Spring Break Gobbler! Making Memories in Calhoun County.
-Capt. Jeff Larson

Spring Break is over, we made it through another one without any major problems. Plenty of fish were caught to keep the visitors happy. March in the Marsh was really good due to the high tides. The back bays and lakes were full of water and boats. ITS ALL GOOD…for the most part, everyone seemed to respect one another and give way to the fishermen who arrived 1st. The boat traffic seems to really help push the reds around when they are not really swimming around much. Even fishing the ICW, the barge traffic sends a false tide which really puts trout and drum on a feeding frenzy. When the bite is slow boat traffic can push a loitering school of reds into casting range or through your bait set.

We had some great trips in March, not just fishing either. Turkey hunting has been great this year. Spring Turkey Season started off in March with Youth Weekend. It coincides with our youths Spring Break weekend. Scott hosted Brennen and I on a fabulous Turkey Hunt. We did not see any Turkeys opening day but perseverance paid off. We went back Sunday after Scott had scouted earlier that morning and gave us heads up on a flock of ‘em on the northern section of the ranch. He put us in the honey hole and within minutes we had Hens and Jakes pecking and spurring our Avian X for a long time. The Big Ol Boss Gobbler couldn’t resist my sweet talking calls and the fighting between his girlfriends and our decoys. The stud came around a big mesquite bush, strutting and bellowing gobbles that makes hunters shake like Buck Fever. I wasn’t under the gun but was still shaking like it was a monster deer. Never the less, the Big Ol Stud got within 10 yards of us. And without blinking an eye Brennen smoked checked Mr. Tom Turkey with a knock out punch to the jugular. We didn’t weigh it but it scored 1 ½” spur on the left leg, 1 ¼ “ spur on the right leg, with a 9” beard. Great Spring Break opener, Thanks to the Saltwater Lodge Ranch.

March ended up a great month with many smiles and memories for the ones that were lucky to spend their vacation in Calhoun County.
The 1st week in April is opening up to some epic top water action. The fish are heavy into their spring fling. Big momma trout are skinny and fat if you know what I mean. We have been seeing some big ‘unz, some bite some don’t. That’s why they call it……not catching. We happen to be in a low tide week. The towing and asset recovery business is in an up swing for me this week. Good for me but not so good for the fishermen who thinks their prop boat is the shallowest boat in the world. Errr on the side of caution, that’s my tip of the month, cause you should already have a phone number and credit card ready. If you aren’t sure what our tides are, please ask someone.

Power Pole Pro Sandy Fletcher with stretched lines and blue skies.

Catching big fish at the jetties is certainly not guaranteed, but if you’re in the right place at the right time it can be a rod bending adventure that you won’t soon forget. Capt. Robert Sloan photo

Greg Simmons had never been saltwater fishing a day in his life, but after we got anchored up at the jetties he was converted in no time flat. His first drop to bottom with a live shrimp just about got the rod yanked out of his hands.

“What do I do!” he yelled.

My immediate reply was to not let go of the rod and reel. Inside of five minutes we had netted a 38 pound bull red and he was ready to sell his bass fishing tackle.
Fishing the jetties is a thrill a minute on most days. It’s exciting fishing that can hook you up with anything from a big speckled trout to a jumping tarpon. Other fish commonly caught along the Port O’Connor jetties include reds, black drum, sheepshead and jack crevale.

As a guide I get the opportunity to fish with folks from all over the place. I had a guy out this past winter that lived in Wyoming. His only fishing experience over the past few months had been ice fishing for perch. When I told him we were heading to the jetties, I may as well have been talking in Japanese. He didn’t have a clue. But about four hours later he was demanding to have his picture taken with the limit of three reds, five sheepshead and two trout he had put on ice.

What makes the Port O’Connor jetties so unique is that they extend a long way out into the Gulf of Mexico. Plus the water depth gets deep in a hurry towards the end of the rocks. The deep water and strong currents attract a lot of baitfish that in turn bring in plenty of tasty fish, including the occasional ling, tripletails and snapper.

There are a number of ways to rack up some good catches of fish along the jetties. The most popular is to drop down to bottom with a piece of cut bait or live shrimp. That’s usually where you’ll find the most reds, black drum and sheepshead.  Two other options, that will put you on more trout, is to fish a live shrimp or croaker under a slip float, of free-line them along the rocks.

One thing is certain – catching fish along the jetties is never guaranteed. The “hot” bite depends on the current and your location over hungry fish. Whenever you can connect those variables you’ll likely catch more fish. Another very good option is to hire a guide. It’s a heck of a lot cheaper than buying a $50,000 boat, loads of tackle and enough bait to break the family budget.

Feel free to give me a call and learn how to fish the jetties today.Capt. Robert Sloan, 409-782-6796, email – sloan288@aol.com or go to www.luckystirkeguide.com

The Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, Museum of the Coastal Bend and San Antonio Bay Partnership are providing two opportunities this month to learn more about Texas’s many bird species.

On Thursday, April 21, the museum is screening the documentary “The Messenger,” a film about how songbirds are impacted by humans. A reception will be held at the Museum of the Coastal Bend starting at 5pm. At 5:30pm, Dr. Susan Heath, Avian Conservation Biologist with the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory, will give remarks about threats to Texas’ coastal birds and how we can help. Following the speaker, the 90-minute documentary will be shown in Johnson Symposium, which is also located on the Victoria College campus. After the film (7:55-8:30pm), the public is invited to participate in a panel discussion on solutions for songbird survival. Panelists are Dr. Sandra Cochran, DVM, on the impact of spaying & neutering cats; Brent Ortego, TPWD Wildlife Diversity Biologist, on habitat loss & enhancement; and Dr. Susan Heath, on protecting coastal bird species. This program is free and open to the public.

On Saturday, April 23, you have a unique chance to visit the TNC Mad Island Marsh Preserve near Palacios to observe Smithsonian Migratory Bird biologists studying the many species of birds on their spring migration. The field trip runs from 8:30am-2:30pm includes lunch and presentation “The Amazing Journey of Migratory Birds”. Registration is $50 per person This fund raising event supports the Friends of the Port O’Connor Library, the Museum of the Coastal Bend and San Antonio Bay Partnership. Space is Limited. Purchase tickets at www.sabaypartnership.org

“This field trip is an incredible opportunity to see Texas birds up close, and to experience the science that helps tell us about their lives,” says Isabel Ray, museum curator of education. “Here on the Coastal Bend, we’re lucky to be surrounded by so many species.”

For questions about the field trip or film contact Brigid Berger 713 825 1929 brigidberger@comcast.net To learn more about museum events, contact Isabel Ray at 361 582 2559 or isabel.ray@victoriacollege.edu.

The Museum of the Coastal Bend is located at 2200 East Red River in Victoria. Regular museum hours are 10am-4pm, Tuesday-Saturday. Admission is pay-what-you-want. For more information, including a calendar of events, visit the website: www.museumofthecoastalbend.org.

Expression of Satisfaction…
Capt. Chris Martin
Bay Flats Lodge

Heavy Red Action with Capt. Harold Dworaczyk, Bay Flats Lodge

The dictionary defines the term “prospecting” as exploring an area, especially for mineral deposits; or to inspect (a region) for mineral deposits. Many coastal anglers have probably adopted a similar meaning for the word, only in a somewhat different context, as they are often required to explore and inspect many different areas and regions on a regular basis while searching for those silver-backed Specks and golden Reds.

More times than not, winds dictate how the fishing is going to work on any given day down here along the coast. That is why it is so very important for anglers to remember to fish the conditions, and not “the spot”. Many may even prospect new locations for each wind condition.

Here’s what I mean: Go to your kitchen pantry, open the door, and take note of the many different varieties of food groups. Now imagine each of the boxes, or cans, as being different varieties of wind conditions (instead of food groups).

As example, while taking inventory of the pantry, you happen to note you’ve four boxes of SSE wind at 3-mph, but only one box of NW wind at 20-mph. If while on your next fishing trip you find you are faced with a NW wind at 20-mph, you only have one box to choose from in the pantry that contains many different varieties.
This situation places a lot of anglers in a sudden state of turmoil as to where to go from there, and many begin second-guessing other available options – all the time not knowing for sure because they have not properly prospected other areas or regions.

Another common example might be that you have been waiting all week to go fishing. You get down to the hotel and awaken at 3:30 am the next morning only to discover that the wind has the palm trees thrashing from side-to-side, and you immediately realize that your favorite fishing spot is undoubtedly blown-out. Or, maybe it’s not blown-out. You may realize your favorite spot is sufficiently protected from a wind coming from this direction, so you pack up the gear and your buddies, and you’re off on your way across the bay, only to discover upon arrival at your favorite spot that another early-riser beat you there, or that someone pitched a tent overnight in order to beat everyone there. There goes your spot – enough said!

This is why it is always a good idea to prospect, remembering never to limit yourself based solely upon those areas which are most familiar to you. Always make it a practice to build wind conditions into many different scenarios (many different varieties).

Now that conditions are getting warmer, we wish to remind everyone not to get too comfortable with the fantastic Spring weather! Yes, it feels good not to be under the confines of several layers of clothes, but this time of year can present drawbacks as well. Remember to protect your arms and legs with long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and protect your exposed skin with an ample of amount of sunscreen during the day. You’ll be glad you did!

Remember to practice CPR, “Catch, Photo, and Release”, whenever possible on trophy Trout and Reds…Guide Chris Martin, Port O’Connor/Seadrift region. www.BayFlatsLodge.com…1-888-677-4868

School Year: 2015 – 2016 – 3rd 9 Weeks

A Honor Roll

First Grade: Clay Brumfield, Briley Clark, Aspen Crittenden, Colten Evans, Alexis Green, Matilyn Gibson, Keegan Goode, Brice Petrisky, Ashton Sternadel, Callum Taylor, Lorena Torres, Dusty Waghorne

Second Grade: Layne Brown, Jada Dean, Kylee Gray, Zoey Henning, Jaxson Key, Layla Myers, Christina Ragusin, Kyle Staggs

Third Grade: Maci Bryan, Briley Christensen, Braylyn Galloway

Fourth Grade: Andrea Hataway, Trinity Morgan, Jonathan Nguyen

Fifth Grade: Tres Canales, Eda Gilliland, Ayden Maddux, Jacob Nguyen, Hector Perez

Sixth Grade: Evan Clifton, Maritza Jaramillo

Seventh Grade: None

Eighth Grade: Keegan Brumfield, Lydia Cowan, Ethan Mikolas, Liliana Torres, Casey Wooldridge

A/B Honor Roll

First Grade: Marisol Banda, Kendell Cady, Kayden Garza, Alaina Morgan

Second Grade: Sarah Armbruster, Kingston Cady, Cody Castillo, Gunner Evans, Dayz Hinds, Emma Lancaster, Logyn Middaugh, Matthew Morgan, Isaac Perez, Kevin Turner, Maddie Webel

Third Grade:

Taylor Blevins, McKenna Boedeker, Conner Cobb, Brilee Crittenden, Layton Davenport, Natalie Hunt, John Jacobs,
Kidron Lehtinen, Mackenzie Moncrief, Dillon Morales, Sabrina Nguyen, Trevon Ragusin, Nevaeh Rangel, Ethan Saenz

Fourth Grade: Rhiannon James, Braeden Ragusin, Morgan Russell, Mia Salazar, Tyler Salinas, Natalia Zarate
Fifth Grade: Isabella Arraiga, McKenzie Bierschwale, Keaton Cady, Zayda Estrada, Creasie Gohlke, Kathy Huerta, Vivian Ledesma,
Tim Pham

Sixth Grade: Noah Estrada, Tyger Whatley-Ballard

Seventh Grade: Spencer Allen, Colin Carabajal, Alex Flood, Caleb Lehtinen, Jamie Martinson, Fernie Mendez, Stormy Mills,
Franklin Murcia Rivera, Jason Nguyen, Jacob Ruiz, Kristopher Salinas, Joseph White

Eighth Grade: Bryant Bordovsky, Emily Cain, Destiny Chandler, Brenda Ledesma, Hunter Mitchell, Danny Munoz, Alyssa Reyna,
Amber Rodriguez, Michael Sachtleben, Morgan Sanders