CUR APR May 13 A - CCA Texas

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Upper CoastBy Capt. Steve HillmanThe easiest fishing one could ask for.Fishing in Galveston Bay has been well aboveaverage, with trout up to 7 pounds when theweather cooperates. Sustainability of our troutfishery is very important so we’re releasing allof the larger trout. The pattern for June and Julywill be a sequel to May. Drifting slicks overshell in 4 to 7 foot depths is about the easiestfishing one could ever ask for. Birds havealready started feeding over migrating brownshrimp in certain locales, with quite a fewundersized trout under them, but this willchange in coming weeks as the shrimp getlarger.Trinity, East, West and Lower GalvestonBays will continue to hold plenty of fishthroughout the summer. Work the eastshoreline of Trinity early in June and thenspend more time around the wells later in themonth and into July. East Bay reefs are reliablewhen the wind allows, while the shorelinesare good for wading on the breezy days. WestBay’s San Luis Pass can give up some nicetrout. Lower Galveston Bay around theCauseway will produce, especially on two-tidedays.Drifting or wading, the key is to locateactive bait and / or fresh slicks. Lots of surfaceactivity? Try throwing topwaters. If you just seeslicks and not much surface bait then softplastics will probably work better. Keep itsimple when choosing lure colors. Remember,it’s more about contrast in a speckled trout’sworld. Dark or overcast conditions in offcoloredwater call for dark colors such as RedShad, Morning Glory or Texas Roach.Limetreuse, Pearl or Glow are good examplesof colors that will work well in green water /bright sunlight conditions. Throw small, lowpitch topwaters in low wind conditions andloud, high pitch ones in choppy waters. It’s notNuclear Physics.Also, using the right equipment willincrease your odds of catching exponentially.Using a rod that is better suited for an Olympicpole vaulting competition won’t get the jobdone. I use a Shimano Core 50 Mg rigged on a6’6" Waterloo Ultra Mag rod and while I maynot stick every fish, I can definitely feel everybite. Have fun and remember….the big onesjust don’t taste as good. —Captain Steve Hillmanwww.hillmanguideservice.com 409-256-7937Jeff Sadler sent this 6 pounder back for furtherduty. Photo, Capt. Steve Hillman.Middle CoastBy Capt. Billy TrimbleIt happens fast.Spring in Texas is a blink of the eye on atypical year, but this year has not been atypical year. In mid-May, we still had coldfronts pushing through, slowing the progressof our summer conditions.There is still very little grass on the flatsand a lot of clean sand and mud flats wheregrass should be. Find grass and pods ofredfish feeding on grass shrimp, find somegreat sport.As spring transitions into summer ourweather pattern will settle down and the waterwill clear, and it happens fast. Lately, fishinghas been very good. Fishing extremelyshallow water, on two days of north windgreyovercast-spitting rain, my angler landed14 Redfish that averaged 27".I had several days of wade fishing ankledeep water picking off large redfish, great fun.Almost every day we are getting shots atspeckled trout in the 24-28" range in less than18"s of water.We have been taking some really nicespeckled trout, 18-20"s, off of mudding podsof hardhead catfish. I am seeing big schools ofsmall mullet and pin fish with redfish and troutfollowing them and can hear redfish crashingthem back in the flooded mangroves. Schoolsof Black Drum are moving up on to the flats inthe late afternoon offering some fine sport.As summer approaches I am very excitedabout the “State of the Fishery!”Last year was a tough one but this year isshaping up to be much better. We havereceived some timely rains which should helpthe food chain, shrimp/crab. I am seeing manymore fish this year than last and the patternsare what one would expect to see. Goodnews for the avid salt-water angler, so get outthere and go fishing! Tight Lines, —CaptainBilly Trimble www.trimbleflyfishing.combillytrimble@cableone.net 361-205-1266Headed your way? Cutt Ableson's CPR of Neal Nichols big trout.Lower CoastBy Capt. Bill ShekaAlgae bloom not withstanding...The summer pattern hopefully will fall intoplace now. The spawn was behind nearly 2-3weeks, due to the abnormally cold temps fromall the late fronts. Even the shrimp runs, andthe size of croakers were off. I would say thatthe trout run and valleys and peaks of thespawning of trout could also be running longer.The temperatures and the continuance ofNorthers have changed the currents in ourLaguna Madre system to North to South, whichis not normal for the late April and Mayperiods. But, lots of bright, sunny days willbring our water temps up and a return to oursummer patterns of a south to north current.The algae bloom has been with us sinceMay of 1990. A different strain last year,according to TP&W, was to blame for killingmany fish, including some trout, redfish, drum,sheepshead and large numbers of ourmenhaden shad. What I have seen now is theflushing of the Laguna Madre with a drop ofover 12 inches in the water table in in May.This displaced lots of water and the bloom ranhard to south of the Land Cut with threerecording-setting frontal passages, whichhelped it change directions. Talk about trying tostay on top of the water color... We had a shortrun on some LARGE trout from 28 inches to 30inches and a few a bit larger.That strain of algae bloom could end upappearing again during June and July periods,but as the currents stay south to north we areseeing much prettier water moving north fromthe lower Laguna Madre. With all that beingsaid, the current algae bloom is not killing fishas of yet but hampering watery visibility andthose wanting to throw artificial lures and topwaters are going to have to rethink and usescented lures like my favorite Berkely Gulps.Try an Almeda rattler, Mansfield Mauler orCajun Thunder with a Gulp and a 1/8 or 1/25ounce jighead. Think sound and scent for thebloom waters. But, if you can concentrate in theareas from Baffin Bay south, including theYarbourgh Pass area, Kennedy Ranch shoreline,the Landcut, the Nine Mile hole and southto the Lower Laguna, these areas are shapingup for CLEAR water with NO Algae Bloom.Good fishing and God Bless, —Capt. Bill Shekabillsheka@msn.com 361-991-7191Many of us old salts know Cap'n Bill as a fineguide, and appreciate his military service.~10~
Alvin-PearlandRex Richards 281-923-3050Aransas BayCarter Crigler 435-830-5984jccrigler@hotmail.comBabes on the Bay XIV is now in the historybooks and we would like to thank all entrantsfor their participation. We would also like tothank the vendors, volunteer TP&W GameWardens who conducted the weigh-in and faithfulchapter volunteers for their support. A specialthanks goes to Karol Scardino, tournamentdirector, for her continued dedication and commitmentto making Babes on the Bay theworlds best all women’s fishing tournament.As in the past, a donation of $3,000 on behalfof CCA Babes On The Bay, Aransas BayChapter, will be made to Go For Fish, NotDrugs kid’s fish event sponsored by theTP&W Game Wardens. We do hope you allhad a great time and that you will join us againnext year.Our 14th Annual Banquet is scheduled forAugust 10 at the Paws and Taws ConventionCenter in Fulton, Texas. We hope you will joinus for a fun-filled evening consistingof a live auction includingtrips. sculptures, art, etc.;raffle; door prizes; and silentauction. Tickets will be availableat Rockport Tackle Townand Seaworthy Marine and includedinner, open bar, and aCCA Membership. For anyquestions concerning advancedticket reservations,Sponsor opportunities, donationsor any other matter contactMichelle Green, BanquetChairperson, atjeepgirl.green@gmail.comMay the summer of 2013be your best ever for fishingand time with family andfriends. Tight lines, —CarterAustinScott Sanderson512-637-1750scott@mbsquoteline.comOn May 9, the Austin Chapterrewrote history again. The34 th annual banquet for Austinwill go down again as arecord setter on every level.The event was sold out with1500 attendees. And those inattendance got to partake inlive and silent auctions andraffle games that were absolutelystuffed full of great trips,boats, 4WDs, guns, art, awesomegear and more.We’ll have a full report inthe next issue but as epic aslast year was, 2013 will makeit a distant memory. And forthat, we owe a great debt ofgratitude to our MANY generoussponsors, donors andmembers for their incrediblesupport-support that hashelped the Austin Chapter ofCCA reach heights never beforeimaginable.Next up on the calendar isANO at Abel’s on the LakeChapter Updates are edited forbrevity to allow everyone’s voice tobe heard. For the full version, go toyour chapter’s area in theCCA website. Drop bywww.ccatexas.org,click on Local Chapters.July 17. Our guest speaker will be CaptainDworaczyk from Bay Flats Lodge. A lot of usfish the Seadrift/Port O’Connor area, so don’tmiss this one. Come out and learn from one ofthe best. We’ll have great giveaways and a freemeal compliments of Smokey Denmark’s. Youdon’t have to be a member to come, so BRINGA FRIEND AND ASK THEM TO JOIN CCA.Galveston's 21' Shallow Sport, put together by Coastline Marine.Winner of the San Antonio boat, Manuel Longoria.Matagorda Bays fully rigged 23ft HDX Dargel KAT w/ 200HP EvinrudeE-Tec, McClain Tandem Aluminum Trailer. Thank you to our boat sponsors,Polasek Construction, Quality Lease Services, Q.C.E. Supply, Inc,and Dargel Boats.Be sure to “Like” Coastal ConservationAssociation Austin Chapter on Facebook tokeep up with everything this awesome chapterhas going on.We have an incredibly dedicated and hardworking board in Austin that puts together allthe amazing events for you throughout theyear. If you would like to jump on board, andhelp us grow even more, just send me a noteand we will welcome you. You will have a lotof fun and make a difference in the conservationof our great coastal resources. See you atANO! Warm regards, —Scott Sandersonscott@mbsquoteline.comBay AreaCurtis Anderson 832-421-6377Wow, do we have something to report! Weheld our annual fundraiser and crawfish boil onApril 4 and it was an OUTSTANDING SUC-CESS. We INCREASED our REV-ENUE over last year by 116% andeven better, we INCREASED OURNET by 117%. It’s gonna be hard totop that next year but we are alreadyplanning for it.As I write this on April 24,the temperature outside is 58 degrees.I can’t believe it. Well hopefully,this is the last cold front of theyear and we can get out and startsome serious summer fishing fun.Have a great summer. —Kent LacyVice President, Bay Area Chapter.Brazoria CountyWes Dingee 979-299-8245The Brazoria County Chapter of theCoastal Conservation Association(CCA) wrapped up our annual banquetin March with a very positiveoutcome. The banquet is our onlyfund raiser of the year, so our sponsors,underwriters, and attendeesare very supportive financially. Thisyear, big sponsors were Beef ‘OBrady’s and Mammoet who helpedwith our gun/cooler raffle and dinner.Attendance was fantastic — wepacked the Lake Jackson Civic Center!Our chapter will host a freepublic presentation at 6:30 pm onTuesday, June 18 at the Sea Centerin Lake Jackson. This CCA chaptergeneral membership meeting willfeature recognized Gulf Coast fishingguide Tommy Kountz. TalkAbout Good catering will providedinner. There is no charge for thisevent which also includes a raffle ofseveral fishing items for attendees.There is no reservation requiredand attendees do not have tobe CCA members. For more informationcall Dan Johnson (979) 265-6555, Wes Dingee (979) 299-8245,or any other Brazoria County CCAboard member. The BrazoriaCounty chapter assists Sea Center,Kid Fish, and several other communityprojects. –Wes Dingee~11~
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CUR APR May 13 A - CCA Texas

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