September 2006 by Texas Salwater Fishing Magazine

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Just got off the telephone

with TPWD’s Capt. Rex Mayes out of the Victoria Enforcement Office; our discussion centered mostly on the devices coastal anglers are inventing and using to keep the sharks in West Matagorda Bay off their stringers. Now as everybody should know there are sharks everywhere, not just in West Matty; and if you drag a stringer of juicy trout in front a shark in any bay he’ll likely take a bite. Who could blame him? This whole deal started with Bink Grimes’ feature story last month and a phone conversation with Kevin Cochran. Kev was curious how daily bag limit regs, possessions limit regs, etc. might apply to the use of these devices, especially if several anglers were sharing one. Let me back up just a bit, if you missed Bink’s piece in the August issue of this magazine; what we’re talking about are plastic buckets, laundry baskets, ice chests and similar containers rigged to become floating “fish baskets” the sharks will not attack, (or at least haven’t yet to my knowledge.) Necessity being the catalyst of much creativity, anglers who ply West Matty’s waters on a consistent basis this time of year had to come up with something unless they were doing 100% C&R or they really enjoyed having sharks raid their stringers. According to Capt. Rex, two anglers with a single fish containment device will likely set off an alarm with any game warden. Rex strongly encouraged that to insure full compliance with the law, each angler should have his/her fish in their own individual container, especially whenever the contents might exceed the daily limit of any species for one angler. Thinking this thing through, it occurred to me that if these devices are going to become commonplace, we should make an effort to remind everybody what the law has to say about daily bag limits, possession limits, etc. – First, if two or more people are fishing together, their collective limit is calculated as the individual daily bag limit times the number of individuals fishing. – Second, no person shall exceed their daily bag limit. I have heard more reports like this than I can remember, “We got our limit of reds. Stephen got in there and snagged five nice ones before I figured it out. I only caught one but it was the biggest.” Guess what… Stephen broke the law! – Let’s say a guide is having a slow day and decides to help his clients box a few. He has no right under the law to retain on his own personal limit; every fish he contributes becomes part of somebody else’s limit. The guide may not contribute more than a single daily bag limit of any species. – A guide is wading with his clients and placing their fish in a single shark box that he keeps in his possession. They make their way a goodly distance from the boat, they are nearly limited out and the box won’t hold another fish, the guide decides he’ll go back to the boat and dump them in the ice chest and bring the boat a little closer. If a game warden shows up he’ll need to do some really good explaining; and might still get a ticket. Who caught what? Was anybody over their limit? How many did he put in the box? Why is he in possession of more than a legal limit, even if he is only innocently (in his eyes) taking them back to the boat? Yes, there are often mitigating circumstances, and there is always presentation of your story and the warden’s interpretation that might go your way… but in the end, knowledge of the law and compliance are your responsibility. I would suggest discussing these topics with your local game warden before you find yourself in the middle of an expensive and embarrassing mistake. Good fishing and pray for an uneventful hurricane season!

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

I ‘bumped’ into an interesting guy

at El Jefe’s the other day. El Jefe’s is a restaurant down here on the harbor where fishermen like to watch the sun go down, and, as the waterfront boards would inspire it, run their heads every now and then. Anyway, while peacefully waiting by the Tiki Bar for an order to go; my shoulder gets knocked about a foot just before a bright red nose eases into my personal space. (I don’t think the color was totally sun induced… or at least it didn’t smell like it.) “Let me ask you something there fella,” says he. “Are you one of them guides that goes fishing, or do you go catching?” Lacking an immediate witty answer, I think I chuckled something like, “Well heck man, we go fishing, but we really try to do both.” “That’s exactly what I thought,” came the reply. “You’re one of them! When I come down here I don’t come to do no fishin’. I come here to catch, period, and I’m back at the hotel by 10 o’clock. We get ‘er done.” Based on what I could decipher from the wobble of his parting shot, it was simply a fool’s game to try and catch fish all day long on lures. OK — Call me a fool. Fishing means different things to everybody I guess. For me though, throwing a fish into a box full of ice, closing the lid, and then listening to it thump around until it chills to death just isn’t quite the apex experience I’m looking for while trying to enjoy the great outdoors. I don’t remember Norman Rockwell ever painting a picture of that either. I have though, seen him paint a picture of a ‘fool’ going fishing. Even though lure fishing may not be as “productive” as other methods during certain times of the year, we continue the fool’s game of ‘hunting’ fish with lures. For one thing, there is just no ‘limit’ to it, (sorry… had to do that), and I continue to be inspired by trying new things. Let’s look at one ‘new’ thing I’ve been trying to work on, which is trying to become a more mature angler. Ironically though, it does have to do with catching. By ‘mature’, I mean trying to fish more like the fish want me to, rather than how I want to. Even

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

though the catching part isn’t all of it, if we do want to catch, sometimes we just have to remember that the fish own the rule book. The truth for me is that a longterm obsession with topwaters and big plugs has, in many cases, kept me from being all I can be. As awesome as that big blow-up is, using only topwaters and such when the fish don’t want me to is usually quite limiting. Sure, keep banging one around and we can usually sucker some up, but getting something right in there where they are, at the speed they want it, is far more consistent. Corkies are a full meal deal, but many times all they want is a little non-threatening tidbit. I knew it all along. So did a lot of others. One guy in particular reminded me of it, and although I didn’t want to hear it, his friendly taunt continued to haunt me. “McBride…you know you’d catch more fish on a tail.” Dammit. I know I know, but I want to eat my cake THIS way. Well, Jay Watkins was, and continues to be, right. If we want to go “catching” on a more consistent basis, that lowly piece of soft plastic will do it. Plus, that “big bait-big fish” theory is just another one of those sportswriter hallucinations, because trust me (and a host of others,) an elephant WILL eat a peanut, especially in the hands of a good feeder. You want more “catching” for your fishing? It kills me to admit it, but let’s put that darn tail on. Here’s a few that have been working for me in some predictable conditions. Paddle Tails: O.K. I’m a convert. Why? — Because they are practical; because minimalists like Capt. Tricia whip our butts with them every day, and because I’m seriously trying to be smarter here. They work because they are versatile and can easily be controlled at an exact

depth and speed. Don’t ever think, like I did, that a swimming tail is more suited for novices either. A good stick can keep it right where it needs to be and taunt fish in any number of ways. Where it excels is in tight columns of water where you either can’t jig something vertically or don’t want to, but still need plenty of action. An example would be shallow grassy areas, or, where you want to ‘fly’ it slowly just above nasty grass tips or sole slicing shell. One bait I’ve been pleased with lately is Jason Brown’s Mullet tail (www.Brownlures.com). Among other qualities, it’s a little more buoyant than most, so a heavier head can be used for more distance when needed (an 1/8th rather than a 1/16.) The amber lure with chartreuse tail in clear water and the black/chartreuse in… well, actually both clear and dirty water, has been about all we’ve needed lately when the day calls for that type of bait. Straight Tails: Bass Assassin has always ruled on the Texas coast. It still does, and its softness is there for a reason. Its snot-like density and hook slot allows it to be fished weedless better than most. We will continue to rely on this bait when conditions call for it. However, there are some new players on the shelves today, or at least new to me. There are several soft plastics available now that contain scent. Some might as well be bait, but others have just enough smelly properties to give us an edge when fish get finicky and we just HAVE to catch ‘em. EXUDE is one that gives us that edge without crossing the line of being cut bait.

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Exude’s RT Slug is the same basic shape as an Assassin, but when it gets wet, it puts out a slime coat that fish take more interest in. We’ve been throwing it on the clear sand lately where you can clearly see a fish’s reaction. During nonfeeding periods, it’s not uncommon to see fish swimming curiously three feet behind your lure. With an Exude, we often see them close the gap. Many of those last minute turn-offs turn into drags burning off. Did we entice a fish with proper placement and action of a lure? Yes. Did a little help with scent help “get ‘er done?” No question.

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Here are a couple of tips for fishing this bait. The RT Slug has a very narrow head. We have been using Hogie brand 3/0 black nickel screw lock jig heads on all plastics, but it’s difficult if not impossible to rig a slug straight where it won’t spin with a screw type head. It’s imperative to get them perfectly straight, so use a push-on type jig head and make sure your hands and bait are dry. When it’s time to really get down & dirty, both the RT Slug and the Exude Shrimp lend themselves well to being fished weedless. Mustad’s Ultra Point Power Lock Plus hooks do a great job of getting that bait into some otherwise unfishable

September 2006

areas. Use a loop knot where the tag end points toward the bait for maximum action and best weedless results. We could talk forever about the merits of tying on lead. Yes, it may be blasphemous to the purist pluggers among us, but I am forced to look closer at reality these days. Without mentioning any names, look at all of the icons of the Texas inshore fishery. When push comes to shove, they are all highly accomplished “tail” men. Challenge is challenge and fun is fun, but when we are compelled to go catching more than fishing, try pulling for them with a darn tail. Beyond that, when you really need to get rude, try throwing an Exude. I can’t deny what I’m smelling.

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Customizing lures in both subtle

and extravagant ways can make them appeal more to an angler’s eye. The customization can include decoration, adornment with special hooks, split rings and other hardware and even giving lures pet names. These things can enhance confidence in plugs and translate into longerlasting, more effective and focused efforts with them when they are tried. The eventual outcome might be more fish on the line. Plugs, plastics and spoons may be enhanced by some widely-recognized means and in other, less common ways. All families of lures can be changed to make them better suited to a particular angler’s wants and needs. Topwaters and other hard-bodied plugs can be customized by several simple methods. I do some things to all lures like these, while other alterations are done sparingly. First, I place a stainless-steel split ring on the nose of all such plugs, size fives on larger ones, size threes on smaller ones. This increases a lure’s ability to wobble from side to side with less effort on the part of the angler, as does attaching them to the leader with a loop-knot. Tying a loop-knot onto a split ring makes it even easier to

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

achieve lots of wobble. Second, I replace the hooks that come on almost all of these lures with higher-quality ones having larger bights, sometimes opting for red hooks. I have more confidence in size one hooks on large lures, but prefer size two and size four hooks on smaller plugs. Removing all the hooks from a topwater except for the one closest to the head can allow one to use the plug in the presence of moderate amounts of floating grass, as can replacing trebles with single shank hooks. Sometimes, I attach rubber or hairy skirts to these plugs; the addition of such trailers creates the impression of a tail when the lures come through the water. Red ones might hint at blood leaking from a wound. Painting and marking on lures like these is something I do frequently. I have used nail polish, paint and permanent markers, all with good effect. I’ve even used highlighters on plugs with clear plastic sides. Paint doesn’t stick well to soft plugs like Corkies, though some permanent markers can be used to add a gill or “false eye” to them. The ink can also be rubbed into the soft plastic, making a white lure take on a pinkish glow, for instance. Normally, with the soft lures, I find other ways to give them a personal touch. Inserting rattles into their bellies was one way I did so in the past, but now so many are available with rattles already in them that it seems unnecessary. I do sometimes add a size three split ring to the nose of these, and have tried trailers on them too. It is possible to change the depth at which they work by adding small split shots onto the leader, or even by placing larger than normal hooks on them. Bending the tail up or down will change the way Corkies come through the water. I know anglers who bend the tail down into a sharp L, so that the lure will come in twirling like a helicopter, and have seen them catch fish by doing so. Changing the depth at which

a lure comes in can be done other ways with other lures. Filing down the lip of a crankbait will change the depth it runs, as can other, more time-consuming techniques. It is possible to drill a small hole in the front half of a floatingdiving broken back plug and fill it with just the right amount of split shot so that it changes the distribution of weight and causes the lure to float and wobble without diving at all. The depth at which sinking crank baits suspend can be manipulated through taping lead strips or dots to them, and by adding split shot to the leader. It is even possible to “Carolina rig” floater-divers and fish them right near the bottom, which can be a productive way to entice lethargic, bottom-hugging fish to strike. Another way to make finicky fish take a bite is to make changes to soft plastics. Adding rattles to them in high winds and/or off-colored water can make a difference, as can dipping their tails in the paints specifically made and sold for that purpose. Placing spinner blades on jigheads adds flash to the soft-plastic package. Colorado blades tend to create lift when retrieved, whereas willow leaf blades add weight without the lift, making them better suited to rhythmic, swimming-style presentations probing lower in the water column. Of course, the most important way to

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

“customize” soft plastics is to pay attention to the types of hooks or jigheads they are placed on. Size is most critical here, as is the width of the bight of the hook. Different situations scream for different sizes and styles of hooks and heads. If an angler can think of a really good situation for a bright, heavy chartreuse head and a black worm dipped ever so lightly in white paint, then he should have some at the ready. Likewise, if a seven-inch Bass Assassin rigged weightless makes sense to someone; they are likely to use it effectively. Soft-plastics rigged on worm hooks rather than jigheads can be made to sink slowly through the addition of small split shots on the leader. Varying the distance between the shot and the eye of the hook will change the way the lures move through the water. Another way to make soft plastics appeal more to the fish on some days is, of course, to suspend them under corks. In some situations, bulky clicking corks over bright, stinky plastics make sense, while conditions on other days call for

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

smaller, silent, clear corks suspending tiny, natural shadtails, imitation shrimp, spoons or even flies. The addition of scents to soft-plastics and other plugs is productive when water clarity is poor and background noise is high, or anytime fish are not actively seeking food. Spraying menhaden scent on a shad-shaped bait like a Corky FatBoy or Catch 5 can help fish find them and motivate strikes. Baits with scents in them like the Berkley Gulp work well, but they don’t make sprayon scents obsolete, since they are available only in a limited range of shapes, sizes and colors. Spoons today are also available in a variety of shapes, styles and colors. One way to enhance them is to change the hooks on them and to add split rings to increase wiggle and flash. It is also possible to attach colored dots to the ever-popular gold and silver ones, to imitate a bait fish’s eye. Spinner baits also offer options in terms of the potential for personalizing them, mainly in the type and color of skirts or trailers used with them. Both natural and synthetic skirts can be used as can soft-plastics of any color or colors, with or without dipped tails, with or without rattles in them. Some skirts can be trimmed from their original size. Trailer hooks can be added, the types, sizes and colors of blades changed. The idea behind all this dabbling is for anglers to make lures look and seem more attractive to their own eyes. If this is done simply through enhancing color, it’s probably not going to matter much to the fish most of the time, but might make the angler more patient and confident. If it’s done through the addition of hardware or some other alteration that changes the way a lure actually behaves in the water, it could be either wildly successful, or a total flop. Anglers choosing to alter plugs must be careful not to change their original qualities in a way that makes them unattractive to the fish. Placing too much weight on the nose of a Corky, for instance, takes away the buoyancy and balance that make the lure effective in the first place. But making other, more sensible changes can certainly make lures more appealing to the angler who alters them. If this gives greater faith in them, it will likely result in more bites and more caught fish. Faith in a lure can even be improved if said lure is given a pet name. I’ve done this for years, ignoring the names given by manufacturers in favor of my own. I recently dubbed a bright yellow and orange Skitterwalk Jr. the “Lemon

Longhorn”, and have always referred to a pumpkinseed/chartreuse/ white Trout Killer as the “Pistachio Almond”. One of my favorite Super Spooks is the old blue and white one that was among the original four. I dubbed it “Old School”, and it’s produced as many big trout for me as any other lure. Sometimes, giving a lure a name that lends itself to laughter and silly, contrived conclusions can be helpful. I call the white Super Spook Jr. with the hot pink head the “Hot Head”. Soon after giving it this moniker, we began making jokes about how it “makes the fish mad” and “has an attitude”, all as a way of convincing ourselves that it will work. A plug with a cool name like the FatBoy doesn’t need an invented one to make it cooler, of course. For years, I just made subtle changes to its name to make it more fun to mention, referring to it as “The Fat Guy” or “My Little Fat Friend”. Some find these things ridiculous, even annoying. They can call me crazy for all I care; I don’t ask them to participate. I just know that for me, forging my faith in a lure through painting on it or giving it a goofy name can actually cause me to fish it with more verve and a heightened intensity. That tightly focused effort allows me to produce strikes more consistently.

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Who in their right mind

drives five hours to sit in a boat and watch people fish? There I was, anchored on Capt. Teddy Springer’s boat on some sand and grass flat near Wagoner’s Island in Port Mansfield, sitting, napping, pondering, wondering why I was on the water instead of a recliner in a sustained 25-knot wind, gusting to over 30 knots. The fact of the matter is; I was tired. Tired from consecutive weeks on the water. Tired from only a couple of hours sleep the night before; and, tired of the sun draining the fluids out of my body. I really had not come here to fish. Rather, I was invited by Capt. Bruce Shuler and Shakespeare’s Mark Davis to come hang out, relax by the pool, eat good food and take a few pictures if the moment presented itself. It is hard for me to turn down an invitation like that to a fish camp like Shuler’s Get-A-Way Adventures Lodge and an estuary like Port Mansfield, no matter how many days I had logged on the water the past two months of the hectic summer charter season. Shuler and I are buddies, and with our schedules, we only get to see each other at fishing shows or once a year when I come down to his

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

place after scratching off the date on my calendar five months in advance. Springer and I go back even farther. He is my type of guide. He has spent countless days on the water and knows there are good days and bad days; however, with his laid-back attitude, you would never know if he just caught a limit of trout, all over five pounds, or fought all day for one tiny 13-incher. His son and I played college baseball together, so he knew me when I was still a pup. When I get a chance to share a day with him on the boat I go, not so much to catch a pile of fish, though we have done that before, but to catch up on who is doing what and to relax. That is what I was doing on his boat at high noon while watching him and a few other friends making their third wade of the day. I had gotten wet early that morning on a two-hour sunrise wade that covered nearly a mile on the Northeast Flats adjacent to East Cut. My jaunt had netted just one redfish on a Super Spook Jr., though I had coaxed a dozen blowups, one being a heart-stopper as a giant trout missed my plug, then tail-whipped it and threw a splash five feet in diameter. I kept looking at my watch while the waders

made fruitless casts for an hour in sandy water and two-foot whitecaps. I watched Springer cringe when he took a few waves over his shoulder, then talked to himself in his own language, like those who know him, know him to do. Just as I thought enough was enough and he would turn around and growl back to the boat, he stuck a small trout. Two casts later, he hooked another one, this one big enough to make it on the stringer. Then a redfish. Then I grabbed my wading belt and jumped in. I was waiting to hear the word “potlicker” from his lips, a moniker originating from a bunch of Galveston Bay salts, which both he and I are, describing anglers who horde in on other anglers while they are catching fish. The term has other meaning in other contexts as well, but this is a family magazine and I am a God-fearing man. I grabbed my waterproof camera and tackle and raced 75 yards to catch up with Springer. Five casts into it I gut-hooked a 20-inch trout on a bug juice Trout Killer II. “That is a pretty good trout,” said Springer. “We are not seeing the quality trout down here in numbers like we did three to four years ago. When those boys started fishing with croakers down

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

here, we have seen fewer and fewer big trout, and fewer of the medium class fish.” The happy-go-lucky Springer is not “anticroaker” by any means, nor am I; he just sees what he sees from being on the water over 200 days a year. “I don’t care how people fish,” he said. “Croaker fishing is not fun to me, but everybody is different and like to fish in different ways. All I know is we don’t have the big fish like we used to five years ago.” The decline in the big trout population has prompted Shuler to lobby Texas Parks and Wildlife’s coastal fisheries division to do something to remedy the situation. Shuler has asked TPW to look at a reduction in the trout bag limit from 10 to 5 as a possible solution and protection of the declining trout fishery. As expected, Shuler has taken some heat for his attitude, even receiving hate emails and other banter from anglers and guides claiming anything less than 10 trout per day would run them out of business, while receiving negative press from other media outlets claiming an “elitist mentality.” 18

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

“We do not use them (croakers), nor allow our guests to use them,” said Shuler. “My intent is not to force a ban on the use of croakers in harvesting trout. My lobby is a reduction in the bag limit for trout, just in the lower Laguna Madre area where biologists say we have a decline.” Shuler has tried to take his campaign to the masses, even selling “Just Keep Five” t-shirts at the lodge and on his website. “Many guides are opposed to us, thinking we are attacking those who fish with croakers,” he said. “If you want to use croakers, fine, just keep five fish! We are just trying to protect our fishery down here and we feel like five trout per day is plenty and would solve the problem.” Shuler does not buy the notion that reducing the trout limit would hurt the area charter business. “We promote it and it has not hurt our business in the least,” he said. “I wish I had more room because I am turning people away. Remember, it is not against the law to catch fish all day as long as you release them once you have boxed your limit. Our fishery should be used for sport, not to feed the masses.” By the end of our hour-long, mid-day wade, Springer and I had caught six trout and a dozen redfish in the wind-blown Laguna Madre water. We turned all the reds back, but kept a few trout fillets. I will “potlick” a friend like him any day. To express comments on the proposals, go to Shuler’s website (www.getawayadventures.com).

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

There are numerous places

that hold fish that not many folks know about. Bay wells are such places, especially the wells that have been pulled and the structure that once sat on top of the spot is now gone and there is no landmark to guide an angler. Those who know of these spots aren’t telling or shouldn’t unless they want 20 boats to be there the next time they visit. Fishing reports used to be about bragging rights for those who enjoy that sort of thing. I would never put on an Internet chat board or in a magazine or anywhere else any certain spot that I like to fish and not expect others to heed that advice and go there. So be careful what information you give lest you find your favorite fishing hole covered up with boats on your next trip. I’ll gladly share the how’s and why’s, when’s and what’s with anyone but I’ll leave it to you to burn your fuel and spend your time to find a good spot and then YOU can tell others about it if you wish. After all, fishing should be about adventure and exploration and not just a “honey hole” that someone else told you about. Or, you can hire a reputable guide and have him take you around and put you on fish then you can come back another time to the spots that he took you to. It’s getting harder to fish with all of the traffic and to quote a friend of mine, “it’s almost like combat fishing” with all of the people zooming by you up shallow or pulling into the immediate area where you are fishing. So I’m going to tell you where I fish? Please. Anyway, what brought on this little tirade was a question asked of me the other day by an acquaintance…not a friend, just someone I know

and not that well either. He told me that he was

proper etiquette of fishing.

going fishing in Port O’Connor in a few days and

The first time I can remember fishing an old

would like some information on what the fish were

abandoned well pad was with my son and I and

biting on, what time of day was best and where

a friend of his in the boat. We were anchored out

would be the best place to go. I told him that we

in the middle of the bay with nothing around us

had been fishing the bay wells in West Matagorda

but water. Boats ran past us all morning, some

Bay lately and that I hadn’t been fishing the back

actually changing course so as not to get too

bays in POC for the past month or so. I told him

close to us. When we would hook up on a fish, if

that we had been having the best luck with 3/8-

there was a boat within sight we would hold our

ounce lead heads combined with strawberry

rods down and keep the fish in the water and take

firetail touts fishing an incoming tide or a high tide.

the chance of losing the fish rather than have the

I told him that you could always find fish early in

occupants of the boat see us with a bent rod.

the mornings but that depending on the tide and

That morning when we were filleting fish at the

such that the afternoons had been good as well

cleaning table a guy came up to see our catch. He

if the wind didn’t blow too hard. Then he asked

asked me where we had caught them and I told

me which well to fish and I told him to try different

him at the bay wells. He didn’t ask which well but

ones by drifting by it and finding the shell on the

he did say that he saw a boat that looked like mine

bottom with the lure or by actually picking up a

anchored up in the middle of nowhere. I asked him

fish on the drift. If he did pick up a fish to idle out

what they were doing out in the middle of nowhere

away from the well and then come back to anchor

and he said, “beats me, I didn’t want to get close

where he could cast to the same location where

enough to find out because if they were having

he got his bite. Then he asked me which well

engine trouble I didn’t want to have to pull them

and I told him that the wells we were fishing had

in.” Sad to say it’s come to that, huh?

no structure above the water and that we found

Combat fishing. I guess my friend was right

them via our GPS since we had the numbers of

when he made that comment and this is what

the different locations. Then he asked me for the

fishing the bays has become.

GPS coordinates for the best spot and I told him

Shame that.

truthfully that I didn’t memorize that information

Be safe.

and gave him instructions on how to find a certain well that was easy to see and was a popular spot for catching trout. He wasn’t interested in that spot since it was “popular”. He wanted to go where there wouldn’t be a crowd. I couldn’t help him beyond that and he even went so far as to ask me to look the GPS numbers up for him and call him on the phone and give them to him. I didn’t do that. Now some folks will say that’s just being stingy or that it’s not very sportsmanlike to not want to help a fellow fisherman out by giving him the locations to your favorite fishing holes. I don’t see it that way. There are few places left in the bay system that I grew up in where you won’t get crowded out by the sight of a bent rod in your hands. So forgive me if I don’t want to lead folks to those few places that I know of where I can actually catch some fish without having to deal with other lines crossing mine, other folks lures getting caught in my anchor line or just plane rude people who either don’t know any better or simply don’t care about the

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Chris Sessions has been

See, in my experience in the Natural

shark fishing the beaches of PINS for 25 years

World; that is the way things really happen.

and his son, Brian, has been sharing these

There is rarely a perfect scenario for catch

adventures with his dad all of his life. It’s hard

and release of an apex predator. You make a

for me to see the strong young man standing

decision, commit to that decision, act quickly

before me now-a-days and realize he was the

and as effectively as possible, and get it

little blonde-headed boy I used to see playing

done. By the nature of their very lives these

in the sand. Chris and Brian run baits out of

creatures encounter hardships and injuries

a Zodiac inflatable with an outboard on it and

regularly and to assume that having to carry

when not shark fishing are often fishing the

around a couple of hooks until they rust out

nearshore rocks and oilfield platforms off PINS

will kill them and then use that as excuse to

for a variety of game fish.

kill the fish is unacceptable and needless. Actually, I have always felt it was more of an

On Saturday 05 Aug 06, Chris had a run

excuse for cutting out a set of trophy jaws

on a 12/0 shark rig with a 50’ leader utilizing

to hang on the wall than any concern for the

half a jack crevalle for bait and a 20/0 circle

creature. To quote my dear friend, Dr. David

and a 14/0 J hook. The bait was 500 yards

McKee, “well you never know for sure a fish

offshore and the fish struck at midnight. After

lives when you turn it loose but we all know

an epic battle leaving only 100 yards of line

that all the ones you put in the ice chest died!”

on the reel at one point, and 1-hour and 45minutes later, they beached and released a

My most sincere congratulations to Chris

very heavy-girthed female tiger shark that

and Brian Sessions on an awesome job done

was 12-feet long weighing 750-800 or more

in a very commendable fashion. I know Chris

pounds successfully. This is the largest

has been after that fish for 25 years and living

fish landed from the beaches of PINS in

out a goal like that is hard to beat. My hat’s off

several years, but more importantly, to

to both of you.

my knowledge, this is the largest fish of any species ever released from the beach

Third Annual Sharkathon Tournament

anywhere. The fish was badly tangled in the

will take place on PINS beaches on 8-9-

leader, and for two people to attempt to free

10 September. This is a catch, photo and

and release it in darkness was a monumental

release tournament and no fish killed can

and dangerous task.

be counted for awards. It is a first of a kind event in this area and was the dream of three

The fish had rolled up in the entire leader

conservation-minded shark fishers; Curtis

and was badly tangled in it. Two long line

Mai, Russell Weir and Trevor Lovett. This

hooks were visible from earlier encounters;

tourney has become a reality due to lots of

one in its mouth and the other lodged near the

hard work and lots of help from like-minded

anal fin. Fighting desperately against time, the

friends and fellow anglers. I am not a fan of

two decided not to beach the shark entirely,

tournaments as I have always felt that they

but to leave it instead in the shallows as it would have proven impossible for them alone to pull the shark back offshore for releasing. Chris grabbed his bolt cutters and began to cut the cable repeatedly until the tiger was free of it and released her. When I asked if he was able to get the hooks out he laughed and said, “Billy, I was never ever able to see the hooks. We were so busy we just got the cable off her and got her back out into deeper water and she swam strongly away.” 22

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Frogg Togg Jackets

Frogg Togg Suits

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

There he is, right in front of you!

After a sultry morning searching the flats you finally spot a red rooting around, barely 40 ft. away. Salvation! This is what you came for. The red wiggles his tail… taunting… begging. “Ha,” you say, “It’s an easy cast. I’ll be telling my friends about this one.” You catch your breath and get a little line in the air. But something’s wrong. You can’t seem to strip out enough line. “What-tha’… Who-tha’…” You glance down and spot a dangling coil of fly line snagged at your feet. You lift one leg and frantically try to free the line but Mr. Red spots you and bolts into the steamy distance. “N-n-n-n-o-o-o-o!” You won’t be telling your friends about that one.

OK, here’s another one: You stand confidently on the bow of the boat as your buddy plows through lazy swells toward a big school of surfacing jacks. Having rehearsed this scenario a thousand times, you’re at the top of your game — rigged and ready. As you approach the frenzy you load the big 10 wt. and shoot a cast. The fly line unrolls perfectly, dropping a fat helpless popper in the center of the cannon-balling jacks. Your heart stops as the popper vanishes into the boils and you set the hook hard against a powerful force. “Fish On!” It’s an ESPN moment. Several coils of loose line whisk off the deck and zip through your fingers as the fish speeds away. The line draws tight and you expect to here the reel start singing. Instead you nearly get your arm yanked out of its socket as the line jerks with a mighty “CRACK.” Fish off. You regain your composure and realize the fly line is half-hitched around the butt of the rod. “Crap!” Ever happened to you? It’s happened to me. Boat cleats, anchor ropes, ice chest lids, sandal 24

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

straps, and even your own fly rods are all hungry for fly line and ready to conspire against you. What can you do? Let’s run the gamut of line-snagging scenarios and look at a few ways to mitigate them. In the Boat There are a handful of boats designed with fly fishermen in mind. They’re equipped with flushmount cleats, smooth lines, low controls, clean decks, and are a real joy to fish from. But, many boats are not fly friendly and are filled with linesnagging items and cargo. Exposed cleats, trolling motor parts, loose rope, dry box and ice chest handles, bungee cord hooks, and exposed tackle will grab your fly line and ruin your cast every time. The easiest way to protect your fly line in a boat is to use some sort of carry-on stripping basket. You can purchase a tall stripping basket designed specifically for the deck of a boat or you can make one from a rigid or collapsible laundry basket or a tall kitchen trash can. A waist-type stripping basket is cumbersome in the close quarters of most boats and therefore not a good choice. If room on the boat is really tight, an alternative option is to cover up line-snagging items with mesh netting. Mesh netting works really well for shrouding ice chests, trolling motors, and other bulky objects. You can purchase several yards of mesh material, roll it up, and keep it handy in the tackle bag. It also works well in a kayak, where free space is minimal. Your shoes, especially those comfy sandals, are well-known line grabbers. The little tabs and straps continually bite at loose line. In warm weather, the best solution is

to take your shoes off. Your fly line won’t get caught between your toes and you’ll feel it if it gets between your bare feet and the boat deck. If you choose to wear shoes, select a pair with as few exposed tabs and Velcro closures as possible. The old-style white slip-on type canvas loafers are perfect. Wading What do you do with loose line while you’re wading and sight casting the flats? I still haven’t found a perfect solution to this problem, but you can start by snag-proofing your footwear and wading accessories. Remove or cover up all the dangling items on your wade belt like pull-strings, snap rings, and straps. The quick-connect straps on your wade belt and stingray guards are especially problematic. One solution is to shroud them by slipping the straps inside pieces of narrow bicycle tubing. The tubing covers the entire strap. It works great! You can use bicycle tubing to cover the straps on your kayak hatches too.

If you have problems with fly line hanging on your wade boots, cut the ankle section out of an old pair of neoprene waders and slide it over the ankle of your wade boots to cover the zippers or lacing. You can also use a neoprene sock or gator the same way. And what about all those tools hanging around your neck? Tuck ‘em. Slip all hanging accessories (line cutters, hemostats, etc…) in a chest pocket. Now you’re ready to wade. Normally when hunting reds on foot, I keep my rod tucked under my right arm and just strip-andcast when I spot a fish. This way, I keep the line away from oyster shells and weeds. But, if I am wading areas with lots of fish, or areas where fish

September 2006

are in close, I prefer to keep some line in the “ready position.” To do this I usually strip out about 20 feet of line and pinch it in my casting hand in several large loops. When a fish is spotted, the loops can be dropped or easily fed out and I can cast quickly. It works pretty well and keeps the loose line away from my feet, off oysters, and out of weeds when I am not casting. Jetties Jagged barnacle-covered jetty rocks swept by waves and currents are a fly line’s worst nightmare. The best way I know to control and protect fly line on jetties is with a waist-mounted stripping basket. They take getting used to, but they work. If you ask 5 folks what their favorite style basket is you’ll get 5 different answers. Mine is a Rubbermaid dish tub (the deep one) with a flat bungee cord belt and a piece of a long-fibered plastic turf doormat hot glued to the inside bottom. Total cost — about 8 bucks. It works great and keeps the fly line free and clear of nasty obstructions. Whatever style basket you choose, make absolutely sure it never obscures the view of your feet or where you are stepping. Remember to identify and guard against line —snagging obstructions in your boat. Streamline your clothing, waist pack and wading boots, and learn to use a stripping basket. You might even find you enjoy going barefoot on the deck of a boat. Hopefully these tips will help you spend more time casting your fly line and less time untangling it.

One thing is certain when it comes to fly tacklesaltwater is hard on it. When neglected, even the highest quality tackle with the toughest components is doomed to fail. Proper care of fishing tackle keeps it performing smoothly on the water, extends its life, and in some cases is required to protect the warranty. But when it comes to repair and maintenance you have to know what you’re doing. Merely relying on a squirt of W-D every few months to keep things slippery won’t cut it. Finally a book is available to take the myths and misconceptions out of fly tackle maintenance — The Orvis Guide to Tackle Care and Repair, by Ted Leeson. The Orvis Guide to Tackle Care and Repair covers everything you need to know to properly clean, service, and repair rods, reels, lines, and a host of other fishing accessories. Ever wonder how to repair a damaged fly line, a chipped cork grip, or a corroded guide? The Orvis Guide to Tackle Care and Repair can show you how. The book is well-organized, the photographs are clear and sharp, and the text is presented in a thoughtful, confident manner. It will easily pay for itself by teaching you to maximize the performance and extend the life of your fly fishing tackle. I highly recommend it. The Orvis Guide to Tackle Care and Repair is available online and at Borders bookstores. The Orvis Guide to Tackle Care and Repair By Ted Leeson 166 pp. Lyons Press. $19.95 September 2006

The creation of the Crazy Charlie is credited to fly angler Bob Nauheim. In the late 1970’s Nauheim tinkered with a small ghost minnow pattern designed to trick bonefish. It turned out bonefish liked the pattern but Nauheim discovered they mistook it for a shrimp rather than a baitfish. The story goes Nauheim named the fly “Bonefish Charlie Smith,” after the well-known bonefish guide. Smith then changed the name of the fly to “Dat fly Nasty.” Eventually, Orvis got their hands on the pattern and renamed the fly “Crazy Charlie.” Since its invention in the 1970’s the Crazy Charlie has proven itself as a ubiquitous flats fly, although it is still probably best known for its effectiveness on bonefish. The Crazy Charlie is typically tied on a #4 to #8 hook, with stainless steel bead chain eyes and a fibrous wing consisting of buck tail, calf tail (kip), or synthetic material. The belly of the fly is generally made from some sort of plastic ribbing material to provide the illusion of a segmented body. The fly rides weedless (hook inverted) and when fished over sand it skips along the bottom and leaves behind little puffs that attract predators. Although it resembles a Clouser, the Crazy Charlie usually lacks a long fibrous belly and it’s an altogether “squattier” fly. Countless variations have been tied over the years using all sorts of wing and belly materials and color patterns. Some of the more popular color combos are pink/ white, black, and tan/gold. The Crazy Charlie is a good all around redfish fly. It can be fished over sand, under lights, or used as a generalpurpose shrimp imitation. The compact and dense design of the fly lends itself well to casting in the wind. The pattern shown here is a variation of the original Crazy Charlie, tied with a slender tail and slightly more bulk in the body to improve visibility in off-color water. Over the years it’s proven to be a reliable choice for the Texas flats.

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

“Right there at 2 o’clock,

20 yards out; moving right to left!” Quickly looking, I saw the orange-brown silhouette slowly swimming where I had just scanned the water and seen nothing. I made the cast but the copper spoon dropped just over the fish and when the30-pound test Power Pro touched its back, the fish was gone. A few minutes later, I heard it again. “There they are; 12 o’clock, 30 yards!” Again, I looked and after a quick scan, saw the pair of fish lying low. I cast past and in front of the pair. As the spoon zipped by, the two copper colors clashed as the smaller (just my luck) of the bronze backs followed and then hammered my likewise colored spoon. Landing the fish, quickly unbuttoning the hook and releasing him for another day’s fight allowed me to wonder why my partner kept spotting fish before me. I knew he had a 4’ height advantage standing our boat’s rear casting platform and the extra height gave him an edge in spotting fish, but I somehow thought that my “keen, well trained” eyes could out finesse his while he was atop the perch. I was wrong. My partner held an advantage explained by simple

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

geometry where any extra height gained while fishing gives one a better chance to see fish. Casting and poling platforms are becoming a common accessory on most flats and bay boats these days and for good reason. As more and more anglers spend their time drifting and trolling the flats, the advantage of height is a way to get a leg up in sighting and casting to their quarry. Every inch an angler gains in height, he gains a better angle to see down into the water with polarized glasses. This usually means spotting fish earlier and farther away. It can also mean the fish see you earlier, but in most cases it will work to your advantage. Earlier this year, I spent some time with Jack Fletcher, owner of Specialty Aluminum Works in Victoria, Texas (www.specialtyalworks.com). Jack has a vast amount of experience in aluminum fabrication and I wanted his input in the design and fabrication of my casting platforms. Jack explained that there are several different types of platforms that can be designed for a boat. One of the most common types found on smaller skiffs and lightweight hulls is a poling platform. The poling platform is usually secured to the boat with bolts and is considered permanent or not easy to remove. Normally mounted at the stern and over the motor, a poling platform allows one person to silently pole while looking for fish. A second angler normally waits on the bow of the boat and when the “person on the pole” spots fish, he calls them out for the bow angler to cast to. The poling platform is very common

on Florida boats and has quickly gained popularity in Texas. It can be used on larger boats, but in this application the poling platform is mainly for drifting, trolling and an occasional poling. Poling a 22’ bay boat all day is not for the faint of heart. Normally mounted over the motor, more and more poling platforms are being moved to the rear casting deck. The rear casting deck location puts more weight forward on the boat and the boat will draft less water while poling. Anytime you hang 200 lbs of angler off the back of a boat, it has a greater effect on draft than if he is moved forward of the motor. The tradeoff is the motor may be more in the way while poling off a platform located on the rear casting deck. A second type of platform is the bow casting platform. These are usually smaller than a poling platform and placed at the bow for an angler to stand on while fishing or trolling. Normally, bow mounted platforms are 18” tall and secured to the deck with a turnbuckle and cleat or specialty eyebolts. The turnbuckle arrangement allows the bow casting platform to be removed when desired. One can use a stool or stand on a cooler, but after a few spills, you will opt for a more secure mounting. A rocking and moving boat is precarious enough without adding in a loose platform. Most bow casting platforms are shaped to fit the bow of the boat. One important item to consider is if you fish with a trolling motor and use a casting platform, you may have to get an extension handle for the trolling motor and/or a foot switch to turn

September 2006

the motor on and off. Stooping frequently to adjust the trolling more can get old in a hurry. A third kind of platform is one mounted near the center of the boat. These platforms come in a variety of shapes and can be mounted off the console or the leaning post. The advantage of a center mounted platform is that it is closer to the bow which makes it easier to spot fish when trolling. They can also be larger and taller than a bow mounted platform. Each type of platform has advantages and disadvantages. Based on your type of fishing, decide what platform best suits your needs. If you want to pole and sight cast to fish, you most likely

will want a stern mounted poling platform. If you drift and troll, you may prefer a center mounted platform that will not affect the draft as severely as a stern mounted platform and allow clear access around the boat. If fishing alone is your forte, a removable bow mount design may be more to your liking. The key to being happy with your decision is deciding what you want and then sitting down with someone like Jack Fletcher who can turn your idea into reality. Jack can tell you what will work best and if it can work on your boat or application. Once you pick your design, you can also consider any extras such as rod holders, drink holders, grab rails or even oxygen bottle racks. Most anything one would want to have can be designed and added to a platform. Another item that I found that works well on a platform is a product called SeaDek (www.seadek.com). SeaDek is closed cell foam that can be stuck to the surface you stand on and really reduces foot fatigue during a long day on the water. Working with Specialty Aluminum Works, I decided to have a platform built on the back of the

September 2006

leaning post. Since most of my fishing is trolling or drifting, I wanted the ability to easily walk all around the boat and didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really need a true poling platform. In addition, I added a removable bow casting platform that gives me the option of using it or not, depending where and how I am fishing. Now I am not going to say a casting platform will put more fish in your boat, but I will go so far to say that if you add a raised platform on your boat, you will definitely see more fish sooner and give yourself a better chance to catch more fish. Not having a platform before this year and having one now showed me the advantage of height. If you are not convinced, stop by a fabricator like Specialty Aluminum Works, check out some of the platforms and get hooked on height.

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

I had a question

posed during a long and not so eventful wade that really made me reflect on my life as a fisherman. The question was aimed at my opinion of our trout population and the current limits and regulations that are in place today. These regulations are there to insure that all anglers have a healthy resource to pursue. For those of you that know me, you know that I stick mostly to the meat and potatoes part of my job. I instruct information hungry anglers on better ways to find and catch fish. It is the pursuit of the fish that excites the hunter in us all. The catching, at least for me, is often anticlimactic. Formulating the winning game plan is ultimately the most rewarding part of our fishing. In my opening statement I mentioned reflection on my life as a fisherman, not a fishing guide; I was an angler long before I ever considered becoming a guide. I did not start out fishing from a $30,000 or $40,000 boat; we didn’t even own a boat until I was nearly out of high school. Nor did I have any of today’s luxuries such as tackle, clothing, sunglasses or sunscreens. I did not own my first pair of polarized sunglasses until I was over 18 years of age. My first rod and reel outfit was a handme-down from my dad. The reel was a GARCIA Ambassador 5000 A. The first lures I ever threw were the Tony Accetta H-5 with a yellow bucktail and Mirrolure TT-51’s and 52M28’s. I waded in cutoff Wrangler jeans and wore Converse-All Star basketball shoes that Dad and I got out of the trash every year when the school threw them away. They could not give them to us but since Dad was a coach he knew when they would be thrown away. My dad was my best-ever fishing 28

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

buddy. We loved wading the bog in Port Bay on early summer mornings or late afternoons. My dad coached during the school year and worked a summer job on a construction crew for the company that my mom worked for to help make ends meet. We fished not only for fun but also for food. I remember my dad telling me one time that limits should be up to the individual; take what we need and leave the rest. He by no means meant that there should not be laws in place to help conserve the resource, but we as anglers can do much more by simply keeping only what we needed at that time. I think my dad knew that if we only kept enough for a meal or two each time we went we would inevitably get more kitchen passes. Somewhere along the line my ego suppressed that well-taught lesson and numbers of fish became my standard. I stand here today needing to admit to all of you that this was wrong. We need a change and we need to enact it ourselves. If the powers that be see fit to follow suit that is terrific, if not, the fish will still be saved in the process. There are already a handful of guides along the coast that are asking clients to restrict the numbers of fish they keep each day. These fine examples of true conservationists deserve our thanks, so thanks to every one of you that had the courage to stand alone.

Here’s a look at today’s trout fishery — from Jay Watkins’ viewpoint. I do not have all the numbers to quote, and even if I did I would probably chose not to include them. I remember my late friend Howard Brown every time the word “numbers” comes up. We were having breakfast at Kline’s Café and a guide friend of ours was using a pocket calculator to figure how many fish were caught each season. Howard said he could make the numbers do whatever he wanted them to. “Hell my four year old niece can spell SHELL OIL on one of those things,” was his comment. September 2006

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

I think that fishing pressure on ALL of our area bays is at least 10 times what it was 10 years ago. I may be underestimating the fishing pressure on the low side, but even if I am, it still works in this context. If 10-percent of the trout population is over the 15-inch minimum length (that figure is probably high but it works) and 100-per cent of the fishing pressure is being placed on that 10-percent; then shouldn’t we have an adjustment in the number of trout we can keep each day? Think about it — if the fishing pressure on that given resource has increased 10 times since the present bag limits were set, has the resource expanded tenfold also? If fishing pressure is not an issue, why do we need surveys tabulating the number of fishermen and of number of fish caught per boat, per day? I think it should be easy for all of us to say that we do not catch the numbers of quality trout that we did ten years ago, or even three years ago for that matter. And yes, I am taking into account that there are windows each year when trout fishing seems as good, or better, than it has ever been. Today’s anglers as a whole are much better informed and equipped than ever before. There is an information network out there that is

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

unbelievable. Cliff Webb can catch a big trout off the Bad Lands in February and almost before he weighs, photographs, and releases her, fifty people across the state know about it. Heck, I have an internet fishing club that I update everyday, telling those willing to pay for the information exactly where I fish everyday. I do it for the income and to help further educate the masses of anglers coming to my area. It is now time to take the education to another level. Yes, we catch some awful big trout today during peak big trout seasons, but overall the catch per angler is down. There are so many factors to consider and so many of these factors we as fishermen cannot control. It is only important for us to control what we can. We have TOTAL CONTROL when it comes to keeping fish. I can tell you that I am still of the opinion I was five or so years ago when asked by the late Tom Nix with the Saltwater Angler what I felt TPWD should do with the current speckled trout limits. My feeling was a five fish limit at that time, and I still feel we should drop the limits to five fish. The elimination of guide’s limits and the 25-inch law are good things so we have made strides in the right direction. Now we can get down to some numbers that I do know a good bit about and these numbers are mine. I have always been a stickler when it comes to numbers. I keep good records of my catches and can tell you the exact number of trout I have caught over the past 27 years. It is almost nasty to think of how many fish I have taken out of the waters of Aransas Bay. In the past three years our numbers have declined drastically. This season, not only are our slot-sized trout numbers down; our undersized fish count is down as well. Surely, some of the fault lies with the lack of rainfall and excessive water temperatures, but in years past these same conditions did not have the effect they are having today. A few years back I remember having an annual daily average of over 30 fish per day. I think I would be lying to you if I said it was more than 25 per day now. Subtract 5 fish per day over a 250-day fishing year and that’s 1250 fewer fish. I do want you to understand that not all the fish we counted in our daily creels were killed. For the purpose of accurate record keeping, I count all fish that are of legal size, even those released, as part of my daily catch but it is

falling each and every year. I fear at the rate our annual average is declining, many may soon be inclined to fish only during the prime months of the year. This could equate to a general decline in the numbers of people wanting to fish in the future and that will be bad for fishing in general. I need only to look in the mirror to see one of the reasons for the demise of trout in my own bay system. I will take some of the blame for my part in what has happened and I will also take measures to change the attitudes of those I come in contact with. In summation, we have tons of people fishing everyday; tons of guides entering and exiting the business each year. More tournaments than you can count both public and private, all of which bring more people and more pressure to our bays. We have better methods of finding fish and way better tackle than we have ever had in the past. We have lines that will not break unless you have a foul-hooked a small GM truck. We have more styles and colors of lures both soft and hard and even some that smell just like a crab, shrimp, menhaden or all of the above and even those that shake rattle and roll when twitched. We have rods so sensitive that you can tell when a fish simply swims by your bait. We have boats that carry close to a hundred gallons of fuel and approach speeds of 80mph. We can go a long way in a short time and have all the tools to catch the fish we are targeting in record time once we get there. We’ve got cell phones, I won’t even go there! I hope you understand that my concern is not about the effects of our trout decline on my business, I am genuinely concerned about our trout fishery. I have spent 27 years concerned about my business; it is now time for a change. I will not insist that my clients keep only five trout, but I will strongly encourage all to do so in the future.

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

My recent summer vacation

was the most memorable trip I have ever been a part of. My family and I went on a seven-day cruise to Alaska. On the trip, my dad and I learned many interesting facts about salmon. We realized that salmon are born in freshwater, yet they go out to sea only to return in two to three years back to the place where they were born. They return to their place of origin by smelling the composition of the water. Here they lay their eggs and die. I thought that was especially interesting. We took advantage of a chance to visit a salmon hatchery and they are doing a great job in making sure the species continues to thrive. When the salmon come back up the river from the ocean to spawn, they stop eating and begin to lose their flesh. Given that they have stopped eating, if they hit your fly, it is only out of aggression not out of hunger. On our trip, it was a must that my dad and I go fishing. We hired a guide out of Ketchikan, Alaska. His name was Capt. Dan Hubble. He was kind enough to show me how to work a fly rod. We were off through the beautiful Alaskan mountain scenery for an adventure that will last a lifetime. We drove about twenty-five minutes into the

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

mountains to the most beautiful river I have ever seen. When we arrived, we had to walk about forty yards down a mountainside, and as we neared the river, I could already catch a glimpse of the salmon jumping in the pool of water. We took out the fly rods, tied on a fly and began casting up the river. Capt. Dan gave me instructions on how to make an easy cast towards where the fish were holding. On my fifth cast, I managed to catch a fourteenpound pink salmon that got my adrenaline racing. It fought like an oversized redfish, but I wrestled it and finally landed it. Capt. Dan assisted me, and I was able catch my first pink salmon. What a fight they put on! My dad was able to catch one also, and his fought just as good. Two of his salmon jumped and ran just like a big snook. Later in the day, we moved down the river to an area where you could tell the tide was low. My dad asked Capt. Dan how high a normal tide is, and the captain explained it would rise about twenty feet. Getting back to fishing, my dad was able to land another Salmon. He took several photos of it before releasing it. The fishing was awesome, but the scenery was breathtaking. There were mountains surrounding us and a crystal clear river running through the wilderness. What a sight! To top it all off there was an eagle soaring through the sky looking for a fresh salmon to satisfy his appetite. Later in the day and with only half an hour to fish, I set the hook on what would be the biggest catch of the day. It was a struggle with this one, but the guide coached me to move back in order to land it. After nearly twenty-five minutes of fight, the big fish was done. My guide mentioned that the fish most likely

weighed in around twenty pounds. We took some nice photos and released it back into the river to finish its course of life. I thanked Capt. Dan for giving us a wonderful experience. This is a fishing trip that I will never forget. I encourage all to visit the beautiful State of Alaska and experience everything it has to offer. And if you are ever in the Ketchikan area I highly recommend Capt. Dan Hubble who guides out of a fly shop called â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Hook Upâ&#x20AC;? in Ketchikan, Alaska. Their web site is www.hookupflyshop.com

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

is more seaweed every year, we have talked to many people who remember years ago when the seaweed was just as bad or worse. Huge piles of it

“Weed on the right rigger.”

Trolling all day in heavy seaweed conditions

The mate brings the lure in, cleans it and puts it

with everyone in the cockpit “bailing hay” is not

back up in the outrigger. “Weed on the left flat

fun. It’s not even funny. It fact, its downright

line.” The mate diligently cleans that lure as well

aggravating… we know. However, we have also

and puts it back out. “Weed on both riggers now.”

noticed that during the years with lots of seaweed,

The mate again works quickly to clean the lures.

the fishing is good, usually real good.

This scenario goes on for about thirty minutes

This year is one of those years. The

and the captain is starting to get some negative

bluewater fishing has been excellent.

vibrations from the cockpit. “What are you doing

Big game anglers have caught a lot of

up there?” asked one of the anglers. “There’s

blue marlin, swordfish, sailfish, wahoo

weed everywhere! I’m not doing this on purpose

and dolphin this summer. There may be

— I can’t get out of it!” answers the captain.

a good reason for this.

Pretty soon there is seaweed on every lure behind

Studies have found that sargassum

the boat and the captain, mate and anglers are

provides a nursery habitat for many

frustrated, hot, tired and confused on what to

species and may help the survival of

do next.

juveniles, thus influencing the success

This situation happens every year while trolling

of that particular species. Not only

in the Gulf of Mexico, however in the last few

does it provide shelter, in many cases

years it seems like the seaweed or sargassum

it may be one of the few sources of

has gotten much more abundant. It’s probably

organic matter available to pelagic

some kind of natural cycle, but lately it has been

fish. Many fish feed on the small fish, shrimp

a constant nuisance to big game fishermen. Don’t

and crabs that use seaweed as their home. You

get us wrong, a killer weedline on a rip with the

can see this going on all the time when offshore,

current pumping and bait everywhere is a dream

mainly baitfish bumping clumps of seaweed trying

come true, but scattered weed all over the surface

to dislodge something to eat. When seaweed

for miles is a pain in the transom.

starts to gather up along the boundary of two

Sargassum, what we call “seaweed” or “weed”

on the beach, rotting and smelling up the place.

currents and form mats that we call a “weedline”,

or “grass” or a few other words we can’t print, is a

things start to get more interesting for the

brown algae found throughout the Gulf of Mexico.

fisherman. The action of the wind and current

It originates in the middle of the North Atlantic

hopefully will cause one side of the line to be the

Ocean in what is known as the Sargasso Sea.

“clean” side. This is right along the edge of the

It is totally dependent on wind and current for

mats and if it’s a really good weedline the current

its distribution. Even though it seems like there

keeps the weed together and you can troll this

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

weedless zone and keep your baits clean. The large mats formed along the line attract baitfish, which in turn attract the larger predators. Flying fish like weedlines. Dolphin eat flying fish and billfish love to eat dolphin. When the current starts pushing hard and the wind is just right, one side of a weedline will start to “stand-up” or what we call “rip”. This can really concentrate bait and gamefish along the line. One of the most famous “rips’ in the Gulf is found off of the Louisiana Delta where the Mississippi River water meets the Gulf Loop Current. One side will be dirty brown water and the other side cobalt blue. This rip forms a huge weedline and along with the nutrients brought down by the river water, creates an opportunity to experience big game

fantastic and we hope you have had a chance

fishing at its finest form. Huge schools of baitfish,

to experience some of it. The kids are now back

large explosions from marlin and tuna feeding, it

to an area with little or no weed, if you can find

in school, dove hunting is coming up and we get

doesn’t get much better.

one. One thing to remember this year, if you are

an extended teal season this month, but the fish

in an area with no weed, think twice before you

don’t know this. Big game fishing in the Gulf can

nothing to keep it formed up, there are a few

move to a different spot, it might be loaded with

be excellent during the next couple of months. It is

things you can try to minimize the problem. Try

weed and you would be better off working the area

the peak of hurricane season and cold fronts will

switching to smaller baits, with a smaller profile

you are in.

start to push farther south, but keep an eye on the

When confronted with scattered weed, with

Seaweed — friend or foe? Certainly a foe

them. Also, many times the weed will sort of line

when it comes to keeping your baits clean, but in

boats, cooler temperatures and flat seas make this

up in windrows and you can troll along these and

the overall scheme of things it provides habitat

one of the best times of the year to fish.

find some clean water. You may want to change

for small fish, increases the productivity of the

techniques and go from trolling to live bait fishing

area and when formed up in a line can provide

next to a rig, where you don’t have to move

a fantastic place to target big game species that

around as much and it is easier to keep the weed

have concentrated there.

off your lines. The last resort is to pick up and run

weather and get out there when it’s right. Fewer

this can help keep weed from attaching itself to

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

So far, fishing this summer has been

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Twenty of the nation’s

As the clock ticked down on a permit

most prominent conservation leaders have been selected to guide a bold

sought by ConocoPhillips to operate an open-loop liquefied natural gas

new initiative designed to reverse declines in the quality and quantity of our

terminal 11 miles south of Dauphin Island, Gov. Bob Riley remained firm on his

nation’s fish habitats. Pat Murray, vice president and director of conservation

pledge to protect the marine resources of the Gulf of Mexico. The result was

for Coastal Conservation Association, was one of those selected to help lead

the withdrawal of the permit application and a victory for conservation.

the effort. “I am honored to be a part of this visionary and important effort,” said

“Gov. Riley has stood fast on this issue and we applaud his strong stance supporting our state’s marine resources,” said Manning McPhillips, past-

Murray. “The creation of the board for the National Fish Habitat Plan marks

chairman of CCA Alabama. “He listened to the concerns of sportsmen and

an important step forward for the future of conservation. Without healthy

conservationists — and kept his commitment.”

habitat you cannot have healthy fisheries.” The National Fish Habitat Action Plan, developed over the past two years

ConocoPhillips was the latest of a string of energy companies seeking permits for offshore facilities in the Gulf to receive and process LNG using an

and supported by more than 450 diverse partner organizations across the

open-loop system to reheat the gas. The open-loop system heats liquefied

country, sets forth actions to protect, restore, and enhance fish habitats

gas back into a gaseous state by circulating seawater through a radiator-like

across the country. It will support national and local grassroots-driven efforts

system. The system can filter more than 100 million of gallons of seawater

to bring diverse groups together to identify root causes of local habitat

per day and chlorinates it to prevent fouling of the intake pipe, creating the

declines, identify and implement strategic corrective actions, and measure

potential to kill billions of fish eggs, larvae and plankton annually.

and communicate progress. It is targeted toward fisheries protection,

Last month Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco and Mississippi

restoration and enhancement in key watersheds and is based on use of the

Governor Haley Barbour both vetoed an open-loop terminal proposed by

best scientific expertise on fisheries and habitat management.

McMoRan Exploration off the Louisiana coast. That company has since

The new board will include influential conservation leaders from the public and private sectors, including Dale Hall, director of the U.S. Fish and

said it intends to pursue the project using closed-loop technology which is significantly less harmful to the marine environment.

Wildlife Service; Charles Gauvin, president of Trout Unlimited, Jeff Trandahl,

“The governors’ refusal to allow harmful reheating technology does not

executive director of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation; John Cooper,

mean these projects cannot go forward. CCA is not opposed to ConocoPhillips

president of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and William

developing this facility as long as does not use this risky technology,” said

Hogarth, Assistant Administrator for Fisheries at NOAA.

Pat Murray, CCA Director of Conservation. “The message being delivered by

“Naming the National Board marks another monumental occasion for the National Fish Habitat Action Plan,” says Hogarth. “This is a historic day for the organizations dedicated to making sure we have healthy fish and other aquatic creatures for years to come.” The Action Plan calls for sustainable actions and accountability, recognizing the need for long-term investments and real results. To date, the hundreds of partners signed on in support of the Action Plan include

the Gulf Coast governors is simple: There is a better way, one that does not jeopardize the resources that so many people value so greatly.” CCA has worked extensively to prevent use of the technology in the Gulf of Mexico. Over the past year, CCA has testified at public hearings, engaged its membership to send thousands of emails and worked with state officials and federal agencies to remove open-loop technology as an option in the Gulf. “Gov. Riley’s stance on this issue represents a major victory for good

a range of organizations interested in the health of the Nation’s fisheries,

stewardship of our resources. We thank him for his continuing commitment

including small local watershed groups and fishing clubs, and international

to the people and resources of Alabama,” said McPhillips. “ConocoPhillips

conservation organizations, federal agencies, angling industries and

recognized the strong opposition to this technology and did the right thing in

academia.

withdrawing their application.”

For more information about the National Fish Habitat Action Plan, visit www.fishhabitat.org. For more information about CCA Texas, visit www.ccatexas.org.

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

If you have ever experienced this problem, you know exactly what I am talking about. If you haven’t, please pay close attention. Using your

Another month has passed by

and it’s been a bit hot, especially out there in the shop. Getting a chance to come in out of the heat and write these articles for the GCC is a welcome relief and gives us a chance to properly thank Everett and Pam and the entire staff over at Gulf Coast Connections for allowing us to be part of such a great magazine. I haven’t ever come across another publication that has this much information, how to’s, or just general helpfulness to newbie’s as well as to old salts. Hopefully we have answered some of your questions and helped you along the way. Now let’s get back to the heat. Over the past month we have be inundated with an unusual amount of the same problem. This problem shows up every year about the same time and always with the same reasoning. The problem I’m talking about is propellers being stuck onto shafts. And the reason, they just never took the propeller off for service or maintenance.

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

boat in saltwater has many side effects. One is salt corrosion. That one was easy. Another is electrolysis, which is a bit harder to understand. When the two combine, you have problems. But just a little maintenance will make your life a lot better. I’m not going to get into much detail about what electrolysis is, what is does, or what it destroys. I am going to focus on how it costs you in propeller repairs if you allow it continue without simple maintenance. Everyone knows that after a day on the bay that it is very important to wash down everything possible because the salt build up will deteriorate everything it touches. But after a long day on the water in the sweltering heat doesn’t leave you feeling like cleaning and doing any maintenance especially if you have fish that you have just cleaned and are ready to start cooking. Your rods and reels always get cleaned because you know what happens if salt builds up in your bearings. Your trailer bearings get rinsed and greased because salt build up in those things causes a bad day. When

September 2006

you don’t occasionally pull your propeller off and

bearings faster than monofilament turning at 2500

rinse and grease the shaft, you usually end up with

rpm’s. This little safety check keeps the visits to

a long day of beating your brains out and busting

your local mechanic down to a minimum.

your knuckles before you call calf rope and give in

When re-installing all the parts, make sure

to someone who can get that thing off for you, of

everything goes back as it came off. The thrust

course at a cost.

washer has a tapered seat so it only goes on one

For those who don’t understand since this is

direction. The propeller goes next, followed by

not a “moving” part, salt that dries up between the

whichever washer/spacer, then nut and cotter pin if

splines of the shaft and the propeller and when it

applicable. Inspect all pieces as you install to make

is charged electrically, will cause the propeller to

sure nothing is worn down or brittle. Cotter pins

become “welded” to the shaft, thus making removal

should be replaced regularly and only use stainless.

by hand impossible. The rubber cushioned hub

Self locking nuts and Mercury locking tabs should

of the propeller will need to be melted out and

be checked and changed when needed.

the propeller removed leaving the inner splines of

Lastly, if you store your boat for long periods

the hub stuck to the shaft. An air chisel comes in

of time in a storage facility, it would be a good idea

handy here.

to remove the propeller and wipe the shaft down

All of this frustration can easily be avoided by

before leaving it. Grease will lose its viscosity in

simply removing the propeller every 3 to 4 months

very high temperatures and the first time you run

and cleaning the old grease off and re-greasing

your boat after prolonged storage will be like not

with your standard non-metallic axle grease. Not a

having any grease at all.

lot is needed as you only need to fill in the splines

Once again, we appreciate all the calls and

to keep the salt from building up in between uses.

emails we receive from you and if you have a

Also, when you have the prop off, this is the perfect

certain question or comment that we haven’t

time to remove the thrust washer from the shaft and

addressed yet, please feel free to contact us.

inspect for any old abandoned fishing line that may

Be safe on the water.

have wrapped itself around the shaft and behind the thrust washer. Nothing will eat through a seal and

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Field Notes

You’re out on the water enjoying

a day of fishing, when it happens — that once in a lifetime event. You catch that trophy fish! Now what do you do? If you want to be included in the Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPW) Angler Recognition Program which includes certifying record fish, you have many options. Here are some ways you can be prepared so that the golden opportunity for your fifteen minutes of fame won’t pass you by. Before you go: Prepare yourself for the possibility of catching that big fish. Have a copy of the current rules and the partial list of certified scales. You might even take an application form just so you’ll make sure you get all the information you need. You must be following current rules and regulations for the fish species and the waters in which you are fishing. Only one person can catch the fish and the fish can’t have anything in it to assist in locating the fish (like an electronic tagging device). In other words, the catch must be legal and unassisted in any way. After you catch that trophy: You must weigh the fish on certified scales (for a state record possibility) or measure the length if you want to release it. Then take several photos, especially for catch and release awards, state record, or water body record. When you are releasing the fish alive, you also must have a witness. If you are going to keep the fish, you have 3 days to weigh it on a certified scale; however, the sooner you weigh it, the better. The scales can be certified by the Texas Department of Agriculture, the International Game Fish Association or a commercial scales calibration company. If the fish is weighed on a non-certified scale, you have 30 days to get the scale certified. Within 60 days, the application itself has to be sent in to TPWD with the photos and, for state records, the certified weigh that has the signature of a notary public. Photos of catches must be submitted for the three big categories, State 46

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Record, Water Body Record and Catch and Release. They can either be mailed with the application or sent via e-mail and become property of TPW. Forms can be found at the TPW web site or the nearest TPW office. This time frame will be waived if an angler submits the record to the International Game Fish Association. Species identification will be made from photos sent with the application form. Photos of catches must be submitted for the three big categories, State Record, Water Body Record and Catch and Release. They can either be mailed with the application or sent via e-mail and become property of TPW. Once you’ve completed all that you should receive your certificate in a few weeks. The program: The Angler Recognition Program is divided into a few basic categories including where it is caught (freshwater and saltwater), method of fishing (fly fishing, rod & reel, all tackle, and other methods), age (junior angler, all ages) and special categories (catch and release, first fish award, elite angler award, big fish award, outstanding angler award, etc.). This article covers only those categories found in the saltwater section.

The First Fish award is just that, an award for the first fish caught regardless of age. The Outstanding Angler Award is given to a noteworthy catch that doesn’t fit into any of the official categories. The Texas Elite Anglers Award is given to an angler that has caught five different species in the Big Fish category. Only fish caught on or after May 1st, 2004 will be considered for the Elite award. Beginning January 1st 2006 a new category was introduced, the State Catch and Release Record. This new category is for anglers who catch a noteworthy fish but don’t have a scale onboard and want to release the fish. In this category the fish’s length must be measured and there must be a witness to the live release. Only

Several award categories have been added recently. As of June 1st, 2003 Junior Anglers (16 years old and under) can compete in their own category as well as the regular categories. Any fish caught by a young angler can be recorded and recognized in the junior category, unless it surpasses the current record in the State Record/Water Body Record category. The fish will then be recognized in both the all ages and junior category. September 2006

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

put unnecessary pressure on the natural resources, but as it is obvious that tournaments are here to stay then certainly I can be supportive of tournaments that require catch and release such as this one. I don’t give away fishing trips. I don’t make enough money to do so, but in this one case I am making an exception and am giving away a day’s light tackle fishing and instruction in reading the beach and tactics as a door prize. Guess it’s called fish that meet or exceed the minimum length for a Big Fish Award (see list), qualify for this category. Currently there are seven fish recognized in this new category, a black drum, a red drum and common snook caught on rod & reel and a black drum and red drum caught using fly fishing gear. These are only a condensed version of the program rules. If you are familiar with the program, note web site http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/fish/programs/ fishrecords/index.phtml has been recently updated so that users can select the kind of state records they want to see (Freshwater vs. Saltwater; Age Group; and Method of Fishing. Water Body Records are also selectable by Coastal Waters, Rivers and Streams, or Freshwaters from 7 different regions of the state).

Amberjack, Greater

42 inches

Catfish, Gafftopsail

20 inches

Croaker, Atlantic

15 inches

Cobia (Ling)

40 inches

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)

30 inches

Drum, Black

20 inches

Drum, Red

25 inches

Flounder

17 inches

Jack, Crevalle

36 inches

Mackerel, King

40 inches

Marlin, Blue

137 inches

Sailfish

84 inches

Seatrout, Sand

14 inches

Seatrout, Spotted

20 inches

Sheepshead

18 inches

Snapper, Red

18 inches

Snook

26 inches

Tarpon

80 inches

The oldest fish record that is still on the books is a snook caught on January 1st, 1937 that weighed 57.5 pounds. Some state records will never be broken, like the Goliath Grouper (Jewfish) that is now a catch-and-releaseonly fish. Legendary Galveston fisherman Gus Pangarakis caught a 551 pound Goliath Grouper in June of 1937 (rod reel category), and a 660 pound Goliath Grouper was caught in July 1975 (other method category, Jim Frith, spear gun).

putting my money where my mouth is. With all this hoopla and hurrah about living in this enlightened age and so much information at our fingertips, I cannot for the life of me understand the concept of continuing kill tournaments, no matter whether they are organized to support charitable groups or worthwhile causes. If they are so worthwhile, then it is also conspicuously worthwhile to take the time to figure out how to hold these same events and get the same benefits without over-stressing resources that in many cases are in decline in the first place. Latest information indicates that all apex marine predators are in sharp decline and in all cases the decline stems from over-fishing by humans. When we think about how important the well-being of fish populations are to us individually as lifelong fishers and consider how tremendously important fishing is to coastal economies, it is clear that promoting kill tournaments is very poor business for us all indeed. By the time you read this I will have had cataract surgery on my left eye. I had it done to my right eye five years ago and the results were amazing. September is “Big Game Fishing Peak Season” on PINS and it is awful cool to know that I will be going into it with a freshly re-habbed eye this year. The really interesting thing about the whole deal though is that I still see everything I’ve ever seen using only one good eye. I get tickled when friends and customers are constantly amazed when I am pointing out things they didn’t or can’t see. Guess nothing beats experience and knowing what you are looking for as well as realizing what you are seeing. It also makes me realize that time doesn’t stand still for me anymore than it does for young Brian Sessions. Folks are always coming up to me and saying, “Billy it is so good to meet you. I have always intended to go fishing with you but have just never gotten around to it.” I always laugh and say, “Well hurry up and go; I need the money and I ain’t going to be around forever.” Time passes and the things we always “wished” we would have taken the time to do will haunt us while the things we do take the time to do will be memories forever. Do yourself a favor and take some time for you and spend it in the Natural

So get out there and catch that trophy fish! Remember life’s better outside.

World. After all, life is and was intended to be a hoot! Be Careful, Be Courteous, Be Kind

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Back in early April, good friend

had all of our gear cleaned, oiled, and polished;

up and umpteen million calls from our buddies

Phil Perry approached us with the idea of making

there would be no excuses why we didn’t come

that were already on the “Double Trouble” we

a trip to the Chandeleur Islands off the coast of

home with the prized catch. My friend John

finally made it. I am tired just thinking about it.

Mississippi and Louisiana during June. It took only

Presley suggested that we take his 20-foot center

seconds for Jason and me to pipe up the answer,

console powerboat along so that we could use

out to take a very deep breath of salt air. Only the

“Great idea!” And just like kids we became almost

it as a mothership for our kayaks and the long

Canadian Rockies can top filling the lungs up with

instantly giddy with anticipation; the trip could not

hauls that we were about to make (the idea was

that refreshing air. We were immediately greeted

get here fast enough. We talked to several of our

a goldmine that we wouldn’t know about until

by the “Double Trouble” deck hands Jason and

fishing buddies who reminded us that Katrina and

our second day out). After loading all of my gear,

Jeremy along with Capt. Troy himself. Jason and

Rita had just blasted that part of the Gulf Coast

kayaks and cooler I swung by to pick up my Dad

I turned our back for one second and they had

not even a year ago, but with one quick call to

and buddy John. Even at 30 years of age it cracks

everything out of the truck, loaded on dollies and

Capt. Troy Fountain on the “Double Trouble” our

me up to see grown men just as excited to take

carried aboard the mothership. You wouldn’t think

worries were put to ease. There were several

a fishing trip I am. An hour later we added Jason

that a 70 foot boat with 10 anglers, 2 deckhands

doubters… but we are here to assure you that the

to the excitement and all though he doesn’t show

and a captain would be spacious… not only was

Chandeleurs are up and running!

as much emotion I could tell that getting on the

it spacious but it was also comfortable! After

“Double Trouble” couldn’t get here fast enough.

studying a few maps, checking out our gear and

and Rita literally demolished entire coastal

So with two kayaks on the rack and one 20-foot

enjoying a night cap or two we took to the bunks

communities in Louisiana and Mississippi. As

center console in tow we made one last pit stop to

for our 4 hour ride to these magnificent islands.

many of you know New Orleans was completely

pick up an Ocean Kayak Prowler 13 donated by

Day 1: Friday Morning (Jason Bryant) –

flooded and people from all over Louisiana made

Johnson Outdoors for everyone to demo; we were

The night seemed to go on forever. I made

a mad dash to neighboring states. I think we tend

enroute… Interstate 10 beware!

In late summer 2005, hurricanes Katrina

to forget that not only did the hurricanes wipe

every effort to settle my racing mind but the

We didn’t even get past Beaumont when

visions of speckled trout reacting angrily to a

out the homes of thousands of families, but also

we started to see reminders of devastation…

topwater plug… MY topwater plug — were just too

temporarily took out small businesses like Capt.

signs torn down, trees toppled, and gas stations

tough to shake. I had heard so many stories…

Troy Fountains’ Biloxi charter operation. Many of

deserted by past owners. This trail of disaster

so many accounts of these legendary waters and

our favorite fisheries took a direct hit leaving a

continued through the swampy bottomlands of

now it was finally my turn to fish them. The wake

big question mark as to what we would find; dead

Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast to Biloxi where

up call could not come soon enough and in spite

water full of bacteria and storm debris or healthy

casinos and boat slips were ravaged. Finally after

of hundreds of early morning fishing trips I do not

and full of fish? Being that Jason and I are both

several CD’s, 2 packs of sunflower seeds, multiple

believe I have ever been so alert at 5:00 am.

risk takers we gambled on the idea and it paid

dips into one of several care packages made by

off heavily.

our caring wives, two gas breaks, 1.5 hours of

and the deckhands gave us a quick briefing of the

traffic in Baton Rouge, 4 cars giving us the thumbs

islands, loaded up the skiffs, and sent us on our

With early June just around the corner we 50

Needless to say we pulled up and hopped

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

This was no ordinary fishing trip! Captain Troy

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

way. I had no idea what to expect. I had heard

fastest Ladyfish I had ever hooked in to. I boated

helpless baitfish (and sharks for that matter) into

rumors that the hurricanes ravaged the islands

the fish and quickly released it — it was then I

the mouths of the gamefish we were hunting.

and was told, “Not to expect much.” I quickly

knew this was going to be a new experience.

learned that this was certainly not the case.

Speaking of sharks, I gotta tell you that although I am not deathly afraid of them, I am

The islands are in excellent shape. Grass flats

typically do not get to see a lot of variety in terms

somewhat leery. After fishing the Chandeleurs

resting under several feet of crystal clear water

of the species we catch. Trout, redfish, and

you either get used to them cruising around in the

extend off the island for miles. Tidal guts weave

flounder are the usual quarry with an occasional

flats or you stay on your boat. I love to wade fish

through the island’s interior and work as funnels

wildcard thrown in every few trips if you’re lucky.

and dangle my legs over the side of the kayak so

for all forms of life from the tiniest baitfish and

The Chandeleurs are VERY different. Every time

slapping my rod at them every so often did not

crustaceans to sharks so large that just the sight

you set the hook you have the potential of hauling

bother me all that much, in fact it become fun. In

of them will cause your pulse to quicken and your

in something different than the cast before. If

Galveston you never know how close you are to

hair to stand on end. In fact, the biggest problem

you’re looking to add a few more species to your

sharks until they either steal your hard-earned

I faced at the Chandeleur Islands was the fact that

“fish I’ve caught” list then the Chandeleurs can

catch from your stringer or bump your legs.

EVERYWHERE looked “fishy.”

definitely be the place to do it. Trout, redfish,

Neither is very pleasant.

I finally settled myself down long enough to

flounder, ribbonfish, ladyfish, blue runners, sharks,

Just like anywhere Jason and I go to fish, he

focus on a grass flat in 5 feet of water. I was

tarpon, Spanish mackerel, some of the biggest

seems to be the first one to hook up and then

flinging the topwater plug with reckless abandon

blue crabs I have ever seen and dozens of other

repeat the process one or two more times until I

in hopes of making those visions from the night

species share these awesome waters.

finally catch on. Well the theory held true and with

before burst into reality when I heard a commotion

I ended that first morning with several trout,

behind me. I turned to see a circle nearly 20 yards

a couple of healthy flounder, and all the ladyfish

Factory Flats Minnows one after another, what

wide of foaming, frothing, boiling water and fleeing

I cared to catch. The morning had gone by so

we’d been calling “the bite” completely stopped.

baitfish. All I could manage was an awestruck

quickly… it wasn’t until I was on the way back to

My Dad and I both landed several undersized trout

“Whoa.” The topwater landed softly right in the

the mothership for a quick snack that it finally sank

(by Texas measurements) and a few ladyfish and

middle of the ruckus and before I could make one

in — I was in the Chandeleurs. Slow down, take

of course the odd hard head, we made a move.

twitch of the rod tip the water erupted and my

a look, breathe deep — no smog, no trash, no cell

plug disappeared. I buried the hook with a quick

phones, no fancy jet-skis buzzing the waterways;

north of the first island with several of the same

side-armed snap of the limber rod and the fun had

just a bunch of guys running around with a

features. We pounded the shoreline looking for

officially started.

common goal: catching lots of fish.

reds… hit several coves and backwaters which

The fish bolted off on one of the quickest runs I have ever seen. This trout meant business… or

On the upper Texas coast, inshore fishermen

two very nice trout swallowing the Texas Tackle

Next destination was about a half of a mile

Friday Afternoon (Ryan Evans) –

we thought would hold the elusive redfish. Nada,

After seeing the islands that morning and

zero… zilch. For whatever reason I could not

at least I THOUGHT it was a trout. Right about

realizing that they are still there despite what some

adjust to the clear water on that day. I have fished

that time the fish cleared the water and when it

reports said and a pretty discouraging fishing

clear water the majority of my life while hunting

finally reached its apex nearly 6 feet above the

morning, my Dad and I loaded up with Jason

large and smallmouth bass in Arkansas and

glassy liquid below I was able to make a positive

and another angler to try and hook into some

Corpus Christi and Aransas Pass for the Texas

identification — a LADYFISH?! Not just any

Chandeleur redfish. We weren’t too far from one

Slam but this block would not last for long. The

ladyfish, this was easily the biggest, meanest,

of the islands that had a cut with current dragging

bite was completely off so I took some time to

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

show my Dad some saltwater tricks since this was only his second time in salt. Its not every day that a father and son get to take a trip together and spend time fishing 40 miles off the coast at a remote chain of islands and I am glad that I did not catch a whole lot of fish that afternoon, I enjoyed arguing with my Dad over which island or cut we should hit next a lot more… and watching him catch a ladyfish or ten made my day as well as his. Back to the “Double Trouble” for a cold drink and a filling dinner.

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

CAPT. SCOTT SOMMERLATTE

One day about five years ago, when I was driving around in Austin, I

saw a bumper-sticker that made me laugh and at the same time cringe. It simply read — “NO, I’M NOT A FISHING GUIDE.” What is even funnier is that I saw the same sticker on several different vehicles over the course of a weekend. These guys were obviously making fun of every Tom, Dick and Harry that gets themselves a boat and then wants to be a ‘part-timer’ and write off their expenses. The sad part is- there are times that I would love to be able to say the same thing because I am ashamed to be lumped into the same group as those being mocked. The simple truth is — there are a

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

ridiculous number of guides out there now days and the number continues to grow. So what is the person who wants to book a guided fishing trip to do? With so many choices, how does he/she know that they are making the right choice? Well I am gonna try to help you out here.

The first thing to recognize is that there are several types of guides out there and it is important to choose one that specializes in the type of fishing that you want to do. A good example would be for the fly fisherman. There are but a handful of reputable guides out there that specialize in fly fishing. These individuals are skilled in every aspect of fly fishing and can coach individuals on their casting, efficiently rig tackle and talk flies or about what is going on in the industry. Since I am a fly fishing guide, I take great offense in individuals that offer services to fly fishermen who are anything less than proficient with fly tackle. The point is — you need to decide what kind of fishing you want to do, whether it be fly, lure or bait and then you must decide do you want to fish from a boat or wade and then search out a guide that

spends the majority of his/her time fishing the way that you want to. To find a guide I suggest first going to a highend tackle store and asking questions. The people who work in stores like Fishing Tackle Unlimited in Houston, Tackle Town in Rockport, Tackle Box in Victoria, David’s Tackle Box in Rosenberg or Roy’s Bait and Tackle in Corpus have had a chance to meet most of the guides from up and down the coast and hear routine reports from anglers that have fished with them. Next try the advertisements that appear in the back of the various fishing magazines, remembering that just because a guide takes out an ad, it does not necessarily mean that he/she is good. It just means that they are in the business of taking people fishing. Once you have narrowed down the playing field a little, next on the list is to find out if the guide that you are considering is reputable. Many years ago this was not a big deal because there were but a handful of guides to choose from. Nowadays, with the hundreds of guides out there, it can be a little more challenging. I suggest hitting the World Wide Web and searching the guide’s name. Good things to look for are how long the guide has been in business and how much exposure the guide gets outside his/her own ads and website. Now that you have a few names to work with, it is time to ask some more questions. First start by asking other fishermen what they know of the guide and ask the tackle shop folks the same questions. You want to find out all of the good and all of the bad. The reason I say this is that there are several different traits that make up a good guide. Some of these traits are knowledge, skill, patience, temperament, confidence, personality and the ability to teach. And, while one guide many have plenty of knowledge and skill, that

September 2006

same guide may be known for taking off, wading across a flat while the customer is still in the boat trying to figure out what bait to throw. On the other end of the spectrum is the guide who can entertain a tennis shoe and has the patience of a rock, but is far from being considered a threat to the fish population. Heck one of the best guides I know is not the greatest angler, but what he lacks in knowledge and skill he makes up for tenfold in the departments of personality, patience and in the ability to teach and people keep coming back time and time again. It all boils down to what traits are you looking for in a guide? Sure there are guides that fare okay in every category, but I can assure you, very, very few excel in every department.

comes all too early. If all goes well, all that is left is to get a date on the books and hopefully go enjoy some time on the water. Now to summarize all that was scribbled above â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Some guides out there are not right for everyone and it is important to do your research to try to avoid an unpleasant day. Best of Tides

Giving the guide a call is the final step. Many of the traits that I mentioned above can be sampled over the phone through the course of a conversation. When calling a guide for the first time, treat it like an interview. Ask lots of questions but also realize that the guide has other customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s calls to return and, chances are, you will be catching him/her late in the evening after a hard day of fishing and the next morning September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

The glass doors open

and immediately your eyes begin to scan the immense area that is Fishing Tackle Unlimited, one of the largest privately owned tackle shops in the world. Hanging from the ceiling are replica mounts of fish from every corner of the globe, including some huge sharks and tuna. For the fisherman this place is it, if it’s not here I don’t know if you need it. No matter how many times I go in this place I am still in awe of the whole package, it is unbelievable. Now comfortably inside the store I make my way over to “The Traveling Angler”, an outfitting service run by Fishing Tackle Unlimited and managed by Andy Packmore. If you have a destination in mind Andy can help you out with all the details, Alaska or South America and all points in between. Andy not only books these trips he is also a very knowledgeable fisherman who is just as comfortable casting a fly rod as a bait caster. In preparation for a trip to the Yucatan I had come to Fishing Tackle Unlimited to pick up some new gear, several spinning rods and some bait casters from the new line of rods built exclusively for Fishing Tackle Unlimited (FTU). As I picked up the rods it was plain to see that they were high quality and well made representations, I was anxious to give them a workout. Back at home I packed the new rods with care in a travel tube and hoped the airlines would show me some mercy and reunite the rods and myself in Mexico. Fortunately enough the gamble paid off and all the gear made the flight with no damage, now all that was left was to do was get on the water and chase some fish. The 5:30 alarm seemed really early but soon enough excitement took

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

over and sleep seemed overrated. My fishing partners on this trip were Captain Aaron Hommel and my son Hunter. Both Aaron and Hunter were in search of their first bonefish. Aaron had caught bonefish before but never sightcast to them with fly tackle. Hunter on the other hand chose to tackle these fish with spinning gear, a perfect opportunity to test out the new rods from FTU. The short ride across the lagoon was halted as we came upon a large school of bonefish with tails out of the water and heads down in the sand searching for their next meal. As we eased the panga skiff into position Hunter took the front deck over and readied for a shot at the feeding fish. The first cast drew a strike but the fish unfortunately came unhooked in mid-fight. A quick follow up cast soon had Hunter’s rod bowed up and the drag on his reel screaming. The 5-minute fight concluded with a healthy 2 pound bonefish coming to the boat, snapping a few pictures, and releasing the fish to fight another day. Now that one goal had been accomplished it was time to let Aaron have a shot. In the days and weeks before the trip Aaron had really been brushing up on his fly casting stroke and it was very evident as he routinely made some beautiful presentations. The next school of bonefish that presented itself made a perfect target for Aaron and he took advantage the opportunity by catching a nice 3 pound fish. A beautiful cast and a fine result to say the least. The rest of the day saw Hunter and Aaron trade off catching fish and talking a little trash between one another. Around mid-morning we made a trip farther north in hopes of finding a permit or perhaps even a snook. That gamble paid off as we found two permit but they never gave us a shot at catching them. We did however encounter plenty of big trigger fish rooting in shallow water and they made excellent targets. Hunter got a first class workout as these big trigger fish continued to see just how much line they could take from his reel, the runs they displayed were impressive to say the least. Each fish we encountered just absolutely crushed a Berkley Gulp Shrimp and ran out of sight all while we laughed at Hunter trying to stop the fish. The whole trip went off without a hitch and we accomplished everything we set out to do, the new FTU rods were well tested and they passed with flying colors, Hunter caught his first bonefish, and Aaron successfully sightcasted his largest bonefish to date. I on the other hand enjoyed watching the whole scenario unfold; sometimes it’s nice to be a spectator. Once again the Yucatan has spoiled us and we will be left with many great memories until the next trip.

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Hello — Mickey here again.

It seems like I just did one of these, I guess time flies when you are catching fish. It’s been good, so sit back and let me tell you all about it. Trinity Bay Trinity’s still hanging in there although we had some weather that brought spotty fishing in the last couple of weeks. We pulled some winds we normally don’t get this time of year and could not get to the open water where the fish are holding, wind velocity above 15mph kept us stuck to the shorelines and it is slower there. Almost everything is still coming over mid-bay shell; we have been working the slicks and occasionally checking on the birds. There have been a lot of juvenile fish under them so far but you can hit a school every once in a while that has all keepers. For the most part I have not been working these birds too hard because it has been too inconsistent and I do not like catching those smaller fish and taking a chance injuring them. You can kill a lot of them this time of year with the hot weather; I really encourage everyone not to do it unless they know that they are on some quality fish. Pretty much everything else has been on the same pattern I described last month and in July. We have been using Kelly Wigglers and Cocahoe Minnows. Color has not been a factor. We have been throwing everything from night glow with a chartreuse tail to a black with a chartreuse tail. You know me; my favorite color is anything red or plum. These colors pretty much work in all water conditions. There has been a little bit of top water action. Throwing top waters is easier when I have a light crew on the boat because you can not really have all four men on the boat throwing top waters, it can get pretty dangerous. With a light crew we have been doing real well in 7 – 8 feet of water with bone Super Spook and catching some quality reds and trout out of the mid-bay slicks. The top plugs work good until the sharks get bad and we have to take them off because the sharks can eat them up. Other than that nothing has really changed when the wind is calm and we have good tidal movement we are spanking them pretty good, pretty easy limits. For about the past 10 days the fishing has been the best during the hottest time of the day, mid-day. I know a lot of people do not like to stay out there in that heat, they like to pop out there early and get them but we have been struggling in the morning. If we are wading it seems that we can get them early but boat fishing has been kind of early and around 11 o’clock here we go, they start lighting up. I have been riding around trying to hit different schools of fish seeing which one will pay off the best. A lot of big drum, trout, gafftop and reds are all mixed together in these big herds just working mud boils and slicks. East Bay Same pattern we’re finding in Trinity is occurring over there too. Nothing has changed. I went over there a couple of times in the past week and did quite well. I limited one day and almost got my limit the next. We caught some good solid fish over there working the reefs from Hannah’s all the way through the middle to the back. The shoreline reefs are producing best during early morning. Look for the best bite to be in 5-7 feet over shell and use your troll 62

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

motor to stay on them. Pay particular attention to the slicks in these areas. We are seeing occasional trout at 27 – 28 inches on large topwaters very early as the sun is just coming up. Trinity Bay, East Bay and the Ship Channel, it’s the dog days so there are lots of rec boats and guides ganged up out there around Marker 54 to 56 throwing mostly croakers. There has been an incredible number of fish holding there since early summer and they are catching lots of fish, but this is not our game. We have moved up the channel to Marker 70 and 72 and all that area we have been out there working slicks. When we have a southwest wind the channel is going to have the best tidal movement and the greenest water and we are pretty much sticking to that. It has been quite a summer. The best I have seen in a long time. We have a lot of fish out there. What we are noticing now with all the rain we have been having- we are flushing the marshes and bayous out and we have a lot of juvenile fish in that 12 – 14 inch range. We have had a heck of a trout hatch the last couple of years. The future looks bright in our neck of the woods. Same thing in East Bay, a lot of small fish over there too so our future looks real good with all the numbers if we can just get everyone to take care of them. Please be careful, mash your barbs down and release them. These little fish can be hurt very easily as they really gobble a lure. Given their small size they almost get gut hooked. I am catching fish every day and water conditions are good. It seems like every time we get one of these good rain flushes it stirs the water up and concentrates the fish and man we are having a field day. I know that these patterns will change and we’ll have to move on to other things but it sure is good right now. Look for the wells to be our next solid pattern. Most of the wells in Trinity Bay have been pretty spotty up until now; you have to hit 4 – 5 of them and work them over with the trolling motor to find the bite but I think that will change during late August and September. Unless I’m missing something, I think well hopping will be the best method throughout the month of September. I’ll be hitting all the well pads from the front end of Trinity like the yellow separator wells all the way back to the river where the Exxon wells are. I’ve seen this pattern emerge before. With water conditions like we’re enjoying right now the fishing at the wells starts off spotty but with good fish being a goodly portion of the few we’re getting, I’m talking occasional fish between 23 and 26” are already showing up. It won’t be long and pretty soon more schools begin hanging on the well pads and the action becomes very steady. I mentioned earlier about the wind being a problem some days lately and one of my back up plans has been to hide in some of the back bays like Tab’s, Burnett and San Jacinto Bay, places like that, when the wind picks up I am able to salvage a trip and go upstream and getting into those back waters catching redfish over the shallow rocks with spinner jigs. We are using the Strike King Spinner Jigs, color does not really matter. We are just working it over the rocks and the redfish are sucking them up, man it is a lot of fun. You just need to use your old bass fishing smarts. The fish aren’t really giving us much to go on, they are not showing themselves or slicking or running bait, they are just there. You just have to stay on the troll motor and keep chunking and winding until they start popping. It’s all easy from there. In closing, I would like to say one thing. I lost a real dear fishing partner of mine. Me and this old man fished together for over 30 years, he was my fatherin-law. He passed away on August 4, 2006 and we are going to miss him dearly over here on Trinity Bay. Vernon McPhearson was his name and they called him “Mac”. He was a real good trout angler who has been fishing with me and Blaien Friermood and all our buddies for many a year. He blessed me with a good wife, his daughter, and we are really going to miss old Mac. September 2006

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

MATAGORDA

CAPT. BILL PUSTEJOVSKY

Saddle up boys and strap

on those spurs because the scouts on the horizon are seeing some prime fishing ahead. Understanding Bill Pustejovsky is a full-time conditions and knowing where to go and guide at Matagorda, TX. what to throw the next couple of months Bill fishes year ‘round for should produce some solid stringers. trout and redfish in all the But first I’m going to tell you a story Matagorda Bays. Wading and about a client of mine. drifting for trophy trout and Several years back during May I reds are his specialty. scheduled some groups of my corporate Contact people for fishing in Port Mansfield. Capt. Bill Pustejovsky We hunkered down at Capt. Bruce and Telephone Shirley Shuler’s Getaway Adventures 979-863-7353 Lodge, a dreamy spot. One of the Email CaptBill@GoldTipGuide groups that came down was Everitt Service.com Industrial Supply, Inc. out of LaPorte, Website Texas. The owner, Lowell Everitt, a big, www.goldtipguideservice.com burly guy had recently started fishing with me so I didn’t know him very well but one thing I did know was that he had a lot to learn about fishing with artificial lures. Let me tell you about our fishing that day. We were wading a muddy grass flat throwing Bone Diamond Bass Assassins. Lowell was about 5 yards from me watching a hook-up every cast and scratching his head asking what was he doing wrong because he was not getting the same action. I replied back with a wise crack, “Some people have it and some don’t!” He laughed and told me, “I’ll deal with you when we get back to the boat.” Not really sure what he meant by that we just kept on fishing. When we did get back to the boat we had close to 40 trout. Now remember I told you how big Lowell is but to be more specific he is about 6foot 7inches and his biceps are bigger than my neck. I was still bent over putting the last fish in the cooler when next thing I knew there’s a big hand grabbing me behind the neck and another hand on my rear side and I’m being catapulted out of my own boat about 10 ft into near 4 ft water. I came up splashing and laughing and Lowell said, “Some people have it and some don’t! Now are you going to help me and tell me what I was not doing right to catch fish?” Lowell became a client forever and a special friend to me still today. Over the past years of fishing with me, Lowell has listened and learned. With some education and the right tackle Lowell has become an outstanding trout fisherman. This past June 13th I was on some decent trout and had a cancellation. After picking up the phone and calling Lowell we agreed to meet at the dock the next morning by 5:30 AM. Early that next morning Lowell and I loaded up and my 25 ft Explorer and 250 Suzuki were wide open headed to this special reef in East Matagorda Bay. We were the first ones there and Lowell had everything rigged just right with a Roach Bass Assassin. You can call it luck or whatever you want but I’m telling you his first cast that morning was a 29 ½ in. speck. On my scale the trout weighed 8 lbs 9 oz and Lowell had just entered the 29-Inch Club. I snapped some excellent pictures of the two just as the sun was coming up and they were great shots. That same morning Lowell released a 27, 26, and 25 in. trout to boot and his last trout of the day was 24 ¾ inches. We were

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

back at the dock all smiles fully knowing that this was a day neither Lowell nor I would ever forget. By the way, that big fish will be hanging on his office wall. Now back to my fishing forecast; the first part of September is a little slow. I call it a transition period from summer to early fall. About the middle of the month, if everything goes as it should, my records say the fishing picks up. Also, you have to remember, we could have one of those Big Blows brewing out in the gulf. I hope not but it is that time of year. Last month (August), guides using live bait outdid the guides chunking lures. We were throwing roach Bass Assassins, She Dogs, and Skitter Walks in the heat of the day catching trout 20-24 inches at the rate of about 12-18 fish a day. Call it the dog days of summer. We did limit out a couple of days when the surf was right, catching everything on top waters, mainly the GRCH She Dog. This plug from Mirrolure Company has been a good bait for me. September fishing could start out a little tough because, as I said, it is to be considered a transitional month. Shrimp are preparing to stage up in big pods and menhaden and mullet will likely be on the move. Chances are we might have a light norther to cool our water down a tad. Consequently, you will have to fish smart perhaps using some different techniques and baits. Some suggestions on innovative fishing techniques could be to try the new cork from Bass Assassins or use the Cajun Thunder with a 18-20” leader and a 1/16 oz lead head rigged with the new Shrimp Cocktail in the Bone Diamond, Redfish, Natural Glow, and of course the Drunk Monkey. This combination should be very effective with the noisy cork and stinky shrimp tails or even try the regular 4” Sea Shads. Another bait you can try is the Rebel J20S Broken Back. Eddie Douglas of Bay City buys thousands of these Broken Backs every year and hand paints them using heavier split rings and #4 Owner Brand hooks while painting the eyes red. This bait has proven itself when fishing gets slow. Eddie uses this bait exclusively and I have seen his stringers. The back hook even has a red teaser. I can attest to this bait’s effectiveness as it has caught me plenty of trout and reds. Eddie’s improvements on these Broken Backs can become very addictive because they work so well. An enticing addition to any tackle box is Colorite’s Tail Dip. I use the chartreuse color and will not throw my Assassins unless they have been dunked in this tail dip. This paint gives my Assassins a flash in the water that trout and reds like. If you are interested in obtaining Eddie Douglas’s version of the improved Rebel J20S Broken Back or the Colorite Tail Dip I use, the September 2006

only place you can find it is Johnny’s Sport Shop in Eagle Lake, Texas. Mike Grigar’s phone number is 979-234-3516 and he will be glad to fill your order. As I have mentioned in previous articles, in order to be successful in any business you have to possess the right tools for the job. The lures I mentioned above are a must because fishing requires you to be versatile. In other words what worked yesterday may or may not work today. I will even use a gold or silver spoon at times if necessary. Other options could include switching from a 1/4oz lead head to a 1/16 or 1/8. What I’m trying to get you to see is not to be afraid to change things up. Changing things up can relate to the way we present any given lure as well as the lure itself. Example: When I’m using a top water bait I may twitch it hard 5 or 6 times and then let it sit for 10 seconds and after that barely move it at all, just lightly twitching before I start the whole sequence over again. Perhaps I will just walk the dog slow with a twitch stop twitch stop then shake the heck out of it and stop it. Keep changing things up and don’t get yourself in a rut by doing the same thing you have been doing for years. Imperative for any fisherman is a good rod and reel. My choice is a Shimano Crucial 5 ft 9 in. or 6 ft 3 in. rod with a fast tip. For a great reel I pick a 100 Curado D or Chronarch 50 MG. These are excellent products that I have used and do recommend. After 7½ months of use my 100 D started making sounds so I sent it in for repair which proves to me its durability. East or West Matagorda Bay you take your pick because both of these bay systems are holding quality fish. Be sure to fish water with bait movement and for Heaven’s sake don’t be afraid to change your tackle, lures, colors, or even the way you present your lure in the water. One last secret I will divulge is the scent product called Bang. I might use either the shrimp, garlic, or menhaden smell on all my Bass Assassins and it works. Best flavor is garlic. Wear your kill switch and be safe on the water. Until next time, God Bless!

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

It has been said many times

before “Our lives are like a book in progress.” When I stop and think about how my life has unfolded as I have matured, I notice it is like a book and I seem to gain more knowledge with each chapter. It’s comical how as we age our likes and dislikes change so much. What was really important to us in our younger years doesn’t seem important as we grow older. Most of the goals we have reached are put behind us and we create new ones for ourselves almost out of habit. Most of our goals involve careers, families and/or even hobbies. I look back to when I started fishing and it is silly how many goals I have set for myself when it comes to fishing. When I was young fishing to me was all about the “catching”. My mother would graciously give me my very own package of fresh dead shrimp knowing this was the one way she could keep me occupied allowing her to have some “quiet” time to fish with her speck rigs and other assorted artificial lures. Thinking back now it was amazing how a tiny piece of shrimp dangling from my hook kept my interest for hours at a time. It was somewhat of an adventure for me waiting for the fish to bite, setting the hook and anxiously reeling in my line on my little Zebco as fast as I could. The variety of catching was endless since just about every aquatic species out there has a hard time passing up a tasty shrimp. At the time it didn’t matter to me what species I caught as long as I was catching! As I grew older I started to notice that although I was catching plenty of fish somehow my fish were not the ones that we would take home at the end of the trip. My Mom explained to me that although we were both catching fish, MY fish didn’t taste as good as the trout she was catching. Enough said! I wanted to be just like my Mom and if she was catching good tasting fish then by golly I wanted to too! I threw my bait to the side, learned how to tie on arties and was off fishing again. My fishing skills improved greatly as I got older. I became more accomplished in my methods and would push myself to learn more about fishing with lures. I challenged myself with different lures — yielding good

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

results with some and not so good with others — all the while still targeting those yummy trout. About seven years ago I decided catching numbers of trout was no longer of much interest to me so I decided to concentrate my efforts towards catching a trophy trout. I became consumed with thoughts of catching one of the elusive big girls so I did my homework by talking to area “old salts” learning more about what lures, structures and seasons would improve my odds of hooking up. I spent many years landing nice trout in the 25 to 27 inch range but had decided from the start it would take one over the 28-inch mark before I would be satisfied. It wasn’t until early May of 2003 that it all finally came together and I landed a big girl that measured 29” and weighed 9-pounds 1-ounce. It was definitely a heart stopping moment for me that can’t be compared to anything else that I have accomplished in fishing and a great way to close that chapter and begin another one. It was about this time when the professional redfish tournaments hit the saltwater scene. Gary and I decided this would be a great way to test our skills and explore new territory at the same time, almost what we consider a mini vacation. We missed out on fishing the Oh Boy Oberto Redfish Cup the first year due to scheduling conflicts and couldn’t get in for 2004 because the field was completely full, so we decided to fish in the IFA Redfish Draw. As most people know already most of the Redfish tournaments are structured in the same manner. In the past, the tournaments were spread out over two days and all angling had to be conducted from the boat. Each team needed to bring in two live slot-sized redfish each day while using artificial lures only. The winners were determined by totaling the weight from each team’s redfish from both days. The learning curve for Gary and I was trying to catch redfish from the boat. We have always been avid wade fishermen and this was going to challenge our skills for sure. The other hurdle we had to overcome was learning to fish all new waters anywhere from Corpus Christi to Venice, Louisiana. We have never pushed ourselves to such limits as we have while fishing professionally the last few years. What a thrill! After a year of following the IFA and the Redfish Nation Q-Series we managed to do well in the point race by staying consistent but have yet to actually win one. In 2005 FLW announced it would also be offering tournaments to redfish lovers with very impressive contingency winnings. We have fished the FLW since it started in 2005 and really like the layout and how well it is run; however, some of the events are out of state and that really makes it difficult for Gary and me to participate in every tournament. Along comes the Texas Redfish Series tournaments held only in Texas and allows wade fishing, wow, right up our alley! We have competed in three legs of the 2006 tournament series so far and have done well enough in each tournament to put us in first place for Team of the Year. By the time this article comes out we will have competed in the last leg of the tournament held in Corpus Christi. We are hoping to maintain our 1st place position and move on to the Championship event being held in Port Aransas on 16-17 September. I am hoping that Gary and I can pull everything together and not come close but finally win one of these tournaments. If that happens I can’t imagine at this point wanting to move on to something other then fishing this way. Challenging myself to catch two large redfish using artificials in one day has now become a great passion of mine. I consider this my newest chapter in life and one that will last many more years. September 2006

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

The heat just keeps

on coming. We’re still catching lots of fish — all kinds, trout, redfish, flounder, drum and even pompano in the Laguna Madre. The water clarity has been good from the mouth of Baffin Bay south to the Land Cut. We’ve had some really calm mornings that have enabled us a chance do some topwater stuff. The top water bite has been strong. Lot’s of blow ups, it’s been exciting. There’s been great fishing on the south shore of Baffin Bay. In the morning I’m wading up shallow casting Skitter walks, Top Dog She Pup in chrome and silver and the bone and silver has been really good, too. Later on in the day we move out to the deeper rocks, stand and throw bone diamond Assassins against the rocks and let it fall off the edge. This has been producing some really nice trout. We’ve even had some exciting fly-fishing. The conditions have been perfect for fly-fishing; calm weather, clear water, and a lot of hookups. John Mackintosh and Walter Bain came down for some fly-fishing and they did very well. We were working the edge of the Land Cut with the trolling motor, casting the topwater poppers up on the drop-off and pulling them off the edge. The big trout were blowing up on these fly-lined topwaters. We caught several fish that day, and lost two really big ones that just over-powered the tackle and broke off. The tippet was too light. The four and six pound tippet didn’t cut it. Maybe use at least a 12-pound tippet down here I wanted to answer a couple of questions that I get asked a lot. How old are these trout that are 25 inches long? How old are the trout that are 30 inches long? Why are the trout bigger in the Laguna Madre? So, to be sure on the facts, I called Mr. Art Morris, the Fisheries Outreach Specialist with Texas Parks and Wildlife here in Corpus Christi. I’ve known Art for a long time and I have great respect for him, he’s been with TP&W for over 25 years. Here’s some of the interesting information he shared with me. First on growth — the male and female grow at different rates. A female trout in one year is about 12 inches long, every year after that she grows about two inches per year. 68

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

At 25 inches she’ll be approximately six years old. After that the fish will start to put on more weight than length. For example, at 7 years old she will be 27.6 inches and at 8 years old she will be 29.3 inches and she’ll be 30.8 inches at 9 years old. Of course a lot of this depends on the conditions; those being weather, the water quality, forage availability, etc. The male trout grow slower; most never make it beyond 20 inches. A male that is 20 inches would be nine years old; a really huge specimen might be 26 inches. When they start out there is a fifty-fifty ratio of male to female. As they get older there are a lot more female. What surprised me was the state record trout — caught in February 1996 it was only six years old yet it weighed well over thirteen pounds. Art explained that it’s kind of like a bass pond. If there’s too many fish in it, they don’t grow as fast because there’s more competition for food. If there are fewer fish and a lot of bait they grow faster. So, after the freeze the fish that did survive had less competition and grew very fast. Also, after the freezes of ‘83 and ‘89 we had normal winters that followed. This gave them a chance to rebound. Now, why are they bigger in the Laguna Madre? Is it a different gene pool? Say, as from Florida? Art says, “No, they are the same species, September 2006

it’s just lack of pressure. We have larger areas of water without the constant pressure.” He told me about the net samples they run. The largest trout caught in the Laguna Madre in a survey net was 33 ½ inches and weighed 12 ½ pounds, on May 6, 2004. But, the largest in Texas that came from a survey net was 34.9 inches and weighed 15 pounds. It came from Matagorda Bay in 1988. He said we’re having our third highest catch rate since 1980. It’s been above average these last two years and we’re catching more numbers of eighteen to twenty-six inch trout. It’s been good. All in all, trout are an extremely tough fish. They are a great survivor. The conditions in the Laguna Madre are very harsh. They must survive a wide range of water temperatures, variable salinity levels, brown tides, red tides and winter freezes and that’s just nature. Art said that they are seeing a big swing from freshwater fishing to saltwater fishing. The saltwater fishing license sales are overtaking the freshwater fishing license. He said that there is an average of 2000 people a month taking up saltwater fishing. Our fishing population will double in the next twenty years. I enjoyed talking to Art and I really appreciate all the information he provided for this column. I know that the fishing will continue to be good. The fall months bring great trout fishing, redfishing and the flounder run and even dove hunting to look forward to. It’s great to be able to do all that South Texas has to offer. We’re lucky to be able to live here. New on the market, Bass Assassin has come out with a new clicker cork with a titanium wire. It comes in an oval or tube shape. In dirty water and rough conditions use them with a Bass Assassin scented shrimp, on about a twenty inch drop with a twenty pound Seagaur fluorocarbon leader. Pop the cork and they will hammer them. You can use this method all year round. Also, they’ve got a mud minnow out that just devastates big trout. My son and I are honored and feel it’s a great privilege to be part of the Waterloo Rod Team. I’m using a 6’6” Titanium HP Slam, and the Titanium HP Mag. It’s the most incredible rod I’ve ever put in my hand. When you hold a rod in your hand all day long as I do, believe me there is a difference. I’m using nothing but the very best! Thank you to Waterloo Rod Company, USA. September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

The Laguna Madre

them. When you spot a large concentration of milling fish, it’s best to just keep

continues to offer everything a lure

going and then make a wide loop back behind them. Quietly walking back into

fisherman looks for, even if we did

them with tails and spoons was rewarding. We also enjoyed many days of good

have to work a little harder during deep

topwater bites. Some days a full-sized worked teasingly would do it, but other

summer. Late July and August gave

days a junior-sized lure was the only bait that would draw a response. Later in

us many no wind mornings followed

the afternoons, although the standard approach was to target deeper potholes,

by blasts from the desert furnace in

we often saw fish pull back up shallow as the wind would increase. Watching

the afternoons. Couple these weather

closely for the right color changes and bait activity provided the best clues

conditions with low water and lots of

about where to probe.

floating grass and the challenge was

Trout have been, for the most part, spotty and on the smaller size. There

certainly there. It’s a worthy challenge

are a lot of undersized fish in the system, and when they decide to feed, it can

however, and fortunately for us, most

often be a four to one throwback to keeper ratio. It’s important for us to handle

visitors to Port Mansfield are eager to

these fish with care if we value tomorrow. However, as soon as we think the

take whatever the conditions offer and

world is run by juvenile fish, a megalith will show out of nowhere and either

appreciate an environment like no other.

explode on a plug or come thrashing out of the water trying to dislodge a

Yes, we had some tough days

foreign piece of soft plastic. High percentage places for better trout have been

this last period. Persistence was

along the deeper breaks near the Intracoastal. We are starting to see more of

the key however, and by staying

these trophy class trout cruising the skinny stuff though, and look forward to

with traditional patterns, most

them becoming more catchable as September moves us towards fall.

days resulted in limits of fun

September will be a month of change. Overall water levels will increase

regardless of the day’s total catch.

and the entire Laguna will take on a whole new personality. Back lake areas

Redfish were most cooperative

will again fill with bait and predators will be right behind them. Larger redfish

and early morning runs were

will travel in schools and compete for food, and if luck will have it, they will also

often punctuated by large wakes

compete for lures. Sightcasting in the sand will be an experience rivaled only

cruising the shallow flats on both

by bonefish in the Bahamas. Trout will start feeding more aggressively as the

the east and west sides. The

water level rises and temperatures recede. We will see some heavier weights

reds are becoming increasingly

begin to show and more of them will identify with chunky potholes nearer to the

weary of summer’s shallow boat

shorelines. The topwater bite will increase, but day in and day out, tails will pull

traffic however, especially when

out more than their fair share of wary fish.

shutting down in the middle of

Some other news I’d like to mention is a new toy I’ve been enjoying which is really no toy at all. A great client, Richie Hominga, has graced my Shallowsport with a Power Pole complete with a remote control which can reach out to one hundred yards. Being able to keep the boat behind us on long wades has changed the way we fish and has increased both our enjoyment and productivity. I just can’t say enough about it. Another bit of news I can’t say enough about concerns the silting in of Port Mansfield’s East Cut. Access and water flow to and from the Gulf is at an all time low here and it appears that we are on our own for a remedy. This channel, which is supposed to have a control depth of twenty feet, has shoaled up to two and four feet in some areas and is filling in fast. A good exchange of water is critical for the health of the Laguna all the way up to Baffin. If you enjoy, and would like to continue enjoying what our lower bays have to offer, I would encourage you to mail in the flyer titled “Fishing Emergency” on page 45 of the August issue of GCC. It’s important to all of us, and so is the message that recreational use of the water is just as important as commercial applications. Please take the time to raise your hand as a concerned angler, and in the meantime, take some time to go fishing as well. September is a great month to get in there with them.

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Have you ever

experienced a fishing trip, whether it is with friends or with a guide, where one person seems to catch the most and biggest fish? Why is it that one certain angler seems to catch the bigger fish all the time? Is it because he is lucky and is always at the right place at the right time. I tend to believe luck plays a small part, but nothing plays a bigger role than experience on the water. Your time on the water is and should be a lesson in the big blue classroom. Your equipment is the tool needed to master the objective. And one of the greatest things about fishing is that the only time you fail is when you fail to learn or simply give up. Certainly, nothing is more important than experience on the water, and through this experience, that one angler seems to put himself in the right place at the right time. On a recent trip I teamed up with Capt. Tricia, we had our clients stretched out in a line working a sand and shell bottom. As we waded forward, no one but Capt. Tricia was doing the catching. All of us were working the same area, but she was doing something different. Her retrieve

slow retrieve was what the fish were wanting. Everyone moved over to where she was fishing. Consequently, moving over to where she was did not bring any success to the anglers. It was her retrieve and rod action that enticed a strike and a tight line. As soon as the group mimicked her technique, they began catching fish. If you are fishing with one or several fishermen and one of the fishermen is doing more catching, pay attention to his or her technique. How is he or she working the rod tip? Is it a fast or slow retrieve? Be sure to match the type of bait that is working at the time. When fishing a general area and one fisherman is catching while the rest are not, that fisherman is probably doing something a little different that is bringing success. On some of my “big fish” trips where the client’s request is to catch a fish

was slower than normal. The fish were hugging the bottom, and they did not want to move too fast or too far for their food. A

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

of a lifetime, I have observed many times why one angler from the group

listen, but some do not. Those that listen to the advice of local knowledge are

seems to do better than the rest. That successful angler seems to be very

usually most successful in landing a trophy fish.

observant of his or her surroundings. He will notice that small break in the

Several groups that I have fished with recently come to mind as groups

water from nervous bait trying to escape a predator. His wade is much

that have done everything that it takes to increase their chances at landing a

quieter. He won’t send off wakes that alert the fish of his presence. He is

trophy. There have been times where I told a group that we would be working

willing to work the area very thoroughly when everyone else is wading as if

a small area for five hours. At times, I have instructed my fishermen to stay

they have an outboard tied on to their back. He doesn’t throw everything in

put and cast meticulously in the same area for three solid hours. Sometimes

the tackle box but tends to stick to what he has the most confidence in. He

we had to fish an area no more than a hundred yards long for hours on end.

doesn’t mind wading in mud, sand, shell or any bottom that stands between

If the wade did not produce the desired fish, we did it all over again. The

him and the trophy fish. Most importantly, such anglers are good listeners,

fishermen that had what it took, meaning patience, perseverance and sticking

quick learners with great patience, and always seem to be more persistent

to the game plan, were kindly rewarded with a personal best fish.

than the fish pursued. Do they always succeed? Yes, even when their prize

Being a successful angler will take experience, patience, perseverance,

is not caught, they always take it as a lesson learned. And does it stop

good listening, and a quick learning of the sport. Possessing all of these traits

there? Certainly not, this is where experience is earned and not taught.

and having the right equipment in your hands will land you in the “Do” rather than in the “Don’t” column. If you already possess them, get out there and

The last few months we have been targeting big fish. I tend to make it

continue chasing that fish of a lifetime. Remember never stop learning. If there

a practice to instruct my anglers before they jump off the boat concerning

is a deficiency in these qualities, it is time to challenge yourself to become the

any details that might be beneficial in landing a trophy. The most important

angler that you would like to become.

instruction I give them is to work the area slowly and thoroughly. Some

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

Ingredients 4 Redfish filets – salt and pepper both sides ½ cup Balsamic vinegar 2 Tbs. Honey 2 Tbs. extra virgin olive oil 2 chopped garlic cloves

Instructions Mix Balsamic vinegar, honey, extra virgin olive oil, chopped garlic cloves together. Fillet fish and place in shallow dish and pour mixture over fish. Let sit for 30 minutes.

Ingredients 2 medium artichokes Lemon juice ¼ cup water 1 package (8 ounces) light cream cheese ¼ cup snipped fresh chives ¼ cup sour cream ½ teaspoon onion powder 1 can (4 ½ ounces medium shrimp, rinsed, drained and chilled Instructions Rinse artichokes, and trim stems. Remove loose outer leaves. Cut off 1 inch from tops. Snip off sharp leaf tips. Brush cut edges with lemon juice. Place artichokes upright in 9-inch microwave-safe pie plate. Add water. Cover with vented microwave-safe plastic wrap. Microwave at 100% power (HIGH) for 6 to 10 minutes or until leaf pull out easily. Drain and chill thoroughly. Remove and discard center leaves of both artichokes. Using a spoon, remove and discard chokes. Pull the leaves off one artichoke. Reserve the leaves. Chop artichoke heart and stem. Set aside. Place cream cheese in bowl. Attach Bowl and flat beater. Turn to speed 2 and beat for 15 seconds. Stop and scrape bowl. Add chopped artichoke heart and stem, chives, sour cream, and onion powder. Continuing on speed 2 beat 15 seconds. Spread a small amount of cheese mixture on the edible end of each reserved leaf. Top each with a Shrimp. Fill the center of the whole artichoke with the remaining cheese mixture. Place the whole artichoke on a serving platter and surround with filled leaves and crackers.

Remove fish and place on baking dish and broil for 12 minutes. Take remaining marinate and reduce by about half by simmering in saucepan. When fish has cooked remove from baking dish and place on serving platter and pour reduced marinate over fish.

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006

Gulf Coast Connections Texas Saltwater Fishing

September 2006