Caught at the Port O’Connor Jetties
Fish was 6.5’ Angler was Johnathon Gutz from Seguin, Texas; Boat 26’ Mowdy Cat; Rod Laguna liquid 7’ medium; Penn battle 2 2500 spinning reel; Tackle provided by Anglers Anoymous; Captian Steven Reed

How Many Billfish have you caught at the POC Jetties??? The 30 years I have been down here I haven’t heard of ANYONE catching one. It’s unheard of…We always dream of being able to catch Billfish close to shore in a Bay Boat. We just don’t have deep enough waters in the Gulf close to our Texas Shore.

I just got off the phone with Captain Steve Reed. He was off the tip of the POC Jetties when he noticed bait fish busting out of the water going crazy. Capt. Steve thought it was a Jack or maybe a Tarpon. His Customer asked if they could catch the Jack. Steve is always accommodating and chunked a sardine into the Busting Bait for his customer. He all of a sudden couldn’t believe what he is seeing, a Bill is poking out of the blueish tinted water with his hooked sardine in a Billfish’s mouth.
The customer sets the hook with his Bay Rod and the fight is on. Captain Steve sets the stop watch and starts driving around the Gulf following a Beautiful Sailfish. This is setting up like the Old Man and the Sea Tale. 3 hours, 7 jumps, and a half tank of gas, Captain “BillFish’n” Steve Reed is four miles offshore putting his hands on a legal Sailfish that gets returned back into the Gulf to Live n Fight another day.

Wow! What an Awesome Day, Story and Memory. That has to be some kind of off the wall record. Definitely a hard story to top in our area. Congrats, Captain Billfish’n!!!

Cap’n Mike Drapela and his 27” Speckled Trout caught June 26 in Port O’Connor

I am sending you this picture of Cap’n Mike and his 27 inch speckled trout he caught June 26 in Port O’Connor. Mike and his wife live in Houston but spend much of their time at their home away from home at Beacon 44 RV Park when in Port O’Connor. See Mike’s favorite hat in the picture.

Mike grew up fishing with his father in Port O’Connor many years ago as his father once owned a little home near Froggies Bait Dock. The entire family would gather at the house on many occasions to celebrate holidays and spend time on the water fishing.

Mike has loved and enjoyed fishing Port O’Connor and has passed this love down to his children. Mike still fishes from his father’s early 90’s model Shoalwater boat that has had a few motors on it and original weathered blue Bimini top.

I have been close to Mikes family for about nine years now and I can promise you that this is a family that truly loves the beauty, the speed and smells of Port O’Connor, Texas. The family has taught me to love and appreciate the outdoors more than ever and I look up to Mike as a grandfather.

I have always been an outdoorsman but Mike taught me how to master the art of wading for reds and there is nothing I can think of that is more fulfilling and exciting than reeling in a keeper.

I have spent many years with the family in Port O’Connor doing things like Poco Bueno, enjoying the Christmas parade, but most of all fishing. Rain or shine, cold or windy we are cruising down the Intercoastal around the bend headed out to the Army Hole, Oil Well cut, or some spot that Mike has a special feeling about. Every fishing spot has a story that he likes to tell and I enjoy listening to every one of them. But fish or no fish we always have fun on the water. Seeing all the wildlife is part of just being out there and often he would slow down as we watch a family of dolphins playing next to the boat or watch a blue heron like a statue in the marsh.

This ole guy is truly a “Man for All Seasons” as he would often say. He knows fishing, understands the weather, can fix and repair anything, follows the rules and regulations of the waterways and limits on catch. He’s a conservationist, he is patriotic, a loyal and loving friend, father, and family man and I am thankful and blessed every time I get the opportunity to go fishing with him.

Thank you,
Tom Vanderzwet

Saturday, June 16, 2018 was the date for the annual Kid Fish Tournament, which was held in conjunction with the Seadrift Shrimpfest. Participants from as far away as Colorado completed an early morning registration and fished from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. The conditions were perfect at the Seadrift Bayfront Park under overcast skies, a cool breeze and the fish were biting. Fifty-four entries were registered with age categories of 2-5, 6-9 and 10-13. The prizes were awarded by Calhoun County Judge Mike Pfeifer. In addition, a prize was given for “hard luck” during the two hour competition, which was awarded by Seadrift Police Chief Burmea.

An additional fun activity was a crab race which was scheduled as part of the Kid Fish event while the winners were tallied. The crabs were color coded with marking on their backs and the participants were organized in corresponding teams. The crabs were released within a designated area and the first colored crab moving outside the circle represented the winning team. The children were all animated as they cheered their team’s crab on to victory. Bubbles, sidewalk chalk and Goldfish cracker containers were awarded to all participants. A short educational program about crabs was given by Robin Stuckey of the Middle Creek Red Brangus Ranch of Schulenburg, who helped sponsor the crab race.

The Kid Fish event was organized and manned by the First United Methodist Church of Seadrift and community volunteers. Cold water was made available to all participants. Snack packs and T-shirts were provided by the Seadrift Chamber of Commerce. Additional sponsors donated funds and prizes consisting of fishing poles, tackle boxes, crab nets, and stringers are:
Texas Salt Water Fishing Magazine; First United Methodist Church of Seadrift; Charlie’s Bait Camp; Middle Creek Red Brangus Ranch; Beinert Roofing & Restoration; Bay Rat Fishing & Duck Hunting Guide Service; Port Lavaca Auto Group; Seadrift Chamber of Commerce

A special thanks goes out to the event coordinators, volunteers and sponsors as it was a great day in Seadrift for the children and their families.

FUMC Volunteers: Jackie & Jim DeClue, Event Coordinators; Tinka Langfeld; Patricia Massey; Lynn & Mike Pheifer; Christy Kosser; Richard Battles; Ron Shott; Patrick Henley; Judy Brown

Community Volunteers: Chris & Banks Lowrance; Charlie from Precision Associates of Victoria.

LARGEST FISH
Ages 2-5 Scarlett Portales 13 1/8” & Rostand Semmler 16 1/4”
Ages 6-9 Reid Thomas 17 1/8”
Ages 10-13 Tristan Adamson 14 5/8” & Kyle Tubbs 14 5/8”

SMALLEST FISH
Ages 2-5 Brooklyn Grey 5 1/8”
Ages 6-9 Kundalini Gray 4 5/8”
Ages 10-13 Layton Davenport 4 1/4”

Most Fish Caught During the 2 Hour Time Frame
Kundall Gray – total of 18 fish

Photo by Susan Braudaway

On Saturday, July 7th, at about 9:10, pm I can almost guarantee you that all eyes around Port O’Connor were focused on the magnificent fireworks display at King Fisher Park. What a fabulous show!!! I can’t tell you how many people we had in town, but I bet it was a record breaker!

To all who helped make the July Fireworks show here in Port O’Connor possible, thank you so very much! First, a huge Thank You to Bill Tigrett and Donny Haynes for chairing this event! Bill works on fundraising, and this event is funded solely on monies collected from donation boxes throughout the year and solicited contributions. It costs approximately $30,000 to put the fireworks on, including advertising, soliciting donations, security, trash bins, porta potties, and trash clean up. As I quote a spectator … “It is money very well spent!” Another huge Thank you goes to Donny Haynes, who works closely with Sky Wonder Pyrotechnics to ensure that we get the best show ever. When the explosives are delivered, Donny makes approximately 100 runs up and down the pier, getting them set up. The job that Donny does is strictly volunteer, and very much appreciated!!!

We have an awesome team within the Chamber! Thanks goes to Ronna & Dewayne Fishbeck and Troy Wygrys for their help in setting up, cleaning up, and supplying the crew with what we need. Also appreciated, is Mary Jo Walker, for taking on the dirtiest job of all!.

Of course a sincere and heartfelt Thank You goes out to all or our contributors. Whether the donation was large or small, it adds up and allows us to continue this patriotic tradition. Next year will be the 50th Anniversary for the fireworks, so please keep filling those boxes!!!

Darla Parker
President, Port O’Connor Chamber of Commerce