November 2012 by Texas Salwater Fishing Magazine

TOURNAMENTS GOOD & NOT SO GOOD Mike McBride takes a serious look.

WEATHER GO FOR IT OR

PLAY SAFE? Martin Strarup discusses when to hold ‘em.

MARINE FISHERIES STOCK ENHANCEMENT Stephanie Boyd digs into Texas history.

Only $3.95 www.tsfmag.com November 2012

ecial Edition

TIDE PREDICTIONS & SOLUNAR FEED TIMES INSIDE!

WE LIVE HUNTING AND FISHING W W W. F O R E V E R L A S T. C O M

T-TOPPER REALTREE LUGGAGE

SNAKE GUARD SHIELDS

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ABOUT THE COVER Tim Fading of Austin caught his career-best trout near Port Aransas while fishing with friend, Capt. Bobby Caskey. Tim says she pulled the Boga Grip past the nine-pound mark and a quick measurement on his rod put her near 30-inches. TSFMag congratulates Tim on a great fish and “Conservation Kudos” for the release.

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

CONTENTS FEATURES 08 Let’s Talk Fishing Tournaments Mike McBride 14 Upon Further Review Kevin Cochran 20 Should I Stay or Should I Go? Martin Strarup 24 Stretching Strings Under Flapping Wings Chuck Uzzle 28 Five Ways to Lose a Trophy Trout Joe Doggett 34 A Profusion of Pompano Joe Richard

NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIvE Bart Manganiello Bartalm@optonline.net

NOVEMBER 2012 VOL 22 NO 7

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Donna Boyd Donna@tsfmag.com

DEPARTMENTS

38 39 48 50 54 56 58 60 64 68 70 71

Let’s Ask The Pro Jay Watkins Holiday Gift Guide TPWD Field Notes Tom Wagner Shallow Water Fishing Scott Null Fly Fishing Scott Sommerlatte Youth Fishing Marcos Garza Texas Nearshore & Offshore Mike Jennings Kayak Fishing Chronicles Cade Simpson Extreme Kayak Fishing & Sharks... Eric Ozolins Fishy Facts Stephanie Boyd Science & the Sea UT Marine Science Institute Boat Maintenance Tips Chris Mapp

WHAT OUR GUIDES Dickie Colburn Mickey Eastman Bink Grimes Gary Gray David Rowsey Capt. Tricia Ernest Cisneros

REGULARS

4 | November 2012

06 72 88 92 94

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

CIRCULATION SUBSCRIPTION – PRODUCT SALES Linda Curry Cir@tsfmag.com ADDRESS CHANGED? Email Store@tsfmag.com DESIGN & LAYOUT Stephanie Boyd stephanie@tsfmag.com Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine is published monthly. Subscription Rates: One Year (Free Emag with Hard Copy Subscription) $25.00, Two Year $45.00 E-MAG (electronic version) is available for $12.00 per year. Order on-line: WWW.TSFMAG.COM MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine Attn: Subscriptions P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 * 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: 361-785-2844 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

HAVE TO SAY

74 Dickie Colburn’s Sabine Scene 76 Mickey on Galveston 78 The view from Matagorda 80 Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays 82 Hooked up with Rowsey 84 Capt. Tricia’s Port Mansfield Report 86 South Padre Fishing Scene

REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIvE Patti Elkins Patti@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-649-2265

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.

HANKSGIVING EDITORIAL T AT THE COAST I trust everybody reading this is waist-deep in excellent fall fishing. The reds are thick on the flats in many places and the trout are getting fatter by the day. If fishing reports can be an accurate indicator, Texas anglers are enjoying flounder catches that beat everything in memory. ‘Tis the time for trophies so please remember TSFMag when sharing your stories and photos – and don’t forget the CPR ethic. Every trout you release could grow to become a new state record. Billy Sandifer’s fans are likely to get a shock as this is the first issue of TSFMag Billy has missed since he joined us almost ten years ago. Billy took advantage of a lifetime dream to trek to California for a 12-day birding tour. If you know Billy, the thought of being absent for writing duty weighed heavily on him but, I assured him the chance was too good to miss and readers would understand. Billy will be back in his trademark style next month. We have been promoting the responsibility we all have in getting kids introduced to the wonders of fishing and the Texas coast since the earliest days of TSFMag and, the stuff we have been receiving is very encouraging; awesome would actually be a better word here. Check out this month’s Memory Maker of Briley Eason’s accomplishment in the CCA STAR Kids flounder division. That’s what it’s all about. November is the month to count our blessings and give thanks for all the Almighty has bestowed. Getting together with friends and

6 | November 2012

family to enjoy the outdoors over the festive Thanksgiving weekend has never been easier and the fishing and hunting opportunities that wait should be enough to get everybody running out of the house as soon as the Thanksgiving dishes are back in the cupboard. Whether you are headed for a relaxing day on the bay, deer lease, duck blind or goose field – do it as a family. Introducing spouses, kids, relatives or friends to your passion for fishing and hunting has incredible rewards and can truly make a difference in their lives. Something to look forward to, even if a bit selfish, you will have somebody to take you fishing and hunting in your golden years! Thanksgiving at the Johnson place will be busy. Pam and I will be sliding in sideways from hunting mule deer in the Panhandle, kids and grandkids will be running about like Native Americans at the pilgrim’s feast, popping heads through the door asking if the turkey is done. Casting and blasting will fill our days and the aroma of redfish slabs on the grill will be a welcome change after so much turkey and dressing. Anybody whose mouth hasn’t watered for bacon-wrapped duck breast and grilled shrimp hors d’oeuvres waiting on the main course… well, come see us in Seadrift. Have a joyous Thanksgiving and God Bless America!

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STORY BY MIKE MCBRIDE

OK folks hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a topic

that is sure to bring it on; maybe enthusiastic high-fives, maybe at the risk of a few single-digit salutes. Whatever floats your plug! Lately, the topic of inshore saltwater fishing tournaments has become about as controversial as red vs. blue states in this election year. You either love the way things are running currently or you absolutely hate (and are very concerned about) the number of fishing tournaments being held, the direction of the sport of competitive angling, even the intent and methods of those doing the directing. Our editor has commissioned me to go here this month and my basic contention is that with a bit of foresight and tweaking there can be better balance achieved for the good of the whole group, not to mention the good of the fisheries we are using. Let me first say that fishing tournaments can be good or, they can be bad, and weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve all seen at least a little of each. So with that said I would like to review the distinguishing factors.

8 | November 2012

Does being in a tournament justify blasting through a line of waders and denying everyday fishermen this opportunity? I think not!

Participating anglers are afforded some chance at recognition while fishing guides and sponsors can gain valuable exposure. I can speak well to the career boost aspect as I basically came out of the tournament crowd – winning at both amateur and pro levels in the old Gulf Coast Troutmasters among others, and then being privileged to guide clients to wins in various events. To further qualify my position, please do not accuse me of sailing in from the balcony just this morning. I believe my personal experiences over several decades have served as an observation platform to better field feedback from fishing clients, tourney anglers, magazine readers, and everyday fishermen. My bottom line is this – for whatever good tournaments can and might contribute, we can do better and we certainly need to. On the positive side; there is the obvious economic bump to an otherwise sleepy fishing village in the form of increased lodging and food service revenues when a tournament comes to town and also for starving fishing guides hired by tourney teams. Equally beneficial, solid money can be raised for worthy causes. On the negative, many folks are adamant that high-stakes fishing tourneys bring out the worst behavior in fishermen and that they can (and actually do) often ruin an otherwise cosmic day for “everyday” people on the water. I have to agree to an extent, especially if you consider what might befall Uncle Joe in his tin boat taking a bunch of teen-aged hopefuls for a fun day on the water – that just happens to also be tournament day. Let’s dig a little deeper, even if it hurts. Blasting through a line of waders or drifters simply because you are fishing a tournament will never make a good enough excuse. Monetary gain or prestige at weigh-in can and unfortunately will trump any normal sense of morals and boating etiquette for some. But trust me guys, a win WILL NOT make your penis any bigger. Put yourself in Uncle Joe’s booties, who really has the holier right…Uncle Joe or the tournament crowd? Look back and ask yourself whether any of the guys you cut-off or burned will see you as a true champion. Granted, the corporate and benefit tournament is capable of inspiring a sense of camaraderie, networking, etc., and fostering stronger bonds between vendors and customers is valuable in many ways but, do we really have to ruin a precious day on the water for others when the prize is a mere piece of wood or plastic to decorate a shelf until we tire of it? Here’s a close-to-home example of things we sometimes find ourselves doing “under TSFMAG.com | 9

tournament influence.” Guiding clients in a big event last summer, Capt. Tricia and I put our groups of four anglers each on an incredible trout bite for two days, and allowed them to kill no fewer than eight per day over 25 inches, (one apiece) just as the law allows. Was that stuff necessary to obtain our goals as fishing guides and them as anglers? I think not; and it troubles me that we did it. If we are going to reap the benefits of competition using natural resources, let us at least practice the sportsmanship and conservation ethic the bass and redfish guys live by. In all seriousness, they are doing things in a positive way. Most obvious is the general format of the corporate and benefit fishing tournament. Come

(Top) Please excuse the grainy photo, but that’s me receiving a big paycheck at one the Galveston Troutmasters events back in the day. (Middle) Back in 2001, son Brandon and I took first and second at a Rockport Troutmasters tourney, (before NASCAR shirts came to trout fishing.) (Bottom) Rick Kersey and I teamed for a win in the Pathfinder’s Owner Tourney. I repeated the next year with Pam Johnson as partner.

10 | November 2012

on guys, surely we can achieve our desired goals without an ugly slaughter fest that unfortunately leads to fish ending up in dumpsters – with or without freezer burn. We have actually seen winning catches discarded after weigh-in and Heaven only knows how many of those big fish go to waste in the freezer. Organize a list of charitable or needy folks, ask each competitor if they’d like to donate their catch, and have somebody there to fillet and care for them appropriately while the anglers enjoy the rest of the festivities. Next up and please do not brand me as a greenie weenie but, I do not comprehend why tournament teams are so hell-bent on retaining full Texas limits when the weigh-stringer for the day is so much less. Please consider the Shallowsport Owners Tournament, one of the biggest and most successful on the Texas coast. Their weigh-stringer is one trout, one red, and one flounder. This event enjoys exceptional participation without trampling the fishery. I cannot imagine a better example to demonstrate that fishing is about the thrill, way more than the kill. There are ways to encourage responsible use and competition at the same time. What I’m driving at are things like a “redfish spot pot” that allows everybody an even chance without freezing unnecessary poundage. Another great example is the old Marburger’s Sports Tournament and its “trout closest to 24-inches” category. That one was very popular and you never had to kill a bunch of trophy fish to win it. We only do this once a year you say? That’s great! But when there are three or four big kill tournaments in any given port each week of summer, you need to remember that each snowflake in an avalanche will proclaim innocence. Let’s think harder about what we’re really trying to attain here. You want to do this again next year, right? The stain of cheating is worst of all. So let’s throw in some polygraphs before this “sport” of ours dies an unnecessary and untimely death. Safety is another area that needs re-thinking. The boat race that accompanies a shotgun start will never qualify as safe boating practice. Better to let them leave as early as they like to secure their fishing spot with a

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“start-fishing time” specified in the rules. Better yet, draw numbers at the captain’s meeting to establish a “flighted” starting order. Ol’ Joe and his crew in the jonboat will love you for it, and so will a whole bunch of other white-knucklers. Tournament boundaries also make sense as too often nowadays only the folks with go-fast boats can compete effectively, which is a total shame when I know full well some of the most passionate and greatest fishermen of our time still run slow “beater” boats. It’s not about speed, Mark Holt and I went on a tear winning two in a row at Sal Batista’s and they never tried to buy that advantage, but “Best of the Best Galveston Open you sure won’t see them participate because of Plugger” events a long time ago. Mark those who do. took it again the following year fishing Chamber of Commerce people please listen with no partner; truly one of the best that ever waded saltwater in Texas. up; if greater participation is your goal, then modern reality suggests separate divisions between May and September. Your lure guys will usually have a hard time competing with “live crack” and your bait guys usually laugh at those who try. Just sayin.... A final observation is giving back to a limited resource instead of just using it for party favors and brownie points. Heck, we can probably take corporate clients bowling or golfing and still get the deal signed. It is likely there will come a time when tournaments will have to pony up a pounds-killed fee, penalized accordingly for using resources belonging to all of us for personal or corporate gain. This one might need to happen sooner than later if you give it enough thought.

In short, within certain venues, I think we have all seen tournaments grow from the occasional great event to the current plethora with ability to strain the sustainability of the ecosystem. If we feel the need to compete by using our natural resources, let’s be responsible leaders and try to promote things beyond immediate human interests. Competition is fun, potentially beneficial and productive in many ways, but only if we do it the right way. Let’s beat more than our fellow competitors; let’s also beat the odds of continued great fishing! Ayn Rand said, “A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others.”

Contact

Mike McBride

12 | November 2012

Mike McBride is a full time fishing guide based in Port Mansfield, TX, specializing in wadefishing with artificial lures.

Skinny Water Adventures Phone Email Web

956-746-6041 McTrout@Granderiver.net Skinnywateradventures.com/ Three_MudSkateers.wmv

STOR Y BY

KEVI N CO CHR AN

14 | November 2012

Because I market

myself as a teaching guide and pledge my

willingness to help my clients enhance their skills, I’m regularly asked to provide advice and instruction about the details of light-tackle inshore angling. Many elements combine to form the essence of this sport. Among the various components, the skills associated with lure presentation come up most often when I’m asked to give instruction, especially when I’m catching more fish than my paying customers! Usually, when attempting to narrow the gap between mine and my client’s catch rate, I start off by looking at the movement patterns of the lures on the ends of our lines. The most useful comparisons come when the lures are identical, or at least of the same type and size. It never ceases to amaze me how a tiny, seemingly insignificant variation in the movement pattern of a lure can have a profound impact on the number of strikes enticed. In order to help people most closely imitate the presentations I’m making, I wind up working my eye up the line to their rods and reels, to analyze the way they are using their hands to control the equipment. We are almost always using different rods and reels. I want people to learn to execute the techniques of the day with their own equipment, so they can better utilize them later. The differences in the rods and reels dictate different methods of manipulation to achieve the same outcome with the plugs. However, some of the same basic principles apply, no matter what rod and reel is employed in the presentation. I find myself repeating the same truths when tutoring clients about their presentation skills. Inevitably, I wind up discussing the length, rhythm and intensity of their rod-tip twitching, also the speed and consistency with which they are turning the reel handle. These two aspects of presentation affect the ability to maintain tension on the line; consequently, they facilitate control over the movement pattern of the plug. In order to maintain control over the movement of a plug, an angler must learn to “feel” what it’s doing at all times. Maintaining control without stifling the fluidity or erratic nature of the lure’s movements is the ultimate goal. Some lures are relatively easy to control, so they can be used effectively with a greater range of types of rods and reels. A soft plastic worm dangling under a float can be effectively wielded with most any piece of equipment. I’ve seen people catch fish on the cork and jig without even keeping both hands on the rod and reel at all times. They remove the hand from the reel’s crank and yank the rodtip forcefully a couple of times to make the cork splash, then grab the crank, quickly spin out the slack line they’ve created, and repeat. Such a strategy, while wildly effective at times, is neither complicated nor sophisticated. Other simple presentations include those made with crank baits and spoons, both of which often work well when simply reeled straight in with steady turns on the reel handle. Paddletailed soft plastics presented this way sometimes elicit TSFMAG.com | 15

plenty of strikes too. A presentation which involves a stationary rod tip and a steady turn on the reel handle is simple to produce with most any rod and reel combo. Anglers who rely primarily on these relatively basic lures and techniques can catch fish with most any kind of rod and reel. Others, like me, who prefer to attempt to artfully deploy a greater variety of plugs, will find doing so is much easier with the proper kind of equipment. I’ll repeat something I’ve said and written many times before; the fishing rod is the most important tool affecting one’s ability to catch fish, because the physical attributes of a rod facilitate specific types of presentations while limiting the potential for properly executing others. The reel is less important, but it is significant, particularly in the execution of complicated presentations with twitch baits. Most expert inshore lure chunkers use lowprofile, level-wind, baitcasting reels. A few use spinning reels exclusively. I believe spinning reels are generally inferior to bait casting reels, especially for use with floating and slow-sinking twitch baits. As I’ve stated before and demonstrated in

Even when soft plastics are used, the coordination of the turning of the reel handle with the twitching of the rod tip is a critical part of making effective presentations.

Catching fish on small topwaters like a Super Spook Junior is often fairly easy when compared to catching them on slow sinking twitch baits like Paul Brown’s Original Lures and MirrOlure Catch 2000s. All twitch baits, including small floating ones, work best when matched with rods properly designed for their use.

16 | November 2012

a videotaped experiment, I believe levelwind reels facilitate a greater unity of effort between the hands. I performed and recorded the experiment while producing Inshore Angler’s Blueprint for Success so I could better understand why some of my customers were struggling to produce presentations like mine. After trying and failing to execute my favorite presentations adequately with spinning tackle, I know it is more difficult, nearly impossible. Consequently, I urge anyone who wants to catch fish consistently on topwaters, twitch baits and soft plastics to learn to use baitcasting tackle; spinning gear is at best a crutch, at worst a significant barrier to improvement. While discussing all this with my best friend and co-producer of my DvDs, Marina Mosqueda, I realized what I’d inadvertently done to her when we started fishing together. Initially, rather than encourage her to learn to use baitcasting gear, I handed her my loaner spinning tackle. She always caught fewer fish than me and eventually asserted her belief that the main problem was the handicap

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created by the “coffee grinder” reel. She started using level-wind tackle and quickly learned to cast with it; now she catches more fish. In fact, she currently perceives a need to switch over to a level-wind reel with a left-handed crank, and explains the logic underlying her belief. “A right-handed person using a right-handed cranking reel is fishing backwards,” she says. After casting primarily with the right hand, said person is required to switch the rod and reel into the left hand to begin the presentation. Such a switch is awkward and unnecessary, or so the argument goes. “Why not just cast with the right hand and turn the crank with the left hand, without switching?” she asks. “After all, it’s easier to twitch with your dominant hand.” I tried unsuccessfully to switch over to a left-handed cranking reel years ago, but I do see the logic behind her position, and included a reference to the fact in the aforementioned DvD. People longaccustomed to using spinning tackle and cranking with their left hand might find it easier to switch over to baitcasting reels with left-handed cranks. Beginners might also find it easier to learn to use bait casting reels configured this way, or so I thought. After viewing and reading Inshore Angler’s Blueprint..., my friend and occasional partner Jason King got involved in the debate. He agreed with the wisdom and logic of Marina’s side and bought a 18 | November 2012

KEvIN COCHRAN CONTACT

Jason King helped the author clarify his thoughts related to the use of left handed vs. right handed cranking reels.

left-handed reel to try. Before he took it out on the water the first time, we discussed how the experiment might turn out, both agreeing the reel should be easier to use, but wondering if “relearning” favorite presentations would be a challenge. Later, Jason called me with his take on the results. “I can’t do it,” he emphatically stated. “I don’t have enough dexterity in my left hand to control the slack in the line the way I need to with a topwater or Corky,” he said. “I kept losing contact and control of the lures, especially when I was casting crossways to the wind or into the wind.” His assertions led me to an “Ah hah!” moment; the additional dexterity of the dominant hand is actually more important in the control of the reel handle, not the control of the rod tip. On the surface, the movement of the rod tip would seem to be the most complex aspect of a presentation, but in some cases, the movement of the reel handle is more difficult to properly execute. I suddenly realized something of critical importance in my ongoing quest to teach people to make better presentations. I should spend more time focusing on their control of the reel handle. Failing to turn the reel handle at the proper rate and/or at the proper times will cause a loss of control of the movement pattern of the plug. All this brings me back around to a supremely important concept. At its pinnacle, mastery of this sport is facilitated through the coordinated use of both hands on the rod and reel. The unified function of the hands is profoundly important in the production of effective presentations. With topwaters and slow-sinking twitch baits, the best presentations often include wide, erratic movements of the lure, variable speed and intensity, pauses and speed bursts. Executing such presentations involves creating enough slack to free the lures to achieve natural-looking movements without losing control over the movement of the lures entirely. Using these plugs optimally requires a sophisticated coordination of the timing of the rod-tip twitching with the turning of the reel handle. The superior dexterity of the dominant hand facilitates more effective implementation of the reel handle in this complex process.

Kevin Cochran is a full-time fishing guide at Corpus Christi (Padre Island), TX. Kevin is a speckled trout fanatic and has created several books and dvds on the subject. Kevin’s home waters stretch from Corpus Christi Bay to the Land Cut.

TROUT TRACKER GUIDE SERvICE Phone Email Web

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

Never allow threatening weather to get between you and safe por t if you can prevent it.

20 | November 2012

STORY BY MARTIN STRARUP

We thought we had this one figured out. Blocked from port by heavier weather we ran to the shallows to avoid waves churned by high wind. We got a good soaking but that’s all. Several sailboats in the ICW were overturned.

If you spend enough days on the bays,

sooner or later, you will be forced to make a decision…Should I stay or should I go? My Dad always said that if you see bad weather at a distance the first thing that you should do is try to figure out which way it is heading and how fast it is moving. The second thing you should do is figure out if you have an escape route should it get really bad and head your way. The third thing you should do is figure out if the bad weather is going to get between you and safe port. I’ve always remembered those simple rules and yet I have broken them on three occasions. Fortunately, the outcome of combining bad weather and my bad decisions never turned into something awful and we always made it in without injury or severe damage to my boat. I have written in years past about getting caught on the south shoreline of West Matagorda Bay by a fast-moving cold front that was hours ahead of predicted arrival so I won’t relive those memories for you here. I still get the flutters when I think of that day. Back in the mid-90s we got caught by a freak thunderstorm in Espiritu Santo Bay. Old Bob at Clark’s where I unloaded that morning said the storm approaching from the northwest was stalling and moving toward the east and the radar confirmed that, so we headed out through Fisherman’s Cut. When we idled up to the north side of Grass Island the wind was southeast around 10 or so but by the time we had the anchor set and our wading gear on the wind stopped blowing and that eerie feeling

TSFMAG.com | 21

This is what I call “the approach of weather.” Now is the time to decide which way to run to avoid it; and be quick about it.

Author’s friend Jared, hunkering behind the console with a refreshment, trying to dry out after a stinging rain .

started coming over me. A quick glance back towards Port O’Connor confirmed my fears; I watched the water tower vanish in a wall of rain. The storm had changed course. I had my young son and a friend with me that morning and, as fast as I could, I pulled the anchor and ran for safety in the lee of nearby Bayucos Island. We made it just as the blast of north wind slammed into us at what we later learned to be near 60 miles per hour. Lightening bounced off of the water and islands, hail beat us unmercifully from an almost horizontal direction and visibility was near zero. I had already made a huge mistake by unloading and leaving port with the weather as it was and not absolutely knowing which way it was going to go. I was in the middle of what I hoped would not turn out to be my second mistake that morning – listening to my gut telling me that we needed to move up into Mitchell’s Cut and keep the bow into the wind. With my son Sterling and friend Mike lying on the floor of the boat cradling our rod and reels and wearing life jackets, I started moving the boat towards the cut and had not gone far when a huge lightning bolt hit almost exactly where we had just been. OK maybe leaving wasn’t such a bad idea after all! I was pretty much on auto-pilot by then just concentrating on keeping the bow into the wind and on top of the huge swells we found in the cut before we came to Saluria on our right. A 19’ Boston Whaler and another center console boat had beached on the bank at 22 | November 2012

Saluria and Mitchell’s and three or four men hunkered there hoping to escape the lightning and the sideways hail and rain. My heart told me to beach our boat next to theirs and get out of the boat but my gut told me to keep going. We were moving so slowly in the huge waves that it took forever to get past Saluria and make the short turn to the left into Mitchell’s. The hail finally stopped, having failed in trying to beat us to death, but the rain and the wind seemed to have plenty of punch left. I hugged the mudflat after leaving the relative shelter of east and west Bayucos and, being shallower, the waves were not as brutal as that of the deeper water. There was a boat running the troughs coming at me from my port side and he ran aground just before the entrance to Big Bayou from the Mitchell’s Cut side. The fiberglass over wood boat literally came apart and the captain was thrown forward into the grass, mud and oyster shell. There was no way that I could stop to help him and thankfully he appeared unhurt and he waved to us to keep going and not try to get to him. With a heavy heart I did just that. By the time we made Little Mary’s the wind was only blowing about

The only thing missing from our boat was my wallet that had been in the top lid of a tackle box that had blown open and a throw cushion, both of which were floating God knows where and we never found them. What I would like for you the reader to glean from this story, besides the fact that I made a really bad decision, are these simple rules: If you see bad weather at a distance, try to figure out which way it is heading and how fast it is moving. Make sure you have an escape route should the weather get really bad and head your way. Try to figure out if the bad weather is going to get between you and port. Oh, and if you decide to break those rules, never turn your back on the weather. It will sneak up and bite you in the posterior. Be Safe! -Martin

Martin Strarup

Contact

40 or so and the rain, while still stinging my face, was giving up more visibility and I was able to increase speed a little. As we approached Fishermanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cut, the wind, just as it had done to us at Grass Island, stopped blowing. As I made my way through the cut I could see the damage that the storm had left behind. Clarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s had lost the roof and walls that made up the bait stand and the place was a wreck, barges were blown against the bank on the opposite side of the ICW, coolers, boats torn from their moorings and all manner of flotsam and jetsam was adrift in the water. We tied up at Clarkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and Bob met me with a worried look and we both just shook our heads as Bob actually chuckled and pointed towards the stern of my boat. Turning around I saw a huge palm frond that was flattened out against the transom and packed in ice; I never saw it come into the boat. It looked like someone had dumped a few hundred pounds of ice into the low-sided Explorer. The space between the center console and the cushioned ice chest in front of it was solid ice from the hail storm. We were wet and still shaken but we were not injured other than my having a bleeding lip and a cut over my eye from the hail. I was exhausted from the tension and, to be honest, I was also angry as Hell for putting our lives in danger by not following those simple rules my Dad had passed onto me years before. About then I remembered the man who was in the water with a wrecked boat but before I could get back into the boat to go get him the Whaler that I had seen beached at Saluria came in and they had him. As they made the turn towards the Fishing Center I waved and they all waved back and raised their hands to the Heavens. Yeah; I felt the same way.

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 | 23

STORY BY CHUCK UZZLE

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no secret to anyone with a pulse that the ultimate month for Texas outdoors enthusiasts is November â&#x20AC;&#x201C; period. Many of the best things that help define our great state are on prime display as a camo-clad nation of sportsmen converges on all four corners of Texas with either a fishing rod, a gun, or sometimes both in hand. Cooler weather that brings

Gulls working over a flat in front of a marsh drain are a sure sign the bite is on.

24 | November 2012

relief from the hot summer months gets everything moving, from speckled trout to speckle-bellied geese. November is a buffet of endless opportunity and it makes me glad that I live in Texas. Hopefully, as you read this, your lawnmower has all but been put away for the year, the heater on your house has been used at least once, and a light jacket is now part of your everyday wardrobe.

Now where are the fish?

Sunrise from the duck blind; fishing to follow!

OK – Who am I kidding? This is Texas and the weather will never cooperate to that extent – so we will just make do with what we get. One thing we can all bank on though, coastal fishing seldom gets any better than it will be in November and I’m talking numbers of nice keepers right up to career-best trophies! Easily the most influential factor for fishermen will be water levels, perhaps lack of might be a better way to put it. The northers of fall and early winter will do a number on water levels in general and successive cold fronts will blow the water out of the marshes ushering tons of bait toward the larger bays where it will become a “free for all” for the predator species. Large flocks of gulls, terns, and pelicans will dot the horizon and point the way for anglers to easy pickings. These flapping congregations will often work for much longer in the fall as the fish below the surface don’t have to work as hard to keep shrimp bunched together and herded near the surface. Shad on the other hand are much harder for speckled trout and redfish to keep bunched together while they feed so, consequently, the flocks covering this action usually don’t hang around nearly as long, which can be frustrating. Nothing is more irritating than spotting a group of birds working, making a lengthy run to reach them, and then having

them break up as soon as you arrive or only make a few casts. For this very reason I often will watch the working birds with binoculars to see what they are picking off the surface. If they are grabbing shrimp it is a much safer bet they will hold long enough for you to join the fun. If I can see the gulls or terns snatching the odd shad I may to drift through the set and not really commit to them like I would if they were on shrimp. If the run-and-gun of hustling November birds and schooling fish is not your style; look no farther than a protected flat adjacent to a marsh slough because you can certainly get your string stretched there. Some of the absolute best fishing of the year for big speckled trout in good numbers happens during November on Sabine and Calcasieu. Classic ambush points at the mouths of marsh drains that flow over shallow flats will offer anglers plenty of potential to tangle with a career fish. One of my favorite situations to fish is an outgoing tide on days when the temperature is on the increase with light wind. For example let’s say the air temperature has been in the 50s for a few days and then it warms up and temperatures spike toward the 60s. Marsh water warms quicker than the bay. As the tide starts to go out, this warmer water flows over the shallower flats and really kick-starts activity of both baitfish and predators. Speckled trout, TSFMAG.com | 25

(Left) The Sabine marshes are a treasure trove of sporting opportunity; Carl Grimmett and Dow Gene Anderson got their gators.

We should have entered the spot pot.

26 | November 2012

little to no gas. That’s about as good a situation as you could ask for without just getting greedy. Plus you can always find protected water in the river so you never get blown out or blown off the water like in the open bay. Could it get any better? So if all the options I have listed here are not enough to get you headed to the Sabine area; don’t give up because there is more. For the coastal angler that also enjoys wingshooting, November is your month. Avid coastal enthusiasts often double up on their outings as they bring fishing tackle along with their shotguns and decoys on many trips. Coastal duck hunts are one of the coolest things you can do in November as millions of birds migrate to Texas from the north. There are very few things as cool as shooting a limit of ducks and then catching a stringer full of great fish in the same day. The “blast and cast” is one trip that everyone should have on their “to do” list. A Texas treat that makes this season all the more special.

Chuck Uzzle

Contact

redfish, and flounder will really get cranked up and often times feed much more aggressively than they would if it was just an outgoing tide with similar water temps in the marsh and bay. It’s very noticeable, similar to a thermocline in deeper water, this situation will stack a lot of fish into a small area. Sabine is full of areas that fit this pattern and it really works. Flounder fishermen probably take more advantage of this scenario than anyone but it works just as well for a variety of species. Now the third option for anglers in November is to concentrate on the deep water in the Sabine River and Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Last fall was borderline ridiculous for local fishermen as the lack of runoff from Toledo Bend allowed the Sabine River to become as pretty and salty as I have ever seen it. The fishing was fantastic as speckled trout and redfish seemed to be stacked up every shoreline and would readily inhale all manner of swim baits and soft plastics. A very similar pattern appears to be forming as I type this because the Sabine River is growing clearer and saltier by the day. With just a little effort and determination an angler can put together a pattern or a plan that will work just about every day under these conditions. There are also several bonuses that come with fishing the Sabine River at this time of the year, like lots of redfish, an occasional striped bass, some really big speckled trout and flounder. The greatest bonus is using

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 cuzzle@gt.rr.com Website www.chucksguideservice.net

TSFMAG.com | 27

STORY BY JOE DOGGETT 28 | November 2012

Take up the slack, Jack;

While some anglers view nets as sources of unnecessary injury on C&R trophies; they can definitely help seal the deal.

use sharp hooks, Brooks; don’t blow the strike, Mike. With a sideways nod to singer/songwriter Paul Simon, this is not a reprise of “50 ways to leave your lover;” rather, it is a review of five ways for the wader to lose a career speckled trout. There no doubt are 50 ways to lose a big fish. And, like many veteran anglers, I’ve fumbled and bumbled around most of them. But we need a manageable list. Here are my choices for the top ways to screw up: 1. FAULTY LINE – The thin connection between you and a thrashing, lunging, rolling sow speck is worrisome enough without a fray or a nick or an improper terminal connection. Don’t give fickle Lady Luck and dour Old Many Gulf any extra trumps with a weak link. Most salty waders use 12- to 14-pound monofilament or “super braid” line of similar diameter. This is a trade-out between casting performance with the typical 1/4- to 3/4-ounce payloads and reliability under normal inshore fishing conditions. It doesn’t take much to compromise the line – especially mono. If you are gunning for a big one, no knot should be suspect. If a connection appears “iffy,” take the time right now to re-tie. Remember, a lousy wad of wraps against a mondo-giant strike can result in the soul-deadening slack of a clean break, or perhaps most galling the “piggy tail” of a pulled knot. Also, every so often, run your fingers along the terminal three or four feet of line, feeling for kinks, nicks or abrasions. 2. NO SHOCK LEADER – The snaggled snout fangs of a big trout can cut a light mono casting line if the combination of contact and stress are just right - or wrong, as the case maybe. Adding to the issue, the big speck might get away with a terrible treble-hooked plug stuck on its face. A mono or fluorocarbon shock leader testing 20 to 30 pounds is smart insurance (with braid, it provides a measure of camouflage in clear water). It also allows you to tie a loop knot to a lure. The heavy mono holds the loop well, and any loss of line strength created by the knot should still rate above the light casting line. You can attach the short shock with a small swivel but avoid reeling the hardmetal gadget through the tip guide. Leave it outside the rod. Better yet, use a good line-to-line knot. The nearest knot book shows examples of proven connections and the serious trophy trout hunter could do worse than earmark a few pages, grab a coil of line, and practice, practice, practice. Wrapping a short double line in the casting line (forget the complicated Bimini twist; the quick spider hitch pinched between thumb and index works just fine) provides more surface area to displace friction and take a positive grab. However you wrap it, a good line-to-line connection allows you to rig a longer four- or five-foot shock for repeated re-ties during a single session. The extended shock also enables you to reel the shock onto the rod for a properly loaded cast with the lure dangling a foot or so below the tip. But be advised that many top-end rod manufacturers think that tiny guides are cute and racy. I suppose they weigh fractionally less, a marketing advantage in the over-hyped frenzy for lightness. The shock knot reeled past the tip will bump and knock during your heartfelt deliveries, eventually blowing the ring from a high-tech guide. Larger guides make sense to me – at least on real water. Frankly, so does heavier mono. If I were taking dead aim at a double-digit trout and using mono, I would strip the 12 and re-spool with 15. Larger, TSFMAG.com | 29

Small topwater speck but nononsense hooks and loop-knotted shock leader are ready for a big one.

heavier payloads used for big trout usually balance well with the heavier line. I guess the good news for staunch light-tackle devotees is that many 12-pound mono lines (non-IGFA rated) probably test closer to 15, anyway. But I digress; 12 or 15, add a shock leader when big trout are on the tide and a lure is on the line. 3. IMPROPER HOOKS – Today’s from-the-box hooks are far superior from those of decades past. Chemically sharpened points are excellent; don’t ask me how they do it, but the technology is amazing. But no point is immune to repeated contact with shell or sand, or even prolonged exposure to saltwater. Sooner or later, the hang-on-

No matter how old the tackle, the plugger should insure the trebles are straight and sharp. The shock leader helps protect from line cuts and allows the use of a secure loop knot.

30 | November 2012

a-thumbnail needle point starts to slide – and a point that fails to penetrate can cost you a career trout. Worth note, big fish are harder to stick than small ones, and large hooks are more difficult to set than small ones. Regardless of offering, the savvy angler makes a point to check the points on a regular basis. A common lapse is to continue using a pet “killer plug” after the encrusted trebles are downright bad. Either change out the hooks or buy a new lure. Or carry a small file; it’s better than nothing for an on-water fix. Bent hooks are another weak link. An opened bend seldom occurs on a large single hook, but deformed hooks are common on hardused plugs with multiple sets of trebles. This often is the result of heavy leverage with needle-nosed pliers when unhooking a stubborn fish. You twist and yank and the lure pulls free – but a treble might have opened during the process. Take a moment to eyeball the plug. If a treble is opened or twisted, use the pliers to bend it back into proper shape; better yet, cut the plug off and re-rig. A bent hook loses a measure of strength. The integrity of the steel is weakened. The re-positioned hook may or may not be an issue. After all, you’ve got at least six points on the typical mullet-imitation plug. But if the recently bent point is the only one clinging to a head-shaking 32-inch Laguna Madre trout – well, try not to think about it. Small hooks are another potential deal-killer on a career speck. This is a round-about way of saying don’t rig with a school trout lure when casting into trophy trout water. The typical 1/4-ounce plug is intended for one- to three-pound fish; don’t tempt fate by trusting puny thin-wire hooks when a career sow clamps down and heads south.

: Flop! Port Mansfield six-pounder slips from our editor’s hands preparing for a photo. Facial expression says it all.

Anglers intent on landing and releasing trophy trout should consider “soft” nets and Boga Grips as Pam Johnson demonstrates.

The small lure may draw more strikes but you are playing for the one big hit. Rig accordingly. The angler using a lead-head jig or a jerk-type elongated plastic is OK – just make certain the large single hook is a quality product with a wide gap to take a confident bite. This is no time to use an “El Cheapo” hook. 4. POOR HOOK SET – Blown strikes on big fish usually occur way out or in close. Long casts are typical for the wader (or drifter) covering the open expanses of shallow flats where big trout often prowl. That’s why you are toting a light, fast reel and a twohanded stick. You can cock that sucker and really let drive with the prevailing wind at your back. Problem is, the long bomb that looks so good can be hard to reach even with a vicious rod sweep. The wader might have a tougher draw than the drifter because the angle to the strike is lower. A side wind that creates a belly of slack can seriously compound the problem. A non-stretch super-braid line is a smart choice when chunking topwater plugs. The sharp hooks I was harping about earlier also provide an edge (pun intended) on a windswept cast. At the opposite extreme, a big fish that follows the retrieve then slams the lure scant yards off the rod tip can make you look bad. The stretch of mono actually can help you now by serving as a shock absorber on a close-quarters collision. But the harsh contact combined with a violent yank can snap even a heavy line. I once broke off two monster trout on short lines in Baffin Bay, and may yet have to seek professional counseling to recover from the trauma. A light drag setting can be a strong ally. The typical star drag with small washers stacked on the handle can be balky, slow to release. Verify the start-up tension with a test pull now and then, and try not to hit too hard when the bay blows up in front of you. This, admittedly, is easier said than done. A final observation on hook setting: Don’t hit too soon on a surface strike. Allow the big trout to grab the plug and turn back down. In other words, don’t trust your eyes amid all the abrupt welter. Wait for weight before whipping back with the rod. Again, easier said than done. 5. RUSHING THE GRAB – If you want to clutch your chest in dread fear of an imminent heart attack, try attempting to handgrab a monster trout before the fish gives up. Many grand specks have been “plumbered” by frantic anglers who panic over washtub boils at point-blank range. The loss is devastating because the great gleaming prize is right there – and a few more moments of careful play almost certainly would have claimed success. The tendency to rush the landing is aided and abetted by the fact that large trout sometimes are not particularly hard fighters (compared to species such as jackfish and redfish). A big trout often can be led, and the excited angler can be tempted to reel the fish too close, too soon. Stay cool. Take your time. Keep the rod tip up and allow the fish to burn off steam by wallowing and running at will. The fish isn’t going anywhere if you’ve got good knots and a solid hook-set. The typical bay flat is an open playing field and specks are clean fighters, not prone to deliberately diving into cover (like bass or snook). A big one might fight in an entire circle around the patient wader. Maybe several circles. It’s a delicate game of give and take. TSFMAG.com | 31

The wader with a “green” trout might actually back up a few steps if the fish closes too quickly. The idea is to maintain firm control at a reasonable distance, using the flex of the rod to counter any sudden moves. Even the biggest trout soon will tire against a high tip and a smooth drag. Incidentally, I would not monkey with the drag; if you need more pressure, you’ve got a poised thumb right there. And the

Allowing a big fish to tire before working it close improves the odds of a clean grab.

32 | November 2012

thumb allows quick release of tension if needed. When wading in thigh- to waist-deep water, keep your feet close together as the tiring fish yields to the lifted rod. You don’t need a final burst between your legs, especially if the fish is trailing a gang-hooked plug. Work the trout back and forth, checking for hook placement, and waiting for the shot you want before making a confident grab. If the shoulder is too wide for a solid grip – You lucky rascal! – Maybe slip your fingers carefully under the big gill plate. Or cradle the rod and use both shaking hands. In a world overrun with “jug” school specks, this is an all-too-rare improvisation. When wading and using a net, a frantic stab or slash after a departing fish is asking for grief. Roger Federer might get away with an overhead slam, but you are not on Centre Court. Let the fish go and lead it back around and take it headfirst. By the way, this is no time for a dinky little dip net. Tote some manly mesh and tuck it under your wading belt behind your back and out of the way until the quick draw is needed. Once the giant trout is in hand, here’s a final observation: “Think about turning it free, Lee.”

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A few of the Port Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor pompano we waylaid in September.

34 | November 2012

STORY BY JOE RICHARD

Pompano seem quite rare in texas,

where many anglers actually toss them back, convinced they’ve caught a small jack. Or discard them on the beach, as I’ve seen at San Luis Pass. There are ten species of jack lurking off the Texas coast that I’ve run into on occasion, and the pompano is just one. But it just happens to surpass almost all coastal saltwater fish on the dinner table, a real bonus fish. Finding them can be difficult, however. This all weighed heavy on us in September, when many of these fish began jumping around us in Capt. Curtiss Cash’s boat. I’d seen a couple of “skipper” pompano in Florida waters, but a hundred in the air in Texas? It was beyond belief; pompano jumped all around us, thumping off the hull. One smacked the motor, landed in the well, then jumped back out. One flew into the boat and stayed there, and soon found himself in the Igloo. We anchored, whipped out jigs and spoons—our go-to lures for pompano over the years—but it was no dice. In murky water, they just

wouldn’t hit. Live shrimp would likely have helped, but we seldom drive around with “hoppers” in the live well, preferring lures or finger mullet instead. (We were looking for tarpon that day). And pompano only eat shellfish, such as small crabs or shrimp, which may account for their great taste. It was frustrating; before we left, perhaps 100 of these fish had jumped around us like invasive carp in the Illinois River, often skipping like flat stones. My camera caught two of them in the air at once. It was late afternoon, the tide was low and murky and the boys were pooped out and ready for happy hour, so we left. But next morning it was payback time: We returned with a (rather paltry) pint of shrimp, knowing an incoming tide would clear the surf, and so it was. In green water more pompano skipped around the boat, and we dropped anchor in four feet of water. I pulled out a handful of pompano jigs made in Florida and we went to work. Bruce Churton and I tipped each jig with half or a third of a live shrimp, and were soon bowed up. We called in friends in two other

Closeup of a pompano. These guys are often pure silver, until they’ve been in the icechest for a little while, when they turn more yellow. Photo by Shannon Tompkins.

TSFMAG.com | 35

Most of our pompano over the years have been caught from Gulf platforms, these fish often visually spotted while we climbed around above.

Small but deadly pompano jigs. Ideal weight is ½ ounce, with a very short tail of one inch. Jig on the right is molded after a sand flea. All three were crafted for pompano and sold by James Warf in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.

boats who anchored around us, though they took too long to arrive, day with pompano. Aside from an occasional jetty pomp caught on a boating only a half dozen pompano per boat before the tide changed. green tide, the rest of our pompano catches going back 30 years were We had exactly 20 pompano in our boat before the water began to all made around Gulf platforms sitting in 40 to 50 feet of water. Best murk up, and lost quite a few more while sitting down, trying to look months were May and October. Out there these fish can be spotted and disinterested to another boat that anchored nearby. (You know the cast to, especially if one climbs a platform, which isn’t entirely legal and drill when getting potlicked: slumped shoulders, point the rod at each requires some agility. From a height of 15 feet or more, you can scan the hooked fish, try to land it on the other side of the boat). Shannon surrounding fish population for tasty pomps, at least on a calm day. Tompkins and Pete Churton merely sat in our boat with cameras, taking Peering down inside the bigger platforms, I’ve seen parading schools hundreds of pictures, and to this day I wonder how many pompano of pompano, perhaps 10 to 15 fish, circling flat on their sides like a the four of us might have landed with a full quart of shrimp. Some tripletail will swim. Down there the pomps reflect light back to the kind of Texas record, perhaps; we might have strung 50 pompano and surface, very different from viewing the dull, dorsal side of most fish. slung them over someone’s shoulder like the glory trout stringer days Drop a small spoon or jig into them, give it a few twitches, and hang on. from the 1970s, that guides were so proud of. And yet pompano are so If a marauding bluefish runs over and grabs the jig, don’t set the hook, unknown in Texas, there isn’t even a daily bag limit on them. In this day merely wait for him to drop it, examine the line for toothy damage, and and age. Go figure. start over. My tackle for this job was always 15-pound line on a Calcutta And Jebus, these pompano fought hard. Even overmatched against baitcasting outfit. You have to get mean with these pompano, inside a jetty tackle with 20-pound line, some of our bigger fish fought way platform, so I didn’t use spin gear. It’s tricky, making them tail-walk until harder than redfish of comparable size. They are, after all, members of tired, then lifting them up 15 feet and landing them onto a narrow steel the jack family. If we’d had 8-pound spin tackle, we’d still be out there catwalk, and quickly into a handy bucket. Many times, I’ve climbed back trying to land that last fish. We mostly slung the little jigs, hopped across bottom Two pompano in the air, spooked by a little faster than hardhead catfish could the boat. Some like to skip flat to the follow. The 20-pound line served as a leader water, while others jumping higher in a more normal fashion—high enough and insured that occasional big ladyfish to land in a boat. These jumped in wouldn’t grab on and shred lighter line murky water and had yellow bellies. with sandpaper lips. We only lost one jig to something toothy, because the rubber lips of pompano are no threat. Some of our biggest pompano that day even hit jetty bottom rigs with the 2-ounce lead still attached. I merely pinned on a live shrimp and flipped it out there, set the rod in a holder. When the rod tip quivered, I picked it up and set the hook. If we’d had Kahle hooks, they’d have set themselves. That’s what serious pompano fishermen use while surf fishing, when they set up long rods in PVC pipe “sand spikes.” Surf guys can’t be everywhere at once, so the Kahle sets itself. But enough about our recent glory 36 | November 2012

Pete Churton of Beaumont with a tasty pompano caught offshore.

Double-header of pompano? No problem, when you’re anchored over a large school of these fish.

down to the boat with three to five of these tasty fish. Offshore, they seem to average bigger than surf pompano. The years have come and gone, but it’s easy to remember our first Texas pompano. Or saw people catching them, anyway. It was March Spring Break at Port Aransas, and we’d slept sheltered from a lightning-lit sky at the construction site that became the UT Marine Science Institute, within sight of the jetties. Workers evicted us from our sleeping bags, and we hurried out to the south jetty in perfect, calm spring weather. Where we found a lot of fishermen, going out 100 yards or so on the rocks, tossing live shrimp out on the beach pocket side. Catching baskets of big pompano and sheepshead in the finest lime-green water. We’d never seen a pompano back at our Sabine jetties—a venue we eventually walked and plugged for 15 years. On this day at Aransas, we sadly couldn’t afford live shrimp. We were down to one meal a day, what we called back then a Gut-Buster at Dairy Queen. We were a long way from school and Nacogdoches, in my clattering Volkswagen. No credit cards, either. Aside from Gulf platform pompano, and the occasional jetty fish, most other pompano are caught from clean surf. That’s where you pick the right spot—perhaps offering an outgoing rip current that swimmers

dread—and set up a few 12-foot surf rods in sand spikes. There are guys on Florida’s Atlantic coast who literally make a living doing this. They’re dialed in to friends, know the best public beaches, and have a license to sell this expensive fish, whose fillets go for something like $20 a pound. Talk about a care-free life, cruising up and down the coast for several hundred miles, setting up surf rods on a daily basis. Should I wear the flipflops today? Probably not…These guys rake their own sand fleas, which are small, primitive-looking mole crabs that live in wet sand left by each wave. They’re the ultimate pompano bait, averaging perhaps an inch long, perfectly shaped for these fish to wrap their lips around. (I’m not sure about the status of sand fleas on Texas beaches, but I hear they’re way smaller than those on the East Coast and not as effective as bait). Surf fishing is where that cell phone really helps, when your real friends are hooked up 10 miles up the beach and remember to call you. For Texas beach fishing around the cleaner surf of Padre Island, I’m sure Billy Sandifer could point out some proper tactics for pompano. The cooler waters of November still carry pompano, whether just offshore or along the coast, even the bigger fish approaching six pounds, which is the Texas state record, if you add a few ounces. By December or later, on balmy winter days, best aim for Padre Island surf. They’ll be there waiting—even making a surge Incoming! Author swings a pompano into the when March and Spring Break returns. And if boat in September. Using jetty tackle, there’s you catch your first, be sure not to fry it. Bake it no need for a landing net when action is fast whole and serve with potatoes au gratin and and furious. Photo by Shannon Tompkins. chilled Pinot Grigio. Our best pompano picture will be one of those featured in my 2013 calendar, which this year will show anglers and fish. (My current 2012 calendar is fish species close-ups). If readers are interested in my 2013 calendar, I can be reached at joe@seafavorites. com. I’ve also been printing batches of a hundred or more for specific Texas companies, owned by guys who fish the coast, who send them to favorite customers. Gulf Coast Gunnite and GPM Pump and Seal are two companies in the Houston currently using the 2012 calendars. These angler and fish calendars are more presentable at home (where the wife is concerned), compared to some calendars. Or at work, for that matter. TSFMAG.com | 37

Blue norther arrives to the coast.

J AY WAT K I N S

ASK THE PRO

BLUE NORTHER DAYS During much of October the feeding patterns go through a major transition and I never get truly excited about the prospects of our big-water fish moving up to the mouths of the sloughs and the shorelines until we have had what I refer to as a “Blue Norther.” This usually comes during the first week or so of November. Many years back when I was much less knowledgeable of what actually occurs when a front of this strength pushes through the area, we called it Blue Norther Day because we would meet at Kline’s Café in downtown Rockport after canceling our trips and drink coffee and talk about all the things guides talk about. Little did I know that the year’s best fishing was kicking off while I sat inside with my hands wrapped around a warm cup of coffee. I became aware of the pattern simply because I was booked solid and one morning a group of tough fisherman insisted on trying if it was not too dangerous to go as I had no days available to reschedule them. So with a 25-plus NE wind we headed out of St. Charles Bay marina and hugged the Black Jack Peninsula heading towards Spaulding. I knew from our duck hunting rides to San Jose that this shoreline offered the most protection. I ran a 23’ Majek Commercial Skiff at the time so we had plenty of boat under us with the ability to run tight to the shoreline to stay out of the heavier chop. As I passed the first group of salt cedar trees on the shoreline I noticed birds working a very small drain that fed a tiny 38 | November 2012

back lake. This drain and backwater lake are still favorites of mine, by the way. As I passed the mouth of the drain I saw a fish blow a bait fish out of the water up in the drain itself. For some unknown reason I kept going and as I eased in towards the mouth of Dunham’s Bay I noticed birds again working an even smaller drain just inside this relatively small system. The water was dirty along the shoreline due to the NE winds, but a clean stripe of water was literally pouring out of that small drain. Even in the high winds I could hear the fish busting bait as we prepared to exit the boat. In the old days of heavy boot-waders we did not dress at the dock. Safety-wise, I did not want my people wearing bulky waders while running, especially when conditions were less than favorable. Suited up and ready we eased over the side and walked, me leading of course, towards the mouth of that little drain. The mouth and all out in front of that drain was literally alive with activity. Cast after cast with Kelley Wiggler plum or motor oil shrimptails were met almost instantly. What shocked me most was the size of the trout that we were catching in way less water depth and clarity than I had ever considered fishable. Looking back, it is embarrassing to remember how much I thought I knew; when in reality I knew very little. We had enough fish in enough areas with little to no fishing pressure back then, so I thought I really was something special. On the day of the story I am relating, Continued on page 47...

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...continued from page 38.

I love blue norther conditions.

much as anyone and keep a few for me and Renee some days. I have enjoyed a better trout season in Rockport this year and there is no doubt there are stocks of small fish are available in good numbers. Believe me though when I tell you; we anglers can and do have an impact on that small percentage of slot fish that graduates to trophy class each year. I am amazed at the short memory of many of my fellow guides when we discuss the past few years of trout fishing here in Rockport. We have got to take this game into our own hands and start educating the young as well as the old in the saltwater fishing community. Look at bass fishing if you really want to see what can be done. Better than that, stop by the Lone Star Lodge this winter in Port Mansfield and reflect with me while majestic whitetail bucks feed in the front yard. Who knows maybe we’ll catch Jerry at the Windjammer Café having a burger.

C ontact

I learned a pattern that I still use very effectively. We are never going to learn it all, therefore we can never know it all. Best we can do is be aware that we need to keep our eyes and ears open and continue to learn something new everyday we are on the water. The toughest conditions can be the best teachers. In the last issue of this magazine Mike McBride had a great article on Jerry Dunn. I met Jerry many years ago but I doubt he remembers me. I was still in high school working a summer job for a few weeks in Zapata, Texas. A friend of mine and a crew of his dad’s were building some housing for the Beacon Lodge on Falcon Lake. Jerry was a legend even then and still is today! I look back at my 30 years of guiding and tournament fishing and all the changes that have occurred, and then think about his 45 years and all that he has seen. Things have certainly changed, there’s no doubt. For me, the biggest change has been me. For quite a few years I operated with the attitude that the more you bring to the dock the better guide you are. Then to Just Keep Five releasing all trout over 25-inches. My attitude continued evolving toward keeping just enough for a meal or two with wintertime release-only trophy types of trips. Nowadays it is the quest for that special fish of a lifetime and releasing as many as can swim away in healthy condition. My most favorite campaign of all. Understand this. I do not have a problem keeping fresh fish to enjoy around the table with friends and family. I love fresh fish as

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 TSFMAG.com | 47

2-moon jellyfish

B y To m W a g n e r | F i s h e r i e s B i o l o g i s t | R o c k p o r t M a r i n e L a b

FIELD NOTES

JELLYFISH IN TEXAS COASTAL WATERS Texas’ bays and estuaries are filled with some interesting and sometimes scary creaturessharks, stingrays, and jellyfish. Jellyfish belong to a large group of invertebrates called ‘Cnidarians’, which comes from a Greek word meaning ‘stinging nettle’. Other members of this group commonly found in the Gulf of Mexico are sea anemones, sea pansies, sea whips and corals. The true jellyfish belong to the Class Scyphozoa. Some of the most common examples found in Texas bays include the cabbagehead (Stomolophus meleagris, photo 1), the moon jellyfish (Aurelia aurita, photo 2), and the stinging nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha, photo 3). Moon jellyfish and stinging nettle are common in bay and Gulf waters from late spring to mid-summer, while cabbageheads can often be seen floating by the thousands in late summer and early fall. Jellyfish have a complex life cycle that involves a polyp stage and a medusa stage. The polyps are stationary and resemble a small anemone. The free-swimming medusa stage is what we think of when we think of jellyfish. The medusa consist of a “bell” which propels 48 | November 2012

1-cabbagehead

3-Stinging nettle Photo courtesy of http://www.dep.state.fl.us/ northwest/Ecosys/waterquality/envirofact3.htm

the jellyfish through the water. It also contains the reproductive and digestive organs. Trailing behind the bell are numerous string-like tentacles. These tentacles contain specialized cells called ‘nematocysts’. In the case of the cabbagehead, there are no tentacles. Instead there are numerous short “oral arms” arranged around the mouth that bear the nematocysts. Nematocysts are a defense mechanism used to protect the jellyfish from predators. Nematocysts inject poisonous venom causing a painful sting that deters would-be predators. Tentacles and nematocysts are also used by jellyfish to help to stun prey organisms. The jellyfish then uses its tentacles and shorter oral arms to bring the captured food to its mouth, and consume it. Jellyfish are predators. They prey upon zooplankton, eggs and larvae of other marine organisms, small fish, crustaceans, and even other jellyfish, opportunistically catching whatever the currents place in its path. Now don’t get the idea that jellyfish are mean and nasty creatures; they actually provide several benefits to humans and other marine life. The cabbagehead jellyfish has a commensal relationship with certain juvenile fish and crabs. At certain times of the year juvenile pinfish and spider crabs can be found under the bell of the cabbagehead. The fish or crab receives a source of food and protection from predators while it is still small and vulnerable. Research has shown that proteins found in jellyfish have several medical and technological benefits to humans. A protein called ‘aequorin’ has shown promise in treating brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s and dementia. Another protein called ‘collagen’ has benefits in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. In 2008 researchers from Japan and the U.S. won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their research on the discovery and development of the green fluorescent protein (GFP), which comes from the crystal jellyfish (Aequorea aequorea) and has applications in biomedical research. Jellyfish like the cabbagehead are considered a delicacy in many Asian countries, and are harvested by trawls, seines, and dip nets. The bells of the jellyfish are dried and pressed with a combination of salt and alum, in a step-wise process which takes 20-40 days to complete. The product is desalted, cut into strips, and served cold in salads or with vegetables, meats or other seafood. The majority of jellyfish is

harvested from China, Indonesia, and Malaysia, with annual world harvest exceeding 500,000 tons in the late 1990’s. The removal of large quantities of jellyfish may have negative impacts on ecosystems, and more research on ecological impacts of harvest is required. The Coastal Fisheries Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department occasionally catches jellyfish in its Resource Monitoring Program using trawls in Texas bays and the nearshore gulf. The adjacent pie charts show that coastwide from 1982-2011, stinging nettles were nearly twice as abundant as cabbagehead and moon jellyfish. Abundance in the nearshore Gulf of these three species combined was greatest along the mid-coast region and least near the Louisiana border . Texas jellyfish can be interesting to observe, but beware of their ability to cause painful stings. While cabbageheads and moon jellyfish venoms are rather mild, the stinging nettle and some other less common jellyfish can cause pain in both children and adults. It is good practice to keep a container of unseasoned meat tenderizer with you when visiting the beach. When mixed with water into a paste, it can neutralize the venom and provide temporary relief.

Check the TPWD Outdoor Annual, your local TPWD Law Enforcement office, or www. tpwd.state.tx.us for more information. TSFMAG.com | 49

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

FISH GOTTA EAT Simple statement, yet something we anglers sometimes forget. When the conditions aren’t what we’re hoping for or we just can’t put the puzzle pieces together, it is sometimes easy to start buying into the “rules” about why they shouldn’t be feeding. As I read through the various posts on the internet fishing boards I find myself getting somewhat irritated with the advice being handed out. Many of the questions being asked come from folks who are obviously new to the sport and they’re just trying to figure it all out. I really hate to see these newbies get handed hard and fast “rules” about why and when 50 | November 2012

they shouldn’t bother hitting the water. Most often the questions revolve around tides, moon phases, wind direction/strength and water clarity. While all these things will surely affect fishing, none of them are deal breakers in my book. You have to be careful creating rules for fishing. All of my life I’ve heard these “rules” regarding too high atmospheric pressure, wrong wind direction, too hot/cold water temperature, full moon is bad, etc. For a good portion of my life I believed a lot of that stuff and it kept me off the water on a lot of days when conditions weren’t ideal. If I did buck the rules and go anyway I often had a negative attitude going into it and probably didn’t give it my best effort. As I got older, my opportunities to go fishing became fewer and farther apart. Between working 60+ hrs a week, household maintenance, swim meets, dance recitals, birthday parties and all those other things you get with a young family my free days were limited. I could choose to wait for one of those free days to line up with good conditions or I could just take a swing at it - damn the conditions. I decided I would go no matter the wind, pressure, moon phase or anything else. I might not have always hit the jackpot but, I almost always caught at least a few fish and every once in a while I’d find an insane feeding period happening when every rule in the book said it shouldn’t. Nowadays I’m out there nearly every day. As long as it’s safe, I’m going. What I’ve found is that fish, particularly reds, don’t live by our rules. I recently experienced three days that drive this point home. I had a day off from guiding, but decided to go check out an area I hadn’t visited for a while. “According to the rules” everything was stacked against me. It was a few days following the full moon, tide movement was minimal, winds were WSW at 10-15 mph and gusting to 22, water clarity wasn’t good, atmospheric pressure was high and the water temperatures were too high for fish to get shallow. If I were inclined to listen to the internet experts I’d have stayed home and mowed the yard. Instead, I ended up having one of the best days I’ve had in the marsh all year. School after school of feeding redfish came down the shorelines crushing shrimp in mere inches of water. Early-on I TSFMAG.com | 51

52 | November 2012

this was going to be a great morning, it just felt right. The reds apparently hadn’t received the memo. I found them, just couldn’t get them to eat. I came upon fish after fish just sitting on the bottom sulking. Go figure. My thoughts on all of this? Go when you can, keep a good positive attitude and try a variety of locations as well as a variety of lure types. When your original plan isn’t working don’t get stuck in a rut. Go try something you wouldn’t normally do. If you do happen to strike out on the fish, salvage the day by going exploring. Work your way into areas you have never been. Check the bottom with your paddle or push pole and see if you can locate holes, guts, soft/hard spots, shell reefs or areas of scattered shell. I spend many days out there just exploring even when the fish are feeding. If I don’t have customers I’ll often leave feeding fish to go see if I can find more fish doing the same in a different kind of area. Log these things in your brain for use at later times. When you hear a fishing report that says they’re catching fish over scattered shell on soft mud you’ll have a place to try. Simply put, make the most of your day on the water no matter whether you’re catching fish or not. Most important, keep telling yourself, “Fish gotta eat.”

C ontact

tossed flies into the melee and had a ball catching feisty slot reds. I was thinking that this feeding frenzy would surely be short-lived so I was taking full advantage, but the opposite occurred. As the day wore on the activity grew more intense. I eventually put down the rod and picked up the camera to capture several of the images that accompany this article. I left them still feeding well into the afternoon having caught a couple dozen and had well over three hundred photos in the bank. The next occurred as our neighbors to the east got a dose of tropical weather. We were on the west side of Isaac, winds were forecast to be blasting from the northwest and the tides were headed way lower than normal after having been far above normal for several days. I gave my customers the option to reschedule and they asked what my thoughts were. Given the radical change in conditions I knew it was either going to be really good or really bad, I doubted it would be an average day. I gave them the honest answer that I didn’t really know what to expect – we could hero or zero. I had already made my mind up to go whether they joined me or not. I wanted to see how the fish would react. The guys had taken off work and wanted to give it a shot. The reds responded to the quickly dropping tides by heading for the exits along with every shrimp, crab and baitfish in the marsh. The result was a feeding frenzy you don’t often get to experience. And then there are days when the rules would say you’re sure to be in the money…but you aren’t. As I arrived in the marsh, the sweet southeast breeze was lightly blowing and the water clarity was better than normal. We were under a new moon, the tide was moving and the barometer was falling. Confidence was high that

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

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

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

F LY F I S H I N G

BLIND CASTING I have never quite been able to figure out why so many Texas fly-fishermen are so afraid to pick up a fly rod and cast blind. If I have heard it once, I have heard it a thousand times- If I cannot sight-cast, I do not want to fish. With that attitude, many fly anglers miss out on some really great angling opportunities. Not too long ago I had the opportunity to share my skiff with a couple of sports from California for three days. The weather was horrible but they had traveled a long way to fish and wanted to make a go of it. We were socked in by dreary skies and having to watch the radar constantly to avoid getting caught in torrential rains. I informed them that in order to be successful, we would have to do some blind-casting. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No problem,â&#x20AC;? was the response. I could not believe my ears. This was not the answer that I was used to hearing but their positive attitude was like a ray of sunshine piercing the ominous skies. Somehow, and I still cannot believe it, with 60%80% chance of rain forecasted, we managed to get out all three days and caught fish every day. In fact, I think our slowest day was five reds. The point that I am trying to make is that- it can be done. But to be successful at blind-casting anglers must make changes not only in their attitude towards the method but also, in some cases to equipment and 54 | November 2012

fly selection. One of, if not the most challenging aspects of blindcasting that anglers must overcome, is to dispel the though that blind-casting is not cool. Many think that it is beneath them to be seen casting unless there is a visible fish in front of them. Fly-casters first need to realize that less than half of the days of the year are perfect for sight-casting, the remainder can be divided again by half with a portion offing some sight-casting opportunities and the rest being good only if anglers are willing to cast blind. Now let us take the guy who has very little flexibility in his schedule and might only have the opportunity to fish 8-10 days a year. Well, if he is unwilling to cast blind, the number of days he actually gets to fish have diminished exponentially. I had an angler that used to think that blind-casting was beneath him. Right up until the day he caught over 30 trout and 20 reds out of five foot of water when it was blowing 20 and the temperature was in the 40s all day long. I think a big reason so many anglers do not like to blind-cast is because they get tired. Well, there is a cold hard truth that applies in this instance and it is- if you are getting tired from fly-casting, you are not casting correctly. Skilled casters are certainly more successful at blindcasting but they are also more successful at sight-casting.

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The beauty of blind-casting is a great way to you that two very important aspects of fly practice casting and at the same time still be fishing should not be overlooked when fishing. Take a look at it from this perspective- if blind-casting. First and foremost is line you are trying to sight-cast on days with less control. A fly line is a fly-casters worst enemy than ideal conditions and you only get 3-5 shots in that it has a mind of it’s own and will nine and blow every one of them because of a lack of times out of ten do exactly what it wants. skill, why not spend the time blind-casting and Sometimes the difference in controlling the practice while fishing. line is nothing more than taking a step back As for tackle, not much really changes towards the cockpit or by shifting the loose except in the choice of fly lines. If you are line from the right to left side of the body. casting say a popper or gurgler against a The important thing to consider is the hookshoreline, a floating fly line is most definitely set, especially when fishing deeper water the right choice. This could even be said with an intermediate or sinking line. When of fishing a 3’ deep marsh ditch or drain working the fly keep the rod tip low (if not while bouncing a lead-eyed Clouser off of in) to the water and pointed at the fly. When the bottom. But what about fishing in 3’ of the line comes tight, and only when the line open water with a spoonfly for reds or a big comes tight, raise or sweep the rod to the deer-hair bug for a ginormous trout. In these side in a firm, powerful manner. The quick circumstances an intermediate clear-tipped jerk of the rod tip that I see so many try to do floating line is certainly more appropriate, on the bow of my boat has no place here. especially when wading. When fishing from All in and all done, I’m with the rest of a boat, I prefer a full intermediate line with you in that I would rather sight-cast than to Blind casting can require a change from standard tackle. a clear tip for fishing depths of 3-15’ and for blind-cast but most importantly- I just love anything deeper a full sinking line. to fish, especially fly fish. The willingness to When choosing flies for blind casting, I will always try to “match blind-cast will not only provide you more opportunities to be out on the the hatch” and choose a fly that is similar in size, shape and color to water, but will also increase your success. what I know, or think the fish are feeding on. However, when blind Until next month… be gude and stuff like that! casting I realize that sometimes it is important to “attract” the fish so fly choice becomes less scientific. Sometimes it is a matter of Scott Sommerlatte is a full time fly fishing and light tackle guide, putting something out there to get the fish’s attention. Whether it freelance writer and photographer. is a popper spitting and sputtering on the surface, a spoonfly that Telephone 979-415-4379 wobbles and flashes, or a large muddler or whistler that pushes a lot Email vssommerlatte@hotmail.com of water. Some days it is all about just getting their attention. Website www.scottsommerlatte.com While taking into consideration everything above, I should remind

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MARCOS GARZA

YO U T H F I S H I N G

GETTING READY FOR

WINTERTIME FISHING Do you know what time it is? It’s time to start getting out all of your winter fishing gear and get ready for big trout season. Winter is right around the corner and it’s time to straighten out our gear. This article will be about preparing for winter fishing with your favorite little fishing buddy. Let’s start with youth waders. To my knowledge, Hodgeman and Simms are the only companies that make and sell youth waders. Personally, I prefer to wear the Simms because they are breathable and allow for more layers and movement. If you are on a tight budget, Hodgeman makes both neoprene and breathable waders in youth sizes. Other manufactures do not offer youth sizes but they do have smaller sizes that might accommodate. Here is a list of companies that make small enough sizes to suffice: Orvis, Flytech, Chota, Cadis, Patagonia, and Frogtogs. I’m sure that there are other companies but these are the ones that I am personally aware of. 56 | November 2012

Now let’s talk about how to find leaks in your waders. • Step 1: Flip your wader inside out and lay them out flat on a desk or table. • Step 2: Fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol. • Step 3: Spray the wader evenly with the alcohol. • Step 4: Look for dark grey and/or black spots on the wader. • Step 5: Place a dab of Aqua Seal on the spot while it is damp and work it into the fabric with your finger. DO NOT apply if the spot is still saturated with alcohol. • Step 6: Flip the wader back out and hang by the straps to dry for a minimum of 12 hours to allow the Aqua Seal to dry and cure. Once this is done, I recommend that you use ReviveX by Simms to renew the water proofing on the outside of the wader. Let’s go through this step by step. • Step 1: Wash your waders in the washing machine with, and ONLY with powdered soap.

• Step 2: While the waders are in a damp state, spray the wader with the ReviveX. • Step 3: Use a hair dryer on the high heat setting to dry the ReviveX. Make sure to distribute the heat evenly to avoid burning the wader. NEVER put your waders in the dryer to activate the ReviveX. And now you have renewed the water repellency of your waders. Wading jackets are important on windy days and for fishing in deep water. Wearing a wading jacket prevents water from entering your waders when a wave hits your back. Frogg Togg, Simms, Columbia, Hodgeman, and Patagonia are all brands that I would recommend you buy for yourself and for your child. Staying dry is a big factor during the winter because of the water temperature. I wear either a Frogg Togg or Simms wading jacket when fishing in the winter. Layers provide warmth while fishing in the cold. Layering is very important to your comfort during the day. Depending on the conditions, you should layer to your comfort. You don’t want to be too hot by wearing too many layers or too cold by not wearing enough. I personally, only wear up to two layers because it doesn’t really get too cold down here in the Rio Grande Valley. Today, there are so many

companies that make clothes for the winter. Under Amour, Simms, Sage, and Patagonia are just a few companies that I am familiar with. If you are going to buy the Under Amour, make sure to get the ColdGear products. On the Simms website, they have a category specifically for layering and I recommend taking a look at it to see examples of layers. Accessories such as fleece gloves and beanies are some other products that can protect you from the elements. With the air already crisp with the frost of winter, the boat ride can be pretty chilly. I suggest finding fleece gloves, facemasks and beanies to protect your face and hands from the cold. Simms, Glacier Glove, and Columbia are companies that sell these products. Simms makes a variety of different gloves and I use the Freestone Foldover Mitt during the boat ride. While actually fishing though, I do not wear any gloves. Here are a few sources that I used for research for this article: www.simmsfishing.com, www.patagonia.com, www.underarmour.com, www.columbia.com, www.froggtoggs.com, www.chotaoutdoorgear.com, www.glacierglove.com. I hope that you take to my advice and knowledge about these products and I wish all of you the best of luck this winter season.

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Family members were recruited young for offshore trips, even in November. Young Ian Richard on an autumn trip.

My assistant Miss Amy on a chilly November day just offshore, with a pair of snapper.

MIKE JENNINGS

TEXAS NEARSHORE & OFFSHORE

WITHIN SIGHT OF LAND Editor’s Note – Mike Jennings column is penned by Joe Richard this month as Mike is totally covered in charter-related work and has also been dealing with illness in his family. Please keep the Jennings family in your prayers this Thanksgiving season. November is arguably the best month for fishing offshore, but within sight of the beach. As the water chills along the upper coast, bull redfish have finished their spawning duties and have eased offshore. Snapper populations recover, since most fishermen now have their butts glued to deer, duck or football stands. Or the couch, for that matter. In November, big sand or Gulf trout can be caught three at a time with circle hooks. And watch out for the bluefish this time of year, those puppies bite; we’ve had them attack and eat hooked sand trout like savage piranhas, before they could be lifted into the boat. With baitfish now scarce, predators are hungry. 58 | November 2012

In November I’ve seen bonito out there, hungry enough to wolf down a 10-inch dead mullet meant for bigger game. Now is when that frozen, leftover bait from summer comes in real handy. Our most serious November action out there, where we returned repeatedly every weekend with serious purpose, was catching and hauling bull redfish back to Galveston

Keeper-sized snapper roam within sight of land along the Texas coast, though we obviously need more artificial reefs to attract them.

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Yacht Basin. This was 1987, when the state suddenly needed new adult redfish for the hatchery, and I was running around in a 17-foot McKee Craft. For some reason, we didn’t get the state’s go-ahead until Nov. 1, after we’d caught so many easy redfish around the jetties in September and October. (One night we boated and released exactly 20 bull reds with Capt. Howard Horton at the Galveston jetties from a big Bertram, while watching Monday Night Football in the salon. Using circle hooks— talk about easy fishing. Is that a clicker I hear outside?). Now it was November, and we were faced with a state request for bull reds, and they were all offshore… So, we headed out to our favorite fall fishing spot, sometimes on glassy-calm, peasoup-foggy mornings, other days in chilly afternoon chops. We anchored at the car bodies artificial reef, roughly 10 miles offshore of Galveston’s 61st street pier. It was an old, scattered, reef—no telling how old. It’s been a while, after all, since anglers were allowed to dump old cars offshore. We would mark a few bottom obstructions and anchor up, and set out a few rods rigged strictly with circle hooks. Action was dependable, with keeper snapper, big sand trout, bull croakers, and both slot-size and bull redfish. Once, a giant late-season tarpon that spooled a 4/0 reel before we could pick up anchor. We’d box up a few fish for the table, while aiming for bull reds. Frozen squid started the action, and then fresh sand trout or croaker heads worked very well for bigger fish. Compared to the jetties, catching, caring and returning with bull redfish wasn’t so easy. They had to be cranked up through perhaps 50 feet of water, deflated in the boat for barotrauma, and stringered like so many trout. Fortunately the water was chilly, and no sharks around. By afternoon, we often rolled in choppy seas. When it was time to go, using a bucket we filled the 320-quart SSI cooler that lay across the entire front of the boat. We placed up to five bull redfish inside, and kept a live bait pump running on them with a battery nearby. Then, it was pull anchor and head for the jetties, just visible to the northeast. Tired and wet, we rounded the south jetty. One day, a small boat was anchored there, the angler fighting a three-foot tarpon, and we stopped and requisitioned it for the hatchery. On we sped, and soon our load of fish was swimming happy in one of the big shrimp tanks at Galveston Yacht Basin. The hatchery truck from Flower Bluff usually arrived on Monday, to pick up the load. Those big golden beauties, often 42 inches long, were used to spawn a new generation of fingerlings along the coast. (That tarpon did well in Flower Bluff until the 1989 freeze killed him). The following year, however, demand for hatchery redfish was suddenly cut off. The Dow Chemical plant abruptly took over the project, with their Freeport water channel and outfall supplying all spawner redfish for the state. We were out of business with bull reds, but still kept fishing offshore in November, though with a more relaxed purpose in mind, and without a giant cooler full of water taking up precious deck space. In fact we were still fishing that dependable car body reef in 1990, when a friend’s 26-foot Mako boat, anchored there, was run down and flipped by a big Vietnamese shrimpboat that had nobody at the helm. All tackle and anything inside the Mako hatches sank straight down and became part of the reef. Some days you eat the bear and other days— why, the bear eats you. Howard and I spent all night in separate boats towing the upside-down Mako back to the dock, where it was repaired and soon running like a spotted ape. The rich fishing around that scattered, decrepit artificial reef was proof that a number of sturdy concrete Igloo sites or barges could be laid down all along the Texas coast in about 50 feet of water, attracting all manner of fish within sight of land and easy fuel range. Texas can obviously no longer depend on oil and gas platforms for easy offshore fishing; they’re being decimated these days. There are still close-in platforms available, though mostly off the middle and upper Texas coast. From what I’ve seen over the years, November has always been the best month for action out there. We were very often the only boat in sight, and there was none of that mid-summer jostling for platform position. With flared tempers on hot, sweaty weekends. Hardly any triggerfish or sharks in November, either. Heck, we even caught a nice ling off the beach on opening day of duck season, after deciding we didn’t want to spend the morning sitting on a glassy-calm pond in bluebird weather. Our duck hunting buddies were dismayed we did so, but we had a box of fish, while they returned with three spoonies. Captain Mike Jennings is a professional charter captain with more than 25 years offshore experience. Mike is the owner/operator of Cowboy Charters in Freeport TX and is known locally for running further and fishing harder for his clients. Phone 979-864-9439 | Email texassportfishing@gmail.com | Website www.cowboycharters.com

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CADE SIMPSON

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

SEEKING MRFs Where In my explorations of the Texas coast, I have spent a fair amount of time on the lower end of the upper coast region. Earlier this year I made a late winter fishing trip to Christmas Bay. For this month, I am writing about a neat little spot deeper into the coastal marshes along the ICW – Salt Lake. Salt Lake is completely surrounded by the Brazoria Wildlife Refuge, located about 10 miles from Freeport, TX. Hook-N-Line Map F127 is the most appropriate for referencing this region. When and Weather It’s fall and the reds are schooling up and attacking the shrimp as they move through the channels and sloughs. Marsh fishing should be good in this area right through the end of the year. I have been greeted with favorable weather during my adventures of late. For the purpose of fly fishing I was quite hopeful for calm winds. Thankfully my wish was granted on my first trip out with fly gear, the wind coming from the east at less than 5 mph. Day time temps ranged 60 | November 2012

from mid 70s to mid 80s, very pleasant. Tackle and Gear In last months installment I announced my attempt to fly fish from the kayak. Talking to my Pops on the phone one day, around the time I decided to set up a fly rig, he offered up his old fly setup to get me going. From what I’ve learned an 8-weight setup is preferred for the type of fishing I am doing, and luckily my dad’s rod was just such weight. I loaded the reel with fresh line and practiced casting in the yard. My buddy Cliff put together a little box of flies to get me started. I only had a traditional Scotty rod holder for my conventional rods on my ‘yak, so I had to pick up a Scotty fly rod holder to accommodate the fly rig. Stop in Freeport’s Mitchell’s Bait and Tackle to get your shrimp or other baits before hitting the water. Hitting the water Salt Lake is a fairly easy place to fish. I feel comfortable saying even beginner paddlers can manage to fish

the entire lake without a problem. Using a Google Maps distance calculator, I estimate the circumference of Salt Lake to be about 3.5 miles total. Keep in mind the gate for the refuge is not open on a 24/7 basis. On one trip to Salt Lake we had to wait at the gate for 30 minutes before it opened. Once at the launch spot, you can go left or right following the grassy shoreline (Salt Lake is literally just a big circle in shape.) To the

right you will come first to the cut that leads to Nicks Lake. This cut is a good spot to fish in and around. If you continue on around the lake you will come to the weir. It is important to know that fishing beyond the weir is not permitted at Salt Lake. Not long after launching Cliff and I ran into a pod of reds cruising along the grass just chomping on shrimp. For nearly 30 minutes we eased along paralleling the fish and getting our flies amongst them at opportune times. The fish were in such aggressive feeding mode that the group didn’t spook and we were able to land several. Cliff and I dubbed fish in this behavior MRFs – Multiple Reds Feeding. Where to eat and where to sleep Access to the Refuge and Salt Lake are somewhat rural. The closest commercial area is Freeport, offering a place to eat and sleep. Lake Jackson is a little farther inland but a valid option as well. In Freeport, Freeport Inn and Cambridge Inn and Suites are your two best options for some shut eye if you are planning more than a one day excursion. My suggestion for eateries are, On The River or Texas Burrito Factory.

11-12-texas-pb-tp-rt.pdf

November issue

ad size: half page

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Capt. C.A. Richardson

The Other Angles Powerboats do sometimes enter Salt Lake, accessing it through Nicks Lake from the ICW, so paddlers need to be conscious of any boat traffic. position: The entiretytop of theright Lake ispreferred surrounded by the marsh page

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FIVE MODELS TO CHOOSE FROM All models available in 25 Colors. Paul Brown’s Original Paul Brown’s Floating Original Paul Brown’s Fat Boy Paul Brown’s Floating Fat Boy Paul Brown’s Devil

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of the Refuge, prohibiting any bank fishing except from the launch area. Wrap up I honestly could not wait to write this article as I am completely in awe of how much fun fly casting to redfish is from the kayak. My best comparison is archery hunting. Without writing another article on my

obsession for slinginâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; arrows, just take my word that I love it. For me, bow hunting brings such an elevated element to the experience of hunting in general. You have to be more stealthy, more involved, work harder, etc. Harvesting an animal only happens when the culmination of all of your efforts come together to get your desired game literally right under you for the kill shot. When that happens, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great feeling

O C E A N LI V IN G A P P A R E L JIMMY NELSON

62 | November 2012

of accomplishment. I now see kayak fly fishing as angling’s version of similar status. Light-tackle kayak angling in general is “up close and personal” to begin with, however, after breaking out the fly rod I’d say light-tackle kayak fishing is more akin to sitting in a climbing stand with a rifle. With the fly rod, you have to be more patient and stealthy to get closer and this element serves to greater heighten the experience. I went right out on the limb for this trip to experience fly fishing in all its glory. Therefore, I left the conventional rods at home. Again comparing to bow hunting, you aren’t really bow hunting if you bring a gun as backup. Thankfully I had the good fortune to have a good wind and found MRF’s busting through the grass. I haven’t landed the oversized red I seek as of yet. Cliff on the other hand has knocked on 30 inches with a couple of his recent catches from Salt Lake. As always, be careful on the water, bring a friend, and have fun.

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The Contacts: If you would like more information on the Freeport area, visit www. freeport.tx.us On The River Restaurant – 979 233 1352 Texas Burrito Factory – www.texasburritofactory.com Cambridge Inn – 979 239 1602 Telephone Email

936-776-7028 Cademan11@sbcglobal.net

Find me on Facebook to follow along in my outdoor adventures

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Amy DeVilbiss, 2nd Place, Women’s Shark Division.

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

THE SHARKATHON CRAZE Two days following an early autumn cold front, I am parked on the beach a mile south of Packery Channel. The cool air is very refreshing after such a long and brutally hot summer. Endless trains of mullet are cruising the green water of the first gut. Down south, I have no doubt that acres of jack crevalle are crashing bait. The Port Mansfield jetties will be stacked with tarpon for the next month or more, feasting on the plentiful bait supply. There is a certain feel to this – a sign of change – a sign that fall has officially arrived and mayhem will dominate the surf zone for weeks to come! This is without a doubt the most comfortable time for anglers to take to the 64 | November 2012

water. But more importantly, this change of season triggers the mass migration of much of the marine food chain along our luscious coastline. In South Texas, anchovies are finishing their migration while hordes of mullet begin to move along the coast. With this comes

Steve Raney with his 2nd-Place bull shark.

Sharkathon base camp during registration.

an array of predators, everything from red drum to the largest sharks. Without the sargassum washing in or the plague of red tide, for those fortunate to get out, fishing is about as good as it gets. Big news at the moment is that Sharkathon has just wrapped up with their 9th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament. There are many tournaments and competitions throughout our waters; some beneficial and some pointlessly absurd. Sharkathon has set a benchmark amongst all of these. Their goal is the promotion of fisheries conservation with a unique catch-photo-release format. Forensic analysis of the digital photos submitted helps prevent dishonesty and polygraphs are administered randomly among the winners. Sharkathon is the premier catch and release tournament and has grown by leaps and bounds. Credit is due Curtis Mai and the Sharkathon board of directors who put on a superb event â&#x20AC;&#x201C; not just for the hardcore shark anglers but the women and children of

the sport as well. Sharkathon is a 501(c)(3) registered non-profit organization. All entry fees go directly back to winner payout and countless prizes. In addition, Sharkathon makes a sizable donation to Harte Research Institute, Padre Island National Seashore, and Friends of Padre. There is no tournament of this scale that operates as generously. There was a great deal of record-breaking hype for this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tournament as entries were completely sold-out in less than 24 hours. That translates to 700 anglers total with 400 entries allocated strictly for the shark division. The organizers placed a cap on entries several years ago when the tournament threatened to grow to an unmanageable size. Given their past record and conservation stance; this is the only surf or inshore tournament I strongly support. Sharkathon 2012 kicked off with a bang as unprecedented

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numbers of custom beach trucks adorned with polished aluminum racks lined up for registration. This is the only shark trip of the year for some of these folks and they really like to show off their biggame bling. Anglers lined up 12 hours in advance for an “order of processing” ticket, much like a scene at a high-end retailer for Black Friday. Come the following morning, participants would pick up their rules packet and catch log, along with T-shirt and other goodies, and then be released in numerical order. As if on cue, storm squalls

Joseph Prince, winner of Sharkathon 2012 Shark Division.

"The REEL Fishing Apparel”!

www.hookspit.com 66 | November 2012

began to drive in during the check-in, setting the stage for another fun but challenging Sharkathon. I have fished Sharkathon since its inception with some success; having won the shark division and Total Inches category at the inaugural 2004 event, along with several category wins in other years. Good friend Scott Nelson was my shark fishing partner again and joining in the “ballroom blitz” would be Amy DeVilbiss competing in the Women’s Division for the very first time. Things started off rocking as our only two sharks would be caught early in the tournament amid downpours and dangerous lightning. Shark activity usually slows after the first day of Sharkathon and my belief is that all the stinking and freezer-burned bait soaking in the shallows tends to shy them off to deeper water. Over the course of the weekend heavy tropical moisture and an approaching cold front brought very unfriendly conditions. Torrential rain, frequent lightning and incredible wind would affect everyone. In the end, with the exception of the tarpon division (where the pot will rollover to next year), fish were indeed caught. I came in 4th and just missed placing

Mariah Contreras, Kid’s Division participant, all smiles with her catch!

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with a 76” bull shark. Amy placed 2nd in the Women’s with a 65.75” blacktip and my good friend Steven Raney of Catchsharks.com placed 2nd, missing 1st by only .25” with his 82” bull. The winner of the 2012 Sharkathon (and a nice $15K check) was Joseph Prince with an 82.25” bull shark. The Redfish Division went to Cameron Smith with a 38.25“ fish and Robert Arnold took the Sea Trout for the second year in a row with a solid 22.5-incher. Laurie Knutson was crowned the Women’s Champ with a 73” bull shark, and Jason Gutierrez came out on top in the Kid’s Division with an 29.88” Atlantic stingray. The extraordinary effort invested by many entrants resulted in fine catches logged all along the beach despite the harsh conditions. Overall, things went exceptionally smoothly this year and a big shout-out to the organizers for presenting such a fair and respectable tournament. Sharkathon has improved steadily over the years and the event’s sponsors deserve recognition: Roy’s Bait and Tackle, Ainsworth Trucking, L&F Distributors, Yak Shack, and countless other great companies that help make this tournament what it is today. The promotion of catch and release by Sharkathon over its nine-year-run has contributed greatly to conservation ethic and we owe them a great deal of thanks for that. Visit sharkathon.com for detailed 2012 standings, sponsors, and payouts. You can also find various angler reports from this tournament and more on the forums of extremecoast.com. Congrats to all the 2012 winners; I’ll see you all again in 2013!

For the past decade, Eric ‘Oz’ Ozolins has been a key figure promoting catch and release with sharks and assisting various shark-research programs. Oz is renowned in the kayaking world for extreme biggame fishing and runs Kayak Wars – one of the largest kayak fishing tournaments in the world. Email Websites

Oz@extremecoast.com extremecoast.com kayakwars.com TSFMAG.com | 67

1986 hatchery-reared red drum fingerlings being stocked into Sabine Lake by hatchery technician John Longoria (photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Vega).

2011 hatchery-reared spotted seatrout being held in a dip net taken out of a hauling tank at the San Antonio Bay shoreline prior to stocking (photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Vega).

STEPHANIE BOYD

F I S H Y FA C T S

THE EARLY LIFE OF

STOCK ENHANCEMENT “For what DNA literacy if we have extinguished the books?” ~Daniel H. Janzen, Evolutionary Ecologist There are essentially three types of fisheries enhancement. 1) Restocking: the release of hatchery-reared juveniles into wild populations to rebuild numbers of individuals mature enough to spawn in order to re-establish a locally extinct species. 2) Sea Ranching: the release of hatchery-reared juveniles into open marine and estuarine environments for harvest at a larger size in “put and take” operations. These individuals are not expected to contribute to the overall population, though this can occur when not all the released animals are harvested. 3) Stock Enhancement: the release of hatchery-reared juveniles into wild populations to boost the natural supply of juveniles, usually to prevent harvests from driving a population into extinction. Fishery managers utilize stocking for any of several reasons. Although the particular goals of any given stocking program may vary, overall they usually seek to accomplish one or more of these goals: 68 | November 2012

1) provide additional harvest for commercial and/or recreational anglers, 2) augment numbers of individuals capable of spawning, 3) prevent extinction of threatened stocks, 4) replace losses due to human interaction, and/or 5) introduce different genetic makeups into a population. The first hatchery in the US was built at Mumford, New York, in 1864. The idea of stock enhancement as a means to increase commercial and recreational catch was politically popular, and many other programs soon followed the Mumford trout hatchery, such as those in Gloucester and Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and Boothbay Harbor, Maine.4 For over sixty years, these hatcheries released annually many millions of young cod, haddock, polluck, winter flounder, and lobster. But by mid-twentieth century, the programs for marine fish were discontinued, primarily because the technology for marking hatchery fish didn’t exist, so there was no way to evaluate whether or not hatchery releases were actually contributing to the population. Furthermore, scientific knowledge of the early life of these fish in nature was limited, so it was just a guess as to where to release eggs

new research coming out of Port Aransas, the researchers at Perry R. Bass succeeded in growing out red drum larvae to fingerling size in fertilized rearing ponds in 1975.6 These were then released into Matagorda Bay. Free at last! In 1976, capture of tagged stocked red drum up to 284 days following release in Matagorda Bay documented that stocked red drum could survive in the wild. From 1979 through 1981, tests were made in St. Charles Bay for the possible use of hatchery-produced fingerlings for stock enhancement. Some fingerlings were microtagged before stocking, a few of which were later recaptured. In addition, some redfish fingerlings were stocked in the spring; these out-of-phase fish were easy to distinguish from natural wild stock, even months down the line.6 Following this double confirmation of the survival of stocked fish, the TPWD, in partnership with the Gulf Coast Conservation Association (now CCA Texas) and the Central Power & Light Company (now American Electric Power), constructed its first production-scale marine fish hatchery in 1982, the CCA/CPL Marine Development Center (MDC), in Corpus Christi, which began large scale stocking a year later. Texas now has the largest marine stock enhancement program in the US and annually stocks over thirty million hatchery-reared early juveniles.1 The process: mature adults are housed in the hatchery and induced to spawn naturally in tanks. Eggs are transferred to incubators to hatch. The tiny larvae are then stocked in ponds to grow. Fingerlings are collected from the ponds in about a month and a half and transported to bays, thus enhancing the wild populations.3 With the success of the MDC at their back, the TPWD, Dow Chemical USA, and CCA Texas collaborated to construct a stateof-the-art hatchery. In 1996, Sea Center Texas, near Lake Jackson, became operational.4 Since 1985, the coastwide gill net redfish population count has stabilized and increased. Stocking augmented the natural spawn; improved harvest restrictions allowed more fish to survive. Together, these two practices have proven to be a successful combination for managing Texas’s natural marine resources wisely.2 But the road to redfish recovery had its share of potholes, many of which are still there today. Beyond the scientific difficulties of simply keeping the fish alive and convincing them to breed, there was a prevailing cup-half-empty attitude to combat: it’ll never work, so why try? Some people believed that since it had failed in the past, there was no reason to try again. Some thought that the numbers hatcheries could produce just wouldn’t be enough to actually impact the wild populations.7 Redfish release totals since the inception of the program have varied from seven to thirtyseven million per year, peaking in the 90s and early 2000s. In 2008, there were 25,136,802 redfish stocked in Texas bays.4 According to a study published in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management, the percentage of hatchery-released redfish in 2008 ranged from 1.13% in Aransas Bay to 9.35% in Galveston Bay. Hatchery fish were identified in sample nets by 2011 hatchery-reared spotted seatrout fingerlings being genetic markers.8 stocked into San Antonio Bay by hatchery technician Some criticisms were fair, even constructive,6 Scott Richards (photo courtesy of Dr. Robert Vega). and through such “robust exchanges,” the

and fry.1 The expectations of stock enhancement as a remedy for overfished wild populations were unfulfilled, and hatchery programs lost favor during the 1940s.4 Luckily, research into the possibilities of augmenting wild stock through hatchery programs continued, and technology for the mass production of fingerlings began to appear in Europe and North America in the 1970s.1 Just in the nick of time! In 1970s Texas, the red drum population began a severe decline from overfishing, prompting the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) to instigate a threepronged recovery plan in 1975.4 1) Initiate an independent monitoring program to assess populations of marine species, including red drum. 2) Implement restrictive regulations to reduce fishing pressure (ultimately, no nets were allowed in Texas waters, the commercial sale of wild-caught red drum was banned, and sport anglers were restricted to three fish per day, 20-28 inches long). 3) Develop and set in motion a marine enhancement program (release hatchery-reared fingerlings and assess ensuing survival). Texas had long been aware of the need to regulate its fisheries resources, passing protective legislation as early as 1874. The state’s first hatchery was built at Barton Springs in 1881 to propagate the then-popular German carp (which lost popularity about four years later - typical celebrity). Ten years after the German carp’s fall from the limelight, the Texas Fish and Oyster Commission was established, which after a few mergers and name changes became the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.4 By the mid 1970s, state research into the culture of popular marine fishes was taking its first big steps. In 1974, researchers at the Port Aransas National Marine Fisheries Service Lab were the first to spawn redfish in captivity. At the time, the goal was to study the fish themselves, their life histories, and not necessarily from a practical point of view, but just to learn.5 State researchers at the Perry. R. Bass Marine Fisheries Station in Palacios built on these advances and took the project in a new direction. By combining the experience of established stock enhancement programs, such as the striped bass program that was started in South Carolina, and the

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Science and the Sea

The Real Blue Bloods of the Sea If being a “blue blood” is a sign of royalty, then horseshoe crabs may be the kings and queens of the sea. In fact, their unique blood is one reason they have survived for more than 450 million years. Horseshoe crab blood is actually gray-white to pale yellow most of the time because it rarely carries much oxygen. But when oxygenated, horseshoe crab blood is blue because it contains the copper-based compound, hemocyanin, instead of the iron-containing hemoglobin that gives most other creatures red blood.

Horseshoe crabs have unique blue blood. Credit: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The remarkable properties of this blue blood protect the horseshoe crab from infections so well that scientists have begun using it for everything from medical sterilization to searches for alien life in space. The blood contains special cells called amoebocytes and helpful enzymes that together form a powerful immune system. The enzymes recognize invading bacteria and the amoebocytes immediately surround them, coagulating into a miniature fortress that keeps the bacteria from harming the horseshoe crab. These enzymes are so good at recognizing any intruder that they’ve been used for decades by the pharmaceutical and medical industries to test how well medical equipment and intravenous drugs have been sterilized. More recently, NASA has used this blood to test surfaces for bacteria and fungi, making sure no microbes hitchhike on outbound spacecraft. And because horseshoe crab blood so sensitively responds to microbes, NASA is also preparing the blood for use in the search for life on other planets. These well-adapted arthropods may not be the biggest or fastest creatures in the sea, but their blue blood “rules” when it comes to fighting off microscopic trespassers.

The University of Texas

Marine Science Institute www.ScienceAndTheSea.org © The University of Texas Marine Science Institute

70 | November 2012

program has grown by integrating several scientific disciplines (genetics, physiology, marine ecology, mariculture, etc.) into the evaluation of the stock enhancement program.4 Everyone involved is very aware of past mistakes, such as when the introduction of small mouth bass into Texas nearly wiped out the Guadalupe bass (the state fish!).6 What did we learn, class? Fish with little mouths can still have a big bite! Other concerns also exist. Does stock enhancement reduce genetic variety in wild stock? Well, there are certainly still uncertainties about the effects on wild stock. Despite being over 100 years old, stock enhancement science is still pretty young. As more research is collected, this and other questions may be answered.4 But there are already practices in place to prevent genetic stagnation. Brood stock is regularly changed out. Current brood stock is returned to the bays, and new wild stock is brought in. Finally, there’s this: is the program cost effective? Early stock enhancement programs were not, requiring large sums to create and maintain, but having nothing to show in return. Despite large hatcheries, many species still declined. Nowadays, however, the value of recreational fishing in Texas has increased ($2.2 billion a year!), and new technologies are refining hatchery processes.7 At the risk of sounding like a political candidate running for office, there’s a lot of numbers behind the curtain, but the main point is, we’re in the green. Of course, that’s disregarding the real value of the program, which is that we still have redfish and trout in the bays.4 In the beginning, the most important part of the program was the science and the support;4 processes needed to be sound and implementation of management strategies needed to be understood.7 But every phase was interconnected; if one failed, all the dominoes fell.6 At first, the plan was to stop stocking when the populations recovered and move on to something else, but recreational fishing today is impacting the stocks as much as or more than commercial fishing did 50 years ago.6 While the number of redfish being stocked annually has decreased in recent years, it’s clear that if the current growth in fishing pressure continues (which it will, parallel to population growth), stocking will be a necessary management tool in the future.7 Those popular fish that have not yet been recruited for stock enhancement, beware. Your time will come. “Three fourths of the Earth’s surface is water, and one fourth is land. It is quite clear that the good Lord intended us to spend triple the amount of time fishing as taking care of the lawn.” ~Chuck Clark

Footnotes 1

“The History of Marine Stock Enhancement,” 3 September 2012 <http://www. stockenhancement.org/about/history.html>. 2 “Successful Enhancement of the Texas Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Population,” NOAA Central Library, 3 September 2012 <http://www.lib.noaa.gov/retiredsites/japan/aquaculture/ report22/mceachro.html>. 3 “Sea Center Texas: Marine Hatchery,” Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, 3 September 2012 <http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/seacenter/visit/hatchery/>. 4 Interview with Dr. Robert Vega, 12 October 2012. 5 Conversation with Dr. Connie Arnold, 6 October 2012. 6 Interview with Bob Colura, 6 October 2012. 7 Interview with Gene McCarty, 10 October 2012. 8 S. Karlsson, E. Saillant, B. W. Bumguardner, R. R. Vega, and J. R. Gold, “Genetic Identification of Hatchery-Released Red Drum in Texas Bays and Estuaries,” (American Fisheries Society, pp. 8, 2008)

t Chris Mapp’s Boa s Maintenance Tip November is a great time of year to spend time on the water, the fishing can be great when the weather is right. However, hunting season is upon us and unless you’re a coastal duck hunter you will probably be storing your boat for a few months. Besides all the regular things I have discussed here when it comes to preparing your boat for storage; i.e. - fuel treatment, engine fogging, applying Corrosion X Red to powerhead and battery connections, thorough engine flushing, complete washing, leaving hatches open, wiping dust off battery tops to stop electrical current draw between the posts, setting battery selector to “OFF” position, disconnecting negative cables, storing with bow elevated and engine straight down, and never storing boat with battery maintainer plugged in, etc., there is more. Every item on this list is understandable and has been discussed in detail in prior articles, but there are two things we have not yet discussed and they are essential. Jack up your trailer and spin the tires to listen for noise any noise. A slight whirring or any gravely-grinding type noise is not positive. There should be nothing readily audible; just the swish of air in the tire’s tread. Rotation should be smooth and the tire should coast to a smooth stop after a healthy spin. Next – grab the tires at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock and try rocking them.

PREPARING FOR LONG-TERM STORAGE

If you feel any movement at all, even slight, it is time for wheel bearing service. You have just checked the bearing end play or lateral movement of the bearings in the races and there should be NONE! When servicing bearings, never do just one, do them all. The last item before long term storage is checking tire inflation. It will probably surprise you how low they are most the time. Pressure should be 45 psi on average, write this number down to compare later. Inspect the tires for small cracks where the tire meets the wheel; this would be a sign of dry rot and means this tire needs to be replaced. If your trailer is equipped with aluminum wheels and the outside of the wheel has dull patches, this is probably oxidation and the concern here is the inside of the wheel rim where the tire bead seals. This oxidation will allow air to leak and the only cure is to replace the wheels, there is no maintenance to stop this process and this usually occurs about every 5 to 7 years. Remember it’s not just how you leave your boat; it’s the condition it is in and how it looks when you come back. Enjoy an awesome fall season, Chris Mapp Coastal Bend Marine | Port O’Connor, TX 361 983 4841 | coastalbendmarine.com

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The Original Chumstik is a revolutionary new terminal fishing tackle system, designed to attract and catch bigger fish, reduce snagging and hang-ups, and decrease break-offs on rocky bottoms. This innovative new fishing tackle has been proven effective over rocky reefs and oyster beds for trout, redfish, and flounder. It works well with live or artificial baits, and live bait is held suspended off the bottom so it can’t swim down into the rocks to hide and hang-up. This is the best terminal fishing tackle on the market for fishing rocky bottoms. www.rocknreeffishingtackle.com

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DICKIE ColBuRn

DICKIE ColBuRn’s Sabine Scene

Sabine

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

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

74 | November 2012

Had it not been pouring the past three hours I would have pulled another trip for the umpteenth day in a row and probably spent the day catching and releasing redfish for the umpteenth day in a row as well. Canceling the trip afforded the chance to meet our editor’s deadline without having to peck the keyboard at some late hour. It is not as though we have suddenly become fixated with redfish on Sabine and turned our collective backs on trout the past month or so. It’s just that we are absolutely covered up with redfish, which is not a bad thing, and it all started with Hurricane Rita. The redfish population exploded over the following two years and while Louisiana anglers were overjoyed due to more liberal size and limits, Texas anglers caught and released thousands of 16 to 19inch fish waiting for them to grow one more inch. They eventually did, Hurricane Ike provided another boost shortly afterward, and it’s like we stepped back to the late-70s. How good was it back then? In 1977 Louisiana felt it was necessary to set the limit at 50 fish with no minimum size. In 1987 a 14-inch minimum size was set and a year later the current creel and size limits

were established. I am convinced that the redfish population on Sabine is once again that robust and this time the resource is much better protected. The question each morning has not been where to catch them, but how you choose to catch them, provided the weather gives you a break. Each new cold front steps up the action as more redfish abandon the marshes in search of deeper water. The most addicting approach is chasing gulls in the open lake. It is not unusual to see them blowing holes in the surface but, even when they’re not, there is little doubt they are there. There is no wrong lure; finesse is not a consideration. Fish a tail on a heavier head that you can throw a long way or slowroll a Hoginar or spoon across the bottom, if you can get it to the bottom. If you elect to fish the bayous or rivers, swimbaits and crankbaits that dive 3-5 feet are hard to beat. Topwaters – MirrOlure’s She Dog or River 2 Sea’s Rover also work well when the fish are hugging the shoreline. A two-fish November limit of flounder is not very difficult to box, but I am concerned it minimizes any benefit the limit reduction may have if you try to cull up to larger fish. Rather than seriously injure smaller

keeper fish and release them, we box our first two keepers and live with it for a month. While the redfish are hard to avoid, there is not a Sabine regular that is not a little perplexed over the trout bite right now. Numbers are not the problem as it has been no problem to catch 50 to 75 a day, but very few of them are keepers. Strangely, this comes on the heels of one of the most notable big trout springs on Sabine in years. It is equally strange that the larger

percentage of trout over five pounds that are being caught right now are coming out of the ship channel, the ICW and both rivers. Deeper water is obviously a key factor, but topwaters are accounting for a significant number of these fish. Scratching the wall, vertical jigging the 15 to 22 foot breaks, with a Maniac Mullet, Corky or Die Dapper is starting to produce better numbers but we need colder weather to concentrate those deeper fish. It’s the 17-20” trout that have been hardest to locate, but I think that will change when the water drops into the high60s and the shrimp migrate from the marsh to the open lake. We will continue to hunt that size fish most days with an Assassin Sea Shad or TTF Flats Minnow rigged Chris Pepper admires another under a Kwik Cork. When drifting flats, water 1-3 feet healthy slot red. deep, we consistently fare better rigging the longer 5-inch Assassin Shad, Trout Killer or Tidal Surge Split Tail on a 4/0 worm hook with no weight under the cork. The slower fall makes it more effective and you will see the strike before the cork disappears. Late in the day is usually better than early this time of the year and slicks popping on the flats bordering the ICW are money as well. I have discovered the past two years that the Minn Kota Talon is an invaluable tool for better exploiting this program. I quickly learned that I had been continuing to drift through more fish than I was actually catching. Never take good health or good fishing for granted!

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TSFMAG.com | 75

mICKEY Eastman

mICKEY On Galveston

Galveston

Mickey Eastman is a full-time fishing guide out of Baytown, TX. Mickey has 26 years guiding experience on the Galveston area bays and is the founder of Gulf Coast Troutmasters, the largest speckled trout tournament series of all time

Telephone 281-383-2032

This magically becomes the true outdoorsman’s time of year for success. Whether fishing fresh or salt, bird hunting, waterfowl hunting, bow hunting for deer or rifle season, we all have one thing in common – we love November! Speaking of birds, there is bird sport this time of year that does require carrying a shotgun. Anxious anglers with birds on the brain will be arming themselves instead with fast center-console boats and an arsenal of lures ranging from spoons, MirrOlures, soft plastics and topwaters, searching the bays for the hottest bird action of the year with mega-schools of trout and redfish beneath them. This is truly the quickest way to box easy limits but, once word gets out it can become a donnybrook, especially on weekends. The serious and seasoned angler will be found stalking the shallow flats near drains, points, towheads and dropoffs dressed in his best wading apparel with a few favorite lures in his pocket searching for the Big Three – trout, redfish, and flounder. Fall weather and tides are generally very favorable and a fisherman just feels better with the cooler weather after a long hot summer; I just love how everybody’s attitude seems to improve overnight. Expectations automatically run higher and it is easier to remain focused. This mental

state is quite often one of the keys to success. Trinity Bay and Upstream – Look for flocks of wheeling and diving birds along the western and eastern bay shores and all across the mouths of Jack’s and Anahuac pockets in four to eight feet of water. When bird action slows during the middle of the day look for slicks off of already full specks and reds in open bay waters near shell and ledges. I personally like wade fishing early and then move out deeper in the boat during the middle of the day. On windy days stick with shallow shoreline patterns and make the most of your time concentrating your efforts on shad balls, slicks, and

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BOATS MOTORS TRAILERS SALES SERVICE PARTS & ACCESSORIES

A nice fall trout for pro-golfer Shawn Stefanie.

Author’s son, Mickey Jr., found the flounder!

rafts of mullet. This technique usually produces bigger fish on those windy days when boat fishing is more difficult. We have been enjoying an exceptional year in the middle of Trinity Bay over deep structure when weather permits. Most of these fish will begin moving to the shorelines with the baitfish as water temperatures continue to decline. First fish arriving on the flats are usually the male speckled trout and flounder and shortly thereafter the bigger females will arrive within a couple of weeks. Pods of slot-sized redfish will also begin moving from the deep environments that have been their home through the hot months toward the shoreline. Do your homework. Play the winds and the weather for better success, and if you just have to fish in a blowing norther, go upstream from Trinity Bay and fish the back bays and rivers. East Galveston Bay – Apply the same strategy as I described for Trinity Bay, with more focus on the shorelines for a bigger and more

consistent bite. East Bay really rocks on a pumping south wind just a day or two before a frontal system. Concentrate on the upper reaches of East Bay near drains and marshy shorelines with scattered oyster shell, these are areas the really big ones come from just before and after weather systems. I would suggest throwing traditional big-fish baits such as your larger topwaters, the Maniac Mullet, Corkys, MirrOlures, and Red Fin. These baits can produce career days for most any anglers in the right situation i.e. tides, moon phase, water clarity and light conditions. The first good incoming tide after a norther, just as the water clears, we have always done well focusing on the northern shoreline when prevailing winds permit. Wade the shallows where the bait is most prevalent and usually the bigger fish come in knee deep to crotch deep water on an incoming tide. Most of your bird action in the fall will come from the upper reaches of the bay out in front of Robinson Bayou, Marsh Point, Rollover Pass, and Oyster Bayou. Use a trolling motor for better results getting under the birds and staying with them – it’s so much quieter than your outboard that you really have to screw up to spook them and bust up the school. I prefer tougher soft plastics under birds so that I do not have to waste time rigging another bait when I should be fishing. Tidal Surge’s split tail mullet and also MirrOlure’s Lil John are good choices. Do your best to practice good sportsmanship with fellow fisherman as everybody loves a crack at the birds. And when you’ve caught enough for supper; practice catch and release.

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thE VIEW fRom Matagorda BInK GRImEs

There is nothing like the chill of red ear lobes as you motor down the ICW to East Matagorda Bay. The oranges, blues, yellows and lavenders of a calm autumn sunrise is what makes November in Matagorda so special. I rarely see sunrises on the bay in November, rather, my sunrises occur on a duck pond or in a goose spread, but my sunsets will be in East or West Matagorda bays. I get stretched pretty thin hunting and fishing from daylight to dark, but the long days are rewarded with the best month of combined casting and shotgunning. Afternoons on the bay are just as profitable as a morning affair, and with less boat traffic. Deep shell holds the ticket for big ole’ specks, and the most beautiful bronze redfish usually mix with trout. I like throwing topwaters around diving or sitting gulls -

Matagorda

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

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wrap they get for mushiness, I like to add a little lemon juice before they hit the freezer. Chicken on a Chain, glow-chartreuse and new colors like natural glow and orange glow represent the white shrimp migrating through the bay. Schooling redfish dominate in West Bay. I like to Power Pole on the north shoreline and wait for a school of reds cruising the grass line. Every rod waits for my command and we cast 10 feet in front of the “V” and the rodeo begins. Back bays like Oyster Lake and Crab Lake hold lots of redfish and a

few trout under working birds. Shell Island and Twin Island are great spots as well. On the incoming tide the fish will be right on the shell, but a falling tide puts them in the mud and shell where drifters toss soft plastics and live shrimp. Though November, flounder regulations are reduced to 2 fish per person, there are some big flatfish to be caught on the edge of the ICW while wading. Bass Assassins tossed along the Chinquapin Reefs and worked gingerly along the mud usually takes the odd flounder while filling a stringer of specks and reds. Spots like Boggy Cut and the reefs around Bird Island are solid spots for their proximity to migration routes of shrimp. Our blast and cast trips should see plenty of action. Habitat on the prairies improved with late summer rains and the duck flight looks to be a good one. We are anxious to see how the lack of rice on the prairies will affect feeding patterns of snow geese and specklebellies. Marsh hunters should see a better year since rains sweetened brackish ponds and sparked new growth of widgeon grass. On the bays, redheads, pintails, widgeons and scaup will continue to be the mainstays. Pray for rain to the north on the Highland lakes of Buchanan and Travis. Lake levels determine whether LCRA gives water to rice farmers in the spring. Farmers, waterfowl hunters and surrounding communities and businesses can’t afford another year without rice. Enjoy the wonders of nature and when you gather around your Thanksgiving table praise the Almighty for all that He has given us.

One cast, y yO yOu’ll u’ll be hOOked. h OOked. OO ked. Get ready for the fishing trip of a lifetime. Houma, Louisiana is the gateway to the Saltwater Fishing Capital of the World,® where the fish are always biting and the adventure is always on. Whether you charter with one of our 30+ charter fishing services or bring your boat, the limits are high and every cast is another chance to reel in a trophy.

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CaPt. shEllIE GRaY

mID-Coast BaYs With the Grays

Port O'Connor Seadrift

Captain Gary and Captain Shellie Gray fish year-round for trout and redfish in the Port O’Connor/ Seadrift area. Gary started his Bay Rat Guide Service 20 years ago. The Grays specialize in wade and drift fishing with artificial lures. Gary and Shellie also team up to fish many tournaments.

Telephone 361-785-6708 Email Gary@BayRat.com Website www.bayratguideservice.com

80 | November 2012

After that long hot summer we had I welcome the cool crisp north wind that is blowing as I write this article. Wading chest deep is no longer necessary in order to find solid trout. However, wearing my waders will be part of my daily wardrobe any day now until springtime. So many days this past summer I felt like a broken record, “Stay deep for trout, go shallow for reds.” That has all changed with the cooler water temperatures. We will be placing most of our efforts strictly in shallower water for both species….yippee! Over the years we typically look forward to less traffic on the water due to football and hunters exchanging tackle for guns. I’m not so sure that will be the case this year. With the mild winter we had last year, Saturdays at the boat ramp were almost as busy in winter as they were in summer. Our duck hunting has been fantastic the last couple of years coupled with awesome fall and early winter fishing so unless we get a cold one I expect just as many outdoorsmen visiting our coastline to take advantage of this action. It’s a no-brainer that most anglers are eager to target redfish and speckled trout but one species that is too often overlooked

is the black drum. While this striped fish may not be as glamorous as its higher-profile cousins, it is still hands down some of the best rod jerking, line pulling fight you can have using light tackle and did I mention excellent table fare? Drum in the 15 to 22” range are my favorite, any bigger than this and the fillet can become tough and grainy rather than the flakey texture we all love. Younger fish are often indistinguishable in flavor from red drum. “Spaghetti worms” common in speckled trout are present in larger drum (another reason to release the Jean Goodwin was all smiles after landing this big red!

big ones) and, while unappetizing, they are not harmful to humans. Many people are surprised at how well this fish tastes because somewhere out there someone started the big bad rumor that these fish are no good to eat – hogwash. Many coastal restaurants serve black drum but choose to rename them due to these false Trisha Laqua of Victoria rumors. Remember, the main difference sight-casted between excellent and poor fish is not the to this brute kind of fish, but the way it was handled of a drum in and prepared. about a 1 1/2 of water. Wow While I have caught some black drum wee! Photo on artificial lures, they are primarily scentand released. based feeders. It is not uncommon to see these fish tailing in shallow water searching out small crustaceans, crabs and even oysters. Drum often dig or root out buried clams and worms while feeding in a head down position leaving small but noticeable craters in the bottom. Larger schools of mature black drum often dredge up the bottom, creating muddy patches which can be seen easily from the deck of a boat. Areas that typically hold black drum are oyster reefs and sandy shorelines that have some scattered oyster shells. Whether you find black drum tailing or schooled-up a little deeper,

you pretty much use the same approach when trying to hook up. These fish tend to be what I refer to as “gentle” biters, very seldom will you feel them hammer the bait the way a redfish does. Crab is an excellent bait to use when fishing for any drum but since I am usually trying to catch the smaller drum I prefer to use live or dead shrimp. There is no doubt that a treble hook would give any angler better odds of sealing the deal but I prefer a #3/0 Kahle hook attached to about a foot of 30 pound leader. A 30 pound leader might seem like overkill but the majority of the time I am fishing for black drum, I will be doing so over scattered oyster shell and I am not fond of having to tie on a new leader when I am in the middle of catching fish. A 1/4 ounce slip weight or split shot helps keeps the bait on the bottom where the black drum are usually looking for their next meal. Be patient when you start to feel a nibble because black drum tend to mouth their bait before putting it at the back of their throat to swallow. Give this species a try next time you are out on the water and I assure you, you won’t be disappointed in the fight or the flavor.

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TSFMAG.com | 81

DaVID RoWsEY

hooKED uP WIth Rowsey

I’m off the water today and decided to take my coffee outside. At a chilly 65° it was almost too cool for the boxers and flip flops, but before I retreated back in for Upper some pants I couldn’t help to get a grin on my face Laguna/ from the thoughts of what is just around the corner. Baffin November is a special time for Texas outdoorsman. Whether you are hunting big trout, quail, or deer; this is the month you have been anticipating since early summer. In South Texas this is the beginning of big David Rowsey has 20 years trout season. November can start out gangbusters for experience in the Laguna/Baffin large specks or just slowly give way to December. region; trophy trout with artificial One major factor will dictate if we are in full-on lures is his specialty. David has a winter mode or still transitioning into it. Cold fronts great passion for conservation and sustained water temperatures in 60° range is and encourages catch and release of trophy fish. where it is at. The 2011-2012 winter season was a warm one, and we constantly found ourselves Telephone yearning for cooler weather that would drop the 361-960-0340 water temp to the levels that would nudge the trout Website www.DavidRowsey.com to seek out areas of warmth. Well, it did not happen Email until early spring, and even that was borderline. david.rowsey@yahoo.com Higher than average water temperatures kept the

www.saltwatersoul.net O.G.C. 82 | November 2012

trout spread out and roaming in large areas. Yes, they were there, but it took lots of casting to produce an awesome day. Long-term predictions, by various weather sources, points to a cooler winter than last year and, personally, I am ready to test out some new SIMMS gear to deal with it. Every passing front is going to put the trout into a feed mode that resembles a scene out of the movie Animal House. In their anticipation of cold days, and dwindling food sources, trout will absolutely gorge themselves to put on winter flesh that will take them into spring. If you are one the lucky few who happens to be on the water during this time you will have the chance to make an unrivaled outdoor memory that will last for a lifetime. I will be there, and I hope you are along for the ride. Typically, November is not cool enough to push the trout straight to the muddy-bottom pattern, but they will be staging close to their favorite winter haunts. My focus this month will be on transition areas that allow for deepwater access to shallow night

feeding areas. Small guts and swags that feed onto the flats from deeper water will be the rule of thumb for me. These areas are found throughout Baffin and the Upper Laguna Madre, and they serve as highways for large trout to take advantage of unsuspecting baitfish. The trout will be on an array of bottom contours during November, i.e., a hard-sandy area can be as productive as one that leads through a softer bottom. The point of saying this is that depending on water temperatures, large trout will be found in many different areas, and there is no need to be fishing shoulder to shoulder on community Trout are already showing signs of gorging in preparation for cooler days ahead.

holes. Do some exploring, find the baitfish, stay away from other boats, and catch some big trout – that’s what I’ll be doing. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, my number one tool for pinpointing big trout remains to be the 5” Bass Assassin. Cold water, hot water, shallow, deep, windy or calm, this lure is a rock-star in my arsenal. There are so many plastic lures on the market that it is mind boggling to keep up with them all. My clients constantly quiz me, “What about this lure? What about that lure? This one tears too easily. This brand is tougher.” The bottom line here is that the Bass Assassin catches lots of fish and big fish. As far as softness, that is exactly what makes it so damn good. My question is this, “If you are going to spend a bunch of money on everything that goes along with fishing, why would you be so cheap on the very thing that tricks the fish into biting?” I once heard it called, “Stepping over a dollar to pick up a penny.” Of course, there are a number of other quality lures that I rely on once we find them. The “Corky” (Paul Brown Original Series by MirrOlure) is a standout favorite for wintertime fishing and one that I rely on heavily from now on through June (I actually use it year round). The legend and cult-like following of this lure needs no introduction, so if you fish the salt in Texas and have not made it a part of your wader box, you may want to pick up another sport. Thanks to so many of y’all who have been early booking. The trout and I appreciate it. Looking forward to hearing from the rest of you. “Remember the buffalo.” -Capt David Rowsey

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tRICIa’s Mansﬁeld Report CaPt. tRICIa

A refreshing change is in the air and we are certainly ready for it! At this writing the first decent norther has brushed through; cool enough to make you feel energized and ready to experience the wonders of the outdoors. Port We can imagine the fishing Mansfield will become more energized as well, and indeed, things have already taken quite a turn for the better. Capt. Tricia’s Skinny Water November is one of my Adventures operates out of favorite months to fish in Port Mansfield, specializing in the Lower Laguna, so I am wadefishing with artificial lures. excited to be reminded why. After a disappointing Telephone summer season things 956-642-7298 have finally started to look Email more normal recently. shell@granderiver.net Overall trout catches have Website www.SkinnyWaterAdventures.com improved and so has overall size. They seem to already be putting on some thick winter shoulders, as last

84 | November 2012

week we had a 28-incher weighing right at 8 pounds, a healthy fish for any season. We are seeing more in the 24 to 27-inch range as well and topwater fishing has become more consistent. Little junior-sized plugs, especially the Super Spook in the clown pattern, have done very well in shallow and calm conditions. Full-size baits are also getting slammed much more readily in deeper or choppier areas. Skitter Walks in green-chrome or speckled trout have been getting attention as well as the Okie Shad One Knockers. Concentrations of baitfish have been the best key as usual, and our pelicans have begun to return to the Lower Laguna for the winter and help us find promising areas to start. Quite a few shrimp

can also be seen leaping from predators when the bite is on. Our strangely-absent redfish also finally found their way back to the parts of the Laguna we expect to find them. Many oversized fish are making their way toward the Gulf passes, and we have been catching some in the mid-thirty range. Tackle-busters for sure, and exciting when you can sightcast to them or watch a beast of that class violate a topwater. The best areas for both trout and reds have been all about thigh-deep grass beds with nervous baitfish but, we are also seeing more fish use the shallow sand. It’s good to see big trout up there again. Other good opportunities have been western shorelines and ICW spoil banks. However, either they pull into wading range in those areas or they don’t, sort of an all or nothing deal. November will be about revolving winds once fronts start to come through more regularly. Temperatures should not be extreme, so the better chase will be the water levels as they push and pull accordingly. Northwesterly winds will dump many back areas and stack fish in nearby depressions, where south winds will fill them back up again. Following the bait will be the gamefish,

especially when there is a good current. We typically see a lot of fish in the extreme shallows throughout the day in November, as cooler water and less traffic will be a nice encouragement. They can be very spooky in low wind; so long casts and quiet wades are needed. Most folks still coming down with half spools of line will have a hard time with the distance needed, especially when throwing lighter offerings. Kelly Wiggler ball tail shads on a 2/O 1/16-ounce jighead is deadly up shallow, and a newer color that has been working very well has been “Smoke & Mirrors” – basically a translucent black back with a clearer belly. It doesn’t seem to spook them and just looks like it needs to be eaten. Ducks are already starting to raft up down here, the deer are moving, and every wild creature seems to be putting on winter weight. November is such a pleasant month – frisky temperatures and active wildlife, with many would-be boaters plying the fields instead. However, whether hunting or fishing is your primary passion, it will be an exciting time to be outdoors. I’ll be out there living my passion with a rod-n-reel and good people. Hope to see you this fall.

TSFMAG.com | 85

CaPt. ERnEst CIsnERos

south PaDRE Fishing Scene

A rr oyo C olorado t o Port I sabel

A Brownsville-area native, Capt. Ernest Cisneros fishes the Lower Laguna Madre from Port Mansfield to Port Isabel. Ernest specializes in wading and poled skiff adventures for snook, trout, and redfish.

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

86 | November 2012

November is the month of great feasting in our homes It has been my experience that when you find as well as in our bays. With cooler water temperatures, fish up skinny they will usually spook at the slight gamefish seem to instinctively know that winter will disturbance and this makes lure selection very critical. soon be here and they really dig into the chow. With The 3-inch Zara Puppy which has no rattle and creates plentiful bait supply they usually do not have to work very little wake is perfect for this application. too hard to find a meal and they sometimes feed all Another bait that made a believer out of me day with mullet and pinfish becoming staples when instantly when I finally tried it was the Kelley Wigglers shrimp make their way to the Gulf. There will definitely Ball Tail Shad in the new “Smoke and Mirrors” color that be short periods when every cast is met with a strike Capt. Wayne Davis gave me with specific instruction to but some amount of action throughout Late fall anglers in their Simms waders the day is a November trademark. on the author’s Shallowsport; two great Currently, the fish are still hard to brands for a successful day on the water. consistently pattern; no doubt each day has been totally different. And just when you think you have them figured out, the very next day they play a better disappearing act than Houdini. Very light winds have helped us find redfish with their backs out of the water and their tails in the air. Stealth is always the name of the game when they are feeding like this. First light has been the best time and always remember that running the boat too close will shut them down like somebody threw a switch.

try it in clear water. Being the stubborn person that I am I put them away for three months and only just tried them recently when this clear-shallow feeding pattern got going. Five reds on five casts and not a single fish spooked as it appears very natural in the water! Aside from the redfish we are targeting in shallow water, there are a few large schools of redfish showing up on the east side, but as the temperatures cool down some more this month, look for those schools of fish to move closer to the Queen Isabella Causeway as they head out to the Gulf of Mexico through the Brazos Santiago Pass. A good time to target these migrating reds will be in between fronts on the north and south jetties, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a secret that both jetties seem to

Courtneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ForEverlast floating landing net made handling this redfish easier for her.

be annual hot spots during the peak of the redfish run. The trout fishing has improved. We are still catching a lot of little ones but catching limits of keepers has gotten a bit easier as the water temperature cools down. Topwaters have been working in the morning hours when they seem most aggressive. Our most productive wades have been thigh to waist deep over scattered grass and sandy potholes. In the shallower flats (knee deep) with potholes, there has been plenty of trout action but mostly smaller fish. Historically, right around Thanksgiving is when we really see the bigger trout starting to show up and you can bet we anxious to see them. The durable Kelley Wiggler Ball Tail Shad in plum with blue metal flake is a must in your box this year and also suspending baits such as the MirrOdine and Paul Brown Originals. If you are a topwater fan, never quit throwing them simply because some guys say it is too cold. We use them all through winter when the conditions permit. Already a few mild fronts have made it to the coast but it has been my experience that we need that first cold blast to drive the larger trout to muddy bottom which makes so much easier to pattern. Gulls, terns and pelicans will become some of our surest indicators of solid feeding action between cold fronts. Cooler weather also means we will bringing the waders out of the closet very soon. If you happen to be in the market for a new pair I highly recommend the Simms brand built from the GORE-TEX fabric. Check out Fishing Tackle Unlimited in their two Houston locations and you can also learn more at www. SimmsFishing.com. They are not cheap, but are made in the USA and you get what you pay for. If you are a hard-core winter wader I also suggest you seriously look at purchasing their Guide Fleece Bib for all day warmth and comfort. Happy Thanksgiving!

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TSFMAG.com | 87

FISHING REPORTS

ORECASTS F from Big Lake to Boca Chica

AND

Lake Calcasieu Louisiana Jeﬀ and Mary Poe - Big Lake Guide Service - 337.598.3268 It's October and we are whackin em'! The bird action started a little late this year, which means it should last a little longer. We could possibly see action through the middle of December. With every passing front, the bite should get better and better. As the fall weather pattern starts to develop, we should see more and more shrimp coming out of the marshes on the east bank of Calcasieu, in West Cove and Joe's Cove. Starting the morning at one of the deeper bayous should produce good numbers of trout, reds, and flounder. Once the bite slows at the cut, it's wise to move toward the middle of the lake and search for birds. If big trout are the target, the sand flats around Turners Bay, West Cove, Washout, and Long Point should produce. Most will be caught on suspending baits like Corkies, MirrOdines, and Catch 2000s. Topwaters will produce well on warmer days. The annual flounder migration to the Gulf will be in full swing when this report comes out. Points, coves, reefs, and cuts are places of interest for flounder fishing. Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay | James Plaag Silver King Adventures - silverkingadventures.com - 409.935.7242 Fishing was still "summer-like" when James gave this report. "We've been fishing out of the boat most of the time. Best bite has been over shell and mud in about four to six feet of water. It's basically like a hot

summer pattern. Numbers have been good. We've been averaging twenty trout or more a day, with some reds thrown in as a bonus. Lately, the biggest trout have been around five pounds or a little more. Soft plastics are working best. Not getting many bites jigging them at all, working them straight in is better. We are seeing signs of the fish moving shallower. Today, we made a pass down a shoreline with small topwaters and caught both trout and redfish. We got some blow ups on both white and pink Top Dog Juniors. Once the weather gets a little cooler, the shorelines should stack up with plenty of fish. And the birds will start working too. We've had a little bird activity, but not much, and the fish under them aren't quality fish. All that is about to change. November is setting up to be excellent." Jimmy West - Bolivar Guide Service - 409.996.3054 Jim is smack in the middle of his busiest season, "shifting gears" between hunting and fishing. "We've been smokin' the doves. Lots of easy limits. That's winding down now, of course. But duck season is just around the corner. I'll be hunting a couple of days a week, fishing three or four. The fishing has been good lately. While it was still hot, all the action was out in the middle, especially for the bigger trout. We were doing well targeting slicks and mud boils in deep water up until a week or so ago. This last cold front made the shallow water fishing better, though. Right now, the trout in the marsh and on the shorelines are kind of small, but that's about to change. We'll be

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finding some of the big trout close to the bank in November, for sure. The reds have been thick and aggressive already. That action should continue right on through Thanksgiving. This is just my favorite time of year. There are so many options in the outdoors in the great state of Texas. It keeps me busy in a good way." West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas - Chocolate Bays Randall Groves - Groves Guide Service 979.849.7019 - 979.864.9323 A few birds are already working as of the time of this report, and Randall expects more of that action to come. "The shrimp migration is the biggest key to fishing success this time of year. We will target areas along the pathways the shrimp use when they move from the bays to the Gulf. If the birds are working, we'll take advantage of them, but even if they aren't, fishing the migration routes is still a wise idea. Redfish stay pretty shallow most of the time; we usually catch plenty in November by sightcasting at tailing fish. If the water is off-colored, we'll use a Sand Eel like salty chicken. If it's more clear, we'll stick with something a little more natural-looking, like red magic or black magic. Normally, we're using quarter-ounce jigheads, maybe three-eighths ounce. Topwaters work great on some days this time of the year too, and we won't hesitate to get in on that action when it's available. Once the weather cools down and stays cool between the fronts, the action will get steadily better." Matagorda | Charlie Paradoski Bay Guide Service - 713.725.2401 Charlie’s enthusiasm for the fall season was apparent when we talked. “The best time of the year is coming up. November is the first of the best four months for fishing in the Matagorda area. Right now, the shorelines are full of fish, and the middle of the bay is too. Both bays are holding good numbers of trout and redfish. Most of us spend

more time in East Bay in November. If the shrimp crop is big, the birds will be working regularly, and crowds can become heavy. Without the shrimp and birds, crowds will be lighter. Regardless, we’ll be catching plenty of trout and reds, throwing Bass Assassins in colors like chicken on a chain, plum/chartreuse and pumpkinseed/chartreuse. When the bait is moving around good on the surface, we’ll throw topwaters at ‘em. This is one of the best months for throwing topwaters around here. Catching the bigger trout is easier to do by wadefishing, so we’ll try to stay in the water as much as possible, targeting rafts of bait in the shallows when hunting for a wallhanger.” Palacios | Capt. Aaron Wollam www.palaciosguideservice.com - 979.240.8204 The incredible amount of redfish we are catching continues to amaze me. We have caught more reds this fall than I can remember in many years. There are schools of redfish in back lakes, around the river mouths, in the sloughs, along area shorelines, and just about everywhere else, chasing massive amounts of shrimp. The lures we've used have not mattered; we have thrown spoons and paddletails in pumpkinseed/chartreuse, red/white and pearl/chartreuse. If you get something in their line of sight, they will bite! Another pleasant surprise is the amount of tripletails in the bay. We are still catching good numbers of fish up to 18 pounds on live shrimp fished around structures in West Matagorda Bay. November should be outstanding with all the bait in the bay. Trout should be moving to area shorelines around mud and shell as the water starts cooling. Redfish will still be roaming the flats chasing shrimp, and flounder will be moving out of area drains and bayous toward the Gulf.

TSFMAG.com | 89

Port O’Connor | Lynn Smith - Back Bay Guide Service - 361.983.4434 Lynn reports excellent fishing for redfish lately, and he predicts the trout bite will pick up now that the weather is changing. “I haven’t seen any schooling reds, but we’re catching singles steadily on most trips. Just yesterday, I landed a forty incher. It almost spooled me twice. We should continue to see consistent action on the redfish throughout November. I’ll change my basic plan of attack starting this month. Most of the time, we won’t leave the dock until nine or ten o’clock. I like to wait for the flats to heat up a little before starting my fishing day. We’ll mainly target flats adjacent to deeper water. The fish like to hug the edges near the deep basins this time of year. We’ll be throwing soft plastics mostly, in colors like pumpkinseed/chartreuse and red shad. We’ll also throw gold spoons when we are specifically targeting the reds. And, this is a great time of year for slow-sinking twitch baits like Paul Brown’s Original Lures and Catch 2000s. On the warmer days, topwaters will work well too, especially if several days come between fronts.” Rockport | Blake Muirhead Gator Trout Guide Service - 361.790.5203 or 361.441.3894 November is a busy month for Blake. "I'll be getting into the cast and blast season hot and heavy. I'll be duck hunting in the back lakes of Aransas Bay a lot, and I'll do some fishing in there too. We've already got plenty of ducks flying around, so the hunting should be good. Fishing has been steady lately, and should improve even more as we get into the cooler part of the year. I'll be targeting shorelines adjacent to the entrances of the lakes, throwing topwaters as long as they are producing. Most of my efforts will be made in water about knee to thigh-deep. Both the redfish and the trout seem to prefer depths like that this time of year. Of course, if the topwaters aren't

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working as well, I'll go right back to my old standby Norton Sand Eels. They come in particularly handy while the fronts have a tight grip on the weather. And, we'll throw some spoons when we are putting a priority on catching redfish instead of trout. All in all, it's a great month, with lots of options, steady action and plenty of variety." Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay - Land Cut Robert Zapata – rz1528@grandecom.net - 361.563.1160 Recently, one of my clients reminded his fishing buddies of rule #2 when fishing with me. He reminded everybody that the first five flounder belong to the captain. The flounder are showing up in very good numbers compared to the last four years. I like to use a threeinch Berkley Gulp! shrimp or a two-inch piece of shrimp-flavored Fish Bite, or a combination of both, rigged on a quarter-ounce Spring Lock jighead. I will cast the bait along the edges of channels, the intracoastal waterway in particular, and drag the bait very slowly on the bottom. The trout and redfish action will continue to be very good by fishing with live shrimp under a popping cork or by rigging a quarter-ounce jighead with a Gulp! shrimp about twelve inches under a Bass Assassin Kwik Kork. Natural-colored Bass Assassin Die Dappers rigged on sixteenth-ounce jigheads will attract trout and redfish along the edges of grass lines, potholes and drop offs in two to three feet of water. Black drum continue to go after shrimp Fish Bites in less than twelve inches of water. Corpus Christi | Joe Mendez – www.sightcast1.com - 361.937.5961 The types of patterns which produce best in the Corpus Christi area in November largely depend on the weather. "If it's cooler, we'll be fishing the edges of the main channels, targeting trout, reds and flounder as they take advantage of the abundance of shrimp using the intracoastal waterway as a migration route. When fishing this pattern, adjusting the jighead size to match the conditions is critical.

If it's windier and/or if the current is strong, heavier jigheads are a must. They allow for maintaining contact with the bottom as the lure falls in the water. If it's not as cool, we will still be fishing shallow flats and sightcasting both trout and redfish at times. The water is nice and clear around much of the area, so the potential for this kind of fishing is great. Normally, we don't see quite as many big schools of reds this late in the year, but there are plenty of singles and stragglers to target. And sometimes a few big trout are found mingling in with them. Overall, it's a productive month for those who adjust their strategies to match the conditions." Padre Island National Seashore Billy Sandifer - Padre Island Safaris - 361.937.8446 Our fall season has thus far been so atypical that I almost hate to make predictions on what we will see in November but I will do my best. This is prime sightcasting time for large jack crevalle at the surf’s edge with artificials and flies. This action starts in late September and usually continues until about the 10th of December, but make no mistake November is the peak of the action. Finger mullet will be in full migration mode so let them as well as the birds lead you to the fish. Live-lining finger mullet will be the most productive method of fishing but a silver spoon is a good imitator and will bring results as well. Slotsized and bull redfish will be in excellent supply and November should also mark prime pompano fishing on the bottom with “Fishbites” and fresh-peeled shrimp. Slot-sized black drum and plenty of whiting should be available for bottom fishers. Bull and blacktipped sharks should be in good supply with the potential of tiger sharks. Good fishing! Port Mansfield | Terry Neal www.terrynealcharters.com – 956.944.2559 We have had our first cool front, which was not really all that cool, but it is a start after the heat wave of summer, and it brings the promise of

great things to come. With shorter days and longer, cooler nights, we should see fish showing up on the flats early and holding there until close to midday before dropping back into deeper potholes. Along with schools of reds and scattered trout, there should be big schools of black drum cruising the color changes. The real secret is to locate some kind of bait and work alongside it. There are going to be lots of undersized trout; please handle them gently. These are our fish for next year. The offshore fishing continues to improve as the deeper currents start to cool down. The sow snapper in state waters will hang on the edges of the structure waiting for a shiny jig to come bouncing off the bottom. Grey snapper are a bonus catch, as they don't count towards the red snapper limit. Keep what you will eat; release the rest. Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Janie and Fred Petty – www.fishingwithpettys.com – 956.943.2747 Even though fishing has been tough, timing is everything. With the right wind and a little luck, an outgoing tide can offer up some exciting action. Redfish will snuggle in close to a shoreline and smack anything that moves in their pothole, or in the spaces between grass clumps. The best bet for super shallow fishing is a Cajun Thunder cigar cork with a new penny or nuclear chicken three-inch Berkley Gulp! shrimp. The way things stand in the south end of the LLM, actually being able to see holes requires a light wind; otherwise, the water will cloud up quickly. Freddy says, “It pays to take your time and work over areas that traditionally hold fish, slowing your retrieve in the muddy conditions, before running to greener pastures. You just can’t count on seeing anything, so there’s no point in driving down every bank, depriving yourself and everybody else of a successful drift.” We’ve caught some really nice trout and an occasional flounder on the CT round corks in deeper holes. Let’s pull together to stop “Open Bay Dredge Disposal” before it’s too late.

TSFMAG.com | 91

Brooke Conard Port O’Connor - first redfish!

Dillon Goggans Phil Henson Port Mansfield - 30” 8lb trout Low. Laguna - 27" trout personal best!

Jessie Jennings Surfside - 27.5” first keeper red!

Lee Leonard Matagorda - 44” redfish

Cap. Chase Lathem & Mike Ramirez 70 miles out of Packery Channel - sailfish

Hamilton Mason II Crystal Beach - 50” first red!

92 | November 2012

Eloy Gutierrez Arroyo City - 27” red

Margie Rockport - 9.5lb black drum

Bill Mitchell San Luis Pass - bull red

Taylor Glass Aransas Pass - redfish

Luis Guzman II South Padre - 24” speck

Jorge Hernandez Eastcut, SPI - 43” red

Ronnie Moore Trinity Bay - 29” red

DeeAnn Port Aransas - mahi-mahi

Robert Treviño 25+” 5lb personal best trout!

Amber Kunselman & Hannah Hughes Corpus Christi - first redfish!

Damian Olvera Baffin Bay - first black drums!

Andrew Lewis South Padre - redfish & trout

John “JR” Urquhart San Luis Pass - bull red

Jake Port Mansfield - 25" trout

Josh Wolverton San Luis Pass - bull red Deena Dundon Pita Island - 28.5” trout

Kristie Vasek Freeport - flounder

Roman Gonzalez Arroyo City - 28” black drum

Keith Wygal San Luis Pass - 24” first redfish!

Please do not write on the back of photos.

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

Frances Pavlicek Surfside - 29” trout

Karimie Scull Corpus Christi - 30lb 42” jack crevalle

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

Pam Johnson

Gulf Coast Kitchen

Got ideas, hints or recipes you’d like to share? Email them to pam@tsfmag.com or send by fax: 361-785-2844

Shrimp~Stuffed Acorn Squash 2 large acorn squash 24 (16-20) count shrimp, peeled and deveined 5 tablespoons butter 5 large fresh sage leaves chopped 4 tablespoons Mascarpone cheese Cavender’s Greek Seasoning Salt and pepper Pre-heat oven to 375°. Wash and remove any labels on squash. Cut squash in half length wise. Remove seeds, melt one tablespoon butter and brush inside of each squash. Salt and pepper each squash to taste. Bake for 30 minutes. In frying pan place 4 tablespoons butter and chopped sage. Cook until butter becomes slightly brown. This makes a browned butter-sage sauce. Season raw shrimp with Cavender’s Greek Seasoning. Remove squash from oven and place six raw, seasoned shrimp in each. Spoon one tablespoon of browned butter-sage sauce over each shrimp-filled squash. Return to oven and bake an additional 30 minutes. Place Mascarpone cheese in a bowl and microwave for 5 seconds, this should be enough time to soften cheese. Add half teaspoon of Cavender’s Greek Seasoning and mix. Remove squash from oven and place one tablespoon of seasoned mascarpone mixture over shrimp in each squash half. Return to oven for one minute and serve. 94 | November 2012

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TSFMAG.com | 95

MEMORY MAKER

Hello Everett and Pam, I wanted to share a little story about a fishing trip I took with my daughter Briley Eason this past June. A friend of mine, Michael McLelland, invited us to come down to the Port Mansfield area to fish for big flounder. He had been catching some good ones and thought we might be able to put Briley on one she could enter into the CCA STAR Tournament. There was already a 6 lb. 4 oz. fish on the leader board after the first week of the tournament and we knew it would be tough to beat. Briley and I went down there to fish with Michael for three days and as luck would have it she ended up catching the CCA STAR Kids Flounder Division on the first day before lunch. Her flounder was 24-1/4” and weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz. It’s nice when a plan comes together on the first day. A little about the catch – We had used a cast net to catch some finger mullet for Briley to use but, she tired quickly of the hardheads grabbing them as soon as they hit the water, so she switched to a Berkley GULP Jerk Shad. I guess she wasn’t paying very close attention when Michael noticed her line pulling away and shouted for her to lower the rod tip and set the hook. That’s all it took and she earned a $50,000 STAR Kids Scholarship…Thanks CCA Texas! The rest of that day and the next two we enjoyed catching trout and sightcasting reds and Briley was in on the action. It was a long summer, waiting to see if her flounder would hold in the standings. Briley is still talking about the trip – she’s definitely hooked!

96 | November 2012

Proud Dad, Mike Eason

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galveston tides & Solunar Table Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine November 2012

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

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

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

For other locations, i.e. Port Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Connor, Port Aransas, Corpus Christi and Port Isabel please refer to the charts displayed below.

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

Minor Feeding Periods are in green, coinciding with the moon on the horizon, and the last from 1.0 to 1.5 hrs after the moon rise or before moon set. Major Feeding Periods are in orange, about 1.0 to 1.5 hrs either side of the moon directly overhead or underfoot. Many variables encourage active feeding current flow (whether wind or tidal driven), changes in water temp & weather, moon phases, etc. Combine as many as possible for a better chance at an exceptional day. Find concentrations of bait set up during a good time frame, and enjoy the results.

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

w w w. t e x a s s a l t w a t e r f i s h i n g m a g a z i n e . c o m