Speckled Trout Fishing on the Texas Coast

This time of year is a great time to fish for speckled trout. These animals are usually very stocky this time of year and put up a great fight, if you can find them along the Texas coast. Now is the season for personal bests to be bested, when John Glenn’s taxidermy studio expects a seasonal wave of upper-class specks destined to decorate walls and mantels.

But the angling elites who target these elusive trout trophies are not pleased. Several anglers have told the press that they’re experiencing the worst early-winter trout fishing in recent memory. This contrasts greatly with a stellar spring and summer south of the JFK Causeway, when bait croaker produced full boxes of solid specks. You think there’s a connection? Continue reading Speckled Trout Fishing on the Texas Coast

Texas Big Bass Fisheries Should Thank Durocher

Phil Durocher, longtime head of Inland Fisheries at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, is ending his 35 years at the agency. He doesn’t go alone, however. His wife, Jean, also retired on December 31, ending a 35-year run as a nurse in one doctor’s office. Durocher walked away from the top fisheries job at TPWD a little scarred from past fights, but knows he played a role in pushing Texas to the top of bass fishing in North America.

He spent more than a few hours standing before hostile crowds and commissions, quietly offering up his positions, often using his gun bang-damaged ear to pretend he didn’t hear the semi-silent cursing and complaining from his audience. That was especially true in 1986, when Durocher was TPWD’s front man traveling the state promoting a change in bass fishing regulations that would forever alter the world of fishing. Continue reading Texas Big Bass Fisheries Should Thank Durocher

Record Cold Weather Impacts Texas Coast

Texans have been busy winterizing facilities, businesses, and residences and otherwise managing a record of sub-freezing days, but the biggest natural resource impact so far appears to be fisheries along the Texas Gulf coast. Texas has about two million acres of bays and estuaries susceptible to freezes. There were three major freezes during the 1980s, including one in 1989 when the temperature at Brownsville dropped to 16 degrees and an estimated 11 million fish were killed.

This week, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) issued a news release asking saltwater anglers to voluntarily help protect red drum, spotted seatrout, snook and other aquatic resources, including flounder. The release said “in addition to killing game fish in shallow bay waters, a hard freeze can also cause surviving fish to congregate in a few deeper areas where they become sluggish and prone to capture” and asked anglers to avoid catching fish populations in these natural refuge areas. Continue reading Record Cold Weather Impacts Texas Coast

Red Tide Plagues Texas Coasts

It seems an unusually persistent bloom of toxic red tide has been strengthening in Corpus Christi Bay despite the fact that winter is just around the corner. Usually, cooling bay temperatures stave off or diminish concentrations of red tide, according to Meridith Byrd, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) harmful algal bloom coordinator. But the expert said red tide blooms have been known to thrive in the 40-degree range off the East Coast.

This fall’s red tide was first reported in early October on the southern coast. As it moved north to the central coast, it killed millions of fish periodically throughout October and November. The bloom had been declining in December until last week, when by late Friday dead fish were being reported along the Corpus Christi bayfront. Continue reading Red Tide Plagues Texas Coasts

Fall Floundering Along the Texas Coast

Fall gigging for flounder pays off! 

Although many flounder are taken by rod and reel, “floundering” or gigging offers the best challenge for this Gulf species. The flounder’s habit of entering the shallow waters at night to feed makes the flatfish vulnerable to thin-water giging. Flounder fishing is best during the Gulfward migration from October through December. During this time, lanterns and spotlights can be seen in and around the pass areas as anglers wade through the shallows in search of the elusive flounder.

Gigs ranging from single-pronged to modified hay forks are often used to spear the fish. The fishermen wade quietly along the shallows looking for flounder lying flat on the bottom. Once the flounder is within the light from the lantern, normally it will not move, allowing the fisherman a chance to “gig” the fish. Although this sounds like a sure-fire method, many fish are missed because they go undetected until they swim away or because of inaccurate gigging by an over-anxious fisherman. Continue reading Fall Floundering Along the Texas Coast

Toyota Texas Bass Classic Winner

Toyota Texas Bass Classic

Dave Lefebre won the Toyota Texas Bass Classic that was held October 16-18 on Lake Conroe. And the bass angler did so in dramatic fashion. The Pennsylvania native caught his last largemouth bass of the day with only 15 minutes left on the lake, which was all he needed to edge ahead of the pack. Lefebre caught only four ounces more than second place Andy Montgomery.The bass fishing tournament successfully wrapped up Sunday evening with the crowning of the inaugural Professional Anglers Association (PAA) Tournament Series World Champion.

The unique event focused on conservation and featured a catch and release program that highlighted the efforts of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD). Prior to the final day’s weigh-in, tournament backers presented the TPWD with a $250,000 donation, to go towards youth fishing and outreach programs across Texas. Dozens of TPWD employees in various divisions were involved, from helping plan and promote the event to helping run outreach activities and otherwise assisting on site this past weekend. Chalk the Toyota Texas Bass Classic up as a hit. Continue reading Toyota Texas Bass Classic Winner

Bass Fishing with Rattlesnake for Bait?

Bass fishing using a rattlesnake for bait 

Being a fisherman, I will try just about anything to catch a big largemouth bass. Well, almost anything. I don’t think I would ever use a rattlesnake as bait, but that is exactly what Texas angler did. I got the “rattlesnake bass” story in an email. The fellow that wrote the story apparently owns or works for River Run Guide Service, but I was unable to find a Web Site for the fishing guide on the net. Anyway, if you enjoy a good fishing story, you should enjoy this one.

“Greetings to everyone from River Run Guide Service.In 20 years of fishing the Middle/Upper Brazos River, I can honestly say that I have never encountered a venomous snake (pit viper) within the riverbed. However, as I tell my clients, go outside the riverbed and that can be a very different story. Obviously, just because I have never come accross a venomous snake in the river, does not in any way mean they are not there. In fact, I always remain vigilant and on the lookout knowing that I’m simply overdue for my first encounter. The way I look at it, Texas, venomous snakes and the outdoors will always go hand in hand.

So, I wasn’t too suprised when I observed a juvenile rattlesnake headed across the river while I was in my kayak flipping a jig for bass. I continue fishing. However, I can’t help to notice the rattler has changed it’s course and is headed straight for my kayak. At this point, I’ve pretty much quit fishing and have my attention focused on the intentions of this potentially pesky pit viper. Continue reading Bass Fishing with Rattlesnake for Bait?