With the presence of milder temperatures, look for things to begin changing this month. One particular October change that we’ll notice will be the short periods of strong north winds will accompany frontal passages. This means that you should be deciding where you will fish when this happens. You’ll need to look away from the more common summer areas, and start investigating northern shorelines as an alternative.

The concept of change is often hard to accept, especially when it comes to fishing. But don’t make it harder than it has to be. Think about it, you’ve probably changed fishing plans on numerous occasions in the past simply because of a wind change. Keep things simple, especially when searching for new places to fish in windy conditions. There should be three things you keep in mind when doing this in October – focus on protected shorelines, water clarity, and bait activity. Those three ingredients will carry you a long way in achieving a perfect recipe for success.

Because we’re sometimes dealing with cool fronts this month, look to do your fishing the second or third day after fronts. This is the time when the north wind stops, and the sediment and sand settle down again. This is also a good time to try your luck atop the many oyster reefs in San Antonio Bay (SAB). SAB is full of oyster reefs, and they can produce some of the best fall fishing you’ve ever seen. Investigate the crown of the reef first. Over time, wind and waves often carve subtle passages atop the crown that serve as a thoroughfare for bait. And where there’s bait, there’s often nearby trout and redfish. So, whenever you get a chance to experience a SAB reef surrounded by clear water following an October front, go for it. Good luck, and keep grindin’!

I could say I’m surprised the second half of September was so topsy-turvy considering all the weather changes but I would be lying to you be-cause it’s just what our normal transition month is all about from Summer to Fall. Weak cool fronts causing angry storms capable of producing heavy rain, high wind, lightening, hail and tornados can only be chal-lenged by turbulent tropical cyclones threatening to destroy property and reshape the coastline. All of this came to a head since our last publica-tion and we are all looking for more of a smooth change to Fall like tem-peratures…that’s the promise of the next day or two here in the middle coast as a frontal boundary is knocking on the door tomorrow. All that aside late September has held a bounty of fish down here and the next week or two looks very good for the trend to continue.

Water temperatures have been steadily dropping over the past couple of weeks partly due to weak cool fronts but mostly it’s a result of shorter days and freshwater inflows from recent rains. Higher tides have been common too and with that has come a replenishment of redfish, black drum and speckled trout to our area. The shrimp that are available from local shrimpers are much larger than over the past couple months. Good size for the table but also the redfish are loving those shrimp where you think ‘dang this is as big as a Coke bottle’ and they are slurp-ing those bigs up and fiercely defending them as they run off to the tune of a screaming drag on your reel! Speckled trout remain strong over shell reefs and in the back lakes and I have been catching them with both live shrimp and soft plastics under a popping cork.

As we move into October look for more of a good thing. The coming month is our most popular at the lodge and we are typically completely booked up for fishing trips from those wanting to get in on the hot action. Trout, Redfish, Drum, Flounder! All are common to our catches and cus-tomers are enjoying the cooler temps, the crisp dry air and the Southern hospitality all experienced here on the middle Texas coast.

Capt Stephen Boriskie, Bay Flats Lodge, Seadrift, Texas,
888-677-4868

Lifelong resident of Calhoun County, Juaniece Marek Madden, born January 10, 1933 at Six Mile to Henry and Winnie Marek, passed from this life September 22, 2020.

She is survived by her sister, Hallie Bonorden (Thomas) and two nephews, Kenneth Marek and Glenn Marek, many relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis R. Madden; parents; brother, Kenneth H. Marek; sister-in-law, Rose Marek; and nephew, David Bonorden.

She graduated from Port Lavaca High School in 1950 as valedictorian of her class. She was the first woman appointed to serve on the hospital board and was 2006 Calhoun Co. Woman of the Year. She served on the boards of directors of Senior Citizens Foundation, Calhoun County Senior Citizens, Mainstreet, Calhoun County Taxpayers League, Golden Crescent Workforce Center, The Harbor and Calhoun County Humane Society.

She married Lewis R. Madden, January 19, 1951, and together they operated a hardware store and theatre in Seadrift until 1987. After retiring, they lived on their farm on Hwy. 238 and both were active in community projects. During their retirement they traveled extensively overseas and in the United States.

Funeral Services were held September 28 at First United Methodist Church with burial following at Greenlawn Gardens.

Memorial donations may be sent to Calhoun County Senior Citizens Assoc. Inc. P.O. Box 128, Port Lavaca, TX 77979; First United Methodist Church of Port Lavaca; or Calhoun County Humane Society, PO Box 1505, Port Lavaca, TX 77979; or The Harbor.

Gladys Wilson, 91, of Port Lavaca, passed away on Tuesday, October 6, 2020. She was born in Palacios, Texas to the late Samuel and Hattie Jones Dorris on June 29, 1929. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Port Lavaca.

Gladys graduated from Palacios High School, class of 1947. She was on the volleyball and tennis teams. She married Carl in December 1946 after his return home from WWII that same year. They were married for 61 years. Gladys enjoyed reading, sewing and most of all, family gatherings.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Carl Wilson, daughter Becky Allen, great-grandson Reid Wilson, three sisters, and four brothers.

Gladys is survived by her daughter Barbara (Tommy) Stanfill, son Buddy (Jan) Wilson, grandchildren Carrie Birkett, Marsha Clark (Berry Kuhlman), Carla (Kyle) Kuhlman, Nancy Allen, Megan (Steve) Downs, Katie (Eddie) Wood, and Clif (Rachel) Wilson. She also leaves behind 13 great-grandchildren, all of whom will cherish her memory.

Private family graveside services were held on Saturday, October 10, 2020 at Seadrift Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to reidsreach.org, FBC Port Lavaca or FBC Seadrift. The family of Gladys wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the loving staff at Trinity Shores.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.richardsoncolonial.com.

David Wayne Tanner, 57, of Port O’Connor, and formerly of Hallettsville, passed away on July 4, 2020.  He was born on July 27, 1962, to Mac & Margie “Orsak” Tanner in Yoakum, TX.  He attended schools in Yoakum and then graduated from Hallettsville High School in 1980.  After graduation, he worked at Morgan Portable Buildings; he then moved to Schulenburg and worked for Eiler’s Construction and then Valares.  He moved to Port O’Connor and was presently employed by Overboard Marine as a mechanic.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  He loved barbecuing and going to the beach.

David is survived by; his mother Margie Tanner Price of Hallettsville; brother Dale Tanner of Hallettsville; sister Diane Buzek and husband Joe of Hallettsville; nephew Jeremy Buzek of Houston.  Also Brittany Castillo, whom he loved like a daughter and considered her children as his grandchildren.

David was preceded in death by:  his father Mac Tanner of Magee, MS; grandparents, John and Emilia Orsak of Yoakum, TX, and Delton and Gertrude Tanner of Pearl, MS.

Memorial Funeral Mass Service was celebrated Saturday, October 17, 2020, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church of Hallettsville.

Honorary Pallbearers:  Chuck Eilers, Noral McCauley, Randy Fiedler, Lance Wylie and Jeremy Behlen.  Officiant:  Msgr. John Peters.  Memorials:  Donor’s Choice.  Burial:  a private burial at a later date.

Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.kubenafuneralhome.com.