HAPPY NEW YEAR

2008 - HERE WE GO AGAIN
By Jim Foster

It could be my age but – wow, is time rushing by or what?

Spending time on the Lower Laguna Madre rates at the top of my list of things I want to do over and over again.

It is true that Texas bay fishing is competing with hooking a scrappy brown trout in a clear stream on Mount Kenya or a high country elk in the Rocky Mountains but the choice is a no brainier. The Lower Laguna Madre is a great place to spend time with either a fishing rod or a camera.

On a cool morning last spring I stepped aboard Capt. Herbert Bode’s bay boat and away we went. Less than a half hour later we coasted to a stop and made casts in the direction of an unseen bar downwind of our drift.

Two casts later neither of us had even felt a piggy perch. However, when things changed they changed fast. I felt a slight tap-tap - then a solid weight on the line. Setting the hook a better than average spotted sea trout broke the surface launching a ring of spray over the bucket sized boil.

The big trout had taken the Berkley Gulf without a thought and in her mind had just had breakfast. The tug on her jaw caused to turn away into a powerful run. The trout took me around the boat twice making me think I might have hooked a light colored redfish. Then she came back to the surface shaking her head her yellow mouth making the identification process complete.

The fish tired and was brought to the boat, netted, photographed, and released back to spawn and fight again. I never get tired of that feeling on the end of my line.

Ths is first year the Lower Laguna Madre has been under special regulations requiring that all but one trout over 25 inches must be released. The reduction of personal limits to 5 trout and guides not allowed to keep fish was passed to promote larger and increased numbers of speckled trout. In several conversations with Dr. Larry McKinney he has assured this writer that Texas Parks and Wildlife (TPW) Coastal Fisheries is monitoring the situation and have confidence that the new regulations are working.

On a personal note, I have known Larry for many years and he, unlike some TPW personnel, has been completely straight with me. His concern and knowledge of the fishery is well documented.

Remember this month there will be a series of public input meetings in Port Arthur, Dickinson, Port Aransas and Port Isabel to discuss possible changes to the way fishing and fisheries are regulated along the Texas coast. Coastal fishing guides will also be on the agenda as TPW looks into the possible creation of a Texas Saltwater Certified Guides Program.

The meeting for the South Padre Island – Port Isabel area sportsmen will be held on January 10, 2008 at the Port Isabel Community Center, 213 Yturria, Port Isabel, TX from 7 till 9 PM. For more information, contact Art Morris at art.morris@tpwd.state.tx.us or (361) 825-3353.

If you have comments or news for Jim Foster please e-mail him at: jim@jimfosteroutdoors.com