October 2018
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ABOUT THE COVER October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and what better way to commemorate this than a beautiful pink-clad lady angler on the cover? Tina Davis, wife of Capt. Wayne Davis, tricked this great redfish into taking a bite of her KWigglers Paddletail in the Lower Laguna Madre near Port Mansfield.
OCTOBER 2018 VOL 28 NO 6
CONTENTS FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
8 Little Things Can Make a Big Difference 14 Fundamental Flaws (Part 2) 18 Can You Feel It? 22 Okay…So Now What? 28 Mighty Mullet
32 38 42 46 48 52 56 60 64 68 95
Steve Hillman Kevin Cochran Martin Strarup Chuck Uzzle Joe Richard
26
Let’s Ask The Pro Shallow Water Fishing TPWD Field Notes Fly Fishing Kayak Fishing Chronicles TSFMag Conservation News Fishy Facts Inshore | Nearshore | Jetties | Passes Extreme Kayak Fishing & Sharks... Plastic & Water Don’t Mix Science & the Sea
Jay Watkins Scott Null Delbert Gatlin Scott Sommerlatte Dave Roberts CCA Texas Stephanie Boyd Curtiss Cash Eric Ozolins Everett Johnson UT Marine Science Institute
WHAT OUR GUIDES
HAVE TO SAY
72 74 76 78 80 82 84
Dickie Colburn’s Sabine Scene The Buzz on Galveston Bay The View from Matagorda Mid-Coast Bays with the Grays Hooked up with Rowsey Wayne’s Port Mansfield Report South Padre Fishing Scene
Dickie Colburn Caleb Harp Bink Grimes Gary Gray David Rowsey Wayne Davis Ernest Cisneros
REGULARS
32
8 Editorial 70 New Tackle & Gear 86 Fishing Reports and Forecasts 90 Catch of the Month 92 Gulf Coast Kitchen
92
82 4 | October 2018
EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Everett Johnson Everett@tsfmag.com VICE PRESIDENT PRODUCTION & ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Pam Johnson Pam@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-550-9918 NATIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Bart Manganiello Bartalm@optonline.net REGIONAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE Patti Elkins Patti@tsfmag.com Office: 361-785-3420 Cell: 361-649-2265 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Donna Boyd Donna@tsfmag.com CIRCULATION SUBSCRIPTION – PRODUCT SALES Vicky Morgenroth Store@tsfmag.com DESIGN & LAYOUT Stephanie Boyd Artwork@tsfmag.com Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine is published monthly. Subscription Rates: One Year (Free Emag with Hard Copy) Subscription $25.00 E-MAG (electronic version) is available for $12.00 per year. Order on-line: WWW.TSFMAG.COM MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine Attn: Subscriptions P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, Texas 77983 * Subscribers are responsible for submitting all address changes and renewals by the 10th of the prior month’s issue. Email store@tsfmag.com for all address changes or please call 361-785-3420 from 8am - 4:30pm. The U.S. Postal Service does not guarantee magazines will be forwarded. HOW TO CONTACT TSFMAG: PHONE: 361-785-3420 FAX: 361-785-2844 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 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.
EDITORIAL
IT’S OCTOBER: DON’T BE CAUGHT INDOORS!
Could there possibly be anything more exciting than great weather and great fishing? If there is I haven’t found it yet. Pleasant temperatures and reduced humidity put a bounce in our step that leaked out during the dog days and game fish seem as eager for the change as humans. So much happens in October. Tides swell and water temperatures decline while annual migrations of shrimp and mullet headline the change that leads to greatly increased feeding activity. There will be days when we need look no farther than flocks of wheeling gulls and pelicans executing death-defying plunges to locate rod-bending action. The time-honored saying; find the bait and find the fish, was never truer than October on the Texas coast. Eric Ozolins and Curtiss Cash give us a peek into what is about to bust wide open in nearshore waters and the surf zone in coming weeks. Name a species; state water snapper, tarpon, king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, slot and bull redfish, sharks and more – October offers a veritable smorgasbord. Columns from our writers that focus on the bays are equally optimistic. Jay Watkins is predicting the best fall fishing in Aransas and neighboring bays in many years while Rowsey is calling for more predictable trout patterns. Down in the Lower Laguna Madre, Wayne Davis and Ernest Cisneros are calling for a banner season. Ernest expects the best summer of snook fishing in many years to continue
6 | October 2018
well into early-fall. Gary Gray believes everything from surf to mid-bay reefs, back lakes to protected bay shorelines, will be in play on any given day. Bink Grimes says all you need to get bit in October around Matagorda is to get on the water. Caleb Harp and Steve Hillman are anxious for fall patterns to develop, with plenty of hints and advice for finding the bite. Galveston anglers tiring from months of deep-water plugging channels and reefs are always keen to follow the schools into wade fishing depths on shorelines. Up in Sabine country, Dickie Colburn and Chuck Uzzle report hordes of redfish “getting in the way” as they search for specks. What a problem! And the flounder run on Sabine Lake…it’s something you almost have to see to believe. Remarkably, there will be many fishermen heading to the hills while all of this is going on. I get that, because hunting seasons are also cranking up. Nobody struggles more than yours truly when it comes to deciding whether to grab a fishing rod or shotgun. The only way I stay sane during October is a daily dose of dove hunting or wading a San Antonio Bay reef. Some days I do both. So there you have it folks. A day of outdoor fun in October is too precious to pass up, and I certainly don’t want anybody saying I’ve been guilty of not practicing what I preach. Schedule a couple of vacation days. Heck, use a sick day. Just get out there…and take a kid or two!
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STORY BY STEVE HILLMAN
I
t was a long run across the bay. I had been fishing many days in a row and the pattern was predictable. The conditions were nearly perfect. The only thing I prayed was that no one would be there when we arrived because this was a small and tight school of trout – pretty much a one-boat school. We were about a half of a mile from “the spot” and I couldn’t detect any boat silhouettes. The closer we got the more excited I got. When we arrived there were several tiny slicks right where they were supposed to be and the smell of trout in the air was pure heaven. Now all we had to do was just pull up and start casting, right? Wouldn’t it be nice if things were that simple? More often than not, they’re not. I don’t recall discussing anchoring on schools of trout much in my past articles and in all likelihood, said discussion won’t mean much to my Power Pole-deploying friends down on the middle and lower coast. However, it’s something we do quite often in deeper upper coast bays such as Galveston. This particular school warranted such an approach in order for us to fully capitalize on the opportunity. The tide and wind were coming from the same direction. Most anglers I see drifting or anchored in such conditions seem to prefer casting directly downwind. With the trout facing into the current their success is typically limited because the lures being presented are brought up from behind the intended target. Therefore, it doesn’t appear natural and will not draw many strikes. I would imagine most of us would want the most bites possible. So let’s discuss a better approach. My boat has multiple cleats on both the port and starboard sides from the bow to the stern. This allows me to fasten the anchor rope wherever needed in order to position my boat at the optimum angle. In the scenario mentioned above the best one to use was the bow cleat. This allowed all three of my clients to cast slightly left, allowing their soft plastics to sink from left to
Chandler Muscat proved that bigger is not always better when it comes to fishing rods. His Waterloo Slam Mag II whipped this giant drum into shape in no time!
right. With the trout facing right to left, this set-up made for a fruitful morning of catching. This doesn’t seem all that complicated, but you’d be surprised. It’s also worth mentioning the importance of providing the appropriate amount of scope (ratio of water depth [including freeboard] to anchor line) when anchoring. Nothing sucks worse than anchoring on a school only to have the anchor slip. Not only can you lose contact with the school; you also run the risk of spooking or scattering the fish when your boat drifts over them while noisily dragging an anchor with 10 feet of chain across an oyster reef. Unfortunately, I speak from experience. As a general rule, a 7:1 ratio is sufficient when determining the
scope. This means that you would feed out 70 feet of rope to anchor in 8 feet of water if you were in a boat with 2 feet of freeboard (7 x depth of water plus freeboard). Obviously, there are variables such as wind and current which would necessitate adjustments, but this is a good guideline. Let’s discuss some other “little things” that I witness on at least a weekly basis that deserve addressing. Some of these minor adjustments will help us catch more fish while others could help protect the ones we want to catch down the road. Loop Knot to Prevent Break-Offs One of my clients was fighting a fairly large trout recently when his line fell suddenly limp. Despite using a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader, repetitive bouncing along oyster shell subjected the knot to excessive abrasion, eventually resulting in a break-off. This could have been prevented by using a loop knot. A loop knot versus a Palomar, uni, clinch, etc. helps prevent break-offs on shell most of the time because it allows the leader line some play because the actual knot is located above the jig head. Obviously, this is not an issue when fishing grassy or other non-reef bottomed areas.
Cameron caught plenty of trout, but he really couldn’t wait to go looking for reds. He hit the jackpot on our first school. Loved this young man’s attitude and enthusiasm.
Jack Cibulski knew how important it was to cast cross-current. That little adjustment produced big-time results on this stormy morning.
10 | October 2018
Careful with the Little Ones Every year we seem to go through stretches of catching lots of dink trout mixed in with legal-sized ones. We want these little trout to have the best chance at survival so we do things like pinching down the barbs of our jig heads. This not only reduces damage to the trout but enables a quick and easy release. Also, we do not flip these little guys into the boat to watch them flop around on the deck. We try to gently grab them with a wet hand and place them back into the water. All of this can and should be done over the side of the boat. There’s no need to even
Longtime client Bill Higgins with a solid trout caught while anchored on a school.
This little guy swam off perfectly healthy after a quick photo. These little ones should never touch the fiberglass. Notice the loop knot and pinched down barb.
TSFMAG.com | 11
bring them inside the boat. Oh, and we never use a towel to grab them! That protective slime (mucous layer) is there for a reason. Talk about pet peeves! 1980 Called – They Want Their Fishing Rod Back! I was sitting in my boat the other morning waiting for some new customers to arrive. After donating several pints of blood to mosquitoes, I noticed a truck pulling into the parking lot. From it emerged a large man. He walked to the bed of his truck and pulled out a very large object. The first thing I thought was “Oh my God! It’s Buford T. Pusser from Walking Tall. He’s been resurrected and he’s here to kick someone’s @ss.” My second thought was dear Lord; please don’t let this be my customer. It wasn’t a homemade hickory club in his hand like the famed justiceseeking Tennessee sheriff carried, however – you guessed it – in his hand was a very large and extremely heavy rod upon which was mounted a winch of a reel suitable for deep-sea fishing. He wasn’t my customer by the way. Thank you, Jesus! It should almost go without saying at this point, but modern day rods and reels are the way to go. It’s crazy that I still see folks using outdated and less-effective Toby’s brand new medium-light Waterloo Salinity made quick work of lots of slot reds on this day! equipment when there’s state-of-the-art gear at affordable prices readily available. There are many from which to choose. A 13-Fishing Concept Z reel rigged on a Waterloo Salinity rod is a darn good set-up that possesses all of the attributes necessary for feeling subtle bites while enabling one to handle hours of casting without needing Tommy John surgery afterwards. Speaking of reels – What we string them with can be a game changer as well. Since we’re not fishing for yellowfin tuna we can usually get by with something less than 100 pound test. We have three basic categories of fishing line these days; monofilament, braid, and fluorocarbon. I guess we could throw in hybrid braided lines but I don’t have much experience with them. Regardless of which one you prefer the key is to not overdo it. Ten pound test is sufficient when using mono and 20 pound (6 pound monofilament equivalent diameter) is plenty good enough when using braid or one of its hybrid cousins. Using slightly smaller diameter line compared to the old standards of 12 pound mono and 30 pound test braid enables the reel to hold more line. This, in turn, results in increased casting distance. Increased casting distance John Chrisman and Toby Frausto doubled up on Galveston Bay reds! allows you to not only cover more water with your lure, but also reach fish that would otherwise spook if you attempted to get closer to them. My favorite brands of line are Trilene XL Smooth (mono), Seaguar Smackdown Tournament (braid) and Suffix 832 (braid). Whether I’m using mono or braid I always tie on a 20 Steve Hillman is a full-time fishing guide pound Seaguar fluorocarbon leader because of its abrasion resistance on his home waters of Galveston Bay. Steve fishes the entire Galveston Bay Complex, and invisibility properties. wading and drifting for trout, redfish, and There are dozens of “little things” we can continue to discuss but I’m flounder using artificial lures. only allowed so many words and space, and you only have so much Phone 409-256-7937 time. Until next time, keep your head on a swivel, listen to those who Email captsteve@hillmanguideservice.com are willing to teach, and keep a great attitude. Web www.hillmanguideservice.com God Bless!
CONTACT
STEVE HILLMAN
12 | October 2018
FILL IT UP AND THE DAY WILL FOLLOW. INTRODUCING THE CAMINO CARRYALL When your go-to day bag is made of a rugged ThickSkin™ shell and a molded waterproof bottom, your day can basically go anywhere. Whether it’s a day trip or the day’s many short trips, the Camino™ Carryall is designed to stand up, hold weight, and clean easy. It’s your here - to - there hero for muddy waders, fishing tackle and more. Because it might spend most of its time between truck bed and boat but it’s made to be open to anything.
TSFMAG.com | 13
Slick-calm conditions generally favor slow-paced, rhythmic presentations, especially with floating plugs and slow-sinking twitchbaits.
STORY BY KEVIN COCHRAN
(PART 2)
T
he first piece in this series described three basic mistakes I’ve observed novice speckled trout anglers regularly make in their choices of equipment and lures. In this second piece, I’ll identify several other fundamental flaws within the realm of methods and strategies. The first prominent, widespread weakness reveals itself in the way many beginning and novice anglers hold their rod and reel. Grip plays a critical role in establishing a legitimate foundation for success in the execution of the physical aspects of sport fishing, similar to the way it does in golf. Along with rhythm and alignment, grip serves a primary role in the trio of most important physical fundamentals in both sports. When fishing with artificial lures for speckled trout, properly gripping the rod and reel involves cradling the reel in the palm of the hand, assuming the angler uses a conventional, level-wind reel. The low-profile design of today’s reels makes this easy to achieve. As mentioned in the prior piece, reels weighing less than six ounces optimally serve today’s trout anglers. They fit comfortably into the palm of the hand, even when attached to a graphite rod. The reel seats on most modern rods carry a trigger at their base, used to help one maintain grip pressure and control the rig adequately throughout the processes of presenting lures and hooking and fighting fish. Ironically, this trigger creates confusion for some people, who place it between their index and middle fingers. This sets the hand too far back on the rod, behind the rig’s balance point. In truth, the trigger should protrude between the angler’s ring and pinkie fingers, so the side-plate of the reel can sit squarely in the palm of the hand. Placing the rod and reel in the hand this way allows for resting the thumb on the top of the side-plate, further enhancing control, precisely at the balance point. Cradling the rod and reel in the hand at the balance point facilitates better control of the equipment, which reduces stress on the hands, wrists and forearms during the execution of presentations. More importantly, a proper grip enhances the potential for creativity. Lack of creativity in presentation style stands out as a second flaw in the methods employed by many novice anglers. Displaying creativity in presentation style normally involves the coordination of twitching and reeling elements. The timing of this coordination regularly includes parts of presentations when the angler twitches the rodtip while turning the reel handle at the same time. These statements ring true for all the best fishermen I’ve observed. On the other hand, I see many less-accomplished ones who struggle to execute this basic element of presentation. For some, twitching and reeling at the same time seems much like scratching their head and rubbing their stomach. As soon as they start twitching with one hand, the other stops turning the reel handle. Conversely, as soon as they begin turning the reel handle to retrieve line onto the spool, they cannot continue twitching the rodtip. This problem causes a loss of creativity and generates multiple issues. TSFMAG.com | 15
With most types of lures, twitching the rodtip rhythmically through a fixed point in front of the body while controlling the slack by slowly turning the reel handle generates effective presentations of various types. An angler who cannot learn to continue reeling while twitching will instinctively control slack by lifting the rodtip. Once the tip of the rod approaches twelve o’clock (or worse, moves slightly beyond perpendicular to the ground) the angler will drop it rapidly back to three o’clock, while reeling up line quickly. While this presentation style does work some of the time, it limits creativity significantly, preventing the execution of many effective presentations. Concurrent with this problem, many novices display a related weakness--they stubbornly employ just one presentation with each type of lure in their quiver. This lack of versatility stems from a kind of casual ignorance, which falsely assumes each lure will work best when moved through the water one way only, regardless of the environmental conditions present and/or the vigor of the feeding mood of the fish. In the truth inherent to an ideal world, multiple presentation styles can and should be employed with each lure, in response to changing conditions and predictions about the situation. Creativity in presentation style involves conscious alteration of the speed, rhythm and intensity of the movement patterns of lures. Experimenting with these elements of presentation in a thoughtful manner while considering the feeding mood of the fish and the prevailing conditions enhances the potential for productivity. Along with depth of presentation, the movement pattern of the lure affects the number of bites more profoundly than other aspects of the lure choice/presentation duo, such as lure color, size and noise production. On countless occasions, I and the other members of my group toss the exact same lures at the fish in front of us. Most of the time, someone catches more fish than the others. From this, I conclude the movement pattern of the lure makes the difference. We normally attempt to overcome this problem by mimicking the style of the angler getting more bites, sometimes with limited success. A tiny variation in the movement pattern of a lure can make a huge difference in number of bites earned. In order to maximize control of the movements of the lure, one must first accept the need to adjust the elements of presentation, then incorporate methods which include a combination of twitching and reeling, pauses and speed bursts, all within a coordinated, well-timed effort. Mastery of these things cannot be accomplished by one who never twitches while reeling, nor by one who fails to learn multiple ways of working each type of lure. In a classic sense, conventional topwater lures reveal these problems clearly. Some anglers fail to achieve even modest success with floating plugs because they can’t master the act of turning the reel handle to control slack while twitching. This causes the aforementioned lifting and twitching, followed by the rapid dropping of the rodtip, fast reeling, and repeating. Sadly, an ample percentage of people who do learn to twitch and reel concurrently, who can adequately “walk the dog” and make the head of the lure dance side to side enticingly, display the other weakness, often repeatedly twitching and reeling with the same rhythm for the entire retrieve, and worse, doing so cast after cast after cast. Seemingly, they become mesmerized by the clicking sounds emitted by the lure, idly observing as it wobbles atop the waves. In the worst-case scenario, they fall into a kind of trance, mindlessly repeating the elements of presentation, insanely expecting the same 16 | October 2018
Adjusting presentation slightly from the basic one normally deployed allowed Captain Kev to entice this thirty-inch trout into taking a bite.
Perry Shankle used a creative presentation with a paddletail to trick this seven-pound trout, reeling it steadily in at medium-fast pace over a shallow portion of a spoil bank.
Even when all anglers in a group throw the exact same lure at the fish in front of them, one often gets more bites than the others. Many times, this results from some subtle aspect of the movement pattern of the lure.
actions to produce different results. I call this “fishing in auto-pilot.” In this numbed state, anglers lose focus and creativity, diminishing their potential for productivity. Mindless insanity plays no role in consistently productive angling efforts. In all aspects of life, a mindful state enhances productivity. To maximize creativity, lure-chunkers should work to maintain a mindful state of awareness while they fish. For a lure fisherman, fishing in a mindful state means acknowledging the need to experiment regularly and thoughtfully with presentations, adjusting the lure’s movement patterns to meet the needs of the moment. An angler who lacks versatility in presentation skill with each lure cannot do these things. People who work within such a stubbornly ignorant mind-set fall easily into fishing in auto-pilot and negatively impact the number of fish they catch. In a related way, many of these same people squelch productivity by making their choices of location without full consideration of the situation and without complete knowledge of the bodies of water in which they fish. The angler with the most complete knowledge of the body of water where the fishing takes place has the best chance at consistent productivity. On the other hand, incomplete knowledge of the bays and the impacts of various environmental elements on the waterways will handicap any angler. Because most people fail to do the work necessary to maximize their knowledge of these things, they wind up relying on a relatively small catalog of spots at which to make their angling efforts. The reliance on an insufficient number of spots significantly cripples consistency. In a way, it’s another form of fishing in autopilot. People seem to make their decisions about where to fish based on a vague sense of “we caught ‘em there before” rather than on an assessment of the totality of the situation, including the season, weather, time of day, and other variables. In other words, they don’t fully consider their choices, in many cases because they simply have not taken the time to identify a full menu of potentially productive options. Anglers intent on improving their consistency and productivity will find some of these fundamental flaws in strategy and method easier to fix than others. Anyone can learn to grip the rod and reel properly without much thought or effort. Doing so will provide almost instant, recognizable and tangible benefits. Mastering multiple presentations with all lures deployed, learning as much as possible about the bodies of water targeted and avoiding fishing in auto-pilot require more thought, time and effort. In the end, all these endeavors carry high value in the quest for the establishment of a solid foundation for success.
CONTACT
KEVIN COCHRAN
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 361-688-3714 Email kevxlr8@mygrande.net Web www.FishBaffinBay.com www.captainkevblogs.com TSFMAG.com | 17
Do not hesitate to take your reel to an expert if cleaning and repair is not your bag. Andy Westling in Port O’Connor does great work at fair prices – (281-831-0695).
STORY BY MARTIN STRARUP
A
s I write this, my backyard thermometer is showing 98° in the shade. The southeast breeze provides no relief as it’s just as hot as the weather in general. I have sprayed and I have fogged numerous times and the mosquitoes that have taken up residence in my yard disappear but are quickly replaced with cousins who are meaner than the ones I killed or ran off. But, pretty soon, people will be stepping lighter, their moods will be brighter and at least for a while, the humidity and heat will be only a bad memory. Fall is definitely in the air and will bring on a lot of changes. Colorful leaves will litter lawns, the honking of geese will be heard overhead, and the woodlots will see an invasion of hunters making last minute inspections of deer stands and feeders. In anticipation of fall fishing trips, this would be a good time to pull your waders out of the closet and give them a good cleaning and airing out. Start with a good once-over visual inspection for fabric chafing and wear damage. I also heartily recommend stepping into a swimming pool to make sure you don’t wind up with wet feet and legs on a cool fall morning. This will also be a good opportunity to check the fit. Seriously, summertime BBQs with lots of ‘tater salad, beans, and key lime pie have actually been scientifically proven capable of shrinking waders. And double-meat cheeseburgers… Through the dog days, your boat may have also been neglected for several weeks or more. This would be a good time to change lowerunit gear oil. Before doing so, take note of any oil drips on the concrete beneath the skeg where the boat has been parked – the tell-tale sign of prop shaft seals that need replacing. I know that I used mine hard this past summer and if we change lube now it will be easier than hurrying to do it when the fish are biting. While you’re waiting on the lower unit gear case fluid to drain, you might as well replace the spark plugs and check carefully for any corroded wiring or leaking water hoses under the cowl. You might also want to check your starting and troll motor batteries. Check the dates on the tags. A battery that is past or nearing the end of recommended service life should be replaced. At the minimum, I like to give the batteries a full charge and then check back in a few days to see that it is holding. A tired battery may spin the engine well enough for a quick start on a warm afternoon but can deliver an embarrassing and
unpleasant surprise at the launch ramp on a cool morning. When was the last time you checked your boat trailer’s wheel bearings? Even if equipped with Buddy Bearings, it pays to remove them and check the bearings and races for any signs of rust or pitting. Replace any that show wear or damage and always repack with quality marine wheel bearing grease. It goes without saying that the seals should also be replaced during this operation. Peace of mind is everything when trailering down the highway, no matter how long or short a tow you might be making to the bay. The alternative – that being a smoking hub on the side of the highway – is absolutely no fun. Just ask me. While you’re at it you might want to check the trailer’s winch strap and make sure that it and the bow hook are in good shape. Ditto the safety chain that will hold the boat on the trailer should the strap fail for any reason. Have you examined the line guides on your fishing rods lately? A quick and easy way to discover nicks or cracks in ceramic inserts is to twirl a cotton swab through the guide. Any sign of roughness will abrade and weaken fishing line. Check the guide wrappings for signs of looseness or rusting. Rust-colored stains under the wrappings, even if they’re still tight, is a sign that it’s time for replacement. Don’t be cheap – take it to a rod repair shop. A small investment in titanium guides would help insure that your rod(s) make it through many more seasons. Now the fun part; when’s the last time you thoroughly cleaned your reels? If you haven’t done so recently, it’s probably a good time to spread some newspaper on your kitchen table and have at it. Tear them all the way down and arrange the components in a line in the order they were removed. Snapping a few digital images on your cell phone can also be very helpful. Trust me, unless you do this often, attention to detail during disassembly makes reassembling the reel much easier. Remove all bearings and clean each with a quality reel solvent and then set aside to dry. A few drops of quality bearing lube is all that is needed when the reel goes back together – my favorite is Rocket Fuel. Wash the reel body with hot water, hot as you can stand, using a toothbrush to scrub away grease and grime that has built through normal use. I like to use Ajax dishwashing liquid; it gets the job done. Wipe the reel body with a soft cloth after washing and set aside to dry completely overnight. TSFMAG.com | 19
The swimming pool is a great place to test your waders; sure beats finding a leak while fishing.
Rebuilding a hub is not always so easy. A few dollars more will get you a brand new one…and peace of mind!
Uh oh! Better have that prop shaft seal replaced before it leads to bigger problems.
Now for the smaller pieces; I use the same washing and drying technique. A small dab of reel grease should be applied to each gear during reassembly and a drop or two of reel oil on each component will put you in good shape for the fall and winter fishing seasons. Reel manufacturer’s websites often contain schematic drawings that can be of great help during the reassembly process if your earlier precautions still have you confused. If you doubt your ability to tear your reel down and re-assemble it correctly, or simply don’t have time, take it to a shop that specializes in this type of work. The Twirling a cotton swab through Don’t let the game warden be the one to discover line guides is a sure way to final step is installing new line and, you have dove ammo mixed with duck loads. detect nicks and cracks. here again, don’t go cheap. I always tell everybody that ammo is the cheapest compared to summer. Here’s hoping you’ll be the only boat at your part of a hunt and new line is the cheapest part of a fishing trip. favorite fishing hole. One last tip to consider in your fall preparations, especially those Be Safe! -Martin who like the cast and blast waterfowl thing, you need to go through all your gear and remove cartridges containing lead shot. Trust me when I tell you that dove or other upland loads have an uncanny ability to hide in bags, boxes and pockets. The last thing you want is Martin Strarup is a lifelong saltfor your friendly game warden to discover lead shells mixed with your water enthusiast and outdoorsman. waterfowl ammo on a duck hunt. Martin is also a collector and dealer Years ago when I was really into duck hunting, I always kept my of vintage fishing tackle and lures, upland game shells in separate bags and vests than my waterfowl especially those made in Texas. gear. You might want to do the same as it can save you some embarrassment and some money in the long run. Email Trouthunter@swbell.net Enjoy the cooler months to come guys and girls. The fish will be fat and hungry and the crowds on the bay will be greatly reduced
CONTACT
MARTIN STRARUP
20 | October 2018
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TSFMAG.com | 21
STORY BY CHUCK UZZLE
H
ow many times has it happened to you? The night before a planned fishing trip you check the weather and it’s forecast to be perfect, drop dead gorgeous, chamber of commerce approved. Light winds, four tides, and virtually zero influence from the moon puts just about every conceivable odd squarely in your favor. The morning comes and everything is just as advertised, the flags droop as if scolded by the fact the wind has yet to ripple them and, just for good measure, there are no trucks at the launch ramp when you arrive. You think to yourself, “This is glorious. I’m going to fill the boat with fish!” Then it happens, under the most perfect of conditions you can’t buy a bite, much less get on any kind of recognizable pattern. Plans A, B, and C all fail you and panic sets in. So what are you going to do now? So the scenario I created is no doubt exaggerated but it goes to serve as an example of what can and will eventually happen if you fish long enough. It’s inevitable that you will someday get the best conditions imaginable and you won’t be able to buy a fish with a $100 bill – it’s called fishing and not catching for a reason. At times like this you can either take your whipping and head for the dock or try to unravel the puzzle. For many fishermen
Finding water that is often overlooked is the key to success on those days when the bite gets tough.
the thought of solving the puzzle is what drives them, it’s the challenge of interpreting and processing all the information to reach a desired outcome. Many fishermen already do the “puzzle solving thing” without even realizing it, it’s just natural to some. Others will need a little more time or information to solve the problem. As of this writing Sabine Lake is a fantastic example of having all the factors in your favor and finding out that the fish just refuse to cooperate. It would take me a while to sit down and think about a time when we have had such incredibly good conditions and the fishing has been so difficult. Water clarity has just been absolutely off the charts and the salinity is not far behind. I find myself staring at my prop wash almost more than I look forward because it’s just so clean, clear, and emerald green. We have all manner of creatures swimming around and under normal conditions the fishing would be off the charts. Dolphins, sea turtles, rays, and plenty of sharks are making their presence known on an almost daily basis. Recently I was deep in the marsh chasing redfish and was startled to look down and see a 3-foot stingray casually sliding across the grass-covered bottom. That was an eye opener for sure but what happened next blew me away as I caught a largemouth bass that was riding piggy back on the sting ray like you expect a ling to do. All I could do was shake my head and add that to my list of things I’ve never seen. Teal season is a September highlight for fishermen and hunters alike.
24 | October 2018
Going forward in anticipation of the fall, most fishermen on Sabine Lake are cautiously optimistic that the fishing will rebound and hopefully resemble something a little more normal. I’m sure that there will be a few different patterns emerge that will be uncommon for this time of the year but at this point and under these circumstances all bets are off, so we will do whatever it takes to produce fish. It’s highly likely that instead of the wide-open chase-the-birds pattern that we all look forward to may actually get replaced by more wading or
My girl Sally in her prime, she will be greatly missed.
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26 | October 2018
hours just like any other proud dog owner. Sally came into my life at a point where she helped heal old wounds and she continued to fill my heart everyday with unconditional love. Sally passed away in my arms while at our home where she was surrounded by my wife and son. It was difficult and emotional to say the least but I’m glad it happened just like that, at home where she belonged. My son and I buried her in one her favorite spots in our backyard, under an oak tree where she often lay while surveying her kingdom. I know that where she is now there are plenty of tennis balls to chase, all the ponds are shallow and have hard bottoms, with all the ducks she could ever retrieve. I know she made my life better and I can only hope she would say the same about me. As for now it appears the best part of the year is upon us, so do not hesitate to get out there and take advantage of the multitude of opportunities afforded. Just knowing that both the fishing and hunting are getting ready to really hit their stride makes Texas sportsmen smile.
CHUCK UZZLE
CONTACT
fishing on anchor over specific small pieces of structure. The one common factor during the summer was that when you were fortunate enough to find fish they were generally concentrated in one area and there were more than a few fish in those areas. Look for many of the smaller reefs and shell pads that typically produce in the spring to pay big dividends this fall. Stealthy presentations and approaches are a must, don’t disturb the area if at all possible, and that means taking care to fight or lead fish away from those spots before attempting to land them. Most folks have no idea how bad they can dirty-up an area with a misplaced trolling motor in the mud or allowing their boat to encroach too close to the structure. Miscues such as these can completely shut down a productive bite. Hopefully the fall will be as close to normal as possible and we can put the strange summer behind us. Speaking of the fall, it’s difficult for many of us to not have thoughts on both fishing and hunting at this time of year. Texas outdoorsmen are notorious for packing a shotgun and a fishing rod during these special months because there is a virtual endless supply of opportunities. Both dove and teal hunting will be in full swing as the 2018-19 season gets underway all across Texas. Coastal marshes and prairie rice fields will be hotbeds for those early season hunts that many have been so patiently waiting for. There will be many who take the fall a step further and participate in a “cast and blast” which is to both hunt and fish on the same day. There are very few things that come to mind that symbolize the fall like a cast and blast, it’s the epitome of Texas outdoors because it encompasses the best of both worlds in the greatest state in the union. My own personal excitement for the fall is a bit tempered and somewhat subdued as I write this. My oldest duck dog, Sally, who accompanied me in the field for 14-years has died. My old girl logged thousands of miles with me in the backseat of my truck and in my boats. The true companionship of a great dog is something everyone should be so lucky to enjoy at least once in their lives because those animals are the only living thing that loves you more than they love themselves. I could write pages about Sally’s exploits and brag for
Chuck fishes Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes from his home in Orange, TX. His specialties are light tackle and fly fishing for trout, reds, and flounder. Phone 409-697-6111 Email wakesndrakes@yahoo.com Website wakesndrakes.com
TSFMAG.com | 27
STORY BY JOE RICHARD
Texas jetty mullet skimming plankton, only a foot or two from our anchored boat.
C
onsider the humble mullet. It’s true they’re low on the food chain, but stocks of Texas mullet feed trout, redfish, flounder, snook, mackerel, jacks, coastal sharks and tarpon. Without mullet, all of these sport and gamefish might soon be in dire straits. Yet, the mullet gets little respect. Many anglers today have never touched a real mullet. Instead, they throw artificial baits (often) used to imitate mullet. Or they buy live shrimp or noisy, small live croaker. I suppose the ideal live trout bait would be a noisy mullet that will sit patiently in a marina’s live bait tank for weeks. Unfortunately, we don’t have that option. With admirable foresight, Texas Parks and Wildlife took protective steps decades ago to manage mullet, limiting the size of cast nets and imposing a closed, four-month season to protect bigger roe mullet that are set to spawn each autumn. In fact, their website states that anglers “May not take from public waters, or possess on board a boat, mullet over 12 inches during October, November, December, and January. No limits apply during other months.” This may be news to some anglers; I wonder how many Texans know about that law, or whether it’s actually enforced. It’s pretty serious protection for spawning mullet, and one reason Texas has such a plentiful supply. In Florida, these fish are hammered all year long, readily eaten by the public, their eggs shipped to Asia, or used for bait. Which may explain why Florida mullet are extremely shy of cast nets.
I’ve only seen eggs in Texas mullet once; it was November about 20 springs, I’ve watched mullet underwater, skimming algae off bottom years ago, and bay mullet by that month were scarce. I was standing grass without harming it. on an ICW seawall in Port O’Connor and saw numerous silver flashes, If there are no beaches, like around Sabine Lake, mullet can be hard down deep. We were about to make a jetty trip, so I picked up the to target. In that area I’ve had better luck catching them at boat ramps. castnet and threw, letting it sink deep. The net came up brimming On calm days at the jetties, mullet may parade past by the thousands, with fat mullet, and I was happy enough. However, at the jetties, I cut ignoring anchored boats. There, it’s possible to drag in 50 mullet with a mullet into redfish-sized bites and noticed the fish had an orange a single toss of the net. Fill a cooler with mullet, and you’ve got great egg sack, the first I’d ever seen. Apparently the school was about to bait for an offshore trip, or frozen bait for future bull redfish trips. Flat migrate offshore, for spawning duties. Whoops! Seeing is believing. water can cause a filmy surface layer of plankton that attracts mullet, Perhaps I’d saved them from savage attack offshore by hungry resulting in schools swimming around with their heads out of the critters such as kingfish, said to prey on spawning mullet each winter. water, gulping tiny organisms we can’t even see. Everywhere mullet go, they seem to find trouble. I still haven’t tried it, but the Florida trick of catching them on hook Flashing back even further: Instead of a lemonade stand, I used to sell live mullet by the Port Arthur drawbridge, when school let out for summer after the 8th grade. I had a hard time keeping them alive without an aerator, too. Business was brisk; passing motorists seemed content to buy and use them freshly dead, instead of the frozen mullet from Pleasure Island marina. When the drawbridge was hit by a barge and heavily damaged, I was put out of business. The new, towering bridge to the island was finished three years later but by then I had other interests: boating and camping with my high school gang, slinging lures, or using natural baits still caught with cast nets, including mullet and shrimp. We had the run of that island for three years, with an old station wagon and jonboat, and always caught our own bait. Back at home, my garage freezer was well-stocked with leftover bait. Big “horse mullet” caught in the surf with Florida mullet parade by in a freshwater spring, the a castnet, ready to be converted into cut water so pure it’s bottled and sold to the public. This Texas mullet are thick compared to bait. There is no finer bait for surf redfish. spring runs into the Suwannee River, and then the Gulf. some states. It’s a fairly easy chore to round up several dozen from our bay beaches, though sometimes you might have to trot after them before tossing the net. Drop-offs are better; let the net hit bottom perhaps six feet down, and these fish never see mesh until too late. In recent Junes, riding around in the boat and checking favorite spots, Texas mullet were either too big or too small. However, the little ones grow fast and by August-September they’re plentiful. And just the right bait size, at 5 to 6 inches. Bigger “horse mullet” are either at the jetties or back in shallow bays, often around cruel oyster reefs that are hard on cast nets. Regardless of size, with those small lips, mullet love tugging on hard structure that grows algae—skimming off greenery grown by the sun. Jetty rocks are prime attractions, but also dock pilings and quiet boat ramps. In clear Florida 30 | October 2018
Port O’Connor mullet being blasted from below, during September. They’re jumping to evade predators.
and line might work in Texas waters. For instance at my old junior high school on the ICW in Port Arthur, there are jetty-sized boulders lining the seawall with lots of big mullet, flashing and tugging on algae. In times of need, when redfish in local murky bayous are going crazy for even a small chunk of mullet, I’ve thrown the cast net from those ICW boulders and—you guessed it—snagged and ripped my net. Perhaps those same fish could be safely caught on hook and line. In Florida they’re chummed with chicken scratch, and then caught under tiny bobbers and hooks baited with small pieces of earthworm, dried algae from the rocks, or paper-thin slivers of white plastic bass worm. I talked to one guy who showed me a full Igloo after using the plastic worm trick. He picked up a bass worm and bit
JOE RICHARD
Joe Richard has fished the Gulf since 1967, starting out of Port Arthur, but his adventures have taken him up and down the entire coast. He was the editor of Tide magazine for eight years, and later Florida Sportsman’s book and assistant magazine editor. He began guiding out of Port O’Connor in 1994. His specialty is big kingfish, and his latest book is The Kingfish Bible, New Revelations. Available at Seafavorites.com
CONTACT
Live mullet rigged for tarpon action.
off a thin slice, before baiting up. Anglers who don’t catch and use live mullet as bait are limiting themselves. Live mullet can’t often be bought, because they hardly survive overnight even in a big marina live tank. They need room to swim without getting banged up, and so must be caught the same day they’re used. It’s either learn to use a castnet and spot mullet “sign” on the water or go without. For tarpon fishermen, not owning a castnet can be a deal-killer. Mullet get big, but they have to live a lucky or protected life to make it. The Texas state record weighed 10.38 pounds, caught on a Bass Assassin worm. The ponderous fish was just shy of 30 inches, a real wallhanger. Caught in the upper Laguna Madre. A few of us have caught mullet in the mouth with small spoons and plastic worms, and it would appear they will eat almost anything at times. I’ve seen mullet swarming below a restaurant built over a South Miami canal, eating scrambled eggs scraped from breakfast plates. It was a regular feeding frenzy. Probably a habit they picked up. After so many years in Texas, I was a little shocked to learn these fish are so prized in North Florida, whether smoked or made into fish dip. Florida may have better water quality; many freshwater springs empty into the Gulf in that area, water suitable for bottling by companies such as Zephyrhills. Or perhaps the natural food there is slightly different. Meanwhile, in Texas they never seem to qualify for local seafood cookbooks. I’ve tried frying silver mullet taken from the clean surf of Padre Island, and they were still pretty darn fishy compared to trout we caught that day. Which is fine with me. At least we have a huge supply of mullet, keeping our local gamefish fat and happy.
TSFMAG.com | 31
Lined up and grinding on deeper drop-off.
J AY WAT K I N S
ASK THE PRO
SOLVING THE TRANSITION PUZZLE We are entering a transitional month for most of the middle-coast bay systems. Days grow shorter as angler excitement rises in anticipation of cooler fall weather and water temperatures. The gradual change in weather also produces changes in the behavior of gamefish. I am of the opinion that the fall of 2018 will deliver some of the best fishing we have experienced in my home waters in many years. Cedar Bayou has closed again but there is already talk of another dredge project. Our resident trout and redfish populations are strong and should be more than enough to get us through until this occurs. The bayou contributes to water circulation in the northern-most sections of the Aransas complex, which includes Mesquite, San Antonio, Copano, and St. Charles bays. I doubt that there would be many who would dispute the positive effects the opening of Cedar Bayou in September 2014 provided. When the time comes to donate funds, remember how much you have enjoyed the good fishing in Rockport and help us reopen the pass. This should be especially true of all the guides and their clients that have enjoyed the bounty the bayou gave us. 32 | October 2018
Transitional periods in fisheries are common along the entire Gulf coast. These occur on varying schedules depending on prevailing local weather patterns within any given region. Here in Rockport we saw a decline in feeding during the latter weeks of August, brought on by low tides and elevated water temperatures. Fish retreated to deeper water and spent more time in nonfeeding mode. Deep is relative to the majority of the surrounding waters. In some areas 3-feet might be considered deep and in others it might be 5 or 6-feet. No matter the depth, once this pattern becomes established I focus on deeper areas with basically the same bottom structure the fish were using before the pattern emerged. My daily routine includes a constant vigil for areas that hold abundant bait on a consistent basis. One has to believe that fish are genetically disposed to stage as near a reliable food source as possible. For years I have declared my confidence in fishing areas of shoreline or flats that I consider nighttime feeding zones. These are areas with quick deepwater access as well as proximity to marsh drains that connect backwater lakes to the bays.
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Areas such as this are great for finding large numbers of Sherry Otto with solid fish that are in a state of transition. Summertime boat traffic transition period trout – CPR.. and weekend boat traffic can both put fish in this pattern temporarily throughout the year but I definitely use this strategy during a major seasonal transition. I firmly believe that if we can put ourselves in areas where there are higher numbers of fish concentrated by conditions, our chances are increased. Just the other day we eased up on a shallow sand bar with scattered patches of seagrass. Water temperature was 87° at 11:00 AM in this back bay area with no tidal movement and almost no wind. If I also mentioned that the very slight wind we were receiving was coming from the southwest, you probably would not believe what took place over the next two hours. Incidentally, what I’m about to relate is definitely one of my many transitional favorites. Since it was a Friday, boat traffic was not too bad, yet. There was bait present, both shallow and out along the deeper edges of the bar. It was much too calm to see slicking if it was occurring as we set the Power Pole. I instructed my group to slowly spread out and push forward toward the deeper drop-off. “One bite stops everyone,” I told them. Something I say many times throughout my day. Only a few yards into the wade I had a fish take the bait very gingerly and then spit it. Yes, you can tell what’s happening at the end of the line if you have the right setup. I stopped the group. Immediately we could smell the distinct aroma of watermelon – some call it freshly-mowed grass. Coaching begins. “Let the lure fall to the bottom, but on the uptake, twitch the rod with some aggression. Several quick turns on the handle and then dead-stick the lure, letting it fall back to the bottom – almost. Almost is critical. It’s a timing thing each angler must customize to his or her own lure cadence. Once a few fish had been hooked and landed the aggression of the other residents was noticeably increased. For almost two hours we caught solid trout to nearly 23-inches, multiple hookups were common, producing a morning of fishing that will be remembered by all for a long while. On the very next day, in a totally different bay system but similar setup, we had an even better morning fishing a deeper drop-off that bordered a nighttime feeding zone. This day resulted in thirteen fish over 21-inches and one that pushed the tape to almost 29-inches. Again, once a fish or two was hooked, the brakes went on and shortly the Chantal Pfeiffer with tough day transition intensity increased, resulting trout – CPR. in a twenty-plus fish wade for 34 | October 2018
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reaction strikes from fish that are not really in the mood to eat. It’s another good card to have in your hand when you need it. Paying close attention to major and minor solunar feeding periods is always wise and I feel it is an even better tool during transition periods. Apex predators feed in small windows most of the time and never are we fishing smaller windows than during transition months. It only stands to reason that the smart fisherman wants to be in the right place at the right time, and then hopes the skills he or she has developed will be enough to turn the tables in their favor. As is always the case with me and my fishing beliefs, my way is my way but not the only way. It might not work well for you but if you find yourself failing to produce to your satisfaction, try mine. I’d certainly try yours. I just returned from ten days in Alaska. What a gorgeous place and definitely still very wild. I will definitely return to this great state and spend more time fishing. Pictures to follow in next month’s issue. May your fishing always be catching! -Guide Jay Watkins
C O N TA C T
my two anglers. Situations like this present themselves more times than we might like to think. It’s the manner in which we think, once the situation is encountered, that turns a normally tough transition pattern day into an unbelievable one. I am a huge soft-plastic fan when it comes to overcoming a tough bite. I’ll never be without a 5” Bass Assassin, a MirrOlure Lil John XL, or the 5” Provoker. This said, we need to also consider that sometimes during tough bites the reaction-type lures such as topwaters, slow sinking/suspending lures, or swimming hardbaits that suspend and then rise to the surface can draw strikes from fish that do not want to eat our soft offerings. Cliff Webb in Baffin and Mike McBride and Miss Tricia down in Port Mansfield might be the best at creating bites when fish do not want to feed with noisy surface or suspending lures. I am getting much better at returning to my old roots with the hard suspending baits. For years the 52M MirrOlure was my go-to, as were gold and silver spoons with yellow bucktails. Today I find myself using the MirrOlure brand more and more, due to a very wide variety of lure styles and a multitude of color patterns. I very well might be morphing into an angler who wants to catch them the way I want to catch them and not necessarily the way the fish want to be caught. That’s the real challenge, right? Catching them when they don’t want to be caught? The new Texas Custom’s Double D series by MirrOlure are extremely versatile. It swims about fourteen inches below the surface while retrieved, suspends briefly when stopped, and then rises slowly to the surface. I find I can really do a lot of things with this lure that draws
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36 | October 2018
Jay Watkins has been a full-time fishing guide at Rockport, TX, for more than 20 years. Jay specializes in wading yearround for trout and redfish with artificial lures. Jay covers the Texas coast from San Antonio Bay to Corpus Christi Bay. Telephone Email Website
361-729-9596 Jay@jaywatkins.com www.jaywatkins.com
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C A P T. S COT T N U L L
S H A L L O W W AT E R F I S H I N G
PROTECT YOUR EYES
AND SEE MORE FISH! “You’ve got a red at eleven o’clock…about fifty feet moving left to right.” “I don’t see it.” “Angling towards us now. Got it?” “Nope.” “Spooked.” “Yeah, I see the wake but I never saw the fish.” As a guide poling the flats for a living, I can’t begin to tell you how often that scenario plays out. The sightcasting game can be tough when you don’t do it very often. Eyes that aren’t accustomed to picking out the shapes, colors and subtle hints of a fish sometimes have a hard time getting adjusted. I certainly have advantages over my customers. First off, my position on the platform elevates my line of sight giving me a better angle to see into the water. I also have thousands of days practicing my craft and looking at fish under a wide array of conditions. One thing you can do to up your game is choosing the right sunglasses. On a recent trip one of my guys was having a really hard time spotting fish. He had
taken the bow at first light without the need for sunglasses. We were chasing wakes and looking for surface signs of fish. Once the sun got up a bit he reached into his bag for his glasses. He was on the bow with his back to me so I didn’t pay much attention to what he was wearing. I saw from the side they were Costas so I knew he had some quality glass. After several failed sightings of some fairly easy fish he turned toward me and I knew immediately what the problem was. The blue mirror told me his lens was a grey tint. These reds were holding on a dark-green grassy bottom and the neutral grey glass was making them blend in. I always carry at least a couple extra pairs of Costas in my boat bag. We took a break and I dug out a pair I thought would fit him. He put them on and stepped back up on the casting platform. “Wow! The grass looks so much greener.” The next fish we spotted at nearly the same time. The rest of the day went a whole lot better than the first couple of hours. While grey lenses are the most widely sold tint in the
Protect your eyes and see more fish!
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Redfish taken through polarized glasses.
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Jason Bryant with full sun protection.
40 | October 2018
U.S., they are not what you want for sightcasting in shallow water. Being a neutral color, grey provides for nearly natural color perception throughout the light spectrum. In general it will provide the most soothing effect in very bright conditions. In the fishing world the best application for grey lenses would be open water fishing where you aren’t concerned with seeing structure or picking up on fish that are blending in with the bottom. I wear grey when fishing offshore as I’m looking more for the silhouettes of fish. For inshore sightcasting you want a lens that enhances colors and provides more contrast. All the higher-end brands have such a lens, but they refer to them by different names. Rose, amber, copper and vermillion are but a few. Costa refers to theirs as copper. You can get straight copper or copper with a green mirror. All of these various colored lenses filter varying amounts of different light waves. The increased contrast provided really does improve your perceived visual acuity. They can literally make a redfish seem to pop out from its surroundings. Nobody can tell you which of these tints will work best for you. Studies indicate that a person’s eye color plays a role in what determines the optimum lens color. Generally speaking people with light blue eyes do better with the darker tints while those with dark brown eyes lean toward the lighter tints. Folks with hazel or green eyes report that there didn’t seem to be much difference. My advice would be to visit a store that has a good selection and try them side by side to see what works for you. Also, when shopping for glasses, remember that the light intensity inside is considerably different from that found outside. Ask the salesperson if you can step outside and try them out in real world conditions. Look at the trees and grass to see which lens gives you that HDTV feeling. Another point of debate involves mirrored lenses. Some folks swear by them while others say they make no difference. Testing shows that they do make a slight difference in the amount of light transmission through the lens. In the Costa lineup a straight grey or copper lens allows for 12% light transmission. Adding a mirror finish lowers that number to 10%. If your goal is to eliminate as much light as possible you want to go the mirrored route. There are times when the traditional lens tints are too much. Early morning, fog or heavy cloud cover can leave you wanting more light than your glasses are allowing. I recently picked up a pair of Costas with their new Sunrise Silver Mirror lens which allows for 30% light transmission. They provide incredible color contrast under less than ideal light conditions. Those early morning crab trap buoys really jump out and I’ve taken to wearing them instead of my copper lenses on overcast days. The added light and color contrast has really helped in spotting fish on those tough days. No matter which brand you go with, there are a few things you want to make sure they have. Number one would be polarization. Not all sunglasses are polarized, even some of the high-end models. Sunlight is an electromagnetic wave with electric and magnetic vibrations occurring on multiple planes. This is unpolarized light meaning that it is vibrating in all directions. When this unpolarized light strikes a surface such
The next thing to confirm when making a purchase would be UV protection. We have all been made aware of the damage ultraviolet radiation does to our skin. I think we all know of a fisherman who has had a few suspicious spots removed or even lost a part of an ear to the dermatologist. Excessive and prolonged UV-B light entering your eyes has been linked to glaucoma, macular degeneration and cancer. Look for glasses that have coatings to block UV. They’ll be labeled as blocking “99-100% of UV light” or “UV absorption up to 400nm” which would be equal to 100%. There is also a standard provided by the American National Standards Institute with the designation of ANSI / Z80.3. However, ANSI is a voluntary organization so it is possible that glasses meet the requirements without having an ANSI label. Do your homework because this part is important to the health of your eyes. Cheap sunglasses might have made for a cool song, but they have no place in protecting your eyes. Do yourself a favor and buy some quality sunglasses.
C O N TA C T
as water, a percentage of those light waves become polarized along a horizontal plane. The angle of the light determines the degree to which the vibrations become polarized. The result of this is the glare on the water we are fighting to look through. The lower the sun’s angle the greater the amount of glare. Indoor light is generally around 500 lumens. Outside in the shade it is around 1000 lumens. We start to get uncomfortable at around 3500 lumens. Glare starts at around 4000 lumens when the amount of light reaches a level our eyes can no longer absorb. Depending on the angle of the sun this glare can reach upwards of 6000 lumens. Prolonged unprotected exposure to this glare can cause photokeratitis, sunburn of the retina, resulting in temporary or possibly permanent blindness. Polarized glasses block glare using a layer of vertically oriented long-chain molecules which completely block any light waves that are perpendicular to their alignment. Thus horizontally oriented polarized glare is eliminated. Other non-polarized light waves are allowed to pass through as visible light. Some amount of glare will still get through because the ripples and waves on the water will change the angles slightly. One way to check whether your glasses are polarized is to hold them out in front of you oriented as if you were wearing them while looking at a strong horizontal glare. The glare should be mostly blocked. Now slowly rotate the glasses to a vertical position. The view should brighten as you rotate and max out as the glass gets perpendicular to the glare. If there is no change then they aren’t polarized and are doing you no good on the water.
Capt. Scott Null is a devout shallow water fisherman offering guided adventues via kayak, poled skiff, and wading. Telephone Email Website
281-450-2206 captscottnull@gmail.com www.captainscottnull.com
TSFMAG.com | 41
By Delbert Gatlin, Biologist | CCA Marine Development Center
FIELD NOTES
FISHIN’ AND GRINNIN’ As a state agency, Texas Parks and Wildlife has always emphasized the importance of getting people outdoors and enjoying the natural resources Texas has to offer. At the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Marine Development Center, we also strive to get people in touch with the outdoors. We accomplish this specifically by teaching the basics of fishing and giving children the opportunity to go fishing. As recreational fishing continues to grow along the Texas coast, we feel it is important to support this growth and provide opportunities for people, primarily kids, to learn about the outdoors and activities such as fishing. With distractions such as smart phones, television, and social media, a great many kids these days are growing more and more disconnected from nature and outdoor activities. This creates a tendency for them to spend more time indoors. Thus, outdoor learning experiences, like fishing, are beneficial to those kids and will hopefully entice them to enjoy spending more time outdoors. The CCA Marine Development Center (MDC) is a Texas Parks and Wildlife marine fish hatchery located in Corpus Christi. The MDC’s primary focus is on the propagation and release of redfish, spotted seatrout, and southern flounder fingerlings into Texas bays for purposes of stock enhancement. Another important hatchery focus is public outreach and education. Educational outreach 42 | October 2018
aims at engaging individuals and promoting community awareness regarding our coastal ecosystems, hatchery operations, and fishing. We perform our fishing outreach through fishing events at our two, one acre fishing ponds and through a Basic Angler training. Our outreach emphasis is aimed toward school-aged kids, at risk youth, and kids and adults with disabilities. Most of the schools or groups that visit the hatchery are from the Corpus Christi area. However, we occasionally have groups from other areas of Texas and in some instances from other states. Many of our school groups are provided with a hatchery tour and fishing opportunities. The MDC’s fishing ponds are stocked by hatchery staff with redfish, sheepshead, black drum, spotted seatrout, pinfish, and flounder. Kids can try their hand at fishing these ponds from large piers complete with benches and shade structures. When a fish is caught they can take a picture and then release the fish back into the pond. The fishing piers were constructed and funded by the CCA Mid Coast Chapter located in Victoria, Texas. This pier project was spearheaded by Mid Coast Chapter member, the late Hector Mendieta. Hector had a very strong passion for fishing and was very instrumental in funding and building these fishing piers. Having these piers has enabled us to greatly expand the number of kids able to safely fish on the ponds. More importantly, these piers
TSFMAG.com | 43
were also constructed to be handicap accessible. The ease of access has allowed both kids and adults in wheel chairs to safely fish the ponds. Our Basic Angler training teaches kids the basic skills of fishing including knot tying, introduction to types of tackle, fishing regulations, fishing safety, and what types of fish species are found along the Texas coast. Kids then get to practice their newly learned skills by fishing in our fishing ponds. These kids range widely in terms of fishing skills and abilities. We have some kids who have never been fishing before as well as others who are avid anglers. I find it very rewarding to be able to teach new anglers the basics of fishing. No matter what their skill level is or what their previous experience with fishing might be, it is always rewarding to watch their excitement and see that grin on their faces. For some it’s the excitement of catching their first fish. For others its one of many they have caught, but they still get that thrill of feeling that fish on the other end of the line. Our hope is that they will enjoy their fishing experience, and increase their interest to the great outdoors. MDC staff have worked with a variety of organizations and programs to promote fishing and other outdoor activities. For example, we have worked with Heroes on the Water - Coastal Bend Chapter. This program focuses on using fishing and the outdoors as a means to help veterans rehabilitate and find relaxation from disabilities and posttraumatic stress. Another organization is Corpus Christi Fish for Life. This program involves the mentorship of at risk youth through fishing. The events usually involve a tour of the hatchery, fishing, and lunch. Prizes are handed out for those kids who catch the largest fish during the event. It is a great experience for those kids and teaches them many life skills such as patience and appreciation for the outdoors. MDC staff also plays host to the CCA Poco Rojo Kid Fish tournament. This event regularly attracts over 100 kids every year. Through our 44 | October 2018
agency and hatchery efforts, we have made a positive impact on kids and adults from various walks of life. We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to teach and provide outdoor experiences to thousands of kids and hopefully instilled in them a love for the outdoors and fishing. After all, life is better outside.
Check the TPWD Outdoor Annual, your local TPWD Law Enforcement office, or tpwd.texas.gov for more info.
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TSFMAG.com | 45
S C O T T S O M M E R L AT T E
F LY F I S H I N G
CHEERS! It’s really funny, looking back at it all. When I started guiding full-time, I did it as a lifestyle choice, not as a career. Then I started taking pictures and writing articles for various publications to help compliment that lifestyle. Little did I know it would bring me to this point in my life. Hell, what makes it even more interesting is that on the day of this writing fifteen years ago, I met the girl that was the reason for me accepting this gig, back when this publication was still called Gulf Coast Connections. I wanted to marry her so badly I couldn’t see straight. More importantly, I wanted to prove to her that I was more than just a fly-fishing bum. Incidentally, I lost her a few years later but I have kept on being me. Anyway…. Back this spring, I was just across the street from my place in Everglades City visiting with a friend. This friend happens to be considered the “greatest fishing guide who ever lived” by a great many people 46 | October 2018
I believe qualified to bestow such an honor. Numerous articles have been written about him through several decades, referring to him as the “greatest fishing guide ever.” The man I speak of is the legendary Steve Huff. While talking with Steve, his son Chad, and my good friend Wright Taylor (we are all guides), I learned that Steve was planning on retiring in October of this year after an incredible 50 years of guiding. You heard
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(hope) that I have at least a .500 batting average. I promise that I have tried but I no longer feel like I am doing a good job and it is time to say goodbye to TSFMag. I will dedicate all my efforts and energies to simply being a better fishing guide. I think it is what is best for me and for those that I love. I am hoping that in the years to come our editor will allow me to make a guest appearance from time to time but, for now, I need to concentrate on those that I love and on being a better guide. As I am reading this over, it gets even funnier. I accepted this writing gig because of a girl and now I am quitting because of a girl. How silly is that? Thank you all for giving me the opportunity to share my ramblings with you. I hope you have enjoyed it. I raise my glass to you all. Be good, and stuff like that! Scott Sommerlatte is a full time fly fishing and light tackle guide, freelance writer and photographer.
C O N TA C T
right! Mr. Huff started guiding in 1968 in the Florida Keys and now is retiring in Everglades City. Wow, and I was feeling proud about starting my twenty-third year of full-time guiding on the month of the year that he has decided to retire. Now after spending quite a few days of hanging out with him this season, in and around the ultimate man cave that he built for himself – talking with, and getting to know, him better – I can assure you that he will keep working, just not at the pace he has been all these years. So let’s go back quite a few issues of this magazine when I mentioned that I was writing a book. Without going into too much detail about the book I will say one of the biggest parts of the book will include interviews with many of the best guides in country. I had not, but have always wanted to interview Mr. Huff. So, one day we did it. I set up my recording equipment and we sat down for an hour-long interview. It was one of the most insightful hours of my life. To say the least…this interview changed my perspective, not only on my career, but also on life, especially in regards to my outlook on my health and family. Years ago, I think I made a joke in one of my “According to Scott” articles about “working hard on my first cardiac event.” Had something to do with chicken-fried steaks at Barkett’s Restaurant in Seadrift (if I could throw in a teary-eyed emoji here, I would). Well, my first cardiac event happened this spring at the age of 47. Nothing terribly major but, regardless, it landed me in a hospital bed for a short stretch. After that, I was told by the doctor to make some lifestyle changes. Mainly, do less of this, this and that and, most importantly, reduce my stress levels. Now, after relating the doctor’s advice to the most important person in my life, she requested that I make some major changes as well. So, believe it or not, I have found after fourteen-plus years (more than 160 articles for this publication alone), one of the most stressful parts of my life is the last 4-5 days of each month trying to come up with something fresh and interesting to share with you all. I think
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TSFMAG.com | 47
DAV E R O B E R T S
K AYA K F I S H I N G C H R O N I C L E S
THE ROAD TO SNOOKTOPIA I am writing this from a hotel in Nashville in the middle of a two-week road trip. If you are a reader of my articles, you know that this time last year I went on a trip to South Florida. I headed down to meet some buddies for Snooktopia, which consisted of camping and trying to land a monster snook. Earlier this year, I found out that my buddy Bart was planning on hosting another weekend in South Florida. Of course I didn’t want to miss the opportunity but was not sure if my work schedule would allow it. Coincidently, about a month out from the event, I found out that I was going to a safety conference in Nashville. As luck would have it, it was the week leading up to Snooktopia and it seemed that I was going to be able to attend. So naturally, I decided to take full advantage of the situation and make the most out of my trip. I started to look into my options and decided I was going to spend the first leg of my vacation trip in eastern Tennessee. I figured this would be a great place to check out; great scenery and I know the river fishing can be spectacular. As it got closer to my departure, I nailed down a few solid plans, laid out my route and booked a few places to stay. I then packed my truck down with every piece of camping and fishing equipment I own and was ready to hit the road. 48 | October 2018
After a long 12-hour drive, I finally reached my destination. I was just north of Chattanooga and was going to camp a few nights in Falls Creek Falls State Park. The park is known for its hiking trails and one of the largest waterfalls Tennessee has to offer. After setting up camp, I drove around for two hours, just trying to get my bearings of the place. I found the entrances of a few trails and overlooks of the falls, the lake and of course, the boat ramp. I headed back to camp, started a fire and prepared my rods for the next day. When it comes to bass fishing, I’ll be the first to say, my bag of tricks is about as deep as the marsh ponds I fish. But they are still fish and will hold true to typical patterns. At daylight, I got up and cooked breakfast before heading down to the lake. I arrived and decided to paddle across where a shoreline was lined with rocks. I began to throw a Chatterbait parallel with them and it started out kind of slow. At the very end of the rock wall, I made one last cast and pulled out a little guy. A fish is a fish and I’ll take it, no matter the size. I continued on, picked up a few smaller fish and decided to spend the rest of the day hiking around. I made my way around the park to see the falls and it was incredible. If you ever find your way over to eastern Tennessee, I would highly recommend pulling in to see the park.
TSFMAG.com | 49
50 | October 2018
the Jackson Kayak factory. I stopped by, introduced myself and they cheerfully provided a tour of the facility. I found the whole operation very organized and the process of kayak forming, fitting and assembly truly captivated my interest. So far my trip has been nothing short of spectacular and I am only half way through it. Tennessee has been a great time and has provided me with great memories. It is now time for me to head to another safety seminar but it is going to be hard for me to pay attention. I know what the remainder of my trip holds for me and I could not be more excited. The Florida coast is calling my name and I can’t wait to get back on the road to Snooktopia.
C O N TA C T
The next morning I packed up and started to make my venture closer to Nashville. I found another state park along the way that had a few sights and it bordered the Collins River. I launched at Rock Island State Park about mid-morning and hit the river and decided to go upstream. I began throwing a jig along the rock face of a mountain and was not having much luck. I continued on and kept switching back and forth between that and my Chatterbait. I soon made it to a set of rapids and decided to pull up on the rock bank and fish from the shore. I began to throw my Chatterbait strategically in the current, in hopes to miss the rocks. After a few cast I had a bite and pulled in a decent crappie. I continued on and only had one other bite. As I moved forward, the rapids began to grow and I came to a point where I could not continue. I decided I was going paddle up, make some photos and head back to the ramp. Photos made, I made a “Hey, why not” cast. As soon as my jig hit the water I felt a thump and I knew it was not a rock. I fought this bass while drifting downstream, banging into rocks and everything else. I finally landed it, made a quick photo and decided to reposition myself back on the rocks and wade. I walked the bank all the way back up to the rapids and decided to cast again. My second cast brought another thump and I could tell this was a better fish. After getting it close and seeing it jump, I realized that it was a smallmouth and this is when I got excited. I gave her a little slack and when she was ready, I flipped her onto the rocks, the way we do trout on the jetty rocks. Right then and there, my trip was worth it! I checked off a new species and was able to do it on my own. I continued on and pulled a few more fish out of the rapids before I decided to head back to the ramp and more exploring. Later on in the day, I made my way to the falls at Rock Island and they were truly awesome. Words cannot describe the sound and the immense amount of water coming over the edge of a cliff. I would also put this on the “must see” list. Continuing the journey I swung by Sparta, Tennessee to check out
Dave Roberts is an avid kayak-fishing enthusiast fishing primarily the inshore Upper Coast region with occasional adventures to surf and nearshore Gulf of Mexico. Email: TexasKayakChronicles@yahoo.com Website: www.TexasKayakChronicles.com
TSFMAG.com | 51
Sonar screen capture of high-relief concrete railroad tie mound within the RGV reefing site.
Story by John Blaha
T S F M A G C O N S E R VAT I O N N E W S
CCA HABITAT & OTHER HAPPENINGS As we move into the fourth quarter of 2018, CCA Texas has had an extremely successful year on many fronts. This success is due to the tremendous efforts of volunteers, sponsors, supporters, and the CCA Texas staff. When this issue hits the reader’s hands, CCA Texas will only have four banquets left for the year. Nearing the close of the third quarter, banquet attendance and monies raised are pushing all-time highs and the energy within the organization has never been higher. This energy and success is due to the will and desire of so many to ensure the Texas Coastal resources are strong and healthy for present and future generations. Along with the success in fundraising and membership, comes success in CCA Texas’s habitat program, Habitat Today for Fish Tomorrow (HTFT), and CCA National’s habitat program, Building Conservation Trust (BCT). 52 | October 2018
These two entities work hand in hand to help restore and create coastal habitat up and down the Texas coast. After funding $530,000 to habitat work in 2017, CCA Texas and BCT have funded $986,000 for habitat work in 2018 and are poised to cross the $1 million dollar mark by the end of the year. This work has included nearshore reefing, marsh restoration, oyster restoration, and critical habitat science studies and evaluations. Nearshore Reefing – CCA Texas has now funded more than $1.6 million to nearshore reefing along the Texas coast. This funding and work stretch from the Texas/ Louisiana border at Sabine Pass to the Texas/Mexico border at South Padre Island. Work continues all along the Texas coast and current efforts are focused at Sabine Pass (HI20 Reef ), Galveston (Big Man Reef ), and South Padre Island (RGV Reef ).
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Contractors will deploy crushed concrete and/or river rock cultch material to lay down 1,250 cubic yards of material in two areas totaling one acre restored oyster reef in Sabine Lake in early-October 2018. (Lisa Laskowski image)
The Sabine HI20 Reef should have its first materials in the water by the end of September. CCA Texas and BCT are contracting directly with Eldridge Construction to deploy 200 granite blocks and a 120-foot barge. The next article in this magazine will have plenty of photographs and details about the deployment and what is in the future for the Sabine HI20 site. Much like the Friends of RGV Reef (FRGVR), a new organization, Friends of Sabine Reef (FSR), has formed and they are working diligently to help identify materials and funds to continue reefing the HI20 site and with hopes of expanding it in the future. Work continues to move along in the RGV Reef. CCA Texas and BCT initially funded an additional $150,000 this past February for deploying concrete railroad ties and other materials to the site. Another $56,000 was then approved to expand and fill the 186 acre nursery portion of the site with concrete cinder blocks. This method has proven to be very successful in providing habitat and cover for small snapper and other species until they reach a suitable size and move onto the large reef habitat. Spearheaded by FRGVR, contractors are continuing to mound concrete railroad Volunteer grass planting efforts are often times a big part of marsh restoration ties within the sight and have created additional low relief habitat. efforts. The Moses Lake shoreline project will have multiple efforts, including an To date, the mounding effort has created at 30’ tall mound that Academy Sports + Outdoors employee day in late September. (Lisa Laskowski photo) measures 140’ in width. CCA Texas and BCT have contributed $461,000 to the RGV Reef, a one of a kind reefing site that created approximately 1.3 miles of shoreline protection in that body would not be possible without the strong grass roots efforts of local of water. This protection in turn created 10 acres of available space recreational fishermen. for marsh restoration efforts through grass plantings carried out by Galveston’s Big Man Reef and Kate’s Reef are hoping to see volunteer groups within the community. materials deployed by the end of the year. Texas Parks and Wildlife The Oyster Lake Shoreline protection project extended previous (TPWD) Departments Artificial Reef Program has placed request for work in the Oyster Lake / West Galveston Bay shoreline. This project bids to deploy materials to the Big Man site. These materials will will help prevent breaching of critical estuarine habitat in the Oyster include railroad ties and pyramids. TPWD is also waiting for final Lake area. The Trinity Bay marsh restoration project at GBF’s Discovery notice from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) on permit Center will help restore and create two additional acres of estuarine requests for the Kate’s Reef site. Progress is moving forward up and marsh habitat. The Discovery Center provides outreach opportunities down the entire Texas coast, and CCA Texas and BCT are proud to be a for the general public through local and Houston area school part of these nearshore reefing efforts. programs. This restored marsh area will provide significant education Marsh Restoration and Shoreline Protection – Several projects opportunities in GBF’s community outreach efforts. are in progress or have just been recently been completed for marsh CCA Texas and BCT look forward to continuing our support to restoration and shoreline protection. CCA Texas partnered with the current partners and look forward to forging new partnerships in the Galveston Bay Foundation for restoration efforts in Moses Lake, Trinity future. Habitat restoration and creation are critical to the future of our Bay and Oyster Lake adjacent to West Galveston Bay. coastal fisheries. For more information about CCA Texas and BCT’s The Moses Lake project was just recently completed and the effort habitat work, please contact John Blaha at jdblaha@ccatexas.org. 54 | October 2018
TSFMAG.com | 55
STEPHANIE BOYD
F I S H Y FA C T S
MOBY DICK - MINIATURIZED The White Whale swam before him as the monomaniac incarnation of all those malicious agencies which some deep men feel eating in them, till they are left living on with half a heart and half a lung. That intangible malignity which has been from the beginning; to whose dominion even the modern Christians ascribe one-half of the worlds… Ahab did not fall down and worship it like them; but deliriously transferring its idea to the abhorred white whale, he pitted himself, all mutilated, against it. All that most maddens and torments; all that stirs up the lees of things; all truth with malice in it; all that cracks the sinews and cakes the brain; all the subtle demonisms of life and thought; all evil…were visibly personified, and made practically assailable in Moby Dick. He piled upon the whale’s white hump the sum of all the general rage and hate felt by his whole race from Adam down; and then, as if his chest had been a mortar, he burst his hot heart’s shell upon it. ~ Ishmael explains Ahab’s hatred of Moby Dick (Herman Melville, Moby Dick) Most of us are familiar with sperm whales, if only through school discussions or movie remakes of the classic tale of Moby Dick. They are massive, toothy whales that live in the depths of the ocean and prey on the equally formidable giant squid, surfacing only to cause misfortune and mayhem (or so Capt. Ahab would have us believe). But did you know they come in miniature? Dwarf and pygmy sperm whales are the chihuahuas of the whale world, smaller even than some dolphin species. These two whales are the only living species of their family, Kogiidae, and they are quite similar, even classified as a single species until 1966. They differ slightly in physical size, morphology, and other minor features, and it’s very difficult to distinguish between the two in the field. The geographic distribution and range for these species overlap in several areas; however, the 56 | October 2018
dwarf sperm whale is a bit more coastal than the pygmy, so that’s our primary focus. Taxonomically, dwarf sperm whales are treated as a single species, though genetic evidence suggests that there may be two separate species – one in the Atlantic and one in the Indo-Pacific. If confirmed, the taxon will change. Weighing in at up to 600 pounds, dwarf sperms are compact and streamlined, reaching lengths up to nine feet. The head is square, with a pointed snout and a small, under-slung jaw. Their scientific name, Kogia sima, comes from the Latin sinus, meaning “flat-nosed.” Unlike the larger sperm whales, they have very few teeth (only about thirty in total, and most of those on the bottom), though the ones they have are sharply pointed and curved. Because of these fang-like teeth, they’ve earned the nickname “rat porpoise” in the Lower Antilles. The tail fluke is sharply pointed, as is the dorsal fin, located midway down the back. Behind the eye is a pale false gill plate, resembling a fish’s gill cover. In fact, if it weren’t for their blowhole and languorous attitude, dwarf sperm whales might be mistaken for sharks. Like their larger cousins, dwarf sperms have a spermaceti organ. Located inside the head, this organ was historically thought by whalers to produce sperm (hence the name), but it actually contains high-quality oil. Their single blowhole is located left of the melon on their somewhat asymmetrical skull. (The melon is a mass of fatty tissue found in the forehead of all toothed whales. It focuses and modulates vocalizations and acts as a sound lens.) Their eyes are dark and protruding with a light circular mark above them. The skin is brownishto bluish-gray on the top and paler with whitish to pinkish color on the bottom. It is also wrinkly up close, especially on the throat below the jaw where there may be several longitudinal creases. The flippers are broad with round edges and located forward on the body.
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Relax, we’ll take care of the details!
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When observed at the surface, they have a low, flat profile due to the level position of the head and back. They can be found in warm tropical, subtropical, and temperate seas worldwide, most commonly along the continental shelf edge and slope. In the northern Gulf of Mexico, there is an estimated combined total of about 742 dwarf and pygmy sperm whales. Dwarf sperm whales enjoy a similar diet to full-size sperm whales, but their particular prey are on a rather smaller scale than giant squid. They eat mostly squid and octopus, but will also take shrimp, crabs, and fish. It is thought that they can dive to at least 1,000 feet to hunt and probably use echolocation to search for likely meals. No solid information exists regarding possible predators, but it’s not unlikely that dwarf sperms are hunted by killer whales or sharks inhabiting the same environment, as both of these animals are known to prey on other whale species. Calves, unsurprisingly, have more predators than adults. Calving season likely occurs during the summer months. Dwarf sperm whales have one calf a year. Of course, one’s enough when it can weigh-in at birth at 110 pounds and four feet long. They become sexually mature between two and five years old, or when they reach about seven feet long. Males mature a little faster (and a bit shorter) than females. The estimated lifespan for this species is 22 years. An unusual characteristic that distinguishes dwarf and pygmy sperm whales from other cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) is the “squid tactic.” In the lower portion of their intestine, there is a sac filled with viscous, dark reddish-brown liquid. Dwarf and pygmies are capable of ejecting over three gallons of this “ink,” creating a dense cloud that (hopefully) allows the whale to escape from its pursuers. When it comes to social activities, dwarf sperm whales are fairly inactive, rarely performing acrobatic behaviors like breaching or tail slapping. They are usually seen traveling in small pods of ten or so individuals, though it’s not rare for one to travel alone. The pods vary based on age and sex, some consisting of females with calves, others of immature whales, and a third mix made up of adults of both sexes without calves. Their vocal communications include high-pitch clicks and whistles, which are used both for echolocation and social interaction. Dwarf sperms are slow, deliberate swimmers with a habit of floating motionless at the surface (a behavior termed ‘logging’). To dive, they slowly roll or sink, often disappearing from view without displaying their flukes. This species is very difficult to spot at sea due to these habits and their low profile. They’re usually only spotted in ideal conditions (calm seas, low wind speeds, little or no swells, etc.). While they don’t approach boats, they sometimes allow boats to approach them while basking at the surface. Dwarf sperm whales are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (mostly recently in 2015). The MMPA protects all marine mammals, including cetaceans, pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), sirenians (manatees and dugongs), sea otters, and polar bears within the waters of the United States. The Act makes it illegal to “take” marine mammals without a permit. This means people may not harass, feed, hunt, capture, collect, or kill any marine mammal or part of a marine mammal. Dwarf sperm whales are currently listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. They are fairly abundant, but there is no information on global population trends. Like many other marine species, they are susceptible to entanglement, incidental take, interactions with fisheries, and
pollution. Evidence from stranded whales show that some dwarf sperms have ingested plastic and other garbage, which blocked their intestinal tracks. Additionally, they are vulnerable to ship strikes due to their logging behavior. High levels of anthropogenic sound also have the potential to impact all deep-diving toothed whales, and mass stranding events have been associated with such. Though historically dwarf sperm whales were targeted by whalers, these days there are few serious human impacts affecting this species. In fact, they are probably relatively less affected by human activities than many of their cetacean cousins. Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering whale; to the last I grapple with thee; from hell’s heart I stab at thee; for hate’s sake I spit my last breath at thee. Sink all coffins and all hearses to one common pool! And since neither can be mine, let me then tow to pieces, while still chasing thee, though tied to thee, thou damned whale! Thus, I give up the spear! ~ Ahab’s final words (Herman Melville, Moby Dick)
Where I learned about dwarf sperm whales, and you can too! National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/outreach_and_education/ documents/protected_species_gom.pdf www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/species/mammals/whales/dwarf-sperm-whale.html swfsc.noaa.gov/textblock.aspx?ParentMenuId=230&id=1428 World Register of Marine Species seamap.env.duke.edu/species/tsn/180492 IUCN Red List www.iucnredlist.org/details/11048/0 The Pacific WildLife Foundation www.pwlf.org/dwarfspermwhale.htm Whale and Dolphin Conservation us.whales.org/species-guide/dwarf-sperm-whale Whale Facts www.whalefacts.org/dwarf-sperm-whale-facts/ Save the Whales savethewhales.org/dwarf-sperm-whale/ Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org/accounts/Kogia_sima/ The Mammals of Texas www.nsrl.ttu.edu/tmot1/kogisimu.htm MarineBio marinebio.org/species.asp?id=327 The Marine Mammal Center www.marinemammalcenter.org/what-we-do/rescue/marine-mammalprotection-act.html
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Capt. Cash finds the Penn Warfare paired with the 7’ Ugly Stick Tiger Rod to make an excellent bull redfish combo.
CURTISS CASH
I N S H O R E | N E A R S H O R E | J E T T I E S | PA S S E S
GEARING UP FOR THE BULL RED RUN It’s redfish time in Texas, with October being the peak of their spawn. The bulls are known to stage near passages to the gulf waters usually very willing to bite. These brutes are a blast to catch and release – and catch and catch again. Get it? Don’t get me wrong though, I have no problem with anyone keeping a legally tagged oversized fish. I have found that fish as large as 32- to 33-inches still offer decent table fare. Anything larger tend to have much coarser flesh and a very strong fishy taste. Many of my customers that retained a larger red on a prior outing now choose to release them due to the inferior quality on the dinner plate. If it is a fish dinner you are angling for many other fish make better table fare. In the same areas that bull reds are targeted, smaller table-fare opportunity abounds. Slot-sized redfish or black drum, blacktip and bonnethead sharks, and the ever-present gafftopsail catfish fill the bill. A couple of slots, a shark, and a few slimers can fill a gallon ziplock quite handily. RODS and REELS On my charters we typically utilize heavier tackle when targeting over-slot redfish. Preference being larger reels with a strong drag and line capacity to accommodate 30-pound or heavier monofilament line. The rods should 60 | October 2018
be capable of handling the weight of the fish and force of the current where these fish reside. Standard “jetty tackle” consisting of Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500C reels, medium-action rods and 20-pound mono line can often be too light. A long and tiresome fight on less than adequate tackle can cause serious stress or even kill the fish. This summer season I’ve experienced great success using PENN Warfare (WAR20LW) and PENN Squall (SQL20LW) level wind reels. These star drag reels have a 30-pound monofilament capacity of approximately 240 yards and a reliably smooth drag. Pairing these reels with the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Tiger Rod (USTB2050C701) has proven very effective and reliable. The rods have plenty backbone, a soft tip to detect bites, and are virtually indestructible. These combos have worked very well for us on kingfish, jacks, cobia and nearshore red snapper. Pulling double duty on bull reds and big black drum should work just fine. TERMINAL TACKLE Monofilament leader material of 60- to 100-pound test works well and is preferred in this style of fishing. Steel leader material is discouraged due to the possibility damaging the fish’s gill plates or bodies. I construct leaders with a Mustad 39941 circle hook,
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6/O- to 9/O-size, depending on the size of baits being used. I have experimented with other styles of hooks like the Kahle and Octopus with poor results. These two styles of hooks have a tendency to hook the fish deeper in the roof of the mouth, the gullet or the crushers. Round circle hooks are designed to latch into the corner of the jaw or through the lip. These areas are much kinder to the fish and also greatly simplify hook removal. When fishing channel edges or open-water areas without snags, the Bait Stopper Rig is a great choice. This rig puts the bait on the bottom in the strike zone. When This happy angler decided a circle hook is included, to fill his oversized red drum the hookset is automatic tag with this 31-incher. as the fish pulls away – nothing for the angler to do except wait for the rod to bend sharply. Deep-hooking the fish is less likely as the sinker stops and slides the hook toward the corner of the fish’s mouth or lip. The Bait Stopper incorporates a 12-inch straight leader with swivel on the opposite end from the hook, another 24 inches leader material tied between first swivel and another up the line. The sliding weight is added to this stretch of leader, egg weights are popular as well as pyramid or bank-style weight on a sinker slide. In and around snags and jetty rocks, a “knocker rig” works best. The knocker is basically an egg weight riding directly above or very close to the circle hook. By keeping a taught line you can occasionally lift the rig and drop it back down to tap the rocks or bottom. The weight placement, short hook lead, and tight line help minimize snags while keeping the bait in the strike zone.
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Multiple hookups are common when a school moves through.
Holding bull reds into the current aids greatly in their recovery.
BAIT CHOICES Fresh dead or frozen baits – menhaden, Spanish sardines, mullet and large white shrimp are all good choices. Cutting off the tail from mullet and menhaden and peeling the shrimp both keeps baits from spinning in the current and releases more scent. A supply of live blue crab is recommended if you really want to catch a large quantity of bull reds. Reds will follow the sweet smell and flavor into the current from long distances. Remove the carapace and use the body of the bait directly on the bottom. I prefer to
Bull redfish are a hoot!
remove the legs when fishing in heavy current and leave them attached when the current is light. Snipping the legs off near the shell with shears helps keep the meat attached internally. Chumming definitely increases the odds of hooking up or holding a school nearby. I like to toss a handful of bait scraps up current as soon as a fish is hooked up. When using cracked crab I chum with the carapace and legs. The claws are especially productive when cracked to let the juice out.
C O N TA C T
CONSERVING THE BREEDERS A long battle in heavy current puts undesirable stress on the fish during this important part of their life cycle. Additional time may be required to revive these big fish caught in deep water. Holding them by the lower jaw while facing into the current forces water through their gills and helps them recover. Thank you in advance for exercising care in handling your “bull” redfish. Accomplishing a healthy release is the best guarantee that our red drum fishery will remain strong into the future. Please keep these recommendations in mind when targeting spawning-size redfish: - Adequately-sized tackle and circle hooks. - Snap a few quick photos and revive the fish ASAP. - Do not remove the fish from the water if and when possible. - Modern taxidermy can create excellent replica mounts. - Coarse and strong-tasting flesh of larger spawning-size redfish does not usually provide the best table fare. Capt. Curtiss Cash offers charters in the Port O’Connor area; specializing in fishing the bays, passes, jetties, surf and nearshore waters. Species targeted include speckled trout, redfish, flounder, tripletail, black drum, bull reds, sharks, snapper, kingfish, ling and tarpon, when seasonally available. Phone
361-564-7032
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Alexis, my seven-months pregnant better-half with her first-ever dusky shark.
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 ELUSIVE DUSKY Having spent roughly half my life on the sand of Padre Island, events and developments continue to surprise me. My continuing education includes varying migration patterns, weather anomalies, and other facets that affect marine life in our surf zone. Some are the result of obvious natural occurrences and therefore easily understood while others are a total enigma. Just when you think you have things figured out a curve ball is thrown and theories get shredded. The past eighteen months alone rival everything in history. The summer of 2018 is the first on record I can remember the waters from the middle to southern reaches of Padre Island being excessively cool in temperature for an extended amount of time. Usually, these cooler-than-average upwelling events arrive and remain a few weeks, never an entire summer. Something as substantial as this surely creates change, right? Did this affect the fishing in certain areas of our precious coast? You bet! Being a shark-catching “connoisseur” of sorts, I am always keen to note change, even if I do not always embrace it with open arms. If things are going very well to begin with, why then would anyone welcome change? For this particular instance, we were enjoying one of the best shark years on record. Then in late-June the waters off the southern half of the Padre Island 64 | October 2018
National Seashore began to change. Water temps were dropping and, in some places, as much as 10- to 15-degrees cooler than observed just 50 miles north. Some may think, “Well surely cooler water during the hot summer pleases the fish…right?” In truth, the cooler water is often a deterrent for many predatory species. Reason being - bait species prefer clearer, warmer waters in summer. So yes, fishing success dwindled noticeably. Meanwhile, with water temps closer to Corpus Christi much warmer, anglers were enjoying abundant shark action. This pattern continued into August. Then came a change to this change, and the combined effect brought one of our rarer shark species to the surf zone. Aside from the highly-prized and mysterious mako, a species that visits only once in a great while is the dusky shark. Duskys are typically cooler-water sharks that reside farther offshore. They also happen to be one of the larger sharks that visit our surf, often attaining lengths of 10to 12-feet. Most sightings of duskys occur far offshore, around shrimpboats culling their catches, vacuuming various bycatch or devouring small sharks whole. Duskys are definitely less-studied than other species and worthy of more research effort. There have been mature dusky sharks landed from the Texas surf over the years, and while rather rare, they seem to occur during cold-water upwellings in
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summertime. On average we might see a half-dozen specimens during grease-calm summer days. Around 11:00 AM a rod went off landed over the course of a decade. Any time we get to see one and I crawled up on the truck to battle another very strong swimming landed from the beach is a real treat. dusky that measured roughly eight-and-a-half feet. I managed another The reason for these sharks coming close to shore is a mystery successful tag and release and got new baits out. within the scientific community, however, I have a personal theory Another hour passed before another rod went off. Alexis hopped that I stand by steadfastly. on the rack this time to battle the fish and our third dusky was Duskys prefer deeper offshore waters. During offshore shrimp tagged and released. Awesome! season they get the “beacon” that the boats gathered together are routinely discarding bycatch. Over a period of First dusky of the trip hit late weeks it is natural for the sharks to congregate and home in the night – successfully in on frequent free meals. I believe the sharks stay with tagged and released! the shrimping fleet so long as the handouts are frequent, but soon disperse as the shrimping effort becomes more scattered and/or less productive. This seems ironically to coincide with the start of the dusky anchovy migration. Massive concentrations of very small fish form into acre-sized baitballs – millions strong. Several miles offshore at first, then inching closer and closer to the surf zone over a period of weeks. I believe if the water temps are just right, and the bait tracks (or gets trapped) into this cooler water, the duskys will follow. Keeping an eye on these patterns through the month of August I suspected the duskys would eventually appear in the surf – even if just briefly. The first surf appearance of dusky sharks in 2018 happened mid-August from the South Padre beach – a Eleven-foot dusky… 9-footer amid cold-water upwellings that been ongoing the one we came for! nearly two months. Shrimpers were only a few miles offshore at night, and baitballs were beginning to move in during the day. With these developments taking shape, would we soon see the dusky sharks arriving north of the Port Mansfield jetties? Within only a couple of days, two more dusky sharks were landed, this time on the National Seashore. I knew it was now or never and decided to embark on a shark trip with Alexis – my seven-month pregnant betterhalf. Loaded with gear and nearly all the shark bait from my freezers, we headed south down the PINS beach. Even if the chance for a dusky or two might be slim I was optimistic. We set camp in the cool water area at the southern end of the park and several baits were deployed before dark. Action came soon enough with bulls of seven and nine feet but no duskys. I thought it odd, the bulls in the cold water, Ten-footer tagged and begun to speculate whether we’d missed the narrow and being released. window of dusky opportunity. We went to sleep with a couple of baits left soaking when late into the night we hooked into a solid fish. It was running hard like a hammer although hammers are known to avoid cooler water. But, that being said, we had managed a couple of bulls just hours earlier. I had the shark in range after a hard 20-minute fight and hopped down to wrestle it. Grabbing the leader and dragging it nearer the water’s edge, the spotlights from the rack revealed a dusky and I was overjoyed. The 9’-1” specimen was quite healthy and energetic. Within minutes I had a tag affixed just below the dorsal and sent it on its way. The wind died the next day and the water became very calm. Surf sharking is known for being exceedingly slow 66 | October 2018
A couple hours later a large baitball made its way toward shore and it wasn’t long until I was hooked into another shark – larger and fighting like a champ. Thirty minutes later I brought it to the first sandbar where in the clear water I could tell it was yet another dusky – a brute of a male that taped 10’-5”. My best-ever dusky and one of the largest I’ve heard of being landed from the surf. Our fourth dusky and another successful tag and release. Incredible! We left baits out through the night but the fishing took a slow turn and nothing was touched. I kayaked out to swap baits at sunrise and almost immediately hooked into a BIG shark on an 80W rig. The fish was pure power and seemed headed to Florida. I battled as she swam at will, stripping
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C O N TA C T
That’s a lot of dusky shark for one man to drag back into the water. Note the tag at base of dorsal.
hundreds of yards of line. Getting her turned and finally to the first bar, a process that felt like the whole morning, I climbed down and headed out with the tail rope. I was amazed at the enormity of the fish as I wrestled it to the shallows for quick tagging and release. A massive female dusky, nearly 11-foot in length. Oh boy! This was the shark that we came for! Out of bait, we packed up and headed off the beach with a feeling of great accomplishment. I have always felt a special bond with this incredible species, and the dusky that nearly took my life several summers ago (a tale for another time). Alexis landed her first-ever dusky and I completed a run of landing my fifth species of specimens longer than 10-feet in length from the surf. An accomplishment I believe unmatched by any Texas angler, possibly one that may never be surpassed. Tiger, hammer, lemon, mako, and now dusky. Rest assured though, I will continue the mission for my sixth species, sometime hopefully in the not-too-distant future. The ocean is an amazing ecosystem and, despite not always welcoming change, we sometimes reap extraordinary rewards in the midst of it. For the past decade Eric ‘Oz’ Ozolins has been promoting shark catch and release and assisting various shark research programs. Eric offers guided shark fishing on Padre Island National Seashore. Also renowned for extreme kayak big game fishing, Eric is the owner of Catch Sharks Tackle Company. Email Websites
oz@oceanepics.com oceanepics.com | catchsharks.com
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P L A S T I C & WAT E R D O N ' T M I X
EVERETT JOHNSON
KUDOS TO PORT MANSFIELD EAST CUT AND BEACH CLEANUP! TSFMag salutes Miller and Kathie Bassler and the incredible team of volunteers they have brought together for their efforts in the recent Port Mansfield East Cut and Beach Cleanup. Recently accomplishing their tenth and largest cleanup event to date, participation numbered near 100 hard-working conservation-minded men, women and children. There were no doubt even more engaged behind the scenes organizing and providing meals, logistics and other details. Logistics and safety in this event always pose a tremendous hurdle as the mouth of the East Cut Jetty lies approximately six miles from the harbor, accessible only by boat. And even more challenging, some sixty-two miles down the Padre Island National Seashore from park headquarters. Sixty-two miles of treacherous sand that
can swallow the most meticulously prepared four-wheeldrive vehicles and buried debris that can flatten tires faster than you change them. So, if getting the cleanup team to the work site might seem daunting, consider hauling 15-tons of beach debris back across the bay, or all the way back up-island to park headquarters for proper disposal. Where does it all come from? Some of it drifts ashore on gulf currents, sure enough, and one can only speculate the source. Sadly, though, a significant portion of the debris is left behind by careless fishermen and campers who have no regard for the wonderful resources they enjoy. Kathie Bassler described it as; plastic barrels, BBQ grills, plastic irrigation hoses, gill nets, long-line fishing gear, all manner of plastic containers and bottles,
The East Cut Cleanup fleet lies at anchor while cleanup workers scour the beach.
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Workers fan out to collect trash.
Miller Bassler and Brian McKinsey just prior to Brian departing on his 62-mile journey up the PINS beach with a load of cleanup trash.
August heat be damned… this crew came to work!
Styrofoam cups-plates-and coolers, popup tent frames, and just about anything you might imagine. The day began before sunrise with the cooking crew preparing a hot breakfast for volunteers at the Port Mansfield Chamber of Commerce Pavilion and packing sack lunches. Some twenty-five bay boats manned by volunteer owners and charter captains donating the day (rather than running a charter) then departed for the East Cut. Leapfrogging as sections of island shores were cleaned, eventually making their way to the jetty and tackling the Seashore beach. Meanwhile – a fleet of trucks and trailers were making their way down the PINS beach to rendezvous with the cleanup crew and transport the debris back to park headquarters. Some made multiple runs. To demonstrate how treacherous beach driving and towing a trailer filled with trash can be, just ask Brian McKinsey who ended up “donating” a transmission for his efforts. All said and done, several miles of East Cut and two miles of PINS beach were restored to pristine beauty.
Miller and Kathie are obviously the nucleus of this spectacular effort but are quick to say they couldn’t even begin to pull it off without tons of work from a host of dedicated volunteers. Many of the out-of-town workforce were hosted by Port Mansfield homeowners who accommodated them for the weekend deserve great praise. Y-Knot Rentals was highly instrumental in helping organize housing. Sunset House Motel donated rooms. Charter captains, too numerous to mention for fear of omission, who could have made a nice paycheck that day, instead pitched in to carry workers across the bay. Pelican’s Cove provided the celebration party to commemorate the event. Financial sponsors who cannot attend but contribute substantially to the event’s success are also greatly appreciated. The list just goes on and on. The bottom line to all of this that we the outdoors-people of Texas, who cherish our natural resources, are not content to just sit by and complain. We roll up our sleeves and do something. We clean waterways and beaches of harmful trash and plastic. We educate others to practice better trash management, on the water and in everyday life. We care and we get involved. Mega TSFMag conservation kudos to all!
East Cut and Beach Cleanup crew 2018 – Billy Sandifer said it best… You are my heroes!
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TSFMAG.com | 71
DICKIE COLBURN
DICKIE COLBURN’S Sabine Scene
S ab i n e
Dickie Colburn is a full time guide out of Orange, Texas. Dickie has 37 years experience guiding on Sabine and Calcasieu Lakes.
Telephone 409-883-0723 Website www.sabineconnection.com
“What a difference a year makes,” I thought to myself as we stood in a light rain watching the high school football team make its way onto the field for the first game of the year. That exact date one year ago we were picking folks up with a fourteen foot aluminum boat that were standing waist-deep in rising water that was belligerently washing away a lifetime of memories. While most of us have either rebuilt, remodeled or sold “as is” and moved to higher ground, that devastating night is little more than a bad memory. It obviously is not completely forgotten, however, as a recent two-day rain rekindled those fears and once again had folks on edge! While it was of little or no consequence at the time, we have since discovered that Harvey did a number on the Sabine Lake trout population as well. Coming on the heels of two prior major flooding events, it simply proved to be too damn much freshwater. That precious layer of salt water hugging the bottom in the rivers and
Intracoastal Waterway was washed away and it was “run south or die” for the trout. Due to an unseasonably dry summer, the salinity level has now risen significantly, but the trout have been slow to return. The catching has also been affected by the additional mud ushered in by the flooding. Many of the small patches of shell that I marked for years are
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now buried in as much as a foot of mud and even a modest wind muddies up the lake for a couple of days. There are signs, however, that at least some of the trout are making their way back. Both shrimp and shad are starting to exit the surrounding marshes and we are now running into isolated schools of small trout on a more frequent basis. The closest beaches have also produced better than average catches when the Gulf flattens out and the folks that frequent the short rigs are also seeing more trout each trip. Neither venue is a long swim away for a trout looking for an unlimited buffet in Sabine Lake. In the meantime, it has been “redfish to the rescue” for persistent anglers unwilling to park their center consoles and wait it out. Fortunately, those thick-shouldered bullies were unaware that Harvey ever made land fall and couldn’t care less. That bite has simply been off the charts. A great deal of it has to do with the fact that more anglers are now targeting them, but they are seemingly everywhere. It also helps that there is a three fish slot limit and “catch and release” has been in effect for a long time. Lots of local anglers just will not eat a redfish anyway, but I am not one of them! When a redfish is looking for its next meal, whether it be in a foot or twenty feet of water,
there are very few lures they will not attack. I love to watch them zero in on a plastic frog waddled across the surface or blow a She Dog out of the water in the shadows of a stand of Roseau cane, but they will just as readily crush a crankbait or Usual Suspect Swimbait. Having said that, regardless of the area I am fishing, if the depth is between two and six feet, I am usually throwing a plastic tail on a two foot leader under an oval popping cork. A Gulp tail probably works even better, but the inconvenience of having to keep it “freshened” makes it a second choice for me. Wind strength, within reason, as well A nice Sabine as direction, is not a factor when fishing a flounder that spinning rig. I combine a seven-foot medium interrupted a action Laguna rod with a Shimano Stradic recent redfish bite. reel and load it up with 20-pound Power Pro braid. My leader is 20-pound mono and I am usually fishing either a four-inch Sea Shad or a four-inch Lil’ John on an eighth-ounce head. Backlashes are never a problem and they will hit the tail just as well when you are popping the cork or ignoring it. I also add a little Pro-Cure menhaden scent for added confidence. It looks as though the cooler winter may have helped our flounder bite as well. We should know more by next month. There is no valid excuse for not sharing your boat and fishing knowledge with a youngster!
TSFMAG.com | 73
CAPT. CALEB HARP
THE BUZZ on Galveston Bay
Galve s t o n
Capt. Caleb Harp has fished the Galveston Bay System since childhood and, now a charter captain and fishing guide, he uses his knowledge to enable clients to enjoy the excellent fishing the area offers. His specialty is the yeararound pursuit for trophy trout and redfish with artificial lures
Telephone 281-753-3378 Website harpsguideservice.com
74 | October 2018
Many anglers say October is their favorite month on the Galveston Bay Complex, and for good reason. Everybody is by now sick to death of baking in 100° heat every day and, even though the fishing hasn’t been terrible during the heat of the summer, it sure will be nice to get a couple nice cool fronts to knock the temperature and humidity down. Long days on the water will be less of a physical strain and the different patterns that will start to develop will enable many different techniques to be included in our daily fishing plans. Those boat rides in the morning with a light jacket and crisp air behind a front can’t come soon enough. The bird action will be in full swing and schools of fish will be staged over deeper structure as well as finding their seasonal home on flats and shorelines. You can’t beat fall fishing! Like I talked about last month, the fall transition is already happening and the fish are starting to spread out as cooler water temperatures change the patterns of primary forage species. When the first strong northers hit and the shrimp really start dumping out of the bayous and marshes, the fish will congregate into tighter schools, staging near and feeding on the easy morsels.
That’s when the bird action will really shift into high gear. Everyone thinks of October as the traditional month for working birds but in all reality, fishing under actively feeding birds can be a player essentially from April all the way through early December. When October hits, the birds don’t just magically know it’s time to rock n roll. They are highly-opportunistic in their feeding habits all year. Trout and redfish (and other species) are players in this. They find the migrating shrimp and their feeding activity pushes the shrimp to the surface. Sharpeyed gulls and terns see the shrimp skipping on the surface to escape hungry fish. And then, as they say, it’s on like Donkey Kong! October will bring wadefishing back into our game plans. With the fish spreading out and following the forage migrations, you can bet it won’t be too long until they are staging along shorelines all across the Galveston Complex. Wadefishing in and around the south shoreline coves of West Bay will come back into play, as will the shorelines toward the back of East Galveston Bay. Typically, there will be a lot of small schoolies along the banks first so you might have to weed through dinks until to find decent keepers but
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that’s been the norm this year across the whole system. We are seeing encouraging numbers of fish right now but most of them are babies. TPWD should be pleased with the recruitment side of the trout equation but the 5- and- 7-pounders we used to catch have become rather rare. Trinity Bay is where many fishermen will be headed when looking for bird action, from the HL&P Spillway northeasterly toward the mouth of the Trinity River. Flocks of feeding birds are usually quite abundant all along the west shoreline, as well as the area around Fisher’s Reef and Dow Reef. The back of East Galveston Bay will be loaded with birds as well from Frozen Point all the way to Moody’s. You just need to be able to find a school of fish that are bigger than your lure. West Bay should offer some bird action around the mouth of Green’s Cut and toward Chocolate. The drift fishing on the oyster reefs in East Bay will begin to slowly dwindle away as each cold snap comes but this will result in better fishing on the shorelines. In Trinity Bay, the fish will likely stay on some of the wells for the greater part of October but, come November, they’ll most likely all be in the back. Although we don’t seem to have the general biomasses of schooling trout that we once had to create historic appearances of slicks, it’d still be a good idea to make some loops around the mouth of the Trinity River and Anahuac Pocket just to check it out. The fishing in the Upper Galveston Bay region toward the San Jacinto River will get better and better with each front. The Burnett/Scotts/Tabbs Bays region can be substantially good come fall and offer protection from the wind when Mother Nature isn’t on our side. Enjoy your fishing and try to learn something on each outing. Keep only what you need for dinner and let ‘em go when you can!
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TSFMAG.com | 75
BINK GRIMES
THE VIEW FROM Matagorda
M ata go r d a
Bink Grimes is a full-time fishing and hunting guide, freelance writer and photographer, and owner of Sunrise Lodge on Matagorda Bay.
Telephone 979-241-1705 Email binkgrimes@sbcglobal.net Website matagordasunriselodge.com
76 | October 2018
Everybody loves October. Can’t blame them – it is probably the most opportune month to catch just about every species you want to target. It’s hard to argue with cooler temperatures, higher tides and hungrier fish. The reefs in East Bay are players every month, but with shrimp migrating through the bay, waders working mid-bay reefs should see excellent results. We like tossing Super Spook Jrs and She Pups on the edges of the reefs for big fish. We saw great results in September with several big fish released, including a 31-inch, nine-pounder that tested my Waterloo Ultra Mag. The great thing about East Bay is you don’t have to wade to find big trout. Sure, you need good weather for water clarity,
but half of the big trout released by my clients come from drifting over deep shell. The day after we released the 31-inch gator, we released a 29-incher from the boat and several over five pounds. There are very few locales on the Texas coast that can make that boast. If this year holds true to form, expect to see scattered bird action. Last year the bird action began in early October and continued through early December. There’s no reason not to expect the same since we are seeing shrimp begin to flood the shorelines and our bait-shrimpers have had little problem keeping healthy bait supplies in tanks. Higher tides this month will be a boon for redfish. Again, there are lots of shrimp in the back lakes and marshes and many will target those fish with small topwaters and live shrimp under a Mid-Coast cork. As those fish begin to move into the bays they will be found on the grassy shorelines on both the north and south side. Most will toss a shrimp right against the edge of the grass and most will troll down the shorelines tossing DOA Shrimp or small topwaters like She Pups and Super Spook Jrs. Some of the largest redfish will be found in the middle of East Bay under birds. When things are really firing off in the fall there will be 10-20 groups working in the bay. One will have solid trout beneath; the other will be all redfish. Many times when terns are circling it is a sure sign of redfish. Waders along the south shoreline of West Bay will work the points of shell with Down South Lures and Bass Assassins. If you want both redfish and black drum, take a bucket of live shrimp and work the points with a cork. There will be plenty of both in October. Guide Michael Kubecka (pictured) found good numbers of tarpon along the beachfront in August and expects more of the same through October. Few boats will chase poons this month, but if the Gulf calms expect to see schools of rolling silver kings. We will still have the cast and blast option of fish in the morning and doves in the afternoon in October. When November arrives it will be ducks in the morning and fish in the afternoon. It’s the best time of the year. Follow our catches and hunts on Facebook and Instagram and weekly on the Texas Insider Fishing Report. Respect our resource and big trout fishery and let the big ones swim away. www.matagordasunriselodge.com Check out Sunrise Lodge video: http://vimeo.com/m/58631486
TSFMAG.com | 77
CAPT. GARY GRAY
MID-COAST BAYS With the Grays
Port O'Connor Seadrift
Captain Gary Gray is a full time guide, born and raised in Seadrift. He has been guiding the Seadrift/Port O’Connor region since 1986. Gary specializes in year ‘round wade fishing for speckled trout and redfish with artificial lures.
Telephone 361-785-6708 Email bayrats@tisd.net Website www.bayrat.com Facebook @captsgaryandshelliegray
78 | October 2018
Fall is finally upon us and there are many reasons I look forward to this season. At the risk of losing my Man Card I must admit I love it when Shellie starts putting up fall decorations around the house. She will have the pumpkins with girl and boy scarecrows on the porch. She will even have the house smelling of fall with essential oil burners and funny looking dried bouquets. The other thing that gets me just as fired up this time of year is the fishing. We will have diminishing humidity, due to cool fronts becoming a bit more frequent. Our water levels are already where they should be for this time of year so everything seems to be in order for another great fall fishing season. I will be dividing my time between a variety of fishing areas and chasing a variety of species between now and December, or when the first real cold fronts hit the area, whichever comes first. Here’s a quick rundown. Let’s start with nearshore fishing. During fall I run charters for tarpon, sharks, bull reds and anything else that gets in the way of my Shallow Sport X3 filled with excited clients. Schooling tarpon can often be seen just off the
John McQuillen and grandson, Joe, got in on some good redfish action.
The owner of Diamond J, James Rosalis, was a partner in Circle J Enterprises at the time our office and son’s home were built by Circle J. Workmanship and attention to detail were both excellent! – Everett Johnson, Editor/Publisher, Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine
San Antonio Bay offers protected shorelines on days when other bays are blown out.
beachfront. We use large spinning reels mounted on Waterloo Tarpon Tamer rods to make long casts with a variety of artificial lures. The lure with the best track record on my charters is the Coon Pop jig. My favorite plastic for this application is the 8” Kalin’s Chartreuse Hologram Octocambo Curlytail. In addition to tarpon this rig will catch virtually any species you come across - sharks, bull reds, or larger mackerel. When my clients are not into sightcasting schooling and rolling fish we anchor in a pass or along the beach and use live mullet about 7- to 8-inches to get the job done. West Matagorda Bay gets a lot of my attention when clients want to target trout and slot reds. The fishing in this bay has been phenomenal through spring and summer and should only get better as the water starts to cool off. Fishing this bay in fall you will see large rafts of mullet on the shorelines – migrating toward the gulf where they spawn. Pick your wading areas based upon irregular shoreline features – points, narrow coves, drains, and reefs. All of these offer predators places to ambush migrating mullet and other forage species. We’re big believers in Saltwater Assassins, especially the Magic Grass and Bone Diamond colors, rigged on the Bass Assassin 1/16-ounce jighead (#05001). These two colors perform well as both light and dark shade lures. When West Matagorda is not paying off or a hard cold front leaves the shorelines blown to hell, I usually head to San Antonio Bay and work protected shorelines or the back lakes of Matagorda Island. The good thing about the San Antonio Bay system is that you can always find protected water. Granted you may have to share that water with more folks but we all will just have to make the best of it. Another productive aspect of San Antonio Bay in early-fall is that each passing cold front pushes another batch of shrimp out of the Guadalupe Delta marshes. As soon as the wind calms and the water clarity is decent again you will see my Shallow Sport X3 hopping between mid-bay reefs. The white shrimp will be riding the currents, headed toward the gulf, and any portion of a reef that is swept by tide or wind-generated current can be a hotspot. I want to mention fishing rods, namely my trusty Waterloo HP Lites and also the “new and improved” Ultra Mag, now with ten line guides. Both of these rods are great for fishing soft plastics as well as your favorite topwater plugs. The Ultra Mag has a more prominent backbone than the HP Lite, meaning that it’s a little stiffer from the handle to about 3/4 of its length where it incorporates a light tip. That light tip on both models is essential to casting distance and detecting light strikes. Favorite Saltwater Assassins for imitating white shrimp will be the Bone Diamond or Sugar and Spice. So, with all the good fishing that will be available this fall season, I urge all anglers to be mindful of the weather, especially wary of approaching cold fronts. Our mid-coast bays can turn dangerously ugly in the space of few minutes and the middle of the bay is no place to be when it happens. Fish hard, fish smart! TSFMAG.com | 79
DAVID ROWSEY
HOOKED UP WITH Rowsey
Upper Laguna/ Ba f f i n
David Rowsey has over 25 years in Baffin and Upper Laguna Madre; trophy trout with artificial lures is his specialty. David has a great passion for conservation and encourages catch and release of trophy fish.
Telephone 361-960-0340 Website www.DavidRowsey.com Email david.rowsey@yahoo.com @captdavidrowsey
80 | October 2018
Early September showers have given us a few sub-100° days but a genuine cold front is still a long way off. Hopefully by the time this article reaches you some measure of a north wind will be passing through. After being in numerous areas of the state hunting birds in September, I have confirmed what I have long known. It may be hot in Corpus Christi but that gulf breeze is worth its weight in gold. The inland areas I have visited are just stifling and dangerously hot. Time to get my webbed feet back in the saltwater! October is a weird month in the Upper Laguna and Baffin. Not particularly my favorite, but there are still fish that need catching and I’m the one that gets to figure it out. Weather patterns are the main culprit in the funny bite down here. As continued hot weather prevails, the first fronts start showing up like small ghosts. These fronts are rarely strong enough to put the trout into a winter mode but they are generally sufficient enough to break up the normal warm weather pattern you have been relying on. I’ll be the first to admit that it can make for a tricky lure bite. Toward the end of the month fronts will be more frequent, water temperatures will be stable to declining, and the trout bite will start to have some
consistency to it. These are the days I’m looking forward to, although it doesn’t usually come around until later in the month. After keeping records for many, many years, it’s easy for me to flip through seasonal data and refresh my memory on specific patterns that have produced in the past. Just about every year has some kind of new discovery that I observed that particular season; some good, some bad, but one thing that has always been consistent is the productivity of waters along the ICW spoil islands for a great trout and redfish bite. If you have any knowledge of fish migrations, you already know that the ICW is like a six-lane super highway for many fish to get to the gulf waters for the winter – especially mullet and other baitfish. That super highway has submerged and exposed spoil islands on just about every inch of it. Those spoil islands serve as rest areas for those mullet making the long haul and fast-food stops for the gamefish. Many areas of the spoils are laden with potholes and guts (ambush spots) for the trout and reds to devour these migrating fish. If you will spend the time to locate these specific areas, that number in the hundreds, when mullet are active or even rafted up
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you are really going to get into what could be a very special day on the water. I do not mean to sound like Captain Obvious but keep in mind that mullet have tails and are heading north; i.e. here one day and likely moved on the next. Don’t be a spot fisherman is the point I’m trying to make. Become a hunter and travel with the heard like a plains Indian. As cold fronts become consistent, and true winter patterns begin developing, get prepared! This transition month of October is the perfect time to go through all gear, test waders for leaks if you haven’t already treated yourself to a pair of Simms, (the G4 style is my favorite). Buy a new 6’-6” Waterloo Slam Mag (perfect Corky rod). Put new line on the Concept Reels (E and Z models for me), clean and oil bearings, replace rusted hooks on your Paul Brown Original Corkys and MirrOdines, and restock the Bass Assassins. Give the Haynie boat and Mercury some love too. Make sure the gas in the tank is still good, change the spark plugs, install a new water pump, and have your prop rebuilt. Nobody is better for this than Baumann Marine Propellers in Houston. I know this all seems elementary, but I have witnessed metric tons of unpreparedness on my charters from guys that haven’t done a thing to their equipment since last spring and expect to come out firing like Wild Bill Hickok…and end up more like Barney Fife ten minutes into it. As we start making the big run into trophy trout season, let me remind everyone of something. There are about 100x more people utilizing the bay now than there were just ten years ago. The resource is getting hammered and everyone knows it. If you want to catch quality fish for years to come, police yourselves and release all trout longer than 20-inches. Don’t wait on TPWD to make you do it. Be proactive and do what you know is the right thing. Remember the buffalo! -Capt David Rowsey TSFMAG.com | 81
WAYNE DAVIS
WAYNE’S Mansfield Report Howdy from Port Mansfield! It is nice to report that we will soon be receiving long overdue relief from summer heat. It has definitely been one for the books. For the record, I documented 91° water temperature one afternoon while fishing in a large pothole targeting Andy Sanchez was snook. Water this hot might very pleased with this 31-inch personal best drive some reds and trout summertime trout. deep but not snook, they thrive in hot water. And since I stumbled onto a school, why not seize the opportunity? It’s kind of like being handed a bushel of lemons and turning them into lemonade. Our waters are still in great shape and the tides have risen a bit. Additionally, redfish are beginning to school up, greatly welcome as our reds were scarce most of the summer. Our black drum population is in great shape and you can find schools most
Port Mansfield
Captain Wayne Davis has been fishing the Lower Laguna-Port Mansfield for over 20 years. He specializes in wade fishing with lures.
Telephone 210-287-3877 Email captwayne@kwigglers.com
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and continuously switches lures as soon as somebody gets a fish on something different. I see this often and laugh silently because I believe MOST of the time it is the angler, the cast, and the location of the fish in relation to the lure that draws the strike way more than the lure itself. More succinctly; – “It’s the Indian, not the arrow.” Wait for a definite pattern to emerge, then switch. The most commonly observed pattern is going from topwaters to plastics and not the other way around. That’s why most savvy anglers start early with tops and then transition Derek Conally to plastics as the sun rises throughout the prepares to release a morning. You might wonder when is it time “perfect” twenty-eight. to switch from tops to plastics? Here is an example. You are throwing tops and fish are exploding on it and/or slurping it in and you are hooking and landing them steadily. Stay with tops! However, as the morning progresses you get more “slaps” or “swells” under your offering than actual takes. It’s time to switch over to plastics. While on this topwater vs. plastic topic I will throw you a curve ball. If we are having a tough day and we have thrown everything in the tackle box at them with little or no response, I will reach for a topwater and never look back. No matter the time of day, no matter the water temperature, no matter how high the sun is. I believe at this point you
have proven the fish are not eating, they are flat out not doing anything. So, I will try to rattle them, get them to respond out of spite or anger, or whatever. Hey folks, remember that we have ruled out everything else, we have been grinding for hours, so it’s time to go outside the box. In times such as this I have found some amount of success, not always a lot but some, banging a topwater at them. Something to consider. With fall approaching and water temperatures cooling, our fishing should continue to improve. This is the “fishiest” season and you can catch just about everything in or at least near the bay. You can jump tarpon near passes and jetties and troll for kingfish just offshore. Heck, some have even been fortunate enough to hook tarpon while wading for trout and reds. Topwater fishing should get explosive this month and continue into November. Soft plastics such as the KWigglers Willow Tail Shad will be the “big fish” bait when fishing shallow and as we continue to transition into winter. Fall fishing usually finds me throwing mid- to large-size topwaters instead of the smaller ones. One Knockers and Super Spooks will be in my wade box. Take advantage of fall fishing – the most pleasurable time of year in my opinion. Remember to practice catch and release, we need to conserve this great fishery we have.
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TSFMAG.com | 83
CAPT. ERNEST CISNEROS
SOUTH PADRE Fishing Scene
It is no secret that producing prowling the flats in greater numbers than in previous months. Schools consistently good catches was much are beginning to form as expected this time of year but they are here easier ten to fifteen years ago. Today today and nowhere tomorrow. The moon phase and the tides seem to Arr o y o is different; too many days we find have played a significant role; late-afternoons and evenings are best C ol o ra d o ourselves grinding for every bite. No times on brighter moons to find pods and small schools cruising the t o Po rt longer can we just roll up to a likely flats. Higher tide levels allow us to locate redfish in nooks and crannies I sa bel spot and wade into a bunch of fish. I’m away from boat traffic. not preaching doom and gloom, we still Surprising for this time of the year, we are still finding some have great fishing in the Lower Laguna, exceptional trout in the mid- to- upper-twenties class. Of course there’s A Brownsville-area native, I’m just trying to get you thinking also lots of little ones. Keying on slicks and schools of mullet have been Capt. Ernest Cisneros fishes outside the box to catch more fish. the best indicators. the Lower Laguna Madre from Being a successful fisherman in You probably already know that small, round slicks are far more Port Mansfield to Port Isabel. today’s world is going to require reliable than those elongated by wind, but even these can point Ernest specializes in wading some study and understanding of fish the way if you use them to your advantage. You just have to start and poled skiff adventures for snook, trout, and redfish. migrations and daily pattern changes. well-upwind and always concentrate on any bottom structure you This is easy for some of you because encounter where they might have been feeding. Cell you fish frequently. But what about Potholes in thigh- to- waist-deep water continue to give us the best 956-266-6454 the average guy results while bouncing bottom with Website who gets out only KWigglers Ball Tails in Plum/Chart, www.tightlinescharters.com Luis Salazar scored big once or twice a and Mansfield Margarita. Willow Tails with this 31 ¼-inch snook. month? They fish the same spot over and over or in Mansfield Margarita and Turtle maybe head to an area where many boats have Grass are working equally as well. congregated. At best they rely on a fishing report While we are enjoying a very from the friend of a friend. good year on trout, I am becoming A fisherman, in a sense, must be like a good concerned with the age structure of mechanic or a knowledgeable doctor. When the fish we are catching. As always, you visit with one and explain the symptoms or undersize to barely legal trout are problem, they can diagnose or point you in the available about anywhere you fish. right direction. And we have been lucky all through As a fisherman you have to consider all the summer and into the beginning factors such as wind, weather, tides, moon phases, of fall with fish measuring in the solunar feeding periods, boat traffic, water upper-twenties. My concern is temperature, where fish are holding in the water with the seeming deficiency in the column, and season of the year. twenty- to- mid-twenty age classes. We trust that a good mechanic or doctor has a This is why I encourage catch and good education and years of experience – but an release in the amount that I do, and important and defining quality is their dedication especially urge careful handling and desire to continue learning. of small fish. Tomorrow’s healthy Dan Clark landed The process of becoming a better fisherman fishery begins today! this beauty on a doesn’t begin at the boat ramp. During spare time, I have to say this has been a KWiggler Willow Tail. study Google Maps of areas you fish or plan to banner year for snook. And from fish. Zoom in and look for sandy potholes, grass reports I have received they are lines, and depressions you may not see while ranging farther north than we ever cruising past in the boat. Take time to understand imagined. Here on the Lower Laguna the differentials from published tide predictions we are catching snook in areas we in areas you fish. Keep track of time and try to never thought they frequented. I’m correlate the bite with the solunar table. Make an excited and my clients are excited effort to fish at least one new spot every day. Most that we are experiencing the best importantly, keep a log book. This is what I call a snook year in the past seven. I fisherman learning to think outside the box. will leave you with these words Redfish landings have increased over the past paraphrased from the legendary Lee month but finding them continues to require Wulf, “A snook is too precious to be effort. The good news is that we are seeing them caught only once.” 84 | October 2018
©JASON ARNOLD
IF WE SAVE THE SEAGRASS,
WE SAVE THE FISH. Seagrass is critical to good fishing. Marine organisms depend on it for survival—for food, shelter, and oxygen. But boat propellers are destroying Texas seagrass, which is seriously impacting saltwater fishing in the coastal shallows. When boaters do not lift their propeller in shallow water, the prop cuts and uproots the seagrass beds—leaving long barren trenches or “scars” that may take years to heal ... if ever.
Stop Prop Scarring – Lift, Drift, Pole, Troll
PROP SCARS
It is ILLEGAL in Texas to uproot seagrass with a propeller. Avoid damaging seagrass – lift your prop! When in shallow waters, lift your motor and drift, pole, or troll through it. After all, there’s nothing like a redfish on light tackle in shallow water. Let’s keep it that way!
For more information visit:
www.tpwd.texas.gov/seagrass
TSFMAG.com | 85
FISHING REPORTS
Lake Calcasieu Louisiana Jeff and Mary Poe - Big Lake Guide Service - 337.598.3268 October is a month that every speckled trout fisherman on the Louisiana coast looks forward to. The beginning of October is much like the end of September. The trout will still be in transition, constantly moving northward toward their wintering grounds. With every passing north wind, water levels will continually drop. This causes the mouth of every bayou on the northern end of Calcasieu Lake to erupt with fish on falling tides. West Cove, Black Lake, Moss Lake, Prien Lake, and Lake Charles will become exceptionally good fishing. Often, these areas will produce both trout and redfish out of the same schools. Fishing birds will become the norm, so binoculars are useful during October. Usually, by the third week of the month, the trout become more sedentary. Temperatures are not yet cold enough to turn the bite off, however, they are cold enough for the fish to drop their nomadic habits from the summer. This is what we call the “fall pattern”, and my job is about to become very easy. Trinity Bay - East Bay - Galveston Bay | James Plaag Silver King Adventures - silverkingadventures.com - 409.935.7242 James had been catching a few silver kings on trips in the days prior to giving this report. “We've had some decent days chasing tarpon lately. If the weather holds out, and winds are light a lot of the time, we should be able to catch 'em all the way into the latter parts of October. Trout fishing lately has been much the same as it has all summer. We're keying on structures out in the deeper parts of the bays, fishing fairly close to the bottom to catch our fish. Moving water is a key, of course. In the first part of October, things aren't likely to change much. We'll stay in the boat and look for fish in open water with some depth to it, keying on slicks and working birds to locate the schools. We should have plenty of fish in Trinity Bay if the river isn't running too high. Once we get into the second half of the month, fishing on the shorelines by wading should pick up significantly. We've got tons of little white shrimp on all the area shorelines and in all the marsh lakes right now. The fish will eventually find them, probably when north winds push the tide out.” Jimmy West - Bolivar Guide Service - 409.996.3054 Busy preparing for teal season at the time of this report, Jim says he's hoping recent rains don't flood the back end of East Bay. “We're heading into one of the best times of year around here. If we don't get too much freshwater in the back of East Bay, we should be set up for some excellent fishing. Normally, November is our best month, and October can be great too. With the cooler temperatures, the wading should be better, as more of the bigger trout move into the shallows and stay there. Recently, fishing has been best out in the middle, around the shell reefs. We are catching plenty of redfish on most trips, with a high percentage of those being too big to keep. We're also catching a good number of keeper trout mixed in with sand trout in the same places. As we get into October, the fish will probably move toward the shorelines and make wading more productive. Topwaters and sinking twitch baits will work well for those who get out of the boat, and soft plastics will continue to produce best for people fishing from the boat.” West Galveston - Bastrop - Christmas - Chocolate Bays Randall Groves - Groves Guide Service 979.849.7019 - 979.864.9323 Having just picked up his new boat from the guys at Sport Marine, 86 | October 2018
ORECASTS F from Big Lake to Boca Chica
AND
Randall wanted to thank them for the support they give him in his fishing life. “Those guys are fantastic! What a great boat. When fishing during October, I'll likely be targeting redfish most of the time. We usually locate them this month after we find the big migrating herds of menhaden. I like to throw the Norton Sand Eels in glow with chartreuse tail, or a SkitterWalk in white/red head when targeting the reds. We often find the herds in lower portions of West Galveston Bay, sometimes in Chocolate and Christmas Bays. The back lakes are also a great place to target reds this time of year, focusing efforts around the small shell humps in the lakes, and anywhere wading birds are seen walking and running down the shorelines. Trout will also be on the target list this month, of course. We will still try to get 'em in the surf if conditions are right, but will also try areas around slicks and working birds in all of the local bays in four to six feet of water or less.” Matagorda | Tommy Countz Bay Guide Service - 979.863.7553 cell 281.450.4037 When fishing the Matagorda area in early-fall, Tommy mentions several productive options. “We like to wade the south shoreline of West Bay this time of year. If tides are low, we'll focus on the drains leading out of the marsh. Reds usually pile up thick in them in such conditions. More often, the tide will be high, and we'll target trout and reds on grass beds tight to the bank early in the morning, throwing topwaters. As the sun climbs, we usually back off to the deeper grass beds adjacent to the outside sand bars, sometimes circling back to the ones on the bank with a dark soft plastic to pull more fish from those. In East Bay, wading the shallows in the east end or any of the coves can produce monster trout on topwaters and twitch baits this time of year. It does get better after the water cools down to the sixties and below. It's also still possible to catch plenty of trout, with some big ones, fishing the big mud flats in the east end and the areas with scattered shell around Raymond's Shoal out of the boat with soft plastics.” Palacios | Capt. Aaron Wollam www.palaciosguideservice.com - 979.240.8204 Fishing has been fantastic in the Palacios area. The weather has been great, and the water is in beautiful shape. We've been getting out early and coming in early. Trout fishing has been great around the deep shell pads out in West Matagorda and in the Matagorda Surf. Fish up to 25 inches have been common, and limits have been coming steadily. DSL lures in magic grass and white ice rigged on eighth-ounce heads have accounted for best bites. The topwater bite for trout has also been great before sunrise on white SkitterWalks and bone Spook Juniors. Redfishing has been off the charts. Schools are hanging along just about every shoreline and drain, crushing shad and shrimp. Paddletails in pearl and pumpkinseed have been the best lures, ShePups in black/ gold/orange okay. October is a great month to work birds in South and Turtle Bays for specks. Heavy jigheads help get to the bottom of the schools, where the bigger fish hang out. Redfishing should continue to be good along most area shorelines this month too. Port O’Connor | Lynn Smith Back Bay Guide Service - 361.983.4434 The typical high tides and cooling water temperatures favor a couple of main patterns in the Port O'Connor area in October, Lynn says. “We like to fish for redfish in the back lakes a lot this time of year, with these high tides and good water movement. The redfish have been pretty
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thick in these areas already, and fishing for them should only improve as the weather cools down a little. We've had a good run on tarpon out at the jetties and in the surf lately. If weather patterns continue to produce light winds on average, and the water stays pretty, we should be able to catch tarpon along the beach over the next month or so. The trout fishing is also good out there at times. We will mostly be targeting trout around some of the shell reefs this month. High tides allow us to wade and throw topwaters right on top of the shell early in the morning, which works well. In the middle of the day, we often find fishing with live bait to be more productive for the trout. It's a great month to fish the Coastal Bend, with nice weather and lots of options.” Rockport | Blake Muirhead Gator Trout Guide Service - 361.790.5203 or 361.441.3894 In October, Blake normally finds an aggressive bite on topwaters thrown around shell reefs and along shallow shorelines in bays like San Antonio and Mesquite. “The equinox tides put plenty of water on the shorelines and on top of the numerous reefs in the bays up north, and in Aransas Bay too. Plenty of water on the shorelines allows us to throw at the grass beds right on the bank with topwaters early in the morning and catch easy limits. Same thing applies on the shell reefs. Lots of water puts the fish right on the tops of the shell, in predictable places. When we're not getting blow ups on topwaters, we'll favor the Norton Sand Eels in dark colors with chartreuse tails, and we'll switch to the split-tail Gulp! lures if the bite gets really tough. Usually, these lures work better on the areas close to the reefs with muddy bottoms and on deeper grass edges when the sun is high in the sky. We are also experiencing good dove hunting right now, and the action should continue right through October. We're also gearing up for duck season, to cast and blast.” Upper Laguna Madre - Baffin Bay - Land Cut Robert Zapata – rz1528@grandecom.net - 361.563.1160 The air temperatures might be cooling off, but the fishing remains hot. The slightly cooler air temperatures are keeping the water temperatures cooler as well, so the trout will be lingering in the shallows longer in the morning hours as long as boat traffic is light. MirrOlure Top Dog Juniors work great this time of the year if there is not too much floating grass on the surface, otherwise, use the Bass Assassin Elite Minnows in natural colors, rigged on one sixteenthounce SpringLock jigheads. Use these along the edges of grass lines and potholes in two feet of water or less. Then switch to Bass Assassin Die Dappers as the sun gets higher in the sky, and the fish move into deeper water. I have already started seeing a few schools of bull redfish moving northward from the Baffin Bay area, so run a little slower on the calm mornings and look for them to wake up as you run close to them and then get upwind from them and drift or use a trolling motor the approach the schools quietly. Corpus Christi | Joe Mendez – www.sightcast1.com - 361.877.1230 The bull tide rolled in after the tropical depression passed through the Gulf in early September, and tides should remain high throughout October, Joe says. “High tides and warm water in a hypersaline lagoon can make things tough at times. We do have clear water over the area, so we should have ample sight-casting opportunities along the King Ranch Shoreline and in shallow areas of the Laguna Madre associated with spoil humps and similar features. Clear skies, moderate winds and clear water make for the best sight-casting. Soft plastics with paddletails work great when thrown at trout and redfish on the prowl in the shallows. Best bet is to throw the lures out in front of and beyond the fish and work them into their sight lines, using a steady, medium-paced retrieve. If conditions don't favor looking for fish on shallow shorelines and humps, places like Alazan Bay and the grassy 88 | October 2018
flats behind the bars on the south shoreline of Baffin Bay often produce excellent action on both trout and redfish this time of year.” P.I.N.S. Fishing Forecast | Eric Ozolins 361-877-3583 | Oceanepics.com Fall is approaching, and the fish in the surf are in migration mode. Dusky anchovies are peaking and the mullet run is just beginning. Many species of gamefish will be available. Mullet are redfish candy, but the downside is that everything else go nuts for them too. Jackfish especially wreak havoc on lines baited with live and fresh-dead mullet. They also provide fun on topwaters, spoons and flies. Trout will be greatly outnumbered by other species. Spanish mackerel can be found with skipjacks under birds. Blacktip and bull sharks will be abundant for anglers casting and kayaking baits. Be cautious when wading; both species will push bait right to the sand. They will not intentionally attack you but don’t risk “bumping” into one. Expect tarpon to be present during peaks of frenzied feeding. You likely won’t stand a chance on lighter gear, though. Keep an eye open for sudden tropical developments and the arrival of the first northers. Tides rise to the dunes in a short time with both types of weather. Get off the beach at the first sign of rapidly rising water. Port Mansfield | Ruben Garza Snookdudecharters.com – 832.385.1431 Getaway Adventures Lodge – 956.944.4000 The redfish spawning run is still underway, which means fishing the East Cut out to the jetties is a good bet. If conditions allow, running up and down the surf is a great way to find large redfish schools. Try not to cast into the middle of them; pick one on the edge and the school will likely stay together. Another great option in that area is locating baitballs; just follow the birds to find sharks, kings and jack crevalle. But you’ll need wire leaders. Back in the bay, from midmorning to mid-afternoon, wade waist-deep potholes and grasslines where baitfish are flipping to find lots of trout. Topwaters have been good where floating grass isn’t too thick; soft plastics are necessary to avoid it. KWigglers Ball Tails on eighth-ounce heads should produce plenty of bites. If the wind is light try the spoil humps along the ICW. We usually find trout in deeper water on hotter days. Offshore, red snapper have been plentiful in state waters. Further out, shrimp boats anchored in depths of 150 to 200 feet have been attracting larger kingfish and blackfin tuna. Lower Laguna Madre - South Padre - Port Isabel Janie and Fred Petty | www.fishingwithpettys.com – 956.943.2747 The last few weeks have been good. We’ve been limiting on reds daily and catching trout, sometimes big ones, anywhere from twenty six to twenty eight inches, as evidenced by our posts on fishingwithpettys. com on Facebook. With fewer boats around due to a large school of drum near Mansfield, our redfish catches have improved, but we haven’t seen an oversized red for a while. We're throwing FP3 corks with three inch Berkley Gulp! for bait and hopping and dropping in sometimes muddy water that would otherwise be hard to get any bites in. Freddy says, “When you use FP3, you’re actually calling fish to the bait, whether plastic or Gulp! As it hops up, then settles below the cork, they strike. Let the cork sit for up to ten seconds after the first three or four pops.” We’re heading into the season of the redfish! Expect to see larger fish in shallow flats as boat traffic returns to what has now become normal. We remain proud Shallow Sport Pro Team members, couldn’t do it without you guys! Let’s stop open day dredge disposal.
TSFMAG.com | 89
Andy Bell Rockport - 28.5” 8 lb trout
Carter Anderson Galveston North Jetty - 38” bull red
Myles Svatek Carancahua Bay - first bull red!
Max Conner Causeway - jack 90 | October 2018
Noah Miller Baffin Bay - 37” black drum
Ratha Lelek Port Aransas - 30” redfish
Tyrone Clayton Indian Point - 41” bull red
David Johnston with Jake & Cooper Matagorda Beach - 37” personal best red!
Liam Swanburg Clear Lake - 30” red CPR
Kayla & Michael POC - 18 lb first red snapper!
Candace Anderson Galveston North Jetty - 35 lb black drum
Ernest Casillas Estes Flats - 45” drum
Albert Barrientes Freeport - 8 lb sheepshead
Chris Connorty POC - 30” trout
Frank Garza Arroyo City - 28” trout
Ovi Saldana West Bay - 24” trout
Micah Eden Aransas Pass - first redfish!
Michelle Lucio Arroyo City - 31.5” red
Pat Stafford Gorda - 9.25 lb trout CPR
Megan Hermosa Hog Island - 27.5” red
Tommy Hermosa Hog Island - 30” red
Austin Rentz Aransas Bay - 28.5” 7.25 lb trout
Joey Trujillo East Bay - 20” trout
Please do not write on the back of photos.
Email photos with a description of your Catch of the Month to: Photos@tsfmag.com
Vincent Vo 24” redfish / 23” trout
Thomas Gully 8 lb trout, 2nd place - teen division
Mail photos to: TSFMag P.O. Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983 TSFMAG.com | 91
PAM JOHNSON
Gulf Coast
Got ideas, hints or recipes you’d like to share? Email them to pam@tsfmag.com or send by fax: 361-785-2844
Uncle Daddy’s Half-Shell Redfish I’m sure by now everybody’s had a half-shell redfish but this one has a delicious herb and veggie twist you might want to try – onion and tomato slices with a sprinkle of cilantro, garlic, and lemon juice. You know it’s good…Uncle Daddy never told a lie!
INGREDIENTS - Four skin-on redfish fillets - Half cup soy sauce - Half stick butter - Half teaspoon garlic powder - Two lemons
PREPARATION - Cajun seasoning - Quarter teaspoon dried cilantro flakes - Fresh Cilantro (for garnish) - Sweet onion sliced wafer thin - Tomato slices
Preheat grill to 350-375° - we like to cook over B&B Lump Mesquite Charcoal in the Big Green Egg. Rinse fillets and pat dry with paper towels. Melt together soy sauce, butter, garlic powder, and dried cilantro. Brush liberally on fillets before cooking. Reserve some for drizzling over fillets during cooking. Sprinkle liberally with Cajun seasoning, then top with onion and tomato slices. Half the lemons and squeeze one half on each fillet. Grill at 350-375° for about 20 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with fork. Serve with your choice of side dishes. Enjoy!
92 | October 2018
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Statement of Ownership, Management and Circulation: 1) Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine 2)ISSN 1935-9586 3) Filing Date 09/11/18. 4) Issue Frequency: Monthly. 5) No. of Issues published annually: 12. 6) Annual Subscription price $25.00 7) Complete Mailing Address of Office of Publication, 58 Fisherman’s Ln, Seadrift, TX 77983. Contact Person: Pam Johnson. Telephone 361-785-3420. 8) Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters: PO Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983-0429. 9) Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine, PO Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983-0429. 10) Owners: Pam and Everett Johnson, PO Box 429, Seadrift, TX 77983-0429. 11) Known Bondholders, Mortgagee, None. 12) Tax status has not changed during preceding 12 months. 13) Publication Title: Texas Saltwater Fishing Magazine 14) Issue date for circulation data below: Aug. 01. 18) Extent and nature of Circulation: a) average no Copies preceding 12 months: 16,904; no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date 15,750. b1) Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions: avg. preceding 12 mo., 4,866; single issue nearest filing: 4,926. b3) Paid distribution outside the mail including sales dealers and carriers Avg. preceding 12 mo’s 17,102, single issue nearest filing: 14,876. b4) Paid distribution by other classes of mail Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 72, single issue nearest filing: 68. c) Total paid distribution-Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 22,040, single issue nearest filing: 19,870. d1) Free or nominal rate outside county Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 0, single issue nearest filing: 0 d4) Free or Nominal rate distribution outside of the mail Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 0, single issue nearest filing: 0. e) Total free or nominal rate distribution Avg. preceding 12 mo’s : 0, single issue nearest filing: 0. f) Total distribution Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 22,040, single issue nearest filing: 19,870. g) Copies not distributed: Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 6,941, single issue nearest filing: 4,123. h) Total Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 22,040, single issue nearest filing: 19,870. i) percent paid Avg. preceding 12 mo’s: 100%, single issue nearest filing: 100% . 16) Publication of statement of ownership: If the publication is a general publication, publication of this statement is required. Will be printed in the October 2018 issue of this publication. Signature and title of Editor, publisher, business manager or owner Pamela K. Johnson - date 09/11/18
receive a 12-m Order today and ry and sign up family memur tion for $25.00. H iends at the same rate! bers and/or fr
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Sea Serpent…or Surreptitious Shark? Sailors’ lore about the ocean has captured popular imagination for centuries, from mermaids and sirens to the mythical Kraken. But often these stories are rooted in a case of mistaken identity. Tales of frightening sea serpents, for example, may have arisen in part from rare sightings of the elusive frilled shark, a long, slender fish that usually lives 400 to 4,200 feet below the surface.
dwpb@comcast.net
Frilled shark at an aquarium in Paris. Credit: Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0 In fact, in the earliest existing written description of this bizarre creature, Pennsylvania zoologist Samuel Garman wrote in 1884, “its appearance in the forward portion of the body, particularly in the head, brings vividly to mind the triangular heads, deep-cleft mouths, and fierce looks of many of our most dreaded snakes.” The shark’s discovery led Garman to suggest that people should not dismiss too easily the possibility that a “serpent-like monster of the oceans” might actually exist. What makes these sharks so fierce are the 300 teeth that are arranged in 25 diagonal rows along its gaping mouth. The teeth all face backward, making it impossible for prey to back out of the shark’s jaws once snagged. Examinations of stomach contents suggest that squid and other cephalopods make up more than half the frilled shark diet. But scientists know almost nothing about their hunting habits. There is one problem, however, in blaming these serpentine predators for supposed sea serpent sightings. Although frilled sharks can grow as long as 6 feet, they more typically reach only 3 to 5 feet long, hardly the massive monster that superstitious sailors might fear. Are frilled sharks responsible for myths about sea serpents, or is that possibility a myth itself?
Kyle Nethery
ON THE WATER
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www.ScienceAndTheSea.org © The University of Texas Marine Science Institute
TSFMAG.com | 95
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