Red Snapperis in season and colorful, fresh recipes abound. A fun suggestion for foodies is to research several similar recipes and then add your own twist. In the South, that might be a dash of cayenne or tiny bit of minced jalapeño. Using juice from limes or clementines instead of the standard lemon is another change-up. Creative substitution is a great option with limited galley ingredients while on the water. Who knows, you might invent the seafood equivalent of the genius BLT or PBJ sandwich. Speaking of which, the world is always ready for another take on ceviche…
Lime Zest Cilantro Snapper
6 (6 to 8-oz) red snapper fillets (with or without skin)
6 Tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 Tablespoons minced garlic
Finely grated lime zest from two limes
Juice from the two limes
Dash or two of cayenne pepper
Brush both sides of fish with 3 Tablespoons oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Toss together cilantro, garlic, zest half reserved lime juice, and cayenne in a small bowl.
Pan sear snapper at medium high heat about 4 minutes on each side. Transfer fish, skin side up to a platter. Sprinkle with cilantro mixture and drizzle with remaining 3 Tablespoons oil. If desired, add remaining fresh lime juice.
Side Dish Option: roasted fingerling potatoes cooked with rosemary, butter/olive oil, and garlic.
My Mom’s Baked Fish Recipe
Serves 4 (cut ingredients in half to serve 2)
4 (8-ounce) red snapper fillets, about 1/2-inch thick
Season the fish with salt and pepper. Spread the onions and peppers in a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish and place the fish on top. Dot the fish with butter. Sprinkle with a little Worcestershire sauce and parsley and cover with foil.
Bake for 30 minutes then baste fish with pan juices. Sprinkle the fish with Parmesan; if desired, place under the broiler for about 2 minutes or until the cheese browns. Spoon the vegetables and pan juices over the fish.
Serve with steamed rice.
Celebrating Four Years of Coastal Life Coverage
By Charles Milby
Thanks for the memories.
Four years ago we started a boating magazine for Galveston Bay. My background was racing sailboats. I had done it all my life and I still enjoy doing it today. So, that’s what we did. We covered regattas, cruising out to Red Fish, and of course junior sailing.
Early on our readers informed us that they also like to fish along with sailing. We got the message. Now we cover both; offshore fishing and bay fishing along with the yachting scene. It’s been a great four years and we’re looking forward to the next four.
Thank you to all of our advertisers, writers, photographers, contributors and readers. We can’t do what we do without you. Now make sure your boat is in good working order and stay safe. Hope to see you on the bay.
Beautify the Bucket
The winning bucket by Olivia Hopkins.
Galveston Artist Boat’s Beautify the Bucket Competition is designed to allow citizens to take an active role in beautifying Galveston’s beaches in a way that also encourages better stewardship behaviors in others. Marine debris is a serious threat to organisms in our coastal and marine ecosystems. While the three “R’s” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) will help prevent marine debris all throughout the watershed, proper use of trash receptacles can reduce debris directly from the beach.
On Earth Day, April 22, 49 trash cans painted by local artists of all ages were on display at the Texas Adopt-a-Beach Beach Clean Up meeting location at Menard Park on the Galveston Seawall. Later that evening, the trash cans were moved to the Galveston Arts Center during Artwalk, where the public voted on which trash can they liked best for the People’s Choice Award.
All 49 trash cans will be placed on the beach along the seawall for the public to utilize and enjoy. The next Beautify the Bucket competition will be held Sept. 23, 2017. Visit www.artistboat.org for more information.
Winners
Adult
1st Place: Olivia Hopkins
2nd Place: Unbleached Designs (Anabel and Daniel Orta)
3rd Place: Charli and Jim Rohack
Adult Groups
1st Place: Beauties and the Bucket
2nd Place: The Williams Family and Friends
3rd Place: Galveston Cancer Crushers
Youth/Family
1st Place: The Morris Family
2nd Place: Brookside Intermediate Art Club
3rd Place: Cub Scouts Den 3 Pack 615
Family, Fun and Friendships: One Hundred Years of Commitment to the Sea
Owner of the Yacht Sales Company, Jonathon Davis with his wife Kim, son Cole and daughter Camille at the Sea Star Base Galveston. Photography by Ashley Henry with Hey Pretty Baby Photography.
The Yacht Sales Company
Throughout history sailing has been instrumental in the development of civilization, affording humanity greater mobility than travel over land, whether for trade transport or warfare, and the capacity for fishing. Sailing for pleasure can involve short trips across a bay, day sailing, coastal cruising, and more extended offshore or ‘blue-water’ cruising. These trips can be singlehanded or the vessel may be crewed by families or groups of friends.
For the last 100 years the Mecca of sailing in the United States is the Gulf Coast of Texas, more specifically Galveston Bay, the third largest boating community in the United States. Galveston Bay has a prolific sailing and water lifestyle that embodies beautiful traditions for family, fun, and friendships.
Jonathon Davis, owner and founder of The Yacht Sales Company located in Kemah, has a family with this type of lifestyle. Jonathon and his lovely wife, Kim, have more than 150,000 sea miles between the two of them. Jonathon actually proposed to Kim on a dive on one of their trips at sea. Jonathon feels that family always comes first and has his 4 year old son, Cole, and new baby girl, Camille, go sailing as much as possible. Fun is always a factor with this family.
When Jonathon was creating The Yacht Sales Company he understood what it meant to have a rich history of sailing with the vendors he was choosing to represent and promote at his dealership. He specifically sought out Groupe Beneteau, who has the richest yachting tradition in the industry being privately owned for 130 years. This is reflected deeper in their purchase of CNB and Lagoon, who TYSC is the dealer for as well. With the dealership being located in Kemah, bordering Galveston Bay, he has much to say about family, fun, and friendships on the water.
Jonathon and Kim Davis with Jean Morrison.
Beneteau boatyard, headquartered in France with manufacturing facilities located in South Carolina, was created in 1884 by Benjamin Beneteau. He was a very determined young man and at the early age of 12 he became a ship’s boy on the lugger, Eliza. His dream of building boats would begin on the boatyard of his friend’s father. His determination would convince his uncle, and he entered Rochefort Maritime towards the end of 1879 for his military service. Once out, he decided to create his boatyard near a bridge called, Quai des Greniers, and called his place “Beneteau.” Today, Beneteau is the largest sailboat manufacturer in the world.
Beneteau 1962-1964 and a Beneteau Oceanis Yacht 62.
The growth of Beneteau has been nothing but extraordinary, and it has acquired and incorporated Prestige, CNB, Lagoon, O’Hara, I.R.M., BH, Four Winns, Glastron, Wellcraft, Scarab and Monte Carlo Yacht. Annette Beneteau-Roux has been in command and control of Beneteau for the last 40 years and gives credit to their success to her family, executives, loyal and talented employees, as well as dealers and customers throughout the world, all of whom have become friends. “I believe we are one of the oldest boat building yards in the world to be run by the family as a majority,” said Annette Beneteau-Roux.
Another amazing line within this sailboat dynasty, that holds great family traditions, is Lagoon, which is in association with CNB Yacht Builders. The Lagoon model was established in 1984 and was originally a shipyard building monohull and multihull offshore racing boats. The first generation of cruising catamarans was launched from 1987 to 1996. They are celebrating their 30th year and today the company distributes its yachts in 53 countries. Davis said that the Lagoon is one of the dealerships best sellers! Recently, Jonathon Davis and team, won the Harvest Moon Regatta with owner John Sherer on Sherer’s Lagoon 42 against eight other boats.
When speaking with Davis, he noted that one of the oldest brands of sailing vessels in the United States was Alden. He, and wife Kim, co-captained one of their vessels, the “Krisujen,” designed by Alden.
Alden began his design career as an apprentice in 1902 and started his own design firm in 1909. He had modest success until he won his first Bermuda Race and experienced great success. His race victories were with Malabar VII and Malabar X in 1932 and continued until the long-lived design business finally closed in 2008. Today, the extensive Alden design archive has been gifted to the Hart Nautical Collections of MIT Museum. Jonathon commented that the Krisujen was a dynamic sailing experience and many wonderful memories were established while captaining this vessel.
The Escapade.
The sailing vessel, “Escapade,” built in 1938, holding an impressive amount of racing titles, and becoming known as Queen of the Great Lakes, holds deep inspiration for Jonathon Davis because of one special woman named Jean Morrison. While he was telling the tales of Jean and her exuberance for life, you can hear the admiration and excitement he had for this very special lady. With sailing stories ranging from stateside to international waters the one of the Escapade is one of his favorites. Jean’s husband was not much of a sailor but he appreciated the love that his wife had for sailing. He offered her something she couldn’t refuse. He said, “If you could have any sailboat you wanted what would it be?” Without hesitation she said, “Well, I would want the Escapade!” The vessel held a special place in her heart because she remembers cleaning it as a young girl. The request was granted and it launched an exciting time of sailing worldwide with a crew including her pet monkey. She told Jonathon once, with her childlike enthusiasm, “Jonathon, when you get as old as I am and you find something you love, you damned well better enjoy it!” He has never forgotten those words and makes it a motto for the way he views life.
To bring this story full circle, “friends” would be a good place to end. One of Jonathon Davis dearest friends and closest confidants was Roy Newberry, Sr. Roy had a vivacious life on the water and Davis states, “Everything I know about the water I owe to Roy Newberry.” Sailing brought these two together and the life long friendship never faltered. They sailed together, raced together, and actually won Jonathon’s first Harvest Moon Regatta dating back to 1992 on the sailboat, Alessandra. Jonathon admired everything about this sailor and loved his family. The stories that were shared between them are those of legends.
Jonathon so greatly respected Roy’s life in the local community and to sailing that he did a Cannon Dedication and race in appreciation of his devoted service to both humanity and the sport of sailing before his passing in 2016. Roy always told his kids, “See that crumby little boat over there; realize you can go wherever you want in the world in that!”
In the world of sailing heartstrings are pulled, passion is flared, and history is always made. Jonathon Davis and his family have enjoyed this “sailing life” for a quarter of a century and looks forward to many more years to come. Nothing is more exciting than establishing lifelong memories that are made with family, fun, and friendships due to a commitment to the sea and all that goes with it.
The twelve teams that will compete in the 2017 Red Bull Youth Americas Cup competition are breaking new ground for young sailors all over the world. They will be racing foiling catamarans and that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
All of the competitors, whose ages range from 19 to 24, are getting a taste of what the real America’s Cup teams must deal with in order to compete and perform well in this pressure packed arena known as the America’s Cup sailing.
Fund raising is one of the new skills this team must acquire in order to stick around for the finals. Racing these boats is very expensive. Sails and hardware are pushed to the limits. The crews will train non-stop from now until June aiming to make the finals. All of this costs money. Next Generation USA needs your help. Six guys were chosen to represent our country and have a very good chance to win the regatta. Two of them, Carson Crain and Reed Baldridge, are local guys who grew up sailing right here on Galveston Bay. To make a contribution to the campaign, contact Carson Crain, cmcrain@gmail.com.
About the Red Bull Youth Americas Cup
Dates: Qualifiers: June 12 – 16 Finals: June 20 – 21
Location: The Great Sound, Bermuda.
Format: Fleet Racing, two qualifying series with six teams in each. Top four teams in each series move on to Finals
Teams: Twelve teams, each representing their country will compete. All team members must be citizens of the country they represent
Boats: The AC45F, a 45-footer that will fly on hydrofoils. Specifications for the AC45F indicate the boat is capable of reaching speeds of over 35 knots, or 40mph/65kmh. The eight AC45Fs used in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup are the only such boats in the entire world.
Crew: Six sailors onboard. Ages 19 – 24 years
Amenities: America’s Cup Village, Hospitality Tents, Spectator Boats, Grandstand Seating, Jumbotron Screen Viewing
The Location
In 2017, Bermuda’s Great Sound will form a natural amphitheater for the America’s Cup, and the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup will use exactly the same racecourse. Sailing conditions in Bermuda are typically exceptional in June, with historical wind data suggesting that there should be racing conditions 90 percent of the time.
The Boat
In 2017, the youth teams will be sailing the AC45F, a 45-footer that will fly on hydrofoils. Specifications for the AC45F indicate the boat is capable of reaching speeds of over 35 knots, or 40 mph/65kmh. The eight AC45Fs used in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup are the only such boats in the entire world.
The Teams
Up to 12 national youth teams, each composed of six sailors aged 19-24, will race in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup 2017, each representing a different nation. Six teams will race through their affiliation with current America’s Cup teams, while up to six additional teams will compete as selected by Red Bull Sport Directors Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher.
2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Teams
Candidate Sailing Team, Austria
Team BDA, Bermuda
Youth Vikings Denmark, Denmark
Team France Jeune, France
SVB Team Germany, Germany
Land Rover BAR Academy, Great Britain
Kaijin Team Japan, Japan
NZL Sailing Team, New Zealand
Spanish Impulse Team, Spain
Artemis Youth Racing, Sweden
Team Tilt, Switzerland
Next Generation USA, USA
Galveston Winter Fishing: Deep Or Shallow?
Finding trout and redfish when the water goes cold
There has always been a rule of thumb for seasonal fishing.You should fish deep in mid-summer and winter, and fish shallow in the fall and spring.While I certainly do not disagree with that, there have been some modifications to that rule for winter fishing around the Galveston Bay Complex.
Several decades ago, anglers could pretty much rely upon the scenario that if you want to catch fish during the winter, fish in deeper waters.One reason is that the winters were colder and more prolonged than they are today.Still, fish tend to follow that pattern around the Galveston Bay Complex except in at least one area and that is West Galveston Bay.
West Bay, as we call it, is a relatively shallow bay with few deep holes when compared to other bays such as upper Galveston or East Bays.West Bay is well-known for its cold weather fishing and in fact, tends to turn off during the warmer months.
Paul Brown’s Original Suspending Twitchbait in Copper Top.
Slow sinking lures retrieved at a slow pace produce the fish.
This small bay system that spans between the Galveston Causeway and San Luis Pass is one of the top spots to catch trophy trout during the winter and early spring.Reds also are plentiful that time of year and when looking at the average depth it is surprising that it is so productive during the cold months.
Harry Landers, a retired and once popular fishing guide out of Jamaica Beach, told me that West Bay was a well-kept secret for winter fishing.He felt the same way about Chocolate Bay, a shallow bay system that adjoins Lower West Bay to the north.
Landers caught many trophy-sized trout during his hey-day and placed many happy guests into trout that would go to the taxidermist rather than the kitchen.
Landers knew West Bay and Chocolate Bay like the back of his hand and shared a few of his secrets, many of which are common knowledge among fishing guides today.
While Offatts Bayou and its famous Blue Hole caught the attention of anglers during the winter, Landers was out fishing the shallower waters of West Bay.Wade fishing, he felt, was the most productive way of fishing the shallow waters.
No doubt when freezes took place, Offatts was the place to fish. Once the water started warming, trout would venture out of the deep water looking for bait.
Mud bottoms during the afternoon tide, either incoming or outgoing, hold the warmest water and attract the small finfish and crustaceans.In turn, predator fish such as specks and reds will be nearby looking for a winter’s meal.
Shell bottoms also are popular especially in deeper waters.
During periods of afternoon incoming tides, large sow trout can be found roaming the shorelines, especially grassy areas for bait.Wade fishing is much preferred for trying to entice an older and wiser fish to bite, as boats make noise and noise easily spooks trout.
Another of the popular choices is narrow channels for reds.While West Bay has a limited number of those channels, offshoots from the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) are plentiful.Carancahua and Green’s Lakes, along with several man-made canals just north of the ICW, offer excellent action on reds during outgoing winter tides.
Winter fishing styles apply to all of the areas mentioned and probably the biggest of the techniques is a very slow retrieve of the lure.Slow sinking lures retrieved at a slow pace produce the fish.
While there will be some good fishing in deeper waters this winter, try shallow and go for the glory that is a trophy trout.
Winter is finally here. November of 2016 was very mild, with only a few cool mornings followed by record high temperatures. December arrived and in the first week we experienced record rainfall in some areas and our first real cold front. January and February are typically cold and wet months along the Upper Coast of Texas. This is a great time to enjoy some indoor activities or things that you might have neglected. Fishing still can be good, but you just have to pick the right days according to the weather.
January begins with the Houston Boat Show, held at Reliant Center Jan. 6 – 15, the show hosts the newest boats, motors and campers for the coming year. There are numerous vendor booths, with a large section dedicated to the sportsman/fisherman. I will be at the Eagle Point Fishing Camp booth the first few days of the show. Stop by and we can visit about fishing, Galveston Bay, etc.
Yes, fishing can be good during this time of year. Fishing between the fronts will be the key to your success. The upper reaches of the bay system, namely Burnett, Scott and San Jacinto Bays, draw most of the attention this time of year. The bays offer shelter from the North winds and as long as the water stays salty, redfish and speckled trout can be caught. Sylvan Beach and Bayland Park offer the closest launches to reach these areas.
Other fishing grounds to consider are the NW/W shorelines of Galveston Bay. Sylvan Beach down to Eagle Point offers protection from a NW-W wind. The area is littered with structure like old pier pilings and numerous deep water shell reefs. The traditional winter time hotspot known as Galveston’s West Bay, will also see its fair share of action. Live bait supplies can be scarce this time of year. While most people will be throwing artificial lures, bait fisherman can check with Eagle Point at 281 339-1131 for live shrimp.
Last but not least, these months are perfect to have your maintenance completed on your rods, reels, and tackle. Also, schedule any service for your boat and motor now. Don’t wait for spring to get them in the shop. I will be in Costa Rica the middle of January catching sailfish! My boat goes to the shop soon after my return.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday break! Tight Lines to all!
Healthy New Year Recipes
By Betha Merit
A few years back, I realized that new year’s resolutions were effective for me when adding something to my life, rather than taking away. So, instead of a plan to cut out cheeseburgers and chicken fried steak and doughnuts, let’s add veggies! And, let’s narrow it down to a group of veggies called brassica vegetables.
Brassica veggies are commonly referred to as cruciferous, so that puts us on the right trail. Broccoli, radishes, kale, cauliflower, brussels sprouts and many of the wonderful but unidentified veggies in your Chinese take-out are on this list. They are known for their disease-fighting substances and are low in calories, fat, and sodium. A good source of fiber, they contain a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, and there’s more.
They also contain phytochemicals, which occur naturally in plants and have a variety of health benefits for our bodies. One of the best-known benefits in brassica is their apparent cancer-fighting properties. These vegetables contain sulfur-rich compounds knowns as glucosinolates, which explains their characteristic bitter taste and pungent smell. Studies have shown that consumption of brassicas could reduce the risk for multiple types of cancer. Boiling these vegetables can reduce the compounds that give this healthy effect, but steaming, microwaving, and stir frying don’t appear to do so.
An internet search for brassica or cruciferous vegetables will delight you with colorful images and recipes to encourage you in your add-brassica-veggies new year’s resolution. The following list is a good start:
Brassica Vegetables
Arugula
Bok choy
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chinese cabbage
Collard greens
Daikon radish
Horseradish
Kale
Kohlrabi
Land cress
Mustard greens
Radish
Rutabaga
Shepherd’s purse
Turnip
Watercress
Spicy Brassica Veggie Coconut Stir-fry
2 TBSP coconut oil
2 eggs, beaten (or substitute one chicken breast, cubed)
2 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
3/4 cup chopped green onions
1 cup small slices or pieces of broccoli and cauliflower (or brassica vegetables of your choice)
1 medium bunch kale, ribs removed and leaves shredded
1/4 Tsp salt
3/4 cup large, unsweetened coconut flakes
2 cups cooked and chilled brown rice
1 TBSP soy sauce
2 TBSP Sriracha
1 lime, halved and fresh cilantro, for garnish
Directions
Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon oil. Pour in the eggs and cook until lightly scrambled (or cook chicken pieces for about 3-5 minutes until no longer pink). Transfer the eggs (or chicken) to a large empty bowl.
Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pan and cook the garlic, green onions and brassica vegetables until tender, stirring frequently. Add the kale and salt. Continue to cook until the kale is wilted and tender, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes. Transfer the contents of the pan to your bowl of eggs (or chicken).
Add the remaining 2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Pour in the coconut flakes and cook, stirring frequently, until the flakes are golden. Add the rice to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the rice is hot, about 3 minutes.
Pour the contents of the bowl back into the pan. Add the soy sauce, sriracha and juice of 1/2 lime. Stir to combine.
Slice the remaining 1/2 lime into wedges, then divide the stir-fry into individual bowls. Garnish with wedges of lime and a sprinkling of torn cilantro leaves. Offer red pepper flakes and extra sriracha.
Roasted Parmesan Cauliflower
1 small head of fresh cauliflower (or any brassica veggie of your choice)
2 -3 TBSP olive oil
1-2 cloves of garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
fresh baby arugula for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Cut the cauliflower into 1/4 inch thick slices, then cut those slices into smaller bites. Combine olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss cauliflower slices in the olive oil mixture to coat. Spread cauliflower in a single layer on a baking sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven until browned, 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally in order to brown evenly. Remove from oven and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Return to the oven to allow the Parmesan cheese to brown, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately with baby arugula surrounding the plate.
Oyster Gardening
Bayou Vista Resident Jeannie Kidwell pulls up her oyster bags with Galveston Bay Foundation’s Haille Carter and Michael Neibuhr. Photo: www.stockyard.com
Residents hang bags from their docks to spawn bi-valves
By Janice Van Dyke Walden
Good things happen over wine, and in this case, it was oyster gardening.At a Wine Social last Spring, Bayou Vista resident Chris Roper suggested to her neighbors that they collectively cultivate oysters, right from their docks.It’s a program that Galveston Bay Foundation started in 2010, and has been doing with success in Kemah and San Leon.
Fourteen residents signed up to help, and in June, they gathered at the Roper’s driveway on Blue Heron Drive to create the 5-pound bags.In all, they assembled 25 bags.Again, wine was the elixir. “We were bagging with oyster gardening in one hand and wine in the other,” says Chris.
With Galveston Bay’s oyster population at an all time low, beset every two years by silt, storms, low salinities or high salinities, Galveston Bay Foundation is enlisting communities to spawn their growth and shore up subsiding land.
Bayou Vista’s tightknit bay community is a perfect setting to try out the nursery program.At the intersection of I-45 and Hwy 6 near Galveston, it’s built around a series of residential canals fed by Highland Bayou.On the community’s southeast boundary lies a wetland fed by West Bay.Residents hung bags from their docks both on the bayou-canal side and the wetland side to see where the oyster larvae, spat, would take hold starting in June.
•••
Six months later, on this last day of November, it’s time to collect the bags, check for spat, and move the bags to an oyster bar breakwater so they can mature.We’re at the Roper’s residence, it’s a brilliantly clear afternoon, and the folks from Galveston Bay Foundation are curious to see what’s inside two ice chests at the Roper’s front door.Hallie Carter, Galveston Bay Foundation’s Habitat Restoration Coordinator, and Michael Neibuhr, Program Technician, open the chests and remove the wet towels covering bags that neighbors have dropped off.One bag, hung in the canal, shows no spats; the other, hung in the wetland, is full of spats.Commenting on that neighbor’s results, Chris says, “We’ve had very little influx.I’m not surprised that our water in the canal was not absolutely full of silt.It was dark brown.You couldn’t see anything.”
Unlike Chesapeake Bay, where oyster gardening has been going on for years, it’s not legal to seed oysters here.In Texas, it has to happen naturally.So, if communities want to build oyster populations, they have to set their bags in optimum conditions.This first year at Bayou Vista is a telling example for future sites.
Jeannie Kidwell has just returned from Christmas shopping for her grandkids when she comes to her dock to help pull up her half-year effort.“I was a Foster Parent,” she says.
Haille and Michael open her bags and the others on the Roper’s dock, sorting the shells, looking for spats.“I’m amazed at what I see,” says Haille.She’s finding spat on every 10 oysters.Some shells are covered with three or more spat.
That’s a spat! The oyster gardening program is designed to spawn new oysters each year.
It will take two years for this spat to grow to the legal 3-inch-size oyster for harvesting.But these will never be harvested.Today they’re going into restricted waters off Galveston Bay Foundation’s 449-acre Sweetwater Preserve.There, the oysters will build a breakwater for land quickly eroding at a rate of two feet each year.The waters at the edge of this Galveston Island preserve connect to Bayou Vista’s wetland nursery.“When we transport spat, we have to keep them in the same sub-bay system,” says Haille.And, in this case, it’s West Bay.
The evening is closing in when we arrive at the Sweetwater Preserve to deposit the bags.Near the water is a tall pile of oyster shells, a curing site for those collected from nearby restaurants.So far, six Bay Area restaurants participate in the shell-recycling program.They’ve been given 32-gallon collection bins that Galveston Bay Foundation retrieves and brings to the curing site on a weekly basis.Michael led that effort for most of last year. “I’d visit Tookie’s the most, about three times a week,” he says.
Shells at the curing site will go into the 5-pound bags for the gardening program.They also make up the 35-pound bags that form this and other breakwaters.Since 2011, the program has collected 570 tons of shells.
As they set the bags in the reef, Haille talks about how the program will expand to Galveston Island in the next year.“We‘ll partner with Gaidos and Cajun Greek, and continue our partnership with Texas A&M-Galveston with students picking up shells at those recycling sites and taking them to the curing sites.”
Oyster gardening is easy for families to do with their kids, and it’s a good way for kids to connect to their eco-system.To get involved, contact:
By utilizingthe latest technology in live, high definition, interactive web cameras, Saltwater-Recon.com is becoming the “Know Before You Go” resource for millions of people. Whether boating, fishing, or observing real-time conditions, Saltwater-Recon.com’s array of coastal HD cameras, combined with expert boating, fishing and weather content will give visitors the information needed to plan a safe and successful day on the water.
In addition to aiding the public with their decision-making, Saltwater-Recon.com aims to provide government entities, such as NOAA, U.S. Coast Guard, N.W.S., U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, as well as local news, and maritime logistics companies the information they need to make time-critical, and potentially life-saving, operational decisions.
It has been a long-time dream of ours to be able to look at the water from the comfort of our own home. Not everyone has the luxury of living close enough to the bay to be able to pop over and check out the water before an outing. Well, we have made that dream a reality.
With the help of our site sponsors and the Saltwater-Recon Team, CTO, Broc Adams and CFO, Larry Perez, (both BOI’s), we are using industry-leading, HD cameras that pan, tilt, and zoom with the click of a mouse to provide our users with the highest quality video stream, and YOU control the cameras! Our site allows the user to point the camera and even adjust how close they want to get with 30X zoom capabilities.
We currently have cameras in three locations; Trinity Bay, the Galveston Causeway and San Luis Pass. We are currently working on adding another three camera sites by the end of March 2017. New camera locations will include a Galveston beach cam, Seabrook and two cams at Seawolf Park to give users expansive views of the Galveston Ship Channel!
Along with our HD, interactive webcams, we also have some amazing bay/weather content including tide charts, access to weather/water information from NOAA buoys, weather radar and wind speed maps. We also have a full-time meteorologist on staff to bring our users the best, most up-to-date conditions of greater Galveston Bay.
We are also working on a very exciting new algorithm to bring bay conditions and weather forecasting into the 21st century. But that’s all we can say about that for now… please stay tuned to Saltwater-Recon.com and our Facebook page for updates on all the latest happenings and tournaments around the greater Galveston Bay complex through our EVENTS page, or check out the exclusive offers and coupons on our DEALS page.
We are excited for the opportunity to continually expand our network of cameras to bring real-time, reliable weather and bay conditions to anglers, boaters, and saltwater enthusiasts.
Going Skinny
Four small skiffs for fishing Texas marshes and backwaters
A little skiff with attitude. This boat is the perfect blend of beauty and function.It can comfortably cross open bays and pole after tailing reds. It is one of themost versatile boats in East Cape’s lineup. The Caimen is synonymous with simplicity.
The Hell’s Bay Professional is a very versatile boat for fishing a wide variety of conditions. This skiff is the perfect blend of shallow water draft, dry comfortable ride and stability. The length to width ratio of the Professional allows for easy poling, responsive turning, and has the ability to handle a variety of water conditions. If stalking the shallow flats or fishing the backcountry is what you are after, then the Professional should be your skiff of choice.
When Brian S. Little designed his first aluminum poling skiff he had one main design feature he wanted to accomplish; NO hull slap. Hull slap is created by waves hitting the boat at a less than desirable angle. The Versatile is designed and built to counteract the waves that cause fish spooking hull slap.
The Versatile is also designed to pole straight and allows the guide to spin the boat easily when needed. This shallow draft skiff, with a zero dead rise hull, offers a deck layout with storage for six 9’ 6” fly rods and walk-around gunnels you can actually walk around.
Winter weather has arrived on the upper Texas coast and so comes the arrival of some very different fishing. Colder air, colder water, reduced number of prey species and a different range of comfort zones dictate the location and feeding patterns of redfish and trout during the cooler months.
Finding patterns that hold through winter will increase your fishing percentages, and of the long list of factors involved, I’ve consistently found a few that truly make a difference.
Mullet are largely on the menu for winter redfish and trout.
Winter Food Sources
First and foremost, in finding predatory fish in cold water is understanding the primary food sources that they feed upon. Most of the shrimp have either left the bays or will spend the majority of the winter buried in the mud. Crabs similarly disappear from the shallows, moving to deeper waters and also burying themselves in the mud. Many of the small species of bait fish will remain, though they won’t stay in water as shallow as they do in warmer months.
There are numerous species of marine worms and other small creatures that remain in the bay, though we rarely see them other than when found inside the bellies of the fish we catch. So, the primary food sources for predatory fish are the remaining small baitfish, such as mullet, mud minnows and others that hang around the shallows.
Finding fish during winter is isn’t always easy, but understanding the food sources makes a huge difference. Mullet or other bait fish species that frequently swim at or near the surface and jump, are easy targets and help anglers in locating fish. This isn’t uncommon during warming trends. When water temperatures are colder or trending down, baitfish tend to stay closer to the bay bottom and move towards deeper, warmer water, making them much more difficult to locate. Much like every other season, native guides and even seasonal natives can shed some light on the location of the food sources and of course, the predators are usually close by. What I mean by native guides is birds.
American White Pelican
Winter Bird Signs
The birds that are good indicators are much different during winter than summer or fall. The gulls and terns that were such great indicators of migrating shrimp over the past few months are typically not the birds to follow or watch for during the cooler months. My focus changes to some larger birds and some that only arrive after significant cooling. Both species of pelicans, brown and white, are voracious fish eaters and will often gang up when they locate large schools of mullet or other baitfish. And if you find large concentrations of bait in winter, odds are good that you will find predators as well. My favorite migratory bird to watch during winter is the Loon. This bird at a distance may look like the common cormorant, but when you get a little closer, its not hard to tell that they are much larger and have a large white patch on their chest. They also make a very distinct crying sound. They are incredibly adept diving birds that can swim fast and stay under water for several minutes. Finding more than one in an area diving is a great indication of schools of baitfish and predators.
I’m always on alert for shore birds such as egrets, herons, and ibis, though you won’t typically see them along the banks feeding unless we have a good warming trend going.
Winter is BIG trout time. Capt. Steve Soule caught this 27-inch trout on a Corky Fat Boy.
Temperature and Tide Factors
Most fish and marine animals spend their lives following just a few things; food, comfort and safety from predators. Temperature plays a huge role in the location and movement of both bait and predatory fish during winter. Temperature effects the food species and their movements, which in turn effects the movements of their predators. Much like us, if it’s cold, they seek warmth, which is why they inhabit certain areas during cooler weather, yet their range can spread widely when water warms. A great basic rule to understand is that if water temperatures are falling, fish will tend to mover to deeper water and as water temperatures warm, they will return to shallows.
Adding to that, this is driven by air temperature which takes time to impact the water. If temperatures are relatively stable, or the changes in temperature are not dramatic, the fish won’t feel the need to move as much as they will during more notable changes in temperature. There is an added important note, and one that we can feel and use to our advantage. As the air temperatures increase above the water temperatures, shallow water will warm fastest. As soon as this process begins, baitfish will begin to move to shallow, muddy and darker bottom areas.
Another important pattern to remember is that tides will still move fish, and can also adjust the temperature of the water in specific areas. If the air is notably warmer than the water, outgoing tides will carry warmer water out to deeper areas. In colder conditions, the opposite is often the case; incoming tides can wash more stable water temperatures into the shallows.
During the passage of winter fronts, especially those that have north or northwest winds, tides will fall sharply. The extreme low tides of winter tend to concentrate fish into very specific areas. In the marshes, the fish will fall into deeper creeks and bayous. In open water, guts, channels and soft mud near the edges of shallows will be the places to look.
Once you’ve found the fish, keep in mind that they are primarily feeding on other small fish, so use lures that imitate mullet or other bait species. Note the temperatures and the direction they are trending, either up or down. Knowing this will help determine the speed of retrieves when fishing. Like any other time when fishing, it may take some experimenting to determine exactly where the fish are and what type of presentation will work best. The good news is that once you find fish in the winter, they are typically concentrated in good numbers. Also noteworthy, if you find bigger fish, you often won’t find the smaller fish mixed in, and vice versa.
Braving the elements in winter is often rewarded with spectacular catches. Dress appropriately, take your safety and that of any passengers seriously. Dress in layers that can be removed or added as temperatures change, and get out and catch a few fish.
Quantum Sails’ Alan Woodyard
Delivering exceptional sail care services and custom canvas products
Quantum Sails’Loft Service Manager Alan Woodyard has sailed across the globe. Now he uses his expertise to provide solutions to his clients’ canvas and sail problems.
Quantum Sails’ Alan Woodyard
Where were you born and what are some of your best childhood memories?
I was born in Havre de Grace, Md. Some of my favorite memories are from spending time in Ocean City, as well as trips to visit family in Ohio and Illinois.
What are some of the duties that you perform in your current job?
As loft service manager and ambassador for new canvas fabrication, I provide evaluations, recommendations and maintenance for sails and canvas products. I help with sail removals, installations and onboard sail assessments as well as sail repairs. I also build custom canvas items from scratch, starting with the design phase through production and installation.
How long have you been working for Quantum Sails?
I started with Quantum Sails in Annapolis and worked there for two years before I began work at the Seabrook Loft, where I’ve been for eight months. In between stints with Quantum, I founded and operated my own canvas shop in Annapolis.
I loved working with Quantum, so it was an easy decision to join them when the opportunity arose. I also am proud of the training I received through Hood Canvas Training School in Merrimac, MA. I’ve also been an active leader and participant in the local marine trade associations.
How did you get into the industry?
I got interested in sailing while in college and decided to take an Outward Bound sailing course out of Hurricane Island in Maine. After that I was hooked and eventually found my way to the Professional Mariner Training Program at the Chapman School of Seamanship, where I knew that I had found my passion. I excelled and finished at the top of my class.
After seamanship school, I planned to look for a gig as a crew member on a sailboat, with my backup option being a move to Fort Lauderdale to search for a job on a super yacht. Fortunately, about a week before my move to Fort Lauderdale, I was contacted by a boat owner who had just lost a crew member and was looking for help in Nassau, Bahamas.
Three days after the first email I was on a plane to Nassau and stayed for the next five years as a crew member on sailing yachts ranging from 45 to 65 feet. I traveled as far east as Portugal and the Canary Islands, and as far west as Tahiti, with many stops in the Caribbean and elsewhere.
How did you get into canvas specifically?
At one point during my five years on cruising boats we had an enclosure built for a boat’s cockpit. After watching that type of work, I became convinced that I could do similar projects on the boat; things like hatch covers and dinghy chaps. We got a little Sailrite portable sewing machine on the boat and we never bought canvas again. I made a variety of different items for the boat that I was on and was commissioned to make dinghy chaps for a couple of other boats while in remote harbors where canvas work is hard to come by.
When I returned to the States, I starting looking for a job in a sail and canvas loft. Through a mutual friend, I was put in touch with the Quantum Sails loft in Annapolis and started doing exactly the type of work that I was hoping to do. After starting out in the loft, I further advanced my canvas fabrication skills by attending a program at Hood Marine Canvas Training in Merrimac, Mass.
What are some of the biggest changes that you have seen in the canvas business in the last 10 years?
It would easily be the introduction of laser templaters to aid in the templating process. They standardize 3D measurement on the yacht, allowing one to build a 3D model of the finished product that aids construction back in the loft. This not only increases the quality of the finished product, but also can help cut down on some of the labor required.
There has also been a lot of development in UV resistant and stable materials, including thread, which helps me build better products. One item, Solarfix thread, is UV stable and will outlast your canvas, eliminating the need for re-stitches due to thread failure.
When does a typical day for you start, and what does it look like?
We start around 8 a.m. here in the loft. I check the weather to see what outdoor work can be accomplished that day, including patterning for new canvas, and/or sail removals. Then it’s back to the loft for new canvas builds, repairing sails, or maybe a precision recut on a sail for higher performance. Then I take time to communicate with all of our clients and answer any questions they may have. Then I’m back on the floor until 5 p.m. to finish projects and help get our clients back on the water.
What are the most popular color choices of canvas on the market today and why are these products and colors so popular?
Captain and Pacific Blue are wildly popular, as is Cadet Grey. I think the grey is popular as it doesn’t fade as much and tends to hide some of the dirt/wear and tear. The blues are a good match for wood and are classic yachting colors that match with just about anything. Natural (white) tends to be avoided as it shows dirt relatively easily.
If you take care of your bimini, how long should it last in the sun-drenched Gulf Coast environment?
A lot depends on what “taking care of it” means! We tend to think of items in terms of seasons. With our area’s year-round sailing, we’re eating up two seasons of use per calendar year. Provided one builds their bimini out of premium products, including UV stable thread, I’d expect a bimini to last 12 seasons, or 6 years.
A lot depends upon use. If you’re not going to use your yacht for a few months, and removing the bimini doesn’t compromise the yacht, take it off and stow it below. You can dramatically extend the life of these items by shielding them from the sun when not in use.
Dodgers and cockpit enclosures protect the entry way of the sailboat and crew from rain and waves. The right design also enhances boat styling. Well built canvas products like these can provide many years of comfort and enjoyment. Photo by Cory Silken.
SUNBRELLA CARE TIPS
Hose fabric off on a monthly basis or anytime the boat is coming back from having been out in significant salt spray.
Use a mild soap and water solution over entirety, allow it to soak on the fabric for a few minutes.
Spot scrub where necessary with a soft bristle brush. Rinse thoroughly.
After approximately three years if Sunbrella begins to be less water-resistant the fabric can be treated with 303 Fabric Guard.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to DIY give us a call here at Quantum Sails in Seabrook, (281-474-4168) we can take care of it for you and have it back on the boat in time for your next day on the water!
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Remove four round fillets from steak and place in baking dish. Mix the olive oil, lemon juice, tomatoes and basil into a bowl and pour over the fish. Salt and pepper to your taste. Lift them up to allow liquid to equalize onto bottom of dish and make sure fish is coated on both sides.
Place paper-thin slices of lemons over the entire surface of your dish for garnishment and bake in the oven at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes uncovered. Don’t over cook fish!Remove lemon garnishment and serve fish over rice.
This year has been one of the most inconsistent years, with regards to weather and conditions that we haven’t seen in a long time on the upper Texas coast. With flooding rains, high winds, high tides and just generally different conditions, fishing hasn’t been as consistent compared to recent years.
For those new to fishing the upper coast, I’m sure it seems like a very difficult fishery. For those with years of experience, it has taken a lot of work and effort to keep up with fish in shallow water. We have grasses growing that don’t normally grow, due to heavy rainfall. Our shoreline erosion is accelerating to an alarming rate with the constant high tides. Water clarity has been greatly reduced when compared to recent years. Fishing the marshes and shallow shorelines has just been plain challenging.
Redfish Gear
In an inconsistent year, being prepared and having the right gear in tip top condition can make all the difference.
With all of this change and challenge, every opportunity counts. The gear that we use, the lures that we fish and the way that we rig can help us capitalize on limited shots at fish.
Spinning Rods
Let’s start with the fishing rods. For spinning gear, my preference is a 6-7 foot medium to medium-light rod. The rod should have enough power, or backbone to battle the fish we target. Redfish, even the bigger ones, don’t make incredibly long runs, but they will try to get to the cover of shorelines and almost always try to go under the boat near the end of the fight. Be prepared with a rod that can help you prevent this.
Conversely, the rod tip still needs to be light enough to allow casting with 1/8 or even 1/16 ounce lures. Your reel should have a capacity of 150 yards of line, but don’t overdo this with a large, heavy reel. Lightweight is better. I have switched to braided line on all of my reels. For my spinning reels, I use 6 pound diameter that has a break strength of 20 pounds. The diameter of these lines helps with casting and the strength provides more than enough to battle the biggest marsh reds we see.
Baitcasting Rods
If you prefer bait-casters or casting rods, the set up is very similar. I prefer casting rods in the 6’6”-6’10” range. Again, they should have a very light tip section to allow you to cast well with lightweight lures, but maintain enough power lower in the rod to maneuver fish as they get near the boat. Reel capacity again, should be around 150 yards or a little more, but light weight is key as you will be holding and casting all day when fishing in shallow water. Again, use braided line, for abrasion resistance and durability. On my casting reels, I have found that 8 pound diameter, with a break strength of 30 pounds, seems to work very well. For a very experienced caster, the lighter line mentioned for spinning reels might work, but I have found that it will break more readily if you get a backlash. Don’t forget that you need to pick a reel with a very smooth drag system to handle the “burst” runs of bigger redfish.
Fly Rods
If you prefer to fly fish, you should pick a medium-fast to fast action 8 weight rod with matching line. I almost exclusively use floating, weight forward fly lines designed for saltwater fishing. This can get a little technical on the Texas coast; we see more temperature change than most other redfish habitats. Generally speaking, the lines designed for tropical species are great in our summer temperatures, but will leave a lot to be desired in the cooler months. Most of the lines designed specifically for redfish work well as the coring material used is not as stiff and won’t cause excessive coils in the cooler seasons.
So, use weight forward saltwater or redfish taper lines matched to your rod. In other words, if you buy an 8 weight rod, use 8 weight line. Our leaders should be 10-16 pound tippet strength and of an abrasion resistant variety. Our redfish aren’t very “leader shy” like in some heavily pressured, clear water fisheries, so I tend to fish heavier leaders here, on the upper end of the range of what I mentioned. As for the fly reel, pick a reel designed for the weight line you are using. Most will have way more line/backing capacity than we will ever need fishing for redfish, but it will make for a great travel rod when you head to the tropics for longer running or more powerful fish.
The Things We Throw
Norton Bull Minnow in Roach
When it comes to shallow water redfish lures, I keep the selection fairly simple. A small variety of spoons and soft plastics will work day in and day out for catching not only redfish, but trout and flounder as well. Because I’m primarily sight fishing, I rarely utilize a cork and prefer to fish soft plastics on a lightweight jig head.
Bass Assassin Lures 4″ Sea Shad in Slammin’ Chicken
Presentation is everything with this style of fishing. I rig with 1/4 ounce or less, typically 1/8, screw lock style heads, and utilize smaller swim tail or paddle tail designs in the 3-5” range.
For colors, I prefer the darker shades in most situations, especially in the marshes. Dark colors silhouette better in dirty water and have worked well for me for many years. Here’s my short list of colors; purple, dark blue, and “Texas Roach.” You may want to keep some light colors like white or bone on hand, but I’ve been very consistent with the darker shades. I especially like the blues and purples for the hint of crab coloration they provide.
Retrieves with soft plastics can be steady, as the tail vibration will help fish locate the lure. I often impart a bouncing or “jigging” action with the rod tip to help make the lure more visible in the water column.
Looking at spoons, I prefer to use weedless spoons in most situations, though in slightly deeper water, or when water is “off color,” I will use a sprite style or treble hook spoon. In very shallow water, under a foot, spoons don’t really require much added action on the retrieve. A steady and constant speed without added rod tip movement works very well.
The trick is to find the speed range for the spoon that you have tied on. You want to see that spoon wobbling or rocking from side to side, without turning full rotations. This retrieve gives the most vibration without causing line twist that can come back to bite you later in the day. You will find that this speed can be slowed to nearly a crawl, or sped up by adjusting the angle of the rod tip up or down. The key is to maintain the wobble.
When it comes to color choices for spoons, gold is my standard. I fish weedless gold, 1/4 ounce spoons more than any other, but occasionally need a 1/8 when fish are very shallow and spooky.
A Few Quick Tips On Maintaining Your Gear
All lures should be rinsed with clean fresh water. Rods can be rinsed as well. For your reels, I recommend that unless they get splashed or dunked in saltwater, they should only be wiped clean with a soft cloth dampened with clean fresh water. Excessive spraying of water can often force salt and dirt deeper into the reel which will cause problems later down the road. If you rinse down your fishing rods, take a moment to wipe them off after with a soft cloth to remove the water. Not all rod guides are designed to withstand saltwater, so the wipe down will help remove any remaining salt.
Good luck and tight lines! Don’t miss out on what the shallows have to offer this fall and winter.
Tips For Catching More Fish
By Capt. Joe Kent
There is an old adage that 10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. Well, while not statistically proven, the odds are that the old adage has a lot of merit.
If you are one of those anglers who comes away feeling like everyone around you is catching fish while you are left with an empty or sparse stringer, hopefully some of these tips will help you join that exclusive 10% group that takes 90% of the fish.
While actively guiding fishing trips, there were a number of things I observed that definitely handicapped my guests from catching many fish.
Most likely the biggest obstacle was in casting skills.Other fishing guides agreed with me that if there was one big fault it was in the lack of being able to cast a bait to a target and at the same time avoid another big problem, backlashes.
Good casting skills are imperative for fan casting or placing your bait precisely near structure or jetties.
Line Control
There are a number of other skills anglers need to address; however, accurate casting and controlling the line is at the top of the list.
Casting skills take practice and the time not to practice is when on a fishing trip with others.
Choosing a rod and reel you are comfortable using and is appropriate for where you are fishing is the first step.
Practice, practice and more practice is the key to developing your skills in the art of casting.
Once you have become comfortable with your choice of rod and reel and have developed control over where and how far you can cast, then attention can be given to a number of other problems that tend to plague those not bringing home stringers of game fish.
Hook live shrimp under the horn.
Bait & Tackle
While space does not allow an elaboration on each of the following, using the wrong bait for the occasion, hook size and hooking live bait, especially shrimp, are key issues.
For newcomers and those not seasoned at saltwater fishing, I always recommend using live bait, especially shrimp when fishing.
Hooking live shrimp involves practice and experience.There is a small area under the horn on the shrimp’s head that is the appropriate spot to hook the bait.Using too large a hook or hooking the shrimp anywhere else is going to kill the bait and render it in the same category as dead bait. Use a number 6 or 8 treble hook or a small live bait or kahle hook.
Once you have become comfortable with your casting skills and can hook live bait properly, then you are ready for the easier parts of this lesson.
A light southeast breeze is usually best on the upper coast.
Learn to Read the Water
Tide movement and water clarity are of utmost importance in triggering feeding among schools of fish.Once you see those elements come together then you can start looking at the wind direction.
Along the Texas Gulf Coast, the southeast wind is called the fishermen’s breeze as it brings clear Gulf water into the bays and along the beachfront.This is a big plus when choosing a time to go fishing.
The so called 10% group takes time to plan their trips and, based on the forecast, they know what the odds are for a productive excursion.
Hold Steady
Most of the seasoned anglers limit their fishing to given areas that they tend to get to know well and learn where the fish will be at a given time. Concentrating on a particular bay, the jetties or surf can do wonders for your confidence.
Patience is a major key to success.Guides and other experienced fishermen choose a spot and will stay there knowing that the fish have appeared there regularly while often having to fight boredom themselves and the impatience of their guests.
There is no way anyone can expect to take home a big stringer of fish on each trip; however, following the steps mentioned above you should greatly enhance your chances of increasing your odds of catching fish when hitting the water.
Corsair Marine Pulse 600 Trimaran
Sailboats are either built for comfort or for speed. The new Corsair Marine Pulse 600 Trimaran falls in the latter category. Longtime friends and Galveston Bay sailors Martin Hamilton and Bob Webbon recently purchased a Pulse 600. These guys have been racing catamarans for years so we thought it would be a good idea to ask them what they thought of the boat.
What is your idea of the perfect sailboat?
Martin: In two words stable and fast. For the last decade, I have been sailing a Condor 40 trimaran and an A-Class catamaran. The catamaran provided the opportunity to compete around the country in a single handed fast boat. The trimaran allowed me to entertain on a quick boat with plenty of stability (set a beverage down and come back later and finish it).
Bob: The perfect boat? For what? For sailing? For cruising? For having friends onboard, etc. If it’s a perfect day sailing boat then it must have a groove. It should give back what you put in. It should have a feel that is pleasurable, it should take you away from the mundane of life. It should be exciting. There are plenty of great boats that do that.
What do you like most about this boat?
MH: The Pulse 600 is the new standard. It has the speed and excitement of an A-Cat and at the same time is stable enough for my wife and I to handle even in winds of 20+ knots. And the boat easily accommodates 4 adults. Perfect for a family outing.
BW: The Pulse 600 is light weight so it is lively, responsive but forgiving. It’s quick in a breeze and remains fast with four people on board. It’s just downright fun. Get a little boom box on board with a nice cold beverage, sheets cleated doing high teens, what more do you need for a great afternoon.
What is it that you most dislike about this boat?
MH: Probably the difficulty pinning the mast base onto the pedestal in order to raise mast. Once pinned the mast is easily raised
BW: Yes, it takes a bit more work, but it gives back so much more.
Both of you guys are obsessed with speed, why can’t you cruise along like the rest of us?
MH:I understand the desire to cruise. It is always easy to ‘throttle back’ and enjoy a beverage and conversation. But, you can enjoy the beverage and conversation even at top speed.
BW: First of all I do have a cruising boat, but I’m just not obsessed with going slow. I can’t think of any other sport where slower is better. I think if more people knew they could set their beverage down on a boat without it spilling and they could actually sail much faster while doing that, they would figure it out.
If you could describe this boat in one word, what would it be?
MH: Friendly
BW: Perfect
These boats are pretty wide, are you having problems finding a slip?
MH: We actually keep the boat on a trailer. The boat can be launched and motored with the wings folded. Bob and I are storing the boat with the wings extended at the Houston Yacht Club and are set up to launch from the crane.
BW: Corsair Tris have been around for decades. Their folding systems are proven, so we can launch via crane, ramp or even wet sailed from a normal slip.
Are you guys still friends, now that you own a boat together?
MH: Bob and I actually owned a Tornado catamaran in the late 80s. We sold it after the Tornado Worlds. We continued spending a lot of time together sailboarding. Eventually in the early 2000s we both purchased A-Cats and have traveled the country together with our multi-boat trailer. Did I mention that it’s always been Bob’s idea?
BW: I’ve been partners on sailboats and power boats. It’s always been great. I think that realization is what’s driving a growing part of the boating industry right now. Look at all the new boat sharing programs and companies. We now even have a community sailing program in Galveston. It just makes sense. There’s just no reason to feel like ownership has to be expensive. Partnerships also bring folks closer together through their shared interests. We’re better friends because of the boats we’ve owned together.
You both grew up sailing on Galveston Bay, what is it about this place that you like most?
MH: It’s such a great sailing area. Lots of water and wind most of the time if you’re willing to wait for the shore breeze.
BW: Wind. Unlike a lot of other sailing venues we seem to have more wind. We also have great racing organizations on the bay.
Near Perfect Weather During the 30th Annual Harvest Moon Regatta
Harvest Moon racers could be seen off the Galveston beachfront. Photo by Kelly Groce.
More than 140 boats took off from Pleasure Pier in Galveston on a beautiful, clear Thursday afternoon and raced down the coast to Port Aransas to complete the 30th Annual Harvest Moon Regatta.® Saturday, Oct. 15 was a busy day as the sailors were treated to a barbecue dinner and awards banquet followed by the Welcome Sailors Rum Party.
Lakewood Yacht Club was well represented among the race winners. John Barnett seized the coveted Bacardi Cup; Ted Greak earned the Cameron Cannon; Charles Herpich won the Commodore/John Broderick Memorial, and Jim Demarest took home the PHRF Spin Overall. Other Lakewood members who achieved top finishes in their divisions include: First Place winners Kevin Tyrrell, Ash Walker, Uzi Ozeri, Bob Giles, and Randy Pike; Second Place winners Carl Drechsel, J.D. Hill, Jay Zittrer, Cran Frasier, Taylor Smith, Gerhard Wittich and Richard Fawcett; Third Place winners Al Goethe, J.D. Bednar, O.J. Young, and Fred Pounds, and Fourth Place winners Robert Crosby and Gregory Way. Visit www.harvestmoonregatta.com for the full results.
This annual race is organized by Bay Access, a charitable organization supporting amateur racing. It is hosted by Lakewood Yacht Club, the City of Port Aransas and Port Aransas & Mustang Island. Aside from Harvest Moon Regatta title sponsor Bacardi U.S.A., other gracious sponsors of the 30th Annual Regatta included the City of Seabrook, all Bay Access annual race sponsors, Banks Sails, Windward Sea Ventures, Alliant Marine & Energy Insurance, Boatpix.com, Mantus Anchors, The Yacht Sales Company, Edna Rice Executive Recruiters, RejeX.com, Optima Marine, Faron Daigle Realtor®, Superior Marine Services, True North Marine, Coast Guard Foundation, Little Yacht Sales, North Canvas and Upholstery, Davis Marine Electronics, Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine, Ocean Navigator, Eagle Maritime Services, Inc. Saved by Spot, The Insurance Navigators, Fishbones Safety Solutions and Energy Services, Triumphus, Laguna Harbor, Oj’s Marine and several others.
“As usual, we could not continue to host this hugely successful event without the support of these enthusiastic sponsors, and this year’s no different,” says Harvest Moon Regatta® Chairman Rex Bettis. “Our sponsors make this an exciting first-class event for our racers, spectators and guests.”
Congratulatulations to all the race winners and thanks go out to the numerous volunteers who helped make this a great event.
If you have questions about the race or have an interest in sponsoring next year’s regatta, visit www.harvestmoonregatta.com.
Galveston Bay Fishing 2016
Doug Cadwell with a Texas two-fer of redfish and speckled trout.
It has been said that the older you get, the faster time goes by. It seems like only yesterday I was penning my first article for 2016 and now I am writing the last one for the year. But 2016, for sure, is a year to remember.
Winter started off typically here on Galveston Bay. In between fronts, the fishing held consistent. The upper reaches of the bay, Scott, Burnett, Crystal and West Galveston Bay lived up to their reputation as winter hot spots. In March, and the first two weeks of April, fishing really turned on in the Texas City/ Eagle Point area for speckled trout. Great catches were coming from both locations. This sure did set the stage for Galveston Bay to have an epic year of fishing.
In mid-April of this year, an upper level low stalled over the Rocky Mountains. During the overnight hours of April 16-17 and into the morning of the 18, Houston received over 17 inches of rain, the most since Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. The resulting runoff from this event flooded Trinity and Galveston Bay. This fresh water pushed the fish into lower Galveston and East Bay.
East Galveston Bay remained the best location until about the last week of May. The fish began to move back up north, following the flow of saltwater back into our bay system. Everything seemed to be getting back to normal until June 3, when the Houston area received even more rain! Another runoff event ensued, turning our bay fresh and off-colored. This time though, while some fish retreated back to East Galveston Bay and further south, lots of fish stayed in the area. They sought deeper water along the spoils and gas wells.
As we moved into June and August, the area along the ship channel spoils and gas wells, known as the A-lease wells, saw very good numbers of speckled trout and redfish. Limited supply of live bait was a problem for area fishermen during the first few weeks of summer, another adverse effect from the June flood. But by the third week of July, Galveston Bay and the fishery was back to normal. Towards the end of August, we started seeing fish make a move back into Trinity Bay and farther up the channel, a normal movement that happens every year.
September is a month of transition where schools of speckled trout are harder to locate. This certainly was the case this year. Scattered catches of redfish and speckled trout were the norm. By the end of September and the first week of October, as I type this article, fishing for trout has seen an upswing. But the problem we are experiencing is the size of the trout. Numerous undersized fish are being caught, compared to keepers. I believe this is due to the higher than normal water temperature and tide.
I am optimistic that November and December fishing will get us back on track for numbers and size of trout. We are finally experiencing some cooler weather with the passing of a couple fronts. Although a true cold front has not passed, water temperatures have cooled a little. The first cold front should help drop the tides and flush the bait out of the marsh and inlets of our bay system. This should help fishing tremendously.
Eagle Point Fishing Camp will maintain a good supply of live bait through the year. Remember to be courteous to others on the water. Happy Thanksgiving, Christmas and Holidays to all!
Teach Your Youngsters to Fish
Five-year-old Brett Holden ll with a Costa Rica ‘toadfish’ on board his father’s 52′ Viking, the Booby Trap.
It’s not all fun and games. Brett Holden II earns his way as part of the crew by learning good boat maintenance and cleaning.
Start them young, teach them right. Never force your youngsters to fish and keep it entertaining. Give them fast action and fun but don’t push them to the extreme if they are bored. Forcing the kids to fish at young ages can push them away from the sport. Let it come naturally; make it so they ask to go fishing. I would actually leave my boy at the dock or home until he begged me to go. It really ate at me too, but I did that on purpose. At first, he was okay staying home but now he eats it up every chance he gets. It is still very hard to say no to the long trips, because he can’t be missing school.
I teased him into loving fishing and hunting, rather than forcing him into it. Less video games and more fishing, spooling reels, driving the boat and cleaning with the crew. He is earning his way as part of the team.
Featured Articles
Buggy Whippin: Galveston sight casting with Capt. Clay Sheward
The water is still and so am I. The redfish swims along a flat, that is painted with a palette of green sea grass and dull colored sand, unaware of ou...
Have you ever been fishing with friends and either you or they were catching fish while the other person was not? Well, if you were using artificial ...
M
