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MAY 2019 VOL 29 NO 1
CONTENTS
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
10 16 22 26 32
38 42 46 50 54 58 64 68 96 99
A Positive Outlook for May May’s Memorable Monsters Pamela Comes to Texas: Part I Little Boats with Big Capabilities When the Big Kings Bite
Steve Hillman Kevin Cochran Martin Strarup Chuck Uzzle Joe Richard
Let’s Ask The Pro Shallow Water Fishing TPWD Field Notes Kayak Fishing Chronicles TSFMag Conservation News Fishy Facts Extreme Kayak Fishing & Sharks... Plastic & Water Don’t Mix Boat Repair & Maintenance Science & the Sea
26
Jay Watkins Scott Null Robert Adami, Jr. Dave Roberts CCA Texas Stephanie Boyd Eric Ozolins Everett Johnson Chris Mapp UT Marine Science Institute
42
WHAT OUR GUIDES
HAVE TO SAY
74 76 78 80 82 84 86
Dickie Colburn’s Sabine Scene The Buzz on Galveston Bay The View from Matagorda Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays Hooked up with Rowsey Wayne’s Port Mansfield Report South Padre Fishing Scene
Dickie Colburn Caleb Harp Bink Grimes Shellie Gray David Rowsey Wayne Davis Ernest Cisneros
REGULARS 8 Editorial 72 New Tackle & Gear 88 Fishing Reports and Forecasts 92 Catch of the Month 94 Gulf Coast Kitchen
94
74 6 | May 2019
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Everett Johnson Everett@tsfmag.com VICE PRESIDENT PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Pam Johnson Pam@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-550-9918 NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Bart Manganiello Bartalm@optonline.net REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Patti Elkins Patti@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-649-2265 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Donna Boyd Donna@tsfmag.com CIRCULATION SUBSCRIPTION – PRODUCT SALES Vicky Morgenroth Store@tsfmag.com DESIGN & LAYOUT Stephanie Boyd Artwork@tsfmag.com SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR Jen Shive Jen@tsfmag.com Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine is published monthly. Subscription Rates: One Year (Free Emag with Hard Copy) Subscription $25.00 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 * Subscribers are responsible for submitting all address changes and renewals by the 10th of the prior month’s issue. Email store@tsfmag.com for all address changes or please call 361-785-3420 from 8am - 4:30pm. The U.S. Postal Service does not guarantee magazines will be forwarded. HOW TO CONTACT TSFMAG: PHONE: 361-785-3420 FAX: 361 792-4530 MAILING ADDRESS: P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 PHYSICAL ADDRESS: 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, TX 77983 WEB: www.TSFMAG.com PHOTO GALLERY: photos@tsfmag.com PRINTED IN THE USA. Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine (ISSN 1935-9586) is published monthly by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc., 58 Fisherman’s Lane, Seadrift, Texas 77983 l P. O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 © Copyright 1990 All rights reserved. Positively nothing in this publication may be reprinted or reproduced. *Views expressed by Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine contributors do not necessarily express the views of Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine. Periodical class permit (USPS# 024353) paid at Victoria, TX 77901 and additional offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, Inc., P. O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983.
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EDITORIAL
GET READY FOR RED SNAPPER &
POTENTIALLY HARMFUL DESAL DISCHARGES Red snapper anglers have much to celebrate as a projected 97-day season gets underway in federal waters on June 1, 2019. This marks the second year of greatly expanded fishing opportunity for the recreational sector, under an Exempted Fishing Permit. As recently as 2017, under prior federal management guidelines, recreational angling for this enormously popular species was being squeezed into ridiculously short seasons, as in only a handful of days. Keep in mind this is a projected 97-day season, not a guarantee of 97 days. The way it works is historic landings data and the likelihood of fishable days for the small boat fleet are entered into a formula that includes Texas’ allocation of the gulf red snapper fishery. If such estimates prove correct, as they did in 2018, the season will last 97 days. However, the season could be closed earlier should the allocation (pounds landed) be met or exceeded over the course of fewer days. Bag and size limits of two snapper per day at 16 inches minimum length will remain in effect in federal waters for the 2019 season. Under provisions of the recently enacted Modern Fisheries Act, individual gulf states fisheries management agencies will assume management of the red snapper fishery in 2020. While the landings allocations for each state will likely remain the same, TPWD will have greater control of season dates to better accommodate small boat anglers with respect to historic weather patterns in the western Gulf of Mexico. Fishable days in June are often disappointingly few as compared to that which Florida and Alabama anglers enjoy.
8 | May 2019
Snapper anglers are reminded of the importance to report landings via the iSnapper app on mobile devices and are also encouraged to use devices such as SEAQUALIZER to reduce barotrauma when releasing red snapper. Another very important issue that has surfaced recently, and with potential great impact upon the Corpus Christi Bay ecosystem, the Port of Corpus Christi (POCC) has filed permits seeking permission for discharge of brine water from a proposed seawater desalination plant. One permit is for a discharge of 50 million gallons per day near the La Quinta Channel. The other is for 95 million gallons per day at Harbor Island. TPWD Coastal Fisheries/Water Resources Branch staff have met several times with POCC and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to voice concerns, stressing the potential impact such high-salinity discharges could have upon estuarian ecology in that region. The La Quinta Channel permit is on hold for now but TCEQ has issued a draft permit for the Harbor Island site. A public meeting was held in Port Aransas on April 8 with 492 comments received, including 81 requests for public hearings. Almost every comment voiced concerns of potential damage to natural resources, with “move the discharge offshore” a common theme. Concerned recreational anglers are encouraged to keep an eye on developments. Most everybody recognizes the eventual necessity for desalination to produce potable water but nobody wants to see potentially harmful discharges into Corpus Christi Bay.
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This is when you know the shad are thick!
Positive
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for Ma y
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STORY BY STEVE HILLMAN
fter wading our way through one of the wettest winters I can remember, it appears that things are drying up a bit. More than a third of the Galveston Bay Complex was too fresh to fish (at least for any saltwater species) for the better part of the past five months. My time was spent bouncing back and forth between here and Matagorda during most of the last three months. It was a challenging situation for many but our ability to change bay systems not only saved many trips but proved fruitful with several personal bests for clients. The great news is that fresh water that punished us is now breathing new life into our bay system in the form of shad, shrimp and many other beneficial marine organisms. The abundant supply of bait becomes obvious when terns and gulls can be observed diving in my prop wash just about everywhere I go. We’re even foul hooking dime-size shad with our lures. My clients and I have been working birds here and in Matagorda since the third week in February. The fish were feeding on 81- to 100-count shrimp. I can only recall seeing this occur so early in the year one other time in my life. What blew me away even more was the fact that there were many white shrimp mixed with the brown shrimp. For those who are not aware, brown shrimp begin their exodus in the spring and white shrimp migrate to the Gulf during fall. Of course there are always whites that winter over but they are typically much larger than the ones I witnessed while working birds. I suppose the reason for this rare occurrence can be attributed to many of the nursery areas being prematurely flushed by heavy rains. Then there were extremely warm periods during which the formula was conducive to shrimp concentrating in certain areas. Nonetheless, it was fun being able to catch solid trout and reds under birds about two months earlier than normal. Look for this to continue throughout the month. The Lake Livingston dam is releasing water at 14,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) as I type and has been as low as 3,000 cfs in recent weeks. This along with some big spring tide swings has salted up more areas for everyone to fish. Let’s hope it continues. When everyone is doing their own thing and catching fish everybody is happy. The past few years have been quite the opposite with only a few areas holding decent concentrations of trout. We seemed to always be looking over our shoulders and a lot of folks were grumpy. May will most definitely bring a more consistent and predictable pattern. The tiny forage will increase in size, water temperatures will continue to rise, and the metabolism of the game fish we seek will also be on the rise. They will burn more energy, therefore requiring them to eat more. As they eat more they will regurgitate more often causing beautiful hard-edged slicks to appear. Wading and drifting slicks is one of my favorite ways to catch trout and now is a fantastic time to do it!
An added bonus for this time of year is that we still have a great chance at catching above average size trout. Even though trout spawn from mid-April through early October (most years), peaks of spawning activity typically occur late April through May. Some of the fattest trout I’ve ever seen have been caught this time of year because they’re not only full of roe, they’re feeding on high lipid content forage such as shad. Many believe that female trout in pre-spawn mode are mainly found on grass beds or up shallow. While these areas can certainly be included on the list they are not the only ones. Trout have been known to spawn on mid-bay reefs, in back lakes, near channels and in passes, just to name a few. It’s really more about when than where. Water temperature is the primary triggering mechanism but other variables such as salinity can affect the timing and productivity as well. Research has shown that the first big spawn of the year occurs when the water temperature is around 74°F. Trout prefer salinities ranging from 15 to 45 parts per thousand for productive spawning. We could be in for a good spawn with Galveston Bay salinities on the rise at the right time. By the way, if you happen to stumble across an area holding unusual numbers of male trout, take note, especially nearing a full
1
2
moon. This is the time of year when large numbers of males will occupy an area, setting the table for spawning females. Being a member of the croaker family, the drumming of male trout attract the females that are ready to spawn. We’ve caught some impressive size female specks mixed in with small males this time of year. Some high percentage areas to target this time of year in the Galveston Bay Complex are coves and bayou drains, especially ones with abrupt depth changes and some type of structure. Such structure could include small oyster reefs or patches of seagrass. Watch for nervous or “balled up” bait and numerous slicks. There will also be times, especially during the early morning hours, when wakes caused by reds and large trout can be seen up tight to the cord grass. This is when I like to throw small topwaters such as MirrOlure She Pups or Heddon Super Spook Jrs. Be sure to cast well beyond and out in front of your target then gently walk it at a pace to where it looks subtle and natural to the fish. In other words, don’t hit the trout on the head with it! Sometimes topwaters simply won’t get the job done. This is when twitchbaits come into play. I’ll try twitchbaits of the floating variety first and then proceed to suspending ones until I find what works.
3
1. Mike Sheehan with a very nice speck caught while drifting the mouth of a cove. 2. Very healthy CPR trout caught on a MirrOlure Paul Brown Floating Fat Boy while casting to a small reef along the shoreline. Great way to break in my new Waterloo Carbon Mag rod! 3. Brett Ballard caught his limit of reds out of a shoreline school feeding on shrimp. 4. Tamara McCartney with a pretty early-morning trout caught while casting to a small reef near the mouth of a bayou drain. 5. Kent Copeland with a healthy one! Nervous mullet along a drop-off showed him the way.
12 | May 2019
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The Borboleta Hot Rod got a lot of love on this day when the fish were suspended.
MirrOlure Double Ds, Double D XLs, and the Borboleta Lele and Hot Rod are superior choices. A floating Corky Fat Boy could also do the trick. When all else fails I’ll switch over to a soft plastic rigged on a 1/16 ounce jig head. May does not discriminate between waders and drifters. Just as many trout, and even some big ones, can be caught while drifting open-bay shell. However, I will say that not all open-bay shell will be productive during this time. I like to focus more on reefs in 7-feet of water or less until later in the summer. Of course, there are always exceptions. MirrOlure Provokers, Saltwater Assassins, and Down South Lures will all work well while drifting slicks and bait concentrations. I usually go with an 1/8-ounce lead head but a 1/16 works great if the fish are suspended near the surface. Medium to large size topwaters such as MirrOlure She Dogs and Rapala Skitter Walks can draw some explosive blowups while fishing out of the boat as well. We’ve seen some promising signs up to this point and the overall outlook for May and hopefully beyond is bright from where I’m sitting. Remember to only keep what you need and let the rest swim, especially the bigger ones. I hope everyone has a fantastic start to their summer season. God bless!
CONTACT
STEVE HILLMAN
14 | May 2019
Steve Hillman is a full-time fishing guide on his home waters of Galveston Bay. Steve fishes the entire Galveston Bay Complex, wading and drifting for trout, redfish, and flounder using artificial lures. Phone 409-256-7937 Email captsteve@hillmanguideservice.com Web www.hillmanguideservice.com
TSFMAG.com | 15
ay’s emorable
onsters STORY BY KEVIN COCHRAN
S
ome trophy trout enthusiasts experience mixed emotions associated with the arrival and departure of May. Ushering in the yearly heat wave, this month serves up the beginning of the end of “trophy trout season� for lure-chunkers; it also provides shots at some of the biggest specimens in the bays. During these weeks, chances of catching trout meeting or exceeding the eight pound mark lag a bit behind the best months, but when conditions conspire to enhance opportunities, tussling with memorable monsters remains a distinct possibility. The first remarkable May memory rushing to the front of the line in my mind occurred in 2002. Still a secondary teacher back then, I fished Troutmasters tournaments on a regular basis. In the days leading up to the poignant event,
organizers changed the venue from Baffin/ULM to an open one; tip of her tail. Estimating her length had been difficult during the fight contestants would have the option of fishing wherever they wanted, because she was fatter than a Butterball turkey! I carried no Boga Grip provided they could deliver five trout to the scales in Baytown by late back then, but having weighed my share of bruisers since, I confidently Sunday afternoon. assert she was most likely my first 10, in addition to claiming status as This unexpected alteration offended me, and I chose not to mail my first 31. To this day, I have difficulty accurately describing the swirl my entry fee, after having participated in about forty consecutive of emotions I felt when she flicked her tail at my feet and bolted back events. In retrospect, instead of acting as though I’d tossed my coins into Baffin’s shadows like a southbound train. into the till, I should’ve stayed home with my wife, lit the barbecue My hands did tremble upon the moment of release, but I felt no pit, watched sports on television, but though hindsight’s 20/20, elation commensurate with the attainment of such a treasured dream. foresight’s not. Ironically, I felt hollow, empty. I knew I’d botched the opportunity Officials set the fishing start-time for the event at midnight on of a lifetime by not entering that weekend’s tournament. I tried to Friday, to allow contestants ample hours on the water, acknowledging convince myself I wouldn’t have made the same cast at that precise the long drives many would make to Baytown from far-flung moment if I had entered, but the argument felt forced. destinations on Sunday. I did arrive at the boat ramp at Bird Island I tossed and turned on the porch of a friend’s floater Saturday Basin in the middle of Friday night, but an intense thunderstorm night, while a brisk northerly breeze rocked both the cabin and me. prevented me from launching my boat for about three hours. After a I couldn’t escape the nagging way my achievement also felt like an fitful nap in the truck, I shoved off the dock in calm conditions under a epic failure. The next morning, my remorse and regrets took another thick blanket of faintly flickering clouds. dive into the deep end. Leaving the boat anchored on the spine of the Tide Gauge Bar, Half-awake, I idled a short distance from the row of floaters and not far west of Cathead, I waded into a pleasantly rowdy topwater began casting my scarred Skitter Walk in the shallows around a rock bite. By the time the sun colored the black canopy steel-gray, I’d studding a depth contour in the Badlands. caught and released several four-pound trout. But that’s not really the I made twenty or more attempts to urge a strike from a fish hunting story. This bittersweet tale emerges from two flawed decisions, the beside the boulder but had no luck, so I tossed the floating plug right aforementioned one to fish, another involving my misunderstanding on top of the rock. The plop-down splash morphed into a massive of a report which motivated my strategy. blow-up, and I quickly landed the trout I had tricked. After measuring A friend of a friend had relayed details about his recent catch of the fish at 29 inches, I released her, then jumped in the boat and made several big trout, up to 30 inches, saying, “I caught ‘em wading along a bee-line for Bird Island, shaking my head and mumbling the whole the Tide Gauge, throwing south, as far out as I could.” So, when the way in, realizing I had added insult to the previous day’s injury. The bite slowed on the spine of the bar after daybreak, I walked out as two trout I could not weigh in Baytown would have totaled nearly 18 deep as I could and began pounds! I’ve never experienced Captain Kev with a big trout pulled off the front shuffling westward, casting a such a confusing combination face of a chest-deep rock in Baffin during May. black and silver Skitter Walk into of elation and depression the depths lying to the south. related to any other sporting Later, I would learn our friend accomplishment. had stayed on the shallowest Years later, on another day in part of the bar, casting to the May, I desperately repeated the edge, so my attempt to mimic strategy of wading the deepest him failed. Luckily for me, the southern edge of the Tide Gauge strategy I employed resulted in Bar, mostly because everything precisely one strike. else I had tried failed to earn a I saw no sign of a splash when single strike. The young men the big fish bit. She yanked the fishing with me had given up on plug under with stealth and taming a giant; they just wanted purpose and dove deep for the a few keepers to take home fight. After several minutes, to eat. I finally started getting I succeeded in coaxing my bites by throwing soft plastics opponent into the clear water into the deep water fronting covering shallower portions the famous bar, allowing them of the bar, where I could size to flutter through the depths, her up. At first, I didn’t trust my then short-hopping them off the judgment; the dimensions of the bottom. The guys fishing with me fish seemed outrageous. I found followed my lead. myself close to the boat when I As we began filling my managed to land her. customers’ stringers with eatingThe tape on the front deck of sized specks, I waded away my Triton verified the 31 inches from the group to the west, spanning her closed lips and the leaving them near the exact spot 18 | May 2019
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where I’d caught my first 31. HalfI shot no video of another believing my own words, I warned memorable May excursion, this one them, “You could hook the biggest a three-day charter made with a trout in Baffin doing this, so fish like customer from Virginia. On those you mean it.” days, we used sinking Fat Boys to Predictably, when I’d moved just sight-cast and catch numbers of far enough away to prevent me 25 to 28-inch trout seen lurking in from adequately helping them, I potholes next to rocks on the north heard a familiar whooshing sound. shoreline of Baffin. Some of the When I turned to look, I could see biggest swam within a rod’s length a beachball-sized sphere of foam of our feet. We attempted to “perch spraying skyward and inching jerk” those, dangling worms right toward them. The three gathered in front of their noses, but failed to together while I marched their entice them to bite. We did manage way; from their clamoring and to trick some others with floating Fat excited yelps, I could tell one had Boys flicked atop shallow sand bars succeeded in pulling the giant onto in Alazan and used a Provoker to pull the bar, into their midst. The man’s one sow approaching 30 inches out rod pointed sharply down, right at of a school of dinks swarming on a big momma’s head. famous flat near Cathead. “Go easy on her. She ain’t ready More recently, one of my oldest, yet!” I yelled. For reasons I will not dearest customers caught our relate here, the line snapped, and longest trout of 2018, dropping the tip of the rod whipped instantly a soft plastic repeatedly near the upward, as if to punctuate the wind-blown, chest-deep face of sickening event. All three of my a rock in the Badlands. When the clients later agreed they’d never 31-incher burst free of the water seen such a tremendous trout. after tasting the hook, we all agreed Adrian Valdez with the longest trout caught “It didn’t even seem real,” her head looked as big around as by any of the captain’s customers in 2018. one lamented. a football. After measuring and The angler who hooked the fish tried to find the silver lining in documenting the fish, I still say I’ve never seen a bigger head on a our gunmetal-gray cloud. He said, “At least I know she’s out there. That trout. Of course, the monster bit because she felt pangs of hunger; the hype surrounding Baffin is more than a myth.” Coming as it did with nothing in her stomach, she weighed a shade under nine pounds. toward the end of a slow day, one on which we’d basically given up on As with other May memories, one hard fact diminished the otherwise encountering such a specimen, the loss weighed heavily on us. pure magic of the moment. In contrast, I felt elated when I caught my longest trout ever, near I did tangle with two other worthy trout after casting at the same the end of the most productive run of trophy fishing in my career, rock over the next few days, confirming the productivity of such on May 5, 2010. I hooked the specimen on a pink/chartreuse Fat Boy, a pattern in the second half of spring. Late-season cold fronts set in the narrow end of a bright pothole making its mark on the dark up higher than normal potential for catching sow trout in South bottom of a mostly grassy flat in the North Badlands. Texas this month. For a couple days after north winds subside, light The behemoth fought right at the surface, giving me several clear breezes often whisper over clear waters, creating scenarios which looks early in the duel; both halves of her seemed long! I began allow anglers to see potholes in the grass, rocks lying adjacent to waving at my partner while we fought, having just stowed my cozy holes, and sometimes, the dark, dappled forms of the stars who camcorder in his boat after carrying it in my pocket all morning. While haunt our angling dreams. he idled up under a mid-day sun, I pinched the trout’s wide lip with my Boga Grip. Placing her briefly onto the deck of his Tran Sport, we verified her length as 32-1/4 inches. The device showed she weighed a shade under ten pounds. Kevin Cochran is a full-time fishing guide “Don’t you feel disappointed?” my friend asked, “ I mean that you at Corpus Christi (Padre Island), TX. Kevin caught this fish in May. If it was earlier in the year, she’d probably is a speckled trout fanatic and has created several books and dvds on the subject. weigh well over ten.” Kevin’s home waters stretch from Corpus I looked long and hard at the shapely female finning in the Christi Bay to the Land Cut. shallows beside me, her body adorned with what seemed a million TROUT TRACKER GUIDE SERVICE dots. I didn’t really feel disappointment then, but in retrospect, he Phone 361-688-3714 made a good point. Fortunately, I captured useful video clips while Email kevxlr8@mygrande.net releasing the glorious creature, some of which appeared in my Web www.FishBaffinBay.com second commercial DVD. www.captainkevblogs.com
CONTACT
KEVIN COCHRAN
20 | May 2019
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Pamela comes to STORY BY MARTIN STRARUP
B
odie met Pamela at Doug Sellers home and the three of them had dinner together. New Year’s Eve was coming on fast and Bodie wanted to know exactly what kind of party Doug was planning on having. “Doug, just what kind of soirée are you planning for New Year’s Eve?” Bodie asked his friend. “Why, Bodie, I didn’t know you spoke French,” Doug replied with a grin. “Actually, Doug, I don’t. I heard it in a movie and had to ask someone what it meant,” Bodie chuckled. “Nothing too big or too special, Bodie. I have invited a few friends for a couple days of rest and relaxation. We’ll bring in the New Year with good bourbon, scotch, champagne, and wine. And we’ll eat quite well, too.” “Might want to include a few Dos Equis, Doug. I mean someone might want one or two, or even three,” Bodie winked. “I do hope a 16 gallon keg will take care of any of my guests’ needs,” Doug chortled. “Well I have that nice suit that I wore to England, but if it’s one of those affairs where a tuxedo is necessary, black tie I think is what it’s called, I’ll stay in the kitchen with the cooks,” Bodie joked. “Casual is the theme, my friend. Dress as you do daily, be comfortable and have a good time,” Doug replied as his cell phone started ringing. “Excuse me folks, I need to take this call.” “Well now that he’s gone, what are OUR plans for New Year’s Eve, Mr. Allen?” Pamela asked playfully. “Well, I hoped that between now and Monday you might have some time for me to show you around and maybe even take you fishing if the weather cooperates. I’m also hoping you will be my date for Doug’s big party.” “I’m off until the seventh of January, Bodie. And, according to Doug, I can spend all of that time off with you. That is if you don’t’ mind my
Part I
company,” Pamela teased. “Well by gosh that’s the best news I’ve had since I got home from England!” Bodie blurted. The two walked across the large den and through the double doors to the pool area, continuing to talk about anything and everything that came to mind. Bodie rattled off his life as did Pamela, they discussed likes and dislikes, the type of people they enjoyed being around and then Pamela told Bodie, “I do especially enjoy being around you, Bodie.” His stomach was all butterflies and his heart pounded in his chest. He couldn’t remember anything like it since his teen years. He reached for her hand and pulling her close they shared their first real kiss. The moment seemed to go on forever, and may well have, had Doug not appeared. Doug cleared his throat as he approached…“Ah hem! I’m informed by the kitchen staff that dinner is ready if you are, and, well, maybe you’re not just yet at that.” The three laughed heartily at that and Bodie, with his arm around Pamela’s waist, showed her back inside to the dining room. Dinner was fun. Bodie even liked the food he didn’t recognize and probably joined in more conversation than he ever had in a single setting. The sound of Pamela’s laugh rang in his ears and he even liked the wine that was served with the prime rib. He could not recall being as happy without being horseback, on a fishing boat, or sitting in a South Texas deer blind. “Surely I can’t be falling in love with this woman,” Bodie thought. “No, son, you’re not falling in love. You’re already in love,” his subconscious answered. “Folks, I have a conference call early in the morning so I’m going to call it a night. You two may continue to enjoy yourselves, help yourself to anything you need. The pool is heated and there are TSFMAG.com | 23
24 | May 2019
Bodie just shook his head and opened the passenger door to help Pamela down. “You DID bring your girlfriend to your house!” Tommy said excitedly. “Your girlfriend, I like that,” Pamela said with a sly wink. Bodie blushed and stepped aside to allow Pamela and Tommy to hug and say hello. “I thought Bodie would sneak you over, so I thought I’d better come out and tidy up a bit. He’s a cowboy and he fishes and stuff like that… so he’s a little messy.” “Oh, is he indeed?” Pamela asked while smiling broadly at Bodie. Bodie gave Tommy one of those “looks” which made him clear his throat and beg his leave. “Sure was nice seeing you again Pamela. I’d love to stay a while but I have to run. You two have fun and I hope to see you again soon.” Tommy was in his truck and down the drive in a flash. “Well what on earth got into him, leaving so quickly?” Pamela asked. “Oh, he’s just quirky that way,” was all Bodie had to say. “Well, Pamela, it isn’t much but it’s my home and it’s paid for,” Bodie said as he opened the door for her. Pamela walked in and gazed around, looking at the kitchen and the den with the fireplace and the well-worn leather couch and chairs. “It has you written all over it, Bodie Allen.” “Now, kind sir, if you’ll direct me to the bathroom while you pour us a drink or open a couple of beers, I’d be most appreciative,” Pamela smiled at her date. Bodie showed her down the hallway to the bathroom and switched on the light for her. “All yours, ma’am” he said as he turned and went to the kitchen to make drinks. Bodie carried the drinks into the den and placed them on the coffee table, taking a seat on the couch to wait for Pamela to return. “Well, not much has changed,” he mused to himself. “Women still spend too much time in the bathroom.” Ten minutes passed as Bodie called down the hallway, “Pamela, are you okay? Do you need anything?” A few seconds later she came into the living room wearing one of Bodies snap-button Wrangler work shirts and, from what he could tell, nothing else. The sight was beyond incredible as bolted up from the couch. “I, I ah, I poured us a drink,” he stammered as Pamela accepted the glass and slid close beside him on the couch. “I think you’re going to be a wonderful boyfriend, Mr. Bodie Allen,” she cooed in his ear. To be continued... Be Safe! -Martin
MARTIN STRARUP
CONTACT
trunks in the cabana that you may use, Bodie,” Doug announced in excusing himself from the table. “Doug, will you need me in the morning?” Pamela asked. “You’re completely off duty my dear, so there will be no call for you in the morning,” Doug called in leaving. “Bodie, I’d love to get to know you better. How about we take a ride and you show me your home,” Pamela suggested. Bodie didn’t reply right away, trying frantically to remember whether he might have left underwear in the bathroom, and whether the dishes were done up properly. Pamela sensed the hesitation and said, “Well if you’d rather not, or this isn’t a good time, I would understand completely.” “No, no, nothing of the sort. I’d love to show you my home. But please keep in mind on the way out there that it’s nothing like this place,” Bodie offered almost apologetically. “Well, let me say this, Mr. Bodie Allen,” Pamela exclaimed. “If it were anything like this place you wouldn’t be the interesting man that you are.” Bodie and Pamela walked to his truck. As he opened the passenger door for her a box of .45 ACP ammo fell to the ground and he bent down quickly to grab it. “Sorry,” he explained. “I didn’t expect anyone to be riding with me. And, uh, don’t touch that rifle between the seats. It’s loaded and ready to go.” Pamela began to smile; noticing the stuff in Bodie’s truck. The rifle, the ammo boxes on the dash, the lariat coiled over the headrest of the driver’s seat, the chaps and spurs in the back seat. “I think I’m going to love your home,” she said softly as he closed the door for her. Bodie was so excited that he banged his shin on the trailer hitch walking behind the truck. It hurt like the dickens but he kept a smile on his face as he climbed in and carefully laid the rifle on the floorboard behind. Conversation flowed easily during the drive to Bodie’s place, almost as though they’d known each other all their lives. “Texas must seem like another world; you being from the U.K., and all,” Bodie remarked. “This entire United States is like another world to me Bodie, and I’m enjoying every minute of it. The expanse of the country and the freedoms you enjoy. You would never find all this cowboy gear and a loaded rifle in the front seat of a vehicle in the UK!” Bodie turned into his property and was driving up to the house when his lights reflected on another vehicle’s taillights. Instinctively he reached with his right hand and retrieved the Colt 1911 tucked between his seat and the console. “Looks as though somebody is making a visit to my house this evening,” he announced with concern. “Are you expecting company?” Pamela asked. “No ma’am,” he answered, just as the headlights shone fully on the truck at the house and he recognized it instantly as Tommy’s. “It’s Tommy’s truck, you met him when we came to London. He can be about a half bubble off plumb sometimes.” “A half bubble off of what?” Pamela asked. “Sorry, it’s an old country-folk expression for someone who is made up a bit different than most other folks,” Bodie explained jokingly. “Well I must say that is a wonderful description of Tommy!” she replied. Bodie was about to open Pamela’s door when Tommy came out of the house carrying two trash bags. “Bodie!!” Tommy yelled. “I came by to clean up a bit for you in case you brought your girlfriend Pamela over.”
Martin Strarup is a lifelong saltwater enthusiast and outdoorsman. Martin is also a collector and dealer of vintage fishing tackle and lures, especially those made in Texas. Email
Trouthunter@swbell.net
TSFMAG.com | 25
little boats with
BIG
capabilities STORY BY CHUCK UZZLE
My little Alumacraft will run “almost anywhere.”
E
ndless expanses of shin-deep water conjure up images of wide-backed redfish and trout as long as your leg. But the shallow water that is just a cast or two away may as well be on the other side of the world if you are in the wrong boat. Modern day fiberglass rockets that will take you from 0 to 60 in seconds are useless in a situation like this and wading some of these areas just isn’t the ticket either. What you need is a skiff, a bona fide shallow-water stalker that will take you where few others go and even fewer fish. I have had the good fortune to run some of these high tech skiffs like the Maverick HPX and Hells Bay, they are incredible machines to say the least and they don’t come cheap, either. Now not everyone wants to shell out a king’s ransom for the high-end skiff but that’s not the end of the road, you have other options and they are quite practical.
One of the drawbacks to a top-of-the-line skiff, besides the price tag, is the fact that they are so nice and pretty that you almost feel afraid to use it for the reason you bought it. Not many people are going to put a duck dog and several dozen decoys in a poling skiff with a $40K price tag and take off to the marsh. Many coastal anglers not only fish but they also hunt, so a small boat that doubles as a way to get into backwater for fishing and hunting serves many purposes. The more ways you can use the smaller boat the easier it is to justify having one; this comes in handy when you are negotiating with your spouse. My lovely bride once told me, “You need two boats, you can’t run your business without them.” Did I mention how much I love my wife? Now that we have made convincing arguments for the small boat, which way do we turn? In my part of the world up here on Sabine and Calcasieu lakes, I have seen two styles become really popular. One is a flat bottom fiberglass such as the Carolina Skiff, and the other is any number of aluminum tunnel hulls. My good friend, Capt. Ron Begnaud, of Lake Charles has tricked-out a small Carolina Skiff and it works great. The best part of the whole process is customizing the boat just like you want it and not spending a fortune in the process. Ron had a poling platform welded up, added a jack plate to his 25-horse Yamaha, installed rod holders, pop-up cleats, push pole holders, and low profile lights for a fraction of what they might cost on a high-end craft. All in all, Ron has less than $9K invested in the whole rig and believe me it floats super skinny and many redfish have made the trip over the gunnels. Now the other option is an aluminum boat, preferably a tunnel hull, if possible. I have been running an Alumacraft 1650 tunnel hull with a 40 horse Yamaha for several years and I love it. The little boat has tiller steering so I have a ton of room for gear and less stuff to get in the way for my fly fishing clients. The floor and sides have all been covered in a thin sheet of aluminum so no ribs are exposed;
I’ve put a ton of miles on my little boat with some great copilots, like my girl Sally.
28 | May 2019
it gives the boat a clean finished look. Under the floor there is extra floatation so the noise is reduced considerably. I had a custom poling platform fabricated and also had sponsons welded on the transom for even better shallow water performance. I added holders from Pole Cat Push poles to cradle the 21 foot Stiffy Carbon push pole. A set of $20 rod holders, four industrial mats from Home Depot cut to fit the floor and decks, along with a rod holder for the platform round out the modifications. The rubber mats in the floor and on the deck make clean up easy after a hunting trip, add to the noise reduction capability, and make walking on the aluminum floor with bare feet in the summer much more bearable. As far as fishing goes, right now several of my last trips on the water have been solo adventures without a fishing rod and accompanied only by my black lab, Joli, and my binoculars. I truly love these days because it helps me switch gears from ducks to fish without missing either one. March and April offer some of the best opportunities to see ducks in their full plumage before they make their way back north. The blue-winged teal migrating back up from Mexico are usually the stars of the show, especially when I’m scouting the marshes of Sabine and Calcasieu for redfish. The small groups of birds work low and fly thru the maze of islands like little jet fighters making just as much noise with their wings as they do with their calling. The drakes are painted up like a brand new decoy and easily identifiable; they drive my dog nuts because she keeps waiting for a shotgun to go off and the opportunity to go fetch one. To see birds in the air and fish in the water at the same time is what really gets me going, the best of both worlds right there in front of you. On one such recent outing I made a loop through some of the marsh ponds that I hunted this past season. On my way in I passed a line of waders standing like solitary figures on an expansive flat, I’m
A total no-nonsense layout, just enough to get the job done, fishing or hunting.
Sponsons were added to increase shallow water performance.
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sure we both were thinking “What’s that idiot doing out here,” as the weather was a good bit less than chamber of commerce. I swung my skiff wide of their position and made my way into the marsh and some much more comfortable surroundings. The lake that was churned up from wind and runoff gave way to beautiful clear water and a slight ripple. I pulled the skiff down off plane and gave the pond a chance to settle as I climbed up on the platform. Much to my surprise a defined group of redfish were milling about as if they had no idea a visitor had made his way into their pond. I pushed up on the pod of fish and just watched for a few moments until they made their way down the pond and eventually swam away from where I was. The rest of the afternoon was more of the same, small groups of fish just relaxed and enjoying small crabs and a few finger mullet. For an early-spring day it was an eye opener; we normally don’t see fish like that until later when water clarity improves. The above average rainfall we experienced during the first months of the year has kept Sabine off-color for extended periods and that murky water has found its way into the marshes as well. The amount of vegetation that normally begins to sprout up is a just a little bit behind schedule but that is subject to change overnight with both air and water temperatures climbing. I think we are right on the verge of finally shaking off the effects of the wet early-spring and getting to a much better place as far as overall fishing conditions go. Hopefully we will begin to see things get back to a much more normal state sooner rather than later so we can put a dismal 2018 in our rearview mirror.
Every angler’s dream right here, one for deep and one for shallow.
Nothing fancy, just a homemade aluminum poling platform.
CONTACT
CHUCK UZZLE
30 | May 2019
Chuck fishes Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes from his home in Orange, TX. His specialties are light tackle and fly fishing for trout, reds, and flounder. Phone 409-697-6111 Email wakesndrakes@yahoo.com Website wakesndrakes.com
Water clarity and warmer temps will soon have quality redfish on the move.
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WHEN THE
Ponderous, 70-pound kingfish caught off Key West during winter.
BIG KI
INGS BITE STORY BY JOE RICHARD
O
ver the years I’ve noticed the very biggest kingfish seem to arrive off our coast in May. Perhaps they’ve been wintering further offshore, and prowl closer to the beach as the Gulf warms. This big king period in May and early June often coincides with windy weather, and this may largely hide the passage of these high-jumping sport fish. Offshore angler effort and the tournaments haven’t really cranked up much, either. So, many of these big female fish, capable of carrying several million eggs each summer, just manage to miss the peak of fishing season. Kingfish over 15 pounds are said to be almost entirely females, so we’ve always released these bigger fish if at all possible—unless a tournament was involved. There is also a health advisory against eating kings bigger than 10 pounds or so, because of traces of methyl mercury, which we certainly don’t need on the dinner table. That’s why it pains me to see big, dead kingfish on the charter docks or fish cleaning tables, waiting for some uninformed person to clean and take them home.
Kingfish can be released—it just takes patience and a little skill. I’ve seen boats offshore gaffing and waiting a leisurely period until the fish stopped struggling, before gingerly unhooking them. Tossed overboard, each fish sank, clearly a waste. With a hard, bony tail, these fish can actually be tailed and pulled aboard, the hook(s) removed with 8-inch needlenose pliers. That is, unless the sides of the boat are too high for anglers to reach the water. In our tournament days we used live and dead baits and single hooks with the barbs mostly flattened, which helped hook penetration but really speeded up each release. After about 30 seconds, these fish become feeble out of water. Over the course of three summers we tagged and released something like 400 kingfish, and some were recovered in faraway lands. (Our distance record was a Galveston king that was recaptured off Cape Canaveral). So, don’t buy into dogma that all released kingfish are going to die and are food for the sharks. We even released a 30-pounder off Galveston that we caught again the following summer during a tournament that won prize money…a lesson on the limits of our resources in the Gulf. Another trick for catching bigger kings is using heavier tackle, say 40-pound line on a lever drag reel. This sort of muscle allows for landing fish in a timely fashion, instead of stretching out the fight for too long. Over on the Atlantic coast they use lighter line and wire leader, hoping to entice one of the increasingly rare big kingfish still swimming off that coast, where tournament winner fish sizes have
dropped. Here in the Gulf, kingfish aren’t nearly so line- and leadershy. Texas and Louisiana both have big, offshore continental shelves where kingfish can comfortably live 60 or more miles offshore, far from boat ramps. (Although the trend in bigger, faster boats over the past 30 years has made reaching these fish much easier). So, target those big kings with medium tackle like we’ve always done. Keeping in mind that the Penn Senator 4/0 reels have long been the favorite for tough offshore charterboat work. As for bait, kingfish aren’t that particular. Forty years ago we’d toss out a small snapper and watch it get clobbered by big kings. Today, red snapper are protected with bag and size limits, not to mention seasons, and you don’t want to be polygraphed after catching a first place kingfish, and having used snapper for bait. Stick with legal baits like big mullet, small jacks, ladyfish, ribbonfish, the list of species is long. Big mullet can be caught with a castnet. The remaining species are caught with trout tackle, which we always carried offshore. Fresh ribbonfish are caught in late summer under the lights at Port Aransas, or during the day in Moses Lake just off Galveston Bay, using gold spoons. Don’t try to use a live ribbonfish for bait, they’re quick as a snake and have very sharp teeth. Big kings love them dearly, however. Twice we’ve caught 49-pound tournament kings, using fresh dead ribbonfish. We also used to board bay shrimpboats in August, when ribbonfish are bigger. Offshore baits are easier and more close at hand, while out there 1. Dale Fontenot drifts past a small platform offshore, battling a kingfish. Photo by Pete Churton.
1
2 34 | May 2019
3
2. Small, schooliesize kingfish in the cooler, waiting to separate from a big trolling plug.
3. Pete Churton with a huge kingfish, about to be released. No gaff was used in landing this fish.
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Dale Fontenot shows the sharp teeth on a live kingfish, moments before it was released. Hang on, Dale! Photo by Pete Churton
on a boat. We once caught a 51-pound king using a live “ruby redlips” grunt while aboard a partyboat. Sometimes we trolled live baits, and the resulting strikes and “skyrocket” jumps were the pinnacle of a weekend. Some days these fish jumped all day, and the next day, not. Just big, savage boils in the water when they grabbed on. These bigger kings are found at offshore platforms commonly fished during summer, but you have to hit them in May or June. Fishing pressure grinds them down and by July, you have to look elsewhere. Maybe a wreck nobody has fished in a while. Or what we used to call a “snapper rock” or “bubbling rock” where natural gas constantly seeps to the surface. It might be a tiny gas platform only 15 feet wide. Big kings can also be caught at night. For us, prime time was always sunrise and sunset, which meant spending the night offshore. We fought those big kings, while everyone else was back in line at the boat ramp, or on the highway home for the evening. We never really had the energy to fish beyond 10 p.m. on an overnight trip, because we needed rest to fish the next day. We found it was best to pick a big platform with lots of overhead light, and no sandblasting. We felt safer around solid structure, ladders, ropes and people overhead, instead of some pitch-black platform with only one blinking light on top. Or anchoring over a snapper rock, and having ships and shrimpboats passing by, a perfect scenario for getting run over.
Bud and Alan Reynolds with a 40-plus pound king off Sabine Pass. Released about five seconds later.
Big, overhead platform lights attract all manner of baitfish and predators, especially on really dark nights, so there was no need to bring our own. We had to keep alert for a change in the current’s direction; you don’t want to wake up with the boat stuck inside the platform, grinding away against barnacles and steel pipes, which has happened to others. It’s not a venue for knocking down beers and sleeping soundly. Even a wind shift can cause problems, not to mention nighttime storms. Been there, done that; not as much fun as it sounds. And so much for that. On a side note, if you are catching kingfish for the table, target the smaller fish. These can be caught behind anchored shrimpboats that show up in July. Or by trolling diving plugs near the jetties when clear green water is present. When trolling those treble-hook plugs, it’s best to swing these (usually) smaller kings into a fish box and wait for them to stop thrashing, before removing the hooks. You don’t want to be tugging on multiple, heavy treble hooks when the fish is jumping up and down; that’s a recipe for an early trip home to the ER. We consider plug trolling as fishing for dinner, also known as meat fishing—not catch and release. And an 8- or 10-pound kingfish, cut into round steaks, is great on the backyard grill. Much safer and tastier too, than the bigger, older fish with darker meat—that should be released unless involved in a tournament.
JOE RICHARD
CONTACT
Joe Richard has fished the Gulf since 1967, starting out of Port Arthur, but his adventures have taken him up and down the entire coast. He was the editor of Tide magazine for eight years, and later Florida Sportsman’s book and assistant magazine editor. He began guiding out of Port O’Connor in 1994. His specialty is big kingfish, and his latest book is The Kingfish Bible, New Revelations. Available at Seafavorites.com
36 | May 2019
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Steve Henriksen owner of Henri rods with solid trout.
J AY WAT K I N S
ASK THE PRO
UNDERSTANDING SPECKLED
TROUT SPAWNING As water temperatures warm into the mid- to upper-70s, I start thinking about trout spawning along the middle coast. It’s similar to the way deer hunters anticipate the white-tail rut in South Texas. Understanding trout spawning behavior can be very useful when formulating fishing plans. Dr. Greg Stunz of the Harte Research Institute says speckled trout are prolific spawners, capable of spawning as frequently as every 10 days, under favorable conditions. Some of the population will likely be spawning anytime the water temperatures are running 70° to 90°, April through September. Here on the middle coast, shallow grass-sand bottoms are preferred spawning structure. Through my own observations over the years, I have told my anglers that spawning begins when the water reached 77°. Mine was an educated guess; Greg’s is science. Greg also says that distinct peaks in spawning activity occur in and around full moon periods. So, with that said, an evening in May during full moon, with water temps as described, would be a good time to wade your favorite shallow-grass shoreline. Areas to consider in the Rockport region would be San Jose, Traylor, and Mud Island shorelines, the East Flats, and our ship channel spoils to the south. Interesting that all of these areas have earned a reputation for producing lifetime trout. Kind of makes sense, though, doesn’t it? Greg also explained that trout eggs have a high
38 | May 2019
oil content, which makes them buoyant, and which also explains the voracious feeding tendencies of spawning trout and their preference for oil-rich forage – menhaden and mullet. During spawning, females are surrounded by males. Male trout have been documented to nudge the stomachs of the females, as though to induce the release of eggs. As she releases her eggs, the males begin to release milt (sperm). Their finning action mixes the eggs with the milt. Buoyancy is important in this process as floating eggs are more likely to become immersed in milt and fertilized than one that sinks to the bottom. Fertilized eggs hatch in 20 to 24 hours to become larval fish. Survival of the larvae is greatest when hatching occurs amid structure that provides safety from predation. That’s where the grass comes in. Buoyancy also plays a role in the fertilized eggs being transported by currents into that type of habitat. Many believe that trout prepare nests for spawning and then guard these nests from predators. Baloney! Trout are broadcast spawners. No nest, no hanging around to protect their young. Nature tells them when and where to do it and as soon as it’s done they’re on their way. Ditto the myth that croaker eat trout eggs. More baloney! The number of eggs released is a function of body weight. Trout of 12 to 13 inches are capable of releasing 100K eggs per spawning event. Trout of 20 inches and
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40 | May 2019
Lowell Odom, owner of Texas Customs with 8-plus on Double D XL, fishing with Brett Sweeney.
Author with nice trout during early spring; fish transitioning to hard sand and grass.
baits, the custom color patterns and the toughness. I have several more than a year old that have given me hundreds of fish, and I still use them. I’ve had to change the hooks but they still work, even with most of the color chewed off. Soft plastics like the 5” shad Bass Assassins, along with the MirrOlure Provoker and Lil John, also have reserved seats in my wading box. When trout get shallow and finicky, as they sometimes do during spawning, the clearer colors with added flash really get the job done. Opening Night, Cajun Croaker, Blue Moon, Watermelon/Gold and Watermelon/ Red Glitter are hard to beat. Soft plastics are not just for catching numbers. I have caught tons of really big trout, even double-digit trout, on soft plastics. It’s the old “Indian not the arrow” mindset that comes into play here. I am still big on the 1/16 ounce 2/0 Bass Assassin Spring Lock jigheads in shallow water, but a 1/4 or even a 3/8 ounce head in deeper water coupled with the MirrOlure Lil John or Lil John XL can be deadly when fish are holding deeper. That distinct thump of a heavier head contacting bottom really gets them into feeding mode. Many of Texas’ best guides that fish deeper water would probably agree with me on this statement. Mickey Eastman once told me that if I melted all the jigheads in my box together, I still would not have enough weight to get the lure down to the fish he was catching and I was missing! You have to love Mickey’s honesty. I hope the science that Dr. Stunz contributed helps you understand the trout spawn a little better and will aid in allowing you to be in the right area at the right time. Keep the fish you wish to eat but please try and release the 20 inch and larger females. They are a vital portion of the spawning population and the future of our trout fishery. May your fishing always be catching. -Guide Jay Watkins
C O N TA C T
larger can release up to 1M. During four or five days of spawning, larger females can release up to 10M eggs. Another good reason to release fish larger than 20 inches! Best spawning success occurs in moderate salinity – 15 to 25-ppt. Biologists have also observed spawning to occur very commonly in depths of 3 to 6-feet. We do however observe and catch spawning trout in very shallow water. In fact, the males “drum” during spawning and we sometimes are able to hear this under ideal, shallow and calm conditions. I’ve heard it a number of times. Greg told me he has caught large female trout in inches of water, still dripping eggs, along barrier island shorelines on springtime full moon rises. These females literally had smaller grunting males swimming around them. Just so you know, Gregg is an accomplished angler and is just as adept with the long rod as he is in scientific data collection and the lab. So this is some real science and something we can add as a tool to locate and catch trout during the spawning months. Huge thanks to Gregg and the staff at Hart Institute for all the work they have done with speckled trout. Now I want to talk about how I look at the spawn from a fishing viewpoint. As mentioned above, I start seeing signs of spawning in the Aransas Bay complex when water temperatures reach 77° and stabilize in that range. The rising water temperature increases fish metabolism, which means more feeding and, as Dr. Stunz taught us, the need for more oil-rich forage in their diet for egg production. Keying on mullet and menhaden becomes critical in locating trout and we begin to see more slicks streaming from structure near potential grass-bottom spawning areas. Birds are also a key piece of the fish locating strategy; gulls, terns, pelicans, even the osprey. These guys make a living snatching bait that gets too near the surface. Keep an eye on them. Each morning I tell my clients that we need to clear the canvas and let the new day paint us a new picture. Expect baitfish to move from day to day and expect to have to adjust to this movement. Knowledge gained over many years tells me trout will follow a plentiful and predictable food source during the spawn, as long as water conditions and bottom structures continue to be favorable along the migration route. It’s a guess, not scientific fact, but it works for me. Based on observations so far in the 2019 spring spawning period, and the trout we have been catching, I am very excited about our prospects in the coming weeks and months. Topwater lures have never been my go-to, they’re great when the trout are eating them, but I’ve never been a fan of counting blowups, swats, swirls, and other near misses. In 2019, Lowell and Dee Dee Odom, owners of Texas Custom Lures, came out with the Double D and the Double D XL series manufactured by MirrOlure. These lures can be made to swim, suspend and float, the best of all worlds in the hardbait category, and the MirrOlure name insures the quality. Through extensive field testing these baits have earned a permanent berth in my wading box. On days when we find trout missing topwaters, we tie on a Double D and present it however the fish want it to gain solid strikes. I love the
Jay Watkins has been a full-time fishing guide at Rockport, TX, for more than 20 years. Jay specializes in wading yearround for trout and redfish with artificial lures. Jay covers the Texas coast from San Antonio Bay to Corpus Christi Bay. Telephone Email Website
361-729-9596 Jay@jaywatkins.com www.jaywatkins.com
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C A P T. S COT T N U L L
S H A L L O W W AT E R F I S H I N G
PARTNERS IN PURSUIT Bird watching is one of the fastest growing outdoors activities in the country, out-pacing even hunting and fishing. A recent survey found that over 51 million Americans reported “birding” as a regular activity. I’ve taken several guided trips over the past few years where my anglers turned out to be more into bird watching than fishing. I’ve also run a few trips that were purely birdwatching adventures. Several years ago I met up with my customers who arrived with fly rods in hand and some very expensive binoculars slung around their necks. As the day progressed I learned these two gentlemen were world renowned birding experts who had written books on the subject and make a living leading bird watching trips all over the world. While they were on my bow to pursue redfish on the fly, it became obvious that fishing was secondary to taking in the birds found in the Texas marshland. I got quite an education on the finer points of identifying the subtle differences between similar species. What surprised me during that trip wasn’t so much what I didn’t know; it was how much base knowledge I had tucked away in this ole brain. I guess when you prowl around in the marsh for the majority of your life you learn things whether you intend to or not. Poling my skiff around puts me quietly into their world and allows me to observe without disturbing them too much. I’ve never thought of myself as a bird watcher, 42 | May 2019
but by the end of day two these gentlemen proclaimed me to be a birder. Merriam-Webster defines birder simply as “a person who watches and identifies birds.” So, I guess they were right. I seriously doubt I’ll ever travel the world in search of a particular bird to mark off my “life list”, but I can accept that I am indeed a watcher of birds. However, my interest in our feathered friends tends to be geared towards observing their behavior and how it can help me accomplish my main goal of locating feeding fish. Every angler with a salty tide or two under his belt knows to watch for a tight flock of gulls wheeling and diving to the water. That one is easy, as evidenced by the weekenders racing to the activity. What interests me even more are the less obvious clues, the things that most folks
Tern over Spanish mackerel feeding on tiny finfish.
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44 | May 2019
Skimmers continuously working an area can lead you to some balled-up bait being pressured from below.
Terns following reds feeding on shrimp.
you to a school of reds feeding against the grass. Nothing pleases me more than to pull up into the marsh at daylight to find all of the birds up and about doing their thing. Active birds usually mean active fish. The major and minor feeds we all keep track of apply to the birds just the same as the fish. When the wading birds are patrolling the edges of the ponds and hunting I tend to find the fish are aggressive. If I see the herons and egrets sulking way back in the grass, that is a sign the reds will be generally less active. I suppose in reality I’m less of a bird watcher than an observer of bird behavior. Pay attention to our feathered friends and they’ll become partners in your quest to locate fish.
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overlook or never consider. Terns, egrets, herons and even the bright pink roseate spoonbill can provide you information if you’ll watch them with an open mind. As mentioned above, we all know to look for the flock of excited gulls. I’ll certainly fish those if the opportunity presents itself and I don’t have to deal with other anglers elbowing in. What I prefer to do when the birds are working is to look for the smaller flocks that aren’t getting all of the attention. The next time you find yourself amongst several other boats start looking outside the main activity. I’ve found that there are usually at least a couple satellite schools nearby. Many times just two or three gulls sitting on the water can lead to a nice school that hasn’t pushed the bait to the surface. The gulls know they are there and are just waiting to be first in line. Read the clue correctly and you can have this school all to yourself. Gulls in the marsh or over shallow water will often shadow redfish as they feed. These birds won’t be in a tight flock wheeling and diving constantly, rather they will mostly just hover low facing into the wind while occasionally making an occasional quick dive. A single hanging gull has put me into fantastic redfish activity more times than I can count. Finding a group of half a dozen gulls acting in this manner is a sure bet that they are following a larger school across the flat. Terns get a bad rap among anglers as “liar birds.” While it is true that the smaller terns will gather to feed on bait that is too small to interest most gamefish, there are times when they’ll lead you to a good bite. The majority of anglers I deal with will totally ignore all tern activity. My experience has been that the larger flocks that are scattered over a fairly large area can be safely bypassed. Smaller flocks of a dozen or so in a tighter area are worth a look. Pull up and see if there are any larger swirls under them that would indicate feeding gamefish. A few casts should tell you if there is any reason to stick around. There will be times when you see obvious splashes and can’t draw a strike. I ran into this for years before I finally put the pieces together. This usually occurs off the beachfront or in the open bays. The terns are going crazy and the fish are obviously feeding, but you can’t see the bait and they won’t even give your lure a second look. Try throwing a clear soft plastic with sparkles and buzz it along just under the surface. The result will often be a Spanish mackerel or ladyfish. And when you get them to the boat they’ll toss up a pile of tiny silver or clear minnows. I think what happens is that the fish are slashing into tight wads of micro bait eating dozens at a time. Your typical lure is simply too big of a profile to match the hatch. I think the clear bait with sparkles must look like a tight bunch of little minnows. Try it, I promise it works. Back in the marsh, a loose flight of Forster’s terns over a back lake deserve some attention, too. Watch them as they cruise around over a shallow lake or flat and you’ll sometimes see them pause and hang in one spot while looking down into the water. The term birds-eye view came about for a reason. These birds are looking for an easy meal and they know that a big redfish can provide for them. If they see a school of reds, or even a single fish, they’ll at least pause to take a look. I figure they’ve got a better vantage point than I do so why not listen to them. And, if two or three of these scattered terns suddenly gather tightly and dip low along the surface, it’s nearly a sure thing. The variety of shore birds in the marsh ringing our bays is incredibly diverse. Herons, egrets, plovers, pipers, curlews, etc., are all present. Some of these can put you on fish if you’ll slow down and pay attention. They’re all looking for a meal. A little snowy egret quickly walking down a shoreline franticly pecking at the water will almost always lead
Capt. Scott Null is a devout shallow water fisherman offering guided adventues via kayak, poled skiff, and wading. Telephone Email Website
281-450-2206 captscottnull@gmail.com www.captainscottnull.com
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Imported Venezuelan Pacific White Shrimp being sold as bait (see country of origin label in yellow) at a local bait stand in Corpus Christi. Photo credit: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Law Enforcement.
B y R o b e r t Ad a m i , J r. | N a t u r a l R e s o u r c e S p e c i a l i s t , S h r i m p Fa r m I n s p e c t i o n Pro gra m
FIELD NOTES
CONCERNS OF SHRIMP VIRUS ACROSS TEXAS GULF COAST Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) biologists have reported that imported frozen shrimp can carry viruses and other diseases that may have lethal effects on local shrimp populations. These diseases can also impact other crustaceans, such as crabs and freshwater crayfish. Recently, several bait camps along the Texas coast were found selling imported frozen shrimp as bait, which elevated concerns about the spread of transmittable diseases into wild populations from frozen bait (Photo 1). This article marks the beginning of a state-wide campaign to educate recreational anglers of the risks of using imported shrimp as bait for both inland and coastal fishing. White-Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) White-spot syndrome virus has emerged as one of the most prevalent and lethal viruses around the world, especially in farm-raised shrimp (Photo 2). This virus was first detected in Taiwan in 1992, and it then spread to Japan and throughout Asia. Since its first detection, WSSV has been detected in wild shrimp from India, Australia, the U.S. Atlantic coast, and just recently, the northern Gulf 46 | May 2019
of Mexico. For countries with minimal monitoring, it is not uncommon for there to be one hundred percent shrimp mortality when culture ponds are infected with WSSV. In 1995, WSSV was reported at a south Texas shrimp farm. A case study was conducted, and the results suggested that the most probable cause for its introduction was through an imported frozen-bait shrimp commodity from Asia. Currently, WSSV has not been detected in the western Gulf of Mexico or in Texas bay systems. Remarkably, WSSV is not eliminated during routine seafood processing (i.e., chilling or freezing); a study in Texas showed that the virus was still present in frozen shrimp, and it was transmitted to live shrimp, which later resulted in shrimp mortality. Other studies have shown the presence of WSSV and other harmful viruses in bait shrimp that were boxed frozen and sold at bait shops and supermarkets. The durability of the virus presents concerns about using imported frozen shrimp as bait when fishing in coastal and freshwaters, since it can infect native shrimp, crabs, and crayfish. Although these shrimp viruses may be transmittable to other shrimp and crustaceans, they are not harmful to humans.
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Potential Impacts of a Major Disease Outbreak Although these diseases are a major concern for the shrimp aquaculture industry, there are potential impacts to native shrimp, crabs, and freshwater crayfish. The impacts of a major disease outbreak in native shrimp populations could include: Significant economic impacts to the commercial shrimp fisheries and recreational fisheries in Texas, which are valued at $129 M and $1.2 B annually, respectively. A decline in species that rely on shrimp as a food source such as red drum, spotted seatrout, flounder, and many other important recreational and commercial species along the Gulf coast (Photo 3). Decreased ecosystem health from a reduction in major prey species abundance, which may cause a shift in pressure on other forage species. Pacific white shrimp infected with The risk of wild shrimp and other crustacean the White Spot Syndrome Virus. populations being exposed to a viral infection is Photo credit: Aquaculture Pathology not fully known. To date, there are no documented Laboratory, University of Arizona. cases of WSSV and other viruses in Texas native shrimp stocks; however, the recent discovery of imported frozen It is illegal to use imported shrimp as bait shrimp being used as bait has prompted TPWD to begin sampling Texas regulations mandate that it is illegal to introduce “harmful native shrimp and crustaceans to identify the prevalence of these or potentially harmful” species into public waters of the State. This viruses in populations across the Texas coast. applies to bait dealers who illegally sell imported shrimp and to anglers who may use imported shrimp as bait. These mandates have been in effect for decades. However, some bait dealers may be unaware that viruses can be transmitted through bait and may be supplementing their bait inventory with imported frozen shrimp. Similarly, recreational anglers may buy frozen shrimp from their local grocer without knowing that it has been imported and that diseases may be transmitted through the frozen shrimp when they use it as bait while fishing. In November 2018, TPWD provided a reminder to all bait dealers throughout the State of the prohibition on the sale and use of non-native frozen products as bait and this practice being a violation of Texas State law. Texas Administrative Code Chapter 57.112 also states that it is a violation to “introduce or place any part of a non-native shrimp into public waters of Texas.”
Recreational and commercially important species that rely on shrimp as a food source could be impacted by the White Spot Syndrome Virus. Photo credit: Robert Adami, Jr.
48 | May 2019
Check the TPWD Outdoor Annual, your local TPWD Law Enforcement office, or tpwd. texas.gov for more info.
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DAV E R O B E R T S
K AYA K F I S H I N G C H R O N I C L E S
MONTANA TROUT A few weeks back, I walked into work, grabbed a cup of coffee and met everyone in the office for our morning safety talk. Not long into it everybody’s cell phone went off with a message…Need volunteers for coverage at the Billings, Montana facility. I quickly checked my calendar and seeing nothing terribly important for the next two weeks, I sent an email requesting to have my name thrown into the hat. By the end of the day I was putting a travel itinerary together and within a few hours a coworker and I were on a plane headed north to Billings. Now I typically do not chase overtime, mostly because it gets in the way of my fishing, but this would give me an opportunity to make a few extra dollars while providing a chance to explore a new state. On top of that, I know the quality of fishing that is to be had in Montana and that was enough incentive. So naturally, I packed my waders, fly rod and reel, fly box and everything else that I thought I would need with hopes to be able to catch a few trout on the Montana rivers. When we touched down, the captain came over the intercom welcoming us to Billings and said the temperature outside was -6°F. Brrrr! Apparently this winter has been one of the worst the state has experienced for 50 | May 2019
record low temps and snowfall. Lucky us! We even had a few mornings that got down to -20°F, which was a whole different level of cold, especially for a couple of guys from coastal Texas. However, getting to witness the winter scenes of the plains and mountains covered in snow is a memory l will forever cherish. Once we got settled in and unpacked I began to gather my intel about fishing opportunity in the region. One thing I have learned through my travels is that local knowledge can be very valuable. A little bit of information about where to go and what to throw will save you several days of guessing when it comes to fishing unfamiliar water. Luckily for me, I found a fly shop located within walking distance of my hotel that provided a great starting point. After talking to the owner, he was more than happy to share plenty of info of the local rivers and where I should go for winter fishing. Apparently, during the time we’d be there, the Bighorn River is about the only water that is fishable due to nearly all the other rivers being covered with ice. No worries though, the Bighorn is considered a blue ribbon river, which means it is one of the more productive places in the state. On average, there are
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52 | May 2019
I spent the next several hours trying but couldn’t buy another bite. I guess it happens like that but I can’t complain. I caught two fish on my first trip to the river and couldn’t have been happier. The rest of my day consisted of enjoying my surroundings and appreciating everything that was in front of me. A new experience, I had to clear ice from the eyes of my rod every ten to fifteen minutes, and that’s cold fishing weather, especially for a Texas boy. Other than that little inconvenience I am incredibly thankful that I got to experience what I did and in a such beautiful part of the country. Even though I am here for work I can’t wait to get back to the Bighorn!
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anywhere from 2500-3500 trout per mile in the Bighorn. The owner assured me that there are plenty of fish to be caught and pointed to a spot on the map as a great place to begin my quest. Of course, work had to come first, but that doesn’t mean I wasn’t thinking about fishing. I asked around the shop and found a few seasoned guys who have spent plenty of time on the Bighorn and encouraged me that I should be able to land a few nice trout. All I needed was a window in my work schedule to break away and head to the river. After a few weeks into the work assignment I ended up getting a day off and I was prepared to head to the Bighorn. The hour drive east was worth it in itself; the rolling hills turned into snow covered farmland filled with large groups of Canada geese, pheasants, pronghorns, and plenty of deer. It was truly a sight to behold and I was impressed before I even picked up a rod. Winding through the farm roads, I finally pulled into the boat launch, which is also a very popular wade fishing area on that portion of the river. To say I was eager to climb out of the rent car and get my gear together would be quite an understatement. Walking down to the river’s edge I was greeted by the soft sound of gently running water and the honking of geese. It seemed we were all there to enjoy the only flowing water available in that part of the state. I had the whole river to myself and decided to try to read the water before heading in a specific direction. The river splits into three rapids at this location as it makes its way between two islands. I decided to head to the center rapids and fish the area where the three flows came back together. I eased out onto the point of the island and began casting upstream to allow my flies to be carried along naturally with the currents. To my surprise, my third cast into the session, my strike indicator went under and I was hooked up. Getting the fish close at my side, I realized it wasn’t a trout at all but what the locals call a whitefish; a species that somewhat resembles a carp. He ended up breaking my line and swimming away but not before I got a good look. Trout or not I couldn’t have been happier. I retied with the same fly and was shortly back to fishing. It may have been five minutes or so, once again, my indicator went under. Fish on! This one was a much better fight and I knew that I had the fish I was looking for when it broke the surface. She put up a good fight but I was able to get her in my hands. I made a few quick photos that included the release as I watched her disappear as quickly as she had appeared.
Dave Roberts is an avid kayak-fishing enthusiast fishing primarily the inshore Upper Coast region with occasional adventures to surf and nearshore Gulf of Mexico. Email: TexasKayakChronicles@yahoo.com Website: www.TexasKayakChronicles.com
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Scientific research plays an important role in establishing best practices for habitat restoration efforts. CCA Texas works closely with Harte Research Institute and others to help establish these best practices.
Story by John Blaha | Photos by Lisa Laskowski
T S F M A G C O N S E R VAT I O N N E W S
CCA TEXAS STARTING STRONG IN 2019 As this issue hits your mailboxes and newsstands, CCA Texas volunteers and staff will be in the middle of the biggest run this year of fundraising and membership banquets across the state. The first third of 2019 has started off with a bang with several record-breaking events in both attendance and dollars generated for conservation efforts along the Texas gulf coast. CCA Texas leadership, volunteers and staff are equally excited about the successes that promise to follow as we proceed farther into the first half of the year’s fundraiser banquet schedule. CCA Texas’s Advocacy team has been busy on many fronts. With the Texas legislature in session, the advocacy team have been frequent visitors to the halls of the capitol looking after the interest of Texas’s coastal resources. CCA Texas is working closely with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) and other groups to put in place the necessary authority for TPW Commission to establish and manage an oyster mariculture plan for Texas. Texas is the only coastal state without an oyster mariculture plan and this effort will be a positive step for not only the resource but for business opportunities as well. The advocacy team has also been keeping a very close eye on the rapidly 54 | May 2019
growing efforts to establish desalinization plants and port expansion efforts along the coast that will service the growing export needs of the oil industry. Current permit requests and plans are at times located in environmentally sensitive areas and the team is working to review each permit application on a case by case basis to ensure that the surrounding ecosystems are being evaluated and protected to the greatest level achievable. CCA Texas supports the TPWD Commission for taking recent action to extend the five fish limit on spotted sea trout to include all Texas coastal waters. This action will help ensure a healthy fishery for the future as the human population along the Texas coast and the number of coastal anglers continues to grow exponentially. HTFT Approves Funding for Three Projects Set to Begin CCA Texas’s Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT) committee met recently to review project submissions from partners. This meeting resulted in the approval of funding for three projects, and the continued review on three others.
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Sabine Lake Oyster Restoration HTFT approved an additional $100,000 in funding to the Sabine Lake Oyster Restoration project. This project was originally funded in the amount of $100,000 by HTFT and BCT in 2018. CCA Texas was awarded the Conservation Wrangler’s Award from Texan by Nature in 2018 for the efforts in this project. The effort is a partnership with TPWD and is working to restore up to 27 acres of oyster reef in the lower end of Sabine Lake. The original project was slated to restore a small area with CCA funds, however TPWD was award an additional $500,000 from Harvey Relief Funds to expand the work. With HTFT’s recent additional award and the Harvey Relief Funds, the Sabine Lake oyster restoration project is set to make a significant impact to the health of this reef and the Sabine Lake eco-system.
Oysters provide important eco-system services that are perhaps unmatched by any other habitat form. CCA Texas continues to work with partners on restoration projects along the Texas coast, and through legislative efforts to ensure healthy oyster habitat for future generations.
Shoreline protection and marsh restoration protect critical habitat for marine larvae and other marine animals. Shoreline protection and marsh restoration efforts are important to healthy eco-systems.
Dollar Bay Shoreline Protection and Wetland Restoration HTFT approved $50,000 in funding to the Galveston Bay Foundation for the Dollar Bay Shoreline Protection and Wetland Restoration project. This project will construct shoreline protection measures and wetland restoration techniques which will directly protect approximately 1,500 linear feet of shoreline from further erosion and habitat conversion within the Moses Lake and Dollar Bay area. The project also aims to restore up to 72 acres of intertidal wetland habitat within Dollar Bay. Wind-driven waves, particularly from the southeast during the summer months are impacting the shoreline and cause vegetation, soil loss and habitat conversion. The project will be constructed to reduce shoreline erosion and minimize wetland loss. Installing hard structure breakwaters will help reduce wave energy affecting the shoreline. The proposed project will not only serve to provide habitat for fish and shellfish, but will also help improve water quality in the affected area and protect the existing shoreline form wave energy. Estuarine marshes are considered high priority nursery habitat for fish and shellfish species including Gulf menhaden, sand seatrout, Atlantic croaker, spotted seatrout, and white shrimp. This project will benefit the public by increasing habitat and outdoor recreation opportunities such as fishing and ecotourism. CCA/BCT funds, will be utilized to assist construction and/or for assistance with planting the site with smooth cordgrass post construction via volunteer and/or contracted planting events.
56 | May 2019
Serpulid Reef Research Serpulid reefs have historically received very little research in Texas. In 2018, HTFT funded Harte Research Institute (HRI) and Dr. Jennifer Pollack’s team to study these historic and important reef systems. The initial funding of $60,000 was used to perform an assessment of invertebrate reef communities including density, diversity, and biomass at several reef sites over time; link changes in reef communities to seasonal and/or water quality changes; and to conduct dietary analyses of fisheries species to assess the importance of reef communities as prey resources. This early research has provided valuable data and shows the diversity and fragility of these reefs. HTFT has funded another $75,000 for the continued research of this important eco-system. The continued studies will compare the colonization of serpulid worms on restoration substrates with those on natural serpulid reef habitat; compare the colonization of restoration substrates by mobile and sessile invertebrate species (prey resources) with those found on natural serpulid reef habitat; and calculate and compare benefit-cost ratios for each substrate type to guide future restoration planning. Serpulid reefs are an important part of the Baffin Bay and Laguna Madre eco-systems. CCA looks forward to seeing the results of HRI’s continued research.
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Juvenile sturgeon
STEPHANIE BOYD
F I S H Y FA C T S
GULF STURGEON The Gulf sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi, is one of seven species of sturgeon found in North America, and the only one to appear off the Texas Gulf Coast. It is a subspecies of the Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrinchus. As you might guess, Gulf sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon are very similar in appearance. In fact, the only significant morphological difference is the length of their spleen (Gulf sturgeons have a mean spleen length versus fork length measurement of 12.3 percent while Atlantic sturgeon’s is only 5.7 percent). Both species are part of an ancient lineage dating back to the Triassic period, some 245 to 208 million years ago. Sturgeon are one of the oldest lines of actinopterygian fishes, a class of bony fishes known as the ray-finned fishes because their fins are webs of skin supported by bony or horny spines (‘rays’). Actinopterygii are the largest and most successful group of fishes and make up half of all living vertebrates. Sturgeon have evolved very little since the Late Cretaceous period, 100.5 to 66 million years ago, earning them the informal status of living fossils. They are unique among bony fishes, along with other members of their subclass Chondrostei, because their skeleton is almost entirely cartilaginous.
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This might lead you to believe they should be classified with sharks and rays, but the cartilaginous skeleton is a derived feature, not a primitive one. Sturgeon ancestors had bony skeletons. Gulf sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they are born in freshwater rivers, migrate to marine environments, and return to those freshwater rivers to spawn. They are generally found from the Mississippi River in Louisiana, east to the Suwannee River in Florida, but sporadic occurrences have been recorded as far west as the Rio Grande River in Texas and Mexico. Typically they spend late fall through early spring in bays, estuaries, and the nearshore Gulf. During that time, they hang out in shallow shoals (5 to 7 feet), deep holes near passes, unvegetated sand habitats such as sandbars, and intertidal and subtidal energy zones. The warm summer months are spent in freshwater. Gulf sturgeon are truly gargantuan fish, growing up to eight feet long and weighing up to 200 pounds. Females grow larger than males. Rows of bony plates, called scutes, armor their back and head. The snout is V-shaped and bladelike with four fleshy barbels. The vacuum-like mouth lacks teeth and is positioned on the lower surface of the
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snout. Similar to sharks, Gulf sturgeon have heterocercal tails, meaning one lobe is larger than the other (the upper lobe, in the sturgeon’s case). Adults are usually dark brown on top, fading to a creamy white underneath. Sturgeon are opportunistic and indiscriminate benthivores (bottom-feeders) that change their diets and foraging areas during different life stages. They feed like a vacuum – sucking up amphipods, isopods, crabs, grass shrimp, lancets, brachiopods, mollusks, small fish, and polychaete worms – and have a special spiral valve digestive system to help them absorb food and other nutrients. (The spiral valve is a screw-like, symmetrical shape within a portion of the small intestine. It adds surface area for digestion and absorption to an otherwise relatively short intestine.) Sturgeons feed non-visually. They detect prey with their barbels – which have olfactory, tactile, and chemosensory sensors – and with their ampullae of Lorenzini, a type of electroreceptor located in the head that are sensitive to weak electric fields generated by other animals. Adults only feed from fall to spring when they reside in the Gulf; they appear to fast during the summer when they are in freshwater. In freshwater habitats, Gulf sturgeon have very few predators due to their size and body armor. Alligators may feed on them occasionally. In the Gulf of Mexico, sharks may be potential predators. Although not intentionally dangerous to humans, there are incidents of Gulf sturgeon leaping out of the water and injuring boaters. Due to its large size and heavy body armor, some injuries have been significant. All sturgeon species will jump at times. Gulf sturgeon can jump six feet out of the water, but why they leap is still a mystery. Many speedy, near-surface predators (such as billfish, tuna, and tarpon) jump, but sturgeon are bottom dwellers. There are several theories as to why they leap, including group communication, escape from predators, shedding parasites, shedding eggs (during spawning), gulping or expelling air, courtship displays, or simply that it “feels good.” Hatched in freshwater rivers, Gulf sturgeon head out to sea as juveniles, and return to the rivers of their birth to spawn when they reach adulthood. Individuals don’t necessarily spawn every spring. Some may only spawn once every five years. Temperature, flow, and pH must be optimum to induce spawning. If conditions aren’t quite right for a successful spawn, sturgeons will skip that spawning season, often waiting years before spawning again. When they do spawn, sturgeon make a noise similar to a creaky door hinge. Spawning occurs over bedrock, boulders, or gravel bottoms. Fertilization is external. Eggs are demersal and adhesive. Eggs are about 2 millimeters in diameter and vary in color from gray to brown to black. After hatching, juvenile Gulf sturgeon generally disperse, most heading downstream, some traveling upstream. They stay in the river for the first two or three years and then move to the estuary where they forage until they reach sub-adult size, three to four feet. Average growth is just under ten inches per year for the first two
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to five years, and about three inches per year to the age of eight. It takes seven to twelve years for males to sexually mature, and eight to sixteen for females. They can live for as long as sixty years, but the average lifespan is twenty to twenty-five. Not only do the sturgeon’s spawning habits make them susceptible to fishing pressure, but the long generation lifespan means that it takes time for populations to recover. Gulf sturgeon also appear to be river-specific spawners, meaning once a specific river’s spawning population dies out, there’s almost no chance of it being naturally repopulated by sturgeon from another river system. Additionally, they are unable to climb fish ladders like salmon can, so dams, weirs, reduced water flow, and other forms of habitat loss all threaten the survival of the species. With a relatively small and widely scattered population, the Gulf sturgeon is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Historically, sturgeon populations were greatly reduced by overfishing because of the high value of their roe used to produce caviar; their flesh for smoking; and as a source of isinglass, a semitransparent gelatin prepared from the swim bladder, used in jellies, special cements, glues, parchment preservation, and clarification of wine and beer. Now that rampant overharvest has been stopped, the main threats to survival are habitat degradation, pollution, dredging, and climate change. Contamination from industrial, agricultural, and municipal activities is believed to cause a variety of impacts, including muscle atrophy; abnormal gonad, sperm, egg, and larval development; organ mutations; tumors; and disruption of hormone production. The dredging of river channels can destroy or suffocate sturgeon eggs and can also affect the quality, quantity, and availability of prey, since they’re bottom feeders. Global climate change may cause changes in habitat, such as saltwater intrusion, water temperature fluctuations, exacerbation of dead zones, and extreme weather periods that increase both the frequency and intensity of droughts and floods. As one of the oldest lineages of living fish, perhaps the sturgeon will adapt to some of these challenges. Or perhaps they’ll go the way of the dinosaurs they lived alongside so long ago. But I hope not. **Fun Fact: In the UK, sturgeon are classified as a “royal” fish - a status granted by King Edward II. The law decrees that every sturgeon caught belongs to the Treasury and has to be offered to the monarch. This means that the Queen has to be consulted before anything is done with one.**
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Where I learned about sturgeon, and you can too! NOAA sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/outreach_and_education/ documents/protected_species_gom.pdf www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/gulf-sturgeon
Florida Museum www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/acipenseroxyrinchus-desotoi/ Florida Natural Areas Inventory www.fnai.org/FieldGuide/pdf/Acipenser_oxyrinchus_desotoi.pdf
US Fish & Wildlife Service www.fws.gov/BatonRouge/gulf-sturgeon.html ecos.fws.gov/ecp0/profile/speciesProfile?spcode=E04W IUCN Red List oldredlist.iucnredlist.org/details/242/0
University of Southern Mississippi: Gulf Coast Research Laboratory gcrl.usm.edu/public/fish/gulf.sturgeon.php
Fish Base www.fishbase.org/summary/Acipenser-oxyrinchus+desotoi.html
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora www.cites.org/eng/prog/sturgeon.php
Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission www.gsmfc.org/publications/WB-Sport%20Fish/Gulf%20 Sturgeon%20Plan.PDF USGS www.usgs.gov/centers/wetland-and-aquatic-research-center-warc/ science/preserving-gulf-sturgeon-fish-tale?qt-science_center_ objects=0#qt-science_center_objects Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/imperiled/profiles/fish/gulf-sturgeon/
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Alabama Dept of Conservation & Natural Resources www.outdooralabama.com/sturgeon/gulf-sturgeon
BBC news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/3773171.stm Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sturgeon The Diversity of Fishes: Biology, Evolution, and Ecology By Gene Helfman, Bruce B. Collette, Douglas E. Facey, Brian W. Bowen books.google.com/books?id=FyehAR6hsUUC&pg=PA252#v=onepag e&q&f=false
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Author preaches adamantly on the release of large bull sharks.
E X T R E M E K AYA K F I S H I N G & S H A R K S F R O M T H E S A N D
ERIC OZOLINS
BULL-HEMOTHS As the water continues to warm in May, the marine food chain moves closer inshore along the Texas coast. May is the month that the surf zone teems with everything from the smallest of forage species to the largest predators. From that wide spectrum of sea creatures, including at least a dozen shark species, one reigns supreme in the “bad attitude� category – the bull shark. Bull sharks roam our coastline at varying distances from shore throughout the year, but during the month of May, the mature breeding stock of the species come storming into the surf. Robust females slowly cruise the guts and sandbars and along the beaches, where abundant forage satisfies their voracious appetites. This is also a month when jack crevalle come to the surf in great numbers. Not known for their speed, and scavengers by nature, bull sharks readily inhale anything in their path that is wounded or dead. During the chaos of the springtime frenzied feeding, many fish get injured or killed for various reasons. Jackfish may get chased down by the speedier blacktip sharks, 64 | May 2019
that typically take only a bite or two, leaving the rest to the scavenging bulls. While much of the bull shark diet is supplied via scavenging, they are also known for targeting live stingrays. With the approach of summer, like clockwork, stingrays make their way to the surf zone. The largest of these are the southern and roughtail species, both capable of attaining wingspans of six feet and more and weighing 200 pounds. The same as tiger sharks and large hammers, the bull sharks feast on these slow moving giants. It is believed that Alexis Anthony demonstrating the enormous size stingrays can achieve. A generous slab makes a great shark bait.
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C O N TA C T
pheromones emitted by these large Author landed this impressive Giant female bull and often pregnant female rays are bull shark using stingray for bait. ready for release. a virtual “Bat-Signal” to these large, hungry predators. Even the ray’s impressive barbs are no defense against shark attacks. It is not uncommon to see large sharks with multiple stingray barbs impaled in the tissue of their mouths. To them, the trade off is well worth it. We know the sharks are here and stocking up on food. But there must also be another reason for their Often appearing to be the result of an attack meant to presence. The large female bulls that kill, it’s just a bit of rough lovemaking…bull shark style! patrol the surf-zone and hang out in inshore waters are also here to give birth. Female bulls enter through passes and channels, searching for safe locations to drop their pups. Sometimes far back in the bays and estuaries where little predatory threat exists for the pups and food is abundant. Bull sharks, through a process of osmoregulation, can remain in fresh water habitat for lengthy periods, many miles up rivers that run to the sea. One notable around the tail helps subdue and secure the fish. specimen was captured 700 miles up the Mississippi River. Large female bull sharks often exhibit surprising mating scars – male Like tiger sharks, bulls are sometimes called trashcans of the sea. bulls are evidently very rough in their mating behavior. While appearing They will eat just about anything. Old-time shark fishermen will tell as the result of attack meant to kill, it’s just part of the mating ritual you that if you want to catch the biggest bull shark of your life, use and some large females carry scars from prior mating seasons. While a small shark for bait and target them in the month of May. While bulls are a very hardy species, be sure to work the hook out quickly obviously these antics were done decades ago before modern and take your photos in a timely manner. If you are tagging as well, be regulations, it is telltale regarding their appetite. In today’s Texas shark sure to have everything ready to accomplish it as efficiently as possible. fishery, the two most popular baits are jack crevalle and stingray. Bulls If the big females are pregnant, you certainly want to get them back are a sucker for a large, bloody jack. If there are no jacks in the surf, swimming on their own as soon as possible. they will certainly not pass on a slab of juicy ray. If all goes well after your epic bull shark is landed, the fish will have It should be noted that come September 1st, shark anglers plying swam away to reproduce for many years to come. Bulls are one of state waters will be allowed to use only non-offset–non-stainless steel the species I preach most adamantly to release. Their numbers have circle hooks. This will greatly hamper the use of whole jack crevalle on declined the past 30 years and only recently are we beginning to see the traditional J-hook setups. Point being, get used to utilizing circle hooks return of the “bull-hemoths” to our waters. Not many years ago a bull for your drops even while running big baits. You will have to experiment shark of 8-feet was considered a true trophy in Texas. It has only been with rigging techniques but ultimately you will have no choice. the last several years that we have begun seeing lengths of 9-feet. From an angling standpoint, bulls use their bulk and mass, not While among the most dangerous of shark species, they also play a speed during the fight, as other species do. Bulls less than 6-feet put vital role in the regulation and stabilization of our marine ecosystems. up a rather lackluster fight. It isn’t until they reach 7 or 8-feet that they Each encounter with a monster bull reminds me how much I respect really put a hurting on your tackle. While every fish is different, I’ve even the species and how much I cherish the experiences I have been had large specimens swim straight to be beach before realizing they blessed to enjoy. were hooked. In general, though, tie into one of 8-feet or longer and you’ve got a real battle on your hands. Many seem to stop growing in length after about 8.5-feet and simply bulk up. Upwards of 500 pounds For the past decade Eric ‘Oz’ Ozolins has been promoting translates to a long, stubborn fight. The biggest issue when battling shark catch and release and assisting various shark research one of these giants is getting them over the sandbars. Rather than programs. Eric offers guided shark fishing on Padre Island swimming over the bars, they will simply avoid them and run parallel National Seashore. Also renowned for extreme kayak big game instead. Frustrating for anglers but part of the game. fishing, Eric is the owner of Catch Sharks Tackle Company. When you finally get a large bull close to the beach, the tail rope oz@oceanepics.com Email becomes an indispensable tool. Attempting to drag one by the leader Websites oceanepics.com | catchsharks.com alone can be an arduous task. Affixing a lasso of 1/2 or 5/8-inch rope 66 | May 2019
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P L A S T I C & WAT E R D O N ' T M I X
Everett Johnson
LET’S DO BETTER THIS YEAR! May weather is usually gorgeous on the Texas coast, not too warm, not too cold, just right. May is also the first “busy” month, as measured by the increase in boat traffic and fishing participation. With so many fishermen hitting the water, I believe it appropriate to go back over some of the hints and encouragement we offered last spring in the area of plastic management on waterways. Managing plastic pollution on waterways can be very easy…with a tiny bit of preparation! Think back to previous trips to the bays and try to remember the discarded (or poorly managed) plastic items you saw littering bay shorelines. I’m not talking about gulf beaches, much of that mess originates far away in foreign lands where we have no control. I’m talking bay shorelines, nearly all of which are almost fully enclosed, with only narrow passes to the ocean. The stuff that collects here came from here. Much of it from fishermen, which is truly sad. Bottled water has become enormously popular over the past few years and, sure enough, water bottles are some of
the most common items you are likely to see washed onto bay shorelines. A good alternative to bottled water is filling a picnic jug or two from the tap at home. Pour the water into reusable cups like Yeti Tumblers rather than sipping it from a plastic bottle that can blow out of the boat. Next, and a major pet peeve of mine, are plastic sacks. Ice bags and shopping bags. Have one wrap the water pickup port on your outboard while you’re cruising along and you’ll see what I mean. If you buy your ice at the marina, dump it in your ice chest and dispose of the sack before leaving the dock. Rather than carrying snacks aboard in plastic shopping bags, try a reusable shopping bag instead. Believe it or not, empty plastic lure packages are some of the things I see quite often on shorelines. Some even still have lures in them. My guess is that they were left lying on the boat’s center console and nobody even
Trashy bank fishing spot; we see this way too often.
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missed them when they blew out. Well, maybe, if they ran out of lures. I always preferred emptying the lures into a snap-lid tackle container before I even put them on the boat. I’ll leave you with this last one to ponder. The next time you are driving to the boat launch, pay particular attention to what you see in the roadside ditches. If your favorite launch site is anything like mine, you will see all manner of stuff that blew out of trailered boats as the tow vehicle driver hit the accelerator that first half mile or so. Hand towels, wading shoes, bait buckets, lure packaging, landing nets, Styrofoam and plastic drink containers, you name it. The way to solve this problem is to ready the boat for travel before hitting the road. It only takes a few minutes and some of the items that might blow out aren’t trash…until they land on the roadside. Oh, and carry a roll of trash sacks in the boat. When you happen upon a nasty, littered shoreline, take a stroll and clean up the mess. Maybe the fish gods will notice and bless you with a better catch on your next fishing trip! Half a mile up Lane Road from Charlie’s Bait Camp. Note the drain plug. Looks like some fishermen stowed their trash (and the plug) in this bucket, and allowed it blow out of the boat.
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DICKIE COLBURN
DICKIE COLBURN’S Sabine Scene
S ab i n e
Dickie Colburn is a full time guide out of Orange, Texas. Dickie has 37 years experience guiding on Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes.
Telephone 409-883-0723 Website www.sabineconnection.com
After spending most of the prior day in shorts and T-shirts on the final day of March, we awoke the following morning to a 15 mph north wind making 41 degrees feel even colder and a silted up shoreline to start the day. Much to my chagrin, I couldn’t blame the poor bite on any of those less than favorable conditions. While the trout bite on the south end of the lake has improved, the size has lagged behind. Because the majority of the specks are only Louisiana legal, much of the fishing pressure is taking place along a short stretch of water on the Louisiana shoreline. At the same time, a dozen or fewer boats on a pretty Saturday is still considered a crowd on the north end of the lake. With the exception of one surprising flurry the final week of March, I am yet to consistently catch keeper trout fishing out of the boat on the north end.
That flurry consisted of eight trout up to four pounds caught cranking a Swimming Image along the revetment wall. Wading and a boatload of patience have produced our few solid trout, but only in a handful of spots. That is not the kind of catching that sells bay boats and sacks of soft plastics! There was an audible gasp A redfish not heard throughout the local soon forgotten. fishing community when word leaked that the five trout limit will soon include Sabine Lake. The initial fear was that the Louisiana launches would have to expand their parking lots to accommodate more meat hunters, but I don’t think that will be the case. I believe a few more local anglers will cross the Causeway every day, but I seriously doubt that a significant number of anglers will drive from Houston or further just to keep small trout. Unfortunately, I also
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doubt that the reduced limit will yield the desired result as long as a Louisiana license enables you to play by a more liberal set of rules. This is not unlike trying to sell you on the idea that we will have more pie if you eat only one piece while limiting the fellow next to you to three pieces. What is good for the goose is good for the gander and the gander hasn’t bought in to the five trout limit thus far! Measurable salinity level remains a mystery to me as far as how it effects trout movement, but there is no doubt that it relocated most of our larger fish. At the same time, for some reason, it didn’t move all of them and we are still able to squeeze out enough fish in the three pound class to keep us on the hunt.
This is an armload of redfish!
For the most part, catching fish on the south end involves little more than trespassing anywhere three or more boats are gathered. That is not to say that you can’t find your own school of fish, but should that happen you won’t be alone for long! The few times that we have fished the south end we did better on an incoming tide and swimming four inch Assassins and Lil Johns in three to six feet of water. The trout ate the Softdine just as well, but hang-ups were more expensive and treble hooks and small trout are a dangerous combination. I look forward to the day when I can generically report that the trout are doing their thing on the flats and islands on the north end, but for right now few boat fishermen are hunting and successful waders are homesteading the more promising spots. It could be that the bite is possibly a little better than reported, but so many fishermen have given up on the north end that a good catch could remain a secret for a long time. Because the redfish bite is strong enough to yield limits without hundreds of casts, we knowingly tend to quit on the trout too quickly. If there has been any semblance of a pattern for us it has included wading areas where the tide movement is obvious. We have caught no trout deeper than five feet and four to six inches of clarity is considered acceptable. Toledo Bend and Rayburn dumped a lot of water on us last month, but we have not had that much rain locally. Hopefully the catching will continue to improve on Sabine with improving conditions. Kids aren’t concerned with size…they just want a tug on the line!
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CAPT. CALEB HARP
THE BUZZ on Galveston Bay
Galve s t o n
Capt. Caleb Harp has fished the Galveston Bay System since childhood and, now a charter captain and fishing guide, he uses his knowledge to enable clients to enjoy the excellent fishing the area offers. His specialty is the yeararound pursuit for trophy trout and redfish with artificial lures
Telephone 281-753-3378 Website harpsguideservice.com
76 | May 2019
Timing has been everything lately. Traditionally, April is always like this, though. You can go where there are fish, and you’ll have to sit and wait for them to go off. When the fish do go off, it can be very memorable but it’s often frustrating until then grinding on them. Fish are very temperamental this time of year. They need something to turn on their light switch and make them feed! Those things include a tide change, a minor or major feeding period, dusk or dawn. Sometimes we’ll fish the sunrise bite, minor, full outgoing tide, major and half of the incoming tide to no avail but as soon as the sun starts going down, hold on!! Sometimes the best thing to do is just go for the long haul because you just never know when that banner feed will happen. May brings a little less frustration and more consistency to the bite. They’ll start to get into more of a routine. May is where we’ve gotten away from our spring transition and pretty much into the beginning of the summer pattern. This year has seemed to be a little a head of schedule so I think that our May fishing should be great! Fishing deeper water will become a thing to
Drift fishing over shell with topwaters during May can be very rewarding.
do in the coming month. A lot of the fish are trying to pull out away from the flats but each little cold snap we get brings them right back shallow. As soon as we are without fronts and the water temperature stays above or right at 70-75° the fish will become way more active and move to deeper, cooler water. Don’t forget about wade fishing sand flats during this time, though. You can experience some quite phenomenal bites throwing a big topwater wade fishing a shallow sand flat on an early morning in May. The warming of the water temperature will fire the fish into better feeding frenzies, ultimately showing themselves off by more slicks. Slick fishing can be great during May. East Galveston Bay East Bay looks promising for a good May. Freshwater isn’t totally gone, but it’s nothing that we’re not used to for the last few years. Wading has been the ticket lately but with the push of fish headed out deep, drift fishing has been successful, too. Like I talked about above, timing is everything so try not to get too frustrated if they don’t light off as soon as you pull up to your spot, it’s been a waiting game. While wade fishing during the coming month, focus on sand bottoms with scattered shell. Topwater lures have been best but whenever the bait hasn’t been active, soft plastic lures such as a MirrOlure Provoker rigged on a 1/16 ounce jighead have been the way to go. If you can catch the water really clean, old school MirrOlure 51MRs are hard to beat this time of year as well. May in East Bay is known for the reef fishing. Reefs can offer some easy drift fishing but can become overrun by flat billers. Remember to be courteous while fishing the reefs and try to keep a respectful distance from other fisherman, use your trolling motor once in the area of the reefs and try to refrain from firing up your big motor and blowing through the area where everyone else is going to drift.
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West Galveston Bay West Bay has been consistent and still bringing in bigger catches from time to time. The fish are stacking up on sandier shorelines over grass and shell. We’re still seeing a lot of shad and the fish are feeding on them. Wade fishing has been best over sand and shell bottoms throwing topwaters. Once the topwater bite dies off, MirrOlure Provokers on 1/16 ounce heads have been dynamite. Redfish have been consistent in the marsh on Bagley spoons and paddletails. Flounder have been spotty but they are beginning to show on shallow sand flats around bayou drains. Trinity Bay Trinity Bay has been all but forgotten several years now with the all the river inflow this bay has been receiving over the recent past, but do not surprised to see her rising again to her former glory – so long as we do not get inundated again. Remember that timely rain and inflow is a good thing, but not the monumental floods that have become of a pattern. Once the wind gets right, and it should during May and early summer, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some solid drifting action on slicks out deep from the east shoreline and an occasional open-water school of reds. Stay safe out there and always remember to enjoy your fishing!
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BINK GRIMES
THE VIEW FROM Matagorda
M ata go r d a
Bink Grimes is a full-time fishing and hunting guide, freelance writer and photographer, and owner of Sunrise Lodge on Matagorda Bay.
Telephone 979-241-1705 Email binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net Website matagordasunriselodge.com
78 | May 2019
When prime aquatic real estate such as shoreline reefs become inundated with clean saltwater tides from the Gulf, species like speckled trout and redfish gravitate to the structure and potential can be limitless. That’s May on Matagorda Bay. If you like fishing shell, May is your month. Captains work large pieces of shell like Oyster Lake, Crab Lake, Shell Island, Twin Islands and smaller reefs along the south shoreline of West Bay for redfish. In East Bay, the Chinquapin Reefs, Boggy Reef and reefs in Lake Austin hold May fish.
The mid-bay reefs in East Matagorda Bay really start to hold fish in May. If the middle of the bay is green with an incoming tide I beg my clients to get wet and wade the shell. I can’t tell you how many large trout have come from these reefs on She Pups, Top Dogs, Super Spooks and Skitter Walks. If anglers are reluctant to get out of the boat, all that scattered shell in the middle of East Bay still holds just as many big trout and redfish. Some days they school and other days you have to hunt for them. You would be surprised how many huge trout are caught out of the boat by Matagorda captains. You don’t always see them at the cleaning table, thanks to conservationminded attitudes, but there are some long specks that hit soft plastics, GULPs, DOA Shrimp and live shrimp under a popping cork. When water levels are normal, there are hotspots on flats and shorelines where fish appear first on the incoming or outgoing tide. That’s not necessarily the case on flood tides. Waders who enjoy good catches concentrate tight to the shorelines or relocate to shorelines in the back lakes. Fish disperse with the big increase in water level, but when that water level begins to fall with the outgoing tide, the trout show up where they always do. So when tides are above normal, fish the falling tide. When water levels on flats are low, wait for the incoming tide and look for the slicks. With the warm water this month there should be plenty of mullet, shad and glass minnows that produce big oily slicks when gorged by trout. Another bright spot this month could be the surf. If the past two May’s are any indication, light north winds early in the day allowed the surf to run green to the beach with the morning incoming tide. Trout to five pounds and more redfish than you can handle are normal, especially around the jetty. We toss Bass Assassins, Down South Lures and MirrOlure Soft-Dines, but a live shrimp free-lined along the rocks really gets rocked. Sand and grass along the south shoreline of West Bay will consistently hold solid trout and redfish. Glass minnows, mullet and shrimp flood the grass beds and the fish thump topwaters better than any month of the year. We will also be working flats close to the Port O’Connor jetty and also Pass Cavallo. It’s the beginning of summer for us and we can’t wait. Follow our catches on Instagram @matagordasunriselodge.
TSFMAG.com | 79
CAPT. SHELLIE GRAY
MID-COAST BAYS With the Grays
Port O'Connor Seadrift
Captain Shellie Gray was born in Port Lavaca and has been guiding in the Seadrift/Port O’Connor area full time for the past 16 years. Shellie specializes in wading for trout and redfish year round with artificial lures.
Telephone 361-785-6708 Email bayrats@tisd.net Website www.bayrat.com Facebook @captsgaryandshelliegray
Launching my boat at Charlie’s Bait Camp well before sunrise, the first thing I notice is whether the water level may have risen or fallen overnight. You see, it’s that time of year when we get our spring bull tides and the fluctuations are often greater than normal. Inexperienced anglers probably never pay attention to the water levels before they head out, and that’s too bad. Water levels along with the wind direction and speed are some of most important factors that influence my game plan for the day. In early May we should still see higher water levels and stronger southerly winds. So what does that tell me? Well, for sure, on windier days you won’t find me in the middle of San Antonio Bay. I will be focusing on leeward shorelines with lots of active bait. Remember with higher water levels, baitfish seek refuge on grassy shorelines, usually as shallow as they can go. With the bait you will find redfish and larger trout. And while I target both reds
and trout on most of my outings, one type of fishing is easy to fall in love with. One of my personal favorites is stalking and sightcasting redfish, especially when the water levels are up. In this article I want to discuss stalking reds in small, shallow backwater ponds rather than outside shorelines, which of course is still fun, but not quite Gilliland family annual trip; two boats, guys vs. girls. We girls won!
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80 | May 2019
Hannah Gilliland showing off her winning redfish.
as challenging as those backwater fish. I’ve yet to meet a redfish that doesn’t love to go as shallow as possible when the opportunity is there. I am sure nearly everybody has witnessed or heard of tailing reds, but even more exciting is when you see them swimming with their backs exposed. Just the thought of it makes me giddy. It’s not often that we can actually see the fish we are targeting, and while seeing their backs exposed may seem like a sure hook up, that couldn’t be further from the truth. You see, these reds aren’t stupid, and when the water is this shallow you can bet they’re on full alert as they forage along. The slightest movement or noise will send them into panic mode. Your approach must be super slow and stealthy; not the easiest thing to do in calf-deep mud. Also, you have to cast with great accuracy. It’s a heartbreaker to spend twenty minutes stalking a fish only to make a poor cast that spooks it out of casting distance. If you make a cast beyond your target and your line touches their back, it’s over, and when they spook they’ll spook all nearby fish as they flee. Even if they do not bolt out of casting range, it will be all but impossible to get them to take a lure afterwards. Hopefully by now I’ve sparked your interest, so let’s talk lures. Topwaters, spinnerbaits, and shallow diving plugs are poor choices for this type of fishing. As in stalking, the best baits land softly and make no noise during the presentation. My favorite is a Texas-rigged (weedless) 3.5-inch scented Bass Assassin Die Dapper in a natural color, or a GULP Jerkshad or Minnow rigged the same. I try to anticipate the direction the red is traveling and offer the lure a few feet in front of his nose. If I land too close, I allow the plastic to lie on bottom, where the scent attracts his attention, and then twitch it ever so slightly to mimic an injured baitfish or sand eel. If your cast lands further away than you anticipated, twitch the bait slowly into the path you believe he will be travelling, pausing as might be necessary to intercept your target. Working your plastic aggressively is not the way to draw a strike. I have had some redfish hit a lure that was barely moving with such ferocity that I’ve nearly fallen over trying to set the hook. And then there are some that investigate the offering before subtly sucking it up and swimming away with it. Either way it happens it is always exhilarating when the line comes tight on a good fish you stalked successfully and then placed the lure perfectly. When everything goes according to the plan, I promise you will walk away feeling like a more accomplished angler. On a different note, on the many days when I haven’t been chasing redfish in the shallows, I have been catching good numbers of healthy trout mixed with an abundance of small trout. With all the smaller trout we have been catching lately, I look for the summer and fall trout populations to be some of the best yet! TSFMAG.com | 81
DAVID ROWSEY
HOOKED UP WITH Rowsey
Upper Laguna/ Ba f f i n
David Rowsey has over 25 years in Baffin and Upper Laguna Madre; trophy trout with artificial lures is his specialty. David has a great passion for conservation and encourages catch and release of trophy fish.
Telephone 361-960-0340 Website www.DavidRowsey.com Email david.rowsey@yahoo.com @captdavidrowsey
82 | May 2019
Sitting here to write this article, I just realized it has been one year that Capt. Billy Sandifer passed away. Billy served as dad, mentor, counselor, and friend to so many of us. You will be forever missed but never forgotten, Old Man. If by chance anybody reading is not familiar with the man we lovingly called The Padre of Padre, do yourself a favor and research his life’s work. Billy was truly a one of a kind man and character. As I mentioned in last month’s article; the springtime tide is rolling up through the Land Cut. The amount of baitfish and other critters that hitch a ride on this train are filling the bays with all manner of life from the surface to the bay floor. A very exciting time for Baffin and Upper Laguna fisherman. With all the forage available for gamefish to gorge on, just about any area you anchor your boat to begin a long wade is going to look fishy but, deciphering which one holds the predators can be somewhat challenging. My favorite technique for locating the “sure thing” is finding slicks in the early hours. When the sun is up a bit they are pretty obvious, but in low light or slick-calm conditions your sense of smell works better. I routinely run my boat downwind of zones
where I expect feeding to occur under such conditions and wait for that sweet smell of watermelon to blast the nasal cavities. When I hit it right my clients think I am some kind of fish whisperer but there really is no magic to it. It’s just fishing a little smarter than the average guy that doesn’t have the number of days on the water as I do. May is, without doubt, one of the most fun months of the year to fish Baffin Bay. We will still be catching some heavy trout, along with great numbers. If lots of action and the possibility of all-day topwater explosions is on your fishing bucket list, May is when you want to book a trip or get out on your own to get it done. As much as I love May’s fishing, it also brings the serious onset of live croaker season. Personally, I couldn’t care less what bait anyone chooses to use. I know a ton of very talented fishermen that can catch fish year ‘round with lures (and many claim they do), but just let that yellow flag start popping in the breeze and a great number of them will have their bait reserved for the next day. Once they get those “barking” baits in the live well it triggers something in
Todd Schoeffler with a big nine-pounder - personal best! His excitement upon landing this fish was contagious. Great memory.
The owner of Diamond J, James Rosalis, was a partner in Circle J Enterprises at the time our office and son’s home were built by Circle J. Workmanship and attention to detail were both excellent! – Everett Johnson, Editor/Publisher, Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine
their head that turns them into natural born killers. That yellow flag might just as well say “crack” instead of live croaker. Apparently it’s a mind-altering experience. Fact is: Live croakers are no more responsible for absurd numbers of dead trout at the end of a fishing day than a gun for a shooting. It all comes down to the person using it. Responsibility in conserving the resource that provides a fishing guide and his family a living makes obvious sense to me. Killing fish to feed egos and advertising oneself as a social media hero needs to become an old memory – the sooner the better! Any seasoned guide knows that catching quality fish is considerably tougher than it was even just a few years ago. If they honestly disagree with that statement they have not been doing it very long or they’re just plain full of brown. Five years into the five fish limit and not much has really changed in the fishery. Why is that? It’s because there are so many people utilizing the resource nowadays, all going after the same fish. The number of lines in the water has outgrown the ability of the fishery (spotted seatrout) to sustain itself while the limit reduction could and should have sent it thriving toward historic levels. With the popularity of fishing on the rise, new guides popping out of the woodwork and the effectiveness of croaker as bait for most, something will have to give. If we don’t start policing ourselves, there will come a time when it will be done for us. Just because TPWD says you can kill five doesn’t mean you have to. I’d like to think my fellow fishing guides are smart enough to see the bigger picture and do their part to educate and practice more catch and release. It would be a huge step forward for the fishery and their own ability to continue to make a living on the water. It’s not rocket science, folks. Remember the buffalo! -Capt David Rowsey TSFMAG.com | 83
WAYNE DAVIS
WAYNE’S Mansfield Report
Port Mansfield
Captain Wayne Davis has been fishing the Lower Laguna-Port Mansfield for over 20 years. He specializes in wade fishing with lures.
Telephone 210-287-3877 Email captwayne@kwigglers.com
Greetings from Port Mansfield! Before getting into the nuts and bolts of recent fishing and what I believe the month of May will bring us, I want to provide a brief recap of the trophy trout season just concluded and also how the beginning of spawning season came into play. Fishing got pretty slow the last week of February and first few days of March, especially for larger trout. We found a few but every day was such a grind. We did our part each day, targeting appropriate areas, staying in the water for hours on end, but we were just not finding them as frequently as in years past. Fast forward to the period of March 16th to 22nd; the full moon came on the 20th. We witnessed a significant uptick in big trout landings during that period. Something worth noting was that we had two warming trends during this timeframe (upper 70s air temp) and we also had two cold fronts come through, the first on the 16th. I am unsure whether it was the full moon or the warming trends, maybe a combination of the two, but I firmly believe we witnessed a profound spawning event take place. In the accompanying photographs you will see
Josh Bracke’s 7.25-pounder measured 27-inches. Comparing weight to length I deemed it a pre-spawn specimen – lots of egg weight!
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84 | May 2019
Mike Frazier with what I deemed Mike Frazier’s 6.5-pounder measured a post-spawn 28-inch 6.5-pound 28-inches. Fully an inch longer than Josh’s trophy trout during this week. trophy but three-quarters of a pound lighter. A few days later Josh Bracke I believe this fish had already spawned. landed what I called a pre-spawn 27-incher that weighed 7.25 pounds. The photographs depict clearly what a pre-spawn and post-spawn trout should look like. A few days following, during the chilliest days and just before the full moon, some fortunate clients and I landed some of the biggest trout of my career, truly pre-spawn fish and likely about to spawn within hours of the landings – CPR was practiced on all. A few of these larger trout came on topwaters but the greatest majority took KWigglers plastics, some on weedless rigs to combat the suspended and floating grass problem we were dealing with at the time. More interesting and also notable was that the larger female trout totally vanished in the days following the trophy catches. We found a few four to five pounders but nothing heavier. However, the area remained chockfull of 14 to16 inch male trout… while during the string of “trophy” days not a single male fish was landed. These are my observations and I offer no explanations. The only thing I’m certain of is that we got on a string of incredible days for trophy-class trout and, judging by the weights of fish landed on successive days, I believe a major spawning event occurred on that full moon. Why the hordes of male fish suddenly appeared is truly a mystery. Let us now move forward with what I believe we can expect in the coming month. Late-spring/early-summer patterns are shaping up nicely. We have increased water levels and some good fish are being found up on the shallow flats and in back bays. There are still those fish that remain out deep on the outer grass lines where drift fishermen tend to do rather well. Quite often the drifters report good catches of reds and trout where waders cannot venture. I elect to target fish that stage and hold in depths of waist-deep and less. Small points along shorelines and back bay drains are producing some small flounder with a few keepers mixed in. I interpret the flounder presence as a good sign for the coming weeks and months; last year at this time we were seeing nearly no flatfish. We will be dealing with stronger southerly winds which will “dirty” the water a bit in certain areas. I will be concentrating on the color changes as this occurs, spending more time on the dirty side than the clean. If the water is shallow, knee-deep and less, I’ll be tossing the trusted KWigglers 4-inch Paddle Tail to take advantage of the tail vibration. Sometimes that’s what it takes in dirty water. Last month I touched on the Colt Sniper topwater bait by Shimano. I since have reduced the size and wire diameter of the treble hooks it came with and have noticed an enhanced performance. This bait is perfect for water that has a slight chop, being that it’s voice is neither too loud or too subtle. I got into a conservation discussion recently and here’s a rule of thumb for anglers to consider. If you have more than three bags of fillets in the freezer, is it necessary to keep fish? Why not have an Empty Stringers trip that day instead? Think about it. Until next time, stay safe and be courteous on the water. -Capt. Wayne
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CAPT. ERNEST CISNEROS
SOUTH PADRE Fishing Scene Arr o y o C ol o ra d o t o Po rt I sa bel
A Brownsville-area native, Capt. Ernest Cisneros fishes the Lower Laguna Madre from Port Mansfield to Port Isabel. Ernest specializes in wading and poled skiff adventures for snook, trout, and redfish.
Cell 956-266-6454 Website www.tightlinescharters.com
86 | May 2019
I am not much of a gardener, but I know from eating some good and not-so-good fruits and vegetables over the years, the best of each category are the ones allowed to ripen fully before harvest. Likening the selection of the best tasting fresh produce to fishing; nothing beats picking the right spot at the “ripe” time. Fishing today is nowhere as easy as 10 or 15 years ago. Back then you could go most anywhere and catch decent numbers on any bait you threw at them – live, dead, or artificial. Fish were that plentiful. Nowadays, even for those of us who fish as many as six days a week, staying on the bite is a challenge. To be consistent today, waiting for the right moment at the right place has become increasingly critical, given the number of boats and anglers on the water. Increased pressure has changed fish patterns. We must adapt or the only line we’ll see moving is when checking out at the grocery store. I cannot count the number of days we fished areas known to be holding fish when they simply would not bite. With a solid hunch the fish are there, we often revisit these areas and find them biting,
My tax guy, Hector Castaneda, landed this beautiful 8-plus pound specimen recently. Way to go, Hector!
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Ready to get serious? which begs the question, why didn’t they do this earlier? Why and how did the area ripen? Well, there are many factors involved, but one thing is certain, no animal feeds twenty-four hours a day. So, referencing the day’s solunar majors and minors and the tide charts is a great way to build a game plan. Here’s an example of a lesson learned. Just recently we fished an area that had been producing steadily for more than a week. I thought it would be ripe for our first stop, but boy was I wrong. We got one bite and I left with a sense that they were still there. Later in the day we returned to that spot and struck out again. Later, speaking with my son, Capt. Aaron Cisneros, he asked about that spot. “Don’t even waste your time,” I told him. Well, he went there anyway later in the afternoon and waded into a solid bite. Every day on the water is a learning experience, that’s all I can say. Here’s a good question. How will we know when the area is ripe? Slicks popping on the surface are always a solid indicator. Also, during the month of May with strong springtime wind still with us, keep an eye on shallow flats where the wind has churned the water a muddy color. Quite often during late-afternoon hours we see gulls hovering above shallow water and they’re there because a school of reds are rooting brown shrimp buried in the soft bottom. Another good strategy is to focus on shorelines in backwater areas just recently inundated by higher tides. Find bait, birds, and/or slicks and it should be game on! Our big trout are still out there, as evidenced by some nice seven, eight, and occasional nine-pounders. But, with water temps rising they are beginning to scatter into smaller groups, inhabiting different structure – spoil humps and shorelines swarming with bait. May is the last month for heavyweight trout, on average, as the rigors of spawning take their toll. They’ll still be trophies, in regard to length, they just won’t weigh as much. Good baits will be the Super Spook Jr. and KWigglers Willow Tails. You might also want a Barboleta Léle in your wade box. While redfish continue to be scattered in general, we are finding some schools on the Eastside sand and grass flats. An encouraging sign on the Westside flats is the number of blue crabs we are kicking up while wading, which might be the reason we are beginning to find occasional pods and small schools there. We need the shrimp hatch to catch up with the blue crab invasion and I predict redfish will become more plentiful in the coming months. Top artificial baits for redfish are currently gold spoons, Kwiggler Willow Tails and Ball Tails. Small topwaters have also been effective. Judging from recent landings of small flounder, it’s beginning to look as though we may be in for a better early summer season than last year. Carry a wading net if keeping one for dinner is a priority; flounders are escape artists. Overall, fishing has been good but also inconsistent at times. May’s increased boating and angling pressure will likely contribute to more scattering. Fish weekdays if possible, and early and late on weekends to improve your odds. Keep only what you’ll eat fresh and practice CPR as much as possible so that others can enjoy the fishery.
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TSFMAG.com | 87
FISHING REPORTS
Lake Calcasieu Louisiana Jeff and Mary Poe - Big Lake Guide Service - 337.598.3268 I’m happy to report that fishing has been much better this year than it was last year. I believe the fish have rebounded nicely from the freeze. Trout, redfish, and flounder have been prolific throughout the entire estuary. Salinities are high and water clarity is about as good as it can get around here on a consistent basis. May provides great opportunity for fishermen wanting to target big trout. That's our main reason for loving this month so much. You can catch them at this time of year by whatever means you would like, most of the time. Topwaters, slow-sinking twitch baits and soft plastics all work well at this time of year. Quantities of trout will be found around reefs as well as under birds. These fish are generally easiest to catch on soft plastics rigged on quarter-ounce jigheads. We're really excited about this fishing season. So far, things are shaping up to make 2019 a special year. We hope to see all of you on the water or in our boats very soon. Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay | James Plaag Silver King Adventures - silverkingadventures.com - 409.935.7242 James considers May to be a transitional month, one which can create some confusion. Good news is, many productive options are available to Galveston anglers, depending on the conditions of the moment. “Wading can be really productive in both East and West Bays in May. Areas down around San Luis Pass produce some solid trout this month for waders, as do spots on both shorelines of East Bay. If winds are on the calm side, fishing out of the boat around mid-bay reefs in both those bays, and in Lower Galveston Bay can produce good catches too. It's a great time of year to throw topwaters like the TopDogs, SheDogs and others. I tend to favor the small ones mostly, like the ShePup. Twitch baits work well too, all kinds really, including MirrOlure Catch 5s and 2000s, and of course, my old favorites, the 51 and 52Ms, in colors like pink/gold and chartreuse/silver. Keys to locating fish this time of year include watching for slicks and finding big concentrations of mullet and/ or glass minnows. The latter around San Luis Pass in particular.” Jimmy West - Bolivar Guide Service - 409.996.3054 Jim says the weather often dictates which type of fishing will work best for anglers fishing East Galveston Bay in May. “We do catch some pretty good trout out in the middle this month, in most years. In order for that plan to work, whether we're wading the reefs or chasing slicks, mud boils and birds out in deeper water, the winds need to be pretty calm. Light winds allow us to work the right parts of the bay with decent water clarity in place, and we're able to see the mud boils and find the schools of mullet easier. On windier days, wading shorelines protected from the breeze works much better. If we have good incoming tides in the morning, shoreline areas close to the ship channel will always have green, salty water and potential for producing good catches. This month, it's often possible to catch fish on a great variety of lures, so lure choice is not really the key; locating the fish is the key. When and if we get heavy doses of south and southwest winds, wading the pocket north of the North Jetty can produce epic results.” West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas - Chocolate Bays Randall Groves - Groves Guide Service 979.849.7019 - 979.864.9323 Randall stressed how much he likes fishing the month of May while making this report. “This time of year, the bait really rolls through the 88 | May 2019
ORECASTS F from Big Lake to Boca Chica
AND
pass, and we have a bunch of different patterns to work. If winds are really calm, we like to target our trout out in the surf, or on the shallow sand flats close to the pass. Topwaters like pearl Skitterwalks work really well when the ribbonfish are showing up. Smaller ones like Spook Juniors work better around schools of glass minnows. We have lots of both those forage species in the water this time of year—shad, mullet, shrimp and other critters too. So, it pays to stay in areas where lots of signs of life are showing, and where slicks are popping. When we're not throwing topwaters in the surf or on the flats, we'll spend some time throwing soft plastics out of the boat in places where large rafts of mullet are present and slicks are popping. We favor the full-sized Norton Sand Eels overall, but will sometimes switch over to the junior versions when we see lots of glass minnows in the area.” Matagorda | Charlie Paradoski Bay Guide Service - 713.725.2401 With the water warming up, Charlie plans on getting out of the waders sometime soon, but will still be wading as much as possible, particularly if catching bigger trout is the goal. “There's still plenty of potential for catching some big trout on the shorelines in East Bay. Fishing out of the boat for numbers of trout and redfish is usually good over there too. Lots of the guys are throwing live shrimp under a popping cork when working that drill. When we're wading in West Bay, we're usually walking and throwing lures over a sandy bottom with some grass beds on it, or a grassy bottom with a few potholes breaking it up. Of course, this is the month when we start taking a hard look at the surf every time the wind calms down for a day or two. In many years, the first and second good runs of fishing along the beachfront are the best, at least in terms of producing trout of the biggest average size. So, we keep the hooks on our topwaters sharp and remain at the ready to walk over the dunes and toss them into the first gut fronting the beach at daybreak.” Palacios | Capt. Aaron Wollam www.palaciosguideservice.com - 979.240.8204 Fishing for redfish has become productive with the arrival of our big spring tides. We've started to see a big influx of fish on area shorelines and back-lakes. Small topwaters like ShePups in pink/silver and orange/ gold/black have been super hot. DSL lures in magic grass and chicken of the sea have been working when the topwater bite plays out. Trout have moved off of the mud and shell bottom and onto scattered shell and grass. We've caught some good keepers off deep shell drifting, throwing live-shrimp under corks, in about three to five feet of water. We've also been catching trout on grassy shorelines, throwing Skitterwalks. Black drum have also showed up with warming spring tides. We've been catching a ton of these tasty fish on shallow reefs in about two feet of water on live and dead shrimp. May should be fantastic with the amount of bait we have now in our bays. The surf when we get some light winds, deep shell pads out in West Matagorda, and back-lakes on big tides, all will be productive areas this month. Port O’Connor | Lynn Smith Back Bay Guide Service - 361.983.4434 May is a great time for fishing grassy, sandy flats in the Port O'Connor area, Lynn says. “We like to fish flats and shorelines, concentrating mainly on trout, with an eye on the redfish too. May is a super month for catching some of the biggest trout of the year, so we throw lots of topwaters, Paul Brown Lures and other twitch baits, which effectively
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imitate small finfish, which the big trout like to eat. The trout are spawning regularly this time of year, so they stay hungry and can be really easy to catch at times. One of the most important keys to consistent success in the middle of spring is to stay in places where lots of bait is present. The easiest kind of bait to locate are the large rafts of mullet. In bestcase scenarios, once you find large rafts of big mullet, it's possible to determine that other sizes of mullet are also present and even other species which the trout and redfish prey on. So, variety in the types of bait present helps. Another main key to success is tide movement. This time of year, early-morning incoming tides produce best.” Rockport | Blake Muirhead Gator Trout Guide Service - 361.790.5203 or 361.441.3894 This month, Blake expects to be fishing shallow areas along shorelines in San Antonio and Aransas Bays, in places with lots of grass covering a sandy bottom. “Topwaters work well this time of year, so we throw them a lot, early in the mornings especially. As the sun rises higher, we normally switch over to soft plastics like Norton Sand Eels in dark colors with bright tails, or the Gulp! lures like the split-tail grub. Wading is usually the best way to fish this time of year, as both the trout and redfish generally like to stay in the shallow water tight to the shoreline, making it hard to cast at them from the boat. I do spend some time out on the mid-bay reefs in May too. This is normally the plan when winds are really light and the water gets pretty everywhere. In that same situation, I will make a few forays out into the surf. Out along the beachfront, we like to throw topwaters mostly. If and when those aren't working, we switch to soft plastics, adjusting jighead size to match the current, meaning heavier ones work better when the tide is stronger.” Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay - Land Cut Robert Zapata – rz1528@grandecom.net - 361.563.1160 The month of May is another one of my favorite months to fish because of the variety of lures and baits that will produce good catches. The trout will still be spawning and feeding aggressively during their feeding periods. The redfish, flounder and black drum will also be very active this month. I will start my days by looking for concentrations of mullet in two feet of water or less, along shallow shorelines, grass edges or areas with scattered pot holes with mixed gravel bottoms. This is a good time to fish with your favorite MirrOlure SheDogs, TopDogs, Catch 5s or Catch 2000s, in natural colors. These will work as long as there is not too much floating or suspended grass. I'll always be ready to fish with my Bass Assassin Die Dappers in colors like sand trout and salt & pepper/ chartreuse in clear water on sunny days, or morning glory/ chartreuse and chartreuse dog in murky water and/or on cloudy days. The croaker season begins in May, and fishing with them will also be productive in the same general areas. Corpus Christi | Joe Mendez – www.sightcast1.com - 361.877.1230 Fishing for trout and redfish in the Upper Laguna Madre, Baffin Bay and Corpus Christi Bay is about as good as it gets, in terms of variety of options available. Big trout can be caught in shallow areas, along shorelines, atop sandy grassy bars, and around rock structures, on all kinds of lures, including topwaters, slow-sinking twitch baits and soft plastics rigged on light jigheads. With clear water all over the area, natural color patterns in all these lures work well, and sight-casting opportunities run consistently high on a daily basis. Redfish begin showing up in schools more regularly this month as the water warms up into the eighties. On calm mornings, running the boat over large, shallow, grassy flats often causes the fish to move and push wakes. Once located, they can be approached from upwind using a trolling motor and caught on soft plastic paddletails and spoons thrown ahead of the
90 | May 2019
schools. On windy days, some of the best fishing this month can occur in protected pockets of water in the eastern portions of Corpus Bay. P.I.N.S. Fishing Forecast | Eric Ozolins 361-877-3583 | Oceanepics.com We are well into spring and enjoying an exceptional run of jack crevalle. Not known as table fare, most are targeted for sport, while a few are kept for shark bait. Pound for pound, they’re as tough a fighter as anything swimming in the Gulf. Jacks readily take spoons, topwaters, and swimbaits, with a reputation for spooling trout anglers. Shark action has also increased dramatically; large pregnant blacktips are currently plentiful, filling the void created when the sandbars left the surf. We can expect scalloped hammerheads any day, along with the occasional lemon. Spanish mackerel are also due as baitballs begin moving inshore. Tarpon will begin to appear late-month. The silver kings will take swimbaits, spoons, and flies, when surf water clarity improves. Speckled trout should be available during May, along with red and black drum, and occasional pompano. The month of May will usually determine the degree to which the dreaded sargassum will impact surf anglers' efforts. Be aware that stingrays will also be plentiful this month, so shuffle your feet! Port Mansfield | Ruben Garza Snookdudecharters.com – 832.385.1431 Getaway Adventures Lodge – 956.944.4000 Look for the topwater bite to hit high gear as the cold fronts become less frequent and water temperatures continue to climb. Whether you’re hitting the Saucer area or west shoreline, you should check the trouts' bite attitude first thing every morning with a topwater. Top choices are Spook Juniors, One Knockers, and Skitterwalks. Productive areas to try include the stretch of water behind the nearby cabins on the ICW and the spoil banks on that same channel. If topwaters aren’t working, switch to the Kwiggler Ball Tail Shad, in plum/chartreuse, Lagunaflauge, and Mansfield Margarita. After the sun is higher in the sky, make a run along the sand/grass edge on the east-side flats, looking for rafts of bait. Soft plastic paddletails are usually good producers there, but it’s hard to beat a weedless gold spoon. The cuts between spoil islands along the East Cut have also been holding reds lately. Tarpon and kingfish should begin showing at the East Cut Jetties during the second half of May. Tight lines and calm seas. Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Aaron Cisneros | tightlinescharters.com – 956-639-1941 With warmer water temperatures and bigger tides, trout have been schooling on sandbars during early-morning hours. We've been throwing KWiggler Ball Tail Shads on eighth-ounce Screw Lock jigheads, working them on aggressively, high in the water column, for best results. Spoil islands along the ICW have been producing good numbers of redfish steadily for us as well as a few big trout. With spring winds, the floating grass problem here on the Lower Laguna returns. The Spook Junior has been my most productive topwater the past several weeks, but swapping the factory treble hooks for singles has been the only way to keep them running clean for any useful distance with the surface grass conditions. Redfish have been schooling in encouraging numbers on the east-side grass flats. A lazy walk-the-dog presentation has been most effective to entice strikes from them. I rate the fishing we're currently enjoying as exceptional, with great promise for an outstanding spring season firmly in place.
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TSFMAG.com | 91
DannyRan Matthews Land Cut - 25" first black drum!
Danielle Khampannha Texas City Dike - 40” bull red CPR
James Flinn Galveston - 28” redfish
Ricky Torres A-42 Reef - barracuda CPR 92 | May 2019
Timmy Hervey NE of Colt 45 - dorado
Trey Fleming Jamaica Beach - first redfish!
Dusty Brown Port Aransas - 23” blacktip, first shark!
Miranda Brown Port Aransas - 19.5” first keeper trout
Kelly Greer Riney Lighthouse Lakes - 23” first slot redfish
Alicia Noviskie POC - 27.5” redfish
Chris Davis Laguna Madre - 42” 25 lb redfish
Jenny Kincaid Texas City Dike - 41” bull red
Cayla Celine Albers Nueces Bay - trout
Mike Trejo trout
Mike Magahis Freeport - 16 lb first redfish!
Val Reininger West Galveston -red
Emily Blanco 21.5” 4.5 lb first flounder!
Michele Tuttle Corpus Christi - 41” redfish
Aleah De La Garza Port Mansfield - 28” redfish
Ashley Harris POC - 33” bull red CPR
Fernando Leza Rockport - shark Camila Mendoza Arroyo City - 18” first speckled trout!
Marcie McHargue Humble Channel - 38” first bull red!
Joey Hernandez Redfish Bay - 21" trout
First come – first published! Photos are judged on artistic merit and sporting ethic displayed. No stringer, cleaning table, or hanging board images allowed. Digital images only. Adjust camera to high or best quality. All images become property of TSFMag. Email to: Photos@TSFMag.com Include short description of your catch with name, date, bay system, etc. TSFMAG.com | 93
PAM JOHNSON
Gulf Coast
Got ideas, hints or recipes you’d like to share? Email them to pam@tsfmag.com or send by fax: 361 792-4530
F ish Fritters A light and tempting appetizer for any seafood dinner. My first batch got gobbled up by dinner guests as soon as they were cool enough to eat!
INGREDIENTS
PREPARATION
12 ounces fresh speckled trout fillet
Cut trout fillet into small pieces and place in food processor with onion and dill. Process into a paste. Remove from processor and combine thoroughly with eggs, salt, and flour in mixing bowl. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, this makes the fritters easier to form for frying.
1 medium onion chopped 2 Tbsp dill (optional) 2 eggs 1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup flour 3 cups vegetable oil
Heat oil to 300°F. Using two teaspoons, dip one spoon of fritter mixture and use the other to form a round ball. Drop in heated oil and cook until fritters float and turn golden brown. Serve with a traditional tartar sauce or an oriental sweet and spicy.
Creamy Ginger Soy Sauce 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 teaspoon Asian sesame oil 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, minced 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 cup mayonnaise 94 | May 2019
Tartar Sauce 1. In a small bowl, combine and thoroughly mix white wine vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, minced ginger root, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. 2. Gradually whisk in mayonnaise until completely blended.
1 cup Hellmann's Mayonnaise with Olive Oil 2 Dell-Dixie Polish Pickles chopped Juice of half an orange Combined all ingredients and refrigerate for one hour before serving.
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TSFMAG.com | 95
S P O N S O R E D B Y C O A S TA L B E N D M A R I N E
C H R I S M A P P ’ S R E PA I R & M A I N T E N A N C E
TROUBLESHOOTING ELECTRICAL GREMLINS The number one factor which contributes to hard starts, no starts, and intermittent electrical faults is not always the battery or the boats Chris Mapp, owner of primary power source. However, wet Coastal Bend Marine. cell batteries are recommended for Evinrude, Suzuki, Yamaha, replacement every twenty-four to Mercury, Honda, BlueWave, thirty-six months, and recommended SilverWave, Shallow Stalker Boats, Coastline Trailers, replacement of dry cell batteries Minnkota & Motor Guide is thirty-six to forty-eight months. Trolling Motors. Some gel cell batteries will last as Great Service, Parts & Sales long as sixty months. “What can we do for you?” The most common problems discovered when solving intermittent electrical faults are the obvious dirty connections and corroded terminals. But, more often, the problem is not so obvious, and by this I mean loose connections that have developed under the heat-shrink tubing that was installed over the crimp to protect it from moisture. The fastest way to conduct a preliminary search for this culprit, if an electrical meter is not available, is the pull test. A slight pull on the wire directly behind the connector can reveal the problem quickly. Amperage or current flow produces heat when electricity flows
96 | May 2019
through the wire, thus the connection expands and contracts many times over a long period and the crimped connector eventually works loose. The pounding of the boat over waves can cause batteries to shift and move, which produces further stress on connections. In conclusion, a new The problem here is obvious and should be connection requires the corrected immediately. Intermittent electrical right tool and a new faults require a 12-volt meter to discover or, in heat shrink connector a pinch, you can run a “pull test.” to remedy the problem. Keeping an electrical kit on the boat along with 12-volt meter can save the day. Have a fun and safe summer fishing season. Chris Mapp Coastal Bend Marine Port O’Connor, TX CoastalBendMarine.com 361-983-4841
Rio Bravo Boat Barn Port Mansfield
• 14 x 35 Ft. Single Units • 14 x 70 Ft. Drive-Through Units • 12 x 14 Ft. Industrial Doors • Made to accommodate most modern boats with tall towers • All Units have concrete floors and come equipped with power outlets for charging your boats batteries • Outdoor Security lighting and Indoor Convenience lighting • Security Cameras on site for 24 hour surveillance
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R i o B r avo B o a t B a r n . c o m
FLUTTER SPOONS
Legendary Effectiveness
From the early 1960s, Dixie Jet Spoons have been catching many species of sh in fresh and salt water – you almost never know what the next bite will bring. Dixie Jet Spoons ceased production in the 1970s with the death of the founder; which left anglers searching garage sales, granddad’s tackle box and internet sites hoping to nd a couple. The original Dixie Jets were stamped with Dixie Jet displayed within the outline of the sh on the back of the spoon.
www.dixiejetlures.com
or order by phone at 573.774.0631
TSFMAG.com | 97
TEXAS SALTWATER FISHING HOLES GUIDE SERVICES M ATA G O R D A B AY Speckled Trout / Redfish
USCG Licensed Captain Stan Sloan
832.693.4292 www.fishfcc.com
• Bay Fishing, Offshore, Floundering, Waterfowl, Dove • Night Fishing off Lighted Pier • Right On The Water • Lodging with/without Meals www.matagordasunriselodge.com 979-241-1705
TROUT REDFISH FLOUNDER
Capt. Lynn Smith’s Back Bay Guide Service Port O’Connor Area
Wade & Drifting the Back Bays & Surf
Call 361.983.4434 (cell 361.935.6833) Email lynn@tisd.net (tswf.com/lynnsmith)
Capt. Billy Penick III
USCG & TP&W Licensed • Galveston Bay System • Full and Half Day Trips • Trout, Redfish, Flounder
281-415-6586 www.gypsyguideservice.com penickbilly@yahoo.com
98 | May 2019
CLASSIFIEDS CLASSIFIEDS
Science and the
Sea
TM
Why Mantis Shrimp Shack Up for Life Many birds and some primates and other mammals mate with one partner for life, but such monogamy is rare in the animal kingdom. Most animals, including nearly all sea creatures, lead more promiscuous lives, trying to have as many offspring as possible. Having lots of offspring with different mates increases the likelihood of long-term survival for an individual’s genes and its species.
Kyle Nethery
ON THE WATER
Saltwater Fishing Clinics WITH
Some mantis shrimp mate for life. Credit: Silke Baron, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.
If you are having difficulty catching fish on a consistent basis, the clinic is designed for you. Learn Capt.Robert Zapata’s secrets to finding and catching more fish from his 25 years of experience as a professional fishing guide.
But some mantis shrimp species buck this trend, instead settling down in male-female pairs further away from coral reefs—where their main food sources live—than biologists might normally expect. But why? One common reason for animal monogamy is the greater chances for offspring survival if parents care for their young together, even if they have fewer babies overall. Another is avoiding predators. Spending time looking for a mate may put an animal at greater risk of being caught by a predator. And mantis shrimp shells aren’t as hard as other crustaceans’ more protective exoskeletons.
Capt. Robert Zapata
For Information Call 361-563-1160
POC St. Christopher’s Condo FOR RENT
Additional one bedroom / one bath bunkroom available downstairs - $150 per night. May be rented together or separately.
• $250 per night • Two bedrooms, one bath with boat slip • Private harbor • Great view of ICW
Please text 361-649-2265
Designer & Manufacturer of Specialized High Performance Fishing Rods Office: 361.573.0300
805 B. South Bridge Victoria, TX 77901
Fax: 361.573.0304
A timeline that approximates when different mantis shrimp traits evolved indicates that mantis shrimp began living away from nearby reefs around the same time they had begun pairing up for life. Only later did they start co-parenting. That discovery suggests their monogamy probably evolved from a need to avoid predators. Evolutionary science is inexact, so other pressures could have influenced mantis shrimp monogamy. But not becoming a meal is a pretty good reason to settle down with a lifetime partner—and ensure your genes make it into the next generation.
www.ScienceAndTheSea.org © The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
TSFMAG.com | 99
100 | May 2019
©JASON ARNOLD
IF WE SAVE THE SEAGRASS,
WE SAVE THE FISH. Seagrass is critical to good fishing. Marine organisms depend on it for survival—for food, shelter, and oxygen. But boat propellers are destroying Texas seagrass, which is seriously impacting saltwater fishing in the coastal shallows. When boaters do not lift their propeller in shallow water, the prop cuts and uproots the seagrass beds—leaving long barren trenches or “scars” that may take years to heal ... if ever.
Stop Prop Scarring – Lift, Drift, Pole, Troll
PROP SCARS
It is ILLEGAL in Texas to uproot seagrass with a propeller. Avoid damaging seagrass – lift your prop! When in shallow waters, lift your motor and drift, pole, or troll through it. After all, there’s nothing like a redfish on light tackle in shallow water. Let’s keep it that way!
For more information visit:
www.tpwd.texas.gov/seagrass
TSFMAG.com | 101
Port Mansfield East Cut & PINS Beach
CLEAN UP
Get Ready to Pitch In!
NOW AVAILABLE “There is something about the outdoors that brings us closer to God.” The devotionals in this book are real-life experiences from an author who has spent countless sunrises and sunsets in God’s great outdoors. It is practical application of God’s principles, shown through the eyes of a sportsman, with beautiful photography to accent each lesson.
Only $12.95 Order by mail or online: binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net www.binkgrimesoutdoors.com 102 | May 2019
Bink Grimes 333 CR 166 Bay City, Tx 77414
Port Mansfield Cleanup Saturday June 1, 2019
*Volunteers from out of town will be provided housing for Friday and Saturday night, while it lasts. Many folks actually stay over and rent the condos and fish for a couple of days after the cleanup event, and that’s between the volunteers and Y Knot Rentals. *We will provide gloves, trash bags, water, breakfast, a sack lunch, and host a celebration party with a meal that evening at Pelicans Pub. *Volunteers will meet at the Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce Pavilion for breakfast beginning at 7:00 am. Plans for the day will be outlined, gloves and trash bags handed out, and a safety briefing conducted, during breakfast. Upon conclusion of this we will begin loading volunteers on boats for the trip to the work area. *Volunteers will be transported back to the Pavilion, we’re usually back around 3:00 pm, weather permitting. All volunteers are encouraged to wear comfortable yet protective clothing, apply sun screen liberally, and drink plenty of water. Water will be handed out at the Pavilion and on the Island throughout the day’s work . Volunteers and Boat Captains may contact Kathie Bassler: kathieb@ basslerenergyservices.com or by telephone at 979-204-5185 Interested Sponsors may contact Miller Bassler: miller@ basslerenergyservices.com
WITH G A M E E E R G ET F H A SE! C R U P Y P O C HARD onth subscripreceive a 12-m Order today and ry and sign up family memur tion for $25.00. H iends at the same rate! bers and/or fr
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To order subscriptions simply fill this form out below and mail it to the address below, fax, email or go online. 361-785-3420 Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 361-792-4530
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