February 2015

WINTERTIME SHEEPSHEAD Tips and Tactics for Success

Only $3.95 www.tsfmag.com February 2015

TIDE PREDICTIONS & SOLUNAR FEED TIMES INSIDE!

about the Cover Fly angler Larry Baum fished with Capt. Scott Null recently in the Galveston Bay marsh system. His sheepshead was fooled with one of Scott’s handtied “Convict Killer” flies. Scott joking calls the sheepshead “convicts” in reference to the vivid stripes that make them excellent but often very finicky sight-fishing targets.

February 2015 VOL 24 NO 10

Contents FEATURES

DEPARTMENTS

10 Andros in the Bahamas 18 Origins of an Obsession 24 “Mother Ocean Plays Hardball” 28 Tommy Has Some Trouble 32 Prepare for Success 38 Matagorda Snook?

40 44 50 52 54 58 60 62 66 96 98

Joe Richard Kevin Cochran Billy Sandifer Martin Strarup Chuck Uzzle Frank Knebel

Let’s Ask The Pro Jay Watkins Shallow Water Fishing Scott Null TPWD Field Notes Scott J. Walker Fly Fishing Scott Sommerlatte Kayak Fishing Chronicles Cade Simpson TSFMag Conservation News CCA Texas Fishy Facts Stephanie Boyd Inshore | Nearshore | Jetties | Passes Curtiss Cash Extreme Kayak Fishing & Sharks...

Eric Ozolins Science & the Sea UT Marine Science Institute Boat Maintenance Tips Chris Mapp

32

WHAT OUR GUIDES

HAVE TO SAy

72 74 76 78 80 82 84

Dickie Colburn’s Sabine Scene The Buzz on Galveston Bay The View from Matagorda Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays Hooked up with Rowsey Capt. Tricia’s Port Mansfield Report South Padre Fishing Scene

6 | February 2015

Dickie Colburn Steve Hillman Bink Grimes Gary Gray David Rowsey Capt. Tricia Ernest Cisneros

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66

REGULARS 08 70 86 90 94

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

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EDITORIAL I guess you could call this our annual trophy trout issue even though we have never tabbed it such. Rightfully so, February is viewed by the majority of the diehard wade-fishing crowd as the month when tides, weather, feeding patterns, and other factors align most favorably, contributing to enhance opportunity of landing a monster speck. For as much as coaching and professional advice might further increase the odds of getting your hands on a lifetime specimen our writing team have filled these pages with scores of tips and strategies.

Winter is a season when fish grow very slowly lengthwise, and none of their energy is expended in reproduction. They typically do not travel very widely in their daily search for food, mostly living very close to primary forage sources. Naturally then, February and continuing until spring warmup, they pack on significant weight.

Summer trophies are typically measured in inches but this time of year anglers go ape for double-digit fish, no matter their length.

February angling is no cakewalk though, as anglers face blasts of winter weather. Bone chilling air and water temperatures combined with wicked waves are not to be taken lightly. Careful and safe navigation comes to the fore when planning fishing trips and safety planning in gear and clothing becomes equally important. Ever took a dunking on a cold day? Hopefully you never will but warm spare clothing can be an absolute lifesaver. Wearing the PFD is never

8 | February 2015

DON’T LET WINTER keep you off the water

more important than in winter.

February is also a great month for other inshore species.

Sheepshead and black drum are easily targeted and fillets from these guys are at least equal to spotted seatrout, some claim even better, and I agree. We decided to run a sheepshead cover this month to highlight the fact that winter angling is not just trout, trout, and more trout.

I want to include a couple of announcements; the Billy Sandifer Big Shell Beach Cleanup is slated for February 28. This is the twentieth running of this event and its popularity with beach anglers, birders, and other conservation minded outdoors folk continues to grow. Very family-oriented, this event is a great chance to visit the PINS beach and participate in a very worthy endeavor.

Learn more at Friends of Padre website.

Another very worthwhile opportunity to practice hands-on conservation coming this month is TPWD’s annual Abandoned Crab Trap Removal Program. By decree of the Texas legislature the crab fishery is closed each year to allow the lawful removal of lost or abandoned crabbing gear from Texas inshore waters. Any gear remaining can be legally removed for the purpose of habitat enhancement. The dates for this year’s event are February 20 through March 1. Learn more by visiting the TPWD website.

STORY BY JOE RICHARD

Author with another barracuda, after trolling around and through coral heads that towered 20 feet high, just below. A swell approaches from deep water, just behind him. Hoping the ‘cuda won’t go crazy in the boat.

Suffering through another grim february

is a chore for most Texans, unless they have dreams of wade-fishing the coast for a lifetime trout. I always dreaded this month but was fortunate over the years to escape for a few days to the “rum latitudes” further south. And not always at tropical fish camps, where the guides are very good, the daily schedule scripted and everything taken care of.

We have often taken the cheaper routes, mixing with the locals and getting the lay of the land, so to speak. Staying at gated hotels certainly offers a different experience, anyway. Ditto for the cruise ships and their crowds, we stay many miles from their influence on local people and prices. We’ve found better rates, the people more open and fishing better, as a result.

We’ve fished around the Bahamas, where we don’t see many Texans, who have historically fished closer Mexico and now even further south as far as Panama. Mexico is rough these days, while the Bahamas by comparison are completely idyllic. Their winter weather is certainly, with only a few cold fronts reaching these many islands.

They’re generally long and thin and rocky and often unprotected from wind, except maybe on one side.

has long had a reputation for the biggest bonefish in the Atlantic or Caribbean. With plenty of tarpon and permit, too. To name but a few.

We usually stay at a modest motel called Love At First Sight for $95 double occupancy. It’s built on a tidal creek with a swift current that delivers water inland to saltwater lakes stretching for a few miles.

Fishing off the motel’s patio is good at night for horseye jacks, some mutton snapper, and also tarpon in the warmer months. Out front towards the reef a mile distant, there are sand flats where you can catch bonefish before breakfast, without using a boat. This place still doesn’t have boat rentals at their dock, a serious oversight that never seems to end. We’ve been fortunate to borrow a skiff with Merc outboard, exploring lots of fine water, including Tarpon Blue Hole up the creek and six miles inland, said to reach depths of 100 feet. Last trip we paddled there in kayaks, despite a blustery March wind, and really had to work our way back, hugging a mangrove shoreline.

Ready for happy hour we were, as Yoda would say.

What I like most about this place is that you’re free to do whatever you want. You have to create your own adventure. Rent a kayak for $15 a day and head for deep water. Fish all night in your boxer shorts, while everyone else sleeps. Dive anywhere with normally mild currents (but in the creek, only during slack tide), where I speared invasive lionfish. You can troll plugs around the coral reef heads, where grouper move in during January/February. Cast topwater plugs over shallow patch reefs for big mutton snapper and barracuda. Or, venture offshore several miles to the Navy’s Autec buoy anchored in mile-deep water, where mahi-mahi and tuna congregate. It’s pretty cool, catching tuna out of a Carolina Skiff. We have done all of these things at Andros.

The lack of structure on these trips is what we like.

Our cook prepares a big houndfish, which had surprisingly white meat. They like gold spoons. But watch out, these puppies bite.

Except for Andros, which looks like a big chunk of Florida was dropped in the water 150 miles offshore, southeast of Miami. This huge, mostly uninhabited place is amazing, with wild hogs running around in the forest, freshwater rivers, more blue holes and underwater caverns than Florida. One of the longest coral reefs in the world, dropping off to depths of 6,600 feet in what is called the Tongue of the Ocean. Clear water? You bet. It has countless places to fish out of the wind, even with kayaks, which is nice, since any traveling angler knows how the wind can hurt a trip. Here, there are no cruise ships or big motels or even deep harbors.

American honeymooners head for the crowded capitol of Nassau and tourist casinos, but none of these diversions are found on Andros, thank goodness. Andros 12 | February 2015

Two anglers from New York, Barry and Vicky, show mutton snappers and a big horseye jack they’ve just caught on topwater lures, from a borrowed skiff.

We’re free to run our friend’s borrowed skiff out there and flip it in choppy seas. No radio either, just a pair of oars if the motor quits. It’s like going back in time, the real island life.

If the boat needs gas, you may have to walk or hitch a ride down the Queen’s Highway to the nearest fuel pump, which wasn’t far. We’ve been stuck without a boat at times, but you have to roll with the islanders, life is simpler in the Bahamas.

This is the place to slow down.

By contrast there is a bonefish camp right up the river a quarter mile. They have the nice Action Craft boats and guides with decades of experience. And these sometimes bored-looking clientele with flyrods, we see them pass by our dock each morning. Our motel has a restaurant on the water, open to Bahamians and even visiting groups of wellmannered school kids from another island; last trip they were being lectured on conserving marine resources. The bonefish camp nearby is a little more expensive; one week’s

Terminate with extreme prejudice.

I speared eight of these invasive, poisonous lionfish in the tidal creek in front of the motel. Bigger lionfish lurk on the reefs. They’re beginning to show up in Texas.

Three generations of the Dickinson family, friends of ours, along with Miss Amy, pause at tarpon blue hole six miles inland from our motel.

Miss Amy across the tidal creek from Love at First Sight, our motel. Great spot for fishing.

stay there for a single angler gets close to an average yearly home mortgage. Guide and food provided, but not drinks.

We’re happier to fish all day in the skiff, or wade fish. And bring the bacon home, so to speak, the fish served every night in the restaurant. Sometimes it was extra conch or lobster, too. And always a festive occasion.

During my February trip to Andros, the weather was calm the entire week, the water warm enough to swim all day. Sunny, too. In March it was windier, typical spring break weather. Our new friends staying there, from New York, taught us a few things about fishing there, they’ve been going for years. They had a simple enough technique; used small Shimano Stella spin reels packed with 8- or 10-pound line.

They slung long, pencil poppers from the skiff, out in perhaps 10 feet of water, over multi-colored patch reefs, right in front of the motel perhaps a half mile. Vicky and Barry fought big mutton snapper and horseye jacks and were almost spooled with their small spin gear, I don’t recall if they cranked the motor and chased the fish or not. I’d have given plenty to catch a 12-pound snapper on topwater with light tackle, but by the time Beaumont friend Pete Churton and I got out there, it was all houndfish and barracuda. The big hound bit me and was invited to dinner for causing trouble. One of the cudas jumped out of my hands onto Pete’s leg, sticking treble hooks in his bare calf, soon tugged loose with handy needle-nose pliers. That little skiff made for adventure with ‘cudas flopping around in the small spaces, we TSFMAG.com | 13

>Always bring 12-inch, green (rubber) tube lures for barracuda. And big dive plugs to troll the reefs. Maybe go barbless with both, because a doctor may be hours away.

Topwater poppers and “walk the dog” lures work, and gold spoons always seem to catch something. Twice I’ve caught big mutton snappers with spoons. >Good flashlight and needle-nose pliers.

Three-piece pole spear, flippers, mask and snorkel. A couple of milk crates and bungi cords, to store gear in kayaks or skiff. Short PVC pipes with tie-wraps, for rod holders.

Pete Churton with the ‘cuda that jumped on his leg, fortunately without biting.

Our intrepid skiff is shown.

Behind him is where Stafford Creek widens and drains into the Tongue of the Ocean with very deep water.

Contact

Just remember, without staying at the structured fish camps, you have to make your own fun here. Arrange for a boat by whatever means possible, including through Miss Sheila, the owner of Love at First Sight on Andros Island. (Easily found on Google). Be ready to wade fish, snorkel, night-fish, kayak or borrow/rent a small boat from someone.

It’s been great for us. On another note, I’ve never understood why the Bahamians can’t create a “state park” with sheltered waters here, inexpensive cabins, shade trees and campground, rental kayaks, BBQ grills, etc. to allow more visitors to enjoy this area.

If you fly to Andros, seriously consider a smaller plane. The big jets hauling tourists stop in Nassau, where your luggage is poked through and your connecting small flight to During our February trip, we Andros probably missed or delayed, and you trolled up eight of these tiger lose a night spent in Nassau. If you fly direct grouper behind our skiff in about two hours. A plug that from Lauderdale to Andros’s small airports dove only 10-12 feet water in a smaller plane, they treat you very well, best here, or it would snag don’t care how many fishing rods you bring, bottom. Which was easy to and hardly glance at your luggage. If your retrieve, diving with a mask. gear exceeds 40 pounds they said, “Aw, just give us $20 dollars). We landed in Andros Town airport, and took the were worried they would bite the gas hose in half. The locals don’t taxi up to Stafford Creek where the motel is. catch many cuda and urged us to bring them back, so we did.

When our pilot landed the plane there, he glanced around at the pine trees and said, “Wait a minute, this isn’t Cuba…” Ha-ha.

Nothing like a little adventure. Here are some tips for fishing Andros: Well, maybe next time. >At night, if you have jigs or spoons that glow (zap them with a flashlight), you can fight fish much of the night if the tide is running out. Right off the dock. Tarpon wallow like hogs at night there during the warmer months, feeding on shrimp, but good luck landing one. Toss a DOA shrimp in there, and see what happens. >Bring a flyrod and wade for bonefish and permit. If you’re not Joe Richard has fished the Gulf since 1967, into waving the wand all day, carry a spin rod with 8-pound line. starting out of Port Arthur, but his adventures And bring a 3-foot, live bait scoop net. Why? Small, two-inch crabs have taken him up and down the entire scurry across the spotless sand bottom as you wade along. Jump coast. He was the editor of Tide magazine for eight years, and later Florida Sportsman’s on that crab with the net, pin him down before he buries into the book and assistant magazine editor. He sand. Take his shell off, pin the remainder to a small, strong hook, began guiding out of Port O’Connor in 1994. and drop it in front of passing bones or permit, and watch what His specialty is big kingfish, and his latest book is The Kingfish Bible, New Revelations. happens. They can’t pass it up. Better lighten your reel’s drag, Available at Seafavorites.com because it’s like being tied to a bottle rocket.

14 | February 2015

Joe Richard

STORY BY KEVIN COCHRAN

Many lure -chunking trophy

trout enthusiasts try to find ways to improve their

odds of increasing the size of their personal-best specimen. Doing so means identifying places where more big fish live and also narrowing down the best time-frames for effectively targeting and catching them. This process has led some anglers to develop what I call a “February Obsession� for fishing in Baffin Bay. Some seem to believe the second calendar month offers significantly better opportunity for catching monster trout in this world-renowned estuary, particularly those who live elsewhere in Texas. Historical events and a few other factors help perpetuate this idea.

Nearly twenty years ago, several years after two major fish-killing freezes had occurred in 1989, anglers began catching monster trout in numbers in Baffin Bay. During this time period, a pair of significant stories became matters of public record, turning the bay into a metaphorical Mecca for trophy trout worshipers.

In February of 1996, Houston-area angler Jim Wallace caught a specimen which set the state record for the species, while fishing in Baffin. In addition to the 13 pound 11 ounce behemoth, Jim and his partners also landed other truly gigantic specimens, realizing a lifetime dream. Like a brush fire on the King Ranch, word about the record catch spread quickly, most prominently spurring members of the wade-first, lure-chunking fraternity to

make plans to head to the rock-studded, hypersaline estuary.

A short time later, Corpus Christi-area guide Cliff Webb called Houston journalist Joe Doggett to invite him down for a piece of the incredible action. Unable to go, Doggett sent a younger colleague, Doug Pike, in his place. Pike soon recounted details about his day with Cliff on the pages of the Houston Chronicle.

They wound up catching about a dozen big trout, including one over 32 inches in length. Though the pair weren’t carrying a scale that day, and they released the fish, they estimated the specimen weighed in excess of twelve pounds. Certainly, such a weight is possible for a trout that long, though it would not be the norm.

As pictures of the old sow confirm, she had considerably larger than average girth, so the estimate seems legitimate. Regardless of the actual weight of the trout, the general public had now seen the light, and it emanated from the treacherous bay framed by legendary cattle ranches and miles of undeveloped shorelines south of the JFK Causeway. The February Obsession had officially been born!

A couple of other facts related to those two highly-publicized events added further dimensions to the developing notion of the month’s superiority in terms of providing a chance at a once-in-alifetime trout. Significantly, the lures used on both occasions became staples among trophy trout enthusiasts.

Wallace caught his record fish on a slow-sinking, mullet-shaped, soft plastic plug developed by Houstonian Paul Brown, who had recently begun making the lures at home and selling them from his converted garage. The popularity of the Corky spread about as fast as the February Obsession, and Paul began providing more lures than ever to a growing number of fanatical anglers.

Some of these anglers began publicizing preferred methods to use with the new, slow-sinking twitch baits, trying to educate the masses on how to effectively present them and catch fish. “Fish it slow, then Topwaters like the Skitterwalk used to coax an acrobatic blow up from this trout work well on warmer days from December through February.

20 | February 2015

Monster trout like this 10 pounder, caught on a Catch 5 in February of 2013, help perpetuate the February Obsession.

slow down some more, and if you slow down just a bit more, you might be fishing it slow enough”, they generally claimed. Not only did their mantra about how to fish Corkys become accepted as truth, many anglers also bought into the idea of the lures’ effectiveness being limited to the cold season.

For years, I’ve been working to dismiss these concepts in the minds of the anglers I meet and attempt to teach. Paul’s supremely effective family of lures, some of which are now sold as “Paul Brown Lures” by the MirrOlure company, will work well throughout the year to catch larger than average trout (as well as smaller trout, redfish and numerous other species), and a variety of effective presentations can be used to deploy them. Significantly, some of these presentations involve the use of vigorous rodtip action and speed bursts, defying the original slow, slower and slowest ideology.

Corkys weren’t the only lures metaphorically moved to the front of the line in the minds of many anglers by the aforementioned signature events. Webb and Pike caught most of their trout on conventional floating plugs, or topwaters, the cigar-shaped style used with a dogwalking method. Late-winter does, indeed, prove a great time to use these types of lures on occasion, but like Paul Brown’s lures, they will work in many kinds of weather, throughout the seasons.

Inevitably, some folks took what they learned by reading about Webb and Pikes’ catch and developed a kind of tunnel-vision in their minds related to lure choice. Some of them (either directly or indirectly influenced by the famous article) evolved into what I call “topwater junkies”, basically using the buoyant lures all the time, regardless of weather conditions, water temperature or personal observations.

Topwater junkies look like geniuses when their favorite plugs excite big trout into taking bites. Most lure-chunkers prefer catching fish on floating plugs. We all love to watch the foam fly and hear the hissing suds. The visual thrills associated with catching fish on top rival or exceed those provided by any other kind of lure fishing.

But elite-class anglers know one thing for certain—other types of lures often entice more strikes from fish in general, and from trophy trout in particular. The most accomplished anglers who catch large numbers of trophy trout and to do so consistently rely on multiple lures to get the job done, learning to match their choices to the needs of the moment. This ability to alter lure selection and presentation to match the changing tides and times can prove somewhat tricky in the month of February.

The Valentine’s month does provide ample opportunity for catching monster trout on a variety of lures. I keep detailed records of what I and my clients catch, and also the ways in which we catch our fish. Statistically, February does stand at the top of the list of best months for catching trophy trout in the Baffin Bay/Laguna Madre area on artificial lures, at least for me.

Not only have I personally caught more trout measuring at least twenty seven inches on my own rod during the second calendar month, my clients and I have caught more trout meeting or exceeding the seven pound mark during the month too. I’ve personally caught nineteen trout at least twenty nine inches long during this time frame, and my customers and I have logged seventy-eight trout weighing at least seven pounds since I began tracking those totals in 2007.

Many of the big fish bit sinking Fat Boys, but others came to hand after taking floating Fat Boys or Corkys. Some attacked conventional floating plugs like Super Spooks, Skitterwalks and She Dogs. A few reluctantly swallowed soft plastics dragged in front of their noses on cold days when their bite attitudes proved negative.

Accordingly, it pays to stay prepared to fish with all three families of lures during this productive month. When the weather and water 22 | February 2015

Kevin Cochran Contact

Scott Michal caught this long specimen in December, one of the good months surrounding February.

temperatures rise, and a breeze off the Gulf stirs up enticing waves, topwaters often produce heart-stopping blow ups.

When things take a turn toward the chillier end of the spectrum, slow-sinking twitch baits worked lower in the water column often draw violent strikes. In years when Old Man Winter keeps a tighter grip on the thermometer during February, soft plastics rigged on eighth or sixteenth ounce jigheads work best.

Though this acknowledged great month does provide excellent opportunities for versatile, persistent anglers to catch the trout of a lifetime, the bites do not always come easy. In my record February, I and my clients caught twenty-nine trout weighing seven pounds or more, including sixteen over eight.

However, in the eighteen days we fished, we only caught a fish on sixteen, and caught no more than 140 total. We averaged maybe twelve bites a day for the month!

The ease of catching fish generally improves in March, April and May. Truthfully, the percentage of big trout declines slightly in each of those months from the peak, but the spring months do remain statistically similar to February in terms of trophy production. I’ve had customers catch double digit specimens in March, and my heaviest trout bit a floating Fat Boy in April. I caught my first thirty-one incher and my longest to date, a 32-¼ incher, in the mild month of May. Additionally, I’ve documented excellent results in the two months leading into February too. In fact, I’ve logged a better percentage of trout exceeding twenty-five inches and twenty-seven inches in January, though the percentage of seven pounders lags slightly behind the best month.

Certainly, people cling to a February Obsession for a list of good reasons. But the idea that the one month far exceeds the others surrounding it in terms of providing potential for top-notch trophy trout fishing with artificial lures in Baffin is basically a myth. All of the cooler months offer patient, skilled and persistent anglers ample opportunity to catch a trout they’ll never forget. Like many other obsessions, this one originated from extreme circumstances, and in the minds of many, it carries false and exaggerated significance.

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

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

Trout Tracker Guide Service Phone Email Web

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

STORY BY Billy Sandifer

Gabe Goodman tagged and released this 11’ 6” female tiger, May 30th, on PINS.

On the night of 20 may, Larry “Flakman” Flak and four other men were killed near Houma, LA when their 24-foot boat collided with a barge in darkness. Larry was a well-known petroleum engineer, currently living in Conroe. Larry was among the experts who battled the oilfield fires in Kuwait with Boots & Coots during the Gulf War. He was a longtime saltwater fisherman, always outgoing, who befriended many up and down the Texas coast.

One of my favorite memories will always be Larry inviting me to join a small group and fish Lake Guri, Venezuela for peacock bass. It was an awesome experience that I could never have been able to do without his generosity. He will be missed and remembered by many. His family is in our prayers. Fair skies and smooth seas, Larry.

Then David Rowsey calls and tells me about Brother Mike McBride being hit by a stingray and having very serious complications set in.

Later I learn a second angler had the same thing happen the same weekend wading the East Cut at Port Mansfield and I think, “Well, Mother Ocean, you sure are playing hardball here lately.” And then I

am instantly reminded that “here lately,” just does not apply. Mother Ocean has always played hardball and always will.

I think this is the second time Mike has been hit. I’ve been hit three times. Mike cleaned the wound immediately and got some antibiotics as soon as possible but infection had already set in by the time he saw a doctor. He thought everything was going to be OK. I never went to the doctor and continued working the remainder of the day in two cases. I have some permanent scar tissue and nerve damage in my left foot which troubles me now and then but I was lucky and Mike wasn’t.

But I think there is more to it than that. I think the danger from infection from such encounters increases as time goes on. While talking to Mike on the phone this morning he asked, “Billy, what ever happened to the time when we jumped into the water to soak and help cure our injuries. Saltwater soothed and helped heal wounds and now it’s the exact opposite.”

He’s right, that’s the way it was in my youth but I fear those days are gone forever. Texas water temperatures rising three degrees in sixteen

Garry Wilson, Roy Thompson, and Larry Wilson with some variety on a trip to PINS.

Green-winged Teal Anas carolinensis North America’s smallest dabbling duck. The name is derived from the white-edged bright green speculum. Male’s chestnut head and dark green eye patch lend to create a handsome appearance in flight and at rest. Females have drab plumage year around, quite like the mallard hen. Fast flying and exceptionally agile in flight, green-winged teal can be easily mistaken for shorebirds. Highly gregarious, often forming large flocks. Feeds by dabbling for plants in shallow water and also grazing in fields. Breeds in northern prairie pothole and marsh country, present in Texas November through March on lakes and estuaries.

Photo by Jimmy Jackson.

26 | February 2015

years in our bay systems could certainly be involved and there is no doubt agricultural and chemical runoff into them has an impact but, the bottom line is that it is totally out of the question to expose cuts or any open wound to the water without running a grave risk nowadays.

During the past eighteen years I have presented many seminars and lectures and one of the things I always relate is how a guy once asked, “What is the first thing a beginner needs to learn to catch big fish the way you do?”

I tell them of my reaction, looking him straight in the eye, I replied, “The first and most important thing you have to learn is that no matter how much you may love Mother Ocean, you must realize that she couldn’t possibly care less if you live or die. Every split second, all of her children kill each other to survive and she doesn’t take sides. She cannot. For if she favored one over the other, the system couldn’t function. So before you bite it off, you better make sure you can chew it.”

I don’t think Mike and I actually chose to live the life we live. It is a need to be on the water that we cannot escape. I think we were born to it and the same goes for many of the other writers for this publication, many who read it and some who may not. We are children of the sea and we are born to fish. It’s some primeval DNA thing, but it does not come without a price. That price is often paid when we grow complacent to the dangers we face. We forget that all of Mother Ocean’s children must never drop their guard for even a few seconds lest we become victims.

Few fulltime fishing guides are in a financial position to buy health insurance or doctor visits every time they get hurt. We are not even going to talk about the time a 100-pound bull shark I had tagged and released turned and charged, hitting me at top speed while raking four front teeth from my ankle, up my leg, and all the way to my chin. I soaked the wounds with Epsom salt for two nights and went right on fishing daily until the wounds turned purple with red streaks, swelling to twice normal size overnight and beginning to seep. Naw, we’re not even going to relive that memory.

We all know the many dangers of boating at night. Anyone who hasn’t hit an unseen object is bound to sooner or later if they continue running in the dark. I already have, so I am now a good deal more cautious than I once was.

As far as the stingrays; the first step toward reducing the probability of suffering a serious hit is to purchase and wear good stingray protective footwear. Next is sliding your feet; even when wearing the boots and leggings. Never drop your guard. Interestingly, Mike said he was standing still when he was hit.

You should also carry quality antiseptic ointments and have antibiotics available. Use them immediately if you are hit by a ray or hardhead. Any open cut should be kept completely dry and out of the water. Some of us have little choice but to continue working with injuries, but you can rest assured that I immediately treat them and then apply a waterproof bandage coating. I make it a practice to reapply the coating throughout the day and I am not sure they are 100% effective but this is what I do. Best thing to remember; do not wade with any open wound - period. Stingray wounds are extremely painful and the potential for infection can be life-threatening. Seek medical attention as soon as possible.

The last week of May the phone finally started ringing with customer bookings for the first time this year and it was as long overdue as was the inch of rain we received at the same time. I came as close to going broke as one possibly can in mid-March due to a lack of charter business. During this period I had the occasion to speak with a lifelong pal who is a fulltime bay guide. He asked how business was going and I told him.

He said, “Billy, I could book you twenty charters a month but you know what they want; they want to throw live croakers and keep full limits of trout.”

Personally, I do not care what someone uses for bait. It’s the killing of ten solid trout per day per person that I cannot accept. I thanked my friend for the genuinely kind offer and that I appreciated it deeply.

I promised myself years ago that I would never make short-term personal gain a priority over the wellbeing of the resource. My impression is that we are going to see extremely heavy use of our resources this summer on both the bays and the beach. The number of visitors on PINS during weekends is presently overwhelming and truth be told is already crippling fishing success and I believe it will continue.

It is so simple to me; the size of the pie remains the same while the number of people holding out their plates is skyrocketing. The only solution is smaller individual helpings. The bite is on and the weather has moderated. Take time to enjoy it while it is here for this too shall pass.

If we don’t leave any, there won’t be any.

Editor’s Note: This story is reprinted from our archives. Our longtime writer and dear friend, Billy Sandifer, is suffering badly at present from the debilitating effects of exposure to Agent Orange during his military service in Viet Nam. Please join me in prayer that Billy will weather his present storm and regain strength to continue his writings soon.

20th Annual Billy Sandifer

Big Shell Beach Cleanup The Big Shell Beach Cleanup will be held Saturday, 28 February, 2015. Volunteers will meet at Malaquite Pavilion on Padre Island National Seashore and the event will commence at 8:00AM. Prior year’s confusion in darkness, organizing volunteers into teams to head down the island, has prompted the decision to delay leaving Malaquite one hour. We hope this revision to the start time will promote safety and encourage even greater volunteer participation.

To reach Malaquite Pavilion, travel south on South Padre Island Drive (SPID) through Corpus Christi, continuing onto North Padre Island, where it becomes Park Road 22. Follow Park Road 22 until you reach the Padre Island National Seashore entry gate. Notify the attendant you will be participating in the Beach Cleanup and you will not be charged admission. Entering the park, the next set of buildings is the Malaquite Pavilion. It is on the left side of Park Road 22. Arriving 15- to 20 minutes prior to official starting time will facilitate organizing volunteers into teams.

All volunteers will be back at the pavilion by 3:00PM. Four wheel drive vehicles, trailers for hauling trash in and out of the work area, and working volunteers are needed. Walking volunteers (those arriving in two wheel drive vehicles) are welcome and will be afforded transportation to and from the work area. Those unable to pick up trash but having four wheel drive vehicles are most welcome to provide transportation to work areas for those without four wheel drive and hauling trash.

This event will not be rescheduled and will take place rain or shine. Snacks, water, and soft drinks will be available in the work area and refreshments will be available at Malaquite following the event. Long pants, sturdy footwear, jackets and a slicker are highly recommended. Do not pick up broken glass or potentially hazardous/highly-flammable items. Report all hazardous items to your section leader. Volunteers will receive complimentary event t-shirts. This is a most worthy event and its success is only possible through volunteer participation.

Please come and join us, Friends of Padre

Contact

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

Website www.FriendsofPadre.com

TSFMAG.com | 27

Part III

STORY BY MARTIN STRARUP

Bodie met dale

at the sheriff’s office at daylight the next morning and handed him a cup of coffee he had picked up at a local drive-in on his way into town.

“Thanks, Bodie, I can sure use that,” Dale said with a smile.

Conversation was brief and matter of fact as the pair put the miles behind them on the way to Corpus. Neither had much to say and when one spoke it was about the business at hand and nothing else.

It was still early when the pair pulled into the dealership where one Vincent Meyers had purchased a new truck. They introduced themselves and stated their business to the receptionist who called the G.M., and then asked whether Bodie and Dale would help themselves to donuts and coffee while they waited.

“I think I’ll just have one of those donuts, and I do need a refill on the coffee,” Bodie said. Dale nodded in agreement.

Bodie noticed that the receptionist had taken her cell phone from her purse and made a call, but didn’t think anything about it.

In just a few minutes a man in a white linen jacket, Hawaiian shirt, and khaki slacks appeared and introduced himself as P.M. Saunders, the General Manager. “How may I help you gentlemen?” he asked.

Introductions were made and Bodie let Dale do most of the talking, preferring to listen and observe Mr. Saunders as Dale explained what they needed in the way of information.

“The address given by Mr. Meyers for his vehicle title is 5458 Stillbrooke here in Corpus but, his Texas driver’s license shows his address as being Route 1 Box 223, Leonard, TX.,” he said producing a photocopy.

“What phone number did he give you to call when his plates come in,” Bodie asked.

Bodie and Dale made notes of the make and model of the truck

Vince had purchased, everything else the GM could provide, and also the cell phone number he had given. They thanked Mr. Saunders and walked back to Dale’s car.

“So whattaya say we pay a little visit to 5458 Stillbrooke and see if Mr. Vincent Meyers is home,” Dale smirked.

“I’m pretty sure Vince is going to be somewhat unhappy to see me,” Bodie replied.

The address led them to a nice home in an affluent subdivision that had a for sale sign in the front yard. Dale and Bodie rang the doorbell and waited but no one answered. Dale’s cell phone rang and while he was having a conversation, Bodie walked around the house and peered over the fence.

There was a nice pool that was as clean as a whistle and in fact everything about this house was too neat for the Vince Meyers that Bodie was familiar with. Bodie walked back to the front of the house and noticed that there was no mailbox and he thought that rather odd.

Bodie spied a business card of a local realtor and picked it up. “I think we’ll give this lady a call,” he said aloud as Dale finished his call.

“They found a finger print on the magazine of the Colt .38 Super that belongs to Tommy, and that print belongs to one Vincent Meyers” Dale said excitedly.

“That should give us enough for a warrant, don’t you think?” Bodie asked the deputy.

“Already being worked on as we speak. And by the way, the cell number Vince gave the dealership is a pay-as-you-go phone and not traceable,” Dale informed him.

“Realtor left her card on the door and I thought we should give her a call and see if she can give us any information on Vince,” Bodie TSFMAG.com | 29

30 | February 2015

know where to find this guy; he’s a ghost. All we can do is wait to hear from them, check with the law in Leonard, which is probably the county sheriff’s department, and see if we get lucky,” Dale surmised aloud, trying to put the facts of the case in order.

“I know that you can’t spend a lot of time away from the office, Dale, but Mr. Connor has told me to do whatever I need to do to help find whoever did this to Tommy. Maybe I can spend more time down there, stake out the mailbox, whatever,” Bodie offered sincerely.

“The plates will be at the dealership before the title is mailed, Bodie” said Dale. And then he added sternly, “Best thing for us to do is make some calls, ask questions, and wait for the dealership.”

“I know that what you’re saying is right, Dale; but I just feel so useless right now since we weren’t able to just grab hold of Vince in Corpus today,” Bodie lamented.

Bodie shook Dale’s hand and thanked him when they got back to the sheriff’s department. He had planned to head out to the Lazy C to check on things but called Monroe for a report instead and headed to Victoria to see how Tommy was doing.

At the hospital Bodie went straight to ICU and asked for Doctor Hanson. A few minutes passed and Bodie recognized the doctor coming down the hall.

“Mr. Allen, it’s good to see you again. I would guess that you’re here to check on Mr. Meyers,” the doctor greeted him.

“Good to see you too, Doc. And yes, how is Tommy doing?”

“Mr. Meyers is doing much better and the swelling in his brain is almost nonexistent. I would think that he’ll be in a private room sometime this week and then we can deal with the damage to his eye and his teeth,” the doctor replied confidently.

Bodie nodded and thanked the doctor for the good news.

“Would you like to look in on him,” asked the doctor?

Bodie visualized the last time that he had seen Tommy all bundled up with tubes and wires and shuddered. “Will he know that I’m there?” he asked.

“No, no; he’s still heavily sedated,” Doctor Hanson said.

“Well then maybe next time, Doc. It’s pretty hard for me to see Tommy in that condition,” said Bodie, turning toward the elevator.

“Ah, I understand quite well, Mr. Allen. And, in fact, his brother said the exact same thing to me just an hour ago,” the doctor added.

Bodie whirled face the doctor, “His BROTHER was here an hour ago?”

“Why yes, he was quite concerned, and told me that he had found out about his brother only this morning,” Doctor Hanson assured.

Stay tuned for Part IV, coming next month!

Martin Strarup

Contact

offered, handing it to Dale.

Barbara, the realtor, had never heard of Vincent Meyers and told Bodie that the people selling the house were a local couple who had recently bought a condo out on the island.

“I noticed no mailbox at the house, so I guess the couple who lived here had a PO Box,” Bodie wondered aloud.

“Nah, they probably have a group of mailboxes at the end of the street; pretty common these days in subdivisions,” Dale answered.

They drove to the other end of Stillbrooke and sure enough found a group of mailboxes, one marked 5458.

“So Vince gave the dealership a bogus address,” Dale remarked.

“Not necessarily,” Bodie countered quickly. Bodie inserted the blade of his pocket knife in the lock and turned it as one would a key and box opened easily.

“I’m pretty sure that’s a felony,” Dale said with a smirk.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Bodie replied and then added, “All Vince has to do is drop by here and open the box with any blade that will turn that lock to get his truck title. Pretty clever for the Vince I know,” Bodie informed his fellow lawman.

The wheels in Dale’s head began spinning…“The title will be mailed to this address but since the plates will not fit the box he’ll probably be picking them up dealership. It wouldn’t be practical to stake out this mail box, so what say we ask the dealership to inform us a day before they call Vince. We’ll be waiting when he comes to get the plates.”

“Want to grab some lunch before we hit the road” Dale asked.

“I know a good seafood place if you’re in the mood,” Bodie replied.

Bodie gave directions and Dale drove. The neighborhood had deteriorated since Bodie’s last visit, as had the exterior of the place.

Dale made the remark that he was happy to be well-armed.

“Oh that’s funny, real funny,” said Bodie.

The food was great and the portions were huge. Dale charged his department credit card and remarked as they made their way to the door, “Okay, you were right about the food. Place ain’t much to look at but I haven’t had a stuffed crab that good since Mrs. Raby quit making them in Port O’Connor.”

“Sure glad you liked it,” Bodie replied. “Hey, do we have time to run down to Roy’s Bait and Tackle for a few minutes? Vince likes to fish and if he’s been around lately maybe they know him. Everybody in Corpus shops there.”

The two drove down SPID to Roy’s and Bodie struck up a conversation with the clerk at the register. He showed her Vince’s driver’s license photo but she could not recollect ever seeing him.

Rocky wasn’t there so Bodie picked up some lures and other things and the pair began their drive back home.

Dale’s phone rang about the time they were on top of the Harbor Bridge and from what Bodie could hear the news was not what Dale wanted to hear.

“Word on the warrant,” Bodie asked?

“The judge says that the print wasn’t bloody, and being as how the pistol had blood all over it and that it belongs to the subject’s brother, it could have been made at any time. He will not issue the warrant based only on a clean fingerprint,” Dale answered. “As it stands right now we don’t have enough to go after Vincent Meyers—other than he’s on the shady side; he paid cash for a new pickup shortly after Tommy was beaten and robbed; he gave a phony address to a dealership; and uses a non-traceable cell phone,” he sighed.

“Until we hear from the dealership on the plates we don’t even

Martin Strarup is a lifelong saltwater enthusiast and outdoorsman.

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

Email

Trouthunter@swbell.net

Proper off-season preparation of boats, tackle and all related gear allows anglers to take advantage of late-winter and early-spring opportunity on short notice.

STORY BY CHUCK UZZLE

Perhaps one of the greatest things about T

exas Saltwater Fishing Magazine is the unique and diverse information, stories, and techniques that fill the pages every month. There are some truly talented folks out there who are willing, every month, to share their own secrets of success that have been gained through years on the water. Some of the information is the result of successful trips while others, sometimes even more valuable, were learned at the cruel hand of fate or in the school of hard knocks.

One common thread in particular that binds all of these folks together is that they are all “prepared� for many different situations and that separates them from a great majority of the fishing public. When I compare myself to most of the other anglers in the magazine I am constantly reminded

how talented they are at what they do. I learn new things from each of them every month and apply that knowledge to my own part of the world.

Well, in order to start the year out right, I wanted to share one of the things I feel is most important to setting your new year out on the right foot. Like the old saying goes- Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

Now it’s no secret that some of the worst weather we will have all year on the Texas coast happens during January and February. One would be hard-pressed to find a better time to go from hero to zero, or vice versa, in any situation where inclement weather can play a major role.

Some of the heaviest stringers of the year will be caught during this two month span, and that potential is more than enough to lure diehard anglers to the water. On the other hand there will be some

absolutely miserable fishless hours spent by plenty of anglers, so I think you get the picture. If you don’t mind swinging for the fence, this time of the year is right up your alley. If the thought of cold days on the water with only a bite a two to show for the effort seems a bit extreme, there are other productive fishing-related things to do so don’t be discouraged.

The first and most obvious option for Texas anglers during this time of the year is pursuing really big speckled trout. Our magazine is basically built on the idea of helping you find more and bigger fish.

Wintertime is the pinnacle for that endeavor, talking big trout here, and it will be covered thoroughly in this issue—please excuse me if I do not repeat that story line. Getting back that preparation theme I want to talk a bit about boat, tackle and other gear to further insure success on trips you will be making in the near future.

Top of the list is running your boat and not just taking a joy ride. I recommend doing this on a calm day (even a cold one) or in protected water just in case you run into problems.

Having a fishing buddy accompany in another boat is always a good precaution during shakedown cruises.

Before you head for the water, you need to check your batteries. Of course they need to be fully charged but age is a biggie here, as is the condition of the terminal wiring and all other connections. Cleaning and applying anti-corrosion to the terminals is much easier in the driveway than at Boat repair shops are not the dock or on the water. Any wet usually as busy during latecell battery approaching three years winter; a great time to address issues such as skeg repair. old should probably be replaced.

Cranking batteries are the number one culprit when it comes to ruining a Some general maintenance trip, especially the first time out after a items; changing lower unit lube, lengthy bit of downtime. Low voltage draining fuel tanks of old untreated causes tons of issues from not cranking gasoline, changing fuel/water separator filters, and the like; are the motor, tilt and trim problems, easily performed in the driveway or to include a host of other electrical garage on bad weather days. challenges that will leave you either stranded or pulling your hair out.

Simply running your boat in the driveway with a water hose attached is a great first round of troubleshooting.

A motor that cranks right up and runs well builds confidence for heading to the launch.

Another tip that can be done in the driveway is syphoning old fuel and disposing of it properly. Ethanol is not your friend—never trust old fuel, especially if it was not treated, and always use fuel conditioner with every tank of new fuel. Once the boat is properly fueled and launched, let it idle for a while tied to the dock. Listen

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carefully for anything that sounds out of the ordinary.

While the motor warms up, this is a great time to check your trolling motor, bilge pumps, navigation lights and livewell pumps. If all checks out, you are ready for a leisurely ride and will know that the next time the tides and conditions are ripe for fishing that your boat is ready.

If on the other hand you have any issues, you can get those bugs worked out before a trip is ruined. The winter is a great time to get work or routine maintenance done on your boat as many shops have a much quicker turnaround time. If you choose to do the routine stuff yourself, changing lower unit oil, replacing batteries, etc., there are no better days to take care of this task than a bad weather day that would have kept you from the water anyway. Sometimes it’s all about searching for a silver lining.

Well as long as we are talking about preventative maintenance lets also talk about our fishing gear. Stripping off old line and respooling with new is always a good idea. Breaking down reels and giving them a thorough cleaning and lubrication will not only have you ready for the next fishing trip but will also add years to the life of the reel. Swapping hooks on hard baits is another necessary evil that goes well on a bad weather day. Many will debate the merits 36 | February 2015

Chuck Uzzle

Contact

Don’t forget wheel bearing maintenance!

of treble hooks versus single hooks but nobody can deny the benefits of new, sharp hooks.

Fresh line on your reels and new hooks on your arsenal of favorite plugs is great way to improve your odds when you do get that one big bite during that tough day on the water.

One last piece of gear that probably gets neglected as much or more than anything and needs to be checked carefully, is your boat trailer.

Wheel bearings, trailer bunks, and the evil electronics also known as trailer lights all deserve careful inspection. My thoughts on trailer wiring and lights has always been to replace everything rather than fight an ongoing battle. You’ll probably be glad you did in the long run.

While you’re at it, do not forget the winch strap, bow safety chain, and tie-down straps.

These are all essential for safe towing and, God forbid, very essential for keeping the boat on the trailer in the event of a tire blowout or collision.

I’m sure some of you will look at this information and never give it a second thought because you keep up with all your service and your gear is in good shape. Hopefully a few of you will take the hint and do some preventative maintenance so once those fabulously warm winter and spring days come around you will be ahead of the game and not waiting in line somewhere trying to get repairs done while everyone else is out catching fish.

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

Phone Email

409-697-6111 cuzzle@gt.rr.com

STORY BY FRANK H. KNEBEL

The surf sucked.

Huge rafts of sargassum, seemingly thick enough to walk on, drifted with the current and each cast resulted in pulling the equivalent of a round bale from the Gulf. My wife and I were disappointed and frustrated to say the least. We had just driven nine hours with the anticipation of speckled sides and bronze backs, only to catch algae.

In an effort to salvage the day, I suggested that we give the jetties a shot and within minutes my truck was following the ruts to the mouth of the Colorado River. Little did I realize that this decision would lead to one of the most unique fishing experiences of my life.

Calm, green, sargassum-free water met us at the pocket formed between the old jetty and the new one on the east side of the river mouth. The first cast resulted in a thick 28 inch red stripping line from my reel while my wife, Jean Anne, dealt with her first-ever speck, a fat 22 incher, then moments later, a 26 inch sow. (I’m afraid her nose rose higher into the air with every trout that she caught while I only caught “lowly” reds.)

After landing my third red in twenty minutes of fishing, I experienced one of those moments that sticks with you forever.

The strike was powerful and so was the run. My mind’s-eye saw a thirty-inch-plus bull red on the end of the line. But then violent headshaking was transferred through the stretched 12 pound mono, and my mind’s eye smiled as the vision changed from one of a red to that of a gator trout.

But then the powerful fish came out of the water in the headshaking tail-dance of a largemouth bass with sudsy spray showering off its silver sides, marked with a very noticeable black lateral line. My mind screamed, “SNOOK” as my mouth simultaneously screamed, “SNOOK!” The only time in my life that I can remember being as excited was the first time I saw a naked 38 | February 2015

woman. I had caught a friggin’ snook!

But wait a minute. I wasn’t in Florida. Heck, I wasn’t even near Port Isabel. I was standing in the sands of Matagorda Beach a couple hundred miles north of the tropical haunts preferred by this species.

So where did it come from? Was it an immigrant from the Lower Laguna Madre or is the long absence of this prized game fish finally over? These questions soon led to another adventure. One of selfeducation on this species, its history in Texas waters, and the status of snook in the Matagorda Bay System.

There are actually 3 species of snook found in Texas waters. The largest version, the common snook (Centropomus undecimalis) is the one Capt. Ernest Cisneros has become a pro at targeting as his photos and articles in this magazine can attest. The largest population of Texas-bred snook are found in South Bay and the Port Isabel area while lesser populations exist as far north as Corpus Christi. Rarely do you hear of one being caught further north; though it does happen on occasion. The common snook is probably the only one of the three to attain the Texas legal size of 24 inches.

The other two species, C. mexicanus or Mexican snook, and C. parallelus are both grouped under the name “fat snook.” These are smaller but stocky-built specimens with the same attitude as their bigger cousins. According to the folks at the Perry R. Bass Marine Fisheries Research Center, these two species are more often found in our bay systems. Both of these can be identified by folding back the pelvic fins. If the fin touches the anus then it’s a fat snook. I was not aware of this fact at the time of my catch but upon reflection and a close look at the photos, I am convinced that my snook was a “fatty.”

Disappointed? Not one, dang bit.

Prior to the 1940’s, snook were almost as common as speckled trout along the Texas coast. In 1893, more than 20,000 pounds of

snook were commercially caught in Galveston Bay while in 1928 over 230,000 pounds were landed from the waters around Port Isabel.

But then the bottom fell out, and by 1961 no commercial landings were recorded. Overfishing, agricultural runoff, industrial waste, lack of freshwater inflow due to the damming of rivers, and a series of harsh winters all got blamed for the demise of the fishery. Yet, no one knows the exact cause of the collapse, though it was probably a combination of all of the above.

As for Matagorda Bay, researchers from Perry R. Bass state that an occasional snook finds its way into their gill nets during their surveys— the fat snook being sighted more often than the common snook.

While researching for this article, I found several forum threads discussing snook in both East and West Matagorda bays. One thread on www.fishwestend.com dated January 14th, 2010 displayed a photo of a snook found dead in Matagorda East Bay; while another on www.2coolfishing.com reported one caught in the Diversion Channel and three in the Matagorda surf during 2012. I also found on this same site reports of several being caught in Matagorda East Bay and other reports of snook killed by red tide in both the surf and bays. A TPWD report records an unspecified number of snook found amongst other fish killed by the freeze during the 1983-1984 winter.

Then you have the rumors of huge snook seen by divers around the Big Jetty at Port O’Connor and mid-bay gas well platforms, and of juveniles being caught in cast nets by bait fishermen in the Tres Palacios and Carancahua Rivers.

So is the resident population of snook in the Matagorda Bay System on the rise? Truthfully, I don’t know and neither does TPWD. However, with the previous few winters having been mild and with the influx of mangrove snappers up to 3 pounds becoming common place, along with the huge rebound of tarpon off Port O’Connor, it is logical to assume that we may begin to hear of an increase of anglers landing more of these worthy gamefish. That is provided that the winters remain mild and the estuarine habitat and freshwater inflow required by the juvenile snook remains constant and protected. I’m

curious to see what effect the LCRA’s new water project at Bay City will have on the snook and other species as the amount of freshwater from the Colorado River will be decreasing.

Furthermore, the increase in the snook population will also be dependent on anglers that are lucky enough to catch a Matty snook. Any snook caught should be released to help insure the survival of a possibly rebounding population. With females producing over 1.25 million eggs per spawn and a large percentage of the male population morphing into females between 1 – 7 years of age, a strict conservation ethic will go a long way toward seeing the return of what the old timers called pike.

As for the 20 inch fat snook that slipped, tripped, and stumbled upon my line; it may not have been as gargantuan as the one Pam Johnson caught that graced the August 2013 cover of this magazine, but it, just as any snook caught in Texas waters should be, is a trophy that has turned me into a bona fide snook fanatic.

Some Snook Facts Old salts called the snook “pike” because the name “snook” is derived from the Dutch word “snoek” which means pike.

The Texas state record snook is 57 lbs. 4 oz. caught

by Louis Rawalt in 1937 off Padre Island.

The current world record snook is 57 lbs. 12 oz. set in 1991 in Costa Rica. However, in March 2014 Orlando, FL fishing guide Ward Michaels caught a 60 lb. snook in Costa Rica that is pending IGFA approval.

Male snook can live 15 years and reach 39 inches in length. Fifty percent of them reach sexual maturity at about 18 inches or 2 years of age. Male snook are protrandric hermaphrodites, and somewhere between 50 – 70 percent of them turn into females between 1 to 7 years of age.

Female snook can live about 21 years and can grow upwards of 48 inches. Slower to mature than males, they don’t begin to produce eggs until around 5 years old, which puts them in the 30 inch range.

TSFMAG.com | 39

Impressive close-range headshake from an equally impressive winter trout.

J AY WAT K I N S

A S K THE P R O

Experimentation

is a huge part of my game I trust everybody enjoyed a great holiday season. Very little cold over the holidays along the middle and lower coast but no complaint on my end even though I do believe colder weather produces bigger trout. December through March are my favorite big trout months and the most logical reason is the absence of fishing pressure.

Week days often find the flats void of boats and barrier island shorelines near the mouths of marsh drains are seldom targeted.

Over the next several months my target species will be trout, and not just “trout-trout” as I often refer to them but, trout in the 30-plus class. The hunt for a fish that represents such a tiny portion of the population is what drives trophy seekers. Speckled trout of 30–plus length are regal dinosaurs of their species and deserve respect upon being collected. Releasing is what I suggest if the fish is not a personal best and headed to John Glenn Taxidermy in Corpus Christi. Replica mounts are pretty darn good today so this is also an option.

Killing such a fish for eating purposes is something I would never recommend, simply because there are a lot of better choices for gracing the family china. I want to commend the majority of big trout specialists I know on

40 | February 2015

demanding the release of most every trout longer than 23- to 24 inches. The only way to insure that the trout you just caught could be on your line again is by letting her swim away. OK, that’s my spiel on that.

Now we need to know what to look for and what baits to use to get big trout on the line. In the “looking” department, predominant structure is pretty much bay system specific. In my home water I prefer one of two types; scattered shell over mud bottom or submerged grass beds around shoreline points and mouths of drains.

I prefer to fish windward if at all possible. Shallow and clear water conditions prevail many days, especially when hard winter sets in. Sandy-colored water works better and I have experienced incredible results in downright muddy chop. Water clarity and bait presence are critical parts of a good game plan.

Take for example the wintry blast of early November 2014 when water temps fell quickly into the upper-40s for a few nights, kick-starting the winter pattern. Most Texas bays have “back bay” regions with predominantly soft, muddy bottom. Dark absorbs solar energy faster than light-colored bottom and this creates pockets of warmer water. Mullet are filter feeders, meaning they strain

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Spotted Seatrout Released After Photo

nutrients from the water, and the sediments suspended in murky zones provide more food. Couple this with the tendency of fish to seek warmer areas in winter, and now you know why the mullet are there.

And like the old saying... “Find bait and find fish.”

So we feel good about our area, now we need to know when to be there. I know it sounds odd but a lot people fish on their schedule, not the fish’s. It often goes like this, “Hey Jay, we need to be back at the dock around 1:00PM so we can get home at a reasonable hour.”

Or how about this, “Yeah, we’re running late after a long night; can we push dock time back a few hours?”

I make a practice of honoring client requests, even knowing we will miss the best bite of the day. This may be good business on one hand but a recipe for poor results on the other. I have honestly culled and taught my clientele to the point where they are asking me what hours we need to fish. What an absolute fabulous way to spend my final years in the business.

No longer am I surprised by our catches when the moon is in proper alignment and it is my belief that the larger the trout in a given area, the more you will notice their feeding activity. Over the past 7- to 8 years I have become a staunch believer in setting up in the right area and allowing the solunar feeding periods to develop around me. It is sort of like hunting a mature whitetail. You get settled in and wait, paying close attention to the smallest of details, and being at the ready all the time.

OK, so we have found the right area and timed our effort to coincide with a feeding period. What should we be throwing?

No doubt I am a diehard Bass Assassin man. I love the texture, the array of colors, and my ability to get big trout to eat them. I also love throwing the Paul Brown Corky baits that MirrOlure now produces.

After many years of struggling to find the right rod to produce lure action that is pleasing to the fish I finally settled on Steve Henriksen’s 6’6” custom Henri Rods. Cliff Webb told me years ago that Corky fishing is all about having the right rod to make the bait do what it is designed to do—suspend and sink slowly between lifts and twitches. I work the heck out of mine but the moderate power of the rods allows 42 | February 2015

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Gold-side Custom Corky lineup; gold is good!

me the luxury of working the bait hard while not moving it too far forward—if that makes any sense.

The rod has given me confidence to stick with a Corky during periods when our bite wanes.

Confidence is everything with this bait so as an angler I needed a rod that I knew was allowing me to put the mojo on the bait to draw strikes. When the bite slows it’s on them, not my lack of ability.

Over the past two years I have worked with Lowell and Dee Dee Odom in their Custom Corky enterprise. I wanted some new color schemes and they were willing to let me play with my ideas. I have always liked gold or copper flashes in dirty or stained water. I also prefer gold on days with heavy overcast. Let me ask you this. How many pictures in this magazine do you see of anglers with huge trout under overcast skies? I’d guess it’s about 70%. So with this said we set out adding already popular pink and chartreuse to gold-sided Corkys. The Fat Boy has a larger flash radius so I prefer it over the Original, but I work the Original better in deeper water. Long story short, I have proven time and again this winter with clients that gold is good. Bonus finding was that gold worked extremely well on sunny days in air-clear water and little wind, which if you have read many articles in saltwater fishing magazines, are not typically good conditions for catching large trout on lures.

The most exciting aspect of this development has been the testing and the thought process behind why we think it is working. Honest truth is it works and works very well, better some days than even the old standbys. Could be as simple as the bait’s color combinations being something they have not seen before. Or could it be that they actually do see the gold better on overcast days? Maybe baitfish have more of a gold glint to them than we realize or maybe I have just been stupid lucky. I believed in it enough to purchase the entire line of these baits so at worst case I have enough to last the rest of my life. Experimentation is fun to me and fundamentally a huge part of my game. What do you think about copper holograms? That’s another story.

By the time you read this I will be chasing trout in knee deep water somewhere near Port Mansfield. I promise that I will return them to the water so you’ll have a chance at a fish of a lifetime as well.

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

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

Owner’s new “inline-eye” single replacement hooks are a godsend for those who prefer singles on hardbaits and Corkys.

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

S H A LL O W W ATER FI S HIN G

Downtime To-Do List After a couple hundred days on the water throughout Couple days later I got the call that the boat was ready. the year, there are bound to be things that need some They had fixed the idling issue, squared away my shifter attention. Little things that slip through during the daily sloppiness and replaced the bushings on my steering routine of rising before daylight, fishing all day, cleaning rods that had been leaking a little bit. You may also want boat and gear, and answering messages before passing to have the water pump and lower unit serviced while out to do it all over again. I know a few super diligent you’re there. types who somehow seem to get it all done, but the When you own a boat, you usually own a trailer too. majority of us have a to-do list longer than the daily Trailers do yeoman work and tend to get ignored until routine will accommodate. there’s a problem. Next time you launch your boat, Late January and February are the perfect time to get take a good look at the trailer as it sits in the parking on those nagging projects. Most hunting seasons have wrapped up and unless you are a trophy trout How’s this for a rusty mess? rustler, fishing weather tends to be pretty miserable.

Getting all your ducks in a row before the weather warms up lets you start the new season with a clean slate. Here are a few things I’ve taken care of over the past few weeks.

Starting with the most important piece of equipment—the boat. Mine is really in great condition, there were just a few odds and ends. It was idling a bit rough on cold mornings so I took it to Acie’s Outboards for a complete check-up. November through February is a great time to do this as the waiting list at most shops is non-existent in winter.

Put it off until spring and you’ll have to get in line.

44 | February 2015

lot. It’s a lot easier to notice things without the boat. Has corrosion eaten something important? Mine had some brackets attaching the bunks to the trailer frame that were rusted to the breaking point. I replaced those and while I was at it, replaced the bunks too. I had recently noticed a couple of my LED lights on the trailer flickering when I hit bumps. A quick hit with the tester located the bad spots where the connectors had corroded. Next up were those devilish wheel bearings. I keep them greased and watch them like a hawk, but I never fully trust those things. If you’ve ever had one fail, you know what I mean. The heck with worrying; replace! Check the tires, put a little grease on the hitch and check the winch strap for wear. All of

A little attention to detail during winter downtime is all it takes.

46 | February 2015

this seems simple and obvious, but I see boats on the side of the road nearly every day due to some sort of trailer malfunction.

Rods and reels deserve attention too. If you aren’t into detailing your reels, this is a great time of year to drop them off at a reel shop for the same reason as the boat mechanic. After those first fishing trips in the spring everybody suddenly realizes their reels are jacked up and the repair guys get overwhelmed. I keep up with minor cleaning but once a year they get to visit Warren at Fishing Tackle Unlimited for a thorough job. I get them back and they fish like a brand new reel. If you fish mono line go ahead a replace it. If you use braid, think about reversing it if you don’t want to fork over the money for changing it. Rods often get totally neglected until they snap or lose an eye. Check the eyes for corrosion, wipe down the blank and give the cork a good cleaning.

Lure maintenance is something I try to keep up with throughout the year but eventually the tide of broken hooks, rusted components, bent split rings, etc., overwhelms. I rinse used lures daily and set them out to dry before putting them back into their box. I also started using Plano’s waterproof boxes a while back. Even with these precautions, sooner or later there’ll come a day when I open the tackle storage and see that dreaded rusty mess. I keep a cardboard box in the garage that catches any lures deemed unusable, but repair-worthy. A dreary winter day is the perfect time to dump that box on the workbench and get busy. I just went through the process and now have nice clean boxes full of neatly organized lures with fresh, sharp hooks. I know it won’t stay that way long, but it feels good while it lasts.

I start with a tub of warm water mixed with some sort of cleaner. I

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usually use Simple Green. I’ll remove the old hooks and any split rings that look rough, then throw them in the tub to soak. Lure boxes get a dunking too. Most of the time just wiping the lures with a wash cloth is good enough, but some might require a little scrubbing. Once dried, replace the split rings and hooks. I’ve been using single hooks on my plugs for years. In the past I’ve used the hooks that come with a welded ring on the eye. It was that or add a second split ring to let the hook run straight. Now I’m using Owner’s new “Single Replacement Hooks”. The eye is turned 90 degrees so the extra ring isn’t needed. A good set of quality split ring pliers is worth every penny and speeds the process tremendously.

Rigging new spoons with a split-ring and swivel before boxing them saves time on the water…helps prevent line twist, too.

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Something else I do during winter cleaning is a good pruning of the selection. With hundreds of hours on the water you tend to lean on certain lures, whether it’s a certain type, model or color. I’m a pretty simple guy. I’m not big on switching lures. At the end of the year I’ll realize there are quite a few bench warmers that never touched the water. Out they go. Simple is efficient and I rarely find myself staring at the box wishing for something that isn’t already there. Fill them with lures you have confidence in.

I’d like to say I’m the same way with my flies. I tend to only use a few styles and colors, yet I still can’t make myself really cut back on the others. I’m getting better, slowly. It’s a process. What I will do is ruthlessly go through and toss flies with rusted hooks. Those boxes with the foam slits are nice for holding flies, but man do the hooks rust if the box gets the least bit wet. Last year I started using a waterproof box from Montana Fly Co. After a full year I’ll say I’m impressed; enough that I bought a second one.

Lastly, take a look at all the miscellaneous items you keep in the tackle bag or on the boat. Nets, Boga Grips, pliers, sunglasses, etc., all need the once-over. Also check your supply of things you use regularly such as leader material, sunscreen, reel oil, hooks, weights and soft plastic baits. The more you get done in the downtime, the more enjoyable your fishing time becomes later. Get after it, I can see spring on the horizon.

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

Telephone Email Website

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

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FIELD NOTES

Flatfish Don’t Start Out Flat Of all the different groups of fishes in the world, flatfishes (flounder, sole, halibut, turbot, plaice and tonguefish) are arguably the most easy to recognize. Of the 715 known flatfish species, 52 occur in the Gulf of Mexico. From the diminutive anglefin whiff (adults are a mere 3 inches in length) to the commercially and recreationally sought after southern flounder (adult females can reach over 30 inches), Gulf of Mexico flatfish come in a variety of sizes and inhabit a wide range of habitats from oceanic to estuarine to fresh water rivers . With laterally compressed bodies and both eyes on the same side of the head, flatfish are well adapted to their role as bottom-dwelling ambush predators. Interestingly, they don’t start out flat at all. In fact, depending on the species, they may spend as much as the first two months of life looking like a “normal” fish.

The process by which larval flatfish transform from pelagic plankton eating fish with eyes on both sides of their head to benthic carnivorous predators with both eyes on the same side of their head is known as metamorphosis. The term metamorphosis literally means to change form. Although all vertebrates change form during embryonic development, flatfish undergo the most radical and asymmetrical post-embryonic change known. Newly hatched flatfish more closely resemble other groups of fish than they do their juvenile and adult forms. Flatfish larvae are considered pelagic (utilizing the entire water column) for 20 to 60 days until metamorphosis begins. Although poorly understood, metamorphosis is believed to be controlled by thyroid hormones produced in the thyroid gland which is in turn controlled by the pituitary gland.

The most dramatic change during metamorphosis is eye migration. Which eye actually migrates is highly species specific. For example, southern flounder, a left eyed species, the right eye migrates to the left side of the body. Worldwide, all but seven species are exclusively either “right-eyed” or “left-eyed” (the side that faces up). Eye migration is crucial to the transition from larval fish to juvenile and is made possible by softening of the skull and rapid production of cells called fibroblasts below the migrating eye and above the non-migrating eye. When enough force is exerted by the fibroblasts, the eyes are pushed through the softened bone of the skull. When metamorphosis is complete, both the migrating eye and the nonmigrating eye have experienced a 90° rotation from their original positions, with the migrating eye facing 50 | February 2015

dorsally, and the non-migrating eye facing ventrally.

Concurrent with eye migration, the jaw twists slightly, the fish changes from a side-to-side swimming motion to an up-and-down motion and the eyed side of the body becomes pigmented while the blind side of the

Southern flounder larvae before initiation of eye migration (5-days old).

Southern flounder larvae before and after eye migration (10-days and 30-days old).

Post-metamorphic southern flounder 35-days old and less than an inch long.

body becomes white (depending on the species). The change in coloration serves as an excellent adaptation that camouflages the eyed side of the flatfish when lying on substrate. Some species can change their pigmentation to match their environment. Flatfish undergoing metamorphosis also begin to settle, spending more time on the substrate and shift their diet from plankton to small fish and crustaceans. When the process is complete, in about 2 – 3 weeks, the fish resemble adults in every way except for size and sexual maturity.

Since 2006, efforts to develop aquaculture technology for the production of Texas’ most popular flatfish, southern flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma), has been carried out by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) saltwater hatcheries. Southern flounder, declining in much of its range, is considered a viable candidate for stock enhancement. As urbanization of Texas’ coastal areas continues, fishing regulations, law enforcement, long-term independent fisheries monitoring, habitat restoration and other fisheries management tools are needed to support and sustain fish populations in these developed estuaries. Stock enhancement (stocking hatchery-reared fishes into the wild to help optimize fisheries harvests) provides one pragmatic approach for addressing increased fishing pressure and declining stocks.

To-date, a total of 184,208 juvenile southern flounder have been stocked into Texas coastal waters (Galveston Bay, Sabine Lake, and Aransas Bay). Advances have been made in spawning and larviculture methods, biological/genetic studies, and ability to retrofit and transition hatchery systems from red drum and spotted seatrout culture during March – November to flounder culture

(November – March). Plans to expand hatchery floor space at Sea Center Texas (Lake Jackson) for full-time flounder production are currently being developed and should greatly increase flounder production efforts. Other areas of research being conducted by TPWD staff and university collaborators include the development of bay stocking strategies (optimal fish size, release habitat, magnitude of releases, and contribution assessment).

In Texas coastal waters, the southern flounder is a highly prized recreational and commercial flatfish species. For many decades, this flatfish has been one of the top three targets of sport anglers on the Texas coast, behind only spotted seatrout and red drum. The early life stages of flatfish such as the southern flounder include bilateral to flat body shape changes that are complex and highly unique.

TPWD has placed a major emphasis to develop and implement effective and responsible management strategies that will sustain flounder populations for generations to come. Flatfish don’t startout flat which contributes to their mystic, and this magical body transformation is no doubt an amazing feat of God’s creation.

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

TSFMAG.com | 51

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

F LY F I S H I N G

Elevation

52 | February 2015

From which fork in the road to take all the way down to whether to eat out or stay home, choices are plentiful in our daily lives. As for how we choose, some decisions are based on right and wrong and others boil down to that age-old argument, does it taste great or is it less filling.

Meaning…whatever works for you. So now, let us take the latter philosophy and talk about the bow of a poling skiff.

As far as I am concerned, there is no finer place to be standing than the bow of a skiff. It is a spot from which many dreams have come true for me and many others.

However, sometimes, just standing on the deck of a skiff is not enough and it is advantageous for the angler to be in a further elevated position. But, fishing from a platform has its pros and cons.

For the most part, the main argument for having an angler fish from a bow platform is to aid them in seeing fish. By being elevated, the vantage changes and allows an angler to see more, looking down into the water. The reason for this is glare reduction. Even with a modest increase in elevation you are no longer looking at the faces of wavelets and ripples but more in-between them and into the trough. This means, the higher you get, the further away you can see.

It is clear that elevation gives the angler an advantage however, it also can become a hindrance to the guide or buddy who is doing the poling. Remember, fishing from a skiff is a team effort. When the angler on the bow gets too

high, he blocks the view of the person poling the skiff and looking for fish. As a rule though, if the angler is good at seeing his/her own fish, it is no big deal because they can cover that small zone in which the pole jockey cannot see.

However, for me as a guide, this is where I get aggravated.

Most (not all) of my anglers lack the ability to spot fish on their own so it is important that I have a clear vantage point for seeing the area that they are blocking at 12 o’clock. This to me is one of two major disadvantages to utilizing a platform.

The second disadvantage comes in that most platforms are secured to the deck, either with a turnbuckle (can be removed) or permanently bolted in place. This does not allow for easy changes to the COG (center of gravity) by having the angler move forward or backward to trim the boat. This can be very important when fishing in extremely shallow water where you have to squeeze every quarter inch out of your hull to get to where the fish are or when you are in rougher water and you need the bow just a little higher to keep it from “dipping” into the waves.

A simple solution to this trim issue is to utilize an icechest that can be moved around to stand on. Now back when I started guiding this really wasn’t a reality because most ice-chests would crush beneath the weight of a great many of us. However, things have changed over the years with the introduction of heavy-duty ice chests like the Yeti. These things make perfect casting platforms

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for the more agile angler, especially when you mount a Sea Deck pad on top. But again, each solution has a Catch 22. By going the ice chest route that can be easily repositioned for optimal trim, you lose the option of having a leaning rail or bar.

Leaning rails can sometimes be the difference in being able to be on the bow and fishing where the fish are versus just going and finding calmer water that may or may not have fish. Rails also allow less mobile anglers to stand on a platform, where without one they may be relegated to fishing from the cockpit.

Now for the two biggest advantages to having a bow platform on a fly-fishing boat—the platform prevents the angler moving around, stomping their feet and shifting their weight when trying to sneak within casting distance. The second, perhaps even more important and why I will always have a bow platform—if limiting movement and noise is not enough, the platform also greatly reduces the probability of the angler stepping on loose line.

I have seen more perfect opportunities blown by anglers standing on their fly-line than any other. No matter the skill level, the black magic of the fly-line’s ability to find its way under and around an angler’s feet is a fly-fisherman’s worst nightmare.

Until next month… be good and stuff like that.

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

Telephone Email Website

979-415-4379 vssommerlatte@hotmail.com www.scottsommerlatte.com

TSFMAG.com | 53

CADE SIMPSON

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

It’s cold out there!

Unless you are able to pick your days carefully, wintertime kayak fishing can pose some incredible challenges. Late-January and February often give us morning air temperatures dipping into the 30s and sometimes the high-20s along Texas’ upper coast. Cold days for any type of fishing!

However, I have always said there are two kinds of people; those that tough it out and go fishing and those 54 | February 2015

that are smart and stay home by a fire drinking hot cocoa and eating fish they caught on warmer days. I guess I do not fit the smart category because I am going fishing.

I know I have typed this in the past but of all adverse weather conditions, it isn’t the cold that bothers me most, it is wind. I have some good cold weather layering clothes and waders and I can deal with being cold, but the dang wind is a hindrance to long paddling

TSFMAG.com | 55

trips. Crosswind is bad enough, heading into a north wind always feels as though I am make only two strokes of progress for every four strokes I paddle. Anyway, call me lucky, the wind so far this winter has been rather cooperative on the weekend trips I have made.

For the most part I have been fishing more open water, doing the drift thing. Sight-fishing in shallow water will probably always be my favorite, and while I rarely get to see the fish I will cast to when drifting, it is still an enjoyable method. I like it for its rather calm and peaceful nature. You let the breeze and tide take you along slowly and just enjoy the crisp air. On one recent trip I netted a limit of reds and Cliff even got a nice trout.

A bit of a bonus in cold weather kayak fishing is the fact that you can keep your fish in your kayak with no need for a cooler filled with ice to keep them fresh. Every pound counts on a long adventure, so being able to ditch the cooler of ice is nice. How do you store your fish?

When I am drift fishing, I am usually targeting reefs and other structure in water that averages around 3-to 5 feet deep and usually rig my soft plastics heavier than normal to help it get lower in the water column. Rat-L-Traps work fairly well in this depth range although you have to practice retrieve speeds to make them effective. To slow things down, I am becoming happy with my Vudu Mullets. They suspend well and seem to have great action.

When the tides allow it, I still get into the backcountry lakes and shallow marsh flats. Action

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has been decent. No shrimp-crushing schools of redfish this time of year, but some solo cruisers now and then.

I am enjoying the recent increase in reader comments and feedback I have been receiving. The past two months, especially last month’s article, seems to have sparked a lot of interest. As always, thank you to those who have followed my articles and who send in fishing stories and photos.

I was contacted by a Mr. Guffey who shared a photo of his custom trolley system for his kayak anchor. I must say that this is one heck of a system. It looks very sturdy. He reports it to be very effective for anchoring management when holding position in strong currents at the mouth of the Brazos River. Mr. Guffey, thank you for the photo and kind words. Good job on your custom trolley. Tinkering with and customizing kayaks is a big part of the fun of it. Best of luck on the water this year.

That’s about all for this month. If you have an interesting kayak customization or catch stories/photos, please send them to me.

Corresponding with readers is one of the best parts of my job.

Good luck to everyone on the water this year.

Telephone Email

936-776-7028 Cademan11@sbcglobal.net

Find me on Facebook to follow along in my outdoor adventures

TSFMAG.com | 57

S t o r y b y J o h n B l a h a I A s s i s t a n t D i r e c t o r I C C A Te x a s

T S F M a g C onse r v a tion N e w s

Grassroots and Conservation Equal Success

As you open the pages of this month’s TSFMag, CCA Texas will have already held one banquet, been a part of the Houston and San Antonio boat shows, and preparing for the All Valley and Coastal Bend shows as well. Hunters are putting away their hunting gear and prepping their fishing gear, while the trophy trout enthusiasts have been at it for a couple months now chasing that once in a lifetime speckled trout. January and February also signals the kickoff for CCA Texas across the state as the planning activities for the year settle into place and, for some chapters, shift into high gear.

2014 was once again a record-setting year for CCA Texas and individual chapters across the state.

Attendance and money raised were both at all-time highs, and none of this would be possible without the continued support of volunteers and supporters at the grassroots level of all the local chapters. The support of volunteers, members and sponsors is unparalleled by any like organization in the state and across the nation, and CCA Texas is thankful for this support as it continues to move forward in ensuring a healthy coastal resource for the entire state of Texas.

The belief in the CCA mission continues to be strong as witnessed by continued growth, not only in Texas, but in states along the Gulf, Atlantic and Pacific. The organization established its first inland state chapter when a group of passionate anglers in Nashville approached the organization about creating a Nashville Chapter. Several anglers in the area regularly fish the Florida Panhandle and other areas, and wanted to be a 58 | February 2015

part of the organization that made a difference for the coastal resources all along the U.S. Coasts. The event was held in November, it was a sellout and a great success.

The continued success of CCA Texas and other state chapters across the nation point to a growing desire and belief that the present day anglers must step up and take a responsible attitude to ensure that the present generations and those in the future will be able to enjoy healthy and bountiful coastal resources. Many times the desire may be the same, but the approach by different organizations may be different. In the end, the key to any conservation effort is to put the resource first.

How can you help? There are many opportunities to help in the coastal conservation efforts in Texas.

Looking to volunteer? How about becoming an active member in your local CCA Chapter, taking part in a clean-up activity such as the Annual Crab Trap Cleanup or the Padre Island National Seashore Big Shell Cleanup, participating in Marsh Mania on the Upper Texas Coast, simply carrying a trash bag with you every time you hit the water and picking up trash as you go along; or educating yourself about issues along the coast and becoming an active participant in the public hearing process. Opportunities are everywhere, and you do not have to look far to find them.

CCA Texas and the local chapters welcome new faces to the area banquet planning committees and chapter boards. Visit www.ccatexas.org or call the CCA offices at (713) 626-4222 and ask for your area chapter’s Assistant Director and they will get you in contact with the right

person or make suggestions on how you can get involved.

In closing, I recently found myself in a conversation with Capt. Jay Watkins after a recent trip on which one of his clients had caught Marsh grass planting at the Galveston Bay-Oyster Lake Project exemplifies the types of opportunities available for volunteers wanting to improve marine habitat resources.

-Lisa Laskowski photos

a life-time trout. As the conversation carried on, Jay reflected how everything just worked out perfect: the planning, the preparation, the approach during the day of fishing, and lastly how once hooked, the fish was brought to hand just as it should be in a rewarding manner. High fives and hugs were shared, photos taken and then the fish was released and the reflection began. We talked some more and he closed with the fact that a lot of people never get to experience that once in a life-time fish and that some are luckier and get to experience it more than once. His last comment knocked me back in my chair and hit me hard.

One of his very close and best friends is currently in a battle for his life with cancer. His comment was that his best friend most likely would never get to experience that opportunity again. This comment drove home the fact that each and every trip out we should stop and spend just a few minutes to enjoy what we are surrounded by, because that could be our last time.

Enjoy the resource and conserve it for the future!

TSFMAG.com | 59

Colt Cook with his tile fish.

STEPHANIE BOYD

F I S H Y FA C T S

TILEFISH “Writers fish for the right words like fishermen fish for, um, whatever those aquatic creatures with fins and gills are called.” ~ Jarod Kintz The great northern tilefish is one of six species of tilefish found in the Gulf of Mexico. It is the largest and longestlived in its family, Malacanthidae. It can reach up to four feet in length, weigh over fifty pounds, and live longer than forty-five years. But despite their size and long life, this tilefish species wasn’t discovered until 1879, when a cod trawler caught the first specimen by chance while working off the coast of Massachusetts. They were soon found to be excellent eating, however, and their abundance spurred a new fishing industry. But then, in 60 | February 2015

1882, culinary tragedy – tilefish experienced a devastating die-off, in which an estimated billion tilefish floated dead in waters north of Delaware Bay. This near-annihilation of the species was caused by a shift in the flow of the Gulf Stream up the continental shelf, temporarily diverting these warmer waters and leaving the tilefish in a cold bath. Tilefish are intolerant of cold temperatures, and the population was thought to be extinct until they were rediscovered ten years later.

The species was named Lopholatilus chamaeleonticeps

by George Brown Goode and Tarleton Hoffman Bean in their 1896 seminal work, Oceanic Ichthyology, A Treatise on the Deep-Sea and Pelagic Fishes of the World.

L. chamaeleonticeps acquired its common name, great

northern tilefish, from its considerable size and its discovery at relatively high latitudes (for a member of Malacanthidae). It is known by several other names, including golden bass, golden snapper, rainbow tilefish, “clown of the sea,” and most commonly, golden tilefish. The back of this fish is iridescent blue-green, with many bright yellow and gold spots; the belly is white, and the head is rosy with blue under the eyes. Tilefish also have strategically placed spines around their fins and gills.

The golden tilefish’s habitat is relatively restricted. It is a bottomdwelling, shelter-seeking fish that lives in waters approximately 200-1700 feet deep and 46-63 degrees Fahrenheit and needs either ready-made dwellings or, more often, a malleable substrate in which to burrow. They are not a schooling fish, though they do tend to congregate in preferred housing areas. Although they’ll use scoured out depressions under boulders, rocky ledges, etc., most construct burrows in clay outcrops. The tilefish’s construction and expansion of burrows are the subject of ongoing research, but it is speculated that tilefish gradually widen and deepen preexisting burrows, possibly started by smaller crustaceans. The largest burrows are the product of a lifetime of excavation by individual tilefish. Sometimes crustaceans with a thirst for interior decorating will create a complex of smaller tunnels within the main burrow, join adjacent burrows, or even collapse part or all of a burrow complex. A burrow can be tubular or funnel-shaped, horizontal or vertical, and is often closely surrounded by many other burrows. The burrowing habitats of both the tilefish and their associated crustaceans can significantly alter the topography. Burrow complexes in the Gulf of Mexico can be as dense as 4,200 per square mile. On the outer continental shelf, in clay outcrops along the slopes and walls of submarine canyons, these complexes have been called “pueblo” habitat, named after Pueblo Indian constructions in the southwestern US. Since each new generation of tilefish may excavate new burrows, the habitat modification and erosion caused is significant. Tilefish burrows also provide a home for various different creatures that live in the area, especially crustaceans. Because of this impact on the continental shelf ecology, they were designated a keystone species by ichthyologist Ken Able in 1986.

Tilefish seem strongly attached to their burrows, sometimes refusing to move even when prodded. They differ from other shelterseeking fish in that they enter their (often narrow) burrows headfirst, meaning they are only able to exit tail first. They are typically found one to a burrow, though sharing between male/female pairs has been observed.

The spawning behavior of this species is not completely known, but they are presumed to be polygamous, with the female choosing the male. But it’s also possible that a dominant male controls access to several females (his harem) within a restricted area. Pair bonding (the forming of a close relationship through courtship and sexual activity with one other fish) has also been observed. Currently, golden tilefish are classified as gonochoristic, staying one sex throughout their entire lifetime. However, recent research has found evidence of a possible sex change in golden tilefish in the Gulf of Mexico, which would reclassify the species as protogynous hermaphrodites (beginning life as females and transitioning into males), like many grouper species.

Tilefish grow fastest during their first four years of life, about four inches per year. Their growth rate slows down significantly after that.

They reach sexual maturity at about two feet in length and three

pounds, between five and seven years old. Females seem to grow more slowly, but their lifespan is longer than the males. Average life expectancy is between 25 and 35 years. They begin excavating their burrows as soon as they morph from their planktonic larval states into juvenile fish. The primary function of these burrows is predator avoidance, though a tilefish will just as often try to out-swim its predators as retreat to its burrow. As juveniles, tilefish are preyed upon by dogfish and conger eels (which, in turn, are prey for adult tilefish).

Sharks are also a possible predator, but the only known predator of adult tilefish is the goosefish, a type of angler fish. Adult tilefish are omnivorous, with a preference for bottom-dwelling invertebrates, particularly crab and lobster. (The saying “you are what you eat” rings true for this fish; people often describe the tilefish’s sweet flavor as similar to crab or lobster). They’ll also settle for hagfish, bivalve mollusks, polychaetes, sea anemones, salps, squid, spiny dogfish, mackerel, herring, silver hake, and other tilefish. And they won’t turn up their nose at human trash, such as potato peels and meat bones.

Tilefish are thought to be visual daytime feeders. However, they seem to have an active night life, and they appear to be attracted to the bait on longline hooks that are not within sight of their shelters, suggesting that food detection is more than visual, and that tilefish may lead a secret double life after the sun goes down.

Due to their long life expectancy, slow growth, and habitat specificity, tilefish are vulnerable to over-exploitation and mass mortality events, such as cold water intrusion. Currently, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) categorizes golden tilefish as highly susceptible to overfishing, and the species has consequently been subject to regulation. Tilefish are most commonly caught by longline, sometimes in bottom trawls, and are a popular sport fish.

Regulations include catch limits and gear restrictions to prevent damage to the species’ habitat and population. The EDF also warns that southern populations may contain mercury.

Where I learned about tilefish, and you can too!

NOAA www.nefsc.noaa.gov/publications/tm/tm152/tm152.pdf NOAA FishWatch www.fishwatch.gov/seafood_profiles/species/tilefish/species_pages/golden_ tilefish.htm Encyclopedia of Life eol.org/pages/206729/details National Marine Fisheries Service /www.sefsc.noaa.gov/sedar/download/S22_DW_01.pdf?id=DOCUMENT FishBase fishbase.sinica.edu.tw/identification/SpeciesList.php?class=&order=&famcode =308&subfamily=&genus=&areacode=&c_code=840&spines=&fins=&resultPa ge=1&sortby=species Wet Web Media www.wetwebmedia.com/tilefishes.htm *Special thanks to Bruce Collette for helping with this article National Marine Fisheries Service Systematics Laboratory Smithsonian Institution TSFMAG.com | 61

CURTISS CASH

I N S H O R E | N E AR S H O R E | J E T T I E S | P A S S E S

Connecting the dots When I finally had the opportunity to connect the dots it was a spiritual experience. My mind was experiencing a state of rejuvenation while the confines of time and accountability were extinguished.

The multi-day fishing excursion I was a part of came to an abrupt halt when the 22’ tunnel boat settled in three inches of water. We had left Seadrift harbor to fish and camp all the way to Port Mansfield without a hitch. After two nights and a day of digging we decided that without access to a Chinook helicopter our current attempt was futile. A plan was devised and a list of rescue materials was made before Warren and Joe left me behind to guard the camp solo.

With over 400 yards to the water’s edge there would be at least 72 hours before the tide would creep back in.

Miles from civilization and nowhere to go fast, I opened my mind and let nature be my guide. I learned many things “fishy” over those three days, but the effects of water movement proved the best of all.

Food Fish live a simple existence, spending their entire life seeking out sustenance and trying not to become fodder themselves. Find and follow the food and your targeted fish species will be near. Even though it is not that simple, 62 | February 2015

that is the gist of it all. To find the food or bait, many variables come into play like available structure, wind, water temperature and safe havens to highlight a few. All things considered I believe that water movement is most important.

Water movement This is the largest motivator of where the bait goes or will be found. The water being moved stirs the food chain as it is forced to go with the flow.

The strongest and most predictable factor on water movement is tidal current. When the tides ebbs it pulls the bait with a concentrated force or suction in the lower portions of the water column. When it floods the water is pushed with force in the upper part. This hydraulic effect helps to concentrate many of the gamefish feeding in said area, lower on outgoing and higher on incoming.

You may also consider locations to target on each tide movement. In shallow areas the ebbing water concentrates small bait away from shore. Look to the down current side of significant drop-offs or on the lee side of structure. In these areas bait will find a break from the tidal force as it also feeds on its own food sources, pulling off from shallow water.

You can consider the opposite to be true in most cases

on a flood tide. Water pressure pushes bait/food toward the shoreline, on the topside of drop-offs and in front of major structure. Many times the bait will situate itself up-current of structure on a flood tide.

Up current allows baitfish to feed and also retreat into structure hastily when needed.

Wind has a great amount of energy, forcing the flow of water also. On days when the tidal flow is weak or nonexistent you can follow the wind direction until desirable affects are realized. A hard blowing wind can stack water at a higher level on the windward side of a bay or inshore lake. Pushing the food source toward the shore side or across windblown shoreline points and shallow areas with significant structure. Gamefish seek these areas and use them as ambush points to feed down-current.

The combination of tidal and wind-generated current moving the same direction can make certain areas much more desirable. When the tide’s momentum slows, a good bite can be lengthened by moving to an area where the forces are working together.

Conversely the force of tidal flow opposing the oncoming wind can be very desirable as well. In open water these opposing forces often cause a change of color in the water. The more turbid water tends to be warmer due to the darker color warming faster than clear. This area concentrates bait and gamefish alike while using the dark water to camouflage their whereabouts.

Water movement due to wave action helps oxygenate the water and refreshes areas especially during the heated summer months. Structure caused from wave action in the form of guts or sandbars can be found on windward shorelines.

Look to areas that suffer from the predominant blow from the south or north. Stronger current will flow parallel to the shoreline in the guts on the backside of sandbars. Bait will be forced to go with the flow and swept toward awaiting predator fish that feed into the current. In these areas fish use these guts as highways to cruise for their next meal. Fish and bait will concentrate where there is structure laying perpendicular to the shoreline. These structures are commonly in the form of oyster reefs or sand bars that jut out away from the shoreline. These structures commonly form where a gut widens after passing a turn on a shoreline or before a deeper channel running adjacent to the shoreline.

Scouting in February February has the lowest tidal level of the year; caution should be used while navigating shallow waterways. Low water levels make it a great time to scout local bays for unknown structure. While out there you can also run trails on your GPS that will be navigable year round.

TSFMAG.com | 63

Fishing in February Due to the low tides and cold water temps most fish situate themselves near structure with deeper water in close proximity. In the ICW look for edges of shallow flats, washouts and intersecting channels to concentrate fish. Very windy days can be fruitful due to limited barge traffic moving in and out of major bays.

Sheepshead catches are at their peak this month with ship channel 64 | February 2015

C ontact

The low water can also show you great areas to target in other seasons. Shallow oyster reefs and open water sandbars will be exposed, as well as many spoil islands near deep channels. Water should still fill the deeper shoreline guts and prop scars are exposed, educating boaters to be more careful. Primary drop-offs are easily distinguished as well as other irregularities that tend to concentrate fish along them. On the edges of flats, washouts show where the water flow cuts into a flat. Fish often use these marks to enter and exit areas on normal tides.

jetties and deep bay oyster reefs being targeted.

Live shrimp free-lined close to structure, lightly weighted on bottom, and suspended with a float work best. When fishing under a float limited popping and splashing seems to do better than aggressive techniques. Sheepshead tend to be spooky in clear water and feed more by smell in the turbid areas.

They are known to be excellent bait stealers, often pinching a bait in two without getting the hook. Hook placement on a live shrimp in the center of the back works very well, often snagging them on the first nibble. When a bite is detected with a tight line I like to raise the rod tip, which triggers them to engulf the bait before it gets away.

Slot-sized black drum school-up tightly in the areas mentioned previously. Peeled dead shrimp, crab flavored Fish Bites, or small pieces of blue crab work great. In the latter days of the month, large black drum start to trickle into the bays for the annual spawn.

Best catches tend to be in water depths 15-40 feet deep in channels on cracked crab, whole jumbo shrimp or crawfish.

Duck season, deer season and football are mostly done by early February. What a great reason to get back to the water and start connecting the dots on your own.

Capt. Curtiss Cash offers charters in the Port O’Connor area; specializing in fishing the bays, passes, jetties, surf and nearshore waters. Species targeted include speckled trout, redfish, flounder, tripletail, black drum, bull reds, sharks, snapper, kingfish, ling and tarpon, when seasonally available.

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

ERIC OZOLINS

SANDBAR EXCITEMENT Land-based shark fishing is an addictive pursuit that rarely loosens its grip on those afflicted. While a far greater number of anglers focus on trout and redfish in the bays, another sizeable group prefers nearshore Gulf fishing for red snapper, kingfish, cobia, dorado and other species. At the apex of the sportfishing society are well-heeled sports seeking prestigious pelagics such as giant billfish and thunderous tuna. And then there are the land-based shark fishermen; crusty hardcores who take to the Texas coastline in hopes of tangling with one of Mother Ocean’s supreme predators.

A common misconception leads many to believe that sharks leave Texas coastal waters during winter. While the coldest weather can push sharks and other gamefish temporarily offshore, there are times when blue-bird winter days produce some of the most amazing fishing you will ever experience.

Sharks are eating machines.

They stake out in certain regions and depths simply because of an available food source. If their sources of prey move into deeper, warmer waters—so will they—and this leaves a land-based fisherman stranded. Here in Texas we 66 | February 2015

are blessed to have sandbar sharks, a species that thrives in the winter surf zone.

Confusion arises when inexperienced anglers claim they caught a “sand shark.” What they are actually referring to was more likely a blacktip or a sharpnose, both species very common surf inhabitants during warmer seasons. In contrast, the sandbar shark (Carcharhins plumbeus) is a requiem shark that typically lives further offshore but makes its way in shallow to feed and mate during cooler months.

There is no mistaking the sandbar if you know what they look like. They have a large robust body similar to the bull shark, but with a very large triangular dorsal fin. They have a large mouth containing an impressive set of teeth

TSFMAG.com | 67

68 | February 2015

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to match. And of all the shark species I have put on the sand, this is by far the most aggressive. Whether a juvenile chomper or a 200 pound adult, they ALL have an aggressive attitude. It is said that a shark’s body is so flexible that they can bend and bite their own tail, if need be. I have seen firsthand the great flexibility of the sandbar species.

No brag, but I would be willing to bet that over the past 15 years I have been fortunate to land more sandbar sharks from the surf than just about anyone west of the Mississippi. In one season alone I landed 18, mostly mature specimens. Sandbars were never seriously targeted until about a decade ago; due mainly to the fact that your old-time sharkers fished primarily from late spring until around Halloween. The modern-era conservation-minded sharkers, we are a different breed, and we fish year-round. The wintertime sandbar fishery is a hot fix from cold water.

Many sandbars have been tagged in the name of science and the recapture rate is the highest of any species we encounter. I have had a fair share of recaptures myself, and usually within the same area as originally tagged. There is still a great deal that we do not know about these sharks. As of recent, they have become federally protected for their large fins were a global target for illegal finning.

Being a charter guide specializing in sharks, it has been a long, yet successful year. I have been lucky to put a goodly number of clients on great sharks. During winter, charter demand subsides until spring warm-up but I continue to fish. I made a personal trip between this past Christmas and New Year to hopefully add to my Texas Shark Rodeo year-long tally. Competing against more than 500 registered anglers, and with but a few days left, I just had to do it.

I was excited as I rolled down the Padre Island National Seashore for

this relaxing soul mission. Water temperatures were spot on for sandbar presence. The only downfall would be a cold front due that evening that might hinder bait deployment. Knowing the surf would be higher than normal, my plan was to camp near the Port Mansfield jetties until the surf laid two days later. Before the front hit, I made camp and got baits out. Around 8:00PM I was slammed with rain and bitter wind. As fate would have it, I got hooked up during the chaos, and brought a respectable 7’5” sandbar to the beach that a buddy had tagged back in April. Cool deal.

From that point on it was cold, obnoxious rain for eighteen hours straight. Daytime was spent keeping warm in the truck with minimal fishing. Right before dark I duked it out with the surf and got a few more baits out. Things remained quiet until 2:00AM when another quality sandbar picked up a bait and I landed a 7’2” sandbar—another tagged fish. Ironically, this was one I tagged for a client exactly a month prior, just a few miles away. The rest of the night was quiet as the rain subsided to scattered drizzle.

The wind died down at sunrise and the surf calmed. It was time to relocate back up the beach to find some good structure and green water if any was available. I made camp once again and right around noon I had baits rigged and ready for deployment.

I got the baits out several hundred yards into green water and was very excited.

My first hook-up came two hours later, a respectable battle put a 7-foot male on the beach, extremely large for the gender. Once again this reinforces my theory that these fish are in shallow, mating this time of year. The abundance of forage in the surf makes it an ideal breeding grounds. I tagged and released that fish and shortly landed another male, this one just over 4 feet. This particular fish while not mature was there specifically for the plentiful food; whiting, pompano, and stingray.

As darkness was falling I hooked-up again, this time a large female of 7-feet, tagged and released. Then came a 5-footer, followed by one just over 6-feet. Shortly after midnight I landed a 6-foot blacktip, the only non-sandbar of the trip.

A re-enforcing cold front blew through the next morning and it was time for me to go. For a solo trip with dull weather, I ended up going 7 for 9 on sandbar sharks—the most I’ve ever landed on a single trip.

Their combined lengths cushioned the 1st place lead for my Shark Rodeo team and boost me to 2nd in individual standings. I have amassed a considerable history with this incredible species and will be targeting them during any available window between now and early-April.

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

Email Websites

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

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TSFMAG.com | 71

Dickie Colburn

DICKIE COLBURN’S Sabine Scene

Sabine

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

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

I hope you have had opportunity to get your new waders wet and muddy while watching your cyclone-wrapped Laguna rod counter the power of a heavy trout.

It is too early to declare Larry Dierker and that like last year, every grandson, William, pattern is again running late. shared a memorable morning of But even with mild weather “catching”! most of December there are indications that we could be in for more of the same in 2015. While the “catching” has just been exceptionally good for both size and numbers, our marshes have been purged only one time and areas of the lake that were on fire by this time last year have not been as productive to date.

It is virtually a given that the annual redfish extravaganza will begin immediately following the second purging of the

surrounding marshes. That process requires a couple days of outgoing tides and howling north wind.

This has happened only once thus far and while it was “game on” for a few days, a south wind and big incoming tides flooded the marshes again scattering both bait and gamefish.

While that bite is verifiably late, it will take place at some point as there is no other safe haven than the nearest deep water once the marsh is reduced to mud. The more debatable indicator is leaner numbers of trout having yet to move into the more protected areas on the Louisiana side. No place on Sabine got pounded like Coffee Ground Cove last year and that unprecedented bite started early and lasted well into March!

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Vertical jigging also yielding nice trout on windy days.

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couldn’t wait until this year, do not let this “over the hill” fishing guide’s report rain on your parade. Two things that we learned in 2014 were to suck it up and deal with the wind and this “late thing” has more to do with fishermen than fish.

There is no doubt that we have done a much better job of adapting this year and we have been rewarded for our tenacity. We caught more trout from six- to nine pounds this December than we did in the last four and the numbers of three- to five pound fish were up as well.

I have always quickly retreated to jigging deep water when the wind made the open lake tougher than I would like, but I have been slower to bail this year and it has paid dividends. We have done well when my Talon couldn’t possibly hold and two drift socks only got us wetter.

We have discovered that the fish were still there and biting, but we weren’t focused or determined enough to hang in there. There is no doubt that our most consistent bite for both big trout as well as numbers of solid fish is taking place on the shallow flats bordering the Intracoastal. These flats take a beating regardless of wind direction, but the big trout depend on the short swim to deeper water.

On calmer days everything from topwaters to five-inch tails will work.

We have done well recently with the One Knocker and She Dog in black or pink/silver while choice of tails depends entirely on water clarity and angler confidence. A five-inch Die Dapper rigged on 1/8 head is my first choice. With mullet imitations like the Fat Boy, MirrOdine XL and Maniac Mullet I am more inclined to pin my hopes on day glow or pink.

Aside from refusing to deal with the wind, the single biggest mistake you can make in exploiting this bite is to take a confidence hit due to badly silted water. The fish adapt quickly and the strike zone will be restricted, but they will still feed!

If I still haven’t talked you into enduring a little discomfort for a shot at a big trout, the deeper bite in the river and ICW remains a comfortable Plan B. Breaks in 12 to 15 feet are the best place to start your search and tails and mullet imitations work equally well. And, while I tend to hunt fish frequently with a four-inch Usual Suspect, it is also a winner when jigged vertically at these depths.

If you have yet to try a pair of Salt Life sunglasses you need to do so. I have not had a single client that wore mine for even a little while that did not order a pair of their own. I know the Zeiss lenses and light frames deserve and get the most ink, but I most appreciate the fact that water doesn’t accumulate on the lenses when driving in the rain!

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TSFMAG.com | 73

Capt. Steve Hillman

The Buzz on Galveston Bay

The past couple of months have spoiled those of us who enjoy catching numbers of trout here on the Upper Texas Coast. Water temperatures have been hovering in the mid-fifties on most days and trout have been holding in 3 to 6 feet of water over soft bottom and scattered shell.

Overall, it’s been a mild winter.

Drifting while throwing Salt Galveston Water Assassin Sea Shads has worked great. The best colors have been Purple Canary and Slammin’ Chicken. Corkys, Steve Hillman is a full-time MirrOdine XL’s and Maniac fishing guide on his home Mullets have been very waters of Galveston Bay. Steve effective when wading or fishes the entire Galveston Bay drifting shallow. The water has Complex, wading and drifting been very clear in most parts for trout, redfish, and flounder of the bay on the calmer days. using artificial lures.

We’re definitely catching larger Telephone trout on the breezier days when 409-256-7937 the water clouds up a little.

Email captsteve@hillmanguideservice.com Most of the productive areas of the bay haven’t changed Website www.hillmanguideservice.com much since last month with

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74 | February 2015

West, Trinity, Upper and East Bays all having their days to shine at times. What will most likely change are the areas within those areas as trout should tend to bunch up with colder weather.

The recent easy catching may be getting ready to take a little turn with the colder weather. As I sit here and type, a Pacific front is pushing through the area.

It was preceded by an Artic front. Needless to say, we may finally see some water temperatures in the forties for longer periods of time. Are we going to close out this winter with real winter-like weather?

That’s anyone’s best guess.

“Unpredictability” seems to be the only thing predictable about Texas weather.

The rainfall associated with the cold fronts has been steady enough to help the bays. That being said, we still

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do not see the freshwater inflows from the Trinity or San Jacinto Rivers that we used to experience. The far west end of the complex which includes Christmas, Drum and Bastrop Bays have been temporarily affected by run-off from Bastrop and Chocolate Bayous and the Brazos River. It’s made the fishing a little tough on those guys for the time being, but the long-term ecological benefits make it worth the short-term sacrifice.

February can be a little challenging at times, but the lack of quantity shouldn’t discourage you from spending time on the water. As with most things in life worth having, patience is required. A day of chunking plugs for just a few bites may reward you with that trout you’ve seen in your dreams. I’m by no means saying that one can’t catch numbers of trout this month, because we all do at times. But, there will be days when the bay seems barren of life and you’re praying for a bite. If you’re just looking to get bit a lot then the Texas Parks and Wildlife stocks some area ponds with rainbow trout this time of year and there’s a couple of pay-by-the-pound catfish ponds just north of here that may pique your interest. As for me, I’ll be out there with a few willing clients trying to catch a few photo-worthy specimens.

During the colder stretches, we will be fishing tighter areas. Spoil reefs and wash-outs near the ICW, towheads, deeper bayou drains and small shell humps along deep stretches of shoreline are what I consider tight areas. The recipe also usually calls for good tidal flow, a few mullet and of course the infamous mud and shell. Mullet are now the main food source for trout, but don’t expect to see big concentrations of them.

We will see some of our lowest tides of the year in February.

This is a great time to take the opportunity to become more familiar with bottom structure, reefs, guts, etc. in areas you like to fish. We may think we know most of the bay bottom contours, but tides, currents, wind and run-off can change the bottom landscape from yearto-year. Spending some time scouting such areas may lead you to a spot that hasn’t received much fishing pressure. It’s usually those kinds of sanctuary areas that hold the most promise for tricking that elusive trout of a lifetime.

Some of my largest trout from Galveston Bay came in the month of February. Hard fishing with a few bites is all you’ll get some days. That could result in disappointment for folks seeking the instant gratification of “easy limits.” For others, it could mean an increased level of excitement and a new learning experience. Having confidence, patience and persistence can pay off this time of year.

Keep Warm!

TSFMAG.com | 75

Bink Grimes

The View from Matagorda

Matagorda

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

Telephone 979-241-1705 Email binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net Website www.matagordasunriselodge.com

76 | February 2015

My starched Texas flag normally takes a beating from cold, sustained 20-knot winds this time of year. The same could be said for Texas bays, raked and rolled at times by the same ardent gales. It’s a fact of life along the coast – the wind blows in late winter.

Blustery winds reaching 20-25 knots are not what I call the most conducive fishing conditions, however, 10-15 knots, which is the average wind speed this time of year, gives anglers at least a fighting chance.

Tides can fall so low you can’t get back to the back lakes. But, you don’t have to, because those fish that normally hold in the back lakes are pouring out with the water. We make a living in the winter waiting for redfish in the mouths of those lakes and bayous. Then the wind turns back to the south and the water returns.

The same scenario occurred a lot in January here on the Matagorda area bays. Tides were two feet below normal and good water was scarce, then the wind switched to the east and pumped new water into the bay.

Water rises about a foot, water covers up the reefs, and the redfish and black drum show up. Calmer days allow anglers a chance at the reefs in the middle

of East Matagorda Bay. Bass Assassins are my best baits for speckled trout and redfish. Wading usually

means tossing plenty of Corkys, MirrOlure Catch 5s, and the five-inch Bass Assassin Sea Shad for bigger specks.

Mid-bay reefs in East Matagorda Bay are not always “trout green” but that is not a reason to write off drifting the deeper shell and mud.

When water clarity is stained, it helps to go with something with a scent under a popping cork.

Rig a Berkley Gulp on a 1/8-ounce jighead and pop it hard or bathe your soft plastics in garlic. The fish find them in the off-colored water by the sound and scent. Sometimes Gulps are better than live shrimp because the trout can see it better in the stained water.

Sand and grass flats on the south shoreline of any bay system begin to hold large concentrations of glass minnows, mullet, shad and shrimp as waters warm and high tides persist, setting up what traditionally proves to be steady action on incoming afternoon tides.

It’s all weather-dependent this time of year. Some of our best catches of the year come in February in East Bay. You just have to pick your days and be ready to go when the weather stabilizes.

With water temps running steadily in the 50s, our bays get so clear you can see every piece of shell in five feet of water in East Bay. It is too clear at times. Colors like Opening Night and other translucent shades work well when the sun is high and the water is clear.

Stay patient. February is, well, February.

We will be at the Houston Fishing Show in the George R. Brown Convention Center, February 25 through March 1. Come by and see us in the Sunrise Lodge on Matagorda Bay booth.

TSFMAG.com | 77

Capt. Gary Gray

MID-COAST BAYS With the Grays

Port O'Connor Seadrift

Captain Gary Gray is a full time guide born and raised in Seadrift. He has been guiding in the Seadrift/ Port O’Connor area for 28 years. Gary specializes in wading for trout and redfish year round with artificial lures.

Telephone 361-785-6708 Email bayrats@tisd.net Website www.bayrat.com

Here we go again with the temps hovering in the not uncommon to snag mullet while fishing these mid-30s at night. We have another front blowing in deeper areas during drops in the temperatures, which tonight that will drop temps from freezing to highjust lets you know you are in the right spot.

20s the next couple of nights. I just hope the guys I Another tip for this cold water fishing is to spool have coming in for an afternoon hunt tomorrow are your reel with braid if you do not already use it. When equipped with all the right attire for a cold airboat using braid you will feel everything your lure is doing ride to and from Matagorda Island. I am lucky enough down near the bottom and you will feel any little to be outfitted with Simms waders and layering tap that a cold water trout or redfish will make while garments. I have tried pretty much every brand and sucking your Bass Assassin or Corky in. I stick with my Simms have really held up to the rigors a fishing/ 30-pound braid because that’s what I’m used to, a lot hunting guide put them through day in and day out. of fishermen go with 20-pound and that works too, it To put it plainly, I did not enjoy such comfort before switching to Simms some years ago.

Anyway back to the colder temps. During these colder times we will be fishing deeper areas until the sun warms the water on the flats. The areas we will target are usually the drains that feed the backwaters of Matagorda Island. They are not exceptionally deep but they provide enough warmth to harbor the redfish and trout we are searching for.

Mullet and other forage species, the same Charles Greminger’s as gamefish, congregate in these deeper rendition of the areas and provide a ready food source for the Redfish Dance. predators as soon as they feel like eating. It’s

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BOATS MOTORS TRAILERS SALES SERVICE PARTS & ACCESSORIES

is all about your personal preference.

The next tool we need to discuss is what lure you will be throwing.

Anyone that has fished with me or talked to me knows my favorite lure is the Bass Assassin 4” Sea Shad in whatever color. I rig these on 1/16 ounce Bass Assassin screw-lock jig heads.

Now I probably have people shaking their heads saying, “He is recommending fishing deeper cuts with 1/16 ounce heads?” Yes because when I say deeper water I am talking water anywhere from four to ten feet deep and the drains, creeks if you will, are only from six to twenty feet wide. So we are not talking about fishing the Victoria Barge Canal or the edges of the Intracoastal Waterway. That’s something completely different. As far as colors I try to stick to the more natural hues as the water is generally clearer during the colder

Though I’ve not seen it yet, I’m told that my new Shallow Sport is receiving lots of attention at the Houston Boat Show.

months. I use a lot of Opening Night, Green Moon and Copperhead.

Fishing these drains also is a good time for the Corky aficionados to do their thing, usually the Assassin gets the job done but there are times during extreme temperature drops that a slow-sinking Corky will get the better of a cold finicky trout or redfish. Again, you really need to be throwing braid to feel the bites during these extreme temp drops.

Another tool I want to mention is my Waterloo HP Lite. That’s right I like a very light action rod, I will sometimes switch to my Waterloo UltraMag when I know I will be dealing with a lot of redfish. I can wear them down a lot quicker with the stiffer rod and the last thing you want to be doing is the redfish dance in tight quarters. You know the one; when you are trying to keep the redfish on your line from going between your legs and snagging your waders with the hooks on your lure.

By the time you are reading this I should be motoring around in my brand new Shallow Sport X3. Thanks to Cole and Chad Starr at Coastline Marine and Coastline Custom Aluminum located in Seabrook; I’m going to have the trickest boat on the coast. It is sitting in the Houston Boat Show right now at Coastline Marine’s booth. I have seen pictures but have not been able to put a hand on it yet. It seems everyone I know has rubbed on my new X3 boat before I get to, which is okay as I will have a lot of time to get touchy-feely with it before too long.

Fish hard, fish smart!

TSFMAG.com | 79

david rowsey

HOOKED UP WITH Rowsey

If there were three Februarys in the calendar year I believe I could book them completely solid, and probably a year in advance. The 28 day month, and March, are always the quickest to fill when I open the Upper winter-season charter books every fall. The reasons almost go without saying, but the most obvious is that Laguna/ February holds high potential for some of the largest Baffin trout of the year.

Before Jim Wallace set the new state record in February 1996, it was actually pretty quiet down here.

I guess it is safe to say that he let the local secret out David Rowsey has 20 years of the bag and trophy-seeking winter vagabonds experience in the Laguna/Baffin region; trophy trout with artificial continue to multiply every year. No one has topped lures is his specialty. David has a Mr. Wallace’s record-setter from ‘96, but it has not been from lack of effort from the saltiest guides to the great passion for conservation and encourages catch and solitary bank fishermen. release of trophy fish.

There is an overwhelming amount of information available via the internet and print media detailing Telephone where and when to be in Baffin to catch that monster 361-960-0340 trout during this time of year. In 1996 that information Website www.DavidRowsey.com was more relative and reliable when it was thrown Email your way. Today, almost 20 years later…not so much. david.rowsey@yahoo.com You may get them for a day or two, but you better not

80 | February 2015

be planning on making a living out of it. Simply put, there are just too many people trying to fish the same water when reports of big trout begin circulating.

Regardless of where trout want to be, too much pressure from wade fisherman and boat motors will push them into water uncomfortable to wade in. You have two options in this situation; fish from the boat or find more fish in an unpressured area that are still willing to bite.

I always start my days with clients where I know big fish are hanging out. And, if I do not have too many sinners on the boat, the good Lord usually blesses us with quality bites and opportunities to get the day started out on the positive side. As the day rolls on, and more boats start running around, my charter will start migrating to areas that have a great personal history of catching big, without the boat traffic and peering eyes of others. Regardless of how many areas I have up my sleeve for this poker play, they are useless if there is no activity in the area, i.e.; plentiful baitfish.

When my party ventures out to a new area for another bite, there is always one main scenario in the back of my mind—a flat that breaks off into

deeper water, with some sort of bait activity visible. Between Baffin and the Upper Laguna, there are literally hundreds of areas that fit this criteria. Some of the flats are small and close to the shoreline.

Others extend a couple hundred yards into the bay and break off gradually, some sharply.

There are too many of these sweet spots to try and fish in a month, much less in a day. So to save time, I use the “wait and watch” method

when pulling into what I think could be a potentially productive area.

I always shut down 100-plus yards from the area I intend to fish, switch off the big Mercury, and start looking for bait. The clients get involved as well. The more eyes the better in this situation.

Inside of five minutes a decision will be made whether to stay and try it, or to continue the search. With a little luck mixed with experience, chances are it’s a good one.

As previously mentioned, there are tons of these areas throughout our bay systems. A thorough study of contour lines on a good map will give you a head start on the process if you are not well-versed in the Upper Laguna and Baffin region. A quick start would be the many flats close to the ICW (especially those with some kind of deep cut/ intersection running through it), numerous spoil islands that line the ICW in both bays, as well as south of Baffin—Rocky Slough or Kennedy Ranch shoreline, and also the King Ranch shoreline stretching from Beacroft’s Hole to the south end of Emmord’s Hole. All of these areas can produce big wintertime trout, and worth investigating if you don’t want to be shoulder to shoulder to a stranger in the water.

My client’s and I are keeping it pretty simple on the lure Big John Stafford with a fat selection.

The trusty 5” Bass Assassin (in both straight tail trout that fell to a Corky. John and paddle tail), and the Corkys (Paul Brown Original Series was taken from us by a drunk driver as he headed to his

by MirrOlure) are far and away the top choices for producing deer lease one early morning the most and, more importantly, the biggest bites. this hunting season. A great Remember the buffalo! -Capt. David Rowsey outdoorsman, and friend. RIP

Crystal 3D Minnow F1146-GHIW

Yo-Zuri.com TSFMAG.com | 81

Capt. Tricia

TRICIA’S Mansfield Report Well, well…Old Man Winter has finally arrived in Deep South Texas. This is what the trophy trout crowd has been waiting for; water temperatures have been running consistently in 48- 55⁰ range for at least ten days now. It’s time to layer up and pull on the Simms waders and jackets, tie on a Fat Boy and raise the Port “personal best” bar a notch or two.

Mansfield With a couple of weeks of bone-cutting north wind and precipitation ranging from mist to downpour, we have also enjoyed a few warm and sunny days in the mix. A few dedicated anglers have had Capt. Tricia’s Skinny Water some notable catches, no double digit trout Adventures operates out of yet, but we are getting closer.

Port Mansfield, specializing in With any amount of luck at all February will wadefishing with artificial lures. bring more of what we want and expect this time of year. So far the MirrOlure Corky Fat Boys have ruled for “Boone and Crockett” class Telephone 956-642-7298 fish along shallow muddy shorelines. The best Email days have been during recovery right after shell@granderiver.net a strong front pushes through. Quite often Website www.SkinnyWaterAdventures.com we found the second day, before tides fully recover, to be the very best. The colder the norther the better the recovery period fishing.

When we have been lucky enough to

82 | February 2015

enjoy longer recovery periods, trout and redfish took advantage and moved to grassy potholes further onto the flats, and the high grass/sand lines on the east side. During these warmer times we enjoyed solid action on everything from surface plugs to small paddle-tail plastics.

Very interesting to me is the continued presence and numbers of huge white shrimp and blue crabs dumping near freshwater sloughs so late in the season.

Releasing another solid wintertime specimen.

Several wades the other day it seemed I was kicking them from the grass covered soft bottom every step or two. Reds and trout alike have been gorging on these delicacies and I expect will continue until they either make a move toward the Gulf or all get eaten up.

Going into February and most likely on into March I will spend much of the time targeting shallow muddy-grassy guts, potholes and spoil edges. Once I locate fish we will try an assortment of small to medium topwaters, Corkys, and tails. Typically the largest trout will be more often caught on Corkys or tops, but sometimes they just want it low, and you cannot beat a paddle-tail on a 1/16 ounce jighead for this type of work. I love throwing tops, the big blowups and all, but these are usually situational lures during this month. By this I mean that large trout will often fall for them in surprising shallow water as they begin to emerge from deeper guts and troughs to feed, following a nasty cold spell.

While north wind pushes a lot of water out of the Laguna and narrows our search to deeper guts and spoil edges, I would say more of my personal winter trophy fish have been caught the second, third or fourth day following the front— when we are lucky enough to get that many in a row before the next cold blast arrives.

A common wintertime client question asks which bait they should be using. I always say trust your confidence and instincts for lure choice. I wish I could remember the number of the days the best fish came on a small plastic for the only guy in the line of four or five that stuck with it all day. Corkys and topwaters will always get way more ink but always remember that an elephant will eat a peanut!

Our heaviest trout so far this winter has been a bit less than nine, although I know some nines have been caught in the area. I’m encouraged to have seen several groups that could have included ninepounders in the shallows this year and it is very frustrating when we cannot get them to eat a lure. It is just a matter of timing, and possibly a bit of luck, too. I sure hope one or more of my clients taps a double-digit fish in the coming month.

Redfish are abundant and it has not been uncommon to catch legal reds pulling nine and change on the Boga Grip. I guess they are really enjoying those shrimp and crab dinners.

I lost a dear friend and client in early-January. Joe Hunt never stopped living life to the fullest and dreaming big when he fished. God Bless you Joe and rest peacefully. I’m going to miss you.

Farewell to Joe Hunt: February is looking great. Study the Gentleman – Husband weather forecast and solunar table, – Friend – Angler – layer up, and come on down!

Sportsman.

TSFMAG.com | 83

Capt. Ernest cisneros

SOUTH PADRE Fishing Scene

A rr oyo C olorado t o Port I sabel

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

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

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

84 | February 2015

We are in the middle of the winter season and temperature-wise it has yet to be as cold as last year. I hope I do not jinx anything by saying this.

Our water temperatures have been ranging from 51⁰ after the strongest fronts to a much warmer 73⁰ during consecutive sunny days and fishing has been productive on days that we did not experience excessive wind and/or steady rain. Water quality has greatly improved from the past couple of years, especially during that entire period of dredging and open water spoil disposal that was going on down south towards SPI/Port Isabel. There is currently a dredge working at the mouth of the Arroyo and this is affecting clarity from Rattlesnake Island to slightly north of Green Island. The fish are still there and being caught where clarity will allow them see a lure but for the most part sight-fishing is out of the question.

We are seeing promising regrowth of grass beds lost during the floods of July 2010. Baitfish and trout and reds are once again occupying large areas that seemed void of life for several years and this is definitely good news to anglers.

This seagrass recovery is also contributing to

the general improvement in water clarity throughout the Lower Laguna.

Our main focus for the remainder of winter will be trophy trout but I will never pass up a good redfish bite. Reds are still somewhat hit and miss, nowhere as consistent as our trout action. When we find good numbers we are making limits fairly consistently; small topwaters in bone and redhead (Spook Jr) have been hard to beat when they feed aggressively while the pink-flomingo K-Wiggler ball tail shad is

our daily go-to bait. After a front passes and the water warms, look for the reds to be feeding shallow over good grass and pothole structure along the edges of flats near drops to deeper water.

Tides will often be very low which can make for tough fishing over grass. I recommend rigging soft plastics on Gamakatsu spring-lock weedless-weighted worm hooks to get the lure through it.

Finding mullet is a primary key to success in winter fishing and on cooler overcast days this can be challenging; this is when I rely heavily on birds to point the way. The osprey is most reliable when sweeping and hovering repeatedly over any given area. Bait will often stay low but the osprey can see them. This defines a potentially productive depth and structure but figuring out the bite is still up to the angler.

Our trout action has been steady to fairly easy to pattern. On most trips we are catching limits and releasing many others. One of the keys to finding trout has been referencing the solunar table and timing your effort to coincide with predicted major/minor feeding times. The table is this magazine and also website mdwfp.com can be very helpful. During the feeding periods I want to be in an area that I think will give me the best opportunity and not running around looking for fish.

Larger trout are beginning to show more reliably, not in great numbers

just yet across the bay system, but definitely in your smaller, classic winter haunts. When trophy fish are the order of the day we are staying put in areas known to hold them and waiting on the feeding periods and tide movement to develop. This is where homework with tide and solunar tables before hitting the water can make a great difference between casting practice and catching. Our best big trout bite has been during warming periods with water temp ranging 61- to 67⁰. At times we have found them on hard sandy bottom but muddy bottom has been more consistent. MirrOlure’s “Paul Brown” Soft-Dine, Fat Boy and Original slow-sinkers are currently our go-to trophy lures.

Now, if patiently staying put with hope of a trophy is not your bag, you can definitely find a lot of bites along the edges of flats that taper toward the ICW. Look for potholes near the channel and points of spoils that taper quickly to deeper areas to hold numbers of solid keepers.

The Houston Fishing Show will be held February 25–March 1 at the George R. Brown Convention Center.

I will be representing Castaway rods and Fish-N-Hunt Pro Gear. Come by and say hello! Hopefully, their new line of rods will be on display so that I can demonstrate what I truly like about them. In the meantime the chase is on for that trout of a lifetime.

TSFMAG.com | 85

FISHING REPORTS

ORECASTS F from Big Lake to Boca Chica

AND

Lake Calcasieu Louisiana Jeff and Mary Poe - Big Lake Guide Service - 337.598.3268 February can be a tough month, or it can be very rewarding. February 2014 was a tough one, but this year seems a little different. We were dealing with freezing temperatures throughout the entire month. 19 days below freezing after January 1st last year made for tough fishing.

That was last year; this winter is totally different, so far. Temperatures have been above normal, and water conditions are much better. Several of our guides have been beating the banks hard, and they’ve been coming away with some great fish. This is expected with the weather we’ve had. Water temperatures are still in the mid to upper-fifties, salinities are high, and water clarity is as good as it gets at this time of year. Fog and light northerly breezes--this weather is what big trout fishermen dream about. Bright colored Corkys and MirrOdines have been deadly. We are really looking forward to the rest of our winter fishing season. As long as the weather holds steady, we should continue to catch plenty of beautiful trout straight into the spring.

Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay | James Plaag Silver King Adventures - silverkingadventures.com - 409.935.7242 James says the results on his fishing trips in the fall were outstanding, and he expects similar action once he cranks up again after the first of the year. “We did most of our fishing in December out of the boat.

Caught limits almost every trip, some nice trout too, a few sevens,

several fives, and lots of solid keepers. We will be looking to get out of the boat during the upcoming time-frame, though. Wading is the way to go from late-January into the early part of the spring. We like to target the big trout this time of year, and doing so means fishing shallow.

Sometimes, we catch a bunch, sometimes just a few, but that’s part of the deal when we’re fishing for the big ones. Best lures are 51 series MirrOlures in colors like pink/silver, pink/yellow/silver. Also MirrOlure Catch Fives in similar colors. When we are throwing Paul Brown Fat Boys, we generally use natural colors like pearl/black. We will always look for a chance to catch our fish on top, but overall, the slow-sinking twitch baits produce more bites.”

Jimmy West - Bolivar Guide Service - 409.996.3054 Jim had gotten reports of good fish being caught in the days prior to giving this report. He had been finishing up his duck and dove seasons, which both turned out great. “These cold fronts coming through fast will likely drive the fish into deep water for a while, but they’ll come up shallow to feed when things moderate a little bit. The waders are the ones catching the big trout right now. The best plan is to fish in the afternoon and into the first part of the night, if possible. The fish definitely bite better during that time-frame from now until some time in March. When it’s colder and blowing harder, the deeper holes in the bayous and backwater areas will hold more fish than the shorelines.

During February, we’ll be trying to time our outings to coincide with

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H MACKEREL TROLLING BAIT RIGGED SHRIMP SCALED SARDINE TWITCH SPANISH SARDINE JERK NHADEN CRANKBAIT PINFISH RATTLEBAIT MULLET WAKEBAIT PINFISH RATTLEBAIT ATTLEBAIT SPANISH SARDINE JERKBAIT MENHADEN CRANKBAIT GED SHRIMP BLUEBACK HERRING DOUBLE PROP GLASS MINNOW JERKBAIT

86 | February 2015

the warming trends, and fishing later in the day, wading shorelines with some active bait if we can find it. This is a great time of year to catch some of the big trout, for people who are willing to brave the elements, gear up properly and put in a good effort to locate and catch them.”

West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas - Chocolate Bays Randall Groves - Groves Guide Service 979.849.7019 - 979.864.9323 Randall says the heavy rains this past fall made fishing in his area somewhat tougher than normal. “We would expect to be catching plenty of fish well up in the rivers and bayous right now, but the water is really too fresh in lots of those places with all the run-off. We are supposed to be getting another harsh cold front tonight, and cold temperatures will likely push the fish into deep holes. We do a lot of fishing out of the boat in pretty deep water this time of year when it’s cold, targeting areas with a mix of mud and shell on the bottom.

Lately, with the off-colored water, we’re having the best luck on the trick-or-treat Norton Sand Eels. They are black and orange with a chartreuse tail. Dark lures with bright tails work best in dirty water most of the time. If and when the weather warms up some, I’ll be looking for signs of bait and targeting some of the bigger trout on flats with some shell in about three feet of water next to a channel.

Right now, I’m headed to the Boat Show. Can’t wait to see my new JH Performance boat there!”

Matagorda | Tommy Countz Bay Guide Service - 979.863.7553 cell 281.450.4037 Mainly, we like to drift the west end of East Matagorda bay in February and target big trout. We try and locate streaks of muddier water.

The really clear water doesn’t do you much good. We’ll mostly throw soft plastics on bright colors like limetreuse on three eighth ounce

jigheads, working them low and slow. Wading the mid-bay reefs with Paul Brown Lures works well during calmer spells too.

We also like to work those lures slow, without too much action. We’ve had plenty of trout in the river at times lately too. If we don’t get too much fresh water flowing, we’ll be in there on the windier days, drifting and trolling along, plugging the bank, or plugging the middle with heavy jigheads, probing depths of eighteen to twenty feet. Most of the trout we catch on that pattern aren’t trophies, but they can make up a solid box. If redfish are the target, we prefer wading the shallows in West Bay. Dark soft plastics on lighter jigheads work best for that drill. Low tides tend to concentrate the fish in all the guts and make them easier to catch.”

Palacios | Capt. Aaron Wollam www.palaciosguideservice.com - 979.240.8204 We have been on a great winter pattern in our local waters. Postfrontal fishing have the trout and reds pinned down in the deep holes of the Palacios Turning Basins. The best lure by far has been the VuDu Shrimp coated in VuDu Shrimp Sauce. The best colors have been Cajun pepper and natural. Slow-rolling and jigging the lures really slowly have accounted for the most bites. When the water warms up on the local flats a couple days after the passage of a front, we have been hammering solid trout up to four pounds on a variety of Paul Brown FatBoys. Pearl/chartreuse, Texas chicken, and pearl/black have been top colors. The pattern for February will remain much the same. When we get hard cold fronts, we will head to the harbor to fish deep holes, and as the weather warms up, we will head back to the flats to chase the big trout. Locating just a few mullet is always the key to finding fish in

TSFMAG.com | 87

the winter, even if it is just one or two flipping, it will normally mean it’s worth it to stop and fish area.

Port O’Connor | Lynn Smith Back Bay Guide Service - 361.983.4434 Lynn expects to be fishing a mud/shell pattern, and wading most of the time in February. “We’ll be taking longs walks in the mud on flats close to areas with deeper water. I like places with some shell scattered around on the bottom. As we speak, the weather has turned pretty cold, and we’re already catching some pretty big trout. I have reliable reports of fish up close to thirty inches caught around here lately. Soft plastics have been working best. We like to rig them on light jigheads in this cold weather. It makes it easier to work them around the shell reefs and over the scattered shell without getting hung up a lot. The lighter heads also have a slow fall rate, and that’s good too when it’s cold. Mainly, the key is to work the lure slow. Low and slow. As usual in the cold months, I’ll be leaving the dock later than some people. I like to head out late in the morning and fish through the afternoon. The bait is easier to find and the trout seem more active after the sun has a chance to heat up the flats.”

Rockport | Blake Muirhead Gator Trout Guide Service - 361.790.5203 or 361.441.3894 With the cast and blast season coming to a close, Blake expects to get back to fishing exclusively. “Normally, we catch some of our biggest trout of the year in February. Overall, trout fishing was pretty good in the Rockport area in 2014, so I am optimistic for another good one. I like to wade shorelines with a mix of sand and grass this month, especially when and if the weather is warm. Our trout tend to prefer pretty shallow water when the weather is like that this time of year. We’ll throw topwaters when we see lots of mullet jumping, assuming we get some blow ups without having to work too hard at it. We also like slow-sinking

twitch baits and of course my old trusty Norton Sand Eels in dark colors with chartreuse tails. If the weather is colder, the fish tend to stay a little deeper. In such cases, wading mid-bay reefs and casting to deeper adjacent areas where there’s a mix of mud and shell on the bottom can be the way to go. When targeting redfish, we search for them in the backwater lakes and drains.”

Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay - Land Cut Robert Zapata – rz1528@grandecom.net - 361.563.1160 February is a great month to after trophy trout in the Upper Laguna Madre, but we will have to work around the weather because it can get pretty cold during this month. The water clarity in Baffin Bay is not good because of brown tide, but it is still fishable. The cold water temperatures will drive the fish into deeper water, five feet or deeper, but as the sun comes up and warms up the shallower water, three feet or less, the fish will come up into the shallower water as well. Look for areas with a mud and gravel mixed bottom and wade slowly and quietly while fanning your casts all around yourself as much as possible. The fish will be moving very slowly because of the cold water temperatures, so I’ll be almost dragging my lures on the bottom very slowly, giving the fish an easy target to go after. My favorite soft plastic lure is still the Bass Assassin Die Dapper because of its shape and scent. Because of the lack of water clarity, I’ll use the morning glory/chartreuse or chartreuse dog colors and sand trout if I find some clear water.

Corpus Christi | Joe Mendez – www.sightcast1.com - 361.937.5961 Water quality is highly variable throughout the area, right now, Joe says, and he will likely adjust his fishing strategies according to where the pretty water is. “It has been quite cold for the last week or so, with a lot of north wind. That tends to push clear water into areas around the JFK Causeway and in the northern parts of the ULM. I like to fish the clear water if I can. In the best-case scenario, it offers us a chance

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to sight-cast the fish when they move shallow. At the very least, it allows us to see the edges of the channels and also the deeper rocks and grass beds when the fish are holding in deeper water. When the weather allows, fishing is good lately. We’re catching trout by targeting them along the margins of the flats close to the main channels and the ones leading into the main channels. Also catching some along the main drop-offs in the channels themselves. During February, our fish tend to be more willing to come out into the shallows, as long as the weather isn’t really cold, like it was last year.”

Padre Island National Seashore Billy Sandifer - Padre Island Safaris - 361.937.8446 Species in greatest surf abundance during the month of February and the focus of most anglers will be redfish, black drum, whiting, and pompano. Bottom fishing, using double-drop leaders baited with freshdead peeled shrimp and Fishbites, is usually quite productive. Using cut bait can produce bull, sandbar and blacktip sharks. It is imperative to plan your trip to take place in moderate conditions in-between the arrival of cold fronts. Beware of east and northeast winds as they can cause large rises in the tide and pile water high on the beach. It is also highly advisable to avoid travelling during predicted high tide times this time of year. There will be very few visitors to the PINS beaches most days so precautions are in order. Make sure to carry emergency supplies and always your spares list prior to heading down-island.

Port Mansfield | Ruben Garza Snookdudecharters.com – 832.385.1431 Getaway Adventures Lodge – 956.944.4000 Fishing has been very steady; limits of trout and redfish most days if we do not have gale force north wind. Soft plastics have been producing steadily and slow-sinkers such MirrOlure Fat Boys and Devils have been producing some respectable sow trout. Most of these larger

females have been running very heavy for their length. The redfish bite has also been really good. Most of the reds that we have been picking up similarly quite fat. We had a 24-inch red the other day that went right at 8-pounds…unbelievable! Topwater bite has been slow but it is still fun seeing them blow up on the lure. In the coming month expect to find the fish in the potholes or on sand flats when the sun is shining.

On the cooler and cloudier days try fishing along soft bottom dropoffs to deeper water. Bait and other surface signs will often be hard to locate but pelicans and ospreys will often point the way. Color changes and edges of muddy streaks in waist-deep water around spoils can be good places to try.

Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Janie and Fred Petty – www.fishingwithpettys.com – 956.943.2747 Fishing has been great, even during adverse conditions. We’ve been able to catch reds almost every trip, but when we don’t limit, we fill the box with trout. Specks have been showing up in good numbers during the fall, and this winter looks to be an opportunity to set a personal best for many anglers. We’re seeing some giant females sharking around in very shallow water every day that we are able to see the bottom. Speaking of shallow water, the winter tides are always the lowest of the year, and this year is no exception. It could even be the lowest we’ve seen in the last thirty. Freddy says, “If you are a new boat owner, and you didn’t buy a Shallow Sport, here’s a tip. When you run aground, get out and try to float the boat to the nearest gut or pot hole, and of course call for help if you can’t get up. When we started guiding in 1980 and ran into problems, there weren’t any cell phones, so we had to get out and walk to the Game Refuge or Cullen’s to get help, and it was never a one-day process.” Stop Open Bay Dredge Disposal!

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AveryDebow POC - 22” trout

Jared Esley Rockport - personal best flounder! CPR

Gibby Lambert Rockport - trout

Jeremy Redig San Luis Pass - 26” trout 90 | February 2015

Raul Hernandez SPI surf - 66” blacktip CPR

Jerry Klinger Boca Chica Beach - 38” redfish

Christopher Pierron Sabine Pass - 19” first trout!

Madyson Blythe POC - 27” 5.5lb trout, first saltwter catch!

Edna Almaraz Sabine Lake - redfish

Debby Brady Texas City - sheepshead

Hunt Harrell POC - 27.75” redfish

Garret Frattalone Galveston Bay - 31” 7lb trout

Luke Nichols Port Mansfield - 16” first keeper trout!

Carlos Rios Pleasure Island 40” black drum

Dave Roberts Sabine Pass - 28” trout

John Slayton Port Aransas - 44” bull red CPR

Lauren Mohan Laguna Madre - 29” red CPR

Sandra Stewart Trinity Bay - 23” first trout!

Taryn Veselka Aransas River - 25” trout

Lisa Cheney Cedar Bayou - 24” first tripletail!

Morgan Longford Port O’Connor - 26” redfish

Carla Salas Matagorda Bay - 24.25” personal best redfish!

Owen Webster Estes Flats - 22” first redfish!

James Raz & Betsy Lozano Arroyo City - 34.5” first bull red!

Michael Yaws II Port Arthur - 38” black drum

Julie Houston Crystal Beach - first redfish!

Jake Holmes San Luis Pass - 21” first flounder!

Kevin Cervenka Burnet Bay - 30” red CPR

Dwayne Juergens Matagorda - 25” trout TSFMAG.com | 91

Conrad Adix Bessie Heights - 20” trout

Drew Lyell Galveston - first fish!

Xander Beritiech Sabine jetties - 16” first flounder!

Sam Arguello Corpus - 30.5” 7.8lb trout CPR

Lauren Fite Indianola - 68lb black drum 92 | February 2015

Victoria Herrera King Ranch - 24” personal best!

Jarrett Cantu, Colby Renfro, & Blaine Shupe 25”, 29”, & 23.5” trout

Will Clunn Port Mansfield - 29” 10lb trout

John-Michael Kamel Galveston - 7’ sandbar shark

Ashton Van Duzer Rockport - first keeper red!

Cameron Cantu 30.5” trout

Crystal Garza Texas City - 38” jack

Michael Gutilla Rockport - 47” bull red

Kendall Kiefer first trout! CPR

Reece Prihoda Matagorda - 30” personal best! CPR

Tom Little Rockport - first red!

Roy Lopez first kingfish on a fly!

Rylan Basci 7lb 4oz - first sheepshead!

Caden Foster first flounder!

Ella Molina South Padre - first fish!

Marcus Molina 30.75” C&R junior angler record for LLM!

Patty Landcut - 28.5” trout Mike, Keith, & Alex Padre Island - 3 bull reds

Melissia Tijerina Port Mansfield - 20” first catch!

Please do not write on the back of photos.

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

Woody Woodward Land Cut - 28” first trout!

Jake Bailey flounder

Karson Ray Woodard Matagorda Bay - first flounder!

Mail photos to: TSFMag P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 TSFMAG.com | 93

Pam Johnson

Gulf Coast Kitchen

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

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

Crab Stuffed Cornish Hens Cornish Hens: 2 large Cornish hens, thawed and halved Season both sides with garlic powder and onion powder Spicy Tomato Wine Sauce: ½ cup red wine 1- 8oz can tomato sauce 1/2 cup cocktail sauce with horseradish 2 or 3 drops Louisiana hot sauce, or to taste 1 teaspoon tarragon, dried and crushed 1/2 tsp garlic powder 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated Wash Cornish hens and cut in half, place on heavy foil lined broiler pan. Spray with butter-flavor cooking spray.

Rub all sides with garlic and onion powder. Brush heavily on both sides with Spicy Tomato Wine Sauce. Broil hens about ten inches from oven coil skin side up for 7 minutes, then turn hen over and broil an additional 7 minutes.

Remove from oven and set temperature to 350.

94 | February 2015

Crab Stuffing: 1/2 pound fresh crab meat (fresh is always better) 1-1/2 cups coarse crumbled bread crumbs.

1/4 cup chopped onions 1/4 cup diced celery 1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes 1/2 cup melted butter 1 Tbsp Madeira wine 1 or 2 drops hot sauce Stuff cavity-side of hens equally with crab mixture. Spoon Spicy Tomato Wine Sauce over crab stuffing and each hen.

Place on baking sheet and cover lightly with foil. Place on center rack of oven and bake at 350⁰ for 30 minutes, remove top foil and continue to cook 30 more minutes.

Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Serves 4

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Science and the Sea

TM

Toughing It Out When the going gets tough, purple sea urchins appear to get tougher, or at least tough enough to possibly cope with climate change. Purple sea urchins are referred to as a “keystone” species because the ecosystem needs enough of them to feed marine mammals, fish, seabirds and other predators, but not so many that they overrun the place. Increasing carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere may threaten that balance. As oceans absorb more carbon dioxide, the water becomes more acidic, which decreases calcium carbonate levels. Calcium carbonate is the main ingredient of the shell and spines of sea urchins and many other creatures, so increasing ocean acidification might endanger these animals, perhaps leading to thinner shells or shorter spines.

A purple sea urchin. Credit: Claire Fackler, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration But scientists designed an experiment to learn whether these spiny creatures could adapt to changes in seawater acidity. Researchers collected sea urchins from the California coast and bred several generations of them in increasingly more acidic water, first with water containing 400 parts per million (today’s levels) of carbon dioxide and increasing it to 1,100 parts per million, which is significantly higher than the 700 parts per million projected by the year 2100.

The new sea urchin larvae were, on average, smaller than today’s wild purple sea urchins. But, some of them were about the same size as current urchins, which indicates that they had a higher tolerance for elevated carbon dioxide levels. Because larger size in sea urchins means a better chance for survival and reproduction, these results suggest that purple sea urchins may be able to evolve fast enough to outpace the negative effects of ocean acidification. The next question is whether other creatures that use calcium carbonate can do the same.

The University of Texas

Marine Science Institute www.ScienceAndTheSea.org © The University of Texas Marine Science Institute 96 | February 2015

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CHRIS MAPP

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

Increasing Range of Power-Pole Remote Chris Mapp, owner Coastal Bend Marine.

Yamaha, Evinrude, Suzuki, Mercury, Honda, BlueWave, SilverWave, Haynie, El Pescador Service, Parts and Sales.

98 | February 2015

“My new Power-Pole does not have the remote control distance my old one had.”

We hear this often from owners who have recently purchased a new Power-Pole. For wade-fisherman who walk downwind on the shallow flats and enjoy having the boat follow them by frequently lifting the Power-Pole, there is an easy fix.

-Remove the four top-cover mounting screws from the CMonster pump.

-Remove the top carefully and either mark them or make a photo; there are five wires and one ribbon to be disconnected to separate the control board.

-You will find a wire about four inches long in a white plastic retainer, this is the receiver antennae. Notice the empty slot next to the antenna wire; this is where you can insert/clip in a new, longer antennae wire. Strip back approximately a quarter inch of insulation and push into the retainer.

-Drill a small hole in the top cover and run the wire through. Apply silicone to seal the installation.

-Reinstall all the wiring and secure the top-cover.

-Run the new wire through the rigging tube, fastening to the existing rigging with cable ties.

-The longer the antennae extension, the better the reception will be. Taking the wire through the rigging chase and fastening to a windshield grab rail mounting screw usually gives best results.

You should receive a minimum of 50 yards extended range and as much as 70, depending the height of the console grab rail. I want to credit Larry Wheeler for providing this tip to enhance the range of the Power-Pole remote control. Larry is a great friend and customer of Coastal Bend Marine and we trust his ingenuity will prove helpful to our friends and readers.

Chris Mapp Coastal Bend Marine | Port O’Connor, TX 361.983.4841 | coastalbendmarine.com

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Get ready to catch your limit with Paul Brown’s Original Series Corky 3 5/8� Suspending Jerk Bait. Its suspending action and side-to-side walk make it highly effective when fishing for all saltwater species, and (2) No. 4 treble hooks secure your catch. Weighted for longer casts and equipped with an internal rattle, this bait is sure to catch more fish.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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