Christmas Gulp

I got a great gift from Santa in my stocking. Berkley Gulp Shrimp in New Penny and Pearl White.

These 3" wonders really fool the redfish in the marsh and bays of the Texas Gulf Coast.

We have been having a great holiday with our kids in from out of town, good food, games, and gifts.

We took a ride to Matagorda yesterday but the wind was blowing between 25 & 30 mph so it was a short trip.

We attended the midweek services of the Church last night together and the time of devotion, singing, Scripture reading, and prayers was a fitting way to finish the time together.

After saying goodbye to the Ft. Worth gang this morning, it was time to load up the kayak and see if the white pearl Gulp could scare up a redfish.

When I arrived it was obviously a low tide situation.

The oyster beds were completely exposed at the launch.



No worries - I was determined to find the fish today!
I even have on my new knitted hat under my cap. (Thanks Tracy!)


Launch time - 1:30PM

I began the paddle to McNab but decided to veer right at the first split to see if I could make it to Gottschalk Lake.

I paddled for an hour and jumped two fish. The channel got so narrow in spots that I couldn't turn around. I finally gave up and turned back when I started dragging bottom in a wide flat. I paddled back to the split and made the turn to McNab.

That turned out to be a good decision as I finally got into some active fish in the potholes near the mouth of the main channel near McNab Lake. I got the pearl white gulp in front of a feeding fish and the ride was on!

This 26" red took a while to tire out.
He was by far the strongest fish I've tangled with in a kayak.




His belly looks big but when I opened him up he wasn't even full!



I picked up this rat red near the same spot as big brother.



Here I am at the launch just after dark.



Time for the cleaning table!

Fresh fish for supper tomorrow.

Holiday Night Fishing

With another cold front due to arrive in the Houston area this morning, I decided that if I was going to get to fish it would be on the pier sometime between Friday evening and daylight.

I opted for the late shift and got to bed early enough to grab a few hours of shut-eye before heading to Palacios. The sky was clear - no fog - and there was virtually no traffic on the roads. The wind had settled down in Needville, but when I arrived in P-town there was still a good breeze blowing that would surely be a factor for the fishing.

The 1st Street pier was all but empty as the last of the early shift were leaving as I pulled up. "No luck." they all said. Well that may be true for you but.....

I started out fishing the tiny double shad rig and found some sandies on the pier and under the light at the Baptist Encampment. After becoming convinced that I had thoroughly covered the water with the shad, I switched to the Lil Speck Killer.

The specks seemed to go for this slightly bigger bait and they wanted it s-l-o-w.

I had more hits on the pink tail than ever before. In all I caught about 40 sand trout and 10 specks. The biggest one was barely legal so back he went.

Here are some pictures and video of the trip.

I didn't bring home any fish but I had a great time anyway.

Blessings

In the past 5 days I attended two funerals. One was for a fairly young (50) father of three that died suddenly and unexpectedly, and the other was for a dear friend who lived a full and long life and died after a long decline surrounded by his loving family.

Both were moving in their own way and caused no small amount of reflection about the passing of my parents and my own mortality.

I took the last hour of the day before sunset to spend some time alone walking (and casting) along the shores of Evans Lake. The temperature had dropped significantly since the last visit just a few days earlier and the fish had moved from the usual shoreline haunts to deeper water and protection from the cold.

The fishing wasn't great but sky was pretty dramatic so I snapped a few shots.

Oh Yeah - I was blessed with this nice bass.

James 4:14
Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.


I thank God for today and it's blessings.

Blown Out By a Cold Front

I had a great idea...

After attending the graduation ceremony on Friday at TAMUK for a certain nephew (that will remain unnamed), and driving home from Kingsville, how about getting up early and driving 60 miles to McNab Lake to see if I could beat the approaching storm and catch a few redfish?

Yeah, that sounds reasonable....

I left home at dark-thirty and drove to the launch with some doubt as to what I might find.. Believe it or not, the sky looked good and the storm still seemed far enough away for a quick paddle.

I paddled out to the lake at dawn and had just found the fish when the cold front arrived complete with lightning and high wind.

At the first sign of flashes in the distance I turned back and paddled like crazy to the launch. I reached it well ahead of the storm and had the boat loaded and gear stowed before the bottom fell out. I saw a big black drum tailing in the oysters near the launch but couldn't interest him in my Gulp Shrimp.

I started home in the deluge only to remember that I had left the scupper plugs in the yak so when I came to a spot where the rain began to let up I hopped out and looked in to see about 15 gallons of water had collected. That wouldn't be so good for the mileage so I popped the plugs and let it drain out.

By the time I got home, the front had passed and with it my chances for a redfish.

They will be there next time!

Plan A

When all else fails stick to "Plan A".

Evans Lake has always been my go-to spot when I need a fishing fix.

Started out with this Big Boy near Cypress Flats


The Future of The Lake


Baby LMB


Nearly Grown


Weeds and The Wall


Chunky Monkey


One More in There?


Oh Yeah!


Night Lunker


Last Cast

I caught several more than these but will spare you the extra photos.

Catching a bunch of bass is just what I needed to get my head on straight.

Stick to Plan "A"!

Dos Pescado Rojo

Two redfish are better than one.

Today was one of those Texas December days. It turned out sunny and warm - I mean really warm like 80 deg.

After fighting the holiday traffic all week I decided to work from home today (1/2 day) and find a place to paddle this afternoon. I convinced Tracy to go with me and we made a plan to head to Matagorda around lunch time.

After a nice ride and lunch at Spoonbill's, it was time to launch.

I'm trying to simplify but hate to leave anything behind that I might need!

Heading out Rawlings Cut - 2:00pm

The wind was in my face as I headed out towards East Matagorda Bay with a plan to paddle along the west shoreline north looking for quiet water and tailing redfish.

This is what the back channels north of Rawlings Cut look like.

I cast a Super Spook top water, a TTF Flats Minnow, and a New Penny Gulp Shrimp under a cork with not so much as a tickle.

I did jump a flock of Roseatte Spoonbills and got a quick shot off at full zoom.

I finally found some quiet water and a redfish that was tailing and finning in a shallow flat. I had to work to sneak up on him as the breeze was just enough to keep me from sitting still. I finally got a cast off and missed by a few feet.

He didn't react to the splash so I retreived and cast again trying to get closer. My Gulp sailed over his back and when I tried to twitch it in front of his nose the cork or the line tickled his side and off he went! His escape route was right at the boat and when he was about 5 ft from me he really blew up and I knew that I'd better look elsewhere for a while.

I continued along the shoreline and found another red that was ambushing bait as it was carried around the point by the wind blown current. I dropped the Gulp in his kitchen and he took it immediately. I wasn't sure if it was a red or a flounder at first but before long I was having a good ride.

This 21" fish put up a harder fight than some of the much bigger fish I have caught.

I grabbed my net halfway into the fight only to realize that the treble hooks on Super Spook had become entangled in the webbing. I tried to juggle the fish on the line and the second rod and net when I realized that Mr. Redfish was about to tangle me up in a crab trap.

Somehow I managed to get the net free and return the second rod to the holder without losing the fish. I was more than thankful when he finally ended up on the stringer.

Tracy took this flash pic of me and my slot red at the launch.

I fished my way back and caught one more red in the canal on the way in.

I met up with a father-son team also returning to the launch.

Overall it was another great trip to East Matagorda Bay.

Here is one more picture -

Redfish Juggling!

A Day of Firsts

Since today is the first of December it's appropriate that I bring you up to date on a few more "firsts".

I've been working on a new PVC and lighting project for "Spot" and was determined to try it out for the first time today.

I spent some time over the Thanksgiving holiday looking at the TKF rigging ideas and combined several in this rack. I wanted to improve on my swiveling rocket launcher style rod holders and move them from the milk crate to the yak. I also wanted to add some lights for flounder gigging and night paddling.

The rack has two swiveling and two fixed rod holders and a threaded socket in the middle for a light extension or any other accessory that might be needed during the day. This shot shows a C-light installed. This AA powered light has a lens that directs the light horizontally and is visible for 2 miles (that's the legal requirement for a stern light). I have three sections that can get the light up high - well above my head - for maximum visibility.

I found one connection that I had failed to cement and the rod and light fell in the water just a few yards away from the launch. It floats!

The rack is attached to the yak by using the rear flush mounted rod holders. I left one side free for ease of installation and removal.

This is my original design for a swiveling rocket launcher. The horizontal tee is 1-1/4" and has a 1" reducing bushing that holds a short piece of 1" pipe. Over this is a 1-1/2" collar that fits over the bushing but not over the 1-1/4" tee. I installed an internal bungee system that holds the two together but allows the upper section to move. I like the design but found out that it moves too easily and allows the rods to swing in the wind. I may need to make a tweak or two to tighten it up.

I found an LED lamp by Brunton at Academy that will serve as a backup to the C-light. I didn't get to try it out yet as I was missing a 1/2" male fitting - Looks like another trip to Home Depot!

This is my combo flounder/search light. I combined two designs that others had come up with and made this one such that I can mount it to the boat via the 1" tee and a 1" rod on the rack that slides through the bottom section. I can also detach it from the yak and use it as a hand-held light if I chose to wade. The battery can be placed in a backpack or in the milk crate.

I wired the light with disconnects in the upper section of the handle so I can remove the tee with the switch. This switched tee will most likely be used when I am holding the light. I plan on installing a boat mounted switch for times when I have it installed on the rack.

Not only can the light be used to illuminate the bottom over the side of the yak, but I can swivel it up and use it as a search light.

This compression tee really made the light project come together. It fits over the 1" pipe and slides up or down to position the light. The threaded opening is used to attach it to the yak via the 1" pipe that runs through the bottom of the yak. Since this rod is free to move, I just hold the tee up to it and turn the rod to connect it together.

I used a headlight from a riding lawnmower purchased at an auto parts store for about 6 bucks. I had to cut a spacer from some leftover 4" thin wall pipe to position the bulb in the fitting. Clear silicone was used to seal the deal.

My plan for fishing was also a first. I originally thought about McNab lake but it had been so foggy this week that it seemed like a better plan to try out East Matagorda bay via Rawlings cut.

Here is the yak outfitted at the launch.
Fly rod in the front Scotty rod holder.
Two spinning rods in the rocket launchers.
Net and anchor in the fixed rod holders.

Light attached to the horizontal rod. (note the white unpainted section on the right below the anchor showing that it is pushed in on the left side).

I actually launched while it was still dark (photos taken on the return trip).

I tried out the light on the paddle out the cut. Here is a view of the bottom. Not easy to see in this small a picture but I could see small fish and crabs at a distance of 10 feet. Flounder beware!

Crab on the shoreline. (with flash)

The light worked well with the bulb on the bottom. When I tried to swivel it up for use as a searchlight it became top heavy. I need to work on a brace or a stabilizer.

This guy kept chasing my topwater plug. I kept it away from him but he was feeding on the same bait as the fish!

I fished the south shoreline as the wind was building. I had a couple of blowups on my Spook Jr. but got too eager and lost one red and who knows what the second time.

There wasn't much activity so I continued up the shoreline to an old duck blind. I then paddled out into the chop of the bay and turned my back to the wind and let it push me towards the mouth of the cut.

As I was skipping the Spook across the waves I got a major league blow up.

This is what I saw engulf my Spook Jr.

This is my personal best trout at 23"+. What a fish! I had her well hooked and let her fight as I rode the breeze.

Caught in East Matagorda Bay on a topwater in 15mph winds!

Returning to Rawlings


Success!


At the cleaning table - Not long for the skillet!

I made it home by noon - another first!

Day After Thanks

One more trip to Evans Lake was in store before the weekend.

Here is the photo documentary:

Mississippi Kite



Black Angus


One on the Wall


Catch N' Release


Flash Fish


Last Cast

Thanksgiving at Palacios

Everybody declined my offer to take a ride to Palacios looking for night time speckled trout. Something about the north wind blowing and the temps dropping into the 40's...

Go figure.

That is just the combination that brings the larger specks into the bay and up under the lights to feed.

I arrived at the pier at 7pm and there were several fishermen out on this holiday evening with the same idea as me. I heard a lot of, "You should have been here yesterday," from the locals. They said the bite was hot just ahead of the cold front. We saw the leading edge of the front at about 7pm in Needville so I guess things can change a lot in 24 hours.

I was getting outfished by everyone on the pier. My confidence bait, the Texas Tackle Factory double shad rig was doing OK and my go-to bait for trout off the sea wall, the TTF Little Spec Killer caught a couple, but the color that seemed to be best was anything small and chartreuse.

I was travelling light and had left my usual arsenal of small stuff at home so I had to make do with what I had.

"Dance with the one that brought you," so to speak.

A couple of keepers had been landed before I arrived but they were just barely legal. I caught several in the 14' to 14 7/8" range and a few sandys but couldn't connect with anything over 15".

I did manage to snap a shot of this pretty speck:

I saw my friend Tony from Pearland fishing with live finger mullet and having about the same luck as me. He said there were some nice trout caught off the wall in front of the Baptist Encampment just before dark along with a couple fat reds, one of which was currently in his cooler. He also told of some folks who had caught several sheepshead on shrimp along the seawall before dark as well.

I hooked something big enough to straighten out one of the 1/16 oz jigheads on the double shad rig - most likely a flounder, and lost a couple of trout that might have made the stringer, but at 10:30 I rolled everything up and headed for home to make my agreed upon curfew of midnight.

As I was thinking about all the good fish that would be caught by those that stayed, it started raining. Sometimes there is wisdom in making it a short night!

Thanks to a loving wife who keeps me from losing all good judgement - which I am prone to do when it comes to fishing.

Proverbs 12:15

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.