and turning basins in the Palacios area. The Tres Palacios, Carancahua, Colorado, and Lavaca Rivers have been hot lately for folks trolling shorelines and throwing Berkley Gulp Swimming Mullet in watermelon and pumpkinseed and Texas Trout Killers in plumkin and salt/pepper chartreuse. Most reds and trout have been on the smaller side, with the trout running in the fifteen to eighteen inch range and the reds mostly about twenty to twenty four. February is one of the best months to hunt for big trout in the Palacios area, as it is all over the state. The flats around the mouth of the Tres Palacios River and the flats out in front of turning basins one and two are good spots to look for these big gals. Corky Fatboys in pearl/black and pearl/chartreuse would be good lures of choice. Work these flats on sunny days after the weather has reached its coldest point and has just begun to warm up for best results. February 2007

air temperatures have not remained too cold for too long and that has allowed the water temperatures to remain in the low sixties and upper fifties. These higher water temperatures translate into shallow water fishing. Two to four days after a cold front moves through, high pressure usually moves in which creates clear skies, which then Lynn has been leaving the dock a little later than usual and fishing the warmth allows the sun to warm up the shallow waters. On these days, I’ve been fishing in two of the afternoon. “We’re leaving mid-morning and fishing until dark. We really like to three and a half feet of water that has scattered potholes and a mixture of sand the warm up that the afternoon brings. Throwing a lot of Corkies and topwaters and a little mud. I’ve been using Exude RT Slugs in colors like bone diamond, pearl/ too. I like the pearl/chartreuse Corky most of all, but when the water gets really chartreuse, plum/chartreuse and mardi gras rigged on eighth ounce jig heads and clear and the sky is bright, I like the silver hologram even better. Key is to work catching trout up to 29 1/2 inches and many slot reds. them slow and wiggle them in the potholes or on the edge of the guts. We’ve been fishing some deep guts lately with these cold fronts and we’ll be working Joe expects to see some incredible action over a wide area this month “The the flats adjacent to those on the warmer days. As far as the topwaters go, I like a water around here is running much more clear than last year at this time. The King Super Spook; anything with a white belly will do. I also like the chrome ones if the Ranch Shoreline is crystal clear and has been producing some big trout already. The water gets a little sandy. We’ll be heading to the Baffin Bay/Laguna Madre area channels near the JFK Causeway fill up with fish every time it gets really cold. I’ll be some this month. Fishing for wallhangers over there is always good and the fish fishing that pattern after hard fronts, tossing my Exude onto the edge and working like the big lures I like to throw. I’ll be trying to find the clear water and working it off the deep drops. When it’s warmer, it will be wading time. Right now, there is potholes and guts near rocks adjacent to dropoffs to deep water.” clear water in the front of Baffin, places like the Badlands and the Meadows. Walking among the potholes and throwing the Catch V and Catch 2000 will produce some big trout and redfish this month.” Sightcasting reds is still a possibility too, he says. “Nine Blake has been busy casting and blasting his way across the prairies and Mile Hole has clear water too. There are still plenty of reds in there at times. The tide local bays. “The dove hunting has been up there with the best years ever. We needs to be relatively high for this time of year, and when it is, we are seeing lots of limit out every day and it doesn’t take too long either. Duck hunting was good redfish and a few giant trout too. Tossing the RT Slug or a paddletail at them will work too. On the fishing side, we are catching some nice trout and redfish as well. The just like it does in warmer months.” trout have been hanging around shell reefs mostly. We’ve been wading them and casting glow/chartreuse Sand Eels. The redfish have been coming mostly out of sloughs and marsh drains. They’ve been biting the Sand Eels, but we have also Bruce is pumped over recent results on big trout. “Of course I had that fish that had good luck throwing spinner baits. It’s a treat to see how easy it is to catch went nearly eleven pounds last month and Ted Springer and his customers have reds on those.” caught three others right at nine pounds. We are seeing good numbers in the seven In February, he plans to focus his efforts on the big trout. “I’ll be wading back to nine pound class.” He says the wise will focus their efforts on the days just before bays on most outings in February,” he says. “I like to concentrate on muddy, and after the new and full moons in February, and will also try to fish the days just grassy areas adjacent to known wintering holes. I’ll be throwing Corkies a lot, and before and after frontal passages. “Put the right moon with the right weather this of course looking for an excuse to get out the old Super Spook. Every year, some month and the fish of a lifetime can be the reward. I’ve been doing really well lately of my biggest trout are caught this month on the topwaters.” on the Baby Bomber Long A. It’s only about three inches long. Twitch it, then stop.

February typically has some of the lowest tides of the year which makes for excellent beach driving. It is prime time for pompano and large whiting for bottom fishers and black drum and redfish are usually available in varying numbers and sizes. Peeled, fresh shrimp and “Fishbites” produce good action on all these species. Sharks are available during warming trends. Speckled trout have been present whenever conditions have been moderate since late December and should be available to dedicated “grinders” throughout the month. Day in and day out, model 51 and 52 Mirrolures tend to be the best producers, but during times with light longshore current Corkies, Tsunami’s, Rubberbacks and other soft plastic plugs also do well. Lure color selection is important in the surf zone and the choice of color can vary from day to day. Never totally count out the use of a 3/4 oz. silver spoon in the winter surf. Large numbers of birds have been feeding daily near shore for some time and if this continues we may well have a run of little tunny by month’s end.

The month of December turned out to be a good month for the Laguna Madre. We had a few cold fronts that came through the area and some of them brought much needed rain, which was beneficial for the Laguna. Fortunately, the February 2007

It takes it a really long time to float up after you stop. That’s what I like about it; it forces you to fish slow. Most of these big fish we’ve caught lately have bitten on a super slow retrieve. Of course, Corkies, Catch Vs and Catch 2000s will also be a big part of our arsenal this month. We’ll also be watching for days when the water warms into the sixties and throwing topwaters then.”

The new year started off with a bang. We’ve been bringing in limits of reds and have tagged some oversize giants that are measuring up to 32 inches. You can tell how healthy these fish are when you clean them and see the extra layers of fat they’re carrying in the rib section. Most of our redfish are coming on the red Mansfield Mauler with a three inch Berkley Gulp shrimp, but the smaller topwaters are also hot for wading or days with no wind. The trout just keep getting bigger; with temperatures above normal, the sows are hanging out in shallow water on Gas Well Flats and around the drum boats. They’re easy to see, but can be difficult to trick. We have better luck in pot holes with about two feet of water using a Texas Thunder cork and quarter ounce jig head with new penny Gulp shrimp. Check with Rip at Hook, Line and Sinker. Freddy says, “Strong north wind and outgoing tides make February one of the best months of the year for nailing big fish!” Texas Saltwater Fishing

Kari Robison smiles as she shows off her first trout caught while fishing in Galveston.

Evan Brieden, Landon Brieden & Bailey Grones pose with Landon’s 4# 12 oz sheepshead.

Mike Garvin, of Mission, snagged him this nice red while fishing in Port Mansfield.

Wendy Frushay caught and released her first red on a gold spoon.

Michael Power tricked this 27” trout while fishing Padre Isles Canals.

Christopher Herrera snagged this nice red while fishing Baffin.

Brett Mauthe proudly shows off his 54” bull dolphin. 88

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Cory Flores, of Victoria, displays his first red measuring 27 1/4” caught out of Port Aransas. February 2007

Shelby Seth-Griffith out fished her new husband on their honeymoon when she boated this 37 lb Warsaw grouper.

Tim Pearson, of Seabrook, snagged this 9 lb 10 oz flounder while fishing in Port Mansfield.

Jeff Hellekson caught and released this 33” snook while fishing with Capt. Ernest Cisneros.

Trey Ganem of Laguna Rods releasing a beautiful trout.

Dylan Janise and twin brother, Dustin, show off Dustin’s black drum that was caught and released while fishing Caney Creek. Dave Durham landed this 22” red while surf fishing in POC. Juan Martinez landed this 33’ red while fishing Baffin Bay.

Donny Springfield from Colorado landed this nice amberjack off shore while fishing in POC.

Frank Zequeria and daughter, Natalie, show off her 27” red caught while fishing in Sargent. February 2007

Texas Saltwater Fishing

Mix the following seasonings and set aside: 2 teaspoons salt 1 teaspoon black pepper 2 teaspoons ground red pepper 1 teaspoon dried sweet basil leaves 1 teaspoon white pepper ½ teaspoon dried thyme leaves

(Or crawfish – good either way!)

Chop up the following vegetables and place in same bowl: ¼ cup chopped onion ¼ cup chopped green bell pepper ¼ cup chopped celery In a separate bowl: 1 cup very finely chopped green onions Peel 2 pounds of shrimp. Boil 3 to 4 cups of water with the shrimp peelings to make a stock, or use Knorr’s Shrimp Bouillon. You can also use plain water is you wish. In a heavy cast iron skillet, heat 7 tablespoons of oil until very hot or it begins to smoke, and then add ¾ cup of all purpose flour. Stir with whisk until smooth. Continue cooking until roux is dark red-brown or about 3 to 5 minutes. (Be careful not to let it scorch.) Remove from heat and immediately add the first three vegetables and 1 tablespoon of the seasoning stirring with wooded spoon. Set aside and let cool. In a 2 quart saucepan bring 2 cups of the stock to a boil over high heat. Gradually add the roux and whisk until thoroughly dissolved. Reduce heat and cook about 2 minutes longer, whisking constantly. Do not scorch. In a 4 quart saucepan melt 1 stick of butter over medium heat. Stir in the shrimp and green onions. Sauté about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the remaining stick of butter, stock mixture from above, and the remaining stock. Cook until the butter melts and is mixed in the sauce about 4 to 6 minutes. Add the remaining seasoning, stir well and serve over rice. NOTES: 1. Like most Cajun foods, this is very spicy. You can tone it down by only using ½ the amount of seasoning mixture. Don’t leave anything out, just cut it in half. 2. You can substitute Crawfish if you prefer. 3. This recipe is time consuming so please allow plenty of time to prepare. 4. You can make it ahead of time and let it rest in the pot and warm before serving. I actually like to do this as it gives the seasonings time to add additional flavor. 90

Texas Saltwater Fishing

1-pound shrimp tails, peeled, de-veined, cut into ½ inch pieces 1 bell pepper 1 onion 1 can cream of mushroom soup 1 can cheddar cheese soup 1 can Ro-Tel brand diced tomatoes & green chilies 1 large can Pet brand Evaporated Milk 1 16-oz package wide egg noodles

Peel, de-vein and cut up shrimp. Chop and sauté bell pepper and onion in skillet with 2 tbsp real butter. Add shrimp and cook until pink. Add cream of mushroom soup, cheddar cheese soup and Ro-Tel tomatoes. Stir and add enough evaporated milk to make a gravy consistency. Cook for about 10 minutes. Ladle over cooked egg noodles.

Note: You can make this recipe low fat by using low fat soups. The taste is the same. You can also use whole grain noodles.

Send your Favorite Recipes to: pam@tsfmag.com February 2007

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Texas Saltwater Fishing

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February 2007