“A Family Affair”
Bay Flats Lodge

We’ve already had some substantial cold fronts, and area bay waters have become quite chilly as a direct result. In the event we’re presented with a calm day this month, make your way out into the mid-section of San Antonio Bay and take advantage of what can, at times, be some prime cold-water trout fishing amongst the many area shell reefs. Unfortunately, however, we’ll probably be spending most of our days in January putting up with harsh winds that are either out of the south just prior to the next approaching front, or winds out of the north immediately following the passage of a front. Either way, we can often spend a considerable amount of time this month searching for productive areas that provide adequate protection from high winds and other foul weather elements.

Anyone who has spent much time fishing the Port O’Connor and Seadrift area may have spent a few of their wintertime days out on the water nestled close to the bank in tight coves located on the bayside of area back lakes. These coves offer protection from the weather, and they also offer access to narrow arteries which feed saltwater into some of the back lakes. There’s a good possibility you’ll find some bigger trout hanging out in these guts and bayous, so make it a point to jig some of your favorite plastic tails in these deeper areas this month when the water gets really cold. A couple of good colors this time of the year include Texas Roach and Black Magic, both with a chartreuse tail. However, an all-time favorite go-to bait color for cold water still remains plum with a chartreuse tail.

If top water baits are more your game, stick with the old rule-of-thumb that says to throw bright colors on bright days, and dark colors on dark days or in dark water. Simply put, when the air and water temperatures drop severely, dark colors work, regardless of the weather or the water conditions.

Aside from hiding in coves along San Antonio Bay’s south shoreline, consider concentrating some of your efforts elsewhere. Wading long, skinny reefs that are nearly up against the shore of the Aransas National Refuge has historical proven to be time well spent when it’s cold outside. Other areas to look to this month include the protected shoreline of the Welder Ranch, the deeper waters of the Victoria Barge Canal and the ICW, the reefs located near Grass Island, and the mud/shell that rests near the lower end of Shoalwater Bay where it opens in to San Antonio Bay. You might get cold or be uncomfortable, but you’ll be having fun while making enjoyable memories. Happy New Year everyone!

Capt. Chris Martin, Bay Flats Lodge, 1.888.677.4868 Office

“Cold Water Trout”

Happy New Year my fellow anglers! 2019 is here and with the flip of the calendar to January I find myself remembering the first half of this month has given way to some of my best days on the water. I love this time period for many reasons but the most notable is the fact that there are few boats on the water, fewer still anglers to contend with and a seemingly endless supply of hungry Speckled Trout to play with.

Wading with lures is the way to go for my favorite days this first half of January making sure I have the right tackle along with me before slipping into the water. I like to focus on bait movement first and foremost. Next I am looking for the multitude of cuts and guts in the bay floor because they attract the trout who use them as ambush points. Add to that areas of water that are a bit stained and then water that looks like a boat just peeled out churning up the muddy bottom. These spots are even better if they are in a waist deep soft mud flat.

The arsenal of lures I carry is a simple one but covers all the presentations I will likely lean on. My wade belt will have a plastic box containing various colors of darks and lights of offerings such as: slow sinking soft baits like the Corky (Brown) Original Suspending Twitchbait and also the Corky Devil; flapping tail type plastic lures that move up and down and swim straight like the Texas Tackle Factory (TTF) Redfish Killer, Killer Flats Minnow and Killer Hustler; larger soft plastics that float a bit more and look huge in the water like the Down South Southern Shad; darting plastics that are smaller, more slim and with more speed and movement like the TTF Trout Killer; and finally just for kicks an assortment of topwater baits like the Heddon Super Spook, SSJr and One Knocker. Throw in a couple screw lock jig heads, my choice the TTF 1/16 oz for the shallows and 1/4 oz for the drop offs and the wade is on. This assortment in type and color is way too much for any one anger and definitely for any given wade, but it’s because of this variety that I have confidence in dedicating myself to a body of water and working all aspects of it that have worked in the past of that I can think of to fool a fish.

Keying in on bait movement is at the top of my agenda right now because when you find the bait, and I’m talking mullet mainly, you will realize the trout are nearby. The water temperatures are ranging from the high forties around cold fronts to the middle sixties between them and the bait and the predators are reacting to these swings quicker than you might imagine. When I see bait present I try to determine which ‘type’ of bait presence is going on. Is it one mullet jumping up in the shallow water or is it a wad of finger mullet cruising in a couple of feet? I am hoping for the latter and once I can tell what’s going on I quickly try to calculate which of my lures is appropriate for the conditions. Being patient with my lure choice and giving it a good twenty or more casts before changing, I move slowly through my target area to be sure I cover it entirely. I have fished with many professional anglers and what I have noticed is they move slower through the water and they cover a flat in a semi circle fashion stopping to cast far to the right then through the middle then far to the left, working the entire water column before taking another step. This is crucial when you are fishing waters that are colder because the fish are not moving as fast as in the warmer months. The fish may be there right in front of you but if you trudge forward with an undisciplined spread of casts you may take the bait right out of their mouths. Slow down and think more action on your lure and less speed.

Once I determine a good piece of water to focus on where the bait is working, I am looking for the multitude of cuts and guts in the bay floor because they attract the trout who use them as ambush points and you may also notice these areas of water that are a bit stained and the water looks churned up on the muddy bottom. Most of the time this is an afterthought because if I have found the bait I am near certain I’m in the land of the bottom change and out of the gin clear water. Moving around to find these peaks and valleys is easy once you are in the water though and this is another reason to take it slow. Parking the boat away from bait activity fifty or so yards is important to mention here. That way you get some room to mess up the water and keep the noise away from the real estate you plan to rummage through. Get all that stuff out of the way and get ahold of yourself before sneaking up to your prey. This gives you time to get the pre-game jitters out and make a few casts to be sure your reel and line are in good shape before you stick that first fish. Nothing worse than feeling the thump of a trout and bird
nesting a reel to kill your enthusiasm.

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

This is the year that we have been looking for – Jesus may come back to take us with Him to Heaven! We know He is coming soon – just do not know just when! But, we are working and praying until the day we hear the Trumpet Sound and are caught up in the air to meet the Lord!

We finished 2018 with a lot of exciting things happening! Hermana Angie did an excellent job in directing our children with a special Christmas program. We had several parents who do not regularly attend, come to see it. then we had the trailer filled with carolers who went around the community singing. They returned to the Chapel and to the bonfire for hot dogs and marshmallows. It was truly an evening to remember. We had our annual All Church Christmas Party and, as usual, it was a very fun time for all. Christmas is a special time at the Chapel because we celebrate it all month long!

January is beginning where December left off with a lot of activities. We celebrated Pastor Joane’s birthday with a grand fellowship meal. It is always a great time when we get to taste others’ recipes and enjoy a time of visiting. We live in such a busy world that often we just greet people and never take time to share our lives with them. Our fellowship meals are times when we are not in any hurry, but enjoy each other’s company!

On Sunday afternoon, January 13, we said our “Good-byes” to our special friend and fellow worshipper, Mike Gonzales. The last Sunday of 2018, Mike got dressed to come to the Chapel, but his strength would not allow him to make it. He loved coming to church and  especially enjoyed our Men’s Breakfasts – especially the “special recipe gravy”. To say he will be greatly missed would be a great understatement! He is helping to get everything ready for our joining him very soon! Our prayers are for his many friends and large family that the comfort of the Holy Spirit be theirs.

Pastor Joane and I are in Halletsville this weekend to help “set the church in order”. The Chapel has had a part in the formation of this church, which has grown from nothing to now ready to take full authority for their own business. They have purchased and paid for their property, have bought a “starter building” and now are in the process of raising funds to construct their main church building. Pastor Jr. and Bobbye are doing an excellent job. Both quit their jobs in another community, sold their home, and relocated to Hallettsville to plant this church. God has been good because they have put their hearts into this project. Congratulations are in order for this lovely couple and their congregation. In our absence, Pastor Jesse will be taking care of the Chapel.

Captain Robert has announced that the first class of 2019 here in Port O’Connor will begin on February 22. All interested perspective Captains should make contact with him as soon as possible to be ready to receive their Coast Guard Certification. He can be reached at 361/758-6184. This is the 20th year that we have offered the classes at the Chapel and many have received their certifications here. Go, Captain Robert!

On February 10, twenty-four years ago, we began Fisherman’s Chapel! The community has certainly changed a lot, and we also have grown in our relationship with the Lord. I trust I will never forget that first summer when we walked every street in this community and left a card with everyone we could find, inviting them to the Chapel. I knew nothing about the area except that the Lord had called me here to start this church! I have no idea how many people have helped us in some way in the formation of this church, but Heaven has kept an accurate record! One day the King of Glory will reward every effort that has been expended to help spread the Good News in this community. Should Jesus delay His Return, I hope to be preaching His Word for many more years. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of Port O’Connor!

Doyle Glynn Adams of Port O’Connor, Texas left us on earth on January 3, 2019 to join his wife, past family members and friends in Heaven.

He was born on October 12, 1927 in Marquez, Texas. Doyle graduated from Houston’s Austin High School in 1945 and was active in ROTC, reaching the rank of LT. Colonel. He was a Boy Scout reaching the rank of “Life” and served as a Den Chief in the Cub Scouts. He joined the Navy during WWII as a combat air crewman and received an Honorary Discharge in 1948. In 1949 he met and married his beautiful wife, Bernice Kirkland. They were blessed with two children, a daughter, Brenda born in 1951 and a son Jerry in 1955. They tragically lost Brenda in 1966. Doyle’s wife, Bernice passed away in 2009 in Port O’Connor, Texas.

Doyle was a 60-year member of the Masonry, 32 Scottish Rite Mason and member of the Shrine.

Doyle went to work for Honeywell Inc. in 1951 in Houston as an Installation Engineer, then to San Antonio as a Branch Manager, then to Atlanta as a Regional Manager followed by a Vice President of Sales position in the Minneapolis corporate office. He retired in 1988 after 35 years of service and moved to Port O’Connor, Texas. Doyle served as a President of ASHRAE and Optimist Club in San Antonio. Doyle served as a church Deacon, Bible Teacher and Music Director of several churches in Houston, San Antonio, Minneapolis and Port O’Connor. Doyle was a dedicated member of Port O’Connor First Baptist Church, Deacon, Choir Member and Sunday School Director.

He is survived by his son, Jerry Adams and wife Sandy of Shady Shores, Texas. Granddaughters, Michelle Ellis and husband Jeff of Cypress, Texas and Valerie Adams and Fiancé Randal Trent of the Rowlett, Texas area, and Great Grandson Jaxson Ellis.

Pallbearers were Cliff Crump, Hunter Crump, Jeff Ellis, Brian Kiefer, Steve Simpson, and Randal Trent.

Funeral Services were held Saturday, January 12, 2019 at First Baptist Church in Port O’Connor, Texas. Burial was at the Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston, Texas.

Memorial Donations may be made to First Baptist Church PO Box 9, Port O’Connor, TX 77982.

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