Gulf Coast Connections
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
Tide Predictions & Solunar Feed Times Inside!
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
1
2
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
3
coNteNts m a rch 2008 Volume 17 No. 11
editor aNd publisher Everett Johnson Everett@tsfmag.com
features
30
10 The Minimalist
Mike McBride
16 Legend of The Dog Lovers
Kevin Cochran
22 Lost and Found
Martin Strarup
26 Dolphins
Billy Sandifer
30 Lure junkies and out of town baits
Chuck Uzzle
departmeNts 56
64
27 Coastal Birding
executive vp Pam Johnson Pam@tsfmag.com busiNess maNaGer Shirley Elliott Shirley@tsfmag.com iNside sales - advertisiNG coordiNator Tracey Johnson
Billy Sandifer
34 Let’s Ask The Pro
Jay Watkins
38 Fly Fishing
Casey Smartt
42 Tournament Trails
Brandon Jenewein
46 Offshore
Bobby Byrd/John Cochrane
50 Conservation
CCA Texas
54 Science and the Sea
UT-Marine Science Institute
56 TPWD Field Notes
Karen Meador
60 Kayak Fishing
Scott Null
64 According To Scott
Scott Sommerlatte
68 Youth Fishing
Aaron Cisneros
72 Tech Tips
Kevin Shaw/Daniel Freer
74 Fishing products that pass the test
Everett and Pam Johnson
Tracey@tsfmag.com reGioNal sales represeNtative Scott Null Scott@tsfmag.com NatioNal sales represeNtative Bart Manganiello Bartalm@optonline.net desiGN, layout & web maiNteNaNce GRAPHICS BY DESIGN Jasmine and Jackson Gordon Phone: 361-785-4282 Jasmine@graphicsbydesign.biz
what our Guides have to say… 80
98
Jackson@graphicsbydesign.biz subscriptioN – product sales
80 Dickie Colburn’s Sabine Scene
Dickie Colburn
82 Mickey on Galveston
Mickey Eastman
84 Capt. Bill’s Fish Talk
Bill Pustejovsky
86 Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays
Shellie Gray
88 Catching up with Cliff
Cliff Webb
90 Capt. Tricia’s Port Mansfield Report
Capt. Tricia
92 South Padre Fishing Scene
Ernest Cisneros
Editorial
8
Letters to the Editor
Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine is published monthly. Subscription Rates: One Year $25.00, Two Year $45.00 E-MAG (electronic version) is available for $12.00 per year. Order on-line: WWW.TSFMAG.COM make checks payable to: Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine Attn: Subscriptions P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983
reGulars 6
Debbie Dugan Store@tsfmag.com
* Subscribers are responsible for submitting all address changes and renewals by the 15th of the prior month’s issue. The U.S. Postal Service does not guarantee magazines will be forwarded.
78 New Tackle & Gear
how to coNtact tsfmaG:
94 Fishing Reports and Forecasts
phoNe: 361-785-3420 Fax: 361-785-2844
96 Photo Gallery–Catch of the Month
mailiNG address: P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 physical address: 58 Fisherman’s Lane,
98 Gulf Coast Kitchen
Seadrift, TX 77983
103 Index of Advertisers
web: www.TSFMAG.COM priNted iN the usa.
about the cover
Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine (ISSN 1935-9586) is published monthly by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc., 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, Texas 77983
Cary Whitfield of Austin, Texas is our cover angler. Cary caught and released this beautiful specimen in the Upper Laguna Madre fishing with Capt. David Rowsey. Cary’s lucky bait was a “Morning Glory” Bass Assassin. The big fish weighed 7.5 pounds and taped 28-inches. Capt. Rowsey handled the photog chores. March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
P. O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983
publication may be reprinted or reproduced. *Views expressed by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine contributors do not necessarily express the views of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine. Periodical class permit (USPS# 024353) paid at Victoria, TX 77901. POSTMASTER: Fishing
4
© Copyright 1990 All rights reserved. Positively nothing in this
TX 77983.
Send
Magazine,
address Inc.,
changes P.
O.
www.TSFMAG.com
to
Texas
Saltwater
Box
429,
Seadrift,
Just Keep Five
TSFMag is the leader in Texas and
growing larger every day, we are now available in over 1500 local retailers!
We’ve got you covered! Retailers in these communities are now stocking our magazine. You can also sign up to subscribe by calling 361-785-3420 or online @ www.TSFMag.com . Reading on-line is also becoming a popular way to take our publication. Check out the FREE archived issues or purchase an E-Mag subscription. E-Mag features include easy to view pages, just like a hard copy, but with instant links to writers, advertisers and other subscriber services.
“we’re in 225 hometowns and growing!” Alamo Algoa Alice Alvin Angleton Angleton Aransas Pass Atascocita Austin Bastrop Bay City Bay Colony Baytown Beasley Beaumont Beeville Bellville Bishop Blessing Bloomington Boerne Bolivar Brazoria Brenham Brookshire Brownsville Bryan Buda Bulverde Burleson Burnet Castroville Cedar Creek Cedar Park Channelview Chappell Hill Clear Lake Clute College Station
Conroe Converse Copperas Cove Corpus Christi Crystal Beach Cuero Dallas Damon Del Rio Del Valle Devine Dickinson Dilley Donna Eagle Lake Eagle Pass East Bernard Edinberg Edna El Campo Elgin Elmendorf Elsa Falfurrias Fentress Flatonio Floresville Fredericksburg Freeport Friendswood Ft Worth Ft. Lauderdale Fulton Galveston Ganado Gatesville George West Georgetown Geronimo Giddings Goliad Gonzales Groves Halletsville Hankamer Harker Heights
Just Keep Five
Harlingen Hawkinsville Helotes Hempstead Hitchcock Hondo Houston Humble Hungerford Huntsville Indianola Ingleside Karnes City Katy Kemah Kenedy Kerrville Killeen Kingsville Kingwood Kyle La Feria La Grange La Porte La Vernia Lake Jackson La Marque Laredo League City Leander Leon Springs Lewisville Lockhart Longview Los Fresnos Lubbock Luling Lytle Manvel Marble Falls Matagorda Mathis Maxwell McAllen Mercedes Mesquite
Midfield Midland Mission Mt. Belvieu Mt Pleasant Mustang Ridge Nacogdoches Navasota Needville New Braunfels Nixon Odem Odessa Orange Palacios Palmview Pampa Paris Pasadena Pearland Pearsall Pettus Pflugerville Pharr Plainview Plano Pleasanton Point Comfort Port Arthur Port Isabel Port Lavaca Port Mansfeild Port O’Connor Portland Poth Raymondville Refugio Richmond Rio Grande City River Park Riviera Robstown Rockport Rosenburg Round Rock San Angelo
San Antonio San Benito San Juan San Marcos Schertz Schulenburg Seabrook Seadrift Sealy Selma Seguin Sherman Shiner Sinton Spring Spring Branch Stafford Stephenville Stockdale Sugarland Sugar Valley Sweetwater Taylor Temple Texas City The Woodlands Three Rivers Tivoli Tomball Tyler Universal City Uvalde Van Vleck Victoria Vidor Von Ormy Waco Wadsworth Wallisville Waxahachie Weslaco West Columbia Wharton Wichita Falls Winnie Woodsboro Yoakum Yorktown
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
5
texas aNGlers love spotted seatrout aNd by Now everybody has surely heard of Just Keep Five. We began using that slogan to encourage greater conservation of spotted seatrout back in 2002 during the Spotted Seatrout Work Group sessions and have been pushing it steadily ever since. I am not the author of Just Keep Five; that credit would belong to friend and well-known Rockport fishing guide, Jay Watkins. There was much debate flowing that summer and everybody that took a fish from the water was under the magnifying glass. Recreational anglers and guides were getting hammered for using live croaker, tournament promoters were threatened with tar and feathers for the pressure they brought, and TPWD was called chicken for not cutting the bag limit while being tongue-lashed for even considering it. To top everything off, anglers were having a tough summer; even in the historically trout-rich Laguna Madre and Baffin Bay. Jay came out with a statement in Tom Nix’s Saltwater Angler that rang with a lot of meaning. “If you think tournaments kill too many, ask the promoters to change the rules and weigh fewer. If you think keeping ten will hurt the resource, just keep five.” Jay’s message went on to ask for an end to divisiveness and bickering among sport anglers. I liked the sound of what he had to say and that’s when we started to push Just Keep Five. Just Keep Five is still alive and well and lots of folks have adopted it. Now I want to introduce you to another conservation slogan I’m going to be using and trying to popularize. While the basic concept behind this one has been used in other places, it hasn’t yet been applied to fishing, so far as I know. We could have went with the traditional Catch & Release theme, but that line already gets a lot of play. Our slogan asserts that our spotted seatrout are too valuable to be caught just once, so in the interest of helping guarantee that future generations will be able to enjoy this wonderful fishery, please recycle some of your catch. If you would like to display a sticker on your truck or boat like the one shown below, visit us at the
Convention Center on March 5 through 9, 2008. We’ll have
CATC HJ
nCe TO uS
the George R. Brown
TOO GO
Houston Fishing Show at
TO D O
one waiting for you. Stickers will also be
very shortly. Thanks for reading and
S
SA
reCyCle!
lT W
AT e r Fi S H i n
A GM
Zi
XA
website; TSFMag.com
Te
magazine and on our
ne
available through this
G
A
good fishing.
6
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Dear Mr. Johnson I appreciate you taking the time to talk with my son and me at the Speedy Stop in Port Lavaca. You will probably remember giving me two boxes of the last month’s issue for my wife who is a teacher at Calhoun High School. She teaches freshman English and uses the magazines for creative writing assignments. Let me begin by saying how much I appreciate the time, efforts and artistic talent that you and your staff put into each edition of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine. It stands head and shoulders above all the others as the most informative, educational as well as inspirational magazine on the subjects of saltwater fishing and coastal conservation. I eagerly await each new issue and read from cover to cover. The trout and reds have set the hook deep in me; I’ve gotten the itch to be on the water all the time. I’ve been considering buying my first boat, and thanks to your magazine, I’ve been in touch with some really helpful individuals who are guiding me towards finding a boat that suits me and my family. By no means am I a salty dog. Having moved to Port Lavaca from Arkansas in the early 80’s, I am doing all that I can to learn every aspect of the sport. With the help of your magazine, and several good friends who are very educated on the subject, I am making great strides toward learning the craft, as well as trying to provide a stable future in our fishery for generations to come. Your columnists always provide entertaining and informative stories. Among my favorites are Bink Grimes, Martin Strarup and Brandon Jenewein. Kevin Cochran makes me feel as though I am right next to him wading the shorelines. Pam’s mouthwatering recipes make the night shift at the plant seem even longer, when all I’ve got to eat is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and Cheetos. I’m enclosing a picture of my oldest son who will be five in January. He and I have been fishing many times and I’m proud to say he caught a keeper drum not long ago. Needless to say, he too has gotten the itch to be on the water all of the time. The photo was taken a few years ago, when he was three. It was just before his bath time one evening. I heard him talking to himself from my bedroom and gave a little peek to see what was so interesting. Like the old saying goes. “Like father, like son”! My wife has this picture among others of our three children as her screensaver. One day recently one of her students was looking at all of the pictures of the kids. When this picture popped up she said the boy giggled at first and leaned in for a closer look, then exclaimed “Hey… that’s Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine! You are definitely reaching the masses. I do not know if the picture is worthy of the magazine, I hope you don’t
feel that it is in poor taste, but I am enclosing a jpeg image on CD in the event you think others might get a chuckle out of it. His name is Colton. Thanks for all you do, and keep up the good work, John Herren, Jr. Port Lavaca, TX Dear John, Thanks for writing! Indeed, I recall meeting you and Colton at the Speedy Stop Store. Glad to hear the kids in your wife’s class are enjoying the magazines. We would like very much to drop copies at the Calhoun High School each month. Here’s wishing you and Colton good luck fishing this spring; hope you get some nice trout and reds and make some great memories. Good luck with the boat purchase! Everett Dear Mr. Johnson I just subscribed to your magazine. I became familiar with it through my association with Capt. Ernest Cisneros. What a great guide he is. I have fished with him several times and not only is he a great guide, he is a great person as well. Thanks for publishing such a fine magazine. Jim Stratton Dear Jim, I have to agree, Capt Ernest Cisneros is a talented fisherman and a very good fishing guide. I also agree that he is a great person. Take a look at his son, Aaron, Ernest is a great father too! We are proud of all our writers, with guys like Ernest on the team, how could we not be? Hope you enjoy the magazine. Everett Johnson Everett, I met you this past summer in Port O’Connor at Kids Fish sponsored by Speedy Stop Stores. You are a great supporter of these events and I love your magazine. I chased you down as you were leaving the Kids Fish but not sure if you remember me, there were lots of folks there. Thanks for a great magazine, Roger Sustaire Dear Roger, The Speedy Stop Stores Kid’s Fishing event is an awesome display of a good corporate citizen (Thomas Petroleum/Speedy Stop Stores) giving back to their community. We always have a blast getting our grandkids entered and them taking them fishing and to the weigh-in party. The food is always great and the smiles on those kid’s faces is just priceless. I got to be on the weigh team and I looked into those hopeful eyes as the fish went on the scale and it was very rewarding. I’ve always believed that if you get a kid hooked on fishing he’d probably never get hooked on bad stuff. Glad to hear that you enjoy the magazine, we have a ball putting it out there! Good fishing to you and your family, Everett Johnson
SenD yOur leTTerS TO: TSFMag, P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 8
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
9
A question arises about how much stuff we really need out there to help us catch fish, especially while wading. What is practical and what is not? We’ve talked about some of this before but let’s continue. We certainly need “stuff” to fish with, but let’s face it; we’ve come a long way from the simplicity of a Norman Rockwell painting; where some freckle-faced kid in high-water overalls tugs against unknown monsters of the abyss with only a cane pole and straw hat. Back to Sir Gary and his gear. Despite a passionate attempt at recordbook infamy, his day was wrought with comic tragedy, mainly due to being over-prepared for the task at hand. He backlashed twice to where he had to re-spool by dabbing his backcast into his trailing net. Became stuck in the mud with his twenty-pound armored stingray boots that ended in a graceful reel-dunking pirouette. Stumbled after dozens
ust last week i had the pleasure of fishiNG with oNe i dubbed sir Gary Gearhead, moderN-
of topwaters that had escaped his over-stuffed lance, Sir Gearhead slid quietly over the gunwale
wading pouch while everything that could sink did.
to challenge the giants of the flats, both real
Spent several sessions untangling topwaters from
and imaginary. Unbeknownst to our chivalrous
his landing net. And had to take frequent breaks
plugger, his landing net had been ensnared by a
from being the well-dressed warrior he was. Enter
cleat, resulting in a headfirst baptizing in the very
the concept of Minimalist.
day Don Quixote of saltwater. Replete in clattering
elements he’d come to conquer. It was to be the
regalia, including seven-foot custom-built titanium
first of many gear-inspired guffaws that day.
Despite advertiser spin in those fancy “Arrogant Angler” magazines, we probably just
don’t need a huge arsenal of stuff on the water.
multiple rods, and some to carry everything
Granted, opinions are the property of the
we might need on a survival trip down the
beholder, but here are a few suggestions.
Amazon. What we do need is one small box
lureS… Again, as regards the actual lures
of proven lures, a good pair of pliers, and a
we need to carry, less is often more. The more
good stringer if you happen to be in the killing
time we spend casting and trying to decipher
mode. Speaking of stringers, a huge pet peeve
nature’s clues, the more fish we will probably
of mine is a cheap, flaccid stringer. These can
catch. I can’t tell you how many fish I’ve caught
be categorized as impractical and frustrating
while somebody is tying yet another indecisive
because you’ll waste twenty minutes back at
knot. The further I get into all of this, the more
the boat trying to untangle a tangle of fish. A
I suspect that it’s not so much WHAT we are
stringer of sufficient gauge will allow your fish to
throwing but HOW we are throwing it. A couple
remain in linear order. I would like to challenge
of topwaters, a few jigs of various weight, and
our manufacturers into designing more high-
perhaps a good spoon or two should “get it” in
performance gear as is done in every other
most cases. Please note that the Corky family of
sport. For simplicity I’m using Fishing Tackle
fishing lures is exempt from scrutiny here.
Unlimited’s single lure boxes and carry pouch.
A She Dog for when an obnoxious
However, for the true minimalist, one of the
presentation is called for; something like a
world’s greatest inventions is the Ziplock bag in
Skitterwalk or Top Dog for all-around use; a
the shirt pocket.
few pieces of preferred plastic to include light,
OTHer PerFOrMAnCe enHAnCinG
dark, and natural should cover the entire water
PArAPHernAliA... Nets are great when
column and most angling needs quite well.
and if you need them. However, nets catch
Colors can be important (especially to us), but
more than just fish. Other catches include
trying to carry the entire spectrum is asking
treble hooks and cleats, not to mention a fish’s
for information overload and indecision. If you
protective slime. Hand-grabbing your fish is not
are carrying plugs without toothmarks, unless
only macho, it’s part of the fun and challenge,
they’re for backup, you may be carrying
plus we can handle fish more delicately if we
too much.
intend to release them… something we are
WADinG BelTS, POuCHeS, eTC…
going to do more often down here with the new
There are many products on the market today
five trout limit. If you need a net, buy one of high
to help us carry “essential” gear. Some are
quality. Those rubber meshed ones seem more
designed for back support, some to carry
user friendly. I prefer a Boga Grip. It’s simple
all that armor for windmills… unless you factor in entertainment value? Fishing is a wonderful adventure, full of expectations and dreams, but all too often we complicate this simple exercise. The gist of all of this is to carry the minimal best and leave the rest. See Joe Meyer at Fishing Tackle Unlimited if you need assistance. He fishes like we do. See
and I can land a big fish, and then cut it loose
What happened to the old days when saltwater
without ever touching it.
cured whatever ailed us? Now, in some places,
A quick but related word about those swirly-
wade fishing has nearly become a bio-hazard,
type terminal connectors I’m seeing more
especially for those who might be immune system
frequently. Yes, they are easy and can save time,
compromised. A good medicine box now seems
but if using them encourages us to constantly
critical, with bleach, peroxide, or other anti-
change lures, well…? Also, I’m seeing many
bacterial rinsing fluids onboard. Scrapes, oyster
anglers neglecting to re-tie as often as we should
cuts, and other bodily breeches should be flushed
while using them, and subsequently fish are lost
as soon as possible. Don’t mess around with salt-
to frayed line.
exposed wounds, and a strong pair of clean side-
There are actually some bulkier items of potential value to consider. We were loaned several of The Third Leg™ by Wade Easy LLC
hook removal. Looking in the ice chest, proper fluids are critical there as well. Let’s just try to remember
posts to use while wading, hunting, etc. Clients
that beer and wade fishing go together like clown
who used them said they had fun with them,
shoes and tap dancing. A list of essential gear is a highly personal
softer bottoms. If anything helps you fish harder, it
one; but to be truly effective in our work, the list
qualifies as practical and therefore has a place.
is probably best pared to the most fundamental
BOAT GeAr… As long as we are discussing essential carry, let’s don’t forget about the boat. 12
March 2008
mike mcbride
cutter plies is highly recommended for human
to try. You know, those little portable leaning
especially those who have a difficulty negotiating
coNtact
y’all there, and watch out for the windmills.
gadgets. Do we really need two floating nets and four tackle boxes? Did Don Quixote really need Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
13
14
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
15
Author’s Note: I learned much of what I know about the Karankawa Indians from a fascinating, informative book by Gary Cartwright titled Galveston: A History of the Island. I hereby acknowledge Mr. Cartwright’s contribution to the following piece. umerous warlike Native American tribes inhabited coastal Texas when Europeans arrived here. One has been more misunderstood and maligned than all others. A mostly silent, brooding people, the Karankawa Indians were as physically imposing as they were culturally enigmatic. Written accounts left by the white settlers describe them in stark terms; they were both hated and feared. Though the Spanish, French, Dutch and Anglo-Americans are known to have been prone to exaggerate, numerous basic truths about the Karankawas were undoubtedly recorded by them. The dark-faced Indians spoke infrequently, even within their own tribal groups, and were often accompanied by tiny, barkless dogs (karan means dog, kawa: to love). Reliably reported to have feasted on the flesh of defeated enemies, they were also said to prize basic civil virtues such as fidelity, the love of their children and loyalty to their brethren. In fact, the Karankawas so loved their kind that when someone in a family
16
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
died, the survivors would mourn by openly wailing and
rest, gathering food (they never adopted any forms of
weeping three times a day for up to a year. One of only
agriculture), caring for the young, building and cleaning
a handful of studied cultures known to have practiced
the camp and cooking. When the men weren’t hunting
ritual weeping, they shed tears over many events, but the
and fishing, they mostly sat around idly, occasionally
death of a loved one brought on the severest displays.
taking a swim in the shallows or swatting at each other
Mourning tribe members would also refuse to gather
with sharkskin saps for sport.
food for a month or more. They survived this ritualized, self-imposed ordeal
It is fascinating indeed to take a mental journey back a few centuries and imagine what it was like to live as a
only through the charity of other tribe members.
Karankawa on the mosquito-infested shores long before
Survived, that is, if there was enough to eat. The
the guns of the American Revolution or Civil War spilled
Karankawas knew hunger regularly, sometimes enduring
blood on the soil of our homeland. The middle stretch of
on roasted rats and tarantulas. Some who starved did so
Galveston Island is where we set the scene.
willingly. Another part of the difficulty they had subsisting on the coastal prairies, marshes and barrier islands of Texas was also, in effect, self-imposed. Rather than follow the logic of wintering in the forests
In the month of October in some year in the 17th
along the rivers feeding the bay systems on whose
century, a group of thirty Karankawas arrive on the north
shores they lived, then spending their summers out in
shoreline of Galveston Bay, at a point of land now known
the breezes where the ocean meets land, they usually
by the name of their tribe. The men in the procession
did the opposite. It’s hard to understand why they chose
carry six slender, twenty-five foot canoes, dug out of tree
to live this way, but they apparently had no interest in
trunks. They slide these into the calm, salty shallows
letting others in on their motives. Although almost every
which sit in the lee of the land, under a moderate
other tribe living in Texas at that time adopted many of
northwest breeze.
the cultural elements and practices of the whites as their
The members of the tribe shove off and head for the
own, the Karankawas staunchly refused to take on any of
barrier island, some two miles distant, keeping the wind
their ways and means.
on their backs and staying atop a bar which spans the
Towering above almost all other Native Americans
bay, passing through a string of oyster reefs on the way.
and Europeans, the males of the tribe reached a full six
After entering a wide, grassy cove on the shore of the
feet. Their skin was lighter than that of other Indians, the
sandy island, they make their way to the marshy bank
tangled hair hanging to their waist scorched cinnamon
and disembark, then continue on to a group of trees
brown by the sun. Their dun, tattoed faces were framed
where they will spend the winter.
by high, wide foreheads, due to the practice of strapping
Camped halfway between the bay and the beach, in
the young to boards and hanging them from the rafters
a grove they call Three Trees, they plant themselves in
for stretching. Warriors often threaded slender reeds
the center of a wealth of available food sources. There
through slits in the skin of their chests for decoration.
are edible roots in the marshes along the bay, herds of
Some wore a breechclout, while others simply went
deer, flocks of ducks and geese. The bayous weaving
about naked as they dropped from the womb, even in
onto land from the estuary fairly teem with numerous
cold weather.
sources of protein: trout, redfish, flounder, pompano,
The females, shorter and stockier than the men, were considered unattractive, dumpy and plain by those who described them. They often wore simple frocks of Spanish moss, though a few maidens wore more elaborate deerhide skirts. Given that rival warriors often kidnapped and married them, there probably weren’t too many maidens around. Nor were there many elderly members of the tribe to be found. Though they were known to be capable of surviving into old age, and were said to have straight, strong teeth well into their forties, tribe members who could no longer contribute to the good of the group were regularly killed. The manner in which this was done is not known. It seems certain that lots of weeping and wailing occurred in the aftermath of such events. What is better understood is the basic way in which the tribe went about making its living. The men did the hunting and fishing and the women did all the www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Angler Keith Montague is no Karankawa. He’s seen here releasing a prized catch after working for quite some time to catch it. March 2008
17
turtles and prolific oyster beds. But over the stretch of bitter months, the sloughs become almost barren, sometimes draining entirely after strong frontal passages. The
long minutes that stretch out toward an hour, the
of stoic resignation and emotional bravado with
patient fisherman maintains a vigil, while his loyal
which the Karankawas lived. I’m mystified by the
dog naps in the reeds.
methods of fishermen who married the patience
Eventually he spies the object of his hunt;
of the wary heron with the sharp, sure talons of
Indians use seines and traps to take a meager
three spotted seatrout move off the far end of
the osprey. The harsh climate of coastal Texas
catch from the backwaters, but more impressive
the grass bed beside which he is poised, slowly
demanded such things from them.
is a method some warriors use to take bigger fish
swimming down its edge toward where he waits.
from the slightly deeper waters of the bay.
The old fish are completely oblivious to the
state have largely tamed the land, bridged the
presence of the man, who stands as still as stone.
bays, dammed the mighty rivers and learned to
single hunter creeps along the shore of what is
At high noon, he casts no shadow, as if he’s
ride the skies on metal wings, we can not fully
now Carancahua Cove, near the site of Galveston
become one with the mud, the sea, the sky and
comprehend the kind of simple, hard life the
Island State Park. Accompanied only by a foxlike
the sun. Inch by inch, almost imperceptibly, the
Native Americans lived. Our complex lives are
dog, he crouches while approaching the end of a
taut arms of the warrior begin to rise and place the
much too comfortable to allow such insight.
narrow point projecting into the body of the cove,
potent bow into shooting position. Eventually, he’s
nearly crawling as he reaches the cool, clear
poised for the shot, having pulled the weapon to
water lapping at the shoal grass. In his right hand,
its breaking point.
the lean, tan man carries a six-foot bow made
When the trout are but a few yards in front of
from a bough of red cedar. Strung with deer sinew,
him, he releases the arrow at the fattest of the
it’s a powerful weapon, useless in the hands of a
three and hits it directly atop its wide, black head.
woman or child; only a grown man can pull it to the
The flint passes through the skull and digs deep
ready position.
into the muck, pinning the thrashing fish down. Like
A few yards from the water’s edge, the Indian can clearly see dark shapes blanketing the muddy bottom; these grass beds, he knows, are favorite
a raccoon, the hunter pounces on his prey and plucks it from the water still skewered on the shaft. Retreating to the sand, he kneels and removes
haunts for some of the fat trout that come near
the iridescent trout from the arrow, which he
shore to warm themselves under clear skies at the
washes in the water and places in its quiver. Then
end of the cold season. Beneath a bright sun, with
he heads off in the direction of the distant trees,
stealth rivaling that of a blue heron, he remains
carrying the dappled fish in one hand, the strong
hunched over at the waist and slips almost silently
bow in the other, the faithful hound hopping at his
into the crystalline bay waters, shuffling slowly out
heels. Later, he and other tribe members shed
to the edge of the soft mat of grass, watching for
tears, then share in a feast, filling their bellies
any sign of a fish as he goes. The little mutt sits
one last time before they row back across the bay
down on the sand to watch and wait.
to the mainland and the timbered river bottoms
Then the man stops, slowly straightens
coNtact
As winter nears its end, in early March, a
Though the modern inhabitants of this
keviN cochraN
where they will spend the spring.
himself and stands fully erect, holding a stout arrow tight against the bow’s string; on the arrow’s killing end rides a honed flint tip, and on its butt end, strategically placed snow goose feathers provide stability in flight. In silence, for 18
March 2008
Bringing life to the legend of the Dog Lovers is rewarding to me. I marvel at the ironic combination Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
20
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
21
t had seeN better days. the teeth marks that covered the lure told of maNy eNcouNters with
The Cotton Cordell Jointed Red Fin, which
you remember forever and not just because there
was also known as a “Broken Back”, was one
were a lot of fish caught, but because there were
of my favorite lures years ago and I used them
a few fish that were lost.
with great success while fishing for both redfish
Robert and I had crossed the entrance into
speckled trout and the almost rusted through
and trout. I’ll never know why we stop using lures
Cotton’s with he on the east end and I on the
hooks meant that it had been in the saltwater for
that never stopped producing for us in favor for
west. We were casting as we waded in and the
quite a while. A little red paint had been added to
the latest and greatest lures that come out every
bottom where I was wading was heavy with
the head of this lure but it had all but faded away.
year, but we do.
grass. I was sliding my feet as I moved and all
Monofilament was broken off just above the knot
The day that I lost the lure was June 8th, 1981
of a sudden I slid my foot onto something that
that was still tied to the lure’s eye. That meant that
and I was fishing with my friend Robert Glenn. We
literally lifted me up off of my feet and tossed me
the knot didn’t fail but that something had cut the
had made the run over to the south shoreline of
backwards into the water. Robert on the other
leader that caused the loss of the lure and the fish
West Matagorda Bay from Palacios in my Boston
side of the cut had no idea what was going on but
that had mistaken the piece of plastic for a mullet.
Whaler and found the waters around Cotton’s
he heard me yell and saw me going backwards
In fact, I could remember the day that I lost this
Bayou full of nervous bait and feeding fish. Before
into the water and at the same time saw an
particular lure not 50 yards from where I found it
I had gathered my gear and gotten into the water,
enormous wake headed right towards him. He
almost a year earlier. I had wondered many times
Robert had hooked up on a nice redfish using
told me that the ray was a good five-feet across
if my knot had failed or if the line had been cut.
his favorite copper spoon. As he fought the fish, I
and I’m glad that it just gave me a good dunking
made my way towards him casting as I went and
and didn’t skewer me with its barb.
hooked up with a decent trout out in a little deeper water. That morning was one of those that
That little incident shook me up a little and I thought back to a number of years earlier, not far from that place when I
22
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
had stepped out of the boat and right onto
We’ve all had them; you all know what I’m
a ray that was not as forgiving. I moved to
talking about. One moment you have the
deeper water and left Robert to wade the
fish hooked and all is well and then there is
boggy slough.
simply… nothing. It leaves you feeling a little
As I moved out of Cotton’s and crossed
empty inside as you reel in your line that is no
the first gut I cast the black and gold “Broken
longer attached to a lure or a fish and for me it
Back” parallel to the shoreline and into a
signaled a good time for a break.
pod of mullet that caused bait to fly out of
As I walked back to the boat I could see
the water. The fish hit the lure almost before
Robert back in the bayou, his fishing rod
I could lock the handle on my reel. It was a
bent to the power of another redfish and for a
really nice trout and it was much bigger than
second I thought about heading back in there
what we had been catching that day. The big
to join him, but the memory of the large ray
fish tore out and across the second bar then
made the cold drinks in the boat win out over
pulled back towards the shoreline, running
catching more reds.
along the gut and coming back towards me.
When Robert got back to the boat I told
The only shell that I know of in that area was
him about the big trout and I told him about
just at the mouth of the cut and that was
the lure. He had his limit of reds and a few
where I lost the fish.
really nice trout and a bonus flounder for his
It was one of those, “Huh?” moments.
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Mother. We laughed about the ray, talked
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
23
The following March found me on the same shoreline in a little different weather. Waders were necessary that day but the weather was beautiful and we were between cold fronts. I had waded up to the shoreline to fix a broken strap on my waders when I saw the lure lying on the sand. I knew it was my lure before I bent over to pick it up and the first thing I did was check to see if my knot was still tied. My log entry for that day reads: Caught some fish today at Cotton’s but I found the lure I lost
coNtact
about the ones that got away and then we headed back to Palacios.
martiN strarup
last year. Later I changed the hooks out on the lure and used it a few times, but each time I did, I worried that I wouldn’t be so lucky to find it again if I lost it so I retired it to my desk. I look at it now and then when I am at my desk and I remember the day that I lost the lure, I remember the day that I found the lure and I remember fishing with my friend. Be safe.
24
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
enter the contest today! Go to page 59 for more details‌
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
25
eN species of oceaN dolphiNs (family: delphinidae) are found
involve observations of these creatures and I’d like to share this very special one with you. One late summer’s morning we were heading
moving even one of them alone. The scene in front of us was total chaos and I instructed my customers to stay out of the water
south on the beach looking for food chain activity.
and just observe while I attempted to call the
species of porpoise (family: phocenidae) are found
The weather was hot and sticky without a hint
mammal stranding network, PINS personnel or
off of North America. Harbor porpoise are not
of a breeze and lines of heavy rain squalls were
anyone else I could reach by phone. I sat on top of
found south of North Carolina and Dall’s porpoise
moving inshore from the Gulf with short breaks in
the suburban for some time, placing several calls
are only found in the Pacific. Thusly, no true
between. The water was flat and crystal clear with
unsuccessfully. As I waited I kept constant watch
porpoise are found in the Gulf of Mexico.
only one 10-inch swell breaking the surface on the
of the actions of the dolphins in the surf and soon
in the Gulf of Mexico. Two
wade bar and not a sign of life was to be found on
realized that what we were seeing was not a mass
called porpoise and Webster’s Dictionary
the surface of the sea. Down around the 44-mile
stranding but rather was a planned rescue.
approves of such usage, but the fact remains
I noticed black objects moving in the very shallow
that it is scientifically incorrect. Dolphin normally
surf up ahead and occasional large splashes. My
pushed and driven back out into deeper water and
encountered in Texas bay systems and nearshore
first thought was that several sharks had wounded
then four adults surrounded them and denied them
coastal waters of this state are Atlantic bottlenosed
a large fish or other sea creature and had pushed
access to return to the shallow water. One large
dolphins and those most often encountered
it into shallow water to finish it off.
adult in the shallows was plainly in a stressed
In common usage, dolphins are commonly
offshore are spotted and spinner dolphins.
I hurried to the scene with the plan of
The three juveniles were literally beaten,
condition and at the point of complete exhaustion.
sightcasting to one of the sharks but upon arriving
This was the one actually stranded and the others
who dislike dolphins due to the fact that their
I was shocked to find not sharks but sixteen adult
had intentionally beached themselves in an
diets regularly include the same species that
and three baby Atlantic bottlenosed dolphins
attempt to help this individual return to the sea.
sport fishermen seek, but I’m not one of them. I
threshing madly about in water only a few inches
Their flanks and bellies were solid pink from being
made a conscious decision long ago not to pass
deep. My first impression was that we were
abraded by contact with the sand.
judgement on the worth of any of God’s creatures.
witnessing a mass stranding and I was not very
I simply have never considered myself qualified to
hopeful that my two customers and I would be
side by side, rapidly pounding their flukes up
be second-guessing the handiwork of my Creator.
able to help very much.
and down and churning the sand of the shallow
I know there are any number of fishermen
I’ve also always felt that labeling inhabitants of the
I’ve been involved in returning stranded adult
Four or five adults would take turns working
bar between the stranded individual and the
natural world as good or bad is inappropriate as
dolphins back to the sea numerous times over the
sea. After a few minutes they would be replaced
they are simply functioning in the roles they were
years and knew all too well the genuine dangers
by another group that would continue the task.
intended to fill. Some of my favorite memories
of handling these heavy and tremendously strong
When I realized what they were doing I was
Enjoying a different view of PINS while shark fishing on the Panga Feb-08.
creatures. There was no way I
utterly amazed; they were using the rapid up and
could take my totally inexperienced
down motions of their flukes to “blow” sand out of
customers in there to help me and
that section of shallow bar directly in front of the
I knew that I would be incapable of
weakened and stranded individual. They were
Eric Ozolins, fishing alone on PINS Feb 9 08, hooked up on three sharks at once. He tagged and released these two sandbars. Oz managed to land, tag and release a total of six in two days.
literally using their flukes to dredge out a tiny pass across the shallow bar. Two big dolphins struggled to get into position on either side of the stranded individual and then worked diligently to get their pectoral fins under it. Pushing their bodies tightly against it and working in unison, they lifted the stranded one, all the while pounding their flukes for propulsion and literally bulldozing their way through the tiny pass they’d made toward deeper water. It took three attempts from three pairs of rescuers until they finally reached deep water. The stressed individual seemed totally recovered after circling briefly and shortly thereafter they all disappeared Paul Knowles of Corpus Christi with a 47" redfish (released) that I believe weighed 40 pounds. We lost a big shark to the anchor rope. Nearshore Gulf off PINS Feb-08.
leaving only a few swirls on the calm surface of the sea and a lifelong memory burned into the minds of the three men lucky enough to have seen it all happen. Every time someone gets on a rant
about how many fish all the dolphins are eating I remember this event and I just grin. I remember that while I fish for a living by choice, the dolphin wasn’t given any such option and I can find no fault in him being good at what he was put here to do. I never see one frolicking in the surf on a cold winter’s day without thinking of the grandeur that is the natural world and I am glad they share this world with me. Remaining in this fishing business for as many years as I have is a lot of work and I couldn’t do it without the help of some really great sponsors. I’m proud of my sponsors and am proud to announce that I have a couple of new ones; Sufix Lines and Temple Fork Fly Rods. Good people and awesome product. I would like to take a second here to encourage as many as can to attend and support the benefit for Capt. Chris Phillips that is scheduled for March 30, 2008. This event will run from 1:00-5:00pm at Blanco’s on West Alabama in Houston, TX. Capt. Chris is a past-president of Texas Fly Fishers and helped pioneer fly-fishing in Texas saltwater. Chris has been a good friend and guide to many anglers over the years and it’s time for us to band together and help out as best we can. Chris will undergo
Wingspan 47 1/2 to 50”
recovery. For more information you can contact Andy Packmore at Fishing Tackle Unlimited 281-481-6838. You can also email to: packmore@ fishingtackleunlimited.com. Don’t forget the Big Shell Beach Cleanup is Saturday March 8, 2008.
coNtact
surgery on February 11 for a brain tumor and will likely face a long and expensive
capt. billy saNdifer
Breeds on prairies and lakes of Canada, mid-Western states and North Great Basin South to NE California. The ring-billed gull is a winter visitor to Texas. Present August through May on bays, in the Gulf, on beaches, estuaries and lakes. The only creature I know of that regularly
participate and be a part of helping us Removed milestone. Boy, don’t you know them dolphin were some kind of sore from all that “road rash” for a couple of days after that rescue! Life’s A Hoot. Get You Some of It. Be Careful, Be Courteous, Be Kind.
Yellow bill with a complete black band encircling it mid-length. Yellow legs and feet.
One and all are cordially invited to achieve the Million Pounds of Trash
Length 28-21”
Billy operates Padre Island Safaris. His specialties are fishing for sharks to specks in the Padre Island surf and bayfishing for trout and redfish from a poled skiff. Telephone 361-937-8446 Website www.billysandifer.com
eats Portuguese Man of War. Works bait fish alongside other gulls and terns.
28
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
29
eople ofteN say that the first step to curiNG a problem or addictioN is to
Tackle Unlimited blush” is a common
admit that you have one. “Hi my
junkie and I can recite it as well as anyone.
name is Chuck Uzzle and I am a lure junkie.” You’d think that with getting that off
The old saying, “lures catch more fishermen than fish,” is the creed of the lure I can also attest that the real lure junkie can find a new “gotta have” bait almost
my chest I could embark upon a path to
anywhere, and is never prouder than when
recovery, right? Not a chance! If there is one
he can show off a bait nobody has ever
thing I am certain of, it’s that I am not alone
heard of or much less has in their box.
in suffering this tackle affliction, it seems
One day not long ago while drifting the
almost all anglers suffer from this expensive
reef with a group of clients, I made note of
habit and you just don’t shake it overnight.
the lure colors they used as we enjoyed
Ask any guide how much tackle they carry
steady catching throughout the day. Mind
on their boat on any given trip and most will
you, the color changing continued even after
say, “too much.”
the pattern for the day was well understood.
Guides aren’t the only ones who carry
Then one of the guys decided to experiment
way too much tackle, the regular weekend
with one of his favorite baits. As the hideous
fisherman totes way more than their share
offering was lowered into the water it took
as well. I know I’ve had some fun trying to fit all the tackle clients carry into my boat, sometimes it’s down right comical and all you can do is laugh. “We got enough tackle to make Fishing
30
sentiment and it’s usually true.
March 2008
no time at all before he began to heft one good trout after another into the boat! I could not believe my eyes. Needless to say my own lure junkie status kicked up a notch and I have now become somewhat of a “hidden bait” fanatic. I enjoy finding out what
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Out of town lures may be just what you need to catch bigger fish this spring.
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
particular baits are used in different places as well as finding out if they will work as well here on Sabine Lake or other local waters. A perfect example of how different the color choice can be between lakes is found when you compare Sabine and Calcasieu. These two lakes are only separated by 30 miles and are very similar in many aspects yet the choices of colors could not be farther apart. On Sabine Lake we throw very bright colors like chartreuse and glo while on Calcasieu they throw plenty of
The “Bo Bait” that introduced me to a great angler and a new go to lure.
black/gold or dark purple with a chartreuse Howard and he told me that Bo goes
both catch fish and each one is considered a
on these trips just to see if can he
mainstay by local fishermen.
convert the guide to his favorite bait,
In the past decade I have had a couple of
I told him I had no problem saying
memorable fishing trips when my eyes were
I was converted as long as the fish
introduced to a new bait that made a lasting
kept biting.
impression on me. I found some tiny plastic
Bo’s “magic bait” was a Bass
Black baits like the Catch 2000 and Super Spook really gained popularity around Matagorda and have now spread all over the Texas coast.
worms while fishing in Colorado that I rigged
Assassin Sea Shad in salt and
wacky style and caught lots of brown trout in a
pepper with a chartreuse tail. This
backwater stream near Royal Gorge. The local
bait and/or color combination has
fishermen had no idea what I was doing, but
since become known to my friends as the
they knew I was catching fish. The first time
Watson Special or Bo’s Bait. Countless trout
I threw a Corky and caught speckled trout in
and redfish as well as flounder have fallen to
Sabine Lake would rank right up there in the
this super little bait, and there have even been
eye opener category.
some really big fish caught on it as well. Each
Without a doubt the number one memorable
time I pick up this little piece of plastic I am
trip that changed how I fish came at the hands of
reminded of how I was introduced to its fish
an outstanding angler from Louisiana’s Cocodrie
catching capabilities. This little “out of town lure”
marsh area, his name was Bo Watson. Bo came
will continue to be one of my favorites for years
and fished Sabine Lake several times with his
to come as it continually produces fish as well as
brother Howard; both of these gentlemen were
reminds me of a good fisherman.
excellent anglers and fun to be around. On one
Every bait has a story associated with it
particular trip the three of us were chasing the
and perhaps that’s what keeps us searching
birds in the late summer and early fall, we were
for more new lures. My grandfather passed
catching plenty of fish but the size of the trout
away in December and I’ve found myself going
was on the small side and we had not seen any
through his old tackle box and remembering
redfish. While Howard and I fished from the front
each story that went along with the old antique
of the boat we heard Bo say that it was time to
baits. Reminiscing over big fish that grow even
start catching some real fish and he was going to
larger every time a story is told, holding the lure
switch to what he called the magic bait.
and imagining all the fish that fell for the offering.
I paid little attention to the announcement
Memories like those are worth more than
until Bo began to reel in some beautiful redfish
anything and are also the reason I keep chasing
and several hefty trout. Now I am not one of
new lures. I may not catch any more fish
those hardheaded fishermen who refuse to ask,
with all the new tackle but any good memory
“what bait are you throwing and do you have
they provide will be worth more than all the
another?” Bo obliged and I haven’t been the
baits combined.
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
chuck uZZle
coNtact
same since. After that trip I spoke to
lakes with two totally different colors of choice
coNtact
tail known locally as “LSU”. Two very similar
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
31
32
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
33
J ay wa t k i N s
i have a lot of people that seem to be coNfused wheN i start talkiNG about how fish positioN
but by adding some angles to our cast we can
themselves into the wind or current during
up from behind them, it’s just not realistic. Fish
present. Again with the Majek Illusion, I can
feeding periods. Fishing at angles to the wind
not in a feeding frenzy will not often give us that
see the bait and the trout that are living in the
and up-current causes some confusion to those
predator instinct bite. By casting at angles to
areas we are fishing.
that fail to see the underwater picture. If you’re
the wind we allow the lure to cross in front of
a loyal reader of this magazine you have read
the predators, which is more realistic scenario.
wind has the greatest success when working
some articles addressing this issue. The reason
This fishing tactic works especially well with
water 2½ to 5 feet in depth. At this time of year
for tackling this issue again is some recent
lures that have actions that can be caused
we need to fish areas with bottom structure
fishing patterns that have shown this tactic to be
by simply falling or moving through the water
that contains a mix of scattered shell, grass
particularly effective.
column; examples are the 51 and 52 Mirrolures,
and softer bottom. Just a thin layer of silt or
the Catch-5, Catch 2000 Jr., the Corky family,
mud darkens the bottom and helps retain some
spoons, and even topwaters.
much needed heat during the coldest of times.
I have often used this tactic while drifting the flats on windy days for redfish. Over the years I have found it to be extremely effective. The
actually use the wind or current to add a more
to trying to explain what we have happening in
realistic presentation.
our bays system right now and what we are
Game fish do not expect the baitfish to swim
I am especially fond of the Catch-5 and the
doing to capitalize on the fish we know are
I find that working my lure at angles to the
Yesterday I had my guys watch as I released
same tactics work while wading, whether it is
Paul Brown Corky during the coldest of times.
a 4-pound fish over this type of bottom. The
trout or reds you’re targeting. If the fish we are
February tends to be our coldest month along
point to the release was to show them how
trying to catch are facing into the wind/current
the middle Texas coast. As of this writing my
quickly the fish would blend into the spotted
as we work the chosen area for the day, we
water temperature in Rockport is 47 degrees,
bottom. Due to the structure being scattered,
as anglers have the tendency to start upwind
downright cold on the feet and hands. February
the fish depend on wind mostly this time of year
and fish with the wind at our backs. It is safe to
is also our best opportunity to catch that trout of
for positioning. This is where the casting angle
assume that many of us do this and catch fish
a lifetime.
starts to pay big dividends.
Shallow, cold weather trout; 48-degree water.
34
The remainder of this article is dedicated
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
by trying to create more natural presentations, we create more bites and more bites mean more fish. www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
35
a sk t h e pro
Note the clear water, the cold and lack of wind can create gin clear water this time of year.
The author with a solid winter trout.
redirect his casts farther upwind.
the boat. On large expanses of flats in higher
I did the same and within a few
than normal winds, this tactic is absolutely
casts we both stuck a solid fish.
deadly. I have seen the redfish pull up behind
Working downwind, the fish had
the spoon and turn downwind and eat the bait.
let us work through them without
Many believe that the slack in the line that
Zillion 100 SHA and a braided line such as
being presented naturally. Just
6x20 Power Pro can add a higher hook-up ratio
a little upwind and a few light
when fishing in this manner. The higher speed
twitches and cranks on the
reel allows you to crank down on the belly in
reel handle was all it took to get us on a pattern
the line faster and the Power Pro with its no-
is created by the wind is detrimental to their
that turned the day into one of the best of
stretch allows you to feel the take.
production; actually it’s just the opposite. The
the month.
Remember the fish may turn and follow the
slack in the line creates a belly and the wind
This same tactic will work down south
lure downwind for a few feet before striking.
catches that belly and literally drags the bait
along the King Ranch shoreline. Down there
After the take the fish will follow through the
forward. By lightly twitching and taking up the
you find large masses of floating grass that
strike, creating some slack. It is important to
slack the lure swims and wobbles slowly in and
have basically formed small floating islands.
get the slack out before trying to stick the hook.
out of the scattered bottom structure.
Try casting upwind and allowing the lure to be
This is especially true when drifting under
blown down under the edges of the grass mats.
windy conditions. This is easier said than done
you can actually see the silver flash as the trout
The trout will lay on the upwind points of these
but it is a “must learn” if you are going to fish in
takes the bait. It is not true that you can not feel
grass mats waiting for bait to come out of the
this manner. The next time you’re on the water
the strike when you have this belly in your line.
mats or enter them. The grass mat is sort of like
and not having much luck on your favorite
Think about it, the belly is being created by the
a wall of grass in the flat, which is what makes
downwind wade, toss a lure
angle and the wind, the line is still fairly tight so
them so productive. Place one in an area of
into the wind and see what happens.
feeling the strike is easy.
scattered potholes and watch out.
I honestly believe that the slow wobble that
This tactic works just as well out of the boat
the wind gives the bait as it pushes it downwind
when drifting flats for redfish with spoons and
is very realistic. The main thing however is the
trout with top waters. For most of my guiding
positioning of the bait. By casting at angles,
years I have fished from the back of the boat
the bait effectively comes in front of more fish
while my clients occupied the roomier front
than it would have we’d been throwing directly
end. I like to produce a little wind tack by
downwind. We are also putting the bait out in
leaving just a small portion of the prop in the
front of the feeding fish, exactly where they
water and turning the engine into the wind. This
believe it should be.
makes the boat, even with drift chute deployed,
By trying to create more natural presentations, we create more bites and more
tack slightly into the wind. Again, by casting across and slightly upwind
bites mean more fish. On several occasion the
and allowing a belly to form in the line, I can
past two weeks I have seen this tactic work to
slowly swim the bait out in front of the feeding
near perfection. On one particular day we had
fish instead of bringing the bait up from behind
pushed through the fish trying to force feed
them. This has been a killer tactic for me during
them. After missing a good fish, I had my client
redfish tournaments that require us to stay in
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
coNtact
On overcast days, while fishing clear water,
36
I do think higher speed reels like the Daiwa
a sniff because the bait was not
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
37
c a se y sm a rt t “wiNds out of the southeast 15 to 20.” how maNy times have you pulled up
where you want it in a stiff wind and you will look ridiculous trying.
a report like that on the eve of a big fishing trip?
So… what are considered to be good core
You were hoping for, “Light and variable” but you
casting skills? That is a bit subjective, but I’ll give
got, “Gusty.” Unfortunately, steady winds are a
it a shot. An angler with good core casting skills
reality on the Texas Coast. Winds howl out of
should be able to false cast without becoming
the north for a few days and after a brief blissful
entangled in his line or having his loops collapse.
pause they catch their breath and sail back off
He should command control over the speed of
the gulf with a vengeance. It’ll drive a guy with a
his fly line, throwing both slow loops and fast
fly rod crazy. In fact, wind is one of fly fishing’s
tight loops. An angler with good basic skills
biggest obstacles and many anglers forgo
can double-haul and shoot line off the ground
fishing in windy conditions because they fear
or out of a basket. He might manage to make a
it will be an exercise in frustration and defeat
cast in the 80 ft. range on occasion, but more
you to instantly become a good caster. It
on the water. But it doesn’t have to be that
importantly, he can confidently stick a 40-footer
just takes practice. Practice your casting on
way. With a bit of practice and resolve, you can
every time. I consider each of these skills
and off the water and identify where your
improve your casting skills and sharpen your
important in basic saltwater fly casting.
weaknesses are. If possible, get at least a few
game, and winds that were once your nemesis will seem far less menacing. There are essentially two challenges that
One of the biggest benefits of having a solid, confident casting stroke is that it enables you to
This redfish was waiting for a wind-driven meal tumbling off a large flat.
There is no magic bullet that will enable
rudimentary casting lessons. Casting lessons might seem frivolous, but they will go a long
adapt to a variety of situations. For example—
way toward weeding out bad form and tuning
the double haul allows you to accelerate the
your skills. If you are serious about saltwater
challenge is maintaining accurate, confident
fly line and punch low tight casts into the wind.
fly fishing, casting lessons are worth every
casts. Your core casting skills will be the
Commanding control over your fly line, even at
penny. Remember- with practice comes muscle
determining factor in this. The second challenge
short distances, enables you to make wide side-
memory, strength, and confidence. You reap
is to understand and recognize how fish relocate
arm casts or backhand casts (a “must” in the
what you sow and with a little effort you will
and respond to wind-induced changes in
surf). Line control also allows you to experiment
steadily improve.
the environment. Both of these elements are
with more advanced casts like the Belgian cast or
come into play when tackling the wind. The first
The second facet of successful fishing in the
important. After all, you want those hard-earned
the off-shoulder cast and it lessens your chances
wind is learning how wind affects fish behavior
casts to be landing in lively water.
of being taken out by a .22 caliber Clouser.
and location. A great casting stroke won’t
Shooting line is a basic skill that will enable you
produce fish if you are throwing flies into dead
to make very long downwind casts off the bow
water. The key thing to remember is that wind
Let’s begin with casting skills. Wind is the allmighty equalizer when it comes to casting a fly
38
you will have a terrible time trying to get your fly
rod. You might be able to fake it in the driveway,
of a boat or out of a stripping bucket. These are
will push water and create currents. Currents
but if your core casting skills are not up to par,
valuable techniques in windy conditions.
propel, disrupt, and dislodge prey, providing an
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Good core casting skills allow an angler to punch line into a strong wind.
Angler Nick Curcione has been active in the world of fly fishing for many
Wind-driven water flowing through a narrow creek is a likely place for predators to lurk.
years. He has authored several books and written many articles on the subject. What I like about Curcione’s style of
opportunity for predators to capture an easy
A 400-yard stretch of that shoreline had
writing is that he provides
meal. The trick is to learn where to look for,
yielded nothing, not even a promising head
common sense examples
and how to identify, areas where this occurs.
wake. Things looked bleak and the boat
and explanations to
behind me started looking farther and
illustrate what are at
shelter from the wind. It’s human nature.
farther away. Ahead of me, the shoreline
times complex topics. If
You know… “Find a protected shoreline.”
tapered into a narrow point and behind the
you are just starting out
If your sole goal is to spot a redfish tail
point was a wide expanse of open water.
We often have a tendency to seek
in saltwater fly fishing, or perhaps have experience but want to learn
sticking out of the water on a windy day,
Wind was pushing water around the point
then make yourself happy and go find some
and had formed a visible seam that streaked
something new, you will enjoy Nick Curcione’s book The
calm water. Who knows, maybe you will luck
out several hundred feet. I figured I might as
Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing.
into something. But a more adventurous,
well check it out. As soon as I approached
The Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing is a book
and often successful, tactic is to seek out
the seam I started spotting redfish that had
that stemmed from Curcione’s involvement with Orvis as
the froth and current… go to the places with
been attracted to the disturbed water. They
a member of their Saltwater Advisory Team in the early
movement and action.
were aggressively feeding along the seam,
‘90’s. As one might expect, The Orvis Guide to Saltwater
and those fish were a delightful end to a
Fishing takes advantage of each and every opportunity to
long dead wade.
promote Orvis products. No problem with that really- after
Often times, predators will patrol a windswept bank or shoreline where currents pile up plankton and waves dislodge bits
The point is, windy weather should not
all, it is “their” book. What surprised me about the book
of food. Small critters move in to feed on
ruin your chances for success. Practice
though was how much genuinely useful angling information
the windswept bounty and bigger predators
your casting stroke and develop an honest
I found in it. Curcione does a good job of describing when,
in turn move in to feed on them. It may
level of confidence in your skills. Continue
where, and how to fly fish for a variety of saltwater species.
seem like the most unpleasant place to be-
to refine your technique and get help from
He covers both inshore and offshore fishing, and includes
choppy, foamy, and streaked with off-color
others when you struggle. Keep your eyes
sections on casting, knot tying, tackle, and flies.
water… but it is often where the fish are. Tie
open for opportunity and don’t be afraid to
I was pleased to see Curcione include a short section
on a weedless fly and get to work. You’ll
change your tactics or take a chance. You
on fly fishing for jack crevalle. It seems that jacks are
forget about the wind when you hook your
could very well learn something that will
often passed over in literature, perhaps due to their bullish
first fish.
open the door toward more opportunity
personalities and appetite for destruction. Equally pleasing
down the road.
was Curcione’s offshore section. His descriptions of
Other prime areas include bottlenecks,
pelagic speedsters like wahoo, tuna, and yellowtails are
winds pile up and push water. Wind-driven
nicely written and he does a good job of capturing the spirit
water flows through these physical features
of fly fishing for these species.
as though it was being pulled along by the tides. Fish as though the tides were at work, because predators will be lurking nearby in hopes of ambushing tumbling prey. I was reminded of this phenomenon last December while fishing in Port O’Connor. It was a cloudy cool day and a brisk wind
coNtact
creeks, points, or narrow passes where
I enjoyed Nick Curcione’s The Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing. Curcione nicely summarizes the tackle, techniques, and strategies for pursuing a wide variety of inshore and offshore saltwater species. His writing is easy to follow, interesting, and informative, and it is likely to stoke your enthusiasm for saltwater fly fishing.
had picked up by noon. Around 2:00 PM, I
The Orvis Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing
found myself slowly wading down a long
By nick Curcione
protected shoreline, searching for reds.
iSBn: 1-55821-491-7
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
206 pp. The lyons Press
March 2008
39
f l y
o f
t h e
m o n t h
f i s h i ng
5
f l y
6
Done! Many of the early saltwater fly patterns designed for catching bonefish shared a common design- they featured wings of bucktail and grizzly saddle hackle feathers tied over an inverted hook shank. Sometimes mylar
4
or chenille was wound around the shank below the wing to bulk up the fly and form the illusion of a belly. The flies rode with the hook point inverted so they were weedless and the humble coupling of hair and banded feathers created a convincing illusion of fleeing prey. These patterns were, and still are, simple no-nonsense fishcatchers and their practical designs have carried over to many of the flies used today on the Texas Coast. Materials you will need — craft fur, Pony Lacing, grizzly saddle hackle, and Krystal Flash.
The Pony Shrimp is based on the design of the early bonefish flies. So-called because the body is built from translucent plastic Pony Bead Lacing, the Pony Shrimp is an effective redfish fly that takes only minutes to tie. It is a relatively small pattern, tied on a #4 or #6 standard saltwater hook, but it’s the perfect size for targeting
Hook: Mustad 34007 or equivalent #4 or #6
anxious redfish in very shallow water. The Pony Shrimp lands lightly
Head Cement: Sally Hansen’s Hard-as-Nails
and sinks slowly and it’s easy to cast in the wind. If a little extra
Thread: Clear nylon mono
Tail: Craft fur
“umph” is desired on this pattern, a tungsten cone head or a pair
Body: Pony Bead Lacing
Wing: Bucktail
of bead chain eyes can be added to the front of the fly. The Pony
Flash: Krystal Flash
Overwing: Grizzly hackle
Shrimp can be tied in a variety of color combinations, perhaps the best being chartreuse/white, tan/gold, or dark orange/red. One key to tying with Pony Bead Lacing, or any plastic lacing, is
40
to make sure all thread wraps securing the lacing are tight and solid.
1. Attach a very small clump of craft
Do not crowd the eye of the hook.
Because plastic lacing is highly elastic it will pull itself free from
fur at the rear of the hook shank.
4. Rotate the hook and tie in a small
loose or insufficient thread work. The neat thing about Pony Bead
2. Tie down a 4-inch long strand of
clump of soft bucktail fibers. 5. Add
Lacing material is the way it transmits light. The lacing has a good
Pony Lacing. Make sure the thread
several strands of Krystal Flash over
fleshy look and it imparts a soft glow to the belly of the fly. Pony
wraps are tight and secure, then move
the bucktail. 6. Overlay two slender
Bead Lacing is sold in department and craft stores alongside the
thread to front of hook. 3. Carefully
grizzly saddle hackles. Hackles should
beads and jewelry-making materials. It is inexpensive and a single
wind the Pony Lacing forward and
face each other on either side of the
roll will provide enough materials for many flies.
tie it down with tight thread wraps
hook. Tie off thread and coat thread
slightly behind the eye of the hook.
wraps with cement. Done!
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
41
braNdoN JeNeweiN
Gulp! uNless you have beeN liviNG uNder a rock the last couple of years, every
to them wasn’t easy as my skill at skipping baits is lacking. In fact, skipping is a technique I’ve added to the list of things to master for 2008.
day of our tournament, we Power Poled down
tournament angler knows what Gulp! is. It has
I was throwing a Killer Flats Minnow in
been cussed and discussed as not being real
the color they call boneyard shrimp which
mangrove trees on our now favorite key. I put
artificial bait by aficionados and it has been
had already drawn a few strikes, but mostly in
a 2” Gulp! peeler crab on a jighead and cast to
described as a lifesaver for some teams that
blind-casting situations. The fish I’d been sight-
the edge where our school was hiding. Fishing
can’t seem to get finicky fish to bite. Love it or
casting to were not interested in my offering.
it like dead bait on bottom, I was stunned
hate it, the bottom line is Gulp! is an extremely
My better half (no, not my wife, but my partner
when I felt the tap, tap, tap on my second cast.
effective bait that can catch fish when all
Reid) was throwing a 4” Gulp! shrimp in new
Bingo, instant redfish. We went on the rest of
else fails. If you are going to be competing
penny color. As we continued trolling around
that morning dead-sticking the edge of the
in tournaments, Gulp! better be one of your
the key, a school of 30 reds came cruising
mangroves and caught several reds, the largest
standard tools in your fish catching toolbox.
down the bank toward and around our boat.
of which was a rather disappointing 24-inches.
The school never really spooked, and I was
Anytime you’re facing finicky fish, just put it out
much better than regular artificials” group of
able to get several good casts with not even
there and let it sit. Rig a Gulp! peeler crab or
fishermen. The theory was based on the belief
a sniff from the school of spottails. Reid on
shrimp on a jig (weedless or standard) and go
that I could make an artificial bait look or act
the other hand cast out about 5 yards and just
to town.
real enough to draw a strike, so long as there
let his shrimp sit on the bottom. One red just
were fish around. That theory lasted right until
stopped just short of the Gulp! and went nose
is rigging a Gulp! under a rattle cork. In this
my first redfish tournament in Florida.
down on the bait. The red actually picked up the
application I typically use a pearl white Gulp!
I used to be in the “that stuff can’t be that
where we could just reach the edges of the
A method that works great in off-color water
Punta Gorda is well-known as a fishing
bait, holding about 1-inch of the tail in its mouth.
shrimp on a circle hook. The 2” peeler crab is
Mecca on Florida’s west coast. The redfish that
Holding it several seconds, as if to make sure it
also a great bait with this rig. This setup has
inhabit the gin clear waters of Punta Gorda are
was really something he wanted to eat, the fish
paid off numerous times in water with near zero
used to extensive fishing pressure, chumming
stroked its gills and the bait disappeared in its
visibility. Normally, making as much noise as
and live-baiting, and as such have near
mouth. Fish on! That red ended up just under
possible with the cork gets the fish’s attention.
constant lockjaw. As the story goes, “just catch
27” (Florida has a 27” limit) and was the perfect
As the fish comes over to investigate, the scent
your two redfish and be happy.”
tournament fish.
will draw a strike. After having fished with circle
Fishing around keys in Pine Island Sound,
I could not believe it; that fish should have
hooks under a cork for several years now, I
we found several schools of redfish hunkered
spit that bait, but it didn’t and that scene echoes
am a believer in the circle hook having a lower
down, safe in the outstretched arms of thick
in my head to this day. The ingredients in Gulp!
mortality rate and no gut hooking. The main
mangrove trees. The mangroves overhang the
may not be publicized, but what ever it is, it
thing to remember with circle hooks is,
water to the waters surface; creating a safe
works. Of course that night and over a
and impenetrable habitat that eats lures with
hundred dollars later at Wal-Mart, I had
abandon. The mangroves’ overhang can be up
my first stockpile of Gulp!
to 20 feet in some places creating perfect areas
There are plenty of different Gulp!
for large schools of fish to reside undisturbed.
colors, shapes and sizes. But before we
The tiny key we trolled around happened to
get to that, I want to discuss some of the
have plenty dead mangroves that allowed
techniques that have worked well for me
glimpses into the fertile zone we desired to
during tournaments.
fish. The dead mangroves were a result of
First, is dead-sticking. This has to be
Hurricane Charlie that devastated the area two
one of the most boring and unexciting
years before.
ways to fish, but it works. I’d heard
Spotting the redfish was easy as they
42
Gulp! Shrimp and jerkshad rigged weedless.
of dead-sticking, mainly from Florida
thought they were hidden under the bare
anglers, but I would not have believed it
branches of the dead mangroves. Getting baits
worked until I tried it in Punta Gorda. The
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Gulp! can be rigged a variety of ways with a standard jighead. Screwlock jigheads will hold the bait on longer www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
43
tourNameNt tr ails
A variety of Gulp! can never be a bad thing to have on hand.
Gulp! Shrimp and Peeler Crabs work great under rattle corks.
don’t set the hook. Just tighten the line and it will do its magic. A rattle cork with Gulp! and a circle hook is also a great way to rig your kid’s rods. No messing with live bait, and when the kid sees the cork go under, all they have to do is reel it in. Gulp! can also be rigged like a standard soft plastic worm on a jighead. A screw-lock jig will hold the bait better than a standard barb-type jighead. The Gulp! jerkbait is a good choice for rigging on a jighead, although it is not quite as flexible as a standard rat-tail soft plastic. Another great choice is a Gulp! swimming minnow that comes with a curly tail and provides good action with just a straight retrieve. One thing to note is the swimming minnow has a short body and it takes a short shank jighead to keep the hook in the body and not get down into the tail section. Becoming more popular with tournament anglers are spinner baits, and
Closeup of Gulp! rigged on a circle hook, peeler crabs also work well with circle hooks.
a good choice with spinner baits is using a Gulp! saltwater pogey or swimming shad
situations. Gulp! may not be the favorite bait
which both have paddle tails and seem
to fish with, but when a team needs two fish
to work better with a spinnerbaits retrieve
and the bite is tough, Gulp! should be one
and weight.
of the first things on the end of the line.
white, new penny, molten and chartreuse. Remember, the scent is what matters most. There is no doubt that Gulp! has revolutionized the tournament scene. It will catch fish when conditions will shut out a normal soft plastic bait. If you have never tried Gulp!, all I can say is you are putting yourself at a huge disadvantage in lots of 44
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
coNtact
As far as colors go, I personally don’t think it matters, but I mainly use pearl
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
45
b o b b y b y r d & c a p t. J o h N c o c h r a N e
well, we hope some of you have beeN able to Get iN oN some of the wiNter wahoo actioN this seasoN,
outboard boats are built to handle
but the weather has been pretty tough. Making
have become very popular with the
the run to bluewater in the winter is not always
younger crowd that wants to get out
easy and it takes proper planning. You need
there quick, but are willing to give up
to have a relatively fast, seaworthy boat to get
a few amenities. Bean bags instead of
you out and back safely between cold fronts.
couches, lots of hand-grabs, goggles
This month we thought we would talk about
and slickers for the spray. Don’t get us
your boat choices and what some of your
wrong, there are some very nice
options are when it comes to big game fishing
outboards with air-conditioning and
off Texas. There are many different kinds
lots of creature comfort, but they
of boats to choose from, but the two most
can’t quite compare to the stability,
popular choices are gasoline outboard and
spaciousness and overnight
diesel inboard. In general terms, the outboard
comfort the bigger inboard diesels
option entails a fast, racing boat kind of ride
provide. Most are open, center
to cover the long distance to the deep water,
console boats with the main
with fewer amenities. The inboard diesel is a
objective of getting out there and
more conservative, usually slower choice, but
back as quickly as possible. Unless
with much more comfort and stability. Not all
you keep your boat in slings or a
outboards run out at 50+ MPH, especially if
dry-stack storage facility, you also
they want to have any fuel left when they get
have to deal with trailering and
there, but most provide a generally fast,
launching your boat.
open, hang-on, “spray in your face” trip to
multiple high-horsepower engines and lots of fuel. With the speed and increased fuel efficiency, these boats
38 CABO twin diesel Express Sportfisherman.
If you want to get off the bean
gasoline. Larger inboard diesel boats are hard
the edge. Bean bags, goggles and slickers
bag and trade your goggles in for Costa del
to beat for comfort and overnight staying power.
are standard equipment.
Mars, you will find many twin diesel models to
Some are equipped nicer than many people’s
choose from. These boats have been around
homes! We can tell you that staying overnight
consumed a lot of fuel and were not nearly as
for a long time, especially when talking about
on a nice big diesel sportfisherman when the
reliable as they are now. The motors didn’t like
venturing far offshore. In the past, they too
weather is right, is a great experience. After a
hours of trolling and they made the cockpit
were fuel burning, smelly, heavy, slower rides
day’s fishing, a hot shower, cooling off in the
a noisy, smelly place to be, but the newer
to the fishing grounds. Now, newer, lightweight,
air conditioning with your favorite beverage,
outboards are quieter and burn more cleanly
high horsepower diesel engines have made
watching the game on Sat TV while cooking
than their predecessors. Four-stroke outboards
these vessels faster and more economical
steaks in the cockpit, with a couple of lines
have taken outboard dependability, noise and
than ever. From express, flybridge and even
drifting behind the boat is pretty hard to beat.
economy to a new level. Sometimes you have
enclosed bridge models, these boats offer a
Night fishing for tuna or swordfish is a lot of fun,
to look back there and make sure the tattle-
lot that their earlier counterparts did not. An
so is sleeping in air-conditioned comfort after
tale is squirting because you can’t hear the
added bonus is the safety of carrying around
a long day of fishing. Not everyone can afford
engine running! Now, larger, more seaworthy
hundreds of gallons of diesel fuel versus
one of these battleships, but the price for the
In the not so distant past, outboards
46
Late night marlin bite. Angler in fighting chair. Gonna be a beautiful evening offshore.
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
47
Outboard running offshore.
(Top) Yellowfin tuna in the cockpit.
(Right) Outboard - fast fishing machine - showing outriggers deployed.
larger triple engine outboards is approaching
quickly to fight the fish from the bow or side
yachts. Come by and get a great deal on your
and sometimes equal to what you can spend on
of the boat, especially when the fish is close.
next boat. For more information call our office
a new or late model diesel inboard and have a
Outboards also don’t back up very well, so
at 281-291-0656 or check out our website
totally different boat. The choice is yours and
having the angler on the bow lets you point
at www.byrd-cochrane.com or
we know many friends that fish on either style
the boat in the direction of the fish and go!
www.foxyachtsales.com.
boat with great success.
The popularity of stand-up tackle and related
As far as fishing goes, both type boats
gear is perfect for the outboard enthusiast
catch fish. Most seasoned blue water fishermen
and it has revolutionized the ability for smaller
would probably opt for the diesel, versus an
boats to compete with the big boys equipped
outboard powered boat, mainly because of the
with fighting chairs, bigger cockpits and heavy
distance involved in fishing off our coast and
tackle. Outrigger technology has also come
the comfort level. The older we get, the more
a long way and most bluewater outboards
we like this option! However, the latest big
now are equipped with heavy duty riggers
outboard boats are increasingly sophisticated,
that do a great job when trolling. Electronics
well equipped fishing machines. The outboard
come in smaller packages now and are more
is also a great choice for the fisherman with a
waterproof than earlier models. Technology has
smaller budget or one that wants to take his
come a long way. Many outboards have more
boat home with him where he can work (and
sophisticated electronics than most bigger
play) with it more easily. There’s a lot to be
boats had just ten years ago.
said for keeping your boat at home or stored
Which style boat do you choose? Blasting
nearby. It’s a lot easier to maintain it at home
off with your buddies to the 100 fathom curve
or in an enclosed storage shed, than having
with your hair on fire, or, sitting back while the
to drive down to a coastal marina and work on
auto pilot takes you to your destination. Both
your boat in the water. Also, keeping the boat
options get you to the fish. If you need help
in a covered shed away from the elements is
making your decision on a boat or want to find
a definite plus. During hurricane season you
out more about big game fishing in Texas, visit
have fewer worries if your boat is away from the
us at Tops-n-Towers or come by our booth
coast, and if it isn’t you can hook on to it and
at the Houston Fishing Show, March 5-9.
get it to a safe place.
We’re always happy to answer your questions.
Most offshore fishing techniques have been
48
Sportfishing boat running offshore Texas.
Byrd & Cochrane is an authorized broker for
based on inboard boats and their equipment,
Fox yacht Sales, the Texas dealer for CABO
but these methods work well on both style
and riviera yachts. Fox has an extensive
boats. On an outboard, when fighting a fish,
inventory of brokerage boats as well and we
an angler does have to deal with the engines
will be glad to help you find a boat or sell yours.
hanging on the transom, but most learn
We specialize in sportfishing boats and motor
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
coNtact
Jou r Na l blu e wat e r
Glenn Carpenter fighting a 300 lb Blue Marlin with stand-up gear on from the bow of an outboard.
Born in Galveston, graduate of Texas A&M, Capt. John grew up fishing and diving the Gulf of Mexico. A professional captain for over 25 years, he runs a 46’ sportfishing boat out of Freeport, Texas. Capt. John is also partners with Bobby in Byrd & Cochrane, specializing in yacht brokerage and sportfishing consulting. For more information go to www.byrd-cochrane.com or contact John at captjohn@ foxyachtsales.com. A native Texan, Bobby Byrd began fishing at the young age of eight, when he was a deck hand on his Dad’s boat. He fished with his father in the Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas and Mexico for many years of his life. In 1995, Bobby combined his love of the water and boating into a business when he opened Tops-N-Towers, a custom aluminum fabrication business in Seabrook, Texas. For more information you can contact Bobby at www.topsntowers.com.
Contact Byrd & Cochrane 281-291-0656 Tops-N-Towers 281-474-4000 Websites www.byrd-cochrane.com www.topsntowers.com www.foxyachtsales.com www.stingercustomlures.com www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
49
from CCA Texas
Everett Johnson - Editor
as we iNch closer to the secoNd decade of the 21st ceNtury, it is more important than ever for
accordiNG to tpw, saltwater liceNse sales are GrowiNG at the rate of 2000 new anglers per
each individual to be a good steward of our coastal resources. Saltwater
month. Sales of saltwater stamps should top the 1-million mark in 2008,
stamps in Texas now number over 1,000,000 and this correlates to the
up from about a half-million a decade and a half ago. If this continues, we
greatest pressure ever placed on our Texas coastal fisheries and habitat.
could hit 1.5-million by 2020, maybe sooner.
Opportunities abound for each individual person to do his part in ensuring the sustainability of these resources.
Fishing pressure has reached an all-time high and rising. Immediately following the banning of nets and the commercial sale of red drum and
Texas is fortunate to have two individuals that have taken the
spotted seatrout, the stocks of these popular inshore species skyrocketed.
stewardship task to the ultimate level. Capt. Billy Sandifer and Ronnie
That bounteous rise prompted many to say, “Now that the nets are
Luster are two individuals that had a vision to improve the habitat in the
gone, you’ll never hurt ‘em with a rod and reel.” And while this probably
areas they loved to fish and they made it a personal mission to see that
seemed a safe bet at the time, they had no idea how many rods and reels
their vision be carried out.
were coming.
Capt. Billy has spent many years and hours walking and fishing
Apart from the sheer number of fishermen, advances in boating and
the beaches of Padre Island National Sea Shore. His understanding
tackle technology have made us more efficient. Our standard of living has
and respect for this area is second to none. Billy’s vision is a beach
risen also. We are the best equipped generation and our pockets contain
void of society’s trash and a beach returned to the pristine state of our
more discretionary dollars. Not only do we love fishing and have great gear,
forefathers. What began as a small gathering of concerned fishermen
we can afford to fish more days.
cleaning the beach has grown into an annual event that celebrates its 13th year in 2008.
So, if you can project these trends forward, you don’t have to be Einstein to see that we might someday run out of fish. A fish killing freeze
Ronnie Luster has been a visitor and second home owner in Port
or widespread red tide could hasten the arrival of that day. Hatcheries and
O’Connor for over thirty years. His love of the bays and estuaries in and
stocking programs will continue to bolster natural production, but will not be
around Port O’Connor and Seadrift led him to approach TPWD Game
the whole answer. If we are to continue catching fish, recycling will become
Warden Rex Mayes and address the subject of the continually growing
necessary. Recycling makes too much sense to be ignored. Proof of this
numbers of ghost crab traps. Ronnie saw these traps as never ending
are the industries that have grown from the concept of using metals, glass,
killers and knew something had to be done. Ronnie and Rex organized
plastic, wood and paper more than once. We’re going to have to learn to
some of the local wardens and friends and set out, under guidelines
catch our fish more than once.
of TPWD, to remove as many derelict traps as they could. This vision
Live Weigh and
led to the current TPWD crab trap removal program that enters its 7th
Catch and Release
year in 2008. Over 25,000 derelict traps have been removed up and
fishing tournaments are
down the Texas coast in these seven years by hundreds of volunteers.
helping convince lots of
Ronnie’s vision and this program is the foundation for similar programs in
anglers that recycling
Louisiana and other states on the gulf coast.
is a viable strategy for
Capt. Billy and Ronnie are examples for all Texas fishermen. Their
conserving our fisheries.
visions ultimately led to two of the most successful conservation
My hat is off to all
programs in the state of Texas. CCA Texas fully supports these two
tournament organizers
projects and has been actively involved in several other projects in the
and promoters who
state of Texas. These projects include: seagrass plantings; the Bahia
have adopted the
Grande project; and help with the funding of studies for Cedar Bayou
Live Weigh and C&R
and the Port Mansfield channel to name a few. Each CCA member and
formats. The Speedy
fishermen in Texas has an opportunity to be a steward of the resources.
Stop Bash Series, Texas
Whether it is stopping during a trip to pick up trash, only keeping a few
Saltwater Series, FLW-
fish to eat instead keeping your limit every time, getting involved with
Redfish Series, ESPN’s
your local CCA Texas chapter to help raise funds for vital conservation
Redfish Cup, the IFA
projects across the state or getting involved with any other conservation
Redfish Tour, and all the others on this bandwagon deserve kudos for the
effort, you can be a steward of the resource as well. Stewardship efforts
efforts they are investing in the conservation of our fisheries. We are all
today will help guarantee the resource for future generations to enjoy.
beneficiaries of their recycling efforts and the contribution toward greater
For more information about CCA Texas,
Speedy Stop Bash Series honchos Cliff Thomas, Whitney Burns and Jimmy Burns viewing live trout in holding tank headed back to West Matagorda Bay.
stewardship is very powerful.
be sure to visit www.ccatexas.org 50
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
51
52
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
53
54
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
55
Field Notes
The Aransas Bay ecosystem is located on the middle Texas coast.
bays where salinities are usually low, 5-15 ppt
many anglers due to healthy spotted seatrout
(parts per thousand salt content). In contrast,
and red drum populations. Catch rates from
shark species are commonly found in Mesquite
TPWD gill nets for these two popular game fish
This bay system is composed of two primary
Bay, Cedar Bayou, and at the southern end of
show generally increasing abundance trends
estuaries: Aransas and Redfish bays; four
Aransas and Redfish bays where the salinity
since 1983 mirrored by the same upward trend
secondary bays: Copano, St. Charles, Mesquite
range is close to Gulf of Mexico water (30-35
of recreational landings. Over the years several
and Carlos bays all on the northern end of
ppt). Salinity ranges between 15-25 ppt in the
significant changes in bag and size limits
Aransas Bay; and two tertiary bays: Mission
middle of Aransas Bay and the eastern reaches
have been applied to these species in order
and Port bays in the west and southwest,
of Copano Bay. This is ideal for oyster reef
to recover and sustain their abundance. The
respectively. The system receives freshwater
production and the fish species associated
efforts to provide quality fishing opportunities
from the Mission River that flows into Mission
with reefs, such as trout, sheepshead and
have proven to be successful.
Bay and Aransas River that flows into Copano
black drum.
Bay. Additionally, the Guadalupe River which
Rockport-Fulton, Aransas Pass and Port
There are 14 public and private boat ramps providing boating access to the Aransas
flows into the San Antonio Bay ecosystem
Aransas, the major population centers within
system. Several boat ramps have undergone
frequently contributes significant amounts of
the system, boast fishing and birding as major
expansions and renovations recently to
freshwater into the northern parts of the bay.
attractions for visitors and residents. Aransas
accommodate increasing numbers of anglers.
Bay is a favorite saltwater fishing destination for
During the last 15 years, fishing pressure
The estuary has two connections to the Gulf of Mexico. To the north, Cedar Bayou, located between Matagorda and San Jose islands, opens into Mesquite Bay. The larger and southernmost Gulf connection, Aransas Pass, separates San Jose and Mustang islands. Both of these passes are popular fishing destinations. A brief walk across the dunes at Cedar Bayou provides outstanding surf fishing for red drum and sharks and a variety of other nearshore species. The salinity regimes within the bay system generally drive what types of fish you will find in a given area of the bay. During a normal year, Aransas ecosystem exhibits almost freshwater conditions at the western areas to near oceanic salinities to the east and south. For example, alligator gar and blue catfish are frequently caught in Copano and St. Charles 56
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
57
GE T T ING TO K NOW A R A NSA S PA S S
has increased 10-15% each year at
t p w d
f i e l d
Not es
ARANSAS BAY BOAT RAMPS
Aransas Bay boat ramps. The most
Mission River (West Hwy 136)
popular ramps are Cove Harbor
Egery Island Marina (Bayside)
North and South, South Conn Brown
Redfish Camp (West Hwy 188 at Port Bay)
South Copano Causeway (N of Rockport)
St. Charles Bay
Goose Island State Park
Rockport Beach Park
South Conn Brown Harbor (Aransas Pass)
popular means of avoiding crowded
Ransom Channel Park (S of Aransas Pass)
boat ramps. There are many
Cove Harbor North (S of Rockport)
Cove Harbor South (S of Rockport)
South Bay Marina (East Hwy 361)
Crab Man Marina (East Hwy 361)
Redfish Bay, was the first paddling
Port Aransas Public (next to Ferry Landing)
trail marked on the Texas coast.
Harbor and Port Aransas Public. Many boaters have begun using less popular ramps as well as planning trips on weekdays to avoid the weekend crowds. Use of kayaks has become a
public shoreline areas suitable for launching kayaks. Lighthouse Lakes Paddling Trail, located at the southern end of the system in
This popular destination provides an excellent and safe kayak
ARANSAS BAY FISHING PIERS
Goose Island State Park
North and South Copano Causeway
Fulton Park
Rockport Beach Park
Rockport Harbor Jetty
Conn Brown Harbor
experience via well-marked “trails.” Birding and fishing make a great combination in this area. Redfish Bay, long known for its excellent fishing, has received much of the increased boating activity that has resulted in increased damage to the seagrasses by prop-scarring. TPWD responded to protect the seagrass beds by designating Redfish Bay a State Scientific Area in which it is illegal to uproot seagrasses with a propeller. A concentrated 5-year effort is under way to educate boaters regarding the importance of seagrasses and to encourage changes in their boating behavior to “lift, drift, pole or troll” in order to protect the valuable habitat. Commercial shrimping, crabbing, and oystering activities continue in the Aransas Bay system, although on much smaller scale than decades ago. The fishery management strategy of license limitation, in some fisheries license reduction, has helped reduce the pressure on the fisheries resources, but still allow those willing and interested to commercially pursue the catches with restrictions. Seasons, size, gear, and bag limits have helped protect the fisheries. For instance, in 2001, Mesquite and Copano bays were included with St. Charles Bay as nursery area in which no shrimp harvest is allowed. Although targeted to protect juvenile shrimp, a trawling ban protects all juvenile estuarine species in the bays and prevents extensive bottom disturbance. Most of the Aransas Bay ecosystem lies within the 185,708 acres of the recently created Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve (MANERR), one of 27 such reserves nationwide. The University of Texas Marine Science Institute at Port Aransas was instrumental in obtaining this designation. One of the main purposes of this designation is to bring together scientists, landowners, policy-makers and public in the understanding and participation of decisions being made that affect the living resources, water and people of the area. This unique system truly needs to be maintained for future generations.
58
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
alriGht folks, i wish i could take credit for this but it is the brainchild of Jeffery Boudreaux. Jeff has been a loyal reader since the early days of this publication and Jeff is also a conservation-minded angler. I think his idea for a C&R photo contest is a dandy. Here’s how it’s going to work… We will conduct two photo contests this year. The winter-spring contest will be for fish caught January-June 2008. The summer-fall contest will be for fish caught July-December 2008. There will be a prize awarded to the winner of each contest. Jeff has put up the first $100 toward funding the prizes and we’re going to solicit donations. The winner of each contest will receive a high-quality rod and reel combo and other fishing goodies. And what could top this? (I borrowed that line from a TV commercial.) Having your winning photo on the cover of this magazine — of course! So here’s the rules… There will be only one winner. Speckled trout photos only; one fish per photo. You may enter as many times as you like. All photos will become property of TSF-Mag. All photos are to be submitted via electronic mail to Everett@TSFMag.com Photos will be judged on photographic quality, artistic merit, and also upon demonstration of conservation ethic. You will submit two photos… the best shot of you and your fish along with another to document the release. Entrants must comply with all TPWD regulations. Employees, writers, and others associated with this publication are not eligible. Entrants may fish with a TPWD licensed guide, however, the guides and writers on our staff and their clients will not be eligible. Fish must be caught in Texas coastal waters. Obviously size does matter in the fishing world, however, the biggest fish is not guaranteed to win. This is a photo contest, not a big fish contest. So remember the rules for making good photos… Use fill flash, remove the dark glasses, watch for shadows under the fishing cap, do not thrust the fish ridiculously forward to make it appear larger than it is, shoot tight, keep the horizon level, set your camera to high or fine photo quality (minimum 300 DPI) and make sure the focus is sharp! Photos made with telephone cameras will not be accepted. Good luck, fish hard, release your catch, and practice your pitcher takin’! Everett Johnson, Editor www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
59
are you ready to test your kayak fishiNG skills aGaiNst your fellow kayakers? How about just getting out and meeting
c a p t. s c o t t N u l l
a few other kayakers in a fun environment of competition? Or maybe test your abilities to locate and catch some fish on unfamiliar waters? There are nearly as many reasons to enter a tournament as there are fishermen. Nobody will be getting rich and famous at these venues, but there are some pretty nice prizes being offered and you can’t get lucky if you don’t give it a shot. Several kayak tournaments and series have come and gone in the past few years and I’ve sampled most all of them at one time or another. And I think they’ve made me a better and more well-rounded fisherman. It is very easy to fall into a rut of fishing within your comfort zone. You pick the place, you go when the conditions are most favorable, and you target your favorite species. There is certainly nothing wrong with that, but perfect conditions don’t always line up with available fishing days. Tournament fishing will often force you out of that comfort zone. You’ll have to fish whatever conditions you wake up to on tournament morning. High winds, rain, and slack tides are just a few of the adverse situations you’ll likely encounter. Forcing yourself out in these
just about any conditions. But take that same
conditions and finding that you can catch fish
were preceded by lure-buying frenzies that
guy and move him 100 miles north or south and
even in the worst circumstances is great for
put a serious dent in my fishing budget. But
he is like a fish out of water. To be a successful
your fishing confidence.
once I got over there I found that my old stand-
tournament fisherman means being able to
bys worked perfectly fine. However, there
adapt to the location the event is held. To me,
also stretch your abilities. Perhaps you are a
have been other trips where I tried to force
learning new water is fun. Being successful
trout fishing guru, but the tournament calls for a
my favorite lures onto the local fish and got
on unfamiliar waters is very rewarding and not
slam of a trout, a red, and a flounder. You’ll have
skunked. I’ve also picked up new techniques
nearly as hard as you might think. It is a matter
to figure out those other two species if you hope
from locals that I’ve taken back home to
of either applying tactics you already know from
to compete. I know that when I started fishing
Galveston. The DOA shrimp is a perfect
your home waters or being open to trying new
these contests I was very weak on flounder. I
example. After being forced to use them on
methods employed by the locals. I’ve done it
caught incidental flounder and I caught plenty
the clear flats of Aransas Pass, I decided to
both ways with varying levels of success. My
during the fall run, but targeting big flounder
give them a shot in our off-color marshes on
suggestion is to be open to new techniques and
in typical bay conditions wasn’t something I
the upper coast. Now you won’t ever find me
lures, but don’t be afraid to try what you are
was comfortable with. Over time I figured it out
without a clear/gold flake DOA in my tackle box.
most confident with. A little experimentation will
and managed to win a few slam tournaments.
Again, the tournaments led me to be a more
usually lead you to figuring out the combination
Nowadays if I want a couple flounder for dinner
diverse angler with additional confidence lures
and unlocking the secrets of most any area and
I can confidently go out and target them. And if
at my disposal.
species. Just remember the basics. They’re all
Formats that call for different species will
it weren’t for the Florida tournaments I doubt I’d
60
My first trips to fish the Florida tournaments
And of course there is the biggest variable
predators and eat pretty much the same things
have ever gotten so hooked on snook fishing.
of all… location. I know plenty of great
no matter where you are. Imitate a minnow,
In short, the tournaments made me a more
fishermen up and down our coast that can go
mullet, or shrimp and you can pretty much
diverse fisherman.
out and score big on their home waters under
count on catching something.
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
61
Photo by Dean Thomas
and individual largest trout or redfish. A side pot for the largest flounder is also available. I
Now that I’ve got you thinking about the
last year and came away very impressed with
haven’t had the opportunity to fish this one in
the way in which the directors ran the events.
the past, but I’ve heard from friends that it is
fishing, you need to know where to go to get
Another cool point to mention is that all of the
a very well run event and of course it benefits
involved, right? Several good tournaments
Simrod Outdoors events are featured on the
a very worthy cause. Additional information
have recently announced their scheduled dates
Texas Saltwater Series television show that
can be found at www.shriners-houston.org/
for 2008. There seems to be enough variety
airs on Fox Sports Southwest. For additional
sportsmentournament.html. You can also
among the formats to provide everyone an
information go to www.kayakseries.com or
contact Rudy at 281-356-6797 or Sherman at
opportunity to participate.
www.saltwaterseries.com.
713-805-6114.
Simrod Outdoors, creators of several
A new tournament series on the scene this
For those who want to try something
popular Texas-based tournament series are set
year is the Third Coast Kayak Fishing Series.
completely different there’s a tournament
to start their second year of kayak tournaments.
Jerry and Debi Book of Jerry B’s Kayak Shop
across the border in Cajun country put on by
The Texas Kayak Series consisted of two events
in Corpus Christi have developed a five tourney
the Bayou Coast Kayak Fishing Club called
last year. The events were successful enough
series along the middle and lower coast that
Paddle Palooza V. I haven’t attended any
that they’ve expanded to three tournaments
will be breaking into some new areas for kayak
of their past tournaments, but I am familiar
this year. April 6th in Rockport, May 4th in
tournaments. I can’t recall any major kayak
enough with south Louisiana hospitality to
Matagorda, and July 20th in Rockport. You may
tournaments being held out of Kingsville or Port
bet that anyone attending will have a great
have noticed that those dates are on Sundays.
Isabel. Those two venues should make things
time. This one is set for March 15th in Leeville
The reasoning behind this is two-fold. First,
interesting for anyone vying for their angler
with a weigh-in at Boudreaux’s Motel. There
it provides anglers with a chance to pre-fish
of the year honors. The tournament schedule
are numerous categories for everything
the area on Saturday without having to burn a
is February 23rd in Corpus Christi, April 19th
from largest trout to a trash slam of drum,
day from work. And second, it is easier on the
in Port Isabel, June 21st in Port O’Connor,
sheepshead, and white trout. Check out www.
directors as the kayak tournaments are piggy-
September 6th in Kingsville, and October
bckfc.org for a full schedule of entertainment
backed onto their popular Texas Redfish Series
25th in Aransas Pass. The tournaments
surrounding the event. I think I’m going to try
tournaments that are being held at the same
follow a catch, photo, and release format with
and clear a spot on my calendar for this one.
locations a day earlier. These tournaments
individual awards for the longest trout, red, and
Whether you choose to participate as a
are set up as artificial only with the single
combination of the two. Anglers can also form
contestant in any of these events or not, I hope
largest redfish getting the top prize. It is a live
four-man teams with a separate set of awards
you’ll at least come by and hang out for a while.
weigh-in with a half pound penalty for a dead
and points going towards team of the year
It’s always great to meet fellow kayakers and
fish. Despite some initial concerns, last year’s
honors. Anglers can enter a single tournament
the weigh-ins are open to everyone.
tournaments proved that it was possible to hold
or all five, but in order to be eligible for the year-
a live weigh-in redfish tournament in kayaks.
end awards you must compete in at least four
A wide variety of live wells and contraptions
of the events. For additional information go to
were employed and pretty much all of them
www.thirdcoastkayakfishingseries.com or give
worked out. There is also a side pot for two-
Debi a call at 361-244-2161. Galveston area kayakers have the 4th
addition to prizes being awarded at each event,
Annual Arabia Shrine Sportsmen Tournament
there will be a points system to determine the
on June 14th at Boyd’s One Stop on the Texas
individual angler of the year as well as the team
City dike. There are separate boater and
of the year based on performance at all three
kayaker divisions available with teams of up
venues. I attended a couple of their tournaments
to four anglers. Prizes will be awarded to the
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
coNtact
f i sh i NG k aya k
best five trout stringer, three redfish stringer,
reasons to dip your toe into kayak tournament
man teams to weigh their two largest fish. In
62
Now that i’ve got you thinking about the reasons to dip your toe into kayak tournament fishing, you need to know where to go to get involved, right?
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
63
c a p t. scot t som m e r l at t e if i have said it oNce, i have said it a doZeN times — i am truly blessed iN
fly fishing guide to fish the Galveston Bay behind the counter at Fishing Tackle Unlimited
Albright and Billy Pate were writing the book on
that I have the best friends in the world. Of
helping anglers from all walks of life. Another
how to catch not only tarpon, but many other
course they have all gotten the short end of the
thing that you might not know about Chris
inshore fish on fly tackle and, he brought a lot
stick with me, but regardless, they all take good
is that he was one of the driving forces that
of it back home to Texas. Since then, he has
care of me and in turn, I do my best to visit the
helped popularize salt water fly fishing in Texas
not only shared the skills and knowledge that
kindness and favors back on them by several
many, many years ago.
he learned back in the days, but also the many
fold. Recently I learned that one of my long-
You see, back when I was running around
incredible stories that came from the glory days
time friends, Chris Phillips was having seizures
the neighborhood getting a good tan while
and that they were a result of a tumor in his
wearing nothing but my underwear, Chris was
head. This information immediately led me and
down, right smack-dab in the middle of, not
a tight-knit group of friends and colleagues to
only the time, but the place where light-tackle
start thinking of a way to help Chris out.
sport fishing was pioneered — the Florida
days ahead for our friend, we decided that
Keys. He was there during the days when
we needed to first lift his spirits. Of course
luminaries such as Flip Pallot, Stu Apte, Jimmy
none of us had to make our little brains work
Now for those of you who do not know him, Chris Phillips is not only the only credible
64
complex, but can often be found working
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
of fishing. Now that you all know Chris a little better, I will get back on track here. When we all found out about the troubled
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
65
to figure out how to do this. It is like everyone
into the game, I threw Chris and Cory a curve
decided to have a little fundraiser to help Chris
simultaneously shouted out the same thing —
ball by asking the question that has ruined a
though the financial hardships that are sure to
fishing trip.
many good fishing trips.
come during his lengthy recovery. This event
Well, before I knew it, a date was set to get everyone together to host Chris on a big blowout fishing trip to Port O’Connor. There
They agreed; so I poled to deeper water,
will be held on March 30 at Blanco’s on West Alabama Street in Houston. It will start at 1:00 P.M. and run until 5:00 P.M. There will be a live
was only one problem… I was scheduled to be
started the motor and we were off to bigger and
and silent auction as well as plenty of raffle
on an airplane on that day. With some finagling,
better things.
items. We have some first-class auction items
I talked Cory Hawryluk, a mutual friend of ours,
We did find the bigger fish and even caught
that I am sure are going to make a few start
to take the day off and bring Chris down a day
a half-dozen of them. And, as the day went
looking at taking out a second mortgage on
early so that I would be able spend a day on
by, we all took turns on the bow and on the
their home. Please join us in helping out our
the water with him and be a small part of the
platform, enjoying the good company and
friend at an event we are now calling —
festivities. Needless to say, Cory obliged and
sharing stories. It was a perfect day and one
Chris-a-palooza.
I got to spend one of the most pleasant and
that I will not soon forget.
memorable days of the year on the water with my dear friend. The morning of November 30 was perfect.
Now I know the above is a real short fishing
contact Andy Packmore at packmore@
story. The bigger story is — Chris is going to
fishingtackleunlimited.com
have a life-threatening operation on the day
sunrise and cloudless sky. Sure it started off
that this issue goes off to the printer. Hopefully,
a little chilly but it sure got the reds fired up.
the prayers of many will not go unanswered,
Wanting to show Chris a little bit of everything
and Chris will be in bed, recovering, while you
that my home water could offer, I decided to
are reading this. So I ask this from you all — please say a
started. Moments later we were on plane and
prayer, chant, cross your fingers or whatever
pointed in the right direction.
the Spirit moves you to do for our friend. There
The first spot was, as predicted, a home run. Within a short time, Chris was hooked up with his first red and the day was only getting started. Several fish later and a couple of hours
March 2008
For more information please contact me by phone or via my website or
story however, it is only a small part of a bigger
Mother Nature blessed us with a beautiful
look for some pods of tailing fish to get the day
66
“Do you guys want to go find some bigger fish?” I asked.
are few that deserve less and I can assure you, he is one of the few that deserves more. In addition to our gathering of friends and
coNtact
accor di NG to scot t
Now i know the above is a real short fishing story however, it is only a small part of a bigger story.
a couple of fine days on the water, we have
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Strike Pro casting into the future.
Flex Phantom Available in Three Sizes & Thirteen Colors
Flex X Available in Two Sizes & Seventeen Colors Using a patented bike chain joint system to connect the lure segments gives the Flex Phantom and Flex X the most realistic swimming action available in a hard body fishing bait. Strike Pro Luresʼs quality and craftsmanship are second to none and only the finest components such as VMC and Owner hooks are used.
Finesse Walking Stick Available in Six Colors. The Finesse Walking Stick has a deep hollow rattle and knock. Taistick
Topwater lure that has a great skittering, Walk-the-Dog action.
Available in Eleven Colors.
Euro Vibe Available in Eleven Colors. The Euro Vibe has a deep hollow rattle and knock. Jointed Needlefish Available in Four Colors. The Needlefish is a suspending bait that works great under the lights at night for large trout.
32ND ANNUAL HOUSTON FISHING SHOW March 5 - 9th Donʼt miss Strike Pro Products at Strike Pro Americaʼs Booth #ʼs 315 & 317 Meet the Texas Redfish Series Pro Staff; Capt. Scott Pell & Austin Pell and Capt. Billy Howell of Howellʼs Saltwater Adventures.
Visit Fishing Tackle Unlimitedʼs booth at the Houston Fishing Show and check out the new Strike Pro lures!
Galveston, Texas Tel : 409-770-0150
WWW.STRIKEPROAMERICA.COM lure@strikeproamerica.com
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
67
a a ro N c i s N e ro s
Sea Ranch Marina South Padre Island
the lower laGuNa madre aNd its estimated 300 sQuare miles are home
shrimp attached to it. As soon as it hit the water,
to many species of birds, some resident and
fish. It was almost three years later that I got a
some migratory. Not only is it a huge aquarium
taste of what Port Mansfield was really all about.
for various gamefish and shelled animals, but
battle I was able to land my first Port Mansfield
Everything in Port Mansfield revolves
has also brought provisions and pleasure for
around fishing. It’s a fisherman’s paradise; just
Rio Grande Valley residents for hundreds if
like the billboard states. The west shoreline
not thousands of years. Many fishermen travel
north of Port can sometimes be like walking into
thousands of miles to chase dozens of different
a zoo. Not only can you catch fish but you also
species of fish and with hope to find paradise.
observe wildlife in its natural environment. It’s
We are very fortunate to have the pristine
not a rarity to see deer, nalgai, coyotes, snakes,
in the small community of fewer than seven
mother lagoon which I call paradise so close to
and other four-legged exotic creatures. Port
hundred people. I best remember Mansfield
home. I consider myself lucky to experience and
Mansfield is known for its big trout and many
for its extensive shorelines, deeper water, and
fish the three major destinations on the Lower
miles of undeveloped terrain. I have been lucky
hard bottoms. I have had the opportunity to
Laguna Madre – Port Mansfield, Arroyo City,
to make many trips to Mansfield and have met a
fish from the Land Cut all the way south of Port
and South Padre Island.
lot of new friends.
Mansfield, and I love it all. I always look forward
I still remember my first visit to Port
68
my line started stretching. After a ten minute
Each of the three destinations on the Lower
Port Mansfield 1999.
fish hard for a couple of days.” There is a lot of good fishing knowledge
to visiting our friends from Mansfield, Capt. Mike
Mansfield in 1999; I was eight years old. My dad
Laguna Madre is unique. Port Mansfield is for
McBride and Capt. Tricia. It’s the only place that
had a small scooter and would frequently visit
the truly serious fisherman. It’s no trip to the
brings about a magical feeling on the inside as I
the flats north of the East Cut. He took me on
mall for an ice cream cone although I’m sure
arrive into town.
one of those trips and we happened to run into
Harbor Bait and Tackle might carry a selection
a big school of drum on the sand flats. I threw
of ice cream bars. What I should really say, “If
fishing roots began. I know I’m only sixteen
out a gold spoon that had a small piece of dead
you’re going to Port Mansfield, it’s to fish and
year’s old, but I have been around the water
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Now on to Arroyo City; this is where my
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
69
h t u o y
this is where i experienced my first wade fishing trip, caught my first flounder, and got stung by a sting-ray while fishing the edge of the intracoastal. Out of all the three places, I have spent more time in Arroyo City and have met some wonderful people. The Arroyo area contains
that they are my favorite species. Snook are so hard to catch, and when you
more shallow back bays than the other two
do hook one, they leave nothing behind. The
destinations and being centrally located is an
areas surrounding South Padre have yielded
advantage because going north and south of the
many snook at the end of my line, and I am
Arroyo on the same trip is not an inconvenience.
proud to say that every single one of them was
since I was four. Arroyo City is where it all
I have had many memorable trips out of the
released to fight another day. In my opinion
started. At the age of five I won my first fishing
Arroyo Colorado and have seen the best that
South Padre would not be complete if it wasn’t
tournament in Arroyo City. This is where I
nature has to offer along the shorelines and
for the snook. South Padre has the largest
experienced my first wade fishing trip, caught
banks near the Arroyo Colorado River. Because
mangrove population on the Lower Laguna
my first flounder, and got stung by a sting-ray
this area has many shallow back bays, it’s a
Madre, which gives it somewhat of a Florida
while fishing the edge of the Intracoastal. This is
great place to fish off a kayak. The extensive
coastline look. The redfish and trout fishing can
the place where I have acquired the knowledge
shallow flats are home to prowling redfish and
be outstanding. Many fishing tournaments take
of fishing the extensive flats that surround the
aggressive spotted sea trout, and kayaking is
place here. The one that always gets me excited
Arroyo Colorado. This small and friendly town of
one way to get up close without spooking them.
to participate in is the TIFT Tournament that
approximately fourteen hundred people has in
Great fishing, friendly to kayaking, and the best
takes place in the beginning of August. Out of
my opinion the best hamburger (Chilly Willies)
hamburgers, this is the place to be.
all the places this fits as a family attraction get
Known for its shallow flats Arroyo City is a waders dream.
in the Lone Star State. Arroyo City is centrally
70
I love to go out and chase snook. You could say
South of Arroyo City is the number one
away that has some of the finest fishing on the
located between Port Mansfield and South
tourist attraction of the Rio Grande Valley, South
Padre Island. If your desire is to experience
Padre Island. The island’s population is a little
By now you want to know which one of these
some laid back family atmosphere tacked on
over 2,700 residents. Plus, the island keeps its
is my favorite fishing destination. Well, I’m going
with some excellent fishing, Arroyo City is the
doors open to thousands of visitors each year.
to leave it up to you to decide. I can tell you this
place to be. I remember being tugged around
This destination without a question has the best
much which ever you decide on, you will not
on an inner tube while casting a hookless
seafood around and the family atmosphere is
be disappointed. Each of these destinations
lure with a Zebco push button reel; and later
certainly there. The attractions and activities are
has their own uniqueness, and they all fit in the
spending many hours wading the edges of the
great, but the number one reason for my liking
category of paradise. But before you come, start
ICW looking for that first place flounder for the
to fish this area is that it has the only viable
some arm exercises because the fishing is great
STAR Tournament.
snook population in the U.S. outside of Florida.
in paradise.
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Texas Coast.
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
SUB0308
866-680-TSFM (8736) or 361-785-3420 Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
AM EX
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
71
at fibertex & supply we specialiZe iN repairiNG boats to match their oriGiNal coNditioN. If you don’t want to shell out the cash and think you can tackle it on your own, here’s a few tips on doing
up” repair used to cover up damage. Exposed
Pour gel-coat into small paper cup, add
fiberglass from a chip or scratch is only
cabosil, and stir until the gel-coat creates a
cosmetic damage. However, exposed fiberglass
peanut buttery paste. Lumps of cabosil in the
subject to UV rays (sunlight) is a recipe for de-
gel-coat means you have not stirred enough.
lamination and future structural damage.
If the gel coat will pour out of cup you have not
If you can get the original gel-coat color of
the work yourself. A steady hand and an eye
your boat this would work best. Color matching
for detail go a long way.
gel-coat takes years of practice to master, but
added enough cabosil. Stir until you have a smooth uniform texture.
even then some colors are nearly impossible MATeriAlS:
to match perfectly. Gel coat pigments are
Latex gloves, stir sticks, paper cups, artist
available at most marine supply stores if you
brush, acetone, gel-coat, MEKP catalyst,
want to try your hand at color matching.
cabosil, putty knife. Gel-coat is a basically a pigmented resin and when catalyzed with MEKP (Methyl Ethyl Ketone Peroxide) it cures hard. Most gel-coat With a mixing stick, scoop gel-coat putty
you buy at the marine supply store is finishing grade, which means it has a surfacing agent
onto a mixing board. Add a few drops of
already mixed in. Gel-coat without surfacing
catalyst and mix thoroughly. Use a putty knife to fill in the damaged area. Make a few passes
agent will never cure hard in this application. Acetone is the most commonly used chemical
First, with a dremel tool or folded sand
over the area to work out any air bubbles and to
for cleaning resins and gel-cote. Do not use
paper, lightly “scuff” the groove of the scratch or
ensure and smooth level spread. The gel-coat
plastic party cups or styrene cups to mix
chip. Scuffing the area will help ensure a strong
putty should not be built-up too high, it should
chemicals, the cup will melt.
bond. Clean the area to be repaired with a rag
be flush with the masking tape. But definitely
dampened with acetone, removing any dust
do not under-fill the area because there is a
to thicken resin. Use a mask when handling
created from scuffing the area. Acetone is best
chance of shrinkage as the gel coat cures. If
cabosil; due it its lightweight nature cabosil
because it evaporates quickly.
you build it up too high at least you can sand
Cabosil is a light powdery substance used
can easily become airborne and inhaled. Small
it down. Remember! you don’t have a lot of
amounts may be purchased from a fiberglass
working time so work quickly.
repair shop or a marine supply store. We can not stress safety enough! These chemicals are dangerous! Wear a mask, wear gloves, and be careful! Minor gel-coat repairs are defined as nonstructural repairs not needing fiberglass. Types of gel-coat damages can be voids, chips, and scratches. Shallow surface scratches can usually be
Use masking tape create a “box” around the area you plan to fill. Use two layers to form
wet sanded with 400,600, and 1000 grit wet-
the box. Additional layers around the outer
sand paper. Use a spray bottle and sand with
edges ensure easier removal after new gel-coat
long smooth strokes. Focusing on the scratch
is in place.
to obtain a classy-looking repair job.
only will develop a groove in the gel coat.
GFY (Go Fishin’ Ya’ll)
Follow up with 2000 grit buffing compound to
Continue next month!
polish it out. Deeper scratches and chips that expose
fibertex & supply 6901 pyrenees, corpus christi, tx 78414 office (361) 991-5956 fibertexandsupply@yahoo.com
fiberglass are best repaired by those with the capability to do body work and spray gel-coat. The repair we explain here is more of a ‘touch 72
March 2008
Join us back here next month and we’ll show you how to sand and polish the gel-coat
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
73
e v e r e t t
a N d
pa m
Joh Ns oN
Fishing products that pass the test. every oNce if a while you bump iNto somethiNG that really
that nearly made the slot. The lake bottom here,
catches your eye and you just have to have
most inviting option.
I might add, makes for a strenuous wade, not the Getting away was easy too. Brian pulled the
one; sometimes that same product really fits a niche and becomes part of your “stuff.” Pam
Stake-out Stik and as the Power Pole came to
and I decided to pass along some of our recent
full upright we idled easily away, still in two feet
experiences as a service to readers. There are no
of water. The alternative would likely have
claims made here, just honest observations. And
included drifting up much shallower and chewing
yes, these have become part of the “stuff” we
mud and seagrass to get back underway. Stake-
take fishing.
out Stik is a good addition to any shallow water fishing boat. Stake-out Stick is available in several lengths and also a version for kayaks. Some more
stake-out stik
useful info: Stake-out Stik with a 12 foot line held our 25 foot flats boat handily and never slipped
Anybody that enjoys drifting flats for trout and reds
in 15 mph wind… it really does work! Learn more
has suffered at the mercy of the wind. Even with
by visiting www.stakeoutstick.com or at your local
a drift sock, drift speed often prohibits accurate
tackle dealer.
casting and lure presentation, especially when a fish is spotted. And in the case of a school of reds, how many shots do you get if you can’t stop? Sure, we have Power Poles on our boats, and
berkley tec™ locking trigger Grips
after you fish with one it becomes a “must have”
anglers with comfortable fishing space. Drifting
for the ease and simplicity of anchoring in shallow
on the sock was working all the way across the
water. However, when the Power Pole goes down
Matagorda Island lake we were fishing. The wind
products to help them land their fish. Some prefer
the boat swings and the bow is the only good spot
wasn’t too stiff so we maintained a favorable
nets for the quick scoop they provide; others
left for casting. If you fish solo or with only one
speed. As we approached the shoreline, as often
prefer to keep their outfit as unencumbered as
companion this is not too big a deal. But what
happens, the water was developing some color
possible. The K.I.S.S. principle applied to wade
about when you have three or four aboard?
and bait was active. That last 50 yards before
fishing gear dictates that only the minimal amount
you hit the bank is what I like to call the “strike
of gear should go into the water. I know anglers
fish with live mullet. If you anchor from only one
zone” as this is often where the predators
who assert that the traditional hand-grab is part
point the boat is free to swing and make a mess of
are holding and hammering the bait that has
of the challenge; somewhere in between lies
your lines. If you have placed baits in potholes you
accumulated there.
another type of device to get the job done. Hence
Here’s another scenario. Let’s say you like to
often find the swing of the boat dragging the baits
I hit the switch and stuck the Power Pole while
into grass or oysters where it can hide and tangle.
Brian Little, creator of the Stake-out Stik, stabbed
Enter Stake-out Stik. We made a practice run
for the bottom. Our timing was good and our boat
Anglers who wade are always on the lookout for
the recent popularity of gripping tools. Berkley has
with three anglers in the boat. The object was
was now lying perfectly parallel to the shoreline
been listening.
to discover whether Stake-out Stik deployed in
we hoped would give up some bites. We fished for
Their TEC Pistol
tandem with our Power Pole would provide all
10-minutes and pulled a nice slot red and a fat rat
Trigger Grip hit the market last summer with its first big splash being made at the
PowerPole and Stake Out Stik in tandem.
ICAST Show in Las Vegas where it was voted “Industries Best and Most Innovative” new tool. The minute I got my hands on it I knew I wanted to try one. The TEC Pistol Trigger Grip is the lightest of the various gripping tools I’ve tried and the movement of the stainless steel mechanism and jaws is smooth and sure. This tool comes with a holster, but with
74
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Flatstalker "Micro flats Skiff"
its light weight and relatively small size I find
for grins I performed a “no maintenance” trial of
it easy to carry while snapped to a wade belt,
ten wading trips. The gripper held up perfectly,
over-the-shoulder tackle pouch or wader strap.
same smooth action, same sure grip on the
During the several months of use Pam and I have given our new Berkley grippers we
fish’s lip. The TEC Pistol Trigger Grip makes a great
have found them to work very well. Many of the
fish-friendly landing tool for boaters too. Whether
fish we have landed and released were never
you wade or stay in the boat, you really should
touched. We simply held them in the water
attach a float. I learned this the hard way many
and used our pliers to remove lure and then
years ago… anything that can sink will end up
pulled the trigger to let them go. If a fish is to be
on the bottom of the bay if you give it a chance!
photographed, it can be lifted quickly with one
This tool is available in a variety of sizes to
hand on the grip and the other supporting
suit the needs of all fishermen, lake, bay and
the belly.
offshore. To learn more go to www.purefishing. For maintenance, we’ve been giving the tools a good rinse in
com. The TEC Pistol Trigger Grip can be found under new products on the Berkley page.
freshwater and a quick spray of Reel Lube followed by wiping with a paper towel. Just
flatstalker "micro flats skiff" Roy Sanders has hit upon an idea whose time has truly come. Fishing the flats can be done many ways, and as can be attested by the impressive number of Micro Flats Skiffs he sold at the Houston Boat Show, his creation is gaining a wide following. In order to understand why this is happening, you have to first understand that flats fishing is a lot like hunting; the excitement factor increases exponentially the closer you get to your quarry. You’ve probably heard somebody describe the kick they got from archery hunting after years of hunting with a rifle. Redfish are just like trophy
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
75
whitetails in this regard and Roy’s boat provides an excellent platform for getting you there. Stealthy approaches without having to wade boot sucking muck is one the aspects that has drawn so many to take up kayak fishing. Anglers are learning the thrill of stalking their fish without suffering a heart attack or pulled groin muscles. And kayaks are fine, I own three. Trouble is, you have to be a ballerina or at least a decent gymnast to stand up and fish from one. Given that most of us are better equipped to imitate wounded buffalo, our butts belong in the seat, relegated to sighting only the fish that tail or wake for us. It’s different with the Flatstalker, I haven’t met anybody yet that could stand on one. Fishing from it is a dream come true for those who live to
along in mere inches to get a crack at the shallow ones other rigs can’t reach. Check out all the boats, options, and the dealer listing at www.flatstalker.com or give Roy a call at 361-857-7074. Tell him you learned about his boats in Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine.
tackle storage-console that comes standard. The addition of the optional transom bracket and
can’t help but wonder how Fishbelly’s designers ever came up with the idea of stacking three paddles on one lure, but it works. I don’t know whether it might be the vibration this lure gives off as the water rushes over the stacked paddles or maybe it’s just the considerable tail wagging you get from it, I’m not a
sight-fish. Once you get the hang of it, you can climb atop the combination battery box-ice chest-
Tri-fin Kick Shad. As soon as you see this bait you
fishbelly
fish. The proof of any lure is what fish have to say
tri-fin kick shad
and Pringle Lake seemed to like this one.
about it and the trout and reds in Shoalwater Bay
electric trolling motor just seems a no-brainer to
Take a run to your local tackle shop; the
me. Who wants to paddle or pole when you can
market is brimming with new baits. Lure makers
air temp was 40-degrees and the water was
glide effortlessly down a shoreline?
have given us some pretty amazing devices to
52-degrees. The water was murky, still clearing
It was early morning, late December. The
throw at fish and one thing is certain, they’ll all
from the effects of a flag-shredding norther. As
he equips his boats shows it. He has models for
catch a fisherman! As a confessed lure fanatic I
could be expected the fish were snuggled down in
fishing, waterfowl hunting, and even floundering.
buy and try most everything I can get my hands
soft mud under four feet of water. The best action
The hunting boats are great for transporting a
on. And while it is true that I love to fish with new
was found amid scattered oyster and what was
dog, decoys, and all your gear to a back bay or
products, it does not prohibit me from having a list
left of last summer’s widgeon grass. The bait had
cove where the ducks love to roost and feed. The
of oldies, goodies and favorites.
to be presented slow enough to dangle in their
Roy is an all-around outdoorsman and the way
flounder boat comes equipped with enough lights
One of my recent and notable lure trials
to make a Ferris Wheel jealous and you can slip
included a session dedicated to Fishbelly’s new
face, yet fast enough to avoid hanging up on shell and grass. The conditions and requirements proved to play right into the Kick Shad’s strong suit… lots of wiggle from tiny hops and slow lure speed. We
This trout ate a Fishbelly.
had them rigged on wide-gap 4/0, 1/16 oz screwtype leadhead jigs. The bait itself is very soft and supple but held up through several bites and fights before getting chewed beyond being functional. Now one successful trip does not necessarily earn any bait a seat in my carry box, but the Trifin Kick Shad did well enough to warrant further study. We’ve got big schools of late-winter reds beginning to patrol the shorelines of San Antonio Bay and I’m anxious to give them a look at this bait as well as some of the other new stuff that has been showing up. Keep an eye on future lure trials as we’ll be reporting further on what the fish have to say about the new baits of 2008. The Tri-fin Kick Shad is available in 5” and 6” sizes and an array of fishy colors. To learn more about this and other Fishbelly offerings, go to www.fishbelly.com.
76
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
77
New Tackle & Gear eGo wade®
www.adventureproducts.com
Floatation, industry leading strengthto-weight and superior product design all come standard with the innovative EGO WADE® Net series. We can’t promise you’ll land every fish—just peace of mind knowing that you have the absolute best in
wade net design and technology for going after it. To add the EGO WADE® Net to your fishing equipment arsenal, savvy anglers visit www.adventureproducts.com.
fishbelly hawg shad Fishbelly’s Hawg Shad is the patented soft plastic lure that imitates a live minnow from its eyes down to its natural sheen and
www.fishbelly.com
color including its “swimming” action like a quivering minnow. Nothing comes as close to lifelike as the Hawg Shad. It comes in 5 sizes (2.8”, 3.5”, 5”, 6” and 9”) and 3 tail types for 2.8” and 3.5” baits (split-tail, paddle-tail and pin-tail). Larger sizes (5”, 6” and 9”) available in
fishing tackle unlimited All Pro Spoon™ Available in Gold & Silver Sizes: 1/8 oz 1/4 oz 1/2 oz 3/4 oz
800-698-6841
www.fishingtackleunlimited.com
866-871-8268 split-tail only. The 2 smaller sizes are great for drop-shotting whereas the 2 larger sizes are great for rigging weed-less or Carolina/Texas style. This lure is proven to be highly effective for provoking strikes and catching largemouth and smallmouth bass, walleye, redfish, sea trout, snook, tarpons, groupers, jacks, etc.
281-481-6838
If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. So we did! The All Pro Spoon features a quality finish, quality hook, great wobble action and pink skirt to attract many different species of fish! This is a great lure to cast with the Fishing Tackle Unlimited All Pro Series Rod in an extra light action.
ocean kayak
The Ocean Kayak Prowler Trident 15™ features everything the serious angler could wish for including the couch-like Comfort Plus™ seat back, a Rod Pod™, Sonar Shield™, transducer compatible scupper hole and much more. The professional kayak anglers’ choice, the Trident 15™ includes the attention 78
March 2008
www.oceankayak.com
to detail that even the most demanding consumer will appreciate, from bow hatches with the easy to open Cross Lock™ system, to the Sonar Shield’s glare reducing cover and extra long leg capacity in the cockpit. The Ocean Kayak™ Prowler 15™ is rudder optional and as with many of Ocean Kayak™’s fishing kayaks is offered in a number of different Angler Packages to suit a variety of different end users. SRP: $1,029 (standard); $2,439 (angler package).
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
okuma tycir low profile baitcaster Okuma Fishing Tackle announces the all new Tycir Low Profile baitcasting reel. The Tycir utilizes Okuma’s bomb-proof drive system that has proven so popular with the VSystem, Aveon, Nemesis and Alumina series of low profile
www.okumafishing.com
reels. Additionally, the Tycir features Okuma’s heavy duty carbonite drag, 6-pin adjustable velocity control, and many features found on reels costing twice as much. The Tycir is built on a durable graphite frame. Tycir provides performance at a price that fits any wallet.
shimano
Strike Pro announces new line of flexible swim baits. Flex Phantom and Flex X have a patented bike chain joint system to produce realistic swimming action. Like all Strike Pro lures, quality and craftsmanship are second to none. Flex Phantom has a unique,
fish-attracting internal flasher to reflect light. Other features include ball bearing rattle and wide-gap Owner trebles for more hook-ups. The Flex Phantom comes in 13 colors and three sizes. The Flex X, originally introduced in 2005, has been
BERKLEY® Improved Trilene® Sensation Multi-Polymer technology from the scientists at Berkley has produced a formula for monofilament unmatched in the industry. Improved Trilene Sensation has characteristics found only in monofilaments with significantly Just Keep Five
Fuji Hardloy Guides Fuji Reel Seat Shaped Grade A cork handles Gudebrod thread wrapped guides for added strength Convenient hook keeper Limited Lifetime Warranty
www.strikepromerica.com
trilene sensation berkley
www.TSFMAG.com
features 3 Bearings Quick-Set Anti-Reverse Machined Brass Gears 6 Pin Velocity Control Multi-Disk Carbonite Drag Machined Aluminum Spool Balanced Double Handle Quick Release Side Plate for fast spool change
www.shimano.com 877-577-0600
liGhtweiGht, seNsitive aNd durable Cantar Southwest inshore series rods feature sensitive tips for accurately casting small baits, yet are powerful enough to pull large game fish from the nastiest of structure. coNstructioN IM-8 Graphite Construction Components
strike pro america
909-923-2828
281-304-8635
redesigned for more realistic action on slow retrieve. The Flex X comes VMC treble hooks. With minnow-like shape in two sizes and 15 colors, the Flex X may be the most versatile hard bait on the market today.
www.berkley-fishing.com
larger diameters. Improved Sensation, considered a microdiameter mono, is ultra-strong wet or dry. Most mono lines lose a little strength when wet. However, the wet strength of improved Sensation is as strong as dry original Sensation. The knot strength proves reliable and secure when fighting tough
Texas Saltwater Fishing
712-336-1520 fish. The incredibly thin line provides longer and more accurate casts, even for lighter baits. More bites are detected with this highly sensitive monofilament yet the roughest fishing situations are no problem with the improved abrasion resistance qualities.
March 2008
79
The warmer days of March can produce solid catches of flounder.
past. We caught some of our largest flounder last year on a quarter ounce spinnerbait with a gold number three Colorado blade sporting a BLURP shad body in electric chicken or LSU. The bonus with both the GULP and the spinnerbait is that they rate high on the food chain for redfish as well. I have caught very few trout with the spinnerbait, but the redfish seldom pass it up. They, too, are very much aware of the best places to take advantage of the shad buffet! I am not trying to sell you on the idea of targeting only flounder this time of the year on Sabine, but I had a number of fishermen asking about that bite at recent Boat Shows. If our flounder are doing their thing this month, and they should be, you will be in the hunt utilizing these tactics. The folks with a welcomed dilemma this month could be the trout fishermen. Wind permitting, they will have to decide most mornings whether to chase numbers under small groups of gulls on the south end of the lake or opt for a more deliberate bite and pursue larger fish further north. Playing the numbers game is much simpler as the birds are either there or they or not. Look for the larger trout on the Louisiana flats north of Green’s Bayou or those just south of the spoil islands bordering the Intracoastal canal. You can expect the water to be silted up most days by either runoff or wind, but the trout are still there and they tend to feed the best on an incoming tide. She Dogs, Catch V’s, Corkies, and Crazy Croakers are all good choices depending on the aggressiveness of the fish. Water clarity will determine color choices, but we do well with black-chartreuse, bone-chrome, and electric chicken. Pink is another color that can really get hot as well. When the water is especially dirty, we also catch solid trout in these areas fishing a morning glory or red shad 5-inch Assassin Shad under a popping cork. With a little cooperation from Mother Nature and a measure of tenacity, I think you will find the action on Sabine Lake worth a visit this spring!
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
81
The warmer days of March can produce solid catches of flounder.
past. We caught some of our largest flounder last year on a quarter ounce spinnerbait with a gold number three Colorado blade sporting a BLURP shad body in electric chicken or LSU. The bonus with both the GULP and the spinnerbait is that they rate high on the food chain for redfish as well. I have caught very few trout with the spinnerbait, but the redfish seldom pass it up. They, too, are very much aware of the best places to take advantage of the shad buffet! I am not trying to sell you on the idea of targeting only flounder this time of the year on Sabine, but I had a number of fishermen asking about that bite at recent Boat Shows. If our flounder are doing their thing this month, and they should be, you will be in the hunt utilizing these tactics. The folks with a welcomed dilemma this month could be the trout fishermen. Wind permitting, they will have to decide most mornings whether to chase numbers under small groups of gulls on the south end of the lake or opt for a more deliberate bite and pursue larger fish further north. Playing the numbers game is much simpler as the birds are either there or they or not. Look for the larger trout on the Louisiana flats north of Green’s Bayou or those just south of the spoil islands bordering the Intracoastal canal. You can expect the water to be silted up most days by either runoff or wind, but the trout are still there and they tend to feed the best on an incoming tide. She Dogs, Catch V’s, Corkies, and Crazy Croakers are all good choices depending on the aggressiveness of the fish. Water clarity will determine color choices, but we do well with black-chartreuse, bone-chrome, and electric chicken. Pink is another color that can really get hot as well. When the water is especially dirty, we also catch solid trout in these areas fishing a morning glory or red shad 5-inch Assassin Shad under a popping cork. With a little cooperation from Mother Nature and a measure of tenacity, I think you will find the action on Sabine Lake worth a visit this spring!
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
81
b a y t o w N
JaNuary aNd february briNGs
is that these back bays are holding warmer water. Redfish have been the
plenty cold weather and lots of
action but you have to time it just right. You have to get out there just after
northers. Predictably, things have
the front, out in deeper water back by the river mouth and tide lines and
slowed somewhat but fishing
tide breaks. There are some solid winter reds to be caught. Use your soft
is still pretty good here in the
plastics and your 52M Mirrolures. When you slow roll the Mirrolure over
Galveston System. Trout numbers
the tide breaks, that is where the bait and the fish are. A lot of these reds
have been good, just not the sizes
are coming in at about seven pounds. It is still a grind but steady when you
that we like. We are ready for the
get that northeast wind working, you can catch some decent fish. The east
spring fling time where we can
shoreline of Trinity has still been holding the reds. They are hanging out
catch some big fish.
very shallow down around Hodges and White Herron area on the flats. It
trip saver out in the open areas of Trinity. There has been a little bit of trout
has made for some fun trips.
triNity bay Scott’s Bay, Burnett Bay, San Jacinto Bay and even the San Jacinto River are holding some
upper GalvestoN bay Sylvan beach has been the ticket for night fishing. I am not sure what is going on over there because normally we catch them during the day
fish. The trout are holding in four to seven feet of water. They are hanging
but most of the really good catches are coming at night and off the piers.
on the ledges, drop offs and scattered shell. We have been finding the reds
Usually when you catch them during the day time it is around high noon
in about two feet of water. We have been catching them on Norton sand
and we are still catching a few fish over there in the four pound class. The
eels and Norton shrimp tails. Color has not been a big factor however we
Mirrorlure 52M and soft plastics are the lures of choice over here also.
are finding that the darker colors are working better. Strawberry and black
The slow rolling Mirrorlure and Corkys are producing. As we get further
have been working very well, on a good sunny day the limetreuse baits
into March and things begin to warm up the Seabrook Flats area around
have been drawing a lot of bites. For the most part that is the way we are
Clearlake will start picking up. Moses Lake has been giving up some
doing it. Bait has not been real prevalent. When you do find the bait you
decent trout and a few reds.
can catch them here and there but you still have to work, no easy pickings. These fish are definitely schooled but just not biting real steady, probably water temperature related. The back bays have been the best areas and
west bay This bay has been very inconsistent. If you get it right following a hard
getting out of the wind has been a key to success. Another bonus
northerly front you can find the bite out deep through the mid-bay shell. Drifting through the tide streaks and color changes has been the spot to catch them. We have been catching them on soft plastics in dark colors again. Black, red and pumpkinseed have been the colors of choice.
east bay There has been a little bit of shoreline action going on there. It is still a little early for this area but some of the mid-bay reefs have been holding fish. Once we can get the warmer weather rolling in that is when this bay will turn on and we can catch the bigger and better fish in the shallow areas. Right now is a kind of so-so time for Galveston area bays. March and April brings major changes and things really start kicking into gear around here. We will see fish moving up shallower and shoreline wading becomes much more productive. March is the kick-off to seeing better fish out on the flats. We are always about a month to six weeks behind south Texas, their bite is turning on right now. Right now it’s not great but we’re still catching… I can’t wait until the bays warm up, I think we have a great spring ahead of us.
82
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
83
m a t a G o r d a
for the most part, march is the
but to our dismay it was actually a damaged
kick-off month for fishing in our
and managed to pull into a farmer’s house.
neck of the woods. Hunting
Luckily he was accommodating and even
season has pretty much dwindled
had a workshop. He allowed us to use his
except for exotics and this is the
welding equipment and graciously offered
signal that most outdoorsmen
to trek into town and buy new bearings for
will be bringing saltwater fishing
the trailer. Somewhere in the vicinity of
back to center stage. For
5 or so hours later we were headed out
many anglers, Dave Holder’s
again toward Matagorda.
axle. We hobbled along at a snail’s pace
We were somewhat frustrated but
Houston Fishing Show helps get everything started. Fishermen
knew we still had plenty of time to get to
can view what’s new in saltwater
Green’s and Cotton’s in West Matagorda
for 2008. There’s always a ton of
Bay to do our floundering that night.
tackle, guides from all over the
We pulled into Matagorda and hurried
coast, boats, motors, clothing
down to River Bend where we launched
and the seminar room to wet
the boat and proceeded on our journey.
the whistle of those anxious to
Ricky and I didn’t get too far before a
get back on the water. This is an
buzzer went off and I had to shut down
excellent time of the year to gear
my motor to a crawl. With a hot motor it wasn’t too hard to figure the source of
up, clean up, and tone up all your fishing paraphernalia. Like it or not, spring cleaning is a must if you desire to make the most
the trouble; we had a busted water pump.
of each day on the water. Take time to go through tackle boxes and replace
At least the tide was going out and aiding our frustrated paddling back to
any rusty hooks and split rings on your lures. Throw away old plastics that
the boat ramp. We loaded the boat and headed home. Our next disappointment came between Bay City and Wharton when
have melted in your box or become discolored and lay in a good store of new ones. This is also a good time to send off all reels to a reputable
we were stopped by a highway patrol officer. I guess the Lord had pity
establishment to be cleaned. We have some great service centers and I’d
on us that day, the officer was very kind. He had pulled us over because
like to list a few of them for you to consider: Johnny’s Sport Shop in Eagle
the light on our license plate was out. Knowing that it was working when
Lake, David’s Tackle Box in Rosenberg, The Tackle Box in Victoria and
we left Matagorda, I went back to check. The officer and I began wiggling
Fishing Tackle Unlimited in Houston.
wires and learned it was only a bad connection. His sharp eye also
In addition, go through every inch of your boat making sure all latches,
detected that the license plate had expired. A little more grace got us through that episode with only a warning
screws, flares, and all safety needs are in order. Trailer maintenance is a grand idea as you don’t want to get on the road and have a breakdown.
ticket, whew! You can only imagine how happy I was to get home that night
Invest time to check your tires, springs, bearings, straps, and last but not
in one piece. That whole episode taught me a very good lesson about
least your license plate sticker date. Another important item to look over
equipment maintenance. I’ve learned through my many years on the water
is your motor especially if you did not winterize. It wouldn’t even be a bad
that a little preventive care is worth its weight in gold.
idea to haul it in to your dealer and have them look it over. Doing the above
March fishing around Matagorda should be a fair repeat of February.
may not completely exonerate you from problems as you head to the water
I’ve been laid up a bit due to shoulder surgery and a good case of the flu
but should get you off to a good start.
but have been keeping up with fishing patterns. Our trout should continue
I’ll let you in on a little incident that happened to me several years
holding on mud and shell. Hopefully, the last two weeks of March will bring
back before my guiding days. It was during the 1970s and I owned an 18
a warming trend but don’t get tricked into thinking we’ve seen the end of
ft scooter with a 70 hp Mercury. My East and West Matagorda Bay fishing
cold weather. We’re sure to see a few more cold fronts. Pick your times to
season basically involved the months of April through October. During
fish before and after the last of these cold fronts and you should be better
November through March I hunted ducks, deer, quail, and everything in
off. Also the bite should be best from midday to dark because of the water
between. At the time my boat was only about 3 years old and I hadn’t
temperature. Allowing the sun to warm up water surface temperatures and
experienced any trouble at all so I was fairly confident in my equipment.
activate the bait could pay off. Choice baits such as Bass Assassins, Mirrolures, and Corkies will
A good friend of mine named Ricky from Bellville and I decided to head on down to Matagorda for our first fishing trip of the year, actually it was
remain the hot picks. In West Matagorda Bay the glass minnows should
to be a three day adventure. All the preparations were made and all our
begin showing in the usual places. If I remember correctly last year they
tackle, food, drinks, etc., were packed. We hooked onto the boat and off
began to show up about the last week of March along with a few big bull
we went. Ricky and I were really excited and with great weather conditions
sharks. Best tactics for fishing West Bay include incoming tides, shoreline
predicted and we joked about who would catch the most and biggest.
guts, and sand bars. On a low tide the reds should be found in greatest
I believe we were somewhere between Wallis and East Bernard when I looked back and noticed smoke. At first glance I thought it was my tire 84
March fishing around Matagorda will remain much the same as we saw in February. Last year Brett Caron, Glenn Hornsby and Aaron Loomis hit it big fishing a cold day with Capt. Bill.
March 2008
number in the shallow guts. Until next time - God Bless; and maintain that equipment!
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
85
port o’coNNor/seadrift
becomiNG a better aNGler is somethiNG many of us
using the same lures we have always used cast after cast. We will have the lures that we know produce the best under the right conditions so we tend not to stray from those selections. Why would you?
strive for year after year. We
What if there was a better bait than those you are accustomed to
spend many hours on the water,
using… wouldn’t you want to use it? I know I would. This brings me to the
too many dollars on tackle, and
point of this article. In the colder months of the year when the weather
some of us have a hefty amount
is not cooperating I spend too much time on the couch watching more
invested in a boat rigged with
TV than I care to mention. There are not many saltwater fishing shows
many gadgets. We will read
compared to freshwater fishing but in order to get my “fix” I am willing to
several magazines and attend
watch any show as long as it involves fishing.
many seminars in hopes of
Much can be learned through watching shows featuring anglers fishing
improving our angling abilities. If
for bass. As we all know many of the lures we use today in saltwater
you are one of these people I am
originated from freshwater fishing. I could give you a long list, but I really
talking about, give yourself a pat
only want to mention a few that I have been using over the past few years
on the back. Why? Being willing to
that have definitely earned a spot in my tackle box.
listen to others recommendations
The first one is a surface crankbait made by Mann’s Bait Company
and suggestions makes you an
called a 1-Minus. This series of baits comes in three sizes and was
open-minded person and this is a
produced for freshwater fishing but as it became more popular amongst
good first step toward achieving
saltwater anglers the bait was modified by adding corrosive-resistant
success in anything we do.
saltwater hooks and is now called the Tidewater Mid 1-Minus. During a
When anglers spend a lot of time on the water we tend to fall into what I call a comfort zone. In this zone we tend to be more closed-minded by
slow retrieve the bait has a wide wobble creating a wake. Crank fast and it will dive no more than 12 inches, again, creating lots of vibration…perfect for most shallow water fishing.
John Hutson had no problem getting this red to eat this Baby 1-Minus.
This redfish was enticed by angler, Brady Cowey, using a Mid 1-Minus bait.
86
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Shane Hutson was fishing with a Texas Rig when he landed this redfish.
Before going any further I should mention that Mann’s Bait Company is NOT one of my sponsors. My endorsement is strictly because I strongly believe every angler will benefit from me sharing this information. Gary and I started using this lure a few years ago while pre-fishing for a redfish tournament. We were both astonished with the way redfish just inhaled this bait. Even the tightest lipped fish couldn’t refuse this bait. Most recently I have discovered they have added a new bait to their line up called the Tidewater Waker Elite. It is supposed to swim 1-3 inches deep and creates a wake with a loud “rippling” sound as it’s reeled. I can’t wait to try it and will write up my results once I have. The last bait I want to mention is one that is awesome for grassy locations. The Texas Rig has been used for decades and is surely no secret to most anglers. This is a technique used for fishing soft plastic lures. It involves a leader that is first attached to a barrel swivel then threading on a bullet-shaped weight followed by an offset hook. The hook is then inserted into the head region of the plastic lure and exits the lure about 1/4 of an inch down the body. The lure is then moved up the hook towards the shank and then rotated so that the worm is now “locked” on the shank. The point of the hook is then thread back into the body of the worm to make the rig weedless.
Gulp’s 5” Jerk Shad bait in the sardine color on one of my Texas Rigs. I got more bites and caught more fish than using one of my non-scented lures. And since this lure is weedless it can be fished in areas that are too grassy for other lures. It also works exceptionally well for tailing redfish! I am looking forward to the weather warming up and being able to get out on the water to try out new techniques. If I find any one of them are useful and productive I will be sure to mention them in future articles. Gary and I will be at the Houston Fishing Show March 5th – 9th at booth #528. Please feel free to stop by and say hello. We are always anxious to make new friends and look forward to talking to those that have fished with us before.
This technique has worked successfully for me for many years now but only got better when Gulp baits hit the market. On a whim I decided to try www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
87
l aG u N a / b a f f i N u p p e r
CLIFF WEBB
the colder the better. we’ve had
without it. All we needed was the right day.
some real winter weather and
windy. Temperatures were in the fifties. We put our backs to the wind and
the good fishing is back. Early
gave it a shot. We all caught and released several good trout that ranged
winter was tough, we had a lot of
from five to seven pounds. The next day the weather was calm, clear and
brown tide and didn’t catch a lot of
warmer. Again, we all caught good trout but, not the elusive ten pounders.
The first day of wade fishing the conditions were overcast and very
Just a couple of days later, the weather turned really nasty. The
fish. Then, like a switch, it turned around and big trout started
temperature was forty-five degrees, the wind was blowing hard from the
showing up. The water conditions
north at about thirty miles per hour with higher gusts and it was drizzling.
in Baffin Bay are getting better.
The chill factor was thirty-five degrees. For me, this was perfect big
It is still off-color but, there are
trout weather. The night before, David Sikes of the Corpus Christi Caller
some areas where the visibility
Times, had called and asked if he could come along and get some big trout pictures. I’m
is about two feet. North of Baffin Bay the water has been beautiful. There
thinking, if I bring
are a lot of good trout and redfish being caught in the
a sports writer, I
upper Laguna Madre.
usually won’t catch anything. But I said, “Sure, bring all your warm gear. The weather will be miserable. The water temperature is fortyseven degrees.” Everyone met the next morning in the dark and I could tell that they weren’t sure about Chuck Janke II - another nice winter Baffin trout – C&R!
the weather. I had confidence and said,
Ed Neeley – C&R on a nice Baffin trout.
In between cold fronts the weather has been warm and sunny. That’s the thing about winter here; the cold doesn’t last very long. It’s south Texas so, how bad can it be? Just cold, windy and raining. We catch a lot of nice fish when its warm and sunny but the really big trout are caught when it’s cold and nasty weather and when most people don’t go. I tell my clients, “Put on everything you think you will need then, put on some more. It’s always colder than you think.” Early in the week I had three serious anglers come down for two days of fishing. These guys were interested in catching big trout and were prepared for whatever the weather would bring. They all had Simms wade fishing gear, which is what I use. I couldn’t make it through these winters 88
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Fishing in tough weather pays off big for Hal Hargis. www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Hal and Cliff pose with Hal’s career best.
“you can get in the truck or get in the boat; I’m getting in the boat.” I was so pumped up I would have gone fishing by myself. The five of us started wading and we all caught several trout between four and seven pounds. We were using two different lures and they were both working well. The Corky Fat Boy in day-glow and the Bass Assassin five-inch Shad in Texas Avocado. About one o’clock we went back to the boat. One guy had a hole in his waders and he was freezing. Amazingly he had hung in there. We were in the boat trying to warm up when I noticed the mullet jumping more than I’d seen all day. Four of us went back out for another wade. Right away, David Sikes, caught and released a good trout. Jeff Messer caught
The big trout will come toward you and you have to reel in fast to keep the pressure on. You have to control the big ones or they will take control of you.
another one about seven pounds. We missed a couple more, then Hal’s rod bows up and he had a huge trout on. The fish was hooked down deep
pressure on them. The big trout will come toward you and you have to reel in
in the back of the throat with a Corky. She came up headshaking on the
fast to keep the pressure on. You have to control the big ones or they will take
top of the water for ten to fifteen seconds, trying to throw that lure. She was
control of you. Get a hard hook set. Now that I’m using the braided line I’m
blowing water everywhere and making noises like you’ve never heard. It was
getting more hook ups with a better feel, especially in the wind. The drag is
unbelievable and beautiful to watch.
kept tight but, not quite as tight as with mono. I use Power Pro in twenty pound
Hal drops his rod tip down and the years of fishing showed. He didn’t
test. Along with a twenty pound Seaguar Flourocarbon shock leader. So, if the
overplay the fish and didn’t horse the fish in. He landed her perfectly, without
fish is hooked on the outside of the mouth there will be enough stretch to take
a dip net. She was thirty-one inches long and weighed ten pounds! A great
a brutal head shake. I use the Waterloo HP Slam Mag; the perfect big trout
fish and his personal best. He said he’d been fishing since he was eleven
rod. It’s powerful, light and sensitive. And forget the little dip nets that look like
years old and always wanted to catch a trout that big. This day was worth the
a tennis racket. I either hand grab or use a Boga Grip.
bad weather. After that catch, we didn’t even notice the weather. But, the wet guy in the boat did, he was turning blue, so we headed back.
Coming up, I’m hoping for clearer water down south and the trout getting fatter. Even though we’ve had a slow start I think this spring will bring very
Hooking a ten-pound trout and landing her is two different things. I’ve
good fishing.
seen it enough times when fish are lost because the angler put too little www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
89
m a N s f i e l d
february, as usual, was oNe of the more iNterestiNG months to fish in the Lower Laguna. Being this far south, one day you
p o r t
couldn’t put on enough clothes and the next day you’re in short sleeves and working towards a bad sunburn. We probed waters ranging from 43 degrees to over 67 within spans of just a few days, not to mention fighting the good fight between the north and south winds. We had some great days among some trying ones, and no matter how compelling February is for trophy trout seekers, March should bring us even more heavyweight potential. February gave us some reliable patterns to work with despite some of the conditions we had to work in. The immediate recovery period after a strong norther was one of the most predictable. As soon as conditions moderated, especially if the sun came out, our better fish routinely moved up shallow. By shallow, I mean from calf to knee deep. Shallow water warms quickly and both predators and prey are quick to take advantage Jeff Ortloff proved that dragging a tail on bottom can pay off big.
of it. It seemed that the bigger fish were the first to move up. The pelicans were often the best indicator of where to start. Even if the bait is down and inactive, these big birds know where they are and will at least sit close to them. Use Mother Nature to show you the way every time she
darker colors. Various Corkies were also thrown with success, especially
offers. The best bottoms were soft with darker grass, especially along
when hunting big trout. However, with this February’s overabundance of
slopes that led to four or more feet.
big redfish, several of these hard to get baits would often get demolished
We have been doing well with straight and paddletail plastics,
in one day. We also enjoyed several good topwater bites, and one of the
Corkies and medium-sized topwaters. In muddier water I still have high
better ones occurred one mid-day as the shallow water warmed from
confidence in a simple paddle tail bait because of its vibration, usually in
forty eight to fifty four degrees. Aside from aggressive feeding periods, the bite was often so subtle
Small baits fished precisely in small potholes are an early spring go-to setup.
that detection was difficult even for a pro. I truly feel that if I had not been using Suffix braid, not to mention a high-end rod, that I would have never felt many of the softer bites. One of our most productive approaches during periods of low activity was dragging a straight-tailed soft plastic on the bottom and through the grass. When fish refused to rise for a lure, as they often did, they would usually still pick up a tail sliding next to them. Again, it was all about feeling the bite and good timing on the hookset. During March, patterns will start to change giving us many more exciting options about where and how to fish. Usually by the middle of the month we see a significant rise in overall water levels. We expect to see more fish using the flats proper and patrolling crunchy, waist deep potholes. Redfish will often move high on the sand, so tailing and clear-water sightcasting opportunities will become more common. As the levels rise, the
90
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Dirk Tengg, right after a strong norther, a predictable pattern.
back areas and shorelines should see an increase in large trout. Some of the heaviest fish are vulnerable during March as they feed voraciously toward their first spawn of the year, and many will still have their thick shouldered winter weight on them. Last year we had several fish go between eight and nine pounds during March, and since it appears this will be another year without a freeze, there’s no reason why we can’t do even better this year. Of course, one of the most popular ways to target bigger trout is to be relentless with a large topwater. Shoreline structure, back water areas full of bait, and spoil banks can all produce big fish up top during spring. While a big topwater is probably the most exciting way to fish with obviously explosive results, let’s don’t forget other less dramatic but proven techniques. Signals of early spring will be lots of smaller baitfish moving in large schools. There are many times where a large fish will turn down an aggressive presentation but snap up smaller, more delicate lures. Numerous times we’ve seen precise tail presentations outperform topwaters, and not just on smaller fish. Target your casts to small potholes and other minor depressions. We have found that tightening the presentation and probing every small deviation can yield better results than blind banging with a topwater all day and hoping for a big one to strike. Precision casting needs to be a large part of our game plan and we should pursue it as intently as surface fishing. We can try to catch fish how we want to catch them, or we can catch them how they are more easily caught for the moment. Either way, it’s all good and we are all looking forward to clear spring tides, bait rich waters, and the lure smashing predators who rule the flats. Here’s to catching your personal best, and yes, the Lower Laguna is still my kind of place. Reds like this were ripping up more Corky baits than we cared to lose. www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
91
a r royo c o l o r a d o t o p o r t i s a b e l
caN you believe it? spriNG is already
baitfish and had very
here. I hated to see our winter
come alive again. Baitfish
fishing pass so fast; it felt like
will begin to migrate
it was just yesterday when
away from deeper water
we dusted off our waders and
and tend to locate and
bundled up in our warm clothing.
position themselves
I would like to say this past winter
on shallow flats for
we experienced some of the
prolonged periods of
best trout fishing I have seen in
time. Gone will be the
over a decade. The number and
cold days where you
size of trout we caught through
would be lucky if you saw
December and into February
a few mullet jumping.
was phenomenal. Our muddy
Spring always brings
wades in the cold mornings and
instant signs of new life
afternoons and sometimes into
into our bay system. And
chilly evenings were well worth
you are more apt to find
little fish activity will
the effort. The number of six to eight pound trout we caught this winter is
fish in many other places
unmatched in my log book.
in warmer conditions
In March we will continue to target many of the areas we fished in December, January, and February, but soon the water temperatures will
versus a few tight areas
Jeff Hellekson’s efforts of wading in knee deep mud payed off greatly.
in the middle of winter.
begin to rise. As the temperatures increase, so will the size of the field
Let me give you a prime example of a pattern that has occurred and
where fish can be found. During the colder months, fish were found in
what is to come. In the middle of winter, I fished someone who wanted to
fewer and tighter areas, concentrated in deeper holes or on flats with
target nothing but big trout. I knew where they were holding as we headed
easy deep water access. Come March, areas that were once void of
off in the brisk cool morning. Water temperature was right around sixtyone degrees, and the light winds were in our favor. The excitement and anticipation of landing a trophy became somewhat of a disappointment when only one nineteen inch fish was landed by noon time. I then asked my fishing partner for the day if he was willing to stick it out and wait for the bite to turn on or relocate somewhere else. I knew they were definitely there, and there was no reason to go elsewhere if big trout were the target choice. His answer without any hesitation was to stay put. The area we were fishing was only about three hundred yards long and not very friendly for wading. We ended up spending the rest of the day and into the darkness in this small zone. Our efforts were rewarded with twelve trout over six pounds, the heaviest was seven and a half pounds and we had many others in the four to five pound class. The point I’m trying to make here is that in the winter months, the areas we fished were small tight areas compared to what’s going to happen in March.
Come checkout the new FTU Green rod (FTU booth) at the Holder Fishing Show - March 5th thru 9th. 92
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March will allow us more options. No longer will we have to stomp only in calf to knee deep
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
As more anglers practice catch and release, and with the new seatrout regulations now in place, the Lower Laguna Madre should only get better in the years to come. mud; we will have the option to choose areas with a hard sand and shell bottom. Lately, potholes have been a key to our success, but come spring they will become even more important. Our vast turtle grass flats will soon come alive with perch and pinfish that use the grass to hide. Find yourself a flat that contains baitfish and potholes and chances are, you will be in for a line stretching, drag singing treat. For the last four months we have not even come close to the dropping a line in our back bays. The winter tides and northerners tend to dump all the water out. In addition, the temperatures were too Trout still like topwaters in the middle of winter.
cold for fish to hold on flats for long periods of time. But in March it’s a whole different story. Tides will be running high again; the brown shrimp will begin to do their thing in muddy back lakes and you can bet that tailing reds will be the first to locate these crustaceans. A telltale sign
will be the laughing gulls hovering above tailing reds. Make sure you don’t overlook gulls sitting on the water. The sitting gulls have the patience to wait for a redfish to disturb a shrimp and cause it to jump; this is how the gull makes his living.
One of several nice trout that Jesse Gracia caught on topwaters.
The only unwelcome change will be the gusty winds that March always brings. March winds can quickly churn any body of water making it almost impossible to fish. Some wind can be an ally when stalking tailing reds. Finding protective areas that keep their clarity in the windiest of conditions will be a key component in March. The Three Islands area will have the best clarity even when the south wind is strongest. Finding redfish and trout on the sand will be a common occurrence in March. This time of year can be good for drifting the flats. Drifters can cover many miles of water in a short period of time. If you happen to drift into a productive spot, it’s always a good idea to drop a drift anchor or two. This way you can drift slowly and take full advantage of the bite. The outlook for spring looks very promising, especially with all the big trout we’ve been seeing. As more anglers practice catch and release, and with the new seatrout regulations now in place, the Lower Laguna Madre should only get better in the years to come. Prepare for windy conditions, sharpen your spoons, and lay in a good store of soft plastics; and don’t be timid with the topwaters even in the windiest of conditions. Remember just because it’s windy above the water, does not mean it’s windy underneath. I will be at the Houston Fishing Show at the Fishing Tackle Unlimited booth March 5th through the 9th. Come by and say hello. Let me show you some of the new FTU Green rods that are going to be showcased for the first time. Right after the show I will be traveling to Costa Rica for some snook and tarpon fishing. I’m really excited and looking forward to this trip, and I will certainly post a report of the trip in next month’s issue. Good fishing.
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
93
2008 has gotten off to a wet start. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it will push the majority of the fish that were north of the Intracoastal Waterway south. Flounder fishing should be good all month around the cuts coming out of the marsh. Top baits for flounder include soft plastics, such as H&H Cocahoes and Gulp. Other baits to try would be live shrimp or minnows. Redfishing is still unbelievable. The best spots are still the wiers along the east and south banks. The adjacent shorelines are also good places to try. Soft plastics are your best bets with spinners, spoons, and rattletraps coming in tied for second. The big trout will continue to be shallow through the first half of the month. They will start showing up on the deeper reefs by month’s end. Good places to try are the shorelines south of Turner’s Bay, south of the Old Settlement to Commissary Point, along the east Bank and in West Cove. Good deep reefs are Long Point, Commissary Point, and all reefs in West Cove. Best lures are suspending twitch baits and topwaters.
“Nothing spectacular to report lately in the Galveston area, but fishing is okay in a variety of locations. People drifting on the west side of Trinity Bay are catching some pretty good numbers of trout and limits in some cases. Best bet over there is to drift four to five feet of water over scattered shell next to some of the primary reef systems. Bass Assassins and 52 series Mirrolures are the best baits. In West Bay, drifting scattered shell in the same depths off of Green’s Cut has been steady, though not easy. There are also some good schools of trout around Confederate Reef. Drifting shallower there is a better bet. Shallow is a key word. The tide has been low a lot of the time lately, and that’s pretty much killed the wadefishing. But as the weather warms and onshore flow becomes more common, the wading will pick up like it always does,” James says. He indicates that good places to try once tides return to normal levels will be the north shoreline of East Bay, the coves in West Bay and the east shore of Trinity, from Smith Point to the North Ridge. Jim says that the fishing for trout in Galveston is weather dependent lately, as is the norm in Upper Coast bays. “Behind these cold fronts, it’s hard to catch trout in the morning real good. The tide gets blown out so low that you don’t have any water on the shorelines. And the water out in the middle is a muddy mess, so that’s pretty much game over. Best bet then is to fish up until dark thirty. Especially on days when the tide returns to a more normal level at dusk, the bite can be awesome. Most of those times, we’re still wading pretty far from the bank itself, out where the first little ledges start into the deeper water. Most of the trout we’re catching lately aren’t monsters, just solid fish. Not catching any small fish; they’re running from two to four pounds generally, with a few in the six pound class. Redfish are easier. They will pile up in the ends of little drains and ditches in the marsh on the low tides. We catch them by staying in the deep water and casting into a foot to eighteen inches of water where the drains empty off the flats.” 94
March 2008
“Fishing has been really good lately,” Randall reports. “I love it when it’s warm this time of year. I’m standing in my garage sweating right now. We did have a little issue with the freshwater after a recent front brought some storms. It killed our bayou pattern and moved all the fish out into the bay. We have been catching them out there both drifting and wading. When wading, we are getting out about as deep as we can, since the fish are holding over scattered shell in waist deep water and deeper. We have had some flurries on Corkies in gold/chartreuse and even some topwater action, but the best results by far have been on red magic Sand Eels. I like to rig them upside down, with the hook coming out of the bright side. It’s backwards to the intended way, but I think it makes them look more like a wounded minnow. Speaking of minnows, we’ll be working the schools of glass minnows once March gets here. Usually, once the migration starts, staying in the clouds of moving minnows is an easy ticket to redfish, trout and even flounder. I can’t wait.”
Don’s report indicates that there are plenty of trout in East Bay lately. “We’ve been catching some wading and some drifting. There are fish out on the mid-bay reefs over scattered shell and mud, and both shorelines also have fish. The keys are the tide levels and the wind direction. Southwest winds have put the hurt on the bite on some days, but softer winds with more east make for clear water and open up the options. If the tides are high, wading shorelines improves; if it’s low, the boat fishing gets better. Bass Assassins in plum/chartreuse are producing for both waders and drifters. Those wading with Corkies are catching some of the biggest fish.” He looks for these patterns to hold into March, but also plans to go after the reds in West Bay more as the weather warms. “The reds are already thick over in West Bay, and that should improve as spring arrives. Low tides help on that deal because they stack the fish in the deeper guts going into and out of the coves. You can catch them pretty much however you want to once you find a good school.”
Fishing has been excellent in the area. We have been on a good trout bite for the last three weeks. We have not been on any big fish, just solid keeper fish from fifteen to eighteen inches. Most of these fish have been found out in guts leading from area bayous and marshes. They’ve been in three to four feet of water over a mix of mud and shell. The two best ways we have been catching is with corks rigged about eighteen inches over a sixteenth ounce leadhead with any type of Berkley Gulp shrimp, and quarter ounce leadheads rigged with Berkley Jerk Shad in rootbeer gold and watermelon lime. The redfish bite has been awesome as well. The reds have been holding in guts and on mud flats in two to three feet of water. Quarter ounce weedless gold spoons have been lethal as have bone/flash Super Spook Jrs. I look for the big trout to start staging on shorelines with a mix of mud and grass soon. Our big trout have seemed to move out with the influx of fresh water from the river. Signs that might indicate their return are slicks and nervous mullet.
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
The month of February has been a great month for trophy trout. With the water temperatures mostly in the mid to high fifties, the trout were still active and aggressive. The water clarity has improved in scattered parts of Baffin Bay and this has opened a good variety of areas to fish for those elusive trophy speckled trout. Potholes with a mixture of sand and mud have been the most productive on my charter trips. Because we have had many sunny days warming up the surface water, I have been seeing a lot of mullet jumping and the trout have been suspending themselves just below the mullet about two feet deep. The MirroLure Catch 5 #CHBL, has been responsible for many trout of all sizes, including some up to 29 1/2 inches long. The Bass Assassin in bone diamond and plum/ chartreuse, and good penny Blurps rigged on eighth ounce jig heads have also been fooling many trophy trout. I’m hoping that we don’t get a bad freeze and that the water temperatures stay about the same throughout March.
Lynn expects to be fishing mostly shallow grass beds next to deeper water and a muddy bottom in March. “I like to stay pretty shallow most of the time, but I’ll also pick areas that are close to dropoffs. We’ll be throwing a lot of Corkies and Corky Devils, especially in the pearl/chartreuse color pattern. We also use soft plastics of course, throwing my old standby colors, the red shad and the plum/chartreuse. But I experiment with limetreuse quite a bit this time of year too. I’ve had good success with that bright color in the past. Large topwaters like the Super Spook and Skitterwalk will also be in the mix at times, especially when the sun heats up the flats and the bait gets really active. Historically, we catch some of our biggest trout of the year in March, and this year sets up to be no different.” He also states that he’ll be out at the fishing show at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston from March 5th through March 9th. “I’ll be in the Port O’Connor Guides booth. You can stop by and say hello to me there.”
Blake had been on a couple of drift fishing trips prior to giving this report. “I’ll drift if the clients can’t or won’t wade, and fishing that way produces lots of fish at times. We have been catching plenty of school trout over reefs and scattered shell that way. Soft plastics are the lures of choice on those occasions. I throw my standby Sand Eels, of course. In the near future, I’ll be looking to do some wadefishing in hopes of catching bigger trout. Last year, February was probably my best month for consistently catching five to seven pound trout, with a few bigger ones. March is historically one of the best months for that too. We like to focus on sandy bottoms more as the waters warm with the arrival of spring. The big trout and the redfish seem to take to that hard bottom pretty quickly when the spring winds arrive. I like to target them with large topwaters and also Corkies. Wading shell reefs can be productive too. I’ll be running areas from San Antonio Bay into Aransas Bay. There’s a good mix of both shell and sandy, grassy shorelines in those bays.”
Large jack crevalle usually return to the surf zone in good numbers in March and mid-month marks the beginning of shark fishing in earnest with large full-term pregnant blacktipped sharks available on cast as well as kayaked baits. Other shark species are also possible. Pompano, whiting, sheepshead, black drum and redfish continue to be present in good numbers, and although it varies from one year to the next, good numbers of speckled trout are often available when conditions are moderate. High winds, rough seas and some of the highest tides of the year are common in March and fishable days can be hard to come by. Avoid high wind and tide periods and don’t plan trips very far in advance as conditions change rapidly. www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Joe likes the prospects down south as we head into spring. “The water around the mouth of the Land Cut and in Nine Mile Hole is looking pretty good lately. There are already quite a few fish around down there and it should get better as the weather warms up some more. I like the multiple options the area in and around the cut presents. You can pull drifts in The Hole for redfish and a few big trout, and there’s also the drill of getting on the trolling motor and working long stretches of the edge of the ditch itself. I remember many times, all the way back to 1988, when we just went along for miles it seemed catching trout and redfish all the way. Sometimes it’s good with topwaters, but most of the time, it’s a better bet to flutter a soft plastic off of the ledge. A third option in that area is the Summer House area and north into Rocky Slough. It’s kind of similar to fishing in the cut; drifting, trolling and casting toward the rocks and dropoffs near the shoreline. Topwaters are the safest bet when casting around all the rocks, especially if the water’s too murky to see them.”
Bruce reports that the trophy trout fishing is good in Port Mansfield lately, especially when the water is on the cold side. “We’re doing the typical winter thing, focusing on drains from the marshy areas into deeper water, particularly those ditches that have dark, muddy bottoms. Still throwing mostly slow sinkers like Catch 2000s and Corkies. The topwater bite has not been really good. I just have more confidence in the sinkers right now. In March, of course, that might all change as the water warms even more.” He mentions a tactic that is allowing him to catch fish in the same general areas in different ways as the weather changes. “When it’s cold, we are working our lures real slow over the deepest part of the drains, so that they will be close to the bottom. When it warms up, we speed up and make the action more erratic, so that the lures are barely under the surface. And once we catch one or two of the upper slot or oversized reds, we pound on the area really hard. Usually one or more big trout are in there with them.”
After an awesome beginning, the fishing this year has slowed, with trout hard to find and reds refusing everything most of the morning. There’s a short bite right at daybreak, then things grind to a halt, just like the tide movement, so we’re staying late to top off the box using the Mansfield Maulers with Berkley Gulp shrimp in pearl, new penny, and the newest color, root beer gold. The water on the west side is semi-clear, but extreme low tides limit maneuverable space, so run in muddy areas and avoid spooking fish where the water is clear and you’ll help yourself and others. The east side, at the time of this writing, is partially covered with brown tide and there is some boat traffic to deal with. The warm weather is giving us the chance to catch reds on half ounce gold weedless spoons; you might want to try putting a small chunk of Gulp on the hook to add scent, but not so much that it makes the lure drag up to the top of the water. Freddy says, “We can’t wait for the new spring growth that always signals the beginning of the best fishing of the year.”
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
95
Bobbi Ingram hooked her first keeper trout in West Matagorda.
Jerry Stone tackled this 29” trout while fishing the surf in Freeport. Rick Ulrich and son Bronson Ulrich show off their catches from a father and son bonding wade trip.
Top: Connie Lyssy hooked her first off shore fish in Port Aransas. Left: Dana Portugal lands her career red while out in Rockport. Right: Raymond LeaL Jr. of Garwood caught and released this 48” black drum in Oyster Lake. Wade Schwake shows the Canadians how it is done Texas Fly Fishing Style.
Christopher Reed lands this 90# amberjack while off shore.
Christin Daniels of Cedar Creek caught and released her first black drum while out in Port O’Connor. 96
March 2008
Katie Miller of Ingleside and boyfriend Ryan Elrod proudly show off Katie’s first trout on artificial, measuring at 28 1/2” and 9#.
Manuel Gomez caught and released this black drum while fishing San Jose Island. Texas Saltwater Fishing
Jake Dean of Beaumont snagged this nice red while out at Crystal Beach.
Alyssa Fisher of Galveston snagged this 24” trout in Rockport.
Right: Jay Giamalva tricked this 25” 6# trout of the Texas City Dike.
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Summer McFarlin and Annette McFarlin land a pair of reds while out in POC.
John Esley hooked a nice trout on a Saltwater Assassin while kayaking.
Ruben Delgadillo snagged his first triple tail in Matagorda.
Amy McGee tricked a nice 32 1/2” trout.
Jennifer Green lands her first triple tail while fishing in Matagorda.
Noe Villarreal and son Nicholas show off Noe’s 19” trout caught in Port Mansfield
Keil Propst caught and released this 43 ¾” red while fishing Mitchell’s Cut.
Andrea DeLeon caught and released her first sailfish while fishing off shore. Mark Smith tricked this 8# 4 oz trout into taking his lure.
Angel Rodriguez of El Campo proudly displays a nice 27” red. Joey Crocker landed a nice snook while at Gulf Sand Bar Island.
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
97
CHILE PASTE 5 ancho chile pods - dried
CORN HUSKS Husk preparation: (large bag of Azteca Corn
lemon. Sautee lightly and add ancho chile paste, leave on stovetop only for a couple of minutes,
1 tsp garlic powder
Husks), rinse in hot water, cleaning thoroughly.
just enough to fuse the shrimp and chile with
1/2 tsp cumin
Soak cleaned husks in hot water for 30 minutes,
the rest of the spices. The shrimp should not be
1/3 cup cold water
longer won’t hurt. I soak overnight depending on
cooked fully, they will cook further when fi nished
1/2 tsp salt
amount of tamales to be made (one less thing to
tamales are steamed.
do in the morning). Start by cleaning ancho chiles, remove stems and seeds, wash in cold running water.
SHRIMP FILLING
PREPARING MASA 5 lbs. Adam’s Azteca masa at room temperature
1 stick butter
1 Tbsp salt
add water, boil until softened. Drain and place
5 lbs shrimp (deveined, peeled, tails off)
1 Tbsp baking powder
softened peppers in blender with garlic, cumin,
1 tsp cumin
2 cups ancho chile paste
salt and cold water; blend to consistency of
3/4 tsp garlic powder
1 cup hot water
pancake batter. If you desire hotter tamales,
1 tsp. lemon
1 lb. lard or vegetable shortening
add one or two Cascabel chile pods. Set aside;
2 cups Ancho chili paste
Place cleaned ancho chiles in small pot,
Place masa in large bowl, combine salt,
this paste will be used in various stages of preparation.
Rinse shrimp and chop fi nely. In large pot, melt butter and add shrimp, cumin, garlic and
98
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
baking powder and lard. Mix for 5 minutes to ensure ingredients are combined evenly. Mixing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
lard evenly is important to prevent masa from
rows, open end up, fi ll strainer with enough
sticking to husks during steaming. Add the
tamales to keep them standing. Place a folded
chili paste and hot water, knead as required to
kitchen towel over tamales. Pour 2-1/2 quarts
produce soft, sticky dough.
hot water over the towels, cover pot and place on stovetop. Heat to produce steam, not
TAMALE TIME
a hard boil or pot may go dry. If pot is larger
Open a husk and spread in your palm with
than burner, rotate at 5-10 minute intervals to
scratchy side against your skin, waxy side up.
distribute heat evenly. Depending size of
Tamales will not fold properly if the masa is
steamer and strainer you may have
applied to the scratchy side. Apply a heaped
to run several batches. Steaming
tablespoon of masa mixture and spread with
time is one hour. Yields about
back of spoon, like spreading peanut butter on
7-8 dozen tamales.
bread, about 1/16-inch thick. Spoon about 1/2 tbsp of shrimp mixture in the middle of masa covered husk. Beginning with the
Serve with pico de gallo and slice of lemon! Ummm, que bueno!
right side, fold inward, and then fold left side the same. The top part of the husk is folded back and tucked where the two sides have met. Thanks to Mrs.
STEAMING
Carmen Zavala for
In large covered pot, place several balls of
sharing her family
aluminum foil about 2-inch diameter. The balls of
recipe, we hope you enjoy
foil will prevent your strainer basket from settling
the taste and tradition of her
into the water while tamales are steamed. Select
homemade shrimp tamales!
strainer basket that is a good fit with your pot and
— Pam Johnson
arrange uncooked tamales in standing circular
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
99
MATAGORDA
100
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
LOUISIANA
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Texas Saltwater Fishing
March 2008
101
102
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
Boats, Kayaks, Outboards
For more information about these advertisers visit: http://www.texassaltwaterfishingmagazine.com/contact_advertisers_product.html Boats, Kayaks, Outboards Anderson Marine......................................................... 73 800-416-9003
Gulf Coast Trolling Motors............................................55 281-481-6832
Bernie’s Boats..............................................................14 361-573-7809
House Of Fiberglass.................................................... 65 361-853-2541
Big Boyz Toyz..............................................................65 956-686-9600
Jet Dock.....................................................................104 361-972-2122
Busha Boat Works....................................................... 49 979-245-3369
JL Marine - Power Pole................................................44 888-442-4900
Canoesports................................................................55 713-660-7000
Safe Floor Company.................................................... 54 281-435-5904
Carolina Skiff - Sea Chaser.......................................... 25 800-422-7282
Salt-A-Way...................................................................69 714-550-0987
Coastal Backwater Marine........................................... 45 409-927-1462
South Texas Trolling Motors..........................................57 361-939-8970
Coastline Marine.................................................... Cover 713-614-2057
Specialty Aluminum Works...........................................14 361-575-1477
El Campo Boating Center.............................................69 800-843-2201
Stake Out Stik........................................................29, 57 409-718-7694
Flatstalker.....................................................................47 361-857-7074
Tops-N-Towers....................................................... Cover 281-474-4000
Gulf Coast Boats............................................................1 713-477-7119
Yeti Coolers.................................................................85 512-394-9384
Gulf Coast Marine..........................................................6 800-622-2449
Hill Country Boats...................................................Cover 512-342-2622
Fishing Products (rods, reels, tackle, etc.) Adventure Products..................................................... 67 800-698-6841
Huff Marine................................................................. 43 361-991-0369
All Star Rods................................................................37 800-347-3759
JH Performance Boats.................................................83 979-233-1852
American Rodsmiths......................................................7 713-466-7849
J&P Boats................................................................... 23 979-285-7374
25 Big Fish Wish Company................................................... 281-850-3980
Kroll’s Marine...............................................................61 800-882-4461
Bimini Bay-Tsunami.......................................................87 800-688-3481
LMC Marine Center................................ 2, Solunar Chart 888-797-9805
Boone Bait Co..............................................................41 407-975-8775
Lone Star Yacht Sales................................................. 20 281-334-3500
Castaway Rods............................................................43 936-582-1677
Majek Boats.................................................................. 9 361-991-3102
Costa del Mar.............................................................. 33 386-677-3700
Marshall Marine...........................................................37 361-552-1870
Fishbelly Lures............................................................ 83 718-232-2634
Mt. Houston Marine......................................................63 360-366-4003 888-Shallow
888-742-5569
Rockport Marine...........................................................15 361-729-7820
Ron Hoover RV & Marine Center.....................................1 800-545-8818
Sea Vee Boats........................................................Cover 281-220-2400
Shallow Sport Boats............................................... Cover 956-233-9489
H&H Fishing Rods........................................................15 713-875-7827
Laguna Rods............................................................... 61 979-921-9910
Livingston Lures............................................................ 75 210-857-8381
Mann’s Bait Company.................................................... 5 800-841-8425
Markar Brothers LLC Rollo Lures................................. 37 330-402-4665
Mud Hole.....................................................................65
Sport Marine................................................................65
Mustad........................................................................ 58
800-344-6331 866-790-RODS (7637) 315-253-2793
Suzuki........................................................................... 3
Okuma........................................................................ 71
Texas Marine............................................................... 81
Penn.......................................................... Solunar Chart
800-247-4704
409-898-7632
Trans Fiberglass Boat.................................................. 54 361-972-6629
Boat Accessories
215-229-9415
Rapala.......................................................................... 29 800-874-4451
REC Components.............................................................. 67 860-749-3476
Rods by Pepper........................................................... 83
Cove Harbor Marina and Drystack............................... 20
Sampo..........................................................................25
Espandre.....................................................................45
Shimano.......................................................................55
Fibertex & Supply.........................................................57
St. Croix Fishing Rods................................................... 9
361-790-5438 281-543-1230
888-273-7077
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five
325-234-4420
Waterloo Rods.............................................................85 361-573-0300
Woodee Rods USA......................................................49 281-723-4154
Fishing retail locations Academy..................................................................... 52 888-922-2336
Blue Water Ships Stores...............................................14 281-334-7583
Boater’s World............................................................. 21 800-826-2628
David’s Tackle Box........................................................83 281-342-9669
Fishing Tackle Unlimited.................................... 41, Cover 281-481-6838
Gander Mountain........................................................... 51 800-282-5993
Roy’s Bait & Tackle...................................................... 63 361-992-2960
Tackle Box...................................................................89 361-575-8700
Victoria All Sports......................................................65 361-575-0655
Real Estate Gail McCarty, Realtor Coldwell Banker........................ 69 361-739-7356
Sea Watch Realty.........................................................91 956-944-2800
956-761-2040
Shows: Outdoor - Fishing Texas International Boat Show.................................. 35 561-842-8808
Tournaments IFA Redfish Tour............................................................32 418-788-8871
Speedy Stop Bash Tournament Series......................... 59 361-587-5100
Texas Kayak Series...................................................... 73 210-385-3333
Miscellaneous Coastal Creations Taxidermy........................................89 888-737-5452
Coastal Kayak Angler...................................................54
800-466-5862
Blackhawk Specialty Fabrication.................................. 81 361-785-3068
888-923-3243
Wade Easy....................................................................29
888-943-3622
Skeeter Boats...............................................................53 281-238-0060
314-962-9500
Wade Aid Enterprises.................................................. 83
Troy Giles Realty......................................................... 57
Mister Twister Exude Fan Tail Shrimp........................... 55
800-753-3837
201-825-1212
US Reel........................................................................13
Foreverlast.................................................................. 33
Shoalwater Boats.......................................................104 361-983-4134
361-575-4751
Triangle Linewinders....................................................32
South Padre Island Golf Club........................................28
361-798-1530
Pathfinder Boats.......................................................... 19
409-621-1126
Texas Tackle Factory....................................................45
Fish Slick.....................................................................83
281-447-7689
Ocean Kayak............................................................... 61
Strike Pro America.......................................................67
409-737-1136 315-896-2606 800-274-4626 715-762-3226
Texas Saltwater Fishing
Graphics By Design..................................................... 73 361-785-4282
Mission Wall Systems................................................ 47 888-572-0097
National Children’s Leukemia Foundation..................... 66 800-448-3467
Port Mansfield Chamber Of Commerce.........................47 956-944-2354
Saltwater Fishing Clinics..............................................83 361-563-1160
Speedy Stop.............................................. Solunar Chart 361-582-5100
Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine Subscriptions.......... 71 361-785-3420
March 2008
103
104
March 2008
Texas Saltwater Fishing
www.TSFMAG.com
Just Keep Five